The Galaxy King headed towards the Idol Universe in order to look for the disturbance there.
"Wait, you guys have been to this universe before any of us?" Hope asked.
"Yeah. We actually took a job here that turned out to be a trap." Ethox said. "We went to Vinyl City, and it was kinda oppressed with EDM. I'll tell you guys, being there was a trip."
"So, we were here before too. During the Horde prime invasion thing." Lan said. "Well some of us."
"Oh...I...yeah." Hope said. "Guess...I kinda overhyped this. Anyway...any idea where the…"
"Uh...won't need to. Looks like millions of viewers beat us to it." Luna said.
"What?" Jexi asked.
"Magenta is doing a live thing on TV." Sunset said.
"That's right, people. In a stunning turn of events, as if under the cover of a dark night, a massive city of lights has appeared near where there used to be nothing but wasteland!" Magenta said showing a massive city that was completely lit up.
"A whole city?" Emil said in surprise.
"Considering that one of the dungeons was an actual circle of Hell, a dungeon that's a giant city is believable, yet impressive in its own right." Mirror Match stated.
"This one really takes the cake." Al said.
"Yeah...looks like Canaan is going grander." Theo said.
"We have tried several times to investigate this city but there are a number of gangs who have taken up residence as well as their mysterious leader whom we have yet to identify." Magenta said as the camera zoomed in on a man dressed as a bard.
"Just like any other city, lots of gang activity." David said.
"It's New York all over again." Thorani said.
"Oh, trust me. It was like this in EDEN, too." Sachiko said.
"Though this bard leading them...I can tell something is...off about them. This is worth looking into." Ainz said.
"So, let's head to this city. Canaan wants us to have adventures? Let's give her that wish." Hope said.
They soon flew off and landed just outside of this new city in front of its sign.
"Fantasia of Lights...fitting." Ivy said.
"Okay...looks like the bard is the ringleader. Maybe if we take them down, we can disrupt the power here." Subaru said.
"Hold up, Subaru. You can sense it, can you?" Sectonia asked.
"Sense what?" Subaru asked.
"She means that feeling that was coming from the bard. It's an energy that doesn't feel like it belongs to this universe at all." Naofumi said.
"Besides...if he is the leader, he's likely got bodyguards hidden to protect him." Jexi said.
"Which means we will have to dig a little deeper and figure out what's really going on." Captain Cold said.
"Guys, look over there!" Bow had the group's attention turned to just down the street, where there was a fight going on between two of the gangs Magenta had described.
"Voice wasn't kidding about the gangs." Mark said. "You want to intervene, or should we walk by?"
"Wait a second, which gangs are we talking about here?" Jude asked.
"Hm, allow me to check." Double D said, bringing up a screen. "According to the latest reports, the two biggest gangs here are known as 'The Composition' and the 'Wind Chimes', the latter being led by the mysterious bard. The fighters near us have uniforms that match the ones worn by the gangs."
"I think we have a better chance of siding with those Composition guys." David said. "I hope we don't regret this later…"
"I second that hope." Mark said, powering up. "For now, though…"
The boy charged forward, dashing past the Composition members and landing a haymaker on the first Wind Chime he reached, sending them flailing backwards through the street.
"...let's clean the streets." Mark finished as the stunned gang members snapped back to the moment just in time for the rest of the group to reach them.
"Snipe Roar!" Rutee called, slashing forward before retreating diagonally as she continued the attack.
Adora cut down some Wind Chime members attacking some members of the Composition as she turned to the ones she saved.
"We're here to help. Everyone okay?" Adora asked.
"The Hero Alliance? Never thought you'd come to our neck of the woods." one of the members said. "Nevermind actually helping us."
"Don't worry about it. We're here investigating this bard guy that leads your rivals." Kaibara said, blocking a strike with his gyrating arm and kicking a Wind Chime thug back.
"Seeing as we have a common enemy, how 'bout we consider working together?" Glimmer asked, teleporting to evade another thug. "Y'know, as soon as we're finished here."
"Well, how about that? C'mon, boys! Let's give the good guys a hand!" the lead Composition member said as they redoubled their offense against the opposing gang alongside the group.
Within minutes, any Wind Chime members not unconscious decided to cut their losses and ran away, some carrying their knocked out members, leaving the street clear save for the Composition and the group.
"Thanks for the help here." The lead Composition member thanked as the gang members holstered their weapons. "We might've lost a few of our guys if it wasn't for you."
"No problem. How is it that you've heard of us?" Hope asked.
"You kidding? Some of you are pretty much celebrities in your respective fields." the lead member said. "And that's before you get into the 10 or 11 times you've saved the Multiverse."
"Ah, it's nothing to it. Just doing what we believed was the right thing to do." David said.
"As a person who lives in this reality of ours, I'd say your belief was right on target." the gangster said, causing the other Composition members to chuckle. "So, you guys are after the bard leading the Wind Chimes, right?
"That's right. He seems to be holding a lot of people here in his hold of some sort." Cheetah said.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." the lead gangster said. "The Composition used to be the main gang around here, till that bard showed up. Next thing you know, the Wind Chimes have half of the city in their pocket and are running wild, getting good people hurt or worse. We've been trying to force 'em out for almost three weeks now, but it's like trying to run through molasses."
"But now that you're here, we'll beat those guys no problem!" one of the other gangsters spoke up. "I say we go get that bard right now!"
"Whoa, cool your jets, kid." the leader cautioned. "We don't know everything about this whole business." he said, before he turned back to the group. "Tell you what? How 'bout you follow us to our base of operations and get the whole story from our boss, the Baton? He's a decent guy, as far as decent guys go."
"Well, it's a lot better than charging in without a plan." Francisca said.
"See guys, that's an outlook that'll keep you breathing right there." the leader said before the Composition members turned around, the leader waving at the group to follow. "Come on, we're at the Fantasia Nightclub. It's not that far."
The group followed the gangsters, turning through several streets until they stood in front of an extravagant building with lights that shone so brightly, it was as if it shined like a diamond. On top of a large set of stairs, glass doors allowed entrance, with a figure who was covered in a cloak standing in front of them.
"Don't mind the guy up there, he's the bouncer." the lead gangster said. "Don't cause trouble, and he won't bother you."
The group followed the Composition members up the stairs and through the automatic doors, the gangsters throwing a few quick greetings to the bouncer, who simply nodded in return. However, when Scott and Ramona passed by, the figure's hidden face seemed to focus on them for a half-second longer before it turned away.
"Well, that was weird." Scott said.
"Yeah… He felt...familiar somehow." Ramona said.
Once inside, the group found themselves in a massive room with lights, a bar to the left, booths to the right, and a huge dance floor in the center. Music filled the air as the gangsters waited a few moments for the group to take it all in.
"Not bad, huh?" the leader asked. "Welcome to Fantasia Nightclub, the city's main source for entertainment, and our headquarters."
"I feel like I could dance all night here." Lei said.
"You probably could, but we got business. C'mon, I see the boss in one of the booths." the leader said as he led the group to the right side of the building until they reached a man in a tuxedo and bowtie, wearing white gloves, sitting around a table by himself, holding a glass of wine.
"Boss, we're back." the leader introduced himself to the man. "And we brought a few acquaintances I think you'll like."
The man looked up, seeing the group. "Ah, so you did. You all did well tonight, you're dismissed. I'll have a chat with our guests here."
The gangsters departed after a few goodbyes, leaving them with the man, who gestured the heroes to have a seat.
"Allow me to keep introductions brief." the man said as the group sat or stood, depending on preference. "I'm the Baton, leader of the Composition and proud citizen of Fantasia City. And… I already know who you all are, so we might as well get down to business. You're here for that bard."
"Objectively, yes." David said.
"Yeah...guy's been a pain since he got here. Whenever another enemy gang tries to go at them, he uses his music to make them his allies." Baton said. "And then there's the reason we started calling his gang the Wind Chimes."
"The reason?" Ethox asked.
"One time, some of my gang members were making headway against his group in one part of the city. All of the sudden, a blasted tornado showed up and blew those kids away. Didn't even touch the bard's people." The Baton said. "That harp of his is something, and it's not a good something."
"Well, that shouldn't be a problem if we work together and all that." Eddy said. "We went through the biggest storm you've ever seen just three weeks ago."
"There's more than the storm, I'm afraid." Baton said. "Thing is, I know where the bard is: Beacon Tower, at the center of the city, top floor. Guy never leaves that building."
"So we go and attack the tower." Molotok said.
"You can't." Baton said. "Or at least, the majority of you can't."
"Oh joy, it's one of those power-sealing situations, isn't it?" David asked.
"I'm afraid so." Baton sighed. "The tower has a one-of-a-kind device they call 'Dose of Reality'. From what I've heard, it can somehow make a whole area seem like it's part of that Earth Prime place you've been to a couple times. And you guys know what that means."
"No special abilities, except for Scott and Ramona." ZS said.
"Technically our Personas count now, but… Yeah, we'll have to rely on our physical strengths." Scott said.
"So, when you factor that device, and the virtual army of guards and gang members in the building, nobody could get inside without getting mauled." Baton said. "However… I got a way in, and a way to shut that Dose of Reality down."
"Really? Well, let's hear it!" Nemo said.
"Well… here's the thing…" Baton said, causing a few of the group members to groan.
"Let me guess, you want us to buy the info?" Mark sighed.
"No. I want you to prove you can earn the info. By fighting our bouncer." Baton said. "He's part of the plan, and I need to make sure you can work with him."
"The bouncer? The guy we passed by a moment ago?" Scott asked.
"That's the one." Baton said. "He's a fighter, I can tell you that. Now, obviously you guys can take him down, but the point isn't to win; it's to see if you got synergy with him. After all, you can tell alot about people by the way they fight."
"We've been hearing that a lot." Rayleigh said.
"Probably because it's true." Baton said. "So, you willing to go a round with him? I swear on my honor, this is all I'll ask you to do."
"Well, I guess a quick bout wouldn't hurt." Ramona said.
"Perfect!" Baton said as he pressed a finger to his ear. "Bouncer, you're needed on the dance floor. It's… a special dance."
Within moments, the cloaked bouncer entered the nightclub and walked to the dance floor, the patrons moving away when they noticed him, some among them looking excited.
"I'd take any one of you for this test of synchronicity. But I'd think the bouncer would prefer it if he fought… them." Baton said, pointing to Scott and Ramona.
"Wait, us?" Scott asked. "Wait… Does he know us?"
"Let's just say you're not the only ones who've grown up." Baton said. "Best to not keep him waiting."
The two headed down to the dance floor to meet the mysterious bouncer as the crowd gave them some room.
"...Hey." the bouncer finally spoke plainly.
"Hold on… That voice." Scott said.
"Never thought we'd see him again after so long." Ramona said.
"Knew you'd remember after hearing me talk." the bouncer said. "Now, I don't really do this anymore, but just for you guys, I'm going to bring it back."
The bouncer grabbed his cloak and flung it off, revealing an Indian young man with black hair that covered his left eye, wearing a white suit.
"Scott Pilgrim and Ramona Flowers!" the man declared. "It is I! Matthew Patel! Consider our rematch… begun!"