"I still can't believe you pulled such a decision, Jexi." Sunset said.
"I realize it was a bit of a surprise. But they chose to do that. I wanna help Rainbow and Jesse get stronger as much as they do. Besides, they won't be gone forever." Jexi said.
"Still, it's gonna be a little less lively without them around." Pit said before he saw fighting between the groups. "Actually, it's about the same amount of liveliness."
"Guys, guys, will you please calm down?" David asked.
"I take it things are usually this crazy?" Driver asked.
"Yeah, you get used to it." Connor said.
"But Pit's right about one thing. Things just aren't the same without those guys. They would mediate this right about now." David said.
"With some of them being the cause of the problem." Twilight said. "Look, what we need is a calm quiet retreat."
"A retreat huh? Then might I make a suggestion...the Nature Universe." Cache said.
"That...might actually work." Sectonia said. "I remember going to the Fine Fields whenever I get...stressed out."
"Is that a fact?" Hope asked.
"Yeah. A soothing nature retreat. We could camp out, relax under the stars, even some nature hiking." Mary said.
"Okay, I think we got a plan." Jexi said.
"We're still waiting on the Law analysis, but that can wait until later, I suppose." Tails said. "They are quite fascinating."
"Let's head off than!" Zexi said.
The ships soon took off as they entered the Nature Universe as they arrived to a familiar jungle. But upon arrival, immediately something felt off. As they exited, they saw some of the leaves on trees starting to shrivel and the river with a strange eerie coloring.
"Strange… This wasn't what it looked like when we tore up the track here." David said.
"Or when I visited. Was the water always so...purple?" Hope asked.
"Hmm." Jexi said tossing a stick in the water as it burned away. "It's not purple, it's polluted."
"Oh my. Nature is...hurting." Fluttershy said tearing up a bit before they heard a rustling in the bushes.
"Oh calm down. It's probably just a cute little bunny. Come here little…" Odd said as pouncing out of the bushes was a humanoid looking feline creature. "Ah! Not a bunny! Not a bunny!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Connor said as they halted it. "A beastman? Here?"
"Not a beastman...it doesn't act civilized like one." Ty said. "This must be some different species."
"God…" Damien said.
"Oh man this is it." Odd said before a strange scent hit the creature's nose as it drifted off to sleep. "Huh?"
"Oh thank goodness!" a voice said as walking out was Aroma.
"Aroma?" Hope asked.
"You know this girl?" Conor asked.
"Technically Aroma is genderless but yeah. Fought in the WBC." Hope said.
"It's not safe to talk here. I'll take you back to my tree." Aroma said leading the way to an old tree and taking them inside.
"Aroma, what's going on? Why's everything so… polluted?" Sunset asked.
"Well...it started a few weeks ago. You see, there are six forces that keep our universe in balance. Earth, Water, Air, Fire, Ice and Plant. But...a stranger arrived to each territory and stole from them precious crystals that keep at bay the grand beasts that sleep underneath and now nature is out of balance." Aroma said.
"From Paradise… to Savage." Hope said.
"This isn't Savage its madness." Aroma said.
"It's got to be one of the Talented Twenty. Honestly, I can't tell if they really are monsters in human flesh." Ming said.
"So what was that thing that attacked Odd? It looked like a beastman but it acted more...primal." Connor asked.
"That was a Werebeast. They're animals that have gone through millennia of evolution to be able to walk on two legs and use tools." Aroma said.
"I've heard of werewolves, but that thing, completely different level." Leonora said.
"Yes. The beasts awakening here has caused the air to change and for a lot of the residents of Gaia to lose their minds and revert to primal mindsets." Aroma said.
"Is there any way to reverse that?" Ross asked.
"We could try finding the crystals and bringing them back to their temples, but we don't know what the Hobbyist has done with them." Maki said.
"Well...I do sort of remember what he looked like." Aroma said as it sketched a picture of a familiar face.
"Oh god." Mayumi said. "It's Trip!"
"Trip? The guy with the Backpack who was with Team Rainbow Rocket? What would he want with a bunch of crystals?" Connor said.
"I see. So they started it. They're beginning to gather materials for the Ultimate Law." Driver said.
"Wait, you know about the Ultimate Law?" Maka asked.
"Yeah. It was shared with us loyalist leaders. I don't know much about it, but I know a few things. They need lots of Law Makers in order to create it and give it the strength needed for its purpose. It requires powerful materials that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere. And the only other thing I know is its name...God's Core." Driver said.
"I get it. I bet Diablo wanted the Gaia Crystals for the making of this God's core because God created life from nothing. He wants all manners of Life Essence from each environment." Hope said.
"A bit of a stretch but its close." Driver said. "I dunno what its suppose to do but whatever it is, it cannot be good. Anyway, going after the crystals is a no go now that we know Trip stole them."
"What do you mean?" Ban asked.
"Trip's backpack is a law. It's called Law of Travelling. It allows him to warp to any place he's been before even if it's another Universe. He's likely been taking the crystals and then immediately returning to Diablo with them." Driver said.
"So we can't fix the damage he's done. Great." Ty said.
"There might be a way. But… it is dangerous." Aroma said.
"What is it?" Hope said.
"You could...slay the beasts." Aroma said.
"I'm sorry, what?" Rarity asked as fluttershy fainted.
"Each of the beasts that have awakened due to trips disturbance. They were sealed because of their destructive nature. If they were slayed, the regions they inhabit would return to their normal states." Aroma said.
"Sounds like a long shot, but if we can prevent this place from being completely turned into a wasteland, I'm all for it." Ty said. "You guys want to do a little Monster Hunting?"
"I'm in. I can't let some gang terrorize a jungle and then leave it to be Savage." Hope said.
"Why do you keep using that word?" Jexi said.
"It sounds cool." Hope said.
"Ah what the heck. I'm in." Connor said.
"Hmm. Well...I guess if there's no other option." Zexi said.
"Got nothing better to do." Jack said.
"Jexi?" Ty asked.
"Nature is something I hold dear. And if something like an animal needs to die to restore it...I guess there's no other way." Jexi said.
"I get you. David?" Ty asked. "If this is a hard thing to swallow, you don't need to do it."
"If it was demons, I'd jump in without a second thought, but… The fact that Trip already took the crystals reminded me of somewhere else where it already happened." David said.
"Its like what happened during our journey through Cecil's world, with those weird crystals and the Lunarians." Jibanyan said.
"And it just frustrates me that we couldn't do anything about it then, either." David said. "What is it with crystals and bad guys who always run off with them?"
"Stealing MacGuffins and arriving after they're taken really hits a chord, huh?" Connor said.
"It makes someone feel helpless...like there isn't anything they can do about it." Jack said. "Hmm. Actually David...if you're up for it, there is a way we could you know...correct the situation."
"There… There is?" David asked.
"But it's crazy dangerous and might as well be impossible." Jack said.
"Crazy and….oh god. Please tell me you aren't considering…" Queen said.
"I'm talking about breaking into Talent Corp and taking them back." Jack said.
"Are you nuts? That security is one of the most intense systems in the Standard Universe." Oracle said.
"I'm not sure which is worse. Dying by the hand of ferocious beasts or getting caught red handed by tons of Talent corp guards and being defeated instantly, letting Diablo have his way." Jiro said.
"It's David's call. If he's in, I'll take him and a small posse with me. If no, we go to the beast killing plan." Jack said.
This decision made David think back to what Copernicus said about Diablo's plan with the loyalist leaders. "These Hobbyists… They don't care about who they hurt, as long as they get their way. They really are monsters. No, saying that would be an insult to actual monsters." David said. "Alright… I'll do it."
"Okay. But remember, by doing this, this will make you a thief like us. If you get caught or are trapped, you're on your own." Jack said.
"I am well aware of that. If it means saving the universes from massive genocide, I'm willing to take any risk that comes." David said.
"Then it's settled. David will go with Jack and the Phantom Thieves to try and reclaim the Gaia Crystals. While we do our best to calm down things here." Hope said.
"Okay...but I'm gonna need more than just the thieves." Jack said. "I'm willing to take volunteers."
Fluttershy rose a hand. "Sorry but I can't stand seeing animals suffer." she said.
"I guess I'm up." Merlin said. "This could be a chance to see Talent Corps true intentions."
"I'll go as well. My apps might prove useful." Abby said.
"Okay. If that's all, then me and my group will be taking a ship and heading for Central City." Jack said.
David passes Tapunium Z to Sectonia. "Sectonia, on the off chance that I don't make it out of this, I want you to know that…"
"I understand. Don't worry, I'll take care of things on my end, too." Sectonia said.
"What are you talking about?" Hope asked.
"Zexi, Kenshin… If I don't make it out, take good care of Harumi for me." David said.
"Don't say it like that, man. You're making it sound like you're marching to your death." Zexi said.
"Meaning he's prepared...are you considering...losing your life?!" Kenshin said shocked.
"He's not gonna die. He's gonna make it out. Right?" Harumi asked.
"That's right. There's still so much in the multiverse that I wished to experience with all of you, and I would not only not forgive myself, but I would fail all of you if I died there." David said.
"Dave...its time to head out." Jack said.
"Alright. I'm coming." David said. "Guys, give them hell out there."
David soon headed out with the selected members as they entered Mona who transformed into a ship as they set out.
"David...stay safe." Jexi said. "Now...we need to start beast hunting."