The Ancient Ones: Age of Nothingness (IC)

[Prusselanden]

Matoran: Heroes
Quetz confessed to Commander Shepard.

"I was corrupted by the Reapers after they kidnapped me and ordered to unleash destruction upon the universe. The corruption completely took control of my mind. All I thought of during that time was to destroy universes and aid the Reapers. I'm sorry....If I only could have resisted their corruption, this could have been all avoided..."

He sighed and lowered his head in shame. "I should apologize for destroying the cultists' home and turning them into refugees. I was truly a terrible person, but I swear I will never do it ever again."

Konny slightly jolted as the sinister voice echoed through Yoko's head. Even if her powers of the mind were primitive at the most, she still had the strong hunch of another psychic nearby as well.
"I think we better get along with Catgirl here. We don't know who else is in here."

Possibility held Chell close protectively. "It's all over now...we're safe." he assured her.

Ignis looked at Quetz with concern, worried about whether he could be forgiven or not. She knew he had done something unforgivable, but to be fair, he was possessed by the Reapers, and in the end, he was remorseful to his actions.
She looked over at Yoko, who was still struggling. Sighing, she walked over to the Kitsune. "Ve aren't going to hurt you. You just need to do the same. Ve vant to help you. Ve understand you." she explained to her, hoping to convince her.

[Legokiller]

Sith Shrine

“How can it be so foolish when skills for pretending to fit a role allowed me to follow a career path as an actress? I built a successful actress career in the Kalosian Movie industry and traveled across the world. Besides I found out the truth about the other Revan in the multiverse and he was a pure dark entity of you, so keep on laughing mister, you don’t bother me anymore.” Serena waved off Revan.

Serena ready herself, jesting the sith ghosts to come at her, and activated her pink colored lightsaber. Serena looked at her daughters. “Don’t worry sweethearts, I’ll protect you from these ghosts.”

“Well I wasn’t afraid of Darth Vader wannabes anyway.” Rosa joked and waved for Lillia to come forward. “Lillia, use shadow ball.” The Shiny Gardevoir leaped in front of Rosa and fired powerful purple shadow balls at the ghosts. Rosa pointed her finger at them, and fired rounds of psychic bolts at the sith ghosts and used her left hand to lift others with her telekinesis. She threw those ones towards the ceiling.

“Help your sister Marion and use shadow balls.” Camille took a deep breath to allow Marion to cast shadow balls at the Sith ghosts. Camille focused her powers to be placed towards a specific obscene part of her massive twins, with powerful plasma magic. With a quick flash, she fired plasma beams at the Sith ghosts.

Serena quickly leaped in to duel the Sith. She clashed lightsaber against a couple of them, twirling and blocking each strike with impressive amount of skill. As if she was a natural professional lightsaber user. Her free handed fired a telekinetic blast like a strong high wind hurricane towards the ones she wasn’t dueling against.

[Wheatley Laboratories]

Matoran: Heroes
Quetz confessed to Commander Shepard.

"I was corrupted by the Reapers after they kidnapped me and ordered to unleash destruction upon the universe. The corruption completely took control of my mind. All I thought of during that time was to destroy universes and aid the Reapers. I'm sorry....If I only could have resisted their corruption, this could have been all avoided..."

He sighed and lowered his head in shame. "I should apologize for destroying the cultists' home and turning them into refugees. I was truly a terrible person, but I swear I will never do it ever oagain."

Konny slightly jolted as the sinister voice echoed through Yoko's head. Even if her powers of the mind were primitive at the most, she still had the strong hunch of another psychic nearby as well.
"I think we better get along with Catgirl here. We don't know who else is in here."

Possibility held Chell close protectively. "It's all over now...we're safe." he assured her.

Ignis looked at Quetz with concern, worried about whether he could be forgiven or not. She knew he had done something unforgivable, but to be fair, he was possessed by the Reapers, and in the end, he was remorseful to his actions.
She looked over at Yoko, who was still struggling. Sighing, she walked over to the Kitsune. "Ve aren't going to hurt you. You just need to do the same. Ve vant to help you. Ve understand you." she explained to her, hoping to convince her.

Zeta follows Ignis over to Yoko to try and help too.
"Yeah, what she said." he stated. "We're not the kind of people that kill... We help them! Seems slightly counter-productive now I've said it, but there you go."
The fire fox looked into her eyes. "You have to believe us..."

[Naval Monte]

Aquila

"A Geass? Wait does that have anything to do with Geas?" Hex asked, worried about the power that Thero has. Geas, the arcane created memetic agents use to enforce a set of rules, prohibitions and guidelines on a individuals. She knows about those memetic tools very well as AEGIS uses them against both enemies and civilians who knew too much on what they were never meant to know. She has used geas on a few people from time to time and was under a few herself. Hex has every reason to be weary of the power that Thero has for show knows that if the power is anything like the geas from her world they are in trouble.

Yet her mind soon turn from the power on Thero's eye to the echo of explosions and the news that there was now an fight outside against Japanese forces. With Thero now gone they were left with Henry. She has no weapons and tools and Strange himself is without his foci and is still under the effects of the drugs and Cain is gone and everyone is still restrained. Hex ran to a shelf and took out one of the grimoire, flipping through the pages she began to search for a spell to help the group.

"Connor if you're still here we can use your help." she called out. The crew would hear nothing from the ship's AI. But soon they would hear the whir of machinery as parts of the ceiling open up to reveal automatic turrets and sections of the wall open up to allow spherical floating robots to float out from their hiding spot and head towards Henry. Both turrets and robots began to open fire on Henry, neither intending to let the man or the thing that was once Henry live.

"Connor you're still here?" Hex was surprised to hear that the Ai was still present in the ship as she suspected that Thero would have tried to shut him down and take him for study. The holographic projection of the AI appeared. "Thero and his lackeys only caught a copy of me. I wouldn't worry too much on that as not only is the copy much dumber than I am it won't last long as it will eventually become a virus and try to infect their computers." Hex smiled at the AI. "Nice work Connor." the AI gladly took the complement and addressed to the group.

"Let the turrets and droids handle whatever the hell Henry became. We need you all free and armed." he turn to Samuel. "And you need to put on some clothing. Seriously now, there are children and women present." the AI teased at the bard. The door open by itself and soon he told everyone to move as the machines kept firing their rounds into Henry.

[Naval Monte]

As Jack was subdued by the guards, Cynder forced herself to land. She knew full well the city knew of her now. As she folded her wings, now healed enough for her to use them again, she also crouched down and sat, catlike, with her tail wrapped around her paws, bearing a fierce, blade-like terminus that she was capable of using like a sword. However, while her hide granted some measure of resistance to bladed weaponry, she was virtually defenseless against firearms. She considered using the initial moment to use her shadow magic and bore underground, but she didn't know if they were able to mount some kind of defense against her, or a field preventing her use of magic altogether. Stymied, she stated simply, "I seek your leader, for I knew her once and we fought side by side in battle, it is she who saved my Temple and knows how I may return home. I do not seek to harm you or your people, but attack me and I will defend myself."

Cynder would see the members of the city guard wearing a black bodysuit with many pieces of armor, both metal and leather, attached to the suit, the color also black with the helmets covering the faces of the group to mask their identity and to protect their faces. As the creature before them their body language gave away that they were surprised by Cynder being able to speak.

"That thing can talk?" a deep sounding male spoke out in surprise.

"How can that thing speak?" A female guard added in.

Soon the guards were ordered by their captain to stop asking questions as he looked down at the dragon, like the rest his face was obscured. "You claim to know the Matriarch? We will take you to see her but if we find out that you are lying you will pay for your deception." the guard warned as he order two of them to take Cynder to the same cruiser that Jack was in.

Once the two were in the car the police squad began to drive through the road, however they were not taking them to the Citadel as Cynder would have wanted. Instead they will find themselves inside the police station so they will be detained. The two were taken out of the vehicle and were lead inside the building. Once in they would see the many police officers and city guards inside the building along with a few robots made to assist with the police.

The two would see a few more people who were arrested being taken for questioning as Jack was lead down the hall to the cells, Cynder instead was lead to some chairs outside and was told to wait to see if the Matriarch can even leave the Citadel to see her. Once the door open the guard who was in charge of watching the cell took his eyes away from a monitor and looked at the two. "So if it isn't the crazy guy from the news. I hope you had the time of your life doing that little stunt of yours because chances are you won't see your bike ever again." The guard told Jack, the samurai staying silent. The guard got up and walked them down the cell until he open it and the guards that lead the two through the building shoved Jack into the cells, the door closed.

Now in his cell Jack sat on the floor and began to mediate, trying to find peace and to clear his mind so he can form a plan to escape from his cell. Elsewhere in the city Scaramouche was having the time of his life as he was sight seeing like a tourist in the city, while he was taking a break for his mission he didn't forget why he was here as during his sight seeing he was gathering information about the city and the twins, he knew which school to target to find them. It was only by luck that he didn't check the news to find out about Jack's arrest.

[Kaidou]

Manichean Plane
Realm II
Aincrad, Tóxene
IGSE Headquarters

Aquila

"Eyjuin!"

Upon stepping out of the door of the Aquila, the crew (including Samuel, who had dressed himself in a bathrobe) was greeted to the sight of Eyjuin, standing with his feet apart and holding a thumb drive, his chest bare. He appeared to be unharmed, except for the fact that half of his head had been completely blown off, leaving the herniated brain inside of his skull exposed. Already, his horrific head injury was beginning to regenerate, courtesy of his Rc cells.

"Thank goodness I've found you guys", he said, his usual upper-class accent still tinting his voice despite the gruesome wound on his head. "I've obtained some information which you might find interesting."

Samuel cocked his head.

"Aside from us", he said, walking closer, "there's one other prisoner in this entire fortress. Strangely, there's no information about him registered in the entire database."

"You mean", said Wong Tjin-fei incredulously, "you spent all this time hacking into their databases?"

"That is correct", said Eyjuin. By then, the wound on his head had visibly recovered to some extent, his brain slowly reforming. "But it appears that we're in deep shit. You see, this fortress is only the tip of the iceberg that is the IGSE's entire force."

Yocchi nearly puked.

"Anyway, about this prisoner... he was simply listed as 'F.F.'. No other information was given, which is rather strange, because all of us had extensive write-ups and all..."

"Where is he kept?" Samuel asked.

Eyjuin pointed down one of the corridors.

"At the end of this corridor", he said. "Room 115."

...

---

Elsewhere in the IGSE Headquarters

"Captain Lin, status report."

"General Hu, we have secured Level A. 16 enemies KIA. None of our men KIA. No sign of any officers. Awaiting further orders. Over."

"We've received a status report that an unidentified fleet is rapidly approaching our location; make haste, and get Matsushita's mercenaries. The portal jammers are beginning to fail."

...

[Prusselanden]

Aquila
"Eyjun san!" Ackerman slightly calmed down at the sight of Eyjun coming back. Truth be told, xe had missed the old ghoul. Uska let out a sigh of relief as he let go of the Prussian.

Frederick nodded in interest as Eyjun told them what he had found in the files.
"So, should we go free this mystery prisoner?" he asked him.

"Still, we need fto rescue Jan-Ci and Ceiji." Uska said.

[Naval Monte]

Manichean Plane
Realm II
Aincrad, Tóxene
IGSE Headquarters

Aquila

Hex was surprise but ultimately was glad to see someone from the ship was still alive, even if their head was a mess. Hex looked at the thumb drive that Eyjuin was holding and was curious about it. When the old ghoul began to tell them that he found some valuable information Hex heard him out as he told everyone about a prisoner that the IGSE was keeping a secret.

"So a mystery prisoner. If the IGSE has him in prison than he may become a valuable ally if we release him." when Ceiji and Jan-Ci were mentioned Hex turn to Uska. "We will rescue them as well along with this mystery prisoner." Hex soon began to run down to the corridor that Eyjuin pointed. Now wearing a strike force exoskeleton power armor and armed with a gauss rifle along with several other weapons she felt less exposed.

From the ship five quadrotor drones came out and followed Hex. A six emerged and from a projector attached to it the miniature holographic form of Connor emerged. "Eyjuin wasn't the only one to hack into their systems. I had some of the other AIs in the ship sneak around the computer mainframe to find some useful information about this place. Like where Ceiji and Jan-Ci are being held." he told the group.

Should Hex encounter any soldiers in her way the group would hear the sounds of the gauss rifle and the machine guns of the drones going off. "I think we better follow Hex before she finds our mystery prisoner before us." Connor's form vanished as the drone flew off to follow after Hex.

[Kaidou]

Manichean Plane
Realm II
Aincrad, Tóxene
IGSE Headquarters

Aquila

"We should make use of those invading forces to get out of here ASAP", rasped Samuel, clutching the belt of his bathrobe in an attempt to look as menacing as one wearing a bathrobe could look. "We're not going to lose any more people here. So let's just get Jan-ci and Ceiji and our mystery prisoner and then GTFO."

"What about my dad?" Yocchi interjected, the bitterness evident in his voice. "What about Arjun and Nekoma?"

"We have no conformation they're anywhere here", Samuel spat back. "We're not gonna go looking for people we don't even know are still around."

"Sadly, I have to agree", said Eyjuin, shaking his head, which by then had fully recovered. "I couldn't find any information on where the others are."

"And you're just gonna let them die?" Yocchi yelled back, on the verge of tears. Yotsuha stood pensively at the side, watching the scene without so much as a second word. "You're just gonna leave them in the fire?!"

"So you're so powerful that you can go find them? Poor kitchen hand? Unwanted bastard child?"

"SHUT UP!" Yocchi screamed, losing his composure completely. "YOU SHUT UP!!!"

Without another word, Samuel stormed up to Yocchi and, with the back of his hand, viciously struck the Japanese boy across the face, so hard that he fell down with a yelp of pain, crashing onto the ground. Yotsuha reeled back in abject shock.

"Stop it!" Wong Tjin-fei snapped. "We've no time to waste bickering about this!"

"Maybe you should take over our group, since you're so smart and capable", Samuel murmured, as Yocchi staggered to his feet, the tears streaming down his cheeks as he rubbed his sore cheek, on which a welt was beginning to form. "Come. Lead us on to our eternal triumph against Thero, o great immortal beacon of everlasting seraphic light."

Yocchi said nothing. He choked on his own tears.

...

[Naval Monte]

Manichean Plane
Realm II
Aincrad, Tóxene
IGSE Headquarters

Aquila

Sadly for Yoochi is only hope on figuring out where the missing crew are flew off to chase after Hex as she kept taking out any soldier that dared to get in her way. The frustration of the whole day now exploding in the form of her fury against anyone bearing the symbol of the IGSE. The drone relentlessly shot down anyone even those who begged for mercy.

Strange saw the whole scene as now he was starting to feel somewhat better. He can sympathize with the boy and he would have helped but without his sling ring he can create any portals to help him. "I can't leave here just yet either. I need to retrieve the Eye of Agamotto and my Sling Ring. The latter is how I can make my portals and the former contains powerful temporal magic and we all can agree that we don't want Thero to keep a powerful relic like that." He said to the group.

Strange can use both the sling ring to appear in the many levels of the room and using the eyes he can have all the time in the world to search throughout the facility for the missing crew. Strange knelt down to Yoochi and gently pulled him back up. Strange glared at Samuel as he walked up to him. "I don't know what you are trying to prove with that display but I will not allow you to harm the boy again."

As the group bickered with themselves Hex would see that she was getting close to the door, however this was also the same time Jahvi finally made his move as he used his powers to make all of the cell doors open, letting the prisoners out.

[Kaidou]

Manichean Plane
Realm II
Aincrad, Tóxene
IGSE Headquarters

Aquila

Not a single prisoner left the now opened cell doors of the prison level, Level G.

There were no prisoners, after all. It was upon inspection of the rooms that that was figured out; every single room was empty, devoid of anybody or any trace of prior human occupation.

Except, of course, for the final room: Room 115. Cain's magic had failed to open that particular door. And yet, no sound came from within.

Turning his head to look at Strange, his hazel gaze duelling with the other magician's grey eyes, Samuel craned his neck such that his thick hair hung off his head, out of his fringe.

"We aren't going to tolerate weakness now, are we?" he inquired sadistically, his pupils contracting to fullstops. "You mean to say that we're going to pitifully and weakly charge into Thero's office and then bravely and gallantly fall on our knees and beg to be released? I think not."

He turned to Yocchi, but by then, the boy was gone.

...

Yocchi refused to stay any longer.

In a fit of bitter rage, the moment Strange had helped him to his feet, the boy had run down one of the corridors. Where he planned to run to was beyond his own knowledge, but by then, he had lost faith in whatever it was that he once had faith in. Down the corridor he went, the tears streaming down his face.

Until he reached Room 115.

"Where are you running to?"

Yocchi stopped in his tracks. From the room had come the voice of a little girl, perhaps barely seven, yet already mildly and eerily calculative in its tone. What a seven-year old girl was doing in a prison cell in the fortress of an inter-dimensional military corporation was beyond fathoming.

"Oi. Where are you running to?"

This time, Yocchi turned to face the door.

"I don't know", he said.

Silence for a moment.

"Sadly, you can't go on for much longer without your sense of direction, yes?"

"Oi! Yocchi! Come back! We need to get going!" The voice of Wong Tjin-fei echoed down the long corridor as the former café owner, with all the strength he still possessed after the ordeal, came running after the boy.

Yocchi tiptoed and nervously looked through the window of the cell. It was a tinted window; he could see nothing. But the silhouette of the girl was faintly visible upon the brown glass that broke the monotony of the iron door.

"Who are you?"

The girl's silhouette stood up.

"My name is F.F."

...

---

ISS Demaxia
Thero's Flagship

"To be quite honest, I had no idea what that thing in the orange man's body was doing in the Aquila, but since Director Haikarakainen sees no value in the AEGIS ship's technology or in holding on to the Aincrad fortress, I say that point's kinda moot now."

In the office of Thero's personal warship, the Demaxia, there was nothing; only a desk with a computer on it, as well as a swivel chair for the Tshno to sit upon when communicating.

And, on that particular occasion, there was Junichi Nekoma. Or rather, there was Junichi Nekoma's body, hanging by the neck from the ceiling and swinging creepily in circles, naked from the waist down.

"So... to answer your question... we are jumping ship. Now, we've lured those idiots from the Sino-Japanese Alliance for Democracy all into Aincrad; we can decide what to do with them. After all, our multiverses are now linked; it would make lots of sense for us to capitalise on this opportunity."

Slowly taping four cigars together, Thero crossed his legs, reaching for a pen. He tested the pen on Nekoma's dead calf, before bringing it back to the desk; pulling a paper out from under the desk, he hurriedly penned a letter onto a touchscreen, in the indigenous Tóxene language, Tóxā, which he was fluent in.

Lām Jhih-yun,

Dājjs mjōjs korb xu vnáj slek gōr úvvū dziejjmhrks Jhān-cih ōvo xu xū nur gjajjojj pekah jhnōg slek njajs mjóbs korn tōjj jjajjhrng gōyyog ūgog dzúdō. Xu vhuon tōi njajs ōrd xu dājjs.

Sjkajj sji, acsō ruóūn nujj xu dzaxcs.

Ūrd Dzsnō Théró Jōnian Jira

"That should do for now", Thero said to himself, chuckling as he lit up his 4-in-1 cigar, puffing away on the comically long stick. "I hope he authorises my little endeavour... hehe..."

"Surely, you can control your hormones for that woman just a little?" The person on the other end of Thero's screen inquired.

"Oh, of course I can. It's just that I need a little bit of entertainment to spice up my stressful schedules... Y.Y."

...

[Novaya Equestria]

Flagship Atlas, 1st Battle Fleet
Allied Expeditionary Forces
Earth's Orbit, Solar System
Red Alert: Tokyo

"We're no longer in contact with Kongou, sir." The Atlas communications officer reported. "Fleet, this is Admiral Borealis Norsoutha. Activate your stealth systems to hide our warships and everything. Battleship Kongou informed me that a large robot here is a possible threat. She never told me more about why, but I believe that large robot actually contains a universe inside. I think that's the one our Benefactors told us about, but never gave us the details due to limited intel. Anyways, activate your stealth systems. Glad the Benefactors gave us this stuff!" Admiral Borealis said as the SHAEF warships activated their stealth systems, hiding them from the large robot.

"Since we managed to arrive here, it's time we can have our meals." Admiral Borealis added. Many personnel on board the SHAEF warships went to the mess halls and cafeterias to take their meal. Other SHAEF personnel grabbed and ate their food at where they're at. "Time for me to eat my favorite!" Admiral Borealis said as he poured KoKo Krunch cereals and milk into an empty bowl. He then eats them with his spoon. "You got the same cereals as I have, Borealis." Vice Admiral Ushanka said, also eating KoKo Krunch cereals. "Meh, that's because we like eating these kind of stuffs." Borealis responded. "Same, but I'll eat them for tomorrow's breakfast. I'm eating pancakes Kisaragi and I made." Vice Admiral Pina said as she and Kisaragi enters the bridge, eating pancakes.

"Our meal's randomized, guys. We always have to eat what we choose." Admiral Borealis replied. "I'll be having oatmeal for my snacks. Now, if you don't mind, I'll be watching The David Childerley Show... or whatever it is, and anything I'll watch." He added. "You've gotta be kidding me." Ushanka spoke plainly.

[Prusselanden]

Aquila
"Yocchi...?" Ackerman had chased after the boy down the hall. "What's wrong? Did you see something?" Xe asked as Xe followed him into the room, stopping at the sight of F.F.

"Huh..." Ackerman reached into xer coat in case F.F. Posed any danger to him, but wasn't too wary about the prisoner.

"You're F.F.? What's your real name?"

[Naval Monte]

Manichean Plane
Realm II
Aincrad, Tóxene
IGSE Headquarters

Aquila

Jahvi was glad that in his state no one can hear him scream in pure rage as nothing happened with his plan. The hallways that he was in would have the lights blow out and the cameras malfunction as the cell doors would fly off their hinges as the nepharite began to let his powers go wild due to his rage.

With Samuel after he accused Strange of letting weakness lead the group the sorcerer supreme show no change of expression, yet without warning the bard would feel Strange turn him to face him and would have his fist impact on his face. Before Samuel can respond he would feel a fist on his stomach and then he would feel Strange elbow him on the back of the head.

"You think I would lead us with weakness and meekly surrender to Thero. Did I do that to the bastard that harmed Yotsuha? Did I surrender when Dormammu tried to invade my world? No, I fought against them but I never harmed those who can't fight. You think being heartless makes you strong but it doesn't, it just makes you pathetic." he said to the bard as he kicked him right between the legs. The sorcerer began to walk away from the bard to search for the prison cell and for Yoochi.

Hex was started with the doors were all open and admittedly was nervous when she saw that no one was behind the doors. Hex wonder why all of the cells were open as she checked each one. The drone containing Connor had be now reached her and as his holographic form floated next to her to examine the cells he said. "I have a bad feeling about this." she didn't say anything as she agreed with him.

Eventually the two would hear Wong and they would use his voice to head towards his direction as he chase after Yoochi who was already in the cell the two were going to.

[Aeternabilis]

Alex's Apartment

Ivan nodded at Pobeda and Bloodfyre. "Da, I used powers. Girl is... very strange. From vhat I saw, she only attacked us because science douche threatened to cease his support of her if she didn't." "That's a little weird," Ann said, handing an ice pack from Alex's freezer to her husband. "Seems like a supervillain like her would be all about fighting the heroes, right?" "Zhat is thing. I do not believe she is villain." Eyebrows raised around the room at that comment. "I think the charred remains of D.C. would disagree," Marcus said. He grimaced and rubbed his wound a bit. "As would my burned chest. What makes you think that?" Ivan sighed. "It is hard to explain, but I can sense zhat vhat motivates her is a desire to do good and help people. Being from shithole North Korea, she believes best vay to do this is to destroy all oppressive governments. It is clear zhat Abakelia has her convinced that all governments are oppressive." Joshua whistled. "You got all that from motivation sense?" Ivan shrugged. "Is useful power."

[Mundeo]

Sith Shrine

Force ghosts. Of course it was force ghosts. James knew that he was going to have to fight something to get to the last piece of the sword, and he knew that it was going to be force ghosts. Revan and Bane didn't even get involved in the fight; they wanted to test them if they can remove the abyss from this shrine... as if James cared about that! Why would he help two Siths on removing abyssal corruption from their temple?

"Okay" James started, taking out the spear and waving it at where Revan used to be before he vanished. "I'm only doing this so I can get the sword. Not because I have any interest in helping you"

It was ammusing to take on the force ghosts without them knowing that one of their opponents can teleport. One Sith came charging, his red lightsabre in hand, but before he even got close, James teleported behind him and impaled him on the spear. A holy weapon piercing a supernatural being had just the effect that the Halfblood expected. The ghost tensed up, light flooding from where the spear had peirced him, then from cracks that formed all around his body. With a spectral wail, the Sith vanished in a brilliant flash of light. That light caught the attention of the majority of the ghosts that weren't already fighting someone, and they all charged at James.

This shouldn't be an issue.

Meanwhile, Damian was satisfied to see that they were, indeed, fighting force ghosts. "I knew it! Now, what weapon should I use..." He ran through his mental compendium of the weapons that were at his disposal. At the same time, one of the Sith ghosts caught sight of him and charged. The poor ghost did not know what to expect when it was suddenly blasted back by a ball of fire. Damian didn't have the time to pick a proper weapon; for now, he just had to fight.

[Kaidou]

Manichean Plane
Realm II
Aincrad, Tóxene
IGSE Headquarters

The door to F.F.'s cell clicked, and then swung open with a groaning noise, revealing the person who had been contained within.

She was a little girl with long brown hair that reached to her calves. Her clothes, a simple matching set of grey prison pyjamas, gave her a rather eerie appearance, complimenting her fringe, which obscured half of her face; her one visible eye had an iris blacker than anything anyone had ever seen.

Her gaze fixed intensely with Yocchi's the moment the door came to a halt, as if she had already singled him out from across the mere physical confinement of iron and concrete. Wong Tjin-fei, upon catching up and seeing what was inside, had no words.

"You're a very conflicted individual, I see", said F.F., looking into Yocchi's eyes. "I can read it in your face. You're... frustrated... about those who surround you. Like you cannot tell who your real friends are. You're afraid."

Yocchi gulped.

She slowly walked towards the door, scanning the other individuals.

"You're all conflicted people", she said. Turning to Ackerman, F.F. added, "You, in particular, are confused. About your identity. About your roots. Are you not?"

The lights flickered.

The entire crew fell into silence. The elevator at the end of the corridor rang, as its doors slowly opened to reveal its contents.

"Hm? I see Lord Thero's prisoners are plotting to escape neh."

...

Samuel, groggily, climbed to his feet, watching as Strange slowly walked away from him down the corridor, blood dribbling from the side of his mouth.

"Being heartless makes you pathetic? This is coming from the surgeon who saved people just to get rich", he spat, literally releasing a globule of bloodied saliva onto the ground. "The one who refused to help poor souls because he was afraid of tarnishing his reputation and losing his wealth."

He planted his feet apart.

"You're no better than me!" he declared, the sandiness of his voice echoing through the large halls and all their corridors. "Stephen Vincent Strange! We're one and the same, you and me!"

It was then that Samuel IX was stabbed in the back.

"I'm sorry it has to come to this, Samuel."

"You-"

The Un-man, its body still riddled with the bullet wounds inflicted by the Aquila's turrets, tore the knife out of Samuel's latissimus dorsi, flicking the blood onto the ground and licking the remnants off the knife, as the bard collapsed onto his knees and landed face down on the ground. What used to be Henry's face now bore no resemblance to Henry at all.

Without pausing, the Un-man charged after Strange, but from his posture and stances, it seemed like it wasn't planning to attack the sorcerer at all; he wanted to catch up with him. To speak with him.

"Where do you go?" it inquired robotically. "Why are you leaving so quickly?"

...

[Prusselanden]

Aquila
"Is this true, Yocchi?" Ackerman turned to Yocchi and asked the boy. "It's ok if it is. Tell the truth."
Xe inched closer to him protectively, staring at F.F.

"What prisoners?"


-
Frederick's eyes widened as Samuel was stabbed.
"Oh no..." he went over and picked the bard up. "Hey...stay with me. Hey." Frederick took off his jacket and attempted to use it to staunch the bleeding.

Uska muttered a few words as the runes on the wall began to glow and shot out metal projectiles at the Un-man.

[The Intergalactic Russian Empire]

Alex's Apartment

Eric gave a small smile and took the ice pack from Ann, putting it on the back of his head "Thanks. dear. Care to have a seat here?" Meanwhile Pobeda nodded at what Ivan said "What he says is true, but it's just the surface. I read her mind after seeing him recoil." He sighed, rubbing his forehead before continuing "Her name is Dal Ji-Yeong, 25 years old, born in Hamhung, North Korea. Her life was okay until about 10 years ago, when her parents got on the wrong side of the government. Her family and her were rounded up and shipped off to a place called "Reeducation Camp No. 9" where she was separated from her parental figures and other family members and forced to work years, enduring starvation and beating before finally being able to escape about a year and a half ago. She thinks all governments are oppressive and evil like the one she grew up under, and wishes to destroy them all to free the people from their tyranny." he shook his head "While I understand where she's coming from here, it does not justify the murder of thousands of innocent people."

Matoran Universe: Heroes

Kadoor nodded and smiled back to Clairus "No problem. Just doing my part." she then walked off to the others "Does anyone else require healing?" the Troll walked over to Mercy, healing the injuries the doctor had sustained "There, I feel I might need your help fixing everyone up."

Sith Shrine

Draigo looked down at the others "The assailant was telling me to kill all of you." and just then the Sith Ghosts showed up. Draigo had no trust in Darth Revan and Bane, a feeling the others shared, but this was the only way through so there was no real choice. As the other sith apparitions appeared Draigo drew his sword and let out a large psychic attack at the beings, trying to overpower them with his mind.

[The Palmetto]

Alex's Apartment

Secesh sighed once more, and reached into the pocket of his pale, tattered uniform. His hand dug through the fabric, before he swiftly located a canteen filled with alchohol. It didn't have any significance, he must've accidentally brought it with him when he jumped universes. He placed it beside him as he sat, and dove into his thoughts.
I shouldn't have called that Cuban an island beaner, I can see why she and her lover are angry.[i] He thought to himself, starting to regret doing so. It was just a joke, but he didn't think they would react so negatively. He grabbed his canteen and drank from it, before reluctantly dragging himself over to Ann and Eric. Stooping down with his head low, he faced the two. They were shorter than him, so even with his back dragged down, he was still a decent height to the two of them.
"I....I reckon I'm sorry for calling you an [i]island beaner," he said with a low voice, embarrassed to have to apologize. He didn't like being wrong, and that would include apologies.

[The Dark Brotherhood of Deros]

MU - Heroes
N looked directly into Touko's eyes as he began to explain. He had somehow ended up in this universe after a wave of dizziness washed over him, and he woke up on a beach. After wandering about for a long while, he stumbled upon the Toa, who were at first cautious of him, but after he explained who he was, they felt better about him. They then explained how Teridax had taken control of their universe, and how the Ancient One Infinity had joined him.

"From there, I decided that I would help them in any way I could. The injustice they've suffered at the hands of this Teridax is unacceptable." He said to Touko. It was then that Fog approached the two, cloaking himself in his human illusion. "Miss Touko, Hero of Truth, it's been too long since we last met. I'm sure you've been alright?" The Zoroark inquired, a smile forming on his lips. Meanwhile Hanzo listened in on what Quetz was saying, and he could hear the guilt in the old god's voice. It would seem we both know guilt well. Hanzo thought.

Clairus could feel how guilty this had made Quetz, and she wished there was some way that she could help him. In her shyness however she said nothing, and simply stood there watching the group.

MU - Karzahni
Vuki and the group began to move through the caverns to reach an exit. As the group walked, they would stumble upon a rather peculiar sight. There was a small group of four Rahkshi, that were all encased in thick layers of ice. Vuki slowly approached one of them and touched it. "It's as if a blizzard swept through here and quick-froze them. But how?" He wondered. The other Matoran couldn't give him an answer, and so the group kept walking cautiously.

A little further down the cave the group found three more Rahkshi, all of which were frozen like before. "This isn't a coincidence. Something is down here hunting these Rahkshi." Jatora said, making Vuki nod in agreement with the Ga-Matoran. "Indeed. We should sneak-move quietly." He suggested.

[Legokiller]

Matoran Universe: Heroes

Commander Shepard found himself horrified and angered by the fact the ones behind the destruction of other worlds wasn’t Quetz anymore, it was the Reapers. “Damn it. This is worst than I thought: the Reapers can indoctrinate gods and control them to destroy entire worlds. Quetz, it wasn’t your fault, people tried to resist before, but the Reapers knew how to play them."

“What!” Iris exclaimed. “The Reapers can actually do that? Just, wait!” Iris carefully looked at Quetz and back at Shepard. “How is it that Quetz is free from the Reapers control? He doesn’t appear to have any cybernetic implants, or going loony from any voices in his head. What changed?”

“Quetz must been pretty damn lucky to escape the Reaper’s control, and I thought it was impossible.” Garrus said.

“Zeta!” Mei rushed over after the entire battle was over to where the Kitsune was managing to break free from the shadow's grasp. Mei’s usual bundle up winter coat attire was damaged, exposing part of her naval blue tank top. The chinese woman was more concerned about the memory flash that happened, and the war scene triggered it. It was remarkable for him to see another glimpse of his past, but a clear liability for Zeta in battle. “Are you okay?”

“For one, the firefox is fine, and two.” Yoko broke free of the shadowy arms and easily casted a shadow dart into her shadow, destroying such cursed spell. The kitsune stood up, and shivered a little. “That spell is so archaic. Anyone skilled enough shadow magic would have break free within seconds. Besides, why do you folks care about me?”

“Well, I can tell you do care about your child and the cult leader who controlled you to do these terrible actions.” Serena admitted. She kept a defensive position encase Yoko wanted to attack them again, but it might be unlikely. “I want to help you.”

“Well then, I see you three took good care of my N out there.” Touko gave a thumbs up to the Toa. She paused when Zoroark, which she causally nicknamed him Zorro, asked how she fared in the multiverse thus far and she darted her eyes away a little. “It’s rather complicated Zorro. You see, I did wanted to help my friends out besides being dragged into some war against the borg.” She explained to N about the deal with the Borg, and what happened in the world. “Their perfection involved having tacky tubes and other cyborg stuff from a landfill. when I tried to help out disable one ship… I got caught.” She admitted. “I was… turned into one of them.” She weeped a little.

Matoran Universe: Karzahni

The couple trek downwards into the cave, holding hands together. Selkie, restored and healed up, walked with Selene as her buddy and helped the young Alola champion’s mood. When the frozen Rahkshi appeared before the group, Selene can see Lillie quickly toughen up and got used to facing them thus far. However, the mystery of who freezed the group of Rahkshi came into question. They weren’t the ones the group battled.

Shiron, who cuddled up in Lillie’s arm, peaked her head to look at the Rahkshi, highly curious as well. “ We can safely cross out Shiron, since she wasn’t here. Same with Selkie.” Lillie remarked. When the next row of Rahkshi was seen, and more questions were asked by the matoran, Lillie looked at Selene. “There must be a creature or a person who is freezing them in place. ”

“Maybe it’s an ice warrior who has a beef against the Rahkshi and Teridax himself.” Selene replied. “Heh, looks like we have a mystery to solve gang.” She turned to look at Vuki, Guzma and Calyx. “You guys have any idea who would have done this?” Selene asked. When the Matoran agreed to sneak from head on, Selene and Lillie nodded. Selene knew searching for clues will be tough in a dark spooky cave with a being hunting Rahkshi. So Selene carefully moved her pinky toes to quietly move with the group.

[Prusselanden]

Matoran Cave
"Ignis and Tyrone killed me in my corrupted state. The Reapers' corruption wore off with my death. However, I was revived by Tyrone's master, a God of Life. And so I am free of the Reapers' control. Unfortunately, I was a very lucky case. Other people weren't so lucky...." Quetz sighed and explained to the group.

Ignis put up her arms defensively when Yoko broke free, but lowered them upon seeing the Kitsune was no threat to her or the others. "So...are ve...allies now? At least?" she asked the fox.

Konny merely looked on and felt a small cut caused by the battle. She surveyed the rest of her skeletons. Most were still alive. Some though, were on the ground, their bones scattered. She didn't really have the ability to bring them back. Konny picked up some of the bones and attempted to put them back together.

[Prusselanden]

Yunnan
The Blight was slowed down by the fire, but the elephants began to pick up speed. They crashed through thick jungle, causing numerous small animals and birds to scatter out of the way. The young were especially frightened, and some babies lost their mothers in the fray.

Finally, one of them became trapped in a pool of mud, trumpeting frantically. In the confusion, he couldn't make out his mother and neither could she see him. Konny saw this and immediately got down.

"You keep riding, Secesh! They'll take you where you ought to go!"
She ran over to the baby elephant and grabbed onto him, pulling.

[The Palmetto]

Yunnan

Secesh looked back, confusing to hold onto the elephant. Konny would be left behind, but he didn't care. It's not that he didn't like her, but if this is what was necessary to find his daughter, so be it.
"That was the plan," said coldly, briefly looking back before focusing on the path ahead. If Konny survived, they would set out on their quest once more. If she died, he would continue with out her.