Chapter 23: Storming the Dimensional Vortex! Echoes of the Phantom

This time we shall conquer the Dimensional Vortex! Riftbreaker taking off! Next stop, the skies over Palsifal Palace, the year 20,000 BC.

Everything is ready. The Primeval Gem's energy has been loaded into my Main Cannon. Give the order and I will unleash it.

Brace yourselves, everyone, this is gonna be a bumpy ride. Synth Hydra, now!

Roger. Firing now!

Yes! It opened up a way through. Keep going! Full speed ahead!

Hold on tight!

We're nearing the center of the Dimensional Vortex. This is as far as I can go.

We'll have to go the rest of the way on foot. Thanks, Hydra. You did a great job.

Okay, team, it's time to put a stop to the Phantom's schemes once and for all.

Yeah! Show him who's boss, Aldo!

Feinne! What are you doing here?

Heehee... I decided to stow away and come with you.

I thought I told you to stay at home where it's safe!

I came along for the ride too, bub.

Don't forget about me! The gang's all here.

You guys!

I'm sorry, Aldo. When I started thinking about all the danger you'd be in, I couldn't stand to let you face it alone!

Well, I appreciate the sentiment, but...

C'mon, don't be such a party pooper! I promise I won't be any trouble. I'll stay right here on the ship and cheer you on!

You can count on us to protect her if anything goes wrong.

That's right, bub! Feinne's got nothing to worry about with a couple of sterling bodyguards like us around!

......

Hydra... Did you know about these stowaways?

Who could turn down such an earnest request from a young lady? Not a gentleman battleship such as I. As of late I feel completely reborn. Just call me the Synth Hydra Z.

We can argue about this all you want, but it's not like we can leave and take them back now.

I dare say this ship is the safest place for young Miss Feinne.

There is even a possibility that her power may be able to guide us to our goal.

Okay, okay, I give up. Guess we're stuck with you.

Yay!

Just promise me you'll actually stay put this time. No leaving the ship, all right?

I promise! I'll be here waiting for you to come back.

(You'd better be...)

Now that's settled, let's head out!

See you later! Be careful.

And so you reach your journey's end. It was a stroke of genius to use a Primeval Gem to circumvent my defenses.

No more hiding, Phantom. The gem was Professor Chronos' idea. We couldn't have made it here without him.

Even in death, Chronos continues to be a thorn in my side. No matter. The fabric of this dimension has already been eroded past the point of no return. Struggle all you wish, but there's nothing you can do to change that.

I wouldn't be so sure about that.

Our lives are not yours to play with as you see fit!

So you are the Phantom. I won't waste time on empty threats. Just know that I will stand against you, in the name of every living thing on my beloved planet.

Fools! Your words are as the buzzing of so many insects to me. Aldo...it was a mistake to allow you to become involved in all of this. I underestimated you. I never believed you would survive long enough to make it this far. But I won't make the same mistake again. This is no place for mere humans. Stay out of matters that do not concern you.

Just try and stop us!

What makes you think you have the right to decide the future of the entire planet? Show me the strength of your resolve. Does the future lay in your hands, or mine? It's time for us to lay that question to rest. Prepare yourselves!