Chapter 40: Landed
~Peach's Castle, 18:30~
(By the time Uzi & N arrive at the scene, the corrupted memes have been fighting off with the SMG4 gang for quite a while)
Uzi: Looks like we're at what the target should be. Now for the power-up.
(she then emits an energy pulse to the corrupted memes, making them dominantly stronger)
N: What is it that you're giving them?
Uzi: Oh, I was sending out anti-broadcast beams so that they will be less likely to spring the memes back to life. It's a weird technology though.
N: Well it sure is working, because look.
(The dead memes managed to get an even ground, going so far as to crippling the gang's best forces)
Axol: GUYS! WE CAN'T BEAT THEM! HEAD INTO THE CASTLE!
(the gang then heads inside the castle, leaving only 5 similar-looking people in its wake)
N: Making contact with the subjects.
SMG4: MARIO!
(That's when SMG4 & his pals are confronted by an unsettling emoji)
Uzi: We had you on our sights. (swipes the five & starts heading out) Master, we have apprehended the order & his accomplices.
???: What?
N: Yeah, turns out your description of him is kind of the same. But it doesn't hurt to try, right?
(proceeds driving into the lair)
???: Yeah...
~Meanwhile, back at Skybreakers~
Lamar: Alright, we're here! Tari, Lo, welcome to-
Dock Master: the hub city of VAGABOND'S LANDING!
Tari: Petey?
Dock Master: No, no, no. I'd be the duck master! Pete and I just happen to have the same model.
(As Dock Master lectures on, Lo had come first to wander on the neutral hub city. There were merchants, desperate players, & those with poor internet connections to wander normally)
Lo: Wow. You really can get anything in this place.
Lamar: That, is what the Marketplace is for.
Tari: This place is so...
Theo, currently dancing with some players: Awesome.
Lamar: I'll... keep him out of trouble. Theo, wait up!
Marco: Come on Blue, let's get you some gear to make up for your lack of skill. Blondie, make sure you got something good.
(As Tari & Marco left, Lo senses something on his arm)
Lo: What's wrong, Luz?
(Lucinia then gets Lo to hide inside the store, only to see Evelyn & a hooded figure attacking an advertiser)
Lo: Wait... this is a neutral zone. How can they possibly attack here?
Lucinia: That's what I'm worried about. I'm afraid that shouty lady might bring some backup.
Lo: Well if we need to beat her, (eyes on an array of clothes) we need to suit up.
(He then customizes himself from a simple shirt & shorts to a navy-blue jacket & some jeans)
Lo: In hindsight, this is just like my normal clothes. (sees Marco getting attacked) Well there's no time to waste)
(Equipping a newly-bought magic gauntlet & army knife, Lo rushes into the hooded figure trying to attack Lamar & Theo)
Lo: Stop right there, you- (realizes the hooded figure is none other than) Lucinia?!
Lamar: What did Sheridan do to-
(That's when Luz shrugs Lo off & shoots both of them)
Lo: That isn't good! (runs to Tari) We have to bail!
Marco: The sparky hair's right, now move!
(The three then ran back to the port, only that Marco gets shot. All that was left was Evelyn dealing with the admins & Luz to the duo)
Tari: Lucinia, whatever Sheridan took to you, please!
Lo: (to Tari) This was not the real Luz. (to Lucinia) Not yet.
(He then rushes onto her as he takes every shot)
Sofia: LUCINIA, STOP!
Lucinia: (stops at her place) So... Fia? (gets tackled & had her arm stabbed by Lo)
Lo: I am very sorry for this!
(the particles then gush out of her hand & into the duo)
Evelyn: Oh come on!
(With their powers returned, Tari proceeds to shoot Evelyn as Lo heads out)
Tari: How are you still alive after taking those shots?
Lo: (checks his bulletproof jacket) Let's just say I had real taste in fashion. Now come on!
(The duo then heads to the boat, only to see the gang respawned & coming to them)
Tari: (Running towards them) No, guys, we're fine! Get back on the boat! (The boat gets blasted and falls.) Or don't...
Marco: Oh come on, I stole that boat fair and square!
(That was when Evelyn's ship arrives, making more trouble. Tari then has devised a plan for a way out as Evelyn & Lucinia advance)
Lo: Whatever you are thinking, let's do it.
(Tari then shoots at Evelyn's Bot Boy, making him fire at the duo instead. Then, Lamar leads them to a new ship, whereas Theo charges into the enemy ship & distracts Luz. Tari & Lo then teamed up & fired their artillery at Evelyn's cannons, utterly wrecking her)
Lo: We did it!
(Suddenly, Theo respawns on top of him, whereas Lo swiftly dodged him & his mech)
Theo: Sorry.
Sofia: Tari, that was great! You & Lo were playing like you had your Meta Runner vision back!
Tari: We did! Well, (sees that their vision's still glitched out) kinda... It's still pretty buggy.
Marco: So that shooting was both of you, then?
Lo: Actually, Tari had thought it all out.
Lamar: Not bad. Well, go on. Go to the Captain's quarters and claim the ship.
(Tari then goes on to claim the new ship, which she dubbed: "The Blue Jay". The gang then went on to take care of a little something in mind)
~???'s Lair~
(The emoji ship had arrived back at the master's lair, with 3, 4, FM, X, & Mario at hand)
N: Special delivery, exclusive for you!
???: Well done, my subjects.
Uzi: Master, I've been wondering. What do you feed from time to time?
???: It's a bit complicated, but I do know that Italians have great taste in cuisine.
N: Judging by the ominous tone of that answer, it is best for us to never know. (drops the five)
???: You two have done well, but can you give me some time for these fellas? I like to give out my first impression.
Uzi: As you wish. (heads out as FM & X awaken)
FM: Where are we, man?
(X then looks in terror as a glowing red light beams the two)
???: Why hello there.
End of Ch. 40
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