Well, looks like the holidays aren't cancelled.

I mean, I'm seeing mistletoe around the campus which suggests that the annoying parts are at least on as scheduled. I guess shopping won't be as easy this time around though. When it comes to making crafty gift shit, I'm not the expert. Obviously don't give any secrets away, but what are you guys planning on doing this year?

THE MASKS ARE GONE.

[Gordon is in his lab, and if the thunderous introduction doesn't give it all away, then the shattered glass cases still dripping with fluid should put everything into context. The camera whips around to his face. He's... never had that expression before. Maybe he should have gotten one of the larger predators from the woods to be his spokescritter; they would show a greater sense of openness and compassion on their fanged faces, than anything that he's showing right now.]

I don't know who the hell did this, but chances are they're listening in on this feed. Now normally I'd be the good guy and give you an hour to bring them back with no strings attached, but no. Not this time. You know EXACTLY what you've taken from here. We need those masks to figure out what the hell is going on in the clock tower. You've taken what might be our last chance to survive this catastrophe, and you'll be treated as such.

Consider this an all-points-bulletin, and a request for security to start searching. Also I'm going out myself.

Whoever you are, I hope they find you before I do.

[The video switches on, showing Cyrus in what was once the teacher housing. It didn't look like his specific room, especially since his had been on the second floor, but none of that really mattered since he had only used it because somehow the power still worked. His stern manner was gone, and he seemed tired and distant, not even looking at the camera]

Constructing a species to be entirely without emotion...yes, then there is no problem. Removing emotion from a creature that had previously processed them...

Changing the brain chemistry suddenly leads to adverse physical consequences. I had failed to take that into account.

This is ultimately what I wanted. But not in this way. I would be reborn anew, a perfect god in a perfect universe, free of suffering. There would be no fighting and no strife.

I fully believe that even now.

[he turns slightly, looking at the computer for the first time]

Oh...it has been broadcasting. An unintended consequence of the network. I had meant to speak entirely to myself.

[His sincerity on that statement is impossible to read, the utter flatness from him betraying nothing]

And yet.

Those of you versed in medical science, I ask you to aid me in reversing these physical symptoms while maintaining the erasure of my emotions.

You will be granted a position in paradise.

[After a pause, he reaches his hand out to turn off the feed, but stops with his hand on the switch]

I will fulfill that destiny. I will make my dream a reality. And we will no longer face extinction.

...

...God damn you all, I told you so.

[The feed ends]

[It's Gordon, and he's looking more Frazzled than he normally is. Visibly tired, hair disheveled, tie missing. He even takes off his glasses for a moment to rub over his face before he speaks.]

We've got a new development in the moon... situation. A reliable source mentioned to me that the person that caused the instance in Termina was actually under control of a mask. I mean ANOTHER mask. They, uh, drew a picture:

[So suddenly a file with this image attached is broadcast to everyone:]

[Good luck sleeping tonight, guys.]

I haven't found any other images besides this one, but the other masks we gained from the monsters makes me believe that this one really is out there, and that someone has a hold of it. Or rather, that the mask has a hold of THEM.

If you're a student and you see it, let a security team member know; Do NOT confront them on your own. We don't really know what they're capable of, but considering the recent minor reconfiguration of the cosmos, I'd put money on "a lot."

We need to find this thing, and whoever it's wearing, and put a stop to them.

[No one had seen much of Connor these days that didn't involve helping on the forefront. Evacuations were a no go. The animals were gone. The moon was falling. He knew now that there was no way he could return home. He was here.

Options were running thin, and his bird friend was even growing restless. Connor gave him the chance to leave, to find shelter in a way a bird could. But he remained on his side, even perched on his shoulder as he sat to film this.]

I think perhaps we should also consider the underground bunkers as a means for possible shelter. Perhaps we can move supplies down there.

I do not mean to give a worst case scenario, but if there is nothing left, there needs to be a place where we can try.

I am still searching and asking for ways to send the...moon back where it came from, even some of you have brought up some suggestions.

I am willing to hear anything at this rate.

A quick note to the security team: would you all mind coming to the office for a meeting? Now, more than ever, I feel we need to discuss and plan for what's going on.

[Never mind that Harpuia isn't even on the security staff and acting like he's in charge of the whole thing. Acting like he's in charge is kind of just what Harpuia does.]

Anyone who has any information that may be of use or feels they can be of service is welcome to attend, as well. We're in no position to turn down anything that could help us prepare for what's to come.


[Indeed, Harpuia is already waiting in the security office, looking over a map of the area he picked up from an FDC tourist center then immediately covered in notes and circles.]

So. Moon's dropping, eh? Guess either this dimension's version of Arlon is drunk at the wheel, or something else is going on! Either way, it's some pretty bad news!

Fortunately for you mortals, if none of these other plans pan out, the Sun God PYRRHON has got one of his own! It wouldn't be the first time Pyrrhon's pushed a massive deadly object away from the Earth, after all!

[It'd just be the first time he's done it willingly.]

Only problem is, uh. The Moon is quite a bit bigger than the last one Pyrrhon pushed. And is being affected by gravity instead of free in space. And pushing that last thing left me so drained that I was drifting through space for over a year.

So Pyrrhon's looking for a little help! Anyone that's got the power or propulsion to take some of the load off my back, you know? Anyone here capable of that? Every little bit might count!

There are those who have made it clear that their proposed solution to this catastrophe is to destroy the moon.

Such an action would damn us all. It has been brushed off with remarks that the debris would simply burn up in the atmosphere, yet even if this were to happen, we cannot survive without the moon.

Already we have seen the effects of its closeness on the world around us. Yet, what do you believe would happen if there were no moon at all?

The planet's orbit would become unstable itself, with no 'child' to balance it. Though it would not veer out of orbit with the sun, its overall path would be altered. Tides would fail. Our bodies, primarily water as they are, would suffer.

This world, were it to survive such an event, would find itself a wasteland. And such a thing cannot be considered "saving" it.

Any proposing such a course of action with this knowledge ought to be considered a threat to our very existence.

I know that most of you chumps are worried about the moon crashing into the planet or whatever.

I've destroyed more than one moon in my time. Several moons. Lots of them. They fall apart like brittle china when I hit them with my massive upper-body strength. I'm just that sort of guy.

Problem being, at the time, I was bigger than I currently am. It's a long story, I created my own universe, it was amazing, then I got tired of it and I left because once you've created one universe, you've created them all. But anyway, I don't have access to any Grand Stars, since I can't seem to fly off-planet anymore, so I can't create or destroy planets anymore.

But fear not, much weaker-than-me reader. I, with my brilliant mind, have another plan. I need at least two adventurous... adventurers... to shrink down to microscopic size, enter my body, and visit my... growth area, which will stimulate my already prodigious strength and amazing body to the limit, and I'll grow large enough to punch the moon out of the sky, no problems. Just imagine, how grateful everyone you know will be, knowing that you got to help me solve all of your moon-issues for you.

So anyway, I'm taking volunteers here.

I'm running out of toilet paper and food in the surprisingly big janitor's closet that I locked myself in about three weeks ago, dude. 川o･-･)ﾉ If anyone is alive and can read this, please send more toilet paper and food. There's a toilet in here. ⊃゜Д゜）⊃ Like a secret toilet, dude. It's a really nice janitor's closet. There's a bunch of old videogame systems and a TV in the secret toilet room. But not too nice. Not nice enough that anyone else should stay in here with me. ( •᷄⌓•᷅ )

Please help me not starve, okay thanks, dude. (oﾟ□ﾟ)o Message me back soon to let me know you're alive and can help out. Reduced price fortunetelling for anybody who helps. (•̀ᴗ•́)و ̑̑

I tried to contact Dr. Light back home... I thought maybe he could send support. Maybe send Galaxy Man to help analyze the situation, or even give some advice. But I can't reach him at all. Nobody's answering back home. Not Dr. Light, not Dr. Cossack, Roll...

I'm really worried. Either I've been cut off from them, or... or something bad is happening there too. Has anybody had success contacting their homes? 

I have salvaged as many of the ancient and important books from the library as I am able. That said, those efforts are fruitless should the moon conclude its path.


There is one option that will save us, yet for that I require all of you. You have varied experience with artifacts of great power, and we must pool that knowledge and artifacts themselves, as well as find those able to use them.


Additionally, among our alumni there was a being known as Bob Heather, called Arceus by whose who view it as a deity. Finding Arceus once more would be a boon to our cause.

And Mesprit, to you...call your siblings forth. The three of you hold a power capable of putting a stop to this.


We must take what we need. Truly, we are utterly alone in this world. What remains depends on those here.

So. The moon might land on us.

Anyone got any ideas on how I can get strong enough to punch it in half before it gets here? We got seven Chaos Emeralds floatin' around that no-one told me about? Or somethin' else that would let me go Super?

I just don't think crossfit's gonna cut it.

I am calling an emergency meeting of the Galaxy Club. Anybody with information, no matter how small, on the suspicious goings on is called upon to meet, as well as those who believe they will be able to help.

We will set things right. This I firmly believe. But it will take all our effort, and we cannot shirk, no matter what.

[There's a robot on the camera with two rather grotesque looking... heads? Both of them isolated in thick, futuristic-looking glass tubes for study.]



[For those unaware, Zero will fill them in:] These were left behind after the monsters in the lake and underground bunker were defeated. Their function is... unknown.

The results have come back from Dr. Freeman's lab, and as far as he can tell, these masks are extremely old... most likely ancient. Their exact age is unclear, but their composition matches no known substance. They are organic, however.

Whatever they are, these... 'masks' are definitely connected to the anomalies happening in this city. If anyone else has come across clues in their investigations, or have any relevant knowledge, contact me.

( Private to security team and friends )

[When the camera came to life, Dr. Eggman was standing in what looked like a big empty warehouse, hands on his hips, eagerly gloating.]

OHOHOHO!! Greetings, all you little SNOTS! I hope you're enjoying the start of a brand new, even more miserable school year than the last!!

You may be asking yourself a few questions! "Doctor Eggman, why are you standing in a warehouse? Doctor Eggman, why do you look so lean and svelte? Doctor Eggman, how can I have a mustache half as amazing and luxurious as your own?" Well, to answer your first question, I have an important announcement! You see, after you MEDDLING CHILDREN blew up my airship, I've had a lot of time to rethink my life's path, evaluate where I stand, and where I want my life and career to go.

And I decided to BUILD A NEW ROBOT ARMY.

[He stepped back, revealing waves of new Badniks behind him as the camera panned.]

That bird attack a few days ago turned out to be the PERFECT opportunity for me! After rounding up a few hundred of the pests, I was able to get right back to work manufacturing more robots! So despite all of your efforts, you HAVEN'T STOPPED ME IN THE LEAST! NYAH NYAH! OHOHOHO!!!

[The feed ended. ...A moment later it turned back on.]

And to answer your other two questions, I've been taking spin classes, and conditioner is your friend.

[Then the feed ended again.]

It has proven to be elusive...that which has occurred even recently, it seems information is scarce.

I ask to know what all has transpired involving the earthquake and the water rising. This includes a personal level, what you all have done to investigate these happenings.

...I have long known that this world is doomed. Yet that will be at our own hand, not this. As such, I believe it would be a benefit to what remains that we pool our knowledge.

...I have returned. That is all.

That island... It is Professor Hector's laboratory. I am certain of it. The shape and dimensions are identical. However I am uncertain why it is flying... All systems should have been rendered inoperable.

If some external force has gained access to Professor Hector's laboratory, I must find out. I am going to the island. Should anyone wish to accompany me, I would be grateful for the assistance.

I have posted to this network before, yet I did not introduce myself. My name is Helio.

I am searching for something of vital importance, something I believe to be related to the chaos.




This artifact is linked to another world, one of antimatter. It is urgent that we locate it and bring an end to this invasion.