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1The Laboratory Raid
2
3Endgame decides that they will retrieve Elt's body. Then immediately afterwards they will find a place where time flows faster and hopefully wait out until they can bring back Inigo. Fala continues to fire allegations that Endgame has turned gay for Inigo to the point she forgets to criticize raiding the laboratory.
4
5The raid on the laboratory at the minimum has Elt as a reward, but there is technology that can be retrieved if they can successfully defeat the walrus general without causing too much widespread damage:
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7-A large yet portable electromagnet. (What they used to capture Elt and his people in the first place.) Works on walrus cannons!
8
9-A device that disassembles water at the molecular level, separating it back into oxygen and hydrogen. (Which allows further development for the device to do the opposite and restore water. Allowing them to raise and lower a planet's water level. Helpful during the Neptune arc.)
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11-Experimental phase shift technology. (Lets spy drones go through walls for better espionage opportunities.)
12
13-Surgical implants that create a barrier to allow walruses to survive in space. (Basically, stealing this and wiping the data stalls walruses from being able to survive in space and allows Endgame's warp the walrus general into space to instakill trick to work a little longer.)
14
15Elt gets his body back and joins the fight as soon as he and Dola can get to it. He needs a little help to revive his body.
16
17After getting back to base, Dola says they will start searching for the rest of Elt's kind so they can return them to their bodies as well.
18
19Tillinbor
20
21Nola informs Endgame and the others that she found the most ideal planet to try to spend a month in: a planet called Tilinbor. The surface is mostly covered in acid. However a subterranean society exists. A semi-popular trading outpost too far away from Walrus Empire territory. Very fast time flow. One month in Tilinbor should be one week in their present location. Endgame is optimistic about it. Fala complains (of course) about spending a month underground with what she assumes are bug people. Ayame freaks out because she doesn't like bugs. (Not even prettier ones like butterflies or shiny beetles.) Dola assures them they are NOT bug people. Tarandin is content with staying put thinking there's no way they can screw up things from Tilinbor. Chiyo is still super depressed. And so they're off.
22
23They land on Tilinbor's surface and observe some bizarre lifeforms adapted to an acidic world. Then they enter a cave leading them to civilization. One voice catches Endgame's attention.
24
25"Challenge your inner darkness! Step right up and test the strength of your convictions!"
26
27A discussion with the man (well, male humanoid) gives us one option. If they can overcome their inner darkness and become clean, they can walk into an area bathed in light and eat the fruit of a sacred tree. (Stat booster. +2 to all stat modifiers.) The fruit immediately rots if it leaves the area, so the only way to get the fruit is to beat one's inner darkness.
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29If voted on, Endgame decides to go through with it.
30
31How bad can it be? Surely, Endgame is not a conflicted man full of self-doubt and resentment!
32
33.....Well let's see what Shadow Endgame has to say.
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35"You have become weak. Brainwashed by Robin and her drivel about human bonds. You have forgotten what it truly takes to win a war."
36
37Uh oh.
38
39"Look at you. Giving your quintessence away to a worthless little girl who ended up getting your best tool killed. To think there was a time you didn't care who you had to trample over to do what needs to be done. Is this the same man who kidnapped Tiana and violated the privacy of her own inner thoughts?"
40
41Eep. Endy's past is coming back to haunt him.
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43"Yes. That is who you are. You are indeed human. Yet you try to pretend you can be something greater. That you can guide humanity to a path to better its self. But it is all a farce. You know the truth: humanity is rotten to its core and can never change. That if you did defeat the Walrus Empire, humans would rise to replace walruses as the biggest mass murderers in the universe. Loptyr is right. Humanity must be destroyed!"
44
45Endgame can't REALLY believe that deep down inside..... can he?
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47"You wonder just what went wrong with your daughter Fala... oh Fala, Fala, Fala. So sociopathic. So manipulative. So conniving. Willing to strip others of their very free will to take anything she wants by force! Oh, you know damn well how this happened. SHE LEARNED IT ALL FROM YOU! YOU TAUGHT HER HOW TO BE THE MOST HUMAN OF ALL!" 
48
49"I've heard enough!"
50
51Battle time!
52
53A. Attack with Valflame.
54B. Let Shadow Endgame attack first.
55C. Fist fight!
56D. Take the "Naruto route" where Endgame gives a speech about accepting that Shadow Endgame is indeed a part of him and give him a hug.
57
58.....
59
60D gets Endgame sucker punched and that's the end of the battle. C leads to a stalemate. B is the correct answer because it lets Vengeance give Endgame the power to nuke Shadow Endgame while A causes him to lose because Vengeance favors Shadow Endgame instead.
61
62Assuming Endgame wins, he gets to eat the fruit from the tree and enjoy higher stats! (Quintessence bonuses are recalculated from higher modifiers. Or..... I just write Endgame is stronger than he was. I honestly don't keep track of things to THAT much detail.)
63
64And others join him, for they too have conquered their inner darkness!
65
66Severa has overcome her insecurities and begins the transition to her Fates personality.
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68Owain has overcome his doubts of losing himself to his unholy lineage.
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70Rina has decided she will start living for herself and, yes, admit she enjoys being a magical girl and wearing the dress instead of trying to be an ideal daughter for the sake of her father's reputation.
71
72It was easy for Vaike to win because the man's too confident to have any real inner darkness.
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74Really, it seems only Est and Gerome lost. Est is still insecure and has doubts she truly deserved Abel in the first place. (As per Kaga's original ending for her before I turned it into a running gag about her getting kidnapped.) And Gerome is full of doubt of being able to save the world. He always had doubts about saving the past from Grima, only to find a larger universe with beings much, MUCH worse than Grima ever was.
75
76Wait, but that means FALA won?! The guy running the temple says magical girls practically always pass the test. They are exceptional individuals to even be chosen to begin with after all.
77
78Fala says it was very easy for her to win because she knows in her heart that everything she does is right.
79
80.....And that seriously scares Endgame. Good thing he already ate that fruit by this point. Because that inner darkness is starting to reform!
81
82The inner darkness battle doesn't even kill a single day, so we have the other options that can be explored:
83
84-There is a local order of monks who developed a form of martial art that allows for the manipulation of "cosmic energy". Endgame thinks it could open up new combat opportunities. Nazarat says it would be a waste of time.
85
86And for Endgame, it is. He's got Valflame! However, it does help out those without divine weapons like Severa, Marcellus, Whitewings, and even gives Elt a few neat abilities in addition to helping Ayame out a bit since she never really had a serious physical training regime. Eats up time in Tilinbor with a single option.
87
88-Tilinbor is full of ruins of ancient kingdoms. However the locals are not keen on expeditions to them due to a combination of mutated wildlife and ghosts. Exploring them runs the risk of someone getting killed, but there's plenty of energy crystals and old technology to salvage to aid in factory production. (Yeah, those kingdoms kinda killed themselves with their technology. Because that's what ancient advanced civilizations do.)
89
90-Talk to the locals! Maybe work out some trade deals. Maybe recruit some new members to the Intergalactic Alliance. Maybe get some information on other planets with other things that could be useful.
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92Regardless what they do in Tilinbor, they won't get their full month before Dola receives a distress call from Nola.....
93
94The Necromancer
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96Everyone immediately returns to base to find a most disturbing sight: the planet where they took their first factor and defeated Lee is being overrun by walrus zombies! Their satellites are able to zoom in and discover the source: there's a freaking walrus necromancer!
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98What?!
99
100The Walrus King contacts them per usual. This time he's calling to say goodbye. Releasing Borzushek was the last straw and now the Walrus King is totally serious about killing them.
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102Endgame is freaking out about the whole thing. But there's no time for that. They have to go down there and kill that necromancer immediately!
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104As they board the ship, a most surprising thing happens: Tarandin comes along!
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106"This desecration of life cannot stand." He says.
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108They land and confront the necromancer. His name is Booth. He has replaced his tusks with cursed swords. He has two floating alien zombie bodyguards of a race Dola cannot determine as the DNA has decayed. Dola speculates that they may be the members of one of the many races exterminated by the Walrus Empire.
109
110Oh, and lots and lots of zombie walruses.
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112Simply put, the walrus zombies can be killed, but Booth can just raise them again in most cases so long the bodies aren't that destroyed.
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114Ways to permakill the zombies include:
115
116-Valflame. Strong enough to destroy the entire bodies.
117-Ayame's beams. Disintegrates the bodies into hearts.
118-Draining their quintessence.
119
120Since there's a lot of them, it's obviously best to kill Booth quickly. But he's dangerous himself. Sword tusks, a cannon, and alien zombies that can fly, shoot green necro energy, and quite formidably physically.
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122The alien zombies are linked to Booth's life force. So Endgame and Fala can actually burn through his HP by hitting all three at once. But they shouldn't go overboard as they're also necessary AoE damage to keep everyone else alive. Alternating "turns" between nuking Booth and aliens and nuking walrus zombies would lead to a safe clean win.
123
124Back at base, Endgame starts yelling at Dola, Bunnjo, and Nazarat. The ones he thinks knew that the Walrus Empire has necromancers. Which absolutely changes everything.
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126Dola says she only knew what was on official Walrus Empire records. Which was that the Walrus King outlawed necromancy a long time ago.
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128Bunnjo says he's only heard rumors and has never actually seen walruses use necromancy himself.
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130Which leads us to Nazarat.....
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132Nazarat says that of course the Walrus Empire who leaves a trail of death throughout the universe uses necromancy. Seems pretty obvious in retrospect. He goes on even farther to explain that there was a time where the Walrus Empire was almost defeated by the forces of Azathoth. But one day, there was a battle between Hastur who opposes Azathoth's forces (although Nazarat warns that Hastur would not necessarily be their ally) and Yeb. Which Nazarat decides to put in terms they can understand, "Cthulhu's uncle or aunt, however you choose to view it".
133
134Hastur won the battle, leaving Yeb's corpse behind. Then walrus necromancers took over the abomination and used it as a powerful warship of sorts. Allowing the Walrus Empire to defend themselves long enough to advance in technology and repopulate their soldiers to start to become a serious problem for even Nyarlathotep and pals. And it all went downhill from there.....
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136Endgame, pissed, demands to know why Nazarat didn't tell them. He replies that Endgame is impulsive enough to try to do something about it. But the reason WHY the walrus necromancers are a well kept secret, even from walruses, is because the Walrus King only deploys them to the most brutal battlefields. Ones against enemies that do threaten the empire and the Walrus King wants eradicated. Battlefields they should stay far away from.
137
138"Yeah, okay. So what else are you not telling us about them?"
139
140"I suppose there's no point in keeping secrets from you anymore... do you believe that Naga is the only one who knows how to travel through time?"
141
142"Well, no. That Galathuun guy could do it and- wait, WHAT?!"
143
144Oh yeah. The Walrus Empire has been raiding other timelines for resources. Which often puts them at odds with the Walrus Empire from those timelines. But sometimes they can just plain trick each other into lending soldiers and ships. Meaning, yeah. Time travel shenanigans to inflate their already ridiculously sized army!
145
146Needless to say, this news is not good for morale. But for Endgame, it's just more fuel for the fire. The fire to defeat the Walrus King and put an end to this shit!
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148Later that night, Nazarat decides to take Endgame to a distant planet to "learn what it means to face the full wrath of the Walrus Empire". Endgame and Nazarat find what appears to be a city. With figures that are pitch black. Endgame touches one and it instantly turns to dust. Endgame steps on an area on the ground that is black and the very ground before him crumbles to dust. To the point where the core of the planet is exposed when all the dust is clear.
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150"Now that you have seen what they can and are willing to do, I ask you Endgame. How far are you willing to go?"
151
152They return back to base. Leaving Endgame to ponder that question.
153
154The next day, they have decided to report across the universe of the Walrus King's approval of necromancy despite his claims of outlawing it. The Walrus King fires back in a conference saying "You can make up anything with the right technology! Watch this."
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156They faked a video of Endgame at the breakfast table talking to his pregnant child wife..... that's also his daughter. It looks completely realistic since the walruses are obviously at that level of technology.
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158"Now, I'm not saying Endgame married his daughter. Hell, we don't even know if human females that young can even get pregnant! But that certainly was convincing footage, right?"
159
160Everyone is disturbed about this kind of response to say the least. But Severa asks just why the made up little girl in the video looks so much like Fala did when she was younger. Dola replies that they created a perfect 100% DNA replication of Endgame to create his fictional daughter wife. The technology is just that advanced that Dola can analyze the DNA of fictional creations and get honest to goodness realistic DNA results! Fala of course, has never felt more insulted in her life by the implication that she gets her looks from Endgame and storms off.
161
162Well, this day is off to a weird start..... can it get more weird?
163
164Chiyo's Extended Temporal Vacation
165
166Good news! They're about ready to stabilize the temporal field Ungulat has created and take him into custody!
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168Endgame and Mary are on standby just in case they need help capturing Ungulat. But it should be fine. Because Chiyo shot lots of arrows at the immobile Ungulat. And it looks like some of them might actually hit!
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170Little depressed Chiyo is still shooting arrows trying to practice though. They think she shouldn't be a problem.
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172The drones begin initiating the final step to removing that field, and..... temporal field gone! Ungulat is apprehended. A job well done!
173
174.....Is what Endgame might have thought if he were watching the drones and not Chiyo who disappeared.
175
176Everyone gathers around. Dola reaches the conclusion that Chiyo was flung through time and space due to an unforeseen anomaly. Her safety depends on just where she wound up.
177
178Is there anything they can do? There are several options, of course. One is to strap a band onto someone and immediately chase after her while the trail is still hot. Another is to do a through scan and to not do anything until they are sure they can locate her. Another is reversing the process and putting that temporal field right back up in hopes of pulling her back. Then there's just plain trying to recreate the incident to send a drone to try to rescue her.
179
180Well.....
181
182-Recreating the incident allows the drone to return, but the new temporal disturbance causes them to lose track of Chiyo completely. She's gone forever. Now it's Ayame's super depression time. Oof.
183
184-Reversing the process immediately pulls out Chiyo as planned..... but there's a problem: it's Chiyo from another timeline! (Dola can tell.) Oof. Well, there's the hopeful possibility that their Chiyo is rescued in the same manner.....
185
186-The safe and through method does indeed to them bringing back Chiyo!..... as a 70 year old woman. Oof. Welp, she's no longer a viable combatant.
187
188-And last, the strap on a band and go after her method. Sounds risky! Endgame volunteers since he's feeling responsible. Even though Chiyo shot him and Borzushek barely missed his heart? What?! Maybe it's some latent fatherly feelings that are in reserves since he's not directing them towards Fala.....
189
190Well, it works. Endgame does in fact immediately find Chiyo. Surrounded by purple aliens. Endgame reaches out to her but the aliens mistake Endgame as someone who is chasing Chiyo for malicious reasons and protect her! Endgame tries to explain but then suddenly..... he's fading out!
191
192And then he fades back into that same building. Presumably a type of hut. A native sees Endgame and apologizes to him, explaining that Chiyo told them everything. They wish to apologize to him with a banquet. But Endgame's fine. He just wants Chiyo. But the native insists! No, it's fine. Just bring Chiyo and- there goes Endgame again! Gods damn it!
193
194Endgame fades back in. He shouts. A native sees it's Endgame says "Oh, I'll get Chiyo immediately!" He runs off. Finally, he can go back with Chiyo and- nope! He fades out again. Endgame surrounded by trippy time travel effects.
195
196Endgame fades back in. There's a group of natives this time. They all look pretty solemn. Did something happen to Chiyo?! Endgame feels something wrap around him! And then he fades out again!
197
198.....And he's been recalled to the base by Dola.
199
200Endgame protests this move as he knows where Chiyo is. Or was. Something might have happened to her! But Dola simply replies "Behind you."
201
202It was Chiyo that grabbed onto Endgame from behind!
203
204But there is a complication: Chiyo is now an adult. But Endgame isn't complaining~.
205
206Yep. Chiyo explains that she was stuck in that world for 10 years. Endgame is so sorry, but Chiyo says not to be. The Aluzi trained her. And now, she can shoot a bow! And proves it by shooting Bunnjo. Who is proud of her..... after he gets over the whole getting entangled in roots thing. And they even taught her to stab at melee range with her flower arrows. Chiyo is glad she was able to get the training her parents would never let her have. And that she will never hurt her friends again.
207
208Then things turn awkward when she, now older and taller than Ayame and Rina comments that she always saw them as the big sisters she never had. But now they'll be her little sisters from here on out.
209
210But Chiyo's parents on the other hand, are most livid about this development. They are assaulting Endgame with all kinds of complaints. She didn't get a formal education in those 10 years and is now socially inept! She'll never survive in their society! She's being insubordinate and demanding they stop treating her like a little girl! "Well duh! She's a woman now! What did you expect?!" But her mother insists she was robbed of those precious years. They demand Endgame find a way to change her back!
211
212Endgame basically tells them to fuck off. Chiyo is happier again and that's all that matters in the end.
213
214But Fala confronts Endgame and launches a most damning accusation.
215
216"You don't actually care about Chiyo and her feelings at all! You just like her boobs!"
217
218"Oh? She has big boobs? I haven't noticed."
219
220Which is of course, a lie. It was the first thing he noticed!
221
222And now it's time to plan out their next move.....