...You know, despite everything... I really do hope he succeeds.
But only because this arc has lasted way longer than it probably should.

---

Little Papa Beta's - Security Room

After disconnecting from the call, Beta Shadow switches the monitor watching the Orb City battle back to its neutral state.

...And just what do you mean by "your characters"?
BAH!

Beta Shadow is startled by Beta Man's sudden appearance.

...Who let you in this room?
You give us a lot of free reign as your closest "friends"... Of which I'm sure there's a particular reason why you hold us in such high regard.
Touché. So, I'm guessing you're still playing Sleuth? You've certainly been doing it a lot recently.
I know you're hiding something. Every time there is a joke or something that I do not understand, you always pass it off as "nothing important", and "I don't need to know".
Because it isn't important, and you really don't need to know. Shouldn't, even.
You can tell me that all you'd like, but I'm not going to stop investigating; Our entire world was destroyed, and yet we don't hold you accountable for it. But I feel like the three of us at least deserves to know.
You really don't. Not in the sense in that I don't believe you deserve something for the loss of your world; There are just some secrets that should not be known, for the sake of your own sanity.
If those Z guys are capable of staying sane knowing it, then so should we.
I'm sure if you ask them, they'd say they only kept their sanity out of sheer luck alone. You or the others may not have that luxury. Especially Sergeant, seeing how something's making BOTH of them more... Well. Pridefully aggressive recently.

...You know what? Fine. If you won't tell me... I'll just have to ask someone who just might will.

Beta Man teleports off...

Someone who would... Tell him...?
...Oh, don't tell me he's gone off to try and talk to-

---

???

Beta Man warps in.

...Someone like you just sticks out on my radar, you know. There's no point in hiding anywhere...
...Rotom.

@Ra Thor : (OOC: You can thank Blood Kahtos for the eyes.)

...I see.
That must include you, too, then.

Vangus is instantaneously erased from existence by an invisible force.

Pop Star - Outer Space

Sorry, but you're both wrong. Nothing in the entire Omniverse is worth saving.
At the end of the day, everything that is created dies. No exception... Not you. Not Kilroy. Not MKII. Not even myself.
...But likewise, those who die are also reborn, one way or another. That is the cycle of Creation and Destruction... The TRUE purpose of all living creatures.

Beta Devil appears before the two.

...But at the end of the day, there is no truth, either. After all, truth is just an opinion the universe planted in your mind to MAKE you believe it's true.

Hey there, Walt! How're you doing?
Listen. I've heard that you wanted to keep MKII alive. Some sort of punishment thing or power move over him or something. And as a Reaper, I understand. There's always a place for villains in the story, for morality reasons or otherwise. That's all fine and dandy. But I'm just calling to let you know...
...I will only abide to this under the condition that he keeps out of my business. The moment he takes a single foot in the affairs of me or my characters... There will be no quarter for the Wily Omega.

...Thanks for understanding. Later!

Beta Shadow hangs up.

Little Papa Beta's

Beta Shadow, using his Reaper abilities, watches the fight in Orb City on a security monitor. There is also a 4th Wall-proof veil that prevents MKII from being aware of being watched.

...
...Moto. Do you mind calling up Walter? I feel like chatting to him about a certain something...



Moto attempts to call Walter...

Psi Foretell's House (Another Dimension)

Mr. Psi... We heard a lot about your ability to see into the future. We've been in a battle against Wily's forces for many years... But now, we wish to put it all to an end...
...So, please. Tell us... Is there any future where we storm Wily's fortress and achieve victory?
...So, you seek to know if you can overthrow Wily. ...I'm sure you know the price of my services?

The other hooded figure places a bag of some strange kind of currency on the table. Said currency seems to consist of Parallel Wily's face.

...Very well.

Psi Foretell closes his eyes. For several minutes, there is nothing but silence...

...
...There is but one way you can defeat Wily... You must find the dimensional border... A border that shall open from the sheer force of the interdimensional murderer* awakening. It shall appear on the outskirts of town, near the tree where whistles echo.
From there, you are to find a group of people who are much like you. They will provide the assistance you seek... But be aware of one thing: Just because I told you how to win, it doesn't mean that your chance of victory is 100%. There is but one timeline where you succeed, and hundreds where you fail.

...I see... So, this is how we can defeat Wily...
Wait, what about this "Interdimensional Murderer*"? Should we worry about that?
...I would not worry about it. I am yet to see a confrontation with the Interdimensional Murderer* in the future.
I see...
...Thank you, Mr. Psi.

Parallel Beta Man
Anti-Wily Resistance Leader

Beta Man of Universe MMRPG-CZ-AD

Parallel Beta Man fixes his hood to keep him hidden before heading out with the other hooded figure. Gamma Jewel stands up.

You've gotta be absolutely kidding me.
You're still here? Hm. Guess it's one of these timelines.
So, you say you don't want to get involved with the Chaos Zone, but when Beta Man shows up in a hooded cloak and a bag of Wily-bucks-
Actually, they're called "Skulldollars".
-you were more than happy to tell him his FUTURE!? Why are you so inclined to help him over me!?

...You want to know where I came from, Gamma? I was created when Beta Shadow's physical form shattered.** And the reason was because he no longer wanted any part of anything. And because of that, I, too, decided to keep myself out of it all.
...You want my help? I'll tell you your future for 20 Skulldollars. Beyond that, bite me.
...Fine. You won't help? That's great; I don't even NEED you! In fact, while I'm still going to revive Phi, all I TRULY need is Beta Devil!
He won't be referred to as Beta Devil when you get there, you know.
WHATEVER!

Gamma Jewel storms off. Psi Foretell sits in his chair and sighs.

...
...This insistence to destroy the Beta Team... It'll become his ultimate downfall when the archdemon comes.

---

*For the record: I am not referring to MKII. And no, I will not say who I AM referring to.
**Reference: Page 158, Post #17

City Docks

Looking for help, hm? Well, you've come to the right place!

A figure approaches the three.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Betalix Mannen, but you can call me Betalix. Just Beta works fine, too.

Betalix Mannen
The Mega Adventurer

Beta Man of Universe MMRPG-SJ-1

...Your sacrifice will be strongly remembered.
However, neither shall we forget the minimal time we have until the Halberd itself freezes over due to this ice and leave us to die, so... Later.

Missingno. urges Meta Knight to start the ship as Jazz urges Mighty to get on quickly. And all the while, Orchestra... Says nothing. Does nothing. And feels nothing.

Nothing... But hate.

Pop Star

But what about the people!?
There's not enough time! (And probably not enough room on the Halberd.) Just gather as many people as you can and let's get out of here!

Grabbing as many Dreamlanders and unfrozen UKR Soldiers as they can (with Orchestra seemingly focused on only the Dreamlanders), Jazz's group and Kirby quickly makes their way onto the Halberd, urging Meta Knight and the others to do the same. The non-Mark-X Jazz Droids attempt to do the same, but only 4 of them make it onto the ship.

...Wait... Where's Shadow Mewtwo?

Jazz's group looks around for Shadow Mewtwo...

That snake...! He just slipped away while we weren't looking!
We'll worry about him- and whatever he's up to- later. For now, we need to focus on getting out of here!

Outer Space

For whatever reason, the missile is incapable of locating Pi Android.

...Also, for the record, I am aware that it was not aimed for Little Papa Beta's. Pi Android is programmed to protect the plot. So that's what it did.
...Listen. I don't care about your stupid goals, your stupid ship, or your stupid "Chaos Heart"- Which, honestly, should probably be given a different name since it's already been taken by an already-existing Mario series object. I will gladly step aside and let you do your thing... Under one condition.
Stay the hell out of other peoples' plots. You have no place in them. Fire somewhere that isn't already preoccupied. THEN you might be able to receive the conflict you are clearly searching for. Just keep your metaphorical noses out of places they don't belong... Because trust me. Among the few of us who act as Plot Police, there are sure to be people less eager to give you any quarter.

I leave the scene.

Good to know; Because the same goes for giving you this Phantom Ruby. And do you want know why?

Beta Devil transforms into his Final Limit form. For whatever reason, the Phantom Ruby glows Green to match.

...I'm sure you are aware of Regulus... His presence has forced me to MERGE with my goodie two-shoes counterpart, as well as 7 of his other alternate selves... And in return, I was given the a-ok from both Cranky and Matt to KEEP the Phantom Ruby.
...NOW do you understand? If I give you this Ruby, I'd have basically chosen to try and save the world... For NOTHING. And if there is one thing villains like me HATE, it's being the HERO. So, the only way you'll EVER get this Phantom Ruby off my hands...
...Is when the entire Omniverse crumbles into NOTHING.

Beta Devil powers back down.

...Also, I've made it to where the Phantom Ruby is linked to me and me alone, so you wouldn't be able to use it, anyways. Don't ask how; When you're as evil as me, there's no limit to what you can accomplish.
Oh, and by the way, I'm considering a name change; I grow tired of being compared to that red-head psychopath. Any suggestions before you are forcibly removed from my presence?

An impenetrable barrier blocks the missiles from hitting Earth. This is clearly from Pi, but for a robot built to have no emotions whatsoever, he seems to not exactly care enough to actually confront Singularity about this.

---

...I see. You must've traced down this thing, then...
...Well, then. Clearly this jewel not anything like that you seek. Sorry to have wasted your time.
...Is what I would say, except not only have you wasted my time, but now you have forcibly revealed my location. So, now, I'll have to relocate, lest the foolish heroes come marching in here. Because clearly no evil base is free from intrusion as long as it is known.
...So, I'm afraid you'll have to be punished.

Suddenly, the Phantom Ruby glows... Causing Ali Tachyos' speed to be reduced to a mere 5 in stat!

...There. I removed your speed. That should be fitting enough. Run along now.
Whoops... Was that too soon?

(Guess who decided to try and squeeze in some roleplaying after all?)

???*

As Ali Tachyos enters the building, he sees a particular man sitting on a throne of sorts... Holding what appears to be not the Chaos Heart, but rather its equivalent: the Phantom Ruby.

Well, well. If it isn't Singularity's little speed demon...
...Tell me; To what do I owe the displeasure for this intrusion?

---

*There are no buildings in the Sacred Realm of the Kais, so I think it's fair to say that Tachyos is on Earth instead.

Earth's Crater

Axl's call is picked up... But not by who he's trying to call.

GREETINGS. APOLOGIES, MAVERICK HUNTER HQ CANNOT BE CONTACTED AS OF RIGHT NOW, FOR BETA SHADOW IS CURRENTLY... PREOCCUPIED.*
NO FURTHER CALLING IS REQUIRED, HOWEVER, FOR THE SITUATION HAS BEEN RESOLVED.
HAVE YOURSELF A NICE DAY.

Pi hangs up the call.

---

*And by preoccupied, I mean "too busy having fun with 8BDM at the moment."

Pop Star

Kirby agrees, proceeding to use both the Love-Love Stick and the Star Rod simultaneously to blast at Meta Brigand.

Pop Star

The Jazz Droids proceed to spawn faster and faster, even putting down more spawners to create even more at a faster rate. Heck, some of them even manage to respawn by digitizing themselves back into a spawner for recovery before spawning back out. However, this doesn't change the fact that the Parallel MK clones are way stronger than them... Jazz's group helping the Jazz Droids and Chordroids out seem also to merely delay the destruction of the droids slightly.

Urgh... How are we supposed to handle these things!? Seriously, I'd say Kilroy's gotten on my last nerve, but at this point he's already done with it!
...
...Is something wrong, si-
Release them.
A-are you sure? We still don't know if we can even contro-
I said release them.

All members of Jazz's team pushes a hidden button on their wrists. Suddenly, the spawners change color to a blood red. While they still disperse the same Jazz Droids as before, they also start spawning in more often a new type of droid...

...
...DESTROY.

Jazz Droids Mark-X
Remnants of Hands Repurposed

Brutally and without hesitation, the first spawned Mark-X Droid proceeds to fire a large blast at 3 Parallel MK clones, launching them! More of the Mark-X Droids begin spawning in, and proceed to assault the clones!

...Now, I'm sure this requires explanation... You see, when we set off for space, we found something, floating aimlessly in the cosmos... Broken remains of myself, from when I became Jazz Hands.
...The idea to scan these parts and make back-up droids based off of them was actually Missingno.'s idea. Initially, I was going to refuse... But then I thought of something...
...I am not planning on forgetting my past actions. Nor will I accept forgiveness for them, for they deserve none. ...But I can still make something good out of them.
...Obviously, these are replications of a robot who has been completely destroyed, so the power output doesn't match that of Jazz Hands. I have also taken the liberty of removing any traces of Limited or Anti-Omni Energy that remained... Whatever traces of Evil Energy it had has already been removed prior due to Regulus ridding of the MKII Virus...
...But I feel the results speak for themselves. (Thankfully...)

Great, that's fine. If you lot want to worry about a bunch of stolen treasures or something, then go ahead, whatever. But as much as greedy lot like you would think otherwise, there is more at stake here than money.

Stanley turns towards the others.

As for whatever happened with Jumpman, we'll confront that later. Right now, there are bigger fish to fry.
Whaddya mean whatever happened with me? I'm just fi-
LATER. Now, if anyone wants to help double-trouble over there, then go with them. But if any of you wants to deal with the IMPORTANT battle, then let's head off to Toad Town.

---

Goomba King's New Fortress

...Hey, boss! We found this strange-looking bird running around our territory for some reason!
We tried to make them tell us why they came here, but it doesn't speak a lick of any language I'd know!
Red & Blue Goomba Bros.
Servants of the Goomba King



See? Nothin' but some kind of strange bird sounds.
It's almost as if... It's mocking us, that's it! You're here to mock us Goombas, aren't you?



Yeah, I think you're right, Blue! I think this bird really is trying to mock us! So WHAT if we're so easily stompable, eh? Who are YOU to judge?
Yeah! I'd bet that YOUR species is constantly used as nothing more than training fodder!
What do we do with 'em, boss?

...So, you wish to make a mockery of us Goombas, hm...? Well, then... For this act of rudeness- as well as trespassing upon our territory-... Then, much like how our kind is stomped on by the boots of the Plumbers...
...You, too, shall be stomped by the mighty King of the Goombas!

Goomboss
The Goomba King





Bane and Fortem arrive on the scene to help out the unknown Pidgey! ...Which raises the question of how they even got here, but I digress.




...So, you wish to defend this perpetrator, hm? Fine, then... You shall ALL be flattened under my boot!

(Battle Theme) ♫ Paper Mario - Goomba King's Decree ♫

Peach's Castle

Well, good to see you guys finally catching up, but aren't we forgetting something here?
I don't know, why don't you tell us, Sli-
Err, I mean... Yeah, I guess we are forgetting something... But, uh, for the few of us who aren't exactly aware of what's going on, why don't you explain it?
...Right...
...Anyways, unless I'm missing something here, I'm pretty sure we still have to take down that Ludwig guy.
And just so we don't break into some big argument over who's group gets to take him, I'd say we all head over and take him down.
Yeah, sounds 'bout right. As I said, Luigi decided he didn't have the energy to continue the 'venture, so I'm basically without a group of my own. So, all-in-all, I guess this works.
...

Stanley proceeds to "whisper" towards the others.

Ok, am I the only one who's noticing something strange about Mario right now? More specifically, the way he speaks and acts?