Kyoto report # 8: Reibai Research facilities
In order to further study the new field of magical powered technology the council has approved the creation of a research organization for such a purpose.
Known as the Reibai Research Facilities it was created to create technological advancements to aid in the rebellion. And in house technical development house.
The RRF will have branches all through Reibai space but their main office is being built at Yodda lake near Windu fortress.
Windu fortress is the rebellion's primary forward post. The closest point to the equator where the Incubators are strongest.
Of course the RRF bases are interconnected with collapsible interconnected underground tunnels that span all around the world.
The RRF's staff has already been vetted with the Ichijin clan. The scientific branch of the twelve clans of Reibai being sent to head the development of several new weapons.
Kyoto report # 23: Wonder weapons
RRF's research has finally bore fruit.
The ones of biggest note is the Waltzer system and the Mahou driver system.
Waltzer's are giant robots whose main innovation is the monopole internal frame which allows for the subversion of the square cube law. With theoretical applications involving full gravity manipulation. Apparently the term Waltzer came from was during the testing of the prototype. With onlookers comparing its agility and precision to dancing.
The mahou driver system. Our answer to the Puella Magi of the incubators and a way to allow anyone to cast magic. The designs are arguably a little silly. More like toys than weaponry. But they have shown potential. It is suggested by some scientist that this could be used as a springboard for the universe salvation plan.
With that and several other works. Such as the retrofitting of the Ginko class and Ravens class for both better defensive measures and long range warp systems.
Chapter 37: Dominions
Pandora has been achieved and the cosmos has been destroyed. All that is left is a large island floating in the abyss known as Spiral island. The survivors of the purge being hunted by an endless machine army under the Demon King Pandora. A land of Chaos were the remnants of the universe are merged together. Once all of the survivors are sacrificed to the Embryo. The new universe will be born, using the souls as fuel for a new big bang.
The year is... No, there is no year. While Spiral island does have a concept of time. People do not age and the sky is under an endless twilight sky. And no one truly knows how long have the people lived in Spiral island.
Windu village, Spiral forests
The rebuilt Windu village. Deep in the forest lies a perfect, but abandoned replica of Windu village complete with the nearby Yodda lake where the RRF facilities once stood. Now those facilities have been converted into a thorny fortress in the center of an expanded lake full of predators and depth charges. The facility itself has been converted to produce pure type monsters. With a comprehensive series of underground tunnels that connect all trough Spiral island. Inside the facility two of the generals. Kickback and Air Raid were discussing matters involving their orders. And while most of the RRF is still underground. There is a massive tower rising from it known as Boosted tower. A major landmark in the otherwise endless sea of trees that is the zone.
"Do we really need to do this Air Raid? After all a motorcycle is no good in the ocean." An annoyed and apathetic Kickback complained to Air Raid who insisted to swap places with the former. "Oh come on Kickback! I want the blood of those furries and its not like you're doing anything." Kickback who at this point has had enough bullshit simply leaves much to the surprise of Air Raid who asks what is happening. "Do what you want you insecure projecting nimrod." "What did you say?!" Air Raid remarks. "Didn't you hear me Raid?" "Oh no I heard ya Kick. I'm just wondering what insecure projecting nimrod means." Kickback simply moans and leaves muttering to himself that motorcycles and oceans don't mix while the other general is oblivious and leaves to prepare his scheme as his troops carry supplies and equipment which they use to remodel the facility with numerous death traps and fortifications.
As Kickback prepares to leave via underground rail he remarks. "Oh well, it's not like that hedgehog can navigate Geno's maze."
Endless road, Spiral island
At that time the resistance was traveling thru the endless road. A barren empty highway that once connected the settlements and spiral mountain. As the group travels past the ruined Egg carrier. Touka asks to stop so she can go to the settlement that was there. Hiding the van inside the fuselage of the Egg carrier they are led by Touka thru the ruined settlement. Another ruin that has long fallen to the Sumeragi hordes. As hastily built houses and facilities made from scavenged materials are now abandoned. With sand having overtaken a good few of them. If there were survivors they either fled or are hidden deep inside the Egg carrier. There they reach the graveyard. A symbolic area full of hundreds of gravestones made of scrap metal and head to a specific grave. One marked with the name Iroha Tamaki another with the name Yachiyo Nanami. And two others named Yui Tamaki and Nemu Hiiragi. Touka Satomi for once breaks her haughty and comical demeanor to deliver a genuinely somber moment as Touka prays for the dead. "And they are?" Sonic asks to which Touka answers. "My sisters, that's what they are." Taking everyone around her aback. With Sticks being agape in particular and Monika just looking ashamed.
"You see, I was born to a family of doctors. Well mostly doctors. And I was supposed to follow in papa-sama's footsteps. Not to toot my own horn but I was considered a genius. And a total fucking asshole." Touka remarks as she opens another can of beer. " But then I got really sick. That's when I met Nemu and Yui alongside our big sister Iroha, We talked about saving the world. Calling ourselves the Wings of Magius. But that all changed. First Ui died from her ilness and Nemu would have died as well if it wasn't for the war. Papa-sama cut a deal with the aliens in order to save me and Nemu and we were turned into cyborgs." "Is that why you look like a kid?" Sticks asked. "I'm getting to that raccoon." "I'm a badger not a raccoon!" "Anyways, after that we were shipped off to Reibai to help with the war. We were part of the research time that created the mahou drivers. Alongside Kagami, Saitou, Ash, and Kagemusha." The reveal surprised everyone with Amy remarking. "So Kagemusha was involved with these?" Touka remarks. "Who do you think put in the music and jingles into it. The guy is a real tokusatsu nut after all. Also the reason why I look like this is both cybernetics and immortality. For some reason we all got biological immortality when hit with the power of the law of cycles when Kagemusha killed Madoka. Basically we can't age and can't die unless someone kills us. And we have been around for roughly 10,000 years now.
"What about this Yachiyo person?" Knuckles notices to which the magical girl replies. "Oh, she's Iroha's wife." Everyone was stunned silent at the revelation. "Well ex-wife. Since she was killed by the agents of the burial fleet loyal to MAGA." Another moment of silence which is broken by Sticks screaming. "I knew it! I knew it! Make Atlanta Great Again is real!" Sonic remarks. "That name is terrible! It's as absurd as calling yourself Tea party or something." Tails remarks. "Actually Pokemon had a villain group called the tea party. They were also a group of old white people who lived in the coastline." "My point has been made Tails."
"Barragan knew that Kyubey was searching for the Great calamity and forced me to serve as a deep cover agent by mutilating Nemu and turning her into a monster. So I did as I was told. Even creating the Blights in attempt to seal away the calamity much like how the Law of Cycles was split apart into three. But then you guys killed them all and the Calamity Homun was devoured and used to empower the demon king. When the universe was destroyed I landed here. In the Egg carrier settlement where I lived for three years. Struggling to stay alive alongside the refugees. I even helped save some of them as a doctor. And then they came. An army led by Air Raid who bombed the camps and killed everyone else. I survived because I hid inside the Egg carrier and Air Raid was either careless, cocky, or lazy. Not bothering to confirm the kills. Then I was rescued by these guys and ever since i've been part of the Resistance." Sonic simply looks stunned at what happened. "Hey, if we get back home. I don't suppose I can ask for sanctuary in the Acorn archipelago? The cycles cult is pretty much gone now. And I doubt that I've outlived my usefulness to Center." Sticks asks. "So the gravestones are?" "A tradition of this settlement. This way everyone knows that the dead existed. Even if there are no remains left." Touka finishes her beer and gets up a sad smile returning to her face. "Anyways i'm finished here. So let's go back." And then leaves with the rest of the group following suit. Leading to a very quiet ride the rest of the way through. Until they reached Spiral forests and once again went up to climb it.
Geno's forest: Spiral forests
Ost: Forest maze, Super Mario RPG
The group finally reached the top of the mountain following the route Sonic took the first time. This time it wasn't as easy as they were forced to abandon the van and continue on foot. Only to be stopped by a powerful barrier. After ten minutes of punching by Knuckles the group heads to a nearby log cabin to fume about their situation. "I can't believe my punches did jack squat!" Knuckles complained as he slammed his face onto the table. Amy comments to the guardian. "It's a giant magical barrier. What did you expect!" "That I break through with my punching!" Amy sighs in frustration and remarks. "Why don't you go and punch it harder Knuckles?" The echidna then suddenly jumps up in a jolt screaming. "That's it!" And runs off to punch the barrier again. Half a day passes as Knuckles returns exhausted and sore. Sitting down in resigned failure among the others. With Sonic snarking. "So... How did it go?" To which he got a nasty glare back in return. When they are given a message from T-Pup who is suddenly hacked and forced to deliver a message from Air Raid in his typical bombastic fashion.
"Hello furries! It is I, the bombastic hot-blooded general! The sexiest robot alive! Air Raid! Here to invite you meatbags to a land of fun and wonder! And death, horrible painful death." "It's you!" Touka screams at Air Raid who just looks confused at the little girl. "I'm sorry, who are you?" "It's Touka! Touka Satomi! And you're the crap basket that annihilated my home!" Air Raid responds with. "So Tuesday?" Which further pisses off the former magical girl to the point that she is biting her handkerchief in anger. Knuckles then interjects with. "So, I don't suppose you know about the barrier covering Spiral mountain?" "How observant. And correct. Right now the entire mountain is separated by a powerful barrier that both protects the castle and separates the segment kingdoms. Spirals forest, Spirals ocean, Spirals city, and Spirals wasteland. With four castles defended by four generals serving as the power sources for the barrier. Take down the castles and you can get to the top. It's so simple that even a murder monkey can do it." Touka screams at Air Raid as the former continued his explanation in his typical large ham fashion. "Anyways, I came to invite you all to Takeshi's slaughterhouse! A magical mystical wonderland of deadly traps, horrifying monsters, overwhelming odds. It's location is the old RRF facility on Windu lake past Geno's maze. Be there! Also this robot will self destruct in five seconds. Adieu!" The message cuts off as T-Pup begins to spark and catch and catch on fire as everyone is forced to flee as the entire cabin is caught in the explosion. With T-Pup's smoldering head landing next to Tails. "Statement: It's so cold father... So cold..." Which causes Tails to sorrowfully howl to the sky. "T-PUP!" As the camera pans to the heavens above.
Geno's maze
The group finally reaches Geno's maze which at the surface seems to be a large hedge maze. As they find an entrance the team notices a sign saying. "Maze entrance. No cheating!" Monika looks at the sign and sounds off her concerns which are duly ignored by Knuckles who tries to jump over the hedges in order to reach the exit. Only for the maze walls to erupt skyward as Knuckles leapt upward, smacking the echidna straight in the face and causing him to fall. Not one to be discouraged Knuckles simply climbs up the surprisingly hard wall considering it was supposed to be mere brushes. As Knuckles continued to climb the brush kept growing upwards and moving to the sides did not work causing Knuckles to jump off the brush walls as they shrunk down to normal. Sonic then tries to spin dash his way up alongside Amy who smacks the brushes with her hammer and then Touka and Shortfuse join in firing off a flamethrower and a laser barrage respectively only for the brush to block all attacks. As they stop their attacks Touka screams. "What kind of brush wall is that?" With Shortfuse remarking. "Pretty good foliage I guess." Before the duo just stare at each other. Sticks then joins in stating. "Guys! You've got it all wrong! What we need to is go under the brush." Knuckles realizes. "Oh my Chaos, you're right!" Knuckles quickly burrows underground only for the foliage to go underground as well and smack Knuckles repeatedly and so hard that it could be heard on the surface. Forcing a beaten up Knuckles to dig his way back to the surface. Monika then remarks. "Maybe we should just take the entrance." As everyone agrees to go inside thru the entrance.
Inside the maze everything seems to have changed. Instead of a hedge maze it is a large dark forested area composed of a square room with four different entrances. Sonic of course offers to do recon and speeds toward the right opening only to exit thru the left opening, Over and over again until being forced to stop. "Guys, I think we have a problem." A pensive Monika explains. "This area seems to be the lost woods." "Say, what?" "Exactly as it says Sonic. We need to figure out the path forward otherwise we will be running around in circles forever." Tails asked. "I thought Air Raid wanted to fight us." "He does Tails, especially after Ray wounded his ego. He's always been like this. This is a security measure as the lost woods were meant to be a security barrier against the incubators and later against a possible Japanese invasion. Neither scanners nor magic works here." "Weren't those guys your friends." Sonic asked to which Monika answered. "Not really, there was always a sizable group of them who wanted to invade our territories in the north and south under the belief of imperialism. While most of the people opposed it. The government was always pushing for militarization. Until the bitter end..." Amy pats Monika in the back and attempts to comfort her. "It's fine Amy. That's just how the world works. If hope was real we wouldn't need weapons for war." Sonic determinedly states. "Well it shouldn't be that way. All of this destruction, all over old and petty grudges. It's not right!" Monika is shocked upon hearing this and strangely hopeful as well. "I see, no wonder Kagemusha was inspired by you. Always free, always doing things your own way, and always finding a way thru the dark. He always wanted to be like you. An invincible savior that could fix the universe." "I'm no hero Monika. Just a guy who loves adventure! I'm Sonic, Sonic the hedgehog!" Monika finally cheers up and starts moving. "Okay everyone! I'll lead the way." She then leads the group across the large forest.
The group continues their trek until discovering another maze inside the maze. This time a stone maze which Knuckles attempts to bypass again. Only to fail again and again until collapsing into the ground in defeat. "I hate magical labyrinth!"Sticks meanwhile smells something odd and warns the group as they begin to explore. That is when a mysterious portal appears and passes thru them causing Sonic to disappear in front of their eyes. After a moment of panic the group is forced to flee as a group of Giga Galats gives chase. Firing off lasers that burn thru the walls and ground. With Knuckles being struck by them repeatedly when he tried to fight them. Being saved when Touka and Monika used their respective magic to crush a group of them, stemming the metal tide. As they flee towards the depths of the maze a figure looks on a distance. This being Alex Kidd now wearing a brown trench coat and matching hat. "Sonic the hedgehog. This time you will die. After all I spent the past ten years by myself hiding in the forest and avoiding the Sumeragi horde. Waiting for you to show up. Yes, it's all Sonic's fault!"
Neous city, Planet Sonata
Ost: Du-Di-Da: Ristar ost
Sonic is then spit out alone in what seems to be a different world. A strangely futuristic city where birds constantly sing and musical instruments cover the walls and grounds. With giant pointy beaked mechanical birds crashing onto the ground with the beat. And a large auditorium seen at a distance. "Well, i'm guessing this isn't Music plant zone. Still, this is a pretty catchy beat though." A small comet crashes onto the ground which Sonic swiftly dodges. Only to be surprised that said comet bounced around the floors and walls to strike the hedgehog again and again. "Okay what is going on?!" In desperation Sonic kicks away the comet into the ground which bounces back revealing a star with a face and rubberhose limbs with white gloves and sneakers. "What... the hell?!"
Ost: Pray! Pray! Play!: Ristar ost
"So, what are you kid?" Sonic asks the strange star child who states. "I'm Ristar the shooting star! And I'm here to stop you, Kaiser Greedy!" An unfazed Sonic merely comments. "I see the 90's crack epidemic truly was universal." Before Ristar stretched out his arms to grab Sonic and pummel him with a headbutt that knocked him a fair distance away. Sonic gets up bemoaning. "Damn crackhead." Before being forced to dodge more attacks. Sonic then flees in the opposite stating. "I'm outta here!" As he tries to escape Ristar and find a way out. Ristar himself not wanting to let his pray escape uses a nearby star handle to propel himself at high speeds after the hedgehog.
Sonic keeps fleeing boosting thru several of Kaiser Greedy's minions. Including his blue blob infantry, strange moving guitars, the mid boss which is three giant mechanical bird heads of the crushing variety, and the stage boss Awaueck. A giant hawk/rooster thing that is utterly tone deaf. As well as running over Bubsy the Bobcat who was naked while holding a sign that said. Will fail for food and a tin cup with change. With Ristar keeping pace all the way with Sonic being rightfully impressed at the feat before trying to go full throttle before Ristar cuts him off by crashing into him straight into a wall. "Okay Kaiser! Time for a beating!" "I'm not Kaiser! I'm Sonic, Sonic the hedgehog!" "If you're not Kaiser then why are you blue?" Ristar smiles smugly as an annoyed Sonic kicks the star in the family jewels before roundhousing him into the streets below causing the locals to panic and flee. With Sonic following suit. "Alright loser! You want an asskicking? Then come get some!"
Back in Geno's maze the others managed to escape the horde. Destroying a fair number of them before being forced to hide due to the endless hordes. Being forced to hide underneath a ditch as the machines searched the area. Sticks was in a paranoid feat while Monika uses her power to keep Sticks from going nuts as the others discussed their situation. "So what now?" Knuckles remarks to which Tails admits. "I don't know... And I don't know where Sonic went. It seems to be some sort of dimensional gate that was targeted towards Sonic." Knuckles shocked at the revelation states. "Are you serious?! Can't you find where he went?!" "I can't whomever did this managed to encrypt the coordinates." "Is that even possible?!" Knuckles asks as Touka then explains. "I believe it is. Dimensions all have their own frequency. Which is how we use both the technology for dimensional transfer and warp travel. Without these coordinates a traveler would be lost traveling in between worlds forever." Tails and Knuckles look on with despair as Amy speaks out. "Sonic will be alright. But we need to get out of this maze alive. Monika, can you get us out here?" Monika nods in confirmation as Sticks breaks out screaming and runs toward a Giga Galat with spear in hand in order to fight. Only for the spear to snap, the Galat notices her, and begins to beat the hell out of the Badger. Using a rapid fire barrage of punches to clobber Sticks and sending her to a wall. As the Galat moves in for the kill, Knuckles surprises the Galat by using a powerful punch to injure it all the while Amy crushed his head with her hammer while Monika carries off Sticks with the others following suit.
Sonic and Ristar began a flat out brawl on the streets of Neoun with both fighters traded blows with speed and fury. Causing the roads to collapse and both fighters smashing each other thru buildings as civilians, vehicles, and invaders fled for their lives. Ristar then steps back and while stretching his arms. Chucked massive chunks of debris which Sonic had to flash step to dodge as the city buckled under the battle. Closing in on the star child and he counters his blows and finally kicks Ristar in the head. Causing Ristar to be flown away with the starchild using his arms to grab Sonic's legs and drag him along the ride. Letting one arm go to grab another handle and start spinning. "This is how I killed Dynamite Headdy!" Sonic replies "I don't think so!" As he starts moving his captured leg with supersonic causing the duo to careen into a building as Ristar loses control. Tumbling across an entire office floor and falling off said building as the two slugged it out until they crashed into the ground. Where they continued the fight until the stadium's roof exploded as black orbs alongside the actual Kaiser Greedy rained down said hole which both combatants watched. With an embarrassed Ristar laughs and beats it much to Sonic's annoyance.
Ost: Round one clear, Let's go: Ristar ost
Sonic just looks on and screams to the heavens. "What the hell just happened?!" As another portal showed up and whisked him away. Leaving behind a path of chaos and destruction in their wake.
Back at Geno's maze the group continues avoiding the Giga Galats only for the machines to suddenly stop and leave for some reason. Leaving everyone confused as Sonic returns from the portal much to everyone's joy. And with Amy noticing that he is all beat up. Sonic just shrugs it off by saying. "I'm fine, just got into a fight with a comet." Leaving everyone genuinely perplexed as they continue their journey.
RRF facility, Yodda lake
Air Raid was at that time looking at the many surveillance screens. Overseeing the security of the forest and watching as the resistance clawed their way upward. When an assistant Sumeragi noticed a situation. "Sir, you may want to see this." The video then shows Alex Kidd opening a portal that sucked up Sonic and sent him to an unknown location alongside scanner data that confirmed him as the guilty party. Air Raid was angry at the fact stating. "So we missed one. And he dares to mess with my game. Okay people listen up! And inform the other branches of the situation as well! Find that monkey and spank it to death!" The Sumeragi's salute in confirmation as they continue their tasks. All the while Air Raid pulls out his purple chaos emerald and stares at it menacingly.
Windu village
After exiting the maze thru the door from a tree house where the group sees an abandoned village that is still perfectly intact although barren and empty. Monika sadly looks on with reminiscence and sorrow while talking about the past. "Welcome to Windu village. Which was blown up around twenty years ago in a battle against the Cult of cycles." Knuckles wonders who the hell came up with such a name only for Monika to respond that it was Hime Kurokami Something that Sonic takes notice of. "Hime, as in the cat girl that looks like Madoka and has been attacking us for... Well I guess time doesn't matter here." "That's the one. She was a creation of the calamity. A loyal minion meant to replace Madoka and control her armies." The rest of the resistance were rightfully upset. Remembering how Porker Lewis was brainwashed and killed off by Hime. Tails asks. "So is there any way to undo all of this?" Monika simply states. "Chaos control. The Genesis wave and the Pandora driver's powers are based off Chaos control. So getting the emeralds back and stopping Kagemusha should allow Sonic to return things back to normal." Touka at that time thinks. "So Sonic has to make it to the mountain..." With the young child sighing in resignation before gaining an expression of determination. "I helped cause all of this. So I have to set things right. That's what Iroha would want."
The group continues on as they surprisingly encounter no resistance through the camp. Leading the resistance to take a break inside the Tenma dojo. Now a pristine and large three storied ninja academy now proudly in the open. With a large gate beneath a torii path and a large bronze statue of an elderly Shirona built in honor of her, The entire village had also changed, Having become a metropolis inside a large and dense forest. With the large tree that once housed the town center having become a full on cyborg tree with several floating islands connected to it via bridges. The team also noticed several weathered signs and posters. From local business offering discounts. To pro-IFS military propaganda. Such as a poster saying better dead than magical girl. With instructions on how to report Puella Magi and Incubator sightings to your nearest police station.
Inside the cafeteria the group is both eating and sleeping. Taking a break before the next battle. With Sonic being especially happy as he finally finds the ingredients to cook chili dogs. The hedgehog coming out from the kitchen with a huge plate of them. "Dinner is served everyone!" As the blue blur puts down the plate as the others eat. Tails is enjoying it, Knuckles complains about there not being grapes around, Amy and Kagami were eating normally, Touka was hesitant as she never ate one before, and Sticks is too busy keeping watch for enemies. And afterwards going to sleep. With Sticks forcing herself to stay awake by drinking massive amounts of black coffee. Enough to leave the entire complex empty. Of course in the morning when everyone wakes up Sticks is asleep and unwilling to wake up. As the group leaves while Knuckles carries the sleeping badger over the shoulder like a bag.
Finally reaching Yodda lake. The entire group finds the clearing as they discover the newly built tower. With Monika looking genuinely distraught at the sight of the facility being transformed into a thorn filled castle. And then Air Raid appears on a holoscreen which he uses to mock the group. "Well, well, well. Welcome, to Takeshi's slaughterhouse!" Fireworks shoot up into the sky as an audience of Sumeragi cheers. Touka in utter disbelief notices that they are being filmed. "Wait, Is this being filmed? Are we on camera right now?! What kind of sadistic fucktard watches this show?!" The camera then pans to Kagemusha who is watching the show commenting. "I love this show!"
"I am your host Air Raid! And with me is the announcer, Announcer Sumeragi." Announcer Sumeragi bows as Air Raid continues with his speech. "Anyways, the rules are simple. Go up the top of the tower facing challenges along the way. Those who reach the top will be given then right to fight me for the purple chaos emerald and to shut down one of the barriers that guard Calamity castle. Of course all of these courses are dangerous if not lethal. Anyways lets begin the first challenge! Upon Air Raid's command a series of bridges interconnected to crags that serve as a path to the tower. As the group is herder in alongside hundreds of Sumeragi's.
The announcer then explains the rules of the challenge. "The mad deep dash challenge! Where contestants run thru a massive bridge alongside a hundred fellow contestants. Of course it won't be that easy as not only do you have be careful against trap doors that either lead to shark infested waters or giant stakes capable of easily skewering metal." Tails then interrupts by asking. "How can sharks survive in fresh water?" Punctuated by a great white shark coming out of the water. "Fuck you that's how. Also you need to hurry, otherwise you'll have to deal with Little Bubba." The scene then cuts to the Mad Roller from Megaman 7 who smashes the ground with his roller as it shoots out smoke from it's pipes. "Are you crazy?!" Touka reacts at the situation. "Also are you just going to kill your own men?!" Air Raid then cuts in explaining. "Oh, don't worry. The Sumeragi horde has continues. Unlike you lot." A relieved Monika remarks. "We'll I guess I shouldn't worry about it since I also can be backed up!" Monika laughs amidst the jealous glares of her companions. Air Raid breaks the moment by saying. "No you can't. Much like Nicole your access privileges have been revoked. Same to the mikos. Which means that if you die in the game. You die for real." This leads for a brief moment of silence until Monika completely freaks the hell out and tries to flee. Only to be pushed back by a wave of robots. "Somebody get me out of this plaaaace!"
As the group is dragged to the starting line as the Resistance alongside the robots which are all sent off with the shot of a flare into the skies. All of the runners are sent off towards the bridge. With the group struggling to move as they are packed like sardines. With Knuckles especially struggling as he carries the unconscious Sticks who is slowly regaining consciousness as Mad Roller began advancing. Sticks wakes up clutching her head in pain. "Ugh, what happened?" The badger moans as she witnesses Mad Roller fire off his buzz-mohawk tearing at a group of stragglers. Some who are shredded into pieces. Some who fell into the water and were quickly torn apart and eaten by sharks and one whose chest is impaled by a stake with the body sliding down said stake, landing in the water below, and getting eaten by fish. Leaving Sticks speechless as Monika tells her. "Just stay still until we get out of this!" To which Sticks just silently nods.
As the group begins to thin as they head towards the island chain. With several of them falling off pits. With Touka joining them if Knuckles didn't step in. Sonic and Tails meanwhile cover them by kicking away the sharks that jump out of the water attempting to bite them. "Great! Now they jump. What's next? Frigging laser beams?" Sonic is forced to shut up as actual sharks with laser beams start using said lasers to shoot from below as the group continues to flee. "Me and my big mouth!" Sonic replies as the race continued and the ever encroaching Mad Roller taking out the previous sharks with ease turning them into chum with Tails bemoaning. "And now we are going to get letters from the OPS." "Keep running!" Sticks yells out who was forced to witness the carnage as the group fled.
At the end of the bridge the surviving runners finally reach the goalpost with the Sumeragi congratulating and cheering each other on as they headed to the exit tunnel leading to the backstage alongside the Mad roller as Sonic and company are meeting with Air Raid and the announcer Sumeragi once again. With the former hiding his anger beneath a veneer of cockiness. "So, I see you survived the first challenge! Now it is time for the second round. Which is!" A gate inside the tower now opens to reveal several old arcade cabinets which turn on at the same time showing the early prototype build of Sonic the hedgehog 2. "Kill arcade! Where contestants play against each other in these old and busted arcade cabinets in order not to fall down the death pit where you will meet a pointed demise! Now, get to playing!" Sonic smirks as the group heads towards the consoles while Sticks asks Monika if her boyfriend watched those old 90's Nickelodeon shows. To which Monika blushes and then remarks. "You should see his heavy metal album playlist..."
The scene then cuts to Castle Calamity where Kagemusha is listening to Impeach God from Dethklok at full volume all the while she's headbanging and showing devil horns to the music.
Back at the arcade the games have already begun as the Resistance is playing Sonic the hedgehog. And while all try to their best except Sonic who is trying to purposefully lose. Unfortunately Sticks is such a bad a bad gamer that she fails the round as falls down a pit. All the while Air Raid enjoys their suffering. "Dance monkeys! Dance!" Monika then screams at Air Raid demanding why the generals are acting like this. Air Raid admits that he has no clue why Kagemusha is acting like this. Honestly admitting that it is all for the greater good and questioning why their father would get rid of their second in command and the woman they all consider to be their mother. But that they have their orders. Which is to get rid of the Resistance. All the while Sonic darts towards the hole where Sticks fell attempting to save her. Only for the two to land on a strange room full of spikes,
"Are you alright Sticks?" Sonic asks his teammate who simply gets up and notices. "Is this a giant room full of instant death spikes?" A thought that chills Sonic as the room begins to rumble as machinery activates all around them. "Oh, crap! Megaman told me about this! It's...!"
Spiked wall Man
The memetic monstrosity
As the room powers on a holographic visage of a face mask appears before the two. The mask itself a being crimson red oni mask with white spikes taking the place of horns and fangs which begins speaking to the duo as the spikes move around the arena. "I see more prey has fallen into the the lair of the mighty Spiked wall man! There is no escape! There is no hope! And there is nothing but getting skewered!" Spiked wall man fires off the spikes in the wall which both mobians are forced to dodge as more platforms appear in the arena during then attacks. "Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Sure I could end you here and now! But that would be to easy! Entertain me I implore!" Sonic then spins into the face. Causing the spikes to retract and the room to shake. "So! You got a lucky blow in! Not bad! But you are furry and I am Spiked wall man! This fight is all but finished!" Spiked wall man then continues to fire off spikes at Sonic who dodges them all with ease. Maintaining the masks attention as Sticks slinks around the arena. "You can't dodge forever! There's no place to run! Just surrender as I turn you into skish-ka-bob! As your blood shall rain, skewered and gored! Omae wa mou shindeiru!" Sticks then jumps at the mask hitting it with her boomerang and then grabbing the face and then clawing onto it as it tries to shake off the badger to no avail. "Do you know who I am?! I am Spiked wall man! I killed Megaman on Newgrounds!" Sonic then joins in as he starts smashing onto the mask. Who in desperation fires of its spikes to skewer Sticks and Sonic only to fail and they fall back and the spikes skewer the head. Destroying it in an instant.
As the head unit explodes Sonic and Sticks breathe a sigh of relief with the latter remarking. "Doesn't that thing ever shut up?!" Only for the platforms to start moving sideways and the spikes are launched at a faster rate and another mask to generate. This one a blue oni mask with one giant horn and it's tongue sticking out screaming in a brutish, hulking manner. "Spiked wall man here! Spiked wall man crush! Spiked wall man DESTROY!" As the spikes continue to both speed up and increase in frequency. "This thing is crazy!" Sticks remarks as a spike almost gets to her and falls on her back. Leading another spike to attempt an attack from above. Only for Sonic to rescue his companion from the spike which shattered a platform. With the spike striking with such force that it breaks a part of the room. "Spiked wall man hurt you!" The spikes continue to rocket as Sonic remember the Chaos emerald he possessed and used it to slow down the area much to the heads surprise. "Impossible! Impossible!" Sonic smirks and states. "It's far from impossible!" As Sonic channels the power of the emerald to fire off a blast of lightning that electrocutes and blows up the face and then spreads thru the walls and floor causing the room to short out and explode as the gate that dragged them down opened. Sticks quickly opens up an umbrella which breaks apart to show a handheld helicopter device which the two use to escape the exploding room.
At that time everyone else was watching over the pit. With the heroes concerned about Sonic and Sticks. With Air Raid becoming frustrated about the situation. "Hurry up and die already! I have other twerps to kill." When Sonic and Sticks rocket out of the pit followed by a pillar of fire that flies up into the heavens. After landing Sticks remarks. "And they said I was crazy for ordering this heli-umbrella from the Honest John's channel!" As she smiles proudly unaware of a pissed off Air Raid behind her. "How the hell did you get back up here?! You tanuki turd!" "I'm not a tanuki! I'm a badger!" Then as the others got out of the tower a series of spikes pop out of the ground. With one taking out Air Raid's holoscreen as the others scramble to dodge the spikes. That is where a third face. This one a green mask with a large beard and three small horns states. "I'm spiked wall man bitch!" As more spikes erupt from the ground as the resistance flees towards the tower with Spiked wall man on hot pursuit. "I'm spiked wall man bitch!" Air Raid this time using a voice based PA then comments. "Okay! Change of plans! Round 3 is getting to the top of the tower before Spiked wall man gets to you. Also, can somebody get that thing under control?! Kagemusha is going to kill us if we wreck the tower!"
Climbing up the tower using a series of staircases and platforms. Sonic and company run away from a determined Spike wall man with Sumeragi troopers trying to both stop the berserk machine and knock their enemies into the spikes below. Only to fail as the Resistance leaps over the robots who then get wrecked by the rising spikes. Aerial types heads down into the spikes avoiding them using their superior agility as the green mask rockets upward screaming. "I'm Spiked wall man, bitch!" And after flying to the point where they end up underground they find the core of Spiked wall man shorting out and overloading. The aerial types begin the emergency cut off procedure as the escorts shoot down more spikes using their missiles until the cut off system is activated and the energy and heat are vented outside. The foundations of the tower erupting in a surge of both steam and green magic particles which are forcefully launched into the sky.
As the spikes retract and stop Spiked wall man continues rocketing upward. Thinking fast Sonic tells Tails to fly after him. As Sonic dives towards the mask and using a spin attack crashes into the green mask. Effectively destroying it as Tails airlifts the blue blur back upwards. The green mask, now torn in half screams out. "I'm Spiked wall man, bitch!" As it plummets to the ground and explodes on impact. The explosion being noticed by Alex Kidd who is chased away by the guards while screaming. "This is all Sonic's fault!" As the Artillery type Sumeragi open fire on the monkey boy, chasing him off into the distance.
Finally reaching the top of the tower. The Resistance is met with a large metal gate which is both sealed off and shielded for protection as Air raid once again uses the holosystem to taunt his opponents. "So you're finally here. Well, welcome TO MY LAIR!" The gates shield deactivated as the door slides sideways, opening the pathway that leads to the penthouse top floor where Air Raid was waiting as the generator slid downwards as it was shut underneath a safe house bunker and the roof above opened showing the open sky. "And now we start the final round of the show. Rules are simple. Two men enter. One man leaves." Sonic is then separated from the others as they are trapped in a cage and sent down into the bunker. "And if you win you get your friends back and the means to shut down the forest barrier." Sonic quickly tries to slam into Air Raid only for the latter to glow purple and avoid every spin attack and homing shot. And then fire a series of missiles that track down and directly hit Sonic. Air Raid then shows off his purple chaos emerald remarking. "This baby sure is useful! I need to thank Ohshima for this beauty! The purple Chaos emerald. With the power of vision. Which normally only lets you see the invisible. Allows me to dodge anything and fire off attacks that will always hit! So hedgehog, what are you going to do about it?!" Sonic, reaching his boiling point once again begins transforming. His quills sticking up and glowing gold only for a purple aura to consume him. The energy erupting like a storm into the heavens as both combatants head to the sky. Air Raid taking the initiative fires another salvo as Sonic. Only for the now golden hedgehog to just tank everything much to the horror of the general. "This can't be! You don't have the seven Chaos emeralds yet!" Sonic then opens his eyes only to show a red concentric pattern as he breaks out into an insane laugh. Air Raid recognizes the transformation and shits his pants instantly. "No! Not him! Fleetway!" Sonic then rushes toward Air Raid again and slaps him all over the sky before tossing him into the ground once more. Even with the purple emerald he is unable to react to this variant of Super Sonic who is merely toying with the Sumeragi general.
Air Raid recalls when he learned of Fleetway. Or Fleetway comics version of Sonic the hedgehog. An asshole with an attitude problem and an even worse super powered evil side brought about by years of exposure to Chaos itself. Kagemusha was concerned about the possibility that said form would appear since Porker Lewis was witnessed in the very forbidden tower's security footage. Air Raid at the time laughed the idea off. Confident in his superiority even after being chided by his father. "Do not underestimate Sonic. He alone is the reason why Eggman is considered local trouble and Mobius hasn't received a visit from either Mami or the Burial fleet." The masked woman remarked about the forces in Center. Especially the Burial fleet. A squadron created soon after the magical girl war to both deal with high profile criminal activity and to conclude the Incubator hunt. As many member states still feared repercussion of the Incubators. A task that continued until the destruction of Reibai and the betrayal of the second in command of the fleet. Who after killing the Reibai loyalists was rewarded with command. As the fleet that was originally led by Kagemusha for millennia it was quite possible that they could locate the Chaos emeralds and mess up the plan. Especially since the current IFS leadership a group known as the Eternal now only wants an eternity of luxury and self-indulgence.
Back at the fight Air Raid was getting pummeled by Super Sonic who was grinning like a maniac as he beat up his opponent then grabbing him by the collar and saying. "Wheres the funny freak? Where is it?" Before laying down a brutal combo on the machine. With the general unable to strike back. In desperation Air Raid takes out his emerald only for Sonic to steal it, use both slow and vision as he charges up a powerful blast that splits into countless comets of light that rip Air Raid apart. Destroying his limbs and careening into the ground. Beaten, broken, and panicked Air Raid summons his troops to him while thinking. "All I need to do is wait 50 seconds and then I will fucking kill that rat! Wait, have three minutes already passed?! But how?" Sonic lands on top of Air Raid and begins stomping his head while laughing maniacally with the general screaming for aid as the other Sumeragi flee for their lives. Until Super Sonic shatters the robots head. Killing him on the spot as metal and circuitry spread across the floor.
As the bunkers opens freeing everyone. The others end up shocked at what they have to seen. With Sonic showing off a blood thirsty grin. "Ah, more fools to kill." Then rushing towards his friends and fighting to kill. Punching Tails into the wall with Knuckles trying to hold down Sonic as Sticks and Touka are kicked away as they get close and then breaking free from Knuckles, grabbing him by the arm and kneeing the echidna in the stomach and high kicking his face. Amy meanwhile looked at the carnage and screamed. "Stop it Sonic!" As she hugs him which causes Sonic to revert back to his original form and pass out.
Sonic wakes up in the nurses room in the Tenma dojo. Jerking himself up as he looks on confused at what happened. Tails and Knuckles find that their friend was awake as the former sits next to Sonic while the latter heads to inform the others. "What happened?" Sonic moans to which Tails answers. "I wish I knew myself. All I know is that something happened in the tower. "And the shield?" "Destroyed. The barrier has shut down and once you're better we will be leaving for the next area." Sonic moans in annoyance dreading the fact that they are going to the sea. Then he remember something. "Fleetway. That's what that robot said." Tails looks on confused as the others come in and are informed about what happened.
"Fleetway Super Sonic. A crazy murderous alter ego." Touka explained. "If I were to guess it was caused by prolonged exposure from chaos radiation. Much like how witches are formed by despair. Fleetway is a form powered by anger." The others simply look confused at Touka's exposition, causing her to sigh and remark. "Ah yes, you guys have no idea about what happened before the magical girl war." Touka then goes on to explain the first history. Including how the incubators used Puella magi to generate energy. How magical girls were responsible for every major event in human history. How Madoka became a goddess and how Homura betrayed her. Which led to a pretext for war that caused the magical girl war. And how the incubators were butchered and magical girls were either killed or forced to submit. Now renamed Puella Magi as a racial slur and how they have been killed off over the years. To the point that as far as Touka knew the only ones left were Mami's group and her surrogate sister Iroha.
"I can't believe Madoka was friends with Kagemusha..." Amy remarked with a sorrowful tone to which Knuckles comments. "Things change Amy. That's all." Bitterly recalling on how Angel island was ruined by the Cycles cult. The last bastion of the echidnas now reduced to a quarantined wreckage. Touka then looked straight at Sonic's face explaining. "You need to learn balance Sonic. If you do that you will be able to unleash that power properly. You will be able to become one with the Chaos force." "The Chaos force?" Sonic asked. "The force is the energy of chaos. An energy field that surrounds us, binds us. A field that holds the galaxy together. The very source of magic and the power of evolution itself. Which is why vehicles and machines that use magic have green lines and spew green particles as exhaust." As everyone took notice of the girls words she moves away and remarks. "Let us go everyone. We have a universe to restore." Sonic gets up from the bed as everyone prepares to move out.
Shitennou class Hakubi, Spiral oceans
The Hakubi now converted into a forward base for the generals is now flying above the open ocean. Heading to a large island where the next barrier was located. Kickback was standing on the bridge overlooking the crew as they worked. With a Sumeragi rushing to Kickback with a report. "Sir! The forest barrier has been shut down!" "And Air Raid?" "Dead sir." Kickback laughs as he comments. "Serves him right. Shame that it won't stick. Anyway, contact all forces prepare for battle! Bridge crew, full speed ahead to Angel island!" The Hakubi increases its thrust as it heads to its intended location.
Castle calamity dungeons
Kagemusha once again returns to the cell where Madoka and Homura are being held, silently complaining about the two step password system the cell uses. And by silence we mean loud profanities and open cursing of McAfee total protection. Before quickly calming herself down to appear evil and menacing in front of the duo. With Madoka being less than amused at seeing her captor. "Why are you here?" "Oh, why so serious Madoka? After all I came to give you some wonderful news! It seems that Sonic and company are coming here to save you!" Kagemusha's chipper tone swiftly deflates to a cold cynical demeanor. "Must be nice to have friends..." Madoka just looks at Kagemusha sternly while the latter notices Homura who is just lying there broken. "Oh, don't worry HomuHomu! After all you never had a future to begin with! Sooner or later we would betrayed each other. I simply decided to stab Madoka first." A despair ridden Homura simply says. "Just kill me already. I'd rather be dead than become you." Kagemusha simply laughs at the captured girls boasting. "Oh? But this is what you always wanted! A universe that bends to your will! To have everyone fearing you as the devil incarnate! To never be hurt again..." A comment that cuts both magical girls deeply as Kagemusha continues his prattle. "After all you either die a hero or live long to become the villain. You both know that very well."
Madoka then asks what happened to make her friend like that. Only angering Kagemusha to the point of drawing a knife to the pinkette's throat. "You wanna know why? It's simple. To win. Yes, to win you need to adapt, you need to laugh away all the restrains. Everything holding you back. You see... A Homura who laughs... is a Homura who always wins. HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Kagemusha then uses her knife to slice Madoka's mouth. Leaving her with a bleeding wound shaped like a smile as she screams in pain and agony. All the while Kagemusha laughs and Homura watches on in horror. Trying to break out only to be shocked into submission. All the while the former suddenly goes limp and deflated. "It feels right. There was no lower to sink. Or was there?" As the magical girls suffer.
To be continued
While Geno's forest and maze are inspired by Forest maze from Super Mario RPG. Most of the story beats and jokes are references to Rawest forest. An old Newgrounds video that was based on Super Mario RPG.
Barragan's faction being named MAGA is essentially a reference to Pokemon Ranger guardian signs where the villain group behind the events was named the Tea party in Japanese. I'm guessing its kinda obvious why Nintendo changed it in the localization. It doesn't help that this MAGA is also controlled by creepy old men with a lot of money.
Much like the term Puella Magi. Murder monkey is a racist term for humans especially those from Earth. Much like the term Puella Magi such slurs came into use during the magical girl war and subsequent conflicts. As many aliens have loathed the fact that Earth is considered one of the firsts. The planets that first formed the IFS, the fact that Earth was the home world of the Calamity Homun, and the fact that many nations fought alongside the Separatists in the unification wars.
Alex Kidd is back. Serving now as a Narutaki expy. With the Ristar battle being a full on homage to Kamen Rider Decade's fights against Legend riders. With a part of the fight being also a reference to Rokemon. An old Newgrounds video.
The OPS is the oceanic preservation society. An marine conservation organization, Both in real life and in story. As the organization has stayed active long past the s.h. 8000's in story.
Spiked wall man is based on an old Newgrounds flash as well as the fortress boss Ranga Bangda from Megaman X. Which is more or less a spiked wall man to an extent. With its personality being based on the legion of stationary like all of the one time bosses in this arc.
The future villain organization is going to be retconned from the Tea party to the Eternal now. Because the latter is a much cooler name. Being inspired and being based of the Moebius from Xenoblade.