~~000~~
Tales of the Multiverse Bit 274
"Oh man, nothing beats the amazing smell and sound of bacon cooking away, does it?"
At their new home, Rudy Tucker is busy in the kitchen, whipping up his breakfast. Unbeknownst to him, the heavenly aroma of sizzling bacon is about to rouse one of his roommates from their slumber.
~~000~~
(Play Goldberg Theme - Invasion[Exit Version] by Jim Johnston)
The story unfolds on the tumultuous island of Xyndar, nestled within the vast expanses of Neo-Earth, and this strategic bastion serves as the nerve center for the Grand Empire.
However, today, this bastion of power is under siege by an unrelenting tide of chaos as the air is thick with the stench of burning metal and the acrid scent of fear as the once-impregnable fortress is breached by an overwhelming horde of Matanza Cueto clones. These relentless doppelgäangers, each bearing the twisted visage of the infamous Cueto lineage, flood the corridors and hangars, leaving a wake of destruction in their path.
The heroic band at the heart of this tumultuous tale are seasoned veterans of countless battles, their skills honed by the fires of adversity. They stand united in the face of this unanticipated onslaught, their eyes filled with a mix of determination and bewilderment as they engage the endless swarm of clones. Each swing of their swords and discharge of their energy weapons echo through the halls, a testament to their valor and the gravity of the situation.
Grand pauses briefly in the fray while wiping the sweat from his brow as he assesses the chaos around him, "How did these mindless abominations find their way to Xyndar?" he roared over the din of combat with his voice in a thunderous mix of anger and confusion.
Kanna Artemis fends off a trio of clones with her bow and arrows, "Their infiltration is too precise to be coincidental." she called out, "Someone must have provided them with intel!" she assumed.
Zeya weaves a tapestry of arcane energy to obliterate a wave of incoming clones and her eyes glows with an inner fire as she ponders the gravity of their predicament, "Matanza Cueto's essence is scattered across these clones, yet they share his cunning." she pointed out, "Could they be orchestrating this from afar?" she guessed.
The heroes had made it known of their intentions to bring the Cueto father and son to justice, following the heinous sacrifice of their dearest allies to the family's twisted deities. They had underestimated the depth of the Cuetos' wrath and the extent of their resources.
"We need to regroup and find the source of this infestation!" Kyouhei Doujima beckoned, "Our intel suggested they were scattered across the island!" he pointed out.
As the battle rages on, the heroes push back the clones, their every move a dance of death and strategy. They exchange glances that speak volumes about the gravity of their situation. The question burns in their minds: How could the Cuetos have amassed such a formidable force so quickly?
And right smack in the middle of the chaotic battle, the Jogging Baboon just kept... you know, jogging away.
"Could it be the work of the Dark Forces?" Ran the Warrior suggested.
Kyouhei's expression darkens, "It is rumored that they've had dealings with the Cuetos before." he shared, "If they're involved, this is bigger than we thought." he pointed out.
"We must not let our anger cloud our judgment." Kanna advised, "We must seek the truth and strike at the heart of this darkness." she beckoned.
"Easier said than done!" Zeya hissed through gritted teeth.
Grand looked around, "Has anyone seen the father?!" he called out, "I know he's the one behind this attack!" he exclaimed in anger.
"That's weird..." Ran murmured, "... I can't find Antonio Cueto anywhere." she wondered out loud.
Meanwhile, amidst the utter pandemonium outside the main base, the scene inside was just as frantic.
Brian Griffin and Stewie Griffin were in the thick of it while unloading their firearms at a horde of clones. At the same time, Wayne Holden aimed his blaster and took down one clone with a well-placed shot, sending it flying through a nearby window in an explosive display.
Terry Bogard, ever the fighter, got up close and personal as he grabbed a clone with a firm grip and delivered a flurry of punches before slamming it onto a table with a bone-crushing finality.
And let's not forget Ringabel. With a swift and deadly elegance, he wielded his two daggers to carve an 'x' into the chest of another clone and the clone's lifeless form toppled over, a testament to Ringabel's precision and power.
Phantom Thief Chloe deftly took down a bunch of clones with a series of powerful slaps while Medico was swinging her medic case around like a tornado and is knocking down several clones with surprising force.
Mai Shiranui used her incredibly strong legs to kick the clones back with style and each blow sent them flying while Andy Bogard delivered well-timed kicks to the oncoming clones and is dropping them one by one.
Ace D. Copular, ever the sneaky type, slipped behind one of the clones and with a swift, precise motion, sliced through its throat with a switchblade.
"You know what, I should probably stop using a switchblade from now on." Ace murmured to himself.
Francis Gay, Rick Grimes, William Overbeck and Zoey Gobblecoque let loose a relentless barrage of bullets at the approaching clones, and are treating them like they were in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.
"Gotcha, you blasted clones!" Francis exclaimed in glee.
Meanwhile, Little Mac threw a thunderous uppercut, sending one clone smashing into the wall with a tremendous impact. On the other hand, Jack Cayman went all out with his chainsaw arm, tearing through the clones in a gruesome bloody display.
Brian raised his staff and let out a magical beam that sent a bunch of clones flying off the ground. Meanwhile, Gex was quick on his feet, using his tail to smack a clone in the face before taking it out with a cool laser gun blast.
Ragnar, on the other hand, went all out, running full speed and smacking his shield into one of the copies, then slicing it down with his sword. Ristar, not to be outdone, stretched his arms like they were made of silly putty and started grabbing clones left and right, tossing them around like they were ragdolls.
Mercy waited for the perfect moment before unleashing her "Lotus Shine" which came to the rescue of her exhausted teammates. Meanwhile, Nimbus, with his lightning-fast reflexes, deftly evaded the barrage of attacks from the clones, he then went on a systematic tear, using his sharp claws to take each one of them down, one after the other.
"Ugh, this is such a hassle." Mercy grumbled in annoyance.
Meanwhile, over on the top of one of the main buildings at the base, Team B is working hard to keep the clones at bay. They're pushing them back and sending them tumbling over the edge, one after another.
Mahoro Andou pulled out her guns and started firing at the clones rushing towards her, taking them down one by one with precise shots. Poppy, on the other hand, used her water blast to sweep away a bunch of them, the force of the water sending them tumbling like ragdolls.
Fairymon got into action too, flipping into a handstand, "Tempest Twist!" she yelled as she spun her legs around in a wild circle, sending a tornado of kicks into the clones and sending them flying everywhere, "Fata Danza!" she shouted and kicked one clone to the ground before jumping up and hitting another with a powerful rising kick.
Hinomaru Ushio dashed ahead, slamming his palms into the chests of the clones, dropping one and sending another hurtling into its allies. He grabbed the next clone and, with a fierce roar of "GRAAAAGHH!" and tossed it to the ground with a bone-crunching thud, knocking it unconscious.
While this is happening, Johnny Test turns around and points his butt at a bunch of clones, "Check this out, you jerks!" he yelled and then blasts them with a big gust of fire, causing them to tumble off the roof.
At that moment, Bubbles Utonium let out a really strong scream that caught her enemies by surprise and she didn't waste any time after that. She started punching and kicking them super fast and really hard and then, she whipped up an Electricity Ball and threw it right at another bunch of clones, zapping them so much that they all just fell over and are out cold.
While all this is happening, Darkwing Duck sprints towards yet another pack of clones, unleashing his signature Quack Fu moves. He starts nailing them with a mix of swift chops, kicks and punches, and even gives one a solid headbutt to knock it down. Then, in a flash, he whips out his Gas Gun and fires a blast at the cluster of clones as the gas hits them which paralyzed the bunch and that's when the caped crusader makes his move. He takes advantage of their temporary helplessness and knocks them all down in one fell swoop.
In the midst of the chaos, Dib Membrane jumps into action, his eyes focused on the oncoming horde of clones. He quickly activates the claws on the Irken Ship and starts using them to grab one clone after another, turning them into makeshift weapons to smack down their fellow clones. It's like a bizarre game of whack-a-mole but with way more alien technology.
While this is happening, you see clones dropping like flies all around, but it's not what you might think. The culprit behind this sudden drop in clone population? Tadakuni, the unsung hero, calmly tasing them from the shadows. Each zap and thud echoes through the area, a silent symphony of electrified justice.
"Ugh!" Fairymon groaned and is clearly frustrated, "It's like they're never gonna stop!" she complained in distress.
"C'mon, guys, keep it together!" Drake encouraged while trying to boost their spirits, "Someone's gotta think of a plan soon, right?" he exclaimed.
"We've been at this for like, what, half an hour now?" Hinomaru added and his voice tinged with exhaustion.
"This isn't good..." Golem Head murmured and his tone filled with a palpable anxiety.
Mahoro's gaze lifted towards the sky and she spotted something, "Hey, guys, look!" she beckoned, "There's something weird up there!" she pointed out.
"Could it be a bird?" Bubbles questioned.
"Or maybe it's a plane?" Johnny chipped in.
Tadakuni rolled his eyes in response, "Don't be stupid, you two." he chided, "It's obviously a massive holographic projection of Antonio Cueto." he pointed out but a moment later, Tadakuni's expression changed to one of puzzlement, "Hold up..." he trailed in bewilderment.
Everyone's gaze then shifts upwards as they collectively gasp in shock and horror. Before them looms an enormous holographic projection and there's Antonio Cueto while grinning wickedly at all of them.
"Greetings, members of the Grand Empire." Antonio greeted and his voice thick with sarcasm.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Bubbles, Fairymon, Golem Head and Poppy shrieked in fright.
"Wow, he sure is ugly up close." Johnny commented.
Antonio chuckled wickedly, "I know you're all dying to know why my son has an army of clones and how we ended up taking over your little island, right?" he mused while looking around with a smug expression, "Well, let's just say we have our methods and I'm keeping them to myself." he stated with a grin.
"Damn you!" Grand bellowed angrily and his eyes flashing, "You're going to regret this!" he exclaimed.
Antonio playfully slapped a hand over his right ear, "What's that?" he teased, "I can't hear you~" he joked with a wink, "Come on, guys, I'm just a hologram, remember?" he mocked, "But seriously, I've known you've been after me and my boy for some time now." he acknowledged, "I get it, though." he claimed, "With the kind of stuff I've pulled and my son's monstrous antics, people are obviously out for our blood!" he declared and his eyes gleaming with a hint of pride.
"Wow, he's really messing with us." Kanna murmured and her frustration is clear.
"In any case~" Antonio mused with a malicious twinkle in his eye, "I must confess that your persistent interference has become quite the nuisance." he admitted with a sinister smile, "That's the very reason I had someone scour the multiverse for this forsaken isle in order to eliminate the entire party of meddlesome heroes in a single grandiose act!" he announced, "With the power vested in me as the nefarious overlord of this twisted realm, I hereby condemn each and every one of you to be..." he paused and his anticipation palpable, "... SACRIFICES FOR THE GODS!" he shouted in declaration, "Now my sons!" he commanded.
Instantly, every Matanza clone stopped in their tracks and raised their arms to the heavens, their heads tilted upwards as if in some kind of eerie trance.
"We've gotta move fast!" Ran beckoned, "Stop them!" she yelled and voice thick with fear.
The heroes leaped into action, swinging and slashing at the clones, but this time it's like they've turned into immovable statues. They don't flinch, don't dodge, they just stand there, taking it all in.
"What the hell?!" Kyouhei exclaimed in shock, "They're like stone pillars now!" he shouted in disbelief.
Antonio burst into a maniac laugh and his eyes gleaming with delight, "Do give my regards to your fallen comrades, won't you?" he taunted.
As everyone stared in abject horror, a massive blinding light began to slowly plummet towards the island, so huge that it could dwarfed the land beneath it.
"Shit!" Grand cursed.
"N-No, this can't be happening..." Zeya managed to choke out and her voice trembling with fear.
"Is it too late to scribble down a will?" Ringabel asked nervously.
Back up on the rooftop, Team B stares in horror as the blindingly bright light gradually approaches them, casting a gloomy sense of dread over everyone.
Dib's heart races as he frantically searches for answers while turning to Bubbles with a desperate look on his face, "What's our move?" the supernatural expert cried out with the urgency clear in his voice, "Bubbles, seriously, what do we do?" he repeated and his eyes wide with fear.
Tears welling up in her eyes, Bubbles regards Dib with a grave demeanor, her hands clenched into a tight fist before extending one to him in a deliberate and poignant gesture. Despite his perplexity, Dib accepts her hand, only to find his other hand clasped by Drake, who displays an air of profound disappointment.
One by one, the members of Team B joined hands with Poppy, who gracefully ascended to Golem Head's right shoulder and their expressions were somber and is reflecting the gravity of the situation.
Upon this realization, Dib conceded that their efforts had reached an irreversible conclusion, and they were left with no alternative but to accept their fate. His teeth clenched, he lowered his gaze and took a profound breath. Then, with a poised and dignified countenance, he raised his eyes to the heavens. In unison, his comrades mirrored his solemnity, directing their gazes skyward.
Confronted with their impending fate, Team B clasped each other's hands firmly, resolute in their unity until the very last moment.
And so, the inexorable event unfolded.
The entirety island of Xyndar was enveloped in a brilliant-overwhelming light, and with a muted flash of lightning, an eerie silence descended.
The once vibrant isle of Xyndar, shrouded from the outside world, now bore the burden of unanswered questions and a profound sense of mystery.
The destiny of all inhabitants of the Grand Empire remained veiled in a shroud of uncertainty, leaving the fate of countless souls unknowable.
A/N: Inspired from someonestupED, damnlastwords, Jamesdean5842, Hope the Victor and Ace Neptune. All OCs and concepts not created by moi were given permission for me to use by it's respected creators.