"I don't like this." Agent X remarked as he stood in an empty store, conversing with Kelly. "Even with that threat, there's no way she'll give up the medals."
Agent X
Boss Yo-kai
"Of course. I don't expect her to." Kelly replied. "We simply have to play our parts until the proper moment presents itself. Then we can ensure that Shimmer will learn what happens when she goes against us."
"You seem pretty confident, human." Agent X said. "The Boss and I have been gone a long time, but we've heard enough to know that the Hero Alliance aren't eXactly pushovers."
"In a group? Certainly. But as individuals, they are weakened, vulnerable." Kelly said. "We don't have to kill all of them, or even any of them. We simply have to act the part of the overconfident fools. I'm sure you can handle that."
"Watch it, Kelly. I'm nobody's fall guy, least of all a human's." Agent X snapped. "We'll let the Pied Piper fill that niche."
"Just that one?" Kelly asked, raising an eyebrow. "We shouldn't make it too easy, they'll grow suspicious. If I may…I'd like to bring in an asset of my own."
Agent X heard loud, stomping footsteps outside the store, turning around to see a hulking man standing in the doorway, a massive two handed axe being held in his hands, his face covered by a black mask with two eye holes and a mouth hole, letting his wild eyes out for all to see.
"Meet our executioner." Kelly introduced the Yo-kai to his asset. "Derrick, we have some guests coming to interrupt the executions. I take it you know what needs to be done?"
"Aye…add them to the chopping block." the man named Derrick said as powerful negative energy surged around his hulking form. "Another neck to sever…"
Meanwhile, with the Hero Alliance…
"You wanted…this?" Ash K asked as the group was looking at an old capsule machine.
"It looks like one of those gacha machines." Chiaki said.
"It's the Crank-a-Kai. I asked some of the members to pull this out for me from Mt. Wildwood." Sunset said.
"Isn't this the one Whisper sprang from when ya first met Nate?" Peacock recalled.
"Yes, but he's not the only one inside. There are probably hundreds of Yo-kai with medals inside." Sunset said.
"So your plan is to abuse an old Gatcha machine and crank out a ton of Yo-kai at once to form a plan to save two old friends?" DW typed in question. "That is the most ridiculous plan I've ever heard… let's do it!"
"I'm not planning to crank out all of them. I need at least 2, maybe 3 for my plan to work." Sunset said.
"If that's the number you want, you must be looking for certain Yo-kai in particular." Kokonoe said.
"Yeah, that's right. This is a gamble, I know. But we don't have the time to go looking for them and making it to the mall to save them." Sunset said.
"We don't have a lot of options. I say we do it." David said.
"Lets just hope lady luck is on our side and gives us the Yo-kai Sunset's looking for." Hope said.
"Luckily…I have plenty of coins." Sunset said. "The rest of you will scope out the mall to get a full scope of the situation."
"Got it. We'll make sure to leave no place unchecked." David said.
"Be careful in there. The Yo-kai Alliance doesn't strike me as stupid." Mark spoke up. "Be as stealthy as possible."
"Stealth's not our specialty, but we'll make sure not to make any sudden movements. It'll be like Ode Iou's castle." Kabuki said.
"Just be on your guard and ready to run." Mark replied.
"On it. You guys do what you can on your end." David said.
"Sunset…are you sure you wanna do this? This is all really…" Jexi said.
"A huge risk based on luck. For all my friends, both Yo-kai and human, I'm willing to test my luck until its wellspring has run dry." Sunset said, picking out a coin. "And now…let's get started."
The stealth team appeared near Sunset Mall.
"According to official records, the mall has been temporarily closed for redecoration and reconstruction. But…that part is probably a lie so the Yo-kai inside could have it to themselves." Blake said.
"Yeah…no question about that. But…if the mall is closed…" Jiro said, noticing a number of kids entering. "Why are there kids walking into the mall?"
"Hmm…I can hear something…" Phantom said.
"Huh? What are…" Blake said.
"No, he's right." Jiro said, her earphone plugged into the wall. "It's faint but…it sounds like someone playing a flute inside."
"Bet whoever's playing it is inducing a hypnotic effect those kids." Yuri said.
"We have to take a closer look at this." SE suggested.
"I'll try and get a closer look." Kabuki said as she jumped up to a vent and crawled into it.
Once she reached a vent grate, she peered into the mall's interior, where a Pierrot with purple skin, round orange eyes with yellow scleras and two line markings running down, and a short mustache was seen playing a flute.
Slackerjack
Boss Yo-kai
Eerie Tribe
"That's right, my children and Yo-kai. Forget about your homeworlds and hometowns. All you need is to spend all your lives here with your friends, the Yo-kai Alliance." Slackerjack said to the mesmerized masses as they wandered about the mall.
"My lord is right… This one is clearly morally bankrupt." Kabuki said to herself. "Though now it makes sense. They're luring children and Yo-kai here to form an army of some sort."
In another part of the store, unseen by Kabuki, Kelly was indulging himself with some light reading while Derrick was sharpening his axe, before the executioner perked his head up. "Lord Kelly, I sense a presence."
"Oh, is that right?" Kelly asked.
"Yes. They are somewhere in the vents." Derrick stated. "I can use my Technique to flush them out-"
"No." Kelly interrupted, surprising his inferior. "Allow them to remain hidden. We will let them believe they have the advantage for now."
"I…very well." Derrick submitted as he went back to weapon maintenance.
Meanwhile, back with the Gacha Group…
"I'm still not entirely sure this'll work." Zephyr said. "Sunset's basically betting on luck to get her the right Yo-kai she needs."
"I understand why you'd feel that but there's not much else she can do. Or even we can do for that matter." Jexi said.
"Don't any of us have any luck boosting abilities?" ZS asked.
"Well, there's Nagito, but it's more like a coin flip." Connie answered.
"She could have called on Noko to improve her luck but I don't think she wanted to do that cause he would get weak with each pull." Robin said.
"I know Sunset…we need to trust her to make the right call." Luna said.
Sunset held a few medals from the machine as she looked them over.
"All right. So far, I've won 10 medals. Kittylumbus, Yoink, Urnaconda, Grumpus Khan, Groupus Khan, Slax, Confuze, Tongue Twister, Greengramps, and Yoodooit. So far, I've only got 1 of the 3 that I need for my plan. I still need to get those two." she said to herself.
"How many coins do you have left, Sunset?" Noelle asked.
"You don't need to worry. I've had plenty since before the medals vanished." Sunset said.
"Well, let's hope you find the other two that you need." Hope said.
"I understand how you and your group are feeling, Hope. But…this is the best I can do right now. I…I can't let Nate and Katie die. Death is…it feels horrible." Sunset said.
"I know what you mean, Sunset. A lot of us do. You're not alone." Hagakure said.
"Yet you guys brush it off like it's no big deal." Sunset said glaring at them.
"Uh…" Entrapta said.
"Just…let me get back to it." Sunset said, turning back to the Crank-a-Kai and putting another coin in.
Hope and his team got off her back as she was back to putting in her coins.
"I feel horrible. The Trinity War affected us too, and it's not like I wasn't traumatized…" Hagakure said. "But Sunset thinks we make it seem like no big deal."
"No…just your team." Dan said.
"I mean, to be fair, it's not like you've talked about it." Alkal said. "Entrapta is…well, Entrapta, no offense-"
"None taken."
"But what about you? You haven't mentioned anything about what happened."
Hagakure took on a self-consious stance. "W-Well, I-"
"I mean, between the thing in New York with Spider-Man and the revelation with Aoyama, now…you haven't shown…any…uh…" Steven said as Hagakure was almost visible, showing that she had long, messy, wavy chartreuse hair, with pink specks, bushy eyelashes, and big round eyes, with irises that are teal on the outside and yellow on the inside.
"Uh…" Hagakure said before looking in the mirror. "Oh, not again!" she said trying to cover her face.
"Wait, did you..did she just-?" ZS asked.
"I think her Quirk is glitching." Mari said.
Hagakure then ran off soon after.
"Huh…so that's what she actually looks like. You know, she looks kinda cute." Odd said.
"Odd…" Ojiro said with a tone of warning.
"Please. I'm being nice. Besides, Sonata would kill me if I tried making a move for other girls." Odd said.
"Shouldn't…one of us go after her?" Mark asked.
"No, she'll be okay. But I guess we kinda owe you guys an explanation." Hope said. "We've been keeping quiet about the Trinity War backlash because Hagakure is… well, visible now. Sort of. Ever since the war, her Quirk has been glitching enough for her to turn visible for some periods of time. She's really embarrassed about it. And then there's the nightmares."
"Nightmares? What nightmares?"
"Sometimes, she dreams that she's standing in front of a mirror, or in front of a crowd, and when she turns visible…there's this gaping wound on her." Hope explained. "She's been having them once a week, ever since the war."
"And she didn't tell anyone outside of the SHS because she was embarrassed…" Mark realized. "Did she even tell you, or did you find out on your own?"
"Uh…." Hope said.
"We'll take the pause as you found out on your own." Jexi said.
"Look… I didn't mean to give anyone the wrong impression about how the Trinity War affected us." Hope said. "It's true Entrapta was able to play it off like it's no big deal. But Hagakure? She's hurting big time. And all of us got worried about her ever since we found out. I'm worried that, if she goes through another traumatizing event like that again, her Quirk will shut off for good. I'm… I'm not sure what to to do. It scares me, thinking what could happen in the future. I know I'm always known for looking on the bright side, but there are times when even I don't know how to take a situation."
"Jonah…" Mark said in worry. "The war shook all of us. Believe me, I know; Eddy's been going through a lot too. We gotta be there for each other. We can't let stuff like what Hagakure's going through fester. I understand why you wouldn't share this, and honestly? I probably would've done the same. But now that it's out in the open…we have to help her however we can."
"Right…" Hope said.
Sunset looked at another batch of medals on hand.
"Hmm…Gimme, Bakulia, Pandanoko, Bloominoko, Starry Noko, Mr. Sandmeh, Tublappa, Lappinitup, Brokenbrella and Rattelle. Just need one more. Come on…" Sunset begged as she put the coin and in another capsule came out. She smiled as she opened it. "Yes! I…got it!"
"Looks like you have the ones you need."
"Yeah…I got everything I need for my plan." Sunset said. "Everything will be fine. It has to be."
"So…what's the plan?" Hope said.
"I'll walk into the mall with the Medallium to make the trade with Agent X. While I do that, all of you need to subdue all the Yo-kai that are inside." Sunset said.
"Got it." Hope said.
"Let's hope this doesn't follow the old saying: no plan survives first contact." Double D said.
"Yeah…I really hope so." Sunset said.
The group arrived at the Sunset Mall as Sunset stood there with Medallium in hand.
"All right, X! I'm here!" Sunset called out.
"Well well…seems you didn't get cold feet." Agent X said on the intercom. "And the Medallium?"
Sunset held it open as she showed the medals inside.
"Excellent." he said as the doors opened wide. "I'm waiting in the store in the rear of the mall. Just walk towards it and no funny business or your little friends will be the ones who get executed."
Sunset took a deep breath as she slowly walked into the mall.
After a couple of minutes, the others slowly slipped in after.
"Okay. While Sunset goes and makes the exchange with Agent X, we'll work on freeing the kids and Yo-kai they have captive here." Jexi said.
"Right. Hopefully while his associates are none the wiser." David said.
"Then let's go. Sunset can only walk so slow." Mark pointed out.
"Let's go." Ruby said as they spread out across the mall.
"I swear, why do the bad guys always go after kids when recruiting soldiers? They aren't even that strong on average." Emo asked. "If I were evil - which I'm not - I'd just go out of my way to avoid them. It would make life so much easier. Am I right?"
"To be fair, children are impressionable. Easier to brainwash." Genis said.
"And children are more susceptible to be inspirited by Yo-kai." Twilight said. "I mean look."
"I mean…I get it but…why not?" asked one child with a strange yellow creature in a turban behind them.
Why Naant
Mysterious Tribe
"I mean, I could totally be better than this group. I could easily be running these alliances no problem." another kid said with a large headed woman with only a mouth floating behind them.
Chatalie
Eerie Tribe
"YEAH! THIS PLACE IS SO AMAZING!" another kid said, screaming their lungs out with a large gorilla singing behind them.
Sing Kong
Merican Yo-kai
Tough Tribe
"The ensemble cast." Emo remarked. "What did Sunset say about these three jokers?"
"Why Naant makes you question everything. Chatalie makes you a total braggart. And Sing Kong…just makes you very loud. Like death metal loud." Twilight said.
"Yep. That is a very messy trio we have here." Genis said.
"And it's a mess we have to clean up." Emo remarked, pulling out a spell book. "I got the not-so-great ape."
Emo stretched out and waved his hand, as a sphere appeared around Sing Kong and his inspirited target, causing all the noise they were making to stop. "Silence."
Both him and the child were confused, continued to try until the Yo-kai grabbed his throat before he went and passed out.
"And he literally yelled himself unconscious." Twilight said, swiping his medal.
"He is going to have the mother of all sore throats in the morning…" Genis said.
"Well, we got the shouter, now how about the chatter?" Emo asked, referring to Chatalie.
"Excuse me? I could easily get you fired from your little team." Chatalie said.
"Oh really?" Twilight said.
"Yeah." Chatalie said.
"Well do it. Get us all kicked out right now." Twilight said.
"Uh…I mean, I could but…not sure I want to." Chatalie said.
"Bet you're too chicken to become friends with us." Twilight said.
"Please. We can totally be friends." Chatalie said, showing her medal and handing it over. "How's that?"
"Perfect. Thank you." Twilight said.
"Wait…what just happened?!" Chatalie said in confusion.
"She just played her for a fiddle. Okay, so by process of elimination, that leaves me with…oh…" Genis said looking at Why Naant. "Okay…let's not take long."
"Why not?" Why Naant asked.
"Well… We're…kind of in the middle of something important, and we can't afford to dillydally." Genis said.
"Why not?" he asked.
"Oh right…that's all you say to questions." Genis said. "I really didn't wanna do this but…" he said, drawing his new blaster and stunning the Yo-kai. "Wow, that really does work."
"Not so fast!" a couple of voices said as they saw a man in face paint as well as a dancing piece of seaweed looking fresh from Rio.
Kapunki
Brave Tribe
Kelpacabana
Heartful Tribe
"If you wanna take us, you'll have to…" the two said before being taking out by a spell strike.
"Sorry, we're kinda in a rush." Twilight said, collecting their medals.
"So…how…did you get past the executioner guy?" Kapunki groaned.
"Executioner? Oh, I do not like the sound of that…" Genis said.
"We didn't hear about any executioner." Emo added.
"Oh, then no wonder you got this far. They're the complete package: strong and smart. And on top of that…they're a Jujutsu Sorcerer." Kelpacabana explained.
"Uh…far be it from me to judge one of your teammates skills, Genis, but, ah, why didn't Kabuki pick up on that?!" Emo demanded. "Shoot, Sunset's walking into a real pickle…"
"You act like you've heard of these sorcerers before." Twilight said.
"Yeah. They're people who can use cursed energy to hunt cursed spirits. That energy one name for the energy that comes off of Yo-kai and the like." Emo clarified. "To put it another way…they're trained to fight and kill things like Yo-kai. One of the reportedly strongest mortals in the Multiverse is a Jujutsu Sorcerer, to give you an idea of what they're capable of. Granted, I'm certain they wouldn't get involved with the Yo-kai Alliance, but…augh, there's no telling what this executioner is capable of!" Emo remarked.
"But…Kabuki didn't mention any of…damn it. This is a set up." Genis said.
"We gotta warn the others." Emo said, trying to activate his comm, only for it not to turn on. "Dammit, they've jammed the comms!"
"That must mean this executioner and Agent X weren't acting alone. They're working with someone who had prepared for everything." Genis said.
On another side of the mall, some kids were being corralled by six Yo-kai. A large burly purple guy, a small green oni, a red two eyed oni, a small child with some maracas, a very large and buff gorilla looking Yo-kai, and a small child with an angry face.
Bruff
Goruma
Tough Tribe
Mynimo
Tantroni
Shady Tribe
Squeeky
Eerie Tribe
Hissfit
Brave Tribe
"I don't like this…" Bruff said. "It's in my nature to act like a big brother to people, so I ain't too keen on what the boss wants us to do with these kids, y'know?"
"Lighten up, Bruff! We're helping these kids get the better path in life." Mynimo said.
"Yeah…but it feels weird. Like…I normally wouldn't do this." he said.
"Oh, poor Bruff. He didn't ask to be involved with this." Hope said.
"That's good. Maybe we can convince him to stand down." Mark said. "Though I'm not sure about the others."
"Yeah…we got a buff gorilla and four brats." Yang said.
"How are we gonna deal with those five?" Glimmer said.
"I think we can get them in line. We just need help from a bro." Hope said looking to Bruff.
Bruff and his squad continued to patrol until Bruff himself was suddenly snatched by Glimmer and teleported away before the others noticed anything, getting him back to the group in hiding.
"Hey! What's the big-!" Bruff asked before he caught sight of the group and Hope. "Wait… you're that blue kid? Whoa, you shouldn't be here."
"I know we shouldn't, but we are. We're doing this for Sunset's sake." Hope said.
"Sunset? She's here?" Bruff asked.
"Yeah. Right now, she's taking a very big risk. But she wanted to free the other kids and befriend the other Yo-kai." Hope said. "But those five yo-kai you were with won't be convinced easily."
"I get it… you want me to set those kids free." Bruff said.
"In a nutshell. Can we count on you to help?" Hope asked. "Please…big bro?"
"Aw…I can't say no to that. Okay…but one thing. Even if I get these kids out, Slackerjack is gonna keep bringing in new ones." Bruff said.
"Don't worry. We can handle him." Yang said. "Just…do what you do best."
Bruff nodded as he went to deal with the Yo-kai and kids.
"We can leave things to him." Hope said.
"So the only way to stop this is if we confront Slackerjack directly." Glimmer said. "If only we knew where he was in this mall. Our comms are jammed, so we can't ask Kabuki for directions."
"Maybe we don't have to. If I can sense his energy, maybe…" Mark said, closing his eyes and beginning his sense, before his expression became one of confusion. "What? That can't be right…"
"Mark, what's wrong?" Glimmer asked.
"I'm…getting four strong energy signatures." Mark answered. "Two must be Slackerjack and Agent X, but who're the other two?"
"I bet it's someone from the Yo-kai Alliance." Yang said.
"One of them must have been the one to suggest disrupting our comms. Not sure about the fourth one. Maybe it's a Legendary Yo-kai?" Adora said.
"I'm not so sure. Something feels wrong…" Mark remarked.
"Yeah…and that stupid flute noise is bugging me." Yang said.
"Flute…" Hope said. "That's it. I know how we can find him."
"Follow the flute?" Mark asked.
"Follow the flute." Hope said.
Sunset continued to walk down the path as she was reaching the very back store of the mall as Agent X was messing with a fidget spinner.
"I don't get why humans are so obsessed with these things." Agent X said before he saw Sunset and stopped. "So…you finally made it. You got the medallium?"
"You have my friends?" Sunset asked.
Agent X rolled his eyes as he pulled out Nate and Katie from behind a wall, the hulking form of Derrick marching out behind them. "Hand me the book and they go free." Agent X said. "And no funny stuff. Especially if your little buddies are skulking around somewhere!" he called out.
Sunset then walked over to Agent X and handed the medallium right to him.
"Hmm…" Agent X said as he flipped through the pages. "Quite a collection. One that's ours now." he said. "Derrick…get ready to waste this girl."
"What?" Sunset asked.
"What? You think I was gonna let all three of you leave? You caused us a lot of trouble. And you need to be eXterminated." Agent X said. "Now we…" he said as the two villains and kids noticed a pot. "Hey…was that pot always there?"
"No…it was not." Derrick said as he broke from the group and charged the pot, raising his axe over his head to smash the pot.
"Yikes!" a voice said as a snake-like eel popped out and ran for it.
Urnaconda
Slippery Tribe
"Hahaha…I see…you were planning to distract us and take the book once we were surprised huh?" Agent X said.
"No. My plan was to take it back after my first plan flopped." Sunset said.
"Huh?" Agent X said before seeing the Medallium gone. "What?!" he said before seeing the book in the talons of a big purple bird.
"Mine all mine!" he said.
Peckpocket
Eerie Tribe
"You little…ah hey!" Agent X said as the two kids went and ran for it.
"Sorry, X. I knew you were planning to kill me if I gave you the book or not. You aren't that nice." Sunset said.
"Grr…you cheeky little…" Agent X said, charging right at the three.
"Wait! I sense a third spirit!" Derrick warned the Yo-kai.
"Huh. What are…." Agent X said as he tripped up on a long tongue before looking over to see a red Yo-kai with a washtub.
Tublappa
Classic Yo-kai
Brave Tribe
"Now!" Sunset said as the three ran for it with the Medallium.
"Grr…you aren't gonna…" Agent X said before some of the heroes came out of hiding. "Course she wouldn't be alone."
"How does it feel to have your whole plan fall apart?" Jexi asked.
"Heh…who said our plan failed?" Agent X said as he and Derrick were chuckling a bit. "The medallium wasn't what we wanted brought here….we wanted her."
"You wanted Sunset the whole time? Cause she's the last watch bearer?" Jesse asked.
"Oh, she's not the last. But she is the one causing us the most trouble right now." Agent X said. "We need her out of the way. But, and it ain't easy to admit this, we can't kill her. Not with all of you standing guard. So…we have to do the neXt best thing."
The group was confused before they heard two piercing sounds as they turned in shock to see both Nate and Katie pierced through.
"We simply had to break her." a new voice said as, from the shadows behind them emerged the hooded figure, he was bare chested and had tattoos on his chest. "A pleasure to meet you at last…Sunset Shimmer."
"You're an alchemist!" Miriam said, recognizing the design of his tattoos.
"Red eyes…you…you're Kelly!" Jexi said.
"Indeed I am." Kelly smirked, with a small bow. "Edward Kelly, to be precise. And you are the Hero Alliance I've heard so much about, yes? Thank you for delivering Ms. Shimmer here to witness the execution." He said as the two children collapsed to the ground.
"Nate! Katie!" Sunset screamed, before Kelly lunged his hand forward, summoning a red serpent that coiled itself around the Watch user, dragging her into Kelly's clutches.
"Derrick, Agent X, my friends, would you see to our other guests? Ms. Shimmer and I are to have a private conversation." Kelly said as he surrounded Sunset and himself in a black dome of alchemic energy, the executioner and Agent X stepping in front of it.
"Time for your execution, lads." Derrick said, hefting his axe. "Pray, if you must."
"Save your prayers for your own sorry ass." Jalter said.
"Hahahaha! Sorry, but I'm afraid that it's your turn for your own eXecution!" Agent X laughed as his hair flowed freely as his body and hands enlarged. Meanwhile, Derrick's body began to give off negative energy.
The Executor and Executioner - Agent X & Derrick.
Derrick then raised his axe for a swing and dashed right at the group in a burst of black energy. "Black Flash."
The group narrowly avoided the attack, black lightning seeming to come out from his axe. "Hmm…faster than I can swing."
"What was that?!" ZS asked.
"The Black Flash? This guy must be a Jujutsu Sorcerer!" Mayumi realized.
"Who cares what he is?! He's keeping us from saving Sunset!" Rainbow yelled.
"Nothing you can do can save that girl." Agent X said as he slammed a hand down on Rainbow. "She was already struggling with her mental state. Add a few dead friends to the mix and she'll never wanna interfere again."
"You're a sick and demented piece of crap, you know that?" David asked.
"I get paid eXtra for it!" Agent X cackled as he unleashed a fire technique to burn the heroes.
"Water Creation Magic: Sea Dragon's Lair!" Noelle called, protecting everyone with a dome of water to deflect the fire as it turned to steam.
"Not bad, but Derrick can easily counter this. Right, human?" Agent X asked.
Derrick responded by disengaging his axe attacks and placing one hand behind him. "Cursed Technique: Penance of the Beheaded."
From out of thin air, a severed head materialized in the executioner's hands as he threw it up into the air. "Scream."
The head let out a piercing wail of fear and agony, causing the water magic to explode outwards, and the heroes to cover their ears in pain and distress at the noise.
"What the hell…?!" ZS gasped.
"I see now. His Cursed Technique…it lets him summon the heads of his victims." Mayumi realized. "And if this Derrick is the same executioner from history, he has over 3,000 heads to work with."
"Vomit." Derrick commanded the head as it shot out a beam of cursed energy from its mouth.
"Oh come on!" Jexi said as they went to avoid the beam.
"This is starting to get ridiculous at this point." David said.
"Aye, I'd imagine so." Derrick remarked. "This is what happens when you aren't prepared to fight a Curse User."
"Yeah, yeah. Can we fast forward to the part where we kick your ass? All this talk is putting me to sleep." David said.
"...Agreed. No more talking." Derrick agreed as he charged David.
Meanwhile, with the group following the flute…
"I think we're almost there." Mark said as the group reached the mall's main lobby. Once there, they saw the Pierrot Yo-kai from before, playing his group as a ring of children circled around them, laughing.
"Yes, that's good kids." Slackerjack laughed. "You're doing wonderfully! Hm?" he noticed the group. "What in the…"
"The game's up, pier piper. Release all those kids." Yang said.
"What do you mean? We're all having so much fun here!" Slackerjack stated. "Look, the children are so happy!"
"You're brainwashing them!" Mark argued.
"That's just a fancy way of making people happy." the Yo-kai said. "You can't break up play time…I can't let it end now!"
"Then I guess we're gonna have to…" Hope started before his comm sprang back to life. "Oh hey, the comms are working again!"
"Hope? Dude, you gotta get the kids out. It was a setup. Sunset is in big trouble. Kelly killed Nate and Katie." Jexi said.
"Kelly did what?!" Slackerjack exclaimed in horrified shock, having overheard the communication.
"We were wrong, guys. They weren't underestimating us, we were underestimating them." Jexi said.
"And I'm guessing you didn't know about how merciless this Kelly was?" Hope asked.
"I…I knew he had those two humans hostage, but I didn't think he was going to kill them." Slackerjack said, tears starting to fall. "I didn't wanna see anyone get hurt! He said taking the Medallium was enough!" he cried.
"I see…Kelly lied to you…" Mark said in understanding. "Actually, no…they all lied to you. X must've known what the plan was…"
"B-But…why would they lie?" Slackerjack asked.
"Would you have helped them if you knew?" Mark asked.
"No, never! I…I just wanted friends." he said. "I'm not as strong hearted as the other executives. I started luring away children so we could play and be friends."
"So that's why you lured away the kids. Dude, in all honesty, I think you should just…go. Find somewhere else to make friends." Yang said.
"Maybe you're right…but first…I wanna make up for the part I played." Slackerjack said. "I can lead you to where Agent X is…and maybe I can help in another way…"
With Sunset and Kelly…
Sunset opened her eyes, finding herself in a black, featureless void. "Where…am I…?"
"Comfortable, my dear?" she heard Kelly's voice behind her, turning around to see the alchemist approaching her.
"You…Why are you doing all this? Changing these poor Yo-kai into monsters? Teaming up with human-hating Yo-kai?" Sunset asked.
"Why do you befriend Yo-kai? Travel the world with those heroes?" Kelly asked. "The answer is the same for all four questions: because I can. I have the ability to do so…why shouldn't I?" he smirked.
"You realize those guys your with just wanna use you to destroy the human world, right?" Sunset said.
"Ah, I know of their motivations." Kelly said as he circled her, like a snake coiling up its prey. "Their hatred of humans…it makes them so fierce, so driven…so predictable. It blinds them, makes them think that they are superior when, in truth…it is us that are superior to them. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Wait, is that it then? You wanna be what? Ruler of all Yo-kai? Sorry, but that role is already taken..." Sunset said.
"By Enma, yes. But if all goes according to plan…then that won't be the case for much longer." Kelly said. "That sealed medal you're carrying is proof of that."
"Sealed medal…?" Sunset said, subconsciously pawning the medal in her pocket.
"You and I both know who the medal belongs to." Kelly smiled wickedly. "If he can possess a medal…then he can be caught. Or 'befriended', as you like to call it."
"You think you can trap Enma?" Sunset asked. "He's the most powerful Yo-kai ever. You can't just-"
"Did you know that there's a whole tribe of Enma?" Kelly asked, stopping Sunset. "One Enma is powerful, but with enough…it could produce unlimited power for whoever wielded it. And I have just the tools to make that power mine. Not that you would understand, of course. Too softhearted…though even that is questionable."
"What are you saying…?" Sunset asked.
"You, who let the Yo-kai drift away. You, who brought dangerous magic into another world. You, who stole a crown you never deserved. You've never quite forgiven yourself for anything, have you?" Kelly asked.
Sunset was shaken by the alchemist's words as she looked down at her hands, which suddenly changed into red, clawed hands.
"Your hands are still stained black with your wrongdoings." Kelly said, as a mirror appeared in front of Sunset, seeing herself as a monstrous version of her half-pony form. "Still just a monster."
"S-Stop! I…I know this is just an illusion!" Sunset cried, backing away from the mirror.
"Is it though? Just accept it, Sunset Shimmer. You are no hero. Would a hero allow this to happen?" Kelly snapped his fingers, as the bodies of Nate and Katie appeared before her.
"N-No.." Sunset stammered, falling to her knees.
"If you had just given up those medals…if you had just accepted your death…then perhaps those two would still be alive. I wouldn't have needed to kill them." Kelly said, approaching Sunset from behind and placing a hand on her cheek. "How does it feel to be the reason they're dead?"
Sunset then collapsed on the ground in despair, Kelly smiling at the results.
"Yes... break! Writhe in despair! What other sane choice is there for you?!" Kelly laughed.
Just then, the sound of a flute began to ring out in the void. "Hm? What is that-?"
Just then, Sunset and Kelly vanished from the void, begin replaced by Agent X and Derrick.
"Huh?! The heck just…?" Agent X started before he realized. "Slackerjack…!"
A few moments earlier…
"Damn…these guys are certainly living up to the hype." Agent X said as he and Derrick were panting, having been dealt plenty of damage by the group fighting them.
"If you can't take the heat, then get out of the kitchen!" ZS said. "And by the kitchen, I mean "out of our way!"."
Derrick got down on one knee, breathing heavily. "Can't summon enough heads here. Didn't want to bring this out too soon…but no choice." he said as he closed his eyes and placed his hand on the ground. "...Domain-"
The sound of a flute broke through the sounds of combat. "Eh…what is-?" Agent X started to ask before they were replaced by Kelly and Sunset.
"...Noise?" Kelly finished as he realized that he was outside of his barrier. "What?! Impossible! Nothing could've gotten through…"
"We didn't go through!" a voice called as Hope's group appeared… with Slackerjack! "We just made a good ol' switcheroo!"
"Sunset!" the Human Mane Six, plus Princess Twilight, cried as Rainbow dashed to her side, managing to knock a off balanced Kelly aside.
"She's broken…" Rainbow realized, her face morphing into one of fury as she rounded on Kelly. "What did you do to her?!"
"All I did was tell her the truth. Now she can't hide from it…she is a monster!" Kelly declared.
"The only monster here is YOU!" Twilight said as the group fired attacks at the alchemist, Kelly blocking them with the aid of the red snake he summoned, leaping away from them.
"It seems the tides have turned…I suppose I'll take my leave now." Kelly remarked as he vanished in a swirl and red and black. "Do take care until our next meeting, everyone…"
"Get back here!" Hope called as he dashed in too late before Kelly vanished. "Dammit!"
"He's gone…and the damage is done." Jexi said, looking at Sunset.
"...Just me…" Sunset croaked out as she cried, scrapping her fingers on the ground hard enough to cause them to start bleeding. "I'm the only one who should suffer! No one else! Just me! Suffer! For everything!" she wailed.
"Come on. That isn't like you." a voice said.
"Yes it is like…" Sunset said, looking up to see a small floating blue yo-kai with a star hole in his chest. "N…Nate?"
"What? You think this is the first time I've died?" Nate, or rather, Fuu 2, said.
Fuu 2
Mysterious Tribe
"Nate! You've become Fuu 2 again!" Hope said.
"Yup. I bet Kelly won't expect that." Fuu 2 said.
"But Nate, Katie, She's….!" Sunset started.
"I'm what?" a voice asked as floating above Katie's body was a small pink ghost identical to Fuu 2, but had Katie's face and hairstyle. There's a dark rose pink heart shape seen on her bottom left of her body, and her ponytail is shaped into a "3."
Mee 2
Charming Tribe
"Katie… you too…?" Sunset asked, still looking broken.
"I… guess so. This feels kinda weird…." Katie admitted. "What happened to you, Sunset?"
"Kelly used yours and Nate's deaths as a way to try and break Sunset. And it worked." Hope said.
"Oh, man…" Nate realized.
"Well, we're here now," Katie said.
"But how is that any good? Kelly's plan went off without a hitch, and Sunset is completely broken!" Rainbow said.
"I think I can help." Mee 2 said as she floated over to Sunset. "Let's try this…" she said as she inspirited the Watch user.
"A monster…me?...No way…I've…moved on past that. I've worked to become friends with the Yo-kai." Sunset said as she slowly picked herself up. "I'm not fallen anymore…I will save my friends from Kelly and bring these two back. I swear it." she said standing up tall.
"Well I'll be! How'd y'do that, Kaite?" Applejack asked.
"It must be Kaite's Yo-kai power. She lifted Sunset's spirits out of the gloom Kelly put her in." Hope said.
"I guess I can make people more optimistic." Mee 2 said.
"And until this whole mess is resolved, we'll stay close to her as much as we can." Fuu 2 said.
Fuu 2 and Mee 2 then handed over their medals to the group.
"We were caught off guard by Kelly and how crafty he can be. We won't make that same mistake again." Ichiro said.
"Yeah. He's got plans. Big ones. He's not satisfied with being a part of the Yo-kai Alliance. He's planning something big…and it involves Enma." Sunset said. "And…an Enma tribe."
"Wait, there's a whole tribe of Yo-kai like Enma?!" Mark asked in shock.
"Yeah, thats what he told me. I think he wants to use Lord Enma and his entire tribe somehow, so that he can become the Ruler of the Yo-kai world." Sunset said.
"Hmm…yeah. All that is true. But all of the Yo-kai from that tribe are either Enma, forms of Enma or Yo-kai related to Enma. And you know how…" Fuu 2 said.
"Yeah, I know. But still, I need to figure out more about all of this somehow." Sunset said.
"Then…consider going to the Dragon Palace where Princess Pearl is." Fuu 2 said.
"Princess Pearl?" Kieran asked.
"AKA, Queen Otohime in Japan." Hope said.
"Well, we've got our next stop." Mark said.
"Yeah...and we're not going to let them step down on us anymore." Sunset said.