As Turbo Man speeds out the exit (which is big enough), Windaz fends off the continued Guard Shell blasts!
...I used to work here.
It was only for a few days, but I had gathered supplies for Limited, Extreme, and a capsule that belonged to some robot.
I want to say this...thing would have never been brought to life if I didn't follow my missions, but...I don't think I knew how to make a choice.
But what matters is that I do now.
Windaz strikes Fuse Hyenard with a Lightning Tempest...who is now ''running'' along the ceiling, as if it was the floor for them.

---

After blocking enough of Orange's melee attacks, Zardy decides enough is enough and strikes her with a Weed Whacker!
Gaugh!
Don't give me that look. You walked out the frying pan and into the fire.
Zardy then suddenly vanishes...then reappears over Orange, almost landing another Weed Whacker before being knocked back by a last-second Lightning Conductor!
As Sese tries to assist with some Marrow Shots, Zardy takes a second to look at them closely...
(...the heck...?)
...before his attention is drawn back to blocking Orange's attacks as she flings a Spinning Baton.

---

Weed Whacker: (Phantom/Impact) Zardy swings his hoe. Deals heavy damage, but has no knockback unless guarded (regardless of how much damage the guard is meant to reduce).
Fading Strike: (Phantom/Shadow) Zardy turns invisible, and immediately follows up with another Ability, returning to visibility right after. Cannot follow up into a non-damaging Ability, or a non-Ability action (such as an unnamed attack or an item).
Lightning Conductor: (Electric/Steel) Orange raises her baton in the air, and uses her Electric magic* to summon a lightning bolt right above her, which rains down and surrounds her in an burst of electric energy.
Marrow Shot: (Shadow/Neutral) Sese fires a small burst of magical energy from an arm cannon made from bones.
Spinning Baton RECAP: (Swift) The user throws a baton that spins in the air, striking the opponent multiple times before returning to the user.

---

*Granted to her by Spekkio on Thread 1, Page 354, Post #9.

Hold on!
As Fuse Hyenard begins to catch up with the duo, Windaz begins to morph her arm into a Blow Dry...
...
...before deciding to change it to a Cinder Shock, burning through the thorns!

---

Orange and Sese have dug multiple meter-deep holes in the ground by now, no closer to finding any of Sese's bones. Orange wipes her forehead as she continues digging another hole.
*huff* Sese, could you return the favor a bit and find me something to dig faster with?
Orange holds her hand behind her without looking, expecting a tool in her hand soon. Sure enough, she finds herself grabbing onto a garden hoe.
Thank you.
As Orange struggles to take ahold of the handle, she looks up...and notices Sese standing in front of her.
Uh...Orange?
Standing across Sese - and behind Orange - is a tall figure in ragged clothes, the hoe firmly in their grasp.
What are you two brats doing?
Orange turns around, trying to hide her shock.
...sir, we were just trying to-
To what? Wreck the soil for fun?
Look, I've had a lot on my plate the past few months. Some maniac ran around swinging an axe and blindin' everyone with a flashlight*, I nearly threw out my voice trying to shoo away some freaks with noise cannons†...
...I'm givin' you two five seconds until I smash your faces in.

Orange shifts into a battle stance!
Make it three!
Kid, that's not an invitation, it's a warn-
Orange charges forward for a melee strike, Zardy using his hoe to block it with little effort!
For 's sake...

---

Cinder Shock (Flame/Electric) Windaz fires a searing bolt of electricity, able to pierce weak shields.

---

*Reference: Zardy's Maze, the game Zardy is originally from
†Reference/Recap: V.S Zardy - Foolhardy (sic): while the general rule is that fan works (Mega Man Unlimited, Mega Man Rock Force, etc.) take place in seperate universes from Chaos Zone, V.S Zardy is one of a few Friday Night Funkin' mods deemed canon to the main CZ universe on Thread 2, Page 129, Post #9.

As Orange and Sese find themselves over a dark cornfield, they slow their flight and lower into it.
Okay, it's been like five hours, do you know this place?
Uh...nope.
Great! Then get to work!
Orange stands confidently for a moment as Sese looks somewhat awkwardly.
Uh...you'll help Sese, right?
Oh, uh...
...sure?
Thanks!
The duo begin digging between the rows of maize...

As Windaz hops on Turbo Man, four orbs appear around Hyenard, with energy bullets flying out of them in all directions!
What's more, thorny vines slowly begin to fill the narrowing hall leading to the exit!

---

Guard Shell: (Shield/Laser) Shield Sheldon's signature weapon. Summons an energy barrier that absorbs projectiles and retaliates with energy bullets. Alternatively, summons four "turrets" around the user that each fire energy bullets at the target.

WHO DO YOU THINK I AM CALLING SUCH? EVEN IF IT APPLIES TO BOTH OF YOU, YOU ARE NOTHING BUT STEEL AND WIRES!
EVEN IF GRANTED THE STRENGTH OF LIMITED, YOU WOULD BARELY BE AN ERRAND BOY! NOT THAT I'LL ALLOW ANY ERRANDS TO BE DONE!!
Windaz assists Turbo Man with a Zephyr Testament, then begins slashing through Sakaros violently!
"Strength"? What about Limited is so much better than anyone else?!
Just as often as I've met people living fine with Limited, it's taken me days to even figure out who I am with it! I could barely walk!
There's nothing that makes it entirely better or worse than flesh, metal, or whatever else!
And I'm done letting you turn it into the norm!
A diced-up Sakaros lays on the ground, only able to reassemble her face...
...MAYBE YOU ARE DONE WITH ME. BUT I DIDN'T LET MANDARE'S EFFORTS GO TO WASTE.
Suddenly, one of the walls simply topples over, revealing a hidden room.
...
From out of the room hobbles a monstrous creature, three soulless faces - one like a rose, one like a shellfish, and one like an ant - hanging on the sides of its body, with the one active face...
AAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH

(Character Battle Theme) ♫ Nick Nuwe - Barrage ♫
The creature begins flinging Spike Balls aimlessly!

---

Zephyr Testament: (Wind/Mind) Windaz concentrates and summons a calm circle of wind that boosts the stats of nearby allies, and cures any negative status effects they may have.
Spike Ball: (Nature/Cutter) Spike Rosered's signature weapon. The user flings a ball of thorny vines that bounces along the walls before returning to the user.

Struggling to find other options, Concrete Man leaps onto the floating concrete-coated mushroom, hoping he can paddle his way to the other side.

Because you haven't been hurting anyone, and that attack would have killed us.
YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT PATHETIC MACHINE! IT'S DONE NOTHING FOR YOU, AND IT PROVIDES NOTHING!
As Sakaros drops through a molten hole down to the lower level, Windaz catches her in a Blooming Void!
And what if I don't care about if it's my own benefits?

---

Blooming Void: (Nature/Shadow) Windaz summons three pools of dark energy, each one surrounded by thorny vines. Opponents that get caught in these pools have their health rapidly drained.

---

*A link to the page this subplot started on just to make things easier for ch4s3; pretty sure I posted the first recently already, but here's a recap explaining most of the overall relevant stuff, and a personal character list and heavily incomplete explanation of everything else just to be safe

As the door to the lab opens, Sakaros is sent flying through, the door just low enough at the second to splatter her head off!
...not that it matters, as a new head quickly grows in its place.
Windaz speeds out, slowing down once she notices Turbo Man...
...wait, you sound like someone...
As Sakaros crawls over them, firmly latched to the ceiling, she rips off a panel of the ceiling, firmly raising it up with two limbs...
!
Windaz uses a quick gust of wind to move Turbo away as she tanks the metal plate head-on!
OH, SPECTACULAR! YOU'VE BROUGHT FRIENDS!
AND HERE I THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A MERE MURDER...
Six of Sakaros' eight limbs begin charging Blow Dries...
BUT I'M NOT ONE TO PASS UP A GENOCIDE!
Windaz narrowly grazes past the scorching wind, carrying Turbo along as it melts the floors!

Higher up in the fortress, Sakaros morphs the ends of two limbs into propeller blades, flailing them in an attempt to butcher Windaz, who follows up by slamming Sakaros around the room with a Lightning Tempest!

---

Lightning Tempest: (Electric/Wind) Windaz summons a series of violent winds, bolts of electricity spiraling within each.

A metallic door slides open from the bottom, allowing Windaz to enter without trouble.
Mandare?
As Windaz' walks into the room, the walls echo with nothing but her own footsteps.
I quit. I know you think I'm "useful" and all that, but you don't see me as a person.
And, in a sense, I don't know if I was a person when you found me. But I think I know what it means to be one, and it isn't what you want from me. What you want from anyone.
Windaz' footsteps are slowly drowned out by three times as many...right behind her.

A REASONABLE ARGUMENT. REASONABLE, INDEED!
UNFORTUNATELY, IT WOULD HAVE FALLEN ON DEAF EARS, HAD IT NOT FALLEN ON DEAD EARS!
Sakaros slices Windaz down the middle with a Grass Chopper, with Windaz reassembling herself in the other direction as she leaps back, prepared.
I WILL NOT ACCEPT RESIGNATIONS! NOR WILL I ACCEPT ASSISTANTS!
Sakaros, I've made my choice. Even if it means fighting against yours.

(Character Battle Theme) ♫ Nick Nuwe - Mecha Brawler ♫

---

Grass Chopper: (Cutter/Nature) Sakaros uses a pair of giant hedge trimmers to either deal very heavy damage, or destroy any shield regardless of its durability (aside from a few very special exceptions, such as those of higher beings)

(Character Theme) ♫ Nick Nuwe - Maze of Scraps ♫
Mechas of all kinds manifest from the walls and floors, the speed of their construction only exceeded by the Feather Smacks decimating them.
IT'S AMAZING, REALLY! AMAZING!
...
ALL YOU KNOW IS CONTROL, CONTROL, CONTROL! YOU SAW WINDAZ, YOU SAW SAKARIN, YOU SAW ME, AND IN ALL YOU ONLY SAW TOOLS FOR YOU TO PLAY WITH! TOOLS!
As Mandare prepares a drill attack, two of the spider-like figure's limbs connect to form a mirror...
AND YET IT WAS TOO LATE ONCE YOU FINALLY REALIZED...THE TRUE TOOL WAS YOU.
The mirror begins to glow...

---

Feather Smack RECAP: (Wind/Impact) Sakaros whacks the opponent with her feather duster, dealing damage while also obscuring their vision with dust.
Mirror Sheen: (Shield/Laser) Sakaros protects herself with her mirror, deflecting any attack with a blast of light with 3x attack power.

This is the place!
Wow...there's so much to look for, where do we even-
Hey, Orange! Who's your friend?
GAH!
Sese leaps back, startled by Kogasa's sudden entrance.
This is Sese! They lost some bones, so I brought them to the perfect place to find them!
...this is a cemetery.
Yeah, it's gonna take a lot of digging!
...you were gonna take them grave digging.
The cemetery turns silent for at least a solid five minutes.
Fiine, I can take a hint.
Orange and Sese walk away, sulking.
...actually, if Sese's not from here, they probably wouldn't find the bones anyway...
Orange perks up, snapping her fingers.
That's it! We gotta go find some place that looks like it's got bones that we don't know!
The duo flies off.

---

(please don't make a sound please don't make a sound)
As Windaz hides amidst a dark set of trees, a cold breeze fills the air...
WINDAZ CANNOT HIDE FOREVER. I SHALL SHATTER THIS FOREST IF NECESSARY, AND I WILL RETURN HER TO-
A shimmering beam flies past the trees...and through Sakarin.
(...I've had enough.)
Windaz sprints off to the Fortress, hiding between the trees so as to not catch the attention of whoever else is there.

---

ONE OUT OF THREE!

It certainly took you long enough. Tell me where Windaz is.
I AM UNABLE TO. NO TRACE OF HER WAS ANYWHERE IN THE VICINITY OF THE CLOCKWORK TOWER.
...
...I need to speak with Sakaros. Keep searching, and ensure our greatest resource hasn't gone to waste.
Mandare walks out of the lab, and Sakarin warps away.

---

Between a small crack in the fort's interior and its outside walls, Windaz has heard the whole conversation.
...
(A resource. That's all I am to them. Not that it's a surprise...)
(...but it doesn't feel right anymore. Maybe it never was.)

(Character Theme) ♫ Imagical Musion Depot Vol. 2 - Jail Break ♫
With some minor fixing from Descant - the most she could figure out - Windaz' regeneration has returned to normal.
Nonetheless, Windaz finds herself sitting on a bench, somewhat confused.
...why did you help me?
Well, you weren't acting like you'd be hostile back there, so you just looked like you needed help.
That's why I've been letting those two hang out upstairs while Dad helps out some of our friends†; they're a little confused, but they haven't threatened anyone.
(...why, though? Isn't injury just a sign of failure?)
Oh, one more thing!
Descant pulls out a small device, identical in shape to a mark on her chest.
You don't have one of these, do you?
...no.
Well, it's really going to help you stay together. Here!
Descant tosses the device to Windaz, and it rests firmly on her body.
...I, uh...have no clue how to be thankful?
You're welcome! You can find your way back, right?
...yes. Maybe I'll see you later?
Well, you know where to find me!
...
Windaz warps out.

---

*Recap of what Limited is and why all these X characters are here
†Recap: Dr. Doppler and Enemice HL are currently repairing Sonic Man (from Mega Man for DOS), who was heavily injured by the end of the last "story arc" of the RP (unofficially called the "Beta Diablo Arc"); his brothers Dyna Man and Volt Man are staying while he's being fixed.

Mack blocks a flurry of light jabs and leg sweeps, his health slowly chipping down...

Ya stupid little...I'm gonna get a turn one way or another!!
Mack tries to Mega Drain the bot in the face, only for it to leap up in the air and...

---

Mack hops out of the room, struggling to even keep himself steady atop his sword "steed".
Oh dear...that's your fiftieth loss in a row, out of fifty matches.
I swear you're just counting to spite me.
And I swear otherwise! Here at Muppet Labs, we take records very seriously, be they victories or losses. Why, it took twenty to thirty tries to ensure the Quintissential Cyborg Fighter wasn't lethal to the average citizen!
Beaker shivers quietly.
Look, I've seen folks who can sweep the floor with me after their cloud-shaped brain actually puts together they're not a frog*, I've met weird hell ladies who go from getting knocked out by pinballs to tanking giant ice lasers no problem†...for some reason people are able to just figure this stuff out, and in 25 years‡ I've discovered jack squat!!
Tell me what I'm doing wrong. Now.
Bunsen steps back a bit.
...well, one's flaws in specific combat can vary depending on the mindset of the mentor and the fighting style...
...but if we want to look at this simply, I think I have a solution!
Bunsen begins typing away on a small CRT computer...

---

Finally back in one (proper) piece, Windaz is still unable to properly warp back to the Fortress, and is attempting to find the path herself.
Gh...
Struggling to look forward, a building of some sort seems to come into view...as does a small figure.
...hey, are you okay?

---

Mega Drain RECAP: (Flame/Laser) The user fires a beam of searing energy at the target. Cannot be blocked.

---

*Reference: Mallow in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars.
†Reference: The main method of defeating Konngara (and every other boss) in Touhou 1 is hitting her with a bouncing yin-yang orb. By contrast, while the battle ended quickly for other reasons, Konngara was able to withstand a Vasa Aergun (six beams of ice followed by a seventh, much larger beam of ice) in her Chaos Zone debut during the Grey Matter Arc.
‡Reference: The time since Super Mario RPG's release.

Nichts gains 2860 EXP.
Hahahaha! I'm amazed!
...
I don't think I've ever faced someone as pathetic as you! Even if you were born yesterday, you're not built to act like you were!
It's not worth it to finish you off. Go and crawl back to your friends and tell them who sent you home crying!
Nichts warps away as Windaz struggles to even properly reform herself.

---

Sakaros, you sent Windaz to the Clockwork Tower twelve hours ago.
OH, DON'T MIND IT! DON'T MIND IT AT ALL! IT'S SIMPLY A COMPLEX MISSION FOR SUCH A NEW RECRUIT!
Mandare shoots a glare at Sakaros as she disappears behind a wall.

---

...
In a hidden room, Sakaros stands before the capsule from the Silver Current...and two empty containers.
Three near-indecipherable messages pop up on a screen high up on the wall.

(Character Theme) ♫ Touhou 18 - The Cliff Hidden in Deep Green (Remix) ♫
...I mean, I'd say you yamawaro are the exceptions to the rule*, so I'm not gonna complain, but what exactly do you want a deal for?
Takane tugs her collar for a second after hearing the first part of Rika's sentence.
...ahhah. Uh...
...well, y'see, these Ability Cards are really sweepin' the nation. Real good business invesement.
Trick is, people are startin' to buy 'em in bulk and then sell 'em off at like ten times the price.
You brought those "Battle Chip" thingies o' yours, right?
A bit surprised, Rika nonetheless pulls out a pair of Chips.
...sure thing. Let's see, I got a MetGuard G, a Dash Attack G, a modified Chip I call "Guts" that has the properties of the GutsMan chip but doesn't summon the Navi image-
See, that last one, whatever it meant? That's what I'm talkin' about!
Not just anyone can make an Ability Card. There's some weird stuff about what's inside, but point being, if you can work with these "Battle Chips" like that custom "Guts" chip, maybe we can work together to figure out some more tech to work out the supply to help the business get back on its feet while we work with the kappa to weed out the hair-rippers. Maybe even make cards that weren't for sale before!
Hold on. You I'm fine with, but do you really think I'm gonna work with a pong-
Takane swiftly puts her mouth over Rika's.
'Ey. You can't just walk around saying the P-word like that.

---

*Yamawaro (of which Takane is one) are kappa who have migrated away from the river and instead live in the mountains. I don't think I need to explain how that pertains to Rika's attitude towards kappa.

As Windaz and...nobody else teleports in, she finds herself left confused.
...Sakaros?
...

---

Dark Elf finds herself buried in yet another book...until she hears a loud crash just before her door swings open.
...Lulu, I told you to stop practicing fire magic on flammable trees.
† Wasn't that this time. You might wanna take a look at this, actually.

---

Just outside the house, a large mechanical device stands in front of the two.
This...definitely isn't normal. Did you just see it here, or...?
Just kinda dropped from the sky. Which is weird, because...
Glancing up, Lulu notices a bizarre rift‡ a few meters in the air.
...because that is a lot weirder.

---

Windaz is wandering the molten castle remains aimlessly.
(...I wasn't told what to do, and I don't see anything to-)
Suddenly, a tall figure wielding an energy sword drops down, slicing a third of Windaz's body off!
Hah! Another one of those "Evolve Fighters" trying to butter me up, huh?!
...
Silent but infuriated, Windaz prepares a Spell Card...that's cancelled before it can begin by a Nightmare Lash!
Little tip to take with you to your shallow grave: Don't waste your time like that!
(Character Battle Theme) ♫ MiniMacro Sound - Hell Week ♫

---

Nightmare Lash: (Mind/Flame) Nichts strikes the opponent with a burning energy whip, dealing heavy damage and leaving them Disoriented.

Disoriented: A status effect. Makes the likelihood of hitting the intended target split between hitting an ally, nothing, or even the user themselves. I would've called it "Confused" but then it'd be a pain to find it in the Community Search.

---

*Reference: Mega Man 7 ending
†Yes, necklace and bracelets aside, this is the color scheme Lulu had when she had the HEX Adaptor back in the Regulus Arc. I decided to switch to this to help distinguish her further from mainline Puyo Puyo Rulue. It's not hard to say she decided to change her hair and outfit, anyway.
‡I haven't gotten confirmation on whether or not I can have this specifically be a Memehole..

...

---

...

---

...

---

That was...weird.

---

...in any case, I suppose the ocean's echoes will give me a hint of where I am soon enough.

---

And once I find out where they are...

---

---

Dyna finds himself unmoving but wide awake, deep in stressful thought.
(...the only reason they came back was so they could join me.)
(I split up from Dangan and Express†, I turned my relationship with Kikuri long-distance‡...and instead of them, I was being given my actual brothers on my side.)

---

*One day before Volt Man was hinted to make his debut between the Worship and Surge Man Arcs.
†Reference: MMRPG World: Tournament of Champions
‡Reference: An old Dyna Man Twitter parody account of mine. Disclaimer: Given the account's NSFW nature (which is also why I'm not providing a link), I am being VERY selective about what is and isn't canon to CZ from it. Unless it's been mentioned or otherwise aligns with something at some point in Chaos Zone (Dyna praying on Thread 2, Page 143, Post #13, or any mention of Kikuri), assume it's not canon to him in MMRPG.