"Okay, so to reiterate the plan, all we gotta do to stop Flux from assembling an army of enemies from our past, we just gotta navigate our way through a Maze of our interconnective memories." Peacock said. "I did get all that, right?"
"In a nutshell yes." Natyal said. "Though it is unpredictable of where the doors will lead us to."
"I did kinda notice a pattern about them, but that theory was shot when Lan opened a door that lead to one of Mayumi's memories." Ace said. "I thought that whoever opened a door, it would lead us to one of their memories."
"Ace, that door appeared because I remembered driving a submarine before. It reacts to people's memories, repressed or not." Mayumi said.
"It could be just as simple as remembering something with a door nearby." Catra said. "But it's gotta be the right ones or we'll never get to Flux."
"There must be a place any of us could've been to that has a path leading us in the right direction." Kohaku said.
"Uh, you know that can be anywhere, right?" David asked.
"Anywhere is a good start. So let's start thinking." Hope said.
"Hmm." Rime said.
"You know, on the subject, one thing I noticed about past adventures is that…they can sometimes be funny to look back on when you think about how circumstances behind them ended up now." David said.
"Yeah, there were lots of adventures we had with you that came about that way when you first came into the picture." Hope said.
"Yeah… Back then, I was…a hot mess. I felt like I had no idea what I was getting myself into." David said.
"You've proven to be great where it counted back then, though. Like that time you fought your hardest in Hyrule against Vincent for Masakado." Hope said.
"Yes, and I do recall myself and the other champions even encouraging you." Revali said.
"Yeah. I thought it was touch and go for a moment there." David said. "And then there's Invel Yura… Man, did I feel like such a goof the first time I was fighting that guy? It really says something when I haven't seen him in so long that I almost forgot about him."
"But you improved overtime, and now here you are, wanted by the World Government and even have wins against strong enemies under your belt." Adora said. "You were even able to defeat Katakuri on your own."
"Yeah, though it wasn't easy getting there. I had to push my body and mind past their limits constantly to get to where I am now." David said. "I kind of scare myself with how powerful I am sometimes. Though, it wasn't just me throughout this whole journey. Honestly, I wouldn't have gotten as far as I did if it weren't for everyone here, along with a few others."
"So he says anyway." Emo said before seeing the door. "Yes. We finally got a door!"
"I'm a little nervous about what's behind this door, but shall we?" David asked. "I have talked about so many things, I don't know which one this is gonna be."
"Only one way to find out, Iceman." Hapi said, opening it as they stepped through. Walking through, they appeared in the large vastness that was Tokyo.
"Tokyo, huh? Oh no, I have a bad feeling I know what this is." David said.
They hurried through the streets as they approached a warehouse. Running inside, they watched as two boys looked at a certain man who had taken on a number of Nagas.
"And…that is how you deal with nagas, my boys." Flux said to the young Eikichi and David.
"Flux? And that boy with you, is that…?" Simon asked.
"Yeah… That's him. Damn it. Things couldn't possibly be worse." David said.
"So this Flux was involved in someway with all three of you back then." Yuri said.
"Let Harumi go, now!" Young David said.
"No… I remember now. As soon as I said that…" David started.
"I will let her go…as soon as you two swear allegiance to me." Flux said.
"Allegiance? What the heck are you babbling about?" Eikichi asked.
"I'm starting a group of…righteous crusaders and I need as many strong soldiers as I can…and you two have the right stuff." Flux said.
"You must be out of your mind if you think we're gonna fall for that." Eikichi said.
"Really…why don't I show you something?" Flux said as he showed a strange device as it played the true memory of Eikichi being killed by the nagas. "This would have been your fate…but I have changed it for you! No loss! You are welcome to thank me!"
"Damn it, what are we gonna do?" David asked.
"David, if we let this go on…" Mayumi started.
"I know that! But this… We know Eikichi. He… He would never fall for something like this." David said.
"You seem to be forgetting something, old man." Eikichi said.
"Old man? I'll have you know I'm in my thirties!" Flux said.
"I have known this guy all my life. Him, Hifumi, Kazuma, Subaru, and… Mayumi. We all formed a pact." Eikichi said. "That no matter what happens, we will never leave each other's sides. Isn't that right?" he asked with a glance.
"Wait, he actually spotted us?" David asked.
"Very observant." Flux said. "You seem to be well learned for a memory made flesh. Oh well…guess I'm going with plan B." he said before grabbing Harumi as he ran through a door.
"Damn it, run!" Sachiko said.
"Eikichi…" David said.
"David… You seem to have made a lot of good friends in your coming years. And you can't abandon a good friend, can you?" Eikichi asked.
"I need to clarify something… What ever happens to people projected from memories won't effect their real world selves, right?" David asked.
"Well, we saw Flux kill himself before, so…" Meitenkun started.
"It shouldn't. All these people live separate lives. They aren't connected to anyone outside this universe." Tails said.
"David, if you're here… All grown up, then that means things will work out in the end, right?" Eikichi asked. "Then that means this operation has a purpose. That's more than enough for me."
"Eikichi… You really are a true friend. You have served as my conscience this whole time. I'm… I'm really glad to have met you. It was really good to see you again." David said.
"Don't worry about younger you…I'll do what I can to get Harumi back." Eikichi said, running through a door of his own.
"Why did Flux come here? Wouldn't he be targeting villains?" Ajna asked.
"Not necessarily. If he wants to build a powerful army…he'd need more than just villains. With the right words, he could turn some of us to his side." Jiro said.
"But Eikichi wasn't going to fall for that. He saw through it all." David said. "He… He really was a true hero. I grew envious of him at times."
"I think that's why Flux tried to recruit him. If he would prevent Eikichi's death…" Mayumi started.
"He would have used it as a debt to make him come to his side." Izuku said. "Plus if he had a younger you, he would have had the seed to a great hero."
"But I know he wouldn't take it. I remember clearly. He'd rather die than see me go down that kind of path." David said looking at his arm.
"Come on. Let's go after him." Natsu said as they ran through the door Flux took. "What the?" he said as they stood somewhere completely different. A dark looking lab.
"Since Flux took the door, this must be one of his memories." Hope said.
"You think? This would definitely scream a place of his." Gemini said.
They soon saw a memory of Flux as he approached some tubes before pulling a lever before strange creatures started appearing. "Yes! My enemy rejuvenation machines work!" he said.
"Those are…Underworld soldiers. This must have been near the end when we were fighting Hades." Pit said.
"Oh that's right, he did participate in the war when you guys were fighting against both Hades and Viridi." Leanne said.
"So he was testing out rejuvenation tech? Would've been better if he made it for better purposes than just cloning minions." Scorpia added.
"But…enemy rejuvenation machines? Why would he call it that?" David asked.
"Because… it revives enemies of ours?" Eddy answered.
"Yeah. I figured that's what he meant. The name just sounded a bit misleading, that's all." David said.
"This would explain why we fought enemies like Thanatos and Twinbellows during our first time travel trip to past Kadic." Jexi said.
"He always did have plans on top of his failed ones." Hope said. "Always scheme after scheme."
"But nonstop? Doesn't it get tiring after a while?" Rinwell asked.
"There was a time when Flux did settle down before he joined the Lost Thieves. But back before that, he never gave up trying to beat us." Hope said. "He was really close this one time before I made my official appearance to team up with Jexi, where he turned himself into a powerful monster with the powers of Zekrom, Reshiram, and Kyurem."
"That's kind of scary to think about." Leia said.
"And now it looks like he's back in the saddle again." David said. "But… Why would he do all of this now? What's he trying to do?"
"Maybe he's finally got his drive back and a plan that can't possibly fail." Hera said.
"That's kind of what he says for all the others, though." Alphamon said.
"He is repetitive sometimes." Frosta said.
"I mean wouldn't recruiting memory versions of our past foes feel pointless since we've defeated them before?" Roy asked.
"I think Flux hinted at something about that when we saw him." David said. "He knew all their fates…so he can change their ends."
"And let's not forget, now he isn't just going for villains." Jexi said.
"Yeah, he'll try to turn our old comrades too. And in some cases… Some of us." Francisca said.
"Now that's scary." Stoj said.
"Yeah…he might actually have something this time. Which is a huge surprise." Jexi said.
"And the thing that could really make this work is that Flux knows everything that happened to us." Hope said. "He knows exactly what to do to turn the memory versions of some of us to his side."
"Well not exactly everyone though."
"Actually he does. You saw that device he had? I think it's some kind of memory scanner." Miu said. "He sampled the aether of this universe and got a whole database of our memories. All he has to do is study it and he'll figure out the counter to turn things in his favor."
"Anyone…you mean even…" Simon said.
"You…don't think he'd try and turn our kingdom…right?" Ace asked.
"It's a possibility. All the more reason to stop him and actually take him seriously. We have to get to him before he pulls the strings on any of us in this universe." Hope said.
"Then we'd better remember our way outta here before Flux gets too far ahead." Ragna said.
"Okay…" Simon said, trying to think of the kingdom as the door appeared.
Going through it, the group found themselves in Devaloka. Though some buildings looked damaged, a number of the townspeople were cheering.
"We made it. But… think this is Flux's doing?" Adora asked.
"No…this was the work of a duo of titans. But a brave hero subdued them with strange magic." a nephilim said.
"Simon, what period of time exactly did you remember Devaloka in?" Catra asked.
"I don't know, I mean I was just an infant when these titans attacked." Simon said.
"Then let's go see who this brave hero is." Balthus said. "I'm betting its this Flux guy though."
"If it's not, be prepared to be in another debt you have to pay." Yuri said.
The grouo hurried towards the castle where they saw the twin titans with collars around their necks as well as the parents of the Nephilim siblings as they looked to none other than Flux.
"Whoa, B was actually right." Hapi said.
"He took control of the titans…and earned favor from the whole kingdom." Iida said.
"Not just that, look!" Hope said noting the state Ace, Spade and Simons parents were in.
"We could never have defended against this threat on our own without this noble man. We thank you, Sir Flux." their father said.
"So kind of you. I only ask for your kingdom's allegiance in return should I ever need its help." Flux said.
"Oh, crap…" Hope said.
"Ace, you gotta stop this. Even if those aren't your real parents, you can't let them ally with Flux!" Glimmer said.
"Is that even a good idea? What if they don't believe him because he's all grown up and unrecognizable?" Mermista asked.
"Plus Flux just saved their kingdom. They're not going to distrust their savior." Jet said.
"Then we gotta pull the card Flux would never see coming." Mark spoke up. "Follow my lead."
Mark casually walked over to where Flux was standing and draped his arm across his shoulder.
"So this is where you got off to, boss!" Mark said casually. "I know you're excitable, but c'mon, leave some for the rest of us, huh?"
"Do you…know this man, Sir Flux?" the boy's mother asked.
"Uh…I have never seen this man before in my life." Flux said.
"What?" Mark said in mock shock. "Don't tell me you don't recognize your own comrades? What kinda team leader are you?" he acted, before looking up at the two chained up Titans. "Wow, look at the size of those guys! We giving 'em the Teched-Out Treatment like we did to those Colossai?"
"What are you talking about?" Flux asked.
"What am I talking about? You know, that one time we defeated those 14 giants that were threatening that country, then gave them cybernetic enhancements, then used them to conquer that same country? One of your better plans, boss!" Mark said with a smile before he looked at the Neptune parents, before his expression fell. "Whoops…I gave away the plan again."
"Uh…this…this guy is obviously drunk." Flux said laughing nervously. "I have never once cybernated anyone. I've only revived creatures and built robots for battle. Oh I mean…"
"Aw c'mon boss. Don't be swervin from the truth. After all, this is what some Flux's do." DW typed coming up. "After all, one of 'em did provide the funds to make me."
"Oh, and those creatures he revived? Most of 'em were minions from other armies that he exploited for his own gain. Isn't that right, boss?" Hope asked.
"Are you a hero, or a war profiteer?" Mr. Neptune sternly asked Flux.
"I'm the man who did what you could not." Flux said. "Do you not agree?"
"Flux! Flux! Flux! Flux!" the people chanted much to the heroes shock.
"But…how could…" Hope said.
"Get to the people…and you win the whole kingdom." Flux said as he took off running through a door with his new subjects.
"No….he…got the best of us?" Adora said.
"Flux…just what have you done?" Jexi said.