"So Ty, how did you get The Boar Hat into the air?" Tails asked.
"We had it converted into a ship while leaving Hawk's mom unharmed." Ty said. "Simple as that."
"Okay, won't need more than that." Tails said.
It didn't take long before reaching the outpost as several soldiers were patrolling the grounds.
"We can't just charge in there wildly." said one of the villagers known as Kliff.
"He's right. They have two archers." Lukas said. "And one of them has the tattoo."
"Do you have a plan Reflet?" Maya asked.
"Anyone who has a shield or armor can draw fire from the archers while the rest of us can close in on them." Reflet said.
"That easy, huh?" Ty asked.
"Either Erza or I will do it." Mayumi said. "Thanks to our Requip Magic, we can not only block their arrows, but can also return fire when their guard is down."
"Then I shall go and take point." Erza said requipping her Adamantine Armor.
"Alright then, Time to tip the scales!" Reflet said pulling out her Levin Sword and Book of Naga.
Charging into the outpost, the group went according to Reflet's strategy. Thanks to Erza's Adamantine armor, which is stronger than steel, she was able to endure the arrow shots and take both archers out.
"You guys keep the rest of em busy, I'm goin after the beast and leader!" Ty said.
"Allow me to assist you!" Maya said as they both left the rest of the army to the others, going after the beast.
"I'm going after them. I have some questions for that beast." Ace said following the duo.
It wasn't long before the tandem of the Yakuza and Huntress finally caught up to the tattooed beast.
"You thinking about running, or telling us why you helped these brigands capture a member of the Deliverance?" Ty asked.
"And why you have an Eidolons power?" Maya asked.
"Who are you to question me? I am Scope of the three beasts. And you...will not...survive." he said arching an arrow.
"He's strong against wind attacks but weak to Physical ones so don't hold back you two." Ace said.
"That's all I needed to hear." Ty said as he cracked his knuckles.
"Watch out, you might get cut." Maya said to Scope drawing Temperance and Vengeance.
"You will never make it towards me." Scope said firing the arrow.
"Barrier!" Ace chanted summoning a protective wall in front of the duo. "I'll back you guys up, so go kick his ass!"
"Duh." Ty said running past the flurry of arrows and easily dodging each one before grappling around Scope's neck.
"On the hunt!" Maya shouted dealing a variety of dagger strikes and arc kicks to Scope and clipped Temperance and Vengeance into a dual blade throwing it at Scope. "Ty get down!"
"Eh...I got nothing to worry about." Ty said as the swords stabbed through Ty's arms and into Scope's shoulders. "Oh..that's gonna hurt later. Now...I think you owe my friend some answers."
"Why do I sense an Eidolon's power in you?" Ace said pointing Breidablik at the beast.
"Eidolon...what is that? I've never heard of such a thing." Scope said.
"Don't you dare lie. Answer me!" Ace shouted.
"Ace, I really don't think he's lying. Even though the Magic and Adventure universes are similar in nature, they do not share the same properties." Ty said.
"Maybe you're right. Do you think whoever has it is linking it's power to the three beasts spiritually.?" Ace asked
"It is not just us who have this power. The butler...he shared this power with three of the four factions here." Scope said.
"Shuichi was right. There are other loyalist groups here. If you're certain this Eidolon thing is here, chances are one of them has it." Ty said.
"We should tell the others what we found out." Ace said as he walked back to the others.
"But who is this butler guy they're talking about?" Ty asked.
"When we were temporarily captured by them in the South Pole, Diablo had a servant with him, a butler. I have to assume he's talking about him." Erza said.
"Can you give a description of his appearance?" Maya asked.
"A young man. Close to his twenties. Short black hair. Answered to Allen." Erza said.
"Allen… We can assume that's his name." David said.
"Do you need me to heal your wounds Ty?" Ace asked.
"No need. Thanks to a mishap, I'm an immortal. They'll heal themselves in no time." Ty said. "See?" he said as his blood was returning to his body and the wound was sealing itself.
"Well ok. If any of you are injured, come to me or anyone of the other healers if you need to get patched up." Ace said to the group.
"Let's head inside the outpost to see if Clair's alright." Roy said before he headed to the outpost.
Inside the outpost, they searched head to toe before seeing a blond haired woman in armor in a dungeon cell. "Well it's about time. Now I insist you release me from this rat infested hellhole." she said.
"Are you...Clair?" Oscar asked.
"If so, then we've come to ze right place. Give me a sec." Rachel said as she grabbed a key from the knocked-out guard and opened the cell.
"Many thanks. I don't know what I would do in here a minute longer." Clair said.
"Are you alright, Lady Clair?" Azura asked.
"Yes. I am fine now." Clair said. "It was ghastly being their prisoner but now I am free thanks to all of you. And for you know...either refer to me as either Lady Clair or milady, understood?"
"Clair, these people and the Deliverance are not like the knights of Zofia." Lukas said.
"Right. Forgive me, peasants." Clair said.
"We're on equal ground, so don't call us peasants, please." Stoj said.
"Especially since some of us aren't even peasants to begin with." Leonora said.
"Why the heck is she talking like she's royalty?" Asta asked.
"That might be because she's the sister of the Deliverence's leader." Lukas said.
"Oh. Uh.. sorry, we didn't know Lady Clair." Asta said.
"Now that I've heard someone else talk that way, it kind of made me sound arrogant." Sectonia said.
"Now...shall I take you all to the hideout of the Deliverance?" Clair asked.
"Lead the way, Milady." Ace said.
"But before we continue, we should rest for the night." Lukas said. "We've travelled all day. We could use the break."
"Good point. We won't be much effective in a fight if we're all worn out." David said.
"I'll take the first watch, just in case." Ace said.
"Good call. We'll never know when someone will come at us." Sectonia said.
Later that night, everyone was asleep in their tents as Ace looked up to the star filled sky as he was tearing up.
"Oh, Spade. I hope I find you soon." Ace said to himself until he sensed something. "Who's there? Show yourself!" That's when he heard a bone chilling laugh.
"Oh god." Ace said fearfully as he turned around and saw a green portal opening up with Spinal popping out as he screeched at Ace. "You have got to be kidding me!" Ace exclaimed as he readied Breidablik.
"Asteroid!" a voice called as blue spheres came out of a tent and hit Spinal. Out of the tent came Shuichi. "You okay?"
"Yes. Thank goodness you're here, Shuichi. It's coming!" Ace said as Spinal rushed towards them laughing.
"Well...you guys aren't the only ones up." a voice said as a slice hit Spinal taking out an arm as he turned to see Kenshin. "I only leave for a short meditation yet here we see another enemy."
"Not just any enemy, I don't think. This looks like a Skeleton Pirate, but I don't recognize its attire." Shuichi said. "Ace, who is this?"
"He's Spinal, a 4000 year old undead pirate and Agent of Ultratech." Ace said as he began to gather magic in his hand.
"Save your strength. You can't claim the Eidolon if you're dead." Shuichi said. "Lightning!" Shuichi called as he fires an electric shock from his Wispon.
"Alright, be careful you guys. He can regenerate his limbs even if you cut them off. Go for the shield it's the source of his power." Ace said as he pointed at Spinal's Shield.
"Very well….I will destroy it than." Kenshin said drawing two swords.
"Spinal's no slouch when it comes to swordplay so watch out when he summons floating skulls." Ace said.
"Two sword style...Cherry Blossom Cross." Kenshin said running at Spinal and slashing with both swords. Cherry blossoms came from Spinal's shield as it fell apart. "Now, Shuichi!"
"Right! Cube!" Shuichi called as a cube forms around Spinal before it bursts.
"What the?!" Ace yelled confused.
"What...is…" Spinal said looking fearfully at Kenshin and Shuichi.
"Best avoid fighting us again. And tell your masters at Ultratech to leave us be...for you are dealing with the future ruler of the Warrior Universe." Kenshin said.
"ARIA will not rest until she captures Ace Neptune." Spinal said.
"Then give her this message: If you want him, you'll have to go through all of us!" Shuichi said.
Spinal released his erie laugh. "I was a fool to think ARIA could reunite me with my crew." Spinal said before he screamed as a slice nearly got him.
"Next one goes for your head if you do not run." Kenshin said.
"You can come at us as many times as you want but we will not lose!" Ace exclaimed. "Now Scram!" Ace shouted as he galactic punted Spinal back to where he came from.
"That's it for him. For now, at least." Shuichi said. "I'm kind of surprised we're the only ones up because of that screech.
Ace then walked over to Shuichi and gave him a brotherly hug and a fist bump to Kenshin.
"Thanks for the help you guys." Ace said as he gave a closed eye smile.
"I am going to become a warlord. It's a duty of the ruler to help his citizens." Kenshin said.
"And I… I've already seen people close to me die already. I couldn't afford to lose anyone else." Shuichi said.
"You guys get some rest okay. I'll continue watching." Ace said as he sat back down in front of the campsite.
"Alright then. 'Night then. See you in the morning." Shuichi said as he went back to his tent.
"Yes. I wish you a fond night as well." Kenshin said returning to his meditation.
"I'm glad to always have people I can count on. I'm glad they're my friends as well. I hope I can call them my family." Ace said to himself as he gazed at the stars and clutched a necklace in his hand as it glowed a rainbow light.