...no, no, nonono...
As Windaz's fear escalates, she quickly grabs the Refresh Juice, trying it just the same...

---

Hee-hee! Gotcha, didn't I?
As Mack shakes off the shock, he aims both eyes like daggers at the figure in front of him...
A strange little pumpkin-headed fellow - not much taller than Mack's own imp half - with a striped hat adorned with a star, a harsh red cloak, and a strange lantern floating around them...
Stupid little...Get lost, freak! I know what I'm doing, and you don't wanna piece of me!
Maybe I don't, hee-ho...

(Character - Theme of Willowarp JKLT) ♫ Jack Bros. - Intro (Part 2) ♫
But tell me this, what brings you here-ho?
Y'know, don't answer that, I can see it in your eyes. You're here for adventure!
And sorry to say, but that's a waste o' time! Not a baddie but those buckets of bolts in sight, and not many to home, hee-
Mack tries to cut off Willowarp's monologue with a well-timed Drain...only for the specter to vanish out of sight on a dime, reappearing well out of the fireball's path.
...!
...trying to pull a fast one on me, hee-huh? Had a feeling!
Well, might as well skip straight to the point and do the same to you, hee-ho!
What do you-
As Willowarp pops off the lid of his lantern, catching it in a floating gloved hand, a spiraling, sparkling vacuum of energy erupts from it, pulling Mack in!!

---

Drain RECAP: (Flame) The user shoots a small fireball at the target. Deals low damage, but cannot be blocked.

...I just...you said this person was your "counterpart", right?
It's just that you two look like that, and she's not responding, so...I was worried it'd scare the town.
Then again, I guess I don't look that "normal" either...
Windaz shakes off the thought as she first tries healing Lucina with the Pick Me Up.

---

Sanae almost grazes past the Lever Hammer, dropping Dash Man out of its reach as it strikes her leg!
Gh...the heck are you talking about?! We've been gone for at least three days! How long have you even known this lumberjack?!

---

...okay, that works!
Mack just barely sidesteps away from a weak laser from the "Work Robot", the beam hitting the oncoming RC No. 3 instead!
As the small unmanned vehicle circles around Mack, he headbutts it straight into the "Work Robot", blasting both to bits!

Mack gains 14 XP!
Mack reaches Level 2!

Wh-that's it?
Nonono, there's a catch, isn't there?
Mack darts his coiled head around, looking all over for a possible fourth opponent...
There is NO WAY that was the end of that if there isn't some sort of-

GAH!

Having found a town quickly, Windaz finally enters the shed she suggested Cyber-Lucina and her organic counterpart hide (because playing out the WHOLE back-and-forth of getting there and buying things would be a waste of time)†, carrying two cups, each with a straw.
Sorry it took so long...there were maybe four shops and I found the one with anything useful last...
Windaz places the drinks - a Pick Me Up and a Refresh Juice‡ - on a crate near where she hoped the other two would be.

---

Yes, I read the sign. And what I read wasn't supposed to be on there, so if you and whoever-the-heck don't get lost, you're both gonna be reading Spell Card names.

---

As Mack readies...actually, he's not sure what attack to ready, but in any case, one of the RC No. 3s charges straight at him, prompting him to leap in the air!
(Okay wherediditgowheredidit-
In his panicked attempt to find the kart-like machine before landing, he ends up instead dropping straight on the "Work Robot", dealing heavy damage to it, almost stumbling before he sees the other RC No. 3...crushed beneath his sword half.

---

---

Pick Me Up: Restores a fallen ally to full Energy.
Refresh Juice‡: Heals the user or an ally of all status conditions (Frozen, Weighed Down, Blinded, etc.).

---

*Reference: Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
†That said, the only event I've "pre-determined" in any way is the actual to the town, and even then mainly Windaz's trip; where Cyber-Lucina and Lucina actually are (be it in the shed, having wandered off, or having not even caught up to Windaz yet) I'm leaving up to Ch4s3.
‡While I generally try to be consistent with English names, the fact that the official artwork for this item , makes the name seem more logical than its in-game English name (Able Juice).

Okay then. We'll probably find our way out eventu-
Could one of you two just HAVE A BRAIN FOR FIVE SECONDS?!
...
Windaz turns to see the angered figure just as they land: A green body with two scissor-like blades on their forehead, and much sharper blades on the sides of their forearms.
Seriously, some of us are trying to wreck lumber by ourselves.

- Save your breath.
Crescendo chucks something at Windaz, the girl catching it just before it can smack her in the head.
There. Tinker Boy said I needed to hold onto that so I don't get lost, but he can't even stay on his own feet so I'm not listening to him. You figure that thing out and have fun with robot sword lady somewhere else.
As Crescendo irritatedly returns to careless forest razing, Windaz looks at the device, quickly finding it's a simple map system.
Wait, there's a town nearby! Maybe they have someone who can help there!
Come on, nobody's getting left behind!
Windaz sprints off, the holographic map hovering over head from the device, giving Cyber-Lucina an easy path to follow along her.

---

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-
Fortunately, despite being sent down from so high in the air, the blade of Mack's sword half keeps him upright all the way down to the ground.
It also cuts through a good chunk of the ground, which takes Mack a couple of minutes to get out of.
Ugh...okay, Mack, you can do this no problem. Just figure out where the heck you are and-
Mack hears the sound of machines revving behind him...turning around to find a trio of silent Mecha-like constructions giving him an emotionless, yet deadly glare...

...change of plans, get rid of these things and then figure out where the heck I am!
(Event Battle Theme) ♫ Live a Live (SFC) - Near Future Chapter Battle Theme† ♫

---

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

---

*Reference: Mega Man Powered Up
†This song does have a proper name in Japanese, but I'm unsure what it translates to; three translations I've found are "Murder by a Psycho!", "A Painful Death at the Hands of a Psycho", and "A PSYCHO Biker's Best Regards!!"; wherever I list the music I use, I'll just change it to the right English name if/when the Nintendo Switch re-release reveals it.

I...uh...
...don't know. I just started walking here after leaving some fortress*, and I wanted to take a rest, and...hm.

---

...it seems you're struggling quite a bit thinking of the reason you-
No I'm not, shut it, Honeycomb!!
...
...I was going to say, I have a proposal.
Hit me.
As much as Muppet Labs has avoided interaction with conventional universes, we do notice the events within quite often.
And true to what many great beings have tried to control, conflict is quite constant. Even in places others may not see!
So, as unconventional as it may sound, I would like to offer you the chance to explore some of these happenings on your own. Think of it as something like what many would call a "quest"!
...
...y'know what, fine. Maybe I'll find a reason to do stuff besides just saving my own butt, I dunno.
Sounds excellent! I'll be sending you on your way as soon as-
Mack is gone.
...it seems I began the teleportation sooner than I meant.

---

*RECAP (King II Arc): Windaz was one of several characters trying to infiltrate King's (or rather, King II's) fortress during the events of the Arc. While I eventually failed in keeping up-to-date with the events of the arc (and thus did not properly write events for the arc's "conclusion"), for simplicity's sake I'll just say that those not directly affiliated with each other went their separate ways in the aftermath.

There is no response, mainly because...

---

HOLD ON, QUIN!!!
With the answer he needed, Dyna Man begins pulling Jack - and, by proxy, Quin and Bladesmatter* - into the lab with all his might!!

---

I will do so. Apologies for the misdirection. Goodbye.
Dr. Doppler waits for the person on the other end to hang up before he puts down the phone himself.

---

Windaz does a double-take at the stronger glow Cyber-Lucina just emitted before turning back to the cyborg's organic counterpart.
...well, no matter what the voices want, we need to help this person right away.
Windaz tries to lift Lucina over her shoulder, settling for "walking" her along as if she was conscious once it's clear that her armor is too heavy for Windaz to carry off the ground.

---

Stop the mech.
I...hear something.
Slightly confused, Rika slows the Eye's movement, allowing Vanitas DS to exit.
He slowly approaches the glass-lined pit, trying to keep some distance while hiding his unease as much as he-

---

His hands locked behind him in a handcuff-like lock of energy, a dark purple Mecha escorts Vanitas through a hall...
Keep your pace steady. Just because we have a reason not to assault you on sight doesn't mean we won't do so if you don't stay in line.
...

---

*Or at least I assume Quin's holding onto Bladesmatter.

Wait, your-?!
Windaz notices Lucina's unresponsive body lying on the ground, rushing over to her in hopes of aiding her!*

---

*This is assuming Cyber-Lucina's last line of dialogue meant Lucina was close enough to her and Windaz to be found; if that's not what Ch4s3 meant, Windaz instead looks around frantically.

That dark glow...is it a passive power of yours?

---

A figure resembling a red imp on a giant sword leaps out of the door to Room QCF excitedly, as a human-like labcoat-wearing figure observes.
Well, I can see that reading your opponent's expectations was quite useful!

Darn right it was! I feel like a million coins!

C'mon, Bunsen, I'm ready to take on whatever I want!!
...I'm certainly surprised how prepared you feel so soon, but I see no reason to stop you!
I'm ready to send you back to Earth whenever you are. Do you have anything or anyone in mind?

...uh...
Oh yeah, some dark-blue robot thingy that looks like a hedg-*
Wait...
Mack turns away from Bunsen, questioning himself...
Why did I fight that guy in the first place, again?
...Mack, aren't you ready?
Mack looks back at Bunsen.
...I...I'm not sure why I've been fighting. Trying to figure it out.
...

---

*RECAP (Beta Diablo Arc, King II Arc (Yes that's how long I've been dragging on this plot)): Mack transported himself to Muppet Labs after a failed attempt at fighting Metal Sonic. While Mack has never won a battle in the roleplay besides his recent victory against Bunsen's QCF, Metal Sonic was clearly the last straw for him.

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

That sounds...really worrying...
Windaz begins to back away faster, holding her gohei-like weapon with both hands...
...Please tell me you aren't doing what they say.

Windaz puts her hand to her chin, legitimately confused and curious...
...I don't hear them. What do they sound like?

Windaz only takes one step back as Cyber-Lucina approaches her.
I-my name is Windaz.
Not that I already think you shouldn't, but...why are you here?

---

A strange mech shaped like a round winged cyclops slowly hovers over the desert sands...
So...why are we here, specifically?
Used some tracking I had with some of the source code Doc Dopp has to find energy anything like whatever shadow boy's got here. Even if I had time to iron out my version of the program I don't think we'd have any match.
As she pilots the mech - her Evil Eye Σ - Rika turns to Dangan Man and Vanitas DS, sitting in foldable chairs behind her.
But whatever's here is the closest match, and whether you like it or not, Vanitas DS, we are getting the answers you don't have.

The figure - vaguely humanoid, with a slight amorphous look to their hair, robot-like limbs, and pointed dress - scrambles to get up from the tree they were sleeping under, backing away slightly from Cyber-Lucina as they pick up a thin metal pole from the ground...
Wh-Who are you??

As Windaz continues to back away, energy begins to flow from her palm to the metal rod as gohei-like streamers grow from it...

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

---

*Currently unsure how to handle explanation for the Limited type; I did write about it in this character list, but Beta Shadow name-dropped it before I did, and it's not like either of us own the idea of Limited itself; might ask Beta himself who would be more fitting to explain the type.

*gasp*
Dyna Man reaches out with both arms, grabbing Jack by the legs, and yells to Quin loud as he can over the wind!!
QUIN! DO WE NEED TO COME TO BLADESMATTER, OR DOES HE NEED TO COME TO US?!

---

...my apologies, he is not. I can give you his number, though.

---

As Cyber-Lucina wanders, faint mumbling can be heard, almost as if someone just woke up...
...mn?

---

*Meant as a response (admittedly a very late one) to Thread 3, Page 13, Post #15.
†Not referring to the placeholder name for the Super Smash Bros. Brawl location (as recorded in the Chaos Zone Places document), but rather whatever unnamed forest Cyber-Lucina is currently located at (unless they're one and the same, which I doubt).

Shoot, almost forgot one thing...
*pen clicking*

There we go.

---

As Chunky and Diddy release each other from their embrace, they look over to DK.
Oh, hey, big buddy!
How friend Donkey doing?

Chunky Kong gains 10,000 XP.
Diddy Kong gains 5,000 XP.

---

"Blade"...Wait, you mean Bladesmatter??
What happened?!
And more importantly, bonehead, why aren't you listening to a word he's saying about this?!

---

A robot in a labcoat sits in front of a large monitor, his head slightly hanging...
*sigh*

(It's been days and I haven't found a trace of anything regarding this "Otto" within the galaxy in either* dimension...)
(But there are helpless people inside that facility. Even if I fear we can't approach them, Kanako won't accept such a statement if I can't at least locate-)
Dr. Doppler hears a nearby phone ring. Surprised, he picks it up and answers.
...hello, this is Dr. Doppler speaking.

---

*Dr. Doppler doesn't know of the existence of Dimension 3 yet.

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

As the dark mirror becomes nothing more than a distant speck, Chunky's Ape Action peters out, the Kong landing on the soft surface of the mushroom.
He turns to Diddy.
Diddy...Chunky sorry he ran off. Me didn't know-
Diddy leaps up onto Chunky's arm, the small monkey hugging the big ape best he can.
Hey, Chunky, you don't need to be sorry! Stuff like that usually doeen't happen on the island; heck, they could've fooled me!
What's important is that you're okay, now, Chunky!
Chunky returns the hug gently as he can, his eyes watering.
...thank you, friend Diddy.

---

As the sun has begun to set*, Chico has finished cleaning up an empty room in the sanctuary for Sayori to sleep in.
Again, apologies if it's a little simple. I'd have given you my own room, but I don't think anyone would see it as presentable, so I had to quickly find some bedding before-
No, no, it's fine! You shouldn't be working yourself too hard!
Actually, it's getting late. I should probably call it a night.
Well, I'll make sure not to make a ruckus while I finish closing things up for the night.
Chico quietly walks out the door, stopping briefly to turn back to Sayori.
Sleep well. You've certainly earned it after being out for so long.
Heh, thanks. 'Night!
As Chico closes the door behind her, Sayori begins to tuck herself in, turning in bed to face the black box she brought in with her, now sitting right next to her mattress.
...
(...at least it's someplace safe for you. Even if I can't find all the answers myself...)



(...Yuri†..Natsuki...I promise I'll find a way to fix all this. So everyone can be happy.)

---

*Just to make clear: Events in my non-dated stories, as a rule of thumb, do not have synchronized chronology; in this case, Chunky defeating Mitsumo and Sayori settling in for the night probably happened some time apart, hence why it's only about sunset for Sayori and Chico when nightfall was around the start of the Chunky vs. Mitsumo fight (to say nothing about how unusual daytime and nighttime are in Fungi Forest anyway).
†Edit: Yuri as in the Doki Doki Literature Club character, not the Yu-Gi-Oh character reserved by HighTower.

As Mitsumo uses their human puppet to barely keep them from toppling off the mushroom, Chunky's Darkened state begins to wear off...
H-hey now, we can talk about this, nobody has...to...
As Diddy traps Mitsumo in a Solar Stun, Chunky Kong seems to begin concencrating...
Mean mirror...will not hurt others...ever again...
A vibrant blue aura suddenly envelops the young ape!
URAAAAGGHHHH!!!!
Empowered by the raw instinct of Ape Action, Chunky Kong charges straight for the mirror youkai!
(Oh.)
A barrage of violent punches, ending in a double Primate Punch, sends Mitsumo flying over the horizon!!!

---

Solar Stun: (Solar/Nature) Diddy Kong uses his Nature magic to channel energy from the sun, releasing it in a pillar of light beneath the target that immobilizes them for as long as they're in it, or until it dissipates naturally.

Chunky Kong's Skill: Ape Action  (Ultrus Instinctum): Chunky Kong can willingly seperate his mind and body, allowing him to attack and dodge at immense speeds.

...Quin?!
A third figure steps out where Dyna came from, with a tuning fork-like trident in hand, an anchor over his shoulder, and a scar on his chest.
I'm sorry, but we need some explanation of your goals and definition of "VIP" if we're to trust anything going on at the moment.

---

...I'm still wondering that myself. But if I had to tell you what it looked like...you know those old 80s arcade games that-
Sanae and Dash Man reach the top of the stairs.
Y'know what, never mind, I'll explain later!

Freed from the pit's grasp, Vanitas DS wanders aimlessly...his pace increasing as he notices a silver-

---

You just left out everything between the "shadowy pit" and meeting Dangan Man. It doesn't take a genius like me to figure out something happened there, and it was the most important part of this whole story.
So tell us.
Vanitas DS snarls out a sigh.
...I don't know. It opened up, I got close enough to it, and next thing I knew I was somewhere else. Someone else.
Okay, well tell me this: Was it anything like Xehanort's darkness?
...
Rika stands up, slamming her fist on the desk besides her in frustration.
Vanitas Darkside, did that pit darken you, or did it corrupt you?!
...did you just call me a Darkside?
Wh-that's what DS stands for, right?!
For the others, sure. But I never said I was a Darkside. If you're going to bother saying more than "DS" to me, say "Dark Shroud" like what it is.
...
...I think you just answered my question without realizing it.

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

As Chunky endures the Pantophobia strikes, he listens to the sound of the Wood Burst hitting Mitsumo, and begins fumbling around before pulling out a wooden bazooka.
(How's he even gonna hit me if he can't see 11 feet in front of-)
Mitsumo's thoughts are cut short by a direct hit from a Pineapple Launcher!

---

Noticing the wheeled robot tumbling down, Sanae catches him on her way up.
Oh, hey Dash.

---

Not about to let her hard work go to waste, Chico turns to the sound of the footsteps, readying her staff.
Who are you?!
As the source of the footsteps stumbles back in startled worry, Chico's rather surprised to see a human girl - her age at youngest - with a bow in her hair and what Chico (despite her more secluded life) infers to be a school uniform.
...I admit I was expecting someone much more worrying when I said that.
No, it's fine. Sorry I startled you!

I just wanted a favor.
Sayori walks up to Chico, holding a black, plastic-cased box.
Could you look after this for me? I'm having trouble finding a good place to put it, and I want to make sure it's safe...
...Isn't it safe to keep it where you live?
Well, heh...that's the thing. I haven't found a place to live yet. I'm sure I'll find someplace, but-
Wait, you don't have anywhere to live?!

Why didn't you say so in the first place? I'd have been happy to set up a place for you here! Just as long as you weren't about to cause any trouble...
..gee, thanks. But I feel like I probably would have been trouble, so-
No, I didn't mean like that! You don't even look like someone who knows how to cause the trouble I meant.
Come on, I insist!
Sayori looks down at the plastic box.
...well...
I guess it wouldn't hurt.

---

Pineapple Launcher: Chunky Kong shoots a powerful pineapple from a large wooden bazooka.

---

*As with most users to provide the indicator so far, |P| does indeed mean I am making a plotline private. However, I only plan to make this plotline private for maybe 3 posts at most, to make sure the cast's position is properly established.
†DISCLAIMER (Sayori-centric spoilers for Doki Doki Literature Club): I am aware there is a large elephant in the room concerning certain personal struggles Sayori faces in DDLC that may break forum rules to elaborate on (and that I would likely struggle to handle with any tact in a setting like Chaos Zone). I plan to take steps avoiding what may make her character most upsetting to a general audience (as in, part of why DDLC has content warnings) while still trying not to oversimplify her character.

...ko...
...Ka...hey...Kanako?
Wh-?!

Phew...I was getting worried.
Kanako looks around, still taking in all that just happened.
Wait, where's the-what happened to the...?!
What, about the blocky robots?
Yeah, I...don't have much of an answer either. I woke up and your computer said it was the 11th...and all the "Metaverse Enterprise Solutions" messages were gone. I asked Doppler and he still hasn't given me a concrete answer on where the Confines even were.
...how long was I out?
About a week. I had to bring both of you back to the shrine myself, and it took like three days for Sanae to wake up...
Oh hey, that reminds me.
Suwako turns to the staircase a bit higher up on the mountain.
Anything seem weird up there since we left?
Sanae pauses her (flight-based) ascent of the staircase to respond.
Someone changed the sign...I think it was the robot with the axe again. Gonna get to hunting them down!
I'll join you in a second, just talking to Kanako!
So, uh...yeah, guess we got that to deal with. Talked with Kogasa and apparently she had a nasty run-in with someone with some...I think it's whatever Disast-R Oil uses, or something like that.
...
...so, we're probably going after the Concept Bots first, after that you wanna check what Kogasa mentioned, or...?
Kanako stands up and begins flying up the staircase.
Keep me informed about what Doppler says. I'll be looking into it as much as I can while I keep the shrine managed.*

---

*Yes, this does mean I'm effectively writing Kanako out of the plot of Touhou 17.5. It just so happened the timing of this plotline felt too awkward to keep her spot in it.















IT IS MORE IMPORTANT ONE MUST NOT DESTROY THE CONFINE THAN THAT AN ALIEN ESCAPES.
RETURN TO PATROL. ENSURE NO HUMANOID OR INTRUDER HAS BEGUN TO ESCAPE.
ROBOT-CREATED INTRUDERS ARE SECONDARY. EVEN OUTSIDE THE CONFINES THEY WILL BE EASY TO DESTROY FOR ESCAPED INTRUDERS AND HUMANOIDS.

---

A wand-wielding figure seems to be holding up the sanctuary, putting various items in place before observing the outside...
Everything's in place, barrier's secure, back door is locked...I think that's it!

Chico briefly stands in silent satisfaction...the silence soon being broken by the sound of small footsteps.

---

NEW SUMMARY DATA

---

†Madou Monogatari/Puyo Puyo character, reserved by TheHighTower