Once they were back on Thule, in the skies above the island, the group noticed that a few views to other worlds shattered and crumbled away.
"No time to relax, I see." Bayonetta said.
"We better find our way to the next important world and get that chaos gear before Singularity and Tormal do even more damage." Connor said.
"Right. We'd better hurry." Ace said as the group pressed on before Homunculi appeared and blocked their way. Now with trees that spawned Stratus', but this wasn't a difficult task to overcome for them as the Homunculi trees, which were called Genitus, were literally chopped as they progressed forward.
"Wonder how Viola's doing right about now?" DW typed in curiosity. "I mean, we basically left her behind to get to World B1."
"Nursing a skinned knee perhaps…" Bayonetta said as the group reached another Multiverse portal generator and stepped on it as it activated, sending them to the Ginnungagap. It wasn't long before they reached a point where they'd go to the next world. "I wonder what alternate reality awaits us this time?"
The group soon found themselves in a mountainous region that was flowing with lava, as they were walking along a path on some sort of wall. As they took their first steps into this world, they immediately noticed that the Homunculi were already in the midst of a full on invasion, fighting off against humans wearing ancient chinese armor, and fighting the invaders off with swords, spears, shields, and even cannons.
"Hey, that armor those soldiers are wearing… and this wall… are we in China?" Mai asked.
"You're right, Mai. We're in a world where Ancient China is still dominant. It looks like we're on the Great Wall… well, more like a Great Fortress anyway. Universal positioning puts us somewhere between the Standard and the Past universe." Kokonoe said.
"Indeed. This world's timeline is in sync with the Arch-Eve origins own." Singularity's voice could be heard as his face appeared on a Floccus fighting some soldiers. "Although civilization has taken a different course here. I have seen exactly 2,043 similar worlds."
"Simply astounding." Bayonetta said as everyone evaded the Floccus' attack.
"You yourselves have been people out of time on many an occasion, have you not?" Singularity asked.
"Yeah, we've time traveled here and there." DW said. "Not that it's any of your business."
"Yes, and we'd prefer not to waste that time on your lectures." Bayonetta said as soldiers charged at the Floccus before being swept away as cannons then bombarded the homunculi, before a squad hit the Floccus with a battering ram and pushed it right into the lava.
"Wow. These guys are putting up more of a fight than the JSDF did in the last world."
"They must be well trained to fight so fearlessly. I feel a bit inspired to take up arms myself!" Bayonetta said.
The group then began their trek before seeing a strange Homunculus breathing blue fire on a group of soldiers before it moved on.
"What a thoroughly unappealing sight." Bayonetta said before she and the group then saw a bunch of Homunculi attacking a few cannoneers as they jumped on them. This particular trio were all armless, two-legged Homunculi with curved upper bodies, single eye-like structures, and what seem to be horns or vestigial limbs growing out of its head. Its legs end in sharp blades, and the forms of fused Strati can be seen jutting out of its spine. When Bayonetta tried to attack them by Demon Slaving Gomorrah, they skilfully evaded by jumping all around him before his time ran out.
Light Behavioral Prediction Unit
Mediocris
"When we're done with you, you'll wish you'd opted for the lizard's love tap." Bayonetta said.
Hitting the Mediocris' proved to be harder than most of them thought, as they continued to jump all around the group with incredible agility.
"Agh, they're too fast!" Hitomi said.
Just then, Scolopendra popped his head out next to Simon.
"This might aid you. The Infinite One just finished making it from parts of my body. It is known as Mukude." Scolopendra said as he dropped a morning star whip of some sort into Simon's hand before disappearing. The tail was adorned with some of the spikes on his back along with its multiple molted shells, and the tip in the shape of his face.
"My thanks, my scurrying friend." Simon said before swinging it at one of the Mediocris as the tip bit into it. "Come on down!" he said, slamming it into the ground before lashing the tail as a purple light travelled up the tail into the head as a purple hue spread across the Mediocris before it exploded in a purple smoke. "Oh yeah, this'll be fun." he said as he swung Mukude at another Mediocris before swinging it around. "And you are…outta here!" he said, sending it flying as it exploded in purple smoke as well.
"Save some for the rest of us, witch boy!" Hitomi said, finally able to land a hit on the final Mediocris and sent it down. "Someone pin this slippery thing down before it gets moving again!"
"Hyouretsuzan!" Zero called, performing a falling downward thrust with the Z-Saber turning into a giant light blue icicle as he stabbed into the Mediocris, causing it to freeze in place.
"Oversurge… Azure Striker!" Gunvolt materialized a large azure blue electrical blade from his hand and rushed towards the frozen target. "Luxcalibur!" And then delivered a final thrust onto it before detonating it into an electrical explosion that shattered it to pieces.
The group then moved on after Bayonetta dispelled the barrier. Moving across the wall, they made their way through a building and reached a wide open area as the area turned purple around them as they saw an image of the large Homunculus from earlier as Bayonetta soon touched it before a vision entered their minds. A group of soldiers were currently having trouble against the large Homunculus.
"Fear not! Now is the time to charge forward!" a familiar voice called. Riding down on a large train of some sort was another Bayonetta as she wore a crimson Gekka, along with a dark purple and gold Armor on her limbs. Her calf-long black hair is pulled into two ponytails wrapped into buns decorated with red conical ornaments. Likewise identical to Bayonetta, this Variant has scars across her face and is missing her right eye, the socket covered by a red eye patch. She also had a large club-like weapon in the shape of a train engine in her right hand.
Bayonetta β2
The One-Eyed Witch
A chainsaw popped out of the train as it sliced through the Homunculus, causing it to retreat.
"Our true enemy lies ahead. Leave this beast to my servant. Follow me!" B2 declared, landing before the group of soldiers as she lead them to battle, the vision soon ending.
The group looked up as they saw the train from before riding down to them. Numerous veins and eyes run along its plating as there was also portions of flesh resembling a brain protruding outside what seems to be the tender.
CHARGER OF THE CRIMSON RIM
WARTRAIN GOUON
"A demon train…why do I suddenly feel bad memories from seeing it?" Ace asked.
"Hey, it's here to help us, I think." Connor said.
"Yeah, but…it also brings up memories of when we lost a comrade." Ajna said.
"What do you mean?" Lysithea asked.
"Awhile back, we went on a mission in Tanjiro's world. We didn't realize it at the time, but the train we rode on was commandeered by one of the Lower Moons of the Twelve Kizuki." Ajna said.
"Enmu… did you slay him?" Nedris asked.
"We sure did. But… we didn't expect someone else to show up." Ajna said."One of the Upper Moons… Muzan's Number 3."
"Akaza…" Nedris said.
"Yeah. Thanks to him, we lost someone who really was like a good friend to us. One of the Hashira, the Flame Pillar, Kyojuro Rengoku." Ajna said.
"Rengoku… as in the son of Shinjuro Rengoku?" Nedris asked.
"That's right… wait, how long ago did you live in Tanjiro's world?" Kampan asked.
"It has been such a long time ago. I've been imprisoned within Tormal's soul for so many years, I don't even know how much time has passed." Nedris said.
"Well, it's the Taisho era in Tanjiros world now, if that helps." Yuzuriha said.
"I first saw Tanjiro and Nezuko as infants during my visit. But that was during the same era, before that tragic day when Tormal manipulated Spade to strike me down. But I first set foot in Tanjiro's world all the way back in the Heian Era. The Era that Muzan Kibitsuji became the demon he is now." Nedris said.
"Seriously?!" Yuzuriha asked.
"How old are you?!" DW typed.
Stoj tried to smack Dark Water with a frying pan for that comment, but all she got was a face full of his bodily ink when she hit his head as it splattered all over her, Dark Water safely regenerating.
Nedris giggled. "I had a feeling someone would ask that sooner or later. Most of you might be wondering how I would be able to live for the thousands of years from the Heian Period all the way to the Taisho period."
"I can think of one big reason that is probably obvious. Through some way or another, Nedris… you're immortal." Connor said.
"Very spot on." Nedris said. "I've met many people over my stay, up to the Taisho Era. Even my close encounters with the Upper Moons. Truth be told, I was impressed when I read in your logs that you were able to slay Gyutaro and Daki. Even I couldn't even come close to defeating them, despite them sharing the Upper Six position, so naturally, you can expect that I was surprised."
"If you even had trouble beating those two, what does that say about the ones above them?" Yuzuriha asked.
"Nevermind that, if you were around all that time back when Muzan became the first demon of Tanjiro's world, you must've picked up on what his plan was after all those years. What's he after exactly?" DW typed.
"When the time is right, and we are all together as one Alliance, you shall have the answers you seek." Nedris said as Wartrain Gouon sounded its whistle to bring everyone's attention back to it.
"Oh, sorry about that, we forgot about you for a second." Connor responded. "...I just replied to a train…"
"Anyway, you're here to help us, right? You wanna forge a contract with Bayonetta?" Hilda asked.
Gouon gave a whistle in confirmation.
"I'll take that as a yes." Regina deduced.
"Being drafted now, are we? All right, let's just see how steamy things can get." Bayonetta said as Gouon disappeared and his symbol appeared on Bayonetta's back.
After Gouron was contracted, they saw that the way forward was blocked by some sort of barricade. Connected to it were four homunculi protrusions in a set order.
"This barricade won't drop unless we take out those things in the way, but if we take them down one at a time, they'll probably just regenerate afterwards." Lysithea said.
"Nothing worse than unwanted guests taking root. We'll just have to stamp them all out at once!" Bayonetta said.
"I think GoGo can help with that." Hapi said.
"How do you Demon Slave a train?" Hilda asked.
"It's actually pretty simple. Bayonetta just builds his tracks and gives him commands to attack along the way, and then he sends him forward to do what he was directed." 9S said.
"Precisely. Watch closely, my dears." Bayonetta said. "PARM!" she chanted, as she formed rails that lined a path around all four of the Homunculi protrusions along with different colored signs as it was soon sent off, unleashing its various weaponry and destroying all four protrusions before vanishing as the barrier was broken.
"You guys may not know this, but the Zi-O Liner can also create tracks on its own." Starlight mentioned. "Crazy thing is that one was a prototype to the Den Liner, a train that can travel through time."
Before they could even advance through the gate though, one of the dragon Homunculi that attacked the soldiers in the vision blocked their way. Upon a closer look, it was a massive serpentine Homunculus, with heads at each end of its body. Each head had a large eye usually hidden in a second pair of jaws, and additional eyes can be seen on the sides of its body. Its feet have two toes each, as well as a suction cup that lets it walk up walls. Fused Strati can be seen protruding from its back.
Heavy Adaptive Combat Unit
VIRGA
(Cue- The Heavies *3rd Climax Mix*- Bayonetta 3)
Virga moved around the group, using its long body to cut the group off, changing directions on a dime to hinder their movements, as it could plow through the group just by moving.
"This guy's a tricky one!" Ragna said.
Just then something grabbed it and stopped it in its tracks. Coming from a portal on its own volition, was a familiar Giant hand as on the tip of all its fingers and thumbs are several ram heads that each bear slight differences in design.
"No way…" Simon said.
"Simon, that hand…!" Kagura said.
"I know! It's definitely him, no mistake." Simon said, as a few other similar arms appeared to grab Virga in different places.
SHATTERER OF THE EARTH
HEKATONCHEIR
"Whoever this newcomer is, it's given us an opening!" Lorenz said.
"Leonie, you're up!" Connor said.
"Time to crush the enemy!" Leonie acknowledged, twirling her spear before charging forward on her mount. "Get outta here!" she said, slashing at Virga from every direction on its body. "I hope the captain approves!" Leonie finished with a light infused spear throw as it pierced through the Virga and impacted the ground.
"Prepare to be purified!" Laura Aurora said, warping high into the sky as she gathered Ether into her hands. "Divine Assault…Ether Strike!" she said, launching the gathered ether down as it disintegrated the Virga.
(end song)
With Virga defeated, the six limbs of Hekatonchier appeared before the group.
"Nice to see you in the flesh somewhat for real, big guy." Simon said. "What brings you to these parts?"
Hekatoncheir then made some motions with his arms, trying to communicate something.
"Uh…what's he doing?" Hilda said.
"Sign language, from the looks of it." Miku answered.
"Hekatoncheir doesn't really say that much considering the rest of him is in Inferno. He's only ever been known to squeeze his arms through to our world." Lysithea said.
"Can you understand what the big fella's trying to tell us, Simon?" Hyde asked.
"I'll try. 'I was trying to escape the chaos these strange invaders were causing, then I saw you under attack by one of them and decided to come to your aid, because I have a sense of familiarity coming from you. So I would like to grant my destructive power to you under your service.'" Simon translated. "I gladly accept, your destructive power will be a welcome boon to us." he said as the Infernal gave a thumbs up before disappearing as a symbol depicting his six hands appeared on Simon's back.
The group then advanced more forward on the Great Wall fortress, defeating any Homunculi along the way and helping out the defending army whenever they could. They also encountered a strange device left behind by the invaders, which could advance or reverse time to make improvised routes to inaccessible levels. However, use of the device reverted Bayonetta back to a preteen but eventually return to normal after time ran out. The group soon reached the top of a tower as they heard a familiar voice.
"Think you're hot stuff, big boy? Just watch, I'll take you out solo!" Viola could be heard saying as the group saw her fighting a Cumulonimbus as she threw three darts that exploded on contact before leaping into the air as she sliced off one of its arms before blocking an incoming attack from the other arm as she managed to grab a chain and swing off it while throwing three more darts before landing on the ground as the group simply watched.
"She's pretty good." Hilda said.
Viola dodged a laser before throwing more darts as the explosions caused the Homunculus to fire onto one of the chains the bell was holding up. As Viola leaped into the air to give it one more good hit, the bell fell on top of her and she was trapped underneath it.
"Oooh… that was unlucky, dess." Kirika cringed.
"Good effort though." Shirabe added.
"You poor thing…something about you just pokes at my soft side." Bayonetta said as she and the group approached.
"Hey, you okay in there?" Peacock asked, knocking on the bell.
"So dark…" Viola muttered as Bayonetta kicked the bell away and the group saw Viola with her hands over her head. "Walls closing in… Help!" she said before looking up as tears formed in her eyes before standing up and turning to the group. "Uh, hey guys! Glad you're all okay. Just handling some bad guys-"
The Cumulonimbus Viola was fighting then began to recover, regenerating its severed arm from its conglomerated Strati.
"Hold that thought. It's clobberin' time." DW typed, directing Viola's attention back to her foe.
(Cue- Gh()st- Bayonetta 3)
Viola shook her head and slapped her cheeks a few times before picking up her sword as she and the group got ready to fight.
"Are you…claustrophobic?" Ajna asked.
"Wha? Hey, don't get it twisted okay! I'm definitely not horribly claustrophobic at all, got it? And do we really need to talk about that right now? I mean, we're kind of busy here!" Viola said.
"If you say so. Though there's no shame in admitting it either." Yuri said.
"UPMEDANYDA!" Simon chanted, summoning Hekatoncheir as he delivered a six-hit heavy combo before finishing with a double-hand slam.
"Pod! Program R010: Laser!" 2B said as two other pods appeared alongside 042 as all three fired lasers at the Cumulonimbus.
Connor and his team rushed in for some action, as Travis clubbed the cumulonimbus upside the head, which was followed by a triple spear strike from Lorenz, Maxwell and Leonie, and then a blast of Dark Magic from Lysithea.
With Cumulonimbus stunned, Zi-O took the opportunity to prepare the Kiva Ridewatch, activating it.
=KIVA!=
"Let's see what happens when you add a bat into the mix!" Zi-O said as he inserted the Ridewatch onto the belt, slammed the tilt button and gave it a 360 spin.
=ARMOR TIME!=
Zi-O's whole body was suddenly coated in silver as his armor changed shape before it shattered, revealing his new form, the KivaArmor.
=GABU! KIVA!=
"Kamen Rider Kiva's power, huh? I was wondering when you're gonna use that!" Starlight smirked as she looked at the Rider's new form consisting of silver armor plating on his arms, and legs, including his right leg having chains around it, red and grey chest-plate with black markings, a pair of shoulder armor that look like halves of a yellow and black bat with red eyes, and his helmet having the same shape as Kiva with the yellow katakana for Kiva on his visor.
"Let's wrap this up!" Connor said as he, Zi-O, Starlight, Bayonetta and Viola charged right at the Cumulonimbus together, Connor quickly donned his New Ichaival Gear and made the first shot as his rifle was changed by the programmable matter in his suit into a sniper rifle-esque configuration before blasting a big shot through the hulking a Homunculi.
RED HOT BLAZE
"Starlight!" Connor said.
"One good stun should do it!" Starlight complied, rotating her PreBrace a few times as she conjured up a yellow and red sphere on her hand. "Starlight Sphere!" She then launched the sphere towards the Homunculi, trapping it inside on contact.
With Cumulonimbus trapped, Bayonetta, Zi-O, and Viola went in to finish it off. The former two knocked the homunculi senseless with a double-rising somersault kick, which was followed up by Viola as she cleaved it with a burning sword slash. Bayonetta and Zi-O then backflipped backward together as both set up for their final attacks, with Zi-O initiating Finish Time.
=FINISH TIME! KIVA!=
After Zi-O landed, he raised his right leg upward as the chains broke free, revealing a red bat with a single green eye while the sky turned to night with a full moon and jumped high into the air.
"MATORB PARM!" Bayonetta chanted, summoning Wartrain Gouon as it raced towards Cumulonimbus and circled around it, firing its gun batteries to batter Cumulonimbus with heavy firepower before getting out of the way as Zi-O delivered a decisive dive kick with his right leg as Gouon's symbol disappeared.
=WAKE UP TIME BREAK!=
Once the attack landed onto Cumulonimbus, it left a massive crater with the shape of Kiva's symbol before Zi-O jumped away in time as it exploded before Zi-O reverted to Base Form, as did Connor while the sky returned to normal.
(End song)
Viola then ran up to the quartet and held her hand up for a hi-five. "Come on…" she said. Bayonetta didn't give her the satisfaction, but Connor, Zi-O, and Starlight were all the more happy to return the gesture as they slapped her hand in turn. "Fuck yeah!" she said as Bayonetta sighed and adjusted her glasses.
"Ahem, language. Young people present here." Starlight reminded, gesturing to Serena.
"Hey, she's a rebel teen, cut her some slack." Connor said. "But anyway, I'm just glad we finally caught up with you, Viola."
"Same here. I was worried you guys might be floating in the asshole of the Multiverse or something." Viola replied. "Oh, and I didn't need any of your help back there. I could have squashed a bug like that myself."
"Oh, really? What took you so long to finish the job?" Ragna skeptically asked.
"I was just…waiting for the right moment, okay? Trying to get that sweet finisher and put it down for the-" Viola said before Bayonetta fired one of her guns as Viola dodged as she then turned to see a Stratus.
"Worry about yourself, my dear." Bayonetta said as she walked up to Viola. "Lesson 1: Carelessness will get your tail snipped, kitty."
"Always be on guard and to be very cautious. Also, don't rely on finishers most of the time." Zi-O added.
"I-I told you not to call me that!" Viola said. "Anyway, did you guys find it?"
"You mean the Chaos gear thingy?" Peacock asked, pulling the one they found in World B1 out of her hat and showing it. "Got it right here. Heads up!" she said, tossing it to Viola, who fumbled to catch it as she pulled out the one she had.
"So the Chaos Gear was really there… If the hypothesis is right, with five of these Chaos Gears and help from Dr. Sigurd, the Alphaverse is just-" Viola said before Bayonetta took them. "Huh?"
"If these little things are really so important, then we'd better hold onto them for now. May be a bit too heavy for your little paws, kitty." Bayonetta said.
Viola groaned. "Don't make me say it again. My name is Viola! V-I-O-L-fucking A Viola!" she said, pointing to herself with a confident smirk as laughter was soon heard, the group turning to see Luka.
"She's really under your skin, huh kid?" Luka asked. "But, you gotta prove yourself to her if you want to move beyond nicknames." he said as he approached.