[center][h3]Tora & Poppi[/h3]
[b]Level 8[/b] Tora (35/80) and [b]Level 8[/b] Poppi (13/80)
[b]Location:[/b] Sandswept Sky – Lakeside
Primrose's [@Yankee], Fox's [@Dawnrider], Sectonia's [@Archmage MC] Midna's [@DracoLunaris], Heavy's [@ONL]
[b]Word Count:[/b] 1122[/center]

After a moment of initial confusion when faced with Midna, the Scout took her words to heart. “My friends ain't here,” he corrected her, “But I'll head up 'n take potshots with the ol' rifle.” He turned his grappling hook upward and with its help zipped upward to the undercarriage of Vah Naboris itself. Well removed from the fighting, he swapped out his assault rifle for a long-range semi-automatic and made his way to a more secure perch.

The battle unfolding on the fringes of Lakeside took a sudden turn a few moments later when a heap of lightning, no less electrifying for its belatedness, dropped on the loosely-grouped bulk of the mercenary group. The sheer force of it threw them around, both out of cover and into nearby walls, leaving the whole bunch rattled. Suddenly deprived of covering fire, the point fighters scattered, only for the Inkling to find herself surrounded by Sectonia's minions. The Soldier sprinted away as ice and ink filled the air, past where the Heavy's phantom bullet breezed through the Spartan's energy shields and sent him off to wait for a respawn. He raced around a corner and up some stairs, headed for high ground. A glowing indicator on the HUD of his combat mask told him it was just about time to bring the pain.

He crested the top of a stone wall just in time to see the newcomers and traitors escaping across the edge of the battlefield, taking the route carved for them by Poppi moments earlier. No doubt they thought the sudden thunderbolt meant that they could make their escape. With a grim smile the old warrior activated his visor, and across the battlefield his voice resounded. “I've got you in my--!”

A blue dart lodged in his cheek, and in an instant paralyzing toxins raced through his body. He jolted upright, his innards seizing up and shutting down “Muh...muh...gahh...” With very little ceremony he tumbled from the high ground, his limp form bouncing off the architecture in comedic fashion.

Blue Poison snickered as she climbed over the cut chain link fence. “Until next time.” With a final glance at the thunderstruck mercenaries, who were just starting to recover, she ran after the others. Braum and his shield covered the group's flank as they made for Vah Naboris. From her foxhole in the sands below, Midna could see them approach, and it fell to her to make access to the Divine Beast a little easier for the grappler-deprived.

From where they soared above it all, Tora and Poppi took their measure of the scene. Although Midna's help with Vah Naboris give their allies the chance they needed to get away, it seemed like she wouldn't be tearing up Lakeside with the beast's hooves. The right choice, Tora knew, for the sake of their new friends, but not one that made his and Poppi's particular assignment any easier. “Hmm,” Tora murmured, mulling over the options as best he could at altitude. “It time for executive decision,” he announced after only a few seconds. “Forget case, meh. Can search for hours and still not find, and we not have hours. Instead we help friends. Let's go!”

“Roger, roger!” Poppi changed directions on a time and boosted toward the escapees. They spotted the Soldier go down just as he was about to let loose some kind of trump card, giving their friends the clearance they needed to make a break for it. With Naboris still standing, however, it would be some time before they were free, and the REDs and BLUs shocked by the divine beast's magic appeared to be getting up. Tora didn't know if Midna could manage both suppressible fire and hero collection at once, so he pointed Poppi straight toward the action. With a nod the artificial blade sped downward, generating the Variable Sabre for Tora to use before letting go. Her masterpon flew like a cannonball, smacking the Raider right in the back and bowling him over. He bounced among the mercenaries like  ricocheting bullet, until he hit a wall and unfurled into a blazing blur of Nopon fury.

The Totem swung at him, but his saber cut through her staff like it was a pretzel stick. Bunching his tiny legs up, Tora swung the beam blade upward, dispatching the stunned medic. The Raider lunged and brought his axe down on the rotund creature before him, only to stare in shock as it barely sank into his spongy skin. Tora simply turned around and slashed him across his exposed chest, causing the Raider to shrink back. He caught his fall with a planted leg and gritted his teeth. Tora stepped forward to deliver a thrust, only for a sniper bullet from the RED battlements to strike him head-on. He rolled over but ended up on his feet, still far from defeated, and struck the Raider again as he came in to finish him off. The Cunning looked at him like he was a monster. “What?! How?!”

Despite his bleeding, Tora grinned. “Tora super sturdy bod too tough for anything shrimpypons got! Right Poppi?”

His companion zoomed in with a flying kick to the Cunning's head. The woman hurtled into a nearby wall and slumped to the ground, out cold. Poppi came to a rest hovering above the ground, dusting her hands off. “That correct, masterpon!”

Tora pointed one wing toward the general area where the Infiltrator crouched atop the ramparts, sighting in on the Nopon once more. “Take out shootypon, meh!”

Without delay Poppi grabbed the Variable Saber. In her hand it rapidly converted to firing mode, awash with elemental energy. “Noponic Axiom!” The next instant a beam of dark energy streamed forth, sweeping across the battlements and flushing the Infiltrator from his hiding spot.

If the pair hoped the display of force would dissuade the mercenaries, however, they ended up disappointed. Gunfire kicked up sprays of sand and stone shards all around them, with a few projectiles striking the pair, and rather than put too much faith into his 'super sturdy bod' Tora elected to retreat. “Okay Poppi, it running time!” He allowed himself to be scooped up by his companion and the pair jetted out of there, back toward Vah Naboris. “Jump in middle of enemy team to disrupt well and good, 'til enemy switch focus!” Tora wheezed, his heart beating a mile a minute. The clang of DMR fire from the respawned Spartan against Poppi's chassis told them they weren't out of the woods just yet, and Tora's wounds wouldn't start healing until they were. “Meeh! Time to make like banana!” They sped toward the rest of the somewhat larger Yellow Team, hoping they bought their allies enough time.

[center]-=[b]Futaba's Palace[/b]=-[/center]

As the Thieves' admiration for Primrose's flourish faded away, the dancer posed her question. It received contemplative quiet for a moment, but whether due to camaraderie or just adrenaline, Joker seemed less guarded than usual. “Not where we're from, since this is ultimately still the Metaverse, but you're close.  We dug through a pyramid a like this once before. There's some differences, but the little things tell us it's the same. Or at least, close enough to try. If we're right, another one of us is somewhere in here. But why events are repeating themselves I can't say.” His voice grew more serious. “I hope not all is the same as last time.”

The arrival of the boulder put a quick end to any conversation. Joker's grappling hook gave him an easy way out, but he didn't even consider the idea of leaving his friends in the dirt. “If it's like last time, there should be a hole in the wall we can crawl through!”

“That's right!” Mona called. “Then we just need to solve the puzzle and break the machine!”

A few moments of looking around, however, turned up nothing. Suddenly the tension shot up again. Primrose, meanwhile, had been trying to forge a bond with one of the spirits, and the Pokemon seemed to take to her like a fish to water, as if made to have a master.

[center][hider=For Primrose]New Striker added:
[b][url=https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/thumb/5/5f/450Hippowdon.png/600px-450Hippowdon.png]Hippowdon[/url][/b]
The Heavyweight Pokemon, ground-type. Its ability, Sand Stream, spins up a sandstorm whenever it's summoned that lasts a while. The sand buffets anyone without an earth or earth-adjacent affinity, dealing slight but continuous damage. Its slow but has high defense for a Striker, making it difficult to interrupt. Its moves are Yawn, Dig, Crunch, and Earthquake[/hider][/center]

“Here! Thank God!” Panther yelled, her voice shrill. She crouched down, followed by Mona, but everyone could tell that squeezing through the hole would take time they didn't have.

“Out of the way! Captain Kidd!” Skull summoned his Persona to ram into the wall, smashing repeatedly against the stone. It started to break, but the boulder was fast approaching. The others opened fire, trying largely in vain to slow down the colossal stone as Skull carved their escape.

[center][h3]Edge of the Blue – Open Ocean[/h3]
Ace Cadet's [@Yankee], Sakura's [@Zoey Boey], Junior and Kamek's [@DracoLunaris], Hat Kid's [@Dawnrider], Geralt's [@MULTI_MEDIA_MAN][/center]

[hider=For BB][center]Spirit absorbed:
[b][url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/kancolle/images/7/77/Light_Cruiser_To-Class_Full.png]To-class Cruiser[/url][/b]
The miniature behemoth is a little larger, its skin color tinted white and fur black. His teeth are larger and more human-shaped, and on his upper back is an armor-plated mount with two miniature jaws (integrated equipment rather than biology). Tyrant is less obedient and a big more aggressive. This spirit confers the power [b]Six Inch Rapid Fire Gun Mount[/b], which allows Tyrant to use the light machine gun fixture on his back to shoot wherever he's facing. He's fire when agitated, which includes being held and squeezed, allowing his owner to use him like a weird gun. This spirit also confers [b]Meant for Water[/b], decreasing his speed and attack power on land.[/center][/hider]

As Sakura gathered herself following the first clash, a quick look around confirmed that no more ship girls appeared to be around save Ranger and of course herself. The bulk no doubt fled before the Water Princess introduced herself to Blue Team, but even the stragglers had made their escape by now. In the heat of the moment she couldn't properly engage with the inquiring voices on her newfound comms channel,, only get the general understanding that there was some sort of rally point a ways south. Nevertheless, Sakura spurred herself forward for another round.

Seaplane Tender scowled as Ranger's planes engages her own, giving her principal enemy enough room to knock away what bombers did come her way to blow up harmlessly on the oceans surface. The abyssal then tracked her movements as she approached, kiting sideways to avoid cannon fire. She took special note of the dropped torpedoes as Sakura leaped upward once more. Although the girl's cleverness served her well, the act of taking a foe's attention off one's torpedoes was a basic move to any naval unit of some intelligence. The Water Princess lunged her tail-maw forward to hammer Sakura-midair, but the street fighter's preparedness to throw allowed her to mitigate some of the heavy blunt force headed her way. Despite a few new bruises she then sprang off the tail, sending it back toward center, but it was hardly dead weight for Seaplane Tender and she merely pivoted to allow its bulk to swing around her and slow to a halt in the water.

The torpedoes closed in, but the abyssal smirked as her bombers swooped down into the water, detonating the heat-seekers early. A lone fireball came her way, but the Water Princess wordlessly tanked it as she prepared and unleashed her own shot. It was at that moment that Ranger raced in to follow Sakura's example, jumping to deliver a metallic dropkick to the abyssal's back. Her shot went upward, narrowly passing over Sakura's head as she landed, and Seaplane Tender growled. She slammed the tail down on top of the prone shipgirl, dunking her beneath the water. What was with these ships all of sudden, fighting in melee range? Before she could find an answer the abyssal found herself beset by Sakura once again, who jumped into bop her once, twice, trice on the head. Snarling, Seaplane Tender lashed out in a full-force swipe at the girl as she came down, then charged forward. She began unleashing shots without charging or aiming, the force of each blast throwing her tail around in a wild spin. The erratic bombardment filled the entire area with watery explosions, their devastation practically impossible to avoid, although mercifully lucky was on the girls' side when it came to direct hits. As her maneuver came to an end Seaplane Tender unleashed another wave of bombers, their seeking fury unopposed by any of Ranger's own fighters. 

Meanwhile, Geralt made his way through the surf with his new armaments. With how his oceanic mobility compared to that of the shipgirls' he was looking more for additional spirits than to join the fight, but a glance beneath the surface turned up something interesting indeed. He could see the spirits of dead abyssals and shipgirls below, steadily but unmistakably flowing in the direction of the Bottomless Sea. Now that he was immersed himself, he could feel it too—a current that felt too consistent and directional to be natural. Something was pulling the remnants of the battle out to sea.

A couple of the spirits drifted close enough to nab with a concerted effort, mostly lowly abyssals. One [url=https://azurlane.koumakan.jp/w/images/thumb/0/0d/Hermes.png/800px-Hermes.png]ship spirit[/url] did grow close. However, something stranger caught his concoction-sharpened eyes: a [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/gensin-impact/images/c/ca/Oceanid.png]bluish shimmer[/url] in the water, dancing back and forth, surrounded in a strong current. It sought out any spirits drifting down out of the main pull into its own flow and returned them, preventing any being lost. The rest of the time its glowing eye fixated on the surface, eagerly awaiting the results of the battle unfolding above.

[center][b]-=-=Pirate's Cove=-=-[/b][/center]

Peach nodded, her appreciation for the Cadet's plan of action plain on her face. While neither had any experience wrangling children, the monster hunter at least had some talent for climbing things. Peach watched him go, leaving her alone with Brineybeard and Shippy. Peace she did not find, however, as a singular question nagged her. [i]Where was Link?[/i] The young man was a capable warrior, and with his legendary reputation the thought that he got lost or ran afoul of the locals beggared belief. Yet neither hide nor hair of him had appeared since he first went off to seek available watercraft. She wanted to go out looking herself, but she trusted Cuphead to do the job, and if she was gone when Cadet and the kid arrived things would only get muddier. Still, Peach did not idle well, and ended up asking Brineybeard if there was anything she could do on the ship to help out.

[center][b]-=-=Sky's Hatchery=-=-[/b][/center]

It took a bit of doing for the taciturn Hat Kid to communicate her intentions without conversation, but as soon as her meaning dawned on Sky a horrified look overtook her face. “You're going to the Bottomless Sea!?” A nod put an end to her confusion if not her disbelief. “Well, you'd better look elsewhere, 'cause none of my fliers are becoming fish food in that hellhole!” She shook her head, assuming the little girl's 'intentions' to be a product of her youth, and took it on herself to explain the gravity of the situation to the child. “Look, it's like you went to a shelter and just told the person in charge you wanted dogs just so you could run dog fights. Or worse, even! Just so you could throw them down a well or something. It's more than irresponsible, it's amoral. Not even navy ships come back from that place alive. If the monsters don't get you, the storms will. Waves big enough to drown ships whole! Tentacled leviathans! And that machine...” Sky shivered. “I sure hope that girl was exaggerating.”

After a moment of quiet she took on an apologetic expression. “Er, sorry if I went a bit overboard. But I love these guys, and I'm not going to give them to anyone who says they're going to put them in serious danger.” She glanced at the orange-powdered moths in their cage. “Well, except those Cheepoofs. They're just bugs. Or, snacks maybe? If I didn't know any better I'd think they wanted to be eaten, but I'm not risking anything. [i]They[/i] I wouldn't mind getting rid of, but I doubt they'll fly you anywhere.”

[center][h3]Dead Zone – Final Atrium[/h3]
Blazermate's [@Archmage MC], Banjo & Kazooie's [@Dawnrider], Bowser's [@DracoLunaris]
Plus Nero, Dante, V, Ms. Fortune, Jak and Daxter[/center]

As Blazermate scrambled to undo the widespread damage wrought by Sans' karmic attacks, Bowser rose to his feet once more. The sight of Marie's final form, little more than a flesh-stripped corpse strung together by the energies of the Skull Heart, gripped his heart with emotion. The road until now rarely presented a moral quandary, both in the World of Light and Bowser's own experience, so the experience of fighting a foe more victim than villain filled him with rage. With Marie herself seemingly as dead as a Skullgirl could get, there was no need to hesitate in taking action against the thing so obviously puppeting her trappings, and hesitate the Koopa King did not.

His example spurred the others to act, as well. Dante, Nero, Nadia, and Tess sprang into action behind him, racing for the Skullgirl. Sans became less of an opponent and more of an obstacle, obliging the heroes to jump, dodge, and duck in their mad sprint for their true foe. No amount of bones rising from or sliding across the glowing floor slowed them down. Once in range Bowser leaped into the air, becoming a spiked puck of destruction that whirled toward his enemy. Seeing this, Dante began charging her pistols, motioning for Nero to follow suit while Nadia enlisted the wraith's aid to bat her like a baseball with her cleavers. Marie did not move fast enough to avoid Bowser, and the shadow surrounding her materialized to defend the Heart. The koopa's shell struck with withering force, but the shadow held form, shaking violently as her arms withstood the saw-like onslaught. Just when his speed began to ebb, Dante grinned and gave the signal.

“Jackpot!”

Four bullets, two of metal and two of concentrated demonic energy, struck the right part of Bowser's shell. Their strength powered up his spin, pushing him through the shadow's defense. The apparition shattered with a ghastly howl, its veins ruptured and energy spilling out. Bowser carried on for a good distance, leaving the Skull Heart behind him. Nadia, flying in behind him, snatched it from the fractured apparition's chest, tearing it free. A wave of force expanded through the air as the power of the Skullgirl burned away. The floating debris descended; the glowing veins died out, and in just a moment's time all that was left was a crater littered with both the ruins of the library and the catacombs beneath. And, sheltered by a canopy of broken bookshelves in the center of it all, the Skull Heart floated sullenly a few feet above the ground.

Nearby, the final Qliphoth Root could be seen withering. It quickly turned gray and shrunken, decaying to dust and crumbling away. The members of Red Team that still lived could breath a sigh of relief as they reconvened, the wounded to receive Blazermate's treatment. Something about Sans' attacks stymied their healing though, leaving them in less-than-ideal condition. Sans himself was nowhere to be seen, although that alone wasn't the only reason why the heroes knew the job wasn't done. For the moment only Nadia stood before the Skull Heart, its uncanny blue glow shining off her skin and hair. 

“Alright...this is it.” Yet even as she stared at the thing, no trace of greed festered within her eyes. Although she gestured for anyone who approached to stand back, she did not reach out for the twisted Heart. “I...I can't do it. I have so many new friends...terribly as it was, what happened happened, and made me who I am today. Changing that would be...wrong.” She looked off into the night sky, picturing the faces of her family. A look of understanding, and a little peace, spread across her features. “And...that's what the Skull Heart is here for, isn't it? To tempt us into doing the wrong thing.” Her gaze turned on her allies. “Marie wished for the power to preserve her friends, didn't she? And look how she turned out.” Without an answer she fixated on the Skull Heart, her expression hardening.

“Do not be so hasty,” the artifact murmured in myriad voices, addressing the heroes gathering around. Its sockets scanned those present, particularly Nadia, Dante, Blazermate, Kazooie, Tess, and Linkle. “I can grant any woman's wish. A life of peace and comfort. Or a life of perennial excitement and adventure. An end to conflict. Returning what was lost. True freedom. The power to stop Galeem, and to heal the World of Light. To be a hero. The impurity of Marie's wish was her undoing, but a pure-hearted desire will incur no corruption whatsoever. This I swear. Just ask, and it can be yours.”

[hider=Lumbridge Recruitment Mission]
“So. Rumor is it you’re with those heroes right? The ones with the statue outside?” The muscular man -who was wearing spiked leather and a combo of an axe and a guitar on his back who had introduced himself as Eddie Riggs- asked. “Because that’s a big claim to make. Especially seeing as they left to do that quest and I never saw them come back. And trust me, I’d know if they were. You can't miss that sweet ass ride they had. A real monster truck you know,” he claimed, unaware that he’d missed the (admittedly incredibly brief) stops and passes through town some of the team had done since they left.

The two nobles he was speaking with shared a glance. While Din went around town talking to people she’d met while under the influence, escorted by the Shovel Knight, Chrom and Corrin had set up at a table in the guild where they’d been trying to get people onboard with joining up with their mercenary company. So far they’d only really had people looking to see if they were offering quests and coming away disappointed. This man was breaking the mold.

“So. What happened to them? Give me the details and we’ll see if I think you’re talking out your asses or not,” Eddie continued, not giving the pair any more respect or manners than he would the commoner despite their noble appearance.

“Well, from what I’ve heard-” Corrin began.

“So you haven't even talked to them? And yet you say you’re with them? Not that convincing so far,” Eddie interrupted.

“We’re part of a large organization, bound to the same cause,” Corrin replied patiently. “Through their actions we were freed-”

“Freed?” Eddie interrupted again.

“Sorry. Perhaps it is best we start at the beginning?” Corrin suggested.

The roadie crossed his arms, realizing he’d been a bit aggressive. “I’m listening.”

“Put simply, they traveled east to ‘The End’ and slew a dark dragon within, and in doing so freed us from...” Corrin paused and then thought for a moment before adjusting the truth into a lie that could be understood by someone still enthralled by Galeem’s influence. “Its dark aura. Then they came to our city, Alcamoth. A few of their number were familiar with some city denizens and they, and we, rallied to their cause. The heroes, having slain the guardian of this area, then immediately soldiered on to new lands. While they serve as the tip of the spear against the dangers of this world, we, and others like us, are working in the areas they have already traveled through.”

“Yeah. Certainly plenty of stuff to worry about out there.” Eddie admitted, speaking from his personal experience in the Dead Zone, before frowning and pointing out, “You’re making this sound like a conquest.”

“Ah, sorry. I have experience with war so it is the framing I have utilized. We are most certainly not looking to claim territory, seize resources or overthrow local leaders. Merely, we are challenging the monsters and dangers of the world and looking for those who would be willing to aid us in bringing peace to this mixed up land we find ourselves in.”

“Uh huh. So, where are they now?” Eddie asked, getting back to the story of the heroes

“Some have gone east further to the windswept desert, others west to the ocean blue and yet more north to the plagued city.”

“Fuck. They went back there? Well, I guess they had unfinished business huh?” 

“To fell the corrupted tree that looms large over it, I believe.” Corrin confirmed.

“Yeah... that sounds about right,” Eddie admitted before explaining why they mattered to him “See, they bailed me and some others out of there. Totally crashed after I got back, that place is a nightmare and I've been through some crazy stuff you know. Needed to get my snooze on after livin’ through it. So anyway by the time I was awake and up on my feet again they were gone. Didn’t really get to say thanks or anythin’. Or ask about that rockin’ truck of theirs. Man I’d kill to have that kind of car, or any car really. Instead I’m stuck in this medieval dump.”

Corrin looked bemused. “Apologies, but I am not sure what that is?” 

“What? Medieval? A car?” 

“Er, both." 

“Oh yeah, I guess this place is your style, huh?” Eddie said, assuming from the look of their gear “Ah, but wait, you said they came to you, so how come you didn’t see-”

“If they had transportation, it was likely abandoned before they reached us. The floating islands around Alcamoth are unlikely to be navigable by anything larger than a person,” Chrom cut off the man’s gotcha moment before he could keep going or Corrin could apologize again.

“What? For real? That’s messed up. You can’t be thinking of leavin’ that stuff out there?” Eddie said, clearly appalled at the treatment of the machines that had carried the team so far only to be abandoned.

“I think there was a mission to explore the area, it is likely the scouting team would pick them up if they found them,” Corrin informed him.

“Also there was another for making a ‘vehicle bay’ which would probably be linked.” Chrom added.

“Vehicle bay huh. Sounds pretty modern,” Eddie said, scratching his soul patch thoughtfully. “This Alcamoth place. Is it modern too? You know... Electricity? Running water? Plumbing?”

“Um...”

“The toilets, they got water in them and then you pull a lever and a bunch of water come down and get rid of your dooky?” Eddie elaborated.

“Oh, er...well, I think.” Corrin replied, neither quite sure nor very comfortable.

“Huh. Interesting. You know, I’ve got some skills, I might be able to help you with that bay of yours. Among other things. This merc business, what's it pay like?”

“Ah. Well. You see. You’ll be doing good work. World saving work,” Corrin began awkwardly but was saved by the sudden and timely arrival of the Peach’s castle team along with Junkrat and, more importantly, Roadhog, who was hauling a large sack that he flagrantly dumped on the recruiters’ table.

“Special delivery, courtesy of Prince’s Peach's infinite generosity e-hehehe,” Junkrat announced.

“Heard you were still hard at work, so we thought we might be able to lend a hand, as well as some incentive for potential recruits,” Zelda explained, as Corrin, Chrom and Eddie all leaned in to look into the heavy, clinking bag.

“Wow,” Eddie said as he saw the gleaming piles of gold found within.

“I believe we can offer very generous rates of pay,” Corrin said with a smile.

[hr]

The familiar sounds of frenetic combat and excited voices drew Din and her gallant shovel-wielding protector past the guild castle to the communal training area. Shovel Knight, squat but broad, forded the assembled villagers and adventurers without issue, leading his companion dancer toward the front of the crowd. There they found a bizarre display: a [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e5/5e/97/e55e97c4affff107b45a76ff0ac68f72.jpg]slim twenty-something[/url] with loose black hair facing off against a [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/astralchain/images/2/28/Astral_Chain_Maxmilian_Howard_Official_Render_(reduced).png]formidable-looking old man[/url], both of whom wielded training weapons. It took a moment longer to realize the truth, however: that those two weren’t the only fighters in the fenced-in ‘ring’. Clouds of kicked-up dust and fronts of displaces air hinted at what the younger man clashing with empty air confirmed; an invisible presence was fighting on the grizzled policeman’s behalf. Although the odds seemed stacked against him, or maybe because of it, the crowd wouldn’t stop shouting his name.

“Louis, Louis, Louis!”

Louis dashed out of the way of an unseen slam that split the earth like the fall of an axeblade, and dashed toward his opponent. Grunting, the officer made a pulling motion, and something struck Louis from behind. He was sent careening forward straight into the padded sword of his adversary, and subsequently introduced to the dirt. The supportive cheers urging him to rise to his feet turned to groans as it quickly became apparent Louis wouldn’t be continuing to fight, and the crowd started to drift away.

As things died down the policeman bent down and offered his opponent a hand. “Hey, not bad, kid! C’mere, let me getcha on your feet.”

With a wry smile Louis accepted the help, then began to dust off his fancy clothes. “It would be rude of me to pry, but I must confess I’m terribly curious about this power of yours, sir.” He looked around as if to spot any trace of the other man’s invisible helper.

“Well sure, I’ll tell ya all about it. We’re on the same side after the station, after all. Protectors of the people ‘n all that. Maybe you’ll whoop me next time. And just call me Max, kid.” He noticed the newcomers watching him. “You curious too? Don’t mind ya listenin’ in, so long as ya don’t go ‘round telling everyone my secrets.” He led the way to a corner of the training yard. With the spectacle over with, the others had all dispersed to their pastimes or duties. 

Max turned to the others. “Seein’ as everything’s out of whack, I’m less inclined to keep Neuron secrets. The long and short of it is I’m a legionis, and I’ve got a Legion of my very own.” He reached down to scoop up and scatter a handful of sand. It settled over the form of something floating beside him, revealing the rough [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/astralchain/images/e/ec/Astral_Chain_Axe_Legion.png]outline[/url] of an armored fighter. “We’re partners, plain and simple. Connected by the astral chain.” He held up the device on his left wrist, although no chain of any sort was visible. “...Not that you folks can see it, heh.”

“Sounds like a mighty weapon in thy fight for justice!” Shovel Knight interjected. “Say, how wouldst thou fine warriors like to lend thy blades to the task of saving the world?”

Neither Max nor Louis spoke for a moment. Din laughed, swooping in to smooth things other. “We’re representatives of the, ah, liberation effort such that it is, trying to set the world right, and we’re seeing if we can’t convince local talent to take a look.” She looked between the two, putting pieces together. A charismatic dancer such as herself met and heard from all sorts of people in a day, and she’d certainly seen a few more people needing lifted spirits lately. She turned over their stories in her mind. “I understand you were part of the police station siege in the Dead Zone. The team that arrived shortly before your escape was formed of some of the heroes spearheading these efforts.”

“Ah, I think I see,” Max said, rubbing his chin and he considered things. “I was wondering why we didn’t see ‘em around. Already off to help people out in other places, I bet. Well, I don’t know if I have that sort of energy, but I’ll do what I can.”

Shovel Knight perked up. “Oh? Does that mean thou hast chosen to cast thy lot with the Alcamoth Mercenaries?”

Max nodded, getting to his feet. “I needed a break after that nightmare, but I’m tired of doin’ nothing. Wherever I can help people in ways that really matter is where I’ll be. It’s my duty as an officer of the law, and a member of Neuron. And as a man. As a father.” He gave a wide smile. “Plus, if there’s anywhere I’m gonna see the kids again, it’ll be out there fightin’ the good fight. As long as I’m not gonna starve to death, I’m in.”

Louis had already gotten to his feet. “My needs are a touch more particular, but I can hardly stand idly by while this twisted world perpetrates such horrors as the Dead Zone. If there’s any chance I can make things better, I’ll do my best.”

“Splendid!” Din practically jumped for joy. “We’re glad to have you.”

Max chuckled. “Don’t thank my just yet. I’m gonna take a walk around this town and have a couple chats. I betcha we aren’t the only ones from that station itchin’ to knock some heads.” He took off at a brisk walk, waving as he did. “See you in the guild in a few!”

[hr]

When the mercenaries saw Max again, they found him better than his word. Behind him followed [url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8e/LeonS.Kenneduy.png]Leon[/url], [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/evolve/images/b/be/Val_Portrait.png/revision/latest?cb=20141102033520]Val[/url], [url=https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/battleborn/images/d/d6/Render_Ghalt.png]Ghalt[/url], [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/darksiders/images/7/71/Darksideres_3_Strife_as_Jones.jpg]Jones[/url], and [url=https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/residentevil/images/c/c3/RERES_Jill.png]Jill[/url]. Distracted by the [url=https://wargroovewiki.com/mediawiki/images/5/53/Caesar_Portrait.png]dog[/url] she was petting, Din didn’t even notice until Caesar barked, making her jump. The sight surprised her even more, but she quickly turned to excitement. “That’s amazing! We’re so glad you all are going to lend us your strength. Galeem won’t know what hit ‘em!”

Corrin placed her hands on her hips, looking over the assembled group. The Dead Zone refugees made for a formidable team, but a couple adventurers bolstered their ranks. The blocky [url=https://www.mariowiki.com/images/0/02/SSBU_Steve.png]Steve[/url], the merchant [url=https://pm1.narvii.com/6894/6a2e51b767d1f999a707b02ae8f072e3d240332dr1-1068-1700v2_hq.jpg]Tressa[/url] and the swordswoman [url=https://cosplayfu-website.s3.amazonaws.com/_Upload/b/Athena-Cosplay-from-Fire-Emblem-Shadow-Dragon.jpg]Athena[/url] were ready for a new adventure. How all these people would be freed from Galeem’s grip she didn’t know, but that was a problem for Vandham and Mewtwo. Despite the odds that faced them, she couldn’t help but believe that with people like this willing to stand against the light, things wouldn’t be so bad after all.

[b][u]Mission Results:[/u][/b]

Success!
Mercenaries Acquired: Eddie Riggs (Brutal Legend), Maximilian Howard (Astral Chain), Louis Amamiya (Code Vein), Steve (Minecraft), Athena (Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light), Leon Kennedy (Resident Evil 2), Jill Valentine (Resident Evil 3), Trevor Ghalt (Battleborn), Valerie Wolski (Evolve), Jones (Darksiders 3), Tressa Colzione (Octopath Traveler) Caesar (Wargroove)
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