PB4G: WRATH AS A LIGHTNING, pt.1

WRATH AS A LIGHTNING, PART 1
---
TERRA-CCLVII/Earth-257
The Colosseum. New Rome's center for entertainment of all varieties, from the festive to the brutal. The original structure, still sitting in the original city a continent away, was in need of serious renovations. With that out of use, its upgraded successor, thousands of miles away, was now the prime candidate to host every event that the World-Emperor saw fit to host.
Today was to be a special occasion. Outside the Colosseum, vendors handed out souvenirs, shirts, cups and the like, all bearing a single emblem: a lightning bolt. The symbol of their hero, Jupiter's chosen avatar. He was to be demonstrating his abilities today. There was no hotter ticket on the planet. When seats became available at the 80,000 capacity venue, they sold out in minutes. 
Inside, the stadium was filled to the brim, with onlookers of all ages waiting for a chance to witness their champion in action. In the box with the best view in the arena, the World-Emperor sat. Watching close by was a tan-skinned woman with long, raven hair, in a traditional red robe. Though not worn nearly as often these days, most people saved them for big public spectacles like this. Her name was Iris, Diana's avatar and the champion's beloved. Though she would usually fight alongside him during such displays, a knee injury from a prior fight had kept her sidelined.
"Not used to this kind of view, eh?" the World-Emperor asked.
"It's torture, Your Majesty. But at least I can see how much our champion really relies on me." Iris replied.
"How very presumptuous." Seated by her was a brown-haired woman in blue robes. Her name was Belledona, the champion's twin and Ceres' avatar. "Not as if he's done this a thousand times or anything."
"Settle, ladies. It's about time for the main event." The emperor rose from his seat to address the crowd.
"He loves this part more than the actual fighting." Iris whispered.
"Let him have his fun." Belledona replied.
The World-Emperor got up on his podium. "Citizens of New Rome! And to the millions watching around the world! I welcome you to our glorious Colosseum! For over two-thousand years, our eternal empire has--"
As he went on in the background, the champion waited at one of the entrance gates. "And there he goes. The advertisers won't be happy about him cutting into their air time."
Inside the arena, his opponent, a hulking half-man, half-bull, stood snorting, prepared for a brawl.
"Looks a bit smaller than last time. I'll have to be careful not to break him." the champion mused.
"And now, without further ado, I present to you, your champion, our empire's champion, the world's champion! Our lord Jupiter's chosen warrior! The one, the only, MAXIMUS!" The emperor bellowed.
Out walked the champion, to great fanfare. Possessing short brown hair, a beard, and traditional blue armor, he carried with him a long weapon shaped like a lightning bolt--the Bolt of Jupiter. He waved to the adoring crowd, presenting the Bolt proudly.
"And I still remember the days he'd be getting his pants pulled down." Belledona mused.
"He's giving them what they want." Iris said.
Maximus looked up directly at her. She waved. He saluted, and winked.
He walked up to the minotaur. "Asterius, old chap, is that you? You've gotten a bit slimmer since the last time we tussled."
The bull-man snorted. "New diet."
"Nice. Not that it'll make you harder to hit. Come on. Let's give the crowd what they paid for."
"The glory will be mine today, Maximus." The minotaur brought forth a giant hammer, and swung it down at the champion.
Maximus swiftly used the Bolt of Jupiter to block the strike, as electricity crackled from both it and his eyes. The crowd went wild. "Is that a rubber covering I see on your hammer? Wow, you're learning."
"I will not fall victim to the same trick twice."
"It's only a trick if I hide my intentions."
A spark of electricity cut across the hammer, cutting through the covering. The power coursed into the open hole, electrifying the weapon. The minotaur tossed it aside.
"The gods aren't losing to something you'd make a balloon with."
Asterius, now firmly agitated, began swinging at Maximus with his fists. Swift as lightning and cool as ice, he dodged every attempt. He eventually maneuvered onto his opponent's back. He gave Iris another look and wink, then grabbed onto one of his enemy's horns. He raised the bolt into the air, and lightning crashed down onto him. He was unaffected. Asterius very much was not.
The bull-man collapsed in a heap. Maximus stood atop him, and flicked his hair back. The crowd went berserk with applause. Attendants dragged the minotaur away, as Maximus soaked in the attention. 
"MAX-I-MUS! MAX-I-MUS! MAX-I-MUS!"
The adoration, the cheering, the power he was gifted. This is what he dreamed of. Not bad for the son of a farmer.
The spotlight was a natural place for New Rome's champion. But when one literally shone down on him from above, the entire arena went silent.
Floating in the air was a round, red spacecraft, about the size of a city bus. 
"Your Majesty...is this part of the show?" Belledona asked.
"Not that I'm aware of..." the emperor replied.
As people around the Colosseum pondered the nature of this ship, an object was launched from its center, hitting the ground with a crash.
The object got up. It was a person, garbed entirely in orange, mechanical armor with white streaks across the arms and legs, the eyes on the helmet also glowing white. There was visible lettering on their right arm and leg, but they appeared to have been scratched to the point they were unreadable.
"What in the realms is that?" Belledona questioned. She noticed Iris trying to slip away. "Where are you going?"
"We don't know what that is. I'm going down there." Iris replied.
"On a hobbled leg? I'm following. Last thing we need is you hurting it even more."
At the center of the Colosseum, Maximus looked perplexed. "That's some entrance and costume, chap. You Pluto's latest plaything?"
"....." The armored figure stayed silent.
"I'm getting the sense that you aren't part of the show. What are you here for, man?"
The stranger zeroed in on the Bolt. "That's a mighty nice weapon you have there." he finally said in a deepened, clearly-altered voice.
"How nice of you to notice. This is the Bolt of Jupiter. It's an infinite supply of electricity."
"Infinite, you say? How lucky. Power like that...most people would kill for."
"I'm not liking that tone, chap. You here to do me harm?"
"I'm here to free your world." The armored man produced a single, long spike from the knuckles of his right hand, which lit up with white light. "From you."
"That a fact? Didn't realize I was holding it hostage. Alright. I'm giving you five seconds to turn and leave. I'm not one to take a challenge lightly. Five--"
The stranger punched Maximus hard enough in the chest that it sent him flying away. The champion plunged the bolt into the ground, using it to keep him upright. 
"Wrong choice." Maximus launched a bolt of lightning along the ground at the armored man. He leapt into the air, bringing his fist down on the champion, who dodged. The two clashed. The stranger grabbed the body of the Bolt, and began to take in its power.
"I like this power...I think I'll keep it." He punched Maximus again, and held onto the Bolt.
"Bastard...that doesn't belong to you!"
"You know..." The stranger looked over the bolt. "The other ones I've fought were mostly immune to their power. Are you?"
Maximus swung at the armored man. The latter bludgeoned him with the hilt of the Bolt, knocking him to his knees. He then plunged the Bolt into his chest. Maximus reeled in shock.
"Guess not."
Screams of horror emanated throughout the Colosseum, as people ran for the exits in a mass panic.
The armored man removed the Bolt. Maximus fell limply to the ground. Looking up at the horrified World-Emperor, the man shrugged. "Are you not entertained?"
He narrowly got out of the way as an arrow flew at him. Iris, holding an emerald-green bow, fired another one. He slashed at it, destroying it. He wagged his finger at her. "Not today, sweetheart."
From above him, a swirling vortex of ice circled.
Belledona, eyes aglow, loomed. "The gods will strike you down for this!"
"Gods only have power if you believe in them, don't they?"
"Blasphemous demon! What does a monster like you believe in?"
"Power, blood, and that the world's better off without a guy like him."
"How dare--"
He raised the bolt into the air, and the resulting electrical surge caused the vortex to dissipate. "Guess your gods aren't too picky about who gets to use their power, huh?"
Iris prepared another arrow. The armored man pointed the Bolt at her. "Don't test me. I'm here for him only. You'll all be better off."
The spotlight came down on him, and he rapidly ascended up, back into the ship. As if it was merely a mirage, it vanished.
Iris, defying her own injury, ran over to Maximus. She nudged him. There would be no response. 
"Gods, no...gods, no..."
Both women fell to their knees, and wept.
The day of celebration had ended in tragedy.
---
The Space Between. A realm outside the realms.
The ship materialized. Its one passenger deposited his trophy--the Bolt--onto a seat. He sat at the controls. "Computer. Bring up the display."
At once, a large collection of profiles appeared in front of him, some of which had been blacked out. "Cross out 257. He's been neutralized."
The profile of Maximus dimmed.
"Where to, next...what's the closest universe to here with a variant?"
One profile enlarged.
"...oh, this one's just a kid. And already with all sorts of problems to his name. Right. Computer. Set course for 727."
He looked at the image of one Max Jadefang.
"'Jadefang', eh...wonder what that's all about."
---
June 2, 2032
Earth-727. Tokyo.
"...heeeey, Maxie! It's your pal Cindy-O again! Just checking in. I know you're *super* busy, but...ugh, no, delete." 
Cindy sat on her couch, speaking into her phone.
"Hey, Maxie! I was wondering if you wanted to hang out later? I know I asked yesterday...and the day before that...and we already hung out on Saturday, but...ugh, too needy."
"Hey, Ibuki! Me again. Just wanna know if you'd like to hang a bit after work. Anytime's good for me. Any...time at all. Nope. Even more needy."
She slumped over the armrest. "Heya, Maxie. I'm super happy you're doing good. I'm..." 
She looked at the picture on one of her shelves. There she was, with a black, metal bird.
"...not doing great. I should be. I'm alive. I'm gonna meet my nieces in a couple days. I just had a bunch of fun with Emmy. But when I'm by myself here...I can't hear anything. I can't deal with it being quiet. Cuz then I start thinking about Hugo again. I miss him so much. I was so lonely and I had no friends, so I built one. Then he died so I can live. And I just...can't. I need people around so it doesn't get quiet. I know you've got your own lives going on and I'm being super annoying, but..."
She got a call. It was from Ibuki. "Hello?"
"Hey, cinnamon roll. How you doing?"
"I-I'm alright! Totally. I'm not interrupting work, am I?"
"Nah, I'm on break. I, uh...got your message."
"Oh, no...! I thought I deleted it..."
"It's fine. By the by, I'm free to hang out a bit if you want to come over later. Right, Maxie?"
Max was seated across from Ibuki. "Yep. You want to tell her I got her messages, too?"
Cindy froze. "Oh...fooey."
Max leaned into the phone. "Cindy, you can come over whenever if you just want to talk. I get it. I'm sorry you've got to be there by yourself all day. You know you can call Dr. Wolfe if you need to vent. She's free all summer."
"We know you miss your birdie, honey. But he wanted you to live. Just take it one day at a time, and we'll help you as best as we can." Ibuki added.
Cindy wiped her eyes. "Thanks, guys. I think...I'll call the doctor lady. I really need to chat. Dinner later, then?"
"You've got it." Max replied.
"Hey...I love you guys. You know that, right?"
"We love you too, hon. We'll see you soon. Keep your head up." Ibuki answered.
"I will. Bye-bye."
The call ended. "Oh, I feel so bad for her. She's gotta be so lonely in that apartment." Ibuki said.
"I know I felt like that when I was in her world. Hopefully Dr. Rose can help her through it. I don't think she's ever getting over Hugo." Max replied.
"She really loved that little guy, didn't she?"
"He was a lot to her. Pet, assistant, nagging butler...and her friend. That's why she won't build another one. Not like he was just an appliance you could replace."
"Well, at least she'll be headed home for a couple days. That ought to be good for her head. Girl just needs to find something to keep her occupied when there's no one else around."
An alarm went off on Max's phone. "Alright, gotta head back to the station. Weather girls can't film themselves. Guess I'm getting dinner for three later."
"I'm feeling ribs tonight. Let me know where you're going so I can pick out sides."
"You'll be the first to know. See you later."
"I'm already counting the seconds~." She winked at him. 
Max made his way back to Ikebukuro, where the TV station was located. He was about a block away, when he started to get an odd feeling.
Among the walking crowds, Ryōma Tsutsugo, visiting his wife at the TV station, spotted Max from afar, ducking into an alley. "Now what's that kid up to?"
Ensuring that nobody could see him, Max hid behind a trash can, then donned his armor. He stepped out. "...I know when I'm being followed. Why don't you drop the spy act and show yourself?"
Next to his head, the edge of a weapon shaped like a lightning bolt moved into place. Its holder, a man hidden behind orange armor, made himself known.
"Can I help you with something?" Max asked.
"Die quickly and quietly." the armored man replied.
"Do I know you?"
"Should you?"
"Would help this little scenario make more sense. You with Death's Hand? That weapon you've got screams 'magic'. Maybe you were left here by the Wolfpack?"
"Who I am makes no difference. All that matters is what I'll do to you."
"Fair enough. Why don't we take this somewhere less cramped?"
A large, silver hand emerged from underneath the armored man, punching him into the air. He readjusted in mid-air, then landed on the roof of the adjacent building. Max leapt upward to meet him.
"You mind explaining what this is all about? Not to cut this short or anything, but I need to get back to work." he questioned.
"What was that arm? Shouldn't your powers be electricity-based? On top of not being 'O'Donnell'..."
"What are you babbling about? For one, I used to have electric power. And if you're really looking for 'Max O'Donnell', I'm him. I just dropped the last name since I didn't want to be associated with the man that gave it to me."
"Even with all that, you've got the same aura about you as the others. A screw-up with more power than he should have."
"Others? What are you talking about?"
The man held up the Bolt. "Enough talking."
Max summoned his gunsword, blocking when the mysterious man swung at him. Blue electricity sparked as both pushed against the other. 
"What was that about others? You mean other...Max O'Donnells? Are you from the multiverse?" Max questioned.
"So you know about other worlds. That simplifies things. Call me an exterminator. Purging the worlds of the threat you all pose."
"The hell does that mean? What threat?"
"Is the fact that you nearly enslaved all of humanity not good enough of an answer?"
"...! How do you know about that? Just who are you...?"
"Only a fool goes into a hunt without knowing his quarry's habits." The man forced Max back. "See this weapon here? It's like a portable generator. Limitless energy that could keep every home in this country running forever. The Max I got it from used it to fight in an arena. That is the one constant with you all. Access to power that you waste or misuse. The worlds actively suffer from your incompetence, and I'm putting a stop to it."
"Think I don't know I've made mistakes? I live every single day to try to make amends! I can't fix what I've broken if you kill me."
"I know the easiest fix." The man directed several bolts to strike at Max, who evaded them. 
"Persona!" The upper half of Ultraman materialized above Max, reached back, and plunged its fist forward. The armored man held the Bolt up, surrounding himself with an electrical barrier. The force of the attack pushed him back.
"Did any of the other Maxes you fought have something like this?" Max asked.
"This thing's a first. You really are a weird kid. And as strong as this is..." The eyes of the armor lit up. "...there's a big, shiny part that has 'weak point' written all over it."
The Bolt flared, and a white bolt of lightning, larger than any previous one, crashed down from the heavens. It struck the blue core at Ultraman's center. As the silver giant was electrified, Max also began to reel in pain. "Gkkkk...what...the..."
"So you take the brunt of it when that thing gets hit. Makes my job easier!" 
A second, large bolt joined the second one, creating such force that it blasted straight through the Persona. Max's armor shattered in several spots as blood erupted out.
As the dust from the strike faded out, the silver giant crumbled away, the pieces hitting the ground with loud force. Max fell to his knees, then onto the floor, unmoving.
The armored man loomed over him. "You gave me a different show from the others. But this Bolt changes the game for me. The Max I killed to get this was the 73rd I've eliminated. You'll be the 74th."
He raised the Bolt up, looking to plunge it. "This is for everyone's good. Nothing personal, kid."
Suddenly, an orb of green, rapidly spinning wind was tossed his way. "Hm?" He quickly reacted to cut it in half.
"Yo, jackass. What's with the getup? Wasn't that nerd convention last week?" Tsutsugo had appeared on the edge of the roof, tossing another orb up and down.
"I don't know who you are, but back off. My job isn't done."
Tsutsugo looked down to see Max. "Shit...what'd you do to the kid?"
"Leave. Or I'll demonstrate." The armored man drew the Bolt back. "Forget this. He'll be dead on his own soon enough. I've got places to be."
His crimson spacecraft materialized above.
"The hell...?" Tsutsugo pondered.
The light from the ship shone down, and the armored man disappeared into it.
"Hey, hold on a sec!" 
The ship disappeared.
"Tch...the hell was that guy's deal?" Tsutsugo approached the unmoving Max. "Aw shit, this ain't good. This ain't good at all..."
---
Hours later, Max was in a bed in Karakura General Hospital. Ibuki was seated next to him, staring with intense worry. Cindy sat in the corner of the room, in clear shock.
Outside the room, Rin and Rose were speaking with Mimi, in her nurse's uniform. Tsutsugo stood against the wall nearby.
"...all his gashes are sewn up. They've at least managed to stop the bleeding. There's really no telling when he's gonna wake up, though." Mimi explained.
"I could feel it when I went in there. His Persona was broken apart almost completely. As long as his inner self stays in that state, he'll never awaken." Rose said.
"You can fix it though, can't you?" Rin asked.
"Slowly and carefully. The damage was extensive. I can try to piece it back together, but...I'm not entirely sure of my chances of success."
"Not the answer I was hoping for. Thank you for the update, Mimi."
"Sorry it's not better news." Mimi departed.
"Unbelievable. After all that we went through with the Wolfpack, now this happens?"
"I'm starting to think this town may just be cursed." Rose looked to Tsutsugo. "Coach Tsutsugo, if you don't mind?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just filling in Junko on how her camera guy's holding up. It's only been a little while, but she's already taken a liking to the kid. She's not taking it well." Tsutsugo replied.
"Nobody is. I took the liberty of calling Barbara and Ms. Annette. Ibuki...isn't in the mindset to do it. They're both taking the first flight they can book." Rin said.
"Sucks that his fam isn't here for when shit like this happens. I mean...you hope shit like this doesn't happen."
"It's such a wretched feeling. Ms. O'Donnell looked catatonic from the moment I told her what happened. And right as we were discussing her own struggles with her trauma. This definitely won't help matters." Rose added.
"Can you tell us what exactly happened?" Rin asked.
"Not much I can say. I showed up right after the kid got knocked out. This weirdo in an orange robot suit was standing over him. Had a...I don't want to say sword, it looked more like a lightning bolt on a metal stick, about this long." Tsutsugo held out his hands to demonstrate. "He was about to finish the kid off, but I got there before he could. Guess I must've pissed him off, cuz then he went into his spaceship and disappeared."
"His...spaceship?" Rose pondered.
"Yeah, this round red thing that just appeared out of nowhere and took him up. If I wasn't seeing that kid in that bed, I'd think I was hallucinating the whole thing."
"Who was that man? Death's Hand, maybe?" Rin asked.
"Doubt it. Didn't see the symbol on his armor. Never saw a guy like that during my time there, and that suit didn't look like Theban tech."
"Given the timing and that it was Mr. Jadefang who was attacked, perhaps it was a Wolfpack member out for revenge?" Rose theorized.
"Nah, don't think it's that, either. That wolf boss threw everything and the kitchen sink at us during that last brawl. Didn't strike me as the kind of guy to hold back for a fight like that. A guy with the power to do *that* to the kid that wasted him..." Tsutsugo shook his head. "No way the wolfman left him in his drawer. If he was one of them, we'd have seen him."
"Then...where does that leave us?" Rin asked.
"Well...there is a bit more. When I got up there, the guy was going on about taking that lightning thing from another Max. Then he says that he's killed 73 of 'em, and that the kid was gonna be the 74th."
"74...Maxes? He's targeting people with the same name? That doesn't make any sense..."
Rose had a realization. "Ah...perhaps it's not just that they have the same name. Maybe...he meant different variants. I find it highly unlikely that another man named Max with electric powers lives in this world and we don't know about it. I don't believe our mysterious attacker, or anyone else he has targeted, are of this world."
"So you mean...he came from another universe? Like the Defense Force?"
"I believe that to be the most likely explanation."
"So if he's jumping around other worlds, offing guys like the kid...what for? And how the hell do we even find him?" Tsutsugo asked.
"I will consult my mother on this. She observes the multiverse through the Velvet Room. If someone is truly hunting down different variants of the same man, then we must make haste in putting a stop to it. Hopefully, an attendant has noticed something being amiss."
"Sounds like our only option. I'll let everyone know you've left." Rin said.
"I hope I can come back with a breakthrough. Tell Ms. Hinotama and Ms. O'Donnell to remain calm. I will do everything in my power to find a good resolution to this." Rose bowed slightly, then walked away.
"Hey, hope you don't take this wrong, but I've gotta go pick Junior up from the station. His mom doesn't like him staying around there too late." Tsutsugo advised.
"It's no trouble. Thank you for getting Max here quickly. If you hadn't been there, we might be looking at a much worse outcome." Rin replied.
Tsutsugo departed. Rin peered into the room, at Ibuki and Cindy's expressions. "...I should get them something to eat. It might be a long night."
---
Later in the afternoon, Ibuki sat texting, the recipient being named as 'Sissie ❤️'. 
"'How is he?'" Kaede asked.
"'💔'" Ibuki responded.
"'I'm so sorry. Do you want us to come over for a while? Kanae wants to see him'"
"'No don't. I don't want her seeing him like this. I can't handle it. It's like the universe doesn't want us to be happy'"
"'You have to keep fighting. You're the strongest person I know. You'll get through this, like always. Stay strong.'"
"'Thank you, sis ❤️❤️❤️'"
Ibuki lifted her head up to see Cindy, sitting in the fetal position on her chair in the corner. Not saying a word, she picked up her own chair, placed it down and sat next to her.
Cindy looked up to see Ibuki staring at her with a half-smile. She wrapped her arms around her, and started weeping. Ibuki also began shedding tears.
"I can't...I can't do this...I thought we were done with all the fighting and shit and now this happens?! I can't..." Ibuki uttered.
"I'm sorry...I'm sorry...I'm sorry I haven't said anything...I...uhuhuuuu..." Cindy's own crying drowned out her words.
"Come on, honey, you've gotta keep it together! We shouldn't be crying over him like he's gonna die, cuz he's not! He's gonna make it! He...he's gotta...he's gotta make it...cuz I don't know what I'm gonna do if he doesn't..." Ibuki buried her head in her lap.
Cindy's own despair grew at an alarming rate. Ibuki grabbed a water bottle. "Come on, don't dehydrate yourself...breathe...you've just gotta breathe."
After taking a drink, Cindy started to calm down. "Thanks...I'm sorry...I...I can't take this, either..."
Ibuki rubbed her back. 
"I saw him in a hospital bed one other time...he took a hit that would've killed me...and now here he is again. I'm still...I'm still such a mess over Hugo, and now...I..."
"Easy. Take it easy. Drink. If we're this much of a disaster now, I don't wanna think about when Barb and Ms. Annie get here."
Ibuki composed herself. "Whoever the orange fucker is that did this...he'd better hope someone else finds him before I do. I'll kill the son of a bitch myself..."
"No, please, no more talk about killing and dying...please, no more..." Cindy shook her hands.
"I'm sorry, honey, I'm sorry. I just wish I knew he wasn't gonna come back to finish Maxie off...I hate that everything's always up in the air. I've got a lot of hopes, y'know? A happy life, maybe a nice wedding...a baby, if I'm lucky. Life keeps throwing all these curveballs, and I'm getting really damn tired of it, and I swear that if I see the bastard, I'll..."
"Ladies."
Both of them looked over. Rose had appeared. "I'm sorry. I know this isn't the best time, but..."
"How'd you get in here? I didn't hear the door open..." Cindy asked.
"That's just how she is. What's the word, Doc?" Ibuki asked.
"I believe we've had a breakthrough in the search for Mr. Jadefang's attacker." Rose answered.
"Really?! Where is he?!" 
"Come along. It's better if I show you."
Ibuki turned to the sleeping Max.
"The night nurse will be in soon. He won't be left alone." Rose assured.
Ibuki put her head up against his. "I'll be back. Don't you dare leave me, you hear? You're not dying to some orange loser."
Cindy looked like she wanted to say something. Her energy being spent, she opted against it.
Rose took out her phone, and initiated the transport. Reality began to twist and bend.
---
"Welcome to the Velvet Room." Rose spoke upon entry.
"Wh-whoa...is this that Metaverse place you guys talk about?" Cindy asked.
"This space lies in a realm between reality and cognition most of the time, though it can appear in either when the need arises. This is where this world's attendant observes the actions in all realms."
"Are you the attendant, Doctor?"
"No. That would be her."
Rose pointed to a chair, akin to one a therapist would sit in during a session. "Greetings." Kaya said.
"GAH! Where'd she come from?!" Cindy questioned. "And why aren't you surprised?"
"We're all just...used to this kinda thing." Ibuki replied.
"My name is Dr. Mikaela Wolfe. I am the one in charge of this room." Kaya explained.
"Dr. Wolfe...wait, so...huh?" Cindy pondered.
"I forgot to mention this. She's my mother." Rose elaborated.
"You have my condolences for what happened to your friend. I've been working diligently to find the one responsible. And I believe I may have found his handiwork." Kaya said.
"What can you tell us, ma'am?" Ibuki asked.
"Right this way."
Kaya directed the group through a hallway, where many an attendant, all with pale skin, platinum hair, yellow eyes and blue clothing, were walking and working.
"I'm starting to see where you got your fashion sense, Doc." Ibuki said.
"Blue is a color representing knowledge, wisdom, and the infinite. That is what all who dwell in this room have dedicated their existence to." Rose replied.
"And it looks really good paired up with red, huh?"
Rose averted her eyes. "Perhaps a particular shade of red."
"Apple red, you mean?"
"...please stop."
"I'm just teasing. If I don't keep it light, I might start panicking again." Ibuki looked to Cindy, who remained subdued. "Hey, I would've thought you'd be going crazy over all this. It's the kinda thing that tickles that robo-brain, isn't it?"
"Sorry. I've just...got a lot going on. There's just some things..." Cindy looked to one attendant in a maid outfit, dusting a bookcase.
In her mind, she remembered Hugo holding a duster in his beak, dutifully cleaning her shelves.
"...I can't get out of my mind."
The group walked into a large room, with multiple control systems surrounding a gigantic, holographic orb comprised of numerous screens. Attendants were at every control.
"Here is where we are able to monitor worlds from outside our own universe, in case they become a threat to our own." Kaya explained. "Normally, we would not interfere with otherworldly matters, but in this instance, it's warranted."
"Wow...we've got a monitor a lot like this back home, but we've made contact with a lot less worlds than that...just how many are there?" Cindy asked.
"It numbers in the billions, but the vast majority remain undocumented. With that many worlds to look through, it would be impossible to notice any irregularity that you weren't singling out." Rose replied.
"That's why it helps to know what we're looking for. Variants of Max Jadefang--or O'Donnell, more often than not--dying under suspicious circumstances. Our unknown assailant claims to have slain 73 up to this point. Even that number is incredibly small, but in the last few hours, we have managed to find 12 that fit the profile." Kaya continued. The orb shifted around to enlarge 12 screens.
"Attendants gathered information from these worlds, and every single one spoke the same. Their Max O'Donnell was confronted and killed by a nameless man in orange armor, who disappeared into his ship and fled after." Rose moved her hand to focus on one screen. "Earth-1743. One where the Wild West is still in existence. Sheriff Max O'Donnell is confronted in a saloon by the armored man. He draws first, and his shot, charged as it was, bounces off the armor. His opponent draws a gun of his own. One shot to the heart. Dead. I bring this one up because this is the one instance where the man gave some semblance of a name."
The screen showed an image of a Wanted poster, showing a sketch of the armored man. "After shooting Sheriff O'Donnell, he turned to the bartender, who asked who he was. The name he gave: The Shield."
"Even his *name* makes him sound like an asshole." Ibuki commented.
"Hey, over here!" Cindy directed attention to one particular screen.
Rose enlarged it. "Earth-257. A world where the Roman Empire continued into the modern era. This world's Max--'Maximus', I should say--was a gladiatorial champion. His death was approximately 12 days ago."
Looking at footage of the man, Cindy pointed to his weapon. "There! That thing he's holding!"
"Looks like a...lightning bolt on a metal stick." Rose realized. "Exactly like what Coach Tsutsugo described the attacker wielding. So if our armored foe is to be believed, then this was his latest victim prior to attacking Mr. Jadefang."
"Good a place to look for clues as any." Ibuki said.
"What exactly would we be looking for, though? He's already finished the job on that world. He wouldn't go back to it." Cindy questioned.
"Maybe he left something behind or someone saw something that'll help us track him down. I'm all out of other ideas. We've got no way to know where he's gonna pop up next."
"It was 12 days between the attacks, so if that holds, there's ample time to track him down before he strikes again. But I don't trust that this man follows a set schedule." Rose said.
"Are you two positive that you wish to take up the search yourselves? This man has proven highly dangerous." Kaya warned.
"This guy's not going to stop with Maxie. I'm sure all these other Maxes had people that are hurting right now with them gone. Maxie wouldn't sit around and not do anything about it when he could help, and I won't, either." Ibuki asserted. "You with me, girlfriend?"
Cindy hesitated, but nodded. "I've gotten so many second chances...I don't wanna waste it. I won't let this guy get away with it."
"Do you want us to send you both to Earth-257 now?" Rose asked.
"Actually...I wanna go to Earth-013 first. My home. I have some things in my workshop that could help."
---
Earth-013. Planetary Defense Force headquarters in New York City.
In the basement workshop she had made into a home of sorts, Cindy, back in uniform, scoured her belongings. "Okay...blasters, check...transportation watch, check...now, where'd I leave it..."
"How exactly do you keep track of any of this stuff?" Ibuki asked.
"Computer chip brain, remember? There's not a lot that I forget. And even when I'm scatterbrained, I have...someone to...track it all for me."
"Cind?"
Staying quiet for a moment, Cindy resumed searching. "Anyway, I think I know where it's at." She went over to a locker, inside of which was a pink safe. 'Stay away unless you're me!' was glued onto the front using foam letters of different colors.
"That should work." Ibuki uttered.
Cindy input the code, and it opened. Inside was what looked to be a pink necklace, with a heart dangling from it. She put it around her neck. "Yay, still fits. Back before I upgraded Hugo to be my armor, I used this. I just press this heart, and it activates. It doesn't have some of the tools that Hugo did, but it should still..." She trailed off.
Ibuki patted her shoulder. "I'm sure it'll do just fine. I trust that big brain. And I wanna see that big smile. Otherwise I'm gonna go crazy. We're gonna kick this Shield joker's ass, right?" She held out her fist.
Cindy finally smirked, and bumped it. "Yeah. We're gonna wipe the floor with this creep!"
"Hell yeah, girlfriend! Time to teach this clown that he's messed with the wrong ladies."
Cindy input the coordinates into her watch. "Next stop: Earth-257." A portal opened, and the two stepped in.
---
The Space Between. 
"*cough*"
That sound.
"*cough**cough*"
Everywhere he went, it followed.
"*cough**cough**couuuugh*"
He awoke. The Shield was in his seat on the ship. With his helmet off, he got up, and shuffled to the back, clutching his head. "Just need...some water..."
"*cough*"
It rang in his head.
"Damn you...why won't you...leave me alone..."
The sound always came back. While he was awake. While he slept. It always returned.
It always did.
"*cough*"
And in his mind, it always would.
"*cough*"