Suddenly, an icy claw-like grappling hook grabs Kempf as DS Blaze falls through the portal!

Forgetting someone?

Epsilon Snow then uses the grappling hook to yank Kempf out of DS Blaze's hands and out of the portal, then launches a homing projectile of ice at DS Blaze to freeze him!

---

Beta Shadow and Mark-X looks over to the figure sitting at a table across from them...

...K. Rool?
Yes, it's me... I gotta say, the pizza here is not half-bad... Though, truth be told, I'm mostly only here because I heard about that Smash Remix update* and heard this was the place to play it.
Eh, they haven't gotten to patching it, yet.
Back to what you said earlier... Actually, wait. Why DID you say that, earlier?
Because that old phrase I said during the Absurd Roleplay** still holds some merit: If you truly wish to earn more strength, you have to SEIZE it. And I don't just refer to the full extent of one's potential, either.
...Meaning what, exactly...?
...Tell me, Beta Shadow; What does being a martial artist mean to you?
I mean, I've been training under Naruto to learn a martial art, so-
Wrong. You've been training to learn a FORM of martial art. But TRUE martial arts is more than simply knowing some fancy way to punch or kick. And a TRUE martial artist doesn't stop at just REACHING their full potential; They aim to push themselves BEYOND such limits. To BREAK the boundaries of their potential, and surpass it.
Clearly, both Shaggy and Matt have FAILED to teach you this. But I theorize that it might not be because they didn't know this- they've been around for too long not too. Personally speaking, I think they wanted you to learn that on your own.
...Which, of course, you didn't. Which is why I decided to tell you MYSELF.
And what exactly makes you a martial arts master?
A master? That I am not. But as a childhood friend of Cranky's...

Suddenly, a peculiar energy envelops K. Rool...

...I know far more about the topic than you may think.

The aura just as immediately fades.

...Push beyond my limits, huh...?
Thanks.

Beta Shadow gets up from his seat to find Cranky Kong... and takes the last of his pizza with him.

...Wait, if you were once Cranky's friend during the old monkey's childhood, then how the hell did you stay so youthful?
Don't ask questions your not ready to learn the answers to.

---

*Smash Remix got it's 1.0.0 update on the 19th; It has been established on Page 142, Post #13 that the copy of Smash 64 that Little Papa Beta's has is altered to have the ROM hack patched in it... somehow.
**More specifically, on Page 74, Post #17 of The Absurd Roleplay.

...I'm trying to figure out whether or not this actually IS my limit or not. I mean, I've attained stronger forms, sure; But those were obtained through shortcuts* or combining what I already had with that of other people's power**.
But then there's Beta Devil, who trained in order to obtain a whole new power of his own.***
That he stole from Kermit****?
Exactly. If Beta Devil can get stronger, then maybe there's a chance for me...?
There's no way in Hell Walter's letting you steal El Blanco.
I literally never said anything ABOUT El Blanco.

Power is not about whether or not you are WORTHY of it. It's about how much you WANT power.
...?

---

As Beta X and Beta Devil continues to clash, the latter's attacks- of which the strategy still consists of blocking with Berserk Instinct and deforming when attacking- continues to grow stronger, bit by bit. Strangely enough, at the same, sparks of aura begins to form with each hit...

(This is bad. The gap between us is growing by the minute... I can't take him on my own.)
(...But there's nobody around here who could possibly be on the same caliber... Unless...)

Beta X launches a barrage of Beta Blasts, which Beta Devil deflects instead of using Berserk Instinct to block. He then rushes at Beta X, punching him square in the face.

(...I don't like the idea of releasing HIM... But I have no other options.)

Beta X launches another barrage of Beta Blasts, this time around Beta Devil, creating a makeshift smokescreen that allows enough of a distraction to warp away.

...Hiding from me, aren't you...?
...Not for long, you aren't.

---

Beta X warps in front of the entrance of a forbidden 8th Layer of Hell... Which is nothing more than a wall with an inactive rune on it. Beta X stares at the wall.

(...If I do this, I'd be releasing the king of cheating death. All the work I've done to contain him will be for naught... and I more than likely will NEVER get the chance to do it again.)
(Should I go through with it? Should I truly let this guy go, after EVERYTHING he's done, out of nothing more than jealousy and spite...?)
(...)
(...Eh, whatever. Beta Devil's the biggest of the two pricks, anyways.)

Suddenly, Beta X's fist glows, punching the wall at full force... Which activates the rune, creating a gateway!

Today's your lucky day. I'm letting you out of your special little prison... But you have to help me with something first. You'd better uphold this deal, Albert... Or, rather...
...Awakened Zero*****.

---

*Beta Supremo
**Issoro
***Beta Diablo
****Reference: The Chaos Zone: Part I, Page 243
*****Reference: MMRPG - Multistar Saga - Awakened Zero (claimed by HighTower), in the context of Multistar Saga, was Wily's soul festering through the Maverick Virus within Zero. After Awakened Zero was killed by... I don't... Really... Know? He was offered a path into Heaven... Until Beta X decided that, after all the things that he's done, Hell would be a more fitting afterlife. He's locked away with such a method moreso to avoid him finding a way to escape... Which I guess is a mute point, now.

After getting a non-answer from Cranky, Beta Shadow simply eats a Pepperoni Pizza at a table somewhere while thinking.

(...What if Beta Devil comes back with an even stronger form than his Diablo one? Or what if an even worse threat comes with power LEAGUES above my own?)

---

---

(...I need a more PERMANENT solution. I don't have any doubt that Kirby can defeat Zalgo...)
(...But there's no guarantee that Zalgo will be completely willing to play fair. And even then, there are so many OTHER villains that we need to be prepared for. And if I cannot get stronger, then...

Suddenly, another individual approaches the table.

...Really? Are you seriously having an existential crisis in MY seat?
Huh? You're still here?
What, is there anywhere else I'm supposed to be?
Jazz HQ certainly comes to mind.
Oh yeah, sure. Let me go over there just to be told that we're staying on Earth. Why NOT waste my time in such a way?
...By the way, whatever happened to Dave?
Well, you know how a server would ban a computer's IP address?
Yes. And?
In a sense, that's what I did; Basically, anyone with any traces of Dave's DNA will be prevented from entering by the barrier. That way, he can't get in through means of false identity- something that I am ALSO trying to fix since there's no way in Hell that should've worked.
Couldn't he just do what his canon counterpart did and become an animatronic or something?
Even if we just skip over the whole "frankenstein rabbit" step, we already have a Glitchtrap AND a Springtrap. And I'm not interested in doubling-up on EITHER of those.
Fair enough.

The Jazz Droid Mark-X stares for a moment, sighs, then sits down.

...Alright; What's going on in that head of yours, anyways?

---

*Reference: The Chaos Zone: Part I, Page 261, Post #2
**Reference: The Chaos Zone: Part I, Pages 128 and 200, Posts #5 and #16 (respectively).

As Beta Devil catches Beta X's fist, an aura erupts from him as well...

...Time for round 2.

As Beta X leaps back from the attack, the aura around him calms down...

...This is what you've been building up for? A fancier version of a technique we already know you have that people in the Discord has already seen?
Don't lower your expectations just yet. Without Ultra Instinct, you have no method of counteracting Berserk Instinct's ability to suppress reaction to pain.
...But you DO have a point; Even with a fancy new coat of paint, it's still the same old trick. So let's mix things up a bit, shall we?

Beta Devil proceeds to rush at Beta X with a fist, with Beta X preparing to block... Only for Beta Devil to revert to normal form, kicking Beta X in the back instead!

!?

Beta X goes to slam both sides of Beta Devil's head with his arms, only for Beta Devil to transform back to Berserk Instinct, catching the two arms with his own before reverting back to normal and knocking Beta X upwards with a flip kick! Beta X then launches another barrage of Beta Blasts and even charges at Beta Devil with a Beta Blast in his hands, punching Devil with the blast, only for Devil to once again transform during the attack, and revert back when attacking!

(I know that I suppressed his Diablo form the moment he got here, but the suppression isn't this effective... is he TOYING with me?)

Beta X charges at Beta Devil again, who instead of transforming to block, instead chooses to evade the attack before smashing Beta X with his elbow, following up with a charged-up ki blast that Beta X just barely blocks.

(...No... Every time he attacks, there's more strength to it. Something is up... And I need to get to the bottom of it before it's too late.

---

The Ninja Men manage to avoid the trap as Legend Beta Man, both Bt Ghosts, and Epsilon unleashes a barrage of Beta Blasts, Bt Breakers, and Epsilon Blasts, respectively.

Meanwhile, Ninja Ghost approaches Doc Robot.

I noticed you were scanning that thing. Did you happen to find any weaknesses?

---

Bt Breaker - (Empty/Laser) Bt Ghost's take on the Beta Blast. Instead of exploding on contact, it deals great piercing damage.

What are you saying? How could you possibly-
...It's because of that "Nuru" creature, isn't it?
Nah, that connection's been cut off, somehow... Not sure if it's because of that pestering ex-pseudoreaper splitting him into thirds, or if it's just some plot convenience preventing me from leaving much earlier, but I cannot use his Anti-Omni Energy to return.
However... there is another.
What do you mean by-



...Oh. Well, Matt it.
But, wait. If you're not fighting me to escape, then why...?
...Heh.

Beta Devil gets into a stance.

You're gonna have to take that answer from me by FORCE.
...Fine.

Beta X rushes at Beta Devil, the two countering each other blow-to-blow. Beta X launches a barrage of Beta Blasts, only for Beta Devil to emerge from the smoke of the resulting explosions, punching Beta X in the gut. Beta X retaliates by kicking him down to the ground, only to be met with a barrage of ki blasts.

ENOUGH OF THIS!

Suddenly, Beta X erupts with power!

Is THIS what you seek, "Devil"!? To bear witness to my worst!? Well, you're going to take a bite FAR beyond what you can chew!

As Beta X rushes at Beta Devil, the latter smirks, closing as he holds his hand out to catch Beta X's incoming fist.

...It's about time.

As Beta Devil blasts Beta X with a swarm of ki blasts, Beta X charges through before decking Beta Devil square in the face with a flaming fist. Knocked back ever-so slightly, Beta Devil leaps into the air to fire even stronger ki blasts at Beta X, who knocks the ki away by punching them. One of the ki blasts is knocked right back at Beta Devil, who simply holds his hand out, somehow absorbing the blast.

Not bad. Not a perfect punching bag, mind you, but at least you're doing better than the rest of this pathetic lot-
Yep. That basically proves my theory. I think I know how you managed to escape from those chains, now.
Oh?
While it's definitely still you elsewhere, your arms and legs don't feel natural at all. Your limbs are constructs made entirely out of ki.
Ah, so you noticed? I must say, though they aren't exactly the best prosthetics, you have to admit they look much better than something like cybernetic enhancements, don't they? Looks more... real.
You cut off your arms and legs to escape from your chains. But the question is... how?
Let's just say... Being chained up to a wall for well over 4 months tends to make me rather... famished.
...Eugh.
I'm a DEMON, Beta X; What did you expect?
REGARDLESS. If you think I'm letting you get out of here, you have another thing coming.
...Heh.

Beta Devil chuckles as he warps in front of Beta X, throwing a right hook that the latter Parries before being kicked back by Devil's left foot.

And just what about this are you finding so funny...?
You... Do you honestly think this was about ESCAPING? Hahaha... Buddy. Pal. Amigo.
I could've left at any time that I wanted.

Not really sure what to do but not willing to just stand still and do nothing, Alpha and Epsilon gets into fighting stances.

---

The group perks up to the sound of the Aerodactyl's roar.



An Aerodactyl...? Could it and Onko be related?
I doubt it; The fossil Onkolithos was revived from came from wherever Darkrai got it, and I doubt it came from the same place as whatever made that cry.
Well, I'm not quite sure I like the sound of this... I think we should go out and investigate.
Agreed; If its cry is being released worldwide, then I doubt it's something we should just sit back and ignore.
Hey, now, wait a second! I'm not letting Onko get involved with this mess, nor am I allowing for my child to stay here by himself.
...Ok, first of all, your what now? Secondly, if that's the case, then you can just stay here and watch over him.
No, I shouldn't... It's more-or-less my responsibility as a member of Beta Team to help protect the world from threats like this.
Then, what, do we just have a Jazz Droid do it, or-
No, no, I don't think we should leave him in the hands of an emotionless android... What we need is a sort-of father figure, someone that Onko could look up to as an uncle or something. Someone like-

Suddenly, Jazz- who was apparently outside the room at the moment- walks in with Orchestra.

Hey there, party people. What'd we miss?
...
...What?

---

Leaving Onkolithos with Jazz, the group- now with Orchestra in tow- heads off towards the source of the roar.

...So we're seriously doing this now? An Uncle Jazz* joke? Can't we just let the joke die already? I mean- Is it even that funny? "Ah, yes, let's poke fun at that one metaphor he used during the All-Star Arc, hahaha." What is my life...?

---

*Reference: The Chaos Zone: Part I, The All-Star Arc- After being imprisoned by Surge Man, leader of the All-Star numbers who attempted a Mega Man-esque conquest of the world (greatly underestimating the overall strength of the Chaos Zone in the process), and later soon joined by Missingno., Jazz MK-X (an older, more evil and Proto MKII rip-offish version of Jazz) expresses his irritation at the ongoing scene of Surge Man throwing a fit over the death of his brothers, which are circumvented by back-up IC chips from the Dark Prince (Puyo Puyo, claimed by HighTower) granted to him by an alternate universe Donkey Kong, and then it leads to the scene where Beta Man tries to convince Surge Man to calm down, only for Jazz to grow tired of the predictable scene, causing the scene that appears on Page 45, Post #11. The metaphors used in the situation- more specifically, Jazz calling himself "Uncle Jazz"- has since become a bit of an in-joke that has been brought up on a few occasions in the Discord.

Suddenly, a cyan blur begins barreling towards Fake Man DS... backwards?

Goshawk...

Suddenly, the figure turns around, revealing his face... As well as an ice-shrouded fist!

PUNCH!

Epsilon Snow proceeds to bash Fake Man DS in the face with a Turnaround Goshawk Punch! Another figure walks out, standing next to Thea.

I assume we are late for the party?
Ah, don't worry; Someone else caught us up to speed. So, at least we know who's the enemy and who our allies are.
The name's Alpha Fire, by the way. The ice-user that just socked your assailant is Epsilon Snow.

@ch4s3man :

(OOC) I'd like for you to refer to This List since some of your 108 villains seem to have already been claimed. Some comments have been left by me to point this out.

Beta X sits alone at a desk. He seems particularly... bored.

Bored is my default state. And really, outside of hate and anger, it's my only state.
Though, I don't suppose what you say isn't without its truth; Nothing really happens down here, to be honest... mostly because the one person capable of causing ACTUAL trouble around here is chained up in Purgatory. So I highly doubt that anything significant is going to-

Suddenly, a faint crashing sound is heard.

...

---

GYAH!

Jupiter is knocked back by an unseen force. The rest of the Stardroids (sans Terra, Sunstar, Mercury, and Saturn*)- as well as a ninja-esque figure- appears to be struggling against the same force before Beta X appears.

Alright, who-
...Oh, Matt dammit.

The figure then reveals himself...

Hello, "friend". I was wondering when you'd show up...
How?
I mean, I could tell you. But wouldn't it be more fun to beat the answers out of me?
I am incapable of having "fun".

Beta X immediately powers up with his Ring of Vengeance**

...But I'd be more than "happy" to kick your sorry .

---

Ring of Vengeance - (Explode/Attack) One of the Prototype World Rings that failed to uphold the same balance of emotions that the official ones*** use. Fell into Beta X's hands when he first appeared in Hell-BS.** It is fueled by Beta X's vengeful feelings towards Bt Ghost, Ninja Ghost, and Exodus****.

---

*All of which are claimed by HighTower (except for Sunstar, who is just absent)
**Reference: The Chaos Zone: Part I, Page 178, Post #15.
***Refer to the World Rings from Sonic and the Secret Rings, of which are currently under the possession of Grande Kai Walter, and was significant to the Regulus Arc. (See Part I, Page 95, Post #4 for more detail.)
****Exodus is a character created by MegaBoy. Afaik he is disowned, so don't expect a formal appearance from him anytime soon.

...You know, in a way, I should've seen the whole "cage doesn't break open" thing coming.
You can-a throw anything you want at-a us, Bowser...

The group gets into a fighting position.

...But it-a won't stop us from-a saving Peach and-a the Mushroom Kingdom!

Meanwhile, a figure watches from the shadows...

(...So, those Mario Brothers are here, too... And it seems they brought some friends with them. ...I believe I saw them during the battle with that Beta Diablo freak.)
(...I'll join in if they need my help. But even if they don't... Bowser WILL tell me where Koopenstein is, even if I have to force it out of him.)
(...And if he knows nothing...)

A flame of aura erupts from Shadow's hand.

(...Both he AND that worthless doctor are going to pay for wasting my time.)

---

As Slur's group heads out, Beta Shadow thinks for a moment before turning to Cranky Kong.

...Hey, Cranky? Do you mind if I ask you something?
I know that often times, what a God says should ordinarily be beyond question. And I know what Matt said back during the Dead Zone Arc*, but...
...Be honest with me here: Do you think I've truly reached my full potential?

---

*Reference: The Chaos Zone: Part I, Page 49, Post #6 (reaffirmed in Page 50, Post #16 )

The heroes used the situation with the Goomba as a means of distraction to sneak around to behind the cage where Peach and the others are trapped in.

(...Right. So now what do we-a do?)

Luigi shuffles his hand around in the item bag.

(Let's-a see... They-a can use these Boo Mushrooms to-a phase through the bars, and- ...No, we-a only have two in-a here... Maybe they can-a break out with this Super Hammer? ...No, Bowser'd just hear it and-a capture them again... Hm... What else can-a we-)

Suddenly, Stanley snatches a Fire Flower from the item bag!

(Forget being "stealthy"! This isn't Metal Gear Solid! Besides, there's no way RB's gonna let us out of this without an epic final battle!)

Something within Stanley's bug spray builds up...!

(Stanley, wait-!)
VIVA LA NEW DONK, MOTHER-

Stanley then unleashes a big explosion on the cage!

...And that's the situation at hand. ...So, please. Come with me, so that I may teach you all I know about being the Omni-King. The rest should come naturally from there.
...Poyo...? (...Uh, ok...?)
Thank you, Kirby. Let's just hope it'll be enough...

Matt then raises a fist... before punching through the fabric of space and time, tearing a hole into an entirely new pocket dimension. Said pocket dimension seems to contain nothing but vast emptiness...

...Our training begins in here.

---

A large, strange prism floats in the center of a wall. Switching from scene to scene, it displays the actions of the Darksides all over the world.

...You see what I'm seeing, correct? The vast amounts of chaos happening worldwide?
I do.
And yet we're still going to sit around and not partake in ANYTHING going on out there?
I suppose we are.
...And just so we're perfectly clear, I am the ONLY one who sees a problem in it?
Correct.
...Then allow me to rephrase: Don't you think we should do something to get our names out there?
...Tell me, jester. What was it that led those fighters to that... "Vaati" character?
Because he literally brought attention to himself on purpos-
Exactly: He brought attention to himself. And whether it was on purpose or not matters: What matters is that he DID, and payed the price for it.
To be fair, Vaati was only placed in a pocket dimension. Wouldn't be the first time, so it's arguable that he could just-
That's the problem with all these other villains. They bring too much attention to themselves; They thrive not on the misery alone, but also on letting it be known who's brought them that misery.
...Change the frequency of the prism to the Mario Brothers, won't you?
...

---

Mario's group continues to follow the Goomba.

(...So how, exactly, are we going to know if they're actually going to the Throne Room? Because the narrative said so? Because the narrative also said that that one guy's name was COMPOUND, but-)
(Maybe-a not, Stanley. But if-a we expose ourselves now, we're-a not going to find out. So just-a lay low, and we'll get through.)

---

...Do you not see? Even the heroes understand the purpose of such secrecy...
...Because the most dangerous threat... Is one that nobody is aware of.

(Zalgo wants to, like, fight Kirby? I'm not sure if I should find it concerning or, like, funny, man.)

Suddenly, another figure appears behind Cranky...

(...What do you think? Should we let Kirby take that "Zalgo" guy on?)

...Moto, could you come over here for a moment?

Moto floats over to Beta Shadow. Beta Shadow then grabs Moto and presses a button, causing Moto's face to be converted into... Beta Shadow's home screen?

Yep. When Moto got the part of Manager, he needed a phone to possess for actual English communication, so I just let him use mine. I mean, it's a bit annoying, but I didn't quite have a Dex for him to use instead.
...That, and this is a lot more capable than a Pokedex for both of us. But anyways...

Beta Shadow does a few Google searches on his phone.

...Ok, outside of the ones I already know... We have a character from Yo-kai Watch... a Digimon... one of the Five Dastardly Bombers... and a Bakugan.
...You know, I probably shouldn't be surprised at how "all over the place" the media sources of these Guardians are.

fair.

Beta Shadow pulls out a Dr. Pepper and drinks from it.

Anyways, these "Guardians" of yours... Who exactly are they? I can already assume Zalgo is- or was- the Guardian of Shadow, but what of the other elements?

The four decide to follow the Goomba while still remaining as hidden as possible.

---

Beta Shadow looks over to Viridi.

Hey, random question: This dimension of yours... Did it happen to have a King 2.0 in it?

After 20 seconds, Mario's group hides behind a bunch of pillars.

(...Well, I guess this is good enough... But where do we go from here?)
(Well, normally, the-a path to Bowser is-a linear for the most part...)
(Something tells me it-a won't be that easy this time around...)
(...What if we find one of Bowser's minions to follow to where Bowser's keeping the princess?)
(That-a just might work... Let's-a do it.)

The group of four watches the troops carefully, with Luigi on the lookout for anything that could compromise their hiding spot...