"I admit, Hope's doing well at executing artes, but it's really awkward just seeing him do it." Zelos said as the group make their way to Hateno Village.
"How so?" Leia asked.
"Well, he's using a spear and he's using artes meant for sword-wielders." Zelos said.
"But the two of us can use Light Spear, and we're using swords." David said.
"That's because…" Zelos said before he was interrupted.
"Look, none of our groups have spear-wielders among us, so we haven't been able to teach him how to use it properly, that's all." David said.
"While on the subject… Ranma, you said you're able to use various kinds of martial arts, right?" Jude asked.
"Yeah. Several. Hamon, Aura, Martial Arts even some Pokemon moves." Ranma said. "Because I need to keep getting strong to keep up with the rest of these guys."
Jude smiles at this acknowledgement. "Well, I'll be happy to teach you some of my techniques, if you'd like."
"I as well." Regal said.
"Uh….I think I'm good." Ranma said.
"If you say so." Jude said.
"I don't think Ranma is able to handle practicing your artes right now." Sectonia said.
"What? Please. I could totally handle those moves." Ranma said.
"Still, your loss." David said.
"Maybe some other time...when the world isn't in extreme danger." Ranma said.
"Gotcha. Gotta do something about Ganon first. And that means tracking down the other Divine Beasts." Colette said.
"But first we have to take this side trip, because Damien couldn't stop thinking about Cretaceous Flux." Jude said.
"This is a huge deal. We're talking about the scientist/assassin known across a few worlds as well as the father of Amadeus Flux." Jexi said.
"Still, Damien seems to be making a bigger fuss about it than the rest of us." Zelos said. "Which is justified by his standing."
"There's a reason. He left Damien for 10 years, maybe longer. He abandoned his own family. He just wants to know." Lucy said.
"Can't say I blame him." Zelos said. "If my dad abandoned me like that, I wouldn't forgive him either."
"Trust me, Zelos." Lloyd said. "Your family life is much more messed up."
"I know." Zelos said. "I just can't stand the fact that Damien has to suffer for his father's work. I hate parents like that! The fact that it happened to me is why my family life was in shambles."
"If you want to tell one of us about it, just let us know." David said. "It might actually help to get it off your chest."
"Speaking of which, don't think you're off the hook for what happened last night." Zelos said.
"Last night?" David asked. "Now, whatever are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with us. You sent us down to those monsters on purpose." Vashyron said.
"You're lucky we were able to kill them and escape." Ichiro said.
"And none of them were women." Zelos said.
"Hey, not our fault you ran off before he could tell you which hotspring was which." Kazuichi said.
"Though you guys missed out on a relaxing, yet very eventful distraction." Alisa said.
"Okay, okay. Enough with the banter!" Sheena said. "Let's just get this over with so we can track down the next Divine Beast."
"What's the rush? This is something as important as the Divine Beasts." Hope said.
"We still have to recuse Sanji after this, remember?" Sectonia asked.
"Yeah. I mean its gonna be hard to track down Big Mom's ship to save him. But we can at least try." Zinia said.
After traversing several mountains and fields, they soon arrived to a small farming village known as Hateno Village. Many farmers hard at work in the fields tilling and farming.
"So this is Hateno Village? Its pretty peaceful here." Sonia said.
"I know, right?" Scott asked. "What would a universe-renowned scientist be doing in a place like this?"
"Well, when we were in Kakariko Village, I remember them saying there was a research lab here." Twilight said.
"Fair assessment." David said.
"And...I think thats it there. The big building on the cliff." Megaman said pointing to a large building overlooking a large ravine.
"It certainly does stand out, that's for sure." Jude said.
"It also means we have a long climb." Pit said.
The group climbed up the large hill before arriving at the facility.
"Whose...bright idea was it….to put a building….on the top of a cliff?" Erica said.
"Whoever it is...we need... to have...a serious talk." Scott said.
"Why? Sectonia, Zelos, and the Exceeds aren't bothered." Colette said.
"Yeah! That's because you guys can fly!" David said.
The door soon opened as standing there was a short child with white hair and glasses.
"And who are you?" she asked.
"Oh. Pardon me cutie. Is the head scientist of this place here?" Gemini said.
"I am the head scientist." she said before seeing Link. "Ah! Link! I was wondering when you might arrive."
"Another friend of yours from before your dip?" David asked.
"More than that. I was the one who helped design the Shrine of Resurrection." she said.
"You did?" Raine asked. "It was as if you knew that something like that would happen."
"Its always safe to be prepared. But it doesn't look like Link remembers me. Note to self. Shrine of Resurrection causes total memory loss. I'll have to remember that for next time." she said. "Please, come in."
"Thanks." Genis said. "More importantly, who are you?"
"My name is Purah. I am a scientist researching runes." she said.
"A fellow researcher, huh?" Jude asked. "I'm Jude Mathis. It's not important, but I'm head of the spyrite research team in Helioborg."
"Never heard of it." Purah said. "My research is centered on the runes that are utilized by the Sheikah Slate. Hoping to unlock their secrets."
"Interesting." David said. "Any results so far?"
"First, Link...do you remember anything about Zelda?" Purah asked.
"No. I don't." Link said.
"Hmm….this might be a problem." Purah said.
"How so?" Raine asked.
"He and Zelda were very close as Princess and Knight. I am afraid...without those memories...Link cannot have the full conviction to beat the Calamity." Purah said.
"Well, he's been picking up bits and pieces of his past as we reawaken the Divine Beasts, but even then, it's not much to go on." Ramona said.
"Not good enough. But...I might be able to help you with that." Purah said. "See the panel. Put your Sheikah Slate in it."
Link did so at the rock above it glowed with code before it dropped. "A new rune?"
"Yes. The camera functionality. Inside are 12 different pictures taken from Princess Zelda herself." Purah said. "You and her visited these places 100 years ago."
"So he needs to visit these places again to get his memories back?" David asked. "That's a heck of a trip down memory lane if you ask me."
"Maybe, but it has to be done. I'm surprised Impa didn't tell you this. That's not like my little sister." Purah said.
"Impa? Ah, that reminds me. I need to step out for a bit. Excuse me." David said as he walked out.
"So, Link? You recognize anything from those pictures?" Lloyd asked.
"Still hazy right now." Link said.
"Wait, you said little sister. How old are you?" Nami said.
"I'm 126." Purah said.
"Seriously?" Genis asked in surprise.
"You shouldn't be surprised. After all, you are a half-elf." Sectonia said.
"Actually I look like this due to an experiment with a rune. Made me as young as you see me now. An experiment gone right if there ever was one." Purah said.
"I see." Hope said. "So uh… we came here looking for someone. You know anyone around here by the name Cretaceous flux?"
"Oh him. Well he was here a few days ago, but you missed him. But...I can tell you where he's headed if it will help." Purah said.
"That would be swell." Scott said.
"Up north is the Akkala region of Hyrule. In the northeastern most point is the Akkala Research Lab." Purah said. "He is headed there."
"Thanks for the info, but I would doubt he'd stick around. Twice now he's been one step ahead of us." Hope said.
"Still, no harm in checking it out." Sunset said.
And so they went back on the route yet again for a few days. Upon reaching the Akkala region, they came across another cliff with a lab that overlooked the sea below.
"Think thats the Research Lab?" Hope asked.
"Yeah. No doubt." Ciel said as they climbed until entering the lab where an old man in a lab coat was hard at work with strange glowing weapons.
"Yes! I've done it! The Ancient Armory is complete! The perfect weapons against the Guardians!" he said.
"Um… Excuse us." David said, getting his attention.
"Ah...you must of heard how the great Robbie has created these new weapons. Don't worry...I am he." he said.
"Um, no." Sectonia said. "We came here looking for Cretaceous Flux. Looks like we missed him again."
"Oh...I'm so sorry. He just left here yesterday." Robbie said.
"Man! How fast is this guy?!" Dan said.
"But as a make up gift, you are welcome to these ancient weapons." Robbie said.
"Why thanks." Ciel said looking them over. "We heard you say these were perfect against some sort of Guardians. You called it the Ancient Armory?"
"Yes. These weapons have been proven to effortlessly kill the Guardians controlled by the Calamity." Robbie said.
"Well what a coincidence, we can use these." Hope said.
The group was soon leaving the lab in disappointment. Damien being the most disappointed.
"Hope was right, this guys one step ahead of us." David said.
"Yeah. He's about as mysterious as the guy in the trench coat on the other cliff." Pinkie said pointing to a parallel cliff where a man with his face hidden was walking up it. A wind blew knocking his hat off showing a blond haired man with a scar on his face.
"Thats...its really him." Damien said in awe.
"Pinkie, why didn't you say something earlier?" David asked.
"Cause I just saw him now." Pinkie said.
"We gotta…" Jexi said before they heard thumping as robotic creatures with six arms and single eyes were approaching.
"Oh no. Guardians." Cabbage said.
"Aw, damn it, not now…" David muttered.
"Hahahaha! Finally found you!" a voice said as out walked a humanoid rat. "You have fallen into The Rat's trap."
"We're so close." Damien said before getting a serious look as he grabbed Jexi, Hope and David and ran off the cliff before pulling out the Paraglider.
"Hey! Guardians, shoot them down!" the Rat said as they began charging their fire.
"Damien, what the hell are you doing?! Are you just going to leave our teammates to die?!" David asked in rage.
"I've seen what they can do. They won't die so easily." Damien said pointing back as the group was using the Ancient Weapons and easily killing the Guardians. "I've waited 10 years to see him again. I'm not gonna waste my chance!"
David jabbed him in the elbow, knocking him down. "Will you just stop with that already?!"
"No!" Damien said getting back up as he grabbed the side of the other cliff and started climbing.
"This guy is totally insane!" David said. "Why the hell is he doing this?!" David shook his head. "I'm not going to take this lying down." David started to climb up, hoping to reach Cretaceous before Damien does.
"Would you two stop? This is no time to compete!" Hope said. "Okay, Im just gonna go up there and see him first! Spectral Wings!"
"Ultimate Color Transformation: Wings!" Jexi shouted following after Hope as they saw a portal appear at the edge of the cliff as Cretaceous got close to it. But Damien got up to the top.
"Stop!" Damien shouted as he stopped. He then peered over his shoulder with a serious expression as Damien was standing there.
"So...25 families...yet you are the first to actually find me...my son." he said.
"I was right...it is you...dad." Damien said crying.
"You've got a lot of explaining to do." David said. "Don't you realize the extent of your actions?"
"You are...David Ishihara. You are the demon slayer of Akihabara. Native from the 1st Universe." Cretaceous said.
"I see my reputation precedes me. But that's not the point." David said.
"What is with you? You make a family and leave it behind to start a new one?" Hope asked.
"Hope the Victor. I know you very well. You're Ginova's son. And the other is Jexi the Hunter, Gold's son." Cretaceous said.
"We know you a lot too. You're responsible for making Zinia move again. As well as-" Hope began.
"So...if you know of Zinia, that means you have some knowledge about my Enhanced Research." Cretaceous said.
"Enhanced Research?" David asked.
"When he learned about Zinia being an Enhanced as well as the others around the worlds...he dedicated his life to researching them." Jexi said.
"Yes. I've spent countless years...learning as much as I can about these Enhanced." Cretaceous said. "All summed up in notes I have left with fellow scientists."
"Why the Enhanced, though? What purpose do they serve?" David asked. "All I know is that Izaya is also looking out for them. That's pretty much all I know about the subject."
"Someone is looking for them? So...he's finally begun his long time plan." Cretaceous said to himself. "Tell me this, boys. Are you familiar with the being known as White?"
"Nope. First I've heard of it." David said.
"White…" Hope said as memories were playing in his mind before he grasped his head.
"I see. She hid memories of meeting her to avoid complication. Very clever of her." Cretaceous said.
"I remember now! She told me about them after I was knocked out when Laser Man tested the Lantern destruction." Hope said.
"Yes. White, one of several...well I call them Color Gods...that maintain order within our worlds and universes. She is the good one. The one who is trying to use the enhanced for evil is the twin...Black." Cretaceous said.
"So, does that mean that Izaya Orihara is one of this...Black's pawns?" David asked.
"Very likely. He most likely doesn't even realize Black is using him to gather his army." Cretaceous said.
"I'd like to avoid Ikebukuro if I could, but if what you say is true, then I suppose I can't just ignore it." David said.
"Hmm." Cretaceous said. "So tell me this, Hope the Victor. How is Amadeus?"
"Hes uh… acting all reformed. But i know he's up to something. And he did find your notes." Hope said.
"And Pinkie saw clones in his ship." Jexi said.
"So...he's found those notes. I had hoped those would have been destroyed after the first time." Cretaceous said.
"Well, clearly they're very durable." David said. "Kind of impressive for a bunch of paper."
"The notes Flux has….what could they be used for?" Jexi asked.
"If he's found the ones in Kadic….then its notes...on how to create Artificial Enhanced." Cretaceous said.
"Artificial Enhanced." David said. "You mean...like a bunch of lab rats that become Enhanced through genetic experimentation or something?"
"I am afraid so. When I learned of Black, White had come to me, asking for help. So, those notes were my solution. There is a reason why the 1st Flux Family does not have a home world. Its because it was destroyed by me." Cretaceous said.
"You destroyed your own world?!" David asked. "How could you do something like that?!"
"It was not me who destroyed it. My first batch of Artificial Enhanced. They destroyed it. I was deceived by Black...and he turned them loose on my world." Cretaceous said.
"Unbelievable..." David said. "He betrayed you and turned those Enhanced into murderous super soldiers…"
"It's not your fault." Hope said. "But I want to stop any evil who misused the enhanced. I have Alice, and Inga. Theres also Heather out there… I dont want them to become evil. Im going to stop Black!"
"No, Hope. WE will stop Black, no matter what it takes." David declared.
"Don't forget me. I won't let someone like him exist like this." Jexi said.
"Courageous...just like your fathers." Cretaceous said.
David thought about that last part. He didn't think his father would be considered such. It made him think about what he was doing when he was his age.
"You...knew our dads?" Jexi asked.
"Yes. There was a time when we were friends. But...those old days are over now." Cretaceous said.
"Were...you all universal adventurers, just like we are?" David asked.
"Yes. We were. Exploring unidentified worlds, meeting new species. They were good times...but sadly...those don't last forever." Cretaceous said.
"I know where this is going." David said. "Something terrible happened, did it?"
"Lucius happened." Cretaceous said.
"Oh man. Lucius, the guy I freed at Genosha…" Hope said.
"I have seen you free him. On the secret camera I had placed. Cable told you he would be an ally...but it was a ploy of Lucius's." Cretaceous said. "We found him when he was a child. We brought him to Rain Bow to be steered to the right path. But we were wrong. He used his talents for destruction. He found the lost scroll of the Forbidden Style. The four of us...we fought him until he fell. But, he had already killed several villagers before then. We decided to go our separate ways from then." Cretaceous said.
"Oh, my god… It's just...too cruel…" David said with tears flowing his eyes.
"Now the monster is loose once more, devouring the hearts of the strong and claiming their powers and abilities so he can make his move." Cretaceous said.
David looked to Jexi and Hope. "You two think there's a good chance Flux knows about this?"
"I don't think he does. This big evil is normally unknown to him until the final battle." Jexi said.
"Still, something like this can't possibly be ignored." David said. "Especially since we now know that it transcends generations."
"My dad was the last one to see Lucius last time he was free. I wanna...take up his mantle...and beat Lucius down!" Jexi said.
"I didn't know my father was involved in all of this." David said. "But maybe… If I keep standing against Lucius, I might understand why he kept it a secret."
"Do you know where your father is?" Damien asked.
"No. He was at work when everything went to hell." David said. "And there's still my sister Harumi… I can only hope they're alright…"
"Wait, you said your notes were taken before." Jexi said.
"Yes. They have been taken by… the current one who sits in the Science Fiction Seat of the Givona Family...Astro." Cretaceous said.
"Science Fiction Seat?" David asked. "I don't want to know what he's going to do with them, but we have to get them back from him as soon as possible."
"No...they must be destroyed." Cretaceous said. "Artificial Enhanced should not exist in the first place."
"Point taken. It's best that they never fall to the wrong hands again." David said.
"There's still one thing I wanna know! Why? Why did you abandon us? Your family? All of your families?" Damien demanded.
"I left...so that Black could not try and use you as leverage. Also, I was with those 25 families...as part of my plan of inheritance." Cretaceous said.
"Inheritance? Of what?" David asked.
"My work. My research. My fortune. All of it." Cretaceous said removing a glove showing a blackened hand. "I have been struck with an incurable disease. I only have two, maybe three years left to live."
"I've seen this before…" David said. "On Victor and Julius, just before they became divergence catalysts."
"This was a result of being too close to the Malice of this world. Its resulted in a horrible effect. The families were created so I could have one worthy successor out of the 25 families." Cretaceous said.
"Why 25, though?" David asked. "I know I'm asking so many questions, but all of this makes me curious. Anyway, is there a certain motif for that number?"
"The number of worlds my friends and I had visited and explored from our time together." Cretaceous said.
"I see… However, it was a long time ago, I'm sure, so there no way of knowing what they were." David said.
"Hmm. I'm glad we had this talk. Now...I think its time I took my leave." Cretaceous said slipping his glove back on.
"Where are you going?" David asked. "Vanessa's been looking for. In case you want to visit her, she's in Kakariko Village with Impa."
"I have no interest in seeing any of my children. If anything, they should try to find me." Cretaceous said approaching the portal.
"I see. Well, here's to hoping we see each other alive again." David said.
"Perhaps. This is farewell...next generation." Cretaceous said walking through the portal as it closed.
"That was some pretty heavy stuff he just told us." David said. "I'm still wrapping my head around some of it."
"But now that we know, we're better prepared. And Im not wasting his knowledge." Hope said. "You okay there, Damien?"
"I'm fine." Damien said. "And I'm glad I got to see him again." he said smiling.
"Good to know." David said. "But… how are we going to explain this to the others?"
"Its gonna be a lot, but I'm sure we'll come up with something." Jexi said as they were about to leave.
"Shiip! I'm a ship!" a voice sang.
"What the…" Damien said as they looked over the cliff to see a large colorful ship singing.
"That ship….That's Big Mom's Ship!" Jexi said.
"So we didn't have to go after her, she went straight to us." David said.
"No. I'm sure its just her soldiers and Capone." Jexi said.
"Were getting Sanji back right now!" Hope said.
"According to the map from the Sheikah Slate, there's a small fishing village called Lurelin Village in the Faron Region. That's gotta be where they're heading." Jexi said.
"But we'd have to go back across the borders then…" Hope said. "And it took us days to even get here."
"Well...there are other ways." David said pointing down to an unmarked ship by the harbor. "We can chase after them in that."
"You think that can hold all of us and the teams?" Hope said.
"Its a small ship, with not much elbow room, but it should hold us all." Jexi said.
"Time is of the essence." David said. "We'll have to make do with what we've got."
"Hang on a little longer, Sanji. We're coming." Jexi said.