..ORQ's creator? Our creator?)
(...)
(...I don't blame him. The past's been enough of a blur that all we've thought of is Dyna Man's world-wandering, and...well, whatever Shark was going through*.)
(Then again, I'd be surprised if any of us were ready to outright welcome him with open arms. Aside from maybe Volt.)
(But I shouldn't pretend I know what they'd think. They may be family - some more than others - but Coda or no Coda, this worries me.)
(I'm just glad they didn't hear him-)
Yo, Sonic Dude?

Sonic Man leaps back, falling off the bed he was leaned over on.
Wh-oh, Wave. Do you need something?
Just wanted to make sure the horned dudette could come back here to crash if she needed. She's a little off-balance.
Uh...sure.

---

The tail whip knocks Dual Lamia into a wall!
Quickly recovering, she stands idly...as a faint glow of deep blue outlines her.

---

Dual Lamia | HP: 41%

---

*Recap (2K Arc, retroactively Dead Zone Arc): The Revolt Robots were saved from the decaying Dimension DOS by Dark Elf, agreeing to help with her own (then-malicious) plans in return. Technically it wasn't until the end of the 2000-post party when this was revealed, after some conflict between Beta Shadow and Rotom about how the Ajax Universe's loss was handled rubbed him the wrong way.
†Recap: Shark Man and Wave Man were rebuilt by Dr. Doppler at different times (Shark when he was sent to Dimension L, Wave after the Revolt Robots' first encounter with Mecha Sonic); Shark with abilities loosely inspired by Bit (Mega Man X3), and Wave likewise with Byte (same game).

As the squirming Nebula Dwarf burns away, Dual Lamia tries to slip under Konngara's sword, prompting her to unleash a barrage of lasers to knock her back!

---

Dual Lamia | HP: 62%

---

Rika quietly deactivates the EM barrier and retracts the boxing glove.
Yeah, sure. Come in.

A few hours later, halfway through adding the AWEF* backwards-compatibility, a flash of darkness covers the room for a split-second. Rika turns to the source.
Wait, if Beta Devil couldn't hear, then how did-
I was checking how you were doing from one of your other exits.
...right, I have those. Well, if you heard what I said and wanna talk about your life story again, fu-
I won't deny my own story's part of why I'm talking to you now. But it's moreso because I feel like you need someone who's been through what you've been through.
This is going to sound harsh, but it's important: We have a lot more things to worry about than how much others know us. So we shouldn't be picky about who helps us and how. Just because Surge Man might have had a point or two about forgotten people doesn't mean his stance on popular people holds up nearly as well. Especially not when one can become the other, and both are relative.
Case in point, I brought someone else with me.
...hi, Rika.

Okay, why did you bring her here when she should be busy with the others?
Because people didn't know me, either! And I don't know how many people even know me now! All I did was fight Elephant Man and Bond Man, and find those Sol Emeralds, and since then I've just kinda been here†!
It took a while for people to know my name‡, but I didn't yell about it! I just got ready for my chance do so something!
And I've been doing that! Just because I didn't say anything doesn't mean I wasn't training for the big demon who's coming!
This isn't even experience talking, Rika, but reality warpers like Rhys aren't trying to one-up people with lives like yours. They're trying to have fun, and in this case, trying to help with something we can all agree is a much bigger problem.
I'm sorry, Rika, but if you wanted people to understand your plight, you should have spoken up sooner. I know you're worried about alienating the rest of the Crew, but running off like that only makes things worse.
...and what Mighty said is right. Even if there are people who do things as quickly as Rhys, that doesn't change how much your experience and deeper knowledge is still respectable.
I can understand if you want some alone time, but just remember: We see you as not just an ally, but a friend. We don't care who's better or worse, what matters is we're in this together. We don't want to lose you just because of one little disagreement.
Rika's breathing begins to soften.
...tell the others I'll be back after I finish helping Mighty.
Of course.
As Dark Elf and Orange disappear, Rika puts her focus back on the circuits.

---

*Do we have a concrete explanation for what this is, actually? Just curious.
†Recap (2K Arc, Regulus Arc): No, really, this has been the extent of Orange's plot involvement in the whole RP.
‡Reference: Touhou 4 - Orange's name is never spoken in-game, but rather comes from the game files. Whether or not people could easily hack PC-98 computers to find that info back when the game came out in 1998, I don't know, but I get the feeling they didn'c.

Rika yanks the door open.
Missingno, if I wanted to be better than everyone else, I'd have figured out what you said and walked straight into Hell back when the Vampire Incident* happened. What I want is not to be reality's afterthought.
You know what happens here, on a regular basis? Some small oddity pops up, the local problem solvers check it out, and they find just how deep the rabbit hole goes. Which is pretty ing deep 14 times out of 17†.
And you know what? I could've been at the bottom of one of those rabbit holes back then if the of the shrine didn't wander off to heaven-knows-where like an idiot. But she did, and all of a sudden the legless freak was hot stuff until she just left one day‡. As if what she wanted was the reason the maiden left the shrine and not my creations.
Oh, but you wouldn't know what that's like, would you? Everyone calls you the "Missing Number", but there's like 38 others of you§, and you all still get more attention than the rest of Arceus' mistakes. Surge Man may have been a whiny piece of , but at least he understood there are people like me who might as well not exist unless we yell as loud as we can.
Which is why I have been speaking, Missingno. I've been working with a team of over 30 - a good chunk of them just as neglected by reality - and I've been trying to at least put on a nice face so I can work with them and belong somewhere.
So when some random guy flaunts off how much of a somebody they are, right after I tried to do something to help them? Yeah, that kinda es me the off, even if they don't have my experience.
I'm never going to stop trying, Missingno. But if someone's going to spit in the face of the proof I exist, I'm not going to breathe their air.
SinGyoku. Meira. Kana. Kurumi.
Know what all those names have in common? They're the names of people who live here, and they're all people you probably only know about because I just told you. Because they didn't speak up like I did.
Next time you chew someone out, at least have the decency to think of someone like h POKé, PC4SH...hell, even Bad Egg deserves some of the recognition you've thrived off of.
Rika grabs the device from Mighty and slams the door...which is immediately blocked off by an electromagnetic barrier and a boxing glove on a string|.

---

*Reference: Perfect Memento in Strict Sense - According to Reimu's article, this was an incident that happened some time before the events of Touhou 6 where, after conflict regarding Remilia Scarlet, the series' "Spell Cards" were introduced. If the PC-98 Touhou games are canon, this likely would've taken place after the last of them (5).
†Referring to the 17 "main" Touhou games. The 3 being excluded from the count of 14: The first game (almost no spoken plot at all), the sixth game (The conflict is just "Remilia wants to go outside"), and the second game (see pretty much everything else Rika says).
‡Referring to Mima, and her absence in the RP's Gensokyo (which is because she's in the Zone of Non-Existence, but Rika doesn't know that).
§Indeed, there are 39 index numbers in the Gen 1 Pokémon games that are Missingno.
|[Missingno.'s one weakness in the Pokémon games is Fighting. I'm aware this probably isn't effective on Missingno. in this context at all; if anything Rika did that out of spite.]{spoiler}

Crescendo tries to shred the Weighed Down Nebula Dwarf, but even pinned to the ground it continues to split and reform, only taking slight damage until Metal Sonic chimes in with a Death Metal Laser!
As Dual Lamia endures the ice breath, she recovers some of her energy with Maiden's Secrets!
Yeah, no, you ain't the same gal. Sorry, but I think yer gettin' confused.
Hey, maybe your memory's fuzzy. Whose isn't?
Konngara puts her blade up to Dual Lamia's neck.
Shut up with the riddles and give us a straight answer.
Not much I can say. Time doesn't lie, after all.
...

---

Nebula Dwarf | HP: 19%
Dual Lamia | HP: 89%

---

As the Krystaless flies back from the Thunder Beam, the Repliblades cover the area in a swarm of Blade Launchers, prompting Dual Alice to counter with a Doll Arrangement!
The Repliblades melt away...

---

Krystaless | HP: 22%

---

Saktira CC screeches to a halt at the altar. Not only is the Master Emerald perfectly intact, but the "sparks" are almost nonexistant.
I swear, people avoid this thing like the plague. Not sure if Knux is that good at his job or if people are just that paranoid*...
She then turns around, expecting to see Classic Knuckles...and notices not a spark, but a dome of bright purple energy covering Chaos Angel Zone*, the ruins just barely visible through the film.
...I think I've got some answers.

---

Rika says nothing.

---

Maiden's Secrets: (Recovery/Level) Dual Lamia restores up to 25% of her max Energy and raises her Attack.

Metal Laser RECAP: (Electric/Laser) Metal Sonic fires a blue beam of energy out of his chest.
Power Levels: Default, Heavy, Thrash, Death (NEW)

Blade Launcher RECAP: (Cutter/Wind) Flow-R Blade Man's signature ability. Fires a spread shot of triple-edged blades that pierce shields.
Doll Arrangement: (Level/Cutter) Dual Alice summons four dolls that dive diagonally down while thrusting spears.

---

*I'm aware that arguably the biggest plot advancement in the whole 2K Arc involved reassembling the Master Emerald; Saktira wasn't there for that.
†Reference: Sonic Advance 3

The Bell Spark causes the Krystaless' holograms to dissipate as the rest of the team leaps through the portal! ...aand Demyx immediately hides behind Reverse Man.
You two belong together, and I mean that in the worst way possible.
...who's this?
Just a magician who lives here.
Dual Alice proceeds to pelt the creatures with a Blue Caucus!

---

Krystaless | HP: 42%
Repliblade A | HP: 9%
Repliblade B | HP: 8%

---

Eh, makes enough sense. Just doing a check on the area to find out more about the fireworks.
If I end up finding something at the altar, I'm not gonna question him if he's stalking me.
Saktira flies off, heading closer to the island's center.

---

Hmmm... (Now that I think about it, we did catch his name, but only from that propeller guy...)
Yoshi- (Yeah, I'm Yoshi. This is-)
Mate, I can introduce myself. Name's Fang. Fang the Sniper!
Kanako Yasaka, god of the Moriya Shrine. These two are Suwako and Sanae.
Hey, I'm one of the shrine's gods too.
And I was going to let you say it instead of me.
I mean...he probably doesn't care, right?

---

Rika turns to the door (which she does have; she doesn't have an established base in the games so I can give it one if I want), dragging her feet along before resting the back of her head on it.
Unimportant tank girl's residence. You better have a good reason to be here.

---

Blue Caucus: (Wind*) Dual Alice tosses a cluster of round projectiles in the air that fly in different directions at different speeds.

---

*Any attack belonging to Dual Alice that starts with the name of a color is simply using its first type to match that color and not for actual typing (Flame for Red, Water for Blue, Space for Indigo, etc.) unless stated otherwise.

---

(Character Theme) ♫ Touhou 2: Story of Eastern Wonderland - Extra Love (Remix) ♫
Rika's slumps on her wooden workbench, arms crossed.
I don't get it. I infested the shrine with monsters, I told the shrine maiden I made them, and then she didn't think to fall into a perfectly good trap even though the answer was right there in front of her, telling her who was pulling the strings! She just pranced through four whole stages before even thinking to look back to me...
Fists clenched, she throws a wrench at a wall.
She doesn't care what I can do? Fine! Actually, more than fine! If she's going to be busy yelling at the new girl about how science is heresy or whatever*, I'll actually be doing something with my engineering!
Rika opens a drawer, pulling out a strange yellow orb lightly fizzling with electricity...
Like figuring out what this thing is! And where it came from...

---

Rika slams her fist down on her metallic workbench, her arm sparking.
I've been at this for nearly 24 years. I found the Outside World with that Electric Core, learned everything I could about Robot Masters, reverse-engineered the strongest Battle Chips on Earth...I even figured out dimensional travel for good measure.
Fine, maybe I had it coming with the kappa learning about machines†. Those balding pongaks‡ probably would've got their hands on the knowledge eventually, and of course they'd find a way to rake in the dough with it...
...but Doppler, R.O.B., Enemice...they're on my level at best. I work with them, they work with me, worst-case scenario is they're my equals.
And then that headphone-wearing hole shows up speaking in blue, I give him what he wants, and then he decides to just take what I've accumulated for half my life and use it all in in under a week?!
Rika flings an electrically-charged wrench at the wall. It slips perfectly into a wrench-shaped dent.
I can't just be one-upped like that. I can't just be ignored by everyone again...
Rika crosses her arms, slumping onto the desk and burying her face in them.

---

*Reference: Touhou 3 - Referring to Rikako Asakura, who primarily uses science instead of magic; if Reimu defeats Rikako in Vs. Mode, she considers that she may be a heretic for believing in science.
†Kappa are the most significant engineers in modern Touhou canon, something that Rika has expressed ire towards a couple times before.
‡Yes, I borrowed this word from the Donkey Kong Country cartoon. Yes, Rika's using it as a slur.

...
...I need a moment.
Rika summons her Flower Tank and drives off.

---

The Brash Crew is patiently awaiting a response from Quin or Bladesmatter to Mighty's question regarding alternatives to Stability Stone energy.

---

Owrh... (Well, that's gonna bite us in the tail later. You think we can at least help this guy before then?)

---

Dual Lamia slides out of the way of Dragon's bite, retaliating with a Tongue Whip!
Crescendo deflect most of the Nebula Dwarf's debris, knocking it into the Scuttris as he pins the Nebula Dwarf down with a Crescendo Clamp!

---

Nebula Dwarf | HP: 78%
Scuttri A | HP: 10%
Scuttri B | HP: 9%

---

Hold on just a moment, everyone. Just because I'm rebuilding my wonderland doesn't mean I'm going to blast you on sight.
The portal shows a clear image of the Forest of Magic...
My offer to help was a gesture, not a quip.

---

As a panicked Demyx protects himself from the Repliblades† using a Form Summon, Express Man pushes back the Krystaless with a Top Assault, prompting it to hide in a horde of holograms!

---

Krystaless | HP: 71%
Repliblade A | HP: 65%
Repliblade B | HP: 52%

---

The last of Metal Sonic's makeshift teammates floats over the grassy island edge.
Yeesh, the anomalies definitely seem heavier here. It's like fireworks or something.

Saktira narrowly dodges a cluster of sparkles.
Ugh...none of the dumb mooks, at least. Maybe I'll actually get to find some answers.

---

Tongue Whip: (Damage) Dual Lamia lashes the target with her tongue.
Crescendo Clamp RECAP: (Shadow) Crescendo summons a pair of scissor blades that grab the opponent, causing them to be Weighed Down. Only heavy physical attacks can loosen the clamp.
Form Summon RECAP: (Water/Copy) Demyx strums his sitar, creating a swarm of watery clones that attack the opponent(s). Demyx is invincible until all the water copies are destroyed.
Top Assault RECAP: (Swift/Wind) Upgraded from Express Man's old Top Spin ability. The user spins around with their arms outstretched and their fists clenched, striking the opponent with the power of a thousand lariats and four clotheslines.

Weighed Down RECAP: A status effect. Causes the user's jumping abilities to be halved, and disables any form of flight.

---

*Apologies to RedBomber; I probably should've asked before jumping to conclusions.
†I'm aware there was only one Repliblade listed in the previous post; that was a mistake. I would have fixed it, but the post was way too close to the character limit.

Uh...gonna have to say Magenta/Cyan. Yellow's going to look a little scary next to those greens.

---

The Nebula Dwarf is pushed back from the fire breath, and tries to retaliate by blowing out debris!
At the same time, the Scuttris stretch their front legs out in an effort to bind Chico, who blasts each with an Enchanted Moon before they can reach her!

Meanwhile, a figure slithers up to Nohoho...
Hey, I see you brought some snacks to the ruins this time!
Uh...first off, have you been here before*?
Second...uh, what snacks?
We can talk about that first thing in a moment...
The serpentine figure pulls out a fork and knife.
...I don't pass up a treat even when it's talking to me.

(Character Battle Theme) ♫ Madou Monogatari 1-2-3 - An Enemy Approaches (Remix) ♫

---

Nebula Dwarf | HP: 78%
Scuttri A | HP: 49%
Scuttri B | HP: 48%

---

What?! I wanna hang out with Dem-
...yx?
Uh, guys, ya might wanna take another look...

The trio looks around, failing to find any creatures...aside from some floating dolls, and a humanoid figure with a book in their hand...
Oh, hello. It's been a while since anyone's been in my old home - even me, apparently‡ - so I've mostly been busy fixing it up again with a few new twists.
Wait, there were three others with us, where-
Forest of Magic. But they're not alone.
The figure focuses on their book closely, and a portal opens...
But hey, as long as you're here, I might as well help.

---

Demyx is running from a crystalline creature, with Chaos and a speedy, slender figure following.
No no no no NO NO-
Demyx, quit making a fool of yourself. You've fought a corrupted Dark Elf, for heaven's sake.

Which is very different from fighting these things!
Oh, yes, because something you haven't fought before will always be worse than reality-bending hellfire.
The creature closes in on the trio, with two different objects emerging from the ground!

---

Krystaless | HP: 100%
Repliblade | HP: 100%

---

*Reference: [Puyo Puyo Quest, Madou Monogatari II - Put simply, both characters feature a "Lamia" character, but awkward copyright details with Madou Monogatari and Puyo Puyo mean that the Quest character is most likely not the same as the Madou II character.]{spoiler}
†As opposed to the Makai RedBomber's mentioned in the past - which, given his knowledge and interest in Touhou, I presume isn't based on the series.
‡Reference: [Touhou 5, Touhou 7 - The current stance on the first 5 games is that they're canon aside from anything that's contradicted by the later games; Alice debuted in 5, and technically that is canon, but her actual backstory is implicitly different from 7 onwards.]{spoiler}

Uh...we've been done with it. The actual mech, anyway. We just wanted you to check with you on the aesthetics and paintjob and stuff. You never specified so I figured you were gonna handle that yourself.

---

Kanako and Yoshi pull back as Sanae and Suwako protect the team with an Earth-God Summon: Shield!

---

With the investigation split between two parties*, Metal Sonic, Nohoho, Chico, and a taller fifth member (and most likely Dragon but again, technically not my call) have begun investigating the ruins...
There's no rhyme or reason to these anomalies. If you were to ask me, someone has no clue what they're doing.

We didn't ask, but I don't fully doubt that. Unless they do know, and they just don't-

Three unusual creatures appear from the temporal bursts!

---

Nebula Dwarf | HP: 100%
Scuttri A | HP: 100%
Scuttri B | HP: 100%

---

(Boy, it feels good to see this place again!)
(And hey, look at that! Just when I needed more sweets, too...)

---

* (OOC: Of which I'll let HighTower decide where Choice Man goes since he's probably deduced where the other party is right now)

Chico and Nohoho have been brought to the top floor, where Metal Sonic has been hearing their explanation...well, he was, until it turned out neither of them knew what a robot was, and...
...so, wait, if someone built your mind, do you still have a sou-
Let's just get to the point, you two.
Noho, right. Y'see, these weird purple sparkles have been showin' up all around that island just west o' this tower, and a couple of those - robots, ya said yer called? They just kinda showed up and caused a ruckus.
Can you describe the robots?
Uh...they were purple, they had long arms bot no legs, and they were yelling things like "view" and "destroy" and...it was really weird. Nohoho said they showed up after some sparkles were in front of him.
(...I definitely destroyed that thing*...the only way it could come back from a "spark" like that is if-)
(No, Unbeatable Air isn't that dumb†. The Time Stones don't work that way regardless.)
(...unless something else is being used to-)
Metal looks over to the path to the roof, where Chaos is still watching over the land, eyes narrowing...
Tinker Knight, Marshmallow, you two stay and watch the Tinker Gouf Althaea‡. The rest of us need to do some investigating.
Nohoho and Chico get ready to ride Dragon again as Metal leads his makeshift team and the other Clockwork Alliance members out of the building...with one lagging behind.
Ughhh. Fine, if it makes Rev happy, I guess.
Demyx vanishes in a swirl of darkness.

---

With Beck still vulnerable, Kanako and Yoshi team up to unleash a Heaven's Rainbow!

---

*sigh* Must be another incident.
Marisa and the shrine maiden handle this well enough. I still don't need to get myself involved in this; I'd rather work on my-

...
...you know, how long has it been since I actually opened this book?

---

Heaven's Rainbow: (Water/Crystal) Kanako and Yoshi combine their Water magic and personal skills to rain down a barrage of glowing energy bullets that spray vibrant water.

---

*Recap (Regulus Arc): One of Team Mecha's test subjects from developing the HEX Adaptors was Spyborg (Star Fox 64), who was abandoned in space some time before their plans were ready (i.e. before the 2K Arc was over). Metal Sonic, Sonic, and Tails fought it together.
†Recap (Regulus Arc again): Amidst the artifact fetch-quest building up to the Regulus battle, Metal Sonic entrusted Unbeatable Air with finding the Time Stones. He succeeded, and as of this writing, no mention of him having abandoned the Time Stones has been made (to my knowledge).
‡The name of the mech Tinker Knight built from the partial Gouf blueprints. I was going to save the name drop for when it actually got used, but, uh...I was a little early for that.

Basic Info

Name: Crescendo
Fighting Style: Skill
Classification: Sharpest Challenger Robot

Punches
Normal Punch: Backhanded forearm slice
Heavy Punch: Slices with both forearm blades
Low Punch: Headbutts while "snapping" his head blades
Midair Punch: Diagonal forearm slice

Kicks
Normal Kick: Light leg sweep
Heavy Kick: Forward kick
Low Kick: Double spinning kick (stays in place using forearm blade)
Midair Kick: Long-range punt

Special
Normal Special: Crescent Cutter - A projectile that curves down slightly, then rises up.
Heavy Special: Spiral Slicer - Crescendo leaps up and forward, spinning while swinging his forearm blades.
Low Special: Crescendo Boomerang - A short-ranged boomerang projectile. Can hit multiple times.

Power Gauge
Hyper Attack: Sky Stabber - Crescendo leaps up into the air, and lands over the opponent with two blades pointing down.
Ultra Attack: Razor Twist - Crescendo leaps slightly into the air and spins rapidly while slicing, sucking in the opponent if they're close enough.
Omega Attack: Cutting Edge - Crescendo does a super-fast dash across the screen. If the dash hits, he follows up with a barrage of slices in all directions, ending with a diagonal slice (top-left to bottom-right).

Taunts
Taunt Animation: Sharpens his forearm blades.
Taunt Quote 1: "Quit holding back!"
Taunt Quote 2: "You call that fighting?"
Taunt Quote 3: "You're a joke!"

Intro Quotes
Intro Quote 1: "Maybe if we're lucky, you won't disappoint me."
Intro Quote 2: "I'll give you a close shave like you've never seen!"
Intro Quote 3: "Don't waste my time. Not as much as the others do, anyway."

Victory Quotes
Victory Quote 1: "Man, that was dull!"
Victory Quote 2: "Why'd you even come here? Go home and play with your rusted toaster or whatever!"
Victory Quote 3: "Just because I'm the best doesn't mean you have to be the worst!"

Special Intro/Victory Quotes

Intro/Victory Animations
Intro Animation 1: Drops down, slicing a wooden log down the middle, then rapidly slicing both halves.
Intro Animation 2: Cuts an X-shaped hole in the air and leaps through it.
Intro Animation 3: Sharpens each forearm blade with the other before shifting into his battle stance.
Victory Animation 1: Tosses both of his head blades, which spin around him before he catches them, one in each hand.
Victory Animation 2: Carves a "C" into the background.
Victory Animation 3: Throws his blades at the screen, scuffing it.

Miscellaneous
Bio: In a world where Cut Man saved the world from Dr. Wily's first conquest instead of Mega Man, the cutting-edge hero gave the mad doctor a different basis for his ideal challenger: SWN-001, Crescendo. Not only does he have improvements over Cut Man in agility and technique as Bass does over the Blue Bomber, he shares a similar rebellious attitude and desire for strength, but combines it with some of Cut Man's playfulness. The result? A sharp-tongued grade-A jerk you'll probably want to cut ties with.

Ending:
That's the best you've got? Really?!
What a waste of my time! I came here for an actual challenge, not more table scraps!
In a flash, Crescendo vanishes from the arena, leaving the Ultra Gems behind. The scene cuts to a dark alley, with a strange abyss at the end...
I'm taking my business elsewhere.

As the Dark Tornado flies outward, Fang looks down at the dark Swamp beneath him.
Uh-oh.
As Fang drops straight down like a coyote, an onbashira flies by and carries him back to the rest of the Crew!
It doesn't take a god to know to look before you leap, you know.
Hey, you saved me anyway, so-
The onbashira begins to tilt at Kanako's will.
-aaaaaand point taken!
Fang clings onto the onbashira, aiming a Fire Dart at Beck(?), while Kanako unleashes an Aurora Champion!

---

As the tower comes into view, Chico notices a strange figure standing on the roof...
Hey, what's that thing?
...
Without hesitation, Nohoho begins to holler!
Hey, fella, there's somethin' weird goin' on! Know anything 'bout it?
Hey! We don't even know who they are!
Nohoho! We won't know 'til we ask!
...

Chaos silently gestures for the trio to come over.

---

That's weird. The ruins haven't been this sparkly before.
Might as well find somewhere else to eat. It's not like I've been to this place bef-

!
Wait...
...have I?

---

Fire Dart RECAP: (Flame/Missile) Fang imbues his popgun with Fire magic and fires three flaming corks capable of burning through armor.
Aurora Champion: (Freeze/Crystal) Kanako unleashes waves of glowing, frigid energy, dealing damage to the enemy while lightly raising the Attack of any nearby allies at the same time.

Using the height from both Suwako's lily pad and one of Mega Man's Item-1 platforms, Fang Tail Bounces off of both platforms, and right off Beck, knocking him straight into his own Swamp!

---

As Dragon flies out of the mountain fortress, Nohoho and Chico can see more faint sparkles scattered across the island...
We need to do something about this!
I mean, that's prob'ly the best idea, but uh...
Nohoho looks straight down at the ground, miles below.
We might wanna find another place to land first.
Chico begins to look around, and notices a tall, cog-covered tower† not too far away...

---

Tail Bounce RECAP: (Impact) The user jumps up, and uses their tail to bounce even higher in the air. Is also a powerful attack when bouncing off an opponent.

---

*Reference: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Genesis/Mega Drive) - The location of Mystic Cave Zone and Hill Top Zone, and presumably Madness Mountain Zone and Hidden Palace Zone when they were planned for the game; this is why Chico and Nohoho and Team Mecha have been at all of those places so recently (I know Sky High Zone's on South Island but let's not dwell on that).
† Just to make sure HighTower and I are on the same page: Yes, that's Clockwork Tower.

As Sanae struggles to gain control over her reversed movements, the Crew members dodge the Black Thunder! Suwako in particular closes in on Beck...
Hi.
...and begins pushing him back with a Wall of Pain!

---

Skyborg B is frozen solid by the ice breath, giving Chico a chance to finish both Skyborgs with another Gaia Blast!
Chico and Nohoho receive 1920 EXP!
Chico and Nohoho reach Level 10!

As the two take a moment to catch their breath, Nohoho pulls out some more Veggies to share with Chico and Dragon.
...are you truly trying to help us, or is this so we'll give you the treasure?
Nohoho! Ah, this was never 'bout the treasure. I wanted to sell something I has to ya, but, well...I guess we all kinda repaid each other just now.
...oh.
Well, since we're here, do you know where the blurs went?
Oh, uh...no. Just kinda got lost in here tryin' to find 'em when those big golem thingies* showed up a sec after...
A burst of purple sparkles erupts just above Nohoho.
...that. We might wanna leave now.

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Wall of Pain: (Wind/Attack) The user performs a series of short mid-air jumps, striking the opponent with a string of spinning kicks with range double the user's leg, dealing signficant knockback with each successful hit†.

Suwako's Skill: Balloon Animal: Suwako can tap into powers foretold from those who speak of the year 20FF‡...

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*My Madou Monogatari/Puyo Puyo knowledge isn't perfect, but I'm pretty sure Nohoho's never met a robot before.
†Reference: Super Smash Bros. Melee - Based on a notable strategy playing as Jigglypuff, considered (at least as of this writing) a top-tier character in competitive play.
‡Reference/Recap (Regulus Arc): Super Smash Bros. Melee - Just before the fight against Regulus, Sanae and Suwako were put through a simulation test that put them through a "what-if" scenario where Hiyaa and Horaggh (exaggerated portrayals of Melee's Fox and Falco, respectively; RedBomber characters) were the sole opponents during the Duracell Games earlier in the arc. From here, Sanae and Suwako both began making use of similar high/top-tier Melee character techniques. "20FF" is a competitive Melee in-joke relating to a theoretical future where every tournament consists only of Jigglypuff matches (itself based on the theoretical joke-future of 20XX, where everyone plays Fox perfectly).

A small, round figure jumps back, pulling out a spear!
Wait, why did you bring-

Dee, please calm down. I know it feels doubtful, but if Kirby was willing to show him mercy, I'm willing to hear him out*.
Hey, uh...what?
(Insert the exposition that I already put in the footnotes here.)

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While most of the present crew is able to fly over the dark swamp below the Dark Spread, Suwako has to summon a lilypad to keep Fang on higher ground!
Sanae, meanwhile, zips behind Beck DS and unleashes a Silent Hurricane!

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The tail whip breaks through Skyborg B's chest, causing the mech to drop to the ground, dragging itself along!
Skyborg A, meanwhile, tries to yank the staff from Chico's hands!
I dunno what yer doin', but we ain't havin' it!
Thanks to a bite from a Vigor Herb, Nohoho loosens the Skyborg's grip enough for Chico to cling tight and unleash another Enchanted Moon!

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Skyborg A | HP: 21%
Skyborg B | HP: 39%

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Silent Hurricane: (Wind/Weapons) Sanae uses her Wind magic to summon a giant hurricane that has a chance of Silencing an opponent.
Vigor Herb: (Recovery/Impact) Nohoho uses a special herb to strengthen his muscles and strike with a barefisted punch.

Silenced: A status effect. Temporarily disables the user's projectile attacks.

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*Recap (Grey Matter Arc): Put simply, Quin turned out to be a significant antagonist of the arc, and essentially the storyline's "final boss", so to speak. Kirby did indeed show him mercy, after which...stuff happened, and Meta Knight, Bandanna Dee, and R.O.B. ended up back at Doppler Labs.

As Gilgamesh rummages through Coda Shogun's arsenal (whatever it is), haphazardly tossing the Shogun Blade in Mighty's direction, Shadow Digital turns to Elephant Man.
You mean in case we find more Coda Corruption and need more of the team? Yeah, probably.
Shadow Digital opens a portal to Doppler Labs, and the three Brash Crew members head through.

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As Fang, Yoshi, and the Moriya Shrine trio just barely keep their footing from the Dark Thunder, Yoshi takes a closer look at the robot as he readies a Fast Egg...
Henh? (Hold on, didn't we see see that guy at Typhoon Heights?)
Wait, what?! What even happened up there?!
Not this, that's for sure!
Fang pelts Beck DS(?) with a Quick Cork!

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As Skyborg B is pushed back by the Thunder Breath, Skyborg A swings its arm to the side, which Choco barely pretects the trio from with a Gaia Cube and a Gaia Blast!
ClEaR. mUsT. yOu. AlLlLlLlLlLl
Skyborg B tries charging headfirst into the team, and in a panic, Nohoho gulps down a Swift Herb and keeps the distorted machine in place!

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Skyborg A | HP: 43%
Skyborg B | HP: 67%

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Fast Egg RECAP: (Nature/Missile) Yoshi throws an egg that moves at high speeds, bouncing off surfaces and becoming more powerful with each bounce (but only being able to bounce twice).
Quick Cork RECAP: (Missile/Swift) Fang fires a super fast cork from his popgun. Can't be fired rapidly, but has perfect accuracy.
Gaia Cube: (Earth/Shield) Chico channels the power of the earth to create a magic cubic barrier, negating all damage from one attack (even if the attack would have hit multiple allies).
Gaia Blast: (Earth/Laser) Chico channels the earth's power to release a beam of magic energy from her staff.
Swift Herb: (Recovery/Swift) Nohoho uses a special herb to boost his speed and charge headfirst into a target.

Hold on, I've got something too!
As the slash projectiles strike (or miss? IDK yet) Coda Drone, Rumia prepares one of her new Spell Cards*!
Black Banquet "Soul of Sabbat"
A gigantic shadowy sword rises from below Coda Drone!

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WHERE...WHERE...WHERE, WHERE WHEREWHEREWHERE-
Just before the Skyborg slams its palm down on Nohoho, an Enchanted Moon stuns it from behind!
...one sec, ain't you the miss from the Sanctuary?!
We wanted to find what you were looking for; Dragon smelled something was wrong!
(...smelled, huh?)
As Nohoho gets back on his feet and swallows some health-restoring Veggies† from his bag, he stands back-to-back with Chico (and/or Dragon?) as another Skyborg...slides through the metal bars Nohoho was sitting up against‡?!

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Skyborg A | HP: 67%
Skyborg B | HP: 100%

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Black Banquet "Soul of Sabbat": (Shadow/Weapons, Earth/Cutter) A Spell Card where Rumia summons a pit of darkness, from which a gigantic sword of darkness thrusts upwards.§

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*Recap (Grey Matter Arc): At the time of the Gemini TV Tournament where Kahtos rendered Rumia comatose from her light weakness, she only had three Spell Cards (and 3 non-Spell Card abilities); to help combat this after her recovery, not only did Shadow Digital buy her permanent light-resistant sunscreen, but at her request, he helped her learn 5 Spell Cards (and some non-Spell Cards) she learned about from the internet (so, yes, even in-universe this Spell Card is from a video game).
†Reference: Madou Monogatari II (I know vegetables weren't invented by this game but it's where I got the idea for Nohoho to heal himself with them SO IT COUNTS, DANG IT)
‡References: [Star Fox 64 and Terminator 2: Judgement Day - Spyborg from Star Fox 64 (whom the Skyborgs are...derived from) makes a reference to the T-1000 from Terminator 2; this is just continuing the trend.]{spoiler}
§Reference: Touhou Rekkaden