So, what's exactly stoppin' us from just contactin' the strongest person we know?
After the whole Butlertype-fiasco... I doubt he's an option to go to in a pinch.
Walter? Wait... what about the guy who looks like him, sounds like him, moves like him, has the same name, but is a completely different non-relative person?
We don't know who he is. Either of them, for that matter.
What are you two talking about?

A. Rock and Mech-tenant just look at each other and back at UV Man.

Doesn't matter. You have data on his capabilities during the timeline hop you-know-who did?
Huh? Yeah, I do. But if he really has been squaring off with one of your friends, part of it could very well be outdated. I'll pull them back u

!!!!
All six of them are immediately appalled by something.

---

Awwww.... shit.

---

Your help's been appreciated, young man.
Delta waves off at someone else as the damage from the brief scuffle from before has seemingly been repaired.

This is the most I can do to help right now. But I'm grateful everything seems to be returning to normal here

Well... now what?

Delta suddenly hears an abnormal amount of coughing and groaning in one direction.

Uh oh. Looks like there's still someone who got hurt. I'd better...
...A-ah!

It... it's him... it's really him!

From a good distance away, Delta sees the apparent victim.

Ngh.... Ugh...

He's hurt... but he's alive, and in one piece... he pulled through. I knew believing in him was the right choice.

With no hesitation and open arms, Delta excitedly races towards the silhouette.

Soul!

Leaping in the air and expecting the warmth of open arms, the first contact Delta makes... is an instant, firm grip established on his neck by the other's hand.

!!?

Too confused to squirm in an attempt to free himself, and too overwhelmed by the flourishing of different emotions, Delta is taken by extreme shock, barely managing to utter a sentence.

Rgh!! W-what're you ...doing!?
Bah. The boy. But, your utility has outlived your existence long ago.

Why is this happening?

U-utility!? I don't-- what-- you--
!
I shall do away with you as I have before. But this time...
...There shall be no remains for you to return from.

I'm scared.

The doors slide open. Again, it's Prototype.

I apologize for earlier. It's a personal issue of mine which you're referring to... But we don't have time to fixate purely on that. It's not about me, anyway.
It's irrelevant. Any more ideas?

Junior hovers forward.

(Um... I think we should help Mr. Defteros.)
Nice gesture, kid. But you're not exactly popular out there. 'sides. He can handle it. He's stronger than how he's fighting right now, he could plow through that sunnova gun if he wanted.
(But he isn't...)
Well, maybe not, but maybe there's a good reason for that?

Everyone is silent. Junior rotates towards Prototype.

(Dad, Mr. Defteros has helped you a lot of times, right? He's been there for everyone here! So we should back him up!)
Giving ourselves away when the situation doesn't require us is an extreme tactical error. We can't risk exposing ourselves for nothing, and then waste time if MKII does eventually show.
...
(Dad...)

Prototype Junior... have you felt this way the entire time?

U-uh...
(...How would you... ANY OF YOU... abandon your own friend... for revenge?)
W-wait, come on now, it's not like tha--

Junior teleports away.

Son!

Damn.

If I were a betting bot on days other than sunday, I'd wager he's heading for the purple prick himself.

Prototype looks towards Big Eye and Laser Joe, the latter seeming lost in thought after what just happened...

We're going, ASAP. And if the situation can't help itself... we're ending this petty callout once and for all.
Yeah.
Right!

Prototype looks back once more to Accel Man. He nods. Prototype then looks away, as the three warp off as well.

automate

...So how long has he been like that?
Truthfully... he's never been the same after his resurrection. His fight with Regulus proved that.
Verily. Thine leader seemed... quite troubled.
I don't blame him. I'm furious. In fact, that's one of the things driving me right now.
Amen.
I won't pretend like it's all for their sake... but the amount of people he's made suffer is ridiculous.

---

---

You're preaching to the choir on this one. Everyone I ever new before the Quints... they're gone. Because of him. And now he's threatening to do it again!?
He is decimation incarnate. Gaining vengeance on the main responsible behind the collapsing of your universe is easier said than done.
Him and the kid... when they were Hades, I worked with him.... so... I don't know how to think about that. I don't have any personal experience with the real deal himself...but... he sounds like a damn monster.

Mech-tenant shakes his head.

How did Defteros put up with him, or even survive against him?

---

Defteros fires off Bayonet Ballistics, but Chronom easily stops them short with a Trajective Halt, and then darts headfirst towards him into melee range. The two throw rapid-fire jabs and straights at one another, but both of them have an extremely hard time connecting.

---

Bayonet Ballistic (Crystal/Cutter)- Defteros fires off Harpoon-like projectiles into the air composed of pure light that rain down on their opponent.
Trajective Halt, (Time/Freeze)- stops all projectiles fired from both him and all other parties in place for 3 turns. Up until this time, no one can fire any sort of projectile.

Defteros shifts his upper body weight into the air, jumping up with no hesitation. The first thing he sees is the warrior of time charging headfirst at him.

!

I wonder how Proteus is doing...

---

Lasers quickly break through one of the walls. The Skeleton Joes guarding the room quickly turn their head.

We're under attack!

The four joes in the room turn over to lob bones, but are quickly atomized by more lasers.

I was wasting my time with the whole bodyguard thing, wasn't I?

So this is the place huh?...
Looks generic as hell.
You should know. It's bad manners to enter someone's domain uninvited... but I think I can make an exception for you~.

Proteus snaps his finger. Another shield laser fires. It whizzes past the figure's head, as they come very near being blasted neck-first. Immediately, they then look to Proteus.

...
Bro, what the fuck! I was only PLAYING!
I know there's additional meaning in the first four letters of your name. And I'm less than interested to explore in it right now, WHORE.

Succubus Woman shrugs. She rests one arm on the arm of her throne, and another beneath her jaw.

Fine. What do you want from me?
You already know what I want, bub. But fine. I'll tell you myself.

Proteus strikes a thumb below his head, pointing to himself.

I want you to erase all my memories of anything involving Defteros.
MKII will still be better than you in every way, forgotten life partner or not.

Another laser fires. This time, she preparedly dodges, with an amused facial expression. Proteus immediately gets in front of her.

Knowing someone's trigger is fun.

SHUT UP!!!!! YOU DON'T KNOW THAT! AND YOU DON'T KNOW ME AS WELL AS YOU THINK YOU DO!

An earthquake awakens as an aura develops around Proteus, eventually, he is fully covered in rage. Small pieces of the room crumble, as debris are lifted into the air by the intensity.

I've got a whole new power now. And from here on out, it's my decision to dedicate it to evil.
Oh, veeery impressive, sweetie. You're the seven-hundredth person to find their new special power up. You're sooooo strong and sooo special, I respect and fear you.
Is that what you want me to say? Because proving how insecure and weak-willed you are by giving in... isn't doing it for me.
You laugh. But I hold the power and potential to become the strongest. There's only one way to do that... and it's to cut my weakness behind.

Accept Pierrobot. Also, automate some more.

aut o mate

Omega and BeastMan continue following Peony. Omega finally pipes up.

You. How long shall it take to arrive to this scoundrel?

That's... the first time I've ever seen that guy get hit.
He took it on purpose. He wanted an excuse to use that flashy counterattack.
Not to mention Pink & Gold is still holdin' back. He's tryin' to use just the right amount of force to squeeze in. But he's payin' for it.

Aviation Man looks towards Prototype, who looks back.

He's after you, isn't he?
...
Yeah, there's a looot of hooplah about that. People all around who have suffered from Butlertype have championed him as their hero.
Heh. I don't envy your situation... If you fight him and lose, you'll be humiliated in front of the entire world. If you win, the people you're trying to protect will hate you even more. And if you don't fight... well... all they'll see you as... is a coward.

Prototype turns around.

Defteros can fight his own battles. I've got nothing to prove to people. All I can do is forge ahead in the same direction me and my allies have been going.
Hey, man, I think you need to relax. This stuff seems like it's... getting to you.

Prototype moues at this.

If Soul comes back alive, then perhaps. But until then, I have no intention of doing so.

A. Rock points at Prototype.

No. Something's definitely wrong with you.

---

---

I mean, as much as I want to say he's wrong... Dude. You look ready to blow your lid at any moment. You're not okay. It's like you're being eaten away at.

Prototype turns his head around. Everyone, including the rest of his team, look at him.

...
...I'll be back. I'm not leaving.

Prototype walks out of the room.

Weird... I figured ol' Defteros would've been the first to get here.
C-Could it be!?
Probably not what you think, since our target's busy fighting Soul.
He was called for at the exact same time as our foursome here. What the hell's taking him so long?
Guys... I think I know what's going on...
What?

---

Chronom's attack has Defteros flying, as through turbulent speeds they break through several inaminate areas unlucky enough to be put in the direction of their impact's crash course.

Ngghhhh...

Defteros breaks free. De-equipping his Seraph Sabre, he then quickly tosses a hook at the Warrior of Time, who blocks, with the impact of the attack shoving him to ground level. Noting any more possibilities of hidden traps, Defteros comes swinging at Chronom slightly above the ground, through usage of his wings. Chronom merely jumps in place, raising his fists.

COME, THEN!
Here I go!

Defteros takes the initiative with a straight, followed by a prompt front kick, which Chronom uses after blocking aside the punch both his arms to shove back down. Chronom retorts with a forward leg of his own, but Defteros brushes it aside. Both of them shoot low kicks which only hit the other's ankle. Chronom takes it a step forward with a high sweeping kick, but Defteros bobs his head back in time to avoid it. Defteros spins around with one of his own, but Chronom hops in place above it, avoiding the attack entirely.

!!

Chronom raises his left arm diagonally upwards for a fisted strike, but Defteros parries with the usage of his right arm. Defteros then jabs at Chronom with this same right, but Chronom uses his left to parry, and then follow up with two rapid-fire jabs aimed for the head and midsection, which Defteros skillfully blocks with his left.

He's even better then I thought he'd be!

Defteros follows suit with a hook which is immediately ducked under. Chronom counterpunches, but Defteros merely pushes the attempted counter aside.

YOUR SKILLS ARE FORMIDABLE... BUT THEY ARE THE INFERIOR!

Chronom swings an elbow at Defteros, who blocks with his own elbow, yet Chronom's pushes the latter's elbow back. In retaliation, Defteros immediately swings back his other elbow, which Chronom barely is able to block with his opposite, though is pushed back from the attempt.

U-ugh!

Defteros is stung by a knee to his stomach-region. The back of his neck is quickly grabbed by Chronom, who sets him back on the ground, pushing him back all the while trying to land several knee shots to the head, all of which are thwarted. Defteros then pushes away at Chronom, causing them both to move in the opposite direction before Chronom finally breaks away.

HNH!

Instinctively, Defteros puts his arms in front of his body to block, but Chronom weakens this hold with continuous headbutts to the torso, following up with a roundhouse kick, but Defteros weaves, avoiding it. Chronom greedily swings away with a short-ranged Lightyear Lariat, but Defteros easily parries and smacks him aside...

!

You're it!

The hit seems to lift Chronom on his feet, as well as spin his body through the air, but while spinning, he uses the motion of his movement to hit Defteros with a sharp blow to the chest, knocking him down!

Gh... (...I'm it.)

♫ DBS - Absolute Power (Extended) ♫
...
YOU HAD YOUR CHANCE TTO DELIVER THE ENEMY'S LOCATION... NOW... YOU SHALL BE PUNISHED!

From above, Chronom clasps his arms to slam Defteros down... but his hands are caught by one.

Now, now. That's not very nice of you, Mr.
?

Defteros grabs Chronom's arms, spinning him in a rapid full-circle motion before quickly releasing him, as the momentum propels him away.

---

As Chronom soars backwards, he sees dozens of Energy Slashes speeding towards him.

HOH... THE MONSTER BARES IT'S FANGS AT LAST. VERY WELL. YOU SHALL BE ENTERTAINED!

Chronom skydances through the air, weaving past the air-cutting curves, with surprising accuracy.

Hmm.
OFF THE TARGET, EVER-MISSING ENEMY! NOW IT'S THE TURN OF YOURS TRULY TO STRIKE BACK WITH FIERCITY! LLLLLLLUMINOUS!

Chronom suddenly then turns his back, while charging up a special attack of sorts...

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLASSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!!!

Shooting something from behind, he quickly jets towards Defteros with blinding speed.

He's fast. But not fast enough that I can't intercept~.

Defteros extends his Seraph Sabre.

Show me.

I'll graze at him just enough that he'll be okay.

As Chronom accelerates, faster, Defteros times his slice to the point of perfection, counterstriking Chrono

FREEZE!

Chronom suddenly stops inches away from Defteros. His momentum completely disappears.

!?!?

He can stop himself just like that?

...
...Nn..!

My body has already committed. I won't be able to stop myself from moving.

Defteros's Seraph Sabre swings away... and hits nothing.

...YOUR AIM IS AS AWFUL AS YOUR MISDEEDS. I SHALL GIVE YOU THE TRUE WAY TO HIT A TARGET!

Chronom suddenly regains all the momentum from before, roughly ramming into Defteros from the side!

---

Luminous Laser (Laser/Time)- Fires off a thick, dense layer made of accumulated, damaging time. Slightly pushes back at ground level, but shoves him immensely far in the air. Can be paused and resumed at any time. Cannot be absorbed or siphoned, and immunities and resistances have no effect.

...His name... is Walter.
...
*slight chortle*
To lose to that... Man, so uncool...
How'd you find that out, anyway?
His social media account on "The Lark". It's getting very popular very fast.
Anything else we know about him?...
It's ridiculous. We datamined our way through the Security Network he used. Found tons of records of private information. His address, his source of education, even his job? You wanna know what his job is?
Well, yes, but I have a feeling If I said no you'd tell me anywa--
He's a receptionist.

Silence.

......That's... mundane...
Yes... his entire life has been. Eerily. Walter is the complete opposite of his Navigator 'Omega.EXE'.

Sherrice clears her throat.

Apparently, Walter isn't competitive, and does not take risks. No felonies. He tucks away any excess money he makes, causing him to undergo a normal, uninteresting Lifestyle. Growing up, his grades were completely average. He is not known for any passion and either has no dreams, or lacks the courage to act them out.
Well, now, that's just deppressing.
Contrast with the dominant, fierce, and intense nature of his undefeated companion... and it's a wonder they're a duo to begin with.
Yeah. Makes ya wonder how those two are even compatible, or why they'd team up in the first place.
Sounds to me like this Walter guy is just being led by the nose... *head-scratching noises*

Shuuichi yawns.

You'd think he'd be some kind of mob boss, heh... Anyway, why don't we just just get the cops involved?
Because as much as we know know, we still have no clue of the fullest extent of what they can do. Rushing in just because we know a lot is a damn recipe for disaster.
Moreover, the NetPolice will for sure go after the 'big O' as well, so to speak. Such a conflict is a recipe for disaster.
What a troublesome position. In the meantime... it seems our new friend here is waking uuuup~!

...Y-yes. I want to go with you guys.

Meddy follows.

---

...

Heat tries to nod, but accidently lowers the lid on his costume, shutting himself inside. After a few pain-riddenly awkward moments of struggling, he yanks free, and then gives a solemn thumbs up.

Prototype balls his fist, putting it into his other hand.

We still need a plan.
(Actually, I don't think you need a plan for that, dad... Not a new one.)
What's he talking about?

Junior rotates to Accel.

(It had to do with a fight not too long ago. Against someone else who could continuously get stronger...)

---

---

Suddenly my gut hurts...
Of course... the answer was so simple!
Do you guys always waste time by saying vague things in a roundabout way before actually gettin' to the point?
It's warranted now. Because we know exactly what we need to win. All we need.

---

---

W..would it really be that simple?
That's STILL hardly a simple task. For all we know, he could be stronger than us all combined by now. We need to give it all we've got from the get-go.
Damn... I just realized. He's like, my ancestor or something...

...

Defteros emerges slightly hurt, but still fine for the most part.

...I see now. He orchestrated this.
I'd been watching him closely, and he had no opening to plant that in the ground. This was premeditated.
As expected of someone who can see the future.

I need to lead him away.

Defteros yet again sprouts his nanotech wings and flies away. Chronom follows.

TRYING TO ESCAPE!?
Only a quick game of tag!

Even more traps might be waiting if I stay here. If he can predict someone's every move, then I'll choose the way that's safer for everyone.

Defteros looks back, realizing Chronom is

!?

Gone.

Defteros looks around him for the warrior of time, not spotting him anywhere.

Where'd he go? This isn't tag, it's hide and seek!

SHINING UPPERCUT!

Defteros feels something strong push his jaw as well as the rest of his head upwards. Before he can recollect, he realizes he is higher into the air than he was before.

...

Hmmm.. I can't see anymore. Did he do that to me?

I don't want to fight... I don't want to fight him, but he keeps trying to hurt me. He hurt Proteus. He hurt Rock, and he wants to hurt Prototype, too...

If all he does is hurt... then I'll have to stop him myself.

---

Shining Uppercut (Electric/Impact)- delivers a devastating uppercut, which generates a bright light, stunning the target. This light affects the target regardless of shades, closed eyes, defenses against light, or the like.

Chronom grabs Defteros by the shoulders.

PINK AND GOLDEN MENACE! YOU SHALL CONCEDE THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE ONE CALLED "PROTOTYPE-001", OR I SHALL PUNISH YOU!
I'm flattered, but... why would you ask me?
BECAUSE TIME AND TIME AGAIN, YOU ARE SPOTTED IN THE WHEREABOUTS OF THE MOST VILE CREATURES!

Chronom raises a fist, but Defteros grabs Chronom's arm, using another hand to push him off, while they are still in the are. Defteros gently drops down, using his wings to halt his momentum.

I don't know where they are... but I also don't approve of how hostile your intentions seem.
First, take a deep breath and count to ten. Maybe then we can look for TP together!

Chronom pushes against the building they previously crashed through, speeding up towards Defteros...

EXCUSES! LIES! TRICKERY! WILL NOT ENTERTAIN YOUR BLASPHEMOUS DRIVEL!

Chronom ramps up, accelerating ahead for a Lightyear Lariat. Defteros ducks, and quickly twists his body further to sidestep an overhanded chop, and then a jumping kick.

Getting rough won't help you get what you want. I don't want to fight, but I also can't allow you to hurt me.
THEN STAY A FALSE MARTYR!

Chronom does 180° spin kick, which Defteros leaps back to avoid... only to hear rumbling.

(GOOD.)
U-uh oh!

Defteros realizes he has landed on a unset Destiny Sparkle. Unable to move out of the way in time, Defteros covers himself with his arms...

Wow! Mr. Is pretty sma--

The Destiny Sparkle. explodes.

---

Lightyear Lariat (Time/Swift)- gains a streak of speed, running forward both physically and through time, using his accelerated speed to clobber a selected target.
Destiny Sparkle (Crystal/Electric)- Fires a small, twinkling star-like projectile which expands with range and destructive power upon colliding with a surface.

The thread you're referring to was made over seven years ago. I'd hardly call that a fair comparison.

About that, bud... wrong part of the community to post this in. This should be posted in the Fanfic/Fanart section.

No use in changing anything or removing stuff, though. A Moderator or Admin will probably move this there when the time comes.

...

Without thinking, Ryo instantly grabs the engine.

Alright! I'll take this as a reward for my victory. Now... where's Dad?

---

Phew! Been a while since I pulled that one...

Mr. Karate grabs B.B. Hood by the back of her cloak, and pulls her above the ground.

Alright, little lady. You're gonna tell me just who hired you to try and pick a fight with Mr. Karate.