[i][b]Contrast[/b] stared at the blue sphere. He admired its bright blue glow that filled the room and the gentle warmth it gave off. The clean metal that surrounded it shined in its presence, making the stark black metal look dark blue. But no matter how much he gazed at the heart of the [b]Omninavus[/b], [b]Contrast[/b] could not rid himself of his anger. He was enraged by his recent defeat by the hands of those he deemed lesser. He was unnerved that a simple oversight was enough to set him back so far. And he was infuriated that the remaining 2 principles, [b]Alignment[/b] and [b]Unity[/b], were still alive and such a threat to the [b]Grand Colony[/b]. However, it was not [b]Contrast[/b] himself that was feeling these emotions. It was the crystal of the [b]Grand Leader[/b] that filled his head with such rage. Normally, he would be extremely frustrated at the mistake he made, but he would then immediately change his course of action. But the crystal that was embedded in his forehead constantly reminded him of his flaws and mistakes while listing every possible consequence that might be forming at the moment. It basted his mind with scorn and negativity for allowing his imperfections to get the better of him and allowing [b]Alignment[/b] to take back a key component that the [b]Grand Colony[/b] needed. It was not [b]Contrast[/b] that was mad. It was the [b]Grand Leader[/b]. That rage was paused by the sound of an opening door. A partially repaired [b]Repetition[/b] entered the room and approached [b]Contrast[/b].[/i] [b]Repetition[/b]: “Statement: The fruits that were extracted from the tree before its loss have been juiced. Most of the juice has been combined with the tree sap to form a powerful serum while the rest is being analyzed. In addition, we have begun mass production on small ships based on blueprints found at the Interdimensional Market.” [i]This brought little peace of mind to [b]Contrast[/b]. Yes, progress was being made, but at the same time, so much more had been lost.[/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “I don’t understand. If he wasn’t in Gray Sector or the In:Ma, then where could Alignment have hidden? What other realm...” [i]The answer struck [b]Contrast[/b] like lightning. He was amazed that he had not realized it sooner. [b]Alignment’s[/b] students were not from the [b]In:Ma[/b], nor were they from any other realm he had assimilated. But if so, where did they come from?[/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “Repetition, haven’t we collected any data on a new realm as of late?” [b]Repetition[/b]: “Answer: The only new realm discovered recently was one known as ‘OffTopic’. Entities that have given information about ‘OffTopic’ are ‘Daliah Dislay, TigersFan, Dr. Titan, Tilman, Sylver, Giant and Ult Loot Crate’.” [i][b]Contrast[/b] did not recognize most of those names, but a few of them had a hint of familiarity to them. If [b]Alignment[/b] had any other hiding spot, it would most likely be there.[/i] [b]Contrast[/b]: “Then it’s settled. Our next target will be this ‘OffTopic’ area.” [b]Repetition[/b]: “Query: How will we approach this new world, master?” [b]Contrast[/b]: “Warp the Omninavus near its most inhabited area, but not too close. I don’t want it to end up like Paradisum’s fall. We will then scatter our scouting drones across the land along with our special armed droids to back them up. Once we have weakened their forces, deploy those small ships you mentioned earlier for good measure. Only then will we begin the assimilation.” [b]Repetition[/b]: “Query: And what of the possibility that they board the Omninavus once more?” [b]Contrast[/b]: “We inject that fruit serum into some of our Grand Colonists and have them deal with it. I will have no crevice upon my ship unguarded and no stone below unturned. Anything else?” [b]Repetition[/b]: “Answer: No, master. This unit is prepared.” [b]Contrast[/b]: “Not yet. Finish your repairs. Then we will depart.” [i][b]Repetition[/b] left the room as his master commanded. [b]Contrast[/b] once again stared at the blue sphere. The negative thoughts plaguing his mind faded and a wide grin formed on his face.[/i] ———— [i]The [b]Infinite Tree[/b] shaked as it moves through the portal that [b]Unity[/b] had created. Its roots fell onto the soil of the realm it had entered and scattered near [b]Alignment[/b] and his students. They were safe from the [b]Grand Colony[/b], but they all knew it wouldn’t be for long. [b]Alignment[/b] examined the area and realized where they were.[/i] [b]Alignment[/b]: “This is OffTopic. Unity, how do you know about this place? You’ve never been here.” [b]Unity[/b]: “As I have said before, we are now unified. You and I now share our abilities and memories. Because you know what this place is and what it looks like, so do I.” [b]GG[/b]: “Why have you brought us to an inhabited land? We could be attacked from anywhere now!” [b]Alignment[/b]: “Relax, Gor.” [b]GG[/b]: “Gor?” [b]Alignment[/b]: “Well, I haven’t given you a proper nickname yet, let alone an actual name. ‘Golden Gorilla’ just doesn’t roll off the tongue. But that’s besides the point. This works to our advantage. Contrast won’t stop following us until he gets what he wants. We’ll have to make this our bastion for when he attacks next.” [b]GG[/b]: “And you fools just going to wait until he gets here?” [b]Alignment[/b]: “Well, when you put it like that, it would be best to come up with a plan.” [b]Unity[/b]: “I already have one.” [b]Alignment[/b]: “Let’s hear it, then.” [b]Unity[/b]: “I chose this place instead of Gray Sector for a reason. Contrast probably already knows we’re here, but since he’s never been to this realm before, he’ll most likely attempt to assimilate it. This is what I’m counting on.” [b]GG[/b]: “You want him to destroy this place with us in it?” [b]Unity[/b]: “No. Assimilation will take time to perform, but it’ll take even longer if we deny them of power. We must extract the people inside the Omninavus. If we do, they will lose excess power and enough time will be bought to deal with Contrast.” [b]Alignment[/b]: “So, you’ll create us a portal inside the ship again, a select few of us will infiltrate it, rescue the people inside and then we’ll be able to defeat Contrast and stop the assimilation.” [b]GG[/b]: “You make it sound so much easier than it will be. Do you really think that you won’t experience any trouble along the way?” [b]Unity[/b]: “Of course not. That’s where you and your tree come in. I need you to provide fruits to everyone during the battle. Contrast will likely be sending stronger forces to deal with us and it won’t be just droids with guns.” [b]GG[/b]: “I must stay in the tree and protect all that live in it.” [b]Unity[/b]: “Then stay in the tree. But when we need those fruits the most, I expect you to pass them to me.” [b]Alignment[/b]: “We’ll need everything you got. Even your strongest fruits are needed to complete this task.” [i]The [b]Golden Gorilla[/b] sighed and thought to himself for a moment. He then jumps into the tree and returned with a fruit that shined with golden light. It’s skin looked like a prism of gold and its stem looked like a strand of DNA. [/i] [b]Alignment[/b]: “Am I finally worthy of the golden fruit?” [b]GG[/b]: “No. Not yet. Which is why I’m only giving you half.” [i]The [b]Gorilla[/b] ripped the fruit apart and gave one half to Alignment while eating the other half.[/i] [b]Alignment[/b]: “What does this do, anyway? Apart from giving people a shiny exterior, of course.” [b]GG[/b]: “It allows the consumer to grow to their maximum strength and achieve their full potential. Any ability that can only be achieved through years of hard work will become available to you for your usage. Be mindful that it only bestows and improves abilities that you are capable of achieving. The transformation is only temporary and the withdrawal is extremely painful and will leave you vulnerable.” [b]Alignment[/b]: “Temporary? Then how have you remained golden all this time?” [b]GG[/b]: “I have been wandering the Infinite Tree and consuming every Golden Fruit I can find. This is to make sure I remain the guardian of the tree and that nobody unworthy will be given its power. I have eaten so much now that if I were to experience withdrawal, I would die.” [b]Alignment[/b]: “I see... thank you for this opportunity, Gor.” [b]GG[/b]: “Thank me by winning this fight.” [i]The [b]Golden Gorilla[/b] disappears into the leaves and branches above. [b]Alignment[/b] stares at his golden fruit for a moment and turns to [b]Unity[/b].[/i] [b]Alignment[/b]: “Unify all of the students. We’ll need to be able to communicate with each other during this ordeal.” [i][b]Unity[/b] nods and begins to rally all of the students. [b]Alignment[/b] looks off into the sky.[/i] [b]Alignment[/b]: “I will save them, Dezi. I won’t fail Dominance a second time.” [spoiler]The finale of RPC will begin soon.[/spoiler] [spoiler]Fades Away[/spoiler]