Marauding Air Cruiser - Outside Overhearing this, Cannoli and Sciencestein silently turn their direction towards the Black Jewel.

Yes, yes. I'd like to see you two try to prolong the detonation of a powerful explosion while simultaneously telepathically signaling to your leader the situation at hand. Both of which I am doing right now.
So he knows, then?
Who knows?
Shake KingwHY ARE YOU STILL HERE

---

Marauding Air Cruiser - Control Room Electricity flows through the dead silent Shake King (who is also trying to find a way to cure the dormant Marshadow of the previously inflicted Mindfuck).

...

---

Marauding Air Cruiser - Outside .....Well, I guess it doesn't matter if I take all of you out first!

Them? "They're" an opportunity. As long as I get the chance to style on someone, my allegiance doesn't matter!
And I guess while I don't owe you any explainations... It'd be a pain just being known as the mystery man.

To White (J), immediately after this sentence is finished he feels the pressure of a lean fist colliding with his face, knocking him down. When he looks back, however, the figure is still in the same position as before.

...So listen up! The name's
Knack the Hedgehog
Slaty Speedster

Knack the Hedgehog of Earth TB-N/A

Don't feel too sorry for yourselves, though... because I'm only getting warmed up!

---

Do you think that rodent took the attention for himselves to give us this opening on purpose?
*shrug* it's a win-win for the both of us.

Mad Sciencestein suddenly pulls out a sciency-looking pocket rifle, and pulls the trigger on it, shooting it at the Black Jewel.


...Faaaanfriggintastic, we're back here again.
It's because I shot you back to normal with this sciency gun of mine!
So I recognized.

U-ugh... don't... know...
(Wait a minute... I'm noticing a pattern here.)
Joe, get out of the way!
Hominahuh?
!!!!!!!

Joe, being the first person to actually react to the the blur is nonetheless kicked in the face, sending him tumbling a good distance back.

G-guh...

The blur suddenly slows down, finally becoming completely visible.

...Really? is that all you guys have to offer? Color me disappointed.

Marauding Air Cruiser - Outside While the (now slowed) Hammer-Bots are being fended off, something incredibly fast bumps Pac-Man, distracting him.

WAKA WA-- (What the--)

As he is off his guard, the Hammer-Bot hits him in the face, somehow gaining even more speed.

Hey, don't get distracted here, we've got a guy to beeeaeaeaeyowza!

Red suddenly is tripped by something too fast for him to see, knocking him flat on his stomach, as well as giving the other Hammer-Bots plenty of time to hit him while he's down.

*BEEP*

Game and Watch clashes hammers with one of the Hammer-Bots, when suddenly his hammer is gone. By the time he summons another one, though, he is hit in the back of the head by another Hammer-Bot.

Uh... guys--

Yellow is suddenly spun in circles several times as a result of being passed by at such a high velocity, resulting in an extreme dizziness that makes him fall down. Wanda, who is safe in the air, sees all of this.

(What's happening?)

Marauding Air Cruiser - Outside You guys done gaping at jewelie and your robots being thrashed yet? Or can I go and even the odds, already?
But we mustn't go out there without a plan! We have to stop these intruders and neutralize the Black Jewel!... Also, that's not how evening odds work; they're the ones that are outnumbered.

??? Suddenly goes down on one knee, into a running position.

Whatever, and I'll have you know I have a plan. Find the fastest-moving guy outta their bunch, and kick 'em in the face! Now, if you dorks'll excuse me, my legs have gotten numb from all of this idle standing!

He then zips off.

...Nice talk.

Sciencestein and Cannoli advance as well, though significantly slower.

Mega City After being knocked back a small gap away, Strider Man and Prototype exchange glares.

...
...
...I surrender.
Wait, that's it?
(He gave up faster than I expected...)
You all may be the enemy, but I know when I am outmatched. Above all else, including my master's programming, I still have my pride as a Warrior.

Swiftly, he disappears and then reappears back-to-back with Prototype.

Some advice from the future. Trust in your comrades, because it is with them that you will find the strength to protect. Something bigger than me as well the rest of my siblings in coming soon, and attempting to shoulder it alone will result in nothing devastation.
Should you all succeed, we'll meet again. Until then... farewell.

Strider Man unleashes a smokebomb, vanishing away.

Should we pursue him?
...No. It may as well be a hunch, but something tells me he intends on keeping his word.
Then what's next?
For now, we'll leave the rest to everyone else. It's time we return to MCPD Headquarters.

The four teleport away.

Can you feel it? Defteros rapidly slices off the Shadow Tendrils...

---

The age of weakness is surely to be destroyed. Proteus glares outside, witnessing a burning landscaped filled only with robots bowing down to a golden statue of him.... while also holding Defteros's head.

---

No thanks to you, Mr. Stand By And Do Nothing. Prototype blocks a reverse roundhouse kick from a robot.

(Strong!)
Strider Man
Stealth Specialist Robot

---

Those who have heart will thrive. And those who don't... While Yellow joins White (J), Viewtiful Joe damages through one of the Hammer-Bots with a Red-Hot Kick!

While from behind, the individual seems to have caught a glimpse of the battle going on.

Holy, hell...!

??? seems to be taken aback for a few seconds... before laughing it off.

Hah! Looks like those dorks were on to something, after all. Jewel though... it seems like he's lost grip of himself. Now things are really interesting.

Sciencestein and Cannoli finally catch up with ??? to see the ongoing madness.

HOLY MOTHER OF SNICKERDOODLES!

---

Well... You know how that song and dance goes.

(The Waluigi Lawnchair didn't work!?)

Marauding Air Cruiser - Base A blur suddenly speeds up next to Cannoli and Sciencestein, keeping pace with the hurried duo.

What's up, losers?
...If you insist on insulting us for our engineering prowess, do it after we're done with this current threat.
Threat? Oh, man! I've been waiting for somethin' to lay my fists on for Ages! And you didn't think to tell me?
Shake King and Captain Syrup seem to be occupied with experiments (not like that), and we know how... erratic... you can be in the face of action...
What can I say? I'm a sucker for a little fun.
Well, it's not like you'll leave us alone regardless, so I suppose you'll have to come, too.
Heheh! You think I would've went anywhere else?

The strange figure Suddenly picks up a surge in speed, accelerating past the pace of the two beside him.

...This was a bad idea, wasn't it?

---

Propulsion Thrust (Speed/Space)- Gathering gravitational potential energy from around him, ??? converts it into kinetic energy, gaining an extreme boost in speed.

Mega City Succubus Woman bursts in out of nowhere.

(Where did this come from...?)
You're bleeding. I don't want to hurt you any more than necessary. Please release my friend.
(It's okay. Just calm down and focus again. Don't get riled--did he say bleeding?)
. . .

---

An extremely large Soul Fist zooms towards Defteros, who silently slices it in half.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
...

Before flying upwards into the air, she summons an abundance of Shadow Tendrils that quickly rain down on the city, quickly approaching it.

...
...Sparkly time.

---

Soul Fist (Energy/Shadow)- The user fires off a blast of energy in the shape of a heavily stylized bat or snake skull within a sparkling sphere of magic. Aside from doing damage, Drains 30% of the user's WE/PP/Energy source, or if they are missing said energy source stacks the 30% decrease onto their health instead.

Shadow Tendrils (Shadow/Cutter)- The user opens their arms sideways as their wings sprout multiple arrow-headed attacks that spear their enemies.

Grand Overlord Emperor of Awesomeness Palace *ASMR noises*... Hmmm... Not bad. Though I've grown somewhat bland to the taste of this, now.

Proteus suddenly gasps.

...You know what would be awesome at a time like this?
Cupca-- | The blood of the innoc--
...

*mocking snickering noises*

...I would threaten you, but you would just ruin it by being all gross and making me uncomfortable.
Where is that hapless cretin, anyway?

So that's what he is to you, hmm?

Hmm?

To your right.

Proteus looks towards his right, immediately spotting a pink and gold head placed carefully on a pillar.

Mother of god.... Or wait... I don't have a mother figure.

You have Walter, or Oliver or Redblaster or whatever people call him.

What happened to him?

Dead. And I can't tell you how you ended up killing him without breaking at least one of the Community guidelines.

Damn.

Grand Overlord Emperor of Awesomeness Palace The individual finally turns around, walking to the front of the room and sitting on what appears to be a throne.

What a boring revelation, especially from someone who looked so identical to myself... Servant! Fetch me the Kentucky Fried--

...What the hell just happened? Where am I? What happened to Defteros?

As if he had no idea what just happened, Proteus looks at himself, and his surroundings.

You are in your own personal imaginary world, enacting what you want... or at least, what you think you want, anyway/[/i]

Then if my hunch is correct, you must be located in one of my personal torture chambers.

Ohhhh~ For someone who's just met me, you know me so well~

One more degenerate response and I swear to Proteus I will--
Here you are, my leige!

A... oddly familiar looking robot walks up to Proteus and politely bows, holding out a golden bucket of KFC for him.

I made it specifically towards your likings, your Awesomeness. I pray that you find delight in it.
...

Without hesitation, Proteus slaps the servant robot.

Ouchiewahwahs!
Disgraceful! The temperature of this is far too low for someone so beyond mortal comprehension. Prepare it hotter... Or it's off to the pit with you.
No! Not into the pit! It burns!

The robot snatches back the KFC and scurries out of the room.

(...I could get used to this.)

Mega City I've told you over and over. Release him. Now.
Or what? Until you provide any incentive, there's no point in asking anything.
Or I'll hurt you.
(What? I don't sense an ounce of hate or anger, but this... cold feeling... I haven't seen any of it in his mind.)
(Well, he's a good bluffer, I'll give him that...)
Sweetheart, you'll have to do better than that if you're going to try to intimidate me. Though I will say, that's not a bad try at--

Succubus Woman is suddenly bombarded with dozens of Energy Slashes which begin to scratch her many times over.

I believe in the good in everyone. Whether that be the ones responsible for the cruel devastations across my home world, or my counterparts. Anyone can change if they try hard enough.
A-aaagh!
But that does not mean I am willing to stand by and watch you unfairly imprison my friend in his own mind, all the while refusing to let him go. I am not going to lose anyone else. Be it by chance or by fate.

Defteros uses their Seraph Saber to throw a gust of wind at her path, knocking her into a wall.

You can release him at any time.

---

??? What appears to be MKII suddenly exits the Viral Pattern state, falling backwards in exhaust Meanwhile, someone else walks up in front of him, seeming to be responsible for this.

So, this is the truest extent of your capabilities? Utterly pathetic. To think you would've made a promising challenge.
Impossible!! What manner of power is this!? One that dwarfs God's own in such spectacular manner!?
Fool.

The person backhands MKII, sending him tumbling yards away.

The only god here is the one which appears in front of you. The one and only...
P-please spare--

The figure points at MKII, who is instantly obliterated without a second thought.

And he... is...
...Awesome.

I'unno about you guys, but I'm gonna--

All of them (including the Jewel) fire Laser Beams from their eyes in an attempt to vaporize the Astro Crushes, or at least lessen the impact. Unfortunately, Red gets caught it a minor fraction of this countermeasure, damaging him.



The Black Jewel seems dormant... almost as if it's meditating.

While Hammer-Bots go on the offensive, attacking everything around them with Hammer Arms, another bunch seem to hold a position closely towards the Black Jewel, guarding him.

Everyone else does their best to dodge, with Wanda out of range, throwing Guriguri Embers at them from afar.

You ever play chess?
WAKA-WAKA WAKA-WAKA. (I play some speed games with my kids every now and then. What about it?)
I feel like that's kinda the same principle behind what's going on here. Well, at least if if the King was also the Queen and everyone else were akin to Pawns.
(I could've sworn these guys weren't as fast a minute ago...) The point being?
The queen is the most powerful piece, but the king is also the the most susceptible piece on the board. Does that make sense?

---

Black Jewel (???) | Level 50 | HP: ??? (100%) | ATK: ??? | DEF: ??? | SPE: ???
Hammer-Bots (Jewelized) | Level 25 | HP: 100%* | ATK: 300 | DEF: 300 | SPE: 450 ⯅

*Meant to represent the actual number of Hammer-Bots and their overall conditioning

---

Hammer Arm (Impact)- The user swings and hits with its strong and heavy fist. It lowers the user's Speed, however.
Guriguri Embers (Flame/Missile)- Wanda releases a living scorching fireball which can withstand several hits before disappearing. Does double the damage on Affinities.

Marauding Air Cruiser You utter moron... Nnn... this is bad... must... regain... control--


Suddenly, tentacles begin to grow from under the Black Jewel, revealing a slightly more... grotesque version of him.

fσσlísh humαns, thє tímє hαs cσmє tσ pєrísh. wαrs, grєєd, αnd αll hαvє вєєn thє cσnsєquєncє σf чσur pєttч qṳ͒αrєĺ̰ḻ̏í̩̿ng,͙̃ αn͇̎d̫́ í ̢̅sh̯̆ά̬l̨͓̾́l̡̾ ͔̃̓͢tα̘̍ǩ̯є͇̅̈́͟ ̢͋í̘͊͢͝t̡̚ ̻̚nσ̭̆ ̬͞ḷ̢͆͂σ̠̀n̩̩͋̿ǵ̻̓͢є͎̃ṛ̀. ͒͟p̛͈̺̉rє̣̐̍͜p̛͈̣̦̃̓α̪̠̬͆̿͠ȑ̙͂̿͜ͅє̞̐ ͖̰͆̿tσ̧̫̺͋́̄ ̮̟͌̚f̬͕̆̃є̩̬̒͠єl̦̇ ͕̲̫̌͠͡t̥̓h͕̼̬͑͘̚є̮̥̙͒͂̕ ͙̀ủ̜̤̣͔̽͡͡ṉ̫̱̓͌͐в̹̆r̢͍̀̕į̜́̏͒d̦̝̜̃̿̑̕͟l̠̍єd͈͌͜͝ ͂͟w͇̾r̟͔̽̚α̱̂ẗ̗ĥ̲͉̈ ̦̂σ̰̻̻̉̏͐f ̤̹͂́α̖͗ ̧̛̻͙́̈́m̢̛̦̠̻̞̍̐̚͠í̙̮̥̝̤̊̐̔̄͝l̢̤̳̝̟̇͊̆̚͠ļ̲̤͇̘̾̽̃͊̕í̢̬͕͙͍́̆̎͋͝σ̛̣̰̗̬͉̈́͒̈̍n̛̳͎̩̦̂͂̐͘͜ ̻̰͇̤̜̆͌̑͂͠є̼͚̺͉͈̑͋̍̈̀v̺̟̲͖̉̒̂͠͡ͅí̻̗͓͚͖̀̃̂̑͞ļ͉̣͇̹͐̏̒̀͘ ̧̢̟͖̽̆́͞͠ͅs͕̩̲͑͋͑̔͟͟͠ṗ̲̯͔̠͉̈̀̾͠í̱͍͍̹͔̓͊͆̂͋r̤̙̩͈͛̐̌̈́̔͟í̬͉͔̯͔̏͌̂̓͛t̯̺͖̲̺̍͋͌͞͡s̡̫̙̺̲̎̅͌̅͞!̬͖͇̦̟̀̌́͘͝


The robots begin to unveil themselves.

just αs thє єvíl ín mαn ís α plαguє thαt rαíns dσwn σn thє єαrth, wє̗́ w̢̿í̯̓ll̦̂ ̍ͅв̮́є͙̔ ̜̕t̳̀h̲̄є̤̑ ̟̒p͇̏є̝̑š͉t̡̅ḭ́̈́͑͜l̙̋є͙͐ncє̠͞ tσ̹̀͢͡ ̱͋t̮͙̳͑̿͝h͚̀σ̳̹̜͆̎͡s͕̭͎̓̌͐є̢͊ ̳̊w͕͈͘̚h̤̒σ̛̛̤̝̳̍ ͙̖͙͒̈͞d͇͚̞̆̀͗α̛̳͘͢r͡ͅє͇̄ d̥̖͋̎͟͠є͕͈̻͈̆̐͞͡f̲̅ч ̳̲̙̝́̓̔͝t̺̐h̨̖͖͉́̀̔̓є̝̞͒̓ ̜̾ń̳͙̈́α̧͓̝̤̮̌̊̏͞͞t̳̳̒̈́͒̀͘͜͜͟u̡̨̜͖̻͐̀̀͒̕r̡͙̙̗͗̽̈́͊͝ͅα̡̜̤͎̫̑̓̿̒̏l̢̻̺̦͓̊͆̿͛̈́ ͍̦̝̦̺͗͛͒̄̒σ̭̞̺͇͕̓̅͐̈́̚r̢̯̥̞̺͐̓̂̋͡ḑ̫̦̰̳̏̏͛̐̆є̲̹̮͙̼̐͌͆̀̀r͓̮̭̻̤̉͋̏̂͘.͚̠̖̖̺̇̽͂̀͠

Everyone else finally lands.

This is... not good.

Marauding Air Cruiser - Docks The Time Arrow hits, but...

---

Marauding Air Cruiser - Halls Count Cannoli and Mad Sciencestein, seemingly in a hurry, both head for the docking area. Sciencestein on foot and Cannoli in his Mat Hat I.

What do you think could be waiting for us on the outside?
Whatever it is, it likely isn't a friend!
How do you suppose the jewel is faring on his own?
Disregarding off chances, he should be able to handle things on his own quite well... as long as his weak point isn't targeted.
He'll be injured?
Oh, Cannoli... If only it were that simple.

---

cont

The Scramble Thunder nails the Spearhead, doing a large amount of damage to it, as well as frightening Mad Sciencestein, who was right beside him.

Man, today just isn't my day...
What was that!? Wh-- what just happened!?
Something, or someone... has shot us. In case, though, you should probably notify the others.
R-- right! I'll be back before you could say "Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis"!

Sciencestein runs off, while the Black Jewel himself sighs.

There really is no use in trying to figure those homo sapiens out, is there? Oh, well. Time to investigate.

Black Jewel begins scanning towards the area the Scramble Thunder came from, while the robots perform the outside-dock equivalent of five-point room scan. But from above...

Heh. Of course 'ey don't even notice that the guys looking for... are above them.

Red prepares two Power Bombs in his hand, while Pac-Man prepares to drop a Dire Hydrant. Joe throws a Voomerang, and all three seem to aim for the middle-most section of where the robots are located.

---

Marauder's Air Base - Cannoli's Room Count Cannoli seems to be doing a karaoke of sorts before Sciencestein breaks in.

I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world~ life in plastic, it's fantastic! You can--
Cannoli, something's gone wrong in the dock u--

Upon realizing what he's walked in on, a heavily awkward silence begins to weigh in on the two.

...
Forget what happened here and pretend that this never happened forever?
You read my mind, Sciencestein, old boy.

Suddenly, the two of them hear large series of explosions coming from the you-know-where.

...You were referring to your docking site predicament?

---

Voomerang (Speed/Cutter)- An extremely thin and fast boomerang that has cutting capabilities, and comes back when thrown in certain angles.
Dire Hydrant (Explode/Impact)- Type of Fire Hydrant. When sustained with enough damage, thrown, or dropped from far enough, will explode.

Mega City Just what is the correlation between you two!? Tell me!
No.
Tell me!
Didn't you just scold me on that dumb "Show, don't tell" philosophy of yours? So it's only fine when the information is especially convenient to you, huh? Hypocrite.
Yeah, I deserve that.
----
Hold on a minute, who do you think you are!? Defteros! Use Cut!
Def!

Defteros aggressively charges at Succubus Woman, who very nonchalantly dodges a swift series of slices.

I would've ALSO explained how I'm doing what I'm doing, but since you share such a disdain for exposition, I'll just kick the crap out of the both of you.

Succubus Woman then weaves to the side again, dodging a wide slash before striking back with a powerful kick to Defteros's stomach!

Ooooh... Yep, that's my celiac plexus..
Hey! Nobody abuses him but me! And stop acting like you can't just instantly heal yourself back to normal.

Proteus points at her, the shield turrets firing an array of lasers... which go through her as she casually walks towards Proteus.

Oh, please...

Opening her wings, she prepares to swipe at him.

There's more than enough to go around.

Trying to call his shields back, Proteus quickly--

---

Goddamn it... ow! My eyes are stinging like crazy... What happened?

Okay. So the WHORE hit Defteros, then suddenly everything started going through her. And then----


Oh... So this is your mindscape, hmm? Very comfortable~


...What?


Your mindscape. The place that contains all your thoughts, your memories, etcetera, etcetera. Huh... so this is what the so-called deity has accomplished? Underwhelming. But who's that other red and grey hunk? Just Oozing with the smell of death and destruction... He's rather pretty...

STOP IT.

Spoilsport.

How are you-- doing this!?

You haven't figured? I'm only reading your mind. And I have to say... I'm somewhat disappointed. For someone who is so adamant on their portrayal in a negative light, you haven't been much of an antagonizing force as of late. And don't get me started on these insecurities... If I tried looking through them all, I'd be here for eternity!

Get the hell out of my memories before I atomize you!

Cute. The puppy can bark after all.

While I would love to stay and chat, I would love even more to dive into just these fantasies of yours contain. Shall we?


Wha

---

...
What did you do to him?
Trapped him in his memories. Since he likes nitpicking so much, he can do it in there.
Let him go!
Oh. I didn't know he meant so much to you. Since you insist, I'll release him right away.

Hearing this, Defteros begins to perk up.

Really!?
No.

...Riiiiiight! And as a man who take great pride in his extensive intellect, such a fate would never befall me--

Before Sciencestein can finish speaking, Black Jewel walks through.

Okay so one of you invertebrates left the backdoor open, but luckily for ya'll I noticed before anyone could take advantage of your crippling ineptitudes.
...Ugh.

Black Jewel begins to look around.

Hmph. Don't tell me this is the robot army you have in store.
What? How dare you insult my craft!
Do believe me, it is the ounceling of respect for you within me that is keeping my opinion frank.
...

After seconds of silence, Sciencestein finally breathes a sigh of defeat before rearing his head to the Black Jewel.

What do you propose?
One sec.
Woop!

...
...
...
...






Man, I really am rusty.