Mother 4

[Forte]

The group hurried into the elevator as soon as the doors opened, closing them as fast as possible.

Falin: Chimeras... are a bit... less forgiving than people.
Len: Yeah. They don't give up or learn when they're outmatched. Everyone alright?
Heron: I'm doing fine.
Toshi: They didn't hurt me too much.
Falin: I'm good.
Len: Alrighty then. When we get to the 100th floor, there is a door that will lead us directly to the 100th floor of the middle tower. Since the elevator's code on the bottom floor of this tower hadn't changed, the code into that door wouldn't have either. From the 100th floor, there is an elevator straight to the 300th floor, but there isn't one from there to the 700th floor. We will also have to walk the entire way down and up the East and West towers.
Heron: That's a lot of walking. 1000 floors just to walk yet another 1000 floors?
Len: No one said this would be easy. Or even remotely easy. Think about all the things you'll get to see, though.
Heron: I didn't come to sight-see. I came to prevent Allegro from screwing up the world even more.
Len: You'll like what you see, though. At least, I hope you do.

The elevator came to a stop on the 100th floor. The group walked out and Len entered a code on a door across the room. The door slid open and he beckoned for the others to follow him. A short hallway connected them to the Middle Tower's 100th floor. For the first time since they entered the tower, the scenery started to change. The carpet was no longer the usual annoying pink, and instead was a dark blue color. The walls remained white, yet the golden trim around the top and bottom was replaced by black. They continued out of a door that led them to another open room, containing the elevator to the 300th floor. The four got in.

Len: When we get to the 300th floor, we'll be presented with our choice of what direction to take. Speaking of which, I just remembered had we taken the Mid-East tower, we would have been able to arrive at the 300th floor faster than this. The personnel elevator on that side leads straight to the 100th floor.
Heron: Great time to remember.
Falin: Oh well. Nothing we can do about that now.
Toshi: Here, it makes no difference which we choose first, right?
Len: No difference at all. There's an elevator from here to the first floor of either of those, and their 300th floors are in no way connected with this one or the main tower.
Heron: So we have to go all the way to the top of both of them? And then back down? I was wrong earlier, then. We have to go 2400 floors just to go to a place where there's 1000 more waiting for us.
Len: Yeah.
Heron: I have an idea. We split up and take these towers separately. It'll make our journey faster.
Toshi: Sounds like a plan, I guess.
Len: I would normally say that doesn't sound safe, but these two towers are pretty peaceful. Heron, I think it would be a better idea if you stuck with me. Toshi and Falin will be fine by themselves if something bad happened.
Heron: If you insist. You two be careful.
Toshi: No worries.

The elevator soon slowed to a stop. The group walked out into a room with two offshoots and not much more.

Heron: Well... who wants what side?
Toshi: We'll go ahead and take the East.
Len: That made it pretty simple then. Let's go.

Len began walking down the West offshoot. Heron looked back at Falin and Toshi and nodded. He walked off with Len. The two reached the end of the hallway and stepped into the elevator to the first floor of the West Tower. The same thick and warm air began to fill the elevator.

Heron: So, what was up with this air?
Len: You remember the Sector 3 tower, right?
Heron: Yeah.
Len: Both the West and East towers are completely terrariums.
Heron: 300 floors of the same thing that was there?
Len: Technically, it's two floors. One control room up top, and 1 giant floor of what Earth once was. They were supposed to be great tourist attractions. Nostalgia for those able to remember what the world was before us, and like going to a different planet for the ones born too late. Some areas are caged off, since there are quite a few animals that don't like people too much, but traveling through those parts is completely unneeded to reach the control room where we'll find the half of the security code.

The elevator stopped. The doors opened, revealing a bright light. At first, Heron couldn't even open his eyes, but slowly they adjusted. Just like at the Sector 3 tower, the room was huge, though this one was easily twice as big. The ground was covered in grass, flowers, and there were trees everywhere. Heron walked into the giant room. The walls were using the same technology making them seem to stretch on forever, and he had already noticed the giant sections coming out of the walls that lead all the way up to the top of the room. The first part of it, extending for farther than he could see, seemed to be a reflection of a small town. There were cute houses here and there, a dirt path connecting them all. Heron walked out in the middle of them all and looked around.

Len: Looks like we made it here during the day. That means it's night over in the East Tower.
Heron: Night? How will Toshi and Falin find their way around?
Len: Don't worry. it's not pitch black. It'll probably take us until night in here to get up and back, so you'll see.
????: So you finally made it here. Took you long enough.
Len: Hm?

A person jumped down from one of the higher up levels. It was Adagio. Around his arm he had a card attached to a string.

Adagio: I suppose you two are wanting this?
Len: So you took the security code to keep us from getting it? That was a wise move.
Adagio: I wouldn't fail my brother. And now I can finish the last threat to both of us, here an... Wait just a moment... where are the other two? There was another guy and that girl with you earlier.
Heron: They're in the other tower, getting the other security code.
Adagio: I doubt they'll be able to do that. Zahlzeit and Brio alerted Allegro and myself to your advancement here. Luckily, I was already here enjoying some practice on a few of the animals. Zahlzeit and Brio arrived at the East tower shortly before you guys got up here, so by now, they're most likely doing a fine job of giving those two a decent end.
Heron: They can hold their own against two of your ranks, especially severely injured ones.
Adagio: Ah yes. The whole problem of electricity destroying our limbs. And I'm so lucky as to find myself faced with Lento. Fun indeed.
Heron: Len, run somewhere and leave him to me.

Adagio pulled out a small box from his pocket and pressed a button on it.

Adagio: Where are you going to run? I just shut off the elevator in both this and the East wing. You don't have the option of running.
Len: I won't leave you here to fight him by yourself.
Heron: I'm telling you go. Just run up there somewhere and stay away from him. We can't risk you losing your arms.
Len: I refuse.
Heron: Do it. Just go! I'll be fine, I promise.

A gentle breeze blew through the room, causing the leaves in the trees to rustle. A few birds flew overhead. A fight in this serene environment seemed impossible. Len looked at Heron and backed up a bit. He turned and ran up a hill to the second level and continued going.

Adagio: Some friend he is, listening to you like that. How do you think you can fight me by yourself?
Heron: I just can. You're nothing but a frail little cohort to your brother, who you cling to, unable to truly defend yourself.

Heron pulled his bat from his backpack and grasped it firmly. Adagio grabbed two small cross shaped items from his belt on both sides, placing them both on top of his hands. He activated them in the same way Allegro had activated his flame scythe, running his PK Thunder power through them, causing them to be magnetically attracted to his hands. The electricity went through them, causing a ring of lightning to be formed around the tops of both of his hands. 

Heron: So you made yourself a unique weapon as well. You know, I think it's sad that you have to be ambitious like your brother. Your creativity could have helped the world.
Adagio: Ah, but it currently does. Just because our definition of help doesn't match yours doesn't make it wrong. But now, you'll witness my power, and know just how frail I am!
Heron: Bring it.

Adagio ran at Heron surprisingly fast, swinging his rings of lightning at him. Heron dodged them, pushing Adagio's arms away whenever possible, attempting to avoid contacting his rings to the bat. Adagio continued his fierce offense, giving Heron almost no opening for an attack. Occasionally the rings would contact his skin, giving him a quick jolt before he had to block yet again.

Adagio: What's the matter? Too fast for you?
Heron: Not fast enough.

Heron maneuvered his backpack off and fell over onto the soft grass, at the same time kicking Adagio under the chin. Heron rolled over back onto his knees while Adagio checked to see if any of his teeth were loose. Adagio gathered himself and glared at Heron.

Adagio: You're pretty good, kid, to hit me like that. But your luck just ended. But you see, unlike my brother, my special weapon has a few tricks up its sleeve. Watch and despair.

The rings floating above his hands began to vibrate and appeared as if they were losing stability. The two rings began to deteriorate as if they were melting, until there was nothing left.

Heron: Fascinating. It has the power to turn itself off?

Suddenly, the perimeter of Adagio's body began to glow a fierce blue. The once yellow rings returned in the same blue color, yet now instead of simply hovering over his hands, they rest on his shoulders and at his side. two more began to revolve around him like moons. He held his hands out in Heron's direction. Heron went on the defensive again, and for a moment nothing happened. The two rings floating above Adagio's hands shot away from them and began to circle Heron in the same fashion as the two around Adagio. The ones on his shoulders replaced the ones on his hands, and in turn the ones at his sides replaced those on his shoulders. The two revolving around him took the place of the ones that had been at his side. Heron tried to run from the ones circling him, but was unable to.

Adagio: They're yours now. Stuck around you in infinite orbit... that is... until I tell them to perform the final strike.

Adagio shot the others that had come to his hands at Heron. They took up another pattern around him. He kept repeating the process until there were four sets of rings revolving around Heron in different directions.

Heron: Well? You're all out of rings. You talk big, but I don't feel any different.
Adagio: Indeed I am. Now it's time for you to die. I hope you've had a decent life up to this point.

The rings all stopped and turned sideways. They each began to close in on Heron at different points. He once again tried to run from them, but they followed, locked onto him. When each ring was about a foot from his body, they each stopped closing in on him and instead a small ball formed inside of each one. Heron swatted at them with his bat, but they wouldn't dissipate. The small ball inside of each ring grew until it filled the entirety of the ring. Each one made a crackling sound and discharged the stored energy within the cage they had formed around Heron. Adagio smiled as they all disappeared and Heron fell to the ground. Adagio walked over to him and bent down, feeling Heron's pulse.

Adagio: ... Dead... Wait. Still alive? What? That's impossible...
Len: He's an amazing guy. I can see the surprise you would have in his being alive, it would shock me in the same situation.
Adagio: So you came back? Whatever. He's unconscious. I'll kill him later. Right now, I'll take you down. You two can die in the same place, since you've found yourselves such friends. PK Thunder!

Adagio's PK Thunder called forth a barrage of lightning, all of which hit Len dead on. In as little time as it took for the lightning to hit Len, it bounced off of him and went straight back to the source, mortifying both Len and Adagio. Adagio let out a loud yell as he was struck by his own lightning. He fell to his knees.

Adagio: Ho...h...how was that possible? W.. wh... what are you?

The crosses on top of his hands stopped glowing and fell off. Adagio moved his hand over his chest.

Adagio: No... no! It's not moving anymore! It stopped! That shouldn't be able... to happen!
Len: What was that? How was I able... Adagio! Wait!
Adagio: I.. It was... wasn't my... my idea.
Len: Hang in there! Maybe I can find a way to help you... something!
Adagio: W..wha...whatever. *cough* Can't say... it wasn't fun.

Adagio fell over, his mechanical heart stopped. 

[Forte]

Heron opened his eyes and sat up. He was still in the West wing, which was as peaceful as ever. The warm, artificial sunlight made him feel as if he hadn't just lost a fight. Thinking of that fact, he looked around. There was no one around him. Was he dead? He hadn't won, and there should have been nothing to stop Adagio from finishing the job. He stood up, feeling as if he had never even been harmed. He walked over to the elevator and tried to open it, but strangely, it was still locked.

Heron: Len? Are you still here? Is anyone still here?

There was no response, just the song of birds and the rustle of the leaves in the trees. Heron walked over to the small yet cozy looking houses and walked inside of them. Each was completely bare and empty. There wasn't even carpet. He left from the house he was in and walked down the path a bit further. There was a section set off in a small white fence full of stones carved into interesting shapes. Heron walked up to one of them, noticing that it had writing on it.

"Hauptstimme: Real name unknown
 Cause of Death: Line of Duty"

Heron backed up a bit. Was this why Adagio took Hauptstimme? To bury him here? Heron looked over at the stone right next to Hauptstimme's. There was writing on it as well.

"Rallentando: Real Name - Maria
 Cause of Death: Line of Duty"

Heron felt as if his stomach had just left him. There was no way that could be possible, could it? He examined more stones, finding each to contain the names of people he knew. Brio, Zahlzeit, even Adagio's names were all written on a separate stone. He continued, noticing Falin and Toshi's names... as well as his. The only people who seemed to be forgotten were Allegro and Len. This entire thing had to be a sham. He very well wasn't dead... Right? Someone put their hand on his shoulder, causing him to jump. He turned and saw that it was Len.

Heron: Len... what is this?
Len: It's a graveyard.
Heron: Well of course... But I'm not dead... Am I?
Len: Nah. You're not dead.
Heron: Where is Adagio?
Len: He's there, of course. You're not dead. I'm not dead. The rest of them are.
Heron: Wh... What?! That's not true. There's no way that can be true! You're being too calm about this!
Len: Oh well. There's not much for me un-calm about, now is there? My only love is there too. I don't have anything for which to fight anymore.
Heron: What are you saying?
Len: I'm saying maybe we should just join them. It would be easier that way. Then we won't have to worry about Allegro or the future. We'll just be dead.
Heron: You're crazy, Len! Snap out of it!
Len: There's nothing to snap out of.

He took one of his swords off of his belt and activated it, ramming it through his chest. He just let it sit there. No look of pain came across his face, and instead, he began to smile. It was no ordinary, friendly smile. Instead, it was a terrible, insane looking smile. His eyes stared off in the distance.

Len: Now you see? That wasn't hard at all.

He moved his hand up behind Heron's head and shoved him into the ground.

Len: Enjoy it! You're going to be spending a lot of time with it! We both will!
Heron: What... are you doing?

Heron's face was pressed harder and harder into the ground. He reached back and grabbed Len's arm, trying to hardest to pull it away from him.

Len: You would try to stop me? I'm your friend! Friends don't hurt friends! Everyone will be happy to see you!

Heron thrashed about and finally got away from Len's grip. He stood up and kneed him in the face.

Heron: You've lost it! No... You're not real. This place isn't real, is it? I'm not in any pain from that. You're not dead, even though you stabbed yourself. What kind of world am I in?

Len disappeared. In fact, everything disappeared, leaving Heron in a world of nothing but darkness. A voice spoke to him.

-: Do you wish to know where you are?

The voice sounded like his own. It was coming from all directions and echoed forever in the darkness.

-: I'll need an answer from you before I can tell you. If I told you and you didn't want to know, that would be like assaulting you with knowledge.
Heron: Fine. I want to know.
-: You're inside yourself. This is your subconscious mind. Very few people who have ever existed know of this place.
Heron: Wait... that doesn't make sense. If this is my mind, how do I know that it exists? I didn't know?
-: This exists inside of everyone. It takes a certain special talent to find yourself here, though. A normal person in your state would find himself dreaming now. Happy things, probably. But instead, you're here, fully aware of the fact that you're not awake, but in the same sense, you know you can't awaken yourself.
Heron: So... am I dead after all?
-: No. You're just asleep, for what it's worth.
Heron: Then you're me as well?
-: Yes.
Heron: Then how do I know all of this?
-: The brain has certain built in features, and in cases such as yourself, this is one of them. As I said, everyone could end up here, but not many do.
Heron: Does here have a name?
-: Here is whatever you want to call it. There was a name for this place, long ago, but that has been forgotten.
Heron: Then what was up with earlier? If this is my mind, I shouldn't do things like that to myself.
-: Without even knowing, you just tested yourself. You asked to see if you were submissive and would give up even if everything went against you, even the people you trust.
Heron: So then, I passed my own test? What did that do for me?
-: It made you stronger. When you're able to settle things with yourself, and tell yourself that indeed you wouldn't give up if no one was left to help you, you've removed doubt from your mind. The only thing ever truly able to hinder a person from accomplishing whatever they wish is doubt, and now you are without it. You were even able to tell in the heat of almost complete mental breakdown that your surroundings weren't real.
Heron: That's amazing. So now I won't doubt myself?
-: You will feel fear and know the burden of second guessing yourself, there's no way to eliminate these things. But you're now able to use the fullest potential of your special PSI. This is the Omega version of it, and it will be just as powerful as Len's. Of course, it will drain much more of your energy when you use it, so be careful.
Heron: I'll try to be. So then, when can I wake up? I feel the need to protect my friends, and myself.
-: You're free to wake up any time now. You've learned all you can learn from yourself. Use it wisely.

Heron opened his eyes, finding himself once again in the green grass and warm light of the West tower. At first he wondered if he could still be out, but soon felt some pain from earlier. He struggled to sit up and looked around. Len was on his knees a few steps away from him.

[Forte]

Heron struggled up and limped over to Len, who had now stood up. As Heron drew closer, he saw that Len was carrying a person in his arms. It was Adagio. Len turned around and looked at Heron.

Heron: Unconscious?
Len: No. He's dead. I unwittingly reflected his lightning.
Heron: How?!
Len: If I were to guess, I would put the blame on the little medallion Hauptstimme gave me. I remember him saying he had found and was currently doing studies on something that could reflect lightning, and of course, knowing that it could easily hurt any of us, I told him to keep it to himself.
Heron: ... Well that's a pretty raw deal for Adagio. I feel sorry for him.
Len: He was a brilliant inventor. But right now is no time for us to worry about that. We have to get to Allegro and stop him from fulfilling whatever his plans are...

Len walked over to a tree and lay Adagio at its trunk. He looked down at him and backed away, turning around and walking back to Heron. Suddenly, Rallentando appeared, along with Falin and Toshi.

Rallentando: Lento, you know, you are a hot topic here.
Len: I'm quite sure. Are you here... to take me in?
Rallentando: No. I simply wished to bring your friends back to you safely. You showed me a great deal of kindness, much more than Allegro has, so I wished to return some of it.
Len: Has he harmed you?
Rallentando: No. He has not done anything to me. He ignores me most of the time, and has not asked me to do anything for him.
Len: That's reassuring. I'm glad to know you're safe.
Rallentando: I'm currently your enemy. How does it reassure you that I am safe?
Len: That's not true, you'll never be my enemy. I want to ask you, do you remember anything from before you joined me?
Rallentando: Before? I... I am unable to answer.
Len: Do you remember your name?
Rallentando: My name is Rallentando. I have no other name. I am a successful experiment of this army.
Len: No. You're human, with a human name. Your name is Maria. Do you remember that?
Rallentando: Maria...? I do not know a name... such as that. I am afraid you have me confused for someone else.
Len: No, Maria. I know who you are. Please, I want you to remember. We were friends who lived in towns that were nothing more than a short walk away from each other. You were always willing to show me kindness... and love... but I shrugged it off as if you were nothing to me. Don't you remember that?

Rallentando looked down, the expression on her face unchanged. She stared blankly at the ground and raised one hand to her head, placing it on her forehead.

Len: Please remember that. Then you got hurt, and it was completely my fault... can you remember that? I don't want to make you remember things you don't want to remember, but I feel it's needed... and that's when I was given the opportunity to fix you, and make you live again... forgive me for that though, I had no idea what it would do to you.
Rallentando: I... I... Can... Not.

She backed away from Len a few steps and teleported away.

Len: Ah well. At least she's safe. What about you two, Toshi, Falin?
Falin: I'm fine, thanks.
Toshi: We wouldn't be, if it weren't for her. Brio and Zahlzeit attacked us and Brio used some kind of powerful version of PK Freeze to freeze everything in the area. I tried to reflect, but it didn't work. That entire tower is frozen over now. Of course, having power over ice, Brio was able to use the entire place against us while Zahlzeit was able to keep him away from attacks. Rallentando came in and got us out, I don't even know why.
Len: He froze the entire thing? Everything, the animals, plants... everything?!
Toshi: Yeah...
Len: I had no idea he could even do that. What a shame that he would kill all of the living things in that tower just to try to hurt you two. The elevator to that tower is still on lock down, and since Rallentando was able to teleport, I suspect the teleportation blocker was being controlled by Adagio. We'll be able to teleport straight to the Weapons R&D Room, and from there, to where Allegro should be. If you three are ready, I know I am.

The four held hands and were quickly whisked out of the Terrarium and into a smaller, less natural room.

[Forte]

The room was small, almost like a closet, but big enough to accommodate the four comfortably. All along the walls were guns of varying sizes, the disengaged hilts of the standard issue beam swords, and other strange devices.

Len: Adagio developed a special material for his brother's use, one that his fire wouldn't be able to melt if it got out of control, so that his weapons wouldn't constantly be damaged in a fierce battle. Luckily, even though he developed it in the hopes it would never be destroyed, he made extras, perhaps for any subordinates to Allegro to use while in battle by his side, or maybe fearing that another force would destroy them. Heron, if I remember, when we first met, you used an old weapon that your father gave to you, some kind of metal rod.
Heron: That's right.
Len: Good. You'll be used to using something like this.

Len reached up and grabbed two short sticks, combining them and pulling them out just as Allegro had when he first used his flame scythe.

Len: It's just like Allegro's. Of course, it won't become a scythe of flame, as you don't possess PK Fire. To you, it's just a metal rod that he can't destroy like he did your old one.

He handed it to Heron.

Len: Toshi, that sword you have has stood the test of time, and fought many battles against things impossibly more powerful than Allegro, as he's only human. Even though technically, it should be possible for him to melt it, I don't think he can. But as backup, let me see it for a moment.

Toshi handed Len the sword. He grabbed a nearby container and opened the lid on it, pulling out a small roller, which he began rolling up and down the blade of the sword. The beautiful silver blade was now almost black. He handed it back to Toshi.

Len: That coating was developed by Adagio for quick use, in case something got out of hand, or a current weapon needed to be lightly converted to something Allegro could use. It doesn't make it perfect like the ones specifically designed for that purpose, but it does keep them safe. Falin, do you have any sort of weapon you're particularly fond of?
Falin: Not really. Anything will do.
Len: Ok, thanks for making it easy for me...
Falin: I'm serious, just whatever you have.

Len grabbed one of the larger guns and gave it to her.

Len: It's a pretty standard gun. Pull the trigger, fire. It won't kill in one shot, none of these guns would, but it'll hurt. Comfortable using this?
Falin: Sure.
Len: Of course, I don't want him dead, I just want him removed from power.
Heron: How can't you want him dead? Look at what he's done to you. He took what you created, killed your friend, and now he's threatening everything.
Len: Taking his life doesn't fix Hauptstimme. I've already accidentally taken the only thing he had left... The only thing I can do now is to undo the things that I've caused. And there's another thing that's bothering me... Allegro isn't really acting like himself. He was, of course, always a bit heartless, but now, things seem very different. I don't think he would have ever deliberately killed his fellows. Something... has changed.
Heron: Changed?
Len: I can't describe it. Well... what do you say? Let's head on to my old room. I'm certain he's there.

Len walked over to the door and opened it, leading the group out. Heron recognized this floor, it was the same one he had been on so long ago. Down the hallway from them were the two giant doors that led to the office, bedroom, and overall living quarters for Len at the time. The walk down the hallway seemed impossibly long, as if the door kept edging away from them as they approached. When they reached the door, Heron grabbed both of the handles and flung each one open. The room was quiet, the large chair sitting at the desk had its back turned to the door. The group walked in, closing the doors behind them.

Len: Allegro. I've come, now. Did you expect that I wouldn't make it?

The chair spun around calmly, revealing Allegro sitting with a bored look on his face, his left arm holding his head up.

Allegro: I was quite certain you would make it, you're strong willed. I'm surprised that you're man enough to face me here, after what we've been though, but then again... You took something from me, too.
Len: And yet you sit there and seem uninterested.
Allegro: The loss of my brother... Is not something I know how to feel about. I've harbored ill will towards my family, and of course, being one of my family members, he never was truly my best friend... yet, at the same time, we were close. We'll just have to see how that all turns out, hm?
Len: Yes. We will. Allow me to say, though, I didn't mean to kill him.
Allegro: I understand that completely. You needn't worry, my desire to remove you from this world has not been heightened by you accidentally killing Adagio. Now then...

Allegro stood up, burning the chair in an instant as soon as he was out of it. He touched the desk, destroying it as well. He reached beside him, pulling the two small bars from either hip and combining them, forming his scythe handle. He wasted no time in activating it, the flaming blade appearing in an instant, already in its blue mode.

Allegro: Lento... I know that you've gone through a lot of troubles to outfit your group... So allow me to make that all for naught.

Allegro slammed the blade of his scythe into the floor, forming tight rings of blue flames around Heron, Toshi and Falin.

Len: Same old tricks? I suppose it's a one on one you're wanting, so I'll grant that. Let's get this started.
Allegro: My pleasure. I'm certain you aren't out to kill me, but rest assured... I'm out to kill you.

[Forte]

Len drew both of his swords, activating them at the same time. He made a dash for Allegro, who swiped his scythe at Len's chest. Len blocked with one of his swords, but it was knocked out of his hand. Allegro looked at it, instantly making it burst into flames. Len backed away from Allegro during this quick moment while he was occupied with something else. The sword quickly deactivated and melted into a silver and black mess on the floor. Allegro turned his attention back to Len, quickly swinging at him repetitively, forcing Len to block.

Allegro: How do you expect to win if you can't even attack me?
Len: I'll manage.

Len teleported behind Allegro, kicking him into a wall. He made a strike for his scythe handle with the sword, but was blocked by a shield of fire. The two constantly exchanged defensive rolls for what felt like forever.

Heron clinched his fist tight around the rod he had in his hand. He started swiping it at the fire to no avail.

Heron: Toshi, can you shield us all? We can slip through this if you can.
Toshi: I'm sorry, but I'm out of energy. We didn't get any rest after Rallen... Maria saved us from Zahlzeit and Brio, remember? I may be able to shield one of us for long enough to get out of this, but that's about it.
Heron: I don't want one of us to get out. What if he closes these up on whichever two of us don't get out?
Toshi: That's a risk we have to take. You're capable, and I trust you, I'll protect you so that you can get out.
Heron: No. I won't leave you both here.
Toshi: Stop acting like that. You're willing to risk your own life, but not someone else'? That's completely backwards from what normal human logic dictates.
Heron: ...
Falin: He needs one of us, at least. Look at Allegro. His control of PK Fire is insane and from what I can tell, inhuman. Until I met you, Heron, I had never seen a PSI user in person, but I can tell Allegro stands out from all of them. You have a personal connection with Len, you're the most likely choice to help him.
Toshi: Listen, I may have enough power left to shield Falin and myself a split second before we're in danger anyway. I don't know, it's impossible to tell these things, but I have a pretty good feeling. Just get out there.

Toshi placed a PSI barrier around Heron. Heron didn't hesitate to get out of the small prison of fire he was surrounded in, knowing that Toshi's power dwindled. Heron ran towards Allegro and hit him across the back before he had a chance to block.

Allegro: What?! How did you get out... wait, I remember. Your friend can use barrier PSI. I remember him very well... the very first person to ever stage resistance against me, Sector 4's hero. Yet here he is helpless again, I can see, sending someone else in his place.
Heron: Shut up, you coward.
Allegro: Coward? I'm not the one who needs a friend to beat his enemies! You honestly think that the two of you are enough to stop me? PK Fire is the ultimate power, and I know how to utilize it perfectly. You are nothing.

Maria teleported in right beside Allegro and held the arm with his scythe in it.

Allegro: Rallentando? I didn't give you orders to come here, what are you doing here?
Maria: My name isn't Rallentando.
Len: ... Maria?
Maria: I want you two to stop this, right now. Allegro, please think. You're not yourself right now. Why are you doing this?
Allegro: Why am I doing this? What kind of question is that? My reasons are my own!
Maria: No. You're being controlled like a puppet. Just like I was, and just like Len was. Break the control.
Allegro: Controlled by who? No one controls me.

The doors to the room opened and the short man who was commanding the troops earlier walked in.

Allegro: And who the hell are you?
Len: He's not someone you put in charge?
Allegro: No. I haven't made any new appointments.

The man took off his helmet and brushed down his blond hair. Upon seeing his pudgy face, it was apparent that he was very young. Looking at him made Len feel as if an enormous weight had been put on him.

Len: Who... who are you?
Porky: Porky Minch. Your king.
Len: ... What?
Allegro: There's no such person. Get out of here, I'm conducting business.
Porky: You're stupid, and a pretty manly sounding girl. I knew a group of manly looking girls once upon a time, are you perhaps related?
Allegro: I'm not a girl! Now tell me who you are and what business you have with me!
Porky: I've already told you who you are.
Len: There's no way you're Porky. He's trapped in a ball. He's been trapped there for centuries.
Porky: I got out.
Len: Then why aren't you older?
Porky: You really want some kind of explanation, don't you? I'll grace you with that. I got out, and it's thanks to you, Len. You see, when I sent you to do all of that time travel all those years back, it was for one purpose and one purpose only - to get me out of that stupid contraption. The second you brought me enough brilliant minds and enough labor, I got them to get me out of my Absolutely Safe Capsule. It took months, but I guess I was wrong when I made it - there is no such thing as absolutely. So after I was removed, I ordered them to give me a new body, made with the finest of our current technology, and being their king, they gladly accepted. Now I have the young and mobile body that I once had before I made the foolish mistake of abusing the time travel that I was gifted with.
Allegro: That makes no difference. You're just a kid. Go away.
Porky: Don't you get it? I'm not just a kid. I'm the king of the world. I've been playing with all seven of you like miserable toys for years now. Especially you, Allegro, because now that I remember, you're special. You're the last surviving relative of the Magypsies.
Allegro: The whats?
Porky: Your sisters. The ugly ones. I remember them too. I was able to play one of them just like I have you... what was her name... maybe I should say his. Mean one, I know that. Oh well, not important, too ugly. I don't know what made them all that ugly, or how they got the power that they did, but I do know that you're the last one left, and that means you can tell me where the Dark Dragon is now.
Allegro: Dark Dragon? What are you talking about? So far you haven't made any sense.
Porky: You're retarded, aren't you? You're the one I've been using to find the Dark Dragon. You've got a link to that thing, and you're going to use it.

Allegro brought down the fires surrounding Falin and Toshi.

Allegro: You... used me? For your own sick and twisted gains just to find some dragon? My brother is dead, my hair got nicked, and I became common scum just so that you could find some damned dragon? I'll give you three seconds to kill yourself before I do it myself. And I start counting at two.
Maria: I'm sorry. If I had been able to regain my senses before now, I would have stopped this. I knew it all along.
Porky: Come and see me in a few minutes whenever you two have settled whatever it is you're going on about. I'll be under the tower in my own personal office. See you then.

Porky casually turned and walked away, closing the door behind him as if he hadn't just insulted the intelligence and dignity of everyone in the room.

Allegro: What... What what what what. Lento... Len... whatever you name is. I'm sorry about this. All of this. I had no idea what was going on. I hope you can forgive me and be the friend that pulled me from my miserable existence fifteen years ago.

Allegro deactivated his scythe and sat down on the floor, looking down.

Falin: I can't believe that the king of the Pig Mask Army is just a boy... no older in appearance than any of us.
Heron: He's not just a boy. He's not even human.
Len: Not anymore... though I doubt he ever was able to be considered a human. I don't understand what he means by under the tower. There's no basement access anymore, I sealed it off.

Len turned and looked at Maria.

Len: You remembered. Was it something I said?
Maria: Maybe.

Maria hugged Len. He stood there with the same depressed look on his face.

Len: Please forgive me for this.
Maria: What?
Len: Forgive me for what I've done. My selfish desire to keep you has lead to all of this, and you would have probably rather been dead anyway.
Maria: That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. To think that you would believe that I would hate you for this. I'm not in any pain, I don't remember any pain, I don't even remember being near death.
Len: It's all my fault. All of this, activating that thing by accident put you in that situation, I'm sorry.
Maria: You didn't know what would happen. I don't blame your curiosity. In fact, it makes me feel special that you would do all of this for me... the consequences are just one of those side effects, I guess. Nothing we can't solve, right?

Len cracked a smile for the first time since Heron had known him.

[Forte]

Len walked over to Allegro and held out his hand.

Len: Come on. Get up.

Allegro looked up at him and looked back down.

Allegro: Go on without me. I can barely bring myself to believe that I was being controlled by him. I didn't even know it...
Len: Don't worry about that now. Porky has a long history of ruining people's day, and you're just another name he can add to the list. Let's put an end to this, all of us together. Someone who's lived as long as he has and been able to cause as much chaos and sadness needs to die.
Allegro: ... But what can we do? He's obviously got some kind of power to manipulate people.
Len: He doesn't. He only uses fear and plays with your head. I figured that out. I figured out he couldn't do anything to hurt any of us inside of that capsule, and that's why I made up my mind to undo the world I made. The only way he used you was to exist, making you believe he didn't exist, as you had never seen him.
Allegro: That doesn't make up for what I've done to you.
Len: I think that's made up for now. We're equal.
Allegro: But what about now? He's a threat to us for real, not just in our head.
Len: That was clearly part of his plan, to become the threat he wanted to make us believe he was. Chances are, it's another bluff. There's no way he has anything up his sleeve to save himself aside from his normal mind games. Now, do you want to try this again?

Len held out his hand a second time. Allegro sat for a moment and grabbed Len's hand, allowing him to help him up.

Heron: Not really that legendary four any longer, are we?
Len: I guess not, but some things should change, and obviously, four hasn't been enough.
Toshi: So how do we get down under the tower?
Len: There's a secret elevator on the first floor behind a wall that I created to hide it. Of course, I'm sure that elevator isn't all too hidden now. Luckily for us, there's an elevator in here that takes us to the exact same spot the other elevator would... give or take a few feet.
Heron: Why do you have an elevator in this room to the basement?
Len: It was a feature in the original plans of the first building, I decided to incorporate it. Now then, if everyone will step over here, I'll get this thing going.

Len walked over to the wall near the front of the room and pushed a switch. The hot pink carpet in the room began to be pulled into the wall. When it had finished, a large platform was revealed, separate from the rest of the floor. Len stepped on it, prompting everyone else to follow. As soon as all six of them had boarded, the elevator began to descend.

For a moment, everyone stood in serious silence. The elevator quickly became almost pitch dark if it weren't for the lights that lined the walls every so many feet.

Len: Riding one thousand floors in an elevator as slow as this one will probably take a while. If anyone knows any fun games we can play, that would be great.
Allegro: Just as nonchalant as ever, eh?
Maria: It's what's always kept him lighthearted.
Heron: Is now really a time to be lighthearted?
Len: I dunno. Is it? We've pretty much guaranteed our victory. Not just our victory... The world's victory. Porky will see the end of his infinite days at the hands of his own pawns, and the world will never know his hate again.
Falin: But it's too late to undo what he's done. Everything has changed for the worse.
Len: It's never too late to undo something bad. We'll find a way to get things back to the way they were.
Allegro: So you're saying there's a way for us to put all the trees back, all the animals back, everything back the way it should be?
Len: We took it away, we can put it back. There's few things we've done that don't fall short of impossible, so this won't be any different, really.

The elevator began to slow until it finally stopped.

Len: Basement. Let's get this done.

The door to the elevator opened, revealing a corridor that was similar in almost every way to the rest of the tower.

Maria: Are we at the right place?
Len: Yes... that elevator only goes here... someone made this place look nice, I'll guess it was Porky. At least it isn't dingy now. We may as well go on.

The group walked down the hallway, for some reason unable to see where it ended. After a few minutes of walking, it was evident that the hallway was extremely long. Eventually, there started to be large portraits on the wall. The first was a boy with a red hat on. He had a confident look on his face, and wore a blue and yellow striped shirt. Across on the other wall was another portrait of a girl in a pink dress, with a kind and innocent expression. Beside the first boy was another, a well dressed blond boy with thick glasses. Across from him was one final portrait, a serious looking boy wearing pure white. What little hair he had was tied into a ponytail. For some time, the walls were blank again, but eventually there was another set of four portraits. The first was a sad looking boy with blond hair in a red and yellow shirt. Across from him was a taller man, with odd hair and a small mustache. Beside the boy was a homely looking girl with disorderly pink hair, wearing a blue coat. Finally, across from her was, strangely, a portrait of a gentle looking brown dog.

Falin: Think these are people he knew?
Len: Probably people he wishes he didn't know.

The group continued on, eventually reaching a large set of double doors. Len reached for the handle to one, but was stopped by Allegro.

Allegro: Let me go in first. I don't want you to fall into a trap.

Before Len had time to argue, Allegro had already opened the door and walked in. He turned and beckoned to Len and the others to follow him. The large room they had walked into was empty, except for a large portrait on the far wall of a red haired boy wearing the commander's uniform. One of his eyes was red, like Hauptstimme's, and he had a blank look, almost as if he had been under the same kind of mind control as Maria had been.

Allegro: Well that's just great. He lied to us about where he would be?
Porky: Not so! I simply didn't expect you so soon, but that's quite alright.

The floor began to rumble and crack, and large metal legs began to make their way out of it the fissures that were being created. The entire room began to tear and crack, causing some of the ceiling to collapse in, opening up to the light from outside. Finally, the entire monstrous machine that the legs belonged to crawled out of the ground, with Porky piloting it. It looked just like some kind of giant spider.

Porky: Behold my Spider Mech Mk.II! Now with more shielding and more power! I hope you all had a nice trip down here, because now you'll die!

[Forte]

I think I lost two posts thanks to the server failure, or it may have only been one. Either way, the latter of those two, or the one, was posted just before everything went to hell. I doubt anyone saw it, which is quite sad. I don't really feel like reposting the entire thing, so I'll summarize. Catch the entire thing in Mother 4 - The Game... Whenever that'll happen.

Anyway, Porky shows up in his Spider Mech, which is easily cut down by Allegro - butter easy. Of course, being the resourceful and sneaky one he is, Porky has a plan B, involving his modified robotic body to produce large spider legs from his back. His first move in this imposing second form is to take a stab at Maria, knowing that her death will crush Len, effectively making him useless to his team. However, his plan goes in the completely opposite direction, as Len takes the hit for Maria, falling to the floor apparently dead. Heron rushes to action and uses Healing on Len while Allegro and Toshi keep Porky occupied. Heron's actions heal the wound completely, but don't appear to have done any good for Len, as he still lay there almost completely motionless. Maria assures Heron she will care for Len so that he can help Allegro and Toshi, while Falin stands by, questioning her usefulness. Falin remembers the weapon Len gave her and fires at Porky, destroying one of his legs. This buys enough time for Len to regain consciousness, who joins the battle by augmenting Heron's PK Earth with his own PK Maria. Porky's legs are all completely destroyed and Allegro steps in to finish the job his own way. Allegro delivers a savage beating to Porky, ending with a stunning display of his PK Fire ability, leaving nothing where Porky once was but a small, quickly hardening puddle of metal. And so, we pick up again...

Allegro: Well. That was easy.
Len: Amazing... That was pretty brutal... but so effective.
Toshi: It's almost unreal.
Heron: You mean how easy it was to take him down?
Toshi: Yeah... and how it feels to know that you're part of the solution.
Falin: Is... is it wrong to be happy someone is dead?
Heron: Not this time.
Maria: What will we do now?
Len: We get the world back into a working order.

The space where Porky was before Allegro's finishing move began to warp. In a flash of blue light, Porky stood there once more, completely unscathed.

Porky: Miss me?
Len: Wha?! How is this possible?
Porky: It's quite simple actually. Allow me to explain. You see, I planned for this. I knew I would probably end up being beaten like twice before - third time's a charm, they say. So, as a precautionary measure, if my vital signs began to fluctuate, a special time traveling apparatus was installed inside me, so that I would be able to escape to a previous time and receive repairs and upgrades.
Allegro: Well looks like your plan backfired, pal. You're at an odd number. You'll rapidly age. All we have to do is wait it out and you'll be too old to even fight us.
Porky: Ah! But you're wrong. Given that the body I'm in is completely inorganic save for my brain, I won't age at all. And as you should already know, one's brain doesn't age at all under the influences of time travel. If it did, I wouldn't have been the immature boy I was centuries ago. But when all those years passed on me in that ball, I began to mentally develop. It's turned me into a brilliant strategist, you see - more brilliant than before, I might add.
Allegro: We'll see about that, you pig! Prepare to taste Hell's fires yet again!

Allegro charged at Porky with a wide sweep of his scythe. Porky bounced the attack off of him and deactivated the weapon.

Porky: You're a fool. Before you attempt to attack me, you really should let me finish my villain-ish monologue. Bonus points, though, for being that guy who tries, instead of being the ones who sit around and listen. You see, on top of receiving repairs, I was also upgraded with everything I needed to combat you perfectly. Better than perfect, actually. No matter what any of you do, I've got a plan for it. More than a plan. A counter, in fact, more than a counter - a complete stop. Yours, Allegro, is PK Fire. A level beyond Omega, it burns hotter and controls better than any other level ever used before. But naturally, like all PSI, It's capable of being reflected using a simple PSI Shield. My shield generator is completely unbreakable, no matter how many times you hit it. To top that off, I've also got a physical attack barrier, mine of course being strong enough to reduce damage taken from physical attacks by 99%, unlike your pathetic PSI Barrier, Toshi.

Porky turned around and kicked Len down as soon as he appeared behind him.

Porky: Ha! Teleport. Useless to me as well.
Len: There's no way you knew I was there... that must have been some kind of lucky guess!
Porky: But there is. You see, the common misconception about PK Teleport is that it's making you faster than everything around you, putting you on par with light speed to make everywhere accessible instantly. Fact is, though, if you were going at the speed of light, you'd melt. Instead, your PSI - get this - slows light down to your speed, Of course, in such an environment, you gain the benefits of traveling at the speed of light without any of the negative consequences. The thing about this is that if you slow down light, you've slowed down everything else, too... but not me. I watched you walk right behind me. I suppose it's appropriate to call you... too slow. You and Heron have a special trait, too. One that I've only seen three times before! I should have guessed someone would have it this time around, but hey, that's why we make backup plans, right? Your special PSIs are just as easily repelled by my barrier as Allegro's PK Fire.
Falin: So what you're saying... is that you're invincible.
Porky: Yes. Yes it is.
Heron: That's bull. You're lying! You have to be!
Porky: Could I hit Len before he was even visible to the rest of you if this were a lie?
Heron: ...
Maria: Well? What is it that you want?
Porky: Ah. An excellent question. First, I want to know. Has everyone here recognized me as unstoppable now?

Silence fell over the room. Heron wanted to do something, but couldn't, knowing that no matter what, he would fail. Len got back up.

Len: Yes, you egomaniac. You win. Now what is it that you want from us?
Porky: I simply wish to know the location of the Dark Dragon. Allegro knows, he just won't tell me.
Allegro: Damn it! I've told you a hundred times now, I don't know anything about your stupid dragon!
Len: I'm pretty sure he's telling the truth. You see, he isn't like his sisters, even though you may believe he is.
Porky: I'm sure he isn't like his sisters, he's prettier. But it would make sense that he knows. That's ok, then. I'll keep him locked away in a special prison until he wishes to talk.

Porky walked over to Maria and activated two of his repaired spider legs, grabbing her with both and holding her over his head.

Porky: Len, I know this entire scene has been for her, so unless you wish to lose her after all of this, I suggest you follow my orders.
Len: ... You... are a very sick bastard. Your parents must be so proud.
Porky: I'll bet they would be. Now. Teleport us all above ground. It's time for me to establish rule here.

Len gathered everyone together and teleported to the middle of Sector 1, in clear public view. People instantly stopped what they were doing and looked at them.

Porky: Please, citizens, nothing to see here, just your king, taking care of traitors.

The people instantly ceased to so much as care.

Maria: Ok, we're here! Put me down!
Porky: Shut up. I'm not done with any of this yet. Hold on just a moment.

Porky pulled out a phone and made a call to someone. He never said a word and hung up almost instantly. In a few minutes, a large amount of black clad Pig Mask soldiers surrounded the area.

Porky: Confiscate that weapon the pink haired one has. Take him to the special prison cell in block 2. The one with the black hair, take to the special cell in Block 4.
Pig Soldier (Caped): Yes sir!

Len and Allegro were grabbed by a group of guards and taken away into the crowds of people. A small uproar was heard, likely from Allegro deciding to try fighting, but quickly calmed down. Porky put Maria down beside him after watching Len and Allegro as long as he could. He looked around. Heron, Falin and Toshi were nowhere to be seen.

Porky: Where did those kids go?
Pig Soldier: They sort of vanished.
Porky: ... What?

Porky looked around. They were nowhere to be seen.

Porky: Damn. How about that, they got away. Wonder where they ran to? There's nowhere left in the world to run, really. A bunch of empty continents, and the one place in the entire world with population... it's a deathtrap.
Maria: What about me? I'm sure you're just going to kill me and break whatever sort of "oath" you gave to Len.
Porky: Don't tempt me. You're useful to me as long as Len is alive. He'll do whatever I want, as long as you're the bargaining chip. To top it off, I get a new maid.

[Forte]

Len sat quietly in his dark cell, looking at the ground. He had failed everyone when they were so close to success. Porky came into the cell, personally delivering Len a meal.

Porky: Here you go. It's not normal prison food, so be happy.
Len: I don't want any. There's not much for me to live for.
Porky: There's Maria.
Len: You're a lying, cheating bastard. She's probably already dead, and you're just playing me on like that.
Porky: That's not true. She would be here with me, but I had her deliver Allegro his dinner. Notice how I'm not carrying two plates.
Len: Whatever. Just leave it, I'll eat it.
Porky: You better.

He placed the plate on the bedside table and began to walk out of the cell.

Len: Wait!
Porky: Hm?
Len: You broke the rule.
Porky: The rule?
Len: The rule of time travel. The one that you told me.
Porky: ... Oh! Temporal Paradox?
Len: Yes. That one. Now which is it? Did you somehow break a rule of time travel, or did you lie to me about it?
Porky: Neither. Maybe I never explained it to you...
Len: If you did, I never understood it.
Porky: Ok, fine. Let's look at what happened. You accidentally activated that prototype time machine that my brother made. It was designed to lock onto whatever time I'm in and take the user right to me. Of course, being a prototype, it was absolutely unsafe, and time traveling to the same time, but a different place, is unsafe as well. Instead of aging you rapidly or something crazy, it drained the life from you. Some kind of backfire, you see. For you, only your arms were drained, but Maria wasn't so lucky. Of course when you got to me, you had the ability to go back. There's where the problem begins. If you went back and stopped that from happening, there's no way you would have been able to go back in the first place. You understand that, right?
Len: ... No.
Porky: Ok fine. Catastrophe leads to you making a time machine to stop catastrophe. You go back and stop the catastrophe, you stopped the reason to make the time machine.
Len: Oh. Ok. But what you did still is in violation of that.
Porky: Ah, there's where you're wrong. If catastrophe happens, but it's not what prompted you to create a time machine, you can go back and stop the catastrophe, as you still have the time machine.
Len: So you got around the law by...
Porky: That's right. Having the time machine placed inside of me for a different reason.
Len: That's all very confusing and cheap sounding. Shame you have to be such a cheater just to win.
Porky: It's great, isn't it? Bye now.

Porky walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Len looked at the plate of food brought to him. It was a delicious looking steak with a seemingly out of place omelet.

Len: Nothing to drink? Are you kidding me?

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heron had teleported to Sector 5, right outside of his house. He looked around at the empty streets and homes, feeling depressed at the condition of the area.

Heron: I'm sorry... if you think that was a cowardly move, to teleport instead of fight back.
Toshi: It was the smart move. There's no way we stood a chance. We've been traveling through a huge building for days on no rest.
Falin: What do we do now?
Heron: We find a way to help. At first there was a little doubt in my mind, that maybe Porky wasn't all that evil, but now I know better. He's more than evil. There's something completely inhuman about him. Porky has to be destroyed.
Falin: That's easier said than done... he knows how to counter everything we can do.
Heron: Then we do what we can't do.
Toshi: Exactly how do we do that?
Heron: We learn some new PSI. It's not that hard... watch.

Heron closed his eyes and concentrated for a moment.

Heron: PK Thunder!

A small static discharge shocked Falin, who was standing a bit too close to Heron.

Toshi: That was great. All we have to do is rub our socks all over the carpet and we'll all know PK Thunder.
Heron: No, that's not it... I feel it inside of me. I guess it's from when Adagio used his ultimate Thunder on me.
Toshi: Sure it's not just overhang from it?
Heron: I'm sure. The more I practice it, the better I'll become at it. I'll move up from simple static to full fledged lightning. As far as Porky knows, I don't have the ability to do that... and if I land a hit, he'll be dead instantly, since lightning kills the mechanical parts in their bodies.
Falin: Did you forget that he has a PSI shield? He'll just reflect it at someone, probably Allegro, since it'll kill him.
Heron: Then we need a way to remove that... I seem to remember my dad telling me about a thing that can remove PSI barriers. I don't know how he knew about it, but he said no one knows where it is now.
Toshi: Sounds like we'll have a fun time finding it.
Heron: It'll be easy to find it. Len said that Hauptstimme was fond of things from the past. There's a chance he had it.
Falin: So we go back to Sector 2?
Heron: Yeah. After resting for a while. We don't have anything to worry about, they won't find us.

The group went into Heron's house to get much needed rest for the day ahead of them.

[Forte]

Falin awoke to some strange noises. She rubbed her eyes and looked around the dark room. Toshi was fast asleep on the floor, but Heron was nowhere to be found. She got up and walked around the house, still no Heron. More strange noises. She walked to the front door and opened it, peaking outside through the small crack. No one was out there. She opened it the rest of the way and walked out completely. It was still night, strangely, but it felt like she had slept for hours. She looked around the quiet and empty streets and saw Heron standing by himself near a lot of burnt and destroyed objects. She ran over to him.

Falin: Heron! Did you have to fight someone?
Heron: Huh? Oh, hey. Nah, I didn't have to fight anyone. I've been practicing PK Thunder for about a day now.
Falin: ... A day?
Heron: Yeah. You two have been asleep for two days now, I didn't think that was humanly possible, but I guess if you've worked as hard as us, it's natural.
Falin: Two days?!
Heron: Yeah. I woke up this morning, so I got a day. Don't feel too bad.
Falin: No... it just seems really strange that I could sleep that long.
Heron: Well, you had the bed. Floor's no place for me.

Heron laughed a bit.

Falin: Well if you want it, it's yours... literally.
Heron: Nah, I feel fine. I'm starting to get good at this PK Thunder stuff. I don't have to concentrate as hard, watch!

Heron crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

Heron: PK Thunder!

For a moment, nothing. Then, out of the blue, a bolt of lightning hit the pile of scrap Heron had set aside, burning and destroying it further. The rumble of thunder filled the air for a brief second and then echoed away.

Falin: That was great!
Heron: Heh... I can almost hear Adagio taunting me for how pathetic it is.
Falin: ... Heron, are you pushing yourself to learn PK Thunder because you feel bad about Adagio?
Heron: Nah... That's not it...
Falin: There's no need to try and play it off. You didn't want to kill him, Len didn't either. It was an accident.
Heron: The problem with it is how he seemed. He didn't really seem evil at all, and then to top it off, not even Allegro turned out to be truly evil. I feel like I sentenced the wrong man to death, even if it was indirectly.
Falin: You didn't do it for nothing though... you did it to help everyone. If Adagio truly was good, he would want to help everyone too!
Heron: I guess. That's more reason for me to learn what he perfected, so that I can make the world a better place.

Falin hugged Heron. He looked surprised.

Heron: What was that for?
Falin: Because you're amazing.
Heron: I'm just a normal person who does what normal people could do but won't.
Falin: But you've got PSI... normal people don't.
Heron: Almost everyone in the world had it at one time. It kind of died out... and maybe, just maybe, it should have died out completely. What has it ever done for us? It got us in this mess, who knows what else it's done.
Falin: It's all about how you use it. I wish I knew PSI... but I've been a burden on us all since we met. I'm sorry I pretended to be you... but I wanted to find my parents so badly, and I wanted to help my home.
Heron: You haven't been a burden on anyone, and I understand why you did it. Wow... using the guise of Rasch seems so long ago. Maybe I should have never started that. All the things that have happened because of me... Adagio, Hauptstimme, Zahlzeit and Brio... If I never existed, would anything have changed? Would this have not even happened? Would the world be different?
Falin: ... Well...
Heron: I'm sorry. I'm doubting myself. I can't do that. We have to help Len, Maria, and Allegro. Let's get another night's rest and head on to Sector 2. Hopefully we'll find something to beat Porky's shields.

Heron walked towards his house casually. Falin looked down for a moment and thought.

Falin: Heron...
Heron: Huh?
Falin: If you never existed... my world would be different.
Heron: ...

Heron tried to say something, but couldn't. He tried a few more times to find the right words, to no avail.

Falin: It's ok. You don't have to say anything.
Heron: No... I'm sorry. If I say anything, it'll sound stupid, or unappreciative... just like that.
Falin: Really. It's fine.
Heron: Well... I've been practicing this crazy PK Thunder all day. I'm pretty beat.

Heron walked into his house a bit slowly. He held the door open.

Heron: You better hurry up or I'll take you up on your offer of having my bed back.

[Forte]

The next morning, the three made a few final preparations at Heron's house before teleporting to Sector 2. The atmosphere there was just as it had been when they had last visited, foggy with constant drizzling rain. The ground around the tower was still scorched and torn up from the fights that had taken place earlier. Heron led the group through the doors of the quiet tower. The elevator began to come down, much to the group's surprise. When it stopped on the first floor, a man stepped out.

Heron: ... Wh... What?
Toshi: That's... Hauptstimme?
Hauptstimme: Yes? Can I help you?
Falin: ... There's no way.
Heron: Who are you?
Hauptstimme: My name is Hauptstimme.  I'm the commander of Unit 2... or at least... I think I am. No one seems to be here anymore, and my chimeras are all gone.
Heron: That's impossible. We all watched you die.
Hauptstimme: Watched me die? Are you certain?
Heron: Sure as I am alive... tell me... do you have a scar on your chest? On the left side?
Hauptstimme: Well... Yes, yes I do.
Falin: Heron, how is this possible?
Heron: I think I know... but then that means that Adagio...
Hauptstimme: What about Adagio? How's he doing? I haven't heard from him in a while.

Heron put his head in one hand.

Heron: Hauptstimme... do you know us?
Hauptstimme: I'm afraid I don't. Have we met before?
Heron: I'm not really sure. Do you know Allegro?
Hauptstimme: Yeah, of course. He's my friend, though he isn't often interested in anything I talk about.
Falin: Heron, what's going on?
Toshi: That's a good question.
Heron: Well... Hauptstimme, do you mind if I talk with my friends for a minute?
Hauptstimme: Go ahead, I have nothing to do right now.

Heron walked over to the door, signaling for Toshi and Falin to follow him.

Toshi: So what's up?
Heron: Remember how Maria couldn't remember anything after she was reconstructed?
Toshi: Yeah...
Falin: Wait... are you saying that Hauptstimme was reconstructed?
Heron: I think so. The fact that Adagio took him makes me think perhaps he put him on some kind of life support and had him repaired.
Falin: Why would Adagio do that, though?
Heron: Maybe Adagio wasn't part of Porky's plan, perhaps he was relying on Adagio being blindly loyal to his brother.
Toshi: Then why would he fight you?
Heron: I'm not sure... It's not really important now... but now what do we do with Hauptstimme?
Falin: Well... we could most certainly use an extra partner, he has great powers.
Toshi: And he'll know what we want from him, which is pretty much perfect for us.
Heron: Yeah, that makes sense. I'll explain everything that's happened to him as best I can.

Heron turned around and walked back over to Hauptstimme. He looked away for a moment and scratched his head.

Heron: Hauptstimme, there's a lot of stuff that needs to be explained to you.
Hauptstimme: I'll gladly listen, I'm curious as to what happened around here. There's holes in the floor, scorch marks on the walls, and my indestructible chimera is on the loose.
Heron: Well, you see, this is going to be extremely odd to listen to, but you'll have to trust me. About... who knows how long ago now, we came here with Len... Lento to escort you out. You do know Lento, right?
Hauptstimme: Of course! He's my close friend, I would never forget him!
Heron: Right. Well, as it turns out, Allegro was on his way here to kill you so that he could assume position of leader of the Pig Mask Army... and... well... he succeeded.
Hauptstimme: Are you telling me I'm dead? And Allegro was the one who killed me?
Heron: Directly, yes, he killed you, but under false pretenses. And right now, you're alive, thanks to Adagio. Apparently you were reconstructed in a fashion similar to Mar... Rallentando.
Hauptstimme: That's all unbelievable. Rallentando is only the second person to be brought back to life like that, the operation is nearly impossible. There's no way Adagio or any of his subordinates would be able to successfully perform it.
Heron: Yeah, I know, it's pretty crazy, but you'll have to believe me. Right now, Len and Allegro are prisoners in Sector 1, King Porky has achieved control of the world, and he's unstoppable.
Hauptstimme: Len?
Heron: It's Lento's real name. Kind of slipped out. He's a good friend of mine now, too.
Hauptstimme: So then, what's the problem with King Porky being in control of the world? That's what I was here for, to make sure that it happens.
Heron: He wants to destroy it.
Hauptstimme: Oh. I guess that could be a problem... So what's the reason he's unstoppable?

After about half an hour of explaining things to Hauptstimme, he appeared to finally understand the situation.

Hauptstimme: So then, you know of the Shield Stealer?
Heron: Yeah. It's something my dad mentioned once. Do you have it?
Hauptstimme: No, I don't. Unfortunately, the material it was made out of degrades over time, so after so many years it's pretty much vanished, if not completely.
Heron: ... Well that's no good! Do you know how to make one?
Hauptstimme: No. But I know that Allegro once told me of a PSI that can break shields, no matter how strong. It can't even be reflected.
Toshi: I've heard about that one. I figured it was just a myth made to teach people like me that our shields shouldn't be the only thing we rely on in battle.
Hauptstimme: No, it's very real. PK Ground, though rare and extremely hard to master, is capable of piercing any shield, PSI or man made, simply because it attacks under the shield. That would break the concentration of the user were it PSI, but you claim Porky's is the work of technology. It'll be much harder to break that. But if you would like, I could try to find records on anything that was capable of destroying Non-PSI shields.
Heron: That sounds good, thanks.
Hauptstimme: By the way, although it sounds unreasonable, perhaps one of you should attempt to learn PK Ground. There's no guarantee that anything was ever created to destroy Non-PSI shields.
Heron: I suppose one of us could try... but wouldn't that require someone who already knows PK Ground?
Hauptstimme: I'm the only person who has ever known PK Air. It all has to start somewhere, so it's possible to learn a new PSI without help from others.
Toshi: I'll gladly try to learn it. It would make sense for the one PSI that can counter my shields to be my only offensive PSI.
Hauptstimme: That sounds like the best course of action. I'll be in our library if you need me. Feel free to look around here, but there's not much to see anymore.

Meanwhile, in his prison cell in Sector 1, Allegro's dinner was being brought to him. Unlike Len, Allegro's delivery boy wasn't Porky, but a simple Pig Mask soldier.

Allegro: Steak and eggs again? Thats four days in a row, damnit! I have a diet I need to stay on, a figure to keep up! And all you slobs can feed me is steak and eggs?
Soldier: Well, you're in prison. You don't call the shots.
Allegro: Oh?! Is that so?! I forgot all about it! Thanks for reminding me! But guess what? I do call the shots. I'm a high value prize, and my survival is top priority. So either you give me some grub worth eating, or I won't eat it at all.
Soldier: You'll eat when you get hungry en-

Before he could finish, Allegro slapped the tray out of his hands.

Allegro: Well now I'm not going to eat it. It's on the ground.
Soldier: Fine. Don't eat. Starve, see if I care.
Allegro: Oh, you'll care. Right about now.

Allegro kicked the soldier out the door, which he neglected to close behind him.

Allegro: Great security around here. You're all pathetic. Now then, do you know where Len is being held?
Soldier: Who?
Allegro: Lento, you idiot.
Soldier: Oh... No.
Allegro: Yeah. Right. Look, I'm outside of that cell now. I can use PSI again. Do you want to be bacon, or do you want to tell me where Len is?
Soldier: He's... He's down the hall here. Fifth door from yours.
Allegro: Thanks. Now get in that cell.
Soldier: What?
Allegro: Get in the cell! I'm not going to have you squealing all the way to Porky!

The soldier got up and inched away from Allegro. He began to run towards the elevator. Allegro chased him down and grabbed him by the collar of his uniform, threw him into the cell and locked the door. Allegro walked down the hall to the fifth door from his and looked in.

Allegro: Len, stop sulking around in there.
Len: ... Allegro? I heard all that noise down the hallway, but I didn't know it had anything to do with you... I guess I should have guessed.
Allegro: Yeah. Whatever, let's get out of here.
Len: Did you get the key to this door?
Allegro: I don't need it.

Allegro put his hand up to the lock and melted through it. He pushed the door open.

Allegro: Let's go. Being here isn't good for either one of us, and I'm seriously sick of that same meal day after day. I'm used to better than that.
Len: But where do we go? We have no idea where Heron and his friends are... and I can't leave Maria here.
Allegro: You need to stop that. She's trained in combat, she can protect herself.
Len: Not from Porky... none of us can protect ourselves from him.
Allegro: She can play a defensive game until she gets away, that's not hard. As for Heron, let's think. He's a smart boy, what's he looking for right now?
Len: A way to beat Porky, of course.
Allegro: So then, where would a lead for that be?
Len: The only place I can think of is Sector 2.
Allegro: Same place I had on my mind. Let's go there.

[Forte]

Len looked at Allegro. He couldn't believe that the man who mere days ago he believed was his enemy was now his comrade.

Allegro: Len? What's with that goofy look? You didn't forget that I'm a guy did you?

Len blinked a few times and shook his head.

Len: Wha.. Oh. Woah! No! I was just lost in thought.
Allegro: Well, find yourself. Let's get out of this hellhole.
Len: Allegro, I'll teleport you to Sector 2 and then come back. I refuse to leave without Maria.
Allegro: That important to you, huh? Sometimes I wonder if I would be happy with someone to care about like that.
Len: I'm sorry that I'm making a fuss over it like this, but it would be wrong to leave her here. Porky's only using her as a tool to keep me in check... and if I'm not here, she won't live.
Allegro: I understand that. Remember, where I come from, this was what we called politics. It has a different meaning to you, though.
Len: So then, you ready to go to Sector 2?
Allegro: And leave you weaponless here like this? Two teleports would wear you down and you wouldn't even be able to use your offensive PSI. I'm staying and helping you find her.
Len: What? But what about Heron and the others?
Allegro: They're fine. What's in Sector 2 to hurt them?
Len: I guess you're right.
Allegro: Right then. Let's find her and get out.

Allegro started off. Len stood there for a moment and thought about more things.

Len: Hey, Allegro...
Allegro: What?
Len: I never have really gotten to know what caused your change of heart like this, but thanks for it.
Allegro: What change of heart? Just because my aggression is being used against our true enemies you don't think it's bad anymore? That's pretty shallow.
Len: No, that's not it... Even back before you tried taking over, you wouldn't have readily helped me with anything. You've changed a bit, but I guess now isn't the time for me to worry about that.
Allegro: Whatever you say. If you want to know the truth, when you fought against me, both in Sector 2 and up top here, you showed me for the first times ever that you were indeed a leader worth following, especially after showing compassion about Adagio even when I had killed Hauptstimme. So there's your answer - I finally recognize you as a leader.
Len: Oh... That means a lot to me, Allegro... and I'm still sorry abut Adagio.
Allegro: You're stupid, aren't you? Look, if I had any question in my mind that Adagio is actually dead, I wouldn't have been so careless when you met me here. Adagio, when you decommissioned him from Sector 7, spent all of his time from that point forward working with the medical unit. Thanks to his brilliance in weapons development coupled with the research the medical unit had already produced, he developed an extension to our mechanical parts that protects them from exactly one electricity-overload based shutdown. Maria, Adagio, and myself were the only ones to receive the upgrade before I tried to take over, but since you're protected by that thing Hauptstimme gave you, I doubt you'll ever need anything of the sort.
Len: ... Bu... But... He was... dead! There was no sign of life at all!
Allegro: More of his planning ahead. See, the only reason anyone would attack us with lightning based powers is if they intended to kill us or disable us. To get the leg up on this, he designed it to keep the mechanical aspect or aspects of our bodies running at only 2% of their potential after the initial attack. This would provide an element of surprise when we bounced right back into the game. The 2% system lasts for exactly 30 minutes on his and my hearts, and 10 minutes on Maria's body. Apparently, something like this had already been created in the past, but it was only an aspect of the battle helmet. The pro to that system was that it was unlimited, the con being that your helmet couldn't be removed or knocked off or else you were toast.
Len: 2% use of a heart? Wouldn't that still kill you?
Allegro: According to his calculations, it was enough support for bear minimum survival. Virtually everything else shuts down, hence why he fainted. Of course, the thirty minutes thing virtually assures that the enemy is certain they've killed you, and leave you alone well before that much time passes by. Then, when the function goes back up to 100%, you're up and ready to go. The psychological impact of fighting the person you just fought and "killed" would be insanely effective.
Len: ... That's amazing. Adagio truly is a genius. Where is he now?
Allegro: If I knew that, he would be following us around right now, wouldn't he? If he knows anything about what's going on, he's probably sneaking around here right now, up to some form of no good. If he doesn't he'll find out. The lack of orders and updates from me should tell him something's wrong though.
Len: Right. Then we have two people to find.
Allegro: Now that we've cleared up that you're not guilty of anything, can we get along on our way?
Len: Yeah. Let's go.

Allegro and Len made their way out of the prison block, making sure to stay as low profile as possible. The prison block's exit was on the very first floor, much to the dismay of the pair, but it didn't really come as much of a surprise. Allegro looked around the corner of the hallway leading to the door they came from and scanned for guards or anyone else.

Allegro: All clear. You know, it would be such a help for you to have Maria's teleport power. The one that takes her to a person as long as she can think of their face, you know.
Len: Yeah...

Allegro rounded the corner and ran down to the entrance to another room with double doors.

Len: This is the laundry and shower room. Why are we here?
Allegro: Because I personally need a shower and a fresh pair of clothes. I feel like a hobo. I'm sure you're not minty fresh either, so you should be thanking me.
Len: Do we really have time fo-
Allegro: There's always time to be clean. It's next to godliness, you know.

Allegro walked in. Len stood outside for a moment thinking about why this would outweigh the matters at hand. The more he thought about it, the more the idea of a comfortable shower and new uniform grew on him. He walked in.

Allegro: Took you a while. Think there were guards all over in here?
Len: No, just contemplating a bit mo-

Allegro took off his undershirt. Len an awkward expression came over Len's face.

Allegro: ... What?! We're both men here.
Len: Yeah but even so, I'll never get used to it. You're just a bit too feminine for me to feel comfortable when you undress.
Allegro: Whatever. By the way, you may want to use the shower two or three down from mine. Only the hottest setting works for me.
Len: I'll make sure to keep that in mind.

After the two had their refreshing shower, they stepped out of the room and made sure there was no one around. Since Allegro didn't have another of his white uniforms available, he was now wearing the standard issue commander uniform, just like Len.

Allegro: Ah. Now doesn't that make you feel like you could take on the world?
Len: It makes me feel like I showered with a woman. But it is nice to feel refreshed like that.
Allegro: You just can't let it go, eh?
Len: Well... you know. By the way, we have some people to find. Let's drop this for now.

[Forte]

The intercom in the tower played a little jingle, alerting everyone to listen.

Intercom: This is Porky, your beloved king. I think it's important to alert everyone in Sector 1 and the tower that the pris...a...

The intercom went to static, and the lights began to flicker.

Len: That shouldn't happen. Ever. Something's up.
Allegro: That's Adagio. Never subtle. But then again, he's dead. No one expects this.

The intercom played its jingle again.

Intercom: It's your king again. It seems someone likes messing with the lights. I'm sure it's our former i....who ha....cap...

The intercom once again faded to static. The lights went out completely. The low hum of everything in the entire building powering down could be heard everywhere. It was now pitch black, as it was night outside. Allegro started a fire in his hand.

Allegro: Well, he got it that time. What an idiot, he knows the elevators won't work now, how does he expect us to find him?
Len: You forget, the main power supply isn't in the tower.
Allegro: You can't forget what you never knew. Where is it, then?
Len: It's outside, normally under heavy guard. It's located in the building that says it's a department store, but is never open. Adagio must have been doing his research.
Allegro: No, he just has the natural ability to pick up on strong sources of electricity. Let's go there before someone more dangerous than us gets to him first.
Len: Right.

The two headed for the front door. Since the power was out, the door wouldn't open. Allegro kicked through the glass a few times until almost all of it had fallen apart. The city outside had fallen into a panic without electricity. The normally eerily content and happy people were now outside of their homes and businesses causing quite a stir. Surprisingly enough, the outage didn't result in violence, but the packed streets were a bit of a problem.

Allegro: This is terrible. And in the middle of the night, too. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea.
Len: Well at least he told us where he is.

Allegro and Len pushed through the crowd towards the closed department store and made their way in. The air was thick with static, making Len and Allegro's hair stand. On occasion the static would build up enough to shock them.

Allegro: I just brushed my hair, this isn't funny.
Len: I think it's a pretty good look for you. You should have Adagio do that more often.
Allegro: Are you trying to piss me off, or are you perhaps insane?
Len: I'm just kidding. Adagio?! You still here? It's sort of dark, so maybe you should turn the power back on.
Adagio: Lento? Ah. So I guess Allegro told you about me?
Allegro: Yeah. Now turn the lights back on and let's get out of here before we're all killed by some huge discharge.
Adagio: I don't think that can happen, but it's a possibility either way... Ok, I'll get it back up.

Adagio lit up the area with a quick PK Thunder on the generator. The lights all over the sector came back on, and the large empty building filled with a strange purple and blue light. Adagio walked over to Len and Allegro. The group walked out of the buildling.

Adagio: So then, looks like something went straight to hell.
Allegro: Oh, you noticed?

The intercom played its jingle once again.

Intercom: LOOK I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT MAIN POWER SOURCE IS, STOP MESSING WITH IT... oh and by the way, I would like the entire sector to be on alert for the prisoners that escaped. Sorry about the whole... middle of the night announcement thing, but stuff like this happens at all times of the day, and I take it upon myself, as a responsible and benevolent ruler over you all, to keep my citizens safe. That is all, have a nice night.

Adagio: No one was asleep. It's only 23:00.
Len: Yeah. Whatever. You don't know how happy it makes me to know that you really are alive.
Adagio: Oh. I suppose you were probably a bit distraught about that. I'm sorry I had to pull the fake death move on you. Sure am glad you didn't bury me or something, that would have resulted disastrously.
Len: So wait... what was the point in fighting me, anyway?
Adagio: So that you would win and I would be removed from Porky's plan.
Len: You knew about Porky's plan?
Adagio: Knew about it makes it sound like I knew exactly what was going on, more like, I had a feeling that something was up. But now I know something is up and he has no idea that I'm alive, so there's no way that he's planned to have to deal with me.
Len: Oh... wow, you're pretty quick witted. Oh, by the way, do you know anything about Maria?
Adagio: Maria...?
Allegro: He means Rallentando. She apparently has a real name.
Adagio: Oh, her. Haven't seen her in a while. Is she still a quiet weirdo?
Len: No, she remembered everything, so she's back to normal.
Adagio: I don't understand what you mean by that, but don't bother explaining. So then... what's the plan?
Allegro: Don't look at me. We're kind of wanting to go to Sector 2, but Len has some problem with leaving Maria.
Adagio: Len...? Let me guess. Lento has a real name too?
Len: Yeah...

The intercom played its jingle once more.

Intercom: Oh by the way, Len, you do remember that I have Maria, right? I wouldn't go doing anything drastic while she's still in my control. Remember, she isn't someone I have to keep around.

The intercom fell silent.

Len: Adagio, you're pretty good at this. What do you make of his threat?
Adagio: I don't know him well enough to predict his movements exactly... but tell me, how arrogant is he?
Allegro: Extremely.
Adagio: Then he won't do anything to her without you here to watch, and would probably get much more enjoyment from watching you attempt to fight and then fail. Let's go do whatever we have to.
Len: I hope you're right, because I'm going to trust you.

[Forte]

Heron started to get bored of sitting around. He stood up and stretched.

Heron: Let's go help out Hauptstimme. We should have done that to begin with.
Falin: Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.
Toshi: Alright.

The three followed the path that Hauptstimme had taken to two large doors with a sign beside them, reading "Research Library" Heron opened the door and lead the group in. Hauptstimme, startled by the noise, turned and looked at them.

Hauptstimme: Oh. You. I thought something else might be coming in here. Need something?
Heron: No, we're just here to help you out.

Hauptstimme put down the book he was currently reading and took a heavy breath.

Hauptstimme: Great.
Falin: Great? You don't sound too excited... Something wrong?
Hauptstimme: Actually... yes there is.

Toshi started to laugh.

Heron: Eh? What's up, Toshi?
Hauptstimme: You clearly don't understand, do you?

Hauptstimme walked over to Toshi and put his hand on his face.

Heron: What are you doing?!
Hauptstimme: Watch and learn.

Toshi began to fade away as if he were made of fog. Hauptstimme smiled and walked away again. The tables and books near him began to be pushed away as if someone were sliding them out of his path.

Falin: ... What... What is this?
Heron: Something's up.
Hauptstimme: Something's up? Something's UP?! Ahahaha! You just gathered that?! Of course something's up. Do you know the meaning of the name Toshi?
Heron: Meaning? No. No, I don't. It's pretty unique.
Hauptstimme: Of course it is. It's a name from a country that no longer exists. A country that ceased to exist long before any of you were born. Toshi means reflective and mirror-like.
Heron: Like his barriers?
Hauptstimme: The normal person would assume so, but in my land there was a PSI taught only to the royal family that allowed them to take the shape of anything they had encountered. That is, anything or anyone. That royal family did not know, however, that the monks and priests had also learned the technique. It was a heavily guarded secret up until the fall of that country.

Hauptstimme began to haze up just like Toshi, except instead of disappearing, he seemed to be changing form. He turned into a young man with black hair tied into a long ponytail, yet very short on top and on the sides.

Toshi: This is my real form. This is the true Toshi. See, the name fits. Like a mirror. Anyone or anything I've ever seen, I can take the form of. I gain no powers from this, though I can still use my barriers. Every little detail about those people I take on, give or take a few discrepancies.
Toshi: Can't you draw your own conclusions about this? Come on, think hard.
Falin: That's why you looked like him, isn't it?
Toshi: ... Not where I was heading, but excellent deduction! It's about time you show that you're able to think for yourself!
Heron: You're working for Porky, aren't you? And you have been all this time.
Toshi: Score! Ever since we first met, I assumed your form and led you to believe that I was on your side.
Heron: Why didn't you just attack then?
Toshi: You would have readily fought with me then, and you and I both know that.
Falin: Then why not attack us later?
Toshi: Eh... To truly understand my methods, you need to understand my past.
Heron: Go on, then.
Toshi: Five decades after those original priests had learned the Mirror PSI, I became the first to be able to make a separate copy of myself using it. Then, I developed the PSI further, achieving the ability to make a copy of anyone or anything I had ever seen before. It was the perfect espionage skill, and that perfect skill lead me to aid in the destruction of the royal family. I joined a group made of nobles, priests, and peasants dedicated to overthrowing the royal family, and my unmatched skills quickly found me leader of the group. I knew exactly how to keep in good trust with my enemies until their weakest moment, when I knew they would be easily exploited. And that's you now. Easily exploited.
Heron: Fascinating. So you believe that right now, Falin and I are unprepared to attack you?
Toshi: Well... yeah. You are, right?
Heron: Did you overthrow that royal family?
Toshi: No, actually, I didn't. A lovely global war broke out and forced our entire country aside from women and children into battle.
Heron: You wouldn't have succeeded if that hadn't happened. You're too much of an idiot to successfully overthrow people. If you had just swooped over and attacked me while still disguised as Hauptstimme, I would have never seen it coming and would have played a defensive game until I had no other choice but to attack you. But look at you now. You've let me know your entire plan, everything about you, and most importantly, that you're an enemy. You've played a convincing game up to this point, but you just lost.
Toshi: ... I'll make you eat those words! You can't match my skill in combat!

Toshi drew the sword that Len gave him and pointed it at Heron.

Toshi: This sword was created for the royal family of my homeland. It's very familiar to me. Our king, who had been trained in the art of complete weapon independence, trusted his life to this sword above all else. The fact that it's in my hands today shows that I have indeed overthrown the royal family.

Heron grabbed his bat from his backpack and rushed up to Toshi, smacking the sword right out of his hand.

Heron: You're so stupid! The sword isn't magical. It's just an old sword. There's no skill in the sword, it comes from the man using it, and you, my friend, have no skill. You have barely shown me any fighting skills in the time we've been together, and shamefully, you rely on the attacks of others to actually do offensive damage. You have extremely poor timing, since in the fight with Porky, you could have let us all die, yet you felt that you were able to take care of us by yourself? Pathetic! Completely pathetic.
Toshi: ...
Heron: I don't even want to fight someone who's as big a loser as you are! You have failed your mission in a huge way. I'm amazed Porky would pick anyone as incompetent as you for this job.
Toshi: That so? My tricks sure did work on her parents.
Heron: What?
Toshi: Yeah. Remember when I told you I helped them escape? Yeah. I helped them escape. You want to find them, go diving in the ocean around that little patch of frozen hell.

A morbid look came over both Heron and Falin's face.

Toshi: I remember it like it was yesterday...

Toshi made two copies of himself and shifted their forms. One became a tall man with short cut brown hair and broad shoulders. His kind eyes rested calmly behind his glasses. The other took the form of a woman who looked like nothing more than an older version of Falin. Her dark red hair was styled in exactly the same fashion, even her calm face and distinctive purple hued eyes matched with Falin almost exactly.

Toshi: Oh, so you two want to get out of here? I can help with that, I'm absolutely perfect at escaping places like this.
Male Copy: Please, do help us. We desperately want to see our daughter again.
Female Copy: Do you have a plan for us already worked out?
Toshi: Of course I do! It'll be easy...

The two copies disappeared.

Toshi: I'm sure they disappeared exactly like that...

Falin stood shocked, tears streaming down her face.

Heron: He's making this up right? They looked nothing like your parents... right?

Falin fell to the ground and began to cry. She said something that Heron couldn't understand amidst her tears. Heron rushed at Toshi and swung his bat at Toshi's head. The attack was forced off by a barrier Toshi had created while telling his story.

Toshi: Aww. Poor thing! Both of you. Remember what I said? The only PSI that can break my shield is PK Ground. A stupid baseball bat from centuries ago won't do anything!
Heron: We'll see about that!

Heron swung again with more force than he had ever put into a swing. He resisted the bounce off force as best he could and continued to pressure the shield. A look of anger and surprise came over Toshi's face as he felt his shield draining his PSI energy.

Heron: What's the matter?! Shield draining you too fast? Don't run out of PSI just yet, you bastard, or cold metal will meet warm flesh faster than you want it to.

Toshi created a larger shield to push Heron away from him.

Heron: You can't keep me off of you! Keep pushing me away, I'll just come right back, stronger than before!

Heron stopped cold for a moment. He thought about that chimera that was here somewhere. Before he could even think about what he was doing, it was in the room with them, standing between him and Toshi.

Toshi: What?! How did you do this?! Am I seeing things or what?!

The chimera let out its unearthly and soul shaking roar, its eyes fixed on Toshi. Heron stepped back a bit, eyes wide at what he had just done. He turned around and ran towards Falin, picking her up and carrying her out of the room. He shut the doors behind him and blocked them off with a table that was in the small room outside.

Toshi: What are you doing?! You're not going to let this thing eat me are you?! WHAT IF I WAS LYING TO KEEP YOUR SPIRITS DOWN? WHAT ABOUT THAT, HERON?!

The sound of Toshi's PSI shield being forcefully destroyed shook the small room. It was a sound unlike anything Heron had ever heard before, almost like a mix of breaking glass and tearing paper. The last sound that came from the room was Toshi letting out a terrible ear splitting scream.

[Forte]

Heron and Falin sat there in the now still tower, the silence broken only by Falin's sobs. Heron was still shaking from somehow producing the chimera like he had, and couldn't believe he had even done it. A very fatigued feeling suddenly fell on him, and he remembered that under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have been able to move that fast, especially carrying another person.

Heron: If you needed any more reason to hate Porky... There it goes.
Falin: I... What am I going to do now?
Heron: What do you mean?
Falin: I always knew that chances were high I would never see them again... And I probably could have lived with that... but seeing fakes disappear like that, and after he gave me some hope... Why is it that anyone could ever be like that?
Heron: If I could find the cause of people like him, and Porky... I would make sure to get rid of it. Come on. Let's get out of here before that thing figures out how to open doors. I don't want to join Toshi as Chimera Chow.

Heron got up. That same fatigue came over him again, and he could barely bring himself to move his legs.

Falin: How did you do it?
Heron: Huh?
Falin: How did you make it appear?
Heron: I can't figure it out. All I know is that I was overwhelmed with thoughts of it. I can't even explain why I thought about it, but then it was in there with us.
Falin: It's a reverse, isn't it?
Heron: A reverse?
Falin: You used your teleport power backwards. Instead of taking yourself somewhere else, you brought something else to you.
Heron: That makes a lot of sense... mostly. I didn't know it could happen like that... but maybe Len knows. When we meet up with him again, I'll ask him.

There was suddenly quite a lot of noise coming from the main lobby.

Allegro: You're crazy!
Len: What?
Allegro: Teleporting. You either have nerves of steel, or you're crazy. And I'm going for crazy.
Len: What's crazy about teleporting?
I felt like I was going to die! How about that?!
Len: That doesn't make any sense! If I do it all the time, how is it going to kill anyone?
Allegro: It... just looks weird. Extremely weird.

The loudest voice was easily distinguishable as Allegro.

Heron: That's... Allegro!
Falin: What do you think he's here for? On top of that... how did he get here?
Heron: I don't know... let's go check it out.

Heron and Falin walked to the lobby. It was indeed Allegro, along with Len and, to Heron's surprise, Adagio.

Len: Hey! I knew we'd find you here.
Allegro: Well at least that trip wasn't a waste... Am I supposed to still feel dizzy?
Len: You aren't supposed to feel dizzy at all. You kept your eyes open, didn't you?
Allegro: I was supposed to close them?!
Len: I forgot to tell you that?
Adagio: Shut up, you two. Why not take a look at these two. For one, they've been in a fight, and secondly, notice that I said "two".
Len: ... Where's Toshi?
Heron: Long story... Is that really Adagio?
Len: Yeah... That's a weird way to ask, though. Wanna explain what happened here?
Heron: Yeah, sure.

Heron told Len, Allegro, and Adagio everything that had happened from the time they were separated to now.

Len: That's an adventure. Allow me to say though, I've never heard of anyone reverse teleporting something. Adagio, do you know anything about it?
Adagio: I know quite a bit about everything I just heard. Let me start by saying that Toshi ignored the opportunities to kill you because he still had that ambition to become king. Obviously, he figured you two would be able to take down Porky, and then he would become king, easy as that.
Falin: But how did he know about PK Ground? Allegro, did you really ever tell him anything about it?
Allegro: Toshi? Of course not. I didn't know PK Ground was real, no documented users, nothing like that. I'm in charge of PSI Research, not PSI Mythology. Adagio, any of this make sense to you?
Adagio: It makes sense. If his job was to create barriers, it would be top priority to know what would potentially ruin you, hence, PK Ground. He would never have been able to learn it though. No one knows PK Ground anymore.
Heron: That's not true.
Adagio: You know of someone who knows PK Ground?
Heron: No, no... the learning thing. I taught myself PK Thunder...
Adagio: Taught yourself, huh? We'll see about that later. Next up is the matter of your reverse teleportation. I'm pleased to say I know absolutely nothing about how it could ever be done.
Len: Nothing at all?
Adagio: The power of teleportation is foreign to me, and my knowledge on the subject is limited. It's why I never could design a weapon based around your specialty... speaking of which...

Adagio un-clipped some things from his belt. He handed two of them to Allegro and the other two to Len.

Adagio: I managed to get your scythe back, Allegro. I'm sure you grew accustomed to it. As for you, Len, let me introduce you to your new weapons. These two swords are somewhat linked to your power of teleportation. I don't really know what they'll augment... so you'll have to experiment. Otherwise, they're just like the two swords you used to use.
Len: Oh, thanks. Do I activate them like you two activate yours?
Adagio: Yeah. In order to power them up like we do ours, you just have to expend the energy you would use in a teleport on them. It'll work out... or should. If we had a bit more time on our hands, and some more order, then you could have properly tested them and everything.
Len: That's ok. More surprises for Porky... Say, when did you make these, anyway?
Adagio: I designed prototypes for unique weapons based on all seven of our unique PSI powers after you removed me from Sector 7. Needless to say, I had a lot of free time on my hands. Shamefully, there is no concrete prototype of the weapons I had designed for Hauptstimme and Rallentan... Maria, you said her name was... nor did I get around to making any for Zahlzeit and Brio. Guess three of those don't matter anymore.
Allegro: Well? Everything settled here?
Falin: We still don't know if the Shield Stealer is really destroyed or not.
Adagio: I think we can be pretty sure it's gone. Again, anything that poses a risk to PSI Shields, Toshi should have known a lot about. We'll just have to do without it.

[Forte]

Not an update so much as a quick and easy summary of yet another post that site down decided to ruin. It's funny how the only ones this happens to is vs Porky posts.

Summary:

The group teleports back to Porky's room, Porky says some cocky things about how he's going to kill everyone in the world without the Dark Dragon because they're all in one place, Len tells Maria and Falin to go evacuate as many people as possible by using Heron's parents as help. Len, Allegro, Adagio, and Heron engage Porky in combat. Adagio figures out that if anything resonates with Porky's shield, it can get through, so he uses his PK Thunder to make himself resonate with the shield. He slips through and fries the shield with a powerful discharge. Porky goes into battle mode and proceeds to take care of business. Len finds out that activating his PK Teleport through his swords lets him attack in the future, but the power wears off after a successful hit.

We'll get back to this whenever I feel like updating it again.