The ships soared across the sky as they slowly approached Japan.

"So, we're going to the top idol capital of the world. So awesome." Rainbow said.

"Yeah. Makes me wish I was a singer." Sonata said.

"You were a singer." Odd said.

"Really? What happened?" Sonata said.

"You and your friends tried to enslave everyone before we stopped you." Zoro said.

"Yeah, remember? Flux kicked us to the streets after we went tone deaf." Aria said.

"Oh. Right. Guess I blocked that part out." Sonata said.

"Hey, Scott. Didn't you have a music background where you were from?" David asked.

"Yeah. I used to be the bassist in a rock band." Scott said. "That was when the whole 7 Evil Exes thing came into play. I left the band after they made a deal with Gideon."

"A shame. I bet they're doing alright." David said.

"Yeah. Neil is taking my place. He's got a lot of potential, so I know that he can fill in the Scott-shaped hole in the band." Scott said.

"But… Does anyone back home even know about what's been happening with you two?" Sheena asked.

"I don't think so." Ramona said. "In fact, they may even want to hear about it when we see them again. Not that they'll believe us."

"Yeah. Being a hero is fun but it's hard to send info like that back home or to get people to believe other worlds exist." Sunset said.

"Yet somehow the info always leaks out. How? No one really knows." Zinia said.

"Besides, you aren't the only one who used to be famous on their own world. I was a pretty big music sensation myself." Brook said.

"Right. You used to do concerts under the stage name Soul King." Jexi said.

"And I still do." Brook said.

"You know, this maybe a chance we're not seeing. A chance to make it big in Japan." Rainbow said.

"Always for the glory, huh?" Indigo asked.

"It's not just music, though. TV shows, theatre, movies, pretty much anything that captures an audience." Sectonia said.

"Although it might not be a bad idea to get our names on the big screen, I'm worried that we'll attract the wrong kind of attention." David said.

"He's right. It's not a bad idea to get back into the limelight." Odd said. "I haven't made another film since the one in Virbank. We can make a new one, Sonata."

"Cool! Let's do it!" Sonata said.

"Although, the Color Fighters are still after us for that master pick. We might end up letting them know we're here." Genis said.

"Actually, a lot of the master pick hunt hype is starting to die down now." Lemon said. "According to an anonymous blog, a lot of them are just finishing their jobs and headed back to the temple."

"And we only did 2 worlds. We're falling so far behind…" David said.

"True, but Rain Bow did say there was no time limit on these trials." Jexi said.

"And apparently the high masters have noticed some stragglers and are coming up with a solution that could speed things up." Lemon said.

"Chances are we're one of those stragglers. This'll be a doozy." Zelos said.

"Though, I can't exactly complain." David said. "We'll still need to be careful of our enemies."

"Keep an eye out for anyone willing to pick a fight with us. Got it." Lloyd said.

"Whatever happened to just going with the flow?" Jibanyan sighed. "Oh! We're here!"

"Yeah! Here we come, idol capital of the world!" Rarity said as the group ran out.

"Wow… This place is just as bustling as I imagined it!" David said, taking in the sights.

"It's breathtaking, isn't it? The most amazing city in Japan." Jexi said.

"Hey, look at this!" Dan said pointing to a poster of a girl in idol wear with green hair that some of the Dimensional Heroes recognized.

"No way. Tiki? She's here?" Ranma asked.

"You know her?" Colette asked.

"She's this girl from Ylisse that guards this tree. Funny, you'd think she'd be too lazy or sleepy to become an idol." Law said.

"Well, she looks like some sort of Vocaloid or something." David said. "I wonder if it's a side effect from traveling all the way here."

"Yeah. It's kind of interesting to see someone like her here." Lloyd said.

"She's the last one anyone would expect to be here. If anyone would have been an idol, I would have bet on Lucina or maybe Elise or Sakura." Rainbow said.

"Speaking of Lucina, it's been quite a while since she left the team." Nami said. "I wonder how she's doing right now."

"She said she would rejoin us when her business in Ylisse was over with. But it's been so long now." Linkle said.

"We just gotta have faith. Lucina will come back to us when she's good and ready." Rainbow said.

"Yeah. We should for right now just focus on who becomes famous...with me as your manager." Vector said.

"Why do I get the feeling we're in for something very taxing?" Sheena asked.

"It's very possible, girl. I got guys threatening to break my thumbs now." Vector whispered.

"Aaaaanyway. Did you guys hear the news?" David asked.

"I know what you're talking about." Scott said. "5 years ago, there was an incident in an opera theatre during a performance. They said that the stars and the entire audience disappeared without a trace. All except for one."

"Oh yeah. I remember this junk. And that's all it is. Just junk from the past." Vector said. "Now some of you girls get dressed in your best. There's an idol even in Daitama and one of you has got to get discovered."

"This is going to be so embarrasing…" Leia said.

"Wait, you still have that Idolmaster costume from before?" Jude asked.

"Yeah, but I prefer not to talk about it." Leia said.

"Maybe you'll be more comfortable if Sectonia was with you?" Zelos asked.

"Zelos, the outfit that Erika gave her is a priestess robe, probably resembling an RPG character. That's not something fit for a stage!" David said.

"Well, maybe it could be if we altered it a bit. Rarity?" Vector asked.

"Out of the question. Erika would've wanted her to have it like this." David said.

"And I thought Hope was one to flop." said a woman in a trench coat.

"Uh...do we…" Zinia said before they tilted their disguise open. "Viola!"

"Well, nice to see all of you too." Viola said.

"That's right. Your career took off after the disbanding." Rainbow said.

"Yes. I'm apparently the Dynamite Idol. Sorry about the disguise. I can't let paparazzi see me." Viola said.

"Fair point. So, what brings you here?" Scott asked.

"Well, I'm here doing some work. Also, I was hoping Hope would be here. I wanted to say thanks for the help he gave me during that short time." Viola said.

"Well, we kind of got split off from him after a certain incident." Jude said.

"Really? I got a text under his name that said he would be here." Viola said.

"Well, it doesn't seem like he's here yet. As far as concerned, you're pretty much early." Ming said.

"Isn't that his ship over there?" Lucy asked pointing to the parking lot across where the Beacon sat.

"Well, looks like the cavalry has arrived." David said.

"Good. I missed him. These journeys just aren't the same without him around." Pit said.

"I hear that. It's kind of been missing its sense of drive." David said.

"The force that keeps you moving no matter what. The one that always has the ideas and thoughts about certain things." Jexi said.

"Yep. He's got that and a whole lot more." David said. "I wonder if he's in Daitama already."

"Let's check it out and see if he is." Jexi said as the group headed off into the Daitama Observatory.

"A little weird to have an idol event in the observatory." Twilight said.

"Yeah, I thought it would be something a little more big-time." Scott said when he took notice of a young man with blue hair. "Um, excuse us."

"Huh? Yes?" he asked.

"Have you seen a guy come in here? He has some blue streaks, gloves, likes to come to conclusions early." Pinkie said.

"Yes, he passed by to the front with his friends." he said.

"Thanks." David said. "I'm David Ishihara. It's a pleasure to meet you." David said with a bow.

"Itsuki Aoi." he said before walking away.

"Seems like he was here waiting for someone." Scott said before seeing a ghoul behind Itsuki's reflection in the mirror. "Huh? What was that? I hope I'm not seeing things…"

"Scott, quit daydreaming. They're doing the idol interviews. This is so….Say what?" Jibanyan said as the group saw Titanica among the idols.

"Yep. Confirmation that they're here. Didn't expect Titanica of all people to come up." David said seeing a similar ghoul behind Scott's reflection. "What was that all about?" David asked as he moved to catch up to the others.

Meanwhile with the Hope Squad, further inside.

"Alice… can you tell me again why you wanna do this idol thing?" Zephyr asked.

"I was curious. Plus you guys are always telling me to get out there. Well this was the only thing I could think of." Titanica said.

"Well, we wish you the best of luck out there." Erica said.

"Yeah. Knock em dead out there." Gemini said.

"You'll do great." Hope said.

Titanica walked back out as the mc was interviewing the next girl.

"And now, Miss Tsubasa, what sort of idol do you want to be?" he asked.

"Well, I want to be...an idol that can make everyone happy." she said.

"Thats a great dream." Titanica complimented.

"And pray tell, what drove you to this sort of dream? We're all dying to know." the mc said.

"Well, 5 years ago, things happened and I got really depressed. Everyone trying to help me made me feel more like a burden. But I had a friend that would always talk to me and cheer me up. That cheered me up and I felt like I could smile again. That's why I want to help everyone smile like he did for me." Tsubasa said.

"Ah. And five years ago, your sister was taken during these mass disappearances. Thing is...we have her as a guest. But first...we'll have to settle things here." the mc said laughing as the area became distorted as phantom like entities were appearing all over and taking energy from people.

"Oh, that is no bueno." David said as he looked at the scene all around him.

"Hahaha! Get to it, lads! I want all of the Performa these humans got." he said.

"Jexi, David!" Hope said running over. "What's going on? And why did David speak Spanish?"

"Of everything that's going on, that's what you're concerned about?" David asked. "As for the first question, I'm afraid we know just as much as you do. My guess is, these ghoul things are sapping energy from people."

They heard screams as they saw the idols as well as Titanica and Tsubasa being dragged in.

"Don't let them go anywhere. They'll make fine vessels." the MC said before following them in.

"Tsubasa, hang on!" Itsuki said going in.

"H-hey, Itsuki!" Scott said, going after him.

"Don't be an idiot!" Jexi shouted as the others followed after.

After following them through, they found themselves in a strange technological world.

"What the heck? Weren't we just in the observatory?" Ciel asked.

"Just what the heck is going on here?" Lloyd asked.

"I don't see Itsuki, Scott, or Titanica. They must already be further ahead." Ramona said.

"Wait, there's Scott!" Rainbow said pointing to an unconscious Scott on the ground.

"Those things must have attacked him." Lacy said as they looked at the distance to see one of the idols being drained of energy before one of the creatures entered her and possessed her. She along with them sank into the ground and vanished.

"This place just gets weirder and weirder…" Ming said.

"We better find them before that happens to Titanica." Nana said.

David spotted some sort of building in the distance. "I think she's somewhere in there."

They ran towards the building where they were seeing several of these phantoms doing battle with a ghostly looking man with a familiar sword.

"That's Falchion. Isn't it? Wait, could that be...Chrom?" Erza said.

"But… Something's different." Hope said.

"Chrom! Over here buddy!" Rainbow said trying to get Chrom's attention.

"Huh? More humans trapped here? You need to go!" he said.

"It's okay. We can fight." David said.

"But what about them?" Sectonia asked, looking to Tsubasa and Titanica.

"I think their brave knight is already at work." Indigo said as Itsuki was grabbing a strange sphere from Tsubasa and used it on the phantom attacking her, transforming it into a woman in armor and wielding a javelin while at the same time, Titanica was breaking free on her own.

"Well, seems like Itsuki can hold his own after all." David said as more phantoms appear. "Oh great. There are more of them!"

"No worries. We can hold our own against these guys." Natsu said before they saw the phantoms ignoring them and go for Itsuki and Tsubasa. "Hey! What's the big deal?"

"Do you think those figures with them have something to do with it?" Sheena asked.

"Chrom without a doubt. He is the king of Ylisse after all." Rainbow said.

"And the girl...I recognise her from books from Chrom's world. That is Caeda, she's a princess from Talys and is a friend of the hero king, Marth." Robin said.

"They're just like Personas." Chopper said.

"In a way, it seems." David said.

"Carnage Form!" the two of them shouted as light consumed them before they stood in royal looking outfits with Itsuki wielding a rapier and Tsubasa holding the spear.

"Don't know how they're able to do that, but if it can help them fight, it doesn't matter." Ming said.

"Should we give em a hand?" Hope asked.

"Looks like they have it covered." Sonata said as the two of them along with Titanica quickly dispatched the phantoms before Itsuki and Tsubasa returned to normal with Chrom and Caeda coming out.

"Well, that was a thing." Zelos said.

"Huh? You guys? What are you all doing here?" Itsuki asked.

"We'd ask the same thing, but you guys seem to be alright." David said. "We found Scott unconscious, so we figured you wouldn't be far."

"Yeah. He stayed behind to fight off those phantoms after us." Itsuki said.

"I guess he didn't expect them all to gang up on him." Ramona said. "It's Lucas Lee all over again."

"Thank you. Because of this development we are able to return to these forms. I am Chrom but that is all I can remember." said the ghostly man.

"I see." David said. "Sorry guys, looks like you won't be able to catch up with him for a while."

"That's fine with me." Hope said.

"Speaking of you, where were you man?" Natsu asked. "How many worlds you got under the belt?"

"Worlds?" Itsuki asked.

"We'll explain later." David said, before looking to Tsubasa and Titanica. "How about you two? You seem to be doing alright, considering what happened."

"Yeah. I grew my arms larger to break out of the hold." Titanica said.

"I also have thanks for allowing me to take this form, Tsubasa. I am Caeda. I am sorry for scaring you." Caeda said.

"Its no problem. Thank you very much, Miss Caeda." Tsubasa said bowing.

"And you must be Tsubasa Oribe, sister of Ayaha Oribe." Jude said. "You were the sole survivor of that incident 5 years ago, right?"

"Yes… I was so scared because Ayaha and everyone else disappeared so suddenly." Tsubasa said.

"Jude, you shouldn't ask a young lady questions like that. Especially bad ones like that." Sanji said.

"It's alright. It's because of that I wanted to be an idol in the first place." Tsubasa said. "I figured if I did, I'd find out what happened to her."

"A good dream, but I think now is our time to run away and escape." Usopp said.

"Actually, Usopp is right about this. We have to find a way out of here." David said.

"That's easy enough. We can just go back the way we came." Zaveid said.

"Easy for you, maybe." David said. "Most of us can't fly or control the wind, so we can't reach that ledge we jumped off of."

Itsuki got a message. "It's from a friend of ours called Touma Agaki. He said to find some sort of big top."

"Shouldn't be hard to spot." Sectonia said.

"But… How does he know about this?" Jude asked.

"We'll probably get the story once we meet him, but for now, let's find that big top." David said.

The group ran through the strange area before they arrived at the big top like building. Inside of it was the mc.

"Huh? Hahahahaha! Not only did I find a vessel for Chrom but for Caeda as well." he laughed.

"He knows about Chrom and Caeda?" Teba asked.

"Not quite." Tapu Lele said. "He seems controlled by something."

"You don't stand a chance to old Garrick." the mc laughed.

"Garrick? He was that bandit we battled back in Ylisse." Jexi said.

"So, he's got a spectre with him, too?" Ming asked.

"So he's thinking we don't stand a chance to a weak bandit? Come on." Hope said.

"Oh...I haven't even changed yet." the MC said before his form changed. His head and hands stuck out on top of a giant suit of armor that wielded mike like sword as it banged its head before appearing battle ready. "Now I have."

"If it wasn't for that headbanging, I'd say he's pretty intimidating." David said.

"Yeah, this isn't gonna be that hard to topple him." Gajeel said.

"You said it." said a voice that is revealed to be a young man with red hair and a green jacket. "Sorry for the wait. I was just working on my entrance!"

"Touma! You're here!" Itsuki said with a smile.

"Uh...should we care who this guy is?" Ruby said.

"He was the guy who gave us the tip, remember?" David asked. "But we've got nothing to worry about. I know a hero when I see one."

"You must have an eye for talent. Well, you'd best wait until I show you this!" Touma said. "Carnage Form!"

Touma changed into a red outfit with a long spear.

"Thanks again for this power, Cain!" Touma said. "Its cool."

"Cain...he was one of Marth's knights." Robin said.

"Looks like a lot of Marth's friends are joining in." David said. "Alright then. Shall we?"

"Yes, we shall." Touma said.

"Yeah! Let's do this!" Indigo said getting into her Guts Armor as she delivered a punch on Garrick as he slid across the floor and into the wall.

"What the hell? Who are you freaks?" he said.

"You're better off not knowing." David said as he shot Garrick multiple times. "Other than the guys taking you down."

"Let's finish him." Yang said as the group ganged up on Garrick before defeating him. He fell to the ground as his armor faded leaving the MC unconscious.

"Looks like we did an exorcism or something. But now we gotta get outta here." Sonic said.

"Yep." David said. "But...is he going to be okay?"

"He'll be fine." Sectonia said. "In fact, he probably won't remember any of this."

The group soon found the entrance they came into as they reappeared back in the observatory.

"Whew. Man am I beat." Itsuki said.

"So, I take it the mission was a success?" said a woman approaching.

"Yeah, but I had to ask Kiria for help." Touma said. "Oh, these are my friends Itsuki and Tsubasa. And...others."

"Charmed. My name is Maiko Shimazaki." she said.

"Maiko...Shimazaki? Wait, I know you. You're the president of Fortuna Entertainment." Vector said.

"Yes. But hidden from the public, I conduct investigations into events such as these that involve Mirages." she said.

"Mirages?" Itsuki asked.

"Chrom, Caeda and Cain. Even that Garrick guy. They're beings that have transversed into our modern world through the idolsphere, what we were just in. They are Mirages, making us Mirage Masters." Touma said.

"Apparently, these mirages are beings from another world who fought countless battle and losing parts of their original selves. They somehow seem to reign as heroes where they come from." Maiko said.

"You don't know the half of it." Cana said.

"So you can assume the forms of these mirages?" Hope asked.

"Yeah but only in the Idolsphere." Touma said.

"And this… this is the Idolsphere?" Continella asked.

"That place we were just in? Absolutely. Now we're back." Touma said.

"I must admit, I wasn't expecting to run into two mirage masters and those who can fight without them. So, I'd like to ask you to work with us." Maiko said.

"Okay. We'll do it." Itsuki said.

"Yes. We'll become Mirage Masters." Tsubasa said.

"And of course, we'll be glad to help." Jexi said.

"Perfect. Well then, Touma, I'd like you to take these people to our secret base." Maiko said.

"A secret base? Awesome!" Luffy said.

"Base is actually stretching it a bit." Touma said. "But you'll see soon enough."


A/N: Inspired by Jexi the Hunter and Hope the Victor