A/N: Last time, the Runners are now captured by the evil hacker, Yune! Worst, Kani and Bren witnessed it with their own eyes! What will happen next? Let's get online in this thrilling conclusion of this episode!
It Takes Two More: Part 2
As Jordan opens her eyes through her POV, she notices a greying red sky above her. And when she tries to stand up to recover, she was surprised that she and her friends are in some sort of Roman gladiator arena.
"Oh no, don't tell me that Yune creep just pulled us into..."
She stopped in mid-sentence as she tries to wake her friends up as she says, "Guys, wake up! We're in trouble!"
As Itzal come to, he become shocked upon where they are and said, "You have got to be kidding."
"Ditto," Zeus said as he also wakes up. "Whatever it is, this is not a tourist attraction."
After Calla wakes up and sees the arena's battlefield around them, she panickly says, "Well, whatever it is, I would like to wake up from this nightmare right now!"
"Sorry, Runners. But the game has only begun."
Hearing that familiar voice, they turned around to saw not only Yune, but also some Black Tundra footsoldiers.
"You! You're working with Black Tundra?!" Jordan said in shock.
"Yeah, they made a great deal. If I bait myself to trap you losers, they will give me a big rewards," Yune said with an evil smirk.
"And what is? You want a personal collection of any anime figures. Cause judging from your profile, I say your a former anime and manga-holic."
"Well that, plus a high spot on their council and all of this world's biggest corporations for my own. That'll teach these government hacks to try shut me down!"
"So why are we here anyway?!" Itzal demanded to Yune.
"Simple, you're here to entertain my superiors," Yune said in a casual, but evil tone. "You four will be facing the hacked versions of ULO monsters that I personally modified. If you can make it out alive from the carnage, maybe we can give you all a choice."
"And that is?" Calla asked.
"Free and become cult's slaves or risked yourselves faced even more tougher monsters and get your Runner forms corrupted."
"Corrupted?," Zeus asked worried.
"Yes? For each of these monsters we have has been infected with a computer virus. The more blows you take from them, the more the virus will corrupt you, until finally, you become a slave for us, like them."
"We're not scared of you or them," Jordan snapped.
"Oh really? Well let's just see what you can make of them, shall we!"
When Yune presses the button, the bar doors raised up from the gates, as corrupted versions of a winged lizard, a golem, a dragon-snake hybrid, and a black wolf-like creature emerged from the gates.
"Now if you excuse me, my superiors are inching to make some bets on who will live," he said as he left the podium laughing as his footsoldiers followed.
"Just when I think fighting dungeon monsters could be get any tougher," Jordan said as she draws her sword. "It's either this or we're Runner lunch!"
"And I am not fighting in a Japanese school uniform!" Calla said as she activates her RunCom. "Run Conversion! Log In!"
With a yellow flash of light, she transformed into her Runner form as she readies her spear.
"Okay, guys. While we fight off these guys, we better brainstorm some escape ideas as soon as possible!" Zeus told to his friends.
"Right!" they agree as they charged in to battle, which they are watched by black-cloaked figures at the observer room above them.
Meanwhile back at the convention, Tina was just finished explaining about who she is and what happened to their friends to Bren and Kani, much to their confusion and shock upon hearing it.
"So my cousin played an online game to become a world-traveling hero?!" Kani exclaimed in shock.
"Your cousin just been inducted a few days ago," Tina calmly said to her. "As for Bren's cousin, she become one before Gale can become a S-Runner due to her determination and courage. She's might be considered a prodigy."
"Like me with my brains?"
"Yes, except she has more determination and courage than almost anyone I've ever seen before."
"I can't believe Jordan was leading a bunch of superheroes this whole time! Plus, that show-off Starr is hoggin' in the glory!" Bren said in anger. "Okay, that's it! If you were able to make Calla a Runner, then I want to be one, too!"
"Bren! You can't!" Kani protested.
"Why not?!" Bren said in anger.
"Because this Reyheart lady might deny it, seeing that we're just bystanders and all," Kani explained. "Plus, since the Runners are supposed to be secret, she might wipe our memories of this or something!"
However, Tina just simply smiles and said, "Actually, I've been wanting to hear that request all week."
"Huh?" both of the 12 year olds asked in confusion.
"To be honest, I've been evaluating your profiles, skills, and physical and mental abilities for quite a while after Jordan and Calla became Runners and I'm still conflicted on joining you two or not."
"B-But, we're just kids! And we're not ULO players like them!" Kani tried to reason with her.
"Yes, but like I said, with the referral system, you can be as S-Runners, which is virtually the same as the main ones, except with some features that I'm too busy to tell you right now. Besides, it's my fault that your friends got captured in the first place and I can't save them alone."
"Well, then I guess it's up to us to save them."
"Us? What do you mean 'us'?"
"I mean you and me, Kani"
"B-But, I'm not a gamer, or a fighter for that matter. I can't get involve–"
"But Jordan needs me, and Calla needs you, Kani. And so do Itzal and Zeus. We're their only hope. And I for one wanna help, and I know deep down, you do too."
Seeing that she's desperate and her cousin and her friends in danger, Kani sighs in defeat and says, "Fine, if Bren become a Runner, then so can I!"
"Good, we better find some computers to let you two register," Tina suggested. "And Kani, do you have a password to you cousin's e-mail. Don't worry, I won't take a peek on her e-mails."
Confused, the two kids decided to follow the ULO creator to a nearest internet cafe from convention center.
When they did in form of a free play area to ULO in the convention center, Tina access the e-mails of her Runners to send something.
"Why my sister's e-mail? Isn't that crashing into someone's privacy?" Kani asked in confusion.
"One, I don't know Itzal's e-mail and two, since the Runners are temporarily out of commission right now, I'm taking over on sending the invitations," Tina answered when she finished sending them. "There, now get to your PCs and accept the invitation, quick."
The pair did what she said as Kani accepts her's. However, Bren stops as he was shocked at who send the invite.
"WHAT?! You send this through Zeus?! Why not my cousin? She's not so show-offy like him!" he complained in anger.
"Jordan already sent hers to Calla and only one invite per person," Tina explained.
"Perfect."
"Now, we don't have time. Create your avatars quick and I'll explain about the gameplay inside ULO."
But when they get to the avatar creation screen in the game, Kani says, "Wait, 'job classes? As in like levels of work."
"No, as in the type of warrior you will be in the game. There are 10 to choose from. You start of with just one and then once you level up to lvl. 25 you get to choose a second one"
Remembering about the voice and Bella, she says, "Maybe I'll go with Tamer, somehow I felt like I want to tame someone in the game."
"Well, whatever the reason, it's a second best melee job class since they wield swords like Bladers," Tina explained.
"Well, while she go with Tamer, I'll go with Rogue!" Bren declared. "You know, because they have a rebel attitude like me!"
"The fast and sly Rogue? Well, it should be perfect for you," Tina said.
Right then, and there Bren and Kani began to customize them to the best of their ability, including their weapons. They then submit their avatars, and seconds later, their finished avatars and profiles with their class and their new elements.
"My element is Earth," Kani said. "Guess it must be for my love of animals and nature."
"And mine's Fire!," Bren said. "I guess for my rebel personality."
"Now head to you're character selection screen, click -START GAME-, and say 'LOG IN!'," Tina told them. Bren and Kani headed to their character selection screen and selected their avatars.
"Ready?," Bren asked Kani.
"Ready!," she replied
"LOG IN!" they said as they clicked -START GAME-, which the portal-like cutscene appeared on their screens, causing them to be put on a trance. As they fell unconscious, they started to see in their minds that they were being sucked into that same portal for real.
After a few seconds, a white light flashes into their eyes as she they were now in a trance, which their minds were now logging into the game.
"Whoa, what happened?" Kani asked in a drowsy tone as she slowly opens her eyes.
When she recovers, she found herself in a futuristic black city with holographic ad boards, and kids riding in hoverboards and hovercycles.
"Please tell me this is a dream," she said in shock and awe.
But when she approaches a glass window, she saw herself now wearing a dark green tank top with light green ribbon-like circuit line-like design and a flower on her collar, a sword sheathed at her back, lime green skirt with teal belt, deck box, and a flower ribbon on it, green and yellow green wristbands, and forest green boots with white knee-length socks.
"And how these clothes got on me anyway?" Kani asked in confusion.
"Duh, it's your avatar. You created it, right?"
Hearing that voice, Kani turns around and was shocked to see Bren, also now wearing new clothes like her. He now wears a red jacket and a turtleneck shirt with light red circuit line-like design underneath it, a deck box strapped onto his arm, crimson red pants, and red shoes with fire design on them
"Even I don't play similar game like my cuz, I can still know that we're here as our avatars and that this game has a pseudo VR-like system," he said.
"How did yo-"
"Just read that ULO guidebook that I "borrowed" from Jordan."
"Won't she mad if you finds out that you 'borrowed' it?"
"IF she finds out, which she will not."
Then, Lilith approaches the avatars as she says, "I'm guessing you're getting used to your new avatars. And don't worry, it's me. I'm currently in my avatar form, Lilith Shroud."
"Wow, um, nice avatar," Kani said in a nervous tone.
"Well, before I can teach you two anything, here," Lilith said as she gave them a twin swords with fire-shaped gems on their blades and a sword with a green gem on it.
"Bren or should I say, Ignis Animus, you'll get the -Flare Blaze Daggers- while Kani or Silva Natura, you'll be wielding the -Sakura Tone SoundBlade-, a special sword that can play a music to aid your attacks," she explained while giving the respective weapons to the avatars.
"Sweet!" Bren said as he tries to wield it, but the daggers disappeared in data as the hologram window appears in front of him saying, -YOUR LEVEL IS NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO EQUIP THIS ITEM-, much to his dismay as he says, "What?! No fair! You mean I have to grind to wield those?!"
"Those two are Level 25 Rare weapons and can increase your respective elemental custom skills," Lilith explained. "But if you want to wield twin daggers so bad, I suggest you can find some -Academy Twin Daggers- in the weapon shop, They cost 2-"
Before she can finished, Bren quickly took off through the Schwarz streets to find a weapon shop.
"Wow, talk about impatient," she said in a surprised tone when she saw Kani, who is worried about her cousin. "Are you okay?"
"Don't worry, we'll get her back. We'll get them all back."
"You think so."
"I know so. You just focus on leveling up for now."
"Okay." Kani said still unsure.
Back in the BT Arena the four Runners continued to fight off the the corrupted monsters. Jordan -Frost Slashed- several with her -Ice Crystal Blade-, freezing them temporarily. Itzal -Shadow Rushed- a big one with his -Phoenix Dusk Scythe-, blitzing it. Zeus rapidly -Supernova Slashed- another with his -Sun Slashing Katana- knocking them to the ground. And Calla shot an -Arrow Storm- at the rest with her -Double-Edged Spearblades-, knocking them away.
Despite all these attacks, the monsters quickly recovered and attacked again, forcing the Runners to go the defensive.
"These things are too powerful," Itzal said.
"Just keep fighting, guys," Jordan shouted. "We have to survive for as long as possible."
"Oh, just give it up already," Yune shouted. "Eventually, you will be corrupted and we'll take over your world, just like we did with the Digimon world, the Kids Next Door world, and the Pokemon world!"
Upon hearing the last world, the Runners froze and Jordan stood blankly stunned at what she heard.
"Pokémon?," Calla said. "Please don't tell me that means Jordan's favorite anime and game series Pokémon?"
Zeus said nothing, but nodded yes.
"Uh-oh, she's gonna pop!," Itzal warned. Jordan's blank face scrunched up in anger and rage.
"Y-You co-corrupted the Pokemon world?! Y-you wrecked my favorite franchise world?! Y-You... YOU MONSTERS! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE! YOU WILL PAY! I WILL DESTROY YOU, BLACK TUNDRA!"
"My, my you have quite the temper don't you," Yune said slyly. "Too bad it won't be enough to save you or your friends."
The monsters went on the attack again as the Runners tried even more valiantly to defend themselves.
Meanwhile, back in ULO, Bren and Kani were fighting off a bunch of small Lvl. 1 monsters in an open field. Tina/Lilith had taken them there to level up in order to earn their weapons and second classes. At the moment, the two new S-Runners were defeating the monsters as Lilith watched, and leveling up no problem.
"Man, I love this," Bren said in glee. "This is easy."
"True, but it's gonna get harder as we go," Kani said.
"You always focus on the negative, you know, Kani. What's the worst that can happen?"
As soon as Bren said that, a blue wingless dragon-like creature lept out and roared at the S-Runners.
"That doesn't look like an Lvl. 1 to me."
"That's because it's not," Lilith said. "It's a -Crystal Wyvern-, a Lvl. 15 creature."
"Maybe we should get back and–," Kani suggested, but Bren charged in at the creature.
"No way, I'm taking it now!," Bren shouted.
"No, Bren. No! NO!," Lilith shouted as the -Crystal Wyvern- swatted him hard causing him to crash into the ground hard.
"Bren!," Kani shouted as the creature lounged at her next. She drew her sword and did her best to parry the attacks, but the creature was too fast for her and swatted her over where Bren was. As they struggled to get up, it closed in on them for the final blow.
"Oh-no, I gotta save them," Lilith said. But before she could do anything, and before the -Crystal Wyvern- could strike, a big cat's roar suddenly echoed all around them.
"What was that?," Bren said.
"Sounded like a…," Kani began to say. Just then a big white and green blur sped in and struck the creature, sending it flying away. The blur then stopped and showed itself to be a white tiger with a green leaf symbol on its forehead and dark green stripes.
"It's a tiger," Kani said. "But none like I've ever seen."
"That's because it's a -Faunia-," Lilith said. "A creature that can be caught and Tamed by players, though only Tamers can train them to battle. However, it's very rare for a Faunia to come to a player, rather than the player come for it."
The tiger then strolled up to Bren and Kani, turned to the latter and started licking her hand.
"Do you know him, or her?," Bren asked.
"Can't say I have," Kani said. Suddenly she heard the voice again:
Kani…
Startled she looked around to see where it was coming from.
Kani…
She then looked at the tiger and realized that…
"It's you, you're the one who's been calling me."
Yes Kani. I knew you'd figure it out, especially for your old friend.
"Old friend?," she said puzzled. She then stared into the tiger's eyes for a while and then suddenly recognized her as…
"Bella! You're Bella! I mean, you have some differences, but you remind me a lot of my tiger friend from the zoo."
True, but I'm the manifestation of her and her friendship to you.
"Because our friendship that made you appear? Why?"
"Okay, I have no idea what you two are talking about," Bren said in confusion.
"Apparently, I think only Kani can understand what that -Tigreria- is saying," Lilith guessed.
Yes, I was sick of living behind the cages and stare at you humans. But that hatred and longing to escape disappeared when you appeared in front of me for the first time.
"Yeah, the time I saw you when you're a baby tiger cub," Kani mentioned.
And the second time we meet, you always stare at me with that smile. And ever since, unlike the other people see me in enjoyment, you always visited me to see me and tell me stories about your life. Because of that, I'm conflicted of escaping back to my habitat and afraid of leaving you. Until that time, I have a dream.
"A dream?"
Yes, a dream which I was in an open field like my vague memory of my own home, only I'm in a different appearance like you saw right now. And one of my recent dreams was seeing you within the flowers.
Hearing this, Kani realizes something as she says, "That dream I recently have! That was you?"
Correct. When I approached you, I sensed something will happen near you.
"And you warned me in that dream and in the convention center!"
"Hey, Kan! Can you please tell us what that big furball is saying?!" Bren asked in confusion.
After explaining what the tiger said to her, Bren then says, "Seriously?! That furball knew my cousin a Runner before all of this and she sensed she's in trouble?!"
"That would explain your sudden behavior back there. It must have led you to them to help the Runners," Lilith guessed.
"Except that The Dragon guy you just explained to us got them to... whatever he took them to."
Lilith then approaches the tiger and says in remorse, "I'm sorry about all of this, if I haven't let them searched for him in the first place, none of this would have happened."
The tiger then roars to her in a worried tone as Kani said, "Don't worry, she forgives you."
Then, the tiger gives Lilith some kind of data, which Bren asks, "What the heck are those?"
Taking a closer look at the data, Lilith realizes what they are and says, "These are the portal traces! We might able to track Jordan and the others down with these!"
"How?" Kani asked.
"With my GM privileges and -Portal Keycards-, we might able to get to the captured Runners and save them!"
"Huh? Who knew that furball is useful after all!" Bren said in glee. "Except the part that controlled Kani and let that Yune guy got away with my cousin and the others."
Annoyed, the tiger bites Bren in the butt, which she rips off his pants off.
"Hey! Those are new avatar pants!" he said in anger.
"But if we leave right now, we won't complete our level up training in here," Kani said to Lilith.
"Don't worry, I think you're strong enough to hold off the cult," Lilith answered. "We can pick this up later after we save your cousin and your friends."
"Well then what are we waiting for," Bren said, excitedly. "Let's go get those Black Tundra jerks!"
But before they left the field, Kani stops when she hears the tiger purring sadly.
"What's the matter?" she asked in worry. "Do you want to come along?"
The tiger purred again as she nods yes when Lilith approaches Kani.
"I think she wants to stay with you."
"Huh?" Kani said in shock.
"The job class you choose is Tamer, right? Then she might join you as your first Faunia partner."
"Really?" Kani said as she looked at the tiger. She walked over to her and kneeled beside her. "You wanna be my partner?"
The tiger responded by giving Kani a lick on the cheek.
"I'll take that as a yes."
As she hugs her friend's manifestation, a holographic window appears in front of them saying, -CONGRATULATIONS! YOU BONDED YOUR FIRST FAUNIA!-. After that, another window appears with a keyboard saying, -PLEASE WRITE YOUR TIGRERIA'S NICKNAME-.
"Well, I doubt Bella might be too normal in this game, so how about..."
She types the tiger's name on the holographic window and pressed -ENTER-.
"Amica. Is that okay for your name in here?"
After thinking about it for a few seconds, the tiger nods in approval, liking the name Kani gave her.
"Great! From now on, you'll be known here as Amica!" Kani declared in glee.
The tiger, now known as Amica, roars in happiness as Kani jumps on her back in glee.
"Looks like we have an surprising new ally in our team," Lilith said as she works on her holographic computer. "Speaking of which..."
She then presses the enter button on her keyboard and throws a card in the air, causing it to turn into a portal.
"Looks like our next destination is the home of the evil cult with the same name: Black Tundra. Be cautious, we don't know what dangerous surprises got in store for us in there."
"All I know is that Jordan and Z better be ready, cause there's a new Runner in the house!" Bren said in excitement.
"You mean 'S-Runners', right?" Kani said with a playful smirk.
"Whatever! Come on, we've got cousins and friends to save!"
With that, the three Runners along with Amica jumped into the portal.
When they got out of the portal, they saw that they are in a cold desolate, artic tundra-like world with more snow ice than ordinary tundras, a greying red sky, and dark mountains.
"So, this is the evil cult's world?! Man, talk about cold and cruel," Kani said in a worried tone.
"Well, this is how they live," Lilith said. "And frankly it's one of the reasons they take over so many worlds."
"Well let's go find the guys," Bren said. With that the four of them walked on. For the first few miles there was nothing to be seen, until they suddenly came across an arena.
"An arena," Lilith said. "I have a feeling the rest of the Runners are inside."
"Well then let's get in there and save them," Bren said as he began to head up to the entrance. Kani, however, pulled his arm and stopped him.
"Whoa, whoa," Kani said as she pointed at two BT guards at the entrance. "They've got guards right there. If they see us, they'll sound the alarm!"
"Well how else can we get in there?"
"There," Lilith said. "There's a side entrance. No guards. We'll go through there, but keep your guards up and your eyes peeled."
"Let's move then."
Inside the arena, the Runners managed to defeat the monsters for the time being. However for Jordan, she continues to slash the lizard in rage after hearing what happened to the Pokemon world.
"I CAN'T…BELIEVE…THOSE ANIMALS…THOSE MONSTERS…THE POKEMON WORLD…I'LL DESTROY…ALL OF THEM…!," Jordan ranted as she kept slashing the lizard.
However, Zeus managed to calm her down and said, "I felt the same way as you, Jordan. But unlike you, I'm very furious at those evil sons of witches. I'll never forgive them! I will not rest until that world is saved!"
Jordan was surprised at Zeus's changed personality when she heard a venom in his voice when he mentioned the cult.
"But please, you have to calm down. If you don't, they will win if you let your anger control you."
"He's right. As soon as we get out of here, we'll find those worlds and save them," Itzal said.
Suddenly, there were several fighting sounds heard behind them. The Runners turned just in time to see a huge explosion that blew many footsoldiers out of a side entrance. The Runners looked and were stunned to see Lilith, along with Bren and Kani.
"Bren!" Jordan said in glee and relief, until she realizes about him as she became angry. "Bren! How the heck did you become a Runner?"
"Hey! We're here to kick those cult guys' butts and save yours, right?" Bren said. "Plus, I can rub off Mr. Zeus-Show-Off-a-Lot back there."
"Yeah, keep gloating. But, you're just a Secondary Runner, you're still a subordinate," Zeus said in a sarcastic tone to Bren, much to his anger.
"W-Wait a minute. You two became Runners?!" Calla said in a surprised tone.
"I'm sorry, Calla. But I can't sit around and see you suffer," Kani said in a worried tone. "A-And, you protected me from those name-calling bullies in the past, so it's my turn to save you."
Hearing those words, Calla starts to tear up as she says, "Thanks, cuz! I knew I'm not alone."
Seeing this heartwarming moment, Amica approaches them to see this, which the three main Runners are shocked at her appearance as they summon their weapons.
"Oh great, not another monster!" Jordan said in panic until she realizes what she is when she saw the leaf symbol on it as she puts her sword back in her sheath. "Is that a Faunia-type creature?"
"Yes, and this Tigreria is Kani's Faunia partner," Lilith told to the Runners.
"Wow, congratulations," Calla said as she petted Amica's head. "Reminds me of Bella."
"I know right?," Kani said. Suddenly, a bunch of footsoldiers, burly soldiers and shield soldiers jumped down from the arena stands.
"Well, well now I have all the Runners in one place," Yune cackled. "The perfect opportunity to have them all on our side. Seize them!"
The BT soldiers charged at the Runners, who stood weapons drawn and ready for battle.
"We'll have to plow our way through to the exit," Lilith said. "Ready? GO!"
The Runners and Amica all charged at the soldiers in return. Using, teamwork and their combined strength, they plowed right through the soldiers like they weren't even there, and managed to get to and run out the way, Lilith, Bren, Kani, and Amica came through.
Once outside the area, and with the BT soldiers right behind them, Zeus ran out in front and waved his hand, opening a portal.
"Whoa, you can open portals too?!," Bren asked.
"Yeah, it's my special ability," Zeus said.
"Well why didn't you use that to escape before?"
"Because something in the arena was blocking my power."
"Never mind that, let's get out of here," Jordan said. The Runners and Amica all jumped through the portal, which closed before and of the soldiers could reach it. Yune stood with and Enforcer beside him.
"They escaped," the Enforcer growled.
"Not to worry, we will see them again," Yune said. "And we will have them, someday."
At the convention center's parking lot, the Runners rolled out from the portal after they jumped into it.
"Great, now I'm about to lose my lunch!" Bren said in pain.
"Good news, we escaped from that crazy cult. Bad news, we just learned that several worlds, including the Pokemon world has been taken over by Black Tundra," Jordan sadly declared to her friends. "GRAAGGHH! If we aren't so vulnerable, we wouldn't beat those guys and get those worlds back!"
"I know how you feel," Lilith said. "I myself regret not being able to save those worlds."
"Wait, so you knew about this?"
"Yes, that's part of the reason you were all recruited. To help free those worlds and put an end to the Tundra's reign of terror."
"And that's just what we'll do," Itzal said.
"And Bren, Kani. I hope you two will make excellent additions to the force," Lilith said to the new S-Runners.
"Thank you, Ms. Shroud. With Amica by our side, that cult will wish that they never took my cousin in the first place," Kani said as she hugged the Tigreria, which she purred in happiness.
"Yeah, those clown will never know what hi- GAAAHH!" Bren screamed in terror when he realized Amica is still with them. "How did an in-game monster got out of the game?!"
"Faunia materialization app, though it wasn't supposed to activate by itself," Lilith explained.
"Well, I kind of like Amica in the real world," Kani said as she keeps hugging her partner.
"Don't get too comfortable, because if anyone finds out about her, we're toast," Calla said to her cousin.
"Speaking of toast, my PVP champion title will be if I don't get back inside to fight Alex," Zeus said as he heads off inside the convention center.
"We better cheer him, just in case," Jordan said as she and her friends took off to follow Zeus, with Lilith turning back into her real life form to join them.
Later, back at the convention, at the PVP tournament, Zeus was dueling Alex in the final round. Alex had put up a very impressive fight and had driven Zeus back as their blades had locked.
"This time, Starr, victory will belong to me!," Alex said with confidence as nearly pushed Zeus out of the ring.
"Not quite, Vano," Zeus said. "Because you forgot one very important thing!"
Zeus then broke the lock and flipped over Alex's head, landing right behind him. He then unleashed a -Lightspeed Strike- so fast, Alex didn't even have time to blink before it slashed him and knocked him out of the ring.
"A Starr always has room to shine."
Winner: The Twilight Star, Zeus Starr!
The audience cheered for his victory, including the Runners who cheered the loudest.
"Wow, you ain't kiddin' when you said Zeus is the best in Player vs. Player, Jordan," Calla said to her best friend, only to get no respond from her. "Jordan?"
When she looks at her, she saw Jordan now worried about something, which is what Zeus reacted to the Pokemon world invasion thanks to the Black Tundra.
"I felt the same way as you, Jordan. But unlike you, I'm very furious at those evil sons of witches. I'll never forgive them! I will not rest until that world is saved!" Zeus said with venom in his voice.
"Hey, Jord! Wake up!" Calla said to her friend very loud, which Jordan was able to snap out of her worries. "What planet did your head go to anyway?"
"Uh, nothing," Jordan sheepishly said to her friend before going back to her real energetic tone. "Anyways, I think we got enough pictures to convince Principal Roenick."
"And with this PVP match footage of Zeus's another win, I'm sure she will say yes," Itzal added as he shows the said footage in his RunCom.
"Okay, I had no idea what you three are talking about," Bren said in confusion.
"They must be talking about that club you guys want to create," Kani guessed, which Jordan, Itzal, and Calla stared at her in disbelief. "I overheard you guys talking about it a few days ago. And I'm still not sure about this plan to get the club approved. I mean, we currently have six founding members, way too many for a school club if you ask me. "
"Don't worry, because I'm planning to add two more members in the club," Jordan said with confidence.
"Two? I thought we're only adding Layla since she knows about our identities and works with Ms. Reyheart," Calla asked in confusion.
Suddenly, she turns to Tina and asks, "Ms. Reyheart, is it possible to reveal our secret to a specific someone? He's actually good at computers and works with US military even though he's 10 years old."
Hearing this, her friends are shocked at who did she described as Calla said, "Wait, you don't mean-"
"US military, huh? And what is this boy's name?" Tina asked in curiosity, which Jordan smiles at this.
The next day in school, the S-Runners and Layla informed Andre about all of their adventures.
"So wait, you mean to say that you guys are a group of heroes called Runners, who got powers from the ULO world, and are charged with protecting a whole universe of worlds from this evil cult called the Black Tundra?"
"Yeah, that's pretty much it," Bren said.
Andre then burst out laughing as he said, "Please, I've written fan fiction even crazier than this story."
"I think I might able to change your mind once you see this," Kani said as she opens her backpack. "Okay, you can come out now."
Andre is confused at what Kani is doing, until a white and green blur came out of her bag. When it stops at the gang's feet, it revealed it's Amica, now shrunken down into a baby tiger cub as she roars at Andre.
"Whoa!," Andre said in shock at Amica. "Cool!"
"Oh, come on! First the convention center, now this?! How did that furball got into this school anyway?!" Bren said in shock.
"And how did she shrunk into a baby tiger cub?" Calla added in curiosity.
"She actually showed me when I was preparing for school. I passed her off as a stuffed tiger toy to bring at the lounge," Kani explained to her friends. "So does this proves that we're weren't lying?"
"Oh, it does, Kani," Andre said. "And in far more ways that I anticipated."
After that, Jordan, Zeus, and Itzal came out of the principal's office as Roenick follows and said to them, "Hmm... These photos proved that there will be a school event related to this game that your club is dedicating on, but I'm not so sure about this."
"Well, this club is not only focused on ULO-related stuff, but since our friend, Itzal kind of drag us into some messes around here, the club doubles as an investigation club," Zeus explained to his principal.
"Hmm, I see," Roenick said. "Well, we could use some help solving any mystery occurrences around this school, considering there seems to be a lot lately. Your club has…my permission."
When Roenick gets back into her office, the three Runners celebrate as Layla, Andre, Bren, Kani, Amica, and Calla joined in.
"So looks like it's approved?" Kani asked.
"With flying colors! Check it!"
Jordan then gives the form for their club to her friends to read.
"Thanks again for agreeing to be part of our club, Andre," Itzal said. "But can you cover our absences when we're going to our missions and other worlds?"
"No problem," Andre said. "And I presume Layla here will be at my side helping me?"
"Yes, indeed I will."
"And since we might be going to other worlds, you better order more wax dummies to cover our absences in our houses," Kani said to Andre.
"Don't worry! I already order yours, including that wax dummy of you studying with that pretty face of yours," Andre said in a lovestruck tone, which she stares at him in shock and disbelief as he snaps back into reality. "I mean, uh, with that expandable brain of yours!"
"Hey wait a minute, there's an error on the name of the club," Calla said as she takes a closer look at the club form. "It says here that it's "UR Gamers and Investigation Club". Isn't our club supposed to be named "ULO Gamers and Investigation Club"?"
"Actually, there's no error on the name. UR is much better than ULO in the name because it's our team name in ULO," Jordan said to her Calla.
"So what's UR stands for, cuz?" Bren asked.
The three main Runners looked at each other before turning back to their friends and say, "-Universal Runners-."
"Universal Runners? What kind of team name is that?"
"Since we're the Runners that will dedicated to defend the world from Black Tundra and the villains from other worlds, it should be appropriate for that name because we're running to protect the world, one universe at the time," Jordan explained.
"Well, that makes sense," Itzal said.
"So, Runners?," Jordan said as she put her hand out to the others.
"Runners!," everyone said, putting their hands in with hers.
Meanwhile, back in the Black Tundra's world, many of the higher-ups including Yune, were gathered to discuss the Runners.
"So now there's two more?," Tim Scam said in disbelief. "That makes six altogether! Plus that leader of theirs is getting to be a real pain."
"They are getting even stronger by the day," an Enforcer said. "We must do something about it."
"Agreed, Malgore," Yune said. "But what?"
"Well anyone have suggestions?," said a female Lieutenant. "Kozai?"
"Well Lt. Vidal," Kozai said. "What we should do is keep an eye on that dark female Runner. She's supposed to be their superior."
"And that Light Runner too," Malgore said. "There's something familiar about him. Just can't quite put my finger on it thought."
"I agree, that kid was the first Runner we ever encountered," a BT Councilmember said. "He's been nothing but a thorn in our side from day one."
"So it's agreed then," Vidal said. "We all watch those two and continue with the plans."
The members all voiced their agreement, as Scam said, "Those Runners have no clue how powerful we truly are. And soon their world and all others within our reach, will be ours!"
A/N: And thus, the new group of world-traveling heroes are born! What's the next adventure will take the Universal Runners next? As we announced in ToonSchool earlier, a special episode will be the next one! Until then, review and I'll see you later!