Chapter 6: Surging Shadows & Smashing Saviors SAGA Part 1

Guardians:

Ruby (Pokémon Adventures): The Charmer

Junko Konno (Zombie Land Saga): The Showa (Zombie) Idol

Linhardt von Hevring (Fire Emblem: Three Houses): The Sleepy Crest Scholar

Bucky Barnes (Marvel Cinematic Universe): The Veteran Sergeant

Blaze The Cat (Sonic The Hedgehog): The Fire Princess

Yamcha (Dragon Ball): The Wolf Fang Fist

Komaru Naegi (Danganronpa): The Hopeful Heart

Sapphire Birch (Pokémon Adventures): The Conqueror

Michiru Kagemori (BNA: Brand New Animal): The Shapeshifting Beast Girl

Masaomi Kida (Durarara!): The Casanova - LOCATION UNKNOWN

Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Marvel Cinematic Universe): The Ex-Thief

Ponzu (Hunter X Hunter): The Queen Bee

Ashe (Fire Emblem: Three Houses): The Arrow of Justice

Waluigi (Super Mario Bros.): The Cheating Trickster

Stan Marsh/Toolshed and Wendy Testaburger/Call Girl (South Park): The Power Couple

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (Disney/Disney's Epic Mickey): The Forgotten King

Zetsubou Members:

Monaca Towa (Danganronpa): The Li'l Ultimate Homeroom

Shadow Ultron (Marvel Cinematic Universe): The Rogue A.I. Merged with The Shadow Blot

General Tao (Dragon Ball): The Mercenary - DECEASED

Agatha (Pokémon Adventures): The Elder - DECEASED

Dr. Eggman Nega (Sonic The Hedgehog): The Mad Scientist - STATUS UNKNOWN

Big Bad Pete, Petetronic, Small Pete, & Pete Pan (Disney's Epic Mickey): The Brutes - IMPRISONED

Izaya Orihara (Durarara!): The Info-Broker - LOCATION UNKNOWN

Third-Person POV

Insert Song: Ostown - Thinner (Disney's Epic Mickey)

The Mean Street Ice Cream Parlor was filled to the brim with customers, unfortunately after what went down at Dark Beauty Castle, it was a far from enjoyable time. Still, free ice cream courtesy of Oswald.

"The Chaos Emerald was lodged in his head, and… what else was giving him power?" Shadow asked the team that saw him.

Oswald answered as he gestured to Mickey, "His heart, as well as the remains of the Shadow Blot! A big scary magical ink demon!"

Stephen Strange thought one detail was odd, "I'm sorry, I understand how the emerald can give Ultron limitless power, but how does the literal heart of Mickey Mouse add to that?"

Oswald looked at him with a flat expression, "Doc, he's the most popular cartoon character on the planet! His heart is full of love from his fans around the globe!"

Mickey briefly interrupted him, "Well, that is kinda subjective nowadays, ha… People tend to blame me for stuff I have no control over."

Stan interjected, "Wait, you don't run anything at Disney? Back home we have a you that does, and he's an asshole."

"Nope! I'm just an actor and mascot. And I… apologize for whatever your Mickey did. How's about I give everyone here some lifetime passes to any Disney park?" Mickey offers.

"Sweet, I'll take it!" Stan accepts.

"Ahem!" Strange clears his throat before continuing the discussion, "I still can't believe that those idiots decided to revive Ultron. Unless it was possible that he was still alive somewhere…."

"Or they just took him from a universe where he was alive, I doubt he's still alive in ours since Vision shut him out of the internet and destroyed the last drone and replicating his exact code would be nearly impossible." Bucky had a spoon in his mouth after finishing his ice cream.

"So many possibilities, yet none lead us to the most important detail. How do we banish that devilish machine to the flames of Pandemonium?!" Gundham presents his question with an exclamation.

Yamcha shakes his head, "We can't! I told you guys earlier, his power is off the charts! If we do this, then we will die, and with what you told us about Ultron… he won't make it short and painless."

"Then what can we do? Go home and hide? He'll likely find us within days, or less if he really puts his mind to it." Komaru puts down one option.

Ever the optimist, Scott speaks up, "Look, he's been beaten once before. That doesn't mean he can't be beaten again!"

Wendy thinks more logistically, "Those were the Avengers who beat him, we're not the same as them! He was also way weaker than he is right now, Scott!"

"Waluigi would rather wait to die than go right away…" The mustached trickster's head lowers with doubt.

"You would really give up like that, after all this fighting that we have done to protect those we hold dear?" Blaze chastises him.

"Blaze… he's got the power similar to that of a god. None of us are anywhere close to that level, and there's no time to go looking for anyone who is. Trust me, I thought about that…" Yamcha sighs in defeat.

Michiru quickly ate up the rest of her ice cream and went for the door as Ponzu stopped her.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"The rift. He's still missing and I need to go find him." She answered.

Ashe stood up from his seat, "Masaomi? I do believe in the thought that he's still alive, but choosing to chase after Ultron would not guarantee that you find him."

Michiru clutched her furry fist as she answered back, "Even still, I don't want to just leave him with those people. What if he's already in one of those killing game things?! I also can't let that robot destroy my home, that's why I need to go."

Sapphire leaped up to stand next to her, "I was waitin' for someone to say all that. Who cares if this Tron-whatever has god powers, we've fought stuff like that and won! Right, Ruby?"

"This circumstance is different compared to those times, but that doesn't mean I agree any less. What was the point of traveling through these worlds, defending them from attacks from the Monokumas, and choosing to stay by each other's sides if it ends like this?" Ruby brushes his shoulder as he stands by his fanged friend.

The others had the time to consider what could or couldn't happen, debating if it's better to run from their demise or face it head on.

Blaze stepped forward, "I am the guardian of my own dimension, yet if I let both it and countless others fall… I could never forgive myself. Let us battle until our very last breaths."

"I need to ensure a better tomorrow for my younger brother and sister. I refuse to let them wake up every day and look to a sky filled with shadows. I will fight for the greater good!" Ashe declared with pride.

Junko then made her way to join those in favor of fighting. She twiddled her fingers as she tried to find the correct words to say in the moment.

"... I wanted to run away ever since I saw the first Monokuma Ruby and I faced. I wasn't the best at handling stressful situations, much less ones of this magnitude, despite that I've gotten the opportunity to grow. Even if it was just a little. All of you have been so supportive of me, and for that I am truly grateful. And yet… knowing that horrible team of villains have my friends captured has motivated me to rid every world of their presence. I was given another chance at life to continue being an idol that fans looked up to, so what kind of idol would I be if I abandoned those who lifted me up in my darkest hour?"

In reaction to her statement, Oswald popped off his lucky rabbit's foot once more and gave it a few kisses before hopping towards her side.

"I think I've heard enough, god powers or no, we can take that bucket of bolts! I'm sure with some extra luck this band of idiots can get it done."

"I-I-Idiots?" Junko was taken aback by the rabbit's teasing.

Scott joined the party next, "And hey, if we can't protect the multiverse…"

"We'll avenge it. That's what you were going to say, right?" Bucky finished the familiar quote as he went to the door as well.

Upon hearing that, it seemed Strange had a passing thought, "Hm…"

Ponzu, while not arguing against the decision, wanted to point something else out.

"It looks like the majority wins here, but not all of us can fly up to the rift. Having this many people venture through that large of a wormhole will likely end up with some of us scattered to other realities."

That's when Mickey had a lightbulb go off in his head, "Oswald, did you guys ever rebuild the Moonliner Rocket?"

Oswald realized and his eyes widened, "Oh yeah! We blast right through the vortex as soon as that baddie tries to escape. Good one, Mick! Now all of us can go right through, no problem."

Blaze, still not a big fan of heights, reluctantly accepts, "R-Rocket you say? Ahem, if it is indeed our best option, I.. will not object to it. Yamcha, still have any doubts?"

The long-haired man still hesitated, "Looks like there's no stopping you guys, huh?".

The others shook their heads, having made up their minds.

Linhardt then approached him, "I honestly think this a fruitless endeavor as well, the chances of success aren't high as you said. Be that as it may, no matter how far away you can run… he will find you. And is 'The Great Yamcha' going to be a coward, and leave his companions to suffer? That's another thing that would chase after you, so are you willing to have those kinds of nightmares for years until he catches you?"

The scare tactic managed to spook Yamcha into getting off his ass.

"O-O-Okay, good point! I couldn't live with myself if I did that, but I still think I'll have those nightmares though, ha ha..."

Linhardt shrugged, "I would recommend not sleeping, but that would be both unhealthy and hypocritical on my end."

Doctor Strange addressed the room, "You're all in agreement then, or at least, most of you. If that's the case my team will be safeguarding the castle in case any other members of that organization return. Additionally, there are still devices left there that could be used to bring you all to your rightful homes, so this is your last chance to back out."

Komaru answers for everyone else, "No need for those just yet. If, no, WHEN we come back, we'll be sure to do just that."

Strange nods, "Very well. Just know that this many incursions into other universes can be catastrophic, so by the time this is all over I expect you all to return to your worlds promptly. My apologies."

That request caused the Guardians to look at one another worriedly. Strange was being serious and they didn't know how to feel about this potentially being the last time they would see each other. They still agreed to the terms, despite their lack of enthusiasm.

"... So be it. We won't let you down, sir." Junko told him.

Shadow decided to remind them of another important factor, "Be sure to collect the Chaos Emerald as well, the doctor has already procured three and they will be needed for locating the prisoners of those killing games."

"Okey dokey, let's a go already!" Waluigi tapped his elf shoe impatiently.

Sapphire smiles as she raises her fist into the air, "It's launch time, everybody! Are y'all ready?!"

Everyone else raised their fists in solidarity as they all rushed out the door of the Ice Cream Parlor. Bucky and Scott were stopped by Strange's cloak before they exited however.

"There's one more thing I wanted to mention before you all depart. You mentioned, avenging, correct?"

The rocket hadn't flown in years, ever since it crashed into the castle during the last battle with the Shadow Blot. Thankfully they had some assistance from the gremlins, as well as an unexpected guest to make it suitable for multiversal travel.

"Appreciate the help, 'Tronic. This does count as public service, so you'll have a little bit off your sentence than the other Petes." Oswald said to the TRON-dressed Pete.

Petetronic grinned, "Nah those chowderheads need all the company they could get. And not a problem Oz, I was never big on those Zetsu-bozos anyways. I'm glad I'm back to doing what I do best, fixing up Tomorrow City!"

Bucky met up with Yamcha and Ponzu as the ship continued its tune-up.

"You two could have backed out, you know? I know death isn't something you'd want to try again."

Yamcha raised up three fingers, "It might be my third time if things go wrong, which obviously will anyways. But it'll be worse if I don't do anything, like you all said! Got no choice."

Bucky turned to Ponzu next, "Are you comfortable putting your second chance at life at risk? Don't have to answer if you can't."

Ponzu pondered for a second before replying, "I don't have much to go back to, this would honestly be the best thing I could do with it. I'd give this life up if it meant billions will live in my place."

Bucky chuckled a bit, "Good answer. What if you do manage to live through this?"

Ponzu shrugged her shoulders, "Hm… I would like to finally pass the Hunter Exam. That's the only thing I can think of at the top of my head, which isn't a bad thing. I'd have the freedom to choose, and I'm grateful for even having that."

Yamcha stared at the two of them briefly as they both smiled at one another, and right before he could open his mouth…

"Not a chance, pal."

"Don't even think about it."

Yamcha put his hands up in defense, "What?! I wasn't thinking anything, that's ridiculous! Ha ha ha!", he laughs as he pulls them both in for side hugs.

Michiru gripped Masaomi's yellow bandana tight before tying it around her neck, getting caught in the act by Sapphire and Ashe.

"If you're gonna say something about me being in love, he said he has a girlfriend and I have someone back home too." Michiru told them.

"Of course not, although it is not unheard of to love people only as friends. We are only here to lend some support." Ashe states honestly.

Sapphire's eyes lit up with passion, "Yeah! We're gonna make sure we bring him back to us, and if he isn't there we'll make Ultron spill the beans on where he could be! We're with ya, Michiru, they're gonna pay!"

The raccoon girl's smile returned as she hugged them tightly and made them gasp for air.

"I love you guys so much! Thank you!" She weeped joyfully as Ashe and Sapphire smiled in their pain.

Ruby loads the remaining power-ups from Mario & Sonic, not a lot left after the last few battles.

"Hoo boy, so… once this is all over, we can't see each other. How are you two holding up?"

Linhardt looked through his tomes and sighed, "It's a shame, but traveling to this many worlds had to have some kind of setback. There's no guarantee that we would be separated for good however, or that things will return to normal once this battle has long passed."

"Mhm, but how long until we do get the chance to see each other again? It still feels like I met you two just yesterday, and… I don't want to wait years until we meet again." Junko hugged her knees as her imagination continued to spiral.

"Agreed, but we aren't experts on how this all works. We just have to deal with it when it comes, alright? We have to focus on the battle ahead before anything else." Ruby reassures her as Strange returns to bid them farewell.

Insert Song: One Shot (Avengers: Endgame)

"What's up, doc?" Oswald recites a line from another rabbit as the sorcerer stepped in.

"Well, first off you can't go diving right back in when your uniforms aren't in good condition." Strange casted a spell that undid all the damage done to all of their clothing.

"And that's not the only thing he's got for us. Go ahead and show 'em!" Scott smiled knowingly.

Strange lifted his hand up and something else appeared on their gear, specifically on either the shoulder section of their sleeves or on their left chest area. Those spots softly glimmered until a symbol appeared, replacing the "Guardians" insignia sewn onto them previously.

That symbol was of a capital A within a ring and an arrow cut into it.

"I'm only an honorary member (as of the time I'm writing this), so I had a quick chat with these two to see if it would be alright." Strange pointed to Lang and Barnes as everyone else inspected the logo, "From now on, I'll address you all as the Multiversal Avengers (cue the music). I'll leave everything else to them, good luck and try to stay alive."

Oswald interjected, "Hey, why can't I be the leader?", right before Komaru dragged him by the ears as everyone got in line as if they were in an army.

Strange took off with his Cloak of Levitation as Ant-Man and The White Wolf decided to give a pep talk to the new recruits.

Lang started first, "Wow, what a lineup we have here. Self-made heroes, of all shapes and sizes. I couldn't have imagined standing here alongside all of you and here we all are about to take on a bad guy with the power to eradicate existence."

Bucky looked around as he began the next portion of the speech.

"We're the last defense against this monster. Going back and looking for other allies will just take up time that could have been used to save the people of wherever he's planning to go. Stay sharp, try your best not to get hurt, but if you do take only a small breather before throwing it right back at him."

"Ultron is a powerful A.I., smart and can predict your movements. Though like how other A.I. can't make good art or write decent stories, he's got his own weakness. That Egg Guy mentioned a failsafe, right?" Scott asked the group that first saw Ultron and they nod.

"Then we get inside that… ugh, sludge covered body he created over his metal one and try to see what it could be. We then capture the evil kid he brought with him, find his core body, knock out the stuff giving him all of that power, and turn the rest to scrap metal. Hope that sounds simple enough, since I won't be repeating myself." Bucky explained the plan.

Blaze analyzed the plan before expressing her opinion, "In order for us to infiltrate the body, we need to find an exact point to access. A distraction would be required as we observe each section of the beast's outer form."

Scott thought that was a swell idea to add on, "Great! It's all starting to come together nicely. Alrighty, I got one more thing to say to you guys before we blast off."

"So… we may have come from different worlds, yes that's very true. We fought a lot of battles physically or mentally, but none of it compares to what we're about to face. For some of you that's a scary thought, something I believe as well, however we can't back down with so much on the line. No matter where we came from, what we've experienced, and who we are as individuals…. We all share one heart, one goal, and one stand that we must take. The time is now, to unite all of our own might, minds, and souls together into an unstoppable spear point aimed directly at the darkest heart in the multiverse, who's with me?!"

"YEAH!" The Multiversal Avengers cried out with determination.

Blaze looked impressed, "Well that was an unexpectedly poetic speech. Surprising, but very much welcomed."

"Yeah, I honestly didn't think we'd get that out of a man who talks to ants, yet I do talk to bees so…" Ponzu admitted.

"Now, Avengers… ASSEM—MPH!" Bucky blocked his mouth before Scott could finish.

"Move your asses to the rocket."

The group were dismissed as they prepared to take off, entering the spacecraft and buckling into their seats. Bucky lets go of Scott's mouth so he could breathe.

"What? I wanted to try saying that at least once!"

Bucky put his hand on his head in slight irritation, "It doesn't work if we've already together. You'll get your chance some other day."

Scott crossed his arms and scoffed, "Fine."

"By the way, did you just copy some of what you said in that speech from your book?" Bucky questioned him.

"Well it's not like they've read it, plus it's my own words so I'm not stealing… Wait, you've read my book?!"

Bucky walked away quickly before he could answer that.

"Okay people, be sure not to throw up in this thing, we don't have any barf bags aboard!" Oswald informs his teammates.

"Oswald! Before you go…" Mickey shows up just in time to see them depart Wasteland.

The mouse handed the lucky rabbit Yen Sid's magic paintbrush, a weapon that would help exceptionally against the devastating abilities of the Blot.

Mickey gives him a reassuring smile, "I know you'll use it well, and if you have trouble with it… just remember to let your heart be your guiding key."

Oswald, not expecting such a gift, takes the brush with his right hand and tries to see how he would use it in tandem with his electric remote.

"Hoo! Hah! Yah! Ha ha ha, I think I'm gonna enjoy this. Thanks, brother. We'll be sure to bring your heart back to ya in one piece!"

"Ha ha, yeah…" Mickey laughed halfheartedly at that before holding his arms behind his back.

"Huh? Something else?" Oswald tilted his head at the mouse's odd behavior.

Mickey took a deep breath in and out before he walked over and whispered into one of Oswald's floppy ears.

"Wait, seriously? But you would… I can't!" Oswald pushes him back.

Mickey expected this reaction, "I believe you can, Oswald. But the choice is yours, just let everyone know about it beforehand, okay? I'll be waiting for you back at Ostown, tell them I said good luck!"

Oswald waved him goodbye as he slumped into his seat, not knowing what to make of what Mickey told him. Junko & Ashe, who were both sitting next to him in the seats to his left, looked to see what was causing him such anxiety.

"Um, if you don't mind me asking… what did he tell you?" Junko initiated the conversation topic.

Ashe turned to the cartoon rabbit with concern as he cleared his throat, "I'm sure that whatever it is, we could be able to help you through it."

Oswald fiddled with the bristles of the brush in his hands as he looked off to the side.

"He told me… I'm going to have to use the brush… to destroy his heart."

"... Huh?" The two who asked both let out as the rocket began to shake tremendously.

Petetronic's voice bellowed from the launchpad, "READY FOR LIFTOFF! BON VOYAGE, YA BUNCHA KNUCKLEHEADS! KICK SOME ZETSU-BOOTY!"

WOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!

Insert Song: Underground Moon Caverns (Super Mario Odyssey)

With a thunderous roar, the Moonliner Rocket took off with astonishing speed to the skies above the Cartoon Wasteland. All the various park landmarks began to shrink from view as they continued higher and higher up through the clouds.

"Gurk…" All that shaking made the zombie idol get queasy, with her face getting paler and paler.

Oswald held onto his seat as he shouted at her, "I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU NOT TO BARF ON THIS THING, ZOMBIE GIRL!"

"H-HOLD ME, STAN!" Wendy held onto her boyfriend tight.

Unfortunately, unlike Junko, he couldn't keep his lunch inside.

"BLARGH!" Stan vomits on Wendy with enough force to push her face back.

"EW!" She cried out in disgust.

Oswald rants at the kid, "IF WE MAKE IT THROUGH THIS, YOU'RE GONNA CLEAN THAT UP!"

"Be still, my heart." Blaze hyperventilates in her seat.

Komaru rubs the cat princess's hand to try and calm her down, while also sounding like she's telling herself the same thing, "It'll be okay, it'll be okay…"

Scott put on his Ant-Man helmet so he could take the pressure and Ponzu did the same with her goggles.

"GODDESS PROTECT ME!" Ashe panicked as he clutched Junko's hand tightly, which popped off as if it were a doll's, "GYAHHHHHHHH!"

They both screamed loudly, as did a few others as they finally saw the rift coming into view.

"There he is, he's going into the vortex now!" Bucky tries to grab everyone's attention as he's at the controls.

His co-captain, Ponzu, shouts in reply, "Then don't let him escape our sights! Push through, now!"

Pushing forward on the control panel's joystick causes it to veer closer to the portal as Bucky turns back to warn everyone.

"Brace yourselves, we're beginning our entry!"

They did as they were told and closed their eyes before breaking through into a much different pathway than they were used to while using the projector screens…

Insert Song: Satorl Marsh Night Version (Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition)

"I'm going to save two billion yen's worth of gold in another world!"

"ACKNOWLEDGE ME!"

"Member of Holostars English, Leader of the Tempus Guild."

"KIDS NEXT DOOR, BATTLE STATIONS!"

"Time to make the chimmi-fucking-changas."

"To Infinity… And Beyond!"

"Not bad for a guy who's never took a lesson in his life. Hoo hoo!"

"There's no need to wonder where your god is, 'cause he's right here! And he's fresh out of mercy…"

Glimpses into many universes could be spotted right outside the view of the rocket, illuminating the large tunnel as if they were rare stones to be mined by those filled with greed.

On Ruby's side he saw a nervous girl with pink hair play guitar on stage with her friends.

"Such beautiful musical talent, she should have more confidence in herself."

Sapphire saw the scene unfold and agreed, "Yeah, she was rockin' up on that stage!"

"Urgh… Waluigi hates this channel." Waluigi caught a glimpse of a certain fighting tournament on his viewing,

Stan brushes barf out of Wendy's hair as he gasps at what he saw, "Holy shit, Wendy! It's home!"

Wendy leaned towards the window side and her eyes widened, "You're right! There's Mysterion and the other Freedom Pals trying to fight the two Monokumas!"

"Ow, son of a bitch! I'm gonna shove my claws up your x-shaped assholes!" Eric Cartman aka The Coon raged after getting pushed around by the Murder Pandas, as he dubbed them.

"Oh, I wish I had popcorn." Wendy smiled at the fatass getting what he deserved.

Junko looked out her window and found herself enamored with a robotic marshmallow-shaped healthcare companion.

"So cute… I wanna hug him so bad…"

"Oh good, we've stopped moving quickly… now I can finally try to get some shuteye." Linhardt yawns before leaning on his window.

"HOWDY!" A flower with a demonic face greets the young man and spooks him awake.

Linhardt quivered in his seat as the flower cackled, "I think once I get home, I'm staying away from the greenhouse for a while…"

"Man, I could look at this stuff all day. It's like binging tv shows or movies with all the streaming services, but without the subscription fees that keep increasing every year!" Scott watched in amazement as a large green ogre exited his outhouse.

"As much as I find this enjoyable, out of which one of these universes is Ultron looking to enter first?" Blaze says to try and get everyone refocused on the mission.

"R-Right. Hm… oh, I see him entering that one on the bottom left corner!" Ashe gives the pilots the directions and they are right on the super bot's tail.

Shadow Ultron plunged into that defenseless world, his laughter echoing through the interdimensional tunnel. Bucky steered their vessel towards their destination, and as they enter glimpses into that world's history replace the clips from other worlds. In only a few seconds, Junko recognized where they were heading as well as what she needed to protect from Ultron.

They manage to enter the new land, with the evening sun already beginning to go down. That orange sky didn't last however, as an enormous storm of shadows spread above their heads and the ink demon's himself towering over the entire area.

"Normal-looking city, which means it won't last very long. TIme to find a place to touch down." Ponzu stated, until something bumped the nose of the rocket.

"Agh, what just hit us?" Blaze asked as she unbuckled her seatbelt and ran up to the pilots.

What they saw was several black tendrils penetrating the front of the rocket and beginning to absorb something.

"Bloticles, they're gonna drain the paint outta the hull!" Oswald panicked as he saw what was attacking.

Upon hearing this, the others looked at him with confusion before he decided to clarify why that's important.

"The rocket's held together with paint, okay?! We're gonna crash!" The rabbit panicked as he got out of his seat.

Ruby immediately questioned this design flaw, "Why is a rocket ship held together with paint?!"

Oswald answered as he readied his helicopter ears, "We were on a budget! Those who can fly, grab the members who can't, we need to bail before—"

BOOM!

"Scratch that, BAIL NOW!" Oswald shouted and Yamcha kicked open the emergency exit.

Ponzu grabbed Bucky by his metal arm, Yamcha took Stan & Wendy, Sapphire let out Troppy so Ruby, Junko, and Linhardt could ride with her, Scott contacted a carpenter ant to ride, Blaze ignited the fire in her boots before carrying Waluigi with her, Komaru held onto Oswald's legs as he took off, and Michiru grew wings to help get Ashe to safety.

The rocket ultimately lost control and crashed into the nearby mountains as the team descended to the streets below. Ponzu groaned as she let Bucky down.

"You're heavier than you look, or is most of the weight just the arm?"

Bucky shrugged, "Sorry, I had a big breakfast."

As most of them landed, they breathed a sigh of relief from not being turned into pudding from the exploding rocket.

"Uh, here you go, Junko. Sorry for holding it for far too long." Ashe gave her back her hand and she reattached it.

Junko looked it over to see if it was on correctly and it was, "No worries, you were scared during takeoff and you needed someone to hold yours. I… wouldn't have minded if you held it longer…. W-WAIT, I DIDN'T MEAN TO SAY THAT! WHAT I MEANT WAS… AH!"

Her face got even redder, getting a few chuckles out of her companions to her dismay. As Sapphire giggled at the awkwardness, she was then confronted by a random policeman.

"Evening miss, do you have a permit for your whatever the heck that thing is?"

"Uh, permit?" Sapphire tilted her head, not knowing what he was talking about.

The policeman grinned smugly as he took out his walkie talkie, "Heh, looks like I'm gonna have to report ya…"

Hopping off of Troppy, Junko interrupts the officer, "Please, no! You don't need to do this!"

The policeman blinked twice before asking the floofy girl a question, "Wait, aren't you Franchouchou #4?"

Junko blinked twice, "Y-Yes sir."

"Oh wow, your manager was going crazy looking for you. Now all that's left is to find #2 and #3 and he'll get off my back!"

"#2 and #3…" Junko uttered softly to herself as she realized who was taken.

"Ugh, that's the second time we've crashed that thing. We need to build a sturdier rocket when I get back…" Oswald sighed as he reached the ground with Komaru.

"If you knew about the paint problem before this one, why didn't you try to fix it this time?" Naegi asked him,

Oswald rolled his eyes, "Oh that's simple, we weren't able to get any nunya by the time we were ready to launch."

"What's nunya?" Komaru foolishly asked.

"Nunya business." Oswald tells her and she pouts in response.

"W-W-W-W-What is that thing?! A talking bunny?!" The policeman uttered out as he saw the rabbit.

Oswald raised an eyebrow at the frightened officer, "What? Never seen a toon before, pal? Gosh, we really are in a new world, huh?"

The officer shakily pulled out his gun and his itchy trigger finger caused him to fire it, the bullet was intercepted by Bucky's vibranium arm. The former Winter Soldier glared at the policeman, causing him to get on his bike and pedal away as fast as he could from the freakshow.

Ruby shook his head, "Running away from us when he could have done that by looking at the sky…"

"Such carelessness by someone supposed to be a peacekeeper. Now what exactly is this world?" Blaze wondered aloud.

Junko breathes in the familiar air before informing everyone, "It's… my home. Welcome to Saga."

Location: Saga Prefecture, Japan. The World of Zombie Land Saga.

"Sheesh, this is the place that needs idols to be 'saved'? It certainly seems like it does now with that storm." Linhardt stated as he looked around.

"We might need some recuperation before enacting the plan, that crash threw us for a loop. Junko, do you know anywhere we can go to rest?" Ponzu asked her.

Junko immediately knew where to go, "I know just the place, follow me."

*knock knock knock*

"Is there anyone home? It's Junko."

Ruby examined the exterior of the mansion as his eyes began to sparkle, "Such a vast improvement over that rundown manor from earlier, truly a beautiful abode worthy enough to house idols!"

"Weren't you the one saying that manor had its own beauty or something like that?" Linhardt points out the change in description.

"That was before I saw the web-covered dust trap of an interior, not to mention the crooked paintings, broken floorboards in the attic, and having it be placed on the edge of a crumbling cliffside…" Ruby shudders as he recalls Lonesome Manor.

Linhardt's expression turned sour as well, "Valid point, you'll get no objections from me."

The door opened and Junko's mouth was agape as she saw the man who answered it.

Insert Song: Dear Friends (Zombie Land Saga OST)

"... Junko?"

"Tatsumi-san…" Junko's eyes began to water as her manager stepped outside.

"WHERE THE HECK HAVE YOU BEEN YOU STUPID ZOMBIE?! DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PERFORMANCES WE COULD HAVE DONE?!" Kotaro Tatsumi yelled in her face with enough force to blow her hair back.

Oswald's head began to vibrate from the noise as he held his head in place.

"Wowie zowie, my ears…"

Ruby clutched his ears while reopening his eyes, "What kind of manager would treat their talent like this…?"

Junko however, was used to this as she wiped the tears from her face, "I… I…."

She hugged the sunglasses-wearing man tightly to everyone else's surprise.

"Maybe… she's into that? Ouch!" Toolshed gets elbowed by Call Girl as more people show up from behind Tatsumi.

"Junko-chan?! Everyone, Junko's back!" Sakura Minamoto exclaimed as The Legendary Tae Yamada and their zombie dog Romero ran out to greet her.

"Ragh! Gar!" Tae gurgled as she chewed on Junko's head with joy.

The only response Komaru and Michiru could give was a resounding, "HUH?!"

"I… guess that is one way of showing that she missed her friend?" Ashe guesses as sweat drops from his face.

"Junko! Lily missed you so much!" Little Lily Hoshikawa cried tears of joy as she hugged Junko from the right.

The courtesan, Yugiri, walked out of the door gracefully, "Ah, Junko-han. We knew that you'd find your way back here, it's wonderful that you lived up to our expectations."

Sakura also had tears well up in her eyes and they released like sprinklers as she embraced her floofy-haired friend.

"Junkooooooo! Welcome hooooooome!" She blubbered out as Junko smiled brightly.

"Thank you… everyone."

"So these are her idol friends, eh?" Sapphire put her hands on her hips as she watched them closely.

Ashe shook his head at that assumption as he clutched his warmed heart, "No, not just friends."

"They're family." Scott grinned as he thought back to his own loved ones.

"Uh, guys? I'd hate to cut the reunion short but…" Yamcha points to the black clouds above.

Upon hearing that interjection, the remaining members at Franchouchou turned to see the fifteen new companions behind her.

"Um… hello? Psst, Junko-chan, who are they?" Sakura whispered to the Showa Idol.

Oswald took off his ears like they were a hat and tipped it towards her, "Good evening! You don't need to whisper, we can hear you just fine, Other Zombie Girl!"

"Other—WHAT?!" Sakura's eyes popped out of her head and they landed on the ground.

"Shhhhh! Not everyone around here knows that!" Junko scolds the lucky rabbit as he whistles innocently.

"WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! OOF!" Sakura's eyes rolled over to where Waluigi was standing and caused the doofus to slip and crash right into the mansion's gates.

A sweatdrop rolls down Junko's face as Bucky holds the door open for everyone.

"R-Right… I'll tell you everything. Let's all get inside now…"

The beginning of the end… we've made it to Saga! An odd choice for a final battlefield, but it was personal preference. Here's hoping you all will enjoy the final part. Gonna be tough saying goodbye to this team, but I've prepared myself ever since I first wrote the prologue. For now, you all should prepare for it yourselves! I'd like to hear all of your favorite memories and thoughts once this thing is everyone, and be sure to leave any comments if you wish to. Buh-bye! (Also happy birthday to both Ashe and Stan for their October b-days!)