"Ugh… it's pitch black down here, I can't see a thing." Mermista said.
"Keep your braids on, fish princess." Razmi said, raising her lantern as Bom brightened it.
"Thanks Razmi. Think you can take point so Bom can light the way?" Kendo asked.
"Yeah, I guess, I'm not good at close range, so watch my back if any monsters attack." Razmi said.
"It should not be an issue." Theo said as they headed down a long path.
"This hallway is so long there's even an echo." Marta said.
"Yeah...just how far does this...place...go?" Jexi said as they came to a light up ahead that illuminated some subterranean town.
"A town underneath Monster Town? Didn't see that coming." Bow said.
"I mean, I've heard of underground settlements, but…" Sachiko started.
"Guess this Warmonger guy wanted to feel like he was still in charge." Bakugo said.
"Well, that certainly screams ego." Emo said, pointing to a large, blue crystal tower that stood at the center of the town, clashing with the ambiance.
"Whoa, compensating much?" David asked. "I was expecting something like a giant statue or something, but what kind of tool sticks a tower smack dab in the middle of town?"
"Probably someone who wants to present his authority to everyone who lives near it." Hope said. "And I'm guessing that tower is where the Warmonger lives."
"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go over there and tear it down." Natsu said.
A lot of feedback was soon heard as a speaker activated.
"Greetings once again my loyal subjects. It pains me to say this...but it appears those weaklings up top have sent yet another troop to try and silence us. This time, the pathetic Hero Alliance has been called in to snuff me out." a voice called out. "But fear not, my soldiers. Remember, the Crystal Shard gives us strength. Bring them to me. I would prefer them alive, but… dead will be acceptable as well."
The speaker finished the announcement as growls and yells of battle frenzy began to ring out from the town.
"Well...gotta give him credit. He's got a way with the people." Meowth said.
"Yeah, it's called 'mind control'." ZS said.
"Not mind control, he's just appealing to the monsters he's ruling over by conditioning them with his state of mind." Hope said.
"All people like him do is whisper sweet nothings just to satisfy his own ego. Hate those kinds of people more than anything." David said.
"Oh there's no need to worry. The man will soon be nothing but a stain on the pavement once we are finished with him." Ainz said.
"Besides...the guy just gave away his biggest weakness." Sanji said, looking towards the large crystal.
"Yes. He said that this giant crystal is the source of his power. Once that is destroyed, he'll have nothing left." Cheetah said.
"We'll have to get past his army of monsters first. Though that'll be pretty easy." Gemini said.
"It really pains me to do this, but we have no choice." Rosalie said.
"Yes. Some of our species come from mythological origins, so this is rather personal for some of us here." Nesma said.
"Just remember, this is all Warmonger's fault." Mark said. "We're fighting for the monsters down here just as much as for the ones up there."
The monsters were soon surrounding them as the group looked around with caution.
"He's got an army all right. So…" Jexi said as he punched out a large oni. "Let's not deny them a show."
"It wasn't like we were waiting on an invitation." Rayleigh said with a grin cracking his knuckles.
"Remember, a good smack might bring them back to their senses. Even if you have to knock them out." David said.
"Now that, we have no problems covering." Rayleigh said.
The battle against the monsters began. Inside the tower, the large hulking figure known as the Warmonger watched the battle unfolding before his eyes.
"Hmm...seems they're putting up more of a fight than I expected. Seems the rumors about their strength wasn't just hot air after all." he said.
"Magnetic Field!" Ace called as he Brave Shifted with Batootha's axe form in hand as he laid down a field of magnetic energy that slowed down and damaged some of the monsters unconscious. "Sorry about this."
"Hmm...it seems they're deliberately going out of their way to make sure none of my soldiers are killed." the Warmonger said. "What bleeding hearts."
"Alright Ace! My turn now!" Mark said as he lept into a group of monsters, subduing them with quick, hard jabs to the heads.
"Sorry about this, but we promise to free you from this tyrant!" Frosta said, imprisoning another group of monsters in ice.
"Well...I guess it's time to show them what their kindness gets them." the Warmonger said as he snapped his fingers.
As some of the attacking monsters continued to battle, a number of them turned their attention to their unconscious allies and started to deal blows to them.
"Oh, that is just wrong on so many levels…" David said.
"You see? It does not matter if you spare them. They will still end up becoming casualties in the end of this long standing war I will bring about!" the Warmonger declared. "That is the price to obtain power!"
"I see...so this is the kind of person you truly are. You really are...utterly worthless." Ainz said. "Aura of Despair...Fourth tier." Ainz said as a wave washed over a majority of the monster army as they started to cower and whimper as they quickly dispersed in random directions.
"Nice work, Ainz. That ought to shut him up for now." David said.
"What...what did you do?!" the Warmonger demanded. "I can't regain control!"
"Aura of Despair...the fourth tier. It causes insanity in its targets." Ainz said. "Unfortunately for you, it cannot be removed without magic from a third party."
"Curse you, Sorcerer King Ainz! I will not be denied!" Warmonger said as he drew out a small, blue crystal. "Feel the might of the Crystal Shard… and bend to my will!" he declared as he unleashed a wave of magical energy at the group from his tower.
"Just need a clear shot." David said as he drew his gun and aimed at the source of the energy.
"Calm yourself...there's no need to panic." Ainz said.
"What? Why aren't you bending?" the Warmonger demanded.
"Oh? Did you not know that undead races are immune to mind control?" Ainz asked.
"Well, that and the fact that our willpower is stronger than yours. Psychology, punk." David said.
"Get ready, we're coming up there and we're gonna force you to call off your invasion of Monster Town!" Glimmer said.
Warmonger ran into his chambers, in an attempt to prepare.
"No need to fret, you still have your magic power. You can certainly… take them…" Warmonger started before a wave of dizziness overtook him. "What? What's going…?" he muttered before he collapsed, the Crystal Shard falling from his grasp.
Soon, the group infiltrated the tower, running up the steps and barged into the chambers.
"Alright Warmonger, you're going...down?" Eddy said in confusion as they saw the mage lying on the ground. "Uh… I don't suppose this is some secret spell I don't know anything about?"
"Be careful… I'm sensing something." David said.
The unconscious Warmonger groaned as he started to regain consciousness. "Uuugghhh… where… Where am I? Wait…" he started, looking around. "This isn't Icewind Dale. What happened?"
"Oh come on. You really think we're gonna fall for that crap?" Bakugo asked, preparing to blast him.
"H-Huh?" Warmonger asked, looking scared.
"Hmm...Charm Person." Ainz said as a spell washed over the mage. "Are you all right, my friend?"
"Huh...oh...uh...yeah. I'm totally fine." he said.
"Let me ask you….does the name Warmonger mean anything to you?" Ainz asked.
"Warmonger?" the mage asked. "...No, I've never heard of them. Is he some kind of war lord?"
"I see...so that's what is going on. This is not the Warmonger. Or at least, he's not him anymore." Ainz said.
"Wait, I believe I see where he's going with this." Mirror Match said. "The real threat is-!"
"(Right behind you.)"
The group turned around to see the Crystal Shard shaking on the ground before it floated up, bathed in blue light.
"So this is your actual body. You are a spirit sealed within crystal that needs a host in order to interact with the actual world." Ainz said.
"(A spirit? No… I am no spirit. I am Crenshinibon, the Crystal Shard.)" the crystal spoke into the group's heads. "(And I shall finish the conquest that I began so long ago.)"
"How are you gonna do that? You're just a shard." Riolu said.
"(A shard with power.)" the Crystal Shard said. "(That is my purpose. To obtain power. Even the conquest of the world above is but a stepping stone in pursuit of that goal. Thus, I have spent the years below spying into the worlds beyond, learning all forms of powerful magic. And though I prefer to use others as my vessel… I am now capable of fighting for myself.)"
Crenshinibon's glow grew brighter as a sort of wireframe was drawn around the crystal. Soon, the light faded, revealing a humanoid construct of blue crystal, the shard visible inside of the body.
"(I shall break your wills, and your power will be under my command.)" the Crystal Shard declared. "(Then, my invasion of the surface shall begin!)"
"Hahahahahahahaha!" Ainz laughed. "Ah yes. Now you sound familiar. Crenshinibon...a relic from the Forgotten Realms series."
"Another sentient artifact, hm?" Cheetah asked.
"Yes. I remember reading those books. As such...I know it...your weakness." Ainz said.
"(Weakness?)" Crenshinibon asked.
"Yes...you cannot withstand dragon fire whilst within darkness." Ainz said. "The only known way to destroy you."
"(What makes you think you can scare me with such a bluff?)" the shard asked as it slowly backed away.
"If you believe it's a bluff...then why do you seem so frightened?" Ainz asked.
"Seems to us like he's hit the nail on the coffin." Kokoro said.
"Oh yeah...let's roast this rock." Natsu said. "I'm all fired up."
Both dragons jumped up into the air.
"Fire Dragon King's...Roar!" Natsu called out as he and Kokoro breathed fire on the crystal shard itself.
"(Aaaargh! NO! It can't end like this! Nooooo!)" Crenshinibon yelled as his projection shattered, followed in short by the Crystal Shard itself.
When the dust settled, all that remained were tiny pieces.
"Well...that was crazy. Who knew the thing jumped out from some fantasy novel." Rainbow said.
"Yes… I remember now." The creature Crenshinibon influenced recalled. "When I found that crystal, it seemed to...take control of me. It must've enslaved the populace of where I am now."
"It did. It likely wanted to use the town to attempt to conquer the worlds." Ainz said. "However, now that it's destroyed, they should regain their senses. Do you have a name?"
"Ah… it's Peter. Peter Kipling." Peter said. "I was in Icewind Dale on an expedition, and I found Crenshinibon. How we ended up here in… I don't even know where, is beyond my comprehension. It… it said something about other worlds. Is that where I am?"
"Yes. You are under New York City...in Cross World...of the Standard Universe." Ainz said.
"...I have no knowledge of any of those places." Peter said. "W-What will I do now? I'm in a strange world, with no way to get home…"
"I wouldn't say that." Scarlet said. "If you head up top, there are people that can help you. Just give them your universal signature, and they can pinpoint your world's location and take you home."
"I… I don't know what a universal signature is, but alright." Peter said, standing up. "I suppose… I'll just follow you to the surface then."
"We're not heading back just yet, I'm afraid." Asgore said. "There are other victims of that evil relic down here as well. We must make sure they're alright."
"Good thinking, your majesty." Double D said. "The monsters the shard took control of will most likely be confused as well."
"Come on...we got work to do." Theo said as they headed out.