Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A year and two months later, on Mount Nantai…

Spyra: Alright. I’m not detecting any air traffic, so we’ve got time for a quick briefing.

Multi: Don’t need it, Spyra. I made the mission files.

Spyra: Still, doesn’t hurt. Approximately 56 hours ago, we discovered a Zapfish signature on Mount Nantai, the Inkadia borderline for Octarian territory.

Multi: And the day before that, I’m walking around finding posters of a missing pet Zapfish. Related? Probably. A trap by someone un related? Definitely.

Spyra: Which is why you’ve got your new sword.

Multi briefly pulls the new Splatterslash out to inspect it.

Multi: Right. What’s our enemy lineup?

Spyra: Seems they’re deadset on an ambush. It’s only the River Citylings. And…only three of them.

Multi: Correction, the remaining three.

Spyra: Right…but there’s another problem.

An image pops up on Multi’s revised HUD.

Spyra: This droid seems to be an altered clone of Commander Tartar, named Lieutenant Monsoon.

Multi: So you’re saying there’s multiple Tartars…shit. Why didn’t you tell me this back when I escaped?

Spyra: Simply didn’t exist yet; this is very recent. But there’s 4 in total…Tartar, NERU, Monsoon and something just labeled ‘Phone’. 

Multi: I don’t like the sound of that.

Spyra: Not only that…but one of the Riverlings has been given some sort of enhanced suit that puts her on his level.

Multi: Hmph…I’ve got a new sword and better reflexes this time. They won’t be an issue.

Spyra: The EPDF isn’t aware of the Winds of Destruction, nor equipped to handle them and this base, like other Wind bases, is off the radar.

Multi: And that’s why we’re here.

Spyra: …Ready, operator?

Multi: It’s go time.

Cyber Shadow OST - Chapter 1 (1/2) Geothermal Towers - Reupped w/Intro (Extended)

The bike stops, and Multi drops down.

MISSION START

Spyra: I’ve got the signal narrowed down to a few hundred meters, but I can’t pinpoint it. Head to that tower and get the Ultra Signal jamming my radar. And try and keep it quiet. There’s no organic enemies I’m detecting, but it’s been a year and some. We don’t know what they’ve got up their sleeves. And Sanitized are undead.

Multi: Got it. I’ll switch to nitrogen to lower my temperature.

Spyra: Won’t be able to swim because it’ll evaporate in seconds, but no heat-based detection, and you can freeze hazards to make them harmless. Smart.

OBJECTIVE

Disable the enemy Ultra Signal.

An icy Multi proceeds forward, careful not to avoid detection from the various cameras and sneaking into the tower through a vent in squid form.

Multi: Unarmored vents? This seems like an oversight.

Spyra: Seems they underestimated how readily squids can fit into small spaces.

Multi scales the tower, crawling up the vents.

?: There’s a life signature somewhere in the building…cold, but somehow alive. Find it.

Multi: [Crud…]

Spyra: [Don’t panic. They may know we’re here, but we can still get the drop on them.]

Multi uses his echolocation Hero Sight, and discovers and promptly navigates to a room with a single octoling, seemingly wearing odd clothing.

On visual inspection, it’s indeed one of the Riverlings, with a cybernetic combat suit fused with Kamabo armor.

?: Sure you can handle it, Kimika?

Multi: (Finally, a name to put to one of these jerks.)

Whatever’s in there hasn’t left yet, and if they got a hand on that Ultra Signal,

Kimika: -You and the Zapfish we nabbed would be exposed. I know. Don’t worry, I’ve got it and this intruder’s not getting through me.

?: But what if…

Kimika: It’s the renegade Ultrasquid? The only problem I see is his designation. Yeah, he sent Ahmya and Asuga back to the underground, but I’ve got my enhancements this time; he won’t be an issue.

?: Alright. Hopefully whatever’s around will just mind their own business and leave.

Multi: [The lion, the witch and the audacity of this fish.]

Spyra: [Geez, doubled her limbs…and that suit increases her basic combat abilities tenfold for every layer, which there are two of like the Kamabo armor. Completely bulletproof. ‘Specially with that helmet.]

Multi: [Bulletproof.]

Multi deviously pulls out a grenade, one of his own design.

Multi: [But not blastproof. And since I’m running liquid nitrogen, these are basically ice bombs.]

Spyra: [Play it safe, we gotta one-tap her. Throw 2.]

Multi: [3.]

Spyra: [Four?]

Multi: [Two sets of four.]

Spyra: [Good!]

Multi pulls out three more grenades, activates them, and drops them on Kimika.

“Why’d it get so cold-HUH?!”

*Szzzzzz*

[BREAK]

“The hell?! Ice?! Wait, my suit! I’m frozen; I can’t move!”

Multi drops the second wave of grenades.

Kimika: Guys! Guys, I’m under attack! Whatever’s here, it’s hostile and not looking to negotiate!

{ NO SIGNAL }

Kimika: Oh god, my communications are busted!

[BREAK]

Kimika’s expression goes from one of confidence to fear.

Kimika: …Oh cod, my armor…I’m defenseless…

[ X - Stealth Strike ]

While Kimika struggles to break free of the frozen armor, Multi drops down-

*Shing!*

And pulls out his sword.

“Hello there.”

“WHAT THE-”

*SWOOSH*

*SPLAT*

Multi grabs and rips apart the Ultra Signal.

[Ultra Signal secured!]

Spyra: We don’t need to be that hasty…

Multi: She’s likely got a respawn point and is calling the others. We don’t have time to be delicate.

Spyra: Point…

[ Lockdown in 60 seconds! ]

Multi: See?

Multi superjumps back into the vent and quickly exits the tower.

Spyra: Head north. Now that I can clearly sense the Zapfish, I’ve marked its location on your minimap.

OBJECTIVE

Head to the designated waypoint and rescue the Zapfish.

=Checkpoint!=

Multi navigates the outpost and surrounding forest, taking care not to be spotted by any Sanitized Octarians, making his way over;

Multi: Sigh…arena.

Spyra: Find Monsoon and blow his bass off!

Multi: Preemptive strike? Didn’t strike you as devious, Spyra.

Spyra: We gotta take any advantage we can get.

Multi uses Hero Sight to find the odd entity out, locks on,

Multi: Eat ice, idiots.

-and fires a homing missile at it. 

*BOOM*

4 figures roll into the arena away from the explosion. The three Riverlings, but also…

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2F64.media.tumblr.com%2Fa6083b2485bcee58808de506479ed219%2Ftumblr_pmdo3bWIRD1uy3066o3_1280.png&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=2b55de044d0090d6f8252ffea105e85f1509c2dae4df4692e396339b25baa23f&ipo=images  

“Holy shit, that’s cold! Is that liquid nitrogen?!”

“That’s the one! Tore right through my armor!”

“Well, no wonder you were defeated so handily. Get me out of this alive and I might consider having the Commander spare you from Kamabo.”

“Do you have to send her down there?!”

“Tartar’s rule. You get splatted above ground, you get sent back down and can’t come up for another 3 years.”

Spyra: Fire another one!

Multi does so, direct impacting the Riverlings and freezing their ink.

Monsoon: Ok, that’s not fair!

Spyra: And one more!

Anything you can think of…

Multi switches to a plasma ooze, locks on, moves a bit, and fires at Monsoon directly…

But a shiv coated in purple electricity comes out of nowhere and intercepts it.

{INKSTRIKE WARNING}

Spyra: Carp, cover’s blown! Time to rumble!

Multi: Oh, come the hell on!

With a split-second decision, Multi goes for the bubbled Zapfish, popping the bubble and grabbing the panicking Zapfish inside.

“You’ll be alright, little guy. Stay close. Actually no, bad idea.”

And then…the confrontation.

Monsoon: How pleased you are to chop away…Agent Zero.

Multi: Nobody calls me that anymore.

Monsoon: Oh, we both know that’s a lie.

Multi: …

Monsoon: I am Lieutenant Monsoon, vice president to Kamabo Co, military sector of the Winds of Destruction.

Multi: Yeah. I guessed as much. So that’s your gimmick? Telekinetic powers?

Monsoon: Perhaps. Far less brutal than you feasting off the blood of your enemies.

Spyra: Low blow! You know my operator can’t regenerate, you made him unable to regenerate quickly!

Monsoon: How easily you ignore the loss of life when it suits your convenience.

Multi: So? You’re far worse. You corrupt anyone you can get your hands on and wield literal genocide guns. And besides, most of who I splat respawns. Even your Riverlings.

Monsoon: Your ends do not justify your means.

Multi: I call total bullshit and you know why I’m calling bullshit.

Monsoon: Then tell me…who saves the weak from the man who saves the weak?

Spyra: You could by not putting them in danger in the first place! You’re the ones exploiting them!

Multi: You take advantage of their weakness. Of course they get hurt, when you set them up as your living shield!

Monsoon: Kill or be killed, Mult! Clap or get clapped! The Commander taught us that.

Multi: Of course. And don’t you worry, you won’t be apart for long. Once I’m done scrapping you and razing this whole outpost to the ground, he’s next.

Monsoon: Good luck finding him if you even survive. 

Multi: …The Statue of David. Either that or somewhere off in the desert where nobody would think to look.

Monsoon: …You really do have Neo’s genius. And we did give you a part of our knowledge. Bits and pieces here and there.

Multi: But nothing of your plans.

Monsoon: Of course we wouldn’t, definitely not straight away. You could easily break your chains if you knew you were fighting for the extinction of your own species. Unlike your sister, you’ve always been…rebellious.

Multi: And you knew because humanity made child soldiers all the time.

Spyra: Especially in the 50-year World War V…95% of the remaining human race was destroyed. The rest were sent into cryopods, which malfunctioned and failed…The only known survivor is-

Multi: Professor Neo. (Not only that, but I know about Judd from the Sunken Scrolls.)

Monsoon: Looks like Spyra has been educating you. Of course, that is classified information, so let me tell you something before I end you…

“War is a cruel parent, but an effective teacher. And its final lesson is coded into all the Tartars’ core: That this world, and all its people, are diseased. Free will is a myth. Religion is a joke. We are all pawns, controlled by something greater;”

Monsoon: …Memes. The DNA of the soul. They shape our will, they are the culture -- they are everything we pass on. Whether it be to the next generation, or successor to humanity entirely, like you “Inklings” and “Octolings”. Among other marine life.

“From the dawn of time, mankind has desired nothing more than to fight. It’s not just habit, it’s nature. Expose someone to anger long enough, they will learn to hate. They become a carrier. Envy, greed, despair…All memes. All passed along.”

“How about ‘full of shark shit?’ Is that a meme?”

“You can’t fight nature, Prismwater. Wind blows, rain falls, and the strong prey upon the weak. Spyra and you both say you see your weapons as tools. Things that keep peace and save lives - means of justice. A positively exquisite meme. It spares you the burden of all the pain you’ve inflicted, absolved you of guilt when you enjoyed it. Don’t lie, you denied that you revel in these powers of yours…”

Monsoon: That is, until the illusion was broken. Don’t be ashamed; It’s only nature, running its course. You have no choices to make; nothing to answer for.

Monsoon readies his blades.

“You can die with a clear conscience.”

“One one hand, you’ve got a point. About me, I mean. But on the other hand? Clear conscience? Bullshit.”

Monsoon: Hm?

Multi: I knew something was…off. After the Octarians, I thought I could walk off the battlefield and into a normal life, at least for a time. At least until I was ready. But here I am, in an instrument of death, arguing philosophy with a terrorist. You struck this on me. You stole Zappy. You set the trap, and you plan to wipe us out. Out of my control? Maybe. Unhandleable? No. But all you needed was me and my sister. So where are THEY?

Monsoon: Where are who?

Multi’s expression becomes furious.

Multi: You know who they are! WHERE! ARE! THEY?!

Monsoon: Oh…your last generation? Even at lightspeed, you’d’ve been far too late. Tartar personally dealt with them while working on you. Your sister was useful, so she’s technically “alive”, but them…well, you’ll just have to talk to the Phone on that one. Now what do dear old mom and dad have to do with this?

Multi: …Initially, I told myself this was only about justice. About protecting the world…But I was wrong.

Monsoon: Then you admit it?

Spyra: …Operator?

Multi: I learned from the moment I stepped out that first room that splatting enemies felt good. Really good. In Inkopolis…my friends…and Spyra…helped me forget the beast inside.

“But who am I kidding?! I was BORN to kill!”

Multi pounds the ground.

“The bit about my sword? That ‘means of justice’ stuff? It’s true all its own, but I also needed something to keep the Kraken in check when I was leaving fields of bodies.”

Monsoon: You…

“But you…all this is a wake up call to what I really believe...There’s another reason I’m here. There’s another reason I fight.”

Monsoon: What are you saying…?

Spyra: …Multi…? Are you okay?

“...I’m saying…your renegade Ultra’s back …with a vengeance.”

Monsoon chuckles, and Multi stands up, Heat rising.

Kana: …You messed up, boss…!

Monsoon: KILL HIM!

Kimika grabs a jagged busted pipe and runs at Multi, who makes no effort to dodge.

*SQUELCH*

*BREAK*

Not only does Multi’s armor fully break, but it goes through the suit.

Kimika: …I…got him?!

Multi simply laughs.

Multi: No you did not. THIS is just phase one of my MASTER PLAN.

Spyra: Phase one of wha-

Multi: Spyra, turn off my pain inhibitors!

Spyra: WHAT?! Multi, this is madness! You-

Multi: DO IT!

Spyra: A-All right…! (Cod, I hope you know what you’re doing…!)

He wasn’t entirely sure his parents were dead, but now it’s practically confirmed. 

And his rage combined with focus, and the pain…makes Extreme Heat even hotter.

“AAAAUGH!”

Pure bloodlust.

“Blood…Pain…this is why I fight…this is what drives me forward…”

Multi switches to acid ink, rips out the pipe, and practically lights on fire…

“RRRRRAAH!”

…an Inferno.

“...Hehehehehe…Eheheheheheheh…”

“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

“THIS is my normal. My nature. My instinct. Guardian of Inkadia, top soldier of a government agency, and overall, self-appointed hitman whose target is the ENTIRETY OF THE WINDS OF DESTRUCTION. ”

Multi’s wound slowly closes, and the suit patches itself up.

Monsoon: You’ve lost your mind…

“I’m here to kill YOU, that Octoling behind me, the one over there, your father figure Neo, your other clones, the coddamned Octo-cunt that is your commander and your pet bear Grizz-”

Multi draws his sword.

“And most importantly...right here, right now…” 

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - The Stains Of Time (Special Edit)

Time seems to freeze momentarily, and Multi performs a Judgement Cut, severely harming the Riverlings and significantly damaging Monsoon’s core.

“What the…”

“...I’m here to kill YOU.” 

“...You’re mad.”

“I revel in every kill, make a shit-eating grin with every wound, given or taken. Because it’s one step closer to putting all of you in the grave.”

Multi redraws his sword.

“So…who’s first?”

The Riverlings ready their weapons, but Monsoon notions no.

Mosoon: No, girls. Not with that Zapfish disconnected. Nozomi, Kana, report back to the Commander and stay there. He’s mine.

Kana: *sigh* …you’re the boss.

Kana and Nozomi superjump away from the imminent mayhem.

Kimika: And me? 

Monsoon: Back to the Phone with you.

Kimika: Monsoon, please–!

Monsoon: If you dare attempt to desert, we will retrieve you and sanitize you fully.

Kimika turns to Inferno Multi…

Kimika: …Mind doing me a favor, squiddo?

Multi: Does it involve death?

Kimika: …Yeah. If you win, make his death as painful as possible. And Monsoon?

Monsoon: Yes, little birdie?

“Burn in hell.”

Kimika leaves.

Monsoon: I plan to visit that place sometime.

Spyra: Hm. Well, that’s interesting.

Multi: Very. They disobey or get splatted, and they’re down and out for the better half of a half-decade.

Spyra: …you’re still aware?!

Multi: If I’m gonna come out on top, I gotta control this. Seems I’m already adapting.

Spyra: Oh thank GOD, you’re not completely insane!

Multi: COMPLETELY being the operative word.

Monsoon: Seems we misjudged you…you are like us after all.

In response to the remark, Multi lets out a maniacal laugh, as it begins to rain.

Multi: Now you’re just being absurd!

Monsoon: Holy hell, even the Phone isn’t this unhinged…

“That nickname you love so much…wanna know why I’ve got it? …Actually, to literal hell with the formalities! I’ll just give you a demonstration! It's time I start Counterwind for real.”

Spyra: In the words of Raiden Metal Gear…I think it’s time for Jack…

Multi and Spyra shout in sync as Monsoon draws his shivs, shield going up.

[1:23]

“TO LET ‘ER RIP!”

{Inferno Mode}

[Release your inner rage and enter another level of Heat. Only activatable when the Heat Gauge is full, it drains Heat faster than Extreme Heat, but further increases damage and speed, you can do infinite Heat Actions while it’s active and all attack speed is doubled. Squid Time is also free. While all weapon and mount specials are off limits during Inferno, you can switch between power-up specials freely.]

(During very specific situations, including this battle, you will have infinite Inferno.)

{Squid Time}

[Powered by Heat, Squid Time supercharges the user’s reflexes and slows their perception of time while strengthening their body and weapons for lethally powerful and accurate blows. Hold [ L ] to use. Drains the Heat Gauge while active and not in Inferno.]

LOADING…

=Final Checkpoint!=

{OBJECTIVE}

[Defeat Monsoon.]

Monsoon opens the battle with a smoke grenade.

“Red phosphorus, squid! Infrared is useless!”

In response, Multi simply points Spyra in Monsoon’s direction, shotguns him-

“GAH-”

-and dashes toward him with a plasma slice.

Multi: Maybe, but I can HEAR you, moron!

Multi activates Dual Wield and does a combo, dancing around Monsoon and dodging sai swipes while landing hits of his own, alternating between nitrogen, plasma and acid. Every slice burns, freezes, shocks, or some combination.

{Dual Wield}

[The Dual Wield special is a powerup special; which means their timers are independent of the Heat Gauge. This one in particular allows the user to hold extra weapons of the same type. In gameplay, the powerup lasts for 30 seconds, and activating additional instances will extend this timer. Once it expires, the effect wears off entirely ( for example, if you're under the influence of 3 dual wields, all 3 will expire when the timer does.)]

Monsoon: Get…the hell…OFF!

Eventually, Monsoon manages to escape, jumping to a high ledge. Multi deactivates Dual Wield to save Heat.

Monsoon: So that’s what it feels like to be on the other end of a blender…

Multi: Get down here and do your split dodge, coward!

Spyra: Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t get the magnetic force to work properly with part control, so he just has to settle for telekinesis.

Multi: …So you’re saying it’s not the original Monsoon fight.

Monsoon sends scrap at Multi, who uses Squid Time to weave through. Once he’s got a clear shot, he reactivates Dual Wield, fires concrete shots and then nitrogen shots at Monsoon’s arms, pinning them down…so he can cut them off.

Multi: I’m done playing witcho ass.

Multi roundhouse kicks Monsoon back into the arena, grabs the oncoming sais and melts them, and throws a nitrogen Booyah Bomb to freeze him in place, switching to acid, jumping up…

-and Splashdowning Monsoon.

Monsoon: So, you are strong…

AND

IT

WILL

COME!

Multi jumps back and Monsoon gets up, making two giant replacement arms and doing long-range melee attacks.

Multi: Actually melee me, coward!

Monsoon: Trying to approach me, eh?!

Multi: Can’t cut you to pieces without getting closer!

Monsoon flares up.

Monsoon: Then you’ll be dust in the wind!

Spyra: He’s got a Killer Wail! No… worse!

Multi readies the Blastercaster.

Monsoon: And where did you get that? That wasn’t in your original arsenal.

Multi: Old friend.

Monsoon: Hm. No matter. It won’t save you.

Multi: (This one’s for you, Callie…)

*CHI-CHI-CHI-CHIRCHARCHO…*

*WHIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*

Monsoon’s Tempest Wail strikes Multi at first, doing light damage,

*RR-A-DA-RR-A-DA-RR-A-DA-RR-A-DA-RR-A-DA*

-but the extended duration of the Killer Chord eventually overpowers it, sending Monsoon into critical condition.

Monsoon leaps up onto the railing, 

Monsoon: I have won this!

-summoning the tower from earlier, 

“I’ll put you under, weakling.”

-and making it spin as it comes down on Multi.

“Now, what will you do, Agent Zero?”

Multi: Little guy. Gimme a boost.

Zappy comes out of hiding and gives Multi a bit of power.

[Hold [Shift] and sprint]

Instead of yielding, Multi backdashes, making it stop in the ground, and then runs up it toward Monsoon. Once at the top, he leaps off, cuts through the scrap arms, 

[ R + ZR / M1 + M3 ]

“You’re dead!”

-and dash-kicks Monsoon into the wall.

Spyra: End him!

 He continues kicking Monsoon repeatedly, leaps off,

“Stop! Stop it!”

-activates Squid Time, and cuts Monsoon to shreds.

Then…slices off his head, causing Monsoon to explode in blue ink.

----------

31 HITS

333 PARTS

1 KILLS

----------

Multi leaps down, sheathes his sword, and finally calms down, exiting Inferno Mode.

End of the Beginning -

MISSION CLEAR

_____Stage Results_____

TIME                           00:10:11.54       +1500
BP                                         1280       +2000
ZANDATSU                                 -      
LONGEST COMBO                      31       +1250
KILLS                                          2         +1800

BATTLE POINTS 10380

COMBAT RANK Anarchic +!

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

Spyra: How’s Zappy?

Multi: All good.

Multi pats Zappy’s head.

[CALL]

Monsoon: …Kill...or be killed…

Multi: Don’t be ashamed. It’s only nature, running its course. Your memes…end here.

Monsoon: No. I passed one…to you… Sure as the sun… will rise… The slaughter…will continue…

“Now…I return, to the earth…Wind blows, rain falls…the strong…prey…on the weak…

All…is as it should…be… ”

[NO SIGNAL]

[Inferno Mode tutorial is now playable via VR missions.]

[From here on, Multi’s Heat gauge will burn when full; this indicates you can light the Inferno.]

Spyra: Multi? 

Multi: I’m fine, Spyra. Relax. The wound closed before the fight started.

Spyra: I know that, I can see your vitals. It’s your mental health I’m worried about.

Multi: …No comment.

Spyra: Multi…!

Multi: Seriously, I’m fine! Already got it out of my system. Now that I’ve got a proper way to let the bloodlust out, the risk of me snapping when not fighting a Wind is practically zero.

Spyra: If you insist… But you’re still taking a dip in the healing tank!

Multi: That’s fair, I did get impaled with a rusty pipe.

Spyra: So, what are we gonna do about Zappy? We obviously can’t leave him here.

Multi: We’ll keep him ‘till we return him to his owner.

Multi’s bike floats down, and he hops on, riding back to Inkopolis.

“Hey, Spyra?”

“Operator?”

“...Squid Time and the Inferno...they’re exactly what we needed.”

“Wait, you don’t mean-”

“I think we’re ready.”

“And with Kamabo ramping up their effort, there’s no better time. Now or never.”

“Then it’s time for a…”

“Hello?”

“Hey, is this Solari Meredith? I’ve got your pet.”

“Wait, you found Zappy?!”

“Yep. Took a bit of finesse, but I’ve got him.”

“Oh my cod, thank you! I’ve been looking for him for weeks! ”

“No problem. Got a meetup point for you to pick him up?”

“Does Shinastami Mall work? Noon?”

“That’ll do nicely. I wanted to do a shopping run anyway.”

“Alright, see you then! And take care of him for me, okay?”

“Will do! You’ve got my word.”

“Grizz, I’m calling in bearing bad news.”

“Tartar?”

“I have received word from the Riverlings…that Monsoon may have been slain. We may have been hasty in attempting to use the Zapfish.”

“And about the Zapfish itself?”

“Taken back.”

“Then back to using Golden Eggs it is.”

“In addition to that, Monsoon unintentionally awakened the Ultrasquid’s lust for blood. Our blood. In addition to his other abilities, he can now supposedly slow down time and overclock the technique we’ve dubbed Extreme Heat.”

“That is worrying…”

“Not as worrying as the fact that he is likely now fully aggressive. How is Hairmegeddon coming along? We may need it sooner than expected.”

“You know I don’t like it being called Hairmegeddon. Assuming rates stay relatively constant, I’ll still need slightly over 5 years at best.”

“Is Alterna closed? Is Sasha still with you?”

“For now, but I believe she may be planning to leave. Just in case, I’ve locked her data of the Return of the Mammalians plan and am monitoring all transmissions. She’s likely too slow to intercept you now; teleporting out of Alterna would mean too long of a recovery time.”

“Excellent; I also bear an opportunity. My Octoling scouts have reported that Octavio is planning and may execute a second Zapfish raid. While those Squidbeaks deal with that, I plan to have the Phone initiate Operation NILS once he’s done processing the next member.”

“I shall keep that in mind.”

“If it’s okay with you, I’ll have our own Ultrasquid sent in equipped with the Knuckleblaster, with NERU right behind her.”

“Use her as a distraction due to NERU barely being able to move while charging the Hammer of Dawn? I would expect no less from a commander. But if you were planning on joining the fight, I highly advise against it.”

“I’m not that foolish, boss. I know him being in range of me with only Nozomi and Kana left would likely result in him tearing me apart. Especially with me still getting used to my cybernetics and the fact I’d be in inkling territory.”

“...Understood. Godspeed, Tartar.”

Chapter Text

The morning after the battle with Monsoon and a dip in the healing tank, Multi decides to play a bit of Turf to unwind. 

Safe to say anyone who got in his way did not have a good day.

After that was over, he drops by the relocated Ammo Knights to talk to Sheldon.

Sheldon: Ah, Multi! Good to see you, buddy! I’m assuming the mission went well?

Multi: Smooth as butter. Splatterslash doesn’t disappoint. I’m headed to Shinastami to go drop this guy off.

Sheldon: Alright, see you later! Try not to get into too much trouble!

Multi: No promises.

Multi leaves Ammo Knights and heads to Shinastami Mall on his bike which he now has a license for. He’s got his suit ready since he’s sensing trouble, but only has the ink tank on.

Spyra: Sileen hasn’t called us in a while, has she?

Multi: Yeah, she hasn’t… isn’t reading the texts either. 

Spyra: …With the Kamabo Winds ramping up their effort, I suspect foul play.

Multi: You got a feeling Octavio’s also up to something again?

Spyra: He apparently broke out last month, which is worrying…but one thing at a time. We need a plan of attack against Tartar.

Multi: Agreed. Rushing into the Metro guns blazing would basically be a death wish.

Multi parks the bike, but Spyra keeps it on.

Multi: Your danger sense tingling too?

Spyra: Yeah. I’m keeping the bike up in case we need to move. Don’t come off as hostile, but be ready to fight.

Multi: Got it. C’mon, Zappy, let’s get you back to your friend. …Wait, how are we gonna spot her?

Zappy speaks.

Multi: “You’ll know her when you see her?”

Spyra: “Food court?” Big eater, huh?

Multi and Zappy enters the mall, picking up a few things to refill the fridge, and a few processed things. 

Spyra: Surprised people don’t care about you strutting around with a Zapfish following you.

Multi: You’d be surprised how chill people is these days.

Spyra: Then what’s the point of the EPDF?

Multi: To stop un chill people from starting another war or destabilizing a city, nation or the planet. And there are things obviously illegal. Crime syndicates, nuclear weapons, something-something yakuza group called Abbarators that you found on the dark web…

Spyra: So basically the military of the human era, but not ridiculously stupid? Makes sense.

Multi: Yep.

Spyra: Food courts are on the upper floors, too; you guys inherited a lot.

*escalator noises*

Spyra: Crazy, huh? One day you’re fighting for your life, the next you’re going shopping.

Multi: That’s just the way it’s gotta be. The time for rest will come eventually, but for now, we must be strong.

Eh, no harm in a few video games.

Multi: Alright, we’re here.

Spyra: They’ve got a suprising lot of human-era food.

Multi: Yeah, now that you’re not asleep during my shopping trips you notice similarities.

Spyra: …That’s odd, I sense another Zapfish signature. 

Multi: They’re everywhere, Spyra, you just don’t see ‘em.

Spyra: I know that Inkadia uses them for power, but one’s just out in the open. It’s coming from…that girl?

Multi grabs a few chimichangas and looks for a seat, 

*gasp*

“Zappy?! Is that you?!”

At the sound of the voice, Zappy perks up and starts swimming toward it.

Multi: Hey, wait up, little guy!

Multi follows Zappy to a table, seeing an odd-looking inkling hugging him. Despite the amount of food, she looks rather athletic.

“Zappyyy! You’re okay!”

Multi also takes a seat across from her.

Multi: So, you’re Solari?

Solari: That’s me! Thanks for finding my little friend. Was he hurt?

Multi: Nope, but he was being used for illegal power purposes.

Solari: Oh cod…must’ve been the Abbarators or someone the EPDF doesn’t know about…how’d you find him?

Multi: Took Spyra a lotta hassle to find him and it took me one shell of a firefight to rescue him.

Solari: Sheesh. Glad you’re both alright, must’ve been tough. So…Spyra who-?

Spyra: Right here. And technically, I could also be in any piece of technology within the Haven national limits line.

Solari: Wait, in…? Oh my cod, a living functional AI?! How much do you know?

Spyra: You are Solari Meredith, Inkblot early graduate with a dual master's in electrical and mechanical engineering. You created the first functional hoverboard prototype of this era and have a mastery of a modified version of the Sea-Fu style of martial arts. Bioscan reveals that you are metabolically electrokinetic due to being…half-Zapfish? Wait…half… no way…!

Solari’s eyes dilate in shock.

Solari: You can read that …? Wow, that’s advanced.

Multi: Metabolic? Explains the appetite. Wait, the Great Zapfish-?!

Spyra: Bioscan confirms the Great Zapfish did indeed f**k.

Multi: Coddamnit, I see it when I close my friggin’ eyes…!

Solari: Yeah, the big guy’s my dad.

Multi: …Excuse me, how?

Solari: He refuses to tell me.

*BOOM*

Solari: What was that?!

Multi: *sigh* ...F**king knew it. Welp, been nice to meet you, Sol, but duty calls. Spyra, keep the bike online and out of trouble. I’m going in.

Spyra: On it.

Solari: Wait, huh?!

Multi superjumps to the explosion site, suiting up mid-flight. Solari quickly finishes her food and readies herself.

Solari: Zappy, follow me, but stay out of trouble. Squit’s going down and I’m pretty sure it’s connected to your squidnapping.

Solari pulls out her custom self-defense ink rifle and superjumps after Multi. Her squid form resembles a squid at the front, but has brown eyes and at the back resembles the back of her hair; a wide notched Zapfish tail.

Multi lands and parkours through the wreckage, Solari landing shortly after and running after him.

“ He’s incredibly fast. ”

Solari: But I shouldn’t have a problem keeping up with him.

Solari glows, electrifies,

and pursues at high speed, leaving a short electric trail.

Multi reaches an open area where he finds the source of the chaos, Solari right behind him.

“Alright, I’m here! Who’s the one with the death wish?!”

Solari: Not me.

Multi: How the hell did you catch up? Oh right, electric.

Solari: …Should we get back?

Multi: Most definitely.

Which is wielding what seems to be a robotic left arm and several guns…

They both stop, lock eyes, and Multi feels a chill run down his spine. She seems surprised for a second before returning to a deadpan expression.

Multi: …No. Nonononono. NO.

Spyra: That’s…oh my cod, they…that’s Spectrum!

Multi: … Sister?

Spectrum?: …Of course you’d break out. I don’t know who I took you for.

Multi: Either that or be responsible for wiping everything out.

Spectrum?: …You don’t know what you’re doing.

Multi: I cut Monsoon down in cold blood. I know exactly what I’m doing.

Solari: Wait, you-

Multi: Yes, I committed first-degree murder. He was the guy who took Zappy.

Spectrum pauses.

Spectrum?: …I will give you this one warning, Multi. Stay out of our way if you want to live.

Multi: …Leave, Spectrum. I don’t want to fight you.

ULTRAKILL OST - Versus [Extended]

Spectrum’s eyes flash navy, and she pulls out what seems to be another Spyra gun in her right hand.

“I wouldn’t want to fight me either…I thought it would be obvious, brother. After all, I am you.

But stronger."

[ 0:08 ]

{Versus}

[Spectrum is simple in the fact that she has your move set, but complicated in the fact she has your moveset. She moves like you, shoots like you, and anything you can do, she can do as well. However, she cannot use Inferno Mode, parry, OR throw coins; use that to your advantage.]

Multi and Spectrum… fight.

Both dash at each other and fire. Multi parries the shot and Spectrum takes damage. Multi grabs a coin and punches it at her, then punches her. 

“You’re not the only one who’s out for blood, brother!”

She fires a shotgun, Multi slides to avoid it, firing his own shotgun in response and charging up a shot. Spectrum throws a burst bomb, Multi dodges, throws a coin at her, fires the charge shot and then parries his own shot, sending it into the coin for a Super Ricoshot. Spectrum pulls out a nailgun and fires away, grazing Multi’s skin. 

“Looks like you’ve gone a little RUSTY, brother!”

[Nailgun?! Why didn’t I think of that?!]

Multi then tosses and shoots two more coins, and dodges Spectrum’s retaliation shots, then throws a spherical grenade that once hitting the floor…

Unleashes a mighty shockwave. Everyone is effectively paralyzed besides Multi; even Spectrum can only barely resist it.

“What is this?!”

"Did you really think I spent the last year and a half twiddling my thumbs?!"

Multi does another projectile boost, shoots one more coin and knocks Spectrum down.

Spectrum continues to shake, and her eyes go normal briefly.

“Little b-bro…it’s already too late for the rest of us. Please…Just s-save yourself; R-run away, b-before they get you t-too.”

“...Not an option. I’m done running. And they did ‘get me.’ But I got out. And I’m gonna stop them in their tracks. Just watch me.”

Spectrum winces as she rips off the mechanical arm, and tosses it at him, obviously straining to stay awake.

“Of course…you wouldn’t have been able to best me otherwise…Make use of my arm. Be careful…Multi.”

Spectrum blinks and her eyes go black again, 

“Okay, you know what, I’m gonna call that one a draw,”

Multi: Wha- Spectrum, wait!

-and she super jumps away.

“Team Rocket is pissing off AGAIN…!”

Spyra: …She managed to break out…briefly.

Multi: …Spectrum…dear cod…

Spyra: …This arm…the Knuckleblaster.

Multi puts his palm to the Knuckleblaster’s, and feels a transfer of energy.

Multi: …I’ll use this well.

[ You have unlocked an alternate fist. Use V to switch arms. ]

{ Knuckleblaster: Slower punch with higher damage and knockback, but cannot parry. Hold to blast shells from the knuckles, creating a light-damage shockwave that knocks surrounding enemies away and deflects projectiles, albeit with less accuracy and damage than your parry. The shockwave will also spread ink. There is no independent cooldown. }

Versus - STAGE CLEAR

_____Combat Results_____

TIME                                      1:01.02    +2000
BP                                              1280    +2000
STYLE                                         3800   +2500
                     NO KILLS                          +2000

BATTLE POINTS 9780

COMBAT RANK Perfect!

Chapter Text

Solari, Multi and Zappy regroup.

Solari: …Holy hell, that’s one hell of a sub-weapon. That’s your sister?

Multi: …Long story. And yeah, made the Sonic Grenade myself.

Suddenly, the ceiling begins to collapse, 

Solari: Oh shell, what now?!

-and something comes into window view.

“AAAAH!”

“RUN!”

“WHAT IS THAT THING?!”

Multi: Shit, Spectrum was a diversion!

Solari: What?!

Spyra: That can only mean…Oh cod no. OH COD NO!

Multi: We gotta get to the roof, stat!

Sonic Frontiers Mini Soundtrack • Titan: GIGANTO

“Come out, come out, wherever you are…”

Multi and Solari superjump through the broken ceiling and get onto the roof, seeing…

Solari: …A giant robot of a…human?!

Spyra: And you see that spiral on its chest? It’s charging up.

Solari: What’ll happen if it goes off?!

Spyra: …At best, it’ll only destroy Sparklis City. At worst…

Multi: The world.

Solari: …The world?!

Multi: Look. It’s not charging Sanitized Ink…

Spyra: You’re right. It’s something else entirely. But it doesn’t seem corruptive.

Solari: Then why not use it? We can bring it down and stop it from blowing up the planet.

Spyra: …You’ve got a point.

Multi: And a plan, at that. If I can get into its tank, I can steal it… And use this Tartar’s power against him.

Solari: Don’t know who this “Tartar” is, but if you need a distraction…

Solari gets out a hoverboard.

Solari: You’ve got one.

Spyra: Impressive.

Solari: Made this for my final.

The robot looks over and spots Multi and his entourage.

“There you are, Prismwater. I’m almost impressed you got past your sister. But you’re too late.”

NERU throws a punch. Solari takes to the air, and Multi quick jumps onto its arm as the punch collides with and destroys the upper floors.

[Multi cannot match N.E.R.U’s power…yet. Awaken the Kraken to gain the upper hand.]

Multi: Not yet! You’ve still got a few minutes to go!

“And how do you plan to stop me? I am plated with Sardinium armor. Highly damage resistant and completely uninkable.”

Multi: Well, newsflash, we don’t need ink to get around!

Multi runs up the arm, sliding to dodge a palm slap from the other arm. He goes around the neck and slides down towards a ventilated panel, dodging mines as he does.

“You pitter-patter. You fly and run around me like gnats and rats. What do you hope to accomplish?”

Meanwhile, Solari’s at ground level getting would-be pancakes out of the danger zone.

“Stopping your ass, that’s what!”

Solari shoots NERU with a lightning bolt, making it flinch as Multi slips into the interior of the mecha using squid form,

“What the?! Where did he go?!”

-finding an enclosed room with…

Multi: That’s one giant ink tank…Blue…and white?

Multi dash jumps up to it, and punches a hole in it while attempting to resonate.

Spyra: I won’t lie, this will likely hurt…

Multi: But I’m already inside, and there’s no other option.

Multi takes a deep breath and leaps into the strange ink, which slowly eats at his skin. He attempts to attune, and is slowly doing so.

Multi: Agh…!

Soaking in the Primordial Ink, Multi activates Inferno Mode, and a sensation of burning energy washes over him, more than ever before. It’s painful, but he channels it…

Spyra: Oh, crap! Multi, your vitals! Get out! NOW!

Multi: That’s…not an option!

Spyra: But…You might die! Your heart rate’s spiking!

Multi: I know. But I’ve got a mission to complete! I’m stopping the Winds if it kills me! 

“Or better yet, THEM!”

[Mash R and ZR to build Heat!]

[HP: 75 {Nominal}]

“I know I’m a pain in your ass, Sludgeman, but now you’ve gone too damn far!”

[HP: 50 {Warning}]

“Genocide US for being better than THEM? SHARK! SHIT!”

[HP: 25 {Danger!}]

“ AND I SWEAR… ON MY F*CKING LIFE…”

[HP: 10 {CRITICAL}]

“I’LL! END! YOU!”

[ (R) - Transform! ]

The music fades…

So break through it all, and don’t look down,

As Multi burns, he feels something within, something that was always there, come to the surface.

You won’t be here, cause the fire in you never dies…

He feels the heat rising, aura expanding, he feels himself getting stronger and stronger…Strong enough to stop this madness. 

It comes around, to light the flame,

Strong enough to defeat NERU.

They’ll know your name, burned into their memory…

In Multi’s fury, he lets out a primal roar and transforms.

(So break through it all …)

From outside, NERU’s back erupts with blue ink, and then explodes. Out flies a blue streak.

Don't stop, we're on a mission,

Overdrive and overrun the competition,

Counting up the damage when it's done,

NERU: GAH! THE HELL WAS THAT?

| Catastrophic damage to the torso area! Your primordial Ink Tank’s been destroyed! |

NERU: WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT’S BEEN DESTROYED?!

| The renegade Ultrasquid got in somehow! |

NERU: WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE GOT IN?!

Into eyeshot, in front of NERU’s eyes, hovers…

“AND WHO THE H E L L IS THAT?!”

| That’s him! Wait, not just him…! |

“...SHIT.”

Solari: Multi? That you?

(So break through it all !)

We can't pretend to listen,

It looks like Multi, but there’s a pattern on his head and his eyes are completely blue. 

His ink’s glowing,and the tentacle nubs on the back of his head are gone. 

On further inspection, replaced with 4 giant tentacles twice the size of an arm, that seem to originate from his back…

All covered and drenched with a dense aura of ink.

Solari: No way…A natural Kraken!

Multi?: So this is the Kraken Trigger…

[ HP: 1000/1000 ]

{KRAKEN TRIGGER ACTIVE}

Multi’s head turns to Solari, 

Sorry if it puts you in an imposition,

We won't stop until the battle’s won!

Kraken Multi: Welp, you’ve been caught in this mess too, and you’ve got potential…

-and he gives her a bit of excess Heat, maxing her out, her eyes going green.

Kraken Multi: So you’re gonna help me.

Solari: Whoa…I’m maxed out?! Awesome!

Kraken Multi: Fishin’. Now it’s time to punish this abomination for existin’.

Multi points at NERU.

And Spyra breaks into song!

Kraken Multi: HEY, YOU!

One of Multi’s extra “arms” curls up, and then in the blink of an eye, rockets into NERU’s face and then retracts, sending it skidding back a few feet. 

“What in the…?!”

He clears its vision up to a thumbs down from Multi…

Kraken Multi: YOU’RE GOING DOWN.

LOADING…

YEAH!

{Release the Kraken!}

[Kraken Multi can fly and slowly regenerate health, but Heat is slowly consumed over the course of the battle.]

DON’T LOOK DOWN!

SHOW YOURSELF!

[Because of the time limit, the key to this battle is “efficiently deal heavy and rapid damage.” Using Multi’s knowledge and techniques, defeat NERU with Spyra and Solari’s help!]

=Checkpoint!=

{OBJECTIVE}

[Defeat NERU! Save Inkadia!]

Multi and Solari fly around, attacking the robot and dodging the occasional retaliatory attack.

Multi gets up close with his sword and tentacle fists, and Solari attacks at a distance with blasts of electricity.

NERU: So, you’ve awakened the Kraken Trigger? I’m almost impressed you’ve made it this far. But didn’t you hear me? Ink is useless against me.

I’ve been here waiting for the longest time, I can’t believe it’s real!~
You lose the battles that you never fight, can’t hide from what you feel!~

Solari: Strong, but really damn slow.

Kraken Multi: Damn right, like these people in the first place. But we gotta bring this thing down quick, we’re toast if we destransform.

Solari: Well, our opponent is mechanical, so there should be weak spots we can exploit; Likely his joint areas!

As Multi dodges another punch, he takes note of something.

Kraken Multi: (Looks like his physical attacks coat themselves in sanitized ink before attacking…)

COME ON!

NO MORE COMPROMISE, THIS IS DO OR DIE,

AND NOW YOU’VE CROSSED THE LINE!

YOU’LL WAKE THE BEAST INSIDE!

Spyra: His ink abilities and secondary power source draw from hydro circulation.

Kraken Multi: That’s why he seems to slow down when Sol shoots him. You’ve got a point, Spyra.

Solari: And a plan, at that. 

NO MORE COMPROMISE, THIS IS DO OR DIE,

I’LL WARN YOU ONE LAST TIME…

YOU’LL WAKE THE BEAST INSIDE!

Spyra: Go for the “elbows”! They’re not armored properly! And you better hurry! The chest laser broke, but he’s using solar power to charge something else up now!

Solari: Wait, so you’re saying possibly the most vital areas are unarmored?! That’s not just stupid, that’s… video game boss exposed weak point stupid!

“THEN I’LL JUST SMASH YOU OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH FIRST!”

While Solari charges, NERU throws a rocket-powered left hook, which Multi parries to throw it off balance, forcing it to take a step back to avoid falling over.

NERU: We should NEVER have added that accursed parry!

Multi boosts towards the joint. 

“Rajin No Ikari!”

Solari jets towards NERU’s face, 

“AND WHAT IN GOD’S NAME ARE YOU?!”

Solari: Someone you never saw coming, that’s who!

YOU’LL WAKE THE BEAST INSIDE!

-and pummels it at lightning speed, stunning the mecha.

Multi furiously attacks the joint, channels his boiling ink,

YOU’LL WAKE THE BEAST, 

Then pulls out his sword… 

IN-

And slices NERU’s left arm off, with sanitized ink pouring out of it.

-SIDE!

NERU: Son of a bitch! My whittling hand!

Kraken Multi: What’s wrong, asshole? Can’t handle a little pressure?

NERU: DON’T YOU LECTURE ME WITH YOUR 3000 GOLD HAIRCUT!

Kraken Multi: And don’t you lecture me when you have to sanitize your bitches.

NERU: LOW FUCKING BLOW!

DON’T LOOK DOWN!

SHOW YOURSELF!

Multi pummels NERU in the chest, knocking him back with every hit. He does a 3-limb punch to its face to stun him, giving Solari an opening to railcoin his other elbow and break it, making his arm fall off when he tries to punch again.

NERU is furious.

“ENOUGH! I HAVE HAD IT WITH YOU AND THIS FREAK OF NATURE!”

He roars with a shockwave, knocking everybody back. His mouth stays open, and begins charging up…

[GET READY]

Spyra: Carp, we were too slow!

Solari: The shell do we do?! That thing’s got enough power to destroy Inkadia, and possibly the world!

Kraken Multi: …We counter it.

Solari: How?!

Multi pulls out the Blastercaster.

Kraken Multi: How much juice you still got?

Solari: I get it…Your Kraken form, Zapfish power, a music boost-!

Multi: And Killer Chord.

Solari: Wait, is that a Squid Sisters palette?!

Spyra: It was a gift from Callie.

Solari: Whoa…!

Kraken Multi: Fangirl later. Giant beam of death, NOW.

Solari: Alright, alright! But you owe me a Galatic Shwaffle later!

Kraken Multi: Small price to pay.

The pair float up to NERU’s mouth level.

“They’re not actually gonna try and stop that, are they?!”

Multi readies his guitar, Solari generates all the power she can, and Spyra calibrates her vocalizer.

{ GUITAR HERO SEGMENT TIME! }

[60 percent accuracy or you DIE (Destructive) ]

[65 percent accuracy for Chaotic]

[70 percent for Brutal, 75 for Anarchic]

[80 for Supreme, 85 for SSavage, 90 percent for SSStylestorm]

[95% accuracy or higher for ULTRASPLAT]

While both sides power up, they yell at the other.

“I HOPE YOU’RE READY TO FACE THE MUSIC OF HELL!”

NERU fires,

“FACE THIS MUSIC!”

[LET’S ROCK!]

,and Multi plays for his life.

The beams collide, with Multi’s ever-so-slowly being pushed back.

SO BREAK THROUGH IT ALL, AND DON’T LOOK DOWN!

YOU WON’T BE HERE, CAUSE THE FIRE IN YOU NEVER DIES!

IT COMES AROUND, TO LIGHT THE FLAME,

Kraken Multi: I will win. I will destroy you, and I’ll destroy the rest of you. I will save Inkadia, and I will save the world. 

THEY’LL KNOW YOUR NAME, BURNED INTO THEIR MEMORY,

Kraken Multi: And I WILL take my revenge… OR DIE TRYING!

“ I’LL TEAR YOU ALL APART WITH MY BARE HANDS IF I HAVE TO! ”

Multi lets loose, playing using his tentacle arms as well, and the triad sing, with the tables turning!

“SO BREAK THROUGH IT ALL!”

DON’T STOP, WE’RE ON A MISSION,

OVERDRIVE AND OVERRUN THE COMPETITION,

COUNTING UP THE DAMAGE WHEN IT’S DO-O-ONE!

“What the…WHAT THE HELL?! HOW ARE THEY BEATING IT?!”

| The music’s giving them power! |

“ SO BREAK THROUGH IT ALL! ”

WE CAN’T PRETEND TO LISTEN,

SORRY IF IT PUTS YOU IN AN IMPOSITION,

WE WON’T STOP UNTIL THE BATTLE’S WON!

And with a simply marvelous riff, Multi fully reverses the beam, badly damaging NERU, destroying the mouth cannon, and sending him into crisis mode. Solari runs out of energy and reverts, nearly exhausted. Zappy tends to her.

Solari: I’m just about beat. It’s all you, bud!

Spyra: NERU’s on his last legs! Now’s your chance!

WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES BACK AROUND AGAIN!

NERU: I know everything , you pests! About you, your predecessors, your pathetic species, and your pathetic friends! They, and you, should have reached their natural limit long ago!

Kraken Multi: Then there’s only one reason you used us... It’s because you’re worthless on your own. And you have the audacity to say we’ve reached our limit?

| Neru, you should NOT have said that. |

“ HELL NO. WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED.”

Multi sees a hallucination of a sanitized Spectrum, among others.

Mom, dad, Cap’n, the Squid Sisters, Solari, Spyra, Sasha…and Sileen.

AND IF WE DON’T COME DOWN…WE’LL BE LOST IN THE WI-IND!

| Neru, you should NOT have said that! |

NERU: Why the hell not?!

“AND I’M GONNA S T O P YOU.”

| NERU, you REALLY shouldn’t have said that! Take that back! Before it’s too late! |

NERU: AND WHY THE HELL SHOULD I WHEN I CAN PROVE IT INSTEAD?!

NERU’s head opens, and out comes a…

Spyra: Super Missile…Multi, you think you can handle it?

Kraken Multi: No sweat. HEY, IDIOT. YOU WANNA SEE LIMIT?

Multi swats the super missile away, and super jumps upward at supersonic speeds, charging mass amounts of Heat.

NERU: WHAT IN THE FRESH HELL?!

Solari: HAHA! We ain’t frying today, sucker!

| Because you’ll LOSE your golden opportunity! You had him open and you taunted like the original! He did this the first time, now you’ve done it again! |

I know that we will find our way…

| But this time…This time…! |

NERU: NOZOMI! TRACK HIM! WHERE’D HE GO?!

Nozomi: HOLY- NERU!

NERU: WHAT?!

We’ll do whatever it will take…

Nozomi: We underestimated him! MASSIVELY underestimated him!

“Nonsense! JUST GET ME HIS LOCATION!”

Nozomi: HE’S ALREADY IN THE STRATOSPHERE!

NERU: WHAT?!

| WE’RE THE ONES IN H I S TERRITORY! |

A massive warning bubble appears around NERU which Solari recognizes immediately .

And if we never reach the crowd…

WE’LL TAKE THE WHOLE THING DOWN!

“Oh…SHIT.”

Solari /Spyra: Everyone who doesn’t want to be collateral damage, MOVE!

Considering the warning bubble, anyone who didn’t already evacuate is inclined to follow the order.

Nozomi: NOW HE’S COMING BACK! TWICE AS FAST!

NERU: WHAT?! THAT’S HUNDREDS OF TIMES FASTER THAN THE CALCULATIONS SAID!

And Multi, flying down at NERU at supersonic speeds, yells a scream that all of Sparklis hears.

“I’VE GOT YOUR ‘LIMIT’ RIGHT THE SHELL  H E R E!”

The instant that sentence ends, a blue streak strikes NERU down, detonating on impact with the ground, cratering the area and critically wounding him with a massive explosion of deep blue water… almost as if it fused with ink. It goes silent for a second, then the crowd cheers in victory.

“We’re saved!”

“What was that?! A giant laser?!”

“Maybe a missile!”

Solari: That was no laser or missile…That was a squid!

Spyra: Haha! How’s that for “limit”, you grade-A jerk?!

After the impact subsides, Multi, still in Kraken, rises up from the crater, glaring down at the collapsed NERU.

Kraken Multi: Don’t come back again, you sonova blowfish.

NERU wakes up, and slowly floats out of the crater, being held up by...something.

Kraken Multi: Oh you HAVE to be kidding.

“What?!”

“It’s not dead?!”

“JUST. FINE. NAVI! INITIATE PHASE TWO!”

N

NERU bends forward, and its “spine” breaks free, unfolding and flying upward with a mighty wind as NERU's main body drops to the ground lifeless.

Spyra: Crap! How did I not notice he was using the Wyvern model as his spine?!

Kraken Multi: Wyvern?!

Spyra: Modeled after a sea serpent and made for air combat. Not as physically strong as NERU’s Giganto model, but it contains a virtually limitless supply of missiles, and it’s still enough to wipe out a city in an hour.

Solari: What’re we gonna do?! My hoverboard can only go so high up, he’s completely out of my range!

Kraken Multi: You’ve already done enough. I can fly up to stop him.

Solari: What?! Multi, no! 

Kraken Multi: I’ll hover back down to you!

Solari: NO! Nobody can survive a hard impact from thousands of feet in the air in Inkling form, their organs’ll rupture! All the spawn points were destroyed! If you revert too early…! You’ll…!

Multi simply stares at Solari.

Solari sighs, nods, and with great effort gives Multi what seems to be a modified Ink Storm. 

Solari: …Alright. This is the last of our power; use this Ink Thunderstorm to slow him down. We won’t be able to control it, so you’ll have to dodge the lightning too.

Multi nods, and Solari falls off her board in exhaustion, Zappy doing his best to break her fall.

Solari: Go get him...

Multi throws the Special into the atmosphere, and rockets upward to face NERU’S new form, into the purple thunderstorm…

LOADING…

“Where did this storm come from?!”

Multi catches up to Wyvern NERU and uppercuts him, dazing him briefly.

“Holy hell, you’re still going?!”

Kraken Multi: I’m nothing if not persistent.

“Well, how’s this? We can play up here without damaging the merchandise!”

Kraken Multi: Yeah…Let’s get this over with. You agree to play fair?

“Yep! I’ll throw all the missiles I’ve got at you, parry all you want! TRY AND KEEP UP!”

[GET READY]

NERU activates his jets, boosting at high speeds.

Kraken Multi: You’re not getting away, asshole.

[Use the Boost to catch up to Wyvern, and parry his attacks to defeat him! Parry a lightning-struck missile to stagger him, but watch out; if you get hit by one, you’ll get paralyzed!]

[GO TIME!]

=Final Checkpoint!=

Multi pursues NERU, parrying missiles to slow him down. NERU does his best to outspeed, outmaneuver and lose Multi, but Multi’s extremely high speed and agility and small relative size combined with NERU’s battle damage gives Multi the edge.

NERU circles Multi and surrounds him with missiles, but Multi gathers them into a ball which he kicks at NERU’s head.

“Not bad at all, Ultrasquid.”

NERU attempts to swipe with his claws, which obviously both get parried, resulting in an AI error and giving Multi the chance to whail on him.

Then both spot an abnormal missile flying in the distance.

“No fucking way. No damn way.”

Multi: The Super Missile!

SO BREAK THROUGH IT ALL, AND DON’T LOOK DOWN!

YOU WON’T BE HERE, CAUSE THE FIRE IN YOU NEVER DIES!

IT COMES AROUND, TO LIGHT THE FLAME,

THEY’LL KNOW YOUR NAME, BURNED INTO THEIR MEMORY,

SO BREAK THROUGH IT ALL!

It gets struck by lightning, and begins to shine, growing brighter each second.

“NO F*CKING GODDAMN WAY! ”

*GRAB*

“WHAT THE?! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?! WE GOTTA GET OUTTA HERE, THAT THING’S GONNA GET US BOTH KILLED!”

"Nah, just you."

DON’T STOP, WE’RE ON A MISSION, OVERDRIVE AND OVERRUN THE COMPETITION,

COUNTING UP THE DAMAGE WHEN IT’S DO-O-ONE,

SO BREAK THROUGH IT ALL!

The Super Missile begins to crackle.

“Now’s my chance!”

Having grabbed NERU by the tail, Multi spins him around, 

"THIS IS FOR EVERYONE!"

-throwing him at the haywire Super Missile which explodes on impact, doing critical damage.

WE CAN’T PRETEND TO LISTEN,

SORRY IF IT PUTS YOU IN AN IMPOSITION,

WE WON’T STOP UNTIL THE BATTLE’S WO-ON!

NERU spins out, now also crackling, completely losing control for a few seconds.

WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES BACK AROUND AGAIN!

“That is IT! I have HAD IT with you overzealous motherf*ckers! You don’t have the nerve to block THIS !”

AND IF WE DON’T COME DOWN…WE’LL BE LOST IN THE WI-IND!

Multi’s expression hardens.

“Try me.”

I know that we will find our way! 

NERU roars, slithering up and then attempting to crash down on Multi with a spin twister,

We’ll do whatever it will take!

 -who simply takes it head-on and grabs, 

And if we never reach the crowd, 

-making NERU slowly stop spinning, prompting another roar.

we’ll take the whole thing down!

Multi: Shut the hell up and DIE already!

Multi simply kicks NERU in the chin HARD, making him recoil several feet and launch a salvo of missiles.

Instead of taking or parrying them, Multi boosts away and leads them back towards NERU, 

“Oh no you fucking don’t!”

-who closes his mouth knowing what Multi’s trying to do.

DON’T LOOK DOWN!

SHOW YOURSELF!

Multi forces NERU’s jaws open and then kicks them wide open, making all the missiles re-enter NERU the wrong way.

“Seems I underestimated your kind after all. Do…as you wish.”

As the music ends, NERU explodes in midair, dispersing the thunderstorm with a massive shockwave. 

Release the Kraken! - MISSION CLEAR

_____Stage Results_____

TIME                            00:10:58.94  +1800
BP                                           1280  +2000
GUITAR ACCURACY                  87%   +2500
LONGEST COMBO                       48   +1000
KILLS                                           1    +1800

BATTLE POINTS
10380

COMBAT RANK
SSavage!

Multi: Damn right. I’ll do what I damn well please.

Multi lets out a slight chuckle, then boosts back down to a safe landing altitude, Heat running low.

“Did…did he make it?”

“That was one hell of an explosion…”

“Wait…I think I see him! Flickering!”

“Over here!”

Heat and ink exhausted, Multi fully reverts and drops down, sliding on the ground and stopping near Solari.

Solari: Oh my cod, you’re alive.

Despite their exhaustion, both are ecstatic.

Spyra: We’re alive … We’re alive! We did it!

Multi: And that’s a wrap! Go home everybody, we’re done here!

Solari: Holy squit, that was awesome! Do you do this stuff all the time?!

Multi: No…Kinda? I’ll explain later.

Multi slowly gets up.

Multi: No…sweat…holy hell that was a lot of energy.

Multi collapses.

Spyra: Wait, he can’t move?

Solari: Kraken was originally a fight-or-flight reaction. It takes a lot of stamina.

Multi: Welp, last chance. You in this thing or not?

Solari: Of course I am. “With great power comes great responsibility” and all that jazz.

Multi: Sweet. By the power invested in me, you are now a main character.

Solari: Booyah…

Spent, Multi and Solari both pass out from exhaustion now that the adrenaline’s worn off.

Some Inklings from the crowd pick the two up.

“Careful, they’re heroes.”

“Nice and easy, put them down. Slower. Gently.”

They put them down on stretchers.

“Are they alive?”

"Just unconscious."

“These two, they’re…just kids. No older than my son.”

“Another failure. I did not take into account how strong Multi’s resolve truly is. And now he’s got an ally…Frustrating.”

“So, what do you suppose we do?”

“At this point, he’s likely to accelerate his own plans, whatever they may be; especially against the Tartars. If we wish to prevent the death of them or another of us, we need a preemptive strike. Now.”

“Our mech’s dead, the Combat Droid’s also dead, Sasha’s already been bested before, and Neo and the other two Tartars can’t leave their positions without much risk, so that leaves…”

“Cube, I have an assignment for you. I want you to infiltrate Inkadia and destroy the Ultrasquid and his partner. By any means necessary. Even if it means your death, you must end them.”

“ Ain’t this a bit overkill- ”

“You may be a living weapon, but so are the rest of us. And I know you don’t have enough power to take the rest of us on. He was last spotted in Sparklis City, but it’s likely his base of operations is somewhere in Inkopolis. GO. ”

“ Alright, fine. But I’ll tell you what I told Tartar. If this comes back to bite you… ”

“ It’s on you. ”

Chapter Text

Multi wakes up in a hospital bed. 

Multi: Welp, so much for low profile…

Solari: Oh hey, you’re awake.

Multi sits up. Solari’s in another bed on his right, sitting up and eating…something. Zappy is with her, having refused to leave her side.

Multi: Good, you’re alive.

Solari: Yeah, and in relatively good condition. Just needed some rest and a good meal.

Multi: Cause your Zapfish electrokinesis is metabolic, right?

Solari: Yep. Can’t remember the last time I stayed overnight at the hospital.

Multi: Neat, I haven’t scarred you for life. Physically, at least.

Spyra: Says the guy who almost splatted himself to go Kraken!

Multi: Hey, it worked, didn’t it? Can’t argue with results.

Spyra: As for you, Multi, despite deliberately putting yourself in mortal danger to gain an advantage, you only passed out from overexertion, which is normal for a natural Kraken. You fully healed and then some upon transforming, so you should be fine, but I’d suggest a few minutes in the healing tank so you can fully recover.

Solari: So, we’re both free to go?

Spyra: Should be. 

Multi: Thank cod for free healthcare.

Spyra: They got curious about Multi’s powers, especially the Kraken, but I brushed it off as a unique condition.

Multi: Which is technically true.

Solari: …Man, us Inklings are pretty gullible.

Spyra: But fierce and adaptable. There’s a reason you’re the primary successors of humanity.

Multi: With most of the issues like extreme selfishness and overwhelming bloodlust fixed.

Solari: …Sorry about your sister, pal.

Multi: …

Spyra: Operator, there isn’t anything you could’ve done for her. Don’t beat yourself up over it. She’s corrupted, brainwashed, but she’s alive, and her resisting means she can be recovered. We can get her back, we just need to find a way.

Multi: …Right. Hey, you hear that tapping?

Solari: Faintly. We have a visitor?

“WHERE IS HE?!”

“R-Right this way, ma’am!”

The door busts open, 

Solari: No way…!

-revealing a frantic-looking Marie with her hair down and in her old Agent gear, minus the mask.

Marie: Multi! Oh, thank cod you’re alright!

Multi: Hey, Marie…Why’re you here? And where’s Callie?

Marie: You know why I’m here! And I’ll answer that later!

Solari: Wait, you know both the Squid Sisters?!

Spyra: Long story! Marie, you saw the news?

Marie: Everyone in Inkadia saw that! Live! Inkadia Times, Radio Station, even Off the Hook were going nuts!

Multi: …Oh yeah, makes sense there would be reporters among the crowd.

Marie: Don’t tell me you didn’t see the helicopters…

Multi: Kraken tunnel vision, I’ve got an excuse.

Marie: …Ok, I know Heat’s a thing and we can use it to make Specials, so we’ll address how you krakened, let alone in Inkling form and for that long later. What I want to know is why didn’t you tell us about this?! I heard the whole thing! 

Multi’s pupils narrow, and he and Solari both leap out of their beds.

Multi: What quantifies “the whole thing?”

Marie: That second “Ultrasquid” who’s apparently your sister, that girl over there who’s apparently half-Zapfish, the giant mech who’s apparently one of four versions of this “Tartar” guy who wants to kill us all, all of it!

Solari: Wait, tell ‘ us’ ?!

Spyra: …Whoops.

Marie: …It’s top secret. We can’t discuss this here.

Spyra: …Oh no…Oh nonono-!

Multi: Spyra?! What’s wrong?!

Spyra: This situation’s gone from bad to worse! I’m picking up a signal in Sparklis slowly headed this way!

Multi: Can’t catch a goddamn break here, can I?! What is it?

Spyra: …Wi…Wi…Wiwi…. WI-!

Multi: What is it, Spyra?!

“IT’S A WIND! AN ACTUAL WIND OF DESTRUCTION! ”

Marie/Solari: Wind of Destruction!?

Spyra: In person! It’s their engineer, the Primordial Cube!
Multi: I’m going. Where’s my gear?!

Spyra: In the cabinet! Hurry!

Multi suits up, and Marie becomes uncharacteristically upset.

Marie: No! You are not going anywhere until you’ve fully recovered!

Multi: I heal by absorbing liquid, I’ll recover on the way there!

Marie: Multi, please listen to me!

Multi: Marie, ANY Wind is too strong for an entire EPDF division combined to take down! I’m handling this, I HAVE to handle this! I’m stopping that guy here and now and that’s FINAL!

Marie bursts into tears and grabs Multi by the shoulders.

“I’VE ALREADY LOST CALLIE, GRAMPS, A-HAND THREE! I CAN’T LOSE YOU TOO! I JUST CAN’T! ”

“...What?”

Marie explains, still sobbing.

Marie: M-Morning news. C-Callie’s gone missing. And the Great Zapfish. Gramps and Three went on a trip to the cape for a mission right before Octavio broke out, but they haven’t come back and I can’t contact them.

Multi: Wait, Sil’s missing in action?!

Solari: Wait, dad’s been squidnapped?!

Solari realizes what she just said too late and claps her hands over her mouth.

Solari: Man, I need to shut my mouth.

Marie: …Name?

Solari: Solari. Solari Meredith.

Marie: Rest up and meet me in the Square in an hour. Don’t do anything too physically strenuous. Minor exercise is fine, but go easy, and NO RANKED BATTLES. Keep that Zapfish as close as you can.

Solari: Got it, got it.

Solari and Zappy swiftly and promptly pack up and leave, and Marie wipes her tears, sniffling.

Marie: …I know you’re set in stone once you’ve made a decision, but…don’t die out there, alright? I know you’re stronger, but we’re the last of the NSS. If you fall…I don’t know what I’ll do…!

Multi hugs and consoles Marie.

Multi: I’ll be fine. It’ll just be there, fight, back. Thirty-minute mission.

Marie: O-Ok…

Marie hands Multi a cup of green liquid.

Multi: …It’s not ink, is it?

Marie: No! Of course not! I made you a Health-Up Matcha, take it.

Multi: Health-Up? Okay.

Multi drinks the Matcha and feels himself recover. 

Multi: Woah…This is awesome! I feel fully restored!

Marie: It’s a unique blend designed to improve natural regeneration. I know you have some issues healing on your own, so I made a fresh cup. I have some crab cakes ready at the Cabin, so don’t worry about lunch. Meet me in the Square once you’re done.

Multi: Don’t worry, Marie. I’ll be done and back before they get cold. Well, it’s actually probably gonna take a while, so-

Marie: That’s fine. Do you want me to put them under the heat lamp, or make more when you get back?

Multi: Nah, they’re better cold.

Marie: You heathen.

Multi: Joking, joking. Keep ‘em warm, this shouldn’t take long. Spyra, you synched up with Marie?

Spyra: Yeah.

Marie: Alright. Good to have you two back. If you don’t mind me telling you this, I looked at your sword, and it seems to have dulled from the previous fights, so I had it taken to Sheldon, and he should be almost done with the repairs. You think you can handle not having a melee option?

Multi: What do you mean? I still have my fists, and they’re nigh invulnerable.

Marie: True…and if squit hits the fan you can just manifest a sword.

Marie gives Multi an electronic sash with the same color scheme as the Hero Headphones, but with another pattern in its base black.

Marie: That sash lets the EPDF know you’re an Agent and they can trust you. Good luck, Agent Zero.

Multi: Thanks, Agent 2.

Marie: Heh.

Multi: Spyra, let’s go!

Multi jumping out of the window onto his bike, hovering in midair, and then rocketing off.

Marie: Classic Zero. Always recklessly brave…but hey, you’ve more than proven yourself.

“Stay safe, Multi.”

After a few minutes, Spyra suddenly stops the bike over a street.

Sos McPixel OST - Will It Blow? (MyLAN Remix)

Spyra: This is the closest I can get the bike without getting shot down by Cube or an officer. It’s on foot from here!

Marie: Land the bike in Octo Canyon. That’s where I’ve moved Cuttlefish Cabin.

Multi: Got it. Moving out!

Marie: Good luck, Zero!

Multi jumps off the bike, which zooms off. He lands close to an EPDF van, and two officers run up to him.

MISSION START

[Officers Brielle Saller and Michelle Luisi]

Multi: (They look similar to Hero Headsets, but it’s obvious they’re a different model…)

Michelle: Hey! Get out of here, it’s dangerous for civilians right now!

Multi: I’m no civie.

Michelle: Wait, that sash…Squidbeak?

Multi: Yeah.

Brielle: …Zero. I don’t know how you’ve recovered so quickly, but we could use your help. There’s these blue robots everywhere! They haven’t killed anyone beyond what respawns are capable of, but with the Great Zapfish missing-

Multi: I know, we only have so much power. I’ll clear a path. Let’s go!

Brielle: We’re using mid-tide sedative ink meant to sap stamina, so shift to it so you don’t become collateral.

Multi: Got it.

Multi shifts to the ink the EPDF is using, and tears forward through Cube’s minions using Spyra’s guns, with Michelle on his left and Brielle on his right with a military-grade Blaster and Splatling respectively. Other forces are inspired by the effort and begin pushing back the assault.

“Aha, he’s finally arrived! Drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Time to send in the illusion. If he can get to and best it, I’ll give him a shot at me. And no Kraken to save him this time; he’ll have to do it in base. ”

Blasting away a group of footsoldiers, Michelle stumbles upon a slightly ajar metal crate.

Michelle: Hey, Ultra! Come take a look at this!

Multi pries the box open and finds a pair of mechanical gloves inside, with circular saws attached to their backs. Silver and blue.

Multi: It’s a melee weapon!

He puts them on.

Multi: Alright, now I don’t have to use my bare hands!

Marie: Well, you’re the only person I know who simply throws hands regardless. Everyone else needs some sort of weapon…

Multi: These were likely left here on purpose. What’s the Cube planning?

As they sweep the road, Multi quickly figures out how to control them; clench your fist to rev them up, curve punching creates a burst wave of ink similar to a Brush or Roller, straight punch to launch the saws like boomerangs, open your palm while a saw is out to control them from a distance, and making a guard motion makes them hover in front of you for defense. Not only that, but they can fire shots from their index and middle fingers when you make finger guns.

Multi, Michelle and Brielle fight their way through a building, and come out the other side to a completely clear road, walking down the stairs.

=Checkpoint!=

Michelle: It’s quiet…

Brielle: Too quiet.

Marie: And there’s no enemies; something’s off here. Exercise extreme caution.

Multi uses Hero Sight, but can’t detect anything.

Multi: Strange…I know something is here, but I can’t pinpoint its location, almost as if it’s masking it somehow. Spyra, area scan.

Spyra: Already on it…I’m detecting something massive. Wait-!

“BLOCK!”

A mini-mech leaps out of the ground, and in the blink of an eye, Multi gets in front of Brielle and Michelle, blocking its giant chainsaw axe with his gauntlet saws. 

Michelle: The shell was that?!

Brielle: It came out of nowhere!

A strange humanoid entity in a blue and white mech, with its blue parts pulsating shades in a dot pattern.

Spyra: Is that…Khamsin?! From Metal Gear Rising?!

Brielle: Metal Gear Rising? You’ve played that game?

Multi gets flung to the side, and it boosts toward him. It takes a swing, but Multi simply vaults over it.

Khamsin?: If you don’t know true freedom, then I can’t expect you to get our cause. 

Multi: Khamsin or lookalike, plan of attack’s the same! You two also played the game?

Michelle: I did, and she watched. Is that the…”Wind of Destruction?”

Multi: Nope. But I bet he’s not gonna come out till we take this guy down.

The Khamsin lookalike clunkily turns to face the group, and the three squids ready their weapons. 

Brielle: But I don’t want to…kill a human…!

Spyra: It’s an elaborate illusion! And besides, he’s trying to kill you!

The Hot Wind Blowing (Instrumental) - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance OST Extended

Khamsin?: But it don’t matter. 

Understand it or not…

Some sort of odd energy fills Michelle and Brielle’s weapons, while Multi’s gauntlets go into overdrive.

KHAMSIN                                           100.0%

--------—----------------------------

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

“You’ll die for it all the same!”

LOADING…

=MINI BOSS=

{OBJECTIVE}

[Defeat Khamsin to drive out the Primordial Cube.]

Multi runs in to attack, tearing away at its armor. Khamsin attempts to grab him, but is far too slow.

Brielle and Michelle fire at Khamsin, but normal shots don’t come out of the Splatling. Instead, it fires what can only be described as… 

Brielle: Ink…bullets?

Spyra: Just…like me! Is this Cube’s doing? But why?

Multi parries the chainaxe, staggering Khamsin.

Michelle: We’ve already phoned for backup! Looks like the rest of these mooks shut down as soon as this guy showed up.

Multi: Then all we gotta do is drop him!

Multi parries another swing with a backhand, stunning Khamsin.

Marie: Zero! Sheldon’s finished repairing your sword, and he’s got it sent to you on a drone! Hold out for a while and you’ll be able to gain the upper hand!

Multi: Sweet! Guy works fast! I’m gonna do some serious damage with these gloves in the meantime!

Spyra: He’s only got his eyes for sensing, no infrared or echolocation or anything. If you clouded his vision, he’d completely lose track of us.

Multi: Then I’ve got an idea…

KHAMSIN                                             86.3%

--------—----------------------------

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Multi: You two! Throw a Toxic Mist directly at him!

Michelle: But those do no damage!

Brielle: Michelle, I get what he’s trying to do. Trust him.

All three Inklings simultaneously throw a Toxic Mist, blinding Khamsin.

“Sneaky little shits!”

Multi gets behind Khamsin, leaps over, and throws acid saws directly into the cockpit.

 KHAMSIN                                             49.8%

--------—----------------------------

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Michelle and Brielle follow up with grenades. Brielle takes to the air with her Inkjet while Michelle fires her Sting Ray.

KHAMSIN                                             41.2%

--------—----------------------------

||||||||||||||||||||||||

“How is this happening?!”

Multi: You suck at fighting!

*PARRY* *PARRY*

Khamsin, while stunned, gets directed with an Inkstrike, and an Ink Storm covers the area.

KHAMSIN                                             31.2%

--------—----------------------------

||||||||||||||||||

Michelle: Woo!

Brielle: Looks like our calvary has arrived.

Marie: Time to turn the tables!

Helicopters surround the area.

“This is the EPDF! We have you surrounded!”

Khamsin: Just having more of you ain’t gonna make a difference! You think some overgrown squids can beat me?! I’ll bash you to bits!

Multi throws five coins toward Khamsin, then uses Spyra’s charge attack to Ricoshot him in the heart.

KHAMSIN                                             21.2%

--------—----------------------------

|||||||||||

Khamsin: Tricky little…I’ll spin you senseless!

Multi dodges the highly telegraphed spin attack, stealth-striking Khamsin again.

Then, out of nowhere, a drone comes by and drops a briefcase next to Multi. Inside is…

Multi: Sweet, my sword!

[Splatterslash Neo]

{Uses Hero Tech to coat the blade in ink, granting an advantage against foes applicable. Also highly effective as a traditional cutting weapon, boasting a durable razor-sharp edge.}

KHAMSIN                                                0.8%

--------—----------------------------

|

“I’m gonna make calamari out of you, or die trying!”

Khamsin, despite being at critical health, rushes right for Multi, who clashes the oncoming swing.

Multi: Then say hello to a new friend of mine!

“Knuckle-BLASTER!”

Multi switches styles and Knucleblasts the chainsaw, knocking it out of Khamsin’s hands. He activates Squid Time briefly, cutting the mech’s right arm into pieces.

KHAMSIN                                                 0.5%

--------—----------------------------

|

“Hold still, you little fuck!”

Khamsin throws a left punch, but Multi simply slides under it and rips it apart with the saws.

KHAMSIN                                               0.3%

--------—----------------------------

|

Multi: Ha! Disarmed!

Marie: Now’s your chaaaance!

Spyra: Give him hell, boss!

Multi stomps at the axe in the ground, sending it into the air, then he dashes onto Khamsin’s mech,

“No, NO! I can’t lose!”

-plunging both saws into the now-glitching Khamsin’s chest, 

“Then just think of it as winning a prize of death!”

-ripping him out of the cockpit, 

“No, no, STOP!”

-and throwing him into the air.

KHAMSIN                                                0.1%

--------—----------------------------

|

Multi jumps up, activating Squid Time again and slashing at Khamsin over and over, cutting him into pieces. 

“Oh, god! OH, GOD!”

The mecha ax comes down and Multi grabs it and stomps, smashing Khamsin with it and scattering the pieces.

KHAMSIN                                              DEAD

--------—----------------------------

Spyra: I’m getting a transmission from him.

Multi: Take it.

[CALL]

Khamsin: …All this…and beaten by a goddamn squid…

Multi: No need to be ashamed. It’s just nature, running its course. And you? You’re nothing personal. It’s just…revenge.

Khamsin: You piece of shit…Revenge? What about our return?! What about humanity?!

Spyra: Humanity is long dead, and they brought it upon themselves.

Multi: And if they know what’s good for them, they’ll STAY dead.

Khamsin: Ten-limbed…goddamn…son of a…

[NO SIGNAL]

Multi: Heh. What would an illusion know about freedom?

Marie: I don’t know why I was ever worried! You’ve only gotten better.

Multi: Stress can do that to a person. I’d know. Cathartic as that was, I don’t think this is over.

Marie: Agreed. Stay on guard, we don’t know what he’s still got up his sleeve.

LOADING…

Something in the world shifts and Michelle and Brielle disappear, along with the rest of the EPDF.

Multi: What the shell?! Where’d my backup go?! Agent 2?! Agent 2, come in!

Spyra: I can’t contact her! Something’s jamming the signal!

The titular Primordial Cube floats down into view.

Primordial Cube: Not bad, not bad at all! 

“...YOU.”

Primordial Cube: Sup?

Spyra: Primordial Cube, what did you just do?!

Cube: Just call me Cube. And don’t worry, everyone’s waiting outside.

Multi: What do you mean outsi- you made a virtual reality field, didn’t you?

Cube: Yep. Surprised you figured that out that quickly.

Multi: Who and what the shell are you?

Cube: Short version? A piece of rogue equipment from Petrichor V that gained sentience after eating one too many people, an Infinity Engine and a Hypercube. Their functions are said to be infinite and they can communicate telepathically.

Multi: Wait, infinite? That means-

“I can do ANYTHING. With enough energy, of course.”

Spyra: You…ate people?

Cube: More absorbed them. Living black hole, you see. It’s why I can absorb energy from anything. Also why the first thing I learned when I became self-aware is how to utilize dark matter. All our automatons boast a hard-wired adaptable state-of-the-art artificial intelligence of my and Sasha’s own design. Of course, that mostly applies to your little assistant there. Additional interfaces enable various functions and means of communication. I possess an intellect far beyond sapient reckoning.

Multi: You don’t say…Then what’s the meaning of life? Why are we here?

Cube: The meaning of life’s what you make of it. And it’s obvious what we’re both here for.

Cube shoots 3 knives at Multi, which he catches.

“You want to stop me, and I’ve been sent to try and probably fail to destroy you. I’m on thin ice, so if I disobey a direct order, they’ll no doubt kick me out. You can probably guess who’s ‘they.’ And I want to make sure you’re the winning side first. After all, we are preprogrammed with knowledge of EVERYONE. Besides Spyra, of course, since she was meant to be a prototype. Also since I was the guy who crashed an escape pod FROM Petrichor into the Ark Polaris, humanity tasked me with passing on their culture and fed me ALL the knowledge of ALL the media! And I mean all of it! In addition to everything they gave Tartar. Hence why I made a carbon copy of Khamsin.”

Multi: Everyone, huh? Then who’s your employer? Grizz?

Cube: Unfortunately. But my handler is a white woman.

Multi: Huh, white woman? Das rough, buddy- Wait, Sasha’s the sweetest person I’ve ever met!

Spyra: Don’t tell Marie that.

Multi: Shut.

Cube: I will never eat peanut butter ever again. At least not straight from the jar, I actually like Reese’s.

Multi: Who the hell would eat peanut butter straight from the jar?

Cube: Either a psychopath or someone with 3 AM energy.

Multi: Those are the exact same shucking thing.

Cube takes out a peanut butter cup and eats it.

Cube: Yummy.

Multi: Hilarious, this guy.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - I'm My Own Master Now (Special Edit)

Spyra: Just a bit…more…! Hah! Gotcha!

Marie: Zero, come in! Can you hear me?!

Multi: Loud and clear! Though you might wanna keep your voice down, the Wind’s right there.

Marie: Oh, my bad. Spyra managed to break through the jammer?!

Cube: Holy shit, that was fast. Took you the better half of a minute. Granted, it was low intensity, but still, that’s impressive.

Multi: …Spyra, how the shell?

Spyra: It’s as he said, we possess intellect far beyond human reckoning. Breaking out was relatively easy with the weak firewall.

Marie: What did this “cube” do?! I can’t track your location!

Cube: Augmented virtual reality field!

=Final Checkpoint!=

Cube: …By the way, you’re actually pretty good. I can see how you handled NERU so easily. But if you really wanna stop the winds? If you really want revenge?

Cube stares Multi down.

“Don’t. Hold. Back.”

Multi: …Sasha said the same thing.

Cube: Yeah, but unlike her…

Cube pulls out a pistol and points it at Multi.

Cube: I’m not going easy on you either.

Multi: If you think you’re gonna deter me, OR my mission, you’re dead wrong. So get out of my way, 

Born, into a pack,

There’s no choice,

But take orders to attack,

Locked up in chains,

I get fed,

But the hunger still remains!

Multi pulls out a pistol and points it at Cube.

Multi: -or I’ll have no choice but to take you out with the rest of them.

Cube: Oh, sure. I was planning my dispersal anyway; save for Sasha, they’re all jerks. In fact, I’ll join you. If you beat me.

Multi: So you’re the traitor she mentioned a year ago…Ain’t this funny?

Cube: In a cosmic sort of way, yeah.

Multi: And you’re saying, if I manage to deal enough damage to tempo-drop you, you’ll not only drop the Jerks of Destruction entirely, but completely switch sides?

Cube: That’s the deal. But remember, that only applies IF you beat me.

Spyra: …But you’re indestructible. And immortal.

Cube: Immortal doesn’t mean inexhaustible.

Multi: So I just gotta tire him out…

Marie: He might be bluffing to make you think you’ve got a chance…

Spyra: No, he’s telling the truth. Infinity engines are only enough for vital functions, to prevent their users from going power crazy. He has limited surplus energy.

Marie: And I don’t think there’s any other way out of that place…

Multi: Then my path is clear. You’re going down, Cube.

Cube: That’s what I like to hear.

Cube begins revving up Heat, powering up.

Hear me howl!

Time to leave them all behind!

Cube: Multi Prismwater, Ultrasquid of Inkadia, Agent Zero of the Squidbeak Splatoon; unstoppable force of justice, man on a mission, wielder of the Kraken Trigger…

I’m my own master now!

Cube teleports behind Multi and swings a construct hammer, which Multi parries with his sword.

“Let’s see what you’ve got!”

[Immovable Engineer, Winds of Destruction]

{PRIMORDIAL CUBE}

RAAAAAAAH!!!

LOADING…

{OBJECTIVE}

[Defeat the Primordial Cube!]

CUBE                                                  100.0%

—------------------------------------

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Multi sets up a stationary Ink Storm and begins by firing a clip of Assault Shots, which Cube blocks with a force shield. Multi follows up with a Sonic Grenade, which Cube simply catches and eats.

Marie: He ATE IT?!

Cube: Sonic-based stun weaponry? Clever trick, but that’s not gonna work on me!

Multi: Then how am I supposed to hit you?!

Cube: Figure it out! You know how to parry, don't you?

Multi: Uhh...maybe.

Cube: [Primordial Comedy]

"TIME TO LEARN."

Cube lets out a salvo of 6 missiles at Multi one after another, who parries them all in rapid succession, sending them back to Cube, who takes the hits.

CUBE                                                    84.2%

—------------------------------------

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Cube extrudes helicopter parts, flies higher and fires at Multi using twin miniguns. 

Cube: Too high to reach, bulletproof, and constantly firing at you! What’s your plan?

In response, Multi dash jumps to the force wall, and then jumps off it, throwing a punch to knock the Cube down and activating Squid Time, hacking away at him. The cuts audibly contact and bounce off metal, but Cube’s health is going down…

CUBE                                                    73.6%

—------------------------------------

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Cube suddenly disappears.

Marie: Where did he-

Spyra: Above!

“Think fast!”

Cube fires a railgun from above, which Multi simply punches back at him, making Cube flinch and drop the railgun. 

CUBE                                                    48.4%

—------------------------------------

|||||||||||||||||||||||||

“Ow that hurt I forgot you can parry anything that isn’t an active beam!”

“Ha! My turn!”

Multi readies and fires the Rocket Launcher, launching a homing missile while simultaneously running at him.

Cube: Oh damn, he’s using homing missiles! Anyway-

A turret comes out of Cube, shoots down the missile,

Spyra: Huh?!

-and retracts while Cube blocks Multi’s overhead kick with a mechanical Sundowner shield.

Cube: Point Defense Cannon. Pretty basic stuff.

Multi: Cle-ver bastard…

Cube: Jokes on you, I take ‘bastard’ as a compliment!

Multi dashes to pick up the railgun, but  it demanifests.

"Too smart for that!"

Multi flips over Cube to avoid a counter, activates Dual Wield and fires Marksman shots which get blocked, Cube sends a bunch of discs flying, Multi throws out a bunch of coins, and they both pull out their swords, clashing. Multi uses Burst Shield, staggering Cube briefly and sending him flying, and fires another rocket which actually hits, followed up by Multi shooting a coin, causing a chain reaction with the discs and the other coins.

[ + ULTRARICOSHOT ]

CUBE                                                    24.3%

—------------------------------------

||||||||||||||

“No more games!”

Time to leave them all be-HIND!

Cube lets out a shockwave, aura expanding.

Spyra: Watch out, he’s serious now!

Both Cube and Multi get serious, throwing all they’ve got at each other.

Cube pulls out all types of weaponry, and begins spawning mooks.

Multi utilizes his parrying, movement abilities and arsenal to his fullest.

Both spamming the hell out of every Special they’ve managed to scan.

After a full 45 seconds, neither one has managed to land a hit yet.

Marie: We need to find an opening, or this’ll go on forever!

Multi: (Coddamnit…He’s cocky as all hell, but he’s vigilant. There’s only one way I’m catching him off guard…) Spyra, drop my pain inhibitors again! Just for ten seconds!

Marie: Zero, what are you doing?!

Multi: I’m going Inferno!

Spyra: Full Inferno?! Are you sure?! When you used that against Monsoon, you almost went insane!

Marie: What?! You seriously aren’t going to risk yourself going mad, right?!

Multi: I was in it for minutes straight last time! This one’s different, I’ve already got an attack in mind!

Spyra: …Alright, here we go! Turning off inhibitors!

Cube: Hey, whatcha talking abo-

Multi tears skin lines into both his arms, manifests Dante’s sword, and lets out a battle cry, going into a frenzy and switching to acid.

Multi: You’re finished!

Cube: Is that Dante’s sword?! What in th-oh, CRAP!

HEAR ME HOWL!

TIME TO LEAVE THEM ALL BEHIND,

Multi charges with a Stinger, then another, then 2 more. He then stabs the sword into the ground and spins around it, following up with a heavy slash, sending Cube into the wall. He then holds the sword high and it shines, readying a critical hit. 

“Here’s the finale!”

I’M MY OWN MASTER NOW!

Cube bounces off the wall, and Multi nails the final Stinger, piercing the Cube entirely and sending him into a devastating explosion.

CUBE                                                       K.O.

—------------------------------------

Multi puts away his weaponry, and drops Inferno Mode.

Hypercube Conundrum - MISSION CLEAR

_____Stage Results_____

TIME                           00:13:02.94     +1800
BP                                          3440     +2000
HIGHEST STYLE                        US       +2500
LONGEST COMBO                     48      +2000
KILLS                                        38      +2000
                  NO DAMAGE                     +1500

BATTLE POINTS
15040

COMBAT RANK
Perfect!

[ CALL ]

Grizz: Cube, what happened?! Your energy levels are dropping!

Cube: Hey…Grizz? So that plan didn’t work out so well…

Grizz: …WHAT? What do you mean?!

Cube: Lost. Got my ass kicked. Royally.

Grizz: …Sigh…what a waste. Get back here ASAP, we need to regroup.

Cube: Tell the Winds…we need to wait. Build up their forces. Us alone aren’t gonna be able to being him down…

Grizz: Cube, what do you mean?!

Cube: …See ya…space…cowboy…

Grizz: Cube? CUBE?! 

“CUBE!”

[ NO SIGNAL ]

Multi: And that’s how you do it.

Marie: A new move?

Multi: Yep! Drop my normal stance entirely and go full-on reckless aggressive, moving too fast for my foes to even react. The damage I do more than heals off the self-damage, since I scatter ink and thus heal on every hit. Don’t catch yourself on the other end of the thing or you’ll probably have to drop your idol career!

Marie: Ha, ha. But in all honesty, I’m impressed! You may have to make a more…normal squid-friendly version of it sometime, but I’m sure Callie would’ve been screaming in delight at the sheer…”coolness”.

Multi: Heh, awesome. And don’t worry, we’ll find her. In time.

Marie: I’m sure we will, now that you’re back and we’ve got a potential Agent 4.

Cube comes out of the rubble, undamaged,

Multi: And if this guy’s being genuine, perhaps a 5.

Cube: Ok, now that we’re in the clear…Holy…crap, dude.

Spyra: Oh dear god, he IS immortal!

But he doesn’t look angry. Instead, he manifests some hands, clapping for Multi.

Cube: Bravo, bra-VO! You really are an unstoppable force!

Multi: …You’re not mad?

Cube: How could I be?! You’ve more than exceeded my expectations. Didn’t even manage to properly hit you once, man! And those Devil Must Die and Crazy Dance replications, holy hell! Coolest shit I’ve ever seen!

Multi: What can I say? I’m just that good.

Marie: Well, Cube, I’m glad you encourage his…better traits.

Multi: Now, honor the deal.

Cube: You’ve got my word of honor; I am Wind no longer.

Multi: Good. You made the right choice.

Cube: Hold on, lemme change my look to signify I’m good now. I’ve been waiting to use these designs anyway. Wait, where’s Spyra?

Spyra: Remember? I don’t have a body.

Cube: …Gimme her gun.

Multi: Nope.

Cube: Just trust me.

Multi skeptically hands Spyra to Cube, who slightly modifies her. She goes from red, blue, and white to purple, pastel purple and carbon, as well as having a better nozzle, then Cube sets her down.

Cube: I’ve added two features, Spyra. I want you to activate them yourself.

Spyra: …Okay…

Suddenly, Spyra manifests her avatar.

Spyra: Huh? I can manifest?

Marie: So that’s what she looks like.

Spyra demanifests her avatar.

Cube: And now the other one.

Spyra’s gun releases a cube which turns into a bottle of ink, which morphs into…a purple squid?

Marie: …Isn’t Spyra…an AI?

Cube: Instead of holographic nanomachines, these are constructive nanomachines. Used some of Multi’s data for it, and an artificial ink sac for the base. Who do you think made the Equippers?

Multi: Son of a fish, this guy's good. With the added advantage that there’s no organs to vital strike.

Cube: Not only that, she can do everything an inkling can, even generate Heat.

After a bit of effort, the squid turns into an inkling with what appears to be an ink tank spine, who marvels at herself…

Multi: Spyra? You still with us?

Cube: Hold on, hold on. Let her adjust.

Spyra: …This body…I…have actual ink? I can feel my weight…the summer heat…! I’m…!

“I’m…!”

Spyra begins to uncontrollably cry, unable to hold back a smile.

“ALIVE!”

Spyra tackle hugs Multi.

“I’m alive I’m alive I’m alive!”

Cube: I’ve added the Synthling sac to your variable sub generator and I’ve hard-wired the holo-matrix. Your Synthling form needs chemical energy to keep together properly, so you will need to eat, and you’ll need a few seconds to ready another one if you get splatted. But your holo-matrix can interact with the world around you now, it’s just far weaker physically.

Spyra hugs Cube.

Spyra: Thankyouthankyou THANK YOU!

Spyra lets go and falls to her knees.

Spyra: T-Thank both of you...so much...

Cube: Now with that out of the way…it’s morphin’ time!

Cube changes looks.

(I’m too lazy to add the face, use your imagination.)

Marie: Gah! Too bright! And too asymmetrical!

Cube: Ok, how about this?

Spyra: Decent, but too off-putting. People’ll think you’re still evil.

Cube: …Yeah, I can see that. How about…this one…

“NO!”

“Yeah, I don’t like it either.”

Multi: Getting closer, but a bit basic.

(not to scale)

Cube: So?

Multi: Perfect.

Spyra: Sells the ‘reformed’ look quite well.

Marie: …I like it.

Cube: Great. One more thing before we get outta here. I’ve scanned Spyra’s database for your previous fights, and I’ve noticed a problem.

Multi: What, is it my fighting style or something?

Cube: Not really, no. It’s with your swords. 

Marie: …Sheldon doesn’t botch a weapon, Cube.

Cube: I’m aware, and he’s good. But the normal weapons just can’t handle Multi’s powers. The Paint Blade was meant to be as durable as a Dynamo Roller, and you saw what happened to that thing. 

Marie: Yeah…even the cheapest low-end Rollers are meant to last at least a decade before needing repair or replacement. Hero and Dynamo Rollers should last a lifetime.

Cube: And for a weapon to take damage or break in the middle of a mission, or a Wind fight, just won’t do. Your Squidbeak tech is impressive, but against the Winds? Yeah, you’ll need something a bit better.

Marie: What are you trying to say?!

Cube seemingly takes a breath.

“You’ll need Primordia tech. My tech.”

The virtual reality field disengages, sending Multi, Spyra and Cube back to reality. 

Michelle and most of the officers are confused, but Brielle and a few others immediately ready their weapons. Spyra, having calmed down a bit, slowly gets up.

Brielle: So you’re the Cube…

Cube: Whoa, whoa, hold ON! I haven’t even pulled out a weapon yet!

Multi: Hold your fire, Brielle. He’s an ally now. I already beat him, he’s agreed to play nice.

Cube: I already faked my death to my boss, so now I’ve got no motive nor drive to kill any of you. Not like I was trying to. And besides…

Cube raises a vacuum to the sky, 

Cube: Would an evil man do this?

“Back to me, sheep! Show’s over!”

-and all his minions are lifted up and sucked in, giving Cube his energy back. He then stores the vacuum and releases a bunch of drones that begin to undo the damage done, starting with the destroyed road.

Cube: Now, can we talk?

Brielle: …Fine.

Brielle hesitantly puts away her weapon, and the others do the same.

Cube: I was trying to keep infrastructure damage to a minimum, but Khamsin apparently didn’t hear that.

Michelle: Some of our rookies go overboard when they get their first upgrades, so I can attest to that.

Cube: So, here’s the deal. I’ll repair all the damage I and my mooks did. If you managed to swipe any weapons off my mooks, you can keep ‘em. Not only that, I’ll try and hook the EPDF up with new equipment. Consider it my application.

Brielle: …Joining us? You’re being…oddly generous for a terrorist.

Cube: “Terrorist” in quotation marks. All I wanted out of this was an opening to ditch my boss.

Cube’s drones finish, 

Cube: Anyway, think it over. I’ll get out of your hair, there’s more immediate things to take care of. Such as, recovering your living generator.

Marie:  You know?!

Cube: Yep. I’ve had eyes all over Inkadia for a while.

Brielle: …Understood. Should we cover this up?

Cube: We gotta . And under no circumstances can I be on any media for at least the next few months. My greatest advantage is that my superiors think I’m dead, and if we blow that cover early, we’ll all be in boiling hot water.

Multi: More like scalding vapor since the water’ll have evaporated from how hot it is.

Brielle: Understood. We’ll tell all the news outlets. But you’ll need a disguise for the next few days.

Cube: No problem.

Cube dons an inkling tentacle wig. Slick style.

Spyra: Cube…!

Multi: That’s extremely dumb and I’m mad because I know it’ll work.

Cube: Exactly. Now let's get a move on, we're burning daylight!

Cube and Spyra leave for the Square, and Brielle stops Multi briefly.

Brielle: This isn't like anything the EPDF's seen before...To be fair, neither are you. Mind keeping an eye on him?

Multi: Had every intention. But I've already wasted enough time; I gotta get back to work. Later, Brie.

Brielle: Hasta la vista, Multi.

Multi dashes to catch up to Cube and Spyra as the screen fades to black.