---

A number of Endos suddenly go offline.

---

---

DSh Blaze-You’d be a fool not to. It’s a pledge of power. Simply put, in exchange for offering up your life energy, a one-time thing mind you, your power increases tenfold.*
Compared to entities like The Void or Grey Matter, nothing of value is lost. No glaring weakness, no lost of personality, nothing.
*May not actually increase ten-fold.

---

---

As you get past the mist, you feel recharged! Standing before you are various arcade machines, couches, tables, fridges, and various other appliances and furniture all arranged in a massive room.
Hey glad you could make it!

Radiated Wraith holds up a few bottles of cranberry-grape.
Here, catch!
Just as RW is about to throw the bottles, a realization occurs to him.
...Wait, where’s Chase?

---

...And what business do you have with me?
So eager to know hey? Kukuku. Well m-
Enough. All I seek is a champion.
...A champion? You mean a slave.
If I wanted a slave, your mind would be molded to that of one.
And you haven’t done so already?
The fact that you continue with your persistent questioning of everything says enough.
...Hmm, so what do you need me to do as this…champion?
...
To serve as our knight against those foul monsters in the world!
So just act as your bodyguard?
No. There are those that remain untamed, deaf to my call. Their savagery blocks the mind.
What are you getting at?
Mind Flayer taps a large staff on the ground.
Come.

---

---

Chase ends up in a green room while Beta in a yellow room. A paintbrush is in each along with a open door leading into a fairly large room. Strangely, a green fog seems to be masking what's out there, but it seems to only be clinging to the door.
A voice calls out, though the fog muffles the sound.
H-y! G--- --- co--d ---- i-! D----ks -- -n ---

---

!

---

---

The Forest was brunt to cinders. The cause of the flames can only let out a crazed laughter as he along with the smoke ascends into the night sky.

Hanging on by a thread, Stache flicks his wrists to fire a PK Starstorm Alpha, using Doc Bot's attack power.

Stache, to ensure no shenanigans on his end, simply puts his hands to his side and takes a bow as he feels the psychic force draw forth into his hands.

Something followed the gang.

...What day is it?
Snakebite looks at his watch and shakes his head before getting an idea...
...
As Snakebite leaves, he does donuts around the living room before riding it out of the window. As the tracks dissipates, he steals the flag off the mailbox and changes the tune of the doorbell for good measure. And with that, it's off to the next house...

---

---

RW makes an upwards paint motions and admires his work.
And with that...my work is do-
Oh! Forgot the sign.
RW walks over to a sign that says 838 and starts to paint over it.
And with that...I welcome you all to...

---

---

...
Every reaper that's able to be contacted by Radiated Wraith receives a text message.

The abrupt answer catches her by surprise. Thinking quickly, a thought comes to her. Her last chance to get out of this situation alive.
...Th...then...why not let me live? I'll...i'll get stronger and-
No. No you won't. Even if you train for a hundred years, spending all that time on fighting me, it won't be enough.
For I too am dedicating my life to becoming stronger. I will become strong enough to fight the gray vessel on my own. Strong enough to fight this entire world on my own! Strong enough to easily defeat my father even!
And let's be honest.
The only use you shall ever have is in your death!

PMK raises the axe up high…before a force comparable to a semi truck barrels into his back, sending him flying over the hill.
Blade?
...
Bl...Blade? Please...if you can hear me...
...be careful.
...
Like a man possessed, Blade blitzed forth, tearing the wind behind him.

---

---

???:...Ah, the little nestlings are all in one place.
???:Make this quick Snakebite. Boss has a few more targets of importance for ya.
My first mission and I can't even enjoy it. At least one will do right?
???:Just get whoever you can.
Snakebite cracks his knuckles before revving up his motorbike and crashes straight through one of the Beta House windows.

---

---

The Blood Punch catches Bisharp with a Blade off-guard, nearly turning him into a regular Bisharp as the force of the explosion sends him flying. Bisharp seems to have anticipated this as he seems unusally calm...before being sent flying towards Legacy Aeon thrown an unseen force.
Activate! Repel!
When Repel is activated, the affected target is sent launching in the opposite direction! The power of this move depends upon how many chips are placed.
Grabbing the second, he reveals...Power Shuffle!
When Power Shuffle is activated, any debuffs turn to buffs and vice versa on the selected target for 3 turns! Furthermore, they can be designated to any stat I desire! Best yet, it still activates Bisharp With a Blade's ability: Defiant! Let's see you survive this!
Venato draws another card and smirks.

---

Defiant: When a person's stats are decreased, their attack is increased by two stages.

...Where am I?
*cue cue* I’m so glad you asked that for this is the…

---

---

monastery monastery monastery
...
Why did you call to me?
Wasen’t it obvious? A damsel in distress needed help and you happened to be the good knight that was passing by.
If you wish not to answer truthfully, then neither one of us have a need for the other.
But I am!
I’m referring to how you didn’t need my help. You removed those two Starknights by yourself with no
Oh. ...perhaps you’re right…or perhaps all I needed for that little boost of power was-
What do you need me for? Alive anyways. It’s clear you can read my thoughts and have likely probed anything regardless Master Giegure from me. I assure you that it-
You will not speak that name in MY MONASTERY AGAIN.
...There’s that different voice again.
...Pardon?
When you called me, I heard two voices up there on that mountain.
Ah you must be talking about-
I can introduce myself.
The orb shrinks as a being appears behind it.
I am the Mind Flayer.

---

---

Two Sniper Joes wait for the Overs before guiding them to the teleporters.

---

---

Purple rain falls down as Blade hastily floats towards something, only moving to pass yellow trees in the way.
...
Though the rain only gets louder and louder, the sounds of combat just over the hill can still be heard clearly. So too does the pumping of his heart the closer he gets. One loud shriek silences the entire forest, sky, and...
!
Pushing past the animated constructs, he stops as an ax hovers just before someone's neck. More than that though, he spots a familiar golden mask.
If it wasn't for a certain mutual friend of ours, this has been nothing more than a waste of my time…even if it was only a few minutes…. One swing was enough for me to take down your strongest painting. Even when letting you make enough paint to fill the oceans, all it amounted to was my ax coming down on your head.

No response.

Oh, come on now, where's are those colorful words I imagine you would spit at me like your sisters did?
Wh...why?
Why what?
Why would you ever join him? You...
Fought him before? Defeated him and Dark Mind all on my own? Yes...yes I did.
Then why side w-
Because it is a warrior's nature to find a challenge. Because defending a nation is far, far easier than defeating one.
So...you betrayed Blade...Woods...all of us...just so you could-?
Parallel Meta Knight simply shrugs.
Yeah.

---

Thick strands of black and red are painted across the night sky as the ground crumbles like dust. With smog clinging to the air, only the flames dancing on buildings give off light.
HELP!
Trapped under a metal beam, a lone scientist remains, defiantly calling out for someone to save her.
(...I…I can’t go on.)
Suddenly the unbearable weight becomes lighter and lighter. Able to move, she looks up in shock as the bar is tossed aside. Looking around, her eyes focus on a figure cloaked in smoke walking towards her.
…Stache! Over here!

You’ve…you’ve came to save me! I-
A loud slap echoes through the fallen base.
Wha, what was that f-
Clover’s skin turns a pale white as she realizes something.
…Im-impossible! I installed a device specifically designed to-
You had control over the body but not the mind. And now…
Before Clover could state a counter argument, she is lifted high in the air.
You have none at all.
As Clover tries in vain to reach for her blaster, he brings her face to face.
I read your mind you know. All of those inventions, those little dreams dancing in your head? All of them were stolen. But I can’t fault you for what others have stolen themselves.
…Wh, what?
Humans, regardless of what statue they may hold themselves, are all the same in one single aspect; their desire to claim everything as their own.
Hundreds of mental images flash before Clover.
Do you see? The very origins of humanity, nothing more than thieves unable to come up with the simplest of original ideas without stealing from those that worked to earn that knowledge. From fire to language to PK, all of it, stolen!
Do you understand now? The fallacy in your dreams? You will never be anything more than what you are because it is human nature itself!
…

And with a single tear, it marked the end of his greatest enemy.


Suddenly, a small UFO the size of a football descends from the sky. Stache readies a PK Shield but to his surprise it stops just shy of him, dispensing a small paper in his hands, then flies off. Carefully grabbing it, his grip trembles as he reads the words he thought he would never appear.

Giegure has pardoned you. Report to base for reassignment.

At the bottom was a signature, from the master himself! Stache was ecstatic! Stache was overjoyed! Stache was…confused…pained…cold?
The fires suddenly go out, revealing a world that has turned an sickly brown and grey. The wind howls as Stache finds Clover nowhere in sight.
…
Stache tried to move! It failed!
Stache tried to move his feet but no response. He tried again, attempting with all his might to budge a single inch. Nothing. The slip, his ticket home, slowly fades to a charred black along with his entire body.
…
Stache tried to move! It failed!
His legs defied his will as they simply stood still. His arms followed as they froze to his side. His head was forcefully lifted upwards to stare upwards as nearby a massive disc splits the sky itself. Four massive tubes extend from the saucer and from them came dozens upon dozens of Starmen. Whatever joy he had felt had turned to fear as they crashed upon hitting the ground, not moving.
…! Stop! It’s too high! STO-
His cries stop as he realizes the Starmen aren’t dying on arrival…they already were. The tubes continued to dispense the rusting dead Starmen, and to his horror it never seemed to stop. Even as the pile reached Stache’s legs, it never seemed to stop. Even as a single speck of light penetrated the now mountainous pile, it never sto-.

...

…
…
…!
Stache nearly falls over, only to be stopped by a weak psychic force. Frantically looking around, he looks to his hands before back at the matter of hand. Heh
My…that looked like a bad dream there.

*sigh* Droid…Acorn I mean…
...Yeah?
I’m going to call it a night. Make sure the preparations for Operation Railrush are set. We need that creature before we can continue.
It shall be done. Take care Vat.
…
Hopping into bed, Vat feels something hard under him. Getting back up, he finds a footlocker.
Oh yeah I forgot. Haven’t looked in there for what’s felt like years.
Opening up the footlocker, the first thing he takes out is a picture frame with him and a young man in a lab suit.
...Good times. *sigh* Those were good times.
Placing the frame back into the footlocker, he spots a bottle of soil.
How did this get out of my collec-oh that’s right.

---

---

I remember now. Out of every sample, this one was still by far the best.
Placing the bottle back, he moves the foot locker under his recharging pad before laying down.
Hmph. Wonder if that place *yawn*is still just as fresh and expansive as I remem…ber.
As Vat Man snores, a strange clunking noise can be heard in the vents above before a large animal silently lands on top of him.
...
Ah go to sleep Beast.
*pant**pant*
As Vat returns to sleep, Beast lets out a quiet yip before resting besides Vat.

---

---

Well well…long time no see…
A figure stands out from the rest, sitting alone at a table nearby. He extends his arm out for a handshake.
Still destroying any camps you come across?

---

---

Woah…good job.(Just like that?)Alright lets-
The building starts to shake as a large metal claw lodges itself within the ceiling.

Remember, this is our base! Those offensive strategies won’t be accepted here.
Well then…consider this…
The Guardsmen retracts the claw-arm, taking a sizable chunk of the roof with him.
Playing defense!

Aiming his arm up high, he launches the large thing of concrete at the entryway to the building, blocking the door. Wasting no time, Blaze kicks the viewing window and easily shatters it.
On me!
Taking a step back, Blaze enters a running start before jumpkicking through the opening, striking an unfortunate guard. As he gets up, he sprints towards the gate.
(Almost there…)
Oh no you don’t!
Blaze looks back and solely regrets it as a massive metal claw grabs him by his torso. You could hear the wind break as Blaze is instantly yanked back towards the mech. Blaze closes his eyes before moving his palms in a circular motion then pushing them towards the mech. A scorching beam of flame strikes the cockpit, causing the mech to take a step back. Still the arm continues to retract before slamming Blaze into the ground. As Blaze hears the first loud thud coming from the impact, a second smash causes him to nearly lose consciousness. Much to Blaze’s surprise however, a third doesn't come right away, instead the arm rockets towards the sky, the sheer force causing his limbs to become nearly a foot away from his actual body.

---

The following info is not important to the story or to even know. This is just an explanation for those curious in regards to Code Freeze.

---

/Code Freeze: Referring to a System Tactic where an area is temporarily frozen to prevent viruses and other entities from moving. To the uninitiated, it’s as if only a second had gone by. System bots however are aware of every second despite nothing changing. As such, they often set themselves on a reboot timer. Repeated uses within the same area however will lessen the effect. As such, a cooldown is required to regain the full effect, though due to optimization, not much time is required for said cooldown.

Dr. Alkaline, the founder of this company, sought only one singular purpose: to develop acidic chemicals in the name of science. Through this, over 300 hundred chemicals were created, each of which has found a purpose.
As Vat’s face softens, Acorn looks down, deep in thought.
In fact, our current company leader, Vat Man, was developed by none other than Dr. Alkaline! Through Vat Man, this company has been transformed from a primitive acid company living in the past…to a technological empire of the future!


...let’s stop it here.
But what about the rest? We still have 20 minutes to go of talking about your fabulous company!
I, uh… have an important appointment that I forgot was scheduled.
Thank you for your work. We’ll send you a …small list of revisions.
Okay…uh, for the cash and items-
A check should arrive by the end of the week. Due to manufacturing errors, the metal polish and cleaning spray should be within 5 days.
...Got it. …Hold on!
Dachon starts stomping her feet, which while sounding nothing more than the pitter-patter of rain is enough to get Acorn to turn. Vat continues to walk forward until Dachone speaks.
In the job board it said a free week’s supply of spray perfumes and essential oils were to be provided, not cleaning spray and metal polish!
...
...I don’t think we even sell perfume or oils.
Look right here!
Dachon shows Acorn her phone with the deal listed. Sure enough, it shows her chosen package, a week’s supply of Biostar Lab brand cleaning spray and metal polish.
Um…Ms Dachon, if you were to look on the bottle of the-
I don’t need to look at anything!
But it’s right there.
Dachon instantly looks at the phone and looks back.
...You must have changed it!
...
Wh-What?
Clearly you’re just trying to cheat me by giving me an inferior product!
...I swear-
If I don’t get my promised essential oils RIGHT NOW, I’m GOING TO SUE!
I swear we don’t have nor ever promis-
YES YOU DO!
DID YOU NOT HEAR THE MAN? You’ve been paid for your subpar service. Now out!
Both Dachon and Acorn take a step back, visibly shocked from Vat’s outburst.

…

Trash? We’re recycling trash to make trash? What even-
Well it could be worse. I’m impressed she made 25 minutes worth of stuff in only a couple of weeks.
Yeah, probably even worse than what we already saw. I could feel my metaphorical brain cells leaving with the bubbles flying out of my head.
Well…

Acorn looks down to find his phone filled with rapidly appearing angry messages. As Acorn turns off his notifications, he rolls his eyes as the last one states she is going to job a negative review with three big frowny emojis.

On the bright side, we can always find someone else to fix it up. Should save us up to 20-
I swear that powerpoint’s so bad even we couldn’t recycle it.
Acorn chuckles to himself with Vat soon following suit before looking up at a nearby sign.

---

So, as you likely noticed, we got hit by another Code Freeze(explanation found in a later post). Now, due to my built-in immunities, I decided to do some experimenting.
On what? Us?
Null shoots a quick glare at Root before turning back to Pipeline.
As you likely know, Code Freezes can be spammed at will and only require a short cooldown to regain the full effect, correct?
Yes.
As such, if we found a way to exploit its drawbacks we could-
You’ve made a chip that has us under a never-ending loop of Code Freezes, thus nullifying it due to its repeated use?
Exactly!
...Wait, why doesn't it affect you to begin with?
Turning towards the voice, Null is surprised to not see Air but rather:
I mean, if this is all confidential, then-
Highly.
...
...Fair enough. Wel-Ah my head…
Air! You’re awake…again!
Picking up Air with unnatural speed, Air nearly fails to regain his footing before looking back to everyone.

Okay, so…we were supposed to…
Right the mission.
Simply put, we’re gonna need you to retrieve two individuals:

---

---

Vat Man and Acorn, correct?

Yes.
Fab! Now, when you hired me 3 weeks ago to make a professional powerpoint for your stockholders, you were probably thinking to yourselves that this would take months for a quality product right?
This… is of a high quality right Ms Dachon?
Of course it is! When it comes to the field of powerpoint presentations, you will find there is no equal!

Flipping off the lights, an projector starts to display some info:

Innovation. Recycling. Embetterment. Synthesization. All these and more make up our core of our company!
So far, so good.

They say one man’s trash is another’s treasure, and we here at Biostar Labs have one goal in mind: to better both the environment and society. Thanks to our landfill conversion projects, over 50 tons of trash have now found your way into your homes as…

---

---

As the picture of garbage disappears, thousands of eagles each uttering a loud screech fly by as the next screen appears.

---

We here at Biostar Labs, while valuing life over all, have also made it our goal to make things as cheap as possible so as to better our operations. Thanks to the methods we convert waste products, little is needed to produce a lot. As for why we don’t show the process…well we are a for-profit company!

Acorn and Vat Man shoot each other glances before looking back.

Speaking of show, did you know this very building is powered by chemical energy? That’s right! Thanks to our bio-uranium cell packs, entire towns could be powered through a single chemical power plant! And unlike regular nuclear power plants, in case of a meltdown the half-life of our biouranium lasts 1/20th as long as regular uranium and can easily be removed without any input.

Suddenly a large blob is shown in a destroyed power plant squeezing through a window.
See! Just like that, this plant is back to working condition devoid of dangerous chemicals.

While Acorn resists the urge to facepalm, Vat is visibility livid. Both of their reactions go unknown to Dachon, who is lost in the company-brand music playing from the presentation, even tapping along to it from time to time.

Ghost of Stache is about to fire another burst but stops himself.
A voice resonates within Doc Elite.
Next course of action?

---

(If Doc Bot dosen't go, then I'll just fire another Buster Shot)

Ghost of Stache activates Doc Bot's buster once more. As he lowers his arm once more, he simply stands there staring through Beta Satan.

Stache simply raises his arm. Whenever Doc Elite realizes it or not, three Buster Shots are fired from his cannon, which are then launched towards Diablo. (This doesn't use Doc Bot's AP or anything like that, just making up a reason as to why I can't use Buster Shot.)

WE: 4/14(Due to Psychonic Link adding two WE instead of one. I intended for it to affect both but if its more balanced with it only affecting the ally than I'd rather go with that)

...2

There's no answer save for some static...
A black mist flies out of Doc Bot before forming into...
...
A thin line of pink can be seen swirling around both Stache and Doc Bot!
Behind the visor, Stache flashes a look of shock upon spotting Beta Satan before showing a smile. It feels forced... (Using: PK StarStorm Omega)

3!

WE: 2/16 (uh oh)

Name: Ghost of Stache
Image::::::?
Core: Crystal
Subcore: Shadow
Weakness: Impact
Resistances: Electric Freeze
Abilities: Psychionic Link, PK Starstorm a, PK Starstorm Ω

Energy: 7 (14)
Weapons: 8 (16)
Attack: 6
Defense: 5
Speed: 3

Psychonic Link
Type: Crystal
Cost: 8WE
Accuracy: 100%
Power: N/A
Effects: The user establishes a psychic link with an ally. The ally must accept(takes zero AP) and gain an extra 1WE per turn. If accepted, both targets receive stat buffs and debuffs. If a Crystal move is used by, the ATK involved in the calculation can be substituted by whoever's attack is higher. If either part of the link is knocked out though, the other part of the link loses their next turn. Multiple links cannot be established and either part of the link can cancel the effect at any time.


PK Starstorm a
Type: Crystal-Space
Cost: 4 WE
Accuracy: 90%
Power: 16(all)
Effects: If only one target is present, this attack splits into 7(3x)(Onetarget)

PK Starstorm Ω
Type: Crystal-Space
Cost: 10 WE
Accuracy: 100%
Power: 70(all)
Effect: The user flashes a menacing smile, counting down 3,2,1, taking 3 turns to do so. When completed, this attack occurs. If knocked out, this attack does not strike. Other actions that are Crystal cannot be taken while this move is counting down.

---

From the depths of Doc Elite's mind, you hear a phone ringing. Pick up the call?

←↼⇛Ք։փힺ〓〆〄〄ퟎ「⃣⃠⃠

---

---

Come on, come on! Let's get this cargo on board so we can go home already!

To and fro go dozens of different kinds of Joes, each either carrying boxes or returning to a massive crate filled to
the brim with smaller boxes. As one of the Joes pick up one of the smaller boxes, he turns to his friend.

...Say PJ-019. You uh...know what's in these things?
Beats me but whatever it is, at least it's not wearing my servos too much.
...True. Well whatever's in these, they must be valuable right?
...Well I guess.

As the gray-clad Joe finally picks up a package, it is suddenly snatched out of his hand.

...Hey! What th-
Standing behind him is a Hammer Joe carrying a massive amount of packages.

My word Joe. With how slow you're going, by the time you realize the train's departed, the next two will have arrived.

...
...
Hey, I'm not slow!
It has occurred to the Joe that the person he was talking to was now on the other side of the loading platform.
...I'm not that slow...
Looking down, he sees all the packages have been delivered, save for one.
...

*Pzzt*

Come in.

Looking around, he reaches in arms and body first to retrieve the final package while speaking into his arm.
...*whisper*I read you loud and clear.
Finally. We were trying to get a hold of-
I know I know I'm slow. What do you need?
Have you found the subject?
...Not yet. I'm 99% certain it's not in the yellow or blue cars. ...Unless the creature's been split up into pieces.
Get a confirmation of that, then report back.
...But there's almost all loaded up!
Don't care. Just find out and get back to us as soon as possible. Are we clear soldier?
...Yes sir.
Execellent. Also be advised your optic camera feed is about to go online. Make sure to look at any possible weakpoints, maps, anything without being suspicious.
...Yes sir!

As the Joe rises from the crate, a figure stands there, arms behind his back, patiently waiting.

...
...
...
...Woah! Don't sn-
You are to not attack any OVER models.
...
...
...Of course I won't! Why-
You will protect me as you board this train till I choose to get off and you will follow any suggestions by me that I shall give above all others.
...
...Why would...
Of course. My shield shall falter before you will.
(A bit slow, but he'll get the job done. If not...the others will finish it for me.)

As the figure does a mock salute with the spy Joe responding in kind, they both head off, each with their own plans being set in motion.

---

Weekend Warrior and Pikadorf are deleted. 3kb freed up!

---

Update: I got me sprites actually organized and easily usable for once! (I had extracted them in piskel form so that was fun. Finally found that Google Photos does a better job in storage so huzzah!)