Chapter 6: The Meaning of Friendship
"Okay...Now that we made it out alive...we should check these out." Hope said holding the drive.
"Right. Anna?" Ace asked as Anna took the drive and uploaded it into the computer as multiple screens popped up with several lines of code on them.
"Wait...I recognize this. This is the brainwashing program we used on the 77th class and Hope. But it's been heavily modified." Mukuro said.
"You guys doing okay, speaking of?" Hope asked. "Don't want you turned into Remnants again."
"No, we're fine. In fact… I don't feel any different, do you Nagito?" Mahiru asked.
"Calm down. This is just the code, not the real program. The modifications though...this is likely in reaction to Hope breaking out of his and freeing the others." Mukuro said.
"That's good. But question is...what is your doppelganger planning to do with this program, Hope?" Ace asked.
"I think I may have an idea. He plans to succeed where Junko failed, and spread despair everywhere he goes." David said.
"But how does he plan to do that? Do you think that's why he recruited the escaped prisoners?" Ace asked.
"If Despair is the new Junko...that would make his followers the new Remnants of Despair." Hope said.
"So, he's nothing more than a Junko copy after all." David said. "Then again, he did say that she was his teacher...whatever he means by that."
"Hope, Despair was a part of you right?" Ace asked.
"No, not really. He's a clone of me. When the Haltmann corporation tried to roboticize Popstar, they hired a guild to work with them, Steel Genius, lead by Reuniclus. He was perfecting cloning." Hope said.
"Then it might be possible that Despair has the same memories as you when he was created." Stoj said.
"I wouldn't bet on it. He was created by my hair, not any of my grey matter." Hope said. "Anyway, Reuniclus told him everything about the universes, and further down the line, Despair had enough. And what he meant by being Junko's student, well… she was the one that taught him everything she knew about despair. Through many means."
"Well...at least we know what Despair's planning a bit." Ace said before everyone heard Zero yelling.
"They're the dregs of Giga City!" Zero yelled as the leaders exited the room to see X and Zero arguing. "Shadow betrayed us, remember?! The 'roids could go Maverick and turn into enemies at any time!"
"But what about the Hero Alliance. You trust them at least, right?" X asked.
"I trust you, Jexi, Hope, Spectra, and David. But how can I trust these four when I barely even know them." Zero said pointing at Ace, Skyler, Volt, and Connor. "They could betray you at anytime."
"First off, we're human, so we can't go Maverick. Second, I'm a former bounty hunter. Third… watch who you're talking to here!" Connor said.
"Connor, calm down." Spade said putting a hand on his shoulder.
"He's right. We don't need a fight." Nami said.
"Sorry but...I'm gonna go work alone." Zero said as he left.
"He'll come around." Massimo said.
"Massimo is right. Take it from me. Sometimes...you just need to give people some space." David said.
"Yeah, and you know we would never betray you guys. We're friends after all." Ace said.
"It's the same with me." Connor said. "I owe you guys for dealing with the Elements, and we've helped each other since then. I dunno why Zero would be so skeptical about Skyler though. She's not a bad girl."
"Right now… He just needs some time alone." Sectonia said.
"Yeah. Oh! Anna told us she found info about Supra Force Metal at a secret Rebellion Army research lab. It may bear investigation." Ace said.
"Alright. Zero might not be able to cooperate with us at the moment, but the Rebellion Army must still be stopped." Vera said.
"Let's go." Ace said as Anna transported them to the secret lab.
"The research lab should be around here, somewhere." Spider said.
"Where would it be exactly?" Sonia asked.
"Probably upstairs." Ace said as the group made their way through the area and reached a lift which took them up and they were met by a familiar figure.
"You've got to be kidding…" David said.
"Shadow." Ace said as the black and gold reploid stepped out of the shadows.
"Long time no see, X." Shadow said.
"You're gonna pay for betraying us!" X said.
"I never betrayed anyone. I was on the Rebellion's side the whole time. I just brought you to Master Epsilon. I suppose you came here, hoping to find the Supra-Force Metal?" Shadow asked as he pointed his blade at the group.
"Supra-Force Metal?! What's that?!" X demanded as he pointed his buster at Shadow.
"You know very well. It's an improved form of Force Metal that the Rebellion Army is studying to help all Reploids achieve their ideal! You government lackeys can't have it!" Shadow said.
"Ideal my ass! What good is that when countless lives are lost because of that madman Epsilon?!" Ace demanded.
"And… What exactly does the Supra-Force Metal do?" Fulgore asked.
"There's no need for me to describe the effects! Take me on, and see for yourselves!" Shadow said.
W-A-R-N-I-N-G
Warning! Warning! Warning!
"I'll tear all of you to little pieces!" Shadow said as the cannon on his back started charging.
"Fiery Beast!" Stahn yelled as a red image of a lion appeared and he jumped into the air and impaled the ground with Dymlos, causing fire to erupt, disrupting Shadow's attack.
"I'll get you for this!" Shadow said as he recovered.
"Just try it. We dare you." Toma said.
"I had hoped you all could join us...but now all hopes are dashed!" Shadow said charging at them before being countered by a familiar figure. "No! You're alive!"
"Yeah...stings doesn't it?" Zero said standing before them. "I got a whole wad of payback for you, maverick. Time for Round 2!"
(MMXCM-Standby Zero)
"Now that Zero's here, let's give this guy some payback of our own!" Connor said.
"Definitely." Spade said as he activated his Mystic Arte. "Shining Blade of Triumph." He said as he pulled Falchion out of its sheath as it glowed and he dashed forward and did a couple of slashes. "Lunar Requiem!" He said as he sheathed the sword and the damage was done to Shadow.
"Give up yet?" Volta asked.
"Never!" Shadow replied.
"Some people are just too far gone." Hope said.
Shadow went for his shoulder cannon again, setting up for a Charge Shot, but Spider took the blow and throws a card at Shadow, destroying him.
"Spider!" Hope said. "You okay?"
"Don't worry...it's just a scratch." Spider said. "Guess I overdid it, huh?"
"Emphasis on over doing it. Why'd you take the shot for us?" Rose asked.
"Cause I felt like it, that's it. Now let's get to the research lab and find the Supra-Force Metal." Spider said.
"To be perfectly frank, I was gonna ask that." Mikleo said.
"Provided of course if Spider saw you." Edna said.
"Yeah, I guess reploids and normal people can't see you four for certain reasons, right?" Ace asked.
"Something still feels off about all this." Hawkeye said. "Security is lax. If this facility is important, there would be more men on duty."
"It was just a trick to lure you Resistance dogs in." A voice said as the group turned to see a Reploid with a body made of plasma and three faces on its head.
"And you would be?" Mustang asked.
"I am Incentas. And that's all you need to know since this is where you'll die." Incentas said as an electric barrier sprung up behind them. "Just so you know, I gave myself a higher dosage of the Supra-Force Metal, so you won't be able to beat me so easily."
"Care to test that theory, champ?" Fulgore asked.
"You have no idea how many blowhards we've heard say that." Natsu said.
"Whether or not you're a blowhard, you're gonna regret threatening us with death." Maka said.
"Do us a favor and join the scrap heap we made from your comrades." Al said.
"So, you think you can destroy me? Well then, come and try it!" Incentas said.
W-A-R-N-I-N-G
Warning! Warning! Warning!
"Get what's coming to you!" Incentas said as his body turned red.
"Vera, whaddya got for us?" Connor said.
"He has three modes of attack, each dependent on the element he takes in." Vera said.
"So we need to attack accordingly huh? If he's red, then that means he uses fire but is weak to water." Ace said.
"Drown...Tidal Wave!" Philia and Genis chanted as a Tsunami came rushing up behind them as it engulfed Incentas, dealing heavy damage.
Incentas merely laughed and floated off the ground as his body now turned blue.
"Wrong choice! Lightning Devil's Claw!" Volta said slashing Incentas.
"Let's go, Sectonia!" Kor said.
"Lightning Tiger Blade!" Kor and Sectonia shouted as they dealt their own versions of the arte.
"Darkened Storm Cloud, lose thy blade and run my enemies through...Thunder Blade!" Stoj chanted as a Blade of Lightning crashed down and shocked Incentas a couple of times before his body turned yellow.
"Time to turn on the fire power." Kurochi said.
"Yeah! Fire Dragon King's….Demolition Fist!" Natsu shouted landing a punch on Incentas sending him crashing into the wall.
"No way in hell we'll lose to you!" Stahn yelled as he activated his 1st Mystic Arte. "Razing Phoenix!" He yelled as he glided in the air with the silhouette of a Phoenix behind him as he dealt damage to Incentas.
"Mifune Sword Style Secret Skill! It's the rumblin'...Wheel!" Gemini said launching a huge fireball.
"Fethmus Mioma!" Rose called fusing with Lailah.
"Lord of Fire!" Lailah called.
"Crimson Flames! May it burn your soul! Flamberge!" Rose and Lailah yelled in unison as they slashed upward, causing large flames to erupt, damaging Incentas before he shifted back to red.
"This is the end!" Aqua shouted as she charged her blade. "Bubble...Blast!" She shouted as bubbles bombarded Incentas till he fell.
"Phew, is everyone alright?" Ace asked.
"We're good. Can't say the same about Mr. Egypt there." Gemini said.
"You...no good…" Incentas said before he rushed to the control panel. "Hahahaha! I may have lost the fight but I've won the war! I've just set the base to self destruct!"
"Damn, and were sealed in here!" Hope said before Spider grabbed Incentas.
"You guys...might want to hit the deck for this one." Spider said.
"Spider, what are you doing?!" Aya asked.
"None of our attacks might be able to break through that barrier. But an explosion of two 'roids ought to at least put a dent in it!" Spider said.
"Damn it, Spider! First Pedro and now you?!" Sanji asked.
"Sorry… This is it! I have to do this. X, Zero, everyone… The rest is up to you!" Spider said as he took out a card. It started to go before it exploded.
"Spider!" Hope said. "When this is over, I'm putting a thank you on your tombstone…. Let's get outta here so Anna can get a clear shot for a teleport!"
"Right! Come on!" Ace said as they exited the room and made it to an area with a clear signal. "Anna, transfer us!" He said through the comm as they were transported in time.
Back at the Resistance Base, nobody said a word after the events that just happened.
"It's like we learned back at the POW camp. Sacrifices are for the greater good despite how painful they are." Connor said.
"Everyone… Spider risked his life to save me when Shadow attacked, even though I acted like a jerk when I said I wanted to work alone. I want to return the favor." Zero said sinking his head. "No, I MUST return the favor! Let me join you, please!"
"Of course." Jexi said. "We wouldn't have anyone else or more deserving."
"I've known you for quite some time. You already know my answer." Hope said.
"Jexi and Hope told me about how reliable you are. To us, you already were part of the team." David said.
"I may have not known you for a while, but if Jexi, David, and Hope trust you. Then we will as well." Ace said.
"Okay guys. We gotta stop the Rebellion Army, or else Pedro and Spider's sacrifices will be for nothing. First, we take out Epsilon, then we go-" Hope started.
"Slow down there, turbo. Who's to say we won't run into the Olympos XII along the way?" David asked.
"Well… I mean the only one we have with us is Lunamon." Hope said. "We still have no idea where the other eleven are."
"Hope, you are way too fixated on this. They're not just gonna appear out of thin air, you know." Lloyd said.
"He's right. We don't even know how to locate them let alone find them." Tails said. "Like Greninja told us before Furious Sports, modern tech can't find them."
"What about Locating Magic?" Stoj asked.
"If that were the case, I would've found one already." David said.
"He's right. Like many of us elites know...the Olympos XII can't be tracked. That's why their legacy faded into myth." Hoopa said.
"And they're always in hiding too, which makes it even more difficult." Guy said.
"Though...even though Luna is weak, Grimoire still managed to find her easily. Meaning the titans have a sharper sense than we do." Hoopa said.
"Actually…" David said. "As a hunter, I'm able to sense energies of nearby organics. But like I said before, I haven't found any of them so far."
"It's possible they could be scattered across the different Universes, but it's still too early to say." Ace said.
"I agree. There's still so much about the situation we don't know about." David said.
"I suppose we'll just have to think it through once all of this is over." Jexi said.
"For now...we still need to stop the Rebellion Army." Iida said.