Episode 2: The Legend Begins Again

Hewo hewo! Happy Spooky Month! Episode 2 is here!

aklike95: Who knows? Cinder is definitely going to do everything in her power to win. She refuses to make the same mistakes as the last two times.

BlazeFlash34: Yessir, we are so back. The show must go on.

PineCoop: Like a phoenix from the ashes, my boi.

chillsummer: There are some changes in tbe first few episodes, but i tried to keep the plots roughly the same. Hope you're looking forward for what's to come.

Goodguygary: We'll have one here in the future. It's in the works, so we'll have one eventually.

With all of that out of the way, let's commence with the show! Hi ho Silver, away!

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"Last time on Total Drama Infinite 3, several returning players came back for another shot at a million dollars. But they weren't alone, as ten new contestants joined in the hopes of making it big. And they're probably the weirdest group of newcomers we've had yet. From arrogant duelist Kaiba, to demonic trickster Mao, to cartoony cyborg Peacock, we've got our craziest season yet, with the craziest cast to boot. After forming the teams, we've thrust them into their first challenge. As for what that is, tune in to today's exciting episode of Total Drama Infinite 3!"

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"You're seriously throwing us into a challenge this quickly?!" Aqua complained. "Couldn't you have at least given us time to settle in or something?!"

The hologram of Chris ponders that for a moment.

"Let me think about that…..no. We figured you guys should have some fun as soon as possible. Besides, you'll have plenty of time to settle in after this challenge."

"What about that maze, huh?" Charlie asked. "We've been through it before. Only difference is you didn't lock us up beforehand this time."

"And to add to that, last time I didn't take away your powers and your weapons. Surprise!"

"YOU WHAT?!"

"My demonic powers!" Mao exclaimed.

"My magic!" Wendy cried.

"My Duel Disk!" Kaiba said.

"Even Stringbean is gone." Luz said.

"My Purple Lightning Dreamsmasher!" Zeke said with despair in his voice. He drops to his knees in anguish, as Pandoria comforts him. "You monster!"

"You thieving little shit!" Lobo growled.

"I can't use my Devil Fruit powers or my Haki." Katakuri said, looking at his arm. It was then that he noticed a weird bracelet on his wrist. "Is this the cause?"

"Indeed it is." Chris answered. "For some, we merely confiscated your weapons. For others, we gave you all ability inhibiting bracelets or collars. In Deadpool and Lobo's cases, we let you guys keep your healing factor and immortality. You two can take more punishment that way. As for the inhibitors, try and take them off-"

His explanation was interrupted as Zeke tried to remove the bracelet, and got fried like a sausage as he was electrocuted. He let go and collapsed to the ground.

"That will happen." Chris continues. "These bad boys aren't coming off until the challenge is over."

"But you haven't told us what the challenge even is yet." Luz said.

"I already told you. It's right inside the tunnel maze. Your goal is to go through and reach the end. The first team to have every member reach the exit wins, plain and simple."

"Am I to assume there are obstacles in our way as usual?" Geralt asked.

"Right you are." Chris said. "We've cleaned this place out of what it had last time, with new traps and obstacles. That you must get through without your powers. However……"

"However?"

"Some you will be able to get them back during the challenge."

Next to Chris, we see an object that looks like those things in Mario Kart that gives you items.

"We've hidden these cubes in there. Touch one, and you'll be back to full power. All your tools, powers, weapons, etc."

"I'm definitely not dreaming, right?!" Oscar asked worriedly. "This whole reality show with weirdos from other worlds, getting drugged, and told to go through a scary, life threatening maze?! Is this that Saw movie that I heard about?!"

"You're finally putting the pieces together, old man." Max said sarcastically. "This show will totally chew you up and spit you out."

"Getting back on topic…" Chris interrupts, "there's four entrances to the maze, and you all must split up into groups. This way, a whole team doesn't stick together for the whole time. That'd be too easy, and less fun to watch. So with that, does anyone have any questions?"

Everyone did, yet couldn't find a way to ask in a way that'd make things any easier or more understandable than it already was. Concern flowed through most of them.

"No? None at all? Then get going!"

Still, nobody moved. They were all still standing there, lacking motivation, much to Chris's confusion.

"Uh, hello? I said go! Why aren't you guys moving?!"

"Not really feeling like it, especially considering how you got us down here." Miu answered. "So you can go royally fuck yourself! With a cactus! We're officially boycotting this challenge!"

Getting irritated with a lack of results, it was time for plan B.

"Alright, I'll give you guys some motivation, but you forced my hand. Chef, release the mutant hounds!"

"Release the what now?!" Ryu exclaimed in response, not liking where this was going.

"You think we're scared of dogs?!" Deadpool mocked. "Ooh, I'm so scared!"

"I'm not stupid." Bernadetta said determinedly. "Nobody is tricking the iron heart of Bernie!"

It was then that the chasm echoed with loud, bellowing snarls and growls. This made nearly everyone's hair stand on end.

"Um….I'm not the only one hearing things, am I?!" Chuck gulped nervously.

This turned out to be wishful thinking, until Gwen turned her head.

"Uh…..guys?!" She said fearfully, pointing to a tunnel with a look of terror etched on her face.

Everyone looked where she pointed, they too gasped in horror. Emerging from the tunnel were five dogs, but that's where the pleasantries ended. They were each around seven feet tall, hairless, with unnatural purple skin. Their paws had sharp talons, they had multiple eyes, arranged like a spider, and tails that resembled scorpion stingers. From their fanged mouths, they drooled a green substance that appeared acidic in nature. The look of hunger could be seen on their deformed faces.

"OH MY GODDESS!" Bernadetta screamed, quickly taking off as fast as her legs could carry her.

"Run!" Chie added, doing the same.

Given that everyone was completely powerless against these beasts, they had no choice but to run for their lives. The beasts chased them with murderous intent, and within a matter of seconds, they all ran into one of the four entrances to the maze. Once they were all inside, the entrances sealed shut with titanium doors, blocking the mutant hounds from getting in.

The Chris hologram could only laugh as all of this happened.

"Those suckers seriously fell for it!"

Regardless, Chris's tactic proved successful, as everyone was now inside the maze, with a group inside each of the four entrances, and the only way out being the exit at the end.

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Group 1: Charlie, Oscar, Katakuri, Kaiba, Lobo, Tatsumaki, Peacock, Spinel

Now inside, the group sat down as they were catching their breath from all that running.

"Is everyone okay?" Charlie asked.

"I think so." Spinel answered, yet still not sure.

"Oh, I'm just absolutely peachy!" Tatsumaki snapped. "Exactly how I wanted the day to go!"

"That schmuck is gonna get it now!" Peacock huffed, shaking her fist. "Nobody backs Patty into a corner!"

In all honesty, who could blame them for feeling that way?

"Why the heck did he have mutts like that?!" Oscar exclaimed.

"The guy once dumped toxic waste on an island he used to own." Katakuri answered. "He still keeps plenty of mutated creatures over on Boney Island."

"I'm surprised we didn't really see any when we took those trips there." Spinel sighed.

"Regardless, looks like we got away from those freaky fidos." Lobo said. "So…..what now?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Kaiba scoffs. "We must win the challenge, simple as that. There's not really much else to do besides that."

"Kaiba's right." Charlie said. "Whether we like it or not, there's still a game to win. We'd best probably get moving."

"Don't forget that the entirety of our team has to reach the end first." Kaiba reminds her. "Since about half of us are here, I at least hope the rest of them don't blow this. I normally work alone, and get better results that way. Because let's be honest, the rest of them appear to be weak links."

"You don't know that!" Spinel told him. "Every member is important!"

"You do realize you're talking about a pervert inventor, a useless goddess, a scarecrow, a literal child, and a simple farm boy, to name a few." Tatsumaki says. "Rich boy might have a point."

"Have at least some faith in them." Katakuri said. "Alright guys, let's move out. I'll lead us."

"Hold up!" Oscar said. "Who died and made you the boss?!"

Glaring at the snack maker, Katakuri said, "I did. Even without my powers, I'm probably our best shot at not getting killed in here. I could just leave you here and-"

"Alright, alright, we'll do as you say."

"Good. Just try not to get lost. Heaven only knows what awaits us in here."

"Gulp."

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I'll be honest." Katakuri admits. "Going through all of that without my Devil Fruit powers was one thing. But not having my Haki worried me. Not being able to sense danger after being used to doing that feels like a handicap."

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Group 2: Max, Mae, Rodney, Nomad, Miu, Aqua, Zeke/Pandoria, Chie

I think we managed to outrun them." Zeke pants.

Thank goodness." Mae said.

"You think everyone else is alright?" Chie asked.

"If not, it was probably Turnip Head or the sandwich guy that got devoured." Max said bluntly. "But they're on the other team, so that's not an "us" problem."

"How can you say that so casually?!" Aqua cried.

"Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't get eaten." Miu says to Aqua. "Guess you're not as dumb as you act."

"Oh, you wanna go, sailor mouth?!"

"I can throw down any time, useless goddess!"

The two growl and glare at each other.

"I'm gonna kick your ass!"

"Alright, ladies." Zeke said diplomatically as he got in between them. "Just settle do-OOF!"

The prince was punished for getting in the way by getting an unintended punch from Miu and Aqua.

"You idiot!" They both yelled at him. "I was aiming for her!"

"Something tells me getting through this maze will be easier said than done." Chie groaned. "We're so screwed."

"We can't just give up like that." Rodney said. "Turning on each other will get us nowhere. We're a team, so we gotta work like one. Here, how about I try to lead us to the end? I'm used to taking charge back home. Rely on me this time. "

His small speech kind of helped alleviate the tension in the group, with the Nomad giving the big guy an applause.

"Sorry." Both Aqua and Miu mumbled to each other.

"Great speech." Pandoria said to Rodney. "Didn't peg you for a leader type."

"Oh, well that's because I'm used to-err……..uh……"

That confident demeanor Rodney had had quickly evaporated as soon as Pandoria spoke to him. He quietly mumbled to himself, much to her confusion.

"What's the matter, big guy?" Max asked teasingly. "Cat got your tongue?"

Zeke gives the big guy a pat on the back. "Is Pandy scaring you, chum? Don't worry, she doesn't bite."

I-it's not that…" Rodney mumbled.

"Well, hopefully whatever is bothering you won't stop us from getting the hell outta here." Chie said. "The others probably need us."

"You know what? You're right." Rodney said, regaining his confidence. "We can't let them down."

"Ex-fucking-cuse me?!" Miu gasped at the situation.

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"How the fuck could he respond to her like normal?!" Miu complained. "I've seen the show. I know how this guy can get around girls. He was a bumbling mess with me, and with Eyepatch's steampunk sidekick. What magic does that hick Chie have that I don't? Unlike her, I don't look like a boy!"

It takes Miu a moment for what she just said to click in her head.

"Ohhhh, that makes more sense. He probably thinks she's a guy. To be honest, I'd think that too. What guy would want someone like her when I'm right here? I'm the gorgeous girl genius after all!"

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"I've tried working on improving myself since the last time I competed." Rodney explained. "Now, I don't think every woman I talk to is in love with me. But now, I still just have a hard time trying to talk to them in general. I get so nervous, I don't know what to say. It's easier in my head, but... Sigh. Guess I still got a ways to go. At least I got someone in my corner. Chie is a pretty cool guy."

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"You know what?" Zeke told his teammates. "I'll lead us out of here instead. You all have nothing to worry about. Thunderbolt Zeke, protector of the weak, shall be your all's sword and shield!"

Zeke suddenly feels a tap on his shoulder, and fear begins to set in for him and everyone else.

"There's a mutant behind me, isn't there?"

They all nod.

Zeke takes a deep breath, and turns around to face the monster behind him.

Rather than an unfamiliar new mutant, it was none other than the land walking shark, Fang. With a malicious grin, he waves at them.

"A-are sharks supposed to be walking on two legs?!" Aqua nervously asked.

The Nomad quickly shakes his head.

"Very well, then." Zeke declared. "Everyone, step back. I will single handedly deal with this monster!"

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Group 3: Wendy, Luz, Ruby, Ryu, Bernadetta, Kronk, Deadpool, Gwen

"Are they gone?!" Kronk asked worriedly, while he was shaking in Ryu's arms.

"Yeah, I think we lost them." Ryu answered. "Can I put you down, now?"

"Just another minute. I'm still scared."

"Me and my big fat mouth." Deadpool said. "Shouldn't have said I wasn't scared. How the fuck was I supposed to know that'd happen?! The one time I don't read ahead of the chapter, and this is what I get?! Honestly!"

"You all mind telling me what the heck that was?!" Gwen snapped. "I didn't go through that kinda stuff the last time I was on this stupid show!"

"We're kinda used to it at this point." Wendy sighed. "As much as I don't like it. You had it easy compared to us. But at least everyone's okay……I think."

As she said this, she looked at Bernadetta, who was curled up into a ball, rocking back and forth. She had a pained smile, and one of her crying eyes was twitching.

"It's alright, Bernie." She ominously spoke to herself. "This is all just a nightmare. When you close your eyes, and open them back up, you'll be back in the warm, cozy, safety of your room. Heh heh…."

"She's got issues." Gwen said.

"Bernie, you alright?" Ryu asked worriedly. "You're doing that thing again. It's okay, I'm here"

"No, I'm not alright!" Bernadetta exclaimed. "I almost got devoured by monster dogs, and now I'm trapped in a maze with mostly strangers whom I know nothing about!"

"What does she think we're gonna do?" Luz asked Wendy.

"Beats me. It's not like we're out to get her or anything."

"Bernie, it's gonna be okay." Ryu calmly tells her as he lets go of Kronk. "We just have to put our heads together, and think of a game plan."

Bernadetta calms down and takes a deep breath. "You're right. I'll try...sorry for worrying you."

"Don't be sorry...it's gonna be okay, I promise.

"Look on the bright side." Ruby said. "At least we lost those monsters. As for the way out, I'm drawing a blank."

"Could be worse." Deadpool said. "At least it's not cesspools of Florida or Ohio. Huh, twice in one day I took a royal shit on America."

"Like I said, we need to think up a plan. Let's assume the rest of our team is safe."

"I'd hope so." Gwen said. "Chris is a sadistic psychopath, but he wouldn't let us die if he could help it. At least……I hope."

"Next, we all know it'd be pretty easy to get lost in here." Ryu continues. "We're all completely powerless, unless one of us finds one of those cubes."

"Such a shame." Tokageroh groaned. "They took your sword, and we have no way to integrate."

"Okay, what's up with the ghost?" Gwen asked.

Ryu ignores the question and keeps talking. "That's why I think the best idea would be a way to keep track of where we go. You know, leave a trail of breadcrumbs, so to speak. If anybody's carrying any food or candy on them, it'd probably be a good idea to use that to mark where we've been."

They all rummage through their pockets, until Kronk pulls out a case of Tic Tacs.

"I got some of these. Could that work?"

"Kronk, you're a lifesaver." Ruby said.

"Aw shucks." Kronk said sheepishly. "Just trying to help, is all."

"Regardless, it looks like we've got a plan in motion." Luz said. "Shall we get going?"

They all nod in agreement, and proceed through the tunnel maze, with Kronk dropping a Tic Tac every few yards to mark where they've been.

Little did they know……that they were being followed.

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Group 4: Edgeworth, Percy, Entrapta, Mao, Waluigi, Chuck, Geralt, Cinder

"Those. Creatures. Were. AMAZING!" Entrapta gushed. "I never expected this world to have such fascinating specimens! We should go back and examine them a bit more closely!"

"Are you insane, lady?!" Waluigi exclaimed. "Those mutts almost turned Waluigi into a chew toy! If you think we're turning back, you're absolutely psychotic!"

"I'm not insane." Entrapta said less enthusiastically. "My scientific curiosity was just telling me to get a better look at them, is all."

"How truly dastardly of that host to do that!" Mao said excitedly. "I must make a note of this!"

Taking out a notepad and pen, he furiously jots down notes.

"My gosh, this has got to be the worst day ever!" Chuck groans. "I should probably just call my mom and see if she'll pick me up from here."

"It doesn't work like that, pal." Geralt said seriously. "You signed up for this show, so you gotta play."

"Well, we've surely wound up in, how the youth would say, a pickle, don't you think?" Percy said.

"Quite right." Edgeworth adds.

"That's the biggest understatement Waluigi has ever heard!" Waluigi exclaimed. "Don't you realize we're stuck in here like rats!"

"I know! Isn't it exciting?!" Entrapta asked. "So much to see, so little time!"

"We don't have time to dawdle around." Geralt sternly said. "We need to get out of here, and as quickly and painlessly as possible."

"Without any powers, I can't truly work at my full, demonic capacity!" Mao complained.

"Preferably, I'd prefer to get through this without any evil whatsoever, young man." Percy told Mao.

"Muhahahahaha! Then you're dealing with the wrong demon, lady! Charlie may be a demon that's all sweets and niceness, but I'm far removed from being someone like that! The Weirdos are probably mutant puppy chow as we speak!"

"You got issues, kid." Waluigi groaned.

"Kid? KID?! I'll have you know in human years I'm much older than all of you! Maybe not in demon years, but I'm not to be taken lightly all the same!"

"Hey, you guys see that thing over there?" Chuck points out.

They look where he's pointing, and see one of those cubes Chris talked about. Just floating there, waiting for someone to claim it.

"Well….." Geralt begins. "That was quite eas-"

"MINE!" Mao exclaimed.

Mao leaps forward and grabs the cube, crushing it in the palm of his hands.

"I feel it……..I can feel the power flowing into me! The future Overlord of the Netherworld is reborn with power once again! Muhahahahaha!"

"Aren't you hamming it up just a little bit?" Waluigi asked. He then quickly dodges a blast of ice magic from Mao's hands.

"Not at all. I finally feel complete again."

"We'd better get moving, then." Geralt said. "Now that Mao has his powers back, that gives us some advantage."

They all nod and move out. As they do so, Edgeworth glances over at Cinder, who had been completely quiet throughout all of this.

"You're awfully quiet right now. Something wrong?"

"No. At least, nothing I'd ever tell you." Cinder coldly replied.

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"I have my own reasons for keeping to myself right now." Cinder said. "On top of laying low, I want to keep an eye on the new guys on our team. See if any of them would make for useful allies going forward. With our group, that included Mao, Chuck, and Entrapta. Each of them are frustrating in their own right, but have their merits. I can make a better squad than DIO ever could. Just need to see if they're worth it."

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Group 1

As they kept following through the winding paths, group 1 had encountered their first obstacle.

A pair of giant hawks, bigger than Katakuri even, were trying to rip this half of the Weirdos to pieces.

Lobo was on top of one of them, furiously punching it in the face repeatedly.

"I bet you'll taste good after being plucked and rotisseried!" The bounty hunter taunts as he's got it in a headlock.

The second hawk flaps its wings so hard it creates pressurized blades of air. One of them is coming from Oscar, who stands in fear like a deer in headlights.

Katakuri gets in front of him and takes the hit, getting a big cut across his chest.

"T-thanks." Oscar stuttered.

"No problem." Katakuri said. "I warned you this'd be dangerous!"

"You all right?" Charlie asked Katakuri.

"Just a big cut, but nothing that won't heal on its own."

"Guys! Look over there!" Spinel points. "There's a couple of those power cubes!"

Indeed, for behind the birds were two power cubes waiting.

"How do we get over there?" Tatsumaki asked. " Those birds are guarding them!" And who gets them?"

Spinel grapes Tatsumaki and Peacock, and holds each of them in her hands.

"I think I found my volunteers!" Spinel giggled. "Ready to fly?!"

"Put me down right now!" Tatsumaki demands. "Don't hold me like a child!"

"Wait, you're not a child?!" Oscar was shocked to find this out.

"I'm 28!"

"Fire away, pinky!" Peacock orders.

Spinel tosses both ladies' with all her might, and both fly past the birds and land on the cubes.

"Can we do that again?!" Peacock asked. "That was fun!"

"Remind me to kick her ass later." Tatsumaki growled.

Now that the two of them were fully powered again, they wasted no time in trying to dispose of the monster birds.

Tatsumaki rips a chunk of the ground out, while the eyes on Peacock's arms begin to glow.

"You might wanna get outta the way, big guy!" Peacock warns Lobo. "You're in the splash zone! Argus Agony!"

Lobo hops off the bird as it gets blasted and scorched with red lasers.

The other bird is completely crushed by the rock Tatsumaki pulled out of the ground. Both monsters fall to the ground, completely knocked out.

"Great work, you guys!" Charlie congratulated.

"See? Aren't you glad I helped?" Spinel smugly said.

Tatsumaki responds by telekinetically hitting her in the head with a rock.

"Don't ever toss me around like a sack of potatoes ever again!"

"Quite impressive." Kaiba mused. "Surprised to see there's some bite behind all that bark you all put up."

"And what the hell did you do during all of that, rich boy?!" Tatsumaki asked.

"I'm not someone who outright fights people like some of you." Kaiba coolly responds. "I'm a gamer at heart, naturally. Strategizing, wits, and careful planning are what have gotten me this far. I never became the success of a Duelist I am today through magic or luck, unlike a certain someone I personally know."

"Sorry, I don't fuck with yer nerdy card game, boy." Lobo said.

"Why not?" Kaiba said. "I figured you amd pinky over there could stand to learn it. I've always said if there's intelligent life out there, then we'll teach them how to duel."

"Regardless, we've made some progress." Katakuri said. "But I'm sure we've still got a bit to go. Let's move forward, you guys."

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Group 2

We move back to the remaining half of the Wayward Weirdos. Most of them were busy playing a game of Go Fish while Zeke was handling Fang.

And by handle, I mean getting the everlasting shit beat out of him.

"Do you need help, my prince?" Pandoria asked.

"I've got this under control, Pandy!" Zeke said as he repeatedly got punched in the face. "This beast is no match for the Zekenator-"

GULP!

After getting bored of beating him up, Fang swallows Zeke whole.

"Uh……he got eaten." Mae said with a bit of concern. "Somebody should really do something about that."

Chie sighs. "I'll handle it."

She walks over to Fang, who was preoccupied with cleaning his teeth with a toothpick.

"HI-YAH!"

Chie lands a powerful kick to the shark's stomach, and Fang coughs up a disoriented Zeke, covered in saliva.

"You done yet, eyepatch?" Chie asked.

"Thanks for the assist." Zeke said. "And yes, I think we're done dealing with him. He's a wasted effort."

"You heard him, guys!" Chie said. "Move out!"

They all get up and proceed to leave, but real quick, Zeke does something.

He grabs a rock and chucks it at one of Fang's eyes, taking it out.

"Take that, beast!"

With that, he runs to catch up with everyone.

"Heeeeeeeey! Wait for me, you guys!"

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Fang is seen putting an eyepatch over his injured eye. He looks at himself in the mirror, and angrily eats it, vowing vengeance. It was one thing when he lost a tooth in the past, but now…..heads will roll.

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"Again, I wanna thank you." Zeke told Chie. "Guess I got a bit ahead of myself."

Chie quickly brushes it off. "Pff, it was nothing."

"Hey, guys?" Max said. "Does that look fucking suspicious or what?"

Smack dab in front of them was some dark canister, just lying on the ground.

"That might be one of those things that gives you your powers back." Aqua said hopefully. "I call dibs!"

"They're cubes, dumbass!" Miu said.

"Too late for that." Mae said

Aqua didn't listen, as she grabbed the can.

"Alright, give me my godly powers back!" Aqua said, shaking the can furiously.

"Hey, dumbass!" Max called out. "That's wrong!"

Realizing this, Aqua throws it down in a huff. Unfortunately, the can breaks open, and gas pours out of it.

"What the hell?!"

They all tried to swipe the gas away, but the fumes were still rising, and was knocking them out, one by one.

"Second fucking time today…." Miu groaned.

Once they were all out cold, somebody approached them. They wore a black, sleeveless lab coat, an orange and purple striped shirt, black pants and boots, and a gas mask covering their face.

"Hee hee hee hee!" He laughed. "This is where the fun begins…"

Chris, Chef, and the interns watch from the security room in shock as the feed from what he just saw went out.

"Hey, Chef……who was that guy?" Chris asked.

"Probably some prankster."

The host simply shrugs it off. "You're probably right. Let's just go to commercial before checking back on them."

"I swear, if it's Ame trying to pull a prank on me, I'm gonna get her back with a prank that's even worse." Gura chimes in.

Group 3

As the group navigated their way through the maze, Wendy and Luz were sharing stories of the adventures they've had.

"Your guild sounds so cool, Wendy." Luz gushes. "Sounds like you've been on some crazy adventures!"

"We have." Wendy said. "And it sounds like you've had quite the journey on the way to become a witch. You found a place where you feel you belong, just like I did with Fairy Tail. I'd love to visit the Boiling Isles some time."

"That's gonna be a problem. It's still being rebuilt after fighting Belos. Even then, people can hardly use magic at the moment. Makes me feel a little weak at the moment, you know?",

"We all feel like that sometimes." Ryu tells her. "As long as you find you Best Place, there's no better joy in the world."

"Best...Place?"

Ryu nods. "Uh huh. A place where you can be yourself, feel at ease of Earth's worries, and relax with your friends. No greater treasure than that, I'll say."

"Hey Luz, try that one trick again!" Wendy says. "That was too funny!"

"Oh...you mean this?!"

Everyone stops to watch what trick Luz had. With ease, she flips her eyelids inside out. As for their reactions…

Wendy laughed and clapped for her. "That's funny! I wish I could do that!

"That's pretty wicked, kid." Ryu compliments.

"That's cool, but I could do even weirder." Deadpool said.

Their compliments really made Luz feel a bit proud.

"Um, I don't wanna sound rude or anything, can we not focus on party tricks right now?" Gwen reminds them.

"Sorry about that." Luz said sheepishly.

"Wait, do you hear that?" Ruby said.

The faint sounds of stomping could be getting closer, the ground shaking the closer it got.

"I don't like the sound of that!" Kronk said worriedly.

Rounding the corner, the crew saw a colossal, mutated, familiar, Venus flytrap monster.

"Larry!" Gwen gasped.

Larry roars like Godzilla as Ryu, Wendy, Kronk, Luz, and Ruby screamed in terror.

"What the hell kind of botanical abomination is that?!" Ryu cried.

"Venus flytraps are carnivores!" Ruby exclaimed. "This is bad!"

Very quietly, Bernadetta approaches Larry, much to everyone's shock.

"Is she crazy?!" Gwen cried.

"What's she doing?!" Wendy asked.

"Bernie! That thing's gonna kill you!" Ryu said. "Back away!"

"Welp, she's a goner, pal." Tokageroh said, already accepting it.

Bernadetta didn't listen, as she approached the plant.

Watching from the cameras, Chris couldn't help but get excited.

"That's it, Larry! Tear her a new one!"

The beast lowers its head down to eye level, confused as to why she showed no fear.

"Bernadetta! Get away from him!" Kronk pleads.

Bernadetta holds out her hand, and pets Larry on the top of his head like a pet.

"Aww, who's a good plant~?" Bernadetta coos. "You are! Somebody must be getting all their nutrients, because you're growing to be a big boy!~"

"WHAT?!" The contestants and Chris exclaimed.

Larry pants happily and sits down, mimicking the mannerisms of a puppy.

"What kind of trick is this?!" Luz wondered.

Bernadetta looks back at them, still not afraid. "Carnivorous plants are one of my favorite things. This big guy's no different."

"How unbelievable." Carla said. "I never would have expected that from someone like you."

"You, of all people……aren't scared of that thing?" Gwen asked.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ryu slaps himself, feeling stupid. "Heh, should've known. Bernie's crazy about plants. Particularly the carnivorous ones. It's honest to god adorable when she's geeking out over plants." He sighs dreamily.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"I've always been fascinated with carnivorous plants." Bernadetta explained. "And a bit envious. What's not to love? They stay in one spot all their lives, and food just comes to them. For someone like me, living like that is pure bliss. Just you wait, Bernie has grown since last time, despite what you saw earlier. It's a process, you know?"

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"The one who was literally close to having a panic attack not even an hour ago tames a monster?!" Gwen says in disbelief. "This show sometimes, I swear."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Wow, that was amazing!" Wendy said. "Katakuri could have just used his Haki to tame him, but you did it without using anything."

Bernadetta continues to pet Larry, even scratching what I assume to be it's belly.

"What's Haki?" Luz asked.

"It's a manifestation of your willpower." Wendy said. "It can be used offensively, defensively, and more. Big bro taught it to me, but he's a master of it."

"He taught you? Can anyone learn it?"

"Yes, actually. Though-"

"Ahoy there, travelers!"

The crew was approached by some stranger, clad head to toe in a pink hazmat suit. Whoever this guy was, confusion and suspicion arose.

"Lovely weather today, isn't it?"

"Uh……we're underground, dude." Deadpool points out. "The forecast down here calls for rocky with a chance of who the fuck are you anyway?"

"The name's Frank. AND IT'S NAPTIME!"

"What are you talking abo-"

Without warning, Frank sprayed them with a weird spray can. Just like half of the Weirdos before them, they all passed out. Even Larry.

Frank takes out a walkie talkie.

"Sir they're out cold! Did I do good?!" He asked eagerly.

"That's it?!" The voice on the other side said. "Bring them back to me, you ignoramus! I already managed to snag a fair chunk of them myself!"

"Hear ya loud and clear, boss! I'll have these guys back lickety split!"

He puts the device away, and thinks to himself.

"If it weren't for the fact that these guys were basically nerfed right now, this job would've been impossible."

The camera feed cuts like it did before, and Chris started to get a tad bit concerned.

"Okay, whoever's idea of a joke this is, it's not funny! Whoever these guys are, they're interfering in the challenge! And after all that Gjira stuff, I didn't want a repeat! Ginyu!"

"What is it, boss?!" the alien asks.

"Get "tech support" on the line..."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Group 4

The remaining half of the Maniacs traverse the maze, having very few obstacles. Sure, there were giant mutant toads, but Mao quickly used his ice magic to freeze and shatter them.

"Such a shame!" Mao bragged. "I'm the only one doing the work around here!"

"That's because only you have your weapons and weapons!" Waluigi complained.

"You think you could handle me, purple guy?!" Mao goads.

"Waluigi could cheat his way to kicking your butt, with one arm tied behind his back, no le-"

Geralt puts his hand over Waluigi's mouth to silence him.

"Just don't." Geralt said. "You're only egging him on."

"To be fair, he is the only one right now who can handle any threats or obstacles." Entrapta says.

"Muhahahahaha!" Mao laughed "I knew you'd see things my way! Thank you for picking my side!"

Edgeworth sighs at his team's antics, and Percy takes notice of this.

"He's just an adolescent, even if only in demon years." She tells him. "Kids will be kids. Though I wasn't like that at that age. The team I was with last time was a rather rambunctious bunch, but they were mostly good people."

Edgeworth nods, knowing full well being with a rather eccentric yet good hearted team two times in the past. Perhaps like those times, he was judging things too early.

"Maybe you're right. You also seem to keep a rather serious demeanor despite everything going on around you."

"You very much have to be in my line of work." Percy explains. "Though my coworkers never seem to be as serious as me. Especially after last season. It's hard for me to build trust with new people. So don't take it personally if I'm not very talkative with you."

"I see..."

"Hey guys, I think I see the way out!" Chuck said.

Up ahead, there was an entrance to the right, where it appeared to lead to a large area.

"I think you might be right." Cinder said.

"Heeeey, I think that's the exit!" Another voice yelled.

Coming up from the other side of the path, right in front of the Maniacs was half of the Weirdos.

Both teams quietly stare each other down, until Lobo breaks the silence.

"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in. Where's the rest of yer posse?!"

"Don't know at the moment." Mao said with equal fervor. "What about you?"

"Same as you." Kaiba said. "Though with any luck, the rest of our group has probably made it out already."

"Dream on, pal!" Mao taunts. "Maybe the rest of our group made it out, and yours are still struggling. The one's you're missing are the weak links, after all!"

"You wanna go, brat?!" Tatsumaki warns Mao. "Because I'm game if you are!"

Mao chuckles and takes out a sword. "Most definitely, lady!"

"Can we please not do this right now?!" Charlie pleads to both sides.

"I agree with Charlie." Percy said. "There's no need for senseless violence since we might be so close to the end."

"How about this, then?" Geralt proposes. "Rather than settling this with fighting, we simply race to the exit. May the best man win."

"Can't argue with that, I suppose." Katakuri said.

With that, both groups struggle and shove each other out of the way to get through the rather narrow pathway.

"Outta my way, schmuck!"

"Ow! Don't pull my hair!"

"Hey! Watch you're shoving!"

Eventually, they all push through, and are surprised with what laid before them.

They found themselves in a large open area, outside of the maze, with no sign of the exit. There appeared to be a large wall of ice at the back wall, blocking the way forward.

Everyone stopped fighting with each other and examined the location

"Well, that answers one question." Katakuri said.

"What the hell is this place?" Charlie wondered.

The group continues to look around the large cavern, and see all kinds of machines, devices, and other assorted technological thingamajigs.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say it's somebody's lab!" Entrapta said with excitement.

"Seems about right."

"Probably belongs to Chris." Tatsumaki hypothesized. "Though he doesn't peg me as the science-y type."

"Uhh…" Oscar said with concern. "You guys might want to take a look at this."

In front of him, with a spotlight shined over them, was the rest of both teams' members. All of them were lying asleep on the ground. They all gasp at the sight.

"And another question is answered." Percy said. "How did they end up here, I wonder?"

"I think I'm starting to get really nervous about all of this." Chuck said worriedly.

"Whatever your plan is now, Chris, I'm not liking it!" Geralt said.

"Give me a break!" Chris said over the PA system. "This wasn't my doing!"

"If it wasn't you, then who-"

"Guys, wake up!" Spinel calls out to the unconscious contestants.

Spinel's yelling causes some stirring amongst the sleepy group. Miu begins to wake up, but is still barely awake.

"Mmm, morning, Kiibo." She sleepily slurs, then puckers her lips. "Come give your queen a good morning kiss."

It was then that Aqua wakes up, and watches in shock and fear as Miu comes close to kissing her. Luckily, Miu fully opens her eyes, and the two go from staring at each other in shock to anger.

"You dumb goddess, your stupid face nearly scared me half to death!" Miu snapped.

"I scared you?! What the hell do you think you were trying to pull with a stunt like that?!" Aqua said with equal fury.

"I thought you were Kiibo, give me a break! Besides, you're the last person on this planet I'd ever lez out with! Sure, you got a great ass, but that can't make up for the fact you run on only two brain cells!"

"Take that back! I'm gonna kill you, slut!"

They begin to fight once again, which luckily wakes everyone else up.

"Can you lasses pipe down?!" Zeke complained. "I was having the loveliest dream just now!"

"Ughhh…….my head hurts." Wendy groaned.

"Wait……how'd we get here?" Luz wondered.

"Finally awake, sleepyheads." Cinder deadpanned. "Glad you could join us."

"Somebody mind telling me what the fuck exactly is going on?!" Max asked.

"Oh, I'd be more than happy to do that for you!" A mysterious voice said.

"Huh?!"

Another spotlight shone from above, in front of the ice wall. Underneath it was the man in the gas mask from earlier, though he took it off now. He had shoulder length purple hair, with part of it covering one of his eyes. He wore glasses, and had a long and pointy mustache and goatee combo.

His grandiose entrance was met with utter silence.

"What the?!" He sputters. "Aren't you all not impressed?!

"Um, no?" Ruby said

"I see this guy's fashion choice is also lacking oomph." Peacock jokes.

"Shut up! I go through all of this work, and this is the appreciation I get?! Frank! Hot chocolate! Now!"

The guy wearing the hazmat suit earlier comes up to him with a cup of cocoa. Honestly, compared to the other guy, Frank looked like an average joe.

"Gotta admit, this is a nice place you got here, Mr." Miu said. "Mr…….uh……. what's your name?"

"And why'd you knock us out and bring us here to this lab?!" Chie angrily asked. "Start answering or I'm throwing hands!"

"One question at a time!" The guy said with glee. "And it's not a lab, it's a sanctum!"

"Ooh, he calls it a sanctum." Entrapta said. "How classy."

"DON'T ENCOURAGE HIM!" Chie snapped

"The name's Daedalus. Daedalus Sulfur. One of the greatest minds of this generation. The great scholar of cross species gene splicing and recombination! Surely you've heard of me?!"

"Sorry, I forgot to renew my subscription to Batshit Crazy Scientists Monthly." Mae quips.

"Oh, har de har har!" Daedalus snaps. "You'll cease making fun of me when you say my latest addition to nature! Chimera number 467! Do keep in mind he's still only a baby!"

Frank pulls the tarp away from a small, blob-like, amorphous green sludge, complete with a beak, butterfly wings, and Mantis arms.

"Kill……me…….." the creature croaked.

The contestants we're both grossed out and horrified.

"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Gwen gagged.

"What the heck kind of abomination against God is that?!" Oscar exclaimed.

"It's one of my chimeras, of course!" Daedalus bragged. "I've always thought taking different aspects of creatures and putting them into something else is what humanity needs. Times are changing, and people are evolving! We don't need your humdrum average Steve anymore, do you?! No! Don't you see? We live in a world now where people can become the superhumans of tomorrow!"

"I'm not following." Waluigi said.

"Many of you here have powers and special abilities that prepare you for what the next stage of mankind is up against. It's survival of the fittest, and if everyone can be super, then there's no need to fear."

"HOLD IT!" Edgeworth exclaimed. "What you're implying is highly immoral and unethical!"

Daedalus's demeanor quickly switched from excitement to frustration.

"Gah! You're just like those fools at the Foundation who failed to see my potential! They said the same thing"

"Wait, Foundation?!" Charlie said. "You don't mean…"

"I do. I used to work for the SCP Foundation. I was one of their brightest minds! Until a couple years ago, that is. Apparently, they find it a problem when you try to experiment on SCPs and kidnapped civilians together. Once they caught wind of my plans, they stripped me of my job, and the 05 Council put a hit out on me! Jokes on them, as to this day, they still haven't caught me!"

"Yeah yeah, can you let us through, now?" Kaiba asked. "I could care less about your sob story. Maybe move that wall of ice out of the way while you're at it?"

"Don't you know what lies inside the ice?! Take a look!"

They look more closely at the ice wall, and see a man in there, completely frozen in suspended animation.

He was a large, muscular, tan skinned man. His long hair was half black and half white, held in a ponytail. He wore a black sleeveless vest, black pants with some tears, Japanese sandals, and a large, golden axe in his hand.

"Who's that?" Bernadetta asked.

"He's the legendary hero from ages past!" Daedalus explained. "A man by the name of Yastor!"

"Did you say…….legendary hero?!" Mao said, the title piquing the demon's interest.

"Indeed, young man! Foundation files speak that this man was the first person to bond with SCP 999! They said he died in his final battle, but I refused to believe it! I searched everywhere, and my findings led me here! I knew a man this powerful couldn't perish so easily!"

"What are you planning to do with him?!" Wendy asked.

"I'm going to extract his DNA, and add it to my own! The power of the legendary hero will be mine! Once I create a world of the super and evolved, not even the Foundation's best operatives can stop me! I'll lord over that new world like a king! No….given all I've been through, I'll rule it like a god!"

"You know, you talk too much." Rodney insults.

It was his last line that really struck a nerve with a few of them.

Percy looks at Daedalus, the slight hint of anger on her usually stoic face.

"I'm afraid I cannot let you do that." She told him. "Not just because it's illegal, but I won't let another man who claims to be a god cause trouble yet again."

Ryu quickly realized what she meant, and glared at the deranged scientist.

"You must be talking about that bastard Light, Miss Percy. That guy was a despicable piece of scum that played us all like fools. I know how hard the truth hit you."

Lobo cracks his knuckles. "We already had issues with that little shit, but you'll be no different."

"Regardless, you must be stopped." Katakuri said. "We won't let you leave here in one piece."

"Oh?" Daedalus said. "And just what do you plan to do? Your host took all your powers."

"Hey, Chris!" Deadpool yelled above. "You mind getting these bracelets off of us? We need to put down a fucker interfering with the challenge!"

"One step ahead of you!" Chris said as he hit a button on his control panel. "Kick this intruder's butt!"

The bracelets all open and fall off, and those with weapons suddenly had them materialize for them.

"Oh…….crap." Daedalus said worriedly.

"Where's that bravado you had a minute ago, chap?!" Zeke said as he pointed his sword at him. "Consider us re-powered, you creep."

They all slowly approach Daedalus, his back up against the wall of ice. His face contorts from fear to maniacal laughter.

"HAHAHAHAHA! Too bad I have the ultimate solution to counter you all!"

He takes out a small test tube with an orange liquid in it.

"Forget your orange juice this morning?" Spinel jokes.

"Guess again, pinky. This serum is the DNA and essence of those of you I knocked out. The DNA of you strong fighters lies here! I was planning to examine all of this later, but now I have no choice! I can add Yastor's DNA later"

Daedalus downs the whole serum in one gulp.

"Dude, you're gross in more ways than one." Mae said.

Katakuri's eyes glow as he sees what's about to happen.

"Step back, everyone!"

"Hey boss, I was about to get some Doordash." Frank said as he returned. "You want anythi-OH MY GOD!"

Daedalus's body begins to undergo a metamorphosis. He grows bigger, ripping through his clothes like the Hulk, and his skin turns orange.

Once he finishes his transformation, Daedalus is now 60 meters tall. He had a fat, protruding gut, his bulky arms had claws, and he had the head of an elephant. There were multiple trunks, almost like octopus tentacles, fish fins for the ears, and three glowing yellow eyes on his face.

"How did he get like that from stealing our DNA?!" Miu exclaimed.

"Well, you got me." Kronk said as he pulled a chart down from seemingly nowhere. "By all accounts, It doesn't make sense."

"This is the apex of humanity!" Daedalus said in a dark reverb. "Think you stand a chance now?! You all look like ants to me! I dont even need my chimeras anymore!"

Daedalus picks up tbe chimera, and swallows it whole. Everyone was shocked and appalled, with Oscar immediately passing out.

"Did...did you just eat the baby?" Max exclaimed. "That's fucked up on sooooo many levels."

"Just like old times, Donuts." Deadpool said to Katakuri. "It's no Gjira or Dragon Rick, but I love when we team up together in fights like this."

Katakuri nods. "Not that I liked any of those situations. Everyone, let's take this bastard down!"

"RIGHT!" They all agreed.

"Enough!" Daedalus roared. "Crushing you lot will be a stepping stone to my dream!"

He brings down a giant fist, but Katakuri runs fast to intercept it. He turns one of his arms into mochi, Hakis it up into a blocky shape, and it clashes with Daedalus's fist.

Everyone watches in shock as the attacks weren't directly touching each other. Black lightning crackled like crazy as Daedalus could feel the pain.

"Rrraaargh! What kind of power is that?!"

"Do you know who I am?" Katakuri smirks. "I'm the acting captain of the Big Mom Pirates! Since our fight with Gjira, I got stronger! I've taken my Armament and Conqueror's Haki to the next level!"

Katakuri gets the upper hand and finishes his contactless punch, causing the behemoth before them to stumble back a bit.

"I didn't know Katakuri got that much stronger!" Wendy said in awe. "I still have so much to learn."

"That is so awesome!" Luz tells her. "You had one heck of a teacher!"

"C'mon, let's help the big guy out!" Deadpool said as he opened fire on Daedalus.

Tatsumaki, Peacock, Miu and Spinel leap into action. The esper hits Daedalus with a boulder, while Spinel inflates her fist and throws a massive pinch in his face. Peacock grabs a large bomb out from her hat and chucks it at him. Miu makes a giant ball of scrap metal and throws it too.

"Enough of this!" Daedalus roared. He spews a blast of fire from his trunks, but Wendy takes a deep breath and counters back with a large column of wind.

"Sky Dragon's Roar!"

While he was distracted, Zeke, Percy, and Ryu sprung into action next. The leap high into the air swords raised high. Ryu's wooden sword now took the shape of a large sushi knife, Percy's sword was electrified from the small towers she made, and Zeke's oversized sword was overloaded with lightning.

"Ultra Filet Technique!"

"Ultimate Lightning Fury Slash!"

"Sorry, but I don't give my attacks names!" The three unleash their attacks, and cause Daedalus to stumble even more. The problem is…..he couldn't move his feet.

"Huh?!"

He looks down and sees his legs were encased in solid peanut butter.

Chuck twirls his condiment blaster confidently and blows the smoke.

"Hey, why don't you stick around?" Chuck jokes.

Bernadetta uses her bow, the Inexhaustible, and fires an arrow at the ground below Daedalus. Suddenly, large vines and plants sprout from the ground and wrap around his body, restraining him even more.

"Release me!"

The Nomad claps his hands, and stalagmites from above come to life and drop on the monster's head.

"Quit hogging the spotlight, all of you!" Mao says. He leaps into the air, his hand glowing blue. He unleashes it into several rays of energy that attack Daedalus from various directions. The beams seem to change directions and change in size as it goes on.

"Shine Beam!"

Still in a disoriented rage, Daedalus spews out more fire. Geralt and Cinder retaliate with flames of their own.

"Let's finish this!"

We see Lobo swinging like Tarzan on his chain, coming for his face. At the same time, Chie was curled into a ball, with Rodney holding her like a football.

"Go long, big guy!"

He throws her with all his might, both the teen and bounty hunter about to hit him simultaneously.

"Time to get fragged, ya piece of shit!"

"Eating babies is not cool! HWA-TA!"

Swinging in, they both land either a devastating kick or punch to the face.

This seems to finish the job, as Daedalus tumbles back, and falls on the ice wall, completely breaking it.

"It looks like he's down for the count." Max said with a hint of triumph.

"I……have no words…." Gwen was speechless at the spectacular fighting she saw.

"Wow, these guys are pretty darn strong!" Rodney marvels.

"Hmph. But is he really down for good?! Kaiba wonders.

"I'd say so." Deadpool said. "Unless MemeKing decides he's not over yet and Daedalus gets back up with his second wind."

Welp, that's what I'm gonna do, Deadpool. Take that.

Daedalus groans as he proceeds to get back up, much to everyone's shock.

"Aw man, you gotta be freaking kidding me!" Ryu complained.

"What's wrong?!" Daedalus taunts. "That all you got?! Now I feel bad for stealing from you all! Now, who's ready for round two?!"

Suddenly, a hand rises up from the rubble of the ice. Daedalus and everyone else notice this.

"What?! Could it be?!"

The person gets out from the ice, and it's none other than Yastor, who looks around in confusion. Especially after being cryogenically frozen for millennia. He appeared to tower over many of the cast (except Katakuri).

"What……huh….?" He slurs. "What the hell's going on? Where am I?"

"You're awake!" Daedalus said with excitement. "The legendary hero finally awakens! Now, would you be so kind as to come with me and be my test subject?! We could rule the world!"

Yastor gets a better look at Daedalus, and recoils in disgust.

"Yeesh. No thank you."

Yastor then gets a big grin on his face.

"Actually, I got a better idea, dickface!"

Yastor pulls his enormous axe out of the ground, leaps into the air, and cleaves Daedalus in two.

"I……NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

The split halves then explode into stardust, completely obliterating the mad scientist once and for all.

"Whew, looks like I still got it." Yastor said triumphantly.

"That guy…….just completely wiped him out in one hit." Wendy said in amazement.

Her voice gets Yastor's attention, and he finally sees all of the contestants. With great suspicion, he points his axe at them.

"You all! You aren't with that creep, are you?! If so, I'm gonna strike you down, too!"

"This guy's a straight up gigachad." Deadpool remarks.

"Uh….we mean you no trouble, sir." Charlie kindly told him. "We're not with him. Quite the opposite, in fact. He was trying to kill us, so you were a big help"

"Oh. Alright, then." He then straps his weapon to his back. "Sorry for jumping the gun. You all just looked like the weirdest group to me. I've been in that ice for who knows how long."

"Try thousands of years, pal." Max said.

This news shocked the hero.

"Thousands?! Boy, I've really been out of it for that long! Last I remember, I was falling out of the sky after my last fight. Everything was completely dark after that!"

"I'm sure there's more to your story, Mr…….Yastor." Katakuri said. "But now that we've settled all of this stuff with this Daedalus guy, I think it's best we get out of here."

It was then that they see Frank slowly tiptoe away.

"Uh……hi."

Ryu grabs Frank by his collar.

"Ahhhh! Don't kill me, man! I was just doing this for college credit! I'll give you anything you want! I don't have much money, but I'll give you all the weed I got!"

"Listen up, punk!" Ryu said. "All we want is the way out! If you don't give us that, then I'm going to kick your ass so hard it'll hurt for months!"

"Okay, okay! Anything you want!"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Not too long after this, we see Frank finally lead the competitors and Yastor out of the maze and back to the surface, where Chris luckily awaited them.

"Well, I guess I can say that the first challenge of the season was a complete bust." Chris said with disappointment. "On the plus side, your all's fighting made for some great TV action."

"So I take it nobody won, then?" Edgeworth asked.

"Afraid so. On the plus side, that means we'll have no elimination, so consider yourselves lucky."

They all cheer for this at least. Chris then looks over at Frank.

"As for you, you're in a lot of trouble, dude. Chef's already taken the liberty of calling the cops. Enjoy prison, bro."

"And don't drop the soap." Miu adds.

Frank sighs. "Well, it could be worse."

Chris then talks to Yastor.

"Gotta admit, dude, I appreciate you helping them out."

"No problem, sir." Yastor brushed his thanks off as he looked at his surroundings. "So this is where I've been all this time? Guess I can make a little dirt shack and rough it like I used to."

"Hey! Are you even listening to me?!" Chris angrily asked.

"Piss off, pal, I've been frozen for a long time. For now, I gotta figure out where I'm gonna live, here. I'll be seeing you all around."

He then walks into the woods.

"Still, I cant shake the feeling this guy might be bad news." Carla said to herself.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Huh, this Yastor guy totally blew off Chris." Aqua said. "Kinda nice to see that, considering what he puts us through."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Something tells me this guy's gonna be quite the handful." Geralt said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

After this, Chris leads everyone to their cabins, or in this case, cabin.

Everyone saw the regular old cabin, and right next to it, the luxurious spa hotel, only for winning teams.

"Since nobody won, nobody gets the spa hotel this time." Chris said. "So for tonight, you all have just this one cabin. It'll be a bit of a squeeze, though, and I don't think there's enough beds for everyone. That's what sleeping bags and the floor is for. Hopefully next time, we'll have a challenge that doesn't go awry and we can have a winner. Come tomorrow, we'll figure that out."

Chris leaves, and everyone is left to fit in just one, crummy cabin. The boys all take the left side, while the girls take the right.

"Counting up the beds, it looks like three people will have to do without." Edgeworth said.

"Hey, it's kinda like my bed at home." Chuck said as he put his stuff on a bottom bunk.

"It's fine, I'll bite the bullet on this one."Katakuri said as he dropped his bag on the ground. I'll just sleep up against the wall.

"I refuse to sleep on the floor!" Mao complained.

"Chill out, man." Ryu said. "I'll take the floor as well."

"Well, that leaves one more. Any people willing to make the sacrifice?"

"If it'll stop your complaining, I'll be that last guy." Zeke sighed.

"Thank you. You know how to show demons the utmost respect."

l hope Pandy and the girls aren't having this much trouble."

Over at the girls' side, things were…..rather interesting.

Aqua finished drawing a line across the entire room.

"Listen up, Miu!" Aqua said sternly. "You sleep on that side, and I'll sleep on this side! After earlier, I'm not taking any chances!"

"Shut up! I was still half asleep, you got that?!" Miu snapped. "Who gave your dumbass the authority to mark territory?!"

The two literally butt heads, growling at each other.

"Please stop fighting, you two!" Wendy pleads.

"You're not gonna get through to them, kid." Peacock said. "They're as stubborn as can be."

"I'm sure they're just stressed out from today's events." Ruby said. "I at least managed to move past it."

"You're right. It's only the first day.," Chie said. "But today has worn me the hell out. Tomorrow, it'll be different. We'll be kicking ass like it's nothing."

"Goddess, I hope tomorrow is nothing like today." Bernadetta said to herself. The shut in was currently underneath a bed, huddled in a sleeping bag like a cocoon, so nobody could see her.

"Hey, uh... are you gonna be alright down there?" Gwen asked.

"Eeeeeeeeeeee! Uh-uh, Bernie's not here right now! Please leave your message after the beep!"

Gwen shakes her head.

"Weirdo." She mumbled.

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We see the campfire where elimination ceremonies usually occur. Yastor sat in front of the fire, cooking a rotisserie turkey he hunted.

He takes a drink from his liquor gourd, which luckily was still full while he was frozen. (And aging it to perfection.)

"What a crazy group of kids." Yastor said to himself. "Guess I'm lucky they freed me. I think it'd be a fun idea to stick around here. Not like I have anywhere to go right now. Heh….meeting the……this might be one of those "fate" things Franco always talked about."

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Meanwhile, Chris was in his private quarters, impatiently waiting while his phone was busy calling someone. The caller ID merely had tbe name: Tech Support, Alibaba.

Elsewhere in the multiverse, we see the outside of a quiet house in a small urban town in Japan. We see a dark room inside, with a Bidoof eating out of a food bowl. The creature hears the phone ringing, amd scuttles out of the room. He returns a moment later, handing the phone to a silhouetted figure sat in a swivel chair, with several monitors, a couple empty cups of ramen noodles, and a large gas station fountain drink in front of them.

"Thanks, boy." a familiar voice says as she grabs the phone while still typing. "Y'ello, you have reached Alibaba."

"Hello? It's Chris. Didn't think I'd be calling you so soon, but we have a bit of a problem."

"Multiversal, I take it?" Alibaba assumes.

"Kinda. After Gjira, I'd rather we not have another incident like that. And I know you dealt witjmh something quite similar months ago. A certain tea party."

"So, what do you need my expertise for?"

"Do you mind hooking us up with an expert on this kinda crap? Y'know, someone who can stick around, keep an eye on all this and ready to spring into action if it hits the fan?"

Alibaba nods. "You know my services don't come cheap."

"You'll be paid handsomely for this, I guarantee it." Chris assures. "I wouldn't have asked if you weren't the best at what you do. So, think you can help us out?"

"Mwehehe...yeah, I got you. Just give me a second, gonna h have to use the Dark Web for tbis one."

After a couple minutes of typing, Chris gets a response.

"Alright, I found someone. He should be coming your way in a day or two, give her take."

"Awesome, you've been a big help." Chris tells her.

"Just a heads up...the guy is technically a fugitive...and it says here he's associated with Rick Sanchez before."

"That's a risk willing to take." Chris says. "But thanks again. I'll have Chef deposit the money right away."

"Glad I could help. Now if you'll excuse me, i got a date in thirty minutes that nearly slipped my mind..."

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Well, I think we can say that was a fun first challenge. Pretty much everyone got to play a part here. And to give everyone more time in the story, I decided the first challenge wouldn't result in elimination. And to try and sow the seeds for some plots further down the line. Tjank you gor the assisance, Alibaba.

And now, we've been introduced to Yastor, a character that had been talked about briefly in Infinite 2. Wonder where that will lead to. I wish I could tell you all, but spoilers and junk like that prevent me from running my mouth.

Next time, we've got a fun and potentially dangerous challenge for our group. All I'm gonna say is…..it's magging time, I mean, magma time.

Well, until next time, let me know what you thought, and stay tuned for the next chapter. This is MemeKing, signing off.