With Alm's group…
They continued to travel along the path that laid before them as they drew closer and closer to the Sluice Gate, the passage way into Rigel.
"Here we go. This gate is suppose to be our final crossing. After, we can take on the Rigelian Empire." Sting said.
"Yes. Our goal is soon within our grasp." Alm said as they came closer to it. Approaching the gate, the only people there was a young man and woman along with several incapacitated soldiers and ripped apart Terrors. Though one of the things that caught their eye was…
"A couple and ...is he not wearing any clothes?" Leanne said.
"Ah...so the Hope squad finally comes." the man said. "We've been patiently waiting for you."
"Put some clothes on weirdo!" Lacy said.
"Huh? Oh right. Sorry, I must of lost them when I got carried away." he said reclothing himself.
"You look good even without them, honey." the woman said.
"Thanks, baby." he said.
"Okay...who is this kooky couple?" Ty asked.
"Intros. Right. Well, this lovely lady is my wife, Cache. And my name is Driver and I happen to lead the Cypher Punks." He said.
"I suppose you're here because of this rumor about me." Hope said.
"Rumor? I hardly call these rumor." Driver said sliding photos over.
"He's talking about the rumor about him tearing off one of your guys' limbs." Zelos said as Shuichi took the photos.
"Uh...I don't think it's a rumor." he said showing them. One showed Hope hacking off Nail's arm as another showed him writing a message in blood with the word Justice showing.
"That aint him." Ty said.
"Don't lie. There was DNA evidence taken and measurements. They all came back as him." Driver said pointing to Hope.
"You think i would ever do this? I'm not what these photos say i am!" Hope said.
"Look, I know about you beating up my guys awhile back. I wasn't angry about that. We were in the wrong. But...you taking it to another level with Nail? That's something I can't forgive." Driver said.
"Look at him. Does he really look like the kind of person that would do something like that?" Sectonia asked.
"Well no, but they do say looks can be deceiving. For all I know, that current Hope's an act." Driver said.
"You have to step up here, Hope. Whoever is in these pictures is spoiling your good name, man." Ty said.
"Right. I gotta fight." Hope said. "I can tell you aren't one to be won over by words. So fight me!"
"I was planning to." Driver said.
The two approached the bridge. Hope tugged his glove, but surprisingly Cache tagged along with Driver. "Hey, what's with her?"
"Sorry, but I never fight without my lady at my side." Driver said.
"In zat case, let me assist. Two on one just isn't fair." Rachel said.
"Fine with me." Driver said.
"Yes. Just let me get battle ready." Cache said as she was enveloped with a bright light before reappearing in robotic armor.
"What the heck?" Hope asked.
"I guess I should be fair. My woman is an enhanced with the powers of the robotic warrior KOS-MOS." Driver said.
"Think you can handle her, Rachel?" Hope asked.
"I'm not sure how I'd stack against armor like zat, but I'll fight my hardest!" Rachel said.
"What about you? No weapons?" Hope asked.
"Nope. I'll be fighting bare handed." Driver said.
"Okay….start!" Lector said.
"Here we...OOF!" Hope said as Driver delivered a punch to Hope making him cough blood as he slid across the floor.
"And there's the start!" Driver said rushing Hope with blow after blow.
Rachel then focused on Cache as she blocked Cache's retractable beam sword with her naginata.
"Man, these two aren't messing around." Hope said blocking the rush down.
"I can agree on zat notion." Rachel said.
"Those two are no doubt in perfect sync with one another." Merlin said.
"Hope and Rachel have never fought together before. If this was David and Sectonia, i'd say it would be a bit more even, but…" Heart said.
"But those two...they've likely had each other's backs for some time." Minerva said.
"I can tell you aren't a normal person. No normal human being could make moves like that." Hope said.
"Heh. You catch on quick. Yeah, I'm not a normal human. I'm something that's even above superhuman. You can call me...an Error." he said landing another blow on Hope.
"So I was right." Rachel thought. "I guess now... it's time for the trump card."
"Hmm." Cache said noticing Rachel looking to Neu. "Why look to that child I wonder? Is it possible…"
"Neu!" Rachel said as a surge was released over the bridge as it hit the four of them.
"Huh. Such a strange sensation." Driver said. "Well, no sense in waiting."
"Now it's time for the counter." Hope said rushing as he punched Driver in the face before Driver laid a powerful hit to Hope. "Damn. Even with his power neutralized, he's still pretty strong."
"They say it takes an Error to beat another Error. But I don't believe it's true. I think anyone with power's got a chance with em." Driver said wiping blood off his cheek.
"How very modest of you. Wait, then that guy Rainbow mentioned was…" Hope said.
"Rainbow...ah, the rainbow haired girl from the woods." Driver said. "Wait, you guys are pals with her?"
"It's a long story." David said.
"You know it's funny. I'm actually old friends with her old man." Driver said.
"So, her father was one of you as well?" Hope asked.
"Yeah. Though we came from different universes, we got along pretty well. Can't go wrong with old bow man guy." Driver said.
"I guess you and Bow Hothoof go way back." Hope said.
"Yeah. We fought in a war together before I left to return to Future City. But we never lost that connection. That man's bond." Driver said.
"Well we have that same connection with Rainbow. She's our friend, just like you and Bow." Hope said.
"Yeah. I don't plan to take out any of your guys. Just you. Only reason I allied with the Hobbyists was because they were kind enough to tell me where you keep going to." Driver said.
"The Hobbyists? How do they know where I'm going everytime?" Hope said. "Is it because Diablo's deals go more deeper than just a contract?"
"Who's Diablo? The seamstress woman is who told me about where you are." Driver said.
"Diablo is...the Hobbyists' boss. I take it you never met him if you don't know him." David said.
"Not once. That seamstress has been leading me around. Even gave me the photographic proof of your crime, blue." Driver said.
"I don't know… I think these may be fabricated. You're sure that she got those photos herself, right?" David asked.
"Something ain't right with these photos." Ty said. "Merlin, you think you could…?"
"Of course i can. Let me see those." Merlin said. "Hmm. No, these photos are real. But...something about that Hope seems off."
"It's a classic scenario. Sorry Driver, but I think you were duped." Shuichi said.
"That's right. For all we know, this seamstress could've gotten someone to dress up as Hope and have them commit those acts to spoil his name." Sectonia said.
"I think that may be true. Look at this Hope's eyes. Ours is blue, this one has pink eyes." Merlin said.
"That's gotta be proof." Hope said.
"Hmm. Seems like there's been some foul play." Driver said.
"Driver, do you mind if I take a picture of these photos? We must notify the others at once!" David said.
"I doubt you'll reach them in time. The Seamstess is already gone to head them off." Cache said.
"With a text, I will." David said.
Meanwhile with the others, they were in the middle of a fight with the pirates as some of their phones were ringing only to be drowned out by the fighting.
"Stoj!" Ace shouted. "Stoj, where are you?!"
"We should head to the dungeon. That's likely where she is." Mona said.
"By the way, I kinda felt my phone vibrate a moment ago. What's going on?" Queen asked.
"Ignore it. It's probably David checking in. We can't lose focus with these damn pirates." Connor said nearly getting chopped by one.
Ace and Mona quickly made it to the dungeon where they saw Stoj in a cell as she wept. "Stoj!"
"Ace...is...is that you?" she asked.
"Don't worry we're here to rescue you." Ace said. "Mona can you unlock the cell?"
"Of course." Mona said picking the lock. Ace ran in to Stoj.
"Stoj, I am so glad." Ace said holding her shoulders.
"Me too...cause I get a chance...for this!" Stoj said stabbing Ace's hand with a pair of scissors.
"Damn it! I knew something was off. So you're the seamstress huh?" Ace asked holding his hand healing it.
"Hehehe. My name is Knit and yet...I am the seamstress." she said stabbing Ace's foot. "I was able to fool you like how I fooled that idiot couple...with my Law of Couture!" she said.
"Where is Stoj you witch?" Ace demanded drawing his gun as he jumped away from the Seamstress.
"She is quite safe. She's in the lower dungeons. I only needed her for her measurements. Only way I can make a perfect recreation." Knit said. "My law allows me to take on the appearance and abilities of anyone I make a costume of. But it only works if my measurements are precise. I bought the fairy cause I knew she was one of your comrades. After making this costume and after I kill you lot...I can just toss her into the ocean or something."
"Mona go and warn the others, I'll deal with this bitch." Ace said.
"No way! I'm not leaving you!" Mona said.
"I said go!" Ace said as a bright aura flared around him.
"And I say...you can't command a thief! Zorro!" Mona said summoning his persona. Zorro slashed at Knit as she quickly took to the air and stuck to the ceiling.
"I'm not ordering you Mona, I'll be fine I promise." Ace reassured.
"Sorry...but I'm not leaving no matter what." Mona said. "Hey, knit witch! As a member of the Phantom Thieves, I'm going to beat you and steal your law from you!"
"Big talk for a little kitty." Knit said.
"And another thing...I'm not a cat!" Mona said as Zorro pierced Knit's foot as she screamed.
"Alright, let's go Mona!" Ace said summoning Diamond Dust. "Time to put this bitch on Ice!"
"Wait, look!" Mona said as the woman's foot was growing longer. "I get it. The costume only works if it stays in one piece."
"I see then let's tear the outfit apart." Ace said dismissing Diamond Dust as his eyes glowed Hazel as a Silhouette of Titan appeared and took the Form of a chain axe.
"Uh oh…." Knit said.
"Here it comes! Zorro!" Mona said as his persona shredded that costume to pieces as landing on the ground was Knit in her normal clothing.
"Here's the Finale!" Ace shouted as he lashed Gaia's Wrath on Knit Wildly and dealt the finishing blow. "Looks like you'll need punishing." He said as his eyes glowed and lashed his weapon down on Knit knocking her out. "Better luck next time."
"Now…" Mona said searching her before grabbing a pair of scissors. "I got her law!"
"Nice job Mona Mi, Gimme Ten!" Ace said as he crouched down and Hi fived with Mona. "Now let's head to the lower level and find Stoj!"
The Duo then reached the lower level as Ace called out for his comrade.
"Stoj? Are you here?" Ace asked as he called out.
"Ace…." A familiar voice trailed off weakly.
"Mona I found Stoj!" Ace called out as he was in front of Stoj's cell but had a horrified look as he saw Stoj hurt very badly.
"Oh my god…." Mona said.
Ace quickly kicked down the cell door and quickly ran to his comrade.
"Mona, get a medic down here, quickly!" Ace said holding Stoj.
"I'll go get Chopper, he's the doctor." Mona said running out.
"It's ok Stoj you're gonna be ok." Ace said as he quickly began tearing up until he felt a hand on his cheek and looked to see Stoj looking up at him.
"It's alright it was my fault I got captured." Stoj said weakly.
"Don't talk save your strength." Ace said holding onto Stoj's hand.
Mona quickly came back with Chopper.
"This isn't good. She's sustained a lot of serious injuries. I need to take her to one of the barracks here to operate." Chopper said.
Ace held out Stoj to Chopper as he continued crying.
"P-please take care of her I don't want to lose my little sister." Ace said as he continued to cry.
"I promise you...she'll be fine." Chopper said running out with her in his arms.
"*Sobs* It's all my fault I shouldn't have let her scout on the mountain alone." Ace said as he put his hands over his eyes.
"Do you really think she wants to see you crying?" Mona asked.
"No." Ace said.
"Then be tough and strong for her!" Mona said.
"Alright no more tears. From here on I'll fight with all my heart for everyone's sake!" Ace said as he stopped crying as a dual color of Black and Yellow appeared on his pendant.
"That's what I like to hear, Ace." Mona said.
"Okay, we've finished clearing out the pirates. We're good from here on out." Morph said.
"Where's Celica and her group?" Mona asked.
"They went ahead to Mila's temple for us." Jexi said. "We wait until she returns."
"And Stoj is currently being operated on." Ace said as he clutched his left arm with his right hand worried. "I hope she'll be ok."
"She'll be fine. Just have faith." Vector said. "Cause odds are, we'll be leaving Zofia soon."