"Well, that happened." Mermista said.
"Those Nephilim that went with Flux…they're the same ones Grimoire resurrected." Spade said.
"Makes sense why Flux came here then. Saving those Nephilm from the titans meant minions for his army." Flamberge said.
"This isn't like any of Flux's other plans. He actually put some thought into this one." Leopardmon said.
"He's not usually this good, is he?" Law asked.
"No. Most of the time, his plans end up failing." Hope said.
"And it's usually because his plans are so obvious that they are easily dispelled. This time, though… I'm actually kind of scared of the lengths he's going to." David said.
"We might actually have to take him seriously this time." Ichiro said. "If he could do this to the population of Devaloka from the past, imagine what he could try with former versions of ourselves."
"Excuse me." A voice said as the Queen approached them.
"Oh. Ace's mom, right?" Glimmer asked. "Sorry we couldn't prevent your citizens from being taken over."
"It is alright, and please, call me Anza." The Queen said.
"Let me guess, you wanna know if the three guys you're seeing right now are your kids in the future?" Hitomi asked.
"I know very well they are. After all, he's holding Breidablik." Anza said as she directed her gaze at Ace. "And Spade is wearing parts of his father's old armor."
"Um, don't you three have something you want to say to her? I mean… You have probably wanted to see her for so long." David said.
"Y-Yes, I mean I missed her so much and there was so much I wanted to tell her about that…" Ace said as tears rolled down his cheeks before a pair of hands touched his cheeks as he looked up to see it was Anza. "Mom…"
"I can see in your eyes, that all three of you have been through so much, and I have never been so proud of you all." Anza smiled as she then turned to Spade and Simon. "Spade, my young knight in armor, you have been such a great older brother to Ace and Simon, and my little warlock Simon, even though you weren't born by blood, I was overjoyed to have you as a son, I'm truly sorry we could not have more time together."
"Mom!" Simon said, running up to Anza as she pulled him and Ace into a warm embrace.
"Awwww…." Sonia said.
"It's actually heartwarming seeing them like this." Hapi smiled.
"You three made so many good friends, and some of them Color Fighters no less." Anza smiled as she looked at the group. "Thank you all for watching over these three." she said.
"Boy, the adventures we've gotten into with these three, lemme tell ya." Gemini said.
"I can tell. I can see the Shadow Knights among you as well. I thought that they have…" Anza said.
"Long story there, but let's just say that Spade didn't kill 'em outright like it was believed." Hope said.
"He's right your majesty. Though, Spade might have already told you everything." Rugul said.
"I am aware." Anza said. "He had told me the events that transpired when he returned alone. But seeing you and the rest here back among the living means he has found a way, thanks to you all. Though the path he is currently taking is far from over as well as Simon's. Tormal must be stopped, and a great trial awaits Simon in the future that will change the lives of him and the Left Eye of the Overseer."
"Wait, you mean Bayonetta? No offense your highness, but we've met her before, she can take care of herself." Zephyr said.
"This is something that will affect the world and all of reality. This is something even she cannot face alone." Anza said. "Manmade monsters neither demon or angel, they seek to wipe out universes, so they may become strong enough to destroy the Trinity."
"Manmade monsters?"
"They are known as the Homunculi. But sadly, I do not know what they look like. All I ask is that when the time comes, please lend Simon and Bayonetta your aid." Anza said.
"Of course we will!" Mark exclaimed. "Simon's our friend."
"I know you will help them both. As well as defeat Tormal." Anza said. "Simon, before you go, I must tell you. As Bayonetta's powers grow, so too will yours, but when the predestined time comes to fruition will you discover them. I believe in you, my little warlock."
"Thank you, mom." Simon smiled.
"And Ace, your path is still undetermined, do not give into hate, believe in your friends and siblings, and I know you'll find the right path." Anza said, cupping Ace's cheeks. "I love all three of you with all my heart, just know your father and I are so proud." she smiled before she soon returned to the castle.
"Mom…" Ace said, clutching his pendant before wiping his eyes. "Thank you."
"Alright, let's get back on track. We gotta keep up with Flux and figure out a way to get ahead of him. I don't even wanna imagine the fact of him finally beating us and winning." Hope said.
"Tails mentioned before that what happens to people projected from memories won't affect their real world selves. So, push comes to shove, we might have to bash some heads." David said.
"Fine by me." Mark said, cracking his knuckles. "We've had a few days to rest since Onigashima. I'm feeling up to it."
"Alright. Time to explore other parts of our memories this universe clumped together." Catra said. "We don't know where Flux will be, or when. We just gotta go through the motions and make sure he's not around to make any major moves."
"We've done memories from David, Ace and Jexi's groups already. We should try moving to mine, Dark Waters or Mark's next." Hope said.
"Wanna give it a try, Darkie?" Makoto asked.
"No thanks. I bet my head's a mess. What if I accidentally think of the wrong thing and we end up somewhere chaotic like say, I dunno… London being destroyed by catholics crusading and Nazis invading?" DW typed.
"Thankfully, you only speak through texts, and speech is kinda a part of remembering things." Hope said. "But better to not risk it right now. Mark, maybe you should try? I-I mean, only if you want to. The last time we explored your memories, it wasn't pretty."
"Hmm…well, I'm willing to take one for the team, if that's what it takes to stop Flux." Mark said. "So…let's think back to a more pleasant memory…the day I started training."
At those words, another door appeared before them.
"Alright, let's do this." Mark said as he pushed the door open, the group venturing through it into the setting of a peaceful plain out in the countryside.
"Where the heck are we? It looks so…normal." ZS said, looking around at the grand expanse.
"I haven't seen plains this vast since Folklore." Rugul said.
"Welcome to an isolated part of the Great Plains." Mark told the group. "A broad expanse of flatland of about 500 thousand square miles. And my home from ages 12 to 14."
"So we're somewhere between Montana and Minnesota." Spade said.
"Roughly." Mark said as he saw a caravan being pulled by horses passing by. "Oh, there's a familiar sight… that's how I got here. The people in that caravan found me while I was in that…situation you guys saw in my head. Needless to say, they took me with them. C'mon, let's see where this goes."
Mark led the group, following the caravan until it came to a stop in front of a surprisingly pristine house that broke the seemingly endless flatlands. The doors to the caravan opened, a group of humble travelers stepping out, the last passenger being a younger looking Mark who looked fearful.
"Wow… that woman we saw really rocked you good." Vashyron said.
"Hey, we didn't get her name, what was it anyway?"
"Her name's not important." Mark said with a tone of finality. "Anyway, I was pretty scared the first few months after I left that place. I thought I was heading into something worse."
"Right this way, little one." one of the travelers motioned to the young Mark, the boy shuffling towards the house. The traveler opened the door, allowing the boy entry.
"No sign of Flux yet. Maybe he isn't interested in this memory." Scarlet suggested.
"That, or even Flux knows better than to interfere with these kinds of memories." Emo said.
"Probably the former, more likely." Mark said. "As I was saying, that's when I met the master of the flatlands: Komugi."
Mark led the group towards the house and, motioning for them to be quiet, peaked into the building, seeing an old man sitting in the middle of it, the travelers standing before him.
"Master Komugi, we've returned." one of the travelers bowed. "And we've brought a potential new member of our clan. Say hello, Mark."
"...Hello…" the young Mark mumbelled quietly.
"Why hello there, little one." the old master said in a soothing tone. "You seem downtrodden. What hurts you so?"
"Ah, Master, this one is a…delicate matter. You see, when we found him…" the lead traveler started before getting closer to the master and whispering the rest of the sentence to him.
"...Ah, I see." Komugi nodded in understanding. "Well, do not fear, young Mark. You are safe here."
"..." Mark was silent, unable to meet the old man's gaze.
"I fear it will take more than words to help him." the lead traveler admitted. "Perhaps we should ease him into our ways. I fear that pushing too hard will-"
"I say leave that kid with me." a voice said as Flux stepped into view. "I can take very good care of him."
"Well, look who's wrong." Mermista said to Emo.
"And I will take the L for today." Emo said. "Now, we should probably stop him."
"And who are you?" one of the travelers asked Flux.
"I am a genius who will change the world. As such, I am gathering a number of talented individuals like that boy under my wing." Flux said.
"You don't understand, sir. This boy has been physically and mentally scarred by incredible trauma. It's a miracle we've even brought him here without him running away from us." another said.
"Ah…that right. Well…that can be solved. Young boy…how would you like to kill your tormentor?" Flux asked.
"Oh no…" Hope said. "Mark, do you think…?"
"I was still in the fear stage." Mark said. "I couldn't even think of hurting her. I was still at the point where I thought I was-"
"No! I can't!" the younger Mark cried out. "I'm worthless! I can't kill anyone, I can't hurt anyone! I'm worthless, I don't matter to anyone!" he cried.
"Whoa… He is out of it." Flux muttered a bit.
"You're really willing to go this far? I thought for a villain like you, you would at least have standards." Yuri said, more about the villain than directly speaking to him.
"I simply want to achieve my goal. Things like standards don't matter at the moment." Flux said.
"So we live rent-free in your head so much that you're willing to do anything to beat us now, is that it?" Hope said.
"Hahahahaha! That's funny. You think I'm constantly thinking about you." Flux said as he laughed. "I admit Jexi has a place, you're more the annoying comic relief."
"Funny, we could say the same about you since you got mauled by a bear that one time." Saki said.
"Hey, that was an accident and you know it!" Flux said. "So come on kid! Let's go kill your tormentor and break your fear!" he said as he grabbed the boy by the wrist.
"Wait, don't-!" Mark called out in alarm.
"Don't touch ME!" the younger Mark yelled as his body exploded in Ki, drowning the area in dense energy.
"What?!" Vegeta asked in shock sensing the energy. "Mark, you never told us you were this powerful as a child!"
"That's just it! I wasn't!" Mark yelled over the noise of rushing wind. "At least…I never unleashed it before the Underworld. Why…oh no."
"Dammit! You as a kid were walking bomb with a short fuse!" Flux said, shielding himself from the pressure, even as he kept a grip on young Mark's arm. "Oh, screw subtly at this point!" he yelled as another door appeared before him as he dragged past Mark into it.
"No! Don't take me back! Please!" past Mark cried before the door slammed shut and disappeared, the wave of energy vanishing with it.
"Well, that was something. Were you really that unstable as a child?" David asked.
"Yeah. Took me over a year to get somewhat stable mentally, and even then…well, you all saw." Mark said.
"My group didn't, but… We get the jist of it." David said. "Still, though… I don't want to get into too many details, but… I'm sure there are a lot of things you want to say to your tormentor now, do you?"
"When we were in Mark's head, he took out all his aggression on that woman. Plus, even if we did follow Flux… you wouldn't really like to get to know her, lemme just say that." Hope said.
"Right… I'll just…leave it at that, then." David said.
"Knowing Flux, he likely won't keep that promise and just hold the younger Mark and make him a soldier." Jexi said.
"After what we just saw, he's a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode." Shun'ei said.
Ichiro chuckled a bit.
"Ogami, this isn't funny." Sakura stared.
"No, it's not that, Sakura." Ichiro said. "I just find it very heartening that the young Mark we saw, who was so scared of everything and was afraid to fight back, grew up to be the man we all know today."
"Y'know Ichiro, you're right. You've come a long way, Mark. Without you, the Eds wouldn't be where they are, you've helped so many people, and you've gotten over your fears and personal problems." Hope said.
"Aw stop, you're all making me blush!" Mark chuckled before he got serious. "With all that said, we should move on. The longer we wait, the stronger Flux's army gets."
"Right. Younger you is a bust, but Flux can still access the rest of our memories and assemble his army from us in the past." Hope said. "I'll find us a way forward next."
"Just don't let it be anything Flux can take advantage of." Adora said.
"If it's from me, he probably won't go for it. Lots of people see me as the screw up and walking disaster, including him, remember?" Hope asked.
"Hey now, don't talk down yourself like that. You've come a long way since then." Ace said.
"Of course I know that. I've had plenty of big moments. Defeating Laser Man and saving the Multiverse on more than one occasion of course. And just recently, defeating an Emperor of the Sea." Hope said.
"Bet we never hear the end of that one." Pit whispered.
"There are a lot of memories he could use from Hope too. What could be one he couldn't use?" Sunset pondered.
"Wait…what about a recent peaceful one?" Jexi asked.
"I think you're onto something, Jexi." Hope said. "Just lemme think…."
Hope thought for a minute before another door appeared.
"Got it!" Hope said. "This should get us a way forward and make sure Flux doesn't cause more trouble."
"Mark, before we go, you got somethin' y'wanna say to your old master?" Akane asked, motioning to Komugi.
Mark was silent for a few moments before he turned to his old master and bowed.
"Thank you…for saving me that day." Mark said in gratitude as he joined his teammates as they all went through the door.
"...What…just happened?" one of the travelers asked in utter confusion.
"A reliving of memory." Komugi stated with a smile.
Going through the door, the group arrived at their next destination.
"This is the most recent and peaceful memory I recalled. Hope I remembered a winner…" Hope said as the group passed through the exit and arrived in the stands of the Winter Olympics.
"The games? Hope…you genius." Sonic said.
"Flux isn't going to target a memory like this cause everyone here already sees him as an enemy or wouldn't fall for his tricks." Aelita said.
"Phew… glad I didn't mess that up." Hope said.
"Yeah, I admit, I was a little…frazzled before these Games, for obvious reasons." David said. "Well, Cheetah's hospitalization, but also because Sachiko and I just did our final exams before we got here."
"Really now? How well did you guys do?" Alphen asked.
"Knowing you two, I bet you guys got top grades." Hope said.
"Yep. We sure did." David said.
"We're seniors now, so we have to set a good example for the others." Sachiko said.
"Yeah, and Tatsuya took me to the zoo after the exams to help me clear my mind. I think that really helped out during these Games." David said.
"She must be really close if it rattled you a bit like that." Law said.
"Erm… It depends on your definition of 'close'." David said, laughing a bit. "But… Yeah, it was a bit of a rollercoaster, but I'm not going to change what happened. I have no regrets."
"Haha… That sounds just like you." Zacian said.
"Thanks, Hope. I think coming back here really helped." David said.
"Don't mention it, David." Hope said. "Still, this wont stop Flux. We gotta figure out how to get ahead of him before he tries going for more memories where he can build his army."
"Maybe that's what we should be thinking of. We keep trying to get ahead but its getting us nowhere. Instead…we need to figure out where he's taken all the people." Starlight said.
"It has to be somewhere he's familiar with, and knows how to get to easily." Adora said. "His old ship the Dark Cruiser, maybe?"
"That would be the first place he'd know we'd check." Jexi said.
"Actually…I think I may know someplace he would go." Lan said.
"Lan? Did Flux tell you about it while you were in the Lost Thieves?" David asked.
"He talked about it with the boss and I happened to hear. Before I was kicked out, he'd bought an abandoned world and said he's established his dream kingdom." Lan said.
"An abandoned world. Of course he'd do it someplace no one knows about." Alphamon said.
"Dream Kingdom…that utopia he keeps going on about. His…what was it? Ah. Fluxtopia!" Leanne said.
"I know the guy has a massive ego, but…" David started.
"Flux has to be going to a memory of that kingdom he's made." Jexi said. "That's where he's taking everyone."
"Alright. We know the place. Now we just need to find a way to get there." David said.
"Sorry. But he's never taken any of the Lost Thieves there. Only ones who's actually been there are him, the boss and that guy that followed Flux, Ian I think." Lan said.
"Hmm… I got it!" Frosta said. "This Ian guy, Flux never goes anywhere without him, right?"
"Well, he's basically his right hand man. Why?" Hope asked.
"It's simple. We find Ian, he can take us to Fluxtopia." Frosta said.
"I haven't seen him with Flux so they're likely doing their gatherings separately." Jexi said.
"Then let's go find this guy. The lackey always leads the way to the boss in the end." Hitomi said.
"Hitomi, Cheetah and the other jungle cats aren't here for this, so we'll be counting on you to track him." David said.
"Yeah yeah, I'm all over it." Hitomi said. "Seeing as how this palace is so big from all our heads together, we're gonna have to sniff around a bit. But, I never said I wasn't interested in a good hunt or anything."
"Okay then. Let's play a little Memory Hide and Seek. Our target, Ian." Hope said.