---

As Cross opens the door, chairs can be seen filled with Picket Men and Beetle Borgs. A few turn to look at Cross, only to look back seemly disappointed. A few seats with names are open...
Oh! You must be new! Have you come to apply for the United Mechanical Work Force?

---

---

As MIDI searches an nearby ash pile, Acorn does the same. As Acorn grabs a piece of scrap metal, MIDI spots a strange cylinder filled with ash.

---

---

As Concrete makes it onto the mushroom, it at first sinks from his weight, but eventually balances. Concrete make it to the edge of the lake when a rogue wave sends him and the mushroom to the shore.

---

---

An ID card can be spotted in a drawer, no doubt used by the janitor to access all rooms. Meanwhile, Claim Chomper does his own searching and nabs a thing of liquid soap and a spray canister. There are still more supplies that could be grabbed including more liquid soap and a mop.

---

---

Okay...but be advised it's one way only. So long as you can fix the pipes and mechanisms of the control panel, you should be good to go.
The rocketman jumps out of the seat and runs out the door, ushering him to follow.

---

---

---

As the Crystalime is pushed back, the slime fires off a Blob Rock Shot!

---

---

---

---

As Heat continues to walk down the street...nothing notable happens. You come across a crosswords where you could travel to the shopping district and Daz Street.

Two things to consider about his monster run. One, ShadowVictor did it when you could still switch people in and still have a free turn. Two, Needle Cannon used to be an absolute monster, but was recently debuffed. While I believe he got to that point because of strategy and skill, having those two things certainly helps.

---

Huh?
Blaze turns around on instinct to face whatever teleported to him.

---

---

Heh. Would would of guessed my random guess was right?
Cloud Man floats above the fortress, mumbling to himself.
Honestly this entire day has been a waste. I try to prank Turbo only for it to work in their favor. I ended up waking up early because the clouds didn't block out the sun like I thought it would. I ran into a bird and a branch on the way here, and the worst part is that there's snow in the air.
Wait...it's the middle of summer.
Cloud looks to see various shapes made out of snow(?)
Hmm...maybe it's Frost Man.
Heh. He's too dumb and slow to not fall for this one. Maybe my luck's turning around.
Or maybe this will be another waste of time.
*yawn* Guess I'll know when I wake up...
Cloud falls asleep on a giant nimbus-looking cloud. As it floats in the direction of the snow...smoke starts to rise from the same location...

---

I believe your referring to snow cones.
--
--
--
As Quint walks out, a Darkshine Crystalime stops dead in its tracks. Though it has no eyes, you call tell by the fact it's bouning at ya that it sees you.

---

---

---

The big cheese and that pink hair guy's missing, so I wanna follow you!
As Dust enters the employees only room, it appears you've stumbled onto a janitor's closet. Various cleaning supplies can be seen as well as a mop. A deactivated Ball Met can be spotted nestled away within the corner.

---

---

As Cross walks into Dez Street, a large unfinished building can be seen just ahead. A nearby sign is promoting a construction job to finish what most likely is said building. Hmm...seems the sign says to go to the green building nearby.

---

---

Hmm...the rain's glowing heart. If it's a lake, then perhaps something behind a waterfall since both it and rain falls? Bah, too much of a stretch.

---

---

Alright, then let's head to the shopping district. The building we're looking for is in green. Let me know when you find it.
P11 pushes a button, causing the car to go into auto pilot once more.

Depending upon how you want this progressed, you can say their already at the shopping district or they're still headed there.

---

---

So...you need a rocket...
A spaceship hasn't arrived here for three months and I doubt it won't be another three before another one shows up.
The rocketman sits in a nearby chair thinking to himself.
How far you trying to go? To another galaxy somewhere nearby? I mightttttttttt know where one is...but it needs some work.

---

---

Upon seeing Ark in the rear view mirror, Freeze gives a thumbs up to Ark as if to say good job.

---

---

P10, your orders are to defeat that Heat Man Model.
What is your rank?
Scout Leader.
My mission is to serve the Glow. Engaging in direct combat interferes with my ability to retrieve info about the Shadow Tribe, a task both of us consider vital. You do not have the required ranking to give orders relating to combat against civilians.

---

---

...Seems the light shards removed our reprograming code.
They...they can do that? How would that even work?
Simple. Light shards heavily alter the code of AI to serve those affiliated with the Glow. As such, it overrided our code for them to arrest any and all combantants in the area. In terms of why it didn't tell him outright what happened to him, consider this. The AI must follow through with the core thought of helping the Glow, but how they do it is up to them
So you're saying that so long as they-
An intercom halts the conversation.
Admiral wants all hands to the mess hall. I think it's time!
Understood Barker.
Come one Sua, let's get going.

*huff* Sorry.
I was gonna tell you...*huff*
That if you were looking for something...
It's probably that way.
Cloud points to a old, ominous road leading into the forest.

---

Without a word, they take the capsule and load it into a plane. Some soldiers escort the machines away from the city before heading back.
Blaze: Well...now what?

---

...
Acorn places a hand on his chin as if he was stroking an invisible beard.
...Can you transfer these files onto this?
Acorn hands MIDI an strange device...before taking it back and handing him an floppy disk.

---

---

Police Man 10 gives Heat Man a good long stare before turning away.
Hmph. Carry on citizen.
What is he doing?

---

---

As the camera lays there on the ground, a pinkish liquid drips from the wires above, splashing Meddy in the process.

---

Kivatt. Let me write that name down so I can credit you-
Oh, forgot my writing hand's a buster. I wonder...
Woe points it away and fires, causing a stream of red energy to fly into the air.
This is...I don't even know what to describe it as! The fact that I can operate this buster as if it was my own hand!
Apologies if my ramblings might seem to never end, but this?
Woe fires again.
I had considered the possibility that I may be the only sentient being in the EM waves, but the fact that there are capable beings and said beings that can form atoms at will is just astounding.
MIDI! You are writing this down, right?

---

---

As Quint rummages through the room, he finds a couple capsules of different types. Some Energy(3x) and some weapon(2x). (You can opt to take them if you wish).

---

---

No Biggy. Sure I can't find the exit and sure it's cold down here, but at least I got all these crystals.
*gurgle*
...
The Picket Man ducks behind a desk and hides.
...
*gurgle*
*gurgle*
As the slimes continue to make gurgling sounds, an lowpitched whisper quiets them. 10 minutes pass, and despite hearing them seemly hop away, the Picket Man is adamant on staying in his location.

---

---

Hmph. We made it. Just got to keep on driving and we'll be at the lab. Do you need any supplies here or should we head straight there?

---

---

Freeze and Hornet argue about what station to flip to on the radio.

---

---

Well it's not just me. The others are out probably out looking for supplies.
In any case, although we're running low on beds and oil, feel free to make yourself home.
...Wait, you don't mean an actual working flying spaceship right?
The figure laughs expecting Gyro to laugh along as well.

---

---

As Dust walks out the hallway, he sees a door marked EMPLOYEES ONLY. While this doesn't appear to be the server room, it could hold clues. Dust's thinking is suddenly interupted by
HI!

Suddenly the cloud flips, revealing...
Guys...can you *huff*slow down one moment? I'm trying to tell you where*huff*-
Cloud Man floats downwards, exhausted.

...Plot co-?
Hold it. We'll take it from here.
Two soldiers get a forklift ready.

---

The camera doesn't move from it spot, instead looking where Dust was at.

Quint kicks the slime and...
Results: 15-9= High enough power to move it.
It's a goal!!!!! The Darkshine slime is launched out of the window, causing glass to shatter.

---

---

Bite my hand?
Perhaps it's a gesture of kindness... Even so, since I'm only a piece of myself, nothing bad can go wrong, so who am I to refuse this?
Of course.
Dr. Woe reaches out with his hand.
Should I do the same to your hand?

---

---

A spaceship huh? Poor guy's chips must of been fried... *yawn* Well it may not look like it, but you're in one right now.

---

---

Due to the poor construct of the door, it swings open, revealing shelves with dozen of boxes.

---

---

As MIDI does his thing, Acorn keeps watch to make sure no turrets come online. As the device comes online, it reveals...whatever Dr. Regal may of have on it!

Blaze stops dead in his tracks.
Well...
Of course I do, but I was getting at was when they start making more machines...can we consider those new machines as brothers, cousins or even family?
No. The fact that Emon is also working on them separates them from that same thread that binds us three together.
We are family. Regardless of your thoughts, I hope you two never forget that.
Oh...we're here.

---

---

The lights turn on, revealing two surprised system bots.
How long have you been in conflict with Null?
About a year. Question thoug-
Has he ever mentioned anything about the system?
No. Now then, questi-
Has he ever did anything like changing reality around him?
If you mean like possession, then yes, he possessed me and ruined my life.
When was the last time you were with him?
About 4-5 months ago.
That confirms it. Unless he ran an automated program, he couldn't be responsible for-
Question! What do you...Moon Martians know of Null?

---

A cloud seems to be following them...

---

---

Does...doesn't this feel kinda weird? We're carrying the very thing that created you to some random airport just to never see it again. You guys feel the same or...

---

---

Where...
I've been captured?
Air tries to break the binds, but fails. He then notices the entire place is pitch black.

Is a-?
What were you doing in that forest?
What?
What were you doing in that forest?
It's got nothing to deal with you. If I'd known it'd be a trap then-
A trap?
Yeah. I was ambushed by this strange black racoon robot, no doubt under your faction or doctor or cult or whatever you guys are.
That sounds about right...
What abo-
I was the one attacked so I should be asking you some questions. Like where am I?
You're in no pos-
You're not getting any info out of me till you answer that.

...
You're in a secret facility...made by us, the moon martians.
What?
what?
Just play along.
Now then, were you two sent by anyone?
No. After being ambushed, my best friend Unbeatable Air came and saved me.
You are aware we have cameras right?
Are you aware that if you were to take one look at those cameras that you would see that what I'm saying is true?

...
You never answered my first question.
You asked two so I still get one question.
...Fine.
What on Earth is a Moon Martian?
I'll gladly tell you.
Pipeline pulls out a science fiction novel and starts reading straight out of it.
When we invaded Earth in 1940, we were repelled by those accursed Alaskans and were forced to land on your sister planet, which you refer to as the moon. For human decades, we have been plotting for the time when we would return to wage war upon you pathetic earth creatures.
...
Now then, answer my first question or you will be vaporized.
I was...I was...
I was after a machine that did me wrong by the name of Null. He left behind a purple trail and I followed it. Can't believe I fell into another one of his traps.
Null?

In addition, it turns out that Taurus is a suit for a guy named Andoru. Also, Dr.Regals assistant, Meddy, was left behind and joined Acorn's party. After they left the hospital, where the lab was located, they went to a university where they called the place home.
Afterwards, they gravitated back to the hospital to find that Crystal planted a couple crystal bombs in the hospital. When they detonated, crystal slimes populated the hospital. After a fight in the boiler room, it seems that they managed to rise the temperature enough for them to melt.
Also also, Dr. Regal has built a couple cyborgs; Ark and Brute(?), causing havoc. While Ark is near a material factory, Brute is in Dr. Woe's tower, where a particular technology allows people to be sent into this world.

---

---

As MIDI enters the lab, it seems the bomb was highly effective, causing most of everything in the room to become nothing more than ash.
Maybe this was pointless...
Acorn continues to walk before tripping. As the ash softens the noise of his fall, he glances at what make him trip in the first place.
Hey MIDI. Think you can find a way to retrieve data off of this?
Acorn pulls out a Modem from the ground.

---

---

With a thud, Ark leaves the truck. A door tied together with chains greets him.

---

---

No sound. No boom. Where was the earthshattering kaboom?
Despite Heat being well shut by his lid, light still managed to invade the cracks if any. Suddenly Heat felt his lid being opened by force and is greeted by an angry looking Police Man...?
Under orders of the Glow, you must hand over all forms of information of the Shadow Tribe or other nearby hostile factions or I will get it through force.

---

---

As Quint searches the rooms, he catches an Slime offguard!

Encountered! Darkshine Crystalime.
HP: 40/???
STA: ???/???
AGI: ???/???
DEF: 3
It doesn't seem to have noticed you yet. You could try to walk away or engage it in combat. If you engage, you would be managing to catch the blob off guard, allowing you to attack it when any weapon.

---

---

What podcast is this?

...
Remember Woe...this is an once in a lifetime discovery. Don't let your ego botch it up.
...I believe I have enough understanding of the tech to comprehend what those waves can do. Assuming you're willing to explain it.
The camera stands still, unmoving.

---

---

He's the third one this month...
Hello! What might you be doing here?

The Airport's the other way. Here, let me show you.
Blaze gives a hand signal to follow.

---

---

I won't waste any time with this one. As you know, we've been looking for any survivors and till now have been unsuccessful.
We found one?
Yup. Though...
Pipeline looks directly at Spade.
Regardless of your feelings towards him, he is to be welcomed as a fellow soldier. Is that clear?
Yes sir.
Good.
Pipeline looks behind him.
You can come in now.
The door opens revealing...

---

...
Root?
Diamond?
Root?!
Seems you know each oth-
You hired that deserter?
Spade, don't you remember that you promised not to get upset?
I'm...I'm not upset, I just don't understand why out of everyone it had to be a system bot that will leave us to die upon the first notice of dan-
I didn't come here to be ridiculed or insulted; I've come to help.
Is that really Root? He's-
The fact that you're here is the biggest insult of-
Enough. As soon as you get your gear ready, you'll be going out on a mission. Are we clear soldiers?
...Yes sir!
Understood.
When you're ready, head over to the code injector
As Spade and Diamond head to the armory with Diamond still wearing a look of surprise, Root stays behind.
Before I head out on this mystery mission, can I ask exactly how the system was infected?
As much as I would like to inform you, we’re running late as it is. The enemy managed to reverse update itself 7 times. If we don’t sabotage them now, we’ll be too late.
Reverse update?
If you want answers, then come back alive. ...If you come back...
...
Root silently heads to the armory.

I'm just glad they didn't argue all that much!
Pipeline looks over to Heart before returning to the frozen Air Men.
What should we do about them though.
Maybe they'll help us once they hear our plight.
Systematic affairs aren't meant to be handled by characters belonging to an prototyper.
Yes...but our brothers and friends shouldn't be fighting us either!
...
Pipeline spots something glowing from one of the ice crystals.
!
Pipeline materializes an trident and drives it into the crystal, freeing Air. As Heart screams in surprise, Pipeline quickly grabs and crushes an cell phone.
where...*yawn*
Pipeline notices his eyes and directs Heart to grab a medkit and binders without saying a word.

Blaze watches in confusion as he realizes what's going on.
What's that moron doing?

---

---

Ever skilled the master was, opting to fill up his internal humor routine with black comedy.
So that's why he's...
That is correct. It seems he means no harm and thinks our showdown against Skapon and crew is all one big joke.

---

...Last thing we need is another one of his jokes.
HEY! Skapokon!

Within Kamek's scepter, a steel figure comes into focus holding a strange object.
Behold, Lord Bowser. The weapons you have requested have been completed and tempered to perfection. They await pickup.

---

---

Far from it. Your decision is yours as a ruler and as a person to make after all. It's just that no one tells me what's going on...ever.
*sighs* Had I known the plumbers were gone, I assure you would have been protected by our finest and bravest troops.
After all, that is the duty of the Commander of the Toad Army.

---

---

As Grak travels south, Blaze watches, arms crossed.
...
You know he's going the wrong way, right?
...
It's not just Emon that needs that capsule you know. Walnut and him work as a team after all.
Blazes lets out a puff of smoke and a sigh as he rushes after Grak.

---

NEW ENTRY Unlocked!

---

Napoleoad: Ambitious Toad Commander

Martin:I know you're calling the squad and I epic, it's just I haven't heard that bef-
Martin:You're the maker of the Chordroids?!!
Martin:...I guess that makes things easier then.
Martin:So as I stated earlier, we've been removed from the UKR. However, our function was and still is to help the masses. As such, we, with your permission of course, would like to join or at the very least work with your Chordroid troops. While we could provide combat assistance...
Soldier:Our best skills are in diplomacy.
Martin: If not, I, as well as the rest of the troops, completely understand.

Well thank you for freeing us.
Also...Epic?
Martin shakes his head before turning back to Mighty.
If by us you mean *achoo* UKR...
...
We've been branded as traitors for assisting in the destruction of the Grey Matter. It turns out that they used their teleportation technology for the UKR to truly become universal...
And while we all knew that part, they seemed adamant on not knowing the Grey Matter were using us as walking juice pops. Regardless...
The point is we're looking for the creator of those Chordroids. Have you heard anything about them?

---

---

Ah Princess. I take it that order includes me as well?

---

---

A strange symbol of a hammer appears glowing above Kamek's wand.

---

---

Hello?
Flame?
Blaze.
Blaze. Sorry about that... I was sureSure We been working Rightthe others say hiUh huh Let the others know Sukapon's show Yup. Also, could you let them know you're all free to Sure
Oh! Could you help bring a robot capsule to the Mekka Airport? Some soldiers are coming to pick it up so it can be moved to our new lab.
...Sure.
Thank yo-
Blaze hangs up the phone and looks at an nearby wall.
You're aware I know you're there, right?
*pop* How'd you see me?
Didn't need to see you to hear you.
As Blaze talks to the air, a robot fades into view, revealing a arm-crossed, bubble-chewing Gel.
You know...*chew* you really shouldn't take Dr. Emon's mistakes to heart.
...
He, *chew* he means well. Sure he's terrible with names, but that's what ya get when you're an old man.
Dr. Walnut is two years younger than him and yet he remembers us. All of us.
Eh, give him two years.
Gel.
Yeah? *blow*
Blaze chucks a pencil at Gel, hitting his bubble gum balloon.
Hey!

---

New Entries Unlocked!

Blaze: Bitter Infernal Counterpart
Gel: Laid-Back Stealth Artist
Martin: Former UKR Diplomat Commando
Emon: Active Talented Doctor