...Void Madness?

Ninja Ghost nods.

It's a phenomenon caused by too much time in the Void... Though, the definition of "too much time in the Void" is more-or-less determined by the strength of one's mind.

---

---

...Our ghost forms are more linked to the Void than whenever we're in these physical robot bodies. That's why I underwent Void Madness... That's why my ghostly form wanted to destroy all of GammaGuardian's creations. And that's why I must REFRAIN from leaving my physical body at all costs.

Bt Classic and the others enter the room, laying L down on the nearby table.

...What happened to him?

The group ignores Ninja Ghost.

...Gee, thanks. I feel like a true friend.

Ninja Man glares over to Ninja Ghost.

Well MAYBE if you haven't tried to KILL US in the past, we'd be more willing to speak to you as a friend.
L here was fed probably a little too much information. After it was revealed that Maestro was the one who killed Light and Wily, he panicked before suddenly passing out. ...Also, that white ooze is inactive Anti-Omni stuff, so be careful around it. Who knows what it could still do.
Well, it's a good thing you brought him here to recover. Though, uh... I think you meant to say "Maestro" with that first name, heh heh.
...

...
Oh you know.

O-oh gosh! I... I-is he ok...?
GEE. I DUNNO. IT'S NOT LIKE PASSING OUT IS SOMETHING SOMEONE WHO ISN'T OKAY WOULD DO.
Hey, that's not okay-
Neither. Is. Maestro. Or, L, or... I really don't care. What ALSO isn't okay is just dropping a bombshell on us like that with next to no subtlety!
I-I'm sorry, it's just- ...I... I wasn't blaming him, I just-
It certainly didn't SOUND like it. And maybe next time you'll THINK about how you're going to break in news like that in a calmer-
Both of you cut it out RIGHT NOW. What's more important is that we get L somewhere safer to recover.

Suddenly, a figure approaches the group.

Quickly, this way!

Bt Ghost Classic leads the group over to the backroom. Beta Man and Sergeant Man carries L on their shoulders, as Mega Man stays behind with a worried expression.

Wait, wait... What about Anti-Omni?
Maestro here seems to have inactive Anti-Omni residue... I think it came from when he was fighting Beta Diablo in space alongside Beta Supremo and Mighty.
Of course... Diablo must've tried to infect Maestro with Anti-Omni Corruption, and it must've failed to kick in before Diablo kicked the bucket.
I dunno. The odds of that being the case feels rather improbable...
("Maestro"... Where have I-?)

Mega Man goes to get a closer look at L, only to step back in shock.

Something wrong, Mega?
...That Anti-Omni stuff did not come from the fight with Diablo.
Huh? What do you mean?
...This robot... HE'S the one Beta Devil used as a puppet to kill Drs. Light and Wily!
WHAAAAAAT!?

Suddenly, Reggae walks out with a large (whatever toppings NP wants) pizza.

Ay, yo! The pizza's here! The pizza, SQUAWK!

Reggae looks over to Doc Robot and Dark Elite, then over to L and the others.

...What? Bad timing? Bad timing?

...

Sergeant Man carefully approaches L, then inspects the strange ooze... Before stepping back with a shocked expression.

...Ok... Nobody freak out or anything... But I think this is some form of residual Anti-Omni essence. Just... without the Anti-Omni.
WHAT!?
Ok, not that I think you don't know what your doing, Sarge, but are you sure that's what this is?
I'm quite positive... Scans report near equal properties. I'm just glad that I didn't touch the stuff, because who knows what that would've done.
But why would Maestro...?

Suddenly, someone else walks into the building, seeing the commotion...

What are you guys talking about...?

---

With Akira Yuki already defeated, only Alpha Fire, Epsilon Snow, and Dragon King remains... With the latter exhorting a calm, yet intense energy.

This guy sure is tough...
This power... What even is this...?

...I see that you are impressed. This power is a manifestation of a martial artist's drive to win... to best their opponent, as well as themselves. This... is Fighting Spirit.

Alpha and Epsilon gets into fighting positions.

Well, we didn't come all this way just to lose! Right, Epsilon?
Right! The two of us can beat you any day of the week!
Such admirable resolve... Perhaps you two have the potential to learn this technique as well...

Dragon King gets into a fighting stance of his own.

...But words can only tell so much. Show me the true extent of your fighting prowess!

As Pico continues to fire shots, Boyfriend manages to avoid them, eventually finding cover behind a trashcan.

Come on, man! This isn't like you!
Hah! Go ahead and beg! It didn't save Darnell, and Nene didn't even bother to try, and it saved neither of them!
Wait... Darnell and Nene!? Weren't they your friends*!? Why would you-?
Oh, come on. Can't a guy have a little fun?
Fun...? Are you even hearing yourself!? I thought you were LOYAL to your friends! What gives!?
...I've got nothing I need to explain to the likes of YOU.

Pico walks over to the trashcan and kicks it aside, before putting Boyfriend at gunpoint.

Now we can either do this the easy way... Or the more exciting hard way.

Boyfriend simply stares Pico down, as if daring Pico to do it. Pico prepares to take the shot...

...And then, somebody else intervenes.

Hey. As fun as it was to watch this fight, I'd prefer if my boyfriend wasn't riddled with bulletholes, so...

Girlfriend simply snaps her fingers, and suddenly the two are gone.

...So THAT'S how it's gonna be, eh? That's fine... It just means I'll have a little more fun hunting you down.
Not so fast, you little delinquent. You're not gonna be hunting down ANYONE.
...Is that right? And how do you intend to stop me?

The figure steps out of the shadows and into a fighting stance.

By kicking your ass.

---

*Reference: Pico's School; Darnell and Nene are Pico's closest friends.

A well-dressed man waits at the front door as Beta Shadow approaches.

Hey, Olley! How's my favorite manager doing?
Hello, Mr. Shadow! Things are actually doing well... Aside from a minor Virus outbreak in one of the soda machines, but it was nothing SurgeMan couldn't handle.

The two enter the building. The place is only slightly busy, with only 5 people in line.

Well, everything seems to be in order... And everyone seems to be working, too. We might just be able to make it through today's rush hour.

Beta Shadow turns to Olley.

I think you've got things around here handled. I'm going to go to my office and fill out the usual paperwork.

Beta Shadow heads off into his office.

A guy gets up and yawns, seemingly just now woken up. He looks over to a purple bandanna placed neatly on the drawer next to him, picking it up and tying it around his neck.

Ah... Today feels like another great day!

The guy then picks up the PET that was sitting next to it.

Hey, you awake yet?
I am now. Couldn't bare to wait another 5 minutes, could ya?
Aw, come on! The sooner we get up and ready, the more we can get done!
Whatever you say, "Mr. Shadow".
...Tell me. Did you have any of those dreams again?
...Ah, shoot. I DID have one of those dreams!
*Sigh* And you almost forgot to tell me. I assume this means you don't even remember what the dream was about AGAIN, do you?
...
Terrific. Breaking news, everyone: Beta Shadow does it again!
Now, hang on. I actually do remember one thing... The dream mentioned something about a "Devil"...
Gee, THAT explains a lot.
Oh, come on, Ninja. What about it is so important to you, anyways?
Hey. I'M not the one it's important to. Your dreams are trying to tell you something, and I- err, you have every right to know what that something is.
Look, if I don't remember anything about the dreams, then it's nothing important, alright? Now, let's get ready for work.

Beta Shadow heads downstairs to get himself some breakfast.

The three gives L and the others a skeptic look, then heads for the front.

---

(...So we're just going to pretend we didn't hear them call Maestro "L"?)
(I guess? It's not like it's that important or anything...)

The three approaches Beta Serif.



Do you happen to know how Maestro and his... Friends? Were brought in here?


*

**


Did you get a name?



That's not suspicious.
I mean, it could be one of those edgy loner types for all we know.

---

An edgy loner type stands on a tall rooftop, looking over the city whilst drinking his espresso... When he suddenly hears the sound of gunshots in the far distance.

...Well, great. More trouble.
It's likely another one of those incidents involving people going so crazy recently... The Security Force needs to get better at their jobs.
*** I guess I gotta keep picking up their slack.

Alpha Man leaps from building to building towards the direction of the gunshots... Oddly enough, the sounds of funky music can be heard in the same direction...

---

*At least I hope NP will agree with this.
**The excuse for why Doc Robot and Dark Elite were allowed into the building.
***I already introduced this character earlier. (See Page 6, Post #11

Silence once more fills the room.






Sans heads in the opposite direction of the room. The moment Null looks away (or the moment Sans is out of sight), Sans disappears.

---

A trio of robots decide to check up on L.

Hey, Maestro*! Are you alright?
...Wait a second. Doc Robot? What are you doing here? And with Dark Man, too...
Forget why they're here, why does his color scheme look so... different?
Say, yeah... Something tells me they aren't even the Doc Robot or Dark Man of this universe... What's going on here?

---

Meanwhile, the figure from earlier finally makes it to the front of the line.



Uh, yes, hi. Uh, let me think...



...Hm... What weapon type are the Garlic Breadsticks, exactly?




...Hm... Well, do you have non-food weapons to use? A giant pizza cutter, perhaps?




Then, what weapo-



...Ooooohhh. So this is more of a "Potions/Scrolls" shop, then.

Suddenly, Sans pops out of nowhere.




Oh, cool. What's this potion called?



Ah. Right. Clever. So, uh, how many can I buy, then?












Uh, yes. Is the Pizza a healing item, or a stat boost item?



...Yeah, you're right. I can use it in battle and find out on my own. I'll have a medium pepperoni. ...And I guess I'll have some of those garlic breadsticks, too.



Bt1229, but just Bt will suffice.






Beta Serif writes down the order as a waiter comes along to sit Bt down. Bt is oddly confused, but obliges.

---

*Beta and the others know L as "Maestro" due to having no recollection of the Absurd Roleplay. Beta Shadow requested L to use this name to avoid issues regarding the mental block that causes this.

(...What is taking that hole of a Mark-X Droid so long...?)

The group suddenly hears a knock on the door.

I'll get it!

Techno answers the door.

Greetings, fellas.
Oh! Zeta and Digamma, right? Come on in!

Zeta and Digamma walks into the building.

...Huh? Where has Orchestra run off to?

Missingno. turns around from his desk.

He's out back, training the Jazz Droids... Or, well, one of them, anyways. The Droids all share the same combat experience, so they should be more than prepared to take on King's forces. Assuming that even matters, anyways.
...I see. And you are working on...?
Oh, this?

Missingno. holds up an N64 cartridge of sorts.

It's nothing important. I'm just modding this copy of Pokemon Stadium 2 to include the Gen 2 Beta Pokemon. Just thought it would be something fun to do.
Well, if you wouldn't mind halting your progress on that game, I think you'd perhaps help us with a little something?
Eh, sure, why not. I'm still waiting on a few more modeling commissions, anyways. What do you need?

---

...I see. So ol' Darkrai gave you this Amber, huh?
Yep. Not quite sure I can trust the guy as far as I can launch him with a full-force fist to the face, but I think Aerodactyl will be a decent Pokemon to have in the battle against King... Or whoever else we end up facing after this.
...
What?
I want to either agree with you or disagree, but Beta Shadow doesn't know about playing Pokemon competitively.
Anyways, you're in luck; We've actually built one of those Fossil restoration machines that those other Pokemon Scientists have, and we've actually been looking for a way to test it.
...Though, I don't know why you two didn't just go to Cinnabar, considering you were ALREADY in Kanto.
Eh, Beta Shadow didn't feel like making a mug for a character we'd only use once.
Just? Don't use a mug, then???

Zeta and Digamma looks to each other... Then suddenly bursts out laughing.

What? What's so funny?
N-nothing, it's nothing. Can you just do this for us, please?
*Sigh* Alright, alright. I'll revive the Aerodactyl.
Make yourselves at home; This is gonna be a while.

Oh, nonono. You're not turning this on ME; I want to know what you're doing here.
I'm training to learn some martial arts. What are YOU doing here?
Ha ha. Martial Arts. How rich. What I'M doing here is none of your business, you-

Suddenly, a figure jumps in the middle of the two.



This guy is bad news. He's up to something, I know it.
Ugh, nevermind that. I'm looking for someone to help me find my "Spirit Animal" or whatever.




Wait... Are you suggesting that I train with THIS wet blanket!?
I second that notion. Are you sure about this guy? He's more trouble than on the surface level.



Hah! THAT'S debating.
...Though, if it's between this and not learning what I came here to achieve... I'm still weighing my options.

---

*


Goku looks upon the situation with confusion.

---

Sans doesn't seem to surprised to find out Nobel was Null all along.

---

*This is meant to say, "You want the conversation to end?". I'm feeling too lazy to fix this. :/

---

...So, what, you think I've gotta connect more to my own Spirit Animal to achieve a more perfected Primal Instinct?
That's the current theory. Of course, it's a concept that Walter made, so if that isn't how it works, he can say so. Though, considering how it was explained by the horse's mouth itself...
...And how the hell am I supposed to do that?
Well, we should focus first on figuring out what exactly your Spirit Animal is. THEN we can figure out how to connect you to it, and use that connection properly in-battle.
Can't we just get the Phantom Ruby to figure that out for us? That's basically it's purpose, isn't it?
...
...The Phantom Ruby is a TOOL for us. It is NOT a shortcut to power. Using it as a shortcut will grant us no permanent benefit, and will only serve to make us overreliant on it. Just like that pathetic Jackal***.

...Alright, fine. How do you suppose I find my Spirit Animal, then?
...

Theta takes out a slip of paper and a pencil, and begins writing coordinates on it.

Well... I can send you to ONE person who might know SOMETHING of it, or at least can provide a form of assistance in doing so. They never connected to a Spirit Animal exactly, but it's the closest we've got.

Theta hands Gamma the slip of paper. Gamma studies the coordinates.

...This better work, for all it's worth.

Gamma Jewel warps out.

---

Gamma Jewel warps onto the scene.

...Right. Now, where am I to find the person that will-
!

Gamma Jewel suddenly comes face-to-face with someone he wasn't expecting to see...

...
...

...The hell are YOU doing here!?

---

*RECAP: Regulus Arc - Shaggy Negro is a Goku Black-esque doppelganger of Shaggy who traveled from an alternate timeline to kill Shaggy and his friends. He is actually Scrappy-Doo who traveled to an alternate timeline to steal Shaggy's body and use it as his own.
**Reference: The Chaos Zone Part I, Page 183, Post #20
***Infinite

Vegeta dodges the plasma shot with ease.

---

Sans walks out the door, stopping next to Nobel.



Sans leads Nobel around the corner...

---

**




An awkward silence fills the air for a moment.

---

...So, Wily finally managed to contact Eggman. As soon as he gathers the tools he needs, he'll be on his way there. So we'll be able to have the place all to ourselves again until his plan inevitably backfi-

As Theta Mephisto walks into the room, he spots Gamma Jewel- in his Primal Instinct**** state- assaulting a training dummy with a resemblance to Wily Machine 6.

...Dare I ask, what exactly are you doing?

With an extreme amount of power and force, Gamma pulverizes the training dummy into oblivion.

GRAAAAAH! What I'm doing is none of your business, you purple-haired !
. . .

Theta takes a deep breath in, then out... Before transforming into a green form of his own, roundhouse kicking Theta HARD, sending him flying into the wall, de-transformed. Theta then reverts back to base form himself.

...Let that be a reminder to never talk back to me like that EVER again. Now, tell me why you're bothering to use Primal Instinct on some dummy.

Theta then spots a bunch of wooden scraps laid all over the place.

...Make that a whole month's worth.
...*Sigh* It's Primal Instinct itself that bothers me. I should have unlocked its fullest potential by now, and yet I'm still stuck right below it.
...I see.

Theta ponders for a moment.

...Hm... Tell me. What exactly did Shaggy Rojo***** teach you about Primal Instinct?
...All he told me was that if I tapped into the animalistic rage inside me, I could go into a feral frenzy that boosts my abilities.
...I see. Then it is as I thought... He only told you a small portion of what Primal Instinct is, likely so you wouldn't truly learn the full thing.
...But what you need to help you achieve Primal Instinct is the full picture of what EXACTLY it is. And I think I have a bit of an idea on that...

---

*Reference: Undertale; The place is abandoned due to all the monsters being on the surface.
**Refers to having to reserve a table, seats, silverware, ect. in order to eat at the diner.
***Wily Castle from Mega Man 6, rebuilt and converted into Theta Mephisto's base of operations by the Phantom Ruby; Currently, both Theta and Dr. Wily holds custody over the castle, splitting the space of the castle between the two.
****Primal Instinct is a take on Ultra Instinct; Instead of calming the mind, the user taps into their primal rage and instincts to draw strength.
*****Shaggy's Dimension Mirror (Kirby and the Amazing Mirror) counterpart; Gamma Jewel comes from the same dimension as Beta Shadow's counterpart.

...So, you wanna take me on again, huh? Well, in that case-

Pico shoots the microphone right out of Boyfriend's hand.

* ...
No way outta this through fancy beep-boops this time. By the end of this, one of us will have dropped dead. And I have no intention of letting it be me.

Pico fires at Boyfriend, only for him to dodge the bullets via adrenaline rush, rolling towards the microphone despite the fact that it got shot, so there is no way that-

The Mic is undamaged what the kind of indestructible mic does he even-

What the funk, dude!? What's up with you!?
What's up with me? What's up with YOU? YOU'RE the one going for that mic of yours thinking it'll do something to stop me. But, go ahead, do your worse! I doubt that you could even slightly-

Suddenly, Pico is swarmed by a barrage of note-shaped projectiles!

...I don't know why you're doing this, Pico... But I'm well-equipped enough to defend myself.

---

Suddenly, a Golden Apple is warped in where the other collected objects are, shortly covered in a dark energy. Upon the energy dissipating, it envelops the other objects as well.

---

Things are going smoother than I thought... A shame I couldn't deliver that Golden Apple personally because of the force field, but it has been delivered, regardless. Not only shall Beta Devil be revived, but there will be a bit of an extra "kick" to his powers that'll make even his BASE form more formidable than it ever was before.
And what's better is that all the while, both Vaati and Spooky will be unknowingly helping me by spreading as much chaos as possible, making the foolish heroes even MORE divided.
My next phase begins once Beta Devil comes back to life... But in the meantime, there is but ONE MORE thing that I need for it.

The figure looks upon a dark-colored crystal ball... Of which displays LazyTown.

---

Bopeebo - (Sound) Boyfriend generates small soundwave projectiles to deal damage to the foe, as well as lower their Attack stats.

Demonic Energy - A strange energy that comes from demons. It grants great power, but can greatly corrupt the person/object that it festers in.

---

*Just, uh, pretend the mic isn't there.

Vegeta stares down the robot.

---

---

Right before Vaati's stream started, a strange figure walks up to a shop ran by a Coffagrigus.

...
...
... it. Good enough.**

The figure slaps 3 gold bars on the table, exchanging it for a Golden Apple before warping away.

---

Two familiar figures walk out of a random alleyway.

...Well, that was depressing.***
Well, look on the bright side; At least we found someone who wasn't trying to kill you... Technically speaking.
Yeah, I'm not interested in filling my lungs with that stuff, but he seemed pretty nice, at least-
Pardon the interruption, but I've got a bone to pick with you.
Huh? What are you doing here...?
...

The figure holds up a gun to Boyfriend's head, seemingly dual-wielding them.

...Roasting your bacon.

---

*Reference: Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon
**The only other Golden Fruit I could find is from Fate Grand Order. And since I know next to nothing about the game, I just went with "fruit that is golden".
***Reference: Smoke 'Em Out Struggle (Vs. Garcello). Other mods Boyfriend has ventured since his last appearance includes:
Tricky Mod (sans Expurgation(?))
Arcade Showdown (Kapi)

Wii Funkin' (Matt) Wiiks 2 and 3 A.G.O.T.I., and Tabi will happen off-scene at a later time. Shaggy will not happen due to the fact that CZ Scooby would just UNO Reverse Card Girlfriend if she tried to kill him, and Monika is something I'll put down as a "maybe".

---

Using instant transmission, Goku teleports in front of the ball with Vegeta and stops it. Vegeta then clears out the snow and looks directly into the eye of the robot. speaking of which let's ignore the fact that they aren't supposed to sense energy from robots, ok?

Beta Shadow warps off to find a proper martial arts teacher as Reggae... Just leaves.



Vegeta aims a ki blast in the direction of the unknown figure.

---

( it... If we were just a little stronger...

Iota's giant tree monster reduces itself as Iota is lowered to the ground. Kappa's glow deactivates.

Bummer, dude. I guess they're more resourceful than we thought.
This is half of the things they need already. This is not good...

Iota turns around.

But the good part is, we know we are stronger than them. Dealing with them later should prove as a nonissue.
But what of Beta Devil? If he's revived...
...

---

Beta Shadow clashes with a particular pair of Saiyans, doing a surprisingly well job at it.


*



The three continues to clash for a while before stopping, returning to solid ground. Both Goku and the other Saiyan are reverted to base form.

That was very good! Very good, SQUAWK!






You think I'm lacking in something? What is it?



A proper battle style...? As in, a form of martial arts?






...Huh. Well... Maybe one of you could teach me, then?





**

Vegeta grumbles to himself.




's fine. Maybe I can find someone to teach me a thing or two...

---

*Afaik the only difference between Goku and Vegeta in SSJ2 than in SSJ is the electrical aura.
**Reference: Vegeta's mentor-student relationship with Cabba in Dragon Ball Super.

Kappa simply uses his own power to cause the splash of water to return to its source.

...I have a strange feeling you paid no attention to what my powers are, sis. Here's a slight reminder.

Suddenly, a powerful geyser erupts underneath Madame Odius, sending her flying away!

Meanwhile, the giant wooden monster somehow manages to pull off a suplex on the Skullgator!