Book 8: The Interdimensional Traveler
Chapter 5: Locandra Dimension
Zi-O Liner, Dining Area
Everyone (except Poppy Bros. Jr. who's helping out Naomi with some chores) sat inside the Zi-O Liner as all eyes were on Guinaifen, ready to hear what she had to explain after revealing Tingyun's supposed death at the hands of Lord Ravager Phantylia within the Xianzhou Luofu after a brief introduction to everyone.
"I can't believe the Tingyun we rescued was supposed to be deceased." Kiana remarked.
"So she's kind of like me and Serena-chan in a way. Supposed to be killed, but then revived due to the Dimensional Quakes." Kanade said.
"The Dimensional Quakes are the reason why Tingyun is with you guys, alive and well?" Guinaifen asked.
"It's the only explanation that makes sense." Zi-O answered.
"How are you feeling, Tingyun?" Cure Starlight asked.
"This… is really shocking to hear." Tingyun replied. "I'm glad to be alive, but to hear that I'm dead is… quite unnerving."
"Can you explain in detail about what happened to Tingyun in the Xianzhou Luofu?" Himeko asked the street performer.
"I only know much about this on the Xianzhou online news feed and rumors, but I'll try my best." Guinaifen nodded. "It all started when the Trailblazers of the Astral Express called the Nameless arrived at the Xianzhou Luofu where they met Tingyun."
"I… met the Trailblazers?" Tingyun blinked in confusion. "I don't remember meeting them yet."
"Wait… you mean… the Tingyun that met the Trailblazers… wasn't you?" Guinaifen questioned as the Foxian answered by shaking her head.
"Then who's…" Seele pondered.
"Hold on." Himeko raised her hand. "Let Guinaifen finish her story, then we'll sort out the information."
"Understood." Seele nodded.
"Please continue, Guinaifen." Himeko insisted.
"Right." Guinaifen nodded. "Anyway, the Trailblazers were there to find some kind of mysterious object. I think it's called the Stellaron."
"A Stellaron?! In the Xianzhou?!" Tingyun gasped.
"I take it that a Stellaron is bad news?" Regina guessed.
"Not bad. Worse." Tingyun frowned. "Stellarons are seeds of disaster which can cause massive changes to civilizations and ecosystems. If left unsealed for too long, the planet will eventually be destroyed."
"WHAT?!" Everyone exclaimed in shock.
"So it's just as bad as a Gjallarhorn fragment if it's left in a world unsealed for too long, causing said world to be erased." Zi-O remarked.
"Oh dear, that's really bad if they ignore something that dangerous." Magolor remarked.
"I'm guessing the Trailblazers were in the Xianzhou to seal the Stellaron?" Maria guessed.
"I think so." Guinaifen answered. "But… there's another team that's also after the Stellaron within the Xianzhou. The Stellaron Hunters."
"Stellaron… Hunters…" Tsukuyomi repeated.
"Simply put, they collect Stellarons scattered across the galaxy for an unknown purpose, even if it causes planets to suffer. Speaking of which, the Xianzhou Cloud Knights tasked the Trailblazers into tracking down one of the Stellaron Hunters. I think her name is Kafka."
"Kafka…" Zi-O repeated.
"Fortunately, they were successful in capturing the criminal with the help of Master Diviner Fu Xuan."
"I see." Tingyun noted. "As expected of the Master Diviner since her abilities are unparalleled, especially her mind reading and can see into the future."
"So she's that powerful, huh?" Kiana guessed, earning a nod from the Foxian.
"Looks like Mona's got some competition when it comes to reading divinations." Kanade remarked.
"Only difference is that Mona's not a mind reader." Starlight pointed out.
"So what happens next after Kafka's capture?" Regina asked.
"Fu Xuan took her in for questioning and read her mind using the Matrix of Prescience to find out why she plans to find the Stellaron in the Xianzhou." Guinaifen continued.
"And the results?" Maria asked.
"Turns out what Fu Xuan actually saw in Kafka's mind was a plot by Lord Ravager Phantylia of the Antimatter Legion to destroy the Xianzhou Luofu from within. And she ordered the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus to plant the Stellaron into the big tree within the Xianzhou, the Ambrosial Arbor, with a promise of gaining immortality."
"What?!" Everyone, especially Tingyun, exclaimed in shock.
"So Phantylia was the mastermind behind the ordeal, which also includes Tingyun's death." Himeko remarked with her hand on her chin.
"A promise of immortality? No thanks." Kiana shook her head. "I'd rather live my life to the fullest before dying."
"Well said." Zi-O agreed.
"Phantylia… So that explains why there's a Stellaron within the Xianzhou." Tingyun frowned. "Were the Trailblazers able to stop her?"
"Yup, with the help of Cloud Knight General Jing Yuan." Guinaifen confirmed. "With Phantylia's defeat, her followers were captured, the Stellaron was sealed, and peace returned to the Xianzhou. Also, Kafka kind of escaped during the chaos with the help of another Stellaron Hunter named Blade. They've already left the Xianzhou after Phantylia's defeat."
"I see." Tingyun sighed with relief. "Thank goodness the Trailblazers got help from General Jing Yuan. His military and combat prowess are unrivalled."
"Huh. So I guess the Stellaron Hunters weren't after the Stellaron after all." Kiana remarked.
"Though they still count as terrorists considering their previous actions on other planets." Guinaifen stated.
"Hmm… Kafka and the Stellaron Hunters…" Zi-O thought. "They may be labelled as terrorists to the public, but something tells me that they're more than meets the eye."
"Now with that story out of the way, I have to wonder who was the Tingyun that met the Trailblazers from the beginning?" Tsukuyomi pondered.
"If I were to guess, Phantylia ordered one of her followers to assassinate the real Tingyun, and then she took over her persona to sow discord around the Xianzhou." Maria assumed. "And using Tingyun's identity, she's able to discreetly smuggle the Stellaron into the Xianzhou with help from her followers without being detected by the Cloud Knights."
"Those sneaky clever bastards…" Kanade frowned.
"Still, at least the Xianzhou is saved thanks to the Trailblazers and General Jing Yuan." Magolor remarked. "Though if it weren't for Master Diviner Fu Xuan reading Kafka's mind, Phantylia's scheme wouldn't have been discovered."
"True." Regina noted. "Glad everything worked out in the end. Though I bet there's plenty of casualties thanks to Phantylia." She turned to Tingyun. "Including you, unfortunately."
"Guinaifen. About my supposed death… how did Yukong fare?" Tingyun asked.
Guinaifen sighed sadly. "...She's upset about your death, and about what Phantylia did. Your personal belongings, including your fan, were used for the soul-soothing ceremony to appease the pain."
"Soul-soothing ceremony?" Seele repeated.
"Simply put, it's a funeral. Items of the dead are placed onto starskiffs, and were sent out to sail between the stars, to shine brightly among them."
"So that's how the Xianzhou does their funerals compared to how the people of Earth do it." Kanade mused before turning to Tingyun. "But since you're alive thanks to the Dimensional Quakes, I wonder if it's okay for you to return to the Xianzhou? For my case, well the government and S.O.N.G. were able to sort them out."
"Return to the Xianzhou…" Tingyun pondered with her hand on her chin. "After hearing about my belongings used for the soul-soothing ceremony… I'm not sure if it's okay to come back. I'm considered deceased to the public."
"Actually… there is one thing." Guinaifen spoke up. "Yukong still thinks that you're still alive somewhere, even though the chances are slim. So maybe I might set up a private meeting for just the two of you to know that you're alive and well."
"You'll… do that for me?" Tingyun asked in surprise.
"Of course!" Guinaifen smiled. "Any friends of the Xianzhou Luofu are friends of mine! But in order to set up that meeting, I need Sushang's help since she's part of the Cloud Knights."
"Ah, of course. Sushang comes to my shop everyday to help with my chores. A very hardworking knight indeed despite being a Recruit." Tingyun noted before nodding at Guinaifen with a smile. "Alright then, I'll leave the private meeting to you, Guinaifen."
"Thank you, Tingyun. I'm sure you and Yukong will be very happy to see each other again." Guinaifen smiled back.
"Ah, sorry to ask." Kiana raised her hand. "But who's Yukong?"
"Oh, apologies for not talking about her." Tingyun replied. "Yukong is not just a close friend of mine and a fellow Foxian, but she's also the Helm Master of the Xianzhou Alliance's Sky-Faring Commission and one of the Xianzhou Luofu's Six Charioteers. She's a skilled Imaginary archer, and follows the Path of Harmony."
"Helm Master, huh?" Starlight mused. "That's one heck of a high rank."
"Anyway, thank you for telling us your story, Guinaifen. And we promise to help find your friend Sushang since she's with you when the Dimensional Quake occurred in the Xianzhou." Himeko said.
"Thank you, Himeko." Guinaifen smiled before blinking a bit. "You know… you kinda look similar to the one I saw from the Astral Express."
"...Excuse me?" Himeko blinked in confusion.
"Well… she kinda bears the same name as you, with the same red color as your hair and eyes, not to mention the voice."
"Wait a sec…" Kiana interrupted. "There's another version of Himeko in the Amber Universe just like Mei Raiden and the Raiden Shogun?!"
"Another version of myself in another universe…" Himeko mused. "What was she like?"
"If I recall, she's a scientist and navigator for the Astral Express." Guinaifen answered.
"A scientist and navigator…" Himeko noted. "Sounds different compared to my line of work as a valkyrie. I wonder if it's okay for the two of us to meet?"
"As long as it involves dimensional travel instead of time travel, then I think it's possible." Starlight answered. "At least… that's what I thought in some TV shows. None of us want a Time Paradox by accident."
"Understandable." Himeko nodded.
"Hey, guys?" Magolor spoke up. "I know we have to search for the last apple fragment, but could you give me a moment to rest a bit more? That fight against water yeti with the stretchy arms and the teleporting really tired us out."
"Yeti?" Zi-O and Starlight thought before turning to Tsukuyomi who answered with a tired sigh. "Ooh…"
"A water yeti with stretchy arms and can teleport?" Seele questioned.
"Yup. And boy is he a pain in the ass." Kanade confirmed.
"Thankfully, Tsukuyomi's planning granted us victory over the fragment guardian, utilizing our abilities to gain an advantage." Magolor said.
"The Ridewatches she was given by Zi-O also helps." Maria added.
"Thanks again for the Ridewatches, Zi-O." Tsukuyomi bowed.
"You're welcome." Zi-O nodded back. "Keep using those Ridewatches. You're gonna need them for the rest of the journey."
"Anyway, can I get something to eat?" Guinaifen asked. "I'm starving."
"Of course." Tingyun replied as she stood up from her seat. "I'll even provide you with some tea."
"Let me help out, too!" Regina volunteered as she stood up.
"I think I'll go and give them a hand." Starlight also stood up. "Be back in a few minutes!"
"Take your time, sis!" Zi-O replied as Starlight, Regina and Tingyun left for the kitchen.
"Now then. Who will join me in the search for the final apple fragment?" Magolor pondered. "After the break, of course."
"Since it's the last fragment, I'm joining the excursion." Zi-O decided. "Kiana, you want in?"
"You bet." Kiana grinned, punching her open palm. "And the last member to join?"
"I'm taking my sister with me."
"That's fine with me." Tsukuyomi nodded, taking off her helmet. "I'll go for another adventure next time."
"One more thing, please find and rescue Sushang during the excursion." Guinaifen requested to Zi-O. "She has brown eyes and hair that's tied back into partially-braided twintails tied off with yellow ribbons, wears an amber, white and purple outfit, and wields a greatsword."
"Gotcha. I'll keep an eye out." Zi-O noted.
Ethereal Altar
After having their break along with a short meal, Zi-O, Cure Starlight, Kiana and Magolor head for the area where the Star Rift leading towards the 4th apple fragment guardian is, which is no more since the guardian is defeated. After climbing up the ladder and heading left, they saw another ladder leading upwards, but was blocked by large purple blocks with a vortex symbol on them.
"A vortex symbol…" Magolor observed the blocks. "I wonder…"
"You got an idea on how to get rid of them?" Kiana asked.
"Yes, but you guys might wanna brace yourselves."
"...You're gonna summon a black hole, aren't you?" Zi-O guessed, earning a nod from the interdimensional traveler.
"Well, if it's the only way forward…" Starlight said as she, Zi-O and Kiana prepared their swords, planted them onto the ground and held them tight. "Alright, let 'er rip!"
"Here goes…" Magolor took a deep breath as he approached the large blocks, concentrated his magic like how he did for his Magolor Cannon, and summoned a star-shaped black hole that sucked up the blocks with ease. Zi-O, Starlight and Kiana held their ground to avoid being sucked into the back hole until it vanished five seconds later, making them sigh with relief and holstered their swords. "You guys okay?" The alien asked the others.
"We're fine." Kiana replied. "But geez… you weren't kidding about summoning a black hole."
"The one I summoned can only last for around five seconds. But if I can gain more magic points, I can make it last longer, and in a bigger size."
"For once, I am thankful that Magolor's on our side." Zi-O thought. "Trying to outrun a black hole is an even bigger pain in the ass than Whispy Woods' sucking… I think that came out wrong."
"Anyway, the path is clear. So let's head up." Starlight declared as the team went up the ladder.
When they reached the top, they saw a Star Rift on their right, alongside a windmill with a thick fog behind it.
"Well, there's our starting point." Zi-O observed. "But I wonder why there's a windmill nearby?"
"Probably to clear out the fog behind it." Starlight answered. "Magolor?"
"I guess I can spare a few seconds to spin that windmill." Magolor complied, approaching the windmill and performed his Magolor Surge to make it spin, causing the thick fog to disperse.
And once the path is cleared, they saw… the Zi-O Liner and the Ethereal Altar?!
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
The team was silent and stared in disbelief with their right eyebrows twitching in annoyance. "All this time… in this dimension… we've been exploring one huge circle…" Magolor remarked dryly.
"Mechokku…" Starlight facepalmed.
"Whoever created this dimension is an asshole." Zi-O remarked.
"I'm tempted to kick that asshole into Magolor's black hole." Kiana also remarked.
"I'm not opposed to the idea." Magolor replied. "But wait till I regain all of my powers."
"In that case, let's get going." Kiana declared as she head for the rift with Magolor following close behind.
"O-Oi! Wait for us!" Starlight shouted as she and Zi-O quickly went after them.
Locandra Dimension 4-1
After coming out of the rift, the team find themselves in a long and open area filled with magic points, more enemies that they've encountered before, and hazards consisting of stamping hammer traps and crumbling bridges over bottomless pits. The team wasted no time and traversed through the obstacles, collected the magic points, and eliminated the enemies until they reached a Star Door at the end of the area.
After going through the door, the team noticed a Star Key above them and a locked door nearby. "I'll get it." Magolor said as he flew up, took the key, approached the door and used the key to open it.
Beyond the opened door is another locked door on the other side of the bottomless pit with floating platforms above them which leads to more magic points and another Star Key. "You guys wait at the door, I'll get those magic points and key." Kiana said while stretching her legs.
"No problem." Zi-O nodded before the valkyrie started hopping onto the platforms while the others leaped towards the locked door. A minute later, Kiana rejoined the group with the magic points and key on hand.
"I'll be taking those, thank you." Magolor said, absorbing the magic points while Kiana opened the locked door with the key.
After walking through the door, they saw another locked door across the bottomless pit, and another Star Key and more magic points above the floating platforms, but with patrolling Dupas and Sodorys. "So now we have monsters guarding the key this time. Heh, like that's gonna stop us." Zi-O cracked his knuckles before taking out his Zikan Gilade Zyu Mode and X-Baton Blaster. "Wait near the door for a moment, I'll handle this." Afterwards, he leaped onto the platforms as he fired at the patrolling monsters while the others leaped towards the locked door. One minute later, the Rider rejoined the group with the Star Key and magic points in hand.
"Great going as always, brother." Starlight praised as the Rider gave the magic points to Magolor before approaching the door.
"No trouble at all, sis." Zi-O replied while opening the door using the key.
Beyond the door was yet another locked door on the other side of the pit and magic points with another Star Key above floating platforms with some of them having ladders. The guards this time however, were large angry reddish-purple landmine-shaped creatures with yellow eyes and three small feathers on their heads, arranged in a crest shape. These are known as Deppas. "Oh boy, those look dangerous compared to the ones we've fought in the previous areas." Kiana gulped.
"Better be careful fighting those things while trying to get the magic points and Star Key above us." Magolor cautioned.
"Kiana, I'm gonna need a hand with this." Starlight said.
"You got it." Kiana nodded, twirling her handguns.
"Okay, see you girls at the door." Zi-O said as he and Magolor leaped towards the locked door while the girls leaped onto the platforms and attacked the Deppas from a distance.
The girls noticed that after defeating a Deppa, it launched its four large spikes from its body after exploding, which is why the girls chose to defeat it at a distance to avoid the flying spikes. After clearing through the Deppas and reaching the top while picking up the magic points, they retrieved the Star Key and quickly regrouped with the others near the locked door below.
"So how'd it go, ladies?" Zi-O asked as the girls gave the magic points to Magolor.
"Those things are like living landmines the moment you destroy them, so watch out for the flying spikes." Starlight replied while Kiana approached the door with the key in hand.
"Better go for the ranged option, just to be safe." Kiana added while using the key to open the door.
"Gotcha." Zi-O replied as he and Magolor nodded while the door opened, allowing the team to go inside.
From there, they saw another locked door far ahead and a Star Key high above, the latter having spinning spike obstacles and large stone blocks in the way. Fortunately, there's no enemies patrolling the area.
"Stone blocks, hm?" Magolor hummed. "One black hole should do the trick. You guys wait at the door, I'll handle this one personally."
"No problem, Magolor." Kiana replied as she and the others head for the door while Magolor flew towards the stone blocks as they all avoided being poked by the spike obstacles. Once Magolor arrived at the blocks, he summoned a black hole to suck up the blocks along with a few hidden enemies before it vanished, leaving behind the key and plenty of magic points. After absorbing the magic points, he retrieved the key along with a magic potion and rejoined the others near the locked door.
"Alright, got the key." Magolor informed.
"Heh, you've really grown since the beginning." Starlight smiled at the interdimensional traveler. "At first, you can't levitate much and your magic shots are weak. And look at you now, able to teleport, summon magic spikes and black holes, and fire a powerful laser beam."
"Yeah, it's great to have these back." Magolor nodded, looking at his hand while his other hand had a key. "Once we retrieve the final apple fragment, I'll be all set. As for what happens next… well…"
"We'll think about that when we get there, okay?" Zi-O advised.
"Right." Magolor nodded as he approached the door and used the key to open it.
After the team went through, they ran into a an open room with unstable blocks above spikes on the center along with an ambush with groups of enemies appearing from the rifts consisting of Halcandle Dees, Dupas, Dippas, Darpas, Sodorys, Bouncys and a large Deppa.
"Do we really have to do this?" Kiana sighed in annoyance. "We're kinda in a hurry to find that last apple fragment."
"No point complaining, Kiana." Starlight replied as they prepared themselves. "We're not leaving until we clear the area."
"In that case…" Magolor pulled out the magic potion and drank it. "I'll thin out the numbers with a black hole. If any stragglers survive, you're free to take them down."
"Very well." Zi-O nodded as they braced themselves. "Let 'em have it!"
"You got it!" Magolor complied as he summoned another black hole, sucking up the monsters inside before it closed. The ones that survived are the Deppa and a Dupa with a dark aura. "Well I kinda figured they won't get sucked up that easily." He remarked. "Your turn, guys!"
"Starlight, help me out with the living landmine! You and Magolor can have the other one, Zi-O!" Kiana said.
"Can do!" Zi-O nodded. "Magolor, take point!"
"Gotcha!" Magolor complied, performing his Magolor Surge towards the Dupa who's firing projectiles from its mouth. However, the attack was ineffective as he was then rammed by Magolor several times in different angles before the alien pushed the Dupa towards Zi-O as he prepared his finisher sequence before reeling his right fist back and his other open hand forward.
=FINISH TIME!=
=TIME BREAK!=
With one more push from Magolor, the Dupa was sent flying towards Zi-O who retaliated with a pink energized punch from his right fist, causing the monster to explode and drop magic points. "Nicely done." Zi-O praised the alien while flicking his right arm.
"Thank you!" Magolor nodded cheerfully while absorbing the dropped magic points.
"Starlight Sphere!" Starlight launched an energy sphere towards the Deppa before it could attack, trapping it inside.
"Gungnir Fire!" Kiana then followed up by fusing her pistols into one large gun and fired a powerful beam that exploded the trapped Deppa, causing it to drop more magic points. "And that's how it's done!" She grinned, unfusing her pistols before holstering them.
"Nicely done, ladies." Zi-O praised while Magolor absorbed the dropped magic points.
"This feels a lot easier since Magolor has most of his powers back." Starlight remarked. "I think he'll be able to fight them without our help, especially the mini-bosses."
"That is true, but having a few extra helping hands can save some time." Magolor stated, rejoining the team.
"Good point." Kiana agreed as a Star Rift appeared before the team. "Okay, onto the next area."
Locandra Dimension 4-2
After entering the rift, the team now find themselves in another large open area. As they moved onwards, the terrain came out of the hole, carrying a Dupa… which was quickly squashed by Kiana's summoned large neko paw.
"Geez, that came without warning." Kiana muttered. "I get the feeling this is going to be the gimmick of this area."
"Then we'd better keep our eyes open and our guards up." Zi-O cautioned as they continued onwards.
And true to Kiana's word as they traversed through the area while also collecting magic points, plenty of landscapes moved and appeared before them, most of them carrying Dupas and Kabus. But the team had no trouble dealing with them. When they reached the end of the area, they saw more Dupas and Kabus blocking a Star Door hiding behind metal blocks and a pair of Bomb Blocks. After disposing of the enemies and destroying the Bomb Blocks, the path is open and went through the door.
In the next area, they saw more moving landscapes moving towards them that's hindering their path forward. "Well this is peculiar…" Magolor remarked, rubbing his scarf. "What's our next move?"
"Keep going straight ahead. We're bound to find something at the end of this area." Zi-O answered.
"Roger that." Starlight replied as she and the others nodded before they pressed onwards.
As they navigated across the moving landscapes while dodging obstacles, defeating enemies and collecting more magic points, they reached a bridge of metal blocks leading to a single landscape with nothing far ahead but a bottomless pit.
"Looks like this is as far as we can go, but where's the exit?" Kiana questioned as they looked around.
"Hmm…" Starlight hummed with her hand on her chin, staring at the single landscape. "I think we'll find our answer once we step onto that landscape. But be prepared for an enemy ambush."
"Okay, let's do this." Zi-O declared as they crossed the bridge of metal blocks. And the moment they stepped foot onto the landscape, the bridge collapsed and Dupas appeared from the rifts above them along with moving landscapes with spikes on the front heading towards them.
"This is going to take a while." Magolor said as they prepared themselves. "I'm tempted to summon my black hole here, but I get the feeling there's more to this ambush compared to the previous ones."
"Then let's see what happens next." Kiana replied as they attacked the Dupas with ease while evading the moving landscape.
A few minutes have passed as the team took caution of the arriving landscapes and enemies which now have Kabus, Bouncies, Lanzers and Gigatzos firing cannon balls into the mix. Eventually, they hopped aboard a U-shaped landscape that stopped at the middle before more enemies appeared from the rifts above them. Soon after, the team quickly defeated the appearing enemies until everything went silent.
"Is it over?" Kiana asked as they looked at their surroundings.
And her answer was revealed when a Star Rift appeared before them. "Since the rift showed up, I think that's a yes." Magolor confirmed after absorbing the dropped magic points.
"Alright, then let's go to the next area." Zi-O declared as the team entered the rift.
Locandra Dimension 4-3
Upon appearing out of the rift, the team find themselves near a large tower at a distance.
"A tower, huh?" Starlight observed the tower. "I'm gonna bet our next Star Rift is on the top floor."
"No doubt about it." Zi-O replied. "And yet, why does this tower look familiar?"
"You know something about this?" Kiana asked.
"Now that you mention it…" Magolor narrowed his eyes until realisation sets in. "Oh! This is the tower Kirby and friends scaled upwards! They had to fight mini-bosses as they ascended the tower."
"Ohh… That tower!" Zi-O and Starlight realised, gently pounding their open palms.
"A tower full of mini-bosses huh?" Kiana mused, stretching her legs and smirked. "Sounds like fun."
"How about this? One of us will fight a mini-boss so that everyone has a fair challenge?" Zi-O offered.
"Gotcha./No problem./You got it." The others replied.
"Alright…" Zi-O raised his clenched fist. "Let's get started." He added as the team head for the Star Door at the bottom of the tower.
Once inside, the team ascended the tower by leaping onto small platforms and destroying metal walls by blowing up conveniently placed Bomb Blocks nearby. They then reached a Star Door and went inside where they found themselves in a room with spikes on the ceiling. Not only that, there's also a living large brown rock with a pair of zori sandals, eyes and a jagged mouth along with wearing a white and blue striped headband around its head.
"Oh hello, Moundo. Nice to see you." Magolor waved at the living rock who answered with an angry roar. "Geez. I say hello and this is what I got?" The alien rubbed his gloves. "Looks like I'm gonna have to teach you some manners."
"In that case, he's all yours." Starlight insisted as the others stood back while Magolor approached Moundo.
"Your move, rocky." Magolor taunted with a 'Come at me' hand gesture, causing Moundo to roar and rush towards the alien who simply teleported away as the living rock crashed onto a wall, making it dizzy. He then appeared behind the rock and fired magic shots along with charged Revolution Orbs, dealing damage to it. Moundo roared and spun itself rapidly before rushing towards the alien who retaliated with magic shots, but the shots bounced off due to Moundo's spinning. "Okay, so much for that idea. So how about this?" He floated upwards to avoid the spinning rock and retaliated with Magic Bombs, causing Moundo to lose momentum and fell to the ground, allowing the alien to fire a Revolution Flame to deal even more damage before floating back to ground level.
"Had enough?" Magolor spoke to the living rock as it slowly shook off the massive pain and roared in anger. "I'll take that as a no." Moundo then leaped above the alien to perform a ground pound, only for the alien to teleport away to avoid the falling rock, appeared beside him and finished it with a Magolor Cannon, causing it to explode and drop magic points. "That'll do it." He concluded, dusting off his gloves and absorbed the magic points.
"Good going, Magolor." Kiana praised. "Though it does feel a little easy fighting a living rock."
"He may look easy, but the rock is very sturdy unless stuck by breaking weapons, explosions or a powerful attack." Zi-O stated.
Magolor chuckled. "Good thing I have the latter two for that."
Starlight then noticed a Star Door appearing nearby. "Okay, moving on."
After going through the door, they find a handle switch above them. When Magolor floated towards the switch and pulled down the handle, the landscape from above in the shape of stairs descended, revealing the way upwards. The team went ahead and flew up the new path and landed in an area with another Star Door.
After entering the door, they find themselves in another small room with a spike wall in front of them along with a large green armored knight with a sword and shield. "A Gigant Edge. Quite a formidable foe compared to the Sword and Blade Knights." Magolor recognized the knight.
"That shield is going to be a pain to deal with, too." Kiana added.
"Alright, he's mine." Starlight stepped forward, pulling out her PreChange Mirror and Martial Adept PreCard set before inserting the latter into the former. "And this is how I'm gonna do it. Pretty Cure, Kururin Mirror Change!" After raising her mirror and pushing the button, she quickly changed into her Martial Adept form and took a combat stance.
"Go get 'em, sis!" Zi-O cheered as the others stepped back.
Starlight and Gigant Edge stared at each other, waiting for any sign of movement. Seconds later, the knight made the first move and rushed towards the magical girl, delivering a downward slash when it got close. Unfortunately for the knight, the sword was caught by Starlight using only two fingers.
"She caught it with only two fingers?! On a large sword?!" Magolor gasped.
"Mhm. That's Zi-O's sister alright." Kiana nodded with her arms crossed.
Starlight then pulled the sword towards her while moving her body to the side and delivered a shoulder tackle, followed by a back strike that sent the knight crashing onto the spike wall, dealing heavy damage.
"Oohh… right onto the spike wall." Zi-O cringed as Gigant Edge shook off the pain despite being slammed onto the spike wall.
The knight then retaliated with a ground shockwave from its sword before it rushed towards the magical girl with a sword rush. Starlight rushed ahead and leaped above the shockwave with a frontflip before lunging her left foot forward for a dive kick. However, Gigant Edge decided to leap above Starlight to evade the dive kick and performed a downward stab instead. Fortunately, she anticipated it and jumped away with a backflip as the knight crashed onto the ground. The knight tried to pull the sword out, but unfortunately, the sword was planted so deep that it's difficult to pull it out.
"Went overboard, eh?" Starlight smirked as she approached the struggling knight while rotating her PreBrace a few times, charging up yellow and red energy from her right hand. Gigant Edge quickly took notice and raised its shield to defend itself, but Starlight still approached it with her right fist clenched.
"She does realise that Gigant Edge has its shield up, right?" Magolor questioned as Starlight got close to the knight who's still struggling to pull its sword out.
"Just watch." Zi-O smirked as Starlight took a stance with her glowing fist next to the shield.
"Pretty Cure, Final Starlight…" Starlight spoke before delivering a powerful one-inch punch onto the shield that sent Gigant Edge crashing into the spike wall again while also causing it to drop its shield. Next, she sent the planted sword flying upwards with a roundhouse kick before it fell. "Martial Strike!" And before the sword reached the ground, she delivered one more roundhouse kick to the sword, sending it flying straight through the knight's chest, causing it to explode and drop out magic points while Starlight reverted back to Base Form.
"Nice one!" Kiana cheered while Magolor applauded before picking up the dropped magic points.
"Satisfied, sis?" Zi-O asked.
"You have no idea how I always wanted to do that." Starlight smiled. "Guess the training sessions with Fu Hua and Genjuro paid off."
Kiana took a closer look at the knight's dropped shield that has a fist mark. "That's one heck of a dent you made, Starlight. I don't think we'll be keeping a broken shield."
"Actually, keep it. We'll just recycle it for materials." Starlight advised.
"Oh, good idea." Kiana noted, storing the shield inside her Zikan Phone.
After Magolor absorbed the magic points, he noticed the spike wall rising, revealing a Star Door. "Okay, that's our cue to leave!" He informed as the team went through the door.
After going through the door, they pulled the lever on the ceiling, revealing another path upward the tower. A few minutes later, along with taking a small detour to retrieve more magic points, they arrived at another Star Door.
After going inside, they find themselves in another room with another spike wall and a large muscular purple gorilla with no visible eyes, wearing dark blue pants with torn legs and a belt, a "jacket" with slits for his arms, and wielding a wooden hammer.
"Ah. Bonkers and his signature hammer." Magolor recognised. "Try not to get a splitting headache from it."
"No problem, I got this." Kiana stepped forward, cracking her knuckles.
"Guess that means I'll fight the next mini-boss by default." Zi-O deduced.
"Go for it, valkyrie!" Starlight cheered.
"It'd be no fun defeating you with my guns, so I'll just kick your ass the normal way." Kiana spoke to Bonkers while moving her hand onto her holstered Blackcliff Longsword on the back of her waist.
Bonkers roared before taking out several coconuts from his pocket and threw them at the valkyrie.
"Careful! Those coconuts are explosive!" Magolor warned.
"Gotcha!" Kiana noted as she rushed ahead, evading the thrown coconuts along with slashing one of them. Once she got close, Bonkers retaliated with a hammer smash, but Kiana's agility is fast enough to evade the hammer slams with cartwheels, triggering her Global Time Fracture ability after dodging in the exact moment which slows down time from her point of view for 3 seconds, allowing her to counter with quick sword strikes before jumping away with a backflip as time reverted back to normal.
This caused Bonkers to throw a stomping tantrum before charging up his hammer and performed a rapid hammer spin towards Kiana. In response, she kept evading the hammer spin for several seconds until the gorilla stopped spinning and in a dizzy state. "Shouldn't have spun too much, buddy!" Kiana smirked, retaliating by disarming the gorilla's hammer upwards with a backflip kick, chased after the hammer till she caught it with both hands, then delivered a powerful hammer smash onto Bonkers' head, stunning it even more as she leaped back to solid ground. Afterwards, she spun herself rapidly and delivered a spinning hammer strike, with the third strike sending the gorilla crashing onto the spike wall before exploding while the valkyrie stopped spinning.
"Phew. That was fun." Kiana grinned, resting the wooden hammer over her shoulder.
"I'll say." Magolor agreed while absorbing the magic points dropped by the defeated Bonkers. "You really ran circles around it."
"I wonder who you'll fight in the next mini-boss room?" Starlight asked the Rider.
"Who knows." Zi-O shrugged while Kiana stored the hammer into her Zikan Phone. "But whoever it is, I'll be ready."
"Anyway…" Kiana noticed the spike wall raised, revealing a Star Door. "Time to head out."
After going through the door, they pulled the handle on the ceiling, revealing another path upward. And after taking the path, along with flying upwards using the updraft, they arrived at the next Star Door and went inside.
The team then find themselves in a room with a few thin platforms and spikes on both walls. But the most notable addition is another Magic Bulb.
"Another Magic Bulb…" Starlight noticed as they approached the bulb.
"And look who's inside the bulb." Zi-O added as they saw inside not only more magic points, but also a girl that Guinaifen described earlier.
"Hmm…" Magolor observed the girl with his eyes narrowed while rubbing his scarf. "Brown haired girl with twintails, amber coloured battle attire…" He nodded in confirmation. "Yup. This must be that Sushang girl Guinaifen mentioned."
"At least we're able to find her before we fight the fragment guardian." Kiana remarked. "Okay Magolor, you know what to do. I'll cover you."
"Gotcha." Magolor nodded, beginning his work on the Magic Bulb.
"And cue enemy ambush." Starlight said as she and Zi-O prepared themselves. "In three… two… one…"
And after the count of one, multiple Sir Kibbles came out of the rifts, including a large one but in silver armour and with a sharper and durable boomerang helmet blade.
"Kibble Blade, the strongest of the Sir Kibbles." Magolor recognised the silver knight. "Careful! He's not unlike the smaller knights!"
"Thanks for the warning!" Zi-O noted, taking out his Blade Ridewatch and turned the dial. "Sis, hold off the smaller knights while I deal with the leader."
"Can do, brother." Starlight saluted, summoning her energy bow and fired arrows at the Sir Kibbles to distract them. The plan worked as the magical girl flew off while the small knights chased after her, leaving only the Rider and the large knight left.
"Alright, just you and me now. Let's see who has the best chivalry." Zi-O spoke to Kibble Blade while inserting the Blade Ridewatch onto the Ziku Driver's open slot, slammed the belt's tilt button and placed his hand on the side of the Driver as he saw the knight place his hand onto the boomerang helmet blade.
After five seconds of waiting, Kibble Blade made his move and launched the boomerang towards the Rider who quickly gave the belt a spin.
=ARMOR TIME!=
A large blue rectangular field appeared before Zi-O to reflect the boomerang back while the Rider ran through it, quickly equipping his BladeArmor with his Zikan Gilade Ken Mode surging in blue electro.
=TURN UP! BLADE!=
Kibble Blade was able to catch his boomerang before clashing blades with Zi-O with both sides going back and forth blocking, dodging, parrying and landing a few hits until one strong hit from both of them pushed each other back before preparing to clash once more.
Meanwhile with Cure Starlight and the Sir Kibbles, the former kept flying to evade the oncoming boomerangs. She also destroyed some of them using her energy arrows, but the little knights have spare boomerangs to throw at the magical girl. "Oh, I had enough of this!" She muttered before changing her energy bow into a double blade and prepared a guard stance as the boomerangs flew closer. She then blocked the boomerangs, rotated her PreBrace a few times and then redirected the boomerangs charged with her magical energy back to the Sir Kibbles, causing them to explode on contact. However, another group of Sir Kibbles appeared from the rifts and threw more boomerangs at her. "C'mon! I can do this all day!" She taunted while preparing the same tactic as before by rotating her PreBrace first.
Back with Zi-O and Kibble Blade, the former is evading the latter's spin attack with his boomerang for a few seconds until he stopped spinning, but unlike Bonkers, he didn't feel dizzy. Afterwards, the knight charged up his boomerang glowing with energy and threw at Zi-O again who ran towards it and slide under it at the last moment until he got close to the knight and delivered a side slash, followed up by a 5-slash combo and one more power slash that pushed the knight closer to the spike wall. As for the boomerang returning, Zi-O quickly dodged it with a backflip as the weapon returned to Kibble Blade. "Okay, I think it's Finish Time for you." The Rider declared, inserting the Kaixa Blade onto the Zikan Gilade, causing it to glow photon yellow and prepared a stance in reverse grip.
=FINISH TIME! KAIXA!=
Kibble Blade charged up his boomerang once more and threw it towards Zi-O. But then, Zi-O countered by blocking the boomerang and redirected it towards the higher part of the spike wall as it latched deep onto it, leaving the knight defenceless.
=GIRI GIRI SLASH!=
After pulling the trigger, Zi-O quickly delivered an X-slash onto the knight, followed by a dropkick with his feet, sending it crashing onto the spike wall. But the Rider wasn't done as he planted the Zikan Gilade to the ground, pushed the Ridewatch buttons on his belt, slammed the tilt button and gave it a spin.
=FINISH TIME! BLADE!=
With his right foot surging blue electro, he ran towards his target, leaped above with a frontflip and lunged his foot forward.
=LIGHTNING TIME BREAK!=
And with one powerful lightning divekick onto Kibble Blade, he exploded as Zi-O landed safely while magic points were dropped, prompting him to retrieve them as he reverted back to Base Form. "You put up a pretty good fight, but I can think of a few Giants of Light that are way better at wielding Sluggers than you." The Rider remarked as he saw her sister finishing off the last Sir Kibble with a slash from her double blade. "Okay sis, I'm all done here!"
"Same for me, too." Starlight replied, dispersing her weapon. "Boomerangs are a pain to deal with, huh?"
"Sometimes." Zi-O replied back. "But they're good for close combat too, unless someone manages to catch or redirect it away from the owner's hands."
"Yeah, that would suck if that happens." Starlight agreed as the two siblings regrouped with the others.
"Nice going, you two." Kiana smiled with a thumbs up. "Magolor's just about done with the Magic Bulb. Sushang should be free soon."
"Just a little more… and…" Magolor absorbed the last of the magic points inside the bulb, causing the bulb to break. The unconscious Sushang fell off, only for Kiana to catch her in time.
"Phew… got her." Kiana sighed with relief. "Gui-chan and Tingyun will be happy that she's safe."
"All that's left is to beat that fragment guardian and obtain the final apple fragment." Zi-O said.
"Though there's still that Gjallarhorn fragment we need to search for." Starlight reminded. "That's the other reason we came to this world."
"What does it look like?" Magolor asked.
"A small crystal shard that radiates dimensional energy." Kiana answered. "Now that you mention it… I'm surprised that we haven't found the fragment considering how far we've come."
"Then maybe…" Zi-O was about to speak until they heard Sushang waking up. "Ah, she's awake."
"Gh…" The Cloud Knight recruit slowly opened her eyes and blinked at the sight of four beings that she'd never met before. "What…?"
"Good to see you awake, Sushang." Kiana greeted. "Guinaifen told us about you."
"Wait… you know Gui-chan?" Sushang replied in surprise. "Are you guys from the Astral Express?"
"Actually, we're from Xross Drive Rebellion. Another multiversal team of travelers." Zi-O corrected. "I'm Kamen Rider Zi-O, and this is Cure Starlight, Kiana Kaslana and Magolor."
"A Dimensional Quake happened in your world that sent you and Guinaifen to this dimension. Another Dimension, to be accurate." Magolor added.
"A quake in…" Sushang then gasped in realisation as she got back on her feet. "Ah, the quake in the Xianzhou Luofu! And Gui-chan was with me during that time! Is she…!"
"Relax, she's back with the rest of our team, safe and sound." Starlight assured. "Guinaifen told us to find you while we traverse through this dimension. And now that we've found you, you're gonna have to come with us until we're back with our teammates."
"I… see…" Sushang sighed with relief. "Thanks for the rescue, though. I'm in your debt." She then looked at her surroundings. "But… how do we get out of here?"
"Wait for it…" Zi-O raised his finger until a Star Rift appeared before them. "And there's our way forward." He pointed at the rift. "Don't worry, it's safe to enter. Just stick with us, and you'll be fine."
"Gui-chan also mentioned that you're a swordswoman." Kiana said. "Do you still have your sword?"
"Hold on…" Sushang raised her hand halfway until a brown sword with amber highlights appeared on her hand, making her sigh with relief. "Oh thank the Aeons I still have it. My mom's gonna kill me if I lost it."
"Family heirloom?" Starlight guessed, earning a nod from the recruit. "Gotcha."
"Okay, time for us to leave." Magolor declared as the team, along with Sushang, went inside the rift.
Locandra Dimension 4-4
After coming out of the rift, they find themselves in some kind of factory with conveyor belts ahead. Unfortunately for them, a Rift Wall is approaching from behind.
"Oh geez, not again!" Kiana groaned in annoyance before the team immediately ran ahead.
"E-Eh?!" Sushang stuttered before going after them. "W-Wait for me!"
As they ran ahead while clearing through enemies and collecting magic points, they saw a new obstacle in their path: a crusher that goes up and down for five seconds.
"A crusher trap." Starlight observed. "Been a while since I last saw this kind of trap."
"Only problem is that we also have to deal with conveyor belts and the advancing rift wall! I don't think we can wait that long!" Kiana complained.
"...You know what? Good point." Zi-O responded by pulling out his Kabuto Ridewatch, turned the dial, inserted it onto the Driver and slammed the tilt button. "I really hate to cheat, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Especially if it involves our lives!" He declared before giving the belt a spin.
=ARMOR TIME!=
=CHANGE BEETLE. KABUTO!=
"He changed armor?!" Sushang gasped, seeing Zi-O donning his KabutoArmor.
"Going to Clock Up, brother?" Starlight asked.
"Not yet, wait for the crusher to ascend." Zi-O replied with his finger on the Kabuto Ridewatch button. "In the meantime, everyone grab hold of me for a sec so everyone can get the ability."
"Got it." Magolor nodded as he and the others grab hold of Zi-O, except Sushang who's confused. "That goes for you, too. He knows what he's doing." He suggested to the Cloud Knight.
"O-Okay…" Sushang complied and grab hold of the Rider. "Now what?"
"One moment…" Zi-O kept watch at the crusher that's slowly ascending while Starlight observed the approaching Rift Wall behind them. And once the crusher was raised above the team's height… "Clock Up!" He declared before pushing the Ridewatch button.
=CLOCK UP=
Soon after, everything in their point of view became even slower than a snail as they released the Rider.
"Incredible…" Magolor remarked, observing the state of the area. "Your Rider powers continue to amaze me, Zi-O."
"This feels way different than how I use my Time Fracture ability." Kiana commented. "It only lasts for three seconds after I dodge an attack in time."
"So what now?" Sushang asked.
"We run. Duh." Starlight bluntly answered as the team traversed through the area, defeating more enemies, collecting more magic points and avoiding the obstacles. Eventually by the time they reached the Star Door at the end of the area…
=CLOCK OVER=
The time effect wore off as everything returned to normal speed. "Well it was fun while it lasted." Zi-O shrugged before they entered the door.
In the next area, they find themselves in another area filled with more conveyor belts, but now having metal walls that can be broken by spinning the windmill switches. Even worse, another Rift Wall is advancing from behind the group.
"Another one?!" Sushang exclaimed before the team ran.
"Expecting to deal with just one Rift Wall? Well tough luck, recruit!" Starlight answered.
"I see some windmills up ahead." Kiana observed. "Magolor, you'd better take point for this area."
"No problem." Magolor nodded as he took the lead. "Time to give my Magolor Surge a workout!"
When the alien got close to the windmill, he performed his Magolor Surge to activate it, causing the metal wall to break. And he did it several times as the team ran deeper into the area while dealing with conveyor belts, falling hammer traps and more enemies. Moments later, they reached another Star Door at the end and ran inside.
In the next area, the team were immediately greeted by Bowbys firing arrows at them. Fortunately, Magolor blocked the arrows with his Magic Barrier before Starlight destroyed the attackers with her energy blasts as a counterattack.
"Well that's a rude way to greet guests." Kiana remarked while Magolor dispersed his barrier.
"Uh… guys?" Sushang pointed at another Rift Wall approaching from behind.
"Crap, forgot about that one. Move!" Zi-O shouted as the team started running.
They traversed through more obstacles which included more conveyor belts, spike pits, bottomless pits, and multiple cannon fire shot from afar while also dealing with more enemies and collecting more magic points. When they reach the end, a Deppa is guarding the way to the Star Door. But the team quickly disposed of it, collected the magic points and ran inside the door before the Rift Wall could catch up.
When they arrive in the next area, they saw Gordos hovering at each end of the area. Not only that, multiple monsters appeared from the rifts consisting of Bowsys, Bouncies, Halcandle Dees with some of them wielding parasols, a pair of Deppas, and Armoriods. And all of them are led by a large floating UFO-shaped robot with shining yellow optics, an orange underside, and surrounding the underside are five stubs.
"Why does this look like I'm fighting the Antimatter Legion in large groups?!" Sushang gawked at the size of the army.
"I don't think these guys belong to the Antimatter Legion." Kiana pointed out before staring at the UFO. "Also… is that a UFO?"
"Mhm. Dubior." Magolor nodded. "For the ones that can't fly, chasing it down is going to be tough due to how fast that thing can fly."
"Then I'd better be the one to fight it." Starlight replied before staring at the large enemy group. "Though we'd better get rid of them first."
"Got enough magic to pull out a black hole?" Zi-O asked the alien.
"You bet." Magolor nodded. "I should be able to thin the numbers. But it won't be enough to suck up the Deppas and the large Bouncy."
"That's okay, we'll handle the stragglers." Zi-O noted. "Kiana, you handle one Deppa while I deal with the other. Sushang, go and fight the Bouncy."
"Roger." Kiana and Sushang nodded… before the latter blinked in confusion.
"Wait, did you say black hole?" Sushang questioned.
"Yup, so I'd hang on for dear life if I were you!" Magolor replied as he summoned a black hole while the others stood their ground holding onto their swords planted on the ground. The black hole sucked up a lot of enemies before it closed after five seconds, leaving only the Deppas, Bouncy and Dubior left.
"He… He really did summon a black hole…" Sushang stuttered in shock.
"He did warn you, though." Kiana pointed out.
"Strike now, everyone!" Starlight shouted, enlarging her energy wings and flew towards the UFO. "Magolor, help me out with this UFO!"
"On my way!" Magolor complied, flying after the magical girl.
"Let's go, Kiana!" Zi-O shouted, heading towards a Deppa.
"Okay!" Kiana replied, going after the other Deppa.
"Well…" Sushang took a combat stance and turned her attention to the Bouncy slowly hopping towards the recruit. "Looks like you're mine. If I have to take you down to leave this place, then prepare yourself!"
The Bouncy was about to crash onto Sushang, only for the recruit to jump away before countering with a jumping roundhouse kick followed by a side slash which pushed back the monster. Her attack also caused her sword to glow in amber. Seeing her chance, Sushang rushed towards the Bouncy before it could jump and delivered a downward slash, followed by a charged side slash which unleashed the charged energy from her sword, causing the monster to explode and drop magic points.
"Phew…" Sushang sighed with relief, wiping the sweat on her forehead. "That went better than I thought. And I didn't even have to summon my chicken friend to finish it off." She turned to the others that are still fighting their targets. "Guess I'll leave the rest to them. But… wow are they strong. I think the Trailblazers can get along with these guys."
Speaking of which, Zi-O effortlessly evaded the spikes launched by the Deppa as he got closer to it. "No need to waste time, better finish it in one shot!" He stated, pushing the buttons on the Ridewatches, slammed the tilt button and gave the belt a spin.
=FINISH TIME! KABUTO!=
"Rider Kick!" Zi-O shouted as he jumped high with his right foot surging with electro.
=CLOCK TIME BREAK!=
The Deppa fired more of its spikes, but Zi-O countered by sending the spikes flying back to sender with several spin kicks that damaged the monster on contact. And once the Rider got close to his target, he delivered one powerful roundhouse kick before landing on solid ground as the Deppa exploded.
Meanwhile with Kiana, she quickly destroyed the Deppa's oncoming spikes with her gun on one hand and her sword on the other. The Deppa kept firing spikes at the valkyrie, but she instead leaped across the spikes like platforms without touching the sharp area until she got close where she fired her gun at the target followed by a cross slash that destroyed the monster.
As for Cure Starlight and Magolor, they kept dodging the lasers and lightning blasts from Dubior while countering with energy arrows and magic shots. After the UFO took plenty of damage, it immediately deployed mini UFOs from its robotic body to chase the attackers.
"Oh, this is a problem." Magolor remarked.
"Not for me, though!" Starlight answered, firing a charged energy arrow that pierced through the mini UFOs and landing a hit on Dubior which stunned it. "Wanna finish it with a charged rush together?"
"Sounds like fun!" Magolor nodded as Starlight rotated her PreBrace several times, causing her hands to glow before clenching them together and aimed at the stunned UFO.
"Pretty Cure, Final Starlight…!" Starlight rushed towards her with Magolor performing his Magolor Surge beside her. "Surging Comet!" Their rush attacks combined into a powerful spiral rush that pierced through Dubior before exploding as Starlight and Magolor stopped and looked at their destroyed target dropping magic points.
"Nice move there, Starlight." Magolor complimented. "Where did you learn that?"
"From you, of course." Starlight smiled. "I decided to make a finisher style of that attack, so thanks for the idea."
"O-Oh… you're welcome…" Magolor blushed, rubbing the back of his head. "A-Anyway, if you'll excuse me…" He then proceeded to absorb the dropped magic points while Starlight regrouped with the others.
"A new finisher, huh? Not bad, sis." Zi-O complimented, reverting back to Base Form.
"Well I owe it to Magolor for that idea after seeing him perform that attack multiple times." Starlight replied. "You doing okay, Sushang?"
"I'm fine. The monster I fought is not so difficult due to how predictable its movement is." Sushang answered.
"All it did was jump. It'd be embarrassing to get squashed by that." Kiana pointed out.
"True." Sushang scratched her cheek with her finger. "Anyway, you guys are amazing fighters. I think General Jing Yuan would be impressed if he sees you fight, just like how he fought alongside the Trailblazers. I'll be sure to put in a good word for the General if we ever return to the Xianzhou."
"Appreciate it, Sushang. I think we'll get along just fine." Kiana smiled.
Soon after, a Star Rift appeared before the group while Magolor rejoined them. "Okay, I think I've absorbed quite a lot of magic points so far." The alien informed. "It'll be enough to upgrade most of my current abilities, and I'm gonna need them for the fight against the last fragment guardian."
"Let's get out of here." Zi-O declared as the team went inside the rift.
Ethereal Altar
After coming out of the rift, they find themselves back at where they've entered the Star Rift a few metres away from the windmill.
"Where are we now?" Sushang looked at her surroundings. "Please tell me there's no more of those advancing walls."
"Take it easy, we're back at the hub area." Starlight assured.
"And not only that…" Magolor pointed at the clouds clearing up, revealing more doors and a large Star Rift at the highest platform. "More doors and the location of our last fragment guardian."
"That apple fragment is not going to be easy to get since the guardian might be more difficult than the previous ones." Zi-O stated.
"It's kinda obvious since we're near the end of this adventure." Kiana added.
"Apple fragment?" Sushang tilted her head.
"Well you see…" Magolor was about to speak, until they heard a commotion nearby which garnered everyone's attention. "Hm?"
"Is something going on at the Zi-O Liner?" Starlight pondered.
"I guess a quick look won't hurt." Zi-O said. "Also, we can let Sushang reunite with Guinaifen."
"She's there?!" Sushang gasped.
"C'mon, let's go." Kiana said as the team head back to the Zi-O Liner.
Once there, they saw Guinaifen doing her street performing involving plate spinning with sticks while the others watched. Even Poppy Bros. Jr joined in on the performance, juggling with his bombs.
"Oh, a performance!" Magolor said with glee. "Been a while since I last saw one of those."
"Lil Gui… thank goodness you're safe…" Sushang whispered with a smile.
"Spinning plates and juggling bombs, huh? Now that takes skill." Kiana remarked.
"Ah, looks like Guinaifen and Poppy Bros. Jr are about to try something." Starlight noticed the two performers preparing their next move.
And in unison, Guinaifen threw the sticks balancing on the spinning plates to Poppy Bros. Jr while sending the bombs to Guinaifen, catching them with ease which made the others applaud.
"Kinda wish Gaius was here to see this. He knows good talent when he sees one." Zi-O commented.
"Gaius?" Sushang repeated. "Is he a friend of yours?"
"Mhm." Starlight nodded. "A close friend and a member of our team. He's also a Kamen Rider like my brother."
"Hey… does anyone notice that the bombs Poppy Bros. Jr used were real?" Magolor noticed said bombs nearly about to explode.
"...Uh oh." Kiana's face went pale.
"Not to worry, every street performer knows the risks." Zi-O pointed out. "She's got this."
"I just hope it's not as harmful as the sword swallowing act she did one time." Sushang said.
"Sword swallowing, huh? Neat." Starlight remarked.
Fortunately, the street performer noticed bombs that were about to go off and flung them skyward before summoning her Gui Stick. And with one swing, the bombs were sent flying before exploding into colorful fireworks. With the performance completed, everyone applauded as Guinaifen and Poppy Bros. Jr bowed.
"You know, I think Poppy Bros. Jr found himself a friend to perform his acts with." Magolor remarked.
"I think you're right." Zi-O agreed.
"I was also her assistant, but my duties as a Cloud Knight recruit are far more important. But during breaks, I still have time to give her a hand with her acts." Sushang said.
"I see." Starlight noted.
"Hm?" Raychel noticed Zi-O's team nearby the performers. "Oh, you're back!"
"Yup." Zi-O nodded. "Decided to see what the commotion is about for a bit."
"Oh, you were watching?" Guinaifen responded. "How was the performance?"
"Simply amazing." Kiana smiled. "And it's nice to see Poppy Bros. Jr join in on your act."
"You bet!" Guinaifen replied as she gave the little bombardier a smile, making him smile and nod back. "I think he and I will get along just great as friends."
"Speaking of friends…" Starlight spoke before gesturing to the recruit.
"Hey there, Lil Gui." Sushang smiled and waved.
"Ah!" Guinaifen gasped with wide eyes before running to her friend and hugged her. "Sushang, you're okay!"
"I'm glad you're okay too." Sushang replied.
"I take it you found Sushang the same way you found me and Guinaifen?" Tingyun guessed.
"Mhm." Magolor nodded. "Found her inside a Magic Bulb, guarded by Kibble Blade and the Sir Kibbles. The knight boomerang throwers."
"Wait…" Sushang stopped hugging after hearing someone familiar. "That sounds like…" Once she noticed the Foxian, she gasped in shock. "Tingyun?! You're alive?! But-!"
"Well… it's a long story." Tingyun rubbed the back of her hair.
"Do you wish to take a small break before you continue?" Himeko asked Zi-O's team.
Zi-O turned to the others, answering with a nod. "Sure, I don't see why not."
"Actually, I'm going to take care of those challenge doors and get more magic points to pass the time." Magolor said. "By the time I'm done, I'll come back and call you so we can go after the last fragment guardian."
"No problem." Kiana replied. "See you in a few minutes!"
"Be back soon!" Magolor waved before flying towards the nearest challenge door.
"Now then. Take a seat, Sushang. This explanation will take a while." Maria said.
"Sure." Sushang replied. "But… can I have something to eat first? I'm starving."
Tingyun giggled as she stood up from her seat. "Of course, just wait here."
Several minutes later…
As time passed, the team explained to the Cloud Knight recruit about Team XDR and their mission, how Tingyun was revived, and the reason why they're in the Another Dimension.
"Whoa…" Sushang commented. "That's… a lot of info to take in…"
"I understand your confusion." Tingyun noted. "But what they've said is true. And they've been on this mission for a long time."
"And the Neo Time Jackers… I think they're an even bigger threat than the Antimatter Legion since they can travel between dimensions to wreak havoc." Guinaifen added.
"I see…" Sushang noted. "If we ever go back to the Xianzhou, I need to notify General Jing Yuan and Master Diviner Fu Xuan about this."
"Please do." Tingyun nodded. "Speaking of which, could I ask for a request?"
"Um… sure. What is it?"
"Yukong still thinks that I'm alive somewhere despite what Phantylia did. Correct?"
"I think so. Why?"
"I wish to ask for a private meeting with her." Tingyun requested. "Most people of the Xianzhou believe me to be deceased, so this is the only way to speak with her. Will you do this for me please?"
"Hmm…" Sushang pondered for a moment with her hand on her chin. "It might be difficult to pull off, but I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you, Cloud Knight." Tingyun smiled. "I owe you my gratitude."
"No problem. And honestly, I'm glad that you're alive." Sushang smiled back.
"Still, it's gonna be a while searching for a Gjallarhorn fragment that leads the path to the Amber Universe." Kanade said.
"Nothing is ever easy, Kanade." Seele replied.
"Okay, I'm back!" Magolor greeted the group as he arrived. "Did I miss anything?"
"Not much." Regina replied. "We've just finished explaining to Sushang about Team XDR and our mission along with how Tingyun was alive."
"Ah, gotcha." Magolor noted. "By the way, I think I've garnered a lot of magic points from the challenge rooms I've explored earlier. It should be more than enough to upgrade my skills to the max after we grab the last apple fragment."
"That's good to know, nice job." Kiana gave a thumbs up. "Anyway, Zi-O, Starlight and I are all set for the fight against the last fragment guardian."
"Then let's get going, shall we?" Zi-O declared, punching his open palm.
"Hold on." Sushang interrupted with her hand raised. "I want to return the favour for rescuing me. Let me help you fight the guardian."
"You sure you can handle it, Sushang?" Tingyun asked. "Fighting a fragment guardian is like fighting a higher rank Antimatter Legion unit. I should know because Guinaifen and I fought the fragment guardians before."
"Especially the one that can teleport and perform a stretch punch." Guinaifen added, rubbing her cheek. "A really mean one, too."
"Don't worry, I'll do just fine despite being a recruit." Sushang assured. "Remember how I held my ground against a possessed Yanqing until General Jing Yuan arrived?"
"How can I forget?" Guinaifen remembered and smiled. "And you were pretty brave, too."
"Wait, you held your own against Yanqing?!" Tingyun gasped at Sushang. "Also, what was that about being possessed?"
"It's a long story." Sushang replied.
"Who's Yanqing?" Raychel asked.
"He's a lieutenant of the Cloud Knights and General Jing Yuan's retainer." Tingyun explained. "He follows the path of The Hunt wielding the Ice element, and a gifted swordsman with the art of swordplay and war."
"Interesting." Himeko mused before facing Sushang. "If you're able to hold off a possessed general's retainer for a long while, that's quite an accomplishment."
"Thanks." Sushang smiled, rubbing the back of her hair. "And it was an honor to be praised by General Jing Yuan for performing such a feat. If I keep this up, I might get promoted."
"You have my support, Sushang." Tingyun smiled and nodded. "The same goes for our friends."
"Oh, before you go…" Guinaifen gave a new Zikan Phone that has the same colors as Sushang's outfit. "This is for you. We're going to be with this team until we find a way back home."
"A phone?" Sushang examined her new phone. "But I already have one."
"True, but this one has plenty of useful features. Trust me, you'll like them once you read the instructions." Guinaifen winked.
"Alright, time to finish the job." Starlight declared, stretching her arms and legs. "Wish us luck, guys."
"Of course, and be careful." Maria said as she and the others nodded before Zi-O, Starlight, Kiana, Sushang and Magolor set off for the Star Rift with the latter leading towards its location.
"So what will happen after all five of those fragments are put together?" Guinaifen asked, gazing at the four apple fragments at the altar's pedestal.
"They'll probably become one in its original form." Seele replied. "And yet… I feel uneasy about this…"
"You're expecting something to go south the moment those fragments are fused?" Kanade guessed, earning a nod from Seele. "Not gonna lie, I feel the same way."
"If that's the case…" Tingyun spoke in a serious tone. "We need to be ready."
"Raychel, put your Rider suit on and await further instructions." Himeko instructed.
"Understood." Raychel nodded, quickly using her Ridewatch and Ziku Driver to change into Kamen Rider Tsukuyomi.
A few minutes later, the team arrived at the Star Rift at the highest platform, leading towards the fragment guardian. "Okay team, no turning back now. Time to nab ourselves the last apple fragment." Zi-O stated.
"And after that, all of my powers will be unlocked, and I'll be using the magic points I've stored in my body to fully restore my powers." Magolor added.
"Alright. Final stretch, team. Everyone Ret-2-Go?" Starlight asked the team, answering with a nod… except for Sushang who was confused.
"Uh…"
"She means Ready to Go." Kiana clarified and sweatdropped.
"Oh." Sushang noted before nodding. "I'm all set."
"Then we're going in!" Zi-O declared as the team jumped right into the rift.
Locandra Dimension, Boss Room
Upon arrival, they find themselves walking along a hallway until they are outside an open area. But what they saw up ahead was an apple fragment floating.
"So this is the last apple fragment." Sushang noticed before approaching the apple.
"But where's the fragment guardian?" Kiana questioned as she looked around.
"This feels familiar… in a bad way." Magolor said.
"It's quiet…. Too quiet." Starlight added.
Zi-O pondered for a moment until realization filled with dread sets in. "Sushang, step away from the fragment! It's a trap!"
"Huh?!" Sushang exclaimed to face the team before something snatched the apple fragment without warning and attacked the recruit with energy spheres. Fortunately, Magolor teleported in front of her and blocked the spheres with his Magic Barrier. "Magolor?!"
"Phew… that was a close one." Magolor sighed with relief before taking a better look at the attacker, until his eyes widen in shock as three more flew in to support the attacker. "Sphere Doomers?! There's still some survivors despite Grand Doomer's destruction in the hands of Kirby and his friends?!"
The Sphere Doomers have golden horns that seem to be made from gears and purple bodies each with a mouth, yellow eyes and five tails with one Doomer having the apple fragment in its mouth.
"Grand Doomer?" Sushang repeated.
"The leader of the Sphere Doomers."
"Ah, right."
"You okay, Sushang?" Kiana asked as the others arrived and prepared their battle stances.
"S-Sorry! I got careless!" Sushang apologized.
"That's fine. At least you're safe." Starlight replied.
"So what's the plan?" Magolor asked the Rider.
"Everyone watch their pattern and wait for an opening to strike, but the one that took the apple fragment is top priority!" Zi-O ordered while setting his sights onto the Doomer with the apple fragment in its mouth.
"Roger!" The team complied as the Sphere Doomers, or rather, the Rampaging Doomers, roared at them.
(Play BGM: VS Flock of Doomers - Kirby's Return to Dreamland Deluxe)
The Doomers then flew off and launched energy spheres at the team from afar while also dropping corrupted dark stardust as they flew.
"Incoming!" Kiana shouted as she, Starlight and Magolor shot down the spheres. They then fired back at the Doomers, but they were able to avoid them due to their speed.
"Tch! Slippery little…!" Starlight muttered.
"How are we supposed to attack them? They're too fast for ranged fire and we won't be able to get close to them considering the spheres they're shooting at us!" Sushang questioned.
"Then I'll make them come." Zi-O answered.
"Actually, allow me." Magolor interjected and flew ahead to gain the Doomers' attention by waving at them. "Hey! I'm the one you want, so come and get me!"
The Doomers immediately stopped attacking the team and rushed towards the alien, causing him to fly off in a chase.
"Magolor!" Sushang exclaimed. "We have to help him!"
"And we will, with a counterattack." Zi-O replied.
"Just try to be careful if you're attacking from behind since those Doomers drop out some very corrosive stardust." Starlight warned.
"Noted." Zi-O nodded. "Kiana, get your pistols ready. You're with me."
"Roger!" Kiana replied, twirling her guns and went beside the Rider.
"Sushang, once the Doomers are stunned from the counterattack, we're going on the offensive." Starlight instructed.
"Understood!" Sushang nodded as Zi-O and Kiana went ahead a few steps.
"Magolor, lead the Doomers here!" Zi-O shouted with his Zikan Gilade Zyu Mode and X-Baton Blaster ready.
"Okay!" Magolor nodded, heading for Zi-O and Kiana's position with the Doomers close behind shooting energy spheres.
And just before the collision, Zi-O and Kiana jumped above them with a frontflip while firing bullets at the Doomers chasing the alien before landing safely without touching the Doomers' stardust.
"And here's this for good measure!" Kiana summoned a pair of large metal neko paws above the Doomers and pounded them three times, stunning them in place.
"Starlight Sphere!" Starlight then launched an energy spheres at the stunned Doomers, trapping them inside on contact. Afterwards, she summoned her energy sword and rotated her PreBrace several times while rushing ahead. "Let's go, Sushang!"
"Right!" Sushang complied, running after her with her sword glowing.
"Pretty Cure, Final Starlight…!" Starlight spoke as she and Sushang closed in on their trapped targets. "Double Xross Finish!" And with a combined cross-slash from the magical girl and the Cloud Knight recruit, the sphere exploded as everyone regrouped.
"Is it enough?" Sushang asked as they watched the smoke cleared.
And the result is the Doomers taking heavy damage while the one holding the apple fragment fumes in anger. In response, it split the fragment into four pieces, giving them to the other Doomers while keeping one for itself. Once the pieces made contact with the exhausted Doomers, their strength was revitalized.
"Tch, they just won't give up." Kiana muttered.
"Okay, was not expecting the Doomer to perform a donation for the others." Magolor observed in surprise.
"On the bright side, all of the Doomers share the same strength now." Zi-O stated. "But be prepared for anything. No doubt they're gonna change tactics."
And like the Rider said, the Rampaging Doomers flew close together, concentrated their energies and summon a black hole, causing the team to brace themselves for dear life, holding onto their swords planted on the ground while Magolor held Starlight tight.
"Oh now that's just rude! Using the same skill as mine!" Magolor remarked as they held on.
"We need to stop those Doomers in order to interrupt their black hole!" Starlight stated. "Maybe one big explosion will do!"
"An explosion…" Sushang repeated while staring at the grouped Doomers. She pondered for a moment before an idea came up on her mind. "Kiana, hold onto me and don't let go. I have an idea."
"If it involves stopping that black hole, then I'll take it!" Kiana replied, grabbing Sushang's clothes from behind with one hand while her other hand is still gripping on her sword.
"Here goes…!" Sushang pulled out her sword and raised it upwards as it let out a flash, causing something large to appear above the grouped Doomers. And it turned out to be…
"Bwak!"
…A giant chicken?
"...Eh?" Everyone (except Sushang) blinked in utter confusion at the appearing giant chicken performing a ground pound onto the Doomers, causing an explosion on impact that heavily damaged and stunned them, disrupting their concentration which caused the black hole to vanish.
Magolor blinked in surprise. "Well how about that? It worked."
"Starlight, hurry and trap them again!" Sushang shouted.
"R-Right!" Starlight shook off her surprised reaction and launched another Starlight Sphere onto the stunned Doomers to trap them.
"Magolor, wanna help me finish them off?" Kiana offered, fusing her pistols into one large gun and aimed at the sphere, charging its energy.
"Gladly!" Magolor complied, preparing his Magolor Cannon.
=FINISH TIME! FOURZE!=
After Zi-O slotted the Fourze Ridewatch onto his Zikan Gilade Zyu Mode, he took aim as his gun charged with cosmic energy while Starlight aimed her bow after rotating her PreBrace several times.
=ZURE ZURE SHOOTING!=
"Checkmate!" Zi-O shouted as everyone fired their respective shots into a powerful combined blast at the trapped Doomers, causing a massive explosion that obliterated them for good. And once the smoke is cleared, all that's left are a large bunch of magic points and four floating apple pieces that fused themselves back into a single fragment.
(BGM End)
"Finally… it's over…" Sushang breathed with relief as they holstered their weapons.
"A chicken. You summoned a giant chicken. Do I even want to know why?" Kiana questioned.
"It's kind of a long story, actually." Sushang replied, rubbing the back of her hair.
"You know what? Let's just take the win and move on." Starlight said, earning a nod from the others before Magolor flew towards the apple fragment and the magic points.
"Either way, thanks for giving us the victory in this fight, Sushang." Zi-O praised. "If I were a general, I'm definitely giving you a promotion."
"Really?" Sushang asked.
"Yup." Zi-O nodded. "So be proud, recruit. For you are strong."
"Thank you for the praise." Sushang smiled and bowed.
"At long last… the final apple fragment…" Magolor gazed at the fragment while absorbing the dropped magic points. "We've reached the end of our adventure."
"Not just yet." Starlight interjected as they approached the alien. "We still haven't found the Gjallarhorn fragment in this dimension."
"It has got to show up eventually. We're already at the end, after all." Kiana said with her hand on her chin. "Maybe something will happen after the five apple fragments are fused."
"Won't those fragments fuse into one large apple or something?" Sushang assumed.
"She said after the fusing of the fragments." Zi-O clarified.
"Oh."
Soon after, a Star Rift appeared before the team. "Only one way to find out. Let's head back to the altar." Starlight declared, earning a nod from the others before they head for the rift.
Before Kiana went inside, she felt something odd and looked around the area one more time.
"Kiana?" Magolor asked with the apple fragment in hand.
"...It's nothing. Just my imagination." Kiana shook her head before she and Magolor went inside the rift.
Unknown to everyone however, someone had witnessed the entire battle from a far distance. It was a living dark purple fireball with glowing yellow eyes. After it saw the rift vanishing, it flew off to an unknown location, preparing for a chance to make its move which will catch the heroes off guard.
Chapter 5: Locandra Dimension
End
(Sushang has joined Xross Drive Rebellion)
Author's Note: Sorry for the late update, guys. I've been far too busy with real life work and games, but I never forgot about this fanfic. I was able to do a few parts as days went by and we're nearing the end of this Book.
As for the highlights, Guinaifen has revealed to Tingyun and Team XDR about the events that happened in the Xianzhou Luofu that's been resolved by the Trailblazers of the Astral Express along with the reveal of the Stellaron Hunters; the team get to show off their skills in the mini-boss tower, Sushang was rescued and fought very well with the team, including the battle against the Rampaging Doomers; and the last apple fragment has been retrieved.
But if you saw what was at the end of this chapter, this Book is not over yet. Only one chapter remains as the five apple fragments will become one. What will happen afterwards? Only time… will tell…
Until then, stay safe and see you in the final chapter!