...
I should be able to sense whether or not he tapped into that Oscar power... but no dice. So he chose to sink after all.
Perhaps he realized he was out of his league and chose to give up. I guess being utterly pathetic is hereditary.
Anyway, I know for sure that even an attack like that isn't enough to destroy those trinkets. I'll just grab them from the old man's ashes and move on. Who knows? Maybe I'll bat 3 for 3 and find his dau--
Eh?
I wanted to let you keep your ridiculous delusion a bit longer. But your vile nature left me no choice.
Next time, I'll sever your legs.
Y-you..!!
You don't get to wear that suprised expression. I sure as hell already made it clear this wasn't a game. If you get caught lacking, then that's your own fault. Not mine.
Shut up..! You just got lucky!
It won't happen again!
We'll see about that.
Rrgh!
How are you doing this!?
....
...as if I didn't already know.
Guh...!
VFX powers... I forgot that you have your very own V-Watch as well.



But it's not enough. I was puzzled at first, but I can anticipate all your actions now. You won't get me with that one again.
(Damn...) Y...you think so?
...I dunno what this is all about, but I ain't here to kill. It ain't even a family thing, I...fine, I forgot about you, but you're here, and more importantly, you just did that.
Look, Doc, I'll be honest with you. Sudden attack aside, we'd pretty much moved on from you. The six-no, the nine of us have stuck together through thick and thin, and however it played out, we were there for each other.
I don't care what you think you deserve. I'm not gonna kill you, I don't WANT to kill you for no reason, I don't care what you say about justifying or whatever...
I know we couldn't bring you here, but you came back and the first thing you did was try and hurt us.
Forget justifying, forget "what's gotta be done"...tell us why you're here, and why the first thing you did was hurt us.
...Very well. I will tell you everything... If for no other reason than the fact that you deserve to know. To both understand why I did all this, or why I'm even here... As well as the kind of person Coda truly is, assuming you haven't figured it out already.
...A dreary place around here, isn't it?
Wh-what the-!? You're...!
...N-no, wait... You're not Bass... Who ARE you?
Ah, how insightful... Indeed, I am not Bass, though I was... "built" off of his model, in a manner of speaking. You may refer to me as Coda.
And I must say, to notice right away that I am just a mere lookalike of Bass... You are as smart as I had predicted... Dr. Oswald Rozner.
...How... How did you know my name?
Because, doctor... I've been doing my research. Frankly, what happened to your world is nothing short of a tragedy.
But... That's impossible... How-
Well, Doc... With the time I myself have spent in the Void, especially considering how meaningless time is in such a realm...
...I was able to pick up a few little tricks.
Are you... alright...?
I'm fine... As a matter of fact, this is one of the reasons why I've come to you. I have all of this incredulous power... Power that I am certain would have many benefits to so many others.
...But this body... it is incapable of using even the slightest amount of it without causing physical strain. I require a new body. One capable of withstanding the use of such power in its fullest form.
...But in order to achieve such a body... I need a brilliant scientist to make one for me. A robot cannot physically upgrade itself so simply, after all.
...But... Why me? If you can seemingly go wherever you desire... Why not go to Dr. Light, or Dr. Cossack?
Ah, but that's the other thing. You see, doctor... A robot like myself, with a power of incredible, and even infinite possibilities... Is one that is destined for greatness.
...And yet... In the world I once came from, I cannot help but to feel like I am... forgettable. And not only do I wish to prove such to be incorrect... I wish to be able to help those who have, too, been forgotten to be granted their spot in the limelight once more. To be TRULY remembered, and reach the level of greatness that they have always been destined for.
...I... I see.
But, even still... Why me in particular? Surely, there is someone else you could turn to?
Perhaps. But in my search for the one who could help me attain the body I need to host my full power, I found a source of... inspiration.
...Dyna...
Incredible, isn't it? This Dyna Man... your very creation... has been able to utilize such an incredible power. ...And believe it or not, there is something... more... that he has yet to truly tap into.
...And yet, in terms of concept... he was made to be no more of an ordinary Robot Master than the others you have made... Being one of, if not the VERY, first of your creations. If this one robot in particular holds such amazing power and potential... I could only IMAGINE what the full trio- or even your doubly-sized second line of robots- are capable of, both on their own... and as a team.
Heck, maybe even that Tox Man of yours is capable of more than what he was made for.
...But, I digress. If even your Robot Masters are capable of holding such power... And even then, the achievement you made with your CRORQ Supercomputer... I cannot think of any other person in- or in this case, removed from- all of reality who could create the perfect body for my power than you.
...And, then, once my body is complete... With my power, and your potential genius combined... There is NOTHING that we cannot accomplish.
...So, what do you say? Think of all the wonderful things that can be accomplished... What we could bring to the world... And beyond.
And all you have to do... Is join me, and do EVERYTHING I tell you to.
...
...As tempting as your offer is... I'm afraid I'll have to pass. I... can't help but feel as though I'm not being told the whole truth.
...So you don't trust me, then.
Well, it's not quite the words I'd use... But while what you're saying sounds promising... There's something about you that tells me that I shouldn't agree to this.
...In that case... As I said before, the power that I hold is one of infinite potential benefits.
...So, in return for your services... Perhaps, one of those benefits...
...Could be the complete restoration of your very world.
...I...I'll be real, I don't blame you, Doc. You had no real way of knowing what he was gonna do, and not a lot of options...
*
...I've known for a while that Coda guy is trouble...
...but he keeps hiding behind his playthings so that he isn't the one getting broken...
...*sigh* I just...I had no clue he made it this personal to you.
...I want to apologize for not saying this to the rest of you sooner, but...Dr. Rozner, as much as I had some awareness of your involvement for a while, not even I had any clue Coda was manipulating you as much as he wanted to us.
...Sonic Dude, we're not mad at you. I dunno how anyone could've known how deep this went...
...I do feel there is much I could say, Rozner, regarding my fears of the disgusting loopholes Coda may have planned even if he did wish to grant your wish...but something tells me you've had those fears yourself.
...So...what do we do now?
I...I'm a little worried about that.
Dr. Rozner, I do trust you, I really, really, really do...
...but with what Coda does to people who do listen to him, I'm scared if something is coming that we don't know.
...and so I figured if anyone I knew has the right thing to say, maybe it'd be you.
...
...well, I do think I know the incident that led you to think of me. I suppose it would seem appropriate, too, given its context†...
And I do think I have some thing to say about this situation. But it's from something else. Something I've faced more recently.
...?
I want to start by saying I used to be very open to doing whatever I could to get the shrine's name out there. Even if I had a regret like that once before, I didn't take it back until after it may as well have been to save my own publicity†...
...but there's something that happened last year that felt like a warning of where my methods would take me.
I've spared most people the details for the sake of not giving them fear over something they can't control, but, put simply...
...I was given an offer. And in my pragmatism, I took it. The offer seemed innocuous on the surface, but there was an agenda deep within. One that involved things nobody deserves to face.
...and yet that agenda, itself, was more of a misguided call for help. None within the company who offered knew, but there was another force keeping them restrained. And that force's plans...I don't even want to say.
But they made me want to find that force. For a few months, I was dedicating everything to trying to find them and get the first strike.
*sigh* My search was empty-handed. And that was when I felt I needed to change my stance - forgive me for stalling, but this is where I think this could play into what you're facing.
I do not spend every waking moment trying to fight them. Not out of apathy, but out of the realization that, right now, I have nothing in my power to stop them safely, and trying would only hurt my chances as helping those I could help at the moment. But I do remember that they are a problem, and if an honest, safe opportunity arose, I would take it. Even if I learned something small, I'd do what I could, even if it didn't get me to a direct confrontation. Put simply, I wait until I can fight it without being reckless.
And I would suggest something similar for your case. Even if Gemini TV has the resources to keep an immediate attack of their property from turning more people against them, there may be things they do that have even small effects to their benefit. Fighting that can be as simple as not buying a product from them or a subsidiary. And even if you don't speak it as often or violently - it can be something as small as saying "I don't like what they do" when someone offers, without even meaning it against whoever offered - it can make a difference. It will be small and gradual, yes, but I think it will have greater effect in the long run. Much as I hope my own searches will have greater effect in the long run...
...thanks for the advice, Ms. Yasaka.
Uh, y-yeah, thank you.
Lady Kanako, have you seen Lady Suwako?
Wh...you haven't seen her yet today?
I've been looking all day, I don't know where she went!
...Truth be told, something I should've realized long ago... was that he had zero intention of following through with his promise from the very start.
It wasn't until I helped him in creating the Coda Corruption alongside another scientist that I started to realize his evil intentions... But even then, I still held onto that hope that he would follow through with his promise. I even clung onto the belief that the heroes of this world would be able to purge it of the Corruption, finding the good in the evil I was working with.
...But I was meant to encounter you as far back as the situation in Wood Zone... and it was when I was called back for the sole reason that none of you were there that I had come to realize that I was only being used as a source of emotional turmoil for you.
...But now that I've been defeated... I myself am unsure of what comes next. Truth be told... I have reasons to believe that Coda expected for me to meet some form of demise.
...Though, there are those who have left Coda's group that have been left alone before... Perhaps he's not even aware that I am still alive. So, perhaps I can-
With all the information you know? Sorry to say, doctor...
...But Coda has decided to make an exception.
...Is that... the best... you've got...?
ENOUGH OF THIS!
DIE!!!!!
Huh? What just happened...?
...It's just as I thought. Scourge had all that power... Power that only grew stronger over time, without limit...
...But he had no means of truly controlling it. In the end... His arrogance was his downfall.
〈...So, does this mean that he's...?〉
I wouldn't say he's dead per se...
GAH! What the...!?
What is this place...?
...You're going to be here for a LONG time.

BIT, NO, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT HE COULD DO!!!
Does she not leave notes like this usually?
No, she doesn't. She definitely wrote this, but I don't know why...
(I don't care if I have to search the whole damn planet. We've let Otto wait for too long, and I am going to find a path to the Confines.)
Fool... I was trained under the second strongest being in the ENTIRE hierarchy, EONS before you were even conceived. If it wasn't for that undeserving SLACKER, Robbie Rotten, I probably could've had a place on that hierarchy myself. What's more, I have been undergoing further combat training during my time as General of the Heeta Force*.
...Perhaps if I had appeared much sooner, that Dyna Man of yours might have a slight chance of giving you the edge; I have, after all, underwent the effects of aging. Even someone like myself who has been gifted eternal life through the training of the gods are subject to it without a proper divine status.
...However, thanks to Coda not only amplifying my training further, but ALSO finding a way to restore me to the prime of my youth...
...NONE of you could ever defeat me. Not together, and certainly not on your own.
...Fortunately, I was only here to carry out an order from Coda. And besides... The objects of my revenge are something of a... HIGHER status.
But for now... I bid you all farewell.
...Why are you wearing a christmas outfit?
Christmas soon.... Gotta get ready for it early...
....Its the middle of may-
Y'know, it always feels like you two should've had a third member to your little team
hm? you mean like Kaard, Or vyers? Or those two guys who followed along with us for a while?
No, no, I mean someone more permanent! you two always seem like your missing a third guy to complete your trio!
A trio? like Thea and her sisters?
Exactly! you need a third to complete your weapon triangle! another asshat of a general with a lance or using thunder magic so you can be the trio of self obsessed know-it-alls!
How interesting, I can only assume that the sudden blooming of these flowers means that i am not alone, Reveal yourself, now.
Oh hello! Don't mind me, i was just wondering if i could ask a few questions to you? you see i need to reunite with someone i care a lot about, and i have reason to believe that you know wh-
I have no time for your idle chit chat or your friend, i have more important tasks.
...I should've understood you wouldn't be willing to help me, If you won't help me find Gyro voluntarily
I'll get your help by force.
Plant man T
Welp. If your boy knows what's good for him, he'll bust out those whatchamacallits that you seem so fond of hyping up. Although he's done a alright job of hanging in there without them.
....John.
Uh... Yeah? 'Sup?
I know you, along with Rambo and Segata went away a few months ago to train. What... exactly happened to the two of them?
Probably still well at the grind. They're determined to push back the limitations that's been keeping them from stopping any threat thus far...
Makes sense. And you're not with them why..?
....I think I've made enough progress. I just happened to find my own path to more power faster than they did.... it'll be a long time before I can get any notably stronger than I am now, so I figured I may as well get back to you.
Hah. Sounds to me like you're makin' excuses to slack off. Never figured you for a lazy guy, but at this rate, you'll be the weakest one out of us.
Are you sure about that? I think I'm plenty stronger than all three of you as I am now. Combined.
Plenty what?... Those are dangerous words, John. I hope you can back 'em up...
Whatever man, we're getting distracted. We still have to supervise what's happening. And by "supervise", I mean watch the entire thing unfold and provide generic exposition.
Sure. Delay the inevitable. After this is all said and done, I'll gladly pound some sense into--
!!?
You're wrong. This isn't the full extent of my VFX abilities... you'd do well to keep that in mind.
Hnnh. I can't even tell if you're bluffing, or if you're serious. But I guess there's only one way to find out which is which. I'm dying to know.
But you, on the other hand... you're just dying.
(He created a weapon from the place I slashed him... probably a side effect of using the Black Film's power....)
(Fine then.)
Hmph.
!!!
GRK... AAAHK!!! AAAAAAAGH!
You're finished.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAA...!!!!
...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! AAHAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
!!?
Incredible power... I may have a challenge on my hands after all.
However... you still fell for it... fool!
Sl-
THUNDER CROSS SPLIT ATTACK!!!
I've been waiting for you, Mae-
...
...I was wondering how you managed to avoid such a deadly technique. Now it makes obvious sense.
...
...I take back my snark from before... I don't think I've ever fought anyone more worthy than you..
So come on! Give it everything you've got!
You asked for it.
Hrk...!!
Ngh!
Hmmm.
(He can anticipate all my defensive manuevers on the fly. Sei won't be as effective.)
Hrnn...!
I know you have more than this, Black...I want you to show me everything!
(I can feel him getting drastically stronger with every punch he throws... If I don't end this fast, I won't have a shot at winning at all.)
(.....It won't end that way. I'll stop this cretin before he can harm anyone else.... just like he did to you...
...
Sorry...what did I mi-?
woah
So he just kept on growing bigger and bigger no matter how many attacks we launched at him! That what when I decided to call over the Six Majin and show that big oaf what for!
I'm sure that made for an epic battle. As have many other of your adventures.
You could say that. A lot of adventures, a lot of foes, a pretty groovy life. It's been fun. Mostly. Kinda.
I'm amazed. You've grown quite powerful. It's impressive.
Yeah, well I'd beg to differ there. I was pretty helpless against guys like the Koopalings, Knack, Shake King, and even Alastor... learning martial arts stuff better gave me an edge, but I still couldn't pull through in the end.
Don't put yourself down... you've done the best you can. I'm proud of you. As I'm sure your father likely is as well...
Oh yeah. I kinda forgot about the old man... I wonder what's going on with him. Kind of a relief knowing he's still kicking as we speak...
If only I could feel the same way about you.
Hmmm?
I don't take pleasure in seeing my own son satisfied at his life being cut short. You should be far more concerned about what's happening in the mortal realm without you. Think of Jet.
Fair point... but it is what it is, right? Alastor was too strong for me. Maybe if I coulda gotten stronger I I could've stood up to him. But I didn't. Like you said, I did everything I could.
Besides... he's still got Jasmine out there. And Dante can still kick Alastor's ass for me in the name of vengeance.... they got no need for me out there. Everything's fine in the end.
You're wrong.
H-huh!? What was that for!?
Look into my eyes, Joe... There is no greater despair a parent can suffer than the feeling of outliving their own child. Your father may act the part of someone strong, but I can guarantee you that the face of your own corpse will haunt him forever. Your battle is far from over.
I don't like what happened either, but what am I supposed to do!? I tried everything I could think of to beat Alastor! None of it worked! I failed Dante, I failed Master Oogway, and I failed everyone else who believed in me!
...
...Speaking of Oogway, I believe he gave you some very powerful words on this very subject...
It's true things are simply the way they are... but that doesn't mean we lack a say in our own destiny.
You didn't fall because you were meant to perish. You fell because you were meant to rise up again more powerful than ever. Above all else, you need the strength of will to cast all doubts aside head-on.
...
Joe. Freely cast all your cares aside. Do that, and I think you'll see a brighter side... where all your sorrows start to shine.
2849 Comments