by HERO! and Vulpixjoe, Nuriko and Smasher
The resident villain of New Champ City revealed his name to be Phlem-Man. Once the pleasantries were out of the way, he decided to assist the MBL in the battle against the Boull. Because if the aliens ruled the world, how could he?
Phlem-Man: "I have a plan."
Marv Velo: "My plan seems to be working just fine."
Phlem-Man: "Mine'll work even better. Trust me."
Nowhereman: "I'm hesitant to trust a known villain, but my Nowherelie-detector says I should... this time."
Marv Velo: "All right. What's the deal?"
Meanwhile, on the front lines:
Flintlock: "I'm almost out of acid, and they keep coming."
Disco: "One shot, one kill, Flintlock. Use your acid wisely."
Hero: "We're being overrun. Stand your ground!"
Vulpine Joe: "There's no end to them."
Lioness: "There must be five hundred of them coming."
Agent F7, shooting a Boull, said, "Four-hundred ninety-nine."
Lioness: "I love you, sweetheart."
Shock-Headed Peter: "No more of that, you disgusting League pigs."
And thus, the battle continued, inside the ranks as much as against the enemy. Suddenly, Phlem-Man screamed to all Leaguers, "Get up here as fast as you can! Stop shooting. Regroup on me!"
As the MBL ran to safety, Phlem-Man triggered an underground explosive, which he had intended to use when he wanted to destroy the city. If the Boull were allowed to run rampant, there would be NO city to destroy later. And where was the fun in that?
Half of the Boull army fell in the massive explosion. The MBL rejoiced as the Boull momentarily retreated. The mysterious Phlem-Man disappeared before the MBL could apprehend or question him.
Vulpine Joe: "Should we be thanking him or trying to find him?"
Hero: "Good question..."
Vulpine Joe: "You're going to die in ten uses of your power, Hero!"
Hero: "Says who?"
Vulpine Joe: "Says my precognitive powers."
Hero: "When did you develop those?"
Vulpine Joe: "Five days ago."
Hero: "I refuse to die. I have not yet accomplished what I set out to do."
Vulpine Joe: "What was that?"
Hero: "Live until the year 2000."
Suddenly, a teleporting Boull appeared behind Hero, snatching him up and teleporting him away from his friends. When he realized what was going on, he found himself near Incursion in a vast universe of pure energy. Instantly, Hero's power told him he was INSIDE of Incursion. And something told him this was a bad thing.
Meanwhile, in the woods outside New Champ City:
Vulpine Joe: "Hero just disappeared... right in front of me... like he was kidnapped."
Agent F7: "It's that easy to die. One second you're here, the next..."
Dragnet Zero: "I don't want to die."
Vulpine Joe: "He's not dead. It's not yet his time. Soon, but not now."
Dragnet Zero: "But I don't want to die."
Agent F7: "Me neither."
Disco Stave: "I don't want to die, either."
Beer-Drinking Lad thought to himself, Hmm... Morale seems really low right now. Well, there's no better time than now the team mascot to show 'em how it's done.
The Lad stood on a platform and faced the confused, tired, and scared MBLers. "Leaguers! Fellow patriots of justice, of truth, peace! Leaders of the righteous cause, which keeps this planet a somewhat nice place to live! You are all key to the future of this wonderful world, every one of you."
The team mascot turned to each of the MBLers as he addressed them. "Lioness, your heart epitomizes the spirit of the team. Vulpine Joe, your fresh take on the world of heroing inspires even the oldest of misers into believing in a better tomorrow. Dragnet Zero, you're always there in times of need. Worm, your recent return to the team proves that a Leaguer is always a true hero at heart. Shock-Headed Peter, in times of need, you put aside your differences for an assured tomorrow, proving that compromise is always an effective tool in accomplishing what would otherwise be impossible. Marv Velo, you step to the front of the line when the occasion presents itself, sacrificing yourself for the good of the team. Disco Stave, you're like a brother, and I love you. And everyone else on this field whom I don't have time to address personally... we are the League!
"Individuals, who make up the greatest heroic force in existence. There is nothing we can't do together, in dark times, in bright moments. We will stand tall, proud, and forthright. We will make tomorrow a reality. We will strive through impossible odds and arrive on top with pressed collars and ironed spandex. I am proud to count myself among you, even if only as your mascot. This may be the last time I am able to speak to you. But you -- ALL of you -- are the truest, most selfless friends a guy could have.
"You are true men and women of all ethnicities, races, and religions. And you come together for a single purpose: to defeat the evil that threatens our world. And we prevail. We will always prevail. 'Cause failure is not an option, nor a possibility. Together we stand. Together we fight. Together... we live. We are the Meta Board League! All others are mere cheap imitations!"
The MBL cheered greatly at Beer-Drinking Lad's words. Even Shock-Headed Peter got shivers down his cold spine.
Beer-Drinking Lad: "So... anyone want a beer?"
Vulpine Joe: "That was a very nice speech. But what do we do now? Hero is gone, and I am not sure where... but I may be able to develop a power that allows me to find him. Give me a few minutes, and maybe I can..."
Natsuko, huffing and puffing, arrived at the scene and said, "Whew, I made it! Luckily, I have a tracer in my phone that gave me your location! I'll gladly help you, especially since I'm having trouble finding the Lady! What do you want me to do?"
Out of nowhere, Beer-Drinking Lad was cracked across the face by a sheet of steel and fell to the ground. Over his knocked-out body stood the brainwashed MBL member known as Smasher.
"The weak Boull are nothing... I am the master's power! I have the cosmic powers put into me by my new lord. Who shall be the one to face me?"
Nowhereman: "I will!"
The two stood face to face. In the distance, the few remaining Boull began to run away. The two-on-two fight started, and within seconds, the smoke cleared, and the powerful new MBL member known as Nowhereman was down for the count.
Smasher: "Who is next?"