Shadow Digital's boosted Defense and Speed (both from the successful Cyclone Mirage hit) lets him dodge most of Coda Shogun's jabs and tank the few successful hits landed, as he counters with a Fate Spinner!
As Gilgamesh is pelted by Met Shots...
Darkness Sign "Dark Side of the Moon"
...Rumia reappears to complete her Spell Card, blasting the now-vulnerable Coda Metalls with rings of danmaku bullets!
Gilgamesh shakes off the recoil in the meantime, and summons a Tidal Wave to keep the Coda-Corrupted cast occupied!

---

Fate Spinner: (Time/Swift) A pair of clock hands (minute and hour) materialize around Shadow Digital and rotate wildly, dealing rapid damage to those in range. The hour hand has less range, but is stronger.
Darkness Sign "Dark Side of the Moon" RECAP: (Shadow/Weapons, Shadow/Space) A Spell Card where Rumia shrouds herself in darkness, leaving her untraceable without an incredibly bright ability, and scatters small danmaku orbs before reappearing and creating a ring of larger ones.
Tidal Wave: (Water) Gilgamesh uses his Water magic to summon a gigantic wave of water, dealing tremendous damage to all opponents.

As small clusters of energy bullets appear from...seemingly nowhere above Coda Drone, Gilgamesh begins slicing through the Coda Corrupted Metalls like paper with his Zantetsuken!
So what?! We're all "just getting started"!
Shadow Digital teleports past the Shogun Blade's energy slices, and summons a Cyclone Mirage right over Coda Shogun!

---

As Dr. Doppler and Descant continue to pick off any hostile Mechaniloids leftover, Schmitt jumps back...
Dopp, you might have a problem. Maybe me, too.
...I was willing to respect RX's wishes, but if it's truly becoming too much for-
No, iX is handling the thing no problem. But we've got explaining to do with an old..."friend" of ours.
Dr. Doppler covers himself in an electric shield as he takes a moment to look in Schmitt's direction...and see X.
Likewise, just as Enemice HL enters the city, he catches sight of X and changes his path, trying to group up with Doppler's team without being noticed...

---

Zantetsuken RECAP: (Cutter/Electric) A powerful sword that can outright slice off body parts (or even cut someone in half) if the target is weakened enough. Supposedly came from a powerful knight, but there's a skull where there should be a lightning symbol...
Cyclone Mirage: (Shadow/Wind) Shadow Digital summons a spiral of darkness, with a shadowy tornado in the center that can suck in opponents, dealing heavy damage and boosting Shadow Digital's stats if it succeeds.

Rika, R.O.B., and Enemice HL let out a collective sigh of relief (which comes out as a warbled beep for R.O.B.) as a Monaco-sized mech stands before them.
Great! Done ahead of schedule.
*bwoop* (Well, technically. Aesthetics and name aside, which shouldn't be that important, but...Shired seems like someone who'd care about the such.)
Oh, certainly. That's why I'm gonna let Shi handle that himself.
As Rika pulls up her communicator, Enemice begins to walk off.
Hey, uh, N-M?
I'm certain the two or three of you can handle the rest yourselves. But if I had the choice, I would have been with Doppler from the start.
And now that I have that choice, I'm going straight to Central Highway. Whatever's happening, they'll need the extra power.
Enemice takes off to Central Highway!

---

Startled by the near-attack from Coda Drone, Rumia pulls out a Spell Card...and vanishes?
Gilgamesh, meanwhile, tries to slice through the Trimmer Blade using his Roukanken...which it "merely" blocks!
They said it was forged by youkai! Able to cut almost anything!
...pretty sure that's not the right sword, Gil.*
Shadow Digital launches a series of Temporal Blades at Coda Shogun!
Seems like it's working good enough, though.

---

Roukanken RECAP: (Cutter/Shadow) A katana too long to be wielded by normal humans. It has been claimed that the things that cannot be cut by it are close to none. Supposedly belonged to a human-phantom hybrid, but there seems to be just a leaf tied onto it, when it should be a flower*...
Temporal Blade: (Time/Cutter) Shadow Digital throws a shuriken-esque projectile with points in the shapes of clock hands.

---

*Reference/Recap: Final Fantasy XII - During the game's battle against Gilgamesh, he wields various iconic Final Fantasy weapons, all of which are forgeries, as can be indicated by slight oddities in their design (such as a Buster Sword with 4 holes instead of 2). All of Gilgamesh's weapons in Chaos Zone (save for his Masamune and Muramasa, and his more explicitly fake Excalipoor) have been described with such oddities.

Well then, where are the rest of you?!
Rumia tries to zap Drone Man, his packages, and any unseen opponents in range with bolts of Black Thunder!

---

Black Thunder RECAP: (Shadow/Electric) The user fires dark bolts of lightning at the target, with the number of bolts fired depending on how many weapons/projectiles the opponent has active, and the damage multiplied by the same number. Both numbers will round up to 1 if the opponent is unarmed.

Rumia, and Shadow Digital stand their ground, as Gilgamesh morphs into his six-armed form and readies his weapons!
And for what reason would that matter to you?!

---

Gilgamesh's Skill: Mighty Morphing: Gilgamesh can transform into a six-armed form at will.

A metallic chuckle reverberates throughout the empty cave.
"Doomed to lose from the start"...I almost wish I thought of it first. Inviting a player in, just to reveal their only role was that of a sacrificial display...it's wonderfully malicious for a Reaper to do.
*bwop*
Oh, of course I wouldn't. It's the Chaos Zone. If someone's allowed into a story, they're going to leave their mark one way or another, no matter the other's wishes...unless an outer force tells them to stay out before they can make their move.
In any case...
Team Mecha stops right in front of Five Magic Stones. Before the stones can react to their presence in any way, all five are paralyzed just from Mecha's will, and lifted with ease.
It's perfect, really. The only forces aware of this realm have forgotten, or been rejected†...and now, with what has been lost to time...
The trio of Badniks vanish in bursts of sparkling energy...
...we have all the time and power we need.

---

*Reference: Touhou 2 - Story of Eastern Wonderland - Stage 3
†Recap: Of the four (named) characters present in the final 3 stages of Touhou 2, two (Reimu and Marisa) are busy/MIA, and one (Mima) is trapped in the Zone of Non-Existence.

Schmit and Dr. Doppler immediately shield themselves from the ostensibly-oncoming army! Descant tries to, but...
C'monnn...
Suddenly, her right arm pulses and points itself upwards, as a barrage of fireballs rain down around her!
Wh...?!

---

Nightmare Fire: (Empty/Flame) Inherited from (DATA INCOMPLETE). Descant summons dozens of large fireballs that rain down from the sky.

Suddenly, a sharp karate chop plunges straight into the back of Nightmare Curtiss' neck!
You and I certainly went our different ways, didn't we, Curt?
Too bad I'm ready to outlive you a second time*.

---

*Reference: Rockman X Mega Mission - When Curtiss almost reveals the truth behind Limited to X, Schmitt (his partner at the time) kills him.

Yoshi, Fang, and the Moriya Shrine trio (so yes, including Kanako) follow Sonic's lead.

---

Dr. Doppler wastes no time blasting the second Godkarmachine with Disposal Bursts, with Descant sneaking in a couple of Arrow Shots to help!

---

As Rumia, Gilgamesh, and Shadow Digital warp in, it takes no time at all for them to notice just what's happened to the environment...
Whoah, what happened?!
It certainly doesn't seem normal...Shaded Digit, if it isn't a problem, I think you could help us-
...uh...Shadow Digital?
Shadow Digital stumbles back silently.
(no. no. nononono-)

---

No, stop, I don't know why this is happening, I DON'T WANT THIS TO-
Mr. Shadow Digital?

---

...!
...Are you okay?
Shadow Digital jumps a bit, but quickly shakes off his...memories.
I get what you were talking about now, Missingno.

---

Arrow Shot RECAP: (Energy/Missile) An ability learned from Advancing Shredding Shot. Descant fires a burst of energy that splits into four equally-strong bursts upon contact with an opponent or surface.

Wup! (Sure thing!)
Hey, if you need the extra hand.
Hey, Fang, are you in?
His arm still at the mercy of Kanako's grip, Fang sighs.
I mean, does it look like the answer's gonna be no?
Gilgamesh drops Shadow Digital on the ground.
The darkness children and I would prefer to follow your lead, Missing Number.
(...did he just call me a darkness child?)

---

Descant, Dr. Doppler, and Schmitt look up at the new shine...

Shadow Digital is hiding under a table, Beast Ball* in hand.
...I thought you liked keeping M out of the ball.

Rumia, shush. I'm not here.
...it would seem that you are, though.

Look, I'm not ready to monologue to Missingno. about why I have 'M FF, okay?!
Hey, don't worry! If Nack isn't angry out there anymore, I don't know why it'd be bad!
Indeed! Perhaps it will be less a struggle than you think!
Gilgamesh casually lifts Shadow Digital, and carries him out to the lab door, with Rumia following close behind.
Guys, wait-

---

*The ball 'M FF was caught in.

Indeed; Fang's actually been with our team for longer than I have.
Actually, he was one of the two I was talking about who found the Marsh Agate. Him and...
As if on cue, Yoshi steps out of the lab.
Hmmmn- (What did Fang do this ti-)
Yoshi's eyes widen at the sight of the Mario Bros.
Whuaaayyy! (Mario! Luigi! Boy, you're a sight for sore eyes...)

---

Dr. Doppler counteracts the parachuting missiles with his own Kurageil Missiles while Schmitt lobs the pickaxes at the Mega Tortoises*!

---

*A Mechaniloid from X1; with the descriptions HighTower's given, I'm pretty sure they're the turtle Mechaniloids he's been referring to.

Looks like I'm doing triple-duty on subplot progression today

---

Kanako pulls Fang over to the current group of visitors, the sniper still trying to pry Kanako's hand off his arm as Kanako turns to Sonic.
I'm aware neither of you are on good terms, so let's get this out of your systems before an argument breaks out while we're actually doing something important.

---

As the Rawkits drop on the Picket Xes, Schmitt looks around for Mechaniloids to use the leftover pickaxes on...

---

Nohoho finds wandering in circles as he searches for the blurs...with Chico just as lost on the opposite end of the mountain.
...maybe I should have asked where to go after taking the left...

---

I suppose our plans gave those not busy worrying about that imp a trail to follow. But anyone who knows us should know better anyway.
Robo Sonic grabs the base of a dark green emerald rooted to the ground†...
Perhaps it took some more time to fly overhead...
As the emerald is uprooted and the ground beneat it crumbles, Silver Sonic and Robo Sonic both teleport out.
...but with our next goal, time won't matter to us.
Mecha Sonic vanishes from the palace, following his brothers' lead for a moment.

---

*Reference: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, 2013 re-release for mobile devices) - A secret level based on pre-release versions Hidden Palace Zone; the actual Hidden Palace Zone is relatively easier to access, and is significantly different in layout (on top of actually being completed).
† While a simple destructible object in the original Hidden Palace Zone, the emerald in question serves as the level's exit in the 2013 Proto Palace Zone.

Kanako pauses for a second, then peeks back into the lab, murmuring to someone. She then turns to face Shadow.
We're not actually actively searching for these Agates; not unless you want us to, anyway. Two of us just happened to find it in the hands of someone...well, less willing to give it back to you.
Tell 'em not t' ask who.
*sigh* Excuse me for a moment. Don't mind the oni.
Kanako steps into the lab and closes the door.

---

Fang, if you're going to be this stubborn about if the hedgehog sees you, I almost feel like you should see him. What even happened between the two of you?
...look, you're not the one who's fought him over a Chaos Emerald six times*.
...you know what? We're not going to leave you here if they want us to come along, so you're going to bury the hatchet right now whether you like it or not.
Kanako grabs Fang by the arm and drags him back outside, closing the door behind her.

---

The Wi-Fi signal has disappeared...as has the house. A note sits on the ground right next to where Beck entered:
GTG not ready

---

*Reference: Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble and Sonic the Fighters - In the former game, Fang is the boss of all five Special Stages, all of which house a Chaos Emerald (the sixth Chaos Emerald is given at the end of the game if all five of these stages are beaten; the seventh is simply absent). In the latter, Fang is one of eight characters to hold a Chaos Emerald (yes, there are eight Chaos Emeralds in Fighters), and is the only character who's actually stolen the Emerald they possess.

Now that you mention it...
Still standing at the door, Kanako calls into the lab.
Fang, you found a gemstone at Typhoon Heights, didn't you?
Fang casually steps outside.
Yeah, a pink one. Why'd ya-
The wolf-jerboa turns silent as his eye catches Sonic among the visitors.
...uh, Kan, I think I wanna make this quick.
First of all, never call me that again. Second, I don't know what the problem is.
Fang hastily tosses the Marsh Agate to Kanako.
Just lock the door before the blue rat sees me.

---

Chico pats Dragon's head.
Don't worry, it's just someone's house.
Let's not disturb them; I saw that "Nohoho" person go down that way. I think he still knows where the blurs went.
The shrine maiden calmly gestures for Dragon to follow her.

You pests think you're clever, don't ya?
Schmitt zig-zags between the hordes of Picket X-es, tossing the Rawkits back over their heads while grabbing their pickets!
Well, hey, everyone wants to learn from a master like me.

---

Nohoho is selling to someone...who's behind a mail slot.
Nohoho! Thanks for buyin'!
Hey, thank you! I'm a huge fan of...uh, month-old vegetables!
Hey, while I have ya...ya didn't happen to see three weird blurs fly over the sky, didya?
I did, actually! Just go northwest from here and take a right at Mystic Cave. Pretty sure I saw them take a turn, that'll take you about there.
Nohoho! I'm lucky I met you!
Nohoho cheerfully walks off, stuffing the Zenny into his bag...
...and just as Chico passes by that same spot a few minutes later, she hears strange clacking and muttering...
Just gotta add a third blur, make it green, paste in that laugh at 15% volume...heh, seamless editing! I'm the lucky one here...

---

*Reference: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sega Master System/Game Gear)

Need a hand, Trimarc sir?
Descant clears more of the Picket Men X flanking Trimarc with a Volt Blast!

---

Meta Knight steps forward.
The Parallel is certainly a confusing world. Often, it can live up to its name thanks to the prior existence of outside elements - trust me when I say Psi's homeworld was far from a one-time occurrence*.
But just as often as the Parallel houses beings spawned from other experiences, it can house beings that have no clear reason to exist besides in opposition to this world.
And if those chances don't work in our favor regarding these..."Order Emeralds", there's still the chance they could exist as a by-product of others who have wielded the Chaos Emeralds in the past. Nobody spawns in the Parallel unarmed.
And if even that fails us...there's another world that takes much more from this one to shape itself.
Dedede steps up to Meta Knight.
Ah know you ain't dumb, Meta Knight. You and I both know why da Mirror World's a problem. Dat li'l flame ghost wasn't even scratchin' da surface.
'Dere's a reason ah smashed dat mirror†, and we ain't about to risk it again just to gamble on some artifacts dat we ain't even sure exist!
...
...I'm quite aware the Dimension Mirror has dangerous potential. I won't act like the Parallel's potential danger justifies it, either.
But as much as I want to prevent my sole leadership from endagering others again‡, our options as we know them are running thin. Keeping it a last resort is the most I can do.
...

---

Volt Blast RECAP: (Electric) Inherited from Volt Man. The user releases a burst of electric energy. Is strengthened if they have an Electric type barrier or effect (such as Force Field or Paralysis).

---

*Reference/Recap (Grey Matter Arc): Kirby Star Allies - The Japanese pause text indicates that the four "Parallel" bosses (Parallel Woods, Parallel Twin/Big Kracko, Parallel Dedede, and Parallel Meta Knight) were created from means besides just the existence of the "normal" characters: The former two were born from the numerous defeats Whispy Woods and Kracko have suffered throughout the series, and the latter two were by-products of Dedede and Meta Knight being defeated in the main game and being sent to the Parallel Dimension; Thread 1, Page 301, Post 15 reveals Parallel Meta Knight (now known as Meta Brigand) actually considers Meta Knight a father for this reason.
†Reference: [Kirby Triple Deluxe, Dedede Tour sub-game ending]{spoiler}
‡Recap (Regulus Arc, Grey Matter Arc): Meta Knight trained R.O.B., Yoshi, Bandanna Dee, Rumia, Lulu, and Chunky Kong by himself to help them all prepare for Regulus (at the time, they had barely debuted, and were victims of HEX Adaptors earlier that arc). Despite the perceived difficulty of the training, Rumia's trial didn't do her any favors in the Gemini TV Tournament one arc later, where she not only lost her first round against Kahtos, but was rendered comatose for a good chunk of the arc (not at all helped by her having a weakness to light back then that was exploited). This had quite the impact on Meta Knight, even more when Dedede pointed out how something worse could have happened had any of them actually needed to fight Regulus properly.

Sanae finally snaps out her stunned shock over Mario and Sonic, and jolts* her head to the three(?) Pokémon.
...oh! Uh...yeah, what does he need?

---

Dr. Doppler and Descant enter the scene, accompanied by one other...
Sorry we're late. This is my problem, too.

As Schmitt boosts his Magic/Elemental defense with a Barrier Sphere, he charges forward covered in a Crescent Shot!
Doppler and Descant, meanwhile, begin using Shredding Shots and Kurageil Missiles on the Mechaniloids not being shredded by Schmitt, RX, or Rhys!

---

Crescent Shot: (Laser/Earth) An ability learned from Advancing† Energy Slice. Schmitt surrounds himself in crescent-shaped waves of energy, dealing rapid damage to anyone nearby.

---

*I swear that pun wasn't intentional, it was just the first word that came to mind.
†Recap (Beta Diablo Arc, Thread 1): During the initial bout of training for Beta Diablo, the robotic members of the Brash Crew (along with 'M FF and Dark Elf) trained with the Starshade Bros. to learn how to Advance their abilties; focusing enough on using a certain move enough times allows them to learn a new ability sharing a Type of whatever ability they were using prior, as well as boost their skills with that type's power permanently.

The light continues to shine under the ruins, as Team Mecha appears within it.
It's amusing, really. For no obvious reason would one ever explore these ruins besides to track down that rabbit*.
Of course, trying to take it from Nadja is a lost cause...
Mecha Sonic picks up a strange Blue Gem†...
...Fortunately, this dungeon still has just the secrets we need.
As the light begins to fade from the labyrinth, Silver Sonic returns to Mecha with a Yellow Gem, and Robo Sonic with a Red Gem†...
LYLA'S RUINS GEMS: ACQUIRED.
CHAOS RING ENERGY: AVAILABLE.

---

Nohoho and Chico watch the light fade from the ruins in confusion...which is only strengthened when they see three indistinguishable blurs burst out and disappear behind the clouds across the sanctuary.
What...?
That's odd...nothin's happened in that part o' the ruins in years.
Wherever those things went...might be a nice new spot to make a sale or two.
Nohoho begins to wander in the direction of the three blurs. Puzzled and curious, Chico begins to almost absentmindedly follow...

---

*[Carbuncle, who debuted in Madou Monogatari II and has accompanied Arle throughout the series since.]{spoiler}
†Reference: Madou Monogatari II - At one point in the game, placing a Blue Gem, Yellow Gem, and Red Gem in certain locations creates a magic circle, which transports Arle just one area away from the final boss.

---

[(OOC (Story update): Obviously more than two characters are going to be aware of Team Mecha just breaking out of a major Puyo location; acknowledgement and planning regarding the event is fine, but in terms of actual interaction, Team Mecha's still out of reach.]{spoiler}