Chapter 4: Gaudile Laboratory

(MMZ3-Prismatic)

"This is Professor Gaudile. We could really use him on our side." Chief R said as he showed a picture of a platypus reploid on the monitor. "Nana, please."

"Sir. Professor Gaudile was a central figure and lead researcher at the giant Force Metal research lab that was here in Giga City. He's a renowned specialist in complex energy theories, and is also an accomplished engineer." Nana explained.

"Do you know where he is?" Ace asked.

"When the Rebellion Army caused an uprising, he retreated to the safety of his lab, and since then he has refused any kind of contact with both the Army and the government." Nana said.

"Smart Man." Ace said.

"So, you want us to bring Gaudile here, huh? That's gonna be tough if he's as neutral as you say." David said.

"Yeah, considering it'll be heavily guarded against intruders. We'll have to be on guard." Ace said.

"I'll transport you there whenever you're ready, everyone." Anna said.

"Take us then. To Gaudile Laboratory." Spectra said.

"Alright, commencing transfer." Anna said as she transferred everyone. "Come back safe."

"We will." Hope said as they warped away.

They arrived in the inside of the Laboratory where someone was watching from the screens.

"Of course Silver Horn is gone. I'd let that crew have it if they hadn't already left." he said.

"Calm yourself. We both knew it was a temporary agreement." Despair said over the line. "Just focus on getting Gaudile on our side. We need his invention."

"Oh, I'm sure I can persuade my old lab partner to give me what we want." The man said stepping out of the shadows. He was a reploid with a motif of skulls and ghost like designs. "And I'll take care of our little pest problem too, or my name isn't Dr. Psyche!"

Back with the group, they were running through the lab as Hope felt something wrong.

"We're not alone in here." Hope said. "And I don't mean the mavericks."

"Seems we have a thief in our midsts." Ace said.

"You think it's Jack and the Phantom Thieves?" Hope asked.

"No, I don't think he'd waste his time on a place like this." David said.

"He focuses on bigger treasures. This is likely someone else." Erza said.

"Noted." Connor said drawing his rifle. "Alright, whoever you are… show yourself!"

(MMXCM- Pleasant Thief Marino)

Suddenly, a pink armored female reploid dropped from the shadows as she appeared to the group. "Not bad, didn't think you guys would be able to sense me."

"We've had experiences with Thieves." Connor siad. "To who do we have the pleasure of speaking to?"

"Marino, Thief Extraordinaire, at your service though akin to Robin Hood." Marino said as she curtsied.

"Huh." Connor said.

"What brings a thief like you to Gaudile Labs?" Sectonia asked.

"I'm planning on stealing the Professor's new technology before the Rebellion Army does." Marino said.

"The file says that Gaudile was working on something called the Force Metal Generator… whatever that is." Toma said scratching his head.

"It's hard to tell what it could be, let's try to find the Professor and see what he knows." Ace said. "Do you want to join us, Marino?"

"Why not, besides, it'll be interesting to team up with the famous Hero Alliance." Marino said.

"Famous? I wouldn't say that, really…" Izuku said.

"We'd better locate the Prof. fast." Sonic said.

"Yeah, those pirates and a member of the Rebellion Army are probably here already." Spade said.

"No, I don't think Big Mom would have any interest in this place." Hope said.

"Afraid they already left you unfortunate souls...but I'm here." Said a man walking out in prison clothing. "But we of the New Universal Villains can keep you entertained."

"Who is this guy?" Ace asked putting a hand near Yato.

"He's one of the prisoners. His codename is Savage. A mass murderer who claimed over 999 victims." Connor said.

"You bastard." Aya said.

"What does Despair have to gain from taking over the Universal Villains? Why recruit psychos like you when clearly he has his own means of doing things himself?" Hope said.

"To spread his vision of course. Well, a vision left to him by his teacher. Personally I don't really care. He got me free from execution, meaning I can claim my 1000th victim." He said.

"If by teacher… then you mean a total psycho who destroyed David's world. I know who you're talking about all too well." Hope said. "And so does David."

"That's right. And sorry to say, she doesn't have that vision anymore." David said.

"What are you talking about?" Savage asked.

"Didn't you get the memo? She was revived by the Heroes Coalition and had her memories of the whole event wiped clean." David said with a smirk.

"Are...you serious?" Despair asked, as he heard everything from the monitors.

"Aw, what's wrong? Sad that your closest companion is not who she is anymore? Tragic, I know." David said. "But now you know how it feels."

"Teacher always said that despair...was what really awakens a person." Despair said smiling wickedly. "This is a sign...that I will take her place."

"Like I'm gonna let that happen!" Hope said. "I swear it, Despair! You're not remaking that nightmare that David lived through!"

"That's right, Hope will stop you, he won't let you make our friend go through that experience." Ace said as he drew Yato and pointed it at Savage.

"You really shouldn't do that kid. I've been caged way too long. And I'm aching for it. My 1000th victim." Savage said.

"Then try tangling with me." David said. "I'll keep this guy busy. The rest of you, go on ahead."

"Alright, be careful." Ace said as the group hurried on through the forest.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be right behind you." David said as he drew his broadsword.

W-A-R-N-I-N-G

Warning! Warning! Warning!

(Kill 'Em All - Anarchy Reigns)

"Hehehehehe. Oh I am going to enjoy this." Savage said drawing a simple knife. "I'll splatter your Lunarian Blood all over the forest!"

"You're gonna have to hit me first." David said as he fired some shots from his pistols.

"Weak! Weak! Weak!" Savage said blocking each bullet with his knife. "A gun isn't gonna work on me. A lot of people have tried that on me...and they're feeding the worms."

"I was just warming you up, but you seem pretty heated already… So maybe you should chill!" David said as he unleashed a blizzard.

"An Ice power. Nice Try!" Savage said at he tossed his knife into a boiler as it exploded, heating the room. "You know...I've murdered your kind before. Lunarians...I find them to be very fun...especially when their blood is on my knife."

"I'll let you know that my people are not to be trifled with." David said as he unleashes his Ice Reaper Claw.

"Yes yes yes!" he said lunging at him before David sent the knife flying. "Yes yes yes! You are worthy...of my final kill!" He shouted thrusting an arm at him.

"Careful now." David said grabbing his arm. "Wouldn't want it broken along the way." he said as he slashed at Savage.

"I'll go and break you!" Savage said before he was frozen solid into an ice statue.

(end song)

"Please. You couldn't even break an iron bar." David said as he grabbed the fallen knife. "Hmm… Sayuri did say she could use some new decorations." David said as he activates his comm. "Hey, Nana, is the Deployment Center up?"

"Yes, we managed to find broken down mechaniloids and gave them repairs, so they're ready to be deployed when you return to base." Nana said. "Be sure to look for any more damaged mechaniloids and bring them back to base."

"Good thing to note. I was asking because there's a...delivery down here I would like them to make." David said.

"Of course. What is it?" Nana asked.

"Just a little something for a friend of mine back home. It's an ice statue. They won't miss it." David said.

"Alright, I'll have the mechaniloids standing by for pickup when you return." Nana said.

"Great. Thanks." David said as he turned off the comm and rushed back to the others.

Meanwhile

A young female reploid designed as an Angelic Nurse was surrounded by Preons as they walked slowly with Psyche next to them.

"Not so fast, Psyche!" Ace called out as he turned to the groups and sputtered in shock.

"Ah… if it isn't the Hero Alliance, and X is it?" Dr. Psyche said.

"Dr. Psyche, your Rebellion Army Days are over!" X said.

"Ha! Wretched vermin! I pity you. I truly do...you obviously have no understanding...of how far the Rebellion Army can take Reploid Technology!" Dr. Psyche said.

"You mean Technology for war?! You're a scientist. You should be helping Reploid and mankind, instead of making weapons that could harm innocent people." Mari said.

"I am helping Reploid-kind, by aiding the Rebellion Army! Our cause is absolute, we are superior to humans, and these weapons will prove it." Dr. Psyche said. "Especially with the power of Force Metal!"

"Yet another madman who oppresses freedom." Duplica said.

"Everyone...leave this to me. I'm gonna teach this madman a lesson." Mari said as a blue aura surged around her as a tarot card appeared.

"Fine, I'll take care of you myself. Get ready to meet your end." Dr. Psyche said as he got into a fighting stance.

W-A-R-N-I-N-G

Warning! Warning! Warning!

(MMXCM-Maverick Boss theme)

"Perfect. You'll make a fine specimen." Dr. Psyche said before he laughed and danced crazily, summoning small floating needle like objects.

"What the?" Mari asked.

"He said the exact same thing as Kan-Ra when we fought him." Reflet said.

"Calm down, Mari. Those needles are luck-based. They'll give either you or Psyche a random buff or debuff." Vera said.

"Alright. Here goes Athena!" Mari said as she crushed the card and summoned Athena. "Agneystra!" She yelled as Athena launched multiple small meteors down on Psyche and the needles, dealing damage to Psyche and destroying the needles in the process.

"One attack… one attack!" Ruby said squealing as Dr. Psyche's body sparked.

"We scientists have a nasty bite." Dr. Psyche said as he kneeled before standing up and doing his crazy dance as his head launched.

"Did anybody else see that just now?" Al asked.

"Be careful, Mari. I'm detecting a strong presence where Psyche's head ended up." Vera said.

Everyone looked up as they saw Psyche's head attached to a Nautilus shaped machine as it floated down in front of Mari.

W-A-R-N-I-N-G

Warning! Warning! Warning!

(MMXCM-Fight X!)

"You'll never beat my evolved form!" Psyche said.

"We'll see about that." Mari said. "Athena...Heat Riser!" She said as Athena boosted Mari's attack, defense, and agility.

"Take this!" Mad Nautilus said as he fired multiple mini missiles at Mari.

"Too slow!" Mari said as she dodged before pulling out a weird shaped hammer. "Reaper Knock!" She yelled tossing an elemental ball into the air and hit it, sending it flying at Psyche, dealing damage.

"Oh no!" Mad Nautilus said as his shell revealed his core.

"The core is exposed! Take em out, Mari!" Hope said.

"You got it! Time for the final blow!" Mari said as she activated her Mystic Arte. "Y'okay! Hop along, let's go!" She said summoning her mechanical versions of four of the leaders as she hopped onto the robot version of Ace. "Da Da Da! Fever Dream Mania, whoaaaa!" She yelled as the robots fired missiles at Mad Nautilus before crashing as Mari and her robot allies were sent flying in different directions by the explosion.

"No...my life's work!" Mad Nautilus yelled before he exploded as Mari landed face first on the ground.

"Ow…" Mari muttered as the group ran to her.

"Nice work Mari… but uh… were those robots… us?" Hope asked.

"Yeah." Mari said as she got up and cleaned her glasses. "I made them based on you, Jexi, David, and Ace because I think you guys are pretty badass. And they're for my Mystic Arte like you saw just now. Though those aren't the only things I worked on."

"Inventors… always having crazy ideas, am I right David?" Hope asked.

"You've got that right." David said as he appeared. "Looks like you managed to wrap things up here."

"Yup. And are you alright?" Ace asked the young reploid.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you so much." The reploid said.

"Are you a Medical Reploid? You shouldn't be here in Gaudile's lab, it's dangerous." Connor said.

"A-Actually….I'm one of the Professor's Creations. My name is Cinnamon." The reploid known as Cinnamon said.

"It was strange to see Dr. Psyche confront you. The Rebellion would have no worth for just one Med Bot."

"It's because I have the Force Metal Generator in my body." Cinnamon said as she showed a glowing orb on her chest. "The Professor only wanted to keep me safe, he's not a bad man."

"Cinnamon!" A voice called out as everyone turned to see Professor Gaudile running towards them.

"Professor!" Cinnamon called out happily.

"I want to thank you all for saving Cinnamon...I would've denied your request of joining the Resistance, but seeing how you all risked your lives to help us, we shall join you." Gaudile said.

"Alright, mission accomplished, Anna. Transfer us back." Ace said through the comm as they were warped back to base.

Chapter End