And then, they just... warped away. Without a trace.
So she's bait for you to come rescue her. And you say you were hit with something that gave you the coordinates?
...Yeah. It didn't really hurt... but it knocked me back. And then a new location appeared in my memories. It was weird.
(Well, if we have them... are we going to go there?)
Looks like it. Whatever set this up intentionally wanted her to follow them. That much is obvious. So the only thing left to do... is give chase.
I just hope this isn't some sort of shallow trick.
...

---

An extremely snobby looking little girl sits at the top of a throne.

"Walter!?" Who in my father's name is Walter? And who is he to impose things that I can and cannot do!?
On second thought!? It doesn't matter. Because sooner or later, I will be the one and true most popu--
JEEET BLAAAAAAAACK!

Immediately something breaks through the walls, being Atlas.

Hmph. Where in the hell am I now!?

Atlas turns around, seeing...

GDHJASBGKSAG! SBJGJKASGJAKSG! SFGAJKNAGJKNSAGJSG! INTRUDENCE! PROPERTY DAMAGE! YOU WILL PAY DEARLY!
Not likely! I don't make time for anyone unless there's a challenge. And seeing as how you're royalty here, I'm obviously in the wrong place!
See you never.

Atlas flies away, but not without hearing.

YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!

(What do you plan on accomplishing killing the three of us?)
...
You-a-won't get any closer to world domination. You won't-a-become organic and-a-complete your identity theft fetish. and you won't-a-be magically transported to our home world.
...No. But you all will be dead.
(There is that...)

Yoshles, gaining a sudden second wind runs directly at Somatic, spinning around and attacking with a haymaker, but hits nothing but the air as Somatic's reappears from behind. Somatic's hands turn to sawblades but before he can slice at Yoshles, a beam of energy blasts him from behind.

...!?

Somatic quickly turns to his behind, seeing...

---

---

Your end is at my hands only!

Somatic shoots rockets at Tailigee, which all quickly explode on contact... with a dummy.

Grrh!

Somatic turns around, but not fast enough as Yoshles hammers into him with one punch after another!

(You're going to die, Somatic. We're going to kill you. Then we're going to access your memories, find Koopenstein, and make sure he will never threaten anyone ever again.)
G-h! Nnn!

Somatic wildly swings at Yoshles, but Yoshles quickly ducks, pushing Somatic backwards, all the way into a Tail Slap from Tailigee, who grabs Somatic by the robotic arm and swings him into the air, where a gliding Yoshles awaits him, slamming a boulder directly in Somatic's face!!

You're the-a-constant of our torture. I at-a-least had Somari to-a-reassure me before... but I don't-a-think we will EVER-a-be truly at peace with-a-you roaming about.
Urgh... Bold of you to assume you'll find them with the short remaining moments of life you two have.

As Somatic crashes head-first under the earth, he bursts from the ground... realizing too late that he is surrounded entirely by mines and bombs, as from a safe distance Tailigee presses a button on a remote of his, exploding.

---

What do you three think?
She sounds sincere.

Big Eye rolls his eyes, giving a mischievous glance towards Prototype.

Well, the squad could use some female representa--
She's not going on the team.
(We know who the friend is supposed to be, right?)
It's obviously Cadence. A completely run-off-the-mill robot who is in no way special...
...Which makes it all the more strange she'd be abducted.
Why not give her a chance? If she happens to be some bad guy schemer, I think we'd be able to take her on four-to-one.
I'm not so sure about that.
Wh--why!?

Prototype folds his arms.

Her powers are the absorption of any type of energy. She could absorb your potential energy to get faster. The joules of your attacks to hit harder.
Or, perhaps-- Siphon your Weapon or Life Energy, and effectively kill you where you stand.
(Yare Yare Daze!)

Prototype turns to Big Eye.

I thought I told you to stop infecting my son with weeb culture.
G-gomen nasai!
Anyway. it's a bit of a risk. But if no one is opposed to the idea, then it's what we'll do.

---

An opening slides open (idunno how else to put that) in front of DX.

...

DX trudges inside.

automate

Yoshles, legs wobbling, manages to make it to the top of his feet, though bruised and battered.

A-are you..?
(Never been better.)
As expected from you lesser entities. You cling to life as if your efforts make the difference between it and death. No matter how pointless those endeavors may be.
But my interest in toying with you two dwindles. NOW... I will torture the both of you until there's nothing left.
This is-a-bad! We can't take-a-Somatic! Not without Somari!
(Forget about Somari.)

Tailigee does a double take.

What!? You just-a-want us to forget about him!?? We can't-a-do anything witho--
(I SAID, SCREW SOMARI!)
...

Taken aback by Yoshles' outburst, he steps back. Yoshles continues.

(Do you REMEMBER how fast he is? If he were really okay, he would've RETURNED here already! Which MEANS he's either KNOCKED OUT-- OR DEAD!)
...aa... but--
(I don't know about YOU-- but I don't plan on JOINING him on EITHER of those fronts. You can try and find him-- But good luck outrunning someone thousands of times faster than you.)
...Then what... do we-a-do?
(We fight. For our lives. With everything we've got left... are you with me?)
...
I'm with you.

The both of them nod to one another, then stare directly at Somatic, who casually strolls towards them.

Prototype analyzes a computer seen, which seems to have a blue-print-esque layout.

...Well. I would say that went well.
Literally not a single face was punched the entire time.
That was the plan, yes. Unfortunately, your man-crush beat us to the punch. Literally.
About that... ...Could we...?
We may if President Walter's proposition becomes official. That "influencer" is the type of fool to make a hooplah out of nothing. So he'll likely end up getting in the way soon enough.

After Prototype finishes his sentence, an A.I. like voice from above speaks:

Foreign presence detected outside center.

Don't only three confirmed people outside our squadron know where this place is?
Definitely sus. Display cameras.

The screen then promptly changes, showing the outskirts of the area outside the building...

---

...

As the suited figure stands in front of the Watch-center, a loud voice blares from the outside.
......*Ahem!*..

Moments later, another voice arrives. I... it's a part of me. Once I interact with a form of energy from something, I can trace it. I absorbed part of yours, so, I know where to find you.

---

---

...You...

DX pauses for a few seconds.

...You're right. I don't deserve your help. I don't deserve anything. Especially not the reason I came here.
But... my friend. An innocent one. She's in danger. She's... she's been kidnapped, okay!? I don't know what to do, and I'm so scared because up until now I've only had to worry about myself!
...So... sure. Lock me up and throw the key. I... I just need to make sure she's safe...
...And I need Team Prototype's help to do that.

Just a moment longer, Mr. President.
Good. I don't want to waste any more time than necessary.

After a moment's silence, Walter sighs.

Really? Now of all times.
Sir, is there something wro--

A blast suddenly hits the (armored) limo, knocking it aside as it screeches across the hard ground, landing upside-down.

---

Meanwhile, several (unidentifiable) individuals stand from a safe range standby.

Was that meant to rattle him?

The one of many similarly-fashioned familiar, futuristic-geared robot turns to another.

It wouldn't on our best day. Our reports classify "President Walter" as a Class 500 Metahuman. He'll be peachy.

Another one of the many soldiers responds.

If he's that powerful, why face him as we are?
Heh. What's he going to do? Rip us in half in for the world to see? Any dire actions, and the world is one step closer to seeing him as an unchecked threat. Something he's already aware of.
True. But you know how the saying goes about poking the bear. Humans are irrational. Maybe it's best we play it pragmatic instead of provoking him. We could risk starting a war.
That's where you are wrong. It's the fact that our president here is so unwilling to let things get to that point...
...which will give us the upper hand.

---

*Of course, I've already noted in the past that asterisked plotlines cannot be registered from a fourth wall perspective.

A hatch suddenly opens, as Dim rises from above it.

Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay--

CADENCE!
I'M OKAY! THE GUY CARRYING ME IS PRETTY BURLY, THOUGH!

From carts away, Dim sees Cadence, who is still being held in one arm.

Who are you!? What business do you have with either me or my friend!? And most importantly of all, why shouldn't I pound you into next Tuesday!?
The identity of my person is information which cannot be disclosed.
Your current threat level is meager. However, should you try to stop me regardless, your companion will make a suitable means around that.

Great. Won't cough up any info, and called me out on my bluff.

DON'T LISTEN TO HIM! KICK HIS ASS!
If we're so non-threatening, why use her as a hostage!? Let her go, and we'll settle whatever accounts you need settled!
The hostage is only required as a means of insurance.
Insurance? If you don't let her go this instant, I will insure you never--

While Dim speaks, the figure merely slowly and silently extends a palm, releasing a mysterious wave that knocks Dim back, nearly pushing her off the train entirely as she barely manages to hold onto the train in time.

That you will pursue your associate as per planned. If not, dire action will be taken against her.

Huh?... Pursue..?...

...Wait...
No, no, no, no! You're not leaving with her!
Observe.

A beacon in the sky suddenly reins down above the figure, as well as Cadence, who FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP SCREAMING SHUT UP

MY TWITTER PASSWORD IS UWUXX0XXUWU! TELL MY FOLLOWERS I LOVE THEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEM!
NOOOOOOO!

Dim is forced to watch as the figure rises through the beacon, disappearing along with Cadence.

WHAT WHAT WHAT WHAT NO NO NO NO NO!

WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?!?

---

Data Upload (Sound)- The user integrates any computational piece of data into the form of a concussive force, and releases it directly in front of it. Targets struck will receive certain information.

Somatic then turns to Tailigee and Yoshles, chuckling.

...
Hah! I'm amazed. This was even less of a challenge than per calculated.

He casually begins to walk towards them.

And unlike him... due to my inorganic nature, the instability of these new powers brings me no source of drawback at all!
(Damn you!)

In a zeptosecond, Yoshles tosses 6796 punches towards Somatic's direction, but all of them are effortlessly dodged, until Yoshles grabs Somatic's hand!

Surely you can't be serious. Even if you do hit me, I am far too powerful for you to--
Urgh--!

Somatic falls victim to a strong headbutt, immediately knocking him down as Yoshles then pounces on him, with an immense amount of lefts and rights!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!
Yoshles..

Tailigee then turns around...

(How far-a-back did Somatic send Somari!?)
(This is the end of the line for you, you stupid piece of trash!)
Y-yes. I see. However...

Yoshles slams both of his fists down, but they are promptly caught by Somatic!

That farce will not work on me a second time. Chaos Control.
--!
--!

Taking his sweet time, Somatic slowly gets up, as Tailigee and Yoshles are both frozen in time. Yoshles, however, manages to make some semblance of eye contact with Somatic.

You used the power of the Chaos Stars to give yourself a power boost without actually transforming. An interesting trick, if you will.
But have you forgotten that I can tap into that very same power myself?
((FUCK.))

Somatic slowly walks up to the frozen Tailigee, and begins wailing on him relentlessly, beating him in place before Home Attacking him ad infinitum!

Continue to rely on that power, and I'll simply tap into it myself. Which will in turn allow me to wreak even more havoc.

Time suddenly resumes, as Yoshles is then susceptible to the beating he was given, which reverts him back to his regular state immediately.

Somari, in slight pain, gets up from the explosion. Tailigee and Yoshles appear.

What did...?
The ol'-a-vibration trick. Had to do it just late enough where the-a-missiles wouldn't be able to do the-a-same in time.
Well, one thing's for sure... that good for nothing hunk of junk'll definitely be eating it's words.)
Urgh...!... You wouldn't be too far off, lizard!...
(See?)
...If I hadn't had activated my defensive matrix at the last moment.
(...Optimism is dead.)
If you're-a-missiles are so unstoppable, how did you-a-shield yourself from them?
I didn't. Any attacks that manage to penetrate this shield's damage will revert to zero. The same goes for knocking me back.
You have my sincerest thank yous for phasing through me, however...

Somatic suddenly gets rid of his dome... but for what reason?

Because you've given me a fresh new patch of your biodata.

Building up momentum to an absurd degree, Somari charges up energy!

Psht. All the-a-biodata in the world won't help you where you're-a-going.
Somari, a-wait! This is wro--

Somari dashes straight for Somatic, who phases through a combination of kicks, before sliding against the ground, and kicking Somari directly in the stomach!

Hrrgh!! (Huh!?... When'd he-a-get this fast!?...)
Impudent fool! You've given me access to the exact same source of power that has been the target of our search!
Or... just not-a-listen to my advice whatsoever.

As Tailigee fires Ultra Beams from afar, Yoshles picks up a large chunk of earth from the ground and chucks it at Somatic, before gliding for him fist-first.

Why do you think I simply stood there to opt myself vulnerable!? Now, I have exactly what I need!

Somatic, not even being registered by any of the trio, knees Tailigee in the stomach, forcing him on his knees, and then delivers an electrifying chop to the back of Yoshles' head. While the distance between these actions seems to take a few seconds for Somatic, Tailigee and Yoshles both feel themselves attacked virtually at the exact same time.

NO!

Somari again races towards Somatic, who turns around and--

---

Somari crash lands through dozens of buildings, coming to a halt and then being collapsed upon by the collateral damage.

♫ The King of Fighters '98 - Shin! Senritsu no Dora (Loop if ends early)♫

Come: I guarantee you three won't even manage to make me move from this spot.

As the trio charges a the vile robot, Somatic suddenly fires off dozens of Torpedo Terminals, all of them, racing towards them at alarming speeds!!

I got this.

Somari tries blowing all the missiles back with a Whirlwind Fist... but to the surprise of his and his companions... they keep moving.

Welp, that coulda gotten better...
Uh oh!
(They're gaining on us!)

Somari, Tailigee, and Yoshles all zip to and fro, hopping and Spin Dashing away from the missiles as well as possible, eventually charging straight past Somatic, who doesn't even move an inch!

It's no use. The Torpedo Terminal cannot by any means be stopped until it hits it's target. You three are doomed.
Of course, that's not to discourage any efforts from my counterpart. Yes... run like the rat you are. For this... will be the final round.

---

The three continue racing the large barrage of missiles from Somatic, with Somari and Tailigee, sliding and dashing through the environment past them, and Yoshles gliding around trees to evade them.

(Any bright ideas!?)
One, yeah. But-a-you three need to let the missiles target me.
That's suicide!
I promise, I won't let anything happen. Just-a-trust me! Now go!

After a few seconds of staring at Somari, Yoshles and Tailigee both nod, accelerating in opposite directions while Somari slows down just enough for the torpedoes to target him, before skidding to a halt.

Kiss my-a-ass, over-replification.

Somari then dashes seemingly head-first at the missiles, only to slide under one, backflip over another, quickly drop down to duck another one, and then dart past the rest, running again... but this time in the opposite direction.

---

Somatic, STILL standing in the area he was since his initial attack, perks his head up.

...Hmph. What is that bag of flesh in red planning now? The Torpedoes are only getting faster. They'll follow him everywhere. Including time.
WANNA BET, TIN CAN!?

In front of him, Somari charges striaght towards Somatic, with the Torpedoes slowly starting to gain even more ground!

JUST WATCH ME!
Hahahahahah! Taking this situation head on? Very well, then! Show me your resolve!

Somari charges directly at Somatic, preparing a closed fist to target Somatic with... but instead phrasing past Somatic, vibrating his molecules past him!

WHAT!?
Sucke--!

Somari accelerates just in time to avoid the full brunt of the explosion, but nonetheless is still hit by a fraction of the shrapnel.

---

Torpedo Terminal (Missile/Shadow)- An unstoppable missile that not only homes on the target, detonating on contact an explosion of Shadow-Core energy, but is immune to all forms of weaponry, erasure, withdrawal, or various other method that might be used to stop it. Gets faster over time.

Whirlwind Fist (Wind/Swift) Somari extends his fist and twirls it around, creating a hurricane current.

Tailigee covers his ears as his laboratory detonates, while he quickly as far as possible, looking back at the explosion, then being greeted by a solid fist which slams him into a tree! The individual responsible quickly follows up, pinning him against it.

Did you really think you could escape me? Or run to your little friends, and you'd magically be safe?
*cough* cough* No. I just think you're-a-nothing but a prick who's-a-not worth half my time.
As for contacting the-a-other two... that explosion did the job just-a-fine.

Somatic raises a mechanic arm.

You little--

With astonishing force, a red trail of energy Spin Dashes into Somatic, sending him crashing far, far away. Slowing down, this is revealed to be Somari. A nanosecond later, Yoshles appears as well. Somari turns to Tailigee, who rubs his neck.

You-a-okay?
Eh. I'll be-a-fine.
(If that was who I think it is...)
It most certainly is.

Appearing behind Yoshles, Somatic prepares to strike, but Yoshles barely manages to block in time, leaving the former open to kicks from both Somari and Tailigee!

(Somari, you're not accustomed to your new power yet. You have to sit this one out.)
No. I'm not-a-stopping until I see to it that Somatic is-a-done for this time.

As Somari's eyes turn yellow, electricity begins to radiate from them.

I don't-a-care how it happens. But Somatic has gone on-a-messing with our lives for-a-long enough. This ends today... even if it kills me.

Somatic floats in front of the three, landing on the ground.

Hoh... Sounds like you're ready to kill after all, Somari. I would have never expected this from a buffoon as naïve as yourself. You really have changed... and not just mentally.

Somatic stretches his arms out, revealing an array of weapons!

Those last hits were free, by the way. They'll be the last ones you three get before your final swansong.

The being's noises snap Meddy out of her daze.

---

Heat proceeds to walk out the shop without a word.

Spooky then suddenly hears from the outside of his lair the fabric of his dimension being torn though, as something... or someone... begins to rip their way through.

...
This is our chance to escape, Jet! Come on! Storm will be fine!
...No.
Huh!?

Jet turns to Wave.

Truth is, we've been stuck in a rut for a long time. None of our heists have went well. But if there's ONE thing the Babylon Rogues won't do... it's abandon their own.
.....

Wave folds her arms, reluctantly.

...Alright, fine. I'm with you.

As their Extreme Gear begin to glow, both Wave and Jet begin to charge in one direction!

Let's kick some robot bu--

---

The Babylon Rogues find themselves chained to a wall, seperated from their Gear.

....Ow....
It'll only hurt more if you move. Those chains are nanotechnology linked to your neurons, which detects your escape-based objectives and delivers an appropriate EMP.
N-nerd...
*kaff*... I thought I did the right thing...

Interesting...

As Tailigee experiments, an electric force radiates from an isolated strand of Somari's hair.

This-a-new extradimensional power... it seems it-a-really can be harness and controlled! Need to get Somari and tell him--
I don't think so.

Suddenly, something crashes through the walls, much to Tailigee's surprise.

?!?
I've been waiting for this moment for a long, long time. And now that Shake King is out of the picture... I can finally go about my procedure.
Don't-a-tell me... Somatic?
In the flesh. Something which yours will be eviscerated, as well.
So it was-a-you... you-a-dropped the last Chaos Star so we could beat Janemba!

Somatic lets out a robot chuckle.

Guilty as charged. I will not allow any of you three to perish unless it is by my hand.
Then you should have killed us BEFORE Shake King.
And why is that? Are you implying you've gotten more time to get stronger? Or have more tricks up your little sleeves?..
...Because it simply does not matter. I can fly higher than you. I can punch harder than that moron dinosaur. And I can move faster than my counterfeit. What chance do you and you alone stand against me?
...
For starters, the-a-chance to distract you while you're-a-talking so I can blow this entire building up.
!!?

Tailigee flips a hidden switch, and--having beforehand pocketed the hair strand-- dives away barely in the nick of time.

---

THAT BASTARD! HE SET ME UP!
Did he, now? How exactly do you know him?
Know him? I've trained him!! We've TEAMED UP!! And the next thing I know, he turns around, and, and takes me to THIS HELLHOLE!?
(Very interesting...) Perhaps you should've expected this sooner?
There's nothing to EXPECT! I had a purple man being beaten down on me the entire time! The next thing I know, I'm HERE!!
If I EVER get my hands one of them ever again... They're done for.

...Huh.
Like it? I'm sorry if it looks kinda shoddy, I'm still new to this and the guy posting these sucks an awful lot at redesi--
I love it.
...Ibegyawha?
Cadence. It means a lot to me that you would help me, or even treat me remotely the same way after knowing the truth about me. That I'm... not quite normal.
The truth is, I thought you'd be mad Oh, I still am. that I hid the truth from you. I should've trusted you, and I took you for granted. Thank you. And I'm sorry.

Cadence is slightly taken aback.

...You're my best friend, Dim. I can't abandon you.
Not even if you willingly chose to hide the fact that you're a hundred times cooler than you let on.
Is it really that cool, though? It seems like something a psychopath would do. Plus I was going through a phase.
You're joking, right? Do you think I would conceal the fact that I'm an ultra-tough robot who can absorb energy and punch and kick and throw knives and kick butt and all that?
Cadence...
I'm serious! You are awesome, and you don't even realize it! I think you should be more proud of what you were instead of--

Suddenly, a large hole is blown through the ceiling, letting a gust a wind in!

EEP!
What the crap!?

The target has been found; Taking necessary measures.

A strange figure drops through the whole in the roof, diving straight for Cadence, only to be tackled by Dim.

CADENCE! LEAVE!
But--

As Cadence stammers, the figure kicks Dim off of them, knocking her into the wall. Dim yet again charges at the figure, who once again tries to pursue Cadence, but instead finds themself hopping over a leg sweep

Wait a minute--

Blocking an ear clap

How?

and grabbing her arms, once again tossing her aside before running out the room.

Attempting to stall was a futile effort.

Dammit. I thought I learned not to underestimate people.

Aughh... ow...

Dim forces herself back up, chasing after the figure and leaving the room.

That guy or gal's moves-- they seem so... familiar. But also different.

Be that as it may, this person is definitely after Cadence. Can't let them--

*BLAM*!

*GASP*!

Out of the room, Dim sees the figure, with Cadence in on of their arms, as they jump through yet another whole in the ceiling.

NO!

Dim runs off, searching for the quickest way to get to the roof.

Exiting out of a white wormhole, a blur suddenly skids to a screeching halt. In front of him, a cloaked man seems to be fiddling with a small monitor.

Wow. Talk about a warm welcome.
The Justice League held a meeting at the same time yesterday. You're late. Remarkable feat for a speedster.

The red-costumed man looks around, walking to the cloaked man in black.

Where are the others?
Superman is patrolling in Metropolis. Diana's in Themyscira, Arthur's likely in Atlantis, and Green Arrow is taking 'time off' in Coast City. No idea where J'onn or Hal might've went.

The cloaked man turns to the red and gold individual.

Amazo attacked while you were gone. We could've used the fastest man alive's help taking him down.
Jeez, Batman. Cut me some slack, why don't you? I do have an alibi, after all.
It would seem so.

Batman turns to the monitor again, tapping on it. The motherboard in the front of the room changes, and a hologram pops up in the center.

A week ago, you detected an anomaly from the Speed Force. This could be anything; From a simple biproduct of the steadily-increasing instability of space-time... or somebody possibly forcing their way into the Speed Force.
Yeah. Wally and Jay said they felt the same thing--
The results, Flash?

The Flash rolls his eyes and shrugs.

You were right in one of those examples. While I was traveling through the Multiverse for any clues, I managed to find a small tear in reality; A gateway to the Speed Force, if you will. It wasn't an immediate danger, but it was there.
And where did you find this anomaly?

Flash rubs the back of his head.

Ironically enough, the last place I bothered to check; Earth.
...Hnh. Figures.

After tinkering with the monitor for a few seconds, Batman turns to Flash.

You can go, but be on standby. Something tells me we're closer to finding this then it seems.
No problem, Bats. I'll tell you if I spot anything.

In an instant, the Flash disappears into another white wormhole. Batman stares at the area the Flash was in for a few seconds before turning to the monitor... which then displays a picture of the president.

...I know you. Ronald McDonald.
I have heard of you as well. You are the dreaded SWN-OOΩ. Or rather... a pretender, perhaps?
I am no pretender. I am who I am.
So you say... but I get a completely different aura from you than the one who's first sightings were reported.

Proteus folds his arms.

That's not your business. And where am I? Jail?
In a sense. I myself have tried a form of escape... but my space-time powers have no effect here. Seeing as you are a robot, it's likely any access to weaponry has been shut off.
My shields...!!
Have been confiscated, no doubt. A most probable case is also that the man caught you managed to grab ahold of your data too.
My memories?... my thoughts... my processors?
If they were competent. I know I would have.
Who.

Ronald cracks a smirk at Proteus's query...