(Cue- Eternity~Memory of Lightwaves~- FFX-2)
The sound of a piano was heard as Simon played it at a slow pace. Causing memories both sad and happy to surface throughout the ship.
"You should go on tour." a voice said after he finished, revealed to be Mark. "Remembering through music, huh?"
"Hopefully, through this song. Aelita could remember all the good times she had with her father." Simon said.
"Dude… Too soon." Valfor said. "Aelita just lost her father. Give her time to grieve."
"Valfor is right. Aelita is hurting the most out of all of us right now." Zamazenta said.
"The intention is good. Just…give it some time before you unveil the song." Mark agreed.
"Right. Not like I would be able to understand anyway." Simon said before leaving.
"Hey, Simon, hold on! They didn't mean it like that!" Connor said. "Dammit. I get why he's upset though. He hardly knew his own parents."
"Yes, he was an infant at the time before everything fell apart." Spade said.
"We get it, we get it…" David said.
"Still…I can't believe our adventures here in Kadic are coming to an end." Hope said. "Although it's hard to deal with what happened with Hopper… I also remember everything else that led to this moment. Good times and the bad."
"Yeah… All in all… I really liked this place. It's really hitting home that it's finally all over." David said. "I-I'm not sure how to feel about this moment. Once the Supercomputer is shut down, we will no longer have a reason to stay. I… I'm scared that we may have to tell people at school the truth."
"I wouldn't worry. Even if we did admit the truth, nobody on campus would believe us." Connor said. "The only people who've ever come close to finding us out were Jim, Sissi, Milly and Tamiya. Jim almost did have you guys one time… but you remember how that turned out."
"Yeah. We even had to string them all along in our battle against… Er, what was his name? Zagred? I-I think that was it." David said.
"That wasn't the only time. Remember when Jim caught Jeremie red handed, and in his haste to tell Delmas, he got Jeremie injured and Jim was fired?" Hope said.
"Yeah, that was before we took them along." David said.
"And then there was William. He was pretty close a few times, and when the fight started getting a little out of hand, we gave in and recruited him to the force. Then, well… We all know what happened after that." Kokoro said.
"Yup." Hope said. "Y'know, the first time this stage of the adventure happened, it was way more crazier. Back during that time, I mentioned that point was during Chrono's time loop to keep me trapped. A bunch of crazy stuff happened on top of XANA's schemes. It was nuts. The Pillar Men reared their heads during that time." Hope said. "I remember we had to defeat Kars by shooting him into space using a rocket. That was wild."
"And there was the time we fought all of the Demon Lord Digimon." Ace added. "Of course, that was due to Pandora, and that led to the Awakening Redux being formed at a later point."
"Y'know, I think we kinda owe Pandora for causing that change. It led to the Royal Knights not sacrificing their lives that time." Gemini said.
"Yes, it proved just as Lucina tried to prove herself." Alphamon said. "That fate can be changed."
"Is that why reduxes are created?" Shantae asked.
"I guess. We still don't know a lot about that." Luke said.
"Other than it being another timeline." Mari said, showing a hologram with two branches showed, labeled Original and Redux Timeline respectively. "This is something I've been secretly working on, they both record the events we've all been through, even for those who were absent from them." she said as an image clip of the Alliance seeing Reality Check in the MH Guildhall appeared on the Redux Timeline.
"So, what you're trying to tell us is that forces with the power to do it create these reduxes in alternate timelines separate from the events that happened before?" Catra asked.
"That would seem to be the case." Cheetah said.
"That's actually really cool!" ZS said to Mari, looking at the hologram. "Huh, how long did it take you to make this?"
"Since I first joined Ace and when we met Jexi and the others." Mari said. "Yeah, it took that long because at first I had look at records that were made a while back, but after that I managed to keep it up to date. I call it the Alliance Chronicle."
"Oh, interesting. So you've been keeping records of our adventures as an Alliance in this?" Hope asked.
"Yeah, its got everything up to this point. And it'll continue on even through the next generation of the Hero Alliance." Mari said. "Besides, I'm sure our future children would want to hear stories about our adventures."
"That reminds me, how is the…" Hope asked Chopper.
"She'll live. Her leg will just need to stay in a cast for a while." Chopper said.
"I should've jumped in sooner. She wouldn't have been hurt." Mayumi said.
"Hey, hey. Don't blame yourself. He was the most dangerous criminal that was in Universal Prison. Of course there was a low chance of escaping unharmed." Jesse said.
"So that's it then, the top ten have all been captured, save for one." Ace said.
"Right. Alain, the escape master." Jack said.
"I'm not surprised you know about him." Nesma said.
"He tried to recruit Alain for a heist…but turns out he wasn't needed. We were planning to leave him for the cops but the guy already escaped." Skull said.
"Anyway, since XANA is gone, the others are going to shut down the Supercomputer soon, right?" Sachiko asked.
"They…may not want to." Jexi said.
"Ah… I see. They had so many good memories of Lyoko, a lot of us did too." Cheetah said. "It may be difficult to imagine life without it."
"Yes. However…before that." Spectra said as they saw a beam of light rain down in a spot at Kadic.
The others raced over where they saw Flux standing where the light had hit. "Ah…now that brings back memories."
"What's…all this about?" David asked.
"Was this…" Dan said.
"The moment I sent five heroes to that Realm of Exploration? Yep." Flux said.
"That's right. Aelita, Dan, Luffy, Ichigo, and… Davis, right?" David asked.
"Yep. That's where it all began." Flux said. "Ah…my first almost successful evil plan. Until it was foiled and I was almost food for the Sharpedo. Eh. Though this world had a lot of resources. Recruited scientists, captured that girl's mom…ah…memories."
"What did you say? You captured Aelita's mom?" 9S asked.
"Don't worry, the Aelita we know made peace with that now." Sachiko said.
"Besides, the bitch went and fled to parts unknown after the stuff with Lucius and my ship exploding." Flux said.
"Yeah, lots of stuff was happening around that time." David said.
"I couldn't tell you where she went even if I knew." Flux said. "Wherever she is, she's probably planning something…I assume. I usually assume those who leave my side plot revenge."
"Okay…" Shantae said.
"Besides, they'll be back pretty soon." Flux said as he departed as they saw the light return as the Lyoko Warriors lied unconscious there.
"Whoa…is that how we looked when we got warped?" Dan said.
"Yeah. Looks so…whoa…" Luffy said as he saw a certain villainous Pokemon nearby.
"Darkrai…" Dan said.
"It couldn't have been anymore than an hour since that first light, but now…" Sachiko started.
"The era of the Dimensional Heroes in this timeline has begun." Sheer said.
"We've come so far since then." Hope said.
"So…will this guy…try to attack?" Eddy asked.
"Nah. Palkia attacked him when he tried to use a Dimensional Hole. He's lost all memories of who he was." Jexi said. "If I remember, the warriors just left him in the Hermitage to self reflect."
"I wonder how he's doing now. Back in our time, I mean." Zacian said.
"Maybe he'll decide to do good and join Ginhana Sky." Jexi joked. "I'm kidding but that would be nice."
"Well…guess we should be heading back." Hope said as they all started to walk back.
"Hey, what do you kids think you're doing?" Jim demanded.
"Oh crap… Jim. Of all the times too…" David said.
"What're you all doing here?" Jim asked.
"We were just…closing the book on an amazing adventure." Jexi said.
"Really? I once had to close the book on an amazing adventure." Jim said.
"Really now? Which one?" David asked.
"Well, I'd rather not talk about it." Jim said.
"Ha… A shame. Cause we'd be the only ones who'd believe you." David said. "Stay classy, Jim. And…thank you for all of your lessons." he said with a bow.
"Adieu." Ash said.
"Yeah yeah. Wait, Adieu?" Jim said as he turned back and ran over just to see the ship and the guild hall vanishing in a large rift. "Well I'll be…heh. Good luck out there, you crazy kids."
The groups soon returned to the Town of Tales, all back in its proper place.
"Okay…all is fixed." Reality Check sighed. "I did all of this just to see that classic Dimensional Heroes touch. But I almost got everyone killed."
"Hey, don't worry about it. It all worked out in the end, right?" David asked.
"You gave us one heck of a last ride in Kadic. We can't stay mad at you for that." Hope said. "But, you're still ranked as Number 2 on the Universal Police's Top 10 most wanted. What are you gonna do now?"
"Well I have a record. I have to go back." Reality Check said.
"You sure you're okay with turning yourself in?" Mayumi asked.
"My arrest was the reason you all were chasing me." Reality Check said.
"If you're okay with it, then that's fine." Hope said. "But, once you've served your time, and you're let out…. How about you take us on another adventure someday?"
"A tempting offer…but I think I'm done with adventures for now." she said. "Maybe once I'm done with the prison, I'll just go back to my world, the real world."
"Safe travels." Zacian said.
Reality Check smiled as a rift opened as she walked through. "By the way, one final little thing. You might wanna answer your comm channel soon." she said as she left.
"How does she always know this stuff?" David asked. "By the way, Mayumi. Are you sure you're gonna be okay with Senzaemon's Enhanced Slaying Blade? You know what will happen if you end up cutting yourself with it, right?"
"I can always take it into my care." Hayase said.
"That may be for the best." Mayumi said. "By the way…why did Senzaemon always ask if someone was Enhanced?"
"It was a condition on the blade. If he cuts someone not an Enhanced, the blade would kill him." Hayase said.
"Ah, that might make sense. It's just like Kurapika's Judgment Chain." Mayumi said.
"Well, good thing he didn't need it, considering the condition we found Catastrophe in." ZS said, as he shivered. "I don't think he'll be leaving his cell again."
"You should've seen him before I fired the blade at him." Mayumi joked. "He was a real force of nature."
"I still can't believe we've captured and defeated one of the 5 Prophets of Doomsday." Connor said. "I always thought they were a myth."
"In this reality?" Emo asked. "Anything's possible."
"He's got that right." Rayleigh said. "All the more reason to be careful around this lady." he said, referring to Mayumi.
"You think we'll run into the other 4 Prophets in the future?" Bow said.
"If they're as strong as Catastrophe… I certainly hope not." Glacius said.
"I wouldn't worry. They normally roam the corners of the universes bringing destruction wherever they go." Sheer said. "Odds are we may never meet."
"Great, because I don't think we'd wanna mess with them." Bow said.
"So… what was Reality Check on about with answering our communicator soon?" Hope asked as a buzzer rang. "Anyone gonna…oh that's mine. Oh…it's from UI."
"Huh? Impostor's calling you?" Kazuichi asked.
"He spends his time away from our groups to spy on evil organizations, usually disguised as a grunt." Hope said.
"Better see what he's callin' about. If he's calling in, it must be important." Akane said.
"No doubt." Hope said, answering. "Hey, UI. Haven't heard from you in ages. What's up?"
"Hope…the situation here has taken many different turns I did not expect. Now is the time to gather forces." the Ultimate Impostor said.
Hope gasped. "Gather forces? You mean…?"
"Yes…I think the time has come…to take on Kaido." he said.
"Is he serious?" Aoesia asked.
"No, I don't think he is kidding." David said.
"The time is coming…" Hope breathed, turning to the others. "Everybody, this is it."
"The Strongest Creature in the World…" Jexi said as he was shaking.
"Are you all right?" Tanjiro asked.
"For once, I don't blame Jexi for being nervous. This is Kaido we are dealing with after all." David said.
"Not just him. Big Mom's there too. Kidd told us they joined up." Connor said.
"This will certainly be the fight of our lives." Ace said.
"Oh…and for the record. I'm not nervous. I'm getting excited." Jexi said. "To fight someone who isn't considered human and the strongest…the thought of this fight makes me tingle."
"Of course it does." David said with a laugh before turning to the other groups. "This is going to be a very tough fight, you know. Some people may even die to these people. If any of you wish to back out…we won't blame you."
"We made a promise to Oden, back in the Warrior Universe." Ethox said, determination in his eyes. "And we're gonna keep it!"
"Besides, we have business with that crew of his." Tanya said.
"That's right. Queen almost destroyed Anima City." Michiru said. "I won't let him get away with that."
"I don't really have a stake in this, so thanks for not blaming me if I want out." Connor said. "However, the most dangerous gunman has to keep up his rep after all."
"So you're going anyway?" 2B asked.
"If I can help out in any way, it's worth it. Even if it means givin' it a shot to put a bullet in any of the Beast Pirates' heads." Connor said.
"Count us in too." 9S said.
"Us too!" Noel said before looking at Dark Water. "O-Only if you're up for it, Dark Water."
Dark Water mulled on it. "This Kaido guy… what're we dealing with here?"
"Basically a man who's never been able to be killed. He's even tried to kill himself. Oh, and he can turn into a Dragon." Hope said.
"How big is his crew?" DW typed.
"Millions strong." Mark said. "He could probably conquer all Four Seas if he wanted to."
"...Is it my birthday?" DW typed with a grin. "Cause that's a hell of a present. We're in."
"Gonna have to count us out." Jack said. "I know Kaido. All he hordes are weapons. Not really my interest."
"It's your call." David said.
"However, I'll put word out. See if others are interested in joining your future suicide run." Jack said. "And…even if you die, don't die."
"Not sure what that means, but… Eh, best we're gonna get." David said.
"Same with us. Least until we can get approval to support." Skyler said.
"Of course, Spectra Force will want in on this operation." Spectra said.
"Same with the Wanderers." Volt said.
"Zexi, I don't think there's any reason to ask if you wanna go." Hope said.
"Definitely want in." Zexi said.
"Theo? Wait, why am I even asking?" David asked.
"Where my brother goes, I go." Theo said.
"However, I think a majority of you groups should go home for the time being." Benimaru said.
"Well, guess we're the last ones." Glacius said.
"It would be our pleasure to go into battle with you and fight against Kaido." Cheetah said.
"Knew you'd want in on this." David said with a bit of a laugh. "Okay, I think that is everyone. Once we all make the necessary preparations, we'll regroup in Wano Country."
"We'll head back and prepare, gather any forces we can, and reunite in the Land of Samurai to head straight for Kaido." Hope said. "The Raid commences on the day of the Annual Fire Festival."
"How long is that from now?" Connor asked.
"Hard to say with time differences. But what we do know is that we need to gather forces to combat Kaido's massive force." Jexi said. "UI…"
"Of course. I'll slip away and give a full report as soon as possible." Ultimate Imposter said.
"Very well then. Godspeed to you all." David said.
In a distant island, the strongest creature known as Kaido drank as he was surrounded by his commanders as well as Big Mom and two unseen figures.
"The world…I'll make it mine." Kaido said.
To be continued…in the Wano Saga