Chapter 28 - Battle Plans

When the Tornado landed in Knothole, nearly every person there ran up to greet the returning
heroes. Anthony nodded to the other descendants and they all transformed into their
Descendancy forms. Sally made the introductions...

"People of Arcadia, meet the new and improved descendants!"

The five descendants walked out, causing the entire crowd to react.

"WHOA!!!!!!!!! That is WAY, WAY past cool!" "MAMA MIA!!" "Incredible..." "By Din's
flame..." "Sacre bleu cheez!" "Mah stars!" "Phrackin' a! You're looking good, Anth!" "Hey
Anthony, think you can get ME armor like that?"

Anthony smiled at that last one, knowing how much of a role-playing gamer Kain was. "Sorry,
Kain. Descendants of Sir Eric model only!"

"Aw..."

After everyone stopped gaping and picked their jaws up off the ground, Major Sharpe addressed
the group. "Alright, we'd better get the final plans underway! We've got a major fight ahead
of us!"

Anthony made his armor disappear and then spoke up. "Agreed. In fact, Major, I have a plan in
mind that should give us a relatively quick and painless victory..."

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"You're going to do WHAT?!?!?"

Anthony finished the description of his plan, and unfortunately the entire group was not too
pleased at what he proposed.

"Anthony..." Sally said, "what you propose is suicide! Sneaking into Robotnik's fortress while
he's focused on the fight? You have no way of being sure you can do it!"

"I do now! The Fade power I used in the test should allow me and the others with me to sneak
past the defenses without being noticed. I should be able to 'convince' Robotnik to shut down
his troops then."

"Convince him? HOW?!?"

"My powers are those of the mind. I should be able to control his thoughts so he will order a
shutdown of the Swats."

"Anthony..." Zelda spoke up. "I thought we agreed you don't have to sacrifice yourself like
Sir Eric did..."

"I have no intention of sacrificing myself! This plan will work! I just need some
volunteers..."

He noticed no one was particularly eager to volunteer, something he wasn't surprised at.

"Guys...I don't want to have to do this alone. Although," Anthony said, adopting a thoughtful
expression, "I suppose it would be easier if just one snuck in..."

Upon saying that, several volunteers came forward rather than see their Gamemaster risk his
neck alone. Anthony smiled at this, glad that the reverse psychology worked.

"Well...gee...thanks guys, but I only need a few..."

"Anthony," Protoman said, "I insist on going with you. My powers should make the swatbots easy
to defeat."

"I'm going too," Tails said, "you might need my newfound magic for an advantage."

"We should join you as well," Peach said, indicating her and Zelda. "Our combined powers
should be able to match any opposition, just like our ancestors."

"Good thinking," Anthony said, "and I appreciate the help..."

"I want to go too!" Amy piped up.

"No, Amy!" Anthony said.

"But..."

"NO!" Anthony said, this time a little more insistent. "I don't want to be distracted by my
concern for your safety. I'm sorry, Amy..."

Amy bowed her head and said quietly, "I understand."

Anthony put his hands on her shoulders and said, "Hey...if the situation was less dangerous,
then definitely. Understand?" Amy nodded. "Good." Anthony then turned towards the rest of
the group. "The rest of you, I'll leave you to finalize the plans. Now if you excuse me,
there's something I must do..."

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The next few hours were used to make final plans for the attack on Robotropolis. Each group
from each world was preparing in their own way, with the leaders returning to their worlds to
ready the troops. Each world was telling a different story in the process...

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"Princess, I can't let you do this!"

Zelda was examining her Descendancy armaments while at the same time trying to calm Link down.
"Link, this is for the good of Mobius, as well as all of Arcadia. I cannot in good conscience
let a villain like that be allowed to continue to rule! Besides, with these new powers and the
help of the other descendants we should be able to succeed."

"But...Zelda..." Link was starting to break down, showing fear for the first time.

Zelda embraced Link, trying to calm down the hero who had saved her, and whose ancestors saved
her ancestors, on numerous occasions. "I know Link...I love you, too. Don't worry, I'll make
sure to return to you."

After embracing for a while, the two walked towards an open foyer, where regiments of Hylian,
Zoran, Goron, Kokiri, and Gerudo troops were waiting...

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Mario and Luigi were frantic when they approached Princess Toadstool's chambers. They saw her
examining the garments created by her Descendancy powers, as well as the staff she carried.
Mario was the first to speak.

"Princess! Why?!? Why are you a taking part in this a suicidal plan?"

"Because Mario," Peach said, looking in the eyes of the fear filled plumber, "I believe in
Anthony. He's been through too much to take part in such a risky plan for it not to have a
chance of success. Besides...I think he'll need my help..."

Mario took Peach's hand before continuing. "But...I don't want to lose you!"

"You won't..." Peach said, planting a kiss on Mario's forehead. "We've come too far to lose
now!"

Peach then walked to her balcony, where she saw the chancellor was addressing the Nimbus,
Floren, Mushroom, and Koopa armies...

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Protoman looked at himself in the mirror, examining the form his body took under the Decendancy
powers. "He said I look like Zero..." he thought to himself, then walked over to a mainframe
where Doctor Light had placed the disks with the game information. He booted up the file Light
had created called "Zero", which had all the game information about the character, Zero. What
he saw shocked him...for not only was it a glimpse of the future, but also showed the character
Zero dying...twice!

"Thankfully, that's only a possible future and not a definite future," a voice said behind him.
Protoman turned around to see Doctor Light standing behind him.

"I had a feeling you would want to see that," Light explained, "which is why I'm very much
concerned for your safety in this venture."

"You think I'm sacrificing myself like Zero did in these games?"

"No...I very much trust your abilities, Protoman, but..." Doctor Light began to get misty eyed
before continuing, "I can't help feeling worried for your safety. What father cannot be afraid
for his son's well being...even if the son is artificially made."

Protoman understood this and went up to embrace Light saying, "I understand... Father..."

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Tails was in his hut looking at the robes and wand he received as a result of his Powers.
Although the power he gained was impressive, he thought the robes were a bit much. He felt he
looked kind of like the Raistlin character Sir Kain talked about, but wasn't about to let that
get in his way of what needed to be done. Sasha, Sonia, and Knuckles came in to see how he was
doing.

"You're looking good, cousin," Sasha said. "Feeling nervous?"

"A little...but I trust we'll do what needs to be done!" Tails said. "Knuckles...these
powers...is this what you said makes me the Chosen One? Did you know about my Descendancy?"

"Indeed, as did Sasha," Knuckles said. "You also definitely have the heart of the Magi,
kiddo."

"I wonder..." Sonia said, "Tails, can you summon Lutherain with your powers?"

"Your familiar? I'll try..."

Tails focused power through the wand and the green emerald began to glow. Within minutes, a
hawk with a cape came flying through the open window and landed on Tails' shoulder.

*Did you summon me Tails?* Lutherain said telepathically.

"I did, but only because Sonia asked me too..." Tails said.

"Lutherain, I want to see what powers Tails gains from your summoning," Sonia said. "Tails, do
you have any more knowledge?"

"Actually..." Tails said, "I can...sense your emotions like Anthony can!"

"Lutherain's telepathy," Sonia explained then turned towards Lutherain. "Lutherain, I want you
to accompany Tails and help him."

*I understand, Sonia.*

Sally walked in next, addressing the group. "Guys...can I talk to Tails alone?"

Sonia, Sasha, and Knuckles nodded and left with Lutherain flying behind them, leaving the two
of them alone. Sally then knelt down to face Tails eye to eye.

"Tails, I...know I'm not your real aunt but...I can't help feeling worried about you like a
real family member. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, I have a feeling Anthony will need me," Tails said, then going up closer to her. "By
the way, who says you aren't real family?"

Sally and Tails then engaged in a massive hug.

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"Mr. Bault!" Major Sharpe said, addressing Anthony who was currently on his cot, "We just got
a tape from the United States you might want to see..."

Anthony wasn't listening. He was focused on a letter he was writing, and seemed to be putting
a lot of thought into it.

Sharpe walked over to him and looked over his shoulder. "I can only guess what that is...final
letter to parents, correct?"

Anthony sighed and looked up towards the Major. "Yes...along with an impromptu will. I really
wish I didn't have to do this...I mean, I'm sure as to our success, but..." His voice trailed
off as his emotions began to rise.

Sharpe placed a hand on Anthony's shoulder, understanding what Anthony was going through. "I
know...I been in some battles where I was afraid I'd never return. Just say what's in your
heart and keep a positive attitude. If you want...I'll deliver the letter myself. Perhaps my
high praise for your skills will ease your parents' worries."

"Thanks Major, I appreciate it..." Anthony said, feeling a little better. "Now...what's on
that tape?"

"We managed to track down the authors of the fan-fictions starring those individuals you talked
with your first night here. They are wishing their 'creations' luck on this tape." Sharpe
paused before continuing. "Your family and friends are also wishing you luck on this tape as
well."

"I see...I'll get the guys then..."

"They're already assembled in T-Bone's hut, and they're waiting for you. Take your time,
though...I understand the situation..."

Sharpe walked out towards T-Bone's hut while Anthony finished his letter. "'Keep positive' he
said," Anthony thought to himself as he was finishing up. With that he decided to add
something to make his family believe everything will be alright...

~Don't worry about me. I've come too far in this game just to lose now.~

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When Anthony arrived at T-Bone's hut, he handed Sharpe the letter and watched as Sharpe headed
towards the portal to deliver it. He then walked towards the group that was gathered around
T-Bone's television set.

"Anth, we were waiting for ya!" David said, then noticing the emotion on Anthony's face. "You
alright?"

"I'm fine...I just, had to write what could be a final goodbye to my parents...just in case..."

Somber looks appeared on all present, understanding completely what he was talking about.
Chris and Rebecca MacPherson got him a vacant chair to sit in, trying to make him comfortable.
Rebecca even kissed his forehead in an attempt to comfort him.

"Well..." T-Bone said, addressing the group, "let's see what the U.S. of A. wants to say to
us..."

"Wait for me," a voice said from the window. Bookshire opened it and Sandra came in, walking
towards Ryan.

"You could have used the door, Sandra," Ryan said.

"Not my style," Sandra replied, then motioning closer towards him, "you know that!"

FX shook his head. "Guys...later!"

Both Ryan and Sandra glared at him.

Sir Kain spoke up. "T-Bone, press play before anything ELSE happens."

Anthony looked up from his chair as the tape started. It was something taken from the evening
news as part of a newscast about what was happening in Arcadia. All the authors were on the
tape: David Pistone, Eric Goodwin, Keith Aksland, Ryan Huber, G.T. Ettinger III, T-Bone, and
David Gonterman. Every time each author said their good lucks, the individuals in the room
they supposedly "created" seemed to be shocked. When their part of the tape ended, several of
them were amazed.

"Dang..." David said. "These guys don't even know us personally, and yet...they're wishing us
luck as if they were close friends..."

"Yeah..." Ryan said, "So that's my other self..."

The tape began to introduce a special segment and message to Anthony, mentioning his
involvement in finding the portals. T-Bone paused the tape.

"Uh...guys. Perhaps we should..."

The others nodded in understanding and left the room so Anthony could watch it alone. Anthony
undid the pause and watched as family and friends wished him luck. His friends commented on
using his gaming skills to his advantage and doing them proud, while his family members
mentioned how proud they were and prayed for his safety. Anthony was literally fighting back
the tears so he could watch the rest. When the tape ended, Anthony broke down and cried,
grateful for receiving such praise. Eventually, he calmed down and began to walk out of the
hut. When he exited, Sir Kain, Chris, and the others saw something on his face that made them
realize they would succeed.

New found determination.