Once again leaving Viola to continue to chase down Luka alone, the group rejoined Bayonetta as they traversed deeper into World B3 as they came across a pond-like area.
"This place could be swarming with Homunculi. Good thing you two got some new weapons to try out." Leonie said.
"Been meaning to ask, what kinda weapon did you take off your Chinese Empress self, Bayo?" DW typed.
"It looks like a club, but there are multiple sawblades in it. In fact, its appearance is similar to that of a train engine." Mari said.
"A train-shaped chainsaw death club? Ooh, I've got the perfect name for it!" Peacock said. "The Dead End Express!"
"Why would you want to give a weapon an unsightly name as that?" Lorenz said.
"Because, y'know…. Anybody who gets a ticket for that thing gets a one-way ticket to murdertown." Peacock said.
"Honestly I quite like it." Bayonetta said.
Just then, a round base fell from above and rooted to the ground followed by eight Lotus-shaped layers falling on top of each other to form a tall stack, as it was crowned by a humanoid figure from the waist up with small hands in a meditative posture and a large Disk on it's back.
Heavy Monitoring Interception Unit
CASTELLANUS
"It's… just a giant tower?" Hilda asked.
"No I don't think so…" Giovanna said as some parts of the tower glowed. "Watch out!"
Multiple tentacles popped out and tried to attack the group as they dodged before the tentacles went back in.
"This thing looks like it's gonna be a pain in the ass…" Hitomi said.
"We're gonna have to bring the main body down to our level by cutting its support down to size!" Leonie said.
Just then the Castellanus formed a wide circular barrier around itself, preventing the group from approaching.
"What did it just do?! I can't get close!" Raphael said.
"It's hindering our movements and preventing us from attacking its supports up close! We're gonna have to knock it down from a distance!" Connor said.
"ALOK!" Simon chanted as Alighieri appeared and was able to bypass the barrier before swinging his sword down, knocking one of the Homunculus's stacks out as it spun around before exploding, only for it to send out a few Stratus in retaliation.
"We'll hold the Strati off. Simon, Bayonetta, you keep playing this thing's game of oversized Jenga!" Connor said, shooting a couple down.
"PARM!" Bayonetta chanted, forming a track that circled around the Castellanus as Gouon rode on it and fired his weapons, destroying the rest of the stacks and breaking the barrier as the Castellanus now began walking on six legs.
Just then, one of Hekatoncheir's hands appeared and dropped a set of combat braces into Simon's hands.
"Looks like Rodin finished making another weapon for you, Simon." Leonie said.
"Looks that way, thanks big guy." Simon said as he slipped them on while Hekatoncheir gave a thumbs up before disappearing. "Now let's see how these do." he said before charging at the Castellanus and dealing a multi-hit combo, causing it to flinch with each hit. "Shatter!" he called, masquerading with Hekatoncheir as he dealt a three-armed rising uppercut, launching the Homunculus upward. "This just got a lot more fun. Anyone else want to join in?" he said, pounding his right fist into his left palm.
"Oh, there's no way I'm missing this!" Raphael said. "Lets join in Makoto, Hibiki!"
"Like you didn't even have to say anything, Raph!" Makoto said, rushing in for the first attack. "Big Bang Smash!" she called, punching forward as a larger version of her fist popped out next to her.
"Seiyaaah!" Hibiki then followed up with a flurry of punches, then spin kicks, then leaped into the air as her right arm turned into a rocket war gauntlet and delivered a power punch to Castellanus' chest, making it stumble back a few steps.
Raphael then finished off by rushing the stunned Castellanus with a flurry of blows before knocking it back with a dropkick.
"I'm on a roll!" Raphael said, posing before stamping the ground and causing a big seismic quake that dug up a huge slab of rock, which he grabbed. "Now watch me flex!" he then swung the slab of rock and bludgeoned Castellanus with a brutal bashing strike, knocking it back as it burst into pieces, Raphael breaking his makeshift weapon afterward. "Did you see that? My muscles always win the day!" he posed once again.
Bayonetta soon dispelled the barrier as a purple light appeared before the group, forming into a familiar face.
"Princess, you must not follow!" she said before running on ahead.
"Is that…Jeanne? And 'princess?' You must be joking." Bayonetta said.
"Nope. The version of you here must be some sort of Egyptian Princess." Kokonoe said.
The group continued on before spotting another purple light as the Jeanne of World B3 appeared again.
"Please, return and leave this to me!" she said, twirling a spear before running on ahead as the group tried to follow her, only to be dragged down a sinkhole as they ended up in an underground cavern with red crystal stalactites scattered around.
"Is your grand scheme simply to bore us to death?" Bayonetta asked as the group reached a large space as they saw an image of the Jeanne of this world facing off with another woman as a large toad stood behind them before Jeanne hopped onto it as she began attacking the group.
(Cue- Red and Black *3rd Climax Mix*- Bayonetta 3)
"I made it clear you were not to follow." she said.
"And when someone gives me an order. I just have to disobey." Bayonetta said.
"You really are quite the headstrong one… I'll have to force you to listen, then. Prepare yourself!" the alternate Jeanne said.
The specter of the alternate Jeanne attacked on her own and also employed the large spectere of a familiar Frog Demon.
"Hey, that demon that's being slaved… isn't that…?" Makoto asked.
"Yeah, it's Baal." Simon said.
The specter of Baal rushed at them with deadly jumps coated in poison and lashes with her tongue.
"Though this beast is but a mere image, it's a very grotesque sight. Let us subdue her as quickly as possible!" Lorenz said, striking the spectre.
"Don't be so quick to judge her on appearances, Lorenz. I've read some legends about this demon in my spare time." Lysithea said. "This appearance is only a form to conceal her true self."
"Really now? What could she be trying to hide from us?" Lorenz asked.
"Ever heard the story of the princess and the frog? This demon's kinda got that situation." Connor said. "But we'll talk that later, we gotta calm this thing down!"
The group was able to catch Baal off guard after each one of her attacks and wore her down bit by bit. The specter of Baal soon disappeared as the specter of the alternate Jeanne landed on the ground before standing up as she drew her spear and charged at the group.
(end song)
"Whoa whoa whoa, time out…!" Connor tried to calm the alternate Jeanne down, but she wasn't listening as she attacked the group, mostly Bayonetta, without mercy. Despite her best efforts, Bayonetta was soon grabbed in a chokehold by the alternate Jeanne, and it looked like she was going to kill her only for her to take a breath and smile as she glowed brightly, a vision entering the group's heads.
"That is enough!" the alternate Jeanne said, she had a darker skin tone accompanied by a black, short hairdo, and wore a black dress adorned with red gemstones as she also donned a headpiece made of multiple angular elements, and triangular earrings, as she held this world's Bayonetta in a chokehold as well. The alternate Bayonetta was a complete opposite to the original Bayonetta as her skin tone is quite dark and her overall colour palette is a complete mirror, being clad in white and having silver hair. Her costume consists of flowing, wispy robes, with ornamental golden elements encrusted with teal jewels and her limbs are covered in a black matter.
The Unwavering Witch
Jeanne β3
The Cloistered Witch
Bayonetta β3
B3 freed herself from Jeanne B3's grip as she fought her with a pair of large bladed fans, the two clashed before B3 suddenly felt weakened and collapsed to her knees as she saw Baal as the source. "You mustn't go…alone." she said weakly.
"The Interlopers have extended the challenge to me. I will meet it, and then return. Have faith. I'll see you again soon, princess." Jeanne B3 said as she left, B3 soon fainting as the vision soon ended as the specter stroked Bayonetta's cheek as well before disappearing as Bayonetta reached her hand out to her.
Bayonetta and the group then turned to see two large shadows standing behind them. Both of them were very familiar.
The first of them was of course, the familiar sight of the gigantic demon frog in regal princess clothing, who was starting at them with very complete interest.
EMPRESS OF THE FATHOMS
BAAL
And the second was another familiar face. A large, black horse with four long spikes adorning both of its sides at the top of its body and red flames appear in place of a mane and tail, and eight legs, four in front and four on the back. Its most striking feature, however, is its long, sword-like horn protruding out of its forehead that resembles a unicorn's horn.
SEVERER OF THE DARK
DIOMEDES
"Diomedes!" Simon recognized. "And Baal as well."
"A powerful witch and her associates, who all have regal beauty and fire…" Baal croaked. "Perhaps I can hang my hopes on all of you. Please, you must save my mistress."
"Well of course, that's why we've come. I've always wanted to rescue the lady fair." Bayonetta said.
"I must thank you, noble witch. Perhaps a song-" Baal said getting read to sing before Diomedes stayed her before she got going.
"That can perhaps come later." Diomedes denied, looking to Simon. "Simon Neptune. I have long awaited the day where I can see for myself if you can truly wield the full power of my blade at your side."
"Of course, with you at our side, any foe that stands in our way will be trampled." Simon said with confidence.
"Hm. You show spirit. Very well. My sword is yours. Let all those who stand before you on the other end of my blade be slashed to pieces." Diomedes assured. With that, both he and Baal formed contracts with Simon and Bayonetta respectively as their marks were etched on their backs.
The group soon entered a slightly submerged temple and found a barrier with multiple protrusions similar to the one in World B2 blocking their way except there were six.
"Theres too many for us to run em all down with Gouon." Travis said. "Gotta be someway to wipe em out."
"Maybe Diomedes could try to slash them all?" Makoto asked.
"He'll cut us to pieces in the process too. Maybe there's a more easier way of destroying them." Giovanna said.
"Perhaps more of a woman's touch is needed in this situation." Bayonetta said. "FABOAN!" she chanted as Baal appeared.
"How's Baal gonna help? She's too slow to take these things out in rapid succession." Hilda said.
"Oh, do not worry. I can most certainly destroy them all! Witness the power of my song!" Baal said as she sang four times before red rain poured down, hitting all six protrusions at once as the barrier was broken, allowing the group to press on. They soon entered a room as a new Homunculus formed in front of them. It had a similar body shape to the Cavum, but possesses a darker purple coloration and a shorter barrel that resembles a six-pointed star.
Light Ranged Support Unit
RADIATUS
The Radiatus leaped into the air toward the group and tried to attack them with up close laser blasts as another one soon joined in.
"Mobile cannons? Singularity thinks of everything!" Hilda said as the Radiati scurried around to take potshots of the group.
"Aiming Laser!" X called as a vertical semicircle with a crosshair appeared as it locked onto the Homunculi before he fired lasers that homed in on them. The Radiati took the hits, but zoomed around the group regardless.
"Ugh, c'mon, hold still for like a freakin second!" Hilda complained, missing one of them.
"They're too fast, we can't destroy 'em like this!" Yuzuriha said.
"Wind Bullet!" A voice called as multiple green bolts fired at the Radiatus, trapping them in place. "They're trapped! Now's your chance to take them out!"
Not wasting this chance, Bayonetta initiated a Masquerade Rage while equipped with Dead End Express.
"All clear, all clear!" Bayonetta announced, setting the weapon down as it converted into ride mode and emitted steam before she Masquaraded into her Gouon form. "Roll out!" she then blasted forward in every direction possible, striking both Radiati and leaving behind flaming purple tracks. "Don't think you can stop THIS train!" she said before tipping over as she leaped into the air and gracefully caught her weapon as she landed.
"Alright, it worked!" the voice said again. It sounded really young as stepping out of the shadows was an anthropomorphic cat. He had orange eyes along with primarily black fur, with his muzzle/snout fur, hand-paws, feet-paws and the ends of his long ears being white. He also has long, fluffy ears with the ends resembling maple leaves. He wore a blue t-shirt with a large zipper pin, dark blue shorts with yellow buttons on the sides, a backwards blue cap, and red and white hi-top lace-up sneakers with white soles and white shoelaces. He also wore yellow gloves.
"Uh… what is that? Is that a dog? Cat? Rabbit?" Medina asked.
"Who cares, it looks so cute!" Hilda said.
"Wait…Klonoa?" Stahn asked.
"Klonoa?!" Zi-O and Starlight exclaimed.
"Stahn? Rutee? Leon? What're you doing here?"
"You three know this furball?" Hitomi asked.
"He was part of the battle against Ouma while back who helped us fight alongside Reiji and Xiaomu." Rutee said.
"That's right! My name's Klonoa, it's good to meet friends of Stahn and Rutee." Klonoa introduced.
"Likewise, any good friend of theirs is a friend of ours." Connor said.
"But what're you doing here, Klonoa?" Rutee asked.
"The Grand Priestess sensed something wrong in the Multiverse, so I set out to find out what was wrong and a portal appeared and sucked me in, and I suddenly found myself here." Klonoa said. "I've been wandering around these caves for what seems like forever. But what's even going on?"
"Well… that disturbance you were looking into? It's kinda my fault your priestess picked it up." Connor said as he gave Klonoa a recap of previous events.
"Wait…so because you tried to stop this 'Eggman' from stealing information on the Starfall islands, problems related to technology have cropped up in the real world?" Klonoa reiterated.
"Yup, and there's the problem of this Virus called IN-Fn8t running wild to do… something." Connor said. "If you blame me for this, I don't blame you."
"Not really, you were just trying to stop someone from doing something bad, that doesn't make you a bad guy." Klonoa said. "That's why I want to come with you and help you guys fix this. If there's someone like this IN-Fn8t guy running around, then we have to stop him, right?"
"Yeah, but first, we gotta get outta this cave maze so we can stop another bigtime threat from destroying things first." Connor said.
"Huh?" Klonoa asked.
"We'll explain on the way." Ragna said.
"Wahoo! Let's go!" Klonoa said.
With the new addition of Klonoa, the group continued on and with Baal's help, managed to reach the outside as a large temple stood in the distance. As they began approaching, a new Homunculus formed in front of them. It was a massive Homunculus resembling a large snail with two massive blades at the front. Its body is partially comprised of a hard shell composed of the same material as other Homunculi, while the other half is made of countless Stratus units. It has multiple small feet on each side that resemble more of a crustacean, as well as four lager "legs" at the front of its body.
Heavy Enhanced Armor Unit
MURUS
"Okay, who ordered a jumbo-sized platter of Escargot?" DW typed.
"Not in the mood for seafood." Regina deadpanned.
One of the Murus' blades extended out and tried to attack as the group dodged as Bayonetta executed a Masquerade attack with Madama Butterfly's heel as the Murus' body hardened just as it made contact.
(Cue- The Heavies *3rd Climax Mix*- Bayonetta 3)
"No need to tense up that badly. Relax! We're just getting started." Bayonetta said.
"Looks like it protects itself against regular attacks. We're gonna have to crack its shell when it isn't hardening up." Connor said.
"Gotcha. Let's kick this thing's butt." Klonoa said as he held his Wind Ring.
Murus hardened up again and then started rolling around like a ball.
"Heads up!" Makoto said as they dodged out of the way, Simon and Bayonetta both activating witch time at the exact same time.
"Too slow!" Simon said unleashing a flurry of blade spins, bullets, and spinning kicks with Hypnos and Nyx before finishing with a Masquerade attack. "To Hell with you!" he called as Alighieri's sword popped out from above and stabbed downward onto the Murus.
"All aboard!" Bayonetta called, executing a Masquerade attack with Dead End Express as she charged forward and revved her chainsaws into the Murus, dealing more damage.
Dark Water countered Murus' tentacles with his own as Amber stunned it with a blaster shot, blinding its eyes.
"Ready, sis?" Zi-O asked.
"Always." Starlight smirked, rotating her PreBrace as her right leg glowed with yellow and red energy while Zi-O initiated Finish Time before the two leaped into the air.
=FINISH TIME!=
Several pink katakana for 'kick' circled around Murus before the letters flew towards Zi-O's right foot that was lunged forward.
=TIME BREAK!=
"Say goodbye to your shell!" Zi-O yelled.
"Pretty Cure, Final Starlight Kick!" Starlight shouted as the two delivered a powerful dick kick onto Murus' shell, shattering it on impact before the two jumped away. "All yours, Bayonetta!"
Bayonetta initiated a torture attack as a few small missiles fired on the Murus before Bayonetta boarded on a much larger one that had a skull on the tip as it launched, dealing massive damage upon contact.
(Shift- Summoning the Infernal Demon *3rd Climax Mix*- Bayonetta 3)
"FABOAN ZUMVI!" Bayonetta chanted as she danced and summoned Baal who clashed her tongue with the Murus' blades before knocking it off balance and grabbing it with her tongue as she swallowed it whole and let out a croaked burp.
(end song)
"Quite the power lunch. Sure you'll be alright?" Bayonetta asked before she and the group noticed Baal began slowly disappearing into purple particles. "I was only joking!"
"Not…the creature. My mistress…is growing weaker… But all is…not lost…hurry…. Please…you all must…find her…" Baal said before disappearing as her symbol disappeared from Bayonetta's back.
"Wait…what if the Arch-Eve of this world isn't Bayonetta…but Jeanne?" Shantae asked.
"If that's true, and Singularity and Tormal are still after B3 anyway… then that means they haven't yet realized it!" Giovanna said.
"So if we can keep the wool over their eyes and have them focus on B3… maybe we can keep B3 Jeanne alive and at least save one world from them." Connor said. "It's a risky long shot, but it's the only idea we've got."
"If that's the case, then let's find Jeanne as soon as possible." Maria stated.
"Jeanne… We're coming." Bayonetta said as she looked to the large temple in the distance.