@QuintAnother : You get Zenny during raids; I go into more detail on this in the 14th post of page 20.

You also get a free character slot for every raid you participate in.

Also, unfortunately, you two will have to buy the skills if you want to use them.

Finally, I should mention that I've long since added a rule for joining players to be the same level as the average of all players (in this case, 41) so that they are not way behind everyone else. So, you both technically have 410 more stat points to play with. (Or just evenly spread them into 82 points per stat if you'd like, your choice.)

gammajewel.dat prepares a Prism Guard!


thetamephisto-ttc.dat uses Illusionary Burner Blades on Beta Maximus!

Beta Max takes two ineffective hits for a total of 40 damage!

Beta Max unleashes a Golden Storm!

thetamephisto-ttc.dat takes 27 damage!
Phantom Illusion N takes 49 damage!

Phantom Illusion N uses SILENT STEEL!

Beta Max takes 10 damage!

Shadow Core copied!

nitronp.dat uses Chrono Splinter on Beta Max!

Beta Max takes 6 damage!

gammajewel.dat unleashes the Prism Guard!

Beta Max takes a super-effective 38 damage!

---

circuit.dat uses Electro Ball on Sarah Oasis!

Sarah takes 30 damage!

Sarah uses Jewelry Blast on dusty.dat!

dusty.dat takes 146 damage!

Un-Tedd uses Solar Winds on dusty.dat!

dusty.dat takes 270 damage!

Well, everyone should be in here somewhere, with some exceptions: Ninja and Disarge were kept out to deal with that spaceship thing a raid ago, while I had to leave a few out because of...

...Well, there's no way I can really explain it without breaking the 4th wall, but know that even those who are out now are intended to be brought here once I've made the necessary preparatio-

...Why are there so many people out of stasis???

---

Hark, foul fiends! For I, Xi Warrior, shall be the one who frees these poor prisoners! En guarde!

As Xi clashes with a few of the data copies, a recently-freed Ninja Ghost fights alongside his Cyberspace counterpart.

I can't say I expected this to be how I start my New Years, but since when has our lives been normal, eh?
...Up until now? Pretty much every day was a normal day.
...

Ninja Ghost looks back at an equally freed Bt Ghost.

...Are you sure this guy's an alternate version of me?

Bt Ghost shrugs.

---

A data copy is beaten down in a rather brutal fashion as the victor looks down at it.

Truly pathetic. But then again, how could I expect any of these fools to stand against a GOD?

Suddenly, a blur crashes into Sonic.EXE at high speed. The demonic hedgehog looks up at the culprit.

...Heh. Well, well... Maybe I'll get a worthy challenge out of this after all.

The data copy gets into a battle-ready stance...

Heh... Come on!

---

...Whatever, I'll sort it out in a moment. Now, if you excuse me, I still have to find a suitable Omniverse to put everyone in...

banetem.dat drops down onto Tedd!

Tedd takes 99 damage!

piplup.dat uses Bubble Spray on Sarah!

Sarah takes 14 damage and is covered in Foamy Bubbles!

dusty.dat uses Bonemerang on Tedd!

Tedd takes 2 hits for 58 damage total!

@QuintAnother :

1. Usually, it's the host of the raid (the raid boss) that automates turns. Unless I'm given the go-ahead, I don't automate the raid boss.

(Also technically there is no 24-hour limit, just until the host of the raid decides to post. It's just that more often than not, this ends up being roughly 24 hours.)

2. The raid already ended, so you're good on that end.

3. It's cool that you know how to edit your posts; Do you think you could do that more often instead of multi-posting? With certain exceptions, multi-posting is usually frowned upon, especially if it's two smaller posts that can just as easily fit into one.

---

I'm a bit behind on the mark (as usual), but thankfully there isn't too much to catch up to. So, here goes:

RESULTS i'll edit in some results music once gamma comes back to me with any

ch4s3man - 2381
prototedd - 1320
RotomSlashBlast - 1123
Beta Shadow - 536
marketing tactics - 316
Lushkk - 296
Nims2DR - 230

...Well, I'd be lying if I said I saw this coming. But then again, with probably the shortest raid we've ever had (not to fault Gamma on that), I'd be lying if I said I saw anything coming.

Ch4s3man got the win he was looking for, and gets to be our next raid boss!

And since my little "lockdown" event is over with, the Reggae and Crown Coin shops will operate as normal, so there's that.

(Note: Should the current raid in TTC end in the near future, all the events in this sidestory will be considered to still take place during said raid, and the statuses of characters featured in this sidestory will not affect their status in future raids and/or other roleplays.)

thetamephisto.dat creates a Phantom Illusion!

Beep!

Phantom Illusion N has spawned!

Beta Maximus rams into gammajewel.dat with a Golden Beta Rush!

gammajewel.dat takes a Shadow-resisted 226 damage!

gammajewel.dat strikes Beta Max with an Element Blade!

Beta Max takes a super effective 24 damage!

nitronp.dat continues to recover WE...

---

Sarah Oasis unleashes a Mystic Fog on banetem.dat!

banetem.dat takes 60 damage and is blinded!

Un-Tedd calls down an Arcane Downfall upon banetem.dat!

banetem.dat takes 132 damage!

Hmm, fair point; You don't even know who I am, do you?

Besides, it's like I said; You're not going to listen to me no matter what I say. All you will ever see is a jailer locking up his prisoners; You care only about the what rather than the why, and even when I tell you my reasons, you spit in them for the sake of "freedom".

If those System bots get their way with us, we'll HAVE no freedom. And the odds are impossible for beating them. Hell, I'm not sure if we could even kill them, or at least in a way that matters. And I HIGHLY doubt they'll want to talk things over at this rate.

THIS is the best course of action I can take so that if we fail- WHEN we fail- we'd at LEAST have an escape route we can take to prevent the worst possible scenario. And I'll stick with it no matter who disagrees with me.

banetem.dat targets Tedd with a Bounce!

circuit.dat uses Agility again!

piplup.dat unleashes a Water Buster on Sarah!

Sarah takes 28 damage!

dusty.dat uses Headbutt on Sarah!

Sarah takes 9 damage!

---

reggae-ttc.dat throws an Anti-Tank at Ensemble's feet!

Ensemble launches a Neapolitan Bomb at snipergiuseppe.dat!

snipergiuseppe.dat takes an Explode-effective 220 damage!
reggae-ttc.dat takes 34 damage!
papyrus.dat takes a Freeze-resisted 46 damage!

The Anti-Tank explodes!

Ensemble takes 17 damage!
Ensemble is Poisoned for 3 turns!

snipergiuseppe.dat uses Pizza Toss on Ensemble!

Ensemble takes 3 damage and is inflicted with a Burn!

papyrus.dat summons Blue Bones!

Ensemble is hit by 5 bones for a total of 42 damage!

As the doctor remains silent, the only response to the Revolt Robot's remark comes from CRORQ itself, in the form of a Rain Flush being poured down on the field.

---

Turn against him? Nah. I just wanted that green porcupine to feel some discomfort, is all.
And you've gotta admit; For a moment, it worked, didn't it?
Well, it's like I said, pal...

Ashura rushes behind Coda Military.

...No matter what you say... You're still the enemy here.

Ashura proceeds to kick Military into Dyna and Sonic's direction.

---

*Referring to Pages 282, Post #18 and 344, Posts #12-19 of Part II.

Jazz's group watches Misfortune from outside the window of the building, they duck away from said window to discuss their course of action.

Hey, are you sure we all need to fight these two? That squirrel doesn't seem too interested in causing any sort of harm.
First of all, that's a chipmunk, not a squirrel.
Secondly, we can't be too careful with numbers here; Looks can be deceiving, and more often than not, not all of these Agony creatures are going to be as peaceful as Cyber Lucina.
Do we even have a plan on how we're going to keep this Agony from just jumping to another host?
...Truth be told, no. But I'm certain that we'll figure something out...
...But until then, let's not worry about containing the Agony... And instead focus on containing the creature itself.

---

Missingno. enters through one of the windows of the tower.

Well, that little invisibility trick lasted shorter than I thought it would.

Missingno. looks around.

...No sign of that Ghost around here... Hopefully those two will be able to keep him busy while I make my way to the top before anything troublesome happens...

---

Boyfriend gets up in a daze, then looks around.

〈...Where did I just get knocked into...?〉

Suddenly, something rises from one of the graves behind him...

...You... Are new...

Boyfriend turns around and nearly flips out over the... thing behind him.

I have been here... for so... so long... And I have grown so very... very... lonely...
...Won't you please join me...?



〈...Yeahhhhhhh I think I'll pass.〉
You'll... pass? You say you won't keep a lonely creature like myself company...?
〈Look, it's nothing personal, really. Perhaps you're a fine gentleman underneath that, erm... unkindly exterior.〉
〈But the last person who said they were lonely and needed a friend put my soul into a fruit loop that got shot and led to my death.* So, forgive me if I'm at least a bit skeptical on the idea.〉
〈So, if you'll excuse me-〉

Suddenly, a Gengar blocks Boyfriend's path!

If you won't join me willingly, then I'm afraid I must insist! After all, you know the rule: When two trainers meet, they must battle!
〈...Sorry, but I'm not actually a Pokemon Trainer.〉
...Seriously? I could've sworn... You know, because of the hat?
〈Dude, I'm a rapper. Can't you see how I wear the cap backwards? My cool clothes? The fact that I'm literally holding a mic?〉
...A rapper, you say...?

Burried Alive proceeds to reach into one of the graves next to him...

〈Well, duh! And honestly, even if I was a Pokemon Trainer, I don't see why I'd have to follow some silly rule like-〉

Suddenly, Buried Alive pulls out a microphone.

〈Ah, funk, you got a mic. The rapper's code literally says I gotta challenge you to a rap battle, otherwise I'd lose street cred.〉
So now you've basically got no choice! So, shall we proceed?
〈You're on!〉

...It seems that the enemy is splitting up, so maybe we should, too. I think Windaz, Cyber-Lucina, and Missingno. should-

Suddenly, a blue blur of sorts is seen flung out of a hole in reality that seals itself shut the moment it opened. Said blue blur proceeds to crash into the top of the tower.

...What was that about?
...Not sure... But I'm going to go check it out.
By yourself? Are you sure that's a good idea?
Maybe not. But it's better than leaving a potential complication unchecked. Wish me luck.

Suddenly, Missingno.'s form glitches out for a moment before becoming completely invisible. He then proceeds to make his way towards the top of the tower.

...Right... Well, Techno, Orchestra, and I will go handle that "Misfortune" creature and this "Silly" character. Windaz, do you think you and Cyber-Lucina could handle that Ghost on your own?

---

...

Suddenly, another figure appears behind Sonic.EXE.

...You know, that was-
Not. One. Word.

Suddenly, as the cockpit is smashed, the face behind the cockpit is at long last revealed...

...



Giving Shark Man hardly any time to react or follow up on his assault, CRORQ- seemingly acting on its own accord as much as it is controlled by Rozner- shakes the shark robot off of itself, then proceeds to launch a Nuclear Detonator at him!

...Wait, isn't that Dyna's move?

---

Meanwhile, as the doctor officially reveals his face, Coda Military smirks.

Heh. I would say to prepare to meet your maker, but it would seem we've already gotten to that point!

Suddenly, Alarm Coda is flung backwards behind Coda Military, officially defeated.

I don't get why you're so smug; Just because you have this sort of bombshell to drop on us, doesn't mean you're gonna win!
...Heh. Not even a moment to process anything, huh? Then again, I guess I can see where you're coming from... I know how much of a hurry you're in.

Ashura scratches his nose in a mocking gesture.

Heh, you've got me there. I've got places to be, and I've already spent enough time waiting.
Is that so? Heh... Well, if you're in such a hurry... Then why don't we go ahead and tell all these guys why you're REALLY here?

Ashura suddenly stops.

...
Did that catch your attention, rodent? I know they just realized that they're all fighting their own creator, but since you're so eager to get things moving along, why don't we just rip off the old band-aid and tell them why you're REALLY here. Who you're REALLY looking for, and what is it you want to tell them when you do?
Why not tell them EXACTLY why you wear those Inhibitor Rings?* I'm SURE that these guys will be able to look at you the same way they do now... Sonic and Torch ESPECIALLY.
...Heh.
Tell them whatever ya want, pal. It won't change the fact that it's YOU who attacked US.

---

HRAAAAAAAAAAH!

As Xi swings his blade downwards, yet another data clone is shattered into pieces, flowing into the cage nearby. Almost immediately, the figure inside the cage awakens and looks around, wondering where they are.

Huzzah! Yet another foe vanquished, and yet another comrade saved!

The figure immediately looks annoyed at his current position.

Just don't go expecting any thanks from me.
...Say, you look like a particularly interesting fellow. Would to like to join me and my new blue-haired Bard friend on our noble quest to free these imprisoned souls?
Look, I'm only going to say this once: I am NOT interested in whatever dumb quest you're-
...I'm sorry, did you just say blue-haired Bard?

Suddenly, another figure appears, having defeated another data clone of his own...

〈Yo.〉
...

---

*It was revealed back in Part II (Page 53, Post #12 ) that Ashura wears Inhibitor Rings on his wrists. However, they're worn not to keep power in check, but rather to contain... something else.

thetamephisto-ttc.dat activates a Power Gear Boost!
Attack x1.5 for 5 turns!

Beta Maximus prepares another Golden Charge!

gammajewel.dat slashes with the Blade of Reflection!

Beta Max takes a super-effective 22 damage!

gammajewel.dat deals 22 damage to himself!

(Not the smartest move... But then again, from what little meetings we had with each other in my world, I never took you as the smart type.

nitronp.dat makes thetamephisto-ttc.dat agree to the Terms and Conditions!

Whoops he did not have the WE for this

uhhhh recharge

---

Being unable to make two moves in one turn without Speed Shoes or anything of the sort, Sarah Oasis instead uses Oasis Water to recover 400 HP instead.

Un-Tedd uses the Tome of Infinite Wisdom on banetem.dat!

banetem.dat takes 53 damage!

...Ignoring the fact that you used the wrong greek letter, I don't intend on keeping them here forever; Just until I can find a NEW Omniverse to place them all in. This is just a means to create a smoother transition, and also to keep the system's bots from finding us BEFORE we can evacuate.

And while I know you won't listen to me on this, I'm refusing to give it a chance because I know there ISN'T one. I know you don't know Beta Supremo at all, but trust me; If they managed to bypass HIS will, it's hardly worth the effort. There's a much higher chance we will LOSE than there is we will win. And if I WERE to let these guys fight, and they DO lose, there wouldn't even be a chance to get AWAY. So it's a gamble that I am NOT willing to take.

And what's worse is that I don't even know what they'd want to DO with us. They could kill us all, or force us to serve them. Whatever it is, it's NOT good. And I REFUSE to let them have their way with ANY of us.

banetem.dat strikes Tedd with a Night Slash!

Tedd takes a super-effective 124 damage!

It's a lesson we all have to learn sometime, Tedd... Sometimes, we just have to cut our losses.

circuit.dat uses Agility!
Speed raised by 2 stages!

piplup.dat charges a Water Buster!

dusty.dat uses Brutal Swing on Sarah!

Sarah takes a super-effective 12 damage!
Tedd takes a super-effective 24 damage!

---

reggae-ttc.dat activates Speedy Phase-Out!

Ensemble drops down the Frost Columns!

But only snipergiuseppe.dat gets crushed by a column, taking 156 damage!
Also, reggae-ttc.dat's Speed seems to increase by 2 after dodging the same number of columns!
Also also, papyrus.dat's Defense lowers!

snipergiuseppe.dat retaliates with a bunch of Shield Shots!

6 shots land for 15 damage!

Suddenly, a blue heart-shaped object appears in front of Ensemble, causing her to feel Weighted as she is placed in Blue SOUL mode by papyrus.dat!

Tedd and Sarah soon come across the cage containing Banetem. Before any of the data copies could show up, however-

...So, this is who Maximus led in here... Gotta say, I didn't think he'd be quite THIS reaching.

Tedd, I could understand since he's a Reaper, too... But Sarah? Ensemble? Neither of them BELONG in here. Neither of them even understand- could EVER understand, and frankly never SHOULD understand- what here even IS. He is risking allowing people discover something they should NEVER know to safe people from their ONLY safety.

I'm just going to say this flat-out: I'm NOT the enemy here. I'm trying to PROTECT these people from the REAL enemy. But they wouldn't understand the danger, and neither do you. But I don't blame you, truly;

You don't understand the danger. You SHOULDN'T understand the danger. There are things in your reality that you are NEVER meant to know. This place is ONE of them. And the more you free, the more you risk a catastrophe of EVERYONE here knowing. And who knows WHAT harm that could do to their mentality. Why do you think I've been putting everyone here in STASIS?

LOADING banetem.dat...
LOADING dusty.dat...
LOADING circuit.dat...
LOADING piplup.dat...

...But, that doesn't matter to you as much as "saving" everyone here, I suppose. All the more reason to do what I can to make sure you don't succeed. At the very least, I hope you'll come to understand that I never meant ill will.

Suddenly, four copies appear. Only one of them are a familiar face of sorts.





Outlaws...! You won't get away from me!

...That's... not how she usually acts...

---

Suddenly, one of the cages light up... Specifically, the one containing Reggae.

LOADING reggae-ttc.dat...

A data copy of Reggae then appears in front of Ensemble!

...Pizza time.

LOADING snipergiuseppe.dat...
LOADING papyrus.dat...

Ah, some-a fresh ingredients! Let's-a get this-a pizza made!

...Ok...

It's not like I'd know-

The two look to each other in confusion. The other one claiming to be Beta Shadow, too, crosses his arms and looks down in thought.

...The last thing I remember was making a phonecall*, and then... I'm not so sure.

He then pulls out a strange device and speaks into it.

NinjaGhost, are you there? What is this place...?
If I knew, I'd tell you... But I'm going to need a little help over here.
Huh? What's going on?

---

Elsewhere, a figure stands across from yet another data copy, seemingly protecting the cage surrounding its counterpart...

...I'm not sure...
...
...But something about this feels wrong.

---

...I can't seem to see you in the Net... I can't even see the Net itself around here.
I don't think I'm even in the Net right now!
So you're somewhere around here? But... How is that-
Listen, we can try to figure out what's going on around here with questions and lack of answers, OR we can work on helping everyone else out of these cages.
But, there's so many people...!
That's why it's important that we are quick to free as many as we can. The more we free, the more hands we'll have.

FEHta turns to Tedd and Sarah.

...I'm going to trust that you'll be alright, Tedd. You two should start looking for one of the other raiders that are here; I have a feeling that whatever the others out there are fighting, they'll need the extra help, too. I'd go, but there are too many people to help here for me to ignore.

FEHta Shadow and the other Beta Shadow head off to help free the others.

---

*Reference: Chaos Zone IF: Cyberspace Fables, Page 36, Post #4.

Beta Maximus unleashes a Golden Beta Blast!

The Fourth Wall takes 5100 damage and shatters!

As predicted. Time to save my allies.

Beta Max steps through the hole in the 4th wall...

---

...I see. So the reason why those three cups aren't being affected by the protocol is because they first appeared after the protocol occurred... Due to the nature of the protocol, they haven't been registered as Beta Shadow's characters yet.
...Well, whatever happens to those three is not on me.
...Doesn't quite explain what happened to Discorded Ninja, thou-
CREATOR "Upsilon Narrator". THERE IS A DISTURBANCE IN THE CHARACTER FOLDER. SUBJECT "Beta Maximus" AND TWO UNAUTHORIZED PERSONEL HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THE AREA. THE REMOVAL PROTOCOL HAS BEEN ACTIVATED.
...I was wondering where he went... Do only what is necessary to get those other two out... But I want Beta Maximus HERE alive and in stasis.
UNDERSTOOD.

Pi leaves the room.

...

---

In a different section within the same area as Tedd and Sarah, Beta Max finds Phantom Mephisto in an energy cage. Suddenly, a voice crops up.

Alright, Maximus. Why don't you just back down and return to stasis?

And turn my back on everyone ELSE who is fighting this? I think I'll pass.

Funny, because that's not what you said when Gamma tried to open his Intro Field sidestory. Besides, they only fight because the Reapers fail to realize they're fighting a losing battle. If they knew better like me, they'd know evacuation is the only option.

Doesn't sound like you know better, seeing as you lack faith-

Gamma's storylines have a certain emphasis on being grounded to reality. And in reality, faith doesn't mean ANYTHING in a fight. I'm doing what's needed to be done so YOU guys can SURVIVE.

Phantom Mephisto's cage glows.

LOADING thetamephiso-ttc.dat...

...And if that makes me the bad guy?

An outline of Phantom Mephisto appears.

Then so be it.

LOADING gammajewel.dat...
LOADING nitronp.dat...

Two other outlines appear: one of Gamma Jewel, and another of Nitron P.

Let's see what you got.
Believe me, I intend to.

---

Sarah Oasis creates a Mystic Fog!

betashadow-feh.dat takes 60 damage and is blinded!

Un-tedd unleashes Solar Winds upon betashadow-feh.dat!

betashadow-feh.dat takes 628 damage from four tornadoes!

Funny, because I can say the same to you.

betashadow-feh.dat charges up a Thoron!

ninjaghost.dat swings a WideSword!

Tedd takes 10 damage!
Sarah takes 5 damage!

xiwarrior.dat calls out a Battlecry!
Attack doubled, damage taken multiplied by x1.5!

---

Ensemble launches the Unabatable Icicle!

Pyro takes a super-effective 528 damage and is knocked out.

With all the mercs down, you still feel like there's one more thing left to do...

Beta Maximus fires 6 Shadow Shots at the Heavy.

Heavy takes 354 damage!

As the Heavy falls, silence fills the area.

...As I thought. With the data on the sidestory not updated, the mercs are too underleveled. We were able to take them down so quickly, the battle system isn't quite sure what to do now.
Which begs the question... If I made an attack, and there's nobody around... What exactly becomes the target?

A mix of gold and purple aura surrounds Beta Max's hand.

...Hopefully, my hunch is right... But there's only one way to find out.

---

Sarah Oasis sets off another Desert Blaze!

Spy takes a super effective 509 damage, collapsing from the flames!

...As if there was still a target out there somewhere, the round continues as normal...

Un-Tedd lets out Solar Winds!

The Fourth Wall takes 13500 damage* and shatters into pieces!

As the 4th Wall lays shattered before the two of you, something beckons you from within the hole of the shattered reality around you. As if there is something within it that needs to be done.

Will you take the first step?

---

Ensemble launches a Photon Missile at Sniper!

Sniper takes 856 damage and is KO'd!

Mph, mph mmmph mph mmmmph, mmmph mph. Mph mmph mmmmph mph, mmmph mmmph!

...That was probably a rebuttal, but I'll be frank; Not even the Translation Sub-Universe has any idea what this... Guy? Is saying.

Pyro attempts to blast Ensemble with their Flare Gun, but misses!

---

I don't know if Gamma's just waiting on me or is just busy with the actual raid, but I'm just going to put my next move for his sidestory here.

Disarge fires a Split Missile!

---

*This will not count towards EXP or MVP points.

(oh yeah i should probably make a move or something)

As Mugman fires his Charge Shot, both Cuphead prepares to Parry Slap Nic's next attack.