*Reference: Shovel Knight/Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove (specifically the Shovel of Hope and Plague of Shadows campaigns)
†Reference: Touhou Juuouen ~ Unfinished Dream of All Living Ghost ("Touhou 19")
‡Reference/Recap: Unfinished Dream of All Living Ghost officially includes Yuuma in its storyline, though due to reasons that can be traced back to her debut plotline, she was not present in The Chaos Zone's version of the events. On that note, 100th Black Market (most likely) never happened, given differences in Takane's character.
§Reference: Yuuma's plan in Sunken Fossil World ("Touhou 17.5") involved taking advantage of something that went unnoticed during the events of the previous game, Wily Beast and Weakest Creature ("Touhou 17").
|I'm not implying that the Valley and DK Island are across each other on the planet or anything with the sunset and sunrise (not that we have proof they aren't that I know of); while I'm not sure about giving specific dates to these plotlines, they do not all happen in sync with each other.

(Ambience) Calmed By Nature - "Relaxing Meadow with Ambient Nature Sounds, Wildflowers, and Mountain View - 8 Hours"
Konngara looks down at Li'l Miss Marshmallow's new area of interest: a bed of flowers basking in the sun, in the middle of what's otherwise an unremarkable field.
The spectral-looking figure is unsure what to do.
...so am I here for weeding or something?
NO NEED. I PULLED ANY AND ALL THIS MORNING.
Konngara rests her hand on her cheek - the arm of that hand in turn resting on her other arm - as she tries to think of what to say amidst the silence.
As Marshmallow holds her watering can while rotating her body in place (looking almost like a novelty sprinkler all the while), she breaks the silence.
THEY LOOK PLEASANT, DON'T THEY?
...
...did you plant these?
THAT'S NOT WHAT I ASKED, BUT YES. I TEND TO THEM WHEN I NEED TO UNWIND.
Konngara and Marshmallow share a look, the two simultaneously imagining a future where Konngara thoughtlessly says "Heaven knows you need unwinding" and gets slapped across the Valley.
...they look quaint, I suppose.
Marshmallow finally lowers her watering can, looking up at the setting sun.
Thinking silently for a moment as she looks at Konngara - who's clearly trying to piece together what today has provided - she puts down the watering can.
IT'S GETTING LATE. THERE'S ONE LAST THING I WANT YOU TO SEE.

---

A figure in loose camo sits at a small wood table, reading over a map and a notebook as she impatiently taps her fingers on the table.
...I don't get it.

The Kiketsu n' Keiga families didn't hesitate for a second when the whole spirit land thing† happened, but we ain't heard nothin' from the Gouyoku‡...
Takane's fist clenches as the gears turn in her head.
...I saw their boss last year, that was the last time I heard o' her busy 'round Gensokyo...
The yamawaro raises her head from her table, slamming her fist down.
That's gotta be it. She musta thought of somethin' to do in the mountain, and she's just tryin' to get our business messed up when we don't expect it. She did it with the black water, that's her trick§. And I ain't fallin' for it.
Takane grabs a box and straps it on her back, standing up as she calls out to a nearby fellow yamawaro.
Hey, tell the others, I'm goin' out for a couple days!
She then looks straight ahead, map in hand, and lowers her voice to a mutter.
Whatever's goin' on, I'm ending it before it begins.

---

As Lulu drops into the valley, the sun rising behind her back|, she takes a moment to stretch and yawn before looking around...
Pinky? P.K.? You here?

(Event/Area Theme) ♫ Kirby and the Forgotten Land - "Smell of a Scary Beast" (Part 2) ♫
...
Bandanna Dee nods, and walks up to the cathedral.

---

(Event Theme) ♫ Kirby and the Forgotten Land - "An Unexpected Beast King" ♫
N-no, please, why are you-?!
Take 'im away.
As a Clocker carries the Waddle Dee up into the skies, Bandanna Dee and Kirby approach the figure who gave the order.
What they see is someone two or three times their size, in a heavy robe...
...what're you pipsqueaks doin' 'ere?

B. Dee begins to quiver as he quickly recognizes the figure. It's a face he'd recognize anywhere, and yet something feels very, very wrong.
Eh, no matter. I know just what to do to kids messin' with our Pack...
(Character Battle - Vs. ...) ♫ Kirby and the Forgotten Land - "Roar of Dedede" ♫
The figure growls as he raises his giant hammer.
...clobber 'em into nothin'.

(Ambience) DOVADO - "Howling Blizzard Sounds | Winter Ambience | Heavy Wind & Snowfall | Snowstorm Sounds For Sleeping"
(Event/Area Theme) ♫ Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Smell of a Scary Beast (Part 1) ♫
Oh! Uh, well...
Weapons Shop Dee helped me with the parasol. But, uh...
...I...I know I can help. And I didn't want you to, uh...
Bandanna Dee's eyes drift toward Elfilin for a second, but he catches himself, shifting attention back to Kirby.
...be alone.
B. Dee turns to look up the final stretch of stairs, rows of pillars standing at its edges, and a frostbitten cathedral at the top.
(Event/Area Theme) ♫ Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Smell of a Scary Beast (Part 2) ♫
...we're going in there, right?

---

*Reference: New Super Mario Bros. Wii, World 4-5 (the level name was invented for Chaos Zone)
†Recap: Shadow Digital has had strong reactions to reminders of Temporal Leakage (something he's experienced before, as I've recapped in his Summary Data ) in the past, particularly in a time when he was slightly less accustomed to the world around him: Part II, Page 66, Post #5 shows him having flashbacks of his own struggles with Temporal Leakage, infecting others by complete accident and unable to stop it.
‡I like Beta's idea of how to handle this.

(Ambience) Relaxing Soundzzz - "Tropical Beach Ambience on a Island in Thailand with Ocean Sounds For Relaxation & Holiday Feeling"
Konngara hovers at the beach shore, eyeing the vast sea as she prepares any second to unsheathe her sword...
So what are we after?
The Astral Knight is a bit perplexed when she sees Li'l Miss Marshmallow walk up beside her with a loose bag in her hands.
LITTER.
Marshmallow proceeds to walk along the beach silently, picking up any small piece of waste she can find and placing them in the waste bag.
Konngara scoffs as she drops her stance.
...excuse me, but the only reason I even agreed to hear you out was because I figured there was something serious-
Marshmallow would have turned her head a full 180 degrees to face Konngara, but at her angle she settles for 135.
I CAN ASSURE YOU, THIS IS QUITE SERIOUS. DISGUSTING APPEARANCES ASIDE, I REFUSE TO LET THE WILDLIFE BE HARMED BY THAT WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Marshmallow's tone softens as she turns the rest of her body to face Konngara.
COULD YOU PICK UP THAT ORANGE DEVICE? YOU CAN BRING IT OVER TO ME IF YOU'D LIKE, OR I'LL COME OVER AND PLACE IN THE BAG LATER.
Orange device...?
Konngara looks down around her and realizes that as the conversation was going on, an orange telephone shaped like a cat had washed up on the shore as they were talking.

She grabs the worn phone, holding it for a moment before deciding to float over to Marshmallow to dispose of it.
I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER THAT WASTE SPECIFICALLY WILL PLAGUE THE WORLD'S BEACHES, BUT I WILL BE THERE EVERY TIME UNTIL THE END.

---

...
Vanitas DS stews in his thoughts, looking down at his cup.
...I suppose.
VaniDS takes another sip.
(...however long that takes...)

---

Shaking a little as he observes Stardust's shape, Corporal Smaplar jolts back a bit when he hears Beta DS' last exclamations.
S-sir, I swear I'm not trying to impede on your existence, I do not have the authority to control your free will...I don't even know if we have a rank that can do that...
I-I just want to ensure that unsolicitated theft doesn't occur.

---

Shadow Digital's breathing grows heavy and frantic for a second, but he quickly gets himself back under control.†
I-I'm really sorry. That he did that to you.

(Ambience) DOVADO - "Howling Blizzard Sounds | Winter Ambience | Heavy Wind & Snowfall | Snowstorm Sounds For Sleeping"
(Event/Area Theme) ♫ Kirby and the Forgotten Land - Smell of a Scary Beast (Part 1) ♫
Bandanna Dee keeps his parasol folded to prevent it from carrying him away as he scales the staircase, eyeing familiar metal cages littering the ruins...
About two thirds up, as some lights shine on flat land just before the final stretch of steps, a familiar face catches B. Dee's eye...
...Kirby?

---

*While this isn't a plotline I plan to make public to everyone, I have been planning specific cooperative moments in private; this is why the end of the post mentions a character I haven't reserved (something similar has happened twice before in this plotline, and both situations were orchestrated similarly).

♫ Revival Xanadu (PC-98) - "Égarer" (Remix: Some Spoony Bard) ♫
Lulu swings the cottage door open as if a studio audience was waiting to applaud for her.
Hey, Elf, I'm home!
Sorry I'm late, I met someone over at DK Island and we had a bit of a chat...
Lying in bed above the sheets, Dark Elf briefly pulls her book away from her face to turn to Lulu.
That's quite all right. Why would I complain?
...well, there was the time I was over at the Atomic Furnace until 9 PM...
I told you, it wasn't the time, it was that you went in the Atomic Furnace.
Oh. Yeah. I guess that makes sense.
Lulu balls up the towel she'd had around her neck, and chucks it into a basket in the corner next to the door. She then grabs a chair from the small dining table, turning to face Elf and resting her elbow on the table.
Anyway, there was something I wanted to ask you...
Dark Elf places the book on the side table next to her bed, sitting up as she gets ready to hear Lulu out.
You've read a lot, you know stuff...you ever read books about superpowers? Like, the kinds with names or auras or whatever?
...I think I've studied a few, yes.
Great. So d'you know anything about some kinda power where...
Lulu rocks the four-legged chair a bit trying to jog her memory.
Gimme a minute, uh...something about physical power and the mind? Part red, part blue?
Dark Elf freezes up for a moment, taking a second to clear her throat before she responds.
...who told you?
Hey, I ain't gonna try it myself, I'm fine with what I've got...
I just...heard about it. And I was wondering...I've heard it's a bit double-edged or something, and I wanted your two cents on how it'd go to use that power.
...
...whoever told you...did they mention the consequences of not keeping it in balance?
Something about getting crippled...I dunno what kinda "crippled", but-
From what I've read, they're not hiding anything. Just from losing their balance of ki, people have been hospitalized from the strain of it. One of them would have outright died had an expert not been there to stop their ki.
...holy s***...
And I'm not an expert, but...I can't shake off the feeling that someone who tries to balance their power and emotion...their balance could be thrown off even when they're otherwise focused, if someone could use their emotions against them.
...
...is it okay if I ask one last thing?
...
Let's say there's someone like that. Y'know, who's really, really making sure they have their skills balanced. If you had to be the one to give them advice, what would it be?
...I would ask them about the people they know. What they mean to them.
...
Lulu just nods in understanding as she puts her chair back and begins rummaging through a small closet.
...think I'm gonna call it a night, you good with that?
Sure.
Dark Elf gets up to re-adjust the bedding as Lulu grabs some night clothes for both of them from the closet.

Hey, I've met Beaks with respectable positions. The transportation methods make it complicated, but-
Corporal Smaplar shakes his body (in a way that suggests if he could, he'd merely shale his head) as his mind gets back on track.
N-never mind, I'm sorry to bother you, have a nice day.
Corporal Smaplar zips away, and ends up bumping into Beta Man DS amidst the rush!

---

(Area Theme) ♫ Kirby and the Forgotten Land - "Northeast Frost Street" ♫
Bandanna Dee has quickly been re-adjusting to using a parasol instead of a spear...whether he likes it or not, having been carried along by the strong outside winds and often needing the overhead protection as Balloon-Meisters and Glunks* drop attacks from above.
As he drops down to an unmoving boat, a spray of projectiles from a Glunk* he didn't see catches him by surprise, and he uses a Parasol Swing in self-defense!
B. Dee notices that the push of his parasol actually managed to push the boat as well...

B. Dee continues to use his parasol to push the boat along, even smashing it through some fragile ice blocks along the way!
He almost passes an isolated dock, until a sound catches his attention:
Help!
Surprised and concerned, he rushes back to the dock, and with an extra Parasol Swing to get a fan blowing, B. Dee manages to clear a path and free trapped Waddle Dee underneath!

The Waddle Dee gives him a nod of approval, and the two Dees continue riding the boat, Bandanna Dee's parasol still firmly in his hand.

---

Parasol Swing: (Shield) The user swings their parasol straight forward, a small spray of water releasng from the parasol. If held, the user can keep the parasol in front of them as a shield (this technique is known as Parasol Shield).
Crashing Sword†: (Cutter/Flame) Nero swings her sword three times, each sword swing releasing a short-ranged wave of fire.
Optic Moonbeam: (Laser/Space) Kikuri shoots lasers from her eyes (her eyes do not have to be open to do this) that intersect about half a meter in front of her face, each laser targeting an opponent. The lasers don't move parallel to each other, even if they're both targeting the same opponent.

---

*WiKirby links for Balloon-Meister and Glunk
†This move is canonically called "Gladiusanus Blauserum" but I'm not pronouncing that.

Both Nero and Kikuri are still in the fight, not without a scratch, but still much healthier than their mechanical opponents:

---

Nero and the training bot are walking in and out of range, each trying to land a hit in, backing up when the other blocks to try for another safe hit...
...until Nero jumps in front, managing to Parry a high kick, giving her a window to finish with a Crashing Sword!!

---

Kikuri watches her distance carefully as the robot shoots flying fireballs lower to the ground, until she eventually "jumps" in with the two purple flames hitting the robot, the hitstun leaving it open for a Optic Moonbeam to knock it out!!

---

Cellval begins to focus on her surroundings, seeing Meandra and Saias in their shared discomfort.
...
She slowly walks up to them, laying down between them (or next to one of them, if they're too far apart), quietly laying down back side up, resting her head forward atop crossed arms, hoping to do something to comfort them.

---

Two figures stand across each other at the tower's entrance.
One of them - with slightly tattered red robes, messy black hair tied at the back, and a spike in her head, standing about 2 1/4 meters tall (or at least, she would be that height if she was more than an ethereal trail under the waist) - looks down at the other - a maid robot standing around 1.6 meters, with yellow hair in twin-tails, and a rather primitive-looking face considering other robots in the world.
So, what did you call me here for, and why are we the only two working on this?

...I ACTUALLY WANTED TO START BY SAYING HOW LONG IT'S BEEN.

That it has; all the more reason I assume this is serious, with how long the "Clockwork Alliance" hasn't been a thing.
YOU TALK LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE ALL DAY, AND IF I'VE LEARNED ANYTHING FROM YOU, IT'S THAT YOU HAVE AS LONG AS YOU NEED.
Just give me the job.
The snarky comeback gets Marshmallow a little steamed. Besides the steam from her ears, it also gets her irritated.
I'M SORRY, WOULD YOU CARE TO REPEAT THAT?
Noticing Marshmallow's arm slowly raising for a slap, Konngara backs up, taking a small breath.
...apologies. I haven't heard what our plan is, though.
Marshmallow lowers her arm.
YOU'LL KNOW WHEN YOU SEE IT. JUST FOLLOW ME.
Marshmallow begins to walk off. Konngara, still a bit perplexed and disgruntled, follows after.

---

...
...not what I'll mean. I'll stop beating around the bush:
I thought I knew what "darkness" and "light" were. That "darkness" was the shade that cooled you down, and "light" was the blinding flame that not much could come from.
...and then I learned what they used to mean to me. Before someone used me. The complete opposite, except I was still closer to the darkness.
Vanitas DS' grip on his cup tightens.
But that's not what either of them are, are they? Symbolism be damned, darkness and light aren't the sign of who someone is.
So when someone lives by darkness, and they believe it means something, where does that leave them when it doesn't mean anything?

(a) You're leaving the town?!?!
...I don't know what's out there, how far it goes...
...but Kirby's done so much for me. I don't want him to be stuck by himself if I can help it. I want to be there to help him.
Another Waddle Dee timidly but worriedly tries to get Meta Knight's attention.
(b) M-Meta Knight, we shouldn't let him just do this and get hurt, should we? We shouldn't, right?!
......Bandanna Waddle Dee has stood by Kirby's side many times. I have firm belief that he can fend for himself at least as long as it takes to find an ally. Maybe even longer.
I won't forgive myself if he fails to survive...but I have little doubt that he can.
(b) ...
Bandanna Dee waves to Meta Knight and the other Dees in town as he approaches a Warp Star in the center of town. He hops on, and the star carries him high above the land.
The Warp Star carries him past soothing plains, a relaxing beach, and even a carnival, slowing down as it approaches a snowy city...

---

*References (left-to-right, top row to bottom row): Kirby's Return to Dreamland/Kirby's Adventure Wii, Kirby: Triple Deluxe, Kirby and the Rainbow Curse/Kirby and the Rainbow Paintbrush, Kirby Star Allies (screenshots are sourced from, respectively: Nintendo Utopia, packattack04082, NintendoMovies, Friends Without Benefits )

Okay, I said in this post I was gonna explain all this later, and it's later, so here we go (if you can and want to put the pieces together yourself you can ignore this):
-First off, Broken Seal being a thing at all: ALL the way back on Part I, Page 257, Post #1 , the ribbon on Rumia's head (which was also a seal) broke, unleashing a mass of something. Even after this was undone on post #3 of the same page, I had an idea of this tying into certain characters being revealed. I scrapped this idea because I realized I had no idea what I actually wanted to do with these characters. Broken Seal is that scrapped idea personified (hence the "child"-like shape - more specifically meant to be shaped like Rumia - and the body being meant as something of a hybrid of Touhou characters Elis and YuugenMagan, two of the characters I had considered to be released from the seal (this was before RedBomber reserved YuugenMagan, let alone before I introduced YuugenMagan Visage).
-Next up, Dimension L: Dimension L has always been sort of a universal "lost-and-found", the more explicit elements of this idea dating at least as far back as Windaz's debut (and subsequent battle against the Silent Siren) in Part II . Tying into what has been said about how the Chaos Zone forms at least twice by Beta Shadow (the more recent time being on Part III, Page 92, Post #10 ), I decided that perhaps Dimension L was also something of an external factor contributing to this in its own way, pulling in stray ideas.
-And lastly, the weird names mentioned by Broken Seal: All of them refer to characters that I introduced with very little context to how they even managed to exist (or in one case, come back to life), and retroactively decided to get involved in this idea of Dimension L (save for two who have always been involved with Dimension L in some way). Each name referred to a specific character/group's introductory subtitle, or their identity ("Mistreated"/"Mechas" = the Fighting Mecha Team, "Regretful"/"Genius(es)" = Dr. Doppler, "Roses"/"Emperor(s)" = Nero Claudius from the Fate series, "Forsaken"/"Mutation(s)" = Windaz). And yes, this post - as well as one of Broken Seal's first posts - is saying that Cellval is one of these more "unusual" introductions as well. Basically, if I couldn't think of a good reason why they're here but they are anyway (and aren't just a natural part of the world), it's because of Dimension L.

Blasted by the Valflame, Loptous Tome, Ice Circle and Rock Wrecker, Broken Seal begins to slump, unable to act, yet alive.
.
The road is like a magnet
Mechas, Geniuses, Emperors, Mutations, Countless more
The creature looks at Cellval one last time
Even Cells
They appear without care
I fail to join them
None worry why they exist
So who should worry that I want to as well
.
The rift Broken Seal has been attached to this whole time begins to slowly pull it back in, it helpless to stop...but also seeming like it's accepting it.
.
The road of L
Why did I think it promised
Why did I think it wanted me
.
those chosen to exist
enjoy your gift
it  was  not  meant  for  me
As Broken Seal vanishes behind the rift, so too does the rift vanish. As it does, everything fades to white...

---

The team (Nuppie's corpse included) finds themselves back on Earth, above the ground. Orange, Sese, and Cellval all recognize it as where they were about an hour ago, but they're still trying to process all that happened...
...

Fate Nero immediately rushes into an open mini-arena, trying to land an opening strike with two wide sideways swings of her sword...that are both Parried, giving the robot the chance to counterattack with an overhead throw, knocking Nero to the ground with a sweeping kick mid-descent!
Nero rolls away as she gets up, seeing the robot preparing a meaty hook, and guards it immediately, getting a counterattack in* and following it up with a Saint's Fountain, knocking the robot far enough that both it and Nero are back in neutral (even after Nero gets greedy and tries a Rosa Ichthys that the robot Parries)!

---

Meanwhile, Kikuri's begun her own qualifications, starting with a more defensive strategy as she tries to slow the robot's approach with several Orbit Wheels, each one parried!
As Kikuri narrowly dodges an overhead kick, she summons a pair of floating purple flames, finishing the summon just in time to Parry a crouching jab, one of the purple flames hitting the bot from above with a Rotting Splash!

---

Saint's Fountain: (Nature/Wind) Nero summons a thin tornado around her, hitting multiple times with high knockback on the final hit.
Rosa Ichthys: (Cutter/Nature) Also known as "Rose Ichthys". Nero swings her sword, summoning a petal-filled crescent of magic energy that flies forward.
Orbit Wheel: (Crystal/Space) Kikuri summons a series of balls of light that move around in a single ring (or "wheel") formation as they fly forward.
Rotting Splash: (Toxic/Water) Kikuri makes one of her purple flames drop a damaging purple liquid that erupts into a small, brief ring of geysers when it touches a surface.

---

*Reference: Fate/EXTRA - The game's combat system works on a "rock-paper-scissors"-esque system of Attack < Guard < Break < Attack. If one fighter uses Attack and their opponent uses Guard, the opponent will counterattack as part of the Guard. I know it would've made just as much sense for the meaty to have been minus on block but y'know
†The Fighting Game Glossary by Infil, in case you're lost on the use of words such as "sweep", "meaty", "neutral", "overhead", and "minus".

A blonde-haired woman, dressed in red, white, and gold, confidently finishes her signature, swinging the pen† like a knight dissecting a frog, putting it down as she puts her hands on her hips in satisfaction.
As easily as I could have organized my own competition, to compete with this one...
...why not prove my strength right here?!

Nero just stands there for a moment, her bravado masking that she has no clue where she's supposed to go next.
Eventually, someone floats up behind her.
...excuse me? I think you're blocking the way.
Nero holds her pose, albeit a bit more confused (or, well, confused in a way that she herself recognizes).
Hm?
Nero turns her head, jumping a bit at the sight of the figure: Bronze flowing hair, a long bronze dress, bronze skin...with her lower half either not there, or somewhere inside the giant bronze disc she's attached to.
The sign-ups. You're still standing in front of them.

Nero turns back to the signatures for a moment, her mind catching up with the figure's words.
Oh! Indeed, I guess I am!
Nero steps aside, her legs leaping like she's trying to do ballet and a square dance at the same time, as she proudly gestures her arm to the sign-ups.
Be my guest!
Uh...well, I was going to find another paper to sign after I cleared this up, but okay.

---

*Recap: Sakarin was first defeated during the Grey Matter Arc at the hands of a small number of the "Brash Crew" (plus iX). She was destroyed again early into the King II Arc, though this was at the hands of Sakaros in an incident that most of the "Brash Crew" doesn't know (Part II, Page 156, Post #9 ).
†Or whatever writing utensil was provided.
‡Was originally listed as "MMRPG-???-NASU" when she debuted September last year; has been re-arranged to match recent approaches on how to categorize alternate worlds (namely, the priority of the world's media of basis).

Enemice has returned to the labs, quietly watching his Limited radar not out of concern, but rather relief.
Sonic Man quietly walks up to him.
...I'm not quite sure what to say.
Our first encounter with Sakarin...well, I can't quite give a number to how much of us it took, what with Sakaros and the general disarray...
...but with how her own power grew, even more so after her unidentified second defeat*, you took possibly the least cautious approach. A gamble, even.
...
...it's not quite that simple.
Her greatest weakness wasn't raw power. It was the one thing that could tell her how to use it.
Sonic Man steps back a bit in surprise as he pieces the response together.
But she wasn't there for a battle of wits. And if she was, she was just as close to targeting your mind.
Enemice lets out a sigh of...defeat?
...like you said, it was a gamble.
But she would have taken the same approach be it Descant or I, and I think it goes without saying who's more important.
Enemice turns his head away from Sonic Man.
...who would have been missed more if their luck fell short...
...
Sonic Man puts his hand on Enemice's giant forearm.
...you're not a failure. It doesn't matter how vocal or quiet you've been, you've been a serious help to all of us, both as an ally and a friend.
I suppose I can respect how calculated your risks were...
...but more than that, I'm glad you made it out alive.
...
...
Enemice turns back to Sonic Man, neither speaking a word, yet saying so much.

As the Limited radar closes, no heavy traces of Limited are left. The nameless ice cave had its traces nullified to as little as those in the remains of the molten tower remains.
Certain traces, such as those of iX and Descant, had been marked by name to distinguish them from threats.
A third trace, marked on the remaining above-ground area of Doppler Labs, was given a similar, yet more generic marker for lack of further information.

---

VaniDS takes another sip, nodding faintly as he listens to Chord.
Mhm. Next question, to go with that: Has it affected your beliefs? Like, your understanding of how the world works, from your own mind or what others say?

(first part of this post is on the previous page)

(Area Theme) ♫ Kirby and the Forgotten Land - "Waddle Dee's Weapons Shop" ♫
Bandanna Dee meekly steps into the Weapons Shop, seeing Weapons Shop Dee behind a counter, several round statues lined up next to him, some sporting hats...
So, how often do you fight with that spear?
With-wh-what do you mean?
...I mean, uh...well, pretty much all the time. When I fight at all, anyway.
Right, right. I just had a feeling...well, you feel like it ain't working like you want?
...?
...lemme just cut to the chase. I think I've seen you around; you've used other weapons, haven't you?
A few, yeah. Sometimes.
Mhm. See, I'm askin' because I found something interestin'...
Weapons Shop Dee pulls out a blueprint for...a parasol?
I know Kirby uses one of these a lot, but I've never seen him actually come back with one. Dunno if he can even find 'em in this world...
But you've used it too*, haven't you?
Bandanna Dee nods.
So, if you feel like you need a li'l help and your spear ain't cutting it, I could probably make one of these for you!
...are you sure it-
No hassle at all, buddy! If you want it, I'll make it!
...uh, okay then. Please.
As B. Dee says the word, Weapons Dee activates a little contraption, moving himself over to his workbench. After a little clanging and banging, he moves back to the counter, a parasol in hand.
And there you go! Lemme know if you need anything else, okay?
Weapons Dee hands the Parasol over, Bandanna Dee putting it right next to his spear behind him.
Okay.
B. Dee begins to walk out of the shop, briefly stopping to turn back to Weapons Shop Waddle Dee.
...thanks.
Any time!

---

Dried Winds: (Wind/Empty) Sakarin releases wind from her vents that rapidly drains the defense of the opponent(s); if they have an infinite or otherwise non-numerical defense stat, it is set to Rayo's number and decreases from there.
Heated Breeze RECAP: (Flame/Wind) Sakarin sets her temperature to 1,200 °C and blows light air from her vents.
Satellite Laser: (Space/Laser) An ability learned from Advancing Particle Cannon. Enemice HL creates an energy satellite that absorbs subatomic particles, then releases them as a gigantic beam.

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*Reference: Kirby Battle Royale - In the game's story mode, Bandanna Waddle Dee appears as an ally, wielding the Parasol ability.

...
Well, see you around, Pinky! Or PK, whichever you prefer!
Lulu climbs up the rope to the exit.

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Vanitas DS takes a sip before responding to Chord.
I mean, first time I've ever had a "blend", whatever that means...
...
...lemme put it this way. You say you've been "used" before, right?

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Oh no, nononono...
Corporal Smaplar rushes outside, noticing the Tsurare Stamps and hurrying over to them, hopping in panic as he tries to get their attention.
E-excuse me, did either of you see a Robot Master with a dark blue and purple body leave the area recently, hex colors roughly 002F66 and B733CC?

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(PINCH - BATTLE OF LIMITED) ♫ Mega Man X Legacy Collection - "X3 - BOSS 2 (Extended)" ♫
One word begins to fill Sakarin's head.
(DANGER.DANGER.DANGER.DANGER.DANGER.DANGER.DANGER.DANGER.)
As her attention calcifies, Sakarin tries to dry the air around her and set it ablaze, Enemice quickly watching his footing as the mounds of ice evaporate, reducing the area to disconnected rocks!
Enemice HL leaps high in the air, the Heated Breeze still grazing him a bit...
...I never knew that my plan would have worked....
...and fires a Satellite Laser right below Sakarin, obliterating her!!!
...but I knew I was the only one who could take the risk.

Enemice HL gains 2,879 XP.

(PINCH - BATTLE OF LIMITED) ♫ Mega Man X Legacy Collection - "X3 - BOSS 2 (Extended)" ♫
As Sakarin backs up to a wall, her actions speak for her silent, faceless shock, with her trying several aimless Dry Crushes as she tries to figure out what she did wrong...

...which is just what Enemice needed. He begins closing the distance between himself and Sakarin, and begins coating his arm with ice, forming it into a quick shield to block a few stray Nitrogen Drips, then hitting Sakarin with a 1-2 of an icy fist and a Piston Knuckle!

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Lulu's grin begins to fade.
Oh. I, uh...didn't know it was one of those things.
Why would your-
Lulu stops herself, assuming whatever is keeping Pinky Kong and his father apart is something she shouldn't bother him about.
I-I mean, uh...well...
Lulu lets out a sigh of confused defeat.
I'm sorry, I ain't really an expert on these kinda things, uh...
She begins to slowly walk off, still focused on PK.
If it helps, I think I know someone I could ask. She spends a lot of time reading, she's probably learned a thing or two about this. And then I'll get back to you. Sorry about the interruption to your training.
Lulu leaps up onto a rope back up to the exit, giving the Kong a thumbs up.
Hope to see you around, uh-
Oh, uh, name's Lulu. Yours?

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Ice Guard: The user summons a thin wall of ice. The wall can negate damage from weak attacks in the form of projectiles (like bullets) and continuous streams (like beams or currents), but against physical attacks or stronger ranged attacks, it will do no better than the average attack guard. It can also only block attacks from whatever direction it's facing.
Ice Punch: The user strikes the opponent with an icy punch (shocking, I know), with a very small chance to leave them Frozen.

Shadow Digital takes a moment to remember what "Part II" means - stepping on the porch and closing the door halfway as he remembers Daiyousei and Rumia are inside - but snaps to attention at the mention of Scourge.
Oh.
I, uh...I haven't met him personally, but I think I've seen enough that*...
Digital grimaces in second-hand discomfort.

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*With his own history in the Void in mind compared to my own experiences, I figure it's more likely for Shadow Digital to know Scourge the Hedgehog than for him to know the Nickelodeon Message Boards, because I was at least somewhat more familiar with the former when I was closer to the age when Shadow Digital was still Shadow Man. ( The Summary Data doc, for reference )