Sodoma summons a Bloomy Flower that fires at Beta Satan!

Concrete continues onward, determined to save his ex-co-worker, Eddie desperate to keep above the deep mud by leaping up onto Concrete's back!!

As the last asteroid harmlessly skids to a stop on the floor, Willowarp - more furious than ever - lunges straight at Mack as Yuugen-V continues to evade the corrosive rain!
Stand still, you stupid ungrateful little sh-
Mack takes the opportunity to headbutt Willowarp straight into the acid downpour!!
YAAAAUUUUGHHH!!
As Willowarp screams at the top of his lungs, he drops his lantern, and a bright blue flash envelops the room...

---

...fading to reveal not the pocket dimension Mack and Yuugen-V had been encased in, but the outside world.

Burnt, but not melted, Willowarp drops to the ground, defeated.

Mack and YuugenMagan Visage gain 210 XP!
Mack reaches Level 5!
YuugenMagan Visage reaches Level 5!
Level 4* upgrade! YuugenMagan Visage learns Zan!

Uugh...
Wobbling, Willowarp slowly pushes himself afloat, picking his lantern back up.
You are...(pant)...quite the clever duo, I must say, to best my dimensional display...
I mean...you sort of threw a tantrum at the end there.
Ah, don't celebrate just yet, hee-ho! That was just the beginning!
What, you want more?
Oh, hee-heck no. But I know a certain three others who are eager to lend a hand in empowering our posse!
Farewell!
Willowarp vanishes in a puff of smoke...
...returning a second later.
And no, I didn't throw a tantrum, shut up.
As Willowarp vanishes again, Mack and Yuugen-V look around the ravine they were released in.
Some sorta conquest, huh? Guess it'll keep me busy...
Busy?
Well, yeah! With fighting!
...are you just looking for a reason to fight?
Uh...if the answer's yes, is it less bad if I wanna stop fighting for no reason?
...fair enough, I guess.
Mack begins leaping over to a cavernous passageway, turning back to face Yuugen-V after a couple of hops.
You coming along? I mean, if you wanna keep riding my tail.
I suppose I owe you one. This whole plan of theirs doesn't sound very pleasant, anyway.
But don't call it "riding your tail".

---

*This isn't a typo; Yuugen-V went up two levels with the EXP provided. Yes, I give my characters EXP tables even though I haven't shown them.

Rika, Dangan Man, and Vanitas DS have returned to the base, all three sitting quietly, unsure what to say.
Vanitas DS, resting his forehead on a half-clenched palm, lets out a rough sigh.
I mean...I know it sounds weird, but if you want us to figure out how to undo the..."Dark Strain" thing and let you be your own dark self...
What difference would it make?! I had nowhere to go then, and I have nowhere to go now! All I cared about either way was sending some kinda message, but none of it has to do with anything!!
I thought I had a purpose, but this whole time I've just been a dumb backdrop to someone else's idea!!
...
The room falls silent again.

---

Willowarp floats back into the main room. It's clear from his movement that if he could stomp his way in, he would.
Okay, I've had it!
Willowarp raises a Jack Shield!
I start you with a perfectly good puzzle maze, I summon four unique worlds for varied visuals at the end, and you just take shortcuts?!
If you won't give me respect, I won't give any to YOU hee-holes!!
Both of the remaining windows shatter, Willowarp wasting no time bombarding the room with giant asteroids from one, and corrosive rain from the other!!
As Yuugen-V is forced darting around the room for her life, she miscalculates, "dodging" straight into an asteroid...
...that strikes Mack instead, the bouncing sword taking the hit at the last second!!
!
Grk...don't thank me yet, and don't admit you were right yet either...!
Mack desperately tries to hold off the remaining asteroids with a Sword Rain!!

---

Schmitt swims back up to the surface, clinging onto a metal plate broken off one of the warships...
As he struggles to catch his breath, he comes to a realization...
(Hold on...her tail doesn't budge when I hit it when it's low...)
(...but the rest of her budges, and when she curls up like that, her tail goes up, and then it budges...)
(...it's like whichever half of her's tryin' to hit me...)
Schmitt climbs onto the metal plate, balancing on it like a surfboard...
...is the part where it hurts.
...and using a pair of Energy Slices, propels the "board" towards Re-Class, narrowly avoiding Tracking Missiles shot from the mouth of Re-Class' tail!!

---

Jack Shield*: (Magic/Shield) The user surrounds themselves in three bubbles that protect them from one attack of any strength.
Energy Slice RECAP: (Cutter/Laser) The user performs a karate chop with their arm surrounded by sharp energy, letting them slice through weak opponents and solid projectiles.
Variants: B-Rank (Power Level 2), A-Rank (Power Level 3), ??? (???)
Tracking Missile†: (Water/Missile) The user fires a flying, homing torpedo/missile that explodes on contact.

---

*Reference: Jack Bros. (Name from U.S. manual)
†Reference: Shironeko Project

(OOC: I'd say I've returned but I feel like I'm only like 25% of the way to being that)

---

A strange Navi - seemingly little but three floating purple mirrors, one double the size and sporting a one-eyed visage - travels through the area's maze of conveyors and warps without worry.
About to approach Area 9, they're stopped by the remark of a passerby...
You have any idea what's been goin' on?
Mitsumo.EXE: I'm not sure what you mean.
Whaddaya mean? Top-fivers like you hear every word like twice as fast.
You know someone's been going on another rank-grabbin' spree. And the pixies just lost, so...
Mitsumo chuckles.
Mitsumo.EXE: Ah, of course I know that. But why would I be concerned?
Mitsumo.EXE: I appreciate the attempt to speak on your level, but I earned Rank 4 through hard work and power.
And the stupid full folder you never explain to other Solo-
Mitsumo.EXE: I could delete you right now if I wanted.
...
Mitsumo.EXE: Not that I will. Simply a reminder.
Mitsumo.EXE: This "Omega" fella doesn't frighten me.
Mitsumo continues to Area 9 without a second thought.

The three DOSBots are speechless, unsure how to process...anything, really.
...

---

Schmitt bounds across each half-sunken cave in the area, veering around a frenzy of Missile Shots as he closes in on Re-Class, striking her rapidly with a Crescent Shot!
Agh!!
You dirty stinkin' rotten...
Midway through the attack, Re-Class returns to her guard stance, the rest of the Crescent Shot now barely scratching her as her tail perks up, unleashing a Torpedo Rain that knocks Schmitt into the water!!

---

As Mack leaps back into the center room, the broken dimensional window behind him fades into a blank wall...
You think you've won, hee-
Willowarp's attempt to return to his feet (metaphorically) is hindered by a Star Flare!
-Hgh!
I would legitimately be surprised if you crumpled that fast with all this setup.
Willowarp turns to Yuugen-V, but doesn't even get a chance to start speaking before Mack bounces off him at an angle, knocking Willowarp to the ground and bouncing him back up and through another window, an endless metal hallway lined with mechanical sentries...
Hey! This was supposed to be the third one, you can't just do that!
Mack doesn't even bother interrupting Willowarp with words, letting a Flame Wall down the hall do the talking!

---

Crescent Shot RECAP: (Laser/Earth) An ability learned from Advancing* Energy Slice. Schmitt surrounds himself in crescent-shaped waves of energy, dealing rapid damage to anyone nearby.
Torpedo Rain: (Missile/Water) Re-Class fires a barrage of torpedoes from her tail that fly up in the air before plummeting straight down in a "wall" in front of her†.
Flame Wall RECAP: (Flame) The user creates a giant wave of fire, enveloping all targets in front of them.

---

*Recap: Advancing (Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga) an Ability happens when a user focuses on using it enough times in a row, granting access to a new Ability sharing at least one type, and boosting the power of the earlier one. The majority of Advances have been taught by the Starshade Bros. during Thread 1's portion of the Beta Diablo Arc, though at least one person has Advanced an Ability on their own since then (Mighty during the current "Arc", for lack of a better event divider).
†Reference: KanColle Arcade - One of Re-Class' attack animations

(Character Battle - Vs. Willowarp JKLT) ♫ Jack Bros. - Hard Mode Boss Battle ♫
Willowarp flies away from Mack and Yuugen-V, phasing through the window as all four suddenly light up, each one now showing the outside of its own bizarre world!
Hee-hee! Try and catch me now!
Willowarp flies around, warping between the worlds as if he were circling around a single area, keeping the duo on their toes with constant Agis!
Eventually Willowarp skids to a stop in a window leading to a dark realm coated in blue and purple thorns...shattering the window glass, casting it aside, and flinging the thorns into the room!!
As Yuugen-V veers between each thorn, Mack tries bouncing off of them, approaching Willowarp with each bound!
If you wanted to take it outside, you shoulda just said so!
As Willowarp yet again dodges Mack's melee strike, he prepares a small set of thorns for Mack in particular...
...leaving him wide open for a Flame Stone that launches him back into the center room!!

---

...
...y'know what? You've got something to say!
Re-Class' tail lowers as she floats toward Schmitt.
"Fall back", "stand down", "intruder alert", it doesn't take a minute to get boring!

---

As Re-Class rambles, the Bombomb commander relays a message, this time to Schmitt.
Sir, please step away from the intruder! We have no legal responsibility for-

---

Still a good few meters away from Schmitt, Re-Class stops to salute...3 small drones traveling up her tail to her hand!
(Character Battle - Vs. Re-Class) ♫ Kantai Collection - Ironbottom Sound ♫
What's a battle without some real banter?!
Re-Class flings each Flying Fish in Schmitt's direction, the swift fighter leaping away from the first, and guarding to lessen the pain of the latter two as he uses their explosions to propel himself to another rock!
Send the complaints to Doppler Labs, bomb boy. I'm calling my own shots on this fillet!
Schmitt lets loose a Magna-Slash, aiming one blade at Re-Class' main body and the other at her tail!
Oddly, while her tail takes the hit much better than last time, her body is now flung back, with only the tail pulling her forward...

---

Agi: (Flame) Wielding Fire magic, the user summons a fireball that erupts into a larger flame on contact. The size of the fireball and eruption depends on the power level.
Variants: Agilao (Power Level 2), Agidyne (Power Level 3), Ma- (One fireball for each opponent; can be a prefix to any of the prior three)
Flame Stone: (Flame/Earth) The user summons a flaming meteor that crashes down on the target.
Flying Fish: (Wind/Explode) Re-Class throws a cluster of 3 bombs that fly overhead, each trying to dive into the opponent to detonate.
Magna-Slash: (Steel/Cutter) Schmitt swings each arm, creating a pair of axe-shaped blades that can be redirected mid-flight.

Vanitas DS snaps back to the present, clutching his chest and breathing heavily as he steps away from the glass.
Rika slowly approaches him, her earlier irritation starting to fade as she notices Vani-DS' stress...
...you doing okay?
I...
...I think I got what we came here for. Just get us back to your base or whatever so I can...figure this out, I guess.
Rika hurries back over to her parked Evil Eye Σ, bringing it closer to Vani-DS so he doesn't have to walk as far.

---

As Mack and YuugenMagan Visage land on the solid ground, they find themselves boxed in by fortress-like walls...
...the heck?
A blue flame then begins to spiral around the duo, eventually stopping right in front of them...and Willowarp JKLT bursting out of it!
Hee-ho! You're a clever duo, aren't you?
I'm not entirely sure if we're a "duo". We cooperated on the floor above, but-
Mack yet again tries to lunge straight at Willowarp, the spectral pumpkin yelping as he teleports across from him!
I...uh...don't get yourself so riled up!
After all, this isn't the finale-ho. In fact...
Willowarp begins to float higher as giant windows - seemingly to nowhere - decorate each wall!
The fun's just begun!

---

C'mon, that doesn't even tickle! Outta my way!
Re-Class seems to enter a sort of guard stance...

...as her heavily-armed and toothy tail spits a giant torpedo straight at a horde of Bulb Blasters!!
!! MAYDAY! MAYDAY!!

---

Bulb Blasters F and J are at critical energy, assist in disengagement as soon as-

---

As Re-Class prepares to lunge her tail at the damaged Bulb Blasters, a blur suddenly flies between them, slashing at the abyssal being's tail and flinging it back!
!!

---

...wh...?

---

The armored blur - slowing to a visible figure - lands on one of the rocky caves jutting out of the water, turning to the pale living battleship.
Hey, half-pint! You gonna learn some manners, or you gonna let me teach you your place?!

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

As an onslaught of bullets and bombs fly throughout the former weapon testing facility, a Mecha sends out a message via communicator from inside a warship...
Skullmets, fall back!
As the Bombomb's order is sent out, a Skullmet rushes into the cockpit, right behind their commander.
Any casualties?
Negative. We've finished our reading on the intruder.
They seem to lack any weaponry besides ballistics; the Beetle Borgs are holding them off somewhat, but their agility is proving to be a problem.
Keep patrol from in the ship in case any electric weaponry is shown. We'll need to provide Sponge Circuits.

---

Gh!
The Beetle Borgs are resorting to Energy Boosts to each other, their Beetle Balls failing to hit the threat: A pale, short humanoid, covering themselves with a scarf and zipped hoodie.
Pulling up her left sleeve, the humanoid reveals an arm-mounted gun, snickering as she rapidly pelts the defenses with Missile Shots!
C'mon, you're not even trying! I've blown up lifesavers with better aim!

---

*Reference: Make a Good Mega Man Level: Episode Zero

The Wreck Robot turns to face Yuugen-V, re-adjusting the aim of its searing beam rapidly as she dodges frantically, taking a lightning-like shape each time!
Well, y'know what, thanks for the advice!
Mack leaps in the air, landing right on the Wreck Robot's weak point...
...and completely destroying it. Mack bursts out in boisterous laughter.
That was all it took?! Just missed one thing and now I can take on any-
Mack and YuugenMagan Visage gain 50 XP!
Mack reaches Level 3!
YuugenMagan Visage reaches Level 3!
...wait, I should've gotten more from that, shouldn't I?
It wasn't a particularly durable machine besides the defensive shell.
You hit it like 6 times and it only kinda flinched!!
I told you, I wasn't boasting when I said what I knew was that far beyond what I could do.
I'm...really not a fighter. All I've really done is be a backdrop for a guardian of Makai, and...well, I don't even have that anymore.
I was lucky the floors above us had nothing to fight. That machine was the closest I've ever been to really facing something, and I probably would've died if it hit me with the weakest thing it had.
...
I'd say "you're welcome", but...something tells me I'll be the one to thank anyone if I don't crumple like tissue paper when we get to the bottom floor.
Yuugen-V gestures to the exit that just appeared with the Wreck Robot's destruction.
You lead. You're the one who can actually take a hit.

---

Grey Matter, huh? Think I heard a thing or three about them a bit before the...well, reason why we're talkin' right now*.
And the UKR...they've always rubbed me the wrong way, even when they were just sayin' Doppler Labs needed a permit or some bogus like that.
So, lemme ask...
The front legs of Fang's chair slam back on the ground as the wolf-jerboa leans forward, arm resting on the table.
...what's the plan?

---

A knock is heard on the-wait, is there a door, or...
Well, whatever the expected way of informing someone inside that someone's outside is, it happens.

---

...
...I should've known this was a waste of time.
I couldn't care less how much you say this increases my power. Because if I have to give you my own life for it, it's not mine, now is it?
You can't just expect something like darkness† to stay put like some sort of pet. And what I am is darkness.
A shadowy trail envelops Vanitas, and he vanishes without a trace.

---

The same shadowy trail appears, and within it, Vanitas. Hiding just out of sight, he sees a demonic humanoid gathering a team of sorts...

---

*RECAP (Grey Matter Arc): The event that led to Fang getting ties to Biostar Labs took place not too long after when Grey Matter first began to appear (let alone be noticed by anyone in the Brash Crew, Fang's other major affiliation).
†Just to clarify/reiterate, darkness in the Kingdom Hearts sense, but still not as a common element of the Chaos Zone outside of what Vanitas, Xehanort, etc. can wield. If that was how all darkness in Chaos Zone worked, most characters wouldn't be able to wield the Shadow type at all.
‡Or wherever Zalgo and his army were when the Darksides were first being put under Zalgo's control.

A sleek, light-purple figure sits on a platform atop the highway, talking on some handheld communication device...
...and if you continue walking from there, you should find yourself at Jazz HQ.

Remind me, though...why are you going there?

---

There's someone here named Cyber-Lucina. She doesn't seem like she wants to hurt anyone, but sometimes she makes this black glow, and I don't know what it is.
She also has a..."counterpart", I think she said? Her name's just Lucina, and it seems like she's still alive, but she isn't waking up...

---

That sounds...concerning. And you're sure this Cyber-Lucina person isn't planning something?

---

I think she said there were voices in her head? Those made me worried, apparently they're telling her to "collect negative emotions"...
But she's never told me she wants to do that herself! And she's been sounding honest the whole time.

---

...
Tell me how things go at Jazz HQ. If anything seems off-kilter before then, call me back right away.
Look, I know with King II, Soleil†...even Sakaros from what you've told me, it was clear what they wanted to do, and what was or wasn't a problem.
But it's often much more complicated. Maybe Cyber-Lucina has a secret, maybe she doesn't...
...maybe she really does mean well, but Lucina...
...I suppose I can't give you an answer until later.

---

...well, thank you for telling me where Pumpkin Hill is. Talk to you later.

---

Later.
Windaz hangs up, Express Man staring off into the distance and letting out a huge sigh.

---

*Reference: Mega Man 10 (Nitro Man's stage; also to an extent Nitro Man's stage theme, "Nitro Rider")
†Recap (King II Arc): Again, Express Man and Soleil (the latter reserved by Prototedd) tried to help resolve the arc's title conflict, Express Man silently leaving it midway (I forget about Soleil, though). For a brief time, Express, Windaz, and Soleil were a small group.

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

Windaz finally steps forward.
I don't care what she's done before, I care about what she's doing now. And she's never told me she's truly wanted anything malicious.
But you...
You're talking about using this "power". You're looking for conflict. You've seen a town be destroyed...
Windaz surreptiously summons a Star Assembly around J-H!
You destroyed it, didn't you?!

---

As Mack's onslaught continues to fail at even denting the Wreck Robot, he lowers his guard for a moment, leaving himself open for a searing beam attack...
Why aren't YOU getting hurt?!?!
Just as the laser pushes Mack close to the edge of the platform, the Wreck Robot is...knocked forward?
Wh...?!
As Mack finally manages to ver away from the Wreck Robot's line of sight, he takes notice of the one place he didn't see before: behind the machine is YuugenMagan Visage!
Oh. You.
I hope you understand what I mean now.
Yuugen-V uses another attack - a Star Flare - to strike a weak point on the Wreck Robot's back, damaging it some more!
It's not just knowing when to strike. It's knowing where.

---

---

Star Assembly RECAP: (Crystal/Solar) Windaz summons jagged crystal fragments, which home in on a single target, assemble into a star shape, then glow brightly.
Star Flare: (Shine) The user summons 3 small stars above them that fly towards the opponent. Deals mild damage.

Solar RECAP (Originally showcased by TheHighTower): Artificial element that uses the pure power from the sun itself.
(Shine's function as a type has never been explicitly described; I'm unsure whether to describe it myself or to save such for whoever first invented it.)

The self-conversing figure is hit by a Cinder Shock.

---

Mack leaps over a consecutive pair of searing energy rays from the Wreck Robot, interrupting the second with a Mega Drain...
...that deals no damage?
...wait, that's not a move they can block.
Mack bounces harmlessly off the Wreck Robot's head, the hefty machine turning around just in time for Mack to land and face it again.
Is this an immunity thing or...?
Mack follows up with a Sword Rain. The Wreck Robot doesn't even pause from the impact, slamming its head down onto Mack!
GHWHAT-WHY?!

---

---

Cinder Shock RECAP: (Flame/Electric) Windaz fires a searing bolt of electricity, able to pierce weak shields.
Mega Drain RECAP: (Flame/Laser) The user fires a beam of searing energy at the target. Cannot be blocked.
Sword Rain RECAP: (Cutter) The user summons a flurry of swords from the sky, which crash down on the target(s) for heavy damage.

!
I'll, uh...I'll go see.
Windaz opens the door just a tiny bit, peeking through the crack...

---

Mack's patience is growing thin.
I swear it's been like THREE HOURS, and all I've had to deal with in this stupid maze is some pointy blocks, flamethrowers that I can't break and 12 dozen rocks in the way!!!
There's been no action! No fighting! No-
A loud, metallic clang shakes the platform, the mechanical giant responsible standing right in front of Mack...

...if this was a jinx, it didn't work. I've been looking for this!
(Event Battle Theme) ♫ Jack Bros. - Boss Battle ♫

Sodoma rushes to Alice's near-dying body, turning to Beta Satan...
That ghoul is a hypocrite, but he isn't wrong. You are one of the furthest things from nature ever.
And believe me, I should know!!
Sodoma fires a Prosper Burst from her palm!!

Fang casually returns the handshake as he pulls up a chair.
Ain't been much of a camp to see. Last fight I got in was a team-up against some slime thing* housed up with a fella...thought he was named King, friend told me he's King II, but whatever.
Fang leans his chair back, putting his feet on the table.
I'll be honest, the treasure's more a bonus for me. If you felt like I was the guy to reach out to, it's gotta be nasty.

---

...

---

*Recap: Before this thread, Fang (the Sniper)'s last appearance was alongside several others fighting the Green Devil in the King II Arc. The outcome of the fight was never shown, but the whole situation was roughly the same as discussed here with Windaz (with Green Devil leaving to be part of Zalgo's plans in the Chaos Arc)

A smoke trailed, and the world heard the world heard the livingness-

Okay, no, I'm not going to write like that.

A spiraling trail of bright smoke appears, eventually bursting into a glowing aura!
Within it...

---

Prosper Burst | Defense/Recovery | 30 Damage, 100% Accuracy, 3 WE?
Fires a single shot.
Bloomy Flower | Nature/Energy | 10 Damage, 100% Accuracy, ? WE
Summons a flower that lingers for 3 turns, attacking each turn. The first turn is a direct attack, while the second and third turn are indirect attacks independent of the user's actual chosen weapon that turn. The effect can be ended prematurely if the user is hit by a Shadow-type or Empty-type attack.
Balance Ray | Flame/Space | 15 Damage, 95% Accuracy, 0 WE?
Fires multiple shots depending on how much faster the user is compared to the player after them.
(Most of the WE isn't set in stone because I want to double-check what Beta thinks of the individual effects and how cost should factor into that)

---

"Who?"
Originally a fairy spirit responsible for maintaining the prosperity of nature in another universe (that of the Game Boy Color bootleg Donkey Kong 5: The Journey of Over Time and Space, to be specific), the universe was eventually abandoned by time. Sodoma then settled in the mystic world of the Crystal Tower, working in a group to oversee other Universes, though rarely intervene. Amidst the group, Sodoma quickly showed her moral compass was as black-and-white as her game's script was grammatically incorrect, often having to be kept in check to not intervene just for good to triumph over evil (which is actually important to keep in moderation if you want a story to keep going).
While the fate of Crystal Tower is unclear given the loose nature of this setting's story, one thing's for sure: here and now, Sodoma has decided that when it comes to empowering evil, less is more.

Seeing the dark glow in her peripheral vision, Windaz's grasp on Lucina clenches...
(There's gotta be something involved. There's gotta be someone involved. I don't think I could do this to her, I don't know her, she's gotta be doing this just to trick-)
Windaz pauses, her grip loosening again.
(...no. I don't know her, but she's shown me no reason not to trust her. I have no excuse to hurt her if she hasn't hurt me. I just...need to know...)
...what do I do?

---

Leaping down the stairs and taking the left, Fang slows down at the first fork in the path without any signs, looking down both ways to see if he finds anyone he recognizes...

---

(Area Theme) ♫ Jack Bros. - Level 6 ♫
I don't know how to make Mack falling down a third time sound interesting. In any case...
As Mack notices just how much narrower the ground is than it was above him, a spiraling wisp begins to circle around him...
Hee-hee! Now we're getting somewhere!
Where are you hiding, you stupid little-
Mack flings his head forward, the flame flying back frantically.
Stopdon'thurt-
I mean, uh, be patient! Take a look down and tell me what you see-ho.
Mack begrudgingly looks over a raised ledge next to him. Not only is there nothing below the ground, said ground is actually more of a thin, floating platform.
See, you're not going anywhere. Not unless you play along for a while.
There's only one way down, and that's the goal! The abyss will give way, and you'll have a new puzzle to solve!
Rinse and repeat, hee-ho. Maybe I'll pay you a little visit!
Until then...
The flame fizzles out, leaving Mack dragging himself to the one path that looks like a "goal"...
I hate this. I really hate this.

---

Hmh. If I didn't know any better from your little friend back there, I'd say you were getting desperate.
Tell me what the pledge is. Maybe if you're lucky I'll actually take it.

---

*Reference: Poker Night 2 intro

---

(This would've been in my last post, but character limit is a thing so oh well:)
NEW SUMMARY DATA

I-I don't-there is something wrong because she isn't waking up...
Windaz shakes Lucina's body.
She's not dead, she can't be dead, none of this makes sense...

---

You think I'm annoying when I'm not talking to you, lady? Just plug your ears and mind your own business.
Mack begins to bounce off along a lined path, not noticing-
You're about to hit a ceiling.
...before falling straight down, landing on his head. YuugenMagan Visage casually begins to walk by him.
Well, don't you just love waiting for the last second to make me look bad?
I don't say anything sooner when someone can just notice it themselves. Though I guess you're proving that you can't.
Mack tips himself upright, glaring at Yuugen-V.
What, you saying you wanna be my fairy friend or something so you can tell me everything I already know?!
Because I got news for you, Ms. Vectrex: I've trained with an expert, so I know how to read punches and kicks like the back of my hilt!
Yuugen-V continues to walk past Mack.
So you think getting up in people's faces is the solution to everything?
You got a better idea?
I probably do, yes. Probably better than anything I'm even able to do right now.
...which isn't a boast.
Whatever. Won't be seeing you!
With a much lower, but much farther leap, Mack hurries onward...not noticing a giant hole at the end of the path.
...

---

A small animal lazing in the grass lets out a grumble as they reach for a ringing device...
Ugh...G'day, Dopp. What do ya want?

Hello, Fang; I'm sorry for calling on such short notice, but I was told by someone you were needed at the Inventory.
What did they want back?
...I'm only somewhat sure why you asked, but nothing, actually. They simply told you to come there, and that treasure is involved. I assume they meant a reward in the latter case.
(Wait, who have I even given my number-)

Without another word, Fang grabs his things, leaps into the Marvelous Queen, and drives off!

---

...with his communicator still on. Doppler ends the call himself with his ears ringing.

---

As the mirror's pull fades, Volt Man and Sonic Man keep themselves steady. Dyna Man, meanwhile, tumbles back as the mirror stops rivaling his own tow.

---

Quit with the fake smile. Just tell me what the offer is, and why I'm the one who got it.

---

*Reference: Super Mario Bros. 3 - World 5 (Starting area)