Chapter 267: Those with the Power to Spin the Wheel of Fortune

While the descent of the Sentry and the revelation of the true nature of the Crown Contest shocked just about everyone who saw it, some saw a light that looked like a miniature sun descend and just got another drink, and said person was Sam.

The Porter took a can of the Monster Energy drink before he glanced at Roll and shrugged." So…the others pull off this rebellion off or are we going to have to flee yesterday?"

The pilot of the Flutter gulped before she looked outside." From what Mega told me they were overcoming that crazy guy with the ice sword even while he hid behind so many mind-controlled people. But, now this lord's boss showed up faster than we thought!"

Sam paused before he sipped a drink." A damn shame when things don't go according to plan but that's life."

Roll let out an uneasy chuckle as she looked at the sky." Um…no offense mister Bridges but that's like really bad cause the leader of the Poseidal clan can blow up the planet in the blink of an eye!"

Sam paused before he threw the drink away and shrugged." And what you expect me to do about it? I don't know about you but I did not keep my sanity as a Porter by worrying about what I don't have control over."

Roll was about to blurt out a retort before Barrel went up and cleared his throat." You seen a lot eh Sam?"

"You can say that. I seen a lot of things, even death. Unlike your Digger friend and some of the others I'm not kidding myself thinking I can save the universe. I'm just focusing on doing my job right, so at least I can be proud of myself till the last moment."

Before those around him could retort Sam heard a buzzing sound, and checked his Porter Suit to see an alert. After pausing for a few moments Sam looked outside." Well…got an offer for another job, that Billy Butcher fella wants me to transport something to the space station so I'll be right back after getting the package from his guy."

Roll blinked before she looked outside." Wait…you mean a job, out here? Even if the Sentry did not just land, some of those warships are still firing outside! I mean it could be a trap!"

"I take my job seriously Roll; I took your job to help free Prince Auro despite how bad the odds looked right? I'm not just going to open the door and get us all killed if that's what your worried about. I seen plenty of scam digs from MULEs and Homo Demens and all kinds of opportunistic bastards, if it seems fishy I'll bail.

Still…my Porter rating will go down if I turn down a job, and these days, that's all I have. Plus, I'll try and link this world to the Chiral Network so Die-hardman won't be on my ass."

Roll saw the grim resolve in the bearded man's eyes and sighed." Well, you take your job as a Porter as seriously as we take are job as Diggers so I can't lecture you on that. Just…don't be reckless ok? We, we don't know how things are going to turn out."

Sam saw the light around Del Fharis Castle fade before he tightened his coat." All I know is that no matter how much this universe changes, I got to do what I can do. That Astra, the prince, and the others are all trying to do what they can do to leave their mark. I'll help how I can, but jumping in the way of would be god's is not going to do much, that's why I'll get my next passage."

Roll saw the Porter walk off before she sighed." I guess keeping to a routine has kept many people sane in a broken universe. He is right, sticking with what we are good at is the best way to get through a crises.

Still...it's just…it's hard to think that anything we can do can help defy those who are all but god. To think I just wanted to find out what happened to my parents, and we are trying to figure out how to stop someone who rules over so many universe's like some ultra-god. I mean…even if we can get what we need to travel the multiverse in time, can we really do this?"

Barrel patted the woman he saw as his child on the shoulder as he responded with," I may be old, but frankly I'm not ready to die just yet Roll. That green haired fella with the talking cats and his group might be a bit odd, but they seemed confident that it's still possible to defy Sieg despite knowing his power.

We all just have to have faith that even "common" folk like us can make a difference, even against enemies that seem so godly they make what we thought was god seem like chumps.

Still…wish they could pull it off without making it so stressful that I'm about to get a heart attack. Eh…guess a heart attack's easier to manage then a real attack from one of those villains with the god complex's so, let's hope they planned this out."

The two grasped each other tensely as they waited to hear form their friends. However, at the moment those individuals were still trying to figure out just how dire the situation was.

Alphen and the other natives were still taking in the bitter truth at all they had went through, before the man who till just recently had an Iron Mask over his head saw the Sentry and Mojo and all the ships around him before he grasped his blades tightly." Damn it…after all this time…after all we lost…it was really for nothing?"

Mojo burped before he glanced at Alphen." Not for nothing hero man, it's provided great entertainment! Some were iffy about starting a leading man without a face to market, but I got them to see the value in the mystery box factor! Between that and eating the producer who was being a hardass it all worked out as I storyboarded the season! I've had my eye on your career. Forceful, heroic. Loved what you did with the Lords its major super star potential! Mojo can make a star out of anyone! Instantaneous test numbers are good in all are covered galaxies! O Potentate of Programming. The passion! The drama!"

The Sentry glanced at Alphen's despair before he smirked." I understand you just have been exposed to a lot more than your primitive mind had to comprehend but you should listen carefully to the truth. And that truth is that it was not for nothing "Hero". You have been chosen to be part of something…truly marvelous. Don't turn down such an opportunity because of such petty emotions."

Law grasped his fist before he spat out," The hell is this? After all this you think we are going to trust you when you just proved everything we been fighting for is a lie?"

"It's not a lie you simpleton, it's just a more detailed process then you were first thought. You still can be rewarded beyond your greatest dreams, you just have to go through one more final, grander performance."

Rinwell eyed the golden man wearily before she gulped." Wait…you mean we have to fight you now?"

Mojo broke out into a laugh that caused spit to rain down before he spat out," Oh please honey, the public executions are another program, and we can't make bets with that! Pay attention, the Crown Contest still has the final round, and you're going to fight the other contestants that made it to the finals and whoever comes out on top wins! Don't worry, we had to make the teams even in skill and power or no one would make any worthwhile bets so your shot is legit!"

Shionne tried to not get distracted by how rotten Mojo's teeth were before she raised a eyebrow." Other…contestants? I thought we worked with all the people who were still fighting the lords."

"On this planet maybe "Princess." But we are talking about the finalists from the other worlds! Just because you guys are getting the best ratings it does not mean you're the only world that's been having a "Rebellion."

Zilkhistan may have nuked itself out of the contest but the other worlds all made it to the final round!

So, you and the other world's champions are going to gather on Lenegis, and whoever comes out alive wins!"

Alphen turned pale before he looked at the obese creature carefully." You want us to fight rebel leaders from other worlds?"

"Not fight." Mojo retorted." Kill! The bloodier the better, cause the more fans get worked up the better the bonus!"

Kisara saw how gleeful Mojo looked before she grasped her mace tightly." Why…why would we fight people who are fighting for the same things we are fighting for?"

"Because your master demands it woman." The Sentry answered coolly." Don't think just because you impressed me it means you can defy your Sovereign Suprimes desire. You really all have to think just how lucky you are to have the chance to be bestowed a miracle from the one true lord, after a request that's entirely reasonable for those who already swam in a sea of blood to get what you desire."

Astra saw how amused Sentry looked before she cracked her neck." Yah? Well maybe some don't like other people telling them what they should be lucky for and want to make their own life! You, huh? "

The Sentry had his eye twitch before his body shimmered with light once more and suddenly the entire ground shook as the golden man boomed out," The delusions of the weak can be entertaining, for a time.

But the joke that the weak can defy the strong has long fallen out of favor. So, are you going to perform as expected, or will this year's game end as another demonstration of the rules of nature?"

Astra narrowed her eyes, and was about to say something before Mike suddenly laughed. As all the eyes fell on the curly haired man Mike got in front of the blond woman and flashed a half-lopped smile." Oh, trust me oh supreme exalted lord of lords we did not last in the biz this long not knowing how the rules work.

You misunderstand. It's not that we are not foolish enough to defy you, we just want the chance to make this the best game possible for your amusement and all that. You want to see the most hardcore show you can for the game's final round right? It's just if you want to get everything, we will need more time to get the rest of our team."

Everyone on both sides looked at the lanky man with confusion before the Sentry raised an eyebrow." You have…even more to provide? I won't deny I want to be as entertained as possible, but if you do have more to give then where are they now?"

"Simple my good Sentry." Mike retorted with." We heard all the rumors about the castle controlling people's minds and wanted a team B in case we all lost are minds."

While the Sentry just eyed Mike coldly, Mojo winced before he cleared his throat." Um…your supremacy, we did film other unique machines fighting over Mahag Saar that were not fighting here so this stick of a man might be not just be trying to by time."

The Sentry paused, before he looked at Mike carefully." Well…I do want this to make for the most extreme Crown Contest yet."

"And we aim to please! Just, we need time to get them over here. If things went south, they were going to bail. So just give us a few hours to get everything set eh? Sounds fair?"

The Sentry's silence caused Mike to feel a chill down his spine. But just as the curly haired prince wondered if he should ask James to ready a spell the flying man closed his eyes." This would not be a petty attempt to run would it not? No matter how fast your hyperdrive is, no matter what kind of warp magic you may know, mock me to my face and nothing can save you. Who are you anyway? I feel like I seen your face before…somewhere."

Mike laughed as he rubbed his head." I get that a lot my lord, the whole every man face yah know? The name's Jimmy John Bosley. And no worries, not like we want to get on such an important man's bad side, just we took precautions. It's a mad universe out there, right?"

The Sentry paused before he snickered." I did not rule out contestants from outside the worlds to take part because it spiced up the game so that is fine. Very well, I was going to give a "Time out" anyway before the final phase. You will appear before here in two hours to be transported to Lenegis. If not, it will be the last mistake you ever make. Mojo…have my feast ready."

The Sentry had his eyes glow with golden energy, and in a flex of power he shot up in the sky, going through the castle like it was nothing before he looked like a star in the sky.

Mojo saw everyone giving him dirty looks before he snorted." Oh, you better not be trying to pull a fast one punks, you so do not want to see the Sovereign Supreme when he loses his temper. Speaking of that…Spiral get the B roll footage ready! We will recap the hell out of the viewers to keep the hype train on tracks!"

The obese creature with metal spider like legs belched out a few more commands before he glowed, and was warped to wherever Spiral was. Alphen saw that for the moment his enemies were gone before he blinked." What...what is all this? This is like some sick joke."

Law looked around at the sky, and realized the large golden light was still there before he grit his teeth." So…so now what?"

Astra spat on the ground before she let out a disgusted," Now if you want to really get your independence we figure out how to troll this jackass with the god complex before things go to hell. Guess we at least have some time to pull it off, though if you were just thinking out of your ass Prince then it's not going to get us anywhere."

Mike saw Astra looked annoyed before he gave out a sheepish shrug." Hey at least we got some time right? I mean with the SRX team we are not bluffing. It's just…we got to figure out damn quick how to get out of this alive. But hey, we knew we were going to have to figure out how to get what we needed from him some way or another right? AT least it's not a total surprise."

Astra saw Mike's confidence and rolled her eyes." Piff…long as they are not hearing us right now. Let's make sure this castle does not blow up in are face and take it from here. First, oh?"

Astra saw Tanjiro and Grimoire Weiss run up before she snickered." Hey! I thought you guys were looking over all the unconscious folk? If my friends get messed with while they are knocked out I'm kicking your ass! Or more like your pages! Someone needs to help them get their heads on straight."

"That's just the thing you vile woman, your friends and the majority of those mind controlled below are not waking up."

"Say what!?"

"He's right!" Tanjiro blurted out after taking some heavy breaths." Miss Rebecca got her friends to her ship to heal them…but while some of them are waking up a lot of them look like they are sick, or in one of those coma things!"

9S looked below to scan things before he winced." Damn…it might be some way to keep them under his control. Even if they break free from the mind control, they way there bodies were altered might make them dependent on something he has or something to function."

Astra paused to take it in, before she yelled out in anger and punched the castle tower next to her down. She looked up in the sky before her energy formed an aura around her." You bastards think you can take my crew as hostages or something? Oh…that's going to cost yah extra. C'mon, I'm about to blow up this dump just to show what I think of these eyesores so let's make sure no one is stuck inside!"

Alphen looked at Astra with shock before muttering," So…you all do have a plan for this?"

Mike let out an uneasy chuckle before he looked up." Oh…more like…we have gotten into a habit of having to survive dudes way stronger than us by now. Still…I was going to ask if you guys had anything about this super lord but sounds like all of you were in the dark."

Dohalim winced as he looked down." I knew of course about the ruler of the Renan's, but I did not think he viewed us, all of us as just as a way to entertain himself?"

Mike shrugged before he looked around." So goldenrod never came to talk to you guys before? I mean you became a lord right?"

The red haired lord winced before he looked at his staff." I, indeed was a high-ranking member of house il Qaras and was dubbed the Lord of Elde Menencia, but it was a reward given from afar.

This was the first time the Sovereign Supreme personally graced the planet with his presence, form what I heard the previous winners had to go to him. But, we saw Vholran seemed to prove what we thought we knew was a façade. I'm…tired of losing everything for…" Entertainment". I have lived in Lenegis, I can at least inform you all how to get there safely."

Mike saw the Lord of Elde Menenica looked serious before he nodded." Hey man we will take what we can get, and not going through the place most likely to be ambushed is a good start. Alright, let's call Masaki and figure this out."

From there the group checked to make sure they were not going to get ambushed before they indeed contacted the green haired man and the rest of the pilots from another universe to fill them in.

After one last check around the castle the group headed back to the Flutter, and as the ship took off Mike looked around." Hey…whatever happened with that Butcher dude? And what about that other guy, Dex?"

Roll shrugged before Data jumped up." That Dex Drebin guy you told us about never contacted us, and Mister Butcher just quickly said that "The situation was getting too hot" when the Sentry showed up and fled. Sam got offered to make a delivery for one of his contacts on Lenegis but he would not say what it was about accept that it was important."

Astra rolled her eyes before responding with," Guy's such a badass that he ducks for cover the moment the man comes down eh? Whatever, unless he had a bomb that would take out that shinny jackass he was not going to be much help. Forget it, we need to think fast on how to get out of this. All right we are in range so let's get this going."

Roll nodded and pressed a button, before the hologram image of Masaki appeared. The pilot from La Gias saw everyone and gave a thumbs up." Well hey the gang's all there! You even got the pink haired chick back eh? Looks like it worked after all! Guess you lost the bet Kyousuke! We were worried when that sun like sphere shot down but if you're here guess its ok right?"

"Well…kind of." Mike retorted." Turns out that sphere was not an attack but, the big boss we talked about in the briefing. We don't have a lot of time but you think you guys mech's combined firepower is enough to take him down?"

"Hell yah." Masaki coolly retorted." Might take us going all out but we blown up worst."

While some in the group got excited, Astra narrowed her eyes before responding with a sharp," You guys have enough ammo if you need to do that kind of stunt a dozen times or so till you blow up all his "Sleeve" Clones?"

The member of the SRX team winced before he let out an uneasy chuckle." I mean…maybe? Hey, don't give me that look we are ace's not god's girl! Have to know how many clones we are dealing with, where they all are, and all that nitty gritty stuff."

Astra rolled her eyes before she contained her anger," To hell with "Gods", we need aces who have the guts to be god slayers right now. Whatever, we will meet up and figure this out so get everyone ready."

As the green haired man's image vanished Astra eyed Dohalim again." Alright if there is any reserve forces you have hiding or any other rebel guys on this planet now would be a, ugh, course in the end they are all fodder for that Sentry anyway."

Kisara winced before she looked down." I assure you we were not hiding anyone else when we reached out to you. The other rebel leaders all gathered with us, and few would even dare to oppose the Sentry."

Mike put up a hand before he took out the Holocron that had his dad's essence and kept up a confident grin." Hey, we knew what we were getting into so let's not take it out on those who did not ok? Not like we are going to have some new ally just pop up out of,"

Before he could finish, a transmission request was picked up by the Flutter's com systems, causing everyone to get on alert as it was an unknown symbol appeared, and a voiceless text message came in saying," We would like to assist you in opposing the Great Spirit."

Mike had his jaw drop before he composed himself." Well, that timing's almost to good."

"Real to good." Astra added sorely." Like it's a damn trap. Not going to be trolled by that fatass or something. Where these guys at anyway?"

"Roll paused before raising her eyebrow." The answer is, unknown? It's almost like, huh? "

The Flutter was suddenly hit with a purple energy sphere, before the ship moved in a different direction. As everyone expressed various ways of showing the same stress a new text message said," Don't be alarmed, we are guiding your ship so are enemies won't see us. You will be arriving at are ship, Daeq Faezol soon and everything will be explained by us of the Lost Numbers."

As the ship moved to the left at a casual pace Law looked around and shrugged." I mean…they easily could have just attacked us at this point right?"

Mike let out an uneasy chuckle before he looked down." Those guys maybe but fair game if one of the other bad guys want to mess with us."

"Other bad guys?" Law blurted out in confusion. Mike saw the locals looked even more uneasy before he sighed." Don't worry about it, one mess at a time am I right? Let's just keep are eyes open people, one scam in one day is enough for me."

Everyone remained on edge as the ship left the planet's atmosphere, after a few moments it looked like they were heading right for an asteroid, but all of a sudden the image rippled, and after going through it, they saw a giant metal seashell with rings. The Flutter slowly flew for the hole that was like a docking bay before Dohalim widened his jaw. "That…that almost looks like Lenegis! What is going on?"

Shionne got her rifle ready before she shrugged." One way or another we better get an answer soon, I'm tired of being strung along my whole damn life. Let's just see where this path takes us."

The group quickly informed the SXR team to be on standby before they landed on the Daeq Faezol. The person waiting for them was a man in a black body suit with shoulder length blond hair with a glowing right eye that had the image of a gold star painted over it.

As everyone entered Ratchet raised a eyebrow." So you're the dude behind all of this?"

"Nah just the welcoming committee cat man. Name's Longshot, one of the Lost Numbers. Sorry for the sleazy way of introducing ourselves but I known Mojo and his boss for a while and know how to not get his attention, which seems to be important right now. The gist of it is the Lost Numbers are all those who been resisting the Poseidal Clan for years. I'm not the brains of this operation though, follow me to find out who is so we can get this started.

While cautious, the group followed Longshot through the platform. Once up a few floors, they arrived in a wide room. At the other side of this room was a steel door that opened as soon as they entered.

As the door entered, behind it was a bed attached to the wall with a humanoid being. Mike saw it looked like a red humanoid bird before he raised an eyebrow." That…one of those Chozo guys that were pals with my dad's friend Samus?"

James came out of Mike's pocket, and the hologram glanced at the figure before he paused." No Mike…that's not a Chozo. That…should be a member of the Helganquil race."

Astra shrugged as she looked around." Well good for it but don't really care if we are in another creep's collection room or something."

"Your mistaken woman." A computerized voice from the bottom of the wall below the Helganquil muttered." I am not quite dead yet. I apologize if the reception indicated otherwise, it's been some time since I had unexpected guests."

Law blurted out," It can talk? Or...can its bed talk?"

Alphen walked up before taking a deep breath." Alright, just what are you?"

"The most effective way to identify me in human terms would be Hevrekt-35."

"Hevrekt-35 you say? Then what is this place? Are you connected to the Renans, and their master?"

"Correct. I apologize for the secrecy, but I assume that my brethren that serve the great spirit would ruin my last hope."

Mike let out an uneasy chuckle before he walked up." Sorry sir but I think we are missing some of the story here."

Suddenly the machine unleashed a blue light that flashed across the room. Just as everyone wondered if it was a trap all along Heverekt-35 muttered," None of you are bound to a "Flame Clock", and the DNA of those of a Sovereign and Maiden type are among you, I can see why they would see you as valuable targets."

Law winced before he slouched over." Oh goodie…more riddles."

Rinwell pet her owl friend to keep Hootle calm before walking up." Can we seriously trust something as weird as this?"

Grimoire Weiss floated up before clearing his throat." Hush lass, this creature is far from the most hostile thing we seen so let him speak."

The light in front of the bird man got larger before the machine voice boomed out," I shawl now answer your questions. I am of the Helganquil race. You are on Daeq Faezol, the only surviving space craft that escaped the "Great Spirit" of the Poseidal clan, merely cause of a fluke.

Since my escape from the "Great spirit's" influence I did whatever I could to extend my life span in hopes of finding someone that could bring me and my race's salvation. As I have done so, I have also set out to monitor Rena and Dahna from this position, thus how I discovered you all."

Dohalim eyed Hevrekt-35 carefully before he cleared his throat." A question if you don't mind. Is this Great Sprit you talk about the man we know as the Sentry?"

"I see you need clarification. What you know as the "Sentry" is just a masquerade for the man once known as Robert Reynolds 's true nature, the Great Spirit of Shadow, known as either "The Void" Or as "Knull. Lord of the Abyss."

Mike raised an eyebrow before he looked around." Hold the metaphorical phone here. You're saying that the Sentry is not the head of the Poseidal clan? I thought it was that Oldna Poseidal guy."

"He is the ruler of the Poseidal tribe, but not the intended one. I was a servant for Oldna Poseida, and he used body doubles to fool everyone, up to the point where he got the "Ambrosia" from the devil.

He wanted to test the fruit to make sure it would not poison him, but as it was being tested, the janitor for the lab, Robert "Bob" Reynold sneaked in.

He had a drug problem and took the" Golden Sentry Formula" and consumed it to fix his addiction. The result caused the lab to explode and shatter half the planet, the planet most call Rena. When he emerged, everyone assumed he was the ruler of the Posada tribe, so he merely acted on their assumptions."

Everyone took in what the bird man said before Shionne widened her eyes." Wait…what does that mean? I don't remember anyone saying anything like that."

"Tell me…have you "Renans" In fact been to your home planet? Or have you just spent your entire life on the space station Lenegis?"

Dohalim felt a chill down his spine before responding with," Yes…because only the winners of the Crown Contest get to visit the home world. What…are you implying?"

"The fact is…there is no such thing as Renas in the first place. My kind were the true ones who lived in that world. We came from that world from another that was lost to the Death Stranding and were forced to obey the Poseidal tribe.

I was forced to take part in the experiment, and was one of the few who survived the Sentry's ascension. He, is the one who took the people from the nearby planet of Dahna, and took the ones selected into "Renans" to be part of the "Crown Contest" he in time came up with."

All of the natives turned pale as Dohalim stepped back." But…if that's true that would mean there are no people on Rena?"

"There are not, not any native human people at least. Helganquil means "People of Rena" in are language."

Shionne grasped her fist tightly before blurting out," Why…why would the Sentry create a whole" Fake" people then? "

"At first it was because us Helganquil were already driven to the edge of extinction, and he merely wanted more workers. However, he also wanted to manipulate an entire segment of the population to turn on the other so he made them think they were the" Chosen ones"

They gathered Dahans that could easily cast magic or "Astral Arts" and isolated them to make them think they were their own superior race."

Alphen resisted the urge to throw up before he leaned down." All this time we were fighting for independence, and the entire time Renas as we know it are just are own people kidnapped and manipulated to terrorize are own breather?"

Astra could not help but snicker bitterly." Man wish those Lords could see just how worthless there" Nobility" really was. But hey you guys wanted everyone to become one so badly and now you got it right?

Well…long as your people survive and all. Seriously though, in the end this jackass really just think's he can mess with an entire planet this badly just for kicks, eh? And all of this is just one sick joke for him?"

"Incorrect, he has an objective beyond his amusement with the Crown Contest. However, this objective is to bring himself further dominance over the universe, to control everyone that opposes him."

Astra widened her eyes before she walked up." Wait…you know what's the deal with all these people getting their mind's jacked?"

"Yes…its part of the Sentry's plan to overcome his competitors, by in time taking over everyone's minds. Even before the Sentry's ascension, the Poseidal clan had been investing in exploiting life forms that took over other's minds like the near extinct Yeerks and the Symbiotes from the planet of Klyntar.

Even I am not sure just what the Sentry has done to the plan, only that he found a way to enhance its effectiveness, to the point that nearly all of my kind that still lives has been reduced to his slaves. That, was the just the test, as the endgame is consuming the minds of everyone in the universe."

Coco widened her eyes in shock as she eyed the humanoid bird man carefully." That sounds like Cortex's Cortex Vortex machine, only competent!"

Ratchet saw Cortex grumble in the corner before he chuckled bitterly and nodded." Sounds like the same kind of thing Doctor Nefarious wanted to do to, just as a different kind of machine zombie slave with all that Bio-Liberator stuff. Still if it's boiling down to another bad guy trying to mind control people me and Clank are great at that so just point us where to throw my Omni-Wrench and we can shut this down!"

"I appreciate your enthusiasm but you misunderstand Lombax. This power does not come from any machine, it seems to come from the Sentry himself."

As everyone looked at the bird man in shock Mike let out an uneasy chuckle." You're sure? So that guy's casting mind control spells like it's going out of style and its unbreakable? Well, we broke the spell for a few of them so far."

"For now, but the Sentry has been trying to expand his power. He has been giving portions of his energy to his enforces, such as the man Vholran that you fought to expand his control. It's almost like a virus, that spreads to more and more people."

James glanced at Hevrekt-35 before the holographic man stroked his beard." It's almost reminding me of things such as the "Geass" Mind control power, if altered.

But controlling an entire planet's population takes a tremendous amount of power, to take over an entire galaxy's worth of life forms requires the power of well, god to be blunt. It seems this Sentry is attempting to amass such power though."

"Your correct." Heverkt-35 rebutted." The entire process has made the Sentry even more unstable than he was already, and to gain more energy, he devours the entire energy of planets, and everyone in them. You who assumed Rena was meant to be a paradise, see what your planet really is after your" Lord" finished "feasting "on it."

Another image appeared to the right, one showing a planet. And as everyone set eyes on the image, they were horrified to see that the world they saw, was a destroyed world, that seemed shattered.

In the center was only a small line connecting two chunks of the planet on either end. Dohalim glanced at the planet that he thought was his home before he fell to his knees." This… hollow broken shell, is Rena?"

"Yes. Only those that the Sentry and the Posada clan control completely know the truth, and they hide it from outsiders to keep up the façade. The Sentry shattered Rena when his power went wild, and he devoured the astral energy of everyone around him, up to the core of the planet itself.

He has done this to countless planets, blaming it on his enemies like Homelander, Superian, the Utopian, or the Viltrumites to get the clan to rally around him more.

He keeps planets like Dahna around for entertainment and to give their astral energy to him. By making it a "game" he hides his true purpose from his enemies, but soon he will try and take over every mind in the universe."

Mike chuckled bitterly before he looked outside." Great…one way or another that will just lead to bigger problems. But sounds like it's taken a while for this Sentry guy to improve this power eh? Guess when your immortal time really does seem to go out the window."

Heverkt-35 paused for a few moments before responding with," Its more than that. The Sentry nearly finalized his ritual a while back, but it was set back with sabotage. And now that I gathered enough data, it would seem one of the ones responsible was the candidate to the sovereign before me, along with the candidate for the maiden of the Spirit Channeling Ceremony, Naori Imeris."

Shionne had her jaw drop before muttering," You, you knew my ancestor?"

"Yes, she's one of the few who worked with me, for even at that time we were forbidden to show are faces in public. She was one of the ones who managed to uncover the true intentions of the Sentry without him knowing.

She realized what the true intention of the Sprit Channeling Ceremony was, and sabotaged it. This shattered the ceremony and caused the Renas Alma being destroyed, and for the Sovereign to lose control of his powers and cause great damage to Lenegis.

This fragment of the power would seem to have passed to her descendants, as today's showing showed."

Shionne gasped as she looked at herself." That is what my curse is? The thorns are, a fragment of the Sentry's power?"

"Correct. Because it's a fragmented unstable state its different then the way he controls others, and it seems its why you were able to break free from the control easier than the others he enslaves."

Alphen gasped at Shionne before he grasped his fist tightly." That…that's why Naori did what she did? Did…she even care about me at all? Or just was using me."

"The fact that she sent you to Dahna in secret so you would not be executed, and put a suppression mask to keep you from being detected, seems to suggest otherwise."

A new image appeared showing a woman who looked like Shionne with blond hair putting Alphen in a pod, putting the Iron Mask on his face and programming the machine while saying," Live for me Alphen."

Before the pod left to descend into the planet. As the image faded Alphen had tears form in his eyes before he muttered," Naori…you risked everything to do what was right, for us to be truly free! I don't care how powerful this Sovereign Supreme is. He must pay for what he's done! No matter how godly he is he has to have some weakness!"

"That's what I spent so much time researching "Champion" Heverkt-35 responded." In the end the Renas Alma is not just a trophy, its purpose is to help the Sentry expand his power.

Those like Vholran act like "Extensions" of his power, hence why it seemed the mind control power came from him. After careful research, if the Renas Alma can be redirected, his power could be, sabotaged.

It would have to be when he would be attempting something so his guard would have to be down. But, while not the best odds, there is a chance the imbalance could shatter his mind. Unlike his body, that's not so easily recovered."

Astra eyed the bird man carefully before she snorted." So, the gist of it is we got to troll a jackass who could kill us before we could blink by putting ourselves right were he wants us to, and trick him just long enough to push his own power to break him and hope he does not break us back?

Heh…guess you know you been through hell when odds that look bleak as hell come off as better then what you seen. Well, if we can't pull something like this off, then might as well just roll over.

Problem is I don't like rolling over for assholes who think they have the right to make everyone around them their damn pets! So just means we can't halfass this eh?

You said that in the end the Sentry was just some janitor who got lucky? Sounds like a loser who thought a fluke meant he was the bee's knees and it all went to his head. You able to get any data on what this dude was like? If we know what messes him up, it could give me a few ideas on how to mess with him."

Mike paused before he shrugged." Well…might be a long shot since he was in enemy territory but maybe Die-Hard man might have info on him to. It's a long shot but it's the only shots we got these days so, just got to roll with it."

Shionne nodded before she grasped her chest tightly, around where the fire Master core normally appears." My grandma risked everything to bring this bastard down, and I'm not going to make her, and my pain be for nothing!

This "Great Sprit" hides from the those stronger then him, but treats anyone that he 's stronger then as toys to bully like a true coward. He thinks he's so great, but we have to bring him down no matter what! It's the only way we can get true freedom."

Shiki walked up to him before nodding." Hey you helped me and Steiner wake up from being this jerk's puppets, we will do all we can to return the favor."

Mike saw Rebecca and Steiner nod, and observed everyone's grim resolve before he flashed another half-lopped smirk." Well better put are heads together and figure out how to make sure the odds are in are favor eh guys?"

From there Mike reached out to the SRX team and the rest of their allies to fill them in so that everyone could figure out how to get the better of their enemies before it was too late.

Speaking of enemies, the person they were trying to overthrow was taking Mike at his word, and was using the time to make sure all of his subjects around him were giving him the respect he deserved.

After leaving, the Sentry had his personal space palace, the "Palace of Infinity" or Chronux land on top of Lenegis.

The moment the golden sphere like craft finished docking, the leaders of Lenegis arrived to try and appease their lord, and many other members of the Posada clan also arrived to get in their master's good graces for the "show." Two such people, were Muzan and Mahito.

The two demons had just entered the core of Chronux, the "Golden Temple" before Mahito saw a wide dome like area with countless booths and countless statues in the upper north with a golden throne, and saw the Sentry was sitting on that throne with a dozen woman giving him food before he whistled." Wow…I heard the stories but this guy's really living up the whole god thing eh? Wonder how much he's."

"Mahito." Muzan uttered with enough of a chill to keep the longer haired man to shut up." I would highly recommend you don't talk now. Everything depends on the following moments going how we wish so if you want to live…you will follow my lead."

Mahito saw the man with the white fedora's cold look at him before he let out an uneasy chuckle and gave a thumbs up. Muzan saw a staff member of Lenegis come down from the golden platform, trembling as they realized they were out of the Sentry's site, and tightened his hat. The same woman in red from before who was along side Vholran saw the woman run off crying, before she glanced at him.

The man known as the" Shadowlord" smiled before he took out a ticket, the ticket he was provided beforehand. After a second the woman in red nodded, and backed off. Muzan and Mahito did not waste a second before going up to the platform. After a few moments they reached the "Throne" where Sentry was being fed by a few scantly clad woman some grapes while Mojo, Spiral, and a few others were preparing things.

As Spiral walked up to the two demons, Sentry saw Muzan and smirked." Well…if it's not my favorite Shadow Broker! Muzan, I almost thought you were going to miss the party."

"My…sincere apologizes for giving that assumption Sovereign Supreme." Muzan replied as he gave a bow." I just had to tidy up a few things. You know the business, if I keep a client hanging to long the relationship might sour, and that could directly hamper my ability to keep you informed."

The Sentry saw Muzan was still stoic before he snickered." Well, your information helped me show those arrogant Viltrumite brutes not to make a mockery of me in my realm so I can understand the value of a hard worker.

It's just…the Vought clan attacked my territory recently and my forces were completely caught off guard. You were supposed to keep me informed about that."

Muzan paused before he nodded." I admit something has changed with Homelander, something that does not fit his pattern. I won't deny something drastic has changed within that whole region of space, but I assure you I want to get to the bottom of that as well.

After all…if the rumors that Ben Auro really has returned and has gone mad, or something else like that, it's something I would want to be on top of…one way or another."

The Sentry paused for a moment before he leaned back." Heh…that relic and his dying kingdom are just desperate to avoid the judgment they deserve. I heard the rumors to, but to be frank I hope you would not use that as a cover to try and undermine me.

Spiral and some of the others have found things you were supposed to deliver to me in the hands of my enemies after all. You have done well to me but I would be displeased if you thought you could deal under my nose without my permission."

Muzan paused before he smirked." It seems are enemies are resorting to desperate childish attempts to trick us. I assure you I would never do something so foolish. But I understand my work can leave a bad image at times. I hope bringing a drink you like to toast off today's games can mend that misunderstanding."

Muzan snapped his fingers before Mahito nodded, and took out a green colored drink before the man in white went on with," Is it fair to say that Malboro tequila is still your preferred drink for occasions such as this?"

The Sentry glanced at the drink before he smirked." Well at least on that regard your instincts hold true Shadow Broker. And I do want to toast today. No matter what the other clans are doing, soon all of their plots and powers will become mine. But all these surprises are making me decide to prove that the Posada tribe is the one most fit to rule over the universe! Lindy, let's start the toast eh?"

One of the women next to him nodded and quickly got the drink. The Sentry saw it opened before he snapped his fingers." Muzan, you deserve to be in on this to. After all you did help scout some of the players in this game eh?"

Muzan saw Spiral was watching him carefully before he smiled." But of course. After all, it might just be the most splendid performance this universe has ever seen."

Sentry saw Muzan drink his own drink without hesitation before his grin widened." Oh, it's far more then one game. We gathered enough to produce a whole season of shows. After all, the candidates will make for a fine Reaper Game for the after party, eh Mr. Kitaniji?"

Muzan paused before a male chuckle to the right cause him to see a man with long black hair that wore a red headphone around his neck.

He wore a black dress suit with a white shirt opened underneath, revealing his chest which he wore a circular necklace on top. He wore white dress shoes and had sunglasses over his eyes.

Alongside him was a tall woman with long wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. She wore glasses and donned a maid uniform, thigh-high black leggings and white high heels. She had long black fingernails which were pointed and apparently sharpened at the ends.

The man with the sunglasses gave a wide grin before he bowed." I assure you Sovereign Supreme, by the end of this Crown Contest the Reaper Games will have enough "Draftees" to make for the most intense season yet, and Megumi Kitaniji never lies about his work under the pride of the title of the Reaper Games Conductor.

Can you feel it Shadow Breaker? Didn't you feel it over this planet? Rage. Hate. Misery. Envy. Fear. Self-deprecation. A cacophony of countless selfish wants. As that noise swells, it turns into crime, warfare…but most of all…ratings.

If all goes as planned I think are viewers will enjoy all these desperate freedom fighters being torn to pieces again and again in the Reaper Games, eh Mitsuki Konishi?"

The blond woman alongside him pressed her glasses to her face before answering with," I'm sure the players will not feel the excitement, but the oldest law of nature is that one person's success is always built on another's sacrifice one way or another. Those that struggle to defy that, provide the most entertainment with their pointless suffering."

Sentry gulped down some wine before he grasped his free hand tightly and formed a sphere of light." What's most entertaining of all is seeing everyone who thought they were above the game, is about to be the central players!"

Muzan cleared his throat before he looked up." Sovereign Supreme, I have no doubts about your genius, just confusion. No doubt once those like Homelander, Omni-Man and the others understand the true nature of your game, they won't take it so well. Surely you figured a way to keep them divided so you don't have to fight them all at once?"

The Sentry paused, before he snickered and looked below." Don't like not knowing something Shadow Broker? I assure you; Infinity Palace ensures there will be infinite Sovereign Supremes flying out from its depths so that the would-be pretenders know there place! No matter how hard they try, my enemies will never send me to the other side. So, there is no reason to fret, just sit back and enjoy the game."

Muzan paused, glanced at Mahito, and nodded." If it's what you say, then so be it. Well, may all go to, how we hope."

Mojo grit his teeth before gashing out," That depends on if the players know their damn place! That lanky brat had the look of a scammer on him, he better not have tried to cut and run."

"He seemed smart enough to know that running was futile." The Sentry retorted as his eyes glowed." But…if he is dumber than I thought then all of Dahna will be made to see the price of trying to trick there supreme, oh?"

The Sentry saw Ethel walk up before the sliver haired woman saluted." Sovereign Supreme…forgive the intrusion but the ship containing the contestants is heading to dock here, and they brought a second larger ship to."

A hologram appeared showing the Flutter, with the Hagane behind it. The Sentry saw some of the SRX 's mecha and looked delighted." So, the thin clown was telling the truth after all. Well…at least I won't have to torture him now. Good, this will make the Crown Contest finale be the spectacle I was hoping for."

Mojo licked his lips before nodding." With stuff like this we really will be the hit of the universe! Spiral don't you dare let up on the close ups!"

As the Flutter docked Alphen and Shionne were the first to emerge, and they wore new outfits. Alphen wore the Gahm Arthalys outfit Dohalim provided, an outfit for the " Rena" nobility, a white military uniform.

Meanwhile Shionne came out with a noble outfit of her own, a more stylized white dress with blue feathers on the shoulders called the L'Aze Phiarquis.

The Sentry saw them emerge, along with a few of the SRX team members that could fight outside there Mecha such as Sanger Zonvolt, Vaan, Doctor Cortex, and a man in organic white and red armor that called himself Didarion walked up to before the Sentry smirked. "Well at least they have the tact to give their best appearance to their master. In that case, it's time to get this show on the run eh Mojo? Everyone take your seats, it's time for the most spectacular show the universe has ever seen."

Muzan saw Kitaniji start to leave before he nodded." Yes…you clearly been denied what you deserve long enough. Let's go."

Mahito bowed before he nodded." I suppose I better use the restroom first, don't want to miss the climax to all this eh?"

Muzan eyed the Sentry, then nodded at the other man before departing. As they did Mike was one of the many who slowly entered the Infinity Palace before he tried not to let his anxiety show." Well, if nothing else at least we will die in style if this goes wrong. "

"You want to just be a little inspiring "majesty?" "Astra dryly retorted as they walked into the golden temple." C'mon it's do or die so just focus on doing what we gotta do, at least you have the easy part."

Mike saw how focused the blond woman looked before he shrugged." Well…can't argue with that. Ugh, well we planned it out as much as we can, let's hope this guy's ego is even bigger than it seems."

As the group walked up suddenly the lights dimmed, before the Sentry had his aura ignite with enough intensity to light up the room by himself. He then flicked a few spheres of light into the air, before they all took the image of the Sentry and waved.

As people cheered, some more forcefully than others the Sentry laughed." Citizens of the Poseidal tribe, and viewers across the universe! It's my pleasure to ignite the finale for this year's Crown Contest! And to start, are host the master of ceremonies, the Black Barron will kick things off!"

Mojo had images of countless planets appear showing" Fans" from all the worlds the Sentry controlled. After the hologram fans stopped clapping a hole opened in the center of the chamber before a man on a floating platform emerged. He had black skin and wore a brightly colored coat with a leopard pattern inseam.

He also wore a fedora of similar design. He wore white gloves and a ring resembling a king's crown on each of his middle fingers. Around his neck he wore a golden necklace with a large pendant in the shape of "BB", standing for his name. Further accessories included two golden earrings, diamond adorned sunglasses as well as a walking cane.

The Master of Ceremonies waved before he flashed his teeth." "Y'all know who I am. That's right, the bishop of blood and carnage! The Black Baron! We have here some dogs mighty hungry for the taste of glory and freedom eh? These rebels have climbed mountains of bodies to reach this, the pinnacle of the Crown Contest, or "DeathWatch" competition to are viewers!

Here in this amazing stadium in front of a bloodthirsty crowd of survivors, these rebels have to find out the hard way they are not the only dogs starving for freedom! But now it's time to see who the hungriest, ruthless dog in the pin is eh? Alright contestants, step into the ring, so we can kick off this recipe for good times!"

Alphen saw lights shine all the way to the center of the chamber before he took out his Blazing Sword and steeled himself. "Look down at us all you want; we will force you to take us seriously by the end" Baron. Violence and destruction are not forms of amusement."

Mojo snickered before spitting back a vile," Trust me, O My Performing Cattle, they are! And if ratings don't go up with every show, I'll cancel the series and its performers permanently! Control room, it's showtime!"

The Master of Ceremonies snickered as the group walked into the ring. As soon as they did the Black Baron widened his grin." They sure know how to stir up the crowd e? But pimps and players alike are going to see who's the most hellbent of them all on getting their freedom!

We all seen the champions from Dahna, now it's time for the champions from planet Aionios to enter the ring! Will the vision of their district leader Noah be enough to see this through to the end? Some bet a hell of a lot of credits to find out!"

From the right emerged a man with blue hair in a ponytail with grey eyes, wearing a black battle uniform with a red jacket and a large glowing red sword.

To his right was a woman with short brown hair with a black uniform with a black and green jacket over her shirt with blue eyes and wings out of her head welding a large wand, to his left was a bulkier male with grey skin, white hair and red eyes, wearing a grey outfit and a blue jacket over it with a glowing broadsword.

The man in the middle glanced at Alphen, Mike, Astra, and the others and got into a fighting stance before his left eye twitched and the same symbol as the ones brainwashed by Vholran appeared." If the universe holds our lives back, I will end it! It's as simple as that! Lanz, Eunie, get ready to finish this!"

""Ready", he declared." The woman with wings on her head spat out bitterly." From the moment I chose this muddy path I've been more than ready!"

The taller man, Lanz, cracked his neck." "What the spark are you on about?! Course I'm not gonna let you see this through alone!"

After a few cheers the Baron snickered and pointed to the right." And now time from the team from planet Warzard to set the stage, being led by the King of Greedia, the leader of team Red Earth, Leo! Along with teammates Kenji and Mai-Ling!"

Everyone saw a seven-foot-tall man with a head of a lion march out of his hallway. He saw everyone and just gave a monstrous roar as he took out a sword and shield before a ninja and a woman with short brown hair, that wore a leotard based suit of hùxīnjìng lamellar armor and a green beret with long twin striped tails.

After they got a few cheers, the Black Baron motioned to the right." And next we have the other hot new contestants from the backwater world of Valisthea, they are all one big foster family that also are all able to transform into magic monsters they call Eikons, Clive Rosfield, Joshua Rosfield, and Jill Warrick! Let's see just how long their family bonds last before their dream becomes their final fantasy!"

Everyone saw a young man with black hair and black eyes in a knight outfit walk up before grasping the sword in his hands as a shorter man and a brown haired woman walked up besides him." I don't care who you are…for the sake of my family I have to win! Long as they are alive...I don't care what happens to me!"

Clive had his eyes glowed before he transformed into a demonic being who had fire surge around his limbs before Alphen winced." He…he welds fire to? He…he almost looks like me."

Astra looked around before she spat on the ground." That's cause to these pricks he is the you from there other " stage". Sounds like these guys picked guys and gals who went through the same hell as you "Iron Mask." But if he's coming to gut yah you going to take it cause you feel sorry for him? You either do what you have to, or you die, that's life."

Mike saw how smug Mojo and the Sentry both looked before he grasped his fist tightly." Well…that's sure how some of the people calling the shots want to make life all about. Time to see if we are going to get swept up in their game or not."

The Sentry saw everyone had gathered before he got off his throne." All of you have done much good to the Poseidal clan, and provided excellent entertainment. But now the time for games has ended, and the time for glory has arrived.

It's simple, you will all fight to the death, and the team with the most living players by the end of the fighting will be personally awarded by me. I assure you, it will be a reward that will transcend you past what a mere mortal can experience! But you have to be willing to die for it, so give me everything you have!"

The Bloody Baron tipped his hat before grinning." You heard it from the Sovereign Supreme, let's get this party under way! Let the finale of the Crown Contest, the season finale to Deathwatch begin!"

As a gong sound was heard Astra saw Noah, Leo, and Clive all slowly start to move out before she let out a wild grin." Everything eh? Fine…you get what you pay for jackass!"

Astra jumped into the center of the ring and had her aura flare out with enough force to cause the Black Baron's platform to get unstable.

As chunks of the ground were torn into the air, some of the fragments headed to the Sentry, who frowned before his own aura expanded and the fragments vaporized upon contact.

The blond woman saw all the other teams look at her before she let out a wild," For all this posturing I realized I have another idea."

Astra's body flickered, and Noah tried to figured out where she went before he felt a strong gust of wind, and felt pain erupt out of his chest before he realized Astra was in front of him, and had punched him in the chest before he could react. Just as his friends realized what happened, Astra kicked Lanz and Eunie before they could even finish yelling.

Leo saw the other team get knocked out in the span of seconds and gave out a bestial roar of fury, that was cut off as Astra punched him in the gut before he could finish it. The lion headed man could only glance at her before she smirked." Just because you look like the king of beasts "Lion-O" don't mean you're the real top dog here!"

She knocked out his teammates while moving fast enough to appear like a blur, then came for the last group. While she knocked out Jill and Joshua before they could even finish the spells they were casting, as she struck Clive, he gave out a demonic roar before the fire around his body expanded, and his body became pure magma.

Astra saw her limb get caught on fire before she narrowed her eyes." So, you're doing your own being taken over by a demon thing eh? Not bad…accept that your still to green about it!"

The rouge Equalizer had her shadow extend to slice right into the gap in Clive's magma armor. The man merged with the Eikon summon sprit choked for a few seconds before he fell unconscious.

Astra glanced around her to see all three enemy teams were indeed knocked out, though still breathing before she smirked and glanced at the Sentry, taking pleasure in his outrage." While sometimes you do have to cut down people who you would be buds with cause life gave you a bad hand, the other option is if some jackass with a god complex is making decent folk fight each other cause he thinks he can get away with it, then just kick his pompous ass!

Hey fatass…I don't know about the others but your game's just easy mode for someone as hardcore as me so you're going to have to step it up! How about we stop wasting everyone's time and you be a man so we can give folks a real show am I right?"

Mojo had his jaw drop at Astra's display before his eye twitched." That…THAT WAS NOT IN THE SCRIPT! Look at this. See this nose hair? It can act better than you!"

Mike saw the Sentry narrow his eyes before he tugged his collar." Showtime."

The Sentry eyed Astra, before he cleared his throat." When I allowed for more time to provided more of a show, this was not the show I had in mind."

Ethel saw Astra's pure contempt before she winced." She already was able to match my best Ferronis units without straining herself to much, and she was holding back even more!?"

Mojo saw the Sentry was glaring at him before he turned pale." My supreme luminous master, a thousand apologizes! This girl should have been in the other game, one that would have been more proper game for someone of her…level. Go to a commercial!

Go to reruns! Go to an infomercial! Go to something! I'm losing my audience! Well, these days there's only one viewer the matters but if I lose him, I lose everything!"

"Piff…don't get your legs crossed fatass." Astra retorted." I made sure I held back to get you pricks to let your guard down. After all I figured you were not the type that would invite me to the party unless I crashed it!"

Spiral narrowed her eyes before her eyes glowed." Insolent bimbo…worms like you don't insult the Supreme Sovereign and get away with it!"

"Oh please, like I care what the boss man's whore thinks about me."

Spiral grit her teeth before she had swords form in all six of her hands." You're the whore, and I'm the chief security force for all of the Poseidal clan's programs! You're going to regret picking a fight with someone as evolved as me! Mojo, later on I want this cut to a Pay-per-view match of course.

Fifty percent of all intergalactic merchandise and syndication revenue goes to me directly. I only need one arm to defeat the likes of you! But for insulting us, overkill will make a great promo! Dancing Swords!"

The six-armed woman had her own aura flare up, before countless swords formed around her. She grasped a blade for each arm, and dove at Astra. Spiral attacked so fast she was like a blur, but Astra was able to parry all the blades at once.

As the two darted around the area Astra saw Spiral's murderous look and snickered." Just cause you grew a bunch of arms sure as hell does not make you a greater fighter! By the time you get out of your own way the blow is way to, huh?"

The blond woman evaded two slashes, till the center hands suddenly thrust forward, and Spiral's hands extended to stretch unnaturally long. Astra cursed before swerving her head, and getting cut across the cheek.

As she blocked another sword thrust, and had a blade of shadow block the strike, Spiral snickered." Tell me…does it look like it's getting in the way now fool!"

Spiral suddenly fired two energy beams from her swords to hit Astra. As an explosion broke out Spiral laughed gleefully." HAH! That will show the likes of you! I exist to put on the ultimate show…the likes of you are nothing!"

As the smoke cleared Astra showed she was still standing, but took the blast with her right shoulder. While the shoulder was bruised, the blond woman looked more annoyed then hurt. She glanced at the damage to her limb, and spat on the ground."

"Guess your master paid extra for yah eh? Well I don't care how much you been programmed to please your bosses, I'm not playing your games either. You may be groomed to make a show, but I care more about results then impressing an audience. You know what? I think this is mighty fitting for a "Showgirl like you." Yami Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Mumyō!"

Astra jumped back before she held up her sword in her right hand, and placed his left palm as a ring formed on her blade's cross guard. The ring started to spin as it released spiritual energy.

As it spun faster, the circle grew bigger and bigger until it's large enough to surround her body. The ring then split into ten other glowing rings of similar size that encircle her. With a grin she slashed of her sword, the circles went flying at Spiral.

Her opponent narrowed her eyes at the sight of these projectiles." You think just throwing enough projectiles for all my arms is enough to trip me up? You little, huh?"

Spiral tried to attack the rings, only for them to suddenly fly outwards and form a circular perimeter over a large area. Once in position, the ten rings unleashed a flash of black, and before Spiral could get to them suddenly she could not see anything.

She looked around and realized she could not see anything. She also realized she could not hear or smell anything before she slashed out in all directions. Damn it…she cast some sort of blinding spell? I, I can still, GAHH!"

While Spiral could see nothing, everyone else could only see a black dome around the area. Mojo could not see or hear anything before veins formed on his head." What is this? Only I can call when to fade to black around here? Someone get in there!"

Just as the Black Baron and a few others were approaching the magical construct, the entire area shook, before Spiral suddenly went flying out of the dome. The multi-armed woman crashed into the wall, and it was only then that everyone realized that half her arms were impaled with her own swords, while two swords pinned her legs, while the left arm that was not impaled was broken, and the right arm not impaled had its hand cut off.

Mike saw Spiral cough up blood before he winced." Man…each day is another reason not to get on that woman's bad side…damn."

Sentry saw the state of his enforcer and grasped his fist tightly." Enough…ENOUGH! You think you can make a fool of me, in my home? You think you can hide from my light? Time to shine through the fog of lies and expose you for the rat you are!"

The golden clothed man took to the air and unleashed a barrage of golden bolts. When they struck the ground, it caused all of Lenegis to shake. As the dome of darkness faded the Sentry's eyes widened." That's right…thought you could upstage me? I can shred through all your tricks with a flick and explode you as the fraud you are!"

The leader of the Poseidal clan flicked with his right hand to unleash a light projectile. Despite its size upon impact it unleashed a shock-wave that nearly blew everyone else in the area off their feet.

As Mike got up, he saw that the Black Barron was blasted in the Sentry's outburst, and now was missing his legs. The Master of Ceremonies crawled up to the Sentry before coughing up blood." Please…help me!"

The Sentry glared at his employee before his eyes glowed." You dare think you can demand me to do something? Know your worth, in the next dimension!"

The golden man unleashed an eye laser, and the Black Baron only had time to scream "Oh hell no!" before he became a bloody smear. The Sentry chuckled at the outcome before he looked around." That's right…do you understand just how big a mistake you made now vile woman?"

The smoke at last cleared, to reveal a large hole in Lenegis that had no bottom. Astra was right next to the hole, and had deflected the first barrage with her sword. But the shock-wave still hit her hard, and seemed to blow away her clothing in the process. Despite all this she took a few labored breaths and glared at her attacker with annoyance." You flicked to hard jackass."

The Sentry eyed her carefully before he flew down." You…your clearly not from this planet or anywhere near my territory for you to not already be under my control."

Mojo got back up and coughed a bit before he eyed Astra…and quickly had some images fly by his screen before his eyes widened." I know who she is Sovereign Supreme! She's one of the Equalizers! A woman just like her has hit places all over the universe!"

The Sentry saw Astra's defiant smirk before he crossed his arms." Wait…I do remember some of the reports Mojo. So…you're a professional rebel scum eh?"

"Eh…when your being this much of an entitled jackass you're just begging for some equalizing."

"Tsc…and you really thought you could kill me? That I was easier to assassinate then Homelander, Omni-Man, Superian, Utopian and the rest?"

"Well, you hit weaker than them so...something like that?"

"Bah...now you're going to pay the price for being so blind to how things are."

Astra responded with a defiant smirk as she spat back with," Oh it may be a bumpy ride but I still see things clearly," Bob".

The Sentry widened his eyes for a moment before he chuckled tensely." That so? Sounds like your already lost your mind with you rambled some random peasant's name."

"Heh…try and play it cool all you want but I know you're a fraud who got lucky. Before this is over everyone in the universe will see your just the weak fraud that you are."

"Its like you're begging me to kill you. You're at my mercy…and yet you still think you have the upper hand? What…some comrade is waiting to ambush me while you distract me with your insolence?"

"Nope…just know a fraud when I see one. Homelander may be an unstable prick to but at least he does not hide what he is these days. You're playing all these games just to look tougher than you are. You tricked my friends but you're never going to make me bend to you…you don't have what it takes.

The Sentry eyed Astra carefully before he floated closer." So, you are willing to risk everything just to prove a point? Well, if in the end your just a fool I'll be happy to help make it clear how big a fool you truly are! Mojo…were you not complaining about not finding enough material for that program anyway?"

Mojo coughed a bit and was about to respond till he saw one of the pieces of the Black Baron near him and let out an anxious chuckle." Er…yah that was what I was talking about? We can easily edit this out to be the start of the program your brightness!"

The Sentry then appeared in front of Astra before she cloud blink and grasped her face. "Then let this be a demonstration to all who think they can mock me! I'm going to enjoy breaking you girl! With you and a few more others feeding me, I'll have enough energy to show the entire universe who its master is! Submit to your master!"

The Sentry had his right eye glow and transform into the symbol of the Ouroboros, before the Renas Alma appeared in his hand. His shadow suddenly extended before creeping up to link with Astra's shadow, before his eyes widened." You should be honored, instead of being baptized by the likes of Vholran or my other avatars your being converted from the source! Submit!"

The shadow went down Astra's mouth, but just as the Sentry prepared to try and take over her mind, he suddenly felt a tug, before the shadows around him and the blond woman suddenly swerved around. As cracks of lighting formed around the shadows the Sentry looked shocked." What…what is this? I'm being…resisted?"

"Hell yah asshole." Astra spat back." We Equalizers take keeping are minds to are self's real damn seriously! I'll have to thank Rebecca's friends for filling me in on how they felt being taken over cause it's paying off with the Astral Trap spell I set up.

You must have hijacked most of your victims when they were not awake "Bob!" But when you're in my mind, we play by my rules now. Think of it, as another equalizer! Your power level can be maxed out but if your mind's too weak to use it then your still going down!"

The Sentry yelled with outrage and tried to grasp Astra's neck, only to phase through it. He looked around and realized he and Astra were now in a blank void before his eye twitched." So you cast some sort of trap spell, and now we are in the astral realm of minds? Fine…that just means the game's changed. Bah…we will not just play any game, but the "oldest" game that gods use to express dominance!

You thought you were so clever but you're just going to make this worst for you and everyone you care about! All I have to do is dominate your mind before I do the same to your body! And I will dominate you, before I dominate the universe! Because I am like…a dire wolf…prey-stalking…lethal prowler!"

As the Sentry morphed into a wolf Astra shrugged." That all? Cause I'm a hunter, who's the best there is at wolf stabbing!"

Astra projected her will with enough conviction to make Sentry feel like he was being stabbed before he yelled out in pain. He howled with anger before hissing out," I am…a serpent…poison toothed…devourer of hunters."

The child of Doug saw her enemy suddenly morph into a snake before she felt the sensation of fangs going into her, and grit her teeth." That's all? I'm a god damn bird of prey…a snake devouring talon-ripping badass that don't get poisoned by chumps!"

The Sentry felt the sensation of his eyes being racked across before he yelled out again." Damn you! No matter what beast you think you are, I'm something that erodes all! That's right…I'm a butcher bacterium…the bane of all warm life!"

Astra winced as the Sentry suddenly devolved into fragments of darkness that dived at her throat. As she started to choke, and saw blood come out of her eyes she grasped her fist tightly." No…no virus has more will then me. Cause I have the will of a whole damn planet! That's right…one that burns out any damn bacteria!"

The Sentry suddenly felt an overwhelming force squeeze him before he was pushed back, causing him to seethed out." That's not big enough to stop my will! Because I am a nova! An all-exploding, planet cremating force!"

Astra yelled out as the Sentry became a blazing explosion. As the flames consumed her she yelled out," That's just enough to warm me up jackass! Cause my will's enough to fill up a whole damn universe!"

The Sentry felt Astra's will grow to the point that his fire started to burn out before he yelled with primal fury." No…even if that's true…then I am just Anti-Life itself! The beast of judgment, the dark at the end of everything, doomsday incarnate!"

Astra screamed in pain as the Sentry became a mental force shredding all life in the universe. But as she saw her attacker's mad look on his hollow face as all around him became dark, she grit her teeth and spat back," Only one universe "Bob"? I'm something that's bigger than one universe. I'm what transcends one nation, one world, or even one universe! The hope of rebellion!"

The blond woman suddenly became a light that blinded the Sentry. The ruler of the Poseidal clan felt himself being squeezed on all sides as he hissed out," What? No…such an asinine thing can't over power the Anti-Life Equation! No…what beats hope? Despair? Absolute Force, yes, force always, GAHH!"

Astra suddenly punched the Sentry in the jaw before yelling out," Wrong answer! Those things might beat hope down but it never crushes it! You lost the game, so time for your penalty!"

The Sentry found himself being pushed further and further before he cried out," No…you think being a stubborn bitch will change anything? I killed millions, billions of insolent scum who thought they could defy there master! Your just another, GUH!"

The tyrant felt a surge of pain overwhelm him, and for a moment he was blacked out. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Astra still grasped his arm, only they were back in the golden temple's center.

Just as the Sentry realized what happened Astra's grin widened." Yah? Well your looking at someone that's going to make you feel the weight of being that much of a asshole! Grip of Murder!"

Astra made a hand gesture before she punched the Sentry with her bloody fist. After being weakened from the mind control being broken, Astra was able to have her blood go down his throat.

The Sentry had veins form on his forehead and prepared to unleash an eye laser beam right through his attacker's chest, till suddenly he felt his head throb.

He was still holding the Renas Alma turned red and merged with his body. He grasped his face, and noticed veins were forming over that hand that merged with the Renas Alma.

As his arm started to have deep red veins growing over it and be covered in red markings his eyes widened." You damn whore…what trick is this?"

"Ask your victims asshole! Your precious toy was linked to so many people's deaths, and I used the Grip of Murder curse spell to make you feel the pain and suffering of all the people that died for your game? Guess killing entire worlds to feast on there energy is not looking so hot now eh?"

The Sentry grasped his arm tightly before he turned beat red." The more you trick me, the more your suffering will be till I finally break you! I am one of the Nahobino, one of those destined to be the masters of the universe! The will's of entire planets worth of maggots won't undue me!"

He went to punch Astra, but the blond woman blocked with her sword. She then smirked before muttering," Maybe…but it still will mess with yah enough for me to kick your ass easier!"

Astra slashed the Sentry across the face, causing Mojo to gasp." The editing for this is going to be hell. Ethel, Ashera! Contact Full Flat on Threat Star! Get everyone in this entire galaxy to swarm here and we will swarm this cocky,"

"NO! SHE'S MINE!"

The Sentry roared out with enough force to cause the startled Mojo to topple over before his aura nearly blinded everyone." Anyone that denies me the pleasure of killing this whore will die an even worst death! I will show everyone in the universe what happens when they make a fool out of me!"

The Sentry tried to tackle Astra, only for a blade to come out of her shadow and hit him in the face. Mike took a deep breath before he looked at the others." Alright guys the plan's sticking together as much as possible, so we better get are part of the deal started to."

Alphen saw despite everything Astra looked confident as she dodged her enemies enraged attacks before he grit his teeth." Is it really ok to have her fight this madman alone?"

Mike saw Astra deflect the Sentry's eye laser beam back in his face before he shrugged." Trust me…the truth is it might be better if she does not have to worry about hostages. In the end, before we got this band together this is what she wanted to do with her life.

And if we can break his mind control and weaken him it will help a lot more than trying to get an extra punch or slice in eh?"

"He's right!" Shionne added as she loaded her rifle." Before they can send anyone else let's shut this down, once and for all!"

2B glanced at one of the holes made by the Sentry's attack before she knelled over. Thanks to are enemy, if we secure the elevator past that hole we can get to where we need to be faster."

Alphen took a deep breath before he nodded." Alright…one way or another at last Dahna will get its independence!"

Mojo saw everyone heading out before he turned red." HEY! You're not getting off set till the show's done! Spiral! Get them!"

His other servant Domo walked up before clearing his throat." Sir…Spiral seems like she will be out of commission…for a long time."

Mojo saw Spiral cough up more blood before he winced." Right…remind me to post the job offers tomorrow. But right now…send in EVERYONE! Heh, might as well get that thing I was saving for the finale to the game."

Mike and the rest got on the platform, and as it closed Law smirked." Blondie kicks even more ass than I thought! We might be able to pull this off and, huh?"

As the elevator started to descend everyone saw the Lady in Red from before was in front of them…staring at them blankly. Kisara got her shield up before she looked around." Vholran's aide? Really?"

"Maybe she really wants a promotion!" Rinwell muttered as she braced herself. Law shrugged before he hunched over." Too bad lady cause no matter what kind of spells you know it's not going to be enough to, huh? Whoa!"

Law suddenly saw a golden energy wheel roaring to him before Kisara blocked it with her shield, and everyone saw it came from another woman that looked like the twin of the lady in red. Alphen saw the new arrival float next to the other one before raising an eyebrow." What…are they…siblings? Huh?"

Everyone saw a dozen more of the same woman land before Dohalim winced." Are they…clones? "

The ladies in red all narrowed their eyes, before they twitched and transformed into humanoid bird creatures.

Alphen saw they all looked like Hevrekt-35 but red before he grit his teeth." They…must be Helganquil? So, he was telling the truth, the rest of his race really is enslaved."

Tanjiro took a deep breath before getting into a fighting stance." Sorry, but we have no choice but to hurt you a little more before we can free you!"

The humanoid birds all gave berserk roars before the leftmost one had its hands glow with dark energy and unleash a bolt of lightning. Grimoire Weiss countered the magic with his own before muttering," Words are not really fitting for are situation lad!"

Megaman swerved out of the way of another energy ring before he hit another Helganquil in the chest with his Mega Buster. As he saw the mind controlled enemy cry out in pain he winced." I know we have to do this…I just hate that this Sentry is leaving us no choice but to fight brain-controlled people to the death."

Ratchet saw Crash unleash another tornado spin to hit a Helganquil to the ground before he smirked." Well, we can make a third option, and make it a dance off. Heard them to the right and let the Groovitron set the tune!"

The humanoid cat like person threw the floating silver disco ball into the air. The projectile played the old tune" We did not start the fire." Before all the Helganquil started dancing.

Ratchet saw some of his newer allies shock before he smirked." It is easy when they are all the same race I guess."

Law blinked a few times and saw his enemies were still dancing before he glanced at the Lombax." You could have done something like that the whole-time cat dude?"

"Hey I can't break their minds, just keep their bodies busy. And we better move before someone breaks them out. It was, the Kandrona generator or something that was the thing that they were using to control everyone's minds?"

You got it." Longshot replied as he readied his gun." From what I remember Mojo saying it's like what spreads the channel across TV's. The Sentry is the source but if we bust it, there goes his plans to take over everyone in the universe's minds."

"Then let's make that are stop eh?" Mike uttered as the elevator stopped." So…is this the place?" Rinwell ran past the hallway before muttering," Well what does it say this room is, huh? AH!"

The mage's shock was seeing they walked into a wide room with four large cylinders. And in those cylinders were glass pods, with human bodies floating in water, both men and woman, all naked and motionless.

Law ran up before he winced." The hell? Are they all…sleeping?"

Dohalim looked around before he winced." No. They appear to be well preserved. However, they are all dead, I can see it in the monitors."

"Dead?" Law rebutted." So…this is a mass grave?"

"Looks that way." Kisara answered." None of them see to be of the Helganquil though."

Dohalim grit his teeth as he looked around." After knowing that…that Renas were originally Dahans who were modified to live on Lenegis, so this might be where the procedure took place."

Shionne grasped her rifle as she looked for somewhere to shoot." They…they were all taken away, never given a chance to wake."

"Its worst then that." Longshot replied bitterly." Mojo told me himself, this is where they grow the clones for there" Games". As bad as you had it on Dahan, it's in fact better than some of the other " Districts" cause at least they wanted to keep your world mostly" authentic". On Aionios and some of the others, the "fighters" are grown right here. They are grown to come out as teens, and have a fixed life span…all so that they have no control over their fate, and live as endless "actors" for the bastards on the other side of the screen."

9S looked around before he winced." Damn…they…they almost sound like us Yorha agents."

Kaine saw the blindfolded man's doubt before she snickered." "C'mon don't compare us to these assholes. We all sighed up to have the replacement bodies and all that, these guys were not given a choice."

"She's right." 2B responded." That's why it's are duty to at last free them, for the glory of mankind!"

Mike looked at the tubes before he winced." That's for sure. Being made in a tube just to be someone's puppet…is no way to have a real life. Still…as messed up as this is this part is not the core part of the problem, right? Are we going the right way?"

Clank quickly hacked into the nearby terminal before he looked past the cylinders." Something is past this room, but it's the highest level of security. To the point where the door has to be authorized to even appear."

Mike looked around before he shrugged." So, the room is there, but the door is not?"

"Affirmative."

The lanky man looked around before he wiped some sweat off his brow." Well since we are short on time might as try the most direct option. Ready to strut your stuff Lani-Loli?"

The Quantum Mask came out of his pocket before he coughed bitterly." No, but at this point I need a breath of fresh air. Just make it quick this place is crazy!"

Mike nodded before he put on the blue floating head on his own face. He used the mask's power to phase through the wall. The man with the mask walked slowly to make sure he did not walk right out into space, felt his arm go through open space, and saw it was still inside before he looked around and saw a terminal before he smirked." Thankfully they just assume there is no need to put the lock on both sides."

Mike wasted no time summoning the door, and was relived to see everyone enter after half a minute. As Crash gave a thumbs up 2B looked around." Well done your, er, sir Bosley. It's been a close call but we might just be able to secure the metal we need and disable this madman's way to mind control the universe yet."

Ratchet looked around before he shrugged." Just got to make sure its not rigged if we cross the wrong wire. I got the CodeBot ready to break any password but we got to do it, huh? Hey who's jumping the gun here?"

Everyone looked past a confused Mike to see a large golden crystalline vault like chamber with a purple barrier around it. In its center, was none other then Mahito. The long-haired man had his hand at the center of the door, before he paused and looked around.

The reaction to all the confused looks caused him to sigh." How careless of me…thinking no one else would get this far. Guess its not quite chaotic enough for me to get some peace."

Law cracked his neck before he walked up." What…we got the vault guard here? You drew the wrong straw pal!"

Alphen looked around before he raised an eyebrow." He's not wearing their uniforms, and he does not look like the others who were mind controlled either."

Mike paused before he widened his eyes." Hey, wait…I remember you. You were one of the guys trying to get away before the fighting started back down below. The guy who was around the dude with the fedora right?"

Mahito eyed Mike before he facepalmed." Wow…got one with some good memory to boot eh? Talk about timing."

Shionne noticed a few destroyed machines before she readied her rifle." Its one thing if you were captured and escaped…but what the hell would you run here for?"

Mahito saw how cold Shionne looked before he shrugged." Hey, it is rather secure in here, eh? Besides…I have a rather strong gut feeling that what's beyond this door will help me with what I need."

Megaman eyed Mahito carefully before he raised an eyebrow." And you have a way in? You have the key or…passcode or something? "

"Oh…I'm very good at working around that kind of thing."

Alphen paused before he nodded." Well…not going to turn down timing like this. If you can get us through the seal we can destroy the Sentry's spare bodies, and shut down his plans before its to late!"

Mahito winced before he chuckled lightly." Ah…the beast is to direct as always. Its all fun and games till you trample what we were after. I don't suppose you guys would let me get dibs first eh?"

"Dibs?" Law muttered." What the hell do you mean? Its part of this Sentry freak that makes him such a pain why the hell would you want to hold on to anything like that?"

Mahito paused before he took his hand off the seal and flicked his hair back. He eyed Law and the others carefully before he shrugged." I suppose we are at the point where I'd tell you but then I have to kill you. Nothing personal, just my boss gets real moody if I blab spoilers to things eh? A shame, you guys could have been useful for a while longer but well, priorities and all."

Mike winced before he glanced at Tanjiro." Tanjiro…I think you might have been on the money from the start. Gigs up man, back off now if you want to avoid a bad time because we don't have time to appease robbers."

Mahito suddenly laughed before he put his right hand over his face." Oh, that's a riot. Talking to fools like you really is stress-free. You're trying so hard to repress your fear, but people like you reek of fear.

Cause you always feared the earth, the forests, the oceans, the sun, and everything else you could not control. And yet you try so hard to seem stronger than you are. I wonder if the first person to say "the opposite of fondness is indifference" went to hell like they deserved for casting the sin of deception?

It's just not possible that interacting maliciously with others could be more proper then leaving them alone. "The opposite of fondness is hate." Those who championed "hero's" for so long always like gloating over complex answers, cause humans can't live without making up excuses for there failings. That's why they are so…so exasperating."

Dohalim pointed his staff at the man with stitch's on his face before he muttered," If you loath humans so much why are you not taking part in the Crown Contest?"

"Because as you seen the man running them is ripe with such human sins and I have standards "Lord." The Sovereign Supreme is just a fool who got power he did not deserve and some think others deserve that power more."

"Like you creep?" Law yelled out as he cracked his knuckles. As Mahito chuckled in response Rinwell winced." Carefully idiot! He may not look like much but he must know some seriously nasty magic if he got this far!"

"Then I'll pound him before he can cast it so we can get this done! Flashing Savage Roar!"

Sparks crackled around the martial artists knuckles before in the blink of an eye he was in front of Mahito, and punched him in the gut. Law let out a smirk, before his eyes widened as he realized his fist hit, but his target's chest was bouncing backwards like he hit rubber.

Mahito looked more amused than anything before he casually touched Law's head." I see you thought as hard as your simple mind could, but the truth is that sometimes deliberation can lead to worse foolishness then imprudence. Your so stereotypical…that's why you're going to die. Idle Transfiguration!"

The stitched faced man made a hand gesture before he tapped Law's head. The brawler grit his teeth before jumping back." You call that your best shot? That's the, huh? GUH!"

To everyone's horror Law suddenly turned grey, before the right side of his face suddenly ballooned like boils erupted out of his body. Law could only gurgle out a few ineligible words before he turned around, and mutated into a deformed humanoid platypus creature in the process. Rinwell saw Law moan in pain before she turned white." L…Law? AHHHH!"

Mike saw Law stagger about in his mutated body before he resisted the urge to throw up." This…this some sort of curse magic? So, this is your trick eh? It…it can be reversed with a Esuna spell right?"

Mahito widened his eyes before he leaned forward." I'm not going to say that nothing in the universe can reverse my soul transfiguration magic. But there's just one tiny problem, its harder when the body parts are all over the place eh?"

Alphen widened his eyes as his new enemy clapped his hands. He ran to his friend, but Law's body suddenly started to sizzle. Blood came out of Law's eyes before he muttered," Help…me…p…AHRA!"

To everyone's horror Law's body ignited on fire. Law only had time to scream in pain before his body exploded. Mahito saw a fragment of Law's head fall near him before he shrugged and kicked it away." Ah well…I suppose when I use the Idle Transfiguration magic without too much focus the process can be unstable.

Oh well…he was so hot blooded then I guess his simple mind panicked and quickly succumbed to a Adolla Burst. Oh well…some have to learn the hard way the pitiful, frail, nature of your soul!"

Alphen saw the remains of Law land near him before he looked at how amused Mahito was and roared with fury before taking out the Blazing Sword." You…you monster! You, you're going to, GUH!"

Mahito suddenly lunged forward with his right arm, and had it both extend and transform into a battering ram that smashed Alphen all the way into the wall. The "Special Grade" demon had a look of pure insanity form as his eyes glowed." Oh please…I'm a professional! You're going to love what shape your, oh? Hey everyone don't volunteer at once!"

Mahito saw Rinwell cry out in rage as she had elements of fire, ice , thunder and wind come at him in once, only for him to morph his body to move out of each attack.

More projectiles came at him form all sides before wings formed out of his back and he took to the air. As he flew up his left hand transformed into whip like tentacles with bladed tips as he lashed out at everyone.

Grimoire Weiss avoided being lashed at before he sighed." Even for Shades this madman is all but the embodiment of madness."

Kaine grasped one of the tentacles before muttering," Well then its time this freak gets a, GUH!"

While she grasped a unbladed part, it an instant it morphed into extra blades to pierce her, before Mahito laughed at the sight of her pain." Ah its always fun seeing reactions but to be blunt…you can't beat me. Hey…question for you all. A survey if you will. Do you think the soul came first…or the body?"

The mad man saw everyone's shock and chuckled more." C'mon its like the question of if the chicken or the egg came first eh? The body comes from the soul or the soul comes from the body?"

Mike wondered what his enemy was getting at and rolled his eyes." What we get a prize? Fine, answer A."

"Bzzt! The answer is the later! The soul always exists before the body. The shape of the body is pulled by the shape of the soul. Since you helped us I'll at least reward you a little so you know something in the next world. My magic is to make contact with a target's soul and alter its shape.

As you see, my specialty is transfiguring mortal souls, and I'm so good at it that even the ever moody Shadow Lord knows I'm not easy to replace. I am trying to get to something that could be my masterpiece…but you know some of you might be worthwhile projects in themselves, it really is my lucky day!"

Mike saw Alphen cough as the man formerly with the Iron Mask got up and he shrugged." You really must be crazy if you think this is going to be a lucky day for you creep. Listen, I know a few things so I know your not the final authority on things as you think."

"Oh…have some insider info, do we?" Mahito uttered in a tone that made Mike wince." Heh…not sure for sure but there is something unique with your soul. Yah…I think your worthy getting dibs on before this all goes to hell. Domain Expansion, Self-Embodiment of Perfection!"

Everyone tensed up as there enemy had four sets of tiny hands sprout out of his mouth.

A spell was conjured by hand seals formed by tiny hands inside Mahito's mouth before this creates a large black environment that surrounded Mike, that took the shape of giant hands clasped together to form a flower-like shape. Connected to these hands were multiple arms that grabbing one another to form a net pattern that surrounds the two.

At the same time the spell's unleashing caused a shock-wave that knocked everyone back. As they got back up, to there horror the security door closed on them.

Mahito licked his lips as he looked at Mike's fear." That's more like it. Your hiding a few things eh? Well I do love to get to the bottom of things, no matter how deep I have to drill!"

The lanky man saw Mahito have his right-hand transform into a drill before he made sure he could grab both the Quantum Mask and James's Holocron quickly." Hey dude, ever heard of what happens when you keep digging? You might not like what you break open!"

"Trying to scare me with some" hidden rage" or something? If I was afraid of that I would not be here, eh?"

"I don't care if you're to insane to see things rationally, I come to far to let one psychopath screw it all up. I got a deadline to meet to make sure the Sentry gets his."

"Oh…its that kind of thing eh? Heh…you think you can start some kind of revolution? What's even more of a riot is that you can hardly keep your self's from drowning and your just at the tip of the iceberg!"

"What…there some secret thing we don't know? Big deal that's almost a given at this point. But you're the one who does not even know how big this game really is."

"Oh? Careful, you just might make me want to pry the truth out of you man! You guys have been trying so hard to make the whole justice thing work but still don't get how much of a joke the whole thing is? You know demons like me are created from the despair of pepole who realized all your inspiring hopes lead to nothing but despair. " Monsters" like me exist because you drove the universe to madness in the first place."

Mike took a deep breath before he flashed a defiant half-lopped smirk." Well…I'm to deep in it now, I'm going to make the dream work or die trying. Either way, I did more then a few hustles but to the end I'll fight to prove heroism and justice are not just cons!"

"Oh…there is an option C but I don't think you're going to like it." Mahito responded before his right arm morphed into a mace and he swung at the prince of the Bethel Kingdom.

The impact caused the whole room to shake, and those on the outside were consumed with dread as Tanjiro winced." We can't leave him alone with that madman!"

Shionne eyed the area before she nodded." That freak's taken enough as it is, we have to get at him!"

Before they could try and blast there way through, Kisara was one of the group members that saw a flash of light, and intercepted some projectiles with her shield. Everyone turned around to see Mojo craw into the room with dozens of his security forces.

The green blob like creature seethed with rage before jabbing his finger at Alphen." HEY! No breaking one of my contracts, not even death will get you out of them!"

Ratchet rolled his eyes before he aimed his gun at the large enemy." Man your even more of a pain about your show then Vox was about DreadZone. Got to give you some credit for someone without a spine."

"Hey us Spineless Ones show spine in other ways, like not letting little things like rebellions get in the way of deadlines!"

Alphen had his sword blaze with fire before he hissed out," Damn it…this is not a game! So many people have died because you and your master are too insane to even value life!"

Mojo rolled his eyes before spitting back," You hicks just can't accept the truth! And the truth is that life is cheap! Unless you get ratings, attention, and all that jazz! You should be grateful! At least thanks to me people will remember your death and you won't just be another forgotten nobody like all the other schmucks!

Even now…after all you done I still have the bonus round ready for you hero boy! I was saving this for later on but you're clearly asking for it! So time for the finale Danger Zone bonus round! The grudge match from hell! You messed him up good but since the ratings loved it, we brought him back for one last grudge match! Really wanted him to come in smacking you with a steel chair but eh…editing can fix that and it was important to meet the deadline. Cause you sure want to end that grudge, eh Vholran!?"

Alphen turned pale as another door opened, and the man who kidnapped Shionne staggered out. It looked like some of his scars were barely healed, but the former lord looked at Alphen and let out a disturbed chuckle." Who…who said this was over defect? I…will fulfill my duty as a ruler, and cleanse the world of filth like you!"

"Wake up you moron!" Rinwell yelled out bitterly." Are you as messed up in the head as you made Shionne and the others earlier? Sentry and this blob and the rest are just using all of us as puppets! There's not even any real difference between Rena and Dahlians!"

"You think I care about any of that?" Vholran hissed out as he took out his sword." I don't care about what the weak use to justify their existence. All that matters is that I am strong, I was meant to rule over others! A pretender has no right to take what's mine!"

Mojo laughed as he clapped his hand." See despite having to be nudged a few times Vholran's a model actor, cause he know show to stick to the script! Sure…he was all but built to be nothing but a walking talking blood thirsty Sephiroth type pretty boy but hey, despite all the moaning folks love the cliches! Who needs an original personality when you hit all the right memes?"

Alphen saw how gleeful Mojo looked before he looked at his rival with confusion." Wait…so you really were built to be a lord? You, you're the most enslaved of us all."

Despite what Mojo just said Vholran snickered before he grasped his face." We all are cogs in the wheels of fate slave! But some of us are built to be more important than the others. I was fated to rule, I was fated to be the ruler! I will not, I can not lose to inferior beings like you!"

Alphen took a deep breath before he looked at Vholran with disgust." Is that how you block away the pain? Despite all you done, now you feel more pathetic than anything."

"SILENCE!" Vholran hissed out as his aura started to freeze all around him." You dare mock me? I'll tear you apart, kill your insolent whore in front of your eyes, and build a castle of death over both worlds!"

"Damn you Vholran! What do you get from all this? When you have that control what will you do then?"

"My dominion shawl reign over existence! Nothing else matters!"

"That's it? All this because you can rule all things, just because? Despicable as they all were, even the other Lords, even the Sentry have a future in mind however dark. You, you have nothing, only death."

"So what? It matters little to me."

"You…your truly pathetic Vholran. "

"And you're not? You're the true failure. Empty, a sovereign who couldn't even die in his own time as he was meant to."

"Your right, I use to wonder why I was still alive after all this time. But there are things I have to protect, that's why I'm still here! And I won't let you, your master, that other psychopath or anyone else take them away!"

Vholran grasped his blade tightly before raising it into the air." Let me? You can't stop nature from taking its course Alphen! You can only get what enjoyment you can from what life gives you!"

"Maybe that's what you think but there are those fighting to defy the very rules of nature. I'll do anything I can to help them!"

"Heh, you know I'm glad at this point your this stubborn, it will make crushing you even more enjoyable. But I will break you, no matter what I WILL BREAK YOU!"

Vholran cried out as he unleashed a wave of ice magic at everyone. Shionne shot the ice her way before she hissed out," I just about had it with men who can't let go! We have even more people this time to shut him down quickly!"

Mojo saw the others start to surround Vholran before he wagged his finger." Oh, you clearly don't understand how all out I go for my finales! With a spin of inmorality lets see how this round of Deathwatch will end eh folks?"

The hidious blob of a man snapped his fingers before a giant wheel formed out of his machine legs. He spun it, before it landed on the red panel. As Mojo saw the out come he smirked." That's what I'm talking about! We are going all in for the Absolute Carnage endgame! Carnage, Scream, Lasher, Phage, Agony and Riot, its battle royal time!"

Everyone heard beastly roars and growls before many multi colored humanoid monsters crept out of the floor to surround the group. Longshot saw the red one, "Dark Carnage" form an ax out of his hand before it hissed out," That's right, y'all, welcome to Carnage World! You knooooow who it is, sweetums! It's your ever-lovin; totally unfriendly neighbor- Carnage-Man! Carnage-Man! Carnage-Man! Doing all the things a Carnage can!"

Before he rolled out his eyes and pointed his gun at Mojo." You can draft all the scabs you want Mojo, but you can't stop what you got coming for screwing me and everyone else over!"

"Heh, fight all you want but your all yesterday's news!" Mojo spat out. Dohalim saw how many enemies they had to deal with and sighed." I'm not going to agree with this obese enemy's logic, but it does seem like we are matched in numbers. But, I suppose its to late to count on any reinforcements at this stage of the, huh?"

Everyone heard an elevator ding sound and swerved around to shoot down more reinforcements, only to see that it was Sam, with a package connected to his back. Megaman saw the Porter's shock before he raised an eyebrow." Sam? You came to help?"

"Oh…wow those platforms really block out the sound." The professional deliveryman responded." Sorry…I'm just delivering a package."

Tanjiro saw Sam's earnest face and had his eyebrow twitch." Wait…after everything going on and all you can do is deliver a package?"

"Hey…professionals are counted on to deliver even in hellish situations, its how I make good pay. Did not mean to get in the way, thought you were going to be fighting somewhere else. I'll just deliver these Refractors, get my payment and get out of your way."

Everyone wondered if Sam had hit his head, before he brought the cargo box on his back into the room. He took out a black box with yellow tape, and was going to put it down before a new female voice cried out," WAIT!"

All of a sudden Fragile warped into the chamber before she grasped Sam's hand. As everyone looked shocked she muttered," I just got through the defenses in time! Don't open that package! I don't care who you thought gave you the package, that device is a nuke!

I saw Roll's footage when I was checking in on some of the people and saw, it's the same device Higgs tricked me into delivering into Cosmo Canyon! If you checked it in it was going to blow up in your face!"

Sam winced before he looked at the package." It was supposed to be from Billy Butcher to deliver to an insider here. But, the guy who handed it to me said he was covering for the guy who was…shot…DAMN!"

Sam tried to put the package down…before it suddenly shook and forced itself open. Everyone saw a small black orb that was starting to glow, before it grew to triple its size in moments. 9S scanned the object before he winced." That…that's not just a nuke! That's one of those "Godbombs" we seen the Equalizers use when they were attacked by angels or other deities like guys allied to the Bethel Kingdom! The weaker ones can take out entire space colonies!"

Ratchet saw Crash had his jaw drop before he glared at Sam." Dude…you call yourself a pro and you don't even check what's in the package?"

Sam winced before he rubbed his head." I…admit I may have been stressed about the deadline."

Fragile saw the bomb and saw Mojo looked anxious as well." Higgs…I was wondering what he was after, sounds like he just wants to kill as many people as he can. But...if we can get it away from the innocent people, maybe it can really help take down the golden bastard without taking his victims down with him."

Mojo just laughed before he slowly walked back." You really are pulling out all the stops eh? But even dropping a fancy nuke on the boss's lap won't do a damn thing! You don't get it, I seen when he gets "serious", and mortal tricks don't cut it! You all could have gotten a good gig being part of the show…but you just have to be stubborn, eh?"

Dohalim saw Alphen and Vholran were already fighting before he sighed." Most rebellions seem hopeless, but they press on vie faith. I've seen enough to have faith in my dream even after all the turn of events."

Mojo rolled his eyes before he grasped his fist tightly." That's right keep it up, everyone loves seeing losers like you get your dreams crushed! You betting on that blond freak showing up the big man? Keep it up and you will live just long enough to see where that all got yah!"

The two sides proceeded to try and show who was wrong, but a tremor nearly rocked everyone off their feet. While they tried to not pay to much attention, that shock-wave was a reminder of the even bigger clash raging above them.

After the others headed below Astra focused entirely on her fight. Despite the Sentry's rage, the Grip of Murder spell was clearly something he could not just will away as after he prepared to unleash every attack, a surge of pain made him wince, giving Astra enough time to dodge his attacks. The ruler of the Poseidal clan saw the blond woman's smirk and yelled before unleashing an eye laser blast.

While Astra flash stepped out of the way, her opponent kept screaming and swerved his head while keeping the energy beam up to try and pin her down and vaporize her, being indifferent to how many of his own subjects he was killing in the process.

While the Sentry smirked as he saw Astra seemed cornered, as the laser raced her way the blond woman deflected the beam with her sword, then had a shadow blade shoot up to slice the blast in two, and cause the Sentry to get hit with his own blast.

As he saw part of his uniform vaporized, he howled with rage, as Astra rolled her eyes." Wow…you really are so spoiled that you don't even know how to fight anyone who you can't overpower eh "Bob?"

Homelander may be a man child but at least the Vought clan made sure he has some fighting skills! And Omni-Man and most of the other Viltrumite's already knew how to fight, and even some of the other guys like Utopian and Superian have some skill! You're just a punk who got lucky! I'm not big on putting on shows but I do like sending messages. And whopping your sorry ass while bare assed shows to everyone how pathetic you really are."

The Sentry turned red as veins formed on his head." Damn you…DAMN YOU! I'm the one chosen to be the new ruler of the universe! NO ONE CAN STOP ME!"

Astra saw her enemy unleash golden rays in all directions, and swerved out of there path before she gave her opponent the middle finger." No matter how big a tantrum you throw you can't change facts! Keep huffing and puffing and you're going to blow something down all right but, huh? GUH!"

After she dodged one blast, to her surprise the Sentry tackled her. She only had time to yell as she was tackled right out of Lenegis. As she regained her vision she saw the Sentry seethe out," Think I would not realize you were trying to make me look like a fool and burn my own palace to the ground!? You will pay for thinking I could not figure out your tricks! You…you're going to suffer!"

The Sentry kept up his tackle, till Astra was knocked all the way into the ruined planet of Rena. The shining man slammed Astra right into the tip of Rena, causing a shock-wave that caused much of the fractured surface to rupture further.

The Sentry saw the crater he caused was the size of a city block before he flew up and laughed." Yes…a hole in ruins is what trash like you deserve! You're not even worth being hanged on my palace! You're just a, AGH!"

Before he could response a blade of shadow burst out of the ground, and managed to hit his tongue. As his eyes widened Astra yelled out," If you were going to say one stubborn gal, then you guessed right jackass!"

Astra had the rubble burst off her with her aura, and despite looking bruised and bloody, she still had a wild look in her eye. Sentry grasped his mouth before he eyed Sentry carefully." What…what are you? You…clearly did not rely on armor to neglect the damage…but you reek of mana. You cast a spell?"

"Hey…when you make a living pissing off those in power…you make sure you know how to get out of being dropped into a planet when picking a fight with a supped-up prick."

The Sentry kept watching Astra before his eyes widened." Your aura…it…reminds me of, the one who gave me this power in the first place. No…your…your just like the devil?"

Astra rolled her eyes before spitting on the ground." Not just like him. Just...someone who went down the same road he did, with her own curves along the way. But if it makes it all make more sense to yah, you could say I'm the one taking back what you proved to not be fit for Bob!

The one thing I do have in common with that asshole is that we both want to kick the ass of any entitled moron who dares call themselves god! Anyone who thinks he's that much higher then everyone else is just begging for a ass kicking, hence the Equalizer mantra."

"Bah…your order is even more full of nonsense then the Enji Knights of old!" The Sentry boomed out." There will always be the strong and the weak, predators and prey! And the strongest of them all might as well be god! Trying to defy that, is defying nature itself! You…your just as foolish as the Last Emperor, but you're going to get a even worst fate for mocking me! I have the power of a million explodings suns! That's more then enough power to erase one deluded cunt! DIE!"

The Sentry yelled at the top of his lungs before he had a sphere of light form around him. The sphere expanded to become a miniature sun, and also fired energy rays in all directions before Astra quickly realizing her enemy was trying to attack in all directions to make sure she could not escape. Astra eyed where the Grip of Murder was still affecting her target before she crouched into a fighting stance, and had her aura surge." No duh everyone's not the same asshole.

It's not like how Auro and the angels wanted to make everyone always brainwashed to always be on the same page so everyone could be "Happy". Its just making sure people doing what they have no right doing don't hang on to where they don't deserve to be because they abuse something or another. I'd say you sure as hell hung on to your power for far longer than you deserve Bob! Shunkō: Raijin Senkei!""

Astra had white lightning erupt out of her body to increase her speed before she burst right at the Sentry, and spun around like a helicopter, slashing through one ray of light after another and having a shadow blade also spin around her to slash through a few more beams before she shouted out," Dark Cloaked Dimension Slash: Equinox!"

Astra thrusted her sword and struck right in the direction of the Senty's cursed hand. She struck right where he was wounded, and hit with enough force to shatter his sphere of light.

As he yelled in shock in a flash she had the shadow pull her closer to the Sentry. As he cried out in sudden pain she yelled out," You can argue about what's right all you like but in the end you made my friends your playthings and that's enough of a reason for me to want to shut you down! Masako!"

Astra punched the Sentry in his open wound, and as the effect of the Grip of Murder delayed his response she put her hands together and had her fav energy beam of choice erupt, right out of his body.

As all of planet Rena was lighted up from the attack, Astra eyed her target like a hawk as she saw the smoke clear.

While the Sentry was still standing, he now had a hole on the left side of his chest. The ruler of the Poseidal clan coughed up blood before he moaned in outrage." This…this can't happen to me! Not to the likes of you!"

"Well guess it is Bob…cause your learning the hard way how much of a fraud you are!"

"No…I…I took the serum first…that's all that mattered! Doug Fitter had no right to become the devil, but he did so anyway cause he felt like it, it's the same with me!"

Astra's eyes turned cold as she grasped her sword tightly and lifted it up." You got me their Bob. But the thing is, for all the many things he did wrong, he fought to keep the entire universe from taking that away from him for centuries. You just hid in your corner thinking you could sneak around and take over when no one was looking!

In the end I'm doing you a favor Bob! I'm sure Homelander or some of the other guys I know would make this a big show when you tried and failed to one up them, I just want you dead! Well, you have your Sleeves but I'll have to make this, GUH!"

While Astra prepared to try and slice the Sentry's head off, she was stopped as she was stabbed across the wrist, from a shadowy blade. Astra was shocked to see the Sentry's shadow was what stabbed her, and was even more shocked to hear her opponent chuckle darkly in a much more composed tone. "Your right my dear…Bob frankly does not have what it takes to get the job done. But that's where I come in."

The Sentry raised his head, and his eyes were now glowing red. His skin became pale, cracks of purple energy glowed from the cuts in his body, and his hair turned white before his golden attire transformed into a black and red suit of armor.

Astra saw her enemy grin, with his teeth now having near vampire like fangs before she noticed the entire area was getting darker, and that the man in front of him now had eight shadow like spider legs be part of his aura as the hole in his chest suddenly was patched up by the same black blood that was dripping out of his eyes.

The blond woman saw those shadow legs had the same kind of thorns coming out of them as what Shionne had coming out of her body when she was possessed before she winced." You…you hijacked my dark magic?"

"Your dark magic? Child... I am Knull Z Diavolo. Lord of the Abyss. God of the shadows. The darkness inside of you? That darkness bows to me. I am the Void. Robert Renolds had a frail sense of sanity cause of the cruelty of the universe.

To feel better about what he had to do to survive, he put all of his pain and anger into me, the void in his soul. He wanted to be a hero, a winner, but without me, he was just a loser.

Still…losers can trick people, make them lower his guard, even the likes of Oldna Poseidal. So, I let" Bob" be the public face as I made sure to try and erase my past.

In order to grow, we must defeat the mistakes of our past. The past... even when you break it to pieces and entomb it in stone, it crawls out like a worm.

Still…even now, I let him pretend to call the shots to make my rivals misunderstand me. I was going to wait till I made my move to overtake the other Nahobino to reveal my true nature, but you seemed to force my hand eh woman?

I admit…I heard the stories of an Equalizer more stubborn than the rest, but now I seen firsthand how" unique" you are. Congrats…your worthy enough to be an even more useful pawn then the likes of Vholran."

Despite feeling the entire planet get darker Astra narrowed her eyes." I'm no one's pawn you bastard!"

Astra tried to slice Knull, but he caught her katana and smirked before shattering it effortlessly. The other personality of the ruler of the Poseidal tribe smirked as he saw the blond woman tried to repress how upset she was before he raised his other hand." I value your fiery fighting spirit, but your mistaken if you thought that was a request.

Don't feel like it makes you weaker, after all everyone in this entire universe will submit to this degree. "the Sentry" may not have had the details in mind to get the job done, but you're going to see soon just how much I thought this through woman. After all, I have the tool right here. Time to butcher more gods, Gorr."

Knull's aura surged before he drew the Grip of Murder curse's energy out of his arm, and threw it into the very planet of Rena rippled like it was going to boil. The planet below turned red before a geyser of darkness erupted, and formed into a blood red sword with veins around its hilt. Astra winced as she saw the sword pulse like it was alive before she rolled her eyes." Your really going overkill about all this eh?"

"Of course." Knull answered bluntly before he grasped his summoned blade." With how stubborn the pretenders of this universe are, you have to be able to make your message quite clear. But I spent years making everything work out.

The others like Homelander were content just getting the power of Ben Auro handed to them by the Devil, but I quickly realized the only way to trump the rivals to the throne of god was to also gain the power of the devil! After all, when God tells you nothing but pain, the Devil's whispers are so sweet.

And while Doug Fitter, Victor Makishima, or whatever he calls himself may be infamously mobile, there was just enough traces of darkness in this broken universe, including remains of the devil before him, Chaos Zannacross Necron, to remake the Anti-Life Equation! From that I tempered that power using the divine power of a slain angel, and called the result All-Black the Necroverse, Annihilablade the Planet Cleaver, The Godslayer, The Necrosword, The Slicer of Worlds among other things, but it grew a mind of its own to call itself Gorr the God Butcher, out of one of the many souls tributed as sacrifices to forge it. Its power…well you will see soon enough.

But with it I can spread my mind into others as you seen firsthand. I had to amass enough energy to take over minds from a greater distance, but that time is at hand. There will be no more distractions to the natural order, my order!"

Knull grasped his hand and pointed Gorr above before the entire ruined planet of Rena shook, and had black waves burst up, till it covered all of Rena.

His glowing eyes were soon the only light Astra could see before he snickered." Yes…its how it should be, no more sun, no more stars, no more light.

Soon the universe will be the perfect void it was supposed

to be, after the fools across the cosmos get a bit more suffering. Time for the true show to begin.

Rise my Void Chimera Highdrive Dragrid 's! Awaken my Starving Venom Fusion dragon! Arise Perfectron Highdrive Dragon Grendel! Time to devour all who won't bow to the void!"

Knull snapped his fingers, before the area behind him that Astra thought was ruined mountains unleashed a deafening roar, and came out as a giant demonic dragon with neon red wings.

As other giant chimera like monsters formed out of the shadows with a demonic purple and red dragon behind it, Knull pointed his Necrosword at Astra." Now do you realize your not defying a pretender woman? You can submit, or you will serve me after Grendel makes you a chew toy for a bit, the choice is yours."

Astra paused, before she suddenly broke out laughing. Knull paused before he licked his lips." Ah…I suppose madness is one way of having reality becoming to overwhelming to ignore. Very well."

Knull moved to the blond woman, only for her to spit at him. While it vaporized the moment it hit his aura, the "Lord of the Abyss still snarled as Astra gave him the finger." Man you really are the kind of guy who takes any thing as a sigh to hit on a gal eh Bob? I admit your even more crazy than I expected, but I'm still not afraid of you. I seen worst, and you may impress hapless folks with the big show here but your still far from the top dog yah hear? If you think you out played me your gonna see how wrong you are!"

Knull eyed Astra carefully before he slowly got into a fighting stance." Are you to broken to even have the capacity to express fear? I can see you have nothing at all to defy me with Astra. You think one of your comrades has the means to overcome all that I am?

No matter who they are, they will all be broken into my servants or devoured No one can escape the fate that was chosen for them... Eternal greatness only exists only within myself. Sing a song of sorrow in a universe where time has vanished when this insolence is settled!"

"Piff…more like I'll make you sing a song jackass! I don't need a plan, cause I trust my gut! And my gut says that no matter how many powers you have, I'm not losing to a jackass like you cause none of those powers are going to stop me from making you pay for what you did!"

Knull eyed Astra and saw she was indeed not afraid, before he snorted." Your gut huh? Well then, I'll have to rip your gut out so you can see how foolish you truly are. So be it, the hard way it is."

Astra merely hunched over and got ready to fight, even as Knull waved his hand and in moments all she could see was darkness.

Author's Notes: Welp, got a lot of curve-balls thrown today so hope this might explain a few of them. Longshot is from X-men, and the Lost Numbers are from Xenoblade 3, but I felt Longshot and Hevrekt-35 could fit with them for this take.

The Black Barron was from the Wii game Madworld.

Noah Lanz and Eunie are from Xenoblade 3, Leo is from the Capcom Red Earth fighting game, and Clive Rosfield, Joshua Rosfield, and Jill Warrick are all from Final Fantasy 16…this preview is a test run to see if once again its another disappointment but more on that at a later date I suppose.

Carnage is of course from Spider-man along with the other symbiotic crooks, though this Absolute Carnage form is from a more recent event linked to Kull.

Megumi Kitaniji and Mitsuki Konishi were central enemies in the first World Ends with You, a small role but to show how the Reaper Games work in my story I guess.

And speaking of that, to clear a few things up, in the comics Sentry and Kull were different characters. Knull is from the 2021 King of Black event and is Knull is an eldritch god of darkness and the creator of the symbiotes like Venom, Carnage and so on who after owning the likes of Thor and Sliver Surfer got beat by Venom's son weaking him before Venom merged Thor and Sliver Surfer's stuff together and owned him after being selected to be the new Captain Universe...yah comics have been going on for a while to say the least.

In that event he killed the Sentry and absorbed the Void, which is the Sentry's darkness. Since they had so much in common, I decided to just make the Void be Knull and just have Knull be Sentry's other personality, like say, how in the Jojo series Diavolo is the second personality of Vinegar Doppio as the byproduct of something along Dissociative identity disorder.

And...sorry if your a fan of Law...I confess I have a profound desire to have those with the same voice as Sword Art Online leads to get brutally murdered and wanted to show the stakes and all with Mahito.

The Grip of Murder was a move used in Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge. In the game it was used aganst main lead Ryu Hayabusa by the enemy Regent of the Mask. In the game After coming into contact with the Regent, Ryu was subjected to the curse when he cuts into the Regent's body. As Ryu cuts in, the curse caused Ryu's Dragon Sword to be absorbed into his arm, losing his blade in the process and causing most of the game to have times where he would have to kill all the enemies around him or die, it seemed like a move that could be used with a bit of alternation.

Speaking of Diavolo, since Knull by himself was a bit of a meh Marvel baddie I may give him aspects of Diavolo and Z from Xenoblade 3 to spice him up as he's also taking the role of the Great Sprit of Shadow from Tales of Arise.

Also, All Black is more like the comic version then the watered-down version in Thor Love and Thunder, and for this I made Gorr the God butcher be the sword's mind, kind of like a Zanpakutō in Bleach but more on that next time.

Lastly, the Godbomb is also from Thor, part of the comic arc involving Gorr written by Jason Arron where the Sentry's palace is more or less Omnipotence City from Thor Love and Thunder.

Chimera Highdrive Dragrid and Perfectron Highdrive Dragon are monsters used by Bohman, a enemy in Yu-gi-oh VRAINS while the Straving Fusion Venom Dragon was used by Yuri, one of the one of the primary antagonists in the Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V anime.

A bit delayed but, a small way to honor the passing of Kazuki Takahashi, even more so after finding out he died trying to save someone. Yu Gi Oh still is a big source of insperation for monsters and stuff like that for me, I hope even with his death the series won't fall apart, I admit I can hardly stomach the RUSH Duel series's.

Alright hopefully that covers everything and that all the twists I made, hopefully you liked enough of what you seen to leave a review and if you did thanks. Had a busy month so sorry for the delay but hopefully will get the next one out faster but till then till next time.