"What?" Hope said.
"I mean, Ochako was fighting in Mie prefecture for the tournament playoff there, but she hasn't called back for awhile now." Jexi said. "I'm starting to get worried."
"You don't think she ran into Mime during her fights there, do you?" Izuku asked.
"It had to have been him. He's starting to make his move…" Hope said.
"Yeah but… what's he up to?" Hagakure asked.
"Maybe this will shed some light on things. Looks like Ranma's been going back to his roots." Sunset said holding her phone up.
In a flash of lighting on a blue background, the words "Vile Ranma channel" came up in black and silver metal. Then Ranma appeared flipping his cape back and supported by flames.
"Welcome to the Vile Ranma channel." he said laughing as the camera zoomed in on Mime a bit while Ranma spoke.
"Shut that stupid camera off. I have no time for such a childish past time." he said standing over some sort of drawing.
"Wait...pause the video." Elementa said.
Sunset paused it. "What is it, Elementa?" She asked.
"That drawing, that circle and inserts. I've seen those before in my past magic studies." Elementa said.
"What is it? Is it some sorta magic ritual thing?" Kaito asked.
"In a way. That circle is made to be a magic gate. One that relies on dark magicks." Elementa said.
"Magic Gate? That must mean he's planning to open a pathway to the Lost Universe." Mark surmised.
"I fear you may be right. However, having the circle is not enough. He needs to sacrifice 22 specific souls corresponding to the tarot in order to actually open it." Elementa said.
"The Tarot…" Hope said. "Akira, your powers are based off the Tarot, right?"
"Will you stop basing everything you know off random logic?" Akira asked.
"This is serious Hope. Mime is definitely doing something no one should ever attempt." Elementa said.
"I know… and I want to stop him but…" Hope said.
"But what? What's to stop us from tracking their signal and kicking their butts outside the Buddyfight ring?" Eddy asked.
"Because it doesn't work like that!" David said. "You don't know what Mime is capable of."
"Good point." Mark said. "Eddy, we don't know what Mime is capable of, and even if we did, who knows what he'd do to Ranma if his back was to the wall?"
"Plus, charging in like you're suggesting will only make things easier for him." David said. "We can't go after him ourselves unless we're absolutely sure of what we're dealing with."
"David's right. For all we know, if we all charge at him, we'd likely supply him all the pieces he needs for his ritual." Jexi said.
"So what's our next move?" Ichiro asked.
"He's partnered with Ranma so it seems likely we'll eventually face him in the tournament." Flamberge said.
"Berge actually has a point… which is scary. If Ranma and Mime are good as we saw them fight the last time, they'll make the finals for sure." Leanne said.
"Then for now, our goal is to slow them down." Mark said. "We should at the very least warn the rest of the team about Mime's gateway. At least they won't be caught off guard."
"True. We'll put out a bulletin. If any of them see Mime, they are not to engage or play him in a buddyfight." Jexi said.
"Throughout all of Japan? Can we really pull it off?" Ace asked.
"I'll send texts to my guys just to be sure." David said.
"Nu can help too! I'll be able to contact Sp/dr wherever he and Peni are. That way, Sp/dr can tell Peni." Nu said.
"That's right, Sp/dr and Peni have a psi-link. Nu contacts Sp/dr, then he tells Peni." Hope said.
"What about Noir, how do we get to him?" Zephyr asked.
"Good point, he's not exactly tech savvy where he's from." Hope said.
"We haven't even taught him how to operate his comm yet." Miles said.
"Then we'll gave to search for him." Mark said. "I can take the Eds and fly around to find him. Should be safe up in the sky."
"Aka, do you think you and Roku can hunt him down on the streets?" Natsu asked.
"That is impossible without something from him to track, like a piece of clothing or a hair." Roku said.
"What about this?" Jack said holding a Rubik's cube.
"That's Noir's Rubik's cube." Hope said.
"That...might work." Roku said.
"Hey wait a second, how'd you get your hands on Noir's Rubik's cube? He never lets it out of his sight." Mineta said. "In fact, he's always trying to solve the darn thing."
"You know I'm a thief right?" Jack asked. "I lead a band of thieves. We can steal things without you guys even realizing."
"Yeah...but why did you take it?" Eddy asked.
"Needed to make sure I didn't get rusty. Eh, Skipper?" Jack said holding a wallet.
"What the - HEY! Get your mitts off my wallet!" Eddy yelled, leaping on top of Jack, creating a dust cloud.
"Hehehe. Man, you guys are easy to mess with." Jack laughed.
"Alright. Let's find Noir before Mime gets to him first." Hope said.
And so, the search party set out in search of Spider-Man Noir. As Team Chronicle's lead group took to the air, the ground team, led by Aka and Roku, searched the streets of Cho-Tokyo.
"He's gotta be around here somewhere." Eddy said as he scanned the ground.
"Just keep trying to sense his energy. Ground Team, do you have a scent?" Mark said over the comms.
"Aka and Roku got a lock on him, but we haven't located him yet." Zephyr said.
"I wouldn't worry about our resident Private Eye, Zeph." Vashyron said. "He's tough as nails and he fights Nazis for a living back in his dimension. He'll be okay for a little while so long as he's not in any trouble."
"Teammates, I believe I see him!" Double D said, pointing down at a battle that was in full swing not far from the ground team. "Oh no, it's Mime!"
"Darn it! Ground Team, Mime is in the area! Get over there and stop that Buddyfight!" Mark said as he and the Eds dove down to the scene.
"Has he used Lost World yet? Yes or no?" Roku demanded.
"I don't think so, but if we don't stop him, he will!" Eddy said.
"Full steam ahead!" Ed yelled.
While both teams were charging to assist Noir, he and Mime were in full swing.
Singles Buddyfight: Spider-Man Noir vs Mime
Spider Man Noirs Life: 7
Mime's Life: 6
"My my...seems we have quite the fighter on our hands!" Mime said.
"You ain't taking me for any of your sick games, Mime." Noir said.
"Oh, but I will. I will have you, Hanged Man. After all, my only card feels rather lonely." Mime said showing the card Ochako was trapped inside of.
"That's Uraraka…" Noir said.
"I encountered her a few nights back. We battled and I won, as such...I was inclined to take a prize." Mime said.
"Lemme guess, if i lose, that's gonna happen to me?" Noir asked.
"You catch on quick. Yes. You will be trapped inside a blank card and become my Hanged Man." Mime said.
"I ain't no Hanged Man, and I'm not gonna let you take me!" Noir said as the teams came up.
"Noir!" Zephyr said.
"Hey, fellas. I'm a little tied up here, what's the rush to get me?" Noir said.
"I knew him starting that channel would cause me trouble." Mime said.
"Guess the kid you're working with has a little bit of power in his head." Noir said.
"Mime, stop the game!" Mark said as he and the Eds landed. "You will release Ochako and put an end to this plan of yours."
"My plan? Heh...I would stop this...if I were in charge of any of this." Mime said.
"What do you…" Noir said as Mime's mask dropped showing his full face with a mark on the masked side.
"See...I lost myself long ago...to something even horrible than I am. And you've all seen it." Mime said.
"Enough with the cryptic clues, Mime! Who are you talking about, and what's the end goal of all this?" Mark demanded, summoning a Faith Gun.
"Truth be told, I died a long time ago, when I opened that gate...I sacrificed my life, everything just to get rid of Hope. I was more than ready to life out my final days waiting to die. But...I encountered something far worse. A monster that refuses to let me die. You've all seen him. The demonic dragon." Mime said.
"Destroyer." Vashyron said.
"Trust me...his plans for this world, no...the universe are far more twisted than mine." Mime said. "He's the first to make me experience it, you know? To experience fear."
"You, feeling fear? That's a first." Zephyr said.
"I thought the Lost Universe was just a place meant to torment people but...having gone there...I've come to realize...that place should have never existed in the first place." Mime said. "I can't force myself to do anything by myself nowadays, it's all his choices now. So please...end me." he begged.
"You want this to end? Fine. I'll end it." Noir said.
"That's not what I mean." Mime said. "Him." he said pointing to Mark. "Normal weapons and magic can't harm me. The only thing that can inflict harm upon me...is light."
"...I see." Mark said. "Then I'll relieve you. In nomine patris et filii…" he started as he aimed. "...Et spiritus sancti."
Mark fired the bullet as it hit.
"Hehehe. You...are a remarkable young man. Mark Anarchy. I hope we meet again, in the next life." Mime said as his body began to fall apart. "Though, that doesn't seem likely." he chuckled before looking to Jack. "And you...there's something you should know. I read about your exploits in the paper. You should know. Norman….is...alive." he said before fading away completely.
"So...I guess this means Noir wins by default?" Eddy asked.
"Eddy, don't spoil the moment." Mark said before he bowed his head and clutched his necklace.
"Norman...is...alive?" Jack said in disbelief. "He's...still okay." he said as tears welled up in his eyes.
Noir recovered Ochako as her card glowed and she popped out.
"You okay, kid?" Noir asked.
"Uh...yeah. Wait, where am I? Wasn't I just in Mie?" Ochako asked.
"Long story. But let's just say some pain is finally over." Noir said.
"Wow...I can't believe it. He's finally gone." Jexi said picking up the broken mask.
"And he wanted it to end himself. He wanted to cut off the darkness." Hope said.
"Though, I still feel that this isn't over. I feel the real battle has only just begun." David said.
"He's right. Now we know the real enemy behind all of this." Jexi said.
"Destroyer. Left uncheck, he threatens us all." Elementa said.
"Yes, we must stop him." Ace said. "(May your soul find rest in the sanctity of Devaloka, Mime.)" he thought.
"Hey, Jack. You gonna be okay?" Hope asked.
"I'm fine, brother." Jack said.
"Jack...you...you just called me brother." Hope said.
"Yeah...hey...I know this is premature but...how about some ramen. I'll buy." Jack said.
"Jack? Buying? Who are you and what have you done with the real master thief?" Ryuji said in shock.
"He must've been told something that really hit him." Hope said. "Jack only ever acts like this whenever some big news hits him."
"I just learned...that I haven't failed yet." Jack said.
"Yes. There is still hope. For him, and everyone else that's still down there." David said.
Meanwhile back in the old base, as Vile Ranma was frustrated about the news over Mime, Amir listened in as he called on his phone.
"Hey boss. Yeah, it's me. Guess what...a new spot on his team opened. I know it's early but...we can still pull off the plan. Think you might cut it with Vile Ranma?" Amir asked.
"We have no choice. After all...they are there. The Phantom Thieves. I know they have it...the map to the greatest weapons treasure in history. The Youseiken." they said.