As always, I extend thanks to my readers, Sarstar and NuclearPixelemental!

Chapter 21: Remember Babylon

Tower of Babel

Joker poured the last droplets of the Revival Formula on Ibara's head. It had once again become peach and flesh. "EEEEEEHHH!" He immediately screamed as he was unable to feel his body. "You mangy brats! I'm going to-!"

"You're going to what?" Ryuji asked. "Bite us? Good luck."

"It seems you're left with only two options." Joker said. "You can either disable your ability or you can tell us how to make more formula. Also, you should know that none of your associates are coming to save you. Skull Face, Valentine, and all the others have lost."

"Perhaps his power will be disabled if we split his head open and destroy his spirit." Crow inferred.

"GYAAAAAH!" Ibara cried. "Consarn it! Fine! I'll tell you how to make the antidote."

Sector WITCH

The main components of the formula was a fusion of acids produced by Hexxus, God of Poison, as well as Goddess of Darkness, Medusa. Ibara had collected these acids via underworld Underworld channels. Once the KND were able to reproduce the formula with these acids, they poured it onto the statues at Sector WITCH. Nigel Uno, Jagar King, Marine Frantic, Mikaela Chariton, Danny Jackson, Sally Harper, and all the petrified party guests were finally free.

"Ohhhhh my gosh!" Charlie Magne yelped. "What happened?! Why can't I feel my face?" She felt herself. "I can't even feel my breathing! Am I dead? Is this Super Heaven?!"

"Relax, Charlie." Nolan assured her. "You were petrified by Ibara, but you're free now."

"I'm free? I'M FREEEEEEE!" She leapt to the shiny sky! "To… go back to work." She landed. "HOORAY!"

"What the heck happened, Nolan?" Rachel asked. "Did you… Were you able to stop that villain?"

"I was. …Unfortunately, Heaven's Hotel is about to get some new residents. Some old friends."

"Oh…oh, no…"

KND Burial Grounds

Three days passed since the terrible crisis. All remaining victims of the parasites were gathered and placed in hospitals as the KND delivered Haruka's medicine. Whatever was controlling the parasites inside them had ceased, so now it was time to be rid of the vermin for good.

Maddy and Zach looked over their mother's grave with somber expressions. Chris Uno accompanied them. "Sigh…that's what I get for going on vacation." Zach said.

"Well, I'm the one who said you could go." Maddy replied. "I thought I would be fine taking care of them myself… but I had no idea that would happen."

"And you said something was happening in the Spirit World, right?" Chris asked. "There was practically nothing we coulda done."

"Yes there was." Haruka replied. "I could've developed the cure faster. I just… wasn't fast enough."

"Hey, I don't know any doctor better than you are." Haylee told her, she and her brothers standing by Hoagie's grave. "You should be proud. I just wish Dad could've…sniffle."

"Yeah, fuck those things." Harry said, hugging her.

"Hey, guys?" their eldest brother, Hoagie III spoke. "Before he died… Dad told me this cool joke. I guess it's the last joke he ever told… if you feel like hearing it."

"Well… we can't say 'no' to that." Artie replied. "What was the joke?"

"Well… So, there are two girls that work in an office: Karen and Sharon. However, Karen never shows up on the same days as Sharon. Just as well, Sharon is never there at the same time as Karen. But one day, Karen trips in the office, and her wig comes off. It turns out… Sharon is Karen."

". . . . . . ." It took a moment for them to process the joke. "Pffffffftttt…" And Artie couldn't hold in his laughter. "Sharon… is Karen…ha ha ha. Sharon… is Karen!"

Haylee coughed out a chuckle. "Wow, Dad… you still got it in you. Ha ha ha…"

"Nngh…Dad…" Harry sported a smile.

Panini and Francis held hands as they looked over their grandfather's grave. In truth, they weren't particularly close to him, only really seeing him on gatherings. Such a thing was natural to those with KND duties. "At least he'll get to be with Mom again…" Francis said.

"Yeah… Mr. Boss was a great father." Patton said. "And he rarely had the heart of a villain, anyway. Sleep well… Mr. Fulbright."

KND Moonbase

Plexiodorite stood before Cheren in the latter's office. He was no longer viewed as an invisible chibi, but a lean and broad-shouldered man. The boy at the desk was far smaller and scrawnier in comparison, but he looked nonetheless professional like the principal of a school.

"On behalf of our superiors, we would like to sincerely apologize for allowing Varcrutis to endanger your operatives… again. However, as you may soon hear, our approach to the situation was different. Rather than fight or chase her off ourselves, we decided it would be better to seek the KND's aid. If the Daemonis could understand the true strength of your operatives, they would think twice about attacking again. You see, Mr. Uno, there is a certain law in the multiverse that decrees that denizens of foreign universes will have their powers altered or hindered when invading other universes. This very same law presented problems to The Thirteen and is what keeps the countless universes in prosperity. We Phoenios and Daemonis also live by this law, but they have a hard time with following it."

"Well, I could figure that." Cheren replied simply.

"And to change to another topic… it's come to our attention that… we didn't present a good impression when we first met."

"Why, because you casually breached a secure area, endangered our worlds, terrified my operatives, and acted like you really didn't give a damn?"

"…Yes." Plex had to commend Cheren's straightforwardness. "We were only trying to banish the Daemonis, but it does not change the fact that we rudely barged in during a sensitive time and showed little consideration. However, I do not want your impression of me to apply to all my brethren. There are many Phoenios who are more respectable than I am. In fact, there are a great many of us who admire you and your operatives. Some even hoped to be able to interact with your operatives, if only for a short while. We would not try to intervene with any important duties or missions, and we would like to be viewed as equals. After all, both of our factions are heroes, no better and no worse than the other."

Cheren released a long sigh, propping his head on his hand. "I guess you can if you want to. But honestly, we just went through another crisis and suffered some losses. If you wanna spend time with my operatives, then just be careful who you choose."

"You have our word. We've also prepared these for you." Plex placed two booklets on the desk. One was shiny, another was darker. "These booklets provide basic info on all of us Phoenios and Daemonis. It has knowledge on our abilities and how you may be able to counter them. We hope that the incident with Var will teach them to act more humbly as guests, but in the event either of us display strong antagonism, we hope you will deliver a righteous beating."

"Sounds good to me. But I have to ask, did your superiors want you to say all this, or did Nebula's mom?"

Plex bit his lip slightly. "That information is classified."

"That means 'yes.'"

"…" Plex glanced away awkwardly. "Speaking of Varcrutis… might I ask where she's gone?"

"Some of my operatives were going to Bobopolis, so she decided to check it out herself. I dunno if she's still there or not."

"Ah…no wonder I couldn't trace her. If I may ask, why did you allow her to stay here?"

"Eh, call it a guy's intuition. She felt pretty stressed out and not really hostile. Plus she was kinda funny."

"I see. At any rate, please give my condolences to your operatives. Let us meet again on more peaceful terms." A pink portal opened behind him as Plex stepped inside.

Cheren sighed and calmly opened the Daemonis booklet, looking over the different members. "…I'll have Zach fight that one… Zach fight that one… Kokichi, definitely… Zach…Zach…"

Plex poked out of a portal and said, "You could at least be diverse about the match-ups."

"Haha, okay, okay~" Cheren chuckled. Plex's head retracted, and Cheren resumed reading.

Tower of Babel

Synthia had awoken in a vast canyon of white. The cells that drifted about this white were colorful notes. Synthia's body was of an orange, blobbish form, a tail that resembled molecules, and her head was merely a big eye. It was a yellow circle with an orange ball resembling a pupil, and lines that resembled sun rays of changing colors. "Eeek!" Synthia yelped when she looked above her: though it was difficult to tell from such a vast perspective, a pair of colorful eyes were gazing at her. They were extremely tremendous and ominous.

"Hey, you're awake!" a pleasant voice echoed from beyond.

"Wh-wh-wh-wh-who are you?" Synthia squeaked.

"I'm Meloetta, the Spirit of Music. My friends found you on the ground."

"M-M-Meloetta?" Synthia recognized the name. "Don't hurt me! I only wanted to help Skully!"

"It's okay, I just wanna talk to you."

Meloetta was sitting with legs crossed, holding her palm flat as the tiny light rested on it. "You're so cute." Meloetta smiled. "I can't imagine why someone as adorable as you would work for Skull Face."

"Where is Skully? I wanna see him."

"Skully has to serve time in prison now. As for you… well, we really don't know who or what you are. But if you promise to behave yourself, I'll take you to see him some time. I'm watching over you now, okay?"

"Ooo…okay… Your voice is really nice."

"Thank you. As the Music Goddess, my voice is designed to be adjustable to any ears, no matter how big or small. You have a great voice, too."

"Do I?"

"Yeah! I'd love to hear you sing sometime!"

"I would love to!"

"Hey, Meloetta."

"Huh?"

The spirit looked up at Sandman, who held the Lost Voices in his arms. "Listen… I think we should leave the Tower of Babel open."

"Leave it open? But… what if something like this happens again?"

"I agree that it's risky. We can't really do it without extra security. But, in a way… maybe Skull Face is right. I'm not saying we should force these languages onto everyone else, but if we at least left the tower open so spirits could explore it… the voices can at least be remembered. And we already have history books to study the cultures."

"Hm…you're actually right, Nolan." Meloetta stood, keeping her palm flat. "Then… I'd best hire some reliable guards!"

"Heh! I can drink to that. Speaking of, I have a ceremony to get to."

Heaven's Hotel

The heroes who took part in this grand mission were lined at the courtyard of the great hotel. Balder walked by each of them and put a medal over their heads, resembling Arceus's ring. Nolan "Sandman" York, clothed in his grayish-white coat, sporting the demeanor of a strong, dedicated adult. David "Solid Snake," his old, frail age clearly showing, yet nonetheless in his prime and dressed for battle. Joker, the handsome thief looking suave in his mask.

Alucard, looking spick and span in his attire, his blonde hair shining in the sun, and his frown making him look more handsome. Bayonetta, tall, thin, beautiful, and goth. Emily "Phantom" Dickson, her fiery hair a reflection of her passionate soul, a loving mother, but a kid at heart. (Unfortunately, she had to receive her reward downstairs.) Dimentia Z. Winkiebottom, her shimmering pink wings spread and her hair shining like a rare, monochrome gem.

Of course, the two child sidekicks were almost missed between the strong, tall adults. Maria Ushiromiya smiled cutely as she received her medal, dressed like a cute princess witch with her tiny crown. Finally, Leic Spirithive, his pale feet touching at an angle, his young, white wings spread like Dimentia's, and his smile brimming with innocence.

"You heroes have served us tremendously in this dire time. Despite this old man's unjust orders, you worked courageously to defend Babel and crush the culprits behind this catastrophe."

"I'm hardly worthy of praise." Sandman said. "After all… Skull Face almost succeeded because of me."

"Be that as it may… had I only allowed for the KND's help sooner, he may not have made it this far. The damage Skull Face has caused to the mortals… is just as well my fault. …As for you, Miss Winkiebottom and Mr. Spirithive." He turned to those two. "Your performance was spectacular. You not only succeeded in crushing the Daemonis fiend… but you have made them see the power of both mortals and gods."

"It was our pleasure." Dimentia smiled. "But actually, I think those mortals deserve medals, too. …Do you have about, say, nine extras?"

"Ugh…" Balder sighed.

Mortal World

Team Rex was relaxing at Tora's house when medals suddenly appeared on all their necks. "What?! Where did these come from?!" Rex asked.

"Tora feels special!"

"Do you think Phoenix Angel sent these?" Nia asked.

"Ha ha ha! Beary, it looks great on you!" Ursula beamed.

On Etheria, Team Adora received medals as well. "What the-?! Glimmer, what're these?" Adora asked.

"I don't know… but I like it!" The princess grinned.

"Watch out, ladies!" Bow announced with pride. "Bow has acquired a weirdly-shaped ring!"

Hotel

"Oh, Leic! I am so proud of you!" Ash Landers lifted and hugged his student. "I knew those filthy demons were unworthy to harm your purity!"

"I hope no one minds," Crow said, "but I called child services."

"Who?" Ash perked.

SUPER DUPER SUMOS!

The sumos suddenly crashed around them. Mamoo ripped Ash and Leic away from each other. "Hey! No bein' weird with the kid."

"Who the hell are you dolts?!" Ash yelled.

"We are defenders of Peace, Honor, And Truth." Kimo said, taking Leic and brushing the boy's robe off. "You are safe now, little one."

"Haha, you guys are fluffy!"

"This was not my fault." Dimentia said blankly.

"Come, sumos! We must search for the long-lost 4th sumo!"

"Good-bye, ladies!" Booma cheered, thrusting his rear. "My butt will see you later~" And so, they took off for the heavens.

". . . . . . I didn't call them." Dimentia reminded.

"Dimentiaaaaaa!" Charlie spun like a whirlwind, halting beside the woman. "So, uh… since you helped save the universe and stuff, does that mean your maid sentence has been lifted?" She tapped her fingers with a sad, sweet expression.

"…Eh, why not?" Dimentia casually warped her uniform out with a maid one. "It'll be a lot more relaxing in comparison. Plus, I get to spend more time with the gang!"

"YAAAAAAAAY!" Charlie cheered to the heavens.

"Congratulations, Dimentia," Bayonetta clapped hands, "you've finally attained your true dream~"

"Haha, I guess I… w-wait, is it legal for me to be here with you?"

Balder sighed. "I'll allow it… for a little bit. After all, just look at me."

"Hm…yes." Bayo frowned. "So, you were a spirit when you had me?"

"A few thousand years ago, the gods decreed that any spirit who has been dead for a long time is allowed to have kids with mortals, provided there are very few alive who closely remember them. In some cases, they may even get names changed. It was already allowed for gods to mate with mortals as a way to be closer to them, and the same applies to natural spirits. But at the time, having you was considered illegal, Cereza."

"How fascinating…" Alucard thought aloud.

"That being said," Balder continued, "the spirits present who are still technically alive are not allowed to discuss these events with the living relatives of these people. Of course, I fear many will have questions regarding this crisis."

"We'll be sure to explain it in a way that works." Joker assured.

"…" Sandman looked to Gwen Murphy sitting with Corey and Dillon. He approached them. "Hey, Gwen."

"Heh…what's up, Nolan?"

"The usual. …I'm sorry you had to be here with me."

"Yeah, it's pretty poetic, isn't it? I was with you in the beginning… and now you're with me at the end."

"It's not the end, Gwen. Our children will keep going."

"I know they will. …At least we get to watch them together."

"Pfffftttaaaa HA HA haaaa!" Hoagie had burst into laughter at Nigel, Rachel, and Fanny's table. "Get it?! Sharon is KAREN?! Because-"

"WE GET IT!" Fanny punched him off the balcony. "Stoopid boy, why did you have to die?!"

"Ahh, there's the Fanny I know and love." Mr. Boss said.

"And that still sounds weird." Mika remarked.

Meanwhile, Amalthus was struggling to climb the side of the hotel. "Huff…huff…I can't believe there was a hole leading out just under the hotel. At least I finally—AAAAAAAAaaaaahhhhh…" Hoagie crashed on the priest, and they took the great fall.

"Now, then… what say you all we resume the party?" Balder asked with a smile. "I don't know about you, but I'm quite thirsty for some milk!"

Charlie got beside Nolan, grinned, and held up the cow suit. "…Oh, boy."

Emily sighed as she could hear the excitement from the bottom of the escalators. Sadly, her time had not come, yet. She was still alive and couldn't come to meet her old friends. With a sigh, she turned to leave.

"Excuse me? Emily?"

Emily turned to Maria Renard. "Did you need something, Renard?"

"I just noticed something… your last name is Dickson, right?"

"Um, yeah. My maiden name is Matthews."

"Oh, okay! Hehe, I was just about to say that you might be my descendant."

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! ?!"

Mechanos; Egg Quarters

"What an utter wild goose chase that was!" Eggman stomped angrily up the stairs of his base. "Not only was that witch completely useless, but those brats had already dismantled Etheria's weapon! I guess I'd better get back to searching for the Matter Firstborn." He entered a bathroom and turned on the lights. "I'm almost positive it's—EH?!"

"LOOK!" Booma beamed. The Super Sumos were waiting in the bathroom, their theme song kicking in. "We've found the long-lost sumo! He's just like Var described!"

"It is time for your training to begin!" Kimo stated. "Show us your buttocks!" They grabbed Eggman's clothes and ripped them off.

"!" He was already wearing the sumo undergarments.

SUPER DUPER SUMOS

"GYAAAAAAAHHH!" Eggman went bolting down the hall as fast as possible, his metallic flab flapping. The halls rumbled as the sumos gave chase.

"Hey, look, Grounder!" Scratch pointed. "How did a bunch of manatees get in the base?"

"Scratch, I dink dat's Dr. Robotnik."

"I didn't know Dr. Robawk-nik liked to race with manatees."

"Must be a new hobby of his. Hehe!"

"GYEH!" Eggman tripped on the henchmen, and they all went tumbling down the stairs. The sumos rolled after him, pounding like drums with each bounce.

"Let us take them to the Sacred Spring! SUMO BUTT LAUNCH!" They sandwiched Eggman and his robots before launching them to the sky with a combined blast.

"GAAAAAAAH!"

Varcrutis was relaxing peacefully on Kriplespac's chair, floating in the spring. Her sunglasses reflected the image of Eggman rocketing overhead. "IIIIIII haaaaaaate suuuuuumoooooooos!"

Var tipped her shades up and stared at us. "Did you know they cancelled Invader Zim for that show? Let that sink in, kids. Chronicler, play me a tune."

Chronicler played a tune on his bass. "We're all~ just~ dragons in the water…"

"We're all~ just~ dragons in the water…" The Dragon Elders sang along, floating blissfully in rubber swimsuits. "We're all~ just~ dragons in the water…" Omelette poked Kriplespac's body, floating limp in the water. "That's what… the old man said…"

Underworld Prison

Skull Face and Valentine were locked in Level 6 of the Underworld. Ibara was freezing in a Level 5 cell. Ocelot was imprisoned in Level 3.

Now that her soul extraction was finished, Sylistys was being carried to the prison, strapped to a chair. "-aaaaaaAAAAHH!"

Dracula and Harry the Werewolf had splorped out of a rift and crashed along the path to the prison. "Nnnngh…" Dracula pushed himself up, opening his eyes. "…?" Sylistys stared down at him curiously. …Dracula stared at her… Sylistys kept staring… Dracula's green eyes glimmered… Sy's eyes were toneless… "…!"

Dracula flipped up on his feet and begun to sing with passion. "For vhat is a MAAAAAN? Vhat has he got?!" He raised a glass of blood to the sky. "If not him-SEEEEELF, then he has naught!" Music had played to compliment his lyrics. "To say the things… he truly feels… And not the VORDS… of one who kneels! The record shows… I took the blows… And did it MYYYYYYYY VAAAAAAAAY…" Magellan scooped a large shovel under his feet, lifted Dracula, and carefully carried him into the prison while he remain locked in his posture and note.

Well, everyone, I think we can agree this kind of story was long awaited! It was a cool change of perspective to write a Spirit World-centered story! That being said, there's still more I want to do. Now that the main story is complete, it's time to go to the Post-Soul, where we'll explore other KND sectors, concepts, and elements that weren't featured in the story! Stay tuned as we Return to the Spiritverse!

"Does this mean we're canon to the series now?" Booma asked.

Sigh, only as a Bo-bobo gag, Booma.

"Will you put us on the list of crossovers?"

No, Booma.

"Ah, come on. There's no stories about us on any of the sites. You can be the first author to get my butt's good side."

Ugh…