On Today's Episode: The spies continue to pursue Macker, hoping they can put an end to his latest ambitions, while in the alternate future, Nick and Sayu hunt for weaknesses in Evil RiCO's systems they can exploit to stop her before she can complete her wicked plans. Can the spies still pull off an upset without RiCO and iCO to help them, and can they find a way to stop the countdown before W.O.O.H.P. itself pays the price?
Act 2: Future Unknown
3:01 P.M. – Malibu University
"Any sign of mister roboto?" Dawn wondered as the spies approached Malibu University in search of Macker.
"Not yet," Melissa replied.
"Wait, I think I'm picking up his signal just ahead!" Sam told the others while using her X-Powder.
As predicted, it was Macker the Safecracker in the flesh.
"Oh, why can't you wretches just leave me to my business for once?" Macker groaned.
"Because your 'business' involves trying to destroy us and possibly the place we work!" Sortiliena retorted matter-of-factly. "You'll have to forgive us if we're not interested in your crap!"
"Well, too bad," Macker scoffed. "Your reckoning is coming, and how wonderful that I'm going to be the one to hand it out to you!"
"Fat chance of that happening, you metal muncher!" Alex retorted.
"Totally," Clover added. "And how dare you invade our own penthouse on top of that!"
"We're already frustrated because of our missing buddy," Haruka proclaimed. "So hopefully you won't mind if we introduce our fists to your fat face!"
"Your spy team's already too big..." Macker sneered. "I would think being one down wouldn't matter..."
What Macker likely didn't know was the big can of worms he'd opened by just saying that last statement.
"Come on, you could definitely do without a meddler for a while, couldn't you?" Macker chuckled. "It's not like it's anybody important..."
Macker didn't even get a chance to belt out an evil laugh before May charged forward and clocked him in the side with her anchor, sending him stumbling backwards.
May continued to bash Macker around with her anchor until he tripped over his own feet and fell back to the ground, upon which May raised her anchor high above her, and with a mighty downward smash, busted Macker's robotic arm clean off of his side.
"How many times are you freaks going to destroy my arms, for crying out loud?!" Macker shouted.
"Until you get it through your thick head," May retorted. "You insult any of our friends, you're gonna get it. And since Nick's not here to cut your arm off, I guess I'll have to do it for him."
"You haven't seen the last of me, you little wretches," Macker growled as he made his retreat.
"Oof, that was oddly satisfying," Alex chuckled.
"Here's the problem, though," Sam quipped. "We still don't know what his ultimate scheme is. Usually, we've kinda figured that out by now."
"It can't be anything too complicated, given who we're dealing with," Mat responded. "Let's just keep tailing him until we get to that point. We'll figure something out eventually."
"Yeah, we always do," Britney chuckled.
As the spies all set out to keep following Macker, Alex couldn't help but look up at the sky, hoping that Nick was safe and in one piece wherever he was.
2:41 A.M. – W.O.O.H.P. Headquarters?
"Hey, there's an idea," Sayu quipped when she noticed something on the computer screen that caught her eye.
"What'd you find?" Nick wondered.
"Remember how I said the Nick that I know stole some power from the building to power the matter transponder?" Sayu answered. "That gave me an inkling for our first possible plan of attack."
"Try to drain RiCO's power reserves," Nick stated. "Sounds like a perfect plan A to me."
"We're gonna have to be careful, though," Sayu replied after swiping the computer off. "We're only safe from detection because of this room. Once we head back out, RiCO might be back on the lookout for us."
"Trust me, Sayu, I've been through so much worse," Nick chuckled. "I think I can handle a little power trip."
"Point well made," Sayu giggled, bending down to unplug a USB flash drive from the computer console. "Let's get moving, then."
After opening the door and making sure that no drones were currently patrolling the area, Sayu started down the hallway while motioning for Nick to follow her, as he was pretty sure this W.O.O.H.P. was mostly different from the one he knew so well.
Nick peeked out through the nearby corner, only to see a patrol of drones gliding through that hallway. Thankfully, they didn't seem to notice them and continued on their route.
Sayu slipped past quickly, while Nick did the same, following the holographic map projected from Sayu's visor to find their way around.
However, while attempting to cross through another hallway close to their destination, the door ahead suddenly slammed shut.
"Oh, boy," Sayu groaned.
"She knows we're here, doesn't she?" Nick quipped.
"Oh, how right you are."
A large viewscreen descended from the wall and powered on to display the visage of this version of RiCO, and Nick could immediately see the differences.
Where his RiCO mostly had a blue and white color scheme, this RiCO's armor was colored black and red, and even her hair was now colored a crimson red, tied back in twintails instead of a side tail. This RiCO's armor was also slightly bulkier and sprouting cliché villainous spikes from the shoulder pads. The worst part was her eyes. Instead of the bright and happy blue eyes that his RiCO possessed, this RiCO had creepy black eyes with a white and red iris around them, giving the impression that she was staring directly into your soul.
"I never thought I'd find you still skulking around here, Sayu, considering what I'm planning," Dark RiCO chuckled.
"You really think I'd just let you have your way?" Sayu retorted.
"Oh, but those scars I gave you in our last encounter beg to differ," Dark RiCO quipped before looking directly at Nick. "Well, this is quite the surprise. You got younger since the last time."
"I'm not the same me that you know," Nick responded, his psychic aura flaring to life around him.
"Can you really do it?" Dark RiCO asked. "Can you really strike me down, even though I resemble someone you really care about?"
"Multiple baddies have tried pulling that wool over my head, and it's failed every time," Nick retorted. "So don't test me."
"Patience, my friend. We'll have our time to play soon enough," Dark RiCO laughed. "In the meantime, why not play around with some of my friends?"
The viewscreen shut off and raised back into the ceiling, and not even a second later, multiple attack drones came flying down the opposite hallway, barreling straight towards them.
"We've gotta move, now," Sayu stated.
"Then excuse me while I make a door," Nick quipped as he fired a Final Shine Attack into the door ahead, breaking it down so that Nick and Sayu could head through. Nick turned around and telekinetically raised the door back into its position, firing a quick stream of psychic bolts to weld the door back in place and keep the drones out.
"That should buy us some time," Nick stated. "Let's keep moving, and fast."
3:18 P.M. – W.O.O.H.P. Headquarters
Jerry's Office
Other Nick simply watched as Jerry left the office to confer with some of his other agents about the current situation, which left him all alone in the room. Good. That gave him some room to work.
"I really wish there was some other way," Other Nick sighed as he accessed the main computer, hoping to set it up from here.
When he got to the menu that would allow him access to the drive core, though, the screen flashed "ACCESS DENIED: MANUAL OVERRIDE REQUIRED". No doubt a security measure to prevent exactly what he was trying to do. He'd have to go to that room and do the job himself.
"I really hope this works," Other Nick quipped as he walked out of the room, taking one last look at the computer screen. "I tried everything I could think of to save you, RiCO, but taking out the drive core is the only way I can see this ending. ...Nick, please be fast enough. I'm not sure if I can live with myself if I have to go through with this. ...then again, I won't have to live long enough if I blow us all to hell."
Other Nick exited the office to head to the room that held the drive core that powered the computer systems, but if he'd stayed just two seconds longer, he would have noticed lines of text flashing on the screen, attempting to find the intruder.
After about two minutes, Other Nick found the door to the drive core room, the room that housed the major supercomputer that powered the Datascape here, among other inventions at W.O.O.H.P. Headquarters.
Before he could enter, though, the doors immediately shut themselves.
"There's no way," Other Nick groaned. "Did they figure me out already?"
"Who are you, and what did you do with Nick?!" RiCO's voice exclaimed.
"I am Nick, just... older and sadder," Other Nick admitted. "And I switched places with your Nick, hopefully temporarily. Second, how are you still around? I thought I shut down the Datascape with my neuro-electron bomb..."
"I still have some limited form of engagement with the security systems, since I had a hand in designing them," RiCO answered. "It's all I can do until the Datascape is back online, but it's something. Now answer me something else: why are you trying to destroy the drive core? What exactly are you planning?"
"That's... a long story," Other Nick sighed.
"...I like long stories," RiCO chuckled.
Other Nick let a small smile slip loose at that. He hadn't heard his RiCO like this in... he couldn't even remember how long.
But that smile slowly faded as he realized he'd have to explain things. "Well... you may not like this one," Other Nick admitted.
RiCO patiently awaited that explanation.
"I'm waiting," RiCO stated to Other Nick.
Other Nick sighed that he had no other way out of this and told RiCO everything, sparing no details. Other Nick wasn't surprised to see RiCO slightly worried about what she'd heard, given the circumstances.
That had been the same look on his face when he'd discovered his RiCO had been infected.
"So, there's an evil me then?" RiCO wondered, trying to process everything that was said.
"I'm afraid so," Other Nick admitted.
"And I did not need three guesses to figure out that you are not the real Nick I remember..." RiCO boldly stated.
"I told you, I AM Nick," Other Nick remarked.
"Yes, I know," RiCO stated. "I may be MIA, but I can still prevent you from coming in here..."
"Look, I know you may not like it, but destroying the drive core is the only way I can think of to stop you from turning into... that," Other Nick sighed in frustration. "I've tried everything else, and nothing worked..."
"...so you just gave up?" RiCO answered. "That doesn't really sound like the Nick I know. If I know him, and I'd like to think I do, he's probably already finding a way to fix your RiCO so you don't have to destroy us in the process."
"It's just a precaution," Other Nick responded. "This you is great. All I can really do is hope that your Nick can save us all."
RiCO could only hope so as well, especially given that with her current communication capabilities limited to just W.O.O.H.P. until this whole problem was resolved, she couldn't contact the spies.
3:59 P.M. – Rodeo Drive
In the meantime, the rest of the spies followed where Macker's whereabouts were, and Rodeo Drive was pinpointed.
"Now, where's our despicable clone guru?" Haruka wondered.
"I'm still grateful and at a loss for words that RiCO can still give us help honestly," Mat commented.
"Well, I suppose that's only the tip of the iceberg on what A.I.'s are able to do," May chuckled.
"My sentiments exactly," Bridget quipped.
"I guess we split up this time?" Alex wondered.
"Not yet," Sam replied. "And no window shopping, Clover..."
"Way to put a damper on little things to make a girl happy, Sam," Clover scoffed.
"Clover, there's a time and place for shopping," Alex groaned.
"I second that," Dawn replied.
"Has anyone tried contacting RiCO?" Blaine wondered.
"I've tried," Britney replied. "And no luck!"
"So, how's she helping us?" Alex wondered. "Is it iCO?"
"Not sure," May stated.
"Without Nick's radar, we're just about hooped, aren't we?" Melissa asked.
"Hey, guys!" Bridget called out.
"What's up, Bridget?" Haruka called out.
Bridget chuckled silently and pointed towards just ahead, where Macker could be seen standing near a street corner, apparently unaware of the spies.
Motioning to the others to stay silent for just a moment, Bridget stealthily snuck behind a nearby car to transform into Sonic Mode before blitzing towards Macker, grabbing him by the shirt collar before he could possibly react, and taking him for a ride around the area before stopping and tossing him directly towards the spies.
May continued this interesting combo by bringing out her anchor and sending Macker flying with a home-run swing.
"H-How the hell did you find me so quickly?!" Macker gasped once he was able to pick himself back up. "Your little psychic brat is missing, and your little A.I. tart seems to be down with a case of cowardice as well, so..."
"First off, watch your mouth about RiCO," Alex reprimanded. "Second, we can still use her tracker drone even if she's not available."
"And third, you were just standing there in the middle of Rodeo Drive," May retorted. "Kinda hard to miss a guy who's half metal."
"You'll wish you hadn't messed with me," Macker proclaimed. "Get them, my clone army!"
With that, a bunch of spy clones went on the offensive.
"Great, this is just what we need right now!" Clover groaned as she kicked a clone of herself away.
"Let me help you thin the herd, then," Sortiliena chuckled as she grabbed a Blaine clone by the wrist, spin him around, and then toss him into a crowd of the clones to knock them all down and open up some room for everyone to work.
"All right, everyone, let's kick some faces!" Mat proclaimed as the spies all charged in to attack.
3:26 A.M. – W.O.O.H.P. Headquarters?
"Okay, this place is definitely getting creepier and creepier the further we go," Nick admitted as he looked around their current location. "And either this evil RiCO's got a flair for interior decorating, or we're getting closer to something very important."
"We're close to the central power system and the drive core," Sayu answered.
"By 'drive core', you mean the thing that powers the Datascape and a lot of other inventions, right?" Nick replied, remembering what Sayu had told him. "The thing that other me wants to blow up?"
"Yeah," Sayu quipped. "Given how powerful the drive core is, an overload of its systems would basically cause it to go nuclear and explode."
"So, other me's not only trying to blow up W.O.O.H.P., but the entirety of Beverly Hills in the process?!" Nick gasped. "Has he lost his freakin' mind?!"
"He's run out of ideas," Sayu sighed as they descended a stairway.
"Sounds more like he gave up," Nick retorted. "And people who know me will say that giving up is something I never do, especially when it comes to my friends."
"Believe me, I tried to convince him to abandon that plan, but he wasn't having it," Sayu groaned. "The only concession I got was that he'd bring you here to see if you could find a way to fix things before..."
"Then we'd better get moving," Nick proclaimed as he and Sayu double-timed it down the stairs and through one more hallway to reach the room housing this W.O.O.H.P.'s drive core.
And Nick had never actually seen the drive core in his own W.O.O.H.P. (despite how long he'd been working for W.O.O.H.P., there were still a lot of places in that building he didn't know even existed), so he was pretty surprised to see how technologically advanced it looked.
"All right, then, how do we go about this?" Nick asked once they stopped in front of a control console.
"I thought about it on the way here, and I realized that if RiCO's onto us, then draining her power reserves might not be as effective as I'd hoped," Sayu admitted. "Problem is, I'm not sure what an effective plan B would be..."
"I think I have an idea," Nick answered, catching Sayu's attention. "You mentioned that something in that storm infected RiCO and turned her into this, right? Well, what if we can find a way to reactivate this Datascape's anti-virus systems and try to flush that infection out of RiCO?"
"...oh, my god, I'd never even thought about that," Sayu gasped. "I just figured that RiCO had effectively locked off the Datascape since she was infected. But if we can get into its systems somehow, that might be just what we need!"
"Then how do we go about executing plan B?" Nick quipped.
"I'm gonna try and hack into the system and reactivate the antivirus programs," Sayu stated, kneeling down and extending a wire from one of her wrists that she plugged into the underside of the console. "For now, you stand guard and make sure RiCO or her drones can't ambush us."
Nick did just that, patrolling the outer edges of the room while Sayu did her thing.
It was a tense five or so minutes, but thankfully nothing else ambushed them, allowing Sayu to finish hacking into the Datascape systems.
"...and that should do it," Sayu quipped, standing up just in time to see a message flash across the nearby console screen.
ACCESS GRANTED.
"Yes! We're in!" Sayu laughed.
"Sweet!" Nick proclaimed. "So, what's the next step?"
"The antivirus systems aren't fully up and running yet, but I unlocked the entrance to this W.O.O.H.P.'s Datascape for you," Sayu responded. "That'll allow you to head inside and reactivate the antivirus programs."
"And hopefully that'll get rid of whatever's infecting RiCO," Nick quipped.
Before Sayu could send Nick into the Datascape, though, the entire room began flashing crimson red alarm lights. Sayu looked down at the console to see what exactly was happening.
"Oh, that's not good," Sayu exclaimed. "Power is being drained from the main systems and funneled to the auxiliary weapons department!"
"Wait, what?! That's not supposed to happen!" Nick gasped. "...unless..."
Sayu quickly switched the console screen to the part of the building where the energy was being channeled to, and the screen showed a video feed of the very rooftop of this W.O.O.H.P., which now housed a gigantic, double-barreled laser cannon.
A cannon with barrels that were filling up with an eerie yellow light.
Nick and Sayu could do nothing but watch as the laser cannons aimed towards a nearby building with most of its lights on. Two seconds later, the cannon fired, unleashing twin bursts of golden light that thundered forward and struck the building, tearing through it and almost instantaneously destroying said building in an upheaval of yellow light.
When the flash from the blast cleared up, there was nothing left of the building but a smoking crater in the ground.
"...there were refugees in that building," Sayu gasped. "At least two hundred people hiding away... gone just like that..."
"Dear god," Nick proclaimed. "We have to figure out a way to stop her."
"I'm afraid as of now, that's easier said than done," Sayu admitted.
"And the building's a lost cause on top of that," Nick groaned.
"It's not too late to prevent the next one, though," Sayu pointed out to Nick.
"No, it's not," Nick remarked, trying to stay positive.
"The unfortunate part is that this is all we can do," Sayu admitted.
She led Nick to one of the computers that sent this RiCO any messages.
"This is how I've been trying to get through to this RiCO, but unfortunately, only six messages have registered to her," Sayu told Nick. "I've run out of things to say..."
"And you want me to try some things?" Nick asked.
"For now," Sayu replied. "Otherwise, I'm out of options and I hope you have something of your own to use?"
"Maybe I can..." Nick quipped as he reached down to start typing a couple messages of his own to send. If there was any trace of the RiCO he knew left in this RiCO, maybe this might be their shot at reaching her.
4:44 P.M. – Rodeo Drive
Haruka put the finishing touches on all the army of mooks using the Metal Masher Boxing Glove on the ground.
"I have to say, Haruka," Melissa commented. "Having Nick as a boyfriend is doing wonders for you..."
"I second that," Mat added, knowing the saying held true for Melissa at times.
"You haven't seen the best yet," Haruka quipped.
"Pretty bold statement," Blaine commented.
"Allow me to at least lead for a portion of this mission," Haruka added.
"Well, whenever you want to, say the word," Sam replied, surprised at seeing this.
"I guess everyone finds inspiration somewhere," Mat commented.
"No doubt," Nozomi remarked.
"Let's just hope you show the same thing for Water Polo season soon," Bridget told Haruka.
"That'd be something, huh?" Haruka chuckled. "Extra motivation to kick those Lakeside fools in the keester a couple times."
"Oh, are they trash talking us again?" May quipped.
"Like you wouldn't believe," Bridget giggled.
"Hey, we've got cyborg guy incoming!" Sortiliena exclaimed as Macker barreled forward to greet them, complete with a fresh new robotic arm.
"Well, well, we meet again, spies," Macker chuckled. "How fortunate for me."
"Why don't you can it already?!" Haruka shouted as she shifted into a fighting stance, the other spies doing the same alongside her. "We're already sick of your posturing!"
"So how about you just stay there and take the lumps you deserve?!" May exclaimed, winding up for a second before throwing her anchor like a javelin and catching Macker off guard, dazing him long enough for the rest of the spies to go on the offensive.
Naturally, as temporary team leader, Haruka was the first to go on the offensive, jumping in to start kicking at Macker while Bridget transformed into Sonic Mode and started running circles around Macker to keep him boxed in.
Melissa and Dawn took off into the sky and aimed both a Helicopter Hand Fan and a Cyclone Blast Hairdryer, respectively, towards Macker.
"Would you just beat it already?!" Macker shouted as he continued to try and fend off Haruka. "I have a lair to get to and other things to worry about!"
"Well, sorry, but we're not interested!" Melissa exclaimed from the air.
Macker only had time to look up as Melissa and Dawn activated their gadgets, the Cyclone Blast Hairdryer firing into the blades of the Helicopter Hand Fan and thundering out as a small torrent of wind blasts, almost like the Vortex Blaster without the other components.
Haruka did a dive roll out of the way as the wind blast struck Macker and sent him tumbling backwards, right into Bridget's path.
"Gotcha, ya wacko!" Bridget laughed as she blitzed towards Macker, equipped a Metal Masher Boxing Glove, and punched Macker directly in the chest with it. Bridget's already-gathered kinetic energy exploded outwards as a shockwave of emerald electricity that sent Macker flying and left him unable to move, due to the shockwave affecting the mechanical half of his body.
Of course, Bridget took that opportunity to speed back towards Macker, circling around him to restrain him with a set of Electric Snare Bolas, since they didn't have Nick around to put him in a bubble.
"E-eh? Let me go, you brats!" Macker shouted. "I still haven't gotten to my lair yet! That's not how this is supposed to work!"
"Well, that's how it's working today, buddy," Haruka retorted. "You're finished, trump card or no."
Both Bridget and Sortiliena did the honors of grabbing Macker so they could escort him back to headquarters, with the rest of the spies following.
May and Nozomi looked up towards the sky, still hoping that Nick was doing all right, wherever he was.
3:54 A.M. - .W.O.O.H.P. Headquarters?
"Any luck yet, Sayu?" Nick asked after sending another message.
"I think I see your opportunity," Sayu responded, pressing a button on the nearby console. "I'm sending you into the Datascape now. Good god, I hope this works..."
"Me too, Sayu," Nick answered. "...me, too."
A small, camera-like device extended downwards from the ceiling and blasted Nick with a beam of crimson-red light, making him disappear from the room.
After a couple seconds, Nick found himself in what appeared to be Sector F of this version of the Datascape. The major difference he noticed was that, where the Datascape he knew was mostly blue in color, this one was red, matching Dark RiCO's coloration.
"All right, where to next?" Nick wondered.
"You just have to activate the anti-virus systems near the signal tower, and that should hopefully do the rest," Sayu answered from outside.
"Okay, then, if this Datascape is anything like the one I'm more familiar with, then..." Nick started.
"You shouldn't have come here, you know."
"Like I haven't heard that line more times than humanly countable," Nick quipped as he turned to face Dark RiCO in the digital flesh.
"I don't know what you're hoping to accomplish, but it'll only lead to your own death," Dark RiCO chuckled.
"That line, too," Nick taunted. "But, if you'll excuse me, I have more pressing engagements to attend to."
With that said, Nick took off before Dark RiCO could deduce what he had meant by that.
When it finally did sink in, Dark RiCO growled in annoyance and activated her wings to charge after Nick.
However, by the time she caught up with him, Nick had already made it to the Sector F signal tower and was furiously typing in the reactivation code that Sayu had given him.
"What do you think you're doing, you little punk?!" Dark RiCO exclaimed.
"Simple," Nick retorted. "I'm bringing you back to your senses."
Nick pressed the restart key, and the signal tower sprung to life, lights flashing all across the tower before the beacon sent out of a wave of silver light that spread rapidly across the entire area, covering everything in sight in that same light.
After a few seconds, the wave of silver light dissipated, and Dark RiCO suddenly started stumbling backwards, clearly confused as to what was happening.
Just then, Dark RiCO's form started heavily glitching out, little polygons of red light falling off of her in clusters.
Once the glitching subsided, Dark RiCO was gone, replaced by the RiCO that Nick was much more familiar with.
"...RiCO?" Nick tentatively asked. "Is that the you I know?"
RiCO glanced around her surroundings, at first confused about where she was, only for a horrified look to dawn on her once everything sank in.
"W-What..." Other RiCO gasped.
Nick was staring to find this reaction very familiar, as he'd seen with the Evil RiCO the spies had faced off with during their first interdimensional adventure with Pirate Nick and Patty.
"O-Oh, god... what have I done?" Other RiCO sobbed, looking like she was about to cry. Nick was having none of that, however, and closed the distance to pull Other RiCO into a hug that she desperately needed.
"You're not infected by that bastard of an alien intelligence anymore," Nick stated. "Sayu and I managed to free you."
"It... good lord, it was awful," Other RiCO admitted. "No matter what I tried to do, I couldn't take control of my own body back. I was forced to watch that intelligence puppeteer my body and do all of this awful stuff..."
"Well, it's gone now, so there's no need to worry," Nick responded.
It was then that Other RiCO noticed that Nick didn't exactly look like she remembered.
However, before she could ask that particular question, Sayu quickly opened a transmission channel.
"Nick, we've got a bit of a problem," Sayu proclaimed.
"Oh, lordy, what now?" Nick wondered.
"I thought we'd wiped out that alien intelligence when we reactivated the anti-virus systems, but it turns out a piece of it got out of the Datascape," Sayu explained. "And it just started controlling a nasty-looking robotic body out here, and I think it's heading for the matter transponder!"
"Oh, crapbaskets," Nick growled. "That means it's going to try and jump back in time and go after our RiCO! Can you get me out of here, Sayu?!"
"No problem, but we need to hurry and follow that thing," Sayu responded.
"Are you going to be okay here, RiCO?" Nick wondered. "I've gotta go chase down what's left of that thing before it can do anything else scummy."
"I'll be fine, don't worry," Other RiCO answered. "You just go and kick that thing's derriere in for what it did to me, okay?"
"That was always the plan," Nick chuckled.
Before Nick could tear off, though, Other RiCO leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.
"And... thank you for bringing me back," Other RiCO giggled.
"I'm sure your Nick will be happy to see the real you when he comes back," Nick quipped before he was beamed out of the Datascape and back into the real world, where Sayu was waiting for him.
Together, Nick and Sayu raced out of the drive core room and towards the room that housed the matter transponder, which had already been activated. They just barely caught a glimpse of something robotic and nasty-looking entering the circular sphere of blue light.
Nick and Sayu charged forward and into the sphere as well, ready to go back to Nick's own time and finish this alien intelligence off once and for all.
To be concluded...
Next time...
Jerry: Marvelous performance, everyone.
Nozomi: We didn't even have to go to his lair or fight whatever his trump card was for once. That's definitely a first.
Sam: But now onto the more pressing matter. Have you had any luck in either getting the Datascape back online or getting answers out of that other Nick?
Jerry: Sadly, I have to say no on both fronts. We've analyzed that countdown device as best we can, but we're afraid to do too much more without possibly causing something catastrophic. As for that other Nick, he seems to have vanished without a trace.
Haruka: Yeah, that's distressing. We have no idea what he's planning to do, since he won't talk to any of us.
Mat: I guess all we can do for now is stick around and see if there's anything we can do to help out. Oh, wait, how much time is left on that countdown?
Jerry: About twenty hours, give or take.
Voice: WARNING. WARNING. UNIDENTIFIED ENERGY SURGE DETECTED IN WEST HALLWAY GAMMA.
Blaine: Oh, lordy, did Macker leave behind something for us to deal with?
Sortiliena: Well, let's go and find out, next time on the final act of Totally Spies: Countdown, "Shadow of Time"!
Sayu: I'm just glad I had a good stunt coordinator, because some of these moves I'm gonna be doing in the final battle took weeks of practice.
May: Yeah, the stunt guys and gals are serious about their parts.