A week had passed since the clearing of that final dungeon, the news of the dungeons that had been cleared have been spread far and wide through the use of the Delibird and the Pelipper and people were becoming enamored by it.
Adventure Universe, a certain kingdom…
"Dang it...those guys…" Rimuru sighed as he looked at the paper. "I should have taken time off but...I had to keep my promise. Oh well...guess we'll just have to talk about it next time we see one another."
Nature Universe, some frozen lands…
"Well...seems Ishihara has done it again." Glacius said.
"He sure has. He always seems to have a knack for pulling off stunts like this." Esmeralda said.
"But...to think that forest was full of dangerous monsters and an Elder Dragon of all things." Glacius said.
"It just goes to show what kinds of mysteries lurk beyond our own borders." Esmeralda said. "As for where the future lies… For once, I am quite uncertain."
"Perhaps he'll return to slay more beasts one day." Glacius said. "But...that seems too on the nose."
"Well, short of faking his own death, it's hard to say, really." Esmeralda said.
Sky Universe, a certain chain of sky islands…
"Well...seems the universes now know of what truly transpired in that temple." Uriel said. "Eden's existence is no longer so secret."
"It would seem so." Mastemon added. "Is it for the best that they know?"
"Hard to say. The existence of living paradises has been secret for many centuries. Hard to imagine what their reveal will bring to others." Uriel said.
"Even if they do, things will possibly stay the same." Mastemon said, pouring a cup of tea and it to Uriel. "But it depends on whether it will affect the future or not. All we can do is observe."
"All you do is observe. I will never stop fighting for what is right." Uriel said as she took off.
"Of course, you have your role, and I have mine that I swore an Oath to." Mastemon said.
The Circle of Fraud, Inferno…
"And so, it is with great honor that I bestow upon you, Jack the Hacker, the title of Demon King of Discord." one of the Demon Kings announced to J-Hack, who bowed his head in respect.
"Thank you for this opportunity, fellow kings." J-Hack thanked the nine kings.
"Thank those heroes, J-Hack. It would seem you made an impression on them, for them to request we give you this title." another of the kings said.
"Take heed, J-Hack." the lead Demon King said. "We know of your goal to reform the system of Hell, and we support this goal, for the sake of efficiency if nothing else. However, there are those who would prefer the system remains the way it is, and the path to becoming a Demon Lord will not be an easy one. Even being elected as one will be an arduous challenge, to say nothing of implementing change. Do you understand the trials ahead?"
"I understand." J-Hack answered. "And I will do my best to overcome them."
"Then take your seat, Demon King of Discord." the Demon King offered. "And let this act herald a new age for the Demon Universe."
J-Hack walked towards and sat in the throne of Discord, prepared for the inevitable fights ahead for the right to become a Demon Lord.
Standard Universe, Cross World…
"Wow...those guys really did it." Peter said looking at a paper. "More to the point...this is incredible. Paper that reports the news. These universes never cease to amaze me."
"Uh...sure...sure…" said the Pelipper that had delivered the paper to him.
"I still find it incredible...they couldn't figure out the universe I originally belonged to. Maybe I should use this chance...to explore a little." he said.
Standard Universe, Tokyo….
"Hey, take a look at this!" Aruma said, showing the paper to the class.
"The 28 mystery dungeons that suddenly appeared...have been cleared by a nine group party." Akira read.
"Hey...it's...it's our team from Pokemon Square." Tatsuya said.
"So it is...and with many new friends by their side." Kasumi said with a soft smile. "Keep taking our memories further than we ever could, Totodile...Meowth...Gardevoir…"
Steam Universe, a particular factory…
"So they really cleared this place? Like...for real?" Sweat asked.
"Maybe it's safe to take over." Blood said.
"I dunno." Tears said.
"C'mon, Tears, maybe we can find something that'll supe up our ride for the IG-2." Blood said. "It's not like anyone's gonna miss a few parts or-"
"Perhaps you should ask before you speak of obtaining parts?" a voice behind them said, the three turning around to see Atlas standing there.
"...Ah…" Blood paled at the sight of the steam golem.
"Do not fear, I have no intention of harming you." Atlas assured. "You say you are looking for upgrades to a vehicle, yes? Hm… perhaps we could part with a few, if we could obtain some assistance getting off-world and to the world of the Combat Revues."
"Uh...thanks?" the trio said.
"You're quite welcome." Atlas smiled. "Come, there is work to be done."
"...Guys, did we just agree to get a bunch of steam golems to the Sakura Wars world?" Sweat asked.
"Just roll with it. We need this." Tears said.
Ocean Universe, the Coral Sea…
"Would you look at that. Our sea got in the paper." a mermaid said.
"So did that fish guy." another mermaid said. "How did you even get him to marry you?"
"Well...I may have slipped something into his drink." the first mermaid said.
"Oh-hoho, you sneaky little minx." the second one said.
"Hey, I'm almost 26. I gotta find someone to provide for me." she said.
"Truly, necessity is the mother of creativity…" yet another mermaid sighed.
"Yeah well...he better be worth it." the first mermaid said. "I'm not filing for divorce."
Mythos Universe, Greek Continent…
"Hmm...seems Theo is doing well for himself." said the minotaur elder of the minotaur village.
"Yes… It felt so good to see my son again, after all this time." another minotaur said.
"That minotaur is little Ross. Huh...he's grown so much, I hardly recognized him." the elder said.
"Yes, since Yamigedo attacked, I worry for him each passing day. I'm glad to see his companions are treating him well." the second minotaur said.
"I'm sure the other families across the Mythos Universe feel the same about their original residents." the elder said.
Desert Universe, Oasis…
"Wow...he looks soooo good in this." Hathor said.
"Whoa...dial it back a bit." Anubis said.
"Still, to think that there would've been people in our images on here. Now I really wished we stayed conscious to meet them." Bastet said.
"I wouldn't worry too much. Perhaps they'll return someday." Osiris said.
"Osiris is right. Odds are, we'll meet them again." Ra said.
"Yes...perhaps…" Isis said.
Idol Universe, Fantasia of Lights…
"Yes, welcome one and all to the newly improved Fantasia of Lights!" called the leader of the Composition to a gathering of his gang around a table.
"Yeah...now enemy free and completely united." one member said.
"Heh, ain't that great? Now we can protect the city better than before." another said.
"Couldn't have done it without the Hero Alliance though." a third pointed out. "Hope Patel enjoys his time with them."
"I'm sure he will. He's got the skills he needs to make it there." Baton said. "Boys, I'd like to make a toast. To the Hero Alliance, and to Patel! Cheers!"
"CHEERS!" the Composition toasted in unison, offering thanks to the heroes who helped them.
Standard Universe, Central City…
"Hahaha...they continue to do great things." Ishimaru said.
"Yeah...they seemed fine when we saw them." Ms. Marvel said.
"I never expected Thane to betray the alliance." Ishimaru said. "I was considering him for the Hero Foundation."
"Well...these things happen." Ghost Spider said. "But there are others out there."
"True...and I look forward to meeting with them." Ishimaru said.
Fight Universe, Fighters Arena…
"Well...seems the masters have done well to make it to this stage." Chi Ta said. "Hopefully, they return for a new fight sometime. Especially when one tournament will soon get its final fighter."
Darkness Universe, Tower of Infernity…
"Hehehehe….Ishihara...seems he continues to make waves no matter where he goes." a figure said as light showed it was Theodore. "You tried to kill me, bastard. One day...when I have everything finished...I shall see your corpse laid out like a red carpet as I make my way to the top."
He laughed a bit as a number of weapons were shown behind him.
In the Future and Flame Universes, two hidden figures looked at the paper simultaneously while a few others were slowly recovering from the chaos caused by the dungeons.
Adventure Universe, Town of Tales…
"Wow...they really did put our picture in the paper." Theo said.
"We're gonna attract quite some publicity with this little caper." Cheetah said.
"Yeah...a lot of it good. Our group made its first debut." Riolu said.
"Yeah...Ginhana Sky will get lots of recognition from this." Meowth said.
"Yeah...it took three months but we managed to clear all of those places." Hope said.
"It was a good run, and we've learned some new stuff in some of the dungeons we went to." Ace said.
"Uh...sure." Ethox said. "Either way, things are definitely going to change around these universes."
"Yeah...no telling what's gonna happen from this point onward." Theo said. "We should be prepared for whatever happens in the future."
"Yes, we should definitely keep our wits about us from this point onward. We don't know what kind of attention we're gonna attract." David said. "Speaking of which, Cheets, it was quite the education we went through with these dungeons. Thanks for sticking around with us all this time."
"Just glad that this little internship worked wonders all around." Cheetah said.
"Well, I dunno about you guys, but this expedition has worn me out." Emo said. "What say we relax a little before the next big adventure comes our way?"
"Emo's got a bit of a point there. We should probably split until the heat dies down a bit." Rayleigh said.
"Yeah...hopefully things will slow down soon and we can rejoin." Dan said.
"Speaking of splitting, are you guys certain?" Simon asked Ryu, Nina, Lin and Reflet.
"Yes, while it is a big decision, maybe joining Mythos Hearts would be a good benefit." Reflet said.
"It's been a real treat having you guys around." Leopardmon said.
"Same here, but hey, we'll still be around if you need us the next time a big event occurs." Lin said as Nina nodded with a smile.
"You guys take care of yourselves." Ryu said.
"Right back atcha, guys." Mark nodded. "You all take care of each other."
"Hey, before we meet back up…" Ajna started. "I'm gonna go settle things with Kala."
"You sure?" Ace asked.
"Yeah...I'm sure. But don't worry, I'll be back in time, promise!" Ajna assured with a smile.
"Okay...we'll hold you to it then." Kaede said.
"Yeah...hopefully a little break will do all of us good." Tetsu said.
However...elsewhere...in the Universal Prison…
"Just one line there…" Owl muttered.
"Come on. Work faster!" Skeletor said.
"Don't rush me. I had to pull a lot of strings just to get us an hour on the prison computer.' Owl said.
"What are we even doing here?" Icer asked.
"I told you...the assassin underworld is secret. So I'm hacking the prison computer to get us into the secret assassin site. Our key out of here and your key for revenge." Owl said.
"Your revenge against a bunch of high school kids?" Stinkor asked.
"What? Have you guys forgotten who put you in here with us?" Lizard asked.
"I haven't." Skeletor said. "Once we have an in to the site, I want two things: someone who can get us out of here… and someone who can kill Hope the Victor, as slowly and painfully as possible."
"Yeah...that first part isn't gonna be necessary. I'm in." Owl said. "Now to enter my password and…" he said as the group of them changed into data and were sucked into the computer before they emerged in a small little tavern.
"Whoa!" Mer-Man gasped, looking around. "Where and how are we?"
"This is the place where all assassins are dispersed. A small little tavern in the Standard Universe. As for how, the site converted us into data and brought us here." Owl said. "Courtesy of an assassin known as Firefly."
"Well, we'll have to thank him later, then." Stinkor said. "Now that we're here… I guess we're going for revenge?"
"Yes." Skeletor agreed. "Owl, I have a job request for the entire Assassin Association: Hope the Victor, the Hero Alliance, and any of the Ginova family. I want them to die in agony."
"Okay, starting to get a little obsessed with this Hope guy." Croc said.
"This one has the nerve to order assassins around?" a voice asked as they saw a large man. A number of them shaking in fear as Owl, Lizard and Croc bowed.
"This...guy. Is he even a guy? Feels like a monster...who is he?" Beast-Man asked.
"The number 1 ranked assassin...the Lion." Owl said.
"You three...I heard you failed to complete your job." Lion said.
"Apologies. We failed cause we underestimated the threat." Owl said.
"And you bring these...freaks...to me?" the Lion asked.
"Uh...only cause they have a request...sir." Lizard said.
"Really now?" the Lion asked as he lifted Skeletor up. "Then pray tell...what did you want done? And if you don't speak fast enough...I may get angry and crush that skull of yours."
"...The Hero Alliance." Skeletor said, not a trace of fear to be seen. "You seem like the kind of person who enjoys a challenge. Well, how's hunting the likes of the Ice Devil and the Colorful Hunter sound?"
"(What is that idiot thinking? You can't just talk to the Lion like that!)" Owl thought.
The Lion seemed prepared to end Skeletor before remembering something. "That name he brought up. Hope….why does it sound familiar?"
"He was one of the people who defeated Mantis and protected your daughter, a traitor to our ranks." Owl said.
"Ah yes...now it comes back to me." the Lion said as he tossed Skeletor aside and approached the bar. "Barkeep...set up a job request."
"Of course. To who?" they asked.
"Every able assassin, even those in the top ten." the Lion said.
"He's...taking our job?" Icer asked.
"In a way, yes. You see, that Hero Alliance has also been a thorn in our organization too." the Lion said.
"Then we have something in common." Skeletor said getting up. "I've lost everything to that little brat: no company, no castle, nothing. Frankly, I don't give a damn about anything anymore. All I want, more than anything, is the chance to watch that hopeful fire in that punk's eyes die for good. I'll do anything to see that happen. If you can make that happen, I'm your slave for eternity."
"How generous but...what we desire is not your money or your servitude. No...this is personal. Our pride as assassins has been put to the test. They've made a mockery of us just by beating down a number of our trained professionals. Now...is our time to strike back." the Lion said.
"Wonderfully said, sir!" the three assassins said.
"As for you...we'll provide a place for you and your friends to...hide from the public view. We can dispatch a number of lower level assassins to act as your bodyguards." the Lion said.
"That'll work." Skeletor agreed. "(Hehehe. Just you wait, Hope. You and your alliance friends… are going straight to Hell!)"
As of now...a number of assassins were beginning to gather into a raging inferno. The hunt...was on.
Dungeon Odyssey Saga...END
Assassin's Hunt Saga...Coming Soon