On the Galaxy King, the group watched as a war map was planned out.
"From what I can project, the ships are spreading into all universes. But since it only recently happened, they haven't gotten that far in yet. We have time to stop them before they can cause any major harm." Twilight said.
"The fleets in each universe would have to stop on the first world they see to refuel. We can use sightings to figure where each one is and take them out before they can even begin to invade." Lan said.
"The main issue will be Prime himself. He's likely stuck close to Etheria because he's trying to activate the heart using his own methods since he knows the princesses won't rally to his side." Catra said.
"He's the leader of it all, so it's best we save him for last. We need to focus on weakening his forces for now." David said.
"Agreed. Wherever his forces are going, we'll cut them down." Adora said.
"We've already pinned a few locations in the Standard, Steam, Hero, Adventure, Mythos, Ocean and Idol Universes. No other sightings yet." Lan said. "Hero Universe is already handling its situation and a number of adventurer guilds are already combating their invasion."
"If the Steam Universe is being targeted, I'd better take Sakura, Gemini and Erica back to our world. I need to coordinate defenses with the Combat Revues so they can help combat Horde Primal Forces." Ichiro recommended. "Moltar, you should take a team to the Mythos universe. It's your home. You have every right to go defend it."
"What, and leave you guys against an advanced fleet by yourselves? Screw that!" Moltar said. "I say we stick together, we're better off together than apart."
"Don't be selfish. You know full well what every one of us is capable of. Besides, we're a very large force. We can afford to split up and cover more ground." Kurochi said.
"Well, if you say so." Moltar said.
"Don't worry about us, Moltar. We've been through worse than this long before we freed your world from Yamigedo." Hope said. "Besides, Mythos is YOUR universe. Along with Ross, Petra, Kurochi, Hera and Kokoro's."
"This is your opportunity to prove yourself in the resistance against Horde Prime. We all know you can do it." Ichiro said.
"...Alright then." Moltar said. "I won't let you guys down."
"That leaves the Standard, Ocean, and Idol Universes." Double D said.
"I can easily eliminate a fleet on my own." Lan said. "Good chance to experiment with the new decks I've been working on."
"I would still take backup in case things go south. You're strong, but you aren't invincible." Jexi said.
"Fine. I'll take some people with me to the Idol Universe." Lan said.
"As for the Ocean, it's mostly sea and multiple islands. Those home at sea will have the advantage." Twilight said.
"I'd say I'd take it, but we're kind of blacklisted because of that Hifumi Togo incident." David said.
"That was only one hotel, and you even said it was worth it." Jesse said. "Come on, Dave. You know you and your Pokemon team can handle something like that. You just need to stop panicking every so often. And I know you and Zacian are worried about the whole Reformed Society/Index thing. Just relax for a few moments, and don't worry. We'll figure something out."
"I think I've already got something. Are there still any spare hearts in the infirmary?" David asked.
"Uh… what're you getting at, David? I don't understand why you'd need a spare heart." Hope said.
"Not for me. We know how Cheetah is. Once she sets her sights on someone, there's no stopping her. And honestly, I don't know if I can because we still consider her an ally at this point. By the same token, though… Whether the Knights can be considered allies or not is still TBD. So...if she'll allow us after doing the deed, we can do some...cardiac surgery of sorts, if you get me." David said.
"Oh, I get it now. After Cheetah kills Index, you wanna save his life." Hope said.
"Just in case. Honestly, I don't know where we stand with them at this point, so I'm just taking a precaution. Besides, these people seem genuinely concerned about the state of things, despite the methods they're using." David said. "I honestly don't know why I'm feeling this way. Probably because...I feel like me and Barl both want the same thing."
"Plus, you don't even know if they are both going to be there. So, are you sure you really want to take such a chance now?" Leopardmon asked.
"Maybe not. But she's just as big a part of this war as of recently as we are. And we're going to need all the force we can muster if we're going to wipe Horde Prime out for good." David said. "Plus...I'm not 100% sure if this is going to work out the way I'm hoping it will."
"Everything will work out, David. Let's focus on the task at hand right now and cross the bridges when we come to them." Hope said.
"Yeah… You're right. I do tend to be a worrywart, don't I? I guess I can't help it since having a leadership role means you're more often than not the responsible one." David said.
"So come on, Dave. A few brief moments in the Ocean Universe to wipe out some Horde armadas can't hurt, can it?" Zacian asked.
"Plus, you'll kinda have me and the other seafarers backing you up. So… you'll be pretty good with us around." Mermista added.
"So you don't need to worry about Cheetah. We can be the force that you need." Jimbei said.
"That just leaves Standard but anyone here can easily defend it." Twilight said.
"We'll take it. I know we pretty much have a reprieve for the whole Tokyo Digitization fiasco, so they know they can trust us." Alphamon said.
"Guess we know our attack plans then. Good luck everybody." Hope said.
"It's going to take tons of it to pull this off, and that's accounting for what we're capable of." Scarlet said.
"Scarlet, don't downplay us so easily. This is something we can easily handle." Jexi said. "Now move out. All of you."
In the Steam Universe…
"All for the glory of Horde Prime." one soldier said as the ships and bots started attacking all nearby major cities.
"We shall take all in this primitive universe in his name." another soldier said.
"Not if we got anything to say about it." Ichiro said, arriving as he took one down. "Amazing how they all look just like Hordak. Hard to believe they're just soldiers."
"Ichiro Ogami. Commander of the Imperial Tokyo Combat Revue." one clone said. "Your forces won't save this universe."
"That's where you're wrong. Tokyo, Paris, New York. All three forces will drive you out." Ichiro replied.
"Your forces' skill and technology are impressive, but Horde Prime's exceeds your pitiful understanding." the clone replied. "Surrender now, and we will spare you the humiliation."
"Never!" Ichrio said as he charged into the fray, taking down bots and clones. "Doesn't matter how many of you there are, we will never let our universe fall."
"Your words fall on empty…" a clone said before Sakura went and cut him down.
"Our words are never empty." Sakura said.
Ichiro put his blades aside. "How is the rest of the Team holding up?"
"They've been able to keep Primes forces away from the Grand Imperial Theatre. Same with New York and Paris. Erica and Gemini are keeping things up pretty well." Sakura said.
"Good...let's try to keep it up." Ichiro said.
Mythos Universe, Greek Continent…
"Glory be to…" one clone said before a nearby Dryad wrapped them up in vines.
"That's it. Continue to fight as if your lives depend on it." Hera called out to the fighting species as she cut down an incoming robot.
"These soulless warriors won't stop until you're dead! Show them the same!" Moltar said as he pounded another robot into the ground.
"Incredible how they rallied to our side. And some of them aren't even from this part. Hera, how do you know these people?" Ross asked.
"Just a few compatriots from my days in the arena." Hera said.
"Ah, that makes sense." Kurochi said as he shot multiple fireballs at a squad of soldiers.
"And those compatriots are spreading across the land, alerting the other continents and inspiring them to battle." Hera said.
"Talk about an interesting circle of acquaintances." Kokoro said as she breathed fire on another squad of soldiers.
"When it comes to something like this, who comes from where doesn't matter. We're working together now." Moltar said.
"Besides, this is our home. We're not about to give it up against some invaders." Hera said.
"Yeah...not going to deny that." Petra said. "True, we were raised in Tokyo, but we were still born here."
Idol Universe, Idol City…
"So this is the capital...man...things are going south quickly." Lan said looking at the horde ships attacking some buildings.
"Yeah, things are starting to look bad." Izuku said.
"Should we step in?" Sir Saiyan asked.
"Nah...I think I got this." Lan said. "Inserting the deck." he said, sending a deck into his disk. "Let's begin the debut of Lan Highhand as a hero. First, I summon Utopic Onomatopoeia. And with its effect, special summon Gagaga Magician." he said doing so. "Now, I build the overlay network! I XYZ summon!" Lan said creating a swirling mass before him before emerging was a white humanoid creature with yellow pieces on its armor and a large sword and wings. "Rise...Number 39: Utopia!"
"Whoa… sweet." Zephyr said.
"It gets sweeter. Go! Slice though that ship!" Lan said as Utopia flew to the ship before cleaving it in two with its sword. "Perfect. My first XYZ deck of many. A perfect test."
"Wow...he really didn't need us." Asta said.
"Yeah, but he's changed a lot since the Games. I like to think Siege sorta helped him the same way Arthur did." Zephyr added. "He was so obsessed with winning after Double D outsmarted him… but Siege brought him back from losing himself to his own emotions."
"Yknow, that gets me thinking." Nagito thought aloud. "If not us… do you think Barl could have saved him?"
"Probably, I mean, he does seem to be genuinely concerned with people that ended up lost in their own paths." Francisca said.
"But Ai said that she didn't remember how she ended up in the Lost Universe. Not to mention that Index tried to recruit Cheetah AS he was tearing apart her space suit back when she was in the Future Universe… Wow, I just realized that they have very bizarre ways of recruiting people." Mayumi said.
"Yeah but you can't argue with the results considering who is part of his little gang." Lan said, sending Utopia to cut down another ship. "Arthur used to use a similar method but stopped when it got boring. Too many messes to clean up."
"Yeah...think we could have gone without knowing that." Izuku said.
Ocean Universe, Tropicana Island…
"You all shall bow to...why aren't any of you running?" a clone asked.
"We're on vacation." said one tourist as they didn't seem to react much to the invading forces.
Rokuten Maoh flew in and decimated a fleet of soldiers with a psychic wave.
"Ha!" Jimbei called out as he took out a number of soldiers with a single punch.
David and Zacian were running along the shoreline, slicing whatever soldiers were in their way, and even cross-slashing one of the large soldiers.
"...Save some for the rest of us, why don't you?" Mermista quietly said as she walked up. "Huh. Yknow, if we weren't in the middle of this whole battle thing, I'd definitely wanna have a vacation here."
"Definitely. This is a nice place." Tsuyu said.
Mermista then saw Lapis Lazuli staring off into the Ocean, but a squad of bots were on her.
"Oh, no you don't!" Mermista called, washing them away with a tidal wave. She then came up to the water wielding Gem. "You shouldn't really spend time thinking. Looked like you were caught up in some thoughts."
"...Oh. Sorry. I was just…" Lapis said. "Reminiscing. I… I thought I was over this, but I really don't like oceans."
"Not to sound crude, but if you don't like oceans, then why are you in this group?" Zacian asked.
"Because water masters like me have the advantage, like it was said before." Lapis said. "I guess I was just thinking back to a few bad spots. I was stuck in a fusion on a beach just like this."
"Oh yeah. Gems can combine to become stronger." Mermista said. "Who were you doubled up with?"
"...Jasper." Lapis said.
"Ouch… Mm-hm. I can see why now." Zacian said.
"I did it to save Steven. I trapped Jasper at the bottom of the ocean. I had to use all my strength to keep her down there… looking back on it now, it scares me, how powerful I felt. After I got out, for a few months afterwards… I missed that feeling, but now… I don't ever want to feel like that again." Lapis said.
"I know what you mean. It's pretty hard, finding a way to use all that power. Using the Heart of Etheria nearly killed us." Mermista said.
"I know Jasper is cut off from Homeworld now… but after you guys came back from space, I can't shake the feeling that eventually, something is going to happen that will make them find us." Lapis said. "I know I've seen worse since we joined this team… but I'm still scared. If they did find us… I don't know what I'd do."
"It's okay to be scared once in a while. But I dont think we'll be hearing anything from the Diamonds. Judging from what we saw at the Zoo, Blue and Yellow have no interest in the other worlds." Mermista said. "I say we just let 'em be."
"It's better if you focus on the threats in front of you instead of what's ahead." Noelle said. "We've all felt scared, even myself, admittedly. But I know that when you're with your friends, everything will be okay…. n-not that I'm close to anybody on the alliance yet since I'm new to it."
"...That's a nice thought." Lapis said. "Maybe I can start believing it."
"Bow before Horde Pri-" a clone said before it and an army of them were smacked aside by a water fist, created by Lapis.
"Well, let's get back to it. We've got a beach to clean." Lapis stated as she headed off to find more forces. "(...maybe someday.)"
Standard Universe…
"Well...seems this is easier than we thought." Jexi said as they fought off oncoming enemies.
"Yes, it's odd. I know that there are a lot of them, but something still feels a little off." Leopardmon said.
"Yeah. True they're trying but...it doesn't feel like it's at full force." Todoroki said.
"There's something going on behind the scenes. They're up to something, we know that much. It's almost as though they were counting on us separating." Alphamon said.
"What could that...The Heart of Etheria." Adora realized.
"They may be buying time to activate that weapon." Catra said.
"We have to get back to Etheria. NOW." Adora said turning to leave.
"Hold on, Adora." Hope said. "Charging in to attack Horde Prime on Etheria without preparation is suicide."
"And on top of that, since David overclocked the Sword of Protection, you don't have a weapon to fight with." Leopardmon said.
"You don't have to remind me. I know I can't transform into She-Ra anymore, but….we can't just let Horde Prime do what he wants on Etheria, especially with the Heart." Adora said.
"Fine. After we're done here, we'll rocket you there as fast as we can." Hope said.
Meanwhile…
"So...this is where our lone rat is hiding?" Brave said.
"Yeah, I got the location by threatening one of his underlings." Aurora said.
"Great...well...best not to keep him waiting." Brave said as he and Aurora headed into the secure looking building. "Okay, rat! Come out right now!"
For a moment, all was silent. Then, footsteps: slow, sluggish, almost like someone was limping towards them. Then, from the darkness, Vincent Nikos appeared…
...with a bullet hole in his shoulder.
"The hell?" Brave said.
"I messed up… I messed up…" Vincent mummeled as he stopped and saw the two. "You two… the Lost Knights…? Thank God… someone has to warn them."
"What are you talking about? Who did this to you?" Aurora asked.
"I thought… they wanted to stop Prime, save Etheria… I was wrong." Vincent said. "They said if we baited Prime, spread his forces thin… we'd have a chance. But they're going to kill Prime… by destroying Etheria. You have to tell the Hero Alliance… they have to stop Murkoff."
"Save your strength." Brave said.
Then, a beeping started to go off, coming from Nikos' shoulder.
"There's no time for me." Vincent said. "Tell them to stop the hosts. You kill the hosts, you kill the ghosts. Now… run!"
"Run…" Brave said before realizing. "Aurora, out!" he said as they ran out of the building before it exploded.
"The heck? What's going on?" Aurora said.
"Seems our lost lamb was just another pawn in someone else's game." Brave said.
"Well...what do we do?" Aurora asked.
"Easy...we make sure his death isn't wasted. We find this Murkoff bastard...and kill him." Brave said. "We're going to Etheria."