Of course, so long as you do the same. I'm technically not supposed to hire mercs out of the blue nor give em vital plans and Balto would have my head if he knew but what the hey.
As for the uh...cavalry, we've got that covered. However, there's a problem; our scouts can't seem to find a open way directly to Ultima that won't end in disaster. Any ideas?

---

---

RDS holds his cheek while shaking his head.
For now we need back to the Overmarch Bunker, then we'll figure this thing out. We have a open space fitting of your intellect just waiting to be claimed.
Hey real quick. Those modifications you placed on Vanne-...Lucina. Something happened and the control broke. And way to fix it or is she lost?

The Starknight slashes in a quickening fury as Stache's shield starts to crack. Closing his optics, he casts PK Darkness! The attack was a success, blinding the knight.
(That's one down, only-!)
Raising his hands, the Starknight emits a haunting tune from its radio beacon as it yells out:
PK Comeeettttstooormmmm!!!
For a second, Stache stands in terror before jumping off the summit. Desperately, he finds a good spot further down and teleports.
Come on! A cave! Wher-
A twinkle in the sky alerts Stache that he's running out of time and, faced with no other option, recharges his PSI and starts to stack PK Shield after PK Shield, ignoring the voice in his head telling him it won't be enough.
Using all the PSI he could, he slowly walks to the walls of the mountain for some form of cover but its too late. The first comet crashes down, breaking half of his shields and knocks him on his feet. The second comet crashes just shy of him, its shockwaves being enough to send him straight into the third comet. As the last of his shields break, the fourth one slams him into the mountain, the rock cracking upon sheer force.
Losing consciousness, his cracked visor is flooded with nanomachines desperately trying to fix the damage. However, through the few openings, the fifth and final comet can be seen above, its size being comparable to an actual asteroid and its light being bright enough to be seen even from the NRC base.
(Beautiful isn't it?)
Stache is suddenly lifted quickly in the air and brutally dragged on the walls of the mountain before reaching the summit.
The people of this rock, they spend years and countless billions upon billions of worthless currency to develop Mass Destructive Weapons. Meanwhile, look at what a single Starknight is capable of Stache.
But the funny thing is that it would take even longer for an community of Starmen to create what these fleshbags made.
D-Save it. We need not your words but another's.
.W...what?
I imagine you must think we came for you...however the Mind of the Mountain was our true intention. I'm sure you know who I speak of, yes?
The...Mind of the...Mountain?

---

This will be your final trial my child.

---

...
We heard its cry, its sweet words echo in the air calling for someone. What a pleasant surprise it was you. Because now that we have you...
Stache drops onto the ground, only for the Starknight to plunge his arm cleanly through his torso. As Stache screams, the Starknight raises him in the air.
Come out Mind of the Mountain! Your chosen one has failed! Now reveal thyself and fix my cohort of his insanity!

---

PK Cometstorm A devestating attack that launches a series of psychic energy towards a target. While it can hit multiple targets, it's mainly useful against single targets. If the user expends all their PSI energy, the final comet grows in size depending upon the leftover amount. (As for how Stache was dragged up the mountain, the other knight did so.)

---

As they reappear at NRC, many of the soldiers seem battered and wounded but are in good spirits.
Hoi! Welcome back!

---

---

Glass can be spotted with a glass of his favorite beer and silently staring at his blade. Seeing his troubled expression in the reflection, he shakes his head before downing the bottle and requesting another.
...I'll uh...I'll have what he...what he's having.
Glass looks up at the cloaked stranger but save for a hardened stare at first pays him no heed.

---

---

As the doors open, Clover feels the warmth of the sun touch her skin.
Well...guess since I fixed that radar and the monsters are gone, I'm just gonn-
Oh no your not.
(Rats). Why not?
Your memories remember?
...Oh yeah...(RATS.)
Gotta wait till the boss shows up. Course...I know another way. Should be quick and painless for me...
Clover feels a gulp in her throat as Mackra cracks his knuckles...then laughs?
Relax, relax. You really think we'd do that?
...Well of course not.
I mean, what do you think we are, murder machines or som-?
...
A hurt look appears on Mackra's face as if her silence had taken the form of a bullet. After an uncomfortably long amount of silence, Mackra speaks up with less enthusiasm than before.
You may have free reign around the base, but you better watch where you go, okay? Okay...
Mackra walks away as Clover looks in confusion.
(But that's their purpose. Did the UKR really forget to program code that reinforces that? Geez, whoever made these guys needs to go back to school...)
It has suddenly occurred to Clover that a few soldiers are staring at her. Upon returning the glance, they walk away.
...

---

---

RDS hears a familiar voice in the wind and rushes back, spotting an opening.
Hey! You alright in there? What happened?

---

---

(Come on, they have to have a weakness...)
(We have none.)
...
Stache casts PK Shield as he effortlessly dodges a oncoming slash.
(There we go. Should keep my thoughts blocked but not theirs. Now then...fire's a bust so how about...)
Jumping backwards into the air, Stache casts PK Thunder, running the bolt around the Starknights. To his horror, they simply grab it like its nothing and tear it apart.
(What the actua-)
Stache is suddenly slammed down into the snow before being lifted up and tossed off the mountain. Falling down, Stache focuses on a specific location and teleports back to the top, at the same time firing off a PK Freeze. The Starknight grunts as the mind crystal hits his back, giving Stache hope until he reads his mind.
(Do you honestly believe that would hurt me?)
...
As one of the knights rush Stache, the other hangs back, holding his hands together.
While elemental damage dosen't have much of an effect, status effects still seem to affect em...which means...

Switch Joe for Met.

...
As Spade opens her eyes, she sees Diamond sitting in a office chair, looking at a newspaper.
*yawn*
...Oh! Finally!
Come in Heart! Come in! We're back! What's the update on getting us out of here?
Spade contuines to try and contact Heart while Diamond looks at the newspaper with confusion.
...
...Do they... do they know?

---

(...I haven't seen the plaza/whatever it's called in a while, what are all the options?)

---

Andoru's POW temporarily rose to 21.

*BEEP*
Torpor raises a wall of scrap around the hallway to act as cover while getting into a defensive pose. Taking this as a hostile action, Acorn rushes the wall and uses slams the barrier with one hand (Heavy Smash), tearing the 10HP wall down. Acorn is suddenly sent flying with the push of a open hand Palm Strike, skidding across the floor and loses consciousness.

HP:0/20.
A box rolls out of Acorn's pocket which expands into...
...! I told him to use a E-Pellet when his health got low but nooooooo...
Oh! You guys kinda look like you could use some!
Claim Chomper's mouth opens wide, firing off a burst of E-Pellets for everyone to use!
3x E-Pellets were added to everyone's inventory!
There! Since Acorn's napping on the job, I'm gonna mix together a revive so uh...don't mind me!
Claim Chomper closes his lid and rolls into a safe position.

Blast's and MIDI's aiming of the target has granted them an onetime accuracy boost.

---

---

---

As Cross arrives at the old building, a high-pitched voice calls out.
Hey! Hey you! Yeah you! Shorty!

---

---

As the two figures walk down the stairs, a large number can be seen plastered on the wall, showing that you're currently on the second floor. In front of you is a door...which opens revealing it to be a Ball Met. It looks up at them with curious eyes before quickly rolling away.

---

---

As your party transverses through the cave opening, the walls get closer and closer together the further you move forwards. Furthermore, the wet rocky floor slants downwards more and more, making even the slightest slip have devastating percussions. Due to the limits of the lamp, a bump in the road is spotted far too close for comfort...a rusting yellow helmet still attached to its owner. He slowly turns towards you, pickaxe in hand.

---

??? Picket Man

---

---

The Shopkeeper Joe pulls out a book showing various weaponry and supplies.
Bulk's Shop on 2nd Tab

---

---

As Heat walks out, a few soldiers are still reeling over the disaster caused by the renegade truck.
Available Shops/POIs

Alleyway
An unnamed shop with capsules sitting in the window
Porkril's (Organic Healing Shop)
Ocean's Pearl (Thrift Shop)
Lone Soldier
Group of Soldiers
Cop Car

---

---

The Blast Man Tracker beeps, revealing him to be near Woe Labs.

---

Previous: 325, Post 20
A loud vibration erupts throughout the dimension followed by an equally loud thud.
Come on, get up!
Absolute Virtue does not move, simply staring at the angry puffball.
GET UP!
Swinging downwards, he plunges a axe into what remained of one of his wings. It cleaves through it entirely, catching Brigand off guard.
You hear me! I'm not done yet! You don't get to act like that last Benediction failed to work! How stupid do you think I am?
Although his mouth never moved, AV's eyes gave Brigand an answer that quelled his rage. A foul stench had flooded Brigand's nostrils(?), signaling the end of a long and seemly worthless fight of wills.
...
...
...
...
...
...Heh.
Adrenaline now leaking out of his wounds, he struggles to stay standing.
You know, you weren't all that strong. I could of easily have used an anti-healing strike or used Lightbane. No, I wanted a challenge...and by all accounts, it was I, not you, that made it difficult. So...thank you for playing your part to the end...you piece of filth.
Kicking the body, he takes the cut wing, the prize that began all of this, and sits down, lying his back on the creature and catching his breath. Smirking to himself, he inspects his axe, noting a lack of cracks. Without warning, Brigand falls backwards, hitting his head on the ground. Quickly getting back up, he sees that AV's corspe teleports to a random spot.
...
AV's corpse teleports to another completely random spot, hovering slightly above the ground this time.
...
Brigand prepares to deliver a Rising Chop but again the corpse appears elsewhere.
Did you not hear me? You've been nothing more than a toy, one which I refuse to play with anymore. Cease your antics and childish games.
As it teleports once more, Brigand notices a sliver of blue has been left behind.
What sort of-
AV reappears inside of the sliver before disappearing completely.

---

---

As RDS walks away from the castle, a loud crash erupts throughout the ruins. Slowly turning back, a large white and blue creature is there to greet him.

---

---

This will be the final trial my child.
...Wh-
Both Starknights Starstrike, damaging both of Stache's legs and causing him to tumble. Yet what caught him off guard even more was that the voice was the same as the one that led him up here, albeit more...deeper?
Traitors nor inferiors will be spared. Lie down in fluffy water and we'll make this qui
DIE!!
Rushing towards the downed Stache, SK-02 tries to pierce him with another Starstrike but Stache once again teleports out the way.
Holding his hands to his head, Stache yells out:
PK Brainshock!
and in a flash the Knight suddenly stops before staring at the sun. Its attention however is diverted by a PK Fire followed by PK Thunder to the face.
PK Incinerate.
Stache looks back and blocks the fireball with his arms, then backhands the knight with his still redhot arm just he tries to stab him.
Master Giegure may label me as a traitor, but when this world falls under the power of my mind, I will offer it solely to him. Is that not what any Starman or Starknight wo-
From behind, the second Starknight plunges both blades in Stache's back and starts to move them down, trying to open Stache up like a can opener. Trying to hold it all together, he teleports on the opposite side of the summit, immediately falling to the ground.
*huff*...
As he tries to get back up, a weird clicking sound comes from behind. Reaching for his back, he grabs the source of it, revealed to be a nanomachine. At once thousands of nanomachines crawl out of Stache's wounds and start to wield them together, much to the surprise then irk of him.
(...Damn human tech. Doubt it will even do a proper job.)
He crushes the small bug before glancing up, spotting the two Starknights simply staring at him in disgust.
What? Too afraid to finish me off?
Incorrect. Thin sheeted metalloid. Weak. Wasted resources. Thickplated space-iron. Strong. Worth every mineral.
Both the other Starknight and Stache look at him with confusion.
...What?
I'll explain it in a way even a human can understand. Your structural components are outdated compared to us. Your psychic potential is outmatched by us. Your usefulness is made pointless by us. In fact, in human perspective, you're obsolete even by their average tech prowess.
You accursed Starknights! Always think your better than us don't you?
We both serve Giegure's will. However, those like you, so easily manipulated and mutilated, hold back his will. One less starman equals one more position taken by the superior model.
Then I guess Master Giegure will have to fill up two more spots up after this won't he?
...Goodbye Starman Stache. You will not be missed.
The two Starknights crack their heads before rushing Stache on opposing sides.

---

Starstrike: A mysterious power radiates from the user's appendage(s), inflicting more force and power in attacks.
PK Incinerate: A varient of PK Fire that shreds armor.
PK Brainshock: When used, can cause confusion.

---

As the party gets closer and closer, the thing responsible for it suddenly pops out of the pile, revealing itself to be...
TOR...TOR...*BEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPP*

---

---

---

As the two of you enter, a set of stairs leads down to a large building. A large satellite dish of some kinda is pointed to the sky, firing a dark-blue laser into the sky. No doubt this must have something to do with that hole. Along with this, there's a handful of oddly shaped machines and monitors, each varrying colors of text running down a black background.

---

---

As Eddie finishes his statement, the humming stops.

---

---

This commercial is sponsored by storycraft.inc. With every click on that ring, a storybook gets its wings!

A stuffnee?! You didn't tell me-
A poorly costumed superhero walks into the scene as the Stuffnee stings the multitentacled alien.
Are stuffnee's giving you trouble young citizen?
*sniff* *snort* *SNOORT*
Worry not. Nees...Ne"e" gone!
In a flash, the stuffnee flies out the window into space.
*sniff* *snort* *sniff*
That's right! And you too can save the day with...Handy Dave's Puns for on the Run!

That's right! Handy Dave's Puns For On The Run! Scare wildlife away with puns! Scare Minions away with puns! Annoy Gan with puns!*

*Here's Gan's phone number ************. Don't worry, he won't mind. Serves him right for stealing my hydrobike when we were kids.

You can get this handy triangle full of cards for only 74.21Zen! Order today!
Just call 75352D-439V-539F-FIN to get two bundles of Handy Dave's Puns For On the Run for 148.42!
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---

RW shrugs before teleporting to two locations.

---

---

Ah home sweet home...is what I will say in the future.
With a splash of paint, the entire floor, wall, and ceiling becomes white.
(Now...let's get to work!), he thinks to himself as he dons a invisable beret.

---

---

As the cold wind blows across his body, Stache continues to walk up the mountain. Both voices from earlier have faded as if they were carried along with the breeze. Despite his visibility lowering and frost forming from every crevice, the Starman walked forth, not ran, but walked. It wasn't that he didn't have the strength or power to, but simply that there was a feeling of...foreboding that would come to haunt him had he rushed forth.
He couldn't put his finger on it, perhaps the formations in the walls resembling parts of various familiar creatures or perhaps the way the snow gracefully fell from above all around him but not quite reaching him. It mattered not I suppose, for he had a mission and even if his mind decided to take a break, his body would walked forwards until...

!

He had sworn the summit was at least 3 hours away but here he was, arriving at his objective, even if he didn't know what it was. And what waited for him at the top? What "treasure" or "reward" would there be to pay for the time wasted? He wouldn't know just yet, for a blizzard slammed into him.
Digging his feet in the snow, his eyes darted around, trying his hardest to see through the snow. Nothing would stop him. No blizzard, no hidden fears, nothing. And so, one foot after the other, he pressed on. Eventually, he spotted something grey in a sheet of white...before rolling out of the way as it moved forwards. Assumingly to Stache, the snow dispersed revealing two other Starmen...no wait, they're different. Their heads, their bodies, they look like him but...
Hostile recognized.
MULIATED OFFENDER!
Irregularity detected in Starknight 02.
PK Incinerate!
The two swordtips that make up the Starknight's hands start to glow a bright red before firing two large balls of flame.
PK Shiel-
Stopping himself, he teleports through the PK attack before firing off a PK Fire of his own. Catching the Starknight off guard, it splashes cleanly on the torso...seemly dealing no damage?!
Wha-
Sensing the other knight, he teleports backwards just as he rams his previous position.
(...Way too close.)

---

Yeah...why DID they come here anyways...!
*whisper* MIDI hold up.
Acorn's eyes start to move around slowly before-
There. 37 meters ahead, isolated junk pile.
Something far away starts to move, though what is it is unknown.
That's the quickest way to the armory.
Cover me. Though...if you think you can get a clear shot, do it. We don't have much time to waste sneaking around.
Acorn cracks his knuckles before slowly walking forwards, crouching to the ground.

---

---

As the two land, it was a miracle they didn't spawn further away for even a inch and they would surely fall below.
Around you is what seems to be a desert with the building your standing on on the edge of a large cliff. Save for a doorway and a hole in the roof, there doesn't seem to be any safe way to get down.

---

---

And here you are!
210Z was removed. With a smile, he hands you the two weapon chips before looking over to the next customer(Boosted Bass).
Ah! What can I get you?

---

---

Rivershine Divisions number 1,2,4 please report to drop-off zone.

Finally. I thought we were going to go after the announcement.
Oh don't worry, I'm sure there's still a girl waiting for a handsome knight in shining uniform to sweep her off her feet.
*sigh*
Ah relax man. I'll be sure to tell the second prettiest robot down there about you.
Hey!
The two soldiers continue to joke and laugh while a third one looks down at the planet below.
...
Yo Titan!
Hmm? Oh hey!
It's ridiculous man. The chances of the Shadow Tribe even touching this place is next to none.
I kid you not, that's what I was thinking man.
Hey, guess that means great minds think alike, hey?
Yeah...
Let's get moving before Sgt. "Pancake" gets on our .
*snicker* yeah really.
As the second soldier moves on, Titan continues to stare down at the small planet, trying his best to ignore a sinking feeling in his gut.

I see...
Well see ya man! Don't forget to hit me up with a text! We should hang some time once I get the place set up!

Beta Shadow's phone as well as a few others vibrate before Radiated Wraith suddenly falls down into a bundle of cloth.

---

---

Hey gentlemen! Any space pirates shown up while I was gone?

Raidiated Wraith shrugs.
Eh, thought at much. ...
Uh, one more thing. That Demon Realm that Evil Mario came from...do you reckon there's anyone good in there at all?

Sorry Beta, one sec.

A curtain falls over Zalgo's portal.

Ah relax Big Z and Little B. Wounds heal after all. Even if you do nothing eventually the majority will forgive you. That's how life works. Nothing to be sad about.
As the curtain rises, Wraith turns back towards Beta.
Now then...where was I...When you mentioned Null, it got me thinking about a certain someone, one of your characters, that Null encountered before straight up disappearing, never to be heard or mentioned again save for a reference a long, long time ago in this very thread. Do you know who I'm talking about or should I just give it away?

You want a punishment? Check these bad boys out...

TVs rolled in from everywhere, showcasing clips of what Zalgo and his army have done while under the influence of the core.

No, this isn't really him I might hear you say, but gentlemen... but it's his body, his soul. If he truly, truly feels guilty...then let him do what HE feels is needed to atone. If it's not enough, then we say something, but...Zalgo's a smart man. Not in combat or war mind you but still...

Radiated Wraith turns to leave before pointing a finger in the air.

He AND his cohorts can figure out what needs to be done.

Radiated Wraith starts to walk away before remembering something.
Yo Beta, when you have the chance, there's something's important I wanna talk to you about.

---

The D.Acorn looks at everyone with a strangely happy expression before teleporting to wherever Beta Devil is.

Glass stares at Talitiu in shock.

Why are you asking me? You're the "brains" in this situation.
A laugh track plays out throughout the underground.

Radiated Wraith falls to the ground, holding his now cartoony elongated neck and gasping for air.
Worth...*cough**cough*it...
Pulling out a stage curtain from thin air, he surrounds himself with it.

All the while, Glass can be seen with the fire emblems holding a glass of some brownish liquid. Downing the whole thing, he becomes jittery and charges Trio's head.

---

---

RDS continues to search the damaged castle for Skasukapon DS, coming across a barricade of junk in way of the usual path.
Come in. Can you hear me? Skasukapon?