Vivi looked at the towering castle, its massive mechanical legs shifting beneath. The structure loomed over them, metal plating gleaming under the dim sky.
"We're getting close," Vivi murmured, her grip tightening on her weapon. She saw Nipthal`s men there. She ran towards him and slashed him down. He fell to the ground.
Ben's wings stretched wide as he ascended. He thought Vivi was getting strong, very strong. He looked at the fortress ahead. "We are," he confirmed.
Alvida, turned to Ben with a smirk. She swung Seraphina and hit a Cipher Pol Agent in the face. His teeth cracked and he spat blood as he went flying back. "My love, should we head straight to the control area?" she asked.
"Yes. Let's go teach him a lesson," Ben said. He had not forgotten what he said about Vivi. He flew down and grabbed a Neo-Marine by his shirt and threw him away. He saw a Marine and Nipthal`s men fighting. He thought it was a chaotic battle.
"How do we get in?" Vivi asked.
Ben's energy flared, licking at his fingertips as he spread his claws. "We make our own way." he said. With a sudden burst of power, his hands pulsed with demonic energy. "Demon Slash," he said as he swiped through the air, sending claw-shaped projectiles hurtling toward the castle. The attacks slammed into the walls, ripping through steel plating and shattering the barriers. Dust and debris exploded outward as a gap tore open, a massive entrance carved by sheer force.
"A grand entrance, my love," Alvida remarked.
"It's not like they don't know we're coming." Ben said.
Everyone looked at the hole.
Without hesitation, Ben, Alvida, and Vivi soared through the broken wall, their feet landing inside. The air inside was stifling, thick with mechanical fumes. Steam hissed from pipes, gears churned in the distance, and the dim glow of control panels lined the walls.
Their eyes landed on a large spiral staircase.
"You've made it here," a figure emerged and said.
Vivi's eyes widened. "Queen Roba?!" she said.
The woman tilted her head. "Queen?" she echoed, a sharp scoff leaving her lips.
A second voice followed. "I am Ratchet's butler, Gonzo," he said as he bowed down.
Roba stepped forward, her posture weary, burdened by guilt. She looked to see the chaos outside, the gunfire, the explosions, the smoke curling through the shattered walls. She thought of how far things had spiraled.
Her voice was heavy with regret. "My deepest apologies…" she murmured. "You are only in this mess because of me and my foolish son. This has gotten out of hand," she said.
She looked over, her fingers curling slightly as she took in the destruction Ratchet had caused.
"I had my butler keep tabs on him," she admitted. "But I never suspected he would do something this reckless," she added.
"Did you know about the truth of the song?" Vivi asked.
Roba sighed deeply, shaking her head. "I only just learned that this island was a turtle," she responded.
Her shoulders straightened slightly, her sincerity unwavering. "I mean it. I was not trying to deceive you," she remarked.
"Your son has taken this too far," Ben responded. His wings flapped. "He has also insulted my women," he added. His eyes glowed red.
Roba clenched her fists, her own frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "He has," she quietly replied.
She swallowed her own spit. "But it is me who brought you here. If there is someone to blame, it is me," she added.
"Do not say such a thing, Madam!" Gonzo replied.
"I am just as guilty as he is. If only I had stopped him earlier," Roba said.
Gonzo bowed his head slightly. "Please… stop him now," he said.
"Do whatever it takes to end this madness," Roba shouted.
"We beg of you," Gonzo added.
Alvida stepped forward, gripping Seraphina tightly. "And why should we?" she asked. She swung her mace. "You promised us treasure, and yet you insult us," she added.
Roba's lips trembled. "My precious son is my treasure," she remarked. Then, in a motion unexpected for a noblewoman, she dropped to her knees, pressing her hands to the ground.
"Please," she pleaded. "Please bring peace back to this island," she shouted.
Gonzo swallowed. "Madam," he said.
Vivi looked at Roba. She thought of when Crocodile tried to take over her home. She would do anything to save it. Roba would do anything to save her home. Vivi turned to Ben, her eyes pleading. "Ben, Captain, I want us to stop him. To free Shimagame but please… spare him," he requested.
Ben smiled. She had always carried a kindness that others couldn't understand, a heart too pure for the brutality of battle, he thought.
He winked at her, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Okay," he responded.
He turned back to Roba. "Roba, we will stop Ratchet, but I will teach him a lesson," he stated. "Restoring peace to this island means taking on the Marines, Cipher Pol agents, Pirates, Neo-Marines, and all the robots," he added. His wings flared slightly, dark energy rippling in the air.
"We will be taking the treasure on this island," Ben said. "The Golden Crown will be ours," he added.
"I agree," Roba responded.
Vivi looked conflicted. She thought it was greedy. "Ben, can we just take the Golden Crown," she said.
"Vivi, " Alvida said.
"Okay, only Golden Crown," Ben said. He thought this island did not have much treasure in the first place. However Shimagame was something different. He knew Zunisha existed and was part of the Void Century and Joyboy. He thought this island could also be part of it. He thought it was a long shot however it was worth a try.
"Let's go," Ben stated.
Meanwhile from the control centre in the castle, Ratchet looked at the numerous Dorothy robot maids. Honki was getting ready. He was wearing a large suit. "Sir Ratchet, they are here," Honki reported.
"Let them come," Ratchet said. "We have a final trump card," Ratchet said as he looked at a screen. He saw the large mech.