Dr. Aeon Strike Force: Difference between revisions

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The '''Dr. Aeon Strike Force''' was introduced in Issue 27, Page 3 of Homecoming: City of Heroes, and is a level 35-50 Strike force for red-side aligned players. [[Dr. Aeon]] is located on the balcony of the Arachnos building in the Aeon City neighborhood of [[Cap au Diable]]. Initially confusing the Player Villains for coffee-bearing interns, he sends them on a mission to find out who's been selling confidential Aeon Corp information. The job ends up being far more complicated and dangerous than he either initially surmised, or let on. Lore-wise, the '''Dr. Aeon SF''' ties up some dangling plot threads, and teases some future threats. Mechanically, it introduces a new Challenge Settings mode (separate from the normal difficulty slider that only adjusts the level and number of foes), where in foes gain new abilities, stat buffs, and players may be hampered, based on the Challenge Setting they choose. Defeating foes in higher challenge modes in different ways allow the players to gain additional rewards, badges, and more.
The '''Dr. Aeon Strike Force''' was introduced in Issue 27, Page 3 of Homecoming: City of Heroes, and is the fifth of the five main [[Strike Force|Strike Forces]] in ''City of Villains'', needed for the [[Strike Force Commander]] accolade. The other four strike forces are [[Virgil Tarikoss Strike Force]], [[Silver Mantis Strike Force]], [[Operative Renault Strike Force]], and [[Ice Mistral Strike Force]]. [[Dr. Aeon]] is located on the balcony of the Arachnos building in the Aeon City neighborhood of [[Cap au Diable]].
 
Lore-wise, the '''Dr. Aeon SF''' ties up some dangling plot threads, and teases some future threats. Mechanically, it introduces a new Challenge Settings mode (separate from the normal difficulty slider that only adjusts the level and number of foes), where in foes gain new abilities, stat buffs, and players may be hampered, based on the Challenge Setting they choose. Defeating foes in higher challenge modes in different ways allow the players to gain additional rewards, badges, and more.


Note: This SF has a '''LOT''' of dialogue. Much of it has been pruned here for brevity; if you wish to see it all (and you should, it's really well done), then play the mission!
Note: This SF has a '''LOT''' of dialogue. Much of it has been pruned here for brevity; if you wish to see it all (and you should, it's really well done), then play the mission!
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{{ArcAward|m=40}}
{{ArcAward|m=40}}


== Introduction ==
== Introductions ==
 
=== Too Low Level ===
 
YOU! ''Wait.'' No, no, no... Not '''"you"''' you, I was talking to... that, uh, other person... behind you?
 
Look, there was definitely somebody else there, and {{yellow|they were at least Threat Level 35.}} I'm the great Dr. Aeon, so I obviously must know what I'm talking about!
 
{{blue|All participants in this Strike Force must be at least Level 35. It is recommended ''(but not required)'' that you bring at least 4 members on your team. Participants will be exemplared to match the leader of the team's level.}}
 
=== Not Team Leader ===
 
{{darkorange|Dr. Aeon shoos you away with a hand without even looking at you.}}
 
Please keep whatever ''exciting reason'' you think you had for talking with me to yourself. Please just point whoever is leading your little group to come and speak with me.
 
=== Strike Force Invite ===


{{darkorange|Dr. Aeon doesn't even look up as you approach him.}}
{{darkorange|Dr. Aeon doesn't even look up as you approach him.}}
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==Missions==
==Missions==
'''Souvenir'''
[[Dimensional Originator & D-Rifter Chip]]


==={{UL|Chasing Fool's Gold Part 1: Unauthorized Research}}===
==={{UL|Chasing Fool's Gold Part 1: Unauthorized Research}}===
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Wait, ''{{Character}}'', take this {{yellow|communicator}} as well. Put it somewhere that lets you hear me so we can talk while you're within range of Cap Au Diable.
Wait, ''{{Character}}'', take this {{yellow|communicator}} as well. Put it somewhere that lets you hear me so we can talk while you're within range of Cap Au Diable.


===={{UL|Raid Aeon Corp}}====


{{orange|[Window]: You are provided an Aeon Corp NFC security card and a high-tech communicator by Dr. Aeon.}}
{{orange|[Window]: You are provided an Aeon Corp NFC security card and a high-tech communicator by Dr. Aeon.}}
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Ah-ha-ha-ha! Excellent! Let's begin!}}
Ah-ha-ha-ha! Excellent! Let's begin!}}


{{Mission Clue|Name=Aeon Corp Communicator|Text=Dr. Aeon gave you this fancy-looking communication doodad. Something about it ''seems odd'', but you can't specify what...
You notice some fine print written on one side: {{blue|''"This equipment has been fully sanitized to accommodate any style of usage!"''}} '''...what?'''}}


'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
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:'''Becky, the Tarantula Secretary:''' Looks like he won't be working here for the rest of his life! Hehe.
:'''Becky, the Tarantula Secretary:''' Looks like he won't be working here for the rest of his life! Hehe.
}}
}}
{{Mission Clue|Name=Unauthorized Research USB|Text=The head of Aeon’s R&D kept this encrypted USB on his person. It holds all the files he sold illegally. Dr. Aeon will want this, but it '''needs to be unencrypted first...'''}}


{{NPC Text|title=Becky Arachnos Computer Dialogue|text=
{{NPC Text|title=Becky Arachnos Computer Dialogue|text=
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:'''Becky, the Tarantula Secretary:''' That was the best! If this is like, your idea of a good time, I totally have to be there when you throw a party! Count Becky in next time!
:'''Becky, the Tarantula Secretary:''' That was the best! If this is like, your idea of a good time, I totally have to be there when you throw a party! Count Becky in next time!
}}
}}
{{Mission Clue|Name=Becky, the Tarantula Secretary|Text=You decided, on a bit of a whim, to let Becky, the tarantula who never stops talking, accompany you on your romp through Aeon Corp's facility as your ''"hostage"''. It seemed like she had fun, and was very grateful to have been given a temporary reprieve from the tedium of the job she had found herself shackled to. Sure, you may be be a bad guy, but the evils of being stuck working a boring desk job goes above simple villainy!}}


===={{UL|Deliver USB to Aeon}} ====
===={{UL|Deliver USB to Aeon}} ====
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{{divbox|blackskyblue| |
{{divbox|blackskyblue| |
Very good! There's no shortage of Gold Brickers around to introduce yourself to. Nobody expects the villainous 'Aeonquisition'! Mwa-ha-ha!}}
Very good! There's no shortage of Gold Brickers around to introduce yourself to. Nobody expects the villainous 'Aeonquisition'! Mwa-ha-ha!}}
{{Mission Clue|Name=Dimensional Ripples for Dummies|Text=This book was written by Dr. Aeon himself and seems to be some kind of beginner's guide to extra-dimensional theory. You flip through the first few pages, but the constant grandstanding about his own intellect makes it hard to stomach. However, some sections do contain what seem like useful passages:
''"The plane of all existence likely contains nearly infinite dimensions, some permanent and others fleeting and fading in power."''
''"While the specifics are still under study, the temporal fluctuations caused by certain events in one dimension can cause so-called "ripples" in spacetime. This has a myriad of effects, including the creation of temporary branching copies of the origin dimension, albeit with degrees of alteration. Over the years, these have been referred to as echoes, ripples, branches, shards or simply unstable rifts."
''"Some exceptions have been observed: the shard dubbed "Omega Sigma 66-7" which Arachnos has codenamed "Recluse’s Victory" seems to be stuck in an unprecedented regenerative loop, refusing to fade away into the fabric of the dimensional aether. On-going research dictates..."''
That's enough science for today, Dr. Aeon isn't paying you by the hour.}}


'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
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''After some beat-downs, one of the Gold Brickers coughed up an intriguing lead regarding a Gold Bricker fighting event. ''(As well as a rather unclean golden tooth!)'' ''
''After some beat-downs, one of the Gold Brickers coughed up an intriguing lead regarding a Gold Bricker fighting event. ''(As well as a rather unclean golden tooth!)'' ''


{{Mission Clue|Name=Gold Bricker Lead|Text=You learned the only Brickers who'd know of the grander goings-on would be Gold Bricker coordinators, who never work in the field. This would be bad news for you, except {{yellow|that the Brickers are hosting a tournament for 'fire fighters' at the nearby abandoned foundry.}} It’s been dubbed '''"The Smelting Cauldron"''' and the champion who organizes it is one such coordinator...}}


===={{UL|Crash Gold Bricker hideout for information}}====
===={{UL|Crash Gold Bricker hideout for information}}====
Line 1,083: Line 1,124:


'''No?''' ''That's very disappointing.''
'''No?''' ''That's very disappointing.''


{{Mission Objective|Primary=Bring the gold wiring to Dr. Aeon}}
{{Mission Objective|Primary=Bring the gold wiring to Dr. Aeon}}
Line 1,765: Line 1,805:
''Fine! Let's send you somewhere nice this time...''}}
''Fine! Let's send you somewhere nice this time...''}}


===={{UL|Badge Notes}}====


If you're going for the '''[[Ripple Raider Badge]]''', then you'll have to confront the five AVs (Arakhn, Maestro, Nosferatu, Protean, Emperor Requiem). Other than being a bit tougher than their Primal counterparts, the legion of nearby 5th troops will break ranks to attack the party, and waves of Void Hunters will assist Emperor Reichsman once he starts taking damage.
If you're going for the '''[[Ripple Raider Badge]]''', then you'll have to confront the five AVs (Arakhn, Maestro, Nosferatu, Protean, Emperor Requiem). Other than being a bit tougher than their Primal counterparts, the legion of nearby 5th troops will break ranks to attack the party, and waves of Void Hunters will assist Emperor Reichsman once he starts taking damage.
Line 1,782: Line 1,824:


* Bioelectric Pustule (Object) x4
* Bioelectric Pustule (Object) x4
* [[Gale (AU)|Gale]] (Devouring Earth Archvillain)
* [[Gale (AU)|Gale]] (Devouring Earth Monster)
* [[Quill (AU)|Quill]] (Devouring Earth Archvillain)
* [[Quill (AU)|Quill]] (Devouring Earth Monster)
* [[Slate (AU)|Slate]] (Devouring Earth Archvillain)
* [[Slate (AU)|Slate]] (Devouring Earth Monster)
* [[Tundra (AU)|Tundra]] (Devouring Earth Archvillain)
* [[Tundra (AU)|Tundra]] (Devouring Earth Monster)
* [[Devouring Earth#Mouthpiece of the All-Mother|Mouthpiece of the All-Mother]] (Devouring Earth Elite Boss)
* [[Devouring Earth#Mouthpiece of the All-Mother|Mouthpiece of the All-Mother]] (Devouring Earth Elite Boss)
* [[Terra, the All-Mother]] (Devouring Earth Archvillain)
* [[Terra, the All-Mother]] (Devouring Earth Archvillain)
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===={{UL|Dimensional Ripple: Portal Court}}====
===={{UL|Dimensional Ripple: Portal Court}}====


Another cutscene plays, this one of [[Apex]] standing on a tank, declaring that he and Vangaurd are to make sure that no one gains entry into Portal Corp. The area around the Portal Corp courtyard is riddled with craters and the bodies of several villains and a few heroes.
'''Mission Objective(s)'''


In front of the Strike Force is a man cowering behind an overturned truck, who introduces himself as [[Historical_Heroes_and_Villains#PsiCurse|PsiCurse]]. He has a plan to save this world from its imminent doom, AND help the Villains escape to their own dimension, but the Vanguard are holding his key to powering his invention, The PsychoChronoMetron. He offers to give the villains access to Portal Corp's greatest secret: '''The Dimensional Codex''', in return for their help. You can either team up with him, or fight/bypass him entirely. However, if you're going after the '''[[Ripple Raider Badge]]''', you'll have to help him.
* Destroy the Golden Roller
** Defeat Apex and override the portal to escape, Assist PsiCurse in retrieving the PCM {{yellow|(Optional)}}


In either case, you must defeat Apex and the Vanguard Colonel in the courtyard. They are flanked by several missile launchers, Vanguard HVAS, and Wizards. Once Apex and the Colonel are down, you'll have access to the emergency portal to the North East. You can either set it to go home, or, if you agreed to help PsiCurse, re-route it to take you into Portal Corp.
'''Enemies'''


If you decided to help PsiCurse and enter Portal Corp, you'll quickly find you're not alone. Someone ELSE is assaulting the place, burning and melting metal doorways and freezing guards in place. It seems FrostFire is tearing up the place... but it actually turns out to be Glacia and Infernia! A quick cutscene plays showing them arguing about whether escape is still possible now that HE is going to seal the walls between dimensions and won't let anyone stop him. Not that anyone alive could ever stop...
{{Enemy Vanguard}}
{{Enemy Turrets}}
{{Enemy Paragon Heroes}}


'''HERO 1'''
'''Notable NPCs'''


The villains trounce the twins and make their way into the portal after the legendary hero. They wind up in the Vanguard compound, where you can have a nice chat with various members of Vanguard, who all know you're not THEIR version of you, as you're dead and buried in Astoria. They also know that their world is a "ripple" and is soon going to be wiped out like the cosmic mistake that it is, which is why all the other villains were fighting to get in, so they could portal out. Apparently Hero 1 has a plan to stop that, so if you want any hope of getting back home, you're going to have to stop him before he traps you here forever... or at least for the ~30 odd minutes it's going to take for the dimension to destabilize and probably kill you!
* [[Historical_Heroes_and_Villains#PsiCurse|PsiCurse]] (Paragon Heroes NPC/Boss)
* [[Apex]] (Vanguard Hero)
* [[Vanguard#Vanguard HVAS|Vanguard HVAS]] (Vanguard Elite Boss) x3
* [[Vanguard#Vanguard Commander|Vanguard Commander]] (Vanguard Elite Boss) x4
* Frozen Scientist (NPC) x 22
* [[Glacia]] (Vanguard Elite Boss)
* [[Infernia]] (Vanguard Elite Boss)
* [[Borea]] (Vanguard NPC/Hero)
* [[Gaussian]] (Vanguard NPC/Hero)
* [[Lady Grey]] (Vanguard NPC/Hero)
* [[Levantera]] (Vanguard NPC/Hero)
* [[Serpent Drummer]] (Vanguard NPC/Hero)
* [[Unai Kemen]] (Vanguard NPC)
* [[Incandescent]] (Vanguard Hero)
* [[Hero 1]] (Vanguard Hero)


(Editor's note) At least that's what I got out of it; it's very hard to fully absorb everything on a timer!
{{Cutscene|Text=
'''Vanguard Commander'''
:Apex, sir! I've spotted what appears to be villains to the southwest! They appeared from out of nowhere...


The villains make their way through the heavily-guarded Vanguard compound, and can free up the Infirmary for their own use. An unprepared team is going to need it!
'''Apex'''
:Really now? Got it. Inform the perimeter patrols.


Hero 1 is accompanied by Incandescent, who has a PBAoE nuke (that WILL kill most anything short of a Tank) and can buff/heal/resurrect Hero 1, so you'll want to focus on her first. Hero 1 himself is a very tough nut to crack, but a coordinated enough team should be able to take him down. Once that is done, another cutscene plays, where PsiCurse steals Hero 1's power for his PCM, and uses that power to turn himself into a god. Now that his plan is a success, he no longer needs the villains, who he sends home, WITHOUT giving them the codex, as he doesn't want them finding and coming back to "his" dimension.
:These idiots are hopeless. Nobody gets in or out of Portal Corp while Apex is on the job!


Once you've triggered that cutscene, if you defeated every Ripple AV up to this point, you will be awarded the '''[[Ripple Raider Badge]]''', or bonus Empyrian merits if you already have it.
:Vanguard! Prepare to engage the hostiles, it's go time!
}}


*'''Note:''': If you already have the '''[[Master of Dr. Aeon's Strike Force Badge]]''', and run this SF again at the highest difficulty, you will have the option of fighting the ALL of the main Vanguard NPCs (You have to ''checks notes'' insult Lady Grey's hair); Doing so and defeating everyone will reward you with a portable Vanguard training dummy!
{{NPC Text|title=PsiCurse|text=
'''On Approach:''' ''W-who's there? Vanguard? No...''
----
{{Mission Briefing|Type=Debriefing|Contact=PsiCurse|Text=
{{darkorange|The hero before you cowers, expecting the beating of a lifetime, from the look of ghastly fear in his eyes. You certainly take a minute to think about whether or not you want to oblige him, and deliver that beating.}}


===={{UL|Assault Langston Corp HQ (cont.)}}====
Please, please... please don't hurt me! I want what you want...


'''Mission Objective(s)'''
'''I want to get the hell out of here!'''


* Destroy the Golden Roller
* {{green|Yeah, you and me both. You have a plan?}}
** Interrogate the Golden Roller
*** Infiltrate the corporate offices
**** Defeat Mr. Rodney & Guards
***** Search for clues on King Midas & D-Rifter


''After some rather bizarre detours, you stormed Langston Corp's chocolate factory but found no traces of King Midas or the D-Rifter!''
:{{darkorange|The hero does a double-take.}}


'''Enemies'''
:Wait a minute. With the imminent death of the universe at hand, you're offering {{yellow|peace and cooperation?}} Just who in the...


{{Enemy Gold Brickers}}
:{{darkorange|The hero becomes completely dumbstruck, mouth agape.}}


'''Notable NPCs'''
:Oh lords above and below... it can't be. You're ''dead''! We all watched you die on live TV. Buried in Moth Cemetary next to Ms. Liberty.


* [[Golden Roller]] (Gold Brickers High-tech Vehicle)
:How. '''HOW?'''
* [[Gold Brickers#Golden Brickernaut|Golden Brickernaut]] (Gold Brickers Elite Boss) (Guarding Mr. Rodney) x3
* [[Mr. Rodney]] (Gold Brickers Archvillain)


{{Cutscene|Text=
:* {{green|Calm your bits, man. I'm from another dimension.}}
'''Mr. Rodney'''
:It's me, sir. The Golden Roller confirmed it... they're here under Dr. Aeon's orders. How should we proceed?


:...Understood, I've already finished up my work and I suspect Aeon's pawns will be here any minute.
::{{darkorange|The hero looks at you curiously.}}


:Agreed. Losing the factory is regrettable, but we have adequate alternatives we can utilize. Especially with the D-Rifter at our disposal. We've bought enough time, I'll escape to the lab shortly.
::I knew you couldn't be {{Character}}. My mind-scan was giving me something to that effect, but I couldn't parse it out. No, you lack the regality of the hero once called the Protector of Earth.


:Listen up boys! Everything's been taken care of here, so it's about time we got moving!
::Kind of a bum deal, getting trapped here while traveling. Whoever sent you here is a stone-cold idiot, or a cunning villain.
}}


{{NPC Text|type=villain|title=Mr. Rodney|text=
::* {{green|Likely both. Give me your plan, NOW! ''(loops to another page)''}}
'''Combat Start:''' ''Surprised you got here so quickly, I thought pawns could only move one space per turn.''<br />
'''First Blood:''' ''Fine, we have a little time. Let's scrap!''<br />
'''50% Health:''' ''It was fun, but play time's over; I've got a schedule to keep. You'll never find King Midas or the rest of the Gold Brickers!''
}}


::* {{green|If I close my eyes, I could just pretend you're him. ''(loops to another page)''}}


The villains re-appear at Langston corp, and finish off Golden Roller before he can send them anywhere else. The car explodes, revealing the driver. After a brief interrogation, you take his keycard and can either head back the way you came, or take a shortcut through the door to the north. Now the shutter that was locked before will open, leading up to Mr. Rodney's office. However, as a cutscene reveals, he's ready for you.
:* {{green|Yup. Alive and well, and looking for an exit.}}


Mr. Rodney isn't anything particularly hard, but he's surrounded by 3+ Brickernauts, which is a LOT of insta-death explosions (on Malicious or higher) if the team isn't careful! Once he's down, you'll get the key to his safe, which is the last objective for the mission.
::{{darkorange|The hero looks at you curiously.}}


'''Debriefing'''
::My mind-scanner is giving me some wigged out data, and I can't quite parse it out. You're definitely lying... but why? Won't change the time you have left here. Everyone out there is a self-important corpse at Vanguard's feet.
 
::* {{green|I need to get home. You're going to get me there. ''(loops to another page)''}}


Uh, hey there ''{{Strike Force}}'', I'm {{yellow|noticing a '''distinct lack''' of King Midas and Princess Zoe in custody.}} What's the deal with that?
::* {{green|I'm about to add you to the pile if you don't help me! ''(loops to another page)''}}


{{darkorange|The gusto in Dr. Aeon's voice fades after mentioning the word ''"D-Rifter"'' that you heard from the Golden Roller.}}
:* {{green|If I don't find an escape soon, I'm going to look inside YOU.}}


''I see...'' so, the final variable of our equation has been revealed. You haven't mentioned this to anybody else yet, have you {{Character}}?
::{{darkorange|The hero looks at you with a newfound gleam of determination in his eyes.}}


==={{UL|Chasing Fool's Gold Part 6: Ripple Diable}}===
::So, you're that kind of super, huh? Just gonna take it from me? Well, nuts to that. I've lived in failure my whole life. I have less than an hour left.


'''Briefing'''
::I'm going to know what it feels like to fight until my last breath if that's all my story has left for me!


{{blue|Chasing Fool's Gold<br />
::* {{green|...and nobody will bother burying you. (Fight) ''(loops to another page)''}}
Part 6: Ripple Diable}}


{{red|We've got a real mess on our hands now}} and I don't mean the royal ''"we"'' here, {{Character}}! The way things are going, we aren't going to catch King Midas and the Gold Brickers will escape with an extremely temperamental piece of dimensional technology. We can't let that happen!
::* {{green|Okay, take it easy there, chief.}}


For you, aside from just not getting paid, Arachnos is going to blame ''{{Strike Force}}'' ''for failing their mission inside Langston Corp.'' Or worse, that you were bought by King Midas... And {{red|Arachnos really doesn't like failure!}}
:::{{darkorange|You watch the hero squirm and stammer. He seems to be calming down but it isn't graceful. He begins to berate you for your unchecked aggression and then spirals down into some deeply personal anecdotes that definitely qualify for entry into therapy sessions.}}


As for me? If you aren't aware, that D-Rifter is an {{purple|inexplicably-potent dimensional rift generator}}, one that totally shouldn't even exist. The Gold Brickers were somehow able to get it working with research they illegally bought from Aeon Corp!
:::{{darkorange|He seems to notice you're not paying attention after six minutes of ranting.}}


This means all of our careers are on the line if we don't find King Midas!
:::* {{green|...I wasn't listening. Did you have plan here? ''(loops to another page)''}}
Fortunately for us, '''I'm Dr. Aeon!''' While more primitive minds would falter in the face of {{yellow|interdimensionally-abled gold-wearing idiots}}, my genius has no such shortcomings!


* {{green|So you keep saying... What's the plan?}}
:::* {{green|You're soft. I'll just take down Apex myself. ''(loops to another page)''}}


The plan, my affable and determined ''{{Strike Force}}'', is using {{blue|these}} to {{yellow|triangulate the D-Rifter's signal inside local unstable ripple space!}}
:::* {{green|You're useless. Time to die. (Fight) ''(loops to another page)''}}


{{darkorange|Dr. Aeon produces four larger versions of the sci-fi tinfoil can-looking device.}}
:* {{green|I'm going to count to ten, and you plan better fit within that.}}


How you might ask? These ripple shards are not unlike ripples on the surface of a lake, with the D-Rifter skipping across their surface. By following any disruptions in the nearby dimensional aether, it should be possible to trace a path back to the D-Rifter.
::{{darkorange|You begin to count down and the hero panics. You change your pace abruptly from number to number, then begin counting in halves, quarters, and then adding numbers - all the while watching him squirm and stammer.}}


''What's that look for?'' The D-Rifter is a junky device, {{purple|violently disrupting nearby space.}} These scanners should be able to detect those distortions, and if close enough, put in the right places, with good rift stability, and nobody sneezing nearby...
::...and so if we can clear Apex out of the courtyard, we can get into Portal Corps and take back my invention and stabilize this world!


Look, {{red|just see what you can do}}; we don't have any other options. {{yellow|You can use Aeon Corp's dimensional shifter located through the door on my balcony.}}
::* {{green|I wasn't listening, your fear was entertaining ''(loops to another page)''}}


Sally forth, {{Character}}! For science and ''avoiding consequences!''
::* {{green|Yeah, hang on. I'm done making you squirm. Repeat that? ''(loops to another page)''}}


'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
::* {{green|Someone like you made a device that could fix this? ''(loops to another page)''}}


''You'd like more specific instructions on what to do?'' {{red|What do you mean?!}} We're embarking on unprecedented scientific pioneering, {{Character}}!
::* {{green|Sounds like a dumb plan. I'll just take down Apex. ''(loops to another page)''}}


''Did the Egyptians ask for instructions when they sent Lance Armstrong to discover the Americas?'' Of course not! You must thrive in this unknown! '''Relish this uncertainty!''' We're experiencing science in its purest form!
::* {{green|You're useless. Time to die. (Attack) ''(loops to another page)''}}


'''Mission Objective(s)'''
* {{green|Tell me what your best plan is to get out. NOW.}}


''Stepping into this dissolving instance of reality, it feels as though you're simultaneously being stretched and compacted. It's not a great feeling.''
* {{green|Give me a very compelling reason not to kill you.}}


''You have no idea where to even start, but it seems like '''somebody was counting on that...'''''
:{{darkorange|The hero flinches.}}


* Scan for clues inside local dimensional ripple
:Okay, okay!
** Speak with Professor Echo
*** Scan 22nd Bank, Scan WSPDR, Scan Dark Gallery
**** Destroy the ripple anomaly


''With no other options, you received some assistance from Professor Echo, but managed to triangulate the D-Rifter's signal!''
:It's not much of a plan, but... I'm a mentalist. I do halfway decent with pattern recognition as well. I've not been good on details in the past, but I'm trying to make up for that now. I've been studying Apex as other heroes and villains throw themselves into the grinder trying to get into Portal Corp.


'''Enemies'''
:If I can analyze the Vanguard for an opening, I could get in... And if I get in... I can try to take back my invention - the one that could literally change the world and fix all of this!


* {{Enemy Luddites}}
:* {{green|Invention, huh? What could be that powerful?}}
* {{Enemy Cap au Diable Demons}}
* {{Enemy Gold Brickers}}


'''Notable NPCs'''
::{{darkorange|The hero beams for a moment.}}


* [[Professor Echo]] (NPC)
::It was a glorious invention... I spent most of my youth theorycrafting around its potential, and then spent my thirties building it. It's a simple little device, but one that can literally reshape the world in the right hands!
* [[Ripplesurge]] (Giant Monster)


{{NPC Text|title=Professor Echo|text=
::{{darkorange|The hero looks around and then whispers.}}
'''Professor Echo:''' ''Ah, if it isn't'' {{Strike Force}}''! Looks like you've hit a dead end on your search. Ready to have that talk now?''
----
{{Mission Briefing|Type=Debriefing|Contact=Professor Echo|Text=


{{darkorange|Professor Echo smirks at you while casually leaning against the wall. It is extremely annoying, but you restrain yourself.}}
::I call it the {{purple|'''PsychoChronoMetron'''}}, and it's locked away in the Vanguard armory because they say it's too dangerous to let anyone use it!


Hello there {{Character}}! Fancy meeting villains like you in an unstable dimensional anomaly like this. What brings you to this particular ripple distortion... today?
::Can you imagine? ''It's a literal wish-granter!'' The right person could fix everything! I could be that person! Or you!


Well, time doesn't flow normally here, so there's no 'days', but you catch my meaning! Ha-ha-ha!
::* {{green|Why didn't Vanguard destroy it?}}


* {{green|Cut the small talk. What do you want?}}
:::{{darkorange|The hero grins widely.}}


:{{darkorange|Professor Echo smiles.}}
:::It looks super dangerous, and is locked out of unauthorized access by a blood test, biometric scan, and an ''"inner voice"'' passcode.


:But, of course, you are a very busy evil-doer... ''Overworked and underpaid!''
:::When all else fails, the smartest man alive can't imitate what someone's inner voice sounds like!


:Whatever will you do if you {{yellow|can't find King Midas?}} You'll have no bounty reward, irreparable damage to your reputation, and Arachnos breathing down your neck. ''Not an enviable position, surely!''
:::{{darkorange|It was at this moment, you realized that your escape might depend on this dingus staying alive. Escorting people, in any dimension, is just not enjoyable.}}


:{{darkorange|He spots the scanners you're carrying.}}
:::* {{green|What in the world does it do?}}


:Ah, I see you're trying to triangulate the D-Rifter's distortion trail, smart idea! {{yellow|You surely already know the exact three locations you need to deploy for those scanners to be able to find the needed rifts...}}
::::''But that's not what makes the device so incredibly powerful...''
:'''No?'''


:Well, that's okay, there's only the '''entirety of this dimension''' to search for those three positions within a few feet in margin for error.
::::I was backpacking across the multiverse when I found the piece of the puzzle that took my design aspiration to the level that people will sing about in the future!
:Oh, right, {{red|you've only got a few hours before this ripple collapses and you lose the trail forever.}}


:But I'm sure you'll be okay! I believe in you, {{Character}}!
::::It was this very small, {{purple|innocent-looking crystal.}} But it was cold to the touch, and a small flame burned inside of it. Not twenty feet away was a {{yellow|leather-and-gold clad corpse}}, cleaved down the middle and charred inside his outfit. Never seen someone dressed like him before, or since.


:* {{green|Enough. You know we're out of options.}}
::::I grabbed the crystal and was overwhelmed with... ''images.'' Disconnected in time, but all somehow memories of my life. Past, present, and future. I retreated home and spent a decade studying it.


::{{darkorange|Nods and takes on a more serious tone.}}
::::It was doing a lot of what I wanted the PsychoChronoMetron to do, but without a power source, and in a much smaller space. I obsessed over it.


::Sensible of you to listen now, {{Character}}.
::::In the end, I found a way to interface the two devices. Not only can it show you episodes in the timestream... but you can use your mind to alter those memories... ''Alter time itself!''


::I'm here to help you, believe it or not. Dr. Aeon is not your ally, despite your working together. As soon as the D-Rifter came into the equation his priorities shifted, and now he's using you to get it for himself. {{red|All of you will be evidence he must erase once he has it.}}
::::There is, of course, '''a hitch.'''


::'''What I want''', is to keep the D-Rifter out of Dr. Aeon's hands no matter the cost. In order to make this happen, I must rely on your cooperation-- but don't worry, I have no intention of interfering with your villainous schemes.
::::* {{green|Of course there is.}}


::Help me out and I'll provide you with the means to ensure Dr. Aeon loses if he crosses you, and {{yellow|I'll even throw in the coordinates to deploy those scanners to find the D-Rifter as a show of good faith.}}
:::::{{darkorange|The hero idly rubs the back of his neck in anxiety.}}


::What say you?
:::::Well, the crystal and the PCM both work really well and all, but... I'm not powerful enough on my own to pull off a stunt this large. The PCM by itself could affect a small-time person in history up to a period in time relative to the mental power of the user. The bigger and more connected the events are, the more mental energy it takes.


::* {{green|You act as if I really have a choice. Fine.}}
:::::The PCM wouldn't be able to change enough on its own to save us, but with that crystal, now it can work backwards a hundred-fold further! And to think, not even the Midnighters knew what it was and shooed me off as a stage magician when I showed it to them!


:::{{darkorange|Professor Echo checks his gauntlet for a moment, and then looks up at you, with a pleased grin.}}
:::::'''Those jerks!'''


:::'''Perfect.''' The timestream is shifting, glad to hear I can actually count on you. Nothing personal, {{Character}}, but I had to ensure you would actually uphold your end of our agreement. ''If you were lying to me, the timestream constants wouldn't have changed.''
:::::Where was I? ''Oh right.'' Luckily, my mental talents let me siphon energy from others - so in theory, I could drain a strong energy source, like a powerful hero, and have enough juice to make an alteration large enough!


:::Now then, here's the solution to our problem:
:::::{{yellow|I will fix this, or my name isn't PsiCurse!}}


:::{{darkorange|He holds up a small data chip about the size of your thumb.}}
:::::* {{green|Your feelings about this plan have reached a critical point... ''(loops to another page)''}}


:::I'm going to entrust this override chip to you. If Dr. Aeon gives you an identical, ''not just similar mind you'', override chip, {{red|take it as absolute evidence he's going to betray you.}}
::* {{green|Are you serious? You don't get why it's dangerous?}}


:::Follow his instructions, but use my chip instead, and you will {{yellow|turn the tables on Dr. Aeon at the pivotal moment}}, ensuring the D-Rifter does not fall into his hands and you survive.
:::{{darkorange|The hero scoffs.}}


:::''Take the chip and I'll tell you where you those scanners need to go.''
:::-Of course- I understand -why- it's so dangerous. That's why I'm the -only one- who can use it. I only trust myself to use it properly when the time comes! PsiCurse will make things right again!
 
:::* {{green|Your feelings about this plan have reached a critical point...}}
 
::::{{darkorange|One very important thought remains unspoken...}}
 
::::* {{green|What's in it for me?}}


:::* {{green|I'm counting on your staying out of my way.}}
:::::{{darkorange|PsiCurse looks at you with frustration.}}


::::{{darkorange|Professor Echo nods with a smile and gives you the override chip.}}
:::::Of course you won't just help save our universe. It doesn't matter much to you, does it? If you can get out before the ritual goes off, you can just doom an entire dimension to oblivion for your own salvation. ''Easy choice.''


::::Yes, yes, but of course. You can consider me gone already!
:::::All right, hotshot. '''Here's your incentive:''' You can either leave us to our fate, or you can help me stabilize this universe and get your hands on something that you'd probably -never- get a chance to steal anywhere else.


::::But first, {{yellow|here are the three locations you must deploy those scanners.}} Remember, if they're more than a few feet off, they won't secure the distortion signature.
:::::{{purple|'''The Portal Corps Dimensional Codex.'''}}


::::{{darkorange|He points to three points on your map.}}
:::::* {{green|And that is...?}}


::::An uncommon pleasure working with you, {{Character}}! ''Toodles!''
::::::{{darkorange|PsiCurse looks at you with frustration, again.}}


::::{{darkorange|Professor Echo presses a few buttons on his gauntlet and teleports away.}}
::::::It's currently in Vanguard custody as well, but its data is priceless and worth the risk. {{yellow|It's a completely annotated directory of all the universes and their coordinates as logged by Portal Corps since the days of Brian Webb.}}


::::* {{green|(Leave)}}
::::::The knowledge, the power, the ''leverage'' you might be able to wield with that codex? Enormous. '''ENORMOUS'''. It's a once in a lifetime chance to get your hands on it during the chaos...
}}}}


{{NPC Text|title=Luddites chatter|type=villain|text=
::::::{{red|You may end up having to fight some more Vanguard.}} But I doubt they'd be prepared, you'd have a winning chance I'd wager!
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Just say no to the Purple Pipes of Doom! Dr. Zeon's evil creations!''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Servants of the purple pipes? What is that strange device?! Demons, all of you!''
----
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Dr. Zeon does not care! The Purple Pipes of Doom are a threat to everyone!''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Dr. Zeon's petty thugs don't scare us!''
----
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Cap Au Diable deserves better than Dr. Zeon's continued exploitation!''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''How can you defend the Purple Pipes of Doom?! They'll be the end of us all!''
----
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Don't trust Dr. Zeon! Down with the Purple Pipes of Doom!''
}}


{{NPC Text|title=Gold Brickers chatter|type=villain|text=
::::::You have my promise, that if we make it to the end of this, I will get you that codex and you'll be gone before I work my magic on this dimension.
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 1:''' ''We're done working for Dr. Zeon!''<br />
:'''Gold Bricker minion 2:''' ''Villains?!''
----
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Gold Bricker minion:''' ''You'll regret messing with the Gold Brickers!''
----
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Boomer:''' ''Just a little bit longer and all that sweet gold will be ours!''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Boomer:''' ''Back off, pal! This gold belongs to the Gold Brickers!''
----
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Boomer:''' ''Those other Gold Brickers said to meet here right?''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Boomer:''' ''Woah! Who are you?!''
}}


{{NPC Text|title=Scanner ambushes|type=villain|text=
::::::'''Do we have a deal?'''
'''22nd Bank:'''
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 1:''' ''Princess Zoe was right! They're trying to find our new hideout!''<br />
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 2:''' ''Quick! Stop them!''
----
'''WSPDR:'''
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 1:''' ''We were running behind and look what we find? Aeon's villains!''<br />
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 2:''' ''Our laziness paid off this time!''
----
'''Dark Gallery:'''
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 1:''' ''Sheesh! These idiot Luddites are giving me a migraine!''<br />
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 2:''' ''Those pipes looked way better in orange anyway...''
}}


::::::* {{green|No deal. Die. (Attack) ''(loops to another page)''}}


'''Debriefing'''
::::::* {{green|Deal. I'm not afraid of any Vanguard. (Accept Deal)}}


Wait, it ''actually worked?'' Err, I mean- '''Of course it worked!''' Every calculation according to my immaculate thinking!
:::::::{{darkorange|He looks up at you, a grin on his face.}}


Well done ''{{Strike Force}}''! You are worthy scientific disciples of Dr. Aeon, assistants the likes of which the world has never seen!
:::::::'''I'm too injured to help much in the fighting, but I can help guide us!'''


Together, the survival of our bottoms are all ''"butt"'' assured! Bwa-ha-ha!
:::::::{{yellow|You'll need Apex's security code}} to access the portal in the northeast sector. We'll take it down into Portal Corp's main facilities and find the portal they linked to the Vanguard's main compound.


The {{yellow|spatial data from the scanners}} is coming through now, ''like a string of interdimensional spaghetti navigating the infinite marinara of spacetime!''
:::::::From there, it should be trivial for me to get to my hands on the PCM and the dimensional codex from the armory while you deal with any Vanguard soldiers...


===={{UL|Badge Notes}}====
:::::::'''Lead the way!'''
 
:::::::{{darkorange|You set off to erase Apex from existence before the universe does.}}
 
:::::::* {{green|(Leave)}}


Ripplesurge, a giant blue version of Deathsurge, has the ability every minute or so to summon '''Shimmering Infusions''' that die easy enough (though they have Extreme defense vs AoE attacks, so they have to be purposefully targeted), but if left unattended, will be absorbed by Ripplesurge and heal him back to full after about 30 seconds or so. When they are absorbed on higher difficulties, they'll leave a "Death patch" behind that will kill any player who stands in it, but cause Ripplesurge's regen to increase when he does so.
::::::* {{green|No deal. Not into suicide missions. (Level Too Low)}}


If you're going after the '''[[Power Overwhelming Badge]]''', you'll have to defeat the AV while he's standing in an Infusion's death-patch. You'll have to look for him to have green rings around his feet, or just use the Combat Monitor to see his stats.
:::::::{{darkorange|The man before you deflates significantly.}}


==={{UL|Chasing Fool's Gold Finale: The Midas Touch}}===
:::::::I... I understand. Good luck out there.


'''Briefing'''
:::::::{{darkorange|You set off to erase Apex from existence before the universe does.}}


{{blue|Chasing Fool's Gold<br />
:::::::* {{green|(Leave)}}
Finale: The Midas Touch}}


Everything is ready! Well, as ready as they can be, anyway... Aeon Corp's dimensional shifter can only get you partway there. ''What?''
::::::* {{green|Let me think this over. (Leave)}}


Remember when I said those unstable dimensional spaces were kind of like ripples on a lake's surface? Well, {{yellow|the closer you get to the source causing the disruptions, the more chaotic and fluctuating the local aether is going to be.}}
::* {{green|How in the world do we get to it?}}


What does that mean for you? Well, you should probably expect things to get a {{purple|''little weird''}} in there! You're literally diving into entirely unprecedented science! You should be honored!
:::{{darkorange|The hero swallows hard.}}


Now listen ''{{Strike Force}}''... catching King Midas and the D-Rifter is only half the task. {{yellow|Once you have the D-Rifter secured, we need get it back to stable dimensional space!}} Who knows what sort of {{red|'''interdimensional calamity'''}} could result of it drifting through the aether unsupervised!
:::Well, it sounds easy. We need to clear the courtyard, get the sec-chit from Apex, use the portal to breach Portal Corps, get on the last train to Vanguard's compound, fight to the PsychoChronoMetron, and use it to alter the timeline enough that the universe separates itself fully from the source dimension as a fully fledged shard!


* {{green|Right. What do you propose then?}}
:::No more of this ripple crap. We're going big or going... full-on into oblivion. It's either the stunt that redeems my career, or one last speedbump in a career that gets promptly erased. Win/win!


I'm glad you asked, my ever-forthright ''{{Strike Force}}''!
:::''PsiCurse is going to go out a winner for once!''


{{darkorange|Dr. Aeon produces a strikingly-familiar override chip and holds it out to you. Without reacting, you take it.}}
:::* {{green|Your feelings about this plan have reached a critical point... ''(loops to another page)''}}


I got lucky and found some archival schematics in the Arachnos database for the tech that was the basis for the D-Rifter. This chip is designed to {{yellow|override the configurations and link the D-Rifter to a portal under Arachnos control.}} This will make it easy to recover, as well any other illegal technology the Gold Brickers managed to nab during their escapades.
:* {{green|That plan sucks. Let's just remove them all. Follow me.}}


''However, {{red|there's only that one chip!}} So don't lose it, {{Character}}!''
::{{darkorange|The hero looks dumbstruck, again.}}


::Uh, okay! But you can't get anywhere without Apex's security code! Good luck out there. Break a ''everything?''


{{darkorange|[Window]: Dr. Aeon hands you a override chip that is}} {{red|identical}} {{darkorange|to the one received from Professor Echo, down to the tiny imperfections on it.}}
::* {{green|Don't get whacked by crossfire...}}


'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
::* {{green|They've never met -me- before!}}


Was there something you forgot, {{Character}}?
::* {{green|Good luck with, you know, all this stuff.}}


''I'm hoping I didn't need to remind you'', but both our futures rest on the success of ''{{Strike Force}}'', so like, {{red|no pressure or anything?}}
:::{{darkorange|You set off to erase Apex from existence before the universe does.}}


:::* {{green|(Leave)}}


'''Mission Objective(s)'''
:* {{green|Any patterns worth noting?}}


''It takes you a moment to regain your bearings after stepping through into the disorienting ripple space.''
::{{darkorange|The hero looks down at his feet for a moment.}}


''You're unsure which is more immediately alarming: The impossible orientation of the local landscape or the {{yellow|'''sheer number of Gold Brickers waiting for you on it.'''}}''
::The pattern is... most die before they hit the ground. Their preferred tactic seems to be ''"Overwhelming Force"'' followed by ''"Grim Vigilance"''.


*Defeat King Midas and Recover the D-Rifter
::I haven't seen anyone lay a hand on Apex even once so far.
**Venture deeper into the dimensional ripple
***3 blockades to defeat
****3 Wavelength disruptors to destroy
*****Deploy scanner under the globe to relocate D-Rifter signal
******Defeat Princess Zoe & Mr. Rodney!
*******Seize the lab & defeat King Midas!


''You dealt a decisive blow to the Gold Brickers by defeating King Midas, turned the tables on Dr. Aeon's scheme, and secured the D-Rifter! {{red|...Even though it was Arachnos who kept it.}}
::* {{green|Screw that, then. You had an invention? ''(loops to another page)''}}


'''Enemies'''
::* {{green|Brute force is all I know. Follow me! ''(loops to another page)''}}


* {{Enemy Gold Brickers}}
::* {{green|Glad you spent your last minutes gathering that data.}}
* {{Enemy Doppelgangers}}
* {{Enemy Arachnos}}


'''Notable NPCs'''
:::{{darkorange|The hero chokes back a cry.}}


* [[Becky, the Tarantula Mistress|Becky, the Tarantula Battle-Mistress]] (Elite Boss Ally)
:::It's all I got. What can I say... when it comes to killing, they're the best.
* [[Mr. Rodney]] (Gold Brickers Archvillain)
* [[Princess Zoe]] ([[Gold Brickers#Princess Zoe (Smelter version)|Smelter]] version) (Gold Brickers Archvillain)
* [[King Midas]] (Gold Brickers Archvillain)
* [[Dr. Zeon]] (S.P.I.D.E.R. Archvillain)
* [[Arbiter Daos]] (NPC)
* [[Black Scorpion]] (NPC)
* [[Dr. Aeon]] (NPC)
* [[Operative Grillo]] (NPC)


{{Cutscene|Text=
:::* {{green|Screw that, then. You had an invention? ''(loops to another page)''}}
'''Caption'''
{{divbox|gold| |
'''Meanwhile...'''
}}
 
'''Mr. Rodney'''
:It appears Aeon's villains are closing in on the lab as we speak.


:Those wavelength disruptors are only going to buy us a little time... What's our next move, sir?
:::* {{green|Brute force is all I know. Follow me! ''(loops to another page)''}}


'''Princess Zoe'''
* {{green|Too bad, I'm taking out my frustrations on you. (Fight)}}
:Mrgrgr... Our next move should be to kick their butts!


:Let's lure them into the lab and use the D-Sync gear to end this!
:{{darkorange|The hero looks up at you, with tears in his eyes.}}


'''Mr. Rodney'''
:It wasn't supposed to end like this. No, I can't let my failures control me with the universe collapsing! You want a fight?
:That's too risky, wasn't it still in testing?


'''Princess Zoe'''
:{{darkorange|The hero wipes his tears from his dirt-covered cheek.}}
:Well, yes... But we don't really have any other options do we?


'''Mr. Rodney'''
:I may be an old, washed-up, overly ambitious has-been - but that won't stop me from going out fighting! This is for Overbrook, for the Gagarin Space Station, for those '''knobs''' at Vanguard that wouldn't listen to me!
:Has it really come to that? What are your thoughts, sir?


'''King Midas'''
:Nobody may be around to witness this, but in the end, PsiCurse will '''not die a failure!'''
:...Prepare the D-Sync system at once, I will use it myself. You two are to buy what time you can and then make your escape. The future depends on your survival, there are to be no compromises on this.


'''Caption'''
:* {{green|(Leave)}}
{{divbox|white| |
Got it.
}}
}}
----
'''Defeated:''' ''Not... a failure...''}}
{{NPC Text|type=villain|title=Apex|text=
'''Combat Start:''' ''You've gotten farther than most, but this is the end of the line!''<br />
'''75% Health:''' ''You're really determined to get past us, huh?''<br />
'''50% Health:''' ''Fine.''<br />
''Time to get serious! No more playing around!''<br />
'''25% Health:''' ''A hero always comes through at the last minute...!''<br />
'''Defeated:''' ''N-not bad... for a buncha punks...''}}


{{divbox|white| |
{{Cutscene|Text=
Of course, sir.
'''Infernia'''
}}
:Glacia! Come to your senses! Don't make me go through you!
 
'''Glacia'''
:Stop being stupid! We lost the moment the barrier went up. You can't defeat him... I doubt there's anyone even still alive who could. It's over.


{{divbox|blackyellow| |
'''Infernia'''
Rodney.
:So, what? We're just going to sit here and die? Just like that?!
}}


{{divbox|white| |
'''Glacia'''
Sir?
:What else would you have us do?! Are you naive enough to assume they'll listen?
}}


{{divbox|blackyellow| |
:No. He won't back down, not now, not ever...
Once you're both safe, this belongs to '''her''' now.
}}


'''Caption'''
{{divbox|white| |
{{divbox|white| |
I... ''I understand'', sir. You can count on me.
...not ''Hero 1.''
}}
}}
}}
}}




'''Mission Notes'''
Another cutscene plays, this one of [[Apex]] standing on a tank, declaring that he and Vangaurd are to make sure that no one gains entry into Portal Corp. The area around the Portal Corp courtyard is riddled with craters and the bodies of several villains and a few heroes.


Upon entering the mission, you're treated to a downward view of a tilted Aeon Corp building. This may be disorienting; try not to look "up"!
In front of the Strike Force is a man cowering behind an overturned truck, who introduces himself as [[Historical_Heroes_and_Villains#PsiCurse|PsiCurse]]. He has a plan to save this world from its imminent doom, AND help the Villains escape to their own dimension, but the Vanguard are holding his key to powering his invention, The PsychoChronoMetron. He offers to give the villains access to Portal Corp's greatest secret: '''The Dimensional Codex''', in return for their help. You can either team up with him, or fight/bypass him entirely. However, if you're going after the '''[[Ripple Raider Badge]]''', you'll have to help him.


If you successfully had Becky follow you in mission 1, she'll appear here as '''Battle Becky''', a combat-ready ally! She'll follow whoever loaded into the instance first. If you're going after the '''[[Best Friends Forever Badge]]''', you'll need to keep her alive and escort her to the end of the mission. Luckily, she's very tough; though you might want to turn off any toggles that will increase her perception (like Tactics), or she'll fly across the map to engage hostile mobs.
In either case, you must defeat Apex and the Vanguard Colonel in the courtyard. They are flanked by several missile launchers, Vanguard HVAS, and Wizards. Once Apex and the Colonel are down, you'll have access to the emergency portal to the North East. You can either set it to go home, or, if you agreed to help PsiCurse, re-route it to take you into Portal Corp.


In either case, you must defeat three "blockades" worth of Goldbrickers waiting for you down the side of the building. No matter what you set your difficulty to, these groups will always span the entire width of the ledges, and will always have at least 5 bosses. There will be other, scattered groups of foes, but those will adhere to your difficulty settings, and are not required to defeat.
If you decided to help PsiCurse and enter Portal Corp, you'll quickly find you're not alone. Someone ELSE is assaulting the place, burning and melting metal doorways and freezing guards in place. It seems FrostFire is tearing up the place... but it actually turns out to be Glacia and Infernia! A quick cutscene plays showing them arguing about whether escape is still possible now that HE is going to seal the walls between dimensions and won't let anyone stop him. Not that anyone alive could ever stop...


Once you've made it to the bottom of the building, you enter a small portal, and a cutscene plays of Rodney, Zoe, and King Midas planning their next move and final stand against the villains.
'''HERO 1'''


The cutscene also reveals that there are "'''Wavelength Disruptors'''" placed throughout the ripple, which will hamper your progress. These must be destroyed before you can advance any further. Their placement will be randomized, though there isn't a very large area to search. As you destroy each wavelength disruptor, parts of the map will phase out of existence, or have their location changed. Once all are destroyed, you can set your final ripple decoder at the base of Dr. Zeon's globe and enter the next phase. This will also enable an in-mission hospital, which you're probably going to need...
The villains trounce the twins and make their way into the portal after the legendary hero. They wind up in the Vanguard compound, where you can have a nice chat with various members of Vanguard, who all know you're not THEIR version of you, as you're dead and buried in Astoria. They also know that their world is a "ripple" and is soon going to be wiped out like the cosmic mistake that it is, which is why all the other villains were fighting to get in, so they could portal out. Apparently Hero 1 has a plan to stop that, so if you want any hope of getting back home, you're going to have to stop him before he traps you here forever... or at least for the ~30 odd minutes it's going to take for the dimension to destabilize and probably kill you!


'''Zoe and Rodney's Last Stand'''
(Editor's note) At least that's what I got out of it; it's very hard to fully absorb everything on a timer!


You're teleported into a very constrained space at the top of the globe, where Zoe and Rodney await you with an army of Gold Brickers. Both have upgraded their equipment and have new abilities. Be very careful, as the GBs will likely be able to see any non-stealthed villains anywhere in this bubble, except where you spawn in.
The villains make their way through the heavily-guarded Vanguard compound, and can free up the Infirmary for their own use. An unprepared team is going to need it!


If you didn't get it before, this is another good opportunity to attempt the '''[[Unfriendly Fire Badge]]''', assuming you're using one of the advanced difficulty settings. Though you'll have to contend with Rodney first and try to clear everyone BUT Zoe and a Brickernaught, so it's a bit harder here than previously.
Hero 1 is accompanied by Incandescent, who has a PBAoE nuke (that WILL kill most anything short of a Tank) and can buff/heal/resurrect Hero 1, so you'll want to focus on her first. Hero 1 himself is a very tough nut to crack, but a coordinated enough team should be able to take him down. Once that is done, another cutscene plays, where PsiCurse steals Hero 1's power for his PCM, and uses that power to turn himself into a god. Now that his plan is a success, he no longer needs the villains, who he sends home, WITHOUT giving them the codex, as he doesn't want them finding and coming back to "his" dimension.


Once the AVs are down, they teleport away, and the door to the next area is unlocked.
Once you've triggered that cutscene, if you defeated every Ripple AV up to this point, you will be awarded the '''[[Ripple Raider Badge]]''', or bonus Empyrian merits if you already have it.


'''Midas's Sanctum'''
*'''Note:''': If you already have the '''[[Master of Dr. Aeon's Strike Force Badge]]''', and run this SF again at the highest difficulty, you will have the option of fighting the ALL of the main Vanguard NPCs (You have to ''checks notes'' insult Lady Grey's hair); Doing so and defeating everyone will reward you with a portable Vanguard training dummy!


You enter a small laboratory and fight through the last remnants of the Gold Bricker and AU Bricker forces. You'll come to a small fork at the end; The right side leads to the D-Rifter, but the door is locked. So you have to go left, and finally come face to face with the man himself, '''KING MIDAS'''.
===={{UL|Assault Langston Corp HQ (cont.)}}====


Midas will stand in the middle of the room, surrounded by four smelting pits. He will be immune to damage unless he is inside one of these cauldrons. You don't necessarily need to taunt him there, he'll foolishly chase and teleport to anyone that tests him. Standing in these cauldrons will lower your resistance and deal fire damage over time. Most melee builds can do this without much issue, though squishier characters may wish to hover or kite Midas to keep him in place.
'''Mission Objective(s)'''


However, this is not a simple bag of HP. At every 25% health lost, Midas will use the D-Synch gear to warp reality, and bring in reinforcements from other dimensions (the room will be inverted, as well, disallowing use of the cauldrons). First, he'll summon other-dimensional duplicates of the Villain team; they must be defeated before you can return to the normal lab. When you return, the cauldron you used previously will deactivate, meaning you must use another one. Second time, he'll summon duplicates of himself from other universes. The team must find the ONE version of Midas that is NOT invincible, and beat him down; returning the the main lab will shut down another smelting pit. Finally, Midas will bring this universe's version of Dr. Aeon, Dr. Zeon, to assist; defeat the "good Doctor" and be returned to fight Midas a final time.
* Destroy the Golden Roller
 
** Interrogate the Golden Roller
The final badge required for Master is achieved here. In any advanced difficulty mode, this fight will have the added complication of blue beams that target the villain team, and can be deadly if a villain is exposed for too long (like, more than 2 seconds). In order to achieve the '''[[Can't Touch This Badge]]''', NO member of the team may take ANY damage from these blue beams. Luckily, the targeting for the beams isn't random: It will select the character furthest from Midas, and fire on their position, with both a warning and delay. The next shot will target any OTHER player that is also furthest from Midas. So two players can take turns baiting and dodging the shots while the rest of the team engages the AV. However, this can be a bit harder during the "Upside down" room fights, as the blue beams will target whoever is furthest from the "Normal" Midas, NOT the one in this room with you; so the best strat is to have everyone keep their eyes peeled and finish these phases as quickly as possible.
*** Infiltrate the corporate offices
**** Defeat Mr. Rodney & Guards
***** Search for clues on King Midas & D-Rifter


Once King Midas is defeated (his final speech seems to indicate that he dies), the D-Rifter Control room is unlocked, with a large, glowing console in front of a working teleportal.
''After some rather bizarre detours, you stormed Langston Corp's chocolate factory but found no traces of King Midas or the D-Rifter!''


'''NOTE:''' If going for the '''[[Best Friends Forever Badge]]''', make SURE that Becky touches this console BEFORE anyone else activates it! You'll get the "Badge Found" indicator (assuming you do not already have the badge), and Becky will thank you for taking her on such a fun trip!
'''Enemies'''


Activating the console, your character remembers to use Dr. Echo's Override chip instead of Dr. Aeon's. A Cutscene plays...
{{Enemy Gold Brickers}}


{{Cutscene|Text=
'''Notable NPCs'''
'''Dr. Aeon'''
:Excellent work!


:I must congratulate {{Strike Force}} on a job well done. King Midas? The D-Rifter?
* [[Golden Roller]] (Gold Brickers High-tech Vehicle)
* [[Gold Brickers#Golden Brickernaut|Golden Brickernaut]] (Gold Brickers Elite Boss) (Guarding Mr. Rodney) x3
* [[Mr. Rodney]] (Gold Brickers Archvillain)


:All loose ends cleaned up, quite nicely.
{{NPC Text|title=Golden Roller dialogue|text=
'''Defeated:''' ''M-my beloved car...''<br />
'''Golden Roller:''' ''It was a dimensional-rift emitter, one of several new weapons that Princess Zoe reverse engineered from a device we had obtained called the D-Rifter.''<br />
'''Golden Roller:''' ''I don't actually know where it is. This 'dimensional shifting' business honestly makes me uncomfortable, so I opted-out of being involved with those elements of our plan.''<br />
'''Golden Roller:''' ''You'd best watch yourself, {{Character}}.''}}


'''Caption'''
{{Mission Clue|Name=Destroying the Golden Roller|Text=To your surprise, the Golden Roller proved to be a more formidable adversary than one might've expected from a sports car painted in gold. Although the vehicle itself didn't pose much of a direct threat, its dimensional-rift ejector and the number of Gold Brickers rushing to defend it certainly did.<br />
{{divbox|white| |
That just leaves Strike Force 'Eliminate Witnesses'.
}}


'''Dr. Aeon'''
Despite these various hostile elements, you dismantled the annoying automobile, leaving its driver at your mercy.}}
:The D-Rifter will be remotely translocated to Aeon Corp, while you will be stuck here in this lab as it fades away. Nothing personal, but it's important nobody knows the D-Rifter still exists!


'''Arbiter Daos'''
:Aeon. Would you care to elaborate?


'''Dr. Aeon'''
{{Mission Briefing|Type=Debriefing|Contact=Golden Roller|Text=
:AHH! A-Arbiter Daos?! N-No! You can't be here... How?!


'''Black Scorpion'''
{{darkorange|You stare down at the Golden Roller's driver. His hair has been obnoxiously dyed to a golden-metallic hue. He stares back at you with a hateful, defiant look in his eyes. Something about him is very annoying.}}
:Heh, buffoon.
}}


{{yellow|M-my beloved car...}}


[[File:AeonSFend.jpg]]
Well, {{Character}}, looks like '''you've won.'''


* {{green|Obviously. What was that device you used on us?}}


The D-Rifter chamber is now full of Arachnos personnel, including Operative Grillo. You can speak to him (or try, he's too fascinated by the recovery of the D-Rifter), Dr. Aeon (Who's lost in thought over how he could have lost), and Black Scorpion (who compliments you for taking down Midas). The objective changes to "Speak to Arbiter Daos"; whom you must speak to to end the mission and the Strike Force.
:{{darkorange|The Golden Roller hesitates for a moment, but you grind your heel near his head, to remind him that he's at your mercy now.}}


'''Arbiter Daos:''' ''The Arachnos Arbiter looks you over, then across the D-Rifter's chamber.''
:T-that was a dimensional rift ejector, one of several new weapons that Princess Zoe has reverse engineered from a device we obtained called the {{purple|'''D-Rifter.'''}}


"Well ''StrikeForceName'', you can imagine my surprise when an unrecognized signature connected to our portal in Grandville, with a scrambled message citing a special delivery directly for me.
:''It's been the key to all of our latest plans.''


I'm not sure if you are aware, ''PlayerName'', but '''unauthorized interdimensional tampering normally carries the death penalty under Arachnos jurisdiction.'''
:* {{green|Intriguing. The D-Rifter, where is it now?}}


I'll have your side of this story now."
::{{darkorange|The Golden Roller grits his teeth for a moment.}}


<span style="color:#008800"><b>Well... (explain)</b></span>
::I... I don't actually know where it is...


'''Arbiter Daos:''' ''Arbiter Daos stares at you sternly as you recount everything that happened during your involvement with Dr. Aeon.''
::All this ''"dimensional shifting"'' stuff makes me very uncomfortable, so I {{yellow|opted-out of being involved with those elements of our plan}}, instead focusing on continuing my usual business here in Cap Au Diable and coordinating our local Gold Brickers' operations.


"I see. Under Aeon's orders or not, you've mettled in interdimensional affairs. This is not something Arachnos takes lightly.
::* {{green|Guess I'll just ask Mr. Rodney then. (Take his keycard) ''(loops to another page)''}}


That being said... You ousted yet another one of Aeon's little plots, took care of the Gold Brickers who were poised to become a serious problem for Arachnos, and best of all, '''you secured Carl Egon's Dimensional-Rifter.'''
* {{green|(Take his keycard)}}


We'd been searching for this device after it vanished decades ago... Now it is finally in Arachnos custody where it belongs. In light of this, I'll see to it that this incident is classified and your involvement kept off the records. '''Consider yourself lucky that you get to walk away from this with your head intact.'''"
:{{darkorange|You bend down and grab the golden-hued keycard hanging from the lanyard around the Golden Roller's neck and violently yank it off. He winces as it snaps off his neck. He then glares at you in silence.}}


At this point, you can ask several questions, which will fill you in on any part of the plot you missed (or weren't brought up before), or ask about a payment. Daos states that while the D-Rifter belongs to Arachnos, that you can feel free to help yourself to any other tech in the lab:
:You'd best {{red|watch yourself}}, {{Character}}.


{{PowerBox|Icon=Temporary ConeRangeModerateDamage.png|Name=Gold Bricker Sonic Cannon|Effect=Ranged (Cone), Light DMG(Energy), Foe Disorient, -RES(All but Psionics)|Desc=This Sonic Cannon you looted from the Gold Brickers will deal Energy damage to your target and lower their Resistances to all damage types except Psionics. They may also become Disoriented.}}
:* {{green|A pleasure doing business, Golden Roller. (Leave)}}
}}


{{PowerBox|Icon=Temporary RangeModerateDamage.png|Name=Golden Throwing Wrench|Effect=Ranged, Moderate DMG(Smashing), Foe Knockback, Gold Bricker Confuse|Desc=This golden thrown wrench is going to hurt... and if your target is a Gold Bricker, it may confuse them!
{{Mission Clue|Name=The Golden Roller's Keycard|Text=The Golden Roller's driver put up a decent resistance but it was clear his wheelhouse was in business deals and tech acquisition, not handling super villain threats.<br />


'If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!'.}}
After a brief, not-so-pleasant exchange of words the man's golden-hued keycard was yanked off the lanyard he had around his neck, giving you to access the corporate offices in the upper levels of the [[Langston Corporation]] headquarters.}}


With that, the Strike Force is complete, and you get a reward table, with options for either a random [[D-Sync Origin Enhancements|D-Sync Origin Enhancement]], or additional merit rewards.
[[File:Mrrodney.PNG|right|thumb|250px|{{center|Mr. Rodney and his Brickernaut guard}}]]


Note that completing the strike force does not lock you out of any conversations, and you can continue to talk to the other assorted villains, as long as you stay on the map. Once you leave, you'll be prompted to talk to Dr. Aeon one last time...
{{Cutscene|Text=
'''Mr. Rodney'''
:It's me, sir. The Golden Roller confirmed it... they're here under Dr. Aeon's orders. How should we proceed?


'''Debriefing'''
:...Understood, I've already finished up my work and I suspect Aeon's pawns will be here any minute.


{{darkorange|Dr. Aeon claps slowly.}}
:Agreed. Losing the factory is regrettable, but we have adequate alternatives we can utilize. Especially with the D-Rifter at our disposal. We've bought enough time, I'll escape to the lab shortly.


Well played, ''{{Strike Force}}''! '''Well. Played.'''
:Listen up boys! Everything's been taken care of here, so it's about time we got moving!
}}


Not sure how, but you managed to totally upend my totally super great plan to scapegoat you guys and steal the D-Rifter.
{{NPC Text|type=villain|title=Mr. Rodney|text=
'''Combat Start:''' ''Surprised you got here so quickly, I thought pawns could only move one space per turn.''<br />
'''First Blood:''' ''Fine, we have a little time. Let's scrap!''<br />
'''50% Health:''' ''It was fun, but play time's over; I've got a schedule to keep. You'll never find King Midas or the rest of the Gold Brickers!''
}}


Now Arachnos has it, and {{red|I'm sure they'll use it for something stupid, like taking over the world.}} What a waste! Think of what you could do with a device that can {{purple|generate dimensional ripple echoes on command!}}
{{Mission Clue|Name=Taking Care of Mr. Rodney|Text=You channeled your inner-villainy and demanded to speak to the Gold Brickers manager! As expected, he was more interested in fighting than talking. Fortunately, that's exactly what you were going for anyway, and you gave a super-powered demonstration that showed Mr. Rodney why he and his Gold Brickers had no hope of defeating a powerful {{Archetype}} such as yourself.<br />


Oh? I never mentioned that?
He had some '''choice words''' about you working for [[Dr. Aeon]] and how you'd never find [[King Midas]], but then escaped before you could squeeze answers out of him.}}


{{darkorange|He holds one hand flat and makes a fist with his other.}}


If these unstable echoes are ripples on the lake's surface, then the D-Rifter is like a hammer that can strike the lake to violently generate distortions.
'''Debriefing'''


{{darkorange|He drops his fist onto the flat of his other hand with a slap.}}
Uh, hey there ''{{Strike Force}}'', I'm {{yellow|noticing a '''distinct lack''' of King Midas and Princess Zoe in custody.}} What's the deal with that?


Yes, they're short lived, '''but rife with potential!''' {{yellow|Just look at what a group of idiot criminals did with it!}} Imagine the possibilities with it in hands of somebody who knows what they're doing
{{darkorange|The gusto in Dr. Aeon's voice fades after mentioning the word ''"D-Rifter"'' that you heard from the Golden Roller.}}


Oh well! Not my problem!
''I see...'' so, the final variable of our equation has been revealed. You haven't mentioned this to anybody else yet, have you {{Character}}?
'''Not anymore, atleast...'''


''Toodles'', {{Character}}!
==={{UL|Chasing Fool's Gold Part 6: Ripple Diable}}===


== Souvenir ==
'''Briefing'''
'''Dimensional Originator and D-Rifter Chip'''


In one hand you hold a dimensional tracking device, in the other you rotate an unused data chip that Dr. Aeon gave you in between your fingers. You note the specific minute details of the metal, the small imperfections that couldn't possibly be replicated, and how it proved to be Aeon's undoing in a convoluted chain of events you've dubbed:  
{{blue|Chasing Fool's Gold<br />
Part 6: Ripple Diable}}


'''Chasing Fool's Gold'''
{{red|We've got a real mess on our hands now}} and I don't mean the royal ''"we"'' here, {{Character}}! The way things are going, we aren't going to catch King Midas and the Gold Brickers will escape with an extremely temperamental piece of dimensional technology. We can't let that happen!


(Note: The rest of the Souvenir text is about the size of this entire wiki page so far, so it won't be repeated here. In fact, the original version would ''crash the mapserver when read'' until the devs made a fix for that! But read it in-game, it's worth it.)
For you, aside from just not getting paid, Arachnos is going to blame ''{{Strike Force}}'' ''for failing their mission inside Langston Corp.'' Or worse, that you were bought by King Midas... And {{red|Arachnos really doesn't like failure!}}
 
As for me? If you aren't aware, that D-Rifter is an {{purple|inexplicably-potent dimensional rift generator}}, one that totally shouldn't even exist. The Gold Brickers were somehow able to get it working with research they illegally bought from Aeon Corp!
 
This means all of our careers are on the line if we don't find King Midas!
Fortunately for us, '''I'm Dr. Aeon!''' While more primitive minds would falter in the face of {{yellow|interdimensionally-abled gold-wearing idiots}}, my genius has no such shortcomings!
 
* {{green|So you keep saying... What's the plan?}}
 
The plan, my affable and determined ''{{Strike Force}}'', is using {{blue|these}} to {{yellow|triangulate the D-Rifter's signal inside local unstable ripple space!}}
 
{{darkorange|Dr. Aeon produces four larger versions of the sci-fi tinfoil can-looking device.}}
 
How you might ask? These ripple shards are not unlike ripples on the surface of a lake, with the D-Rifter skipping across their surface. By following any disruptions in the nearby dimensional aether, it should be possible to trace a path back to the D-Rifter.
 
''What's that look for?'' The D-Rifter is a junky device, {{purple|violently disrupting nearby space.}} These scanners should be able to detect those distortions, and if close enough, put in the right places, with good rift stability, and nobody sneezing nearby...
 
Look, {{red|just see what you can do}}; we don't have any other options. {{yellow|You can use Aeon Corp's dimensional shifter located through the door on my balcony.}}
 
Sally forth, {{Character}}! For science and ''avoiding consequences!''
 
===={{UL|Scan for clues inside local dimensional ripple}}====
 
{{darkorange|[Window]: You are provided four identical dimensional ripple scanner devices by Dr. Aeon.}}
 
{{Mission Clue|Name=Ripple Wavelength Scanners|Text=These four, cylinder-shaped objects appear to be larger and more powerful versions of the ripple wavelength tracking device you received earlier.<br />
 
Surprisingly, they are less heavy than you would have expected and all of them can be carried together quite easily.}}
 
'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
 
''You'd like more specific instructions on what to do?'' {{red|What do you mean?!}} We're embarking on unprecedented scientific pioneering, {{Character}}!
 
''Did the Egyptians ask for instructions when they sent Lance Armstrong to discover the Americas?'' Of course not! You must thrive in this unknown! '''Relish this uncertainty!''' We're experiencing science in its purest form!
 
'''Mission Objective(s)'''
 
''Stepping into this dissolving instance of reality, it feels as though you're simultaneously being stretched and compacted. It's not a great feeling.''
 
''You have no idea where to even start, but it seems like '''somebody was counting on that...'''''
 
* Scan for clues inside local dimensional ripple
** Speak with Professor Echo
*** Scan 22nd Bank, Scan WSPDR, Scan Dark Gallery
**** Destroy the ripple anomaly
 
''With no other options, you received some assistance from Professor Echo, but managed to triangulate the D-Rifter's signal!''
 
'''Enemies'''
 
* {{Enemy Luddites}}
* {{Enemy Cap au Diable Demons}}
* {{Enemy Gold Brickers}}
 
'''Notable NPCs'''
 
* [[Professor Echo]] (NPC)
* [[Ripplesurge]] (Cap au Diable Demons Giant Monster)
 
 
{{Mission Briefing|Type=Debriefing|Contact=Professor Echo|Text=
 
{{darkorange|Professor Echo smirks at you while casually leaning against the wall. It is extremely annoying, but you restrain yourself.}}
 
Hello there {{Character}}! Fancy meeting villains like you in an unstable dimensional anomaly like this. What brings you to this particular ripple distortion... today?
 
Well, time doesn't flow normally here, so there's no 'days', but you catch my meaning! Ha-ha-ha!
 
* {{green|Cut the small talk. What do you want?}}
 
:{{darkorange|Professor Echo smiles.}}
 
:But, of course, you are a very busy evil-doer... ''Overworked and underpaid!''
 
:Whatever will you do if you {{yellow|can't find King Midas?}} You'll have no bounty reward, irreparable damage to your reputation, and Arachnos breathing down your neck. ''Not an enviable position, surely!''
 
:{{darkorange|He spots the scanners you're carrying.}}
 
:Ah, I see you're trying to triangulate the D-Rifter's distortion trail, smart idea! {{yellow|You surely already know the exact three locations you need to deploy for those scanners to be able to find the needed rifts...}}
:'''No?'''
 
:Well, that's okay, there's only the '''entirety of this dimension''' to search for those three positions within a few feet in margin for error.
:Oh, right, {{red|you've only got a few hours before this ripple collapses and you lose the trail forever.}}
 
:But I'm sure you'll be okay! I believe in you, {{Character}}!
 
:* {{green|Enough. You know we're out of options.}}
 
::{{darkorange|Nods and takes on a more serious tone.}}
 
::Sensible of you to listen now, {{Character}}.
 
::I'm here to help you, believe it or not. Dr. Aeon is not your ally, despite your working together. As soon as the D-Rifter came into the equation his priorities shifted, and now he's using you to get it for himself. {{red|All of you will be evidence he must erase once he has it.}}
 
::'''What I want''', is to keep the D-Rifter out of Dr. Aeon's hands no matter the cost. In order to make this happen, I must rely on your cooperation-- but don't worry, I have no intention of interfering with your villainous schemes.
 
::Help me out and I'll provide you with the means to ensure Dr. Aeon loses if he crosses you, and {{yellow|I'll even throw in the coordinates to deploy those scanners to find the D-Rifter as a show of good faith.}}
 
::What say you?
 
::* {{green|You act as if I really have a choice. Fine.}}
 
:::{{darkorange|Professor Echo checks his gauntlet for a moment, and then looks up at you, with a pleased grin.}}
 
:::'''Perfect.''' The timestream is shifting, glad to hear I can actually count on you. Nothing personal, {{Character}}, but I had to ensure you would actually uphold your end of our agreement. ''If you were lying to me, the timestream constants wouldn't have changed.''
 
:::Now then, here's the solution to our problem:
 
:::{{darkorange|He holds up a small data chip about the size of your thumb.}}
 
:::I'm going to entrust this override chip to you. If Dr. Aeon gives you an identical, ''not just similar mind you'', override chip, {{red|take it as absolute evidence he's going to betray you.}}
 
:::Follow his instructions, but use my chip instead, and you will {{yellow|turn the tables on Dr. Aeon at the pivotal moment}}, ensuring the D-Rifter does not fall into his hands and you survive.
 
:::''Take the chip and I'll tell you where you those scanners need to go.''
 
:::* {{green|I'm counting on your staying out of my way.}}
 
::::{{darkorange|Professor Echo nods with a smile and gives you the override chip.}}
 
::::Yes, yes, but of course. You can consider me gone already!
 
::::But first, {{yellow|here are the three locations you must deploy those scanners.}} Remember, if they're more than a few feet off, they won't secure the distortion signature.
 
::::{{darkorange|He points to three points on your map.}}
 
::::An uncommon pleasure working with you, {{Character}}! ''Toodles!''
 
::::{{darkorange|Professor Echo presses a few buttons on his gauntlet and teleports away.}}
 
::::* {{green|(Leave)}}
}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Professor Echo|text=
'''Professor Echo:''' ''Ah, if it isn't'' {{Strike Force}}''! Looks like you've hit a dead end on your search. Ready to have that talk now?''<br />
'''Professor Echo:''' ''Fancy meeting villains like you in an unstable dimensional anomaly like this!''<br />
'''Professor Echo:''' ''You surely already know the exact three locations you need to deploy those scanners to be able to find the needed rifts... No?''<br />
'''Professor Echo:''' ''What I want, is to keep the D-Rifter out of Dr. Aeon's hands no matter the cost. In order to make this happen, I must rely on your cooperation.''<br />
'''Professor Echo:''' ''I'm going to entrust this override chip to you. If Dr. Aeon gives you an identical, not just similar mind you, override chip, take it as absolute evidence he's going to betray you.''<br />
'''Professor Echo:''' ''Here are the three locations you must deploy those scanners. If they're more than a few feet off, they won't secure the distortion signature. Toodles!''}}
 
{{Mission Clue|Name=Professor Echo's Override Chip|Text=Professor Echo forced this on you in exchange for his assistance with locating [[King Midas]] and the D-Rifter.<br />
 
You were told that if [[Dr. Aeon]] gives you an identical override chip then you are to take it as {{red|proof of his intention to betray you}} and steal the D-Rfter for himself after you've dealt with King Midas.<br />
 
Apparently using this override chip will instead ''"turn the tables"'' on Dr. Aeon and ensure his scheme ends in failure...<br />
''What exactly that means, you aren't sure yet.''}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Luddites chatter|type=villain|text=
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Just say no to the Purple Pipes of Doom! Dr. Zeon's evil creations!''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Servants of the purple pipes? What is that strange device?! Demons, all of you!''
----
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Dr. Zeon does not care! The Purple Pipes of Doom are a threat to everyone!''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Dr. Zeon's petty thugs don't scare us!''
----
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Cap Au Diable deserves better than Dr. Zeon's continued exploitation!''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''How can you defend the Purple Pipes of Doom?! They'll be the end of us all!''
----
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Luddite Crusader:''' ''Don't trust Dr. Zeon! Down with the Purple Pipes of Doom!''
}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Gold Brickers chatter|type=villain|text=
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 1:''' ''We're done working for Dr. Zeon!''<br />
:'''Gold Bricker minion 2:''' ''Villains?!''
----
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Gold Bricker minion:''' ''You'll regret messing with the Gold Brickers!''
----
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Boomer:''' ''Just a little bit longer and all that sweet gold will be ours!''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Boomer:''' ''Back off, pal! This gold belongs to the Gold Brickers!''
----
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Boomer:''' ''Those other Gold Brickers said to meet here right?''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Boomer:''' ''Woah! Who are you?!''
}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Scanner ambushes|type=villain|text=
'''22nd Bank:'''
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 1:''' ''Princess Zoe was right! They're trying to find our new hideout!''<br />
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 2:''' ''Quick! Stop them!''
----
'''WSPDR:'''
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 1:''' ''We were running behind and look what we find? Aeon's villains!''<br />
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 2:''' ''Our laziness paid off this time!''
----
'''Dark Gallery:'''
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 1:''' ''Sheesh! These idiot Luddites are giving me a migraine!''<br />
:'''Gold Bricker ambusher 2:''' ''Those pipes looked way better in orange anyway...''
}}
 
{{divbox|blackskyblue| |
I've got good news and bad news {{Strike Force}}!
 
The good news! The scanners are working, and I managed to parse their signal into that ripple's local mediporter system if you're mortally wounded! What could inflict such wounds you might ask? Well...
 
The bad news! There's some sort of unstable energy spike coalescing nearby in response to the scanner's signal...
 
Those scanners won't do much good if they're destroyed! You'll need to deal with whatever that thing is before we can consider our work here done. ''Best of luck!'' ~♫
}}
 
 
'''Debriefing'''
 
Wait, it ''actually worked?'' Err, I mean- '''Of course it worked!''' Every calculation according to my immaculate thinking!
 
Well done ''{{Strike Force}}''! You are worthy scientific disciples of Dr. Aeon, assistants the likes of which the world has never seen!
 
Together, the survival of our bottoms are all ''"butt"'' assured! Bwa-ha-ha!
 
The {{yellow|spatial data from the scanners}} is coming through now, ''like a string of interdimensional spaghetti navigating the infinite marinara of spacetime!''
 
===={{UL|Badge Notes}}====
 
Ripplesurge, a giant blue version of Deathsurge, has the ability every minute or so to summon '''Shimmering Infusions''' that die easy enough (though they have Extreme defense vs AoE attacks, so they have to be purposefully targeted), but if left unattended, will be absorbed by Ripplesurge and heal him back to full after about 30 seconds or so. When they are absorbed on higher difficulties, they'll leave a "Death patch" behind that will kill any player who stands in it, but cause Ripplesurge's regen to increase when he does so.
 
If you're going after the '''[[Power Overwhelming Badge]]''', you'll have to defeat the AV while he's standing in an Infusion's death-patch. You'll have to look for him to have green rings around his feet, or just use the Combat Monitor to see his stats.
 
==={{UL|Chasing Fool's Gold Finale: The Midas Touch}}===
 
'''Briefing'''
 
{{blue|Chasing Fool's Gold<br />
Finale: The Midas Touch}}
 
Everything is ready! Well, as ready as they can be, anyway... Aeon Corp's dimensional shifter can only get you partway there. ''What?''
 
Remember when I said those unstable dimensional spaces were kind of like ripples on a lake's surface? Well, {{yellow|the closer you get to the source causing the disruptions, the more chaotic and fluctuating the local aether is going to be.}}
 
What does that mean for you? Well, you should probably expect things to get a {{purple|''little weird''}} in there! You're literally diving into entirely unprecedented science! You should be honored!
 
Now listen ''{{Strike Force}}''... catching King Midas and the D-Rifter is only half the task. {{yellow|Once you have the D-Rifter secured, we need get it back to stable dimensional space!}} Who knows what sort of {{red|'''interdimensional calamity'''}} could result of it drifting through the aether unsupervised!
 
* {{green|Right. What do you propose then?}}
 
I'm glad you asked, my ever-forthright ''{{Strike Force}}''!
 
{{darkorange|Dr. Aeon produces a strikingly-familiar override chip and holds it out to you. Without reacting, you take it.}}
 
I got lucky and found some archival schematics in the Arachnos database for the tech that was the basis for the D-Rifter. This chip is designed to {{yellow|override the configurations and link the D-Rifter to a portal under Arachnos control.}} This will make it easy to recover, as well any other illegal technology the Gold Brickers managed to nab during their escapades.
 
''However, {{red|there's only that one chip!}} So don't lose it, {{Character}}!''
 
===={{UL|Defeat King Midas & Recover the D-Rifter}}====
 
{{darkorange|[Window]: Dr. Aeon hands you a override chip that is}} {{red|identical}} {{darkorange|to the one received from Professor Echo, down to the tiny imperfections on it.}}
 
{{Mission Clue|Name=Dr. Aeon's Override Chip|Text=Just as [[Professor Echo]] predicted, Dr. Aeon gave you an override chip that was identical to his. You were told this was absolute evidence that Dr. Aeon is planning to betray the strike force. You carefully keep both chips separated so you remember which is which. There is no way to tell what exactly Professor Echo's chip will do instead of Dr. Aeon's...}}
 
'''Unnecessary Solicitation'''
 
Was there something you forgot, {{Character}}?
 
''I'm hoping I didn't need to remind you'', but both our futures rest on the success of ''{{Strike Force}}'', so like, {{red|no pressure or anything?}}
 
'''Mission Objective(s)'''
 
''It takes you a moment to regain your bearings after stepping through into the disorienting ripple space.''
 
''You're unsure which is more immediately alarming: The impossible orientation of the local landscape or the {{yellow|'''sheer number of Gold Brickers waiting for you on it.'''}}''
 
* Defeat King Midas and Recover the D-Rifter
** 3 blockade lines to defeat
*** Venture deeper into the dimensional ripple
**** 3 Wavelength disruptors to destroy
***** Deploy scanner under the globe to relocate D-Rifter signal
****** Venture deeper into the dimensional ripple
******* Defeat Princess Zoe & Mr. Rodney!
******** Defeat King Midas & seize the lab
********* Insert Professor Echo's override chip into the D-Rifter console
********** Speak to Arbiter Daos
 
''You dealt a decisive blow to the Gold Brickers by defeating King Midas, turned the tables on Dr. Aeon's scheme, and secured the D-Rifter! {{red|...Even though it was Arachnos who kept it.}}
 
'''Enemies'''
 
* {{Enemy Gold Brickers}}
* {{Enemy Doppelgangers}}
 
'''Allies'''
 
* {{Enemy Arachnos}}
 
'''Notable NPCs'''
 
* [[Becky, the Tarantula Mistress|Becky, the Tarantula Battle-Mistress]] (Elite Boss Ally)
* [[Gold Brickers#Golden Brickernaut|Golden Brickernaut]] (Gold Brickers Elite Boss) x2
* [[Mr. Rodney]] (Gold Brickers Archvillain)
* [[Princess Zoe]] ([[Gold Brickers#Princess Zoe (Smelter version)|Smelter]] version) (Gold Brickers Archvillain)
* [[King Midas]] (Gold Brickers Archvillain)
* King Midas? (Gold Brickers Archvillain)
* [[Dr. Zeon]] (S.P.I.D.E.R. Archvillain)
* [[Arbiter Daos]] (NPC)
* [[Black Scorpion]] (NPC)
* [[Dr. Aeon]] (NPC)
* [[Operative Grillo]] (NPC)
* Arachnos Scientist (NPC)
 
{{NPC Text|title=Becky, the Tarantula Battle-Mistress|text=
'''Before Combat:''' ''Like ohemgee, HI {{Character}}!''<br />
Surprised?<br />
''Becky is like totally here to repay you for taking me hostage!''<br />
''Mr. Aeon was like 'Fine, whatever you want, just go away and stop talking'.''<br />
''And I was SO like, Becky is coming to the rescue of her friend against these weirdo golden bad guys!''<br />
''Let's totally like, show them what's up!''<br />
'''Defeated:''' ''Becky is like, totally glad... She went with... The best health insurance package...''}}
 
{{Cutscene|Text=
'''Caption'''
{{divbox|gold| |
'''Meanwhile...'''
}}
 
'''Mr. Rodney'''
:It appears Aeon's villains are closing in on the lab as we speak.
 
:Those wavelength disruptors are only going to buy us a little time... What's our next move, sir?
 
'''Princess Zoe'''
:Mrgrgr... Our next move should be to kick their butts!
 
:Let's lure them into the lab and use the D-Sync gear to end this!
 
'''Mr. Rodney'''
:That's too risky, wasn't it still in testing?
 
'''Princess Zoe'''
:Well, yes... But we don't really have any other options do we?
 
'''Mr. Rodney'''
:Has it really come to that? What are your thoughts, sir?
 
'''King Midas'''
:...Prepare the D-Sync system at once, I will use it myself. You two are to buy what time you can and then make your escape. The future depends on your survival, there are to be no compromises on this.
 
'''Caption'''
{{divbox|white| |
Got it.
}}
 
{{divbox|white| |
Of course, sir.
}}
 
{{divbox|blackyellow| |
Rodney.
}}
 
{{divbox|white| |
Sir?
}}
 
{{divbox|blackyellow| |
Once you're both safe, this belongs to '''her''' now.
}}
 
{{divbox|white| |
I... ''I understand'', sir. You can count on me.
}}
}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Princess Zoe & Mr. Rodney|type=villain|text=
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Princess Zoe:''' ''Time for round two, jerks! And this time we're ready for ya!''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Princess Zoe:''' ''Don't think this is gonna go the way it did before!''
:'''Mr. Rodney:''' ''Stay by my side, Princess! We'll take them on together!''
'''First Blood:'''
:'''Princess Zoe:''' ''I'm going to enjoy some payback for the cargo ship!''
:'''Mr. Rodney:''' ''Come then! We'll show you what the Gold Brickers are capable of!''
'''75% Health:'''
:'''Princess Zoe:''' ''I can appreciate the science it took to find us, but can you?''
:'''Mr. Rodney:''' ''You've adjusted well to fighting in a collapsing space, but we're experts!''
'''50% Health:'''
:'''Princess Zoe:''' ''Sheesh... Tenacious, aren'tchya? Increasing thermal output!''
:'''Mr. Rodney:''' ''Determined like demons... But we aren't going to lose!''
'''25% Health:'''
:'''Princess Zoe:''' ''Mrgrgr... come on, Smelting Arms, don't fail me now...''
:'''Mr. Rodney:''' ''Damnit... We were so close! Dr. Aeon and even Arachnos itself would've had to recognize the Gold Brickers!''
'''Zoe Defeated:'''
:'''Princess Zoe:''' ''N-no... What will become of Father and the Gold Brickers...?''
:'''Mr. Rodney:''' ''Princess, make your escape now! I will buy you a little more time and follow you shortly!''
'''Rodney Defeated:'''
:'''Mr. Rodney:''' ''Grrgh... King Midas, I'm at my limit... Princess...''
:''I must survive and keep... my promise to King Midas.''
'''After defeating a player:'''
:'''Princess Zoe:''' ''Zero sympathy! You came and we delivered!''}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=D-Rifter Laboratory Gold Brickers|type=villain|text=
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 1:''' ''We're all that's left!''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 2:''' ''All the other Gold Brickers already made their escape!''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 1:''' ''Our existence is apparently only temporary, but our sacrifice can be permanent!''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 2:''' ''We'll stop you from reaching King Midas!''
----
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 1:''' ''Stop them! Don't let them reach King Midas!''
----
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 1:''' ''You won't reach King Midas without going through us!''
----
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 1:''' ''To the future of the Gold Brickers!''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 2:''' ''Even from different realities, our loyalty binds us!''
----
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 1:''' ''We may fall here, but the Gold Brickers will endure!''
:'''Gold Bricker minion 2:''' ''You scum will never know what it feels like to belong to something more!''}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=D-Rifter Laboratory objects|text=
'''Gold Bricker Armaments'''<br />
Looking over the heavily stocked weapons armory, it shows that the {{yellow|Gold Brickers have truly mastered the art of using shipping containers for their operations.}}<br />
From shipping their chocolates, make-shift housing, smuggling goods, or equipping their men... You can't help but find yourself impressed by how well Langston Corp utilizes their resources.}}
 
[[File:KingMidasCombat.jpg|thumb|100px|{{center|King Midas}}]]
 
{{NPC Text|title=King Midas|type=villain|text=
'''Before Combat:''' ''I've been waiting, ''{{Strike Force}}''. Yes... This farce with Aeon has endured for far too long.''<br />
''Come! Let us begin.''<br />
'''Combat Start:''' ''Allow me to introduce you to the D-Sync System, where the very reality around us bends itself to my will.''<br />
'''First Blood:''' ''Clever. But can your attacks strike true? Or will they be turned away by my unyielding skin?''<br />
'''75% Health:''' ''You carry yourselves well... Time to flip the odds.''<br />
'''50% Health:''' ''Very good.''<br />
''But can you see reality for what it truly is?''<br />
'''25% Health:''' ''Your tenacity proves how you made it this far.''<br />
''But can you finish the job?''<br />
'''Defeated:''' ''Well done. Tell Aeon...''<br />
''We'll enjoy drinks again...''<br />
''Together in hell...''<br />
'''After defeating a player:''' ''Puppets breaking puppets...''}}
 
{{EdNote|note=There are 4 Smelting Cauldrons in King Midas' boss room; he will be invulnerable to damage and mez effects until he is lured/taunted into one of them.<br />
 
Additionally, at 75%, 50%, and 25% Health, King Midas will teleport the players into an upside-down version of the boss room with an encounter that must be defeated in order to re-teleport players into the main boss arena. King Midas will be present but invincible in these encounters.<br />
 
When the players are teleported back into the main boss arena, the Smelting Cauldron King Midas was last standing in will fade away.}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Doppelganger Ripple|type=villain|text=
'''Doppelgangers Defeated:'''
:'''King Midas:''' ''Most impressive, it is no doubt you are the genuine article.''}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=King Midas? Ripple|type=villain|text=
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''King Midas:''' ''Which amongst us is the real King Midas? I wonder...''
'''Real Midas Defeated:'''
:'''King Midas:''' ''It would seem your discerning eyes cannot be deceived so easily.''}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Dr. Zeon Ripple|type=villain|text=
'''Before Combat:'''
:'''Dr. Zeon:''' ''I see, so this contemptible 'Dr. Aeon' knock-off is trying to ensure my dimension is annihilated?''
'''Combat Start:'''
:'''Dr. Zeon:''' ''Guess I'll have to demonstrate why I am the world's greatest scientific mind! Nwehehehe!''
'''First Blood:'''
:'''Dr. Zeon:''' ''Imagine your name starting with an 'A'... Nobody wants to be called first in roll call!''
'''75% Health:'''
:'''Dr. Zeon:''' ''You idiots fight like you leveled up in a virtual reality simulation while somebody else did the work!''
'''50% Health:'''
:'''Dr. Zeon:''' ''Surrender and I might just name the next NutriPudding flavor in your honor!''
'''25% Health:'''
:'''Dr. Zeon:''' ''Midas!? If I knew they were tough, I would never have agreed to this!''
:'''King Midas:''' ''Your cowardice comes as no surprise, Zeon, but I find myself disappointed all the same.''
'''Dr. Zeon Defeated:'''
:'''Dr. Zeon:''' ''I'm too smart... to die...''
:'''King Midas:''' ''Enough games, let us put an end to this.''
'''After defeating a player:'''
:'''Dr. Zeon:''' ''Nwehehe! Every scientist knows to expect 'Zeonexpected'!''}}
 
[[File:AeonSFend.jpg|thumb|500px|{{center|D-Rifter Chamber}}]]
 
{{NPC Text|title=D-Rifter Chamber objects|text=
'''The Dimensional-Rifter'''<br />
The rings on the strange machine spin endlessly in a hypnotic rhythm, keeping contained the {{purple|ominous dimensional energy}} within. The crystallized compound serving as the core of this device writhes and spins in a chaotic manner, as it if were trying to escape its prison.<br />
Staring into its center, you lose yourself in what can only be described as a '''kaleidoscope of possibility.''' Reality itself seems to fracture and reassemble itself in what seems like an eternity within an instant. You are left feeling as though you just {{purple|simultaneously witnessed and forgot an infinite number of memories for outcomes and events that likely never existed at all.}}<br />
You cautiously back away from the D-Rifter, ''the fact that something like this can exist at all is an unsettling concept...''}}
 
{{Cutscene|Text=
'''Dr. Aeon'''
:Excellent work!
 
:I must congratulate {{Strike Force}} on a job well done. King Midas? The D-Rifter?
 
:All loose ends cleaned up, quite nicely.
 
'''Caption'''
{{divbox|white| |
That just leaves Strike Force 'Eliminate Witnesses'.
}}
 
'''Dr. Aeon'''
:The D-Rifter will be remotely translocated to Aeon Corp, while you will be stuck here in this lab as it fades away. Nothing personal, but it's important nobody knows the D-Rifter still exists!
 
'''Arbiter Daos'''
:Aeon. Would you care to elaborate?
 
'''Dr. Aeon'''
:AHH! A-Arbiter Daos?! N-No! You can't be here... How?!
 
'''Black Scorpion'''
:Heh, buffoon.
}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Arbiter Daos|text=
'''On Approach:''' ''Well {{Strike Force}}, I believe we have a more than a few things to discuss.''
----
{{Mission Briefing|Type=Debriefing|Contact=Arbiter Daos|Text=
 
{{darkorange|The Arachnos Arbiter looks you over, then across the D-Rifter's chamber.}}
 
Well {{Strike Force}}, you can imagine my surprise when an unrecognized signature connected to our portal in Grandville, with a scrambled message citing a special delivery directly for me.
 
I'm not sure if you are aware, {{Character}}, but {{red|unauthorized interdimensional tampering normally carries the death penalty under Arachnos jurisdiction.}}
 
'''I'll have your side of this story now.'''
 
* {{green|Well... (Explain)}}
 
:{{darkorange|Arbiter Daos stares at you sternly as you recount everything that happened during your involvement with Dr. Aeon.}}
 
:''I see.''
 
:Under Aeon's orders or not, you've meddled in interdimensional affairs. This is not something Arachnos takes lightly.
 
:That being said... You ousted yet another one of Aeon's little plots, took care of the Gold Brickers who were poised to become a serious problem for Arachnos, and best of all, {{purple|'''you secured Carl Egon's Dimensional-Rifter.'''}}
 
:We'd been searching for this device after it vanished decades ago... Now it is finally in Arachnos custody where it belongs.
 
:In light of this, I'll see to it that this incident is classified and your involvement kept off the records. {{yellow|Consider yourself lucky that you get to walk away from this with your head intact.}}
 
:* {{green|I have a couple questions.}}
 
::{{darkorange|The man sighs.}}
 
::Make it quick, {{Character}}. My time is short.
 
::* {{green|What will Arachnos do with the D-Rifter?}}
 
:::We'll be taking the D-Rifter into Arachnos custody immediately.
 
:::This is dangerous, ''illegal technology.'' The Gold Brickers only tapped the surface of this device's potential, and {{yellow|look at how much they managed to do with that alone.}}
 
:::What does Arachnos plan to do with it?
:::'''That's classified.'''
 
:::I would recommend against asking questions that might compromise on the survival you've only narrowly been granted, {{Character}}.
 
:::* {{green|What's in store for Dr. Aeon? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|What about the Gold Brickers? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|Who is Carl Egon? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|How about a reward? Arachnos should thank us. ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|Aeon owes us payment, this wasn't charity work. ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
::* {{green|What's in store for Dr. Aeon?}}
 
:::{{darkorange|He looks behind him at Dr. Aeon.}}
 
:::Fortunately or unfortunately ''depending on who you are asking'', Dr. Aeon is an invaluable resource to Arachnos. His technology and brilliant mind are assets we will need in order to further our agenda.
 
:::He will be on a {{yellow|significantly shorter leash}} however. We understood him to be an ambitious man, but clearly we once again underestimated the capacity of his foolishness.
 
:::Arachnos will ensure he cannot engage in any retaliatory actions against {{Strike Force}}. '''Of that you can be certain.'''
 
:::* {{green|What will Arachnos do with the D-Rifter? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|What about the Gold Brickers? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|Who is Carl Egon? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|How about a reward? Arachnos should thank us. ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|Aeon owes us payment, this wasn't charity work. ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
::* {{green|What about the Gold Brickers?}}
 
:::{{darkorange|He contemplates for a moment.}}
 
:::'''Lawrence Langston''', also known as the crimelord {{yellow|King Midas}}, is no more. His death spells the end for the current Gold Bricker regime. His meddling has long been a nuisance for Arachnos, and at last our control over Cap Au Diable is secured.
 
:::''Langston Corp will survive...'' With his daughter, '''Marigold Langston''', now being the sole heiress. As an international corporation, it would be difficult for Arachnos to act against them beyond the jurisdiction of our borders.
 
:::However, {{yellow|Princess Zoe and any surviving members of the Gold Brickers}} are wanted fugitives on the charges of possessing illegal technology, years of unlawful activity, and conspiring against Arachnos.
 
:::If they're smart, {{red|they'll never step foot in the Rogue Isles again...}}
 
:::* {{green|What will Arachnos do with the D-Rifter? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|What's in store for Dr. Aeon? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|Who is Carl Egon? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|How about a reward? Arachnos should thank us. ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|Aeon owes us payment, this wasn't charity work. ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
::* {{green|Who is Carl Egon?}}
 
:::{{darkorange|He shakes his head.}}
 
:::''There's not much to say about him that matters.''
 
:::Dr. Carl Egon was a scientist in the 1980's, who by some stroke of luck, managed to create the D-Rifter technology but was unable to ever reproduce his own invention.
 
:::Later, due to a disagreement with Cap Au Diable's former governor, he decided to use the D-Rifter for a foolish reason and was {{red|executed by Arachnos}} shortly after for his crimes.
 
:::Unfortunately for us, his invention vanished along with the whole lab that housed it. {{yellow|Somehow, it ended up in the Gold Bricker's possession.}}
 
:::* {{green|What will Arachnos do with the D-Rifter? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|What's in store for Dr. Aeon? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|What about the Gold Brickers? ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|How about a reward? Arachnos should thank us. ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:::* {{green|Aeon owes us payment, this wasn't charity work. ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
::* {{green|How about a reward? Arachnos should thank us. ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
::* {{green|Aeon owes us payment, this wasn't charity work. ''(loops to another page)''}}
 
:* {{green|How about a reward? Arachnos should thank us.}}
 
::{{darkorange|He raises an eyebrow at you.}}
 
::More of a reward than our allowing you to walk away with your life?
 
::'''Very well.'''
 
::The D-Rifter will be leaving with Arachnos, but {{yellow|consider the rest of the Gold Bricker weapons and equipment stored in this facility your's to loot as you see fit.}}
 
::I am certain their technology will be of some value to you.
 
::* {{green|I guess that will have to do.}}
 
:::{{darkorange|Arbiter Daos nods.}}
 
:::Yes, I imagine it will.
 
:::If there's nothing more, I have many tasks to address and several reports that must be delivered.
 
:::Arachnos officially declares ''{{Strike Force}}'' absolved of involvement in this incident.
 
:::You may leave now.
 
:::* {{green|(Leave)}}
 
:* {{green|Aeon owes us payment, this wasn't charity work.}}
 
::{{darkorange|He shrugs indifferently.}}
 
::I suppose we will have to settle that account on Aeon's behalf.
 
::'''Very well.'''
 
::The D-Rifter will be leaving with Arachnos, but {{yellow|consider the rest of the Gold Bricker weapons and equipment stored in this facility your's to loot as you see fit.}}
 
::I am certain their technology will be of some value to you.
 
::* {{green|I guess that will have to do. ''(loops to another page)''}}
}}
}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Black Scorpion|text=
{{Mission Briefing|Type=Debriefing|Contact=Black Scorpion|Text=
 
{{darkorange|The Arachnos patron chuckles as he looks at Dr. Aeon.}}
 
'''Contemptable fool.'''
 
He should've known better than to think that this little scheme of his could possibly have worked. He's lucky he's as valuable as he is, or Arachnos wouldn't tolerate his idiotic streaks.
 
{{darkorange|He looks over to you.}}
 
I'm not sure what role you played in all this {{Character}}, I'll leave that business to Arbiter Daos.
 
But taking down King Midas? Not bad, ''not bad at all.''
 
* {{green|(Leave)}}
}}
}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Dr. Aeon|text=
{{Mission Briefing|Type=Debriefing|Contact=Dr. Aeon|Text=
 
{{darkorange|Aeon keeps his eyes down as he mutters to himself.}}
 
How... Did I make a miscalculation? ''I couldn't have...''
 
No... ''This shouldn't be...''
 
* {{green|(Leave)}}
}}
}}
 
{{NPC Text|title=Operative Grillo|text=
{{Mission Briefing|Type=Debriefing|Contact=Operative Grillo|Text=
 
{{darkorange|The man is lost in thought and doesn't even seem to notice you.}}
 
'''Unbelievable.'''
 
Arachnos has been searching for Carl Egon's Dimensional-Rifter for decades and it turns out the {{yellow|Gold Brickers}} had it all along...
 
''Our securing this technology changes everything.''
 
* {{green|(Leave)}}
}}
}}
 
{{PowerBox|Icon=Temporary ConeRangeModerateDamage.png|Name=Gold Bricker Sonic Cannon|Effect=Ranged (Cone), Moderate DMG(Energy), Foe Disorient, -Resist(All but Psionics)|Desc=This Sonic Cannon you looted from the Gold Brickers will deal Energy damage to your target and lower their Resistances to all damage types except Psionics. They may also become Disoriented.}}
 
{{PowerBox|Icon=Temporary RangeModerateDamage.png|Name=Golden Throwing Wrench|Effect=Ranged, Heavy DMG(Smash), Foe Knockback, Gold Bricker Confuse|Desc=This golden thrown wrench is going to hurt... and if your target is a Gold Bricker, it may confuse them!
 
'If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!'.}}
 
'''Rewards'''
 
You have defeated King Midas and recovered the D-Rifter. Make sure you have an Enhancement inventory slot open and select your reward from the following options:
 
[[D-Sync Origin Enhancements|Random D-Sync Enhancement]]
:''By choosing this reward, you will be granted a random D-Sync Enhancement. These Enhancements work on two or more aspects of a power, making them better than a Single Origin enhancement.''
 
(40) [[Merit Rewards|Merit Reward Tokens]]
:''By choosing this reward, you will receive a number of Merit Reward Tokens. Repeating this task multiple times within a 24 hour period will yield reduced Merit Rewards upon completion.''
 
 
'''Debriefing'''
 
{{darkorange|Dr. Aeon claps slowly.}}
 
Well played, ''{{Strike Force}}''! '''Well. Played.'''
 
Not sure how, but you managed to totally upend my totally super great plan to scapegoat you guys and steal the D-Rifter.
 
Now Arachnos has it, and {{red|I'm sure they'll use it for something stupid, like taking over the world.}} What a waste! Think of what you could do with a device that can {{purple|generate dimensional ripple echoes on command!}}
 
Oh? I never mentioned that?
 
{{darkorange|He holds one hand flat and makes a fist with his other.}}
 
If these unstable echoes are ripples on the lake's surface, then the D-Rifter is like a hammer that can strike the lake to violently generate distortions.
 
{{darkorange|He drops his fist onto the flat of his other hand with a slap.}}
 
Yes, they're short lived, '''but rife with potential!''' {{yellow|Just look at what a group of idiot criminals did with it!}} Imagine the possibilities with it in hands of somebody who knows what they're doing
 
Oh well! Not my problem!
'''Not anymore, atleast...'''
 
''Toodles'', {{Character}}!
 
===={{UL|Badge Notes}}====
 
If you successfully had Becky follow you in mission 1, she'll appear here as '''Battle Becky''', a combat-ready ally! She'll follow whoever loaded into the instance first. If you're going after the '''[[Best Friends Forever Badge]]''', you'll need to keep her alive and escort her to the end of the mission. Luckily, she's very tough; though you might want to turn off any toggles that will increase her perception (like Tactics), or she'll fly across the map to engage hostile mobs.
 
You're teleported into a very constrained space at the top of the globe, where Zoe and Rodney await you with an army of Gold Brickers. Both have upgraded their equipment and have new abilities. Be very careful, as the GBs will likely be able to see any non-stealthed villains anywhere in this bubble, except where you spawn in.
 
If you didn't get it before, this is another good opportunity to attempt the '''[[Unfriendly Fire Badge]]''', assuming you're using one of the advanced difficulty settings. Though you'll have to contend with Rodney first and try to clear everyone BUT Zoe and a Brickernaught, so it's a bit harder here than previously.
 
The final badge required for Master is achieved in the fight with King Midas. In any advanced difficulty mode, this fight will have the added complication of blue beams that target the villain team, and can be deadly if a villain is exposed for too long (like, more than 2 seconds). In order to achieve the '''[[Can't Touch This Badge]]''', NO member of the team may take ANY damage from these blue beams. Luckily, the targeting for the beams isn't random: It will select the character furthest from Midas, and fire on their position, with both a warning and delay. The next shot will target any OTHER player that is also furthest from Midas. So two players can take turns baiting and dodging the shots while the rest of the team engages the AV. However, this can be a bit harder during the "Upside down" room fights, as the blue beams will target whoever is furthest from the "Normal" Midas, NOT the one in this room with you; so the best strat is to have everyone keep their eyes peeled and finish these phases as quickly as possible.
 
'''NOTE:''' If going for the '''[[Best Friends Forever Badge]]''', make SURE that Becky touches this console BEFORE anyone else activates it! You'll get the "Badge Found" indicator (assuming you do not already have the badge), and Becky will thank you for taking her on such a fun trip!


== See Also ==
== See Also ==

Latest revision as of 22:47, 13 November 2024

Incomplete
This article is incomplete at this time. You can help the Unofficial Homecoming Wiki by helping us complete it.

Overview

Task Force
Chasing Fool's Gold
DrAeonSF.jpeg
Contact Dr. Aeon
Zone Cap Au Diable
Suggested Team Size 4+ players
Coordinates (-770.0, 487.0, -256.4)[Copy]
Level Range 35-50
Merits 40
Badge Gold Standard
Unfriendly Fire
Ripple Raider
Power Overwhelming
Can't Touch This
Master of Dr. Aeon's Strike Force
Best Friends Forever
Enemy Groups
v • d • e

The Dr. Aeon Strike Force was introduced in Issue 27, Page 3 of Homecoming: City of Heroes, and is the fifth of the five main Strike Forces in City of Villains, needed for the Strike Force Commander accolade. The other four strike forces are Virgil Tarikoss Strike Force, Silver Mantis Strike Force, Operative Renault Strike Force, and Ice Mistral Strike Force. Dr. Aeon is located on the balcony of the Arachnos building in the Aeon City neighborhood of Cap au Diable.

Lore-wise, the Dr. Aeon SF ties up some dangling plot threads, and teases some future threats. Mechanically, it introduces a new Challenge Settings mode (separate from the normal difficulty slider that only adjusts the level and number of foes), where in foes gain new abilities, stat buffs, and players may be hampered, based on the Challenge Setting they choose. Defeating foes in higher challenge modes in different ways allow the players to gain additional rewards, badges, and more.

Note: This SF has a LOT of dialogue. Much of it has been pruned here for brevity; if you wish to see it all (and you should, it's really well done), then play the mission!


Merit Rewards: This activity awards 40 Reward Merits.

Introductions

Too Low Level

YOU! Wait. No, no, no... Not "you" you, I was talking to... that, uh, other person... behind you?

Look, there was definitely somebody else there, and they were at least Threat Level 35. I'm the great Dr. Aeon, so I obviously must know what I'm talking about!

All participants in this Strike Force must be at least Level 35. It is recommended (but not required) that you bring at least 4 members on your team. Participants will be exemplared to match the leader of the team's level.

Not Team Leader

Dr. Aeon shoos you away with a hand without even looking at you.

Please keep whatever exciting reason you think you had for talking with me to yourself. Please just point whoever is leading your little group to come and speak with me.

Strike Force Invite

Dr. Aeon doesn't even look up as you approach him.

Late, late, LATE! You should know by now that science runs on caffeine! Was the coffee shop's line measured in QPUs?! What took so-

The man finally notices you.

What? Who? You're not the intern -- You are... Don't tell me, for my memory is immaculate! ...Character? Ha! Yes! I knew it all along, never a doubt! Clearly, as I am the great Dr. Thaddeus Aeon! Master of science and remembering names!

Somebody like YOU, talking to ME. Hmmm. Wait! Yes! You are an aspiring ne'er-do-well! So a waste of-

He stops, looks at you for a moment, and then fakes a cough.

A waste of good talent! Clearly, you knew that my genius... Geniusness! Yes! It needed individuals such as yourself in the pursuit of scientific excellence.

Ah-ha-ha-ha! Ahem, yes. Now then! Bring some worthwhile allies, as you will likely need them. There are, what we'll call rogue variables... interfering with my equation for a thriving Aeon City. Isolating and eliminating this problematic element will require scientific coordination!

It is recommended (but not required) that this content is attempted with a team of at least 4 members.

Missions

Souvenir

Dimensional Originator & D-Rifter Chip

Chasing Fool's Gold Part 1: Unauthorized Research

Briefing

Chasing Fool's Gold
Part 1: Unauthorized Research

Ah-ha-ha-ha! Excellent! Truly, excellent! Go forth, my totally not-expendable Strike Force Name! Take this security card, it will get you inside the Aeon Corp building.

Violence is encouraged! Find the head of R&D and squeeze the answers out of him. Afterwards, ask for his thesis on `How to Die for Stupid Reasons`! Ah-ha-ha-ha!

You wait, but the man just continues to laugh. It appears as though he's going to carry on like this for awhile. You turn to leave, but as you do he suddenly stops.

Wait, Character, take this communicator as well. Put it somewhere that lets you hear me so we can talk while you're within range of Cap Au Diable.

Raid Aeon Corp

[Window]: You are provided an Aeon Corp NFC security card and a high-tech communicator by Dr. Aeon.

Testing, testing, 1-2-3... Can you hear me Strike Force Name? This is Dr. Aeon.

Ah-ha-ha-ha! Excellent! Let's begin!
Clue
Aeon Corp Communicator

Dr. Aeon gave you this fancy-looking communication doodad. Something about it seems odd, but you can't specify what...

You notice some fine print written on one side: "This equipment has been fully sanitized to accommodate any style of usage!" ...what?

Unnecessary Solicitation

Hmmm, why are you still here Character? The head of R&D isn't going to beat himself up and spill his own secrets, as enjoyable as that would be to watch!

No, no! You must become the force coefficient you wish to see in the world! Go! Away with you!


Mission Objective(s)

With the security card Dr. Aeon provided, you slip into the facility with ease. For now, all you hear are the quiet hums and beeps of computers and machinery at work...

  • Raid Aeon Corp
    • Enter the facility
      • Beat up 10 Aeon scientists
      • Capture head of R&D
        • Interrogate head of R&D
          • Unencrypt unauthorized research USB
  • Bring the research USB to Dr. Aeon

You enjoyed a consequence-free romp through Aeon Corp's campus, beat up some unsuspecting Arachnos, and acquired the data Dr. Aeon was after.

Enemies

Arachnos
Arachnoids

Notable NPCs

Lobby Dialogue
Checking in with Becky
Arachnobot Sent Away
Becky Hostage Dialogue
1st Floor Chatter
2nd Floor Chatter
3rd Floor Chatter
Aeon Corp Head of R&D


Aeon Corp Head of R&D
Aeon Corp Head of R&D

You effortlessly beat the scientist into submission. It is clear he lacked any proper combat training. The handsome man is shaking, but stares defiantly at you.

S-stay back! I know who you are, Character, even you c-can't get away with assaulting Arachnos property and attacking an Aeon Corporation scientist! The A-Arbiters are going to hear about this!

  • They won't. This is a house call courtesy of Dr. Aeon.
Upon utterance of the word `Aeon`, the face on the man turns white with dread.
W-what? Dr. Aeon sent you? Why?!
  • Unauthorized research. Care to share it with the class?
The life in his eyes vanishes completely as he realizes the situation.
Ah... So I've been found out. Then my life is already forfeit.
Very well then, I'll give you everything. I never met with my client in-person, and they only ever paid in gold wiring.
That wiring is a specific electronic component that has been in extremely short supply, and I was using it to meet our impossible deadlines.
He pulls a small USB out of his coat and holds it up.
Plug this into the research terminal upstairs to unencrypt it. Everything I researched for them is on there. Kept it off the research network for safety, but I guess that wasn't enough...
You can tell Dr. Aeon that he's a huge-
  • (Knock him unconscious)
Getting impatient, you knock the man out and take his USB.
  • (Leave)
Aeon Corp Head Dialogue
Clue
Unauthorized Research USB

The head of Aeon’s R&D kept this encrypted USB on his person. It holds all the files he sold illegally. Dr. Aeon will want this, but it needs to be unencrypted first...

Becky Arachnos Computer Dialogue
Clue
Becky, the Tarantula Secretary

You decided, on a bit of a whim, to let Becky, the tarantula who never stops talking, accompany you on your romp through Aeon Corp's facility as your "hostage". It seemed like she had fun, and was very grateful to have been given a temporary reprieve from the tedium of the job she had found herself shackled to. Sure, you may be be a bad guy, but the evils of being stuck working a boring desk job goes above simple villainy!

Deliver USB to Aeon

Unnecessary Solicitation

Strike Force Name, I await the delicious and scientifically ambitious review of how your task within Aeon Corp went and what you discovered.

Hurry back now! I detest long waits to receive lab results! Quickly now!


Debriefing

Ha-ha-ha! That annoying clone always thought he was more handsome than I was... Just look at me! You can't improve on this level of perfection!

Dr. Aeon's face has a punch-worthy grin on it.

At last, my favorite part of science! The plunders of new knowledge at my fingertips!

  • All yours... (Deliver the USB)
He takes the USB and promptly plugs it into his gauntlet.
In a few seconds, I will have reviewed all there is to be reviewed! Let's see what secrets this data holds...
  • My payment?
Let's not be too hasty, my simple-minded Character!
We must ensure all the data is accurate and lines up with our hypothesis before we can make our final conclusions!
  • (Leave)
Ha-ha-ha! That annoying clone always thought he was more handsome than I was...
Just look at me! You can't improve on this level of perfection!

Debriefing

Ah-ha-ha-ha! Well done, Strike Force Name!

My research staff are renewed, my former head of R&D - the idiot that he is - has been made an example of, and we have information to identify our rogue variables!

I hypothesize that the beautiful fruits borne of our scientific labor will ripen on the vine of collaborative ambition and be made into the sweetest vintage of success!

Badge Notes

Best Friends Forever

At the front desk is Becky, the Tarantula Secretary. You'll need to talk to her and take her hostage, and then lead Becky to the final terminal near the Tired Aeon Corp Scientist before exiting the mission. This will cause Becky to appear in the finale to assist you and complete the Best Friends Forever Badge.

Chasing Fool's Gold Part 2: Cap Au Prospecting

Briefing

Chasing Fool's Gold
Act 2: Cap Au Prospecting

Dr. Aeon looks at you with a sigh.

Well, Strike Force Name, my dear old friend, days like these are when science is like oxygen: You can't see it, you need it to live, but high enough concentrations can get you killed! Ha-ha! It's time to work overtime!

Do you know the principles behind dimensional ripples? What am I saying, of course you don't -- review this when you have a moment. Can't have my assistants behind on their SCIENCE! Bwa-ha-ha!

He hands you a small booklet.

Onto more exciting and potentially DANGEROUS things! Whoever was paying for Aeon Corp's research was looking into principles behind applications of exploiting these unstable dimensional echoes. What does that mean exactly? Who knows! Ha-ha-ha!

Research is the best friend of science, keep her close, like a pistol with one bullet! For yourself? No, no, for your evil clone from an alternate dimension! Science has advanced, and those guys aren't guaranteed to come with a goatee anymore! Stay vigilant!

  • Err, right, but what exactly are we 'researching'?

After checking our research notes, I noticed something: AU! Or more commonly, gold! There's only one group who deals exclusively in the element of gold on the Rogue Isles, and that's King Midas and his Gold Brickers.

Such observations point us forward! We must have the Gold Brickers' knowledge of the gold market! With it we can figure out this stupid shortage and who's using it to their advantage!

The Gold Brickers are everywhere in Cap Au Diable. Lots around the Langston Corporation factory to the north or here in Aeon City. Find some, ask politely in whatever language of violence you are most fluent and see what they know. They know the gold trade best; it's impossible there could be a shortage without their knowing something about it.

Go forth my beloved Strike Force Name! Go forth unto SCIENCE!


Seek information on the gold shortage

[Window]: You are given a pretentious-looking booklet by Dr. Aeon.

Very good! There's no shortage of Gold Brickers around to introduce yourself to. Nobody expects the villainous 'Aeonquisition'! Mwa-ha-ha!
Clue
Dimensional Ripples for Dummies

This book was written by Dr. Aeon himself and seems to be some kind of beginner's guide to extra-dimensional theory. You flip through the first few pages, but the constant grandstanding about his own intellect makes it hard to stomach. However, some sections do contain what seem like useful passages:

"The plane of all existence likely contains nearly infinite dimensions, some permanent and others fleeting and fading in power."

"While the specifics are still under study, the temporal fluctuations caused by certain events in one dimension can cause so-called "ripples" in spacetime. This has a myriad of effects, including the creation of temporary branching copies of the origin dimension, albeit with degrees of alteration. Over the years, these have been referred to as echoes, ripples, branches, shards or simply unstable rifts."

"Some exceptions have been observed: the shard dubbed "Omega Sigma 66-7" which Arachnos has codenamed "Recluse’s Victory" seems to be stuck in an unprecedented regenerative loop, refusing to fade away into the fabric of the dimensional aether. On-going research dictates..."

That's enough science for today, Dr. Aeon isn't paying you by the hour.

Unnecessary Solicitation

Why are you still here? You're asking ME why there's a gold shortage? Why would I know anything?

If I was rolling in gold, I could think of at least... one hundred other things I could be doing right now instead, like rolling in gold!

Keep your head in the game Character!

Mission Objective(s)

  • Seek information on the gold shortage
    • Defeat 10 Gold Brickers

After some beat-downs, one of the Gold Brickers coughed up an intriguing lead regarding a Gold Bricker fighting event. (As well as a rather unclean golden tooth!)

Clue
Gold Bricker Lead

You learned the only Brickers who'd know of the grander goings-on would be Gold Bricker coordinators, who never work in the field. This would be bad news for you, except that the Brickers are hosting a tournament for 'fire fighters' at the nearby abandoned foundry. It’s been dubbed "The Smelting Cauldron" and the champion who organizes it is one such coordinator...

Crash Gold Bricker hideout for information

Unnecessary Solicitation

Hmm? So only Gold Brickers of some importance know anything? And you've learned where one might be during some sort of silly fight club event?

Truly fascinating! How about you go look into that then instead of talking to me? Hmm, yes, I think that would be more productive.


Mission Objective(s)

A wave of intense heat washes over you as you step into the abandoned foundry.

  • Crash Gold Bricker hideout for information
    • Find a way to get inside
      • Proceed to the Smelting Cauldron
        • Defeat the Cauldron Champion!

Doing what you do best, you forced your way into the Gold Brickers tournament, won, and got some answers!

Enemies

Gold Brickers
Turrets
Rogue Isles Villains
Rogues Gallery
Hellions

Notable NPCs

Lobby Dialogue

Editor's Note: All of the NPCs in the lobby area can be interacted with before talking to the Tournament Organizer, if you choose to fight.

Pyrelord
Pyra
Blast Furnace
Flambeaux
Burning Daemon
Towering Inferno
Dark Sabaoth
Damned
Tournament Organizer
Tournament Organizer

The large Gold Bricker with the clipboard looks you over.

I don't remember you registering... No more entrants are being accepted, if you wanted a spot in the tournament you should've got here sooner.

Now scram, punk.

  • I am registered, you must have forgotten. (Lie)
He leans over and looks at you closer.
Pretty sure I wouldn't have forgotten somebody with your... unique qualities, but we do get all kinds... Fine.
Which bracket of the tournament were you assigned to?
  • Bracket A.
He looks at the first page on the clipboard.
Aight... what name did you register with?
  • Heatstroke.
  • The Flamethrower.
  • Blast Burner
  • Heat Crasher.
  • Bracket B.
He flips to the second page on the clipboard.
Hmm... what name did you register with?
  • Fire Blaster.
  • Burning Eruption.
  • The Incinerator.
  • Inferno Overdrive.
  • Bracket C.
He flips to the third page on the clipboard.
Okay... what name did you register with?
  • Magma Storm.
  • Cinderburn.
Looks up at you, and sighs.
You're late. Why didn't you come up when you were called?
Your bracket has already started... If you hurry you should still be able to make your match.
Get moving!
  • (Leave) This dialogue path successfully bypasses fighting both the villains in the lobby and the Tournament Organizer.
  • Maximum Flare.
  • Fire Fang.
  • Bracket D.
He flips to the last page on the clipboard.
Sure... what name did you register with?
  • Blaze Blitzer.
  • Blue Flare.
  • Overheat.
  • Solar Striker.
For all answers except Bracket C, Cinderburn:
The Gold Bricker growls angrily.
...You think this is a joke?
Let's see you laugh after you've been reduced to charcoal!
This will immediately initiate a fight with the Tournament Organizer.
  • I'm tougher than all these losers, I deserve a spot. (Fight)
He chuckles at you.
Oh yeah?
That's some mighty big talk... I think those `losers` might have something to say about that, but sure, why not.
If they don't reduce you to a smouldering pile of ash, you can take their spots, how about it?
  • I wouldn't have it any other way. (Fight)
  • You feel the temperature in the room rise sharply.
Choosing this dialogue option turns the fire-based Villain NPCs in the lobby hostile. Defeating all of them allows the team to progress.
  • (Leave)
Tournament Organizer
Fire Villains
Gold Brickers
Smelting Cauldron
Cauldron Champion Frobe

Debriefing

Rest easy, my violence-addled Strike Force Name!

I'm already working within Arachnos to see what I can find. The Gold Brickers making profits with their gold reserves during a shortage is hardly surprising, and thus isn't quite conclusive evidence of anything. Remember, hypotheses must always be reinforced by data! Data, Character, DATA!

We need a new approach. Hmm, those who lose the most from a gold shortage are groups that rely on advanced machinery and electronic components... Such as Aeon Corp or Arachnos -- naturally, we are dealing with enemies of SCIENCE ITSELF!

Like a nostril hair that can't be tamed I've plucked our enemy's influence out of Aeon Corp, so we must find a new lead... And a pair of tweezers!

Don't worry! My brilliant mind is already formulating the method to our scientific endeavors...

Chasing Fool's Gold Part 3: Scientific Goldmine

Briefing

Chasing Fool's Gold
Part 3: Scientific Goldmine

Rejoice, Character! My unparalleled brilliance has formulated our next move!

As I said, this gold shortage sucks the most for large, technology-focused groups, so through my own intelligence, I have formulated a candidate who's probably being exploited: Crey Industries!

Although Crey operates a facility here in Aeon City they have this annoying strong public face, so it's unlikely they'd react if we asked how they're enjoying the shortage.

Fortunately for us, I happened to have a few... connections that I leveraged through some confidential channels! This allowed me to confirm my deductions, Crey are in dire need of gold-wiring components!

Exploiting this, I was easily able to arrange a deal using the Gold Brickers who are eager to profit on that desperation! My intellect is truly frightening! Like a brilliant vending machine of science where every selection is GENIUS!

  • Whatever you say... Where do we come in?

Patience now my sweet, sweet Strike Force Name!

You cannot rush science! Well, you can, but when you've survived as many explosions as I have, you start to learn when a deadline warrants an energy field!

But nevermind that. Where YOU come in, Character, is to utilize your `persuasive` methods to obtain information from Crey. We're looking for anything applicable to dimensional exploitation, Crey is likely already dancing to the tune of our rogue variable. Indeed, a tune most insidious, like a waltz!

Those jerks at Crey were strict about these negotiations being held in their research compound, likely a precaution or hopefully because that's where they keep their silly scientists of merit. An irrelevant factor in our calculations! As for the Gold Brickers... They too are irrelevant! Ah-ha-ha-ha!

However, to your benefit, they always deal in solid gold bars, and will have brought a few to demonstrate they are serious about the negotiations with Crey. Consider them an advance bonus on your payment!


The Crey Industries facility is right here in Aeon City, how convenient for you! Have fun storming their facility, and remember if anybody asks, that `possible liability` rhymes with `plausible deniability`!~ ♫


Infiltrate Crey lab & steal gold

Unnecessary Solicitation

If it isn't my enthusiastic, yet dim-witted assistant, Character! Is there some exciting and fun reason you're talking to me right now?

Instead of, I don't know, say... Infiltrating a certain Crey facility? Ringing any bells? No?


Mission Objective(s)

  • Infiltrate Crey lab & steal gold
    • Steal the gold
    • Defeat Crey's new bio-weapon
    • Break up negotiations

You acquired up some of the Gold Bricker's gold, broke up the negotiations with Crey, and defeated one of their new clone bioweapons!

Enemies

Paragon Protectors
Crey
Gold Brickers

Notable NPCs

Gold Brickers

The Crey Facility #RI-C-02 hallway has three sets of security lasers. Players stepping on them will trigger Crey ambushes. Players can avoid ambushes by jumping, flying, or teleporting over the lasers.

Crey Ambushes
Clone Assessment Lab Dialogue
Crey Computers
Crey Bio-Weapon
Deal Brokernaut Flashbang

Debriefing

I expected nothing less from my ever-expendable Strike Force Name? ...Dependable? That's what I said, clean out those ears! Bwa-ha-ha!

Were those Crey idiots as dense as the rumors? Well don't keep me in suspense, what'd you learn?

At mention of the Gold Brickers and their dealing in gold wiring, Aeon's enthusiastic cantor lessens considerably.

That's... extremely troubling news, Character. You're sure? This wasn't some OTHER gold wiring that was left around? No? I also can't ignore your mention of their negotiating with Crey for components...

As unlikely as it seems, we really have no choice but to conclude that the Gold Brickers themselves are behind the gold shortage... All to acquire dimensional technology and research? To what end? Do they have some scientific mind who can use that knowledge?

Those were advanced theories in complex dimensional mechanisms, not just anybody could pick up that research and use it...

Chasing Fools Gold Part 4: Ripples in Gold

Briefing

Chasing Fool's Gold
Part 4: Ripples in Gold

Surprisingly, Dr. Aeon's tone is missing some of its usual eccentric frivolity.

Haste makes waste, Character! At this point, the evidence says the Gold Brickers are responsible for this gold shortage and that they are using it to get knowledge and technology related to unstable dimensional ripples.

That is all fine and dandy, but we have too many unanswered questions! What are they trying to do? Who is backing them with scientific know-how? How are they funding the manipulation of the gold market?

We need answers and without tipping our hand! The element of gold is precious, but the element of surprise is far more valuable!

Don't fret, Strike Force Name! All problems have a solution, and I have the solution; no dangerous acids involved! Return to Aeon City and give me some of that gold wiring you stole. If my extremely brilliant, scientifically-informed suspicions are correct, it holds the key to cornering the Gold Brickers!

What? If you're that upset, I'll remind you that the bounty I've placed on King Midas makes the value of that gold akin to an intern who cannot deliver coffee! Note to self: Invent self-delivering coffee...

  • You better not be wrong about this.

The great Dr. Thaddeus Aeon? WRONG? Inconceivable! My poor, silly, inept Strike Force Name, your jokes are too much sometimes. Ha-ha-ha!

Now bring me that gold wiring! Then we'll confirm that my undoubtedly, absolutely, and sure-to-be-correct suspicions were right!

Bring the gold wiring to Dr. Aeon

Unnecessary Solicitation

Character, were you going to send me that gold wiring wirelessly? An email attachment, maybe?

No? That's very disappointing.

Mission Objective(s)

  • Bring the gold wiring to Dr. Aeon


Debriefing

Dr. Aeon pushes an outstretched hand towards you like a toddler demanding a toy.

Finally! Okay, now hand over the gold. Lay it on me!

He notices your skeptical hesitation.

Character, trust is like a two-lane highway! If we're going to get anywhere, you have to be willing to force that other guy to let you merge so you can get in the fast lane! Ah-ha-ha!

  • I... don't follow. Am I going to get this gold back?
I have no use for it. If I'm somehow, by some impossibility, wrong you can have it back.
You reluctantly turn the gold over to Dr. Aeon. He hands it to the nearby engineer who promptly leaves.
This should only take a minute. In the meantime, want some delicious NutriPaste? I just so happen to have a few tubes on me!
We have apples & onions, cheddar raspberry, chocolate teriyaki... Ooh! A tube of the new trout yogurt flavor! That one isn't even in stores yet!
  • Err, no thanks?
Just as you start to get impatient the engineer returns (without your gold) and hands Dr. Aeon a piece of paper, who then begins to laugh. Ha-ha! Success! By the power of science! We have our answer!
The Gold Brickers are dealing in counterfeits we'll call "ripple gold".
What does that mean? Well, if you read that critically-acclaimed booklet I gave you earlier... It means that their gold is 100%, real-as-can-be, and passes all the tests.
BUT, it's also dimensionally unstable and decaying molecularly at the nanometer level! Completely untraceable and identical to the real thing, until the moment it fades from reality after about 6-months!
Pop! Blink! Gone! No more gold.
The Gold Brickers must have been busy, accumulating all the stable gold they could and swapping it out with this distorted ripple gold. Which means... it means... hmmm, what DOES that mean? Oh! Of course, it means the Gold Brickers must already have access to means of interdimensional travel or at least some degree of interdimensional shifting?
It takes a lot of accuracy to move from one stable dimension to another. They're basically quitting half-way, for a "50% of my atoms are totally goofed" kind of result... Explains why they were looking for new research and technology!
I'm impressed they managed it without my he-, errr, without my knowing about it! Running a portal usually draws a lot of attention, not to mention power!
  • Okay, but what are we going to do about it?
This! Mwa-ha-ha!
Dr. Aeon produces a small, cylinder shaped device that reminds you of a tinfoil can.
This is my handy-dandy Dimensional Originator; I created it for... well, that doesn't matter, but it's going to prove useful to you now!
He spends some time elaborating on the many amazing features of his device, but you fail to see the point.
Fantastic, isn't it? I've already tuned it to point towards distortion signatures that match the ripple gold wiring you recovered.
Odd though... rather than Langston Corp, as I would've guessed, it points south off the coast of Cap Au Diable?
To answer your original question: What YOU'RE going to do about it, is charter a boat, take my tracker, and make a surprise "pizza" delivery to whatever is out at sea!
While you're doing that, I'm going to get an actual pizza delivered, I'm hungry and we won't have communicator reception while you're out there anyway.
  • (Leave)

Ha-ha-ha! Success!

We asked science, and science gave us an answer!
Seize the source of distorted gold counterfeits

Unnecessary Solicitation

You want to know if you can have some pizza too? My uneducated, naive Character, there's an unspoken rule in evil schemes and villainy: "Never share your pizza."

...That's not a real thing?

Oh. Well then, in that case... No. It's my pizza.


Mission Objective(s)

As you disembark, you notice a figure on the cargo ship's deck who appears to be waiting for you.

  • Seize the source of distorted gold counterfeits
    • ???
      • Investigate the cargo ship
        • Defeat workshop's chief of security
          • Sync mediporters (Optional), Continue investigation of the cargo ship
            • Defeat the Gold Bricker leader

You brushed aside Professor Echo, ousted the Gold Brickers, and seized control of their cargo ship!

Enemies

Notable NPCs

Professor Echo
Gold Brickers chatter
Security Chief Slick
Workshop Portal room trash
Underbelly Powerworks chatter
Underbelly Powerworks objects

Princess Zoe:

Any news from the men we sent to negotiate with Crey?

Mr. Rivers:

None. At this point I'm guessing something must've happened to them.

Princess Zoe:

Mrgrgr... Really? Didn't THEY approach US? We even went through the hassle of meeting at their research facility... The portal receiver is stable for now, but its components need to be swapped out since it's prone to overheating.

Mr. Rivers:

Weird... Don't let it concern you, Princess. There's no shortage of clientele desperate for our gold!

Princess Zoe:

Yes, just thinking ahead... The Gold Brickers must be ready for any challenge if we're to succeed in what's to come. We must be ready to act as soon as word comes from Father at the lab.
Royal Processing Chamber objects
Princess Zoe
Princess Zoe ambushes


Debriefing

That was truly excellent... Huh? No, not you Character... that pizza! Someday, I shall dominate the science of pizza! Anyways, what did you find out at sea?

Woah, hold the photons, the Gold Brickers had a PORTAL, on a BOAT?

That shouldn't even be possible... not possible... unless... unless, it was only part of the equation... It must have been a portal receiver!

Fascinating, if the device were only receiving, decoding, and assembling the molecular structures being transmitted through the temporal aether... you could off-load a lot of the power requirements...

You wait while Dr. Aeon rides out his train of thought, but then suddenly he's back to you.

Wait, you said there was a Gold Bricker woman, and SHE built this device? Could it be...?

Badge Notes

If you're going for the Unfriendly Fire Badge, you will need to finish off Zoe with a Golden Brickernaut's self-destruct when she is at 10% or less health. This is accomplished by confusing a Golden Brickernaut before he explodes, hitting him with the Dimensional Grounding Ray from the Dr. Kahn Task Force, or hitting him with a Golden Throwing Wrench (lore-wise, those later two muck up the Brickernauts' friendly fire protocols; the explosions will still hurt you if you choose this method, so be cautious). Fortunately, Mr. Rivers is a guaranteed Brickernaut spawn, and being an EB, it's slightly harder to kill him on accident. Best thing to do is have someone with taunt or controls keep him in the far corner while the fight ensues, then bring him over to Zoe when she gets low on health. Hit him with confuse/DGR/GTW, get him to 25% health when Zoe is under 10%, and keep her from regening above that without killing her. If you do this correctly, you'll get the badge!

Chasing Fool's Gold Part 5: Your Golden Ticket

Briefing

Chasing Fool's Gold
Part 5: Your Golden Ticket

Aeon Corp has custody of the Gold Bricker's cargo ship and we confirmed everything you already told me. You said they called her Princess Zoe? Hmmm... has to be her...

Dr. Aeon mumbles something to himself for a moment.

Alright, Character, the kiddie gloves are coming off! It's big boy time! At this point, the Gold Brickers have now been recognized as a threat to Arachnos. We've confirmed that they are in possession of illegal portal technology.

I've obtained permission from the Arbiters for Strike Force Name to move on Langston Corp's main headquarters. The mission is to apprehend King Midas and seize the factory! Arachnos would also like Princess Zoe taken alive if possible. When somebody has a surprise knack for science, killing them to death is usually a waste.

It sucks, but now that we've lost the element of surprise, the stupid chocolate-loving morons will be prepared for us... And by us, I mean you, since you'll be facing them, not me!

Ha-ha-ha! The joys of scientific delegation!

  • Consider King Midas caught. Get that bounty payment ready.

Oh! Such confidence from my oh-so dependable Strike Force Name!

How you've grown from mere assistants of science into slightly-more capable assistants of science! If I were your father... Well, if we're being honest, I would probably wonder where it all went wrong. But I'm not, so I don't! Bwa-ha-ha!

It's time to finally put an end to the antics of those golden idiots. They had a good run, but made the inconceivable mistake of daring to cross the great Dr. Aeon! Master of scientifically-precise and impeccable comeuppances! They should've known this outcome was "Aeonvoidable"! Ah-ha-

You leave and pretend like you didn't hear that.

Assault Langston Corp HQ

Editor's Note:

The entire mission technically takes place on a single map, the Ripples have been formatted into their own sections for ease of search, as this mission is long and dense in content.

Unnecessary Solicitation:

At last! So Midas, how does it feel, to have been totally brought to justice by Dr. Aeon? You didn't really think you could outsmart-

Wait, what? What do you mean "you haven't finished the mission yet"? Then why are you talking to me?! Honestly, Character? Now I'm going to have to rewrite my victory speech!

Mission Objective(s)

Between the thick scent of chocolate and the dim halogen lightbulbs, the atmosphere in the factory is unsettling. Upon entering, a recording greets you:

"Welcome to Langston Corp! Your time is important to us, please have a seat!"

A generic tune begins to play in the lobby.

  • Confront the warehouse manager
    • Talk to the Golden Roller
      • Destroy the Golden Roller
      • Override a portal or defeat the 5th Column Emperor to escape, Question Oberst Ubelmann for answers (optional)
        • Interrogate the Golden Roller
          • Infiltrate the corporate offices
            • Defeat Mr. Rodney & Guards
              • Search for clues on King Midas & D-Rifter

After some rather bizarre detours, you stormed Langston Corp's chocolate factory but found no traces of King Midas or the D-Rifter!

Enemies

Gold Brickers
5th Column
Nictus
Void Hunters
Devouring Earth
Vanguard
Turrets

Notable NPCs

Gold Brickers chatter
Shipping Hangar objects


Debriefing

You approach the golden metallic sports car cautiously, eyeing the strange device mounted on it. As you approach, a voice speaks out to you from within the vehicle.

Well, well, if it isn't Character! Please tell Dr. Aeon that he's welcome to come here in person, maybe the Gold Brickers will hear him out if we're feeling generous.

News has gotten around that you've become a problem for my associates. We can't have that, so unfortunately this will need to be where your tour of our facility ends.

I'll have to ask you to leave.

  • I'm fooling Dr. Aeon, I came to meet King Midas.
You hear the man within the car laugh.
Is that so? You, meet with King Midas?
No, no, I'm afraid that is quite impossible. Even if you weren't working for Dr. Aeon, only Mr. Rodney could arrange that.
  • Not a problem, I'll just ask Mr. Rodney instead.
No, you won't.
He doesn't take unscheduled appointments, especially not from villains who hurt our beloved Princess Zoe.
Mr. Rodney is busy coordinating important Gold Bricker affairs from our corporate office, and the only keycard to reach him is in my possession.
Sorry, but I'm afraid you'll have to make do with me.
  • Mr. Rodney would want to see me, it'd be worth his while.
You hear the man within the car laugh once more.
I'm sure.
Unfortunately for you, we didn't lure you into this room so we could entertain a discussion on potential business ventures together.
We lured you here so that we could destroy you.
The Golden Roller honks his horn.
  • (Leave)
  • Zoe? Oh, you mean the stupid girl from the ship?
The Golden Roller's voice turns to a glowering tone.
We will not stand here and allow you to insult Princess Zoe.
She's done more for the Gold Brickers than you can possibly imagine with your being a selfish, pathetic, and idiotic pawn of Dr. Aeon!
I think we've exchange enough words.
The Golden Roller honks his horn.
  • (Leave)
  • I'll just have to be taking that keycard then.
If you think you can take this keycard by force, then go right ahead and try! You'll find this Golden Roller is more... Like an armored tank, than a simple sports car. Reinforced with carbon flexweave, ceramic titanium alloy and impervium plating? VERY sturdy stuff or so I've heard. Feel free to stress-test that for me.
I've come to enjoy watching idiots attempt to key my vehicle. Believe me, a golden car in the Rogue Isles? It attracts a lot of attention.
Don't think we weren't expecting Dr. Aeon's thugs to show up right after we lost our cargo ship. We've prepared our best Langston Corp welcome for you.
Please enjoy!
The Golden Roller honks his horn.
  • (Leave)
  • Dr. Aeon and Arachnos aren't enemies you can beat.
I'm sure one of Dr. Aeon's little pawns would think that. Otherwise you wouldn't be under his thumb. You must think you're clever, and that you're still in control while dealing with malevolent monster in a man's shape. I pity you, I really do.
Character, we aren't looking to challenge Arachnos. No, the Gold Brickers are simply asserting our independence as a business entity that has outgrown just making chocolate and taking hushed orders to commit petty crimes for people like Dr. Aeon.
If Dr. Aeon and Arachnos were willing to recognize Langston Corp and meet with us as equals, there could be future business opportunities in the future. But we both know that will never happen.
Given circumstances-- the Gold Brickers will be standing our ground, with force if needs be. I think you'll find that we're no longer just a simple gang of high tech thieves.
  • I suppose there's nothing left to discuss then.
The man within chuckles.
Correct. After all, we didn't lure you into this room so we could entertain a discussion of your opinion on the Gold Bricker's plans.
We lured you here so that we could destroy you.
The Golden Roller honks his horn.
  • (Leave)
  • Oh yeah? You and what army?
You hear the man within the car laugh.
Commendable use of a classic cliched line, but a poor choice in this case.
Well, since you asked... THIS army!
The Golden Roller honks his horn.
  • (Leave)
  • What's with the portal?
He gives a ominous laugh.
Well, it's not exactly a portal, at least not in the traditional meaning of the word. Our princess really has out-done herself this time.
We were actually waiting for you to arrive... You see, we prepared this device as a welcoming gift for whomever Dr. Aeon decided to send, and I'm quite excited to see what you think.
If you could be so kind as to just step over there and stand still, I'll give you a live demonstration of just what this contraption does!
  • Uh, I don't think so... (Fight)
The menace in his voice is palpable.
Don't be like that, Character! You wouldn't be so rude as to refuse our hospitality? Surely not after breaking into our factory and assaulting our men?
No, no, we can't have that at. Let me get some of our boys in here to help find a good seat to enjoy the show as we erase you from existence.
The Golden Roller honks his horn.
  • (Leave)
  • (Attack)
The Golden Roller honks his horn the moment he notices your intention to attack.
  • (Leave)
Golden Roller dialogue
Golden Roller Combat dialogue

Dimensional Ripple: Royal Overlook

Mission Objective(s)

  • Destroy the Golden Roller
    • Override a portal or defeat the 5th Column Emperor to escape, Question Oberst Ubelmann for answers (optional)

Enemies

5th Column
Nictus
Void Hunters

Notable NPCs

Caption

You begin to recall something Dr. Aeon said...

Earlier...

Dr. Aeon

...And that wraps-up the neck massage feature. Now, this next function is quite important! Hey, are you paying attention?!
If you experience a transdimensional mislocation you're going to be thanking me!
This device tracks dimensional travel, and if sufficiently powered, can eject you back to this dimension!
Cool, right?
All it needs is to siphon energy from a sufficient power source, like another portal or an electric generator... and BOOM! You'll be shunted back to this dimension!
This could save your bacon! Don't forget!
Ewige Mitternacht Kommandants
Oberst Ubelmann
Void Harbingers
5th Column Archvillains
Emperor Requiem ambushes


Dr. Aeon's Dimensional Originator is activated and shunts you back to Langston Corp!

Ripple return ambushes
Golden Roller dialogue


Badge Notes

If you're going for the Ripple Raider Badge, then you'll have to confront the five AVs (Arakhn, Maestro, Nosferatu, Protean, Emperor Requiem). Other than being a bit tougher than their Primal counterparts, the legion of nearby 5th troops will break ranks to attack the party, and waves of Void Hunters will assist Emperor Reichsman once he starts taking damage.

Womb of Creation

Mission Objective(s)

  • Destroy the Golden Roller
    • Drain electric pods or defeat the All-Mother to escape, Attempt to communicate with the All-Mother (Optional)

Neutral

Devouring Earth

Notable NPCs

Terra, the All-Mother Dialogue
Devouring Earth Archvillains


Dr. Aeon's Dimensional Originator is activated and shunts you back to Langston Corp!

Ripple return ambushes
Golden Roller dialogue

Badge Notes

If you're going for the Ripple Raider Badge, you must defeat the four turned Heroes, Terra, and her Mouthpiece.

Dimensional Ripple: Portal Court

Mission Objective(s)

  • Destroy the Golden Roller
    • Defeat Apex and override the portal to escape, Assist PsiCurse in retrieving the PCM (Optional)

Enemies

Vanguard
Turrets
Paragon Heroes

Notable NPCs

Vanguard Commander

Apex, sir! I've spotted what appears to be villains to the southwest! They appeared from out of nowhere...

Apex

Really now? Got it. Inform the perimeter patrols.
These idiots are hopeless. Nobody gets in or out of Portal Corp while Apex is on the job!
Vanguard! Prepare to engage the hostiles, it's go time!
PsiCurse
Apex

Infernia

Glacia! Come to your senses! Don't make me go through you!

Glacia

Stop being stupid! We lost the moment the barrier went up. You can't defeat him... I doubt there's anyone even still alive who could. It's over.

Infernia

So, what? We're just going to sit here and die? Just like that?!

Glacia

What else would you have us do?! Are you naive enough to assume they'll listen?
No. He won't back down, not now, not ever...

Caption

...not Hero 1.


Another cutscene plays, this one of Apex standing on a tank, declaring that he and Vangaurd are to make sure that no one gains entry into Portal Corp. The area around the Portal Corp courtyard is riddled with craters and the bodies of several villains and a few heroes.

In front of the Strike Force is a man cowering behind an overturned truck, who introduces himself as PsiCurse. He has a plan to save this world from its imminent doom, AND help the Villains escape to their own dimension, but the Vanguard are holding his key to powering his invention, The PsychoChronoMetron. He offers to give the villains access to Portal Corp's greatest secret: The Dimensional Codex, in return for their help. You can either team up with him, or fight/bypass him entirely. However, if you're going after the Ripple Raider Badge, you'll have to help him.

In either case, you must defeat Apex and the Vanguard Colonel in the courtyard. They are flanked by several missile launchers, Vanguard HVAS, and Wizards. Once Apex and the Colonel are down, you'll have access to the emergency portal to the North East. You can either set it to go home, or, if you agreed to help PsiCurse, re-route it to take you into Portal Corp.

If you decided to help PsiCurse and enter Portal Corp, you'll quickly find you're not alone. Someone ELSE is assaulting the place, burning and melting metal doorways and freezing guards in place. It seems FrostFire is tearing up the place... but it actually turns out to be Glacia and Infernia! A quick cutscene plays showing them arguing about whether escape is still possible now that HE is going to seal the walls between dimensions and won't let anyone stop him. Not that anyone alive could ever stop...

HERO 1

The villains trounce the twins and make their way into the portal after the legendary hero. They wind up in the Vanguard compound, where you can have a nice chat with various members of Vanguard, who all know you're not THEIR version of you, as you're dead and buried in Astoria. They also know that their world is a "ripple" and is soon going to be wiped out like the cosmic mistake that it is, which is why all the other villains were fighting to get in, so they could portal out. Apparently Hero 1 has a plan to stop that, so if you want any hope of getting back home, you're going to have to stop him before he traps you here forever... or at least for the ~30 odd minutes it's going to take for the dimension to destabilize and probably kill you!

(Editor's note) At least that's what I got out of it; it's very hard to fully absorb everything on a timer!

The villains make their way through the heavily-guarded Vanguard compound, and can free up the Infirmary for their own use. An unprepared team is going to need it!

Hero 1 is accompanied by Incandescent, who has a PBAoE nuke (that WILL kill most anything short of a Tank) and can buff/heal/resurrect Hero 1, so you'll want to focus on her first. Hero 1 himself is a very tough nut to crack, but a coordinated enough team should be able to take him down. Once that is done, another cutscene plays, where PsiCurse steals Hero 1's power for his PCM, and uses that power to turn himself into a god. Now that his plan is a success, he no longer needs the villains, who he sends home, WITHOUT giving them the codex, as he doesn't want them finding and coming back to "his" dimension.

Once you've triggered that cutscene, if you defeated every Ripple AV up to this point, you will be awarded the Ripple Raider Badge, or bonus Empyrian merits if you already have it.

  • Note:: If you already have the Master of Dr. Aeon's Strike Force Badge, and run this SF again at the highest difficulty, you will have the option of fighting the ALL of the main Vanguard NPCs (You have to checks notes insult Lady Grey's hair); Doing so and defeating everyone will reward you with a portable Vanguard training dummy!

Assault Langston Corp HQ (cont.)

Mission Objective(s)

  • Destroy the Golden Roller
    • Interrogate the Golden Roller
      • Infiltrate the corporate offices
        • Defeat Mr. Rodney & Guards
          • Search for clues on King Midas & D-Rifter

After some rather bizarre detours, you stormed Langston Corp's chocolate factory but found no traces of King Midas or the D-Rifter!

Enemies

Gold Brickers

Notable NPCs

Golden Roller dialogue
Clue
Destroying the Golden Roller

To your surprise, the Golden Roller proved to be a more formidable adversary than one might've expected from a sports car painted in gold. Although the vehicle itself didn't pose much of a direct threat, its dimensional-rift ejector and the number of Gold Brickers rushing to defend it certainly did.

Despite these various hostile elements, you dismantled the annoying automobile, leaving its driver at your mercy.


Debriefing

You stare down at the Golden Roller's driver. His hair has been obnoxiously dyed to a golden-metallic hue. He stares back at you with a hateful, defiant look in his eyes. Something about him is very annoying.

M-my beloved car...

Well, Character, looks like you've won.

  • Obviously. What was that device you used on us?
The Golden Roller hesitates for a moment, but you grind your heel near his head, to remind him that he's at your mercy now.
T-that was a dimensional rift ejector, one of several new weapons that Princess Zoe has reverse engineered from a device we obtained called the D-Rifter.
It's been the key to all of our latest plans.
  • Intriguing. The D-Rifter, where is it now?
The Golden Roller grits his teeth for a moment.
I... I don't actually know where it is...
All this "dimensional shifting" stuff makes me very uncomfortable, so I opted-out of being involved with those elements of our plan, instead focusing on continuing my usual business here in Cap Au Diable and coordinating our local Gold Brickers' operations.
  • Guess I'll just ask Mr. Rodney then. (Take his keycard) (loops to another page)
  • (Take his keycard)
You bend down and grab the golden-hued keycard hanging from the lanyard around the Golden Roller's neck and violently yank it off. He winces as it snaps off his neck. He then glares at you in silence.
You'd best watch yourself, Character.
  • A pleasure doing business, Golden Roller. (Leave)
Clue
The Golden Roller's Keycard

The Golden Roller's driver put up a decent resistance but it was clear his wheelhouse was in business deals and tech acquisition, not handling super villain threats.

After a brief, not-so-pleasant exchange of words the man's golden-hued keycard was yanked off the lanyard he had around his neck, giving you to access the corporate offices in the upper levels of the Langston Corporation headquarters.

Mr. Rodney and his Brickernaut guard

Mr. Rodney

It's me, sir. The Golden Roller confirmed it... they're here under Dr. Aeon's orders. How should we proceed?
...Understood, I've already finished up my work and I suspect Aeon's pawns will be here any minute.
Agreed. Losing the factory is regrettable, but we have adequate alternatives we can utilize. Especially with the D-Rifter at our disposal. We've bought enough time, I'll escape to the lab shortly.
Listen up boys! Everything's been taken care of here, so it's about time we got moving!
Mr. Rodney
Clue
Taking Care of Mr. Rodney

You channeled your inner-villainy and demanded to speak to the Gold Brickers manager! As expected, he was more interested in fighting than talking. Fortunately, that's exactly what you were going for anyway, and you gave a super-powered demonstration that showed Mr. Rodney why he and his Gold Brickers had no hope of defeating a powerful Archetype such as yourself.

He had some choice words about you working for Dr. Aeon and how you'd never find King Midas, but then escaped before you could squeeze answers out of him.


Debriefing

Uh, hey there Strike Force Name, I'm noticing a distinct lack of King Midas and Princess Zoe in custody. What's the deal with that?

The gusto in Dr. Aeon's voice fades after mentioning the word "D-Rifter" that you heard from the Golden Roller.

I see... so, the final variable of our equation has been revealed. You haven't mentioned this to anybody else yet, have you Character?

Chasing Fool's Gold Part 6: Ripple Diable

Briefing

Chasing Fool's Gold
Part 6: Ripple Diable

We've got a real mess on our hands now and I don't mean the royal "we" here, Character! The way things are going, we aren't going to catch King Midas and the Gold Brickers will escape with an extremely temperamental piece of dimensional technology. We can't let that happen!

For you, aside from just not getting paid, Arachnos is going to blame Strike Force Name for failing their mission inside Langston Corp. Or worse, that you were bought by King Midas... And Arachnos really doesn't like failure!

As for me? If you aren't aware, that D-Rifter is an inexplicably-potent dimensional rift generator, one that totally shouldn't even exist. The Gold Brickers were somehow able to get it working with research they illegally bought from Aeon Corp!

This means all of our careers are on the line if we don't find King Midas! Fortunately for us, I'm Dr. Aeon! While more primitive minds would falter in the face of interdimensionally-abled gold-wearing idiots, my genius has no such shortcomings!

  • So you keep saying... What's the plan?

The plan, my affable and determined Strike Force Name, is using these to triangulate the D-Rifter's signal inside local unstable ripple space!

Dr. Aeon produces four larger versions of the sci-fi tinfoil can-looking device.

How you might ask? These ripple shards are not unlike ripples on the surface of a lake, with the D-Rifter skipping across their surface. By following any disruptions in the nearby dimensional aether, it should be possible to trace a path back to the D-Rifter.

What's that look for? The D-Rifter is a junky device, violently disrupting nearby space. These scanners should be able to detect those distortions, and if close enough, put in the right places, with good rift stability, and nobody sneezing nearby...

Look, just see what you can do; we don't have any other options. You can use Aeon Corp's dimensional shifter located through the door on my balcony.

Sally forth, Character! For science and avoiding consequences!

Scan for clues inside local dimensional ripple

[Window]: You are provided four identical dimensional ripple scanner devices by Dr. Aeon.

Clue
Ripple Wavelength Scanners

These four, cylinder-shaped objects appear to be larger and more powerful versions of the ripple wavelength tracking device you received earlier.

Surprisingly, they are less heavy than you would have expected and all of them can be carried together quite easily.

Unnecessary Solicitation

You'd like more specific instructions on what to do? What do you mean?! We're embarking on unprecedented scientific pioneering, Character!

Did the Egyptians ask for instructions when they sent Lance Armstrong to discover the Americas? Of course not! You must thrive in this unknown! Relish this uncertainty! We're experiencing science in its purest form!

Mission Objective(s)

Stepping into this dissolving instance of reality, it feels as though you're simultaneously being stretched and compacted. It's not a great feeling.

You have no idea where to even start, but it seems like somebody was counting on that...

  • Scan for clues inside local dimensional ripple
    • Speak with Professor Echo
      • Scan 22nd Bank, Scan WSPDR, Scan Dark Gallery
        • Destroy the ripple anomaly

With no other options, you received some assistance from Professor Echo, but managed to triangulate the D-Rifter's signal!

Enemies

Notable NPCs


Debriefing

Professor Echo smirks at you while casually leaning against the wall. It is extremely annoying, but you restrain yourself.

Hello there Character! Fancy meeting villains like you in an unstable dimensional anomaly like this. What brings you to this particular ripple distortion... today?

Well, time doesn't flow normally here, so there's no 'days', but you catch my meaning! Ha-ha-ha!

  • Cut the small talk. What do you want?
Professor Echo smiles.
But, of course, you are a very busy evil-doer... Overworked and underpaid!
Whatever will you do if you can't find King Midas? You'll have no bounty reward, irreparable damage to your reputation, and Arachnos breathing down your neck. Not an enviable position, surely!
He spots the scanners you're carrying.
Ah, I see you're trying to triangulate the D-Rifter's distortion trail, smart idea! You surely already know the exact three locations you need to deploy for those scanners to be able to find the needed rifts...
No?
Well, that's okay, there's only the entirety of this dimension to search for those three positions within a few feet in margin for error.
Oh, right, you've only got a few hours before this ripple collapses and you lose the trail forever.
But I'm sure you'll be okay! I believe in you, Character!
  • Enough. You know we're out of options.
Nods and takes on a more serious tone.
Sensible of you to listen now, Character.
I'm here to help you, believe it or not. Dr. Aeon is not your ally, despite your working together. As soon as the D-Rifter came into the equation his priorities shifted, and now he's using you to get it for himself. All of you will be evidence he must erase once he has it.
What I want, is to keep the D-Rifter out of Dr. Aeon's hands no matter the cost. In order to make this happen, I must rely on your cooperation-- but don't worry, I have no intention of interfering with your villainous schemes.
Help me out and I'll provide you with the means to ensure Dr. Aeon loses if he crosses you, and I'll even throw in the coordinates to deploy those scanners to find the D-Rifter as a show of good faith.
What say you?
  • You act as if I really have a choice. Fine.
Professor Echo checks his gauntlet for a moment, and then looks up at you, with a pleased grin.
Perfect. The timestream is shifting, glad to hear I can actually count on you. Nothing personal, Character, but I had to ensure you would actually uphold your end of our agreement. If you were lying to me, the timestream constants wouldn't have changed.
Now then, here's the solution to our problem:
He holds up a small data chip about the size of your thumb.
I'm going to entrust this override chip to you. If Dr. Aeon gives you an identical, not just similar mind you, override chip, take it as absolute evidence he's going to betray you.
Follow his instructions, but use my chip instead, and you will turn the tables on Dr. Aeon at the pivotal moment, ensuring the D-Rifter does not fall into his hands and you survive.
Take the chip and I'll tell you where you those scanners need to go.
  • I'm counting on your staying out of my way.
Professor Echo nods with a smile and gives you the override chip.
Yes, yes, but of course. You can consider me gone already!
But first, here are the three locations you must deploy those scanners. Remember, if they're more than a few feet off, they won't secure the distortion signature.
He points to three points on your map.
An uncommon pleasure working with you, Character! Toodles!
Professor Echo presses a few buttons on his gauntlet and teleports away.
  • (Leave)
Professor Echo
Clue
Professor Echo's Override Chip

Professor Echo forced this on you in exchange for his assistance with locating King Midas and the D-Rifter.

You were told that if Dr. Aeon gives you an identical override chip then you are to take it as proof of his intention to betray you and steal the D-Rfter for himself after you've dealt with King Midas.

Apparently using this override chip will instead "turn the tables" on Dr. Aeon and ensure his scheme ends in failure...
What exactly that means, you aren't sure yet.

Luddites chatter
Gold Brickers chatter
Scanner ambushes

I've got good news and bad news Strike Force Name!

The good news! The scanners are working, and I managed to parse their signal into that ripple's local mediporter system if you're mortally wounded! What could inflict such wounds you might ask? Well...

The bad news! There's some sort of unstable energy spike coalescing nearby in response to the scanner's signal...

Those scanners won't do much good if they're destroyed! You'll need to deal with whatever that thing is before we can consider our work here done. Best of luck! ~♫


Debriefing

Wait, it actually worked? Err, I mean- Of course it worked! Every calculation according to my immaculate thinking!

Well done Strike Force Name! You are worthy scientific disciples of Dr. Aeon, assistants the likes of which the world has never seen!

Together, the survival of our bottoms are all "butt" assured! Bwa-ha-ha!

The spatial data from the scanners is coming through now, like a string of interdimensional spaghetti navigating the infinite marinara of spacetime!

Badge Notes

Ripplesurge, a giant blue version of Deathsurge, has the ability every minute or so to summon Shimmering Infusions that die easy enough (though they have Extreme defense vs AoE attacks, so they have to be purposefully targeted), but if left unattended, will be absorbed by Ripplesurge and heal him back to full after about 30 seconds or so. When they are absorbed on higher difficulties, they'll leave a "Death patch" behind that will kill any player who stands in it, but cause Ripplesurge's regen to increase when he does so.

If you're going after the Power Overwhelming Badge, you'll have to defeat the AV while he's standing in an Infusion's death-patch. You'll have to look for him to have green rings around his feet, or just use the Combat Monitor to see his stats.

Chasing Fool's Gold Finale: The Midas Touch

Briefing

Chasing Fool's Gold
Finale: The Midas Touch

Everything is ready! Well, as ready as they can be, anyway... Aeon Corp's dimensional shifter can only get you partway there. What?

Remember when I said those unstable dimensional spaces were kind of like ripples on a lake's surface? Well, the closer you get to the source causing the disruptions, the more chaotic and fluctuating the local aether is going to be.

What does that mean for you? Well, you should probably expect things to get a little weird in there! You're literally diving into entirely unprecedented science! You should be honored!

Now listen Strike Force Name... catching King Midas and the D-Rifter is only half the task. Once you have the D-Rifter secured, we need get it back to stable dimensional space! Who knows what sort of interdimensional calamity could result of it drifting through the aether unsupervised!

  • Right. What do you propose then?

I'm glad you asked, my ever-forthright Strike Force Name!

Dr. Aeon produces a strikingly-familiar override chip and holds it out to you. Without reacting, you take it.

I got lucky and found some archival schematics in the Arachnos database for the tech that was the basis for the D-Rifter. This chip is designed to override the configurations and link the D-Rifter to a portal under Arachnos control. This will make it easy to recover, as well any other illegal technology the Gold Brickers managed to nab during their escapades.

However, there's only that one chip! So don't lose it, Character!

Defeat King Midas & Recover the D-Rifter

[Window]: Dr. Aeon hands you a override chip that is identical to the one received from Professor Echo, down to the tiny imperfections on it.

Clue
Dr. Aeon's Override Chip

Just as Professor Echo predicted, Dr. Aeon gave you an override chip that was identical to his. You were told this was absolute evidence that Dr. Aeon is planning to betray the strike force. You carefully keep both chips separated so you remember which is which. There is no way to tell what exactly Professor Echo's chip will do instead of Dr. Aeon's...

Unnecessary Solicitation

Was there something you forgot, Character?

I'm hoping I didn't need to remind you, but both our futures rest on the success of Strike Force Name, so like, no pressure or anything?

Mission Objective(s)

It takes you a moment to regain your bearings after stepping through into the disorienting ripple space.

You're unsure which is more immediately alarming: The impossible orientation of the local landscape or the sheer number of Gold Brickers waiting for you on it.

  • Defeat King Midas and Recover the D-Rifter
    • 3 blockade lines to defeat
      • Venture deeper into the dimensional ripple
        • 3 Wavelength disruptors to destroy
          • Deploy scanner under the globe to relocate D-Rifter signal
            • Venture deeper into the dimensional ripple
              • Defeat Princess Zoe & Mr. Rodney!
                • Defeat King Midas & seize the lab
                  • Insert Professor Echo's override chip into the D-Rifter console
                    • Speak to Arbiter Daos

You dealt a decisive blow to the Gold Brickers by defeating King Midas, turned the tables on Dr. Aeon's scheme, and secured the D-Rifter! ...Even though it was Arachnos who kept it.

Enemies

Allies

Notable NPCs

Becky, the Tarantula Battle-Mistress

Caption

Meanwhile...

Mr. Rodney

It appears Aeon's villains are closing in on the lab as we speak.
Those wavelength disruptors are only going to buy us a little time... What's our next move, sir?

Princess Zoe

Mrgrgr... Our next move should be to kick their butts!
Let's lure them into the lab and use the D-Sync gear to end this!

Mr. Rodney

That's too risky, wasn't it still in testing?

Princess Zoe

Well, yes... But we don't really have any other options do we?

Mr. Rodney

Has it really come to that? What are your thoughts, sir?

King Midas

...Prepare the D-Sync system at once, I will use it myself. You two are to buy what time you can and then make your escape. The future depends on your survival, there are to be no compromises on this.

Caption

Got it.

Of course, sir.

Rodney.

Sir?

Once you're both safe, this belongs to her now.

I... I understand, sir. You can count on me.

Princess Zoe & Mr. Rodney
D-Rifter Laboratory Gold Brickers
D-Rifter Laboratory objects
King Midas
King Midas
Editor's Note:

There are 4 Smelting Cauldrons in King Midas' boss room; he will be invulnerable to damage and mez effects until he is lured/taunted into one of them.

Additionally, at 75%, 50%, and 25% Health, King Midas will teleport the players into an upside-down version of the boss room with an encounter that must be defeated in order to re-teleport players into the main boss arena. King Midas will be present but invincible in these encounters.

When the players are teleported back into the main boss arena, the Smelting Cauldron King Midas was last standing in will fade away.

Doppelganger Ripple
King Midas? Ripple
Dr. Zeon Ripple
D-Rifter Chamber
D-Rifter Chamber objects

Dr. Aeon

Excellent work!
I must congratulate Strike Force Name on a job well done. King Midas? The D-Rifter?
All loose ends cleaned up, quite nicely.

Caption

That just leaves Strike Force 'Eliminate Witnesses'.

Dr. Aeon

The D-Rifter will be remotely translocated to Aeon Corp, while you will be stuck here in this lab as it fades away. Nothing personal, but it's important nobody knows the D-Rifter still exists!

Arbiter Daos

Aeon. Would you care to elaborate?

Dr. Aeon

AHH! A-Arbiter Daos?! N-No! You can't be here... How?!

Black Scorpion

Heh, buffoon.
Arbiter Daos
Black Scorpion
Dr. Aeon
Operative Grillo
Power
Gold Bricker Sonic Cannon

Ranged (Cone), Moderate DMG(Energy), Foe Disorient, -Resist(All but Psionics)

This Sonic Cannon you looted from the Gold Brickers will deal Energy damage to your target and lower their Resistances to all damage types except Psionics. They may also become Disoriented.

Power
Golden Throwing Wrench

Ranged, Heavy DMG(Smash), Foe Knockback, Gold Bricker Confuse

This golden thrown wrench is going to hurt... and if your target is a Gold Bricker, it may confuse them!

'If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball!'.

Rewards

You have defeated King Midas and recovered the D-Rifter. Make sure you have an Enhancement inventory slot open and select your reward from the following options:

Random D-Sync Enhancement

By choosing this reward, you will be granted a random D-Sync Enhancement. These Enhancements work on two or more aspects of a power, making them better than a Single Origin enhancement.

(40) Merit Reward Tokens

By choosing this reward, you will receive a number of Merit Reward Tokens. Repeating this task multiple times within a 24 hour period will yield reduced Merit Rewards upon completion.


Debriefing

Dr. Aeon claps slowly.

Well played, Strike Force Name! Well. Played.

Not sure how, but you managed to totally upend my totally super great plan to scapegoat you guys and steal the D-Rifter.

Now Arachnos has it, and I'm sure they'll use it for something stupid, like taking over the world. What a waste! Think of what you could do with a device that can generate dimensional ripple echoes on command!

Oh? I never mentioned that?

He holds one hand flat and makes a fist with his other.

If these unstable echoes are ripples on the lake's surface, then the D-Rifter is like a hammer that can strike the lake to violently generate distortions.

He drops his fist onto the flat of his other hand with a slap.

Yes, they're short lived, but rife with potential! Just look at what a group of idiot criminals did with it! Imagine the possibilities with it in hands of somebody who knows what they're doing

Oh well! Not my problem! Not anymore, atleast...

Toodles, Character!

Badge Notes

If you successfully had Becky follow you in mission 1, she'll appear here as Battle Becky, a combat-ready ally! She'll follow whoever loaded into the instance first. If you're going after the Best Friends Forever Badge, you'll need to keep her alive and escort her to the end of the mission. Luckily, she's very tough; though you might want to turn off any toggles that will increase her perception (like Tactics), or she'll fly across the map to engage hostile mobs.

You're teleported into a very constrained space at the top of the globe, where Zoe and Rodney await you with an army of Gold Brickers. Both have upgraded their equipment and have new abilities. Be very careful, as the GBs will likely be able to see any non-stealthed villains anywhere in this bubble, except where you spawn in.

If you didn't get it before, this is another good opportunity to attempt the Unfriendly Fire Badge, assuming you're using one of the advanced difficulty settings. Though you'll have to contend with Rodney first and try to clear everyone BUT Zoe and a Brickernaught, so it's a bit harder here than previously.

The final badge required for Master is achieved in the fight with King Midas. In any advanced difficulty mode, this fight will have the added complication of blue beams that target the villain team, and can be deadly if a villain is exposed for too long (like, more than 2 seconds). In order to achieve the Can't Touch This Badge, NO member of the team may take ANY damage from these blue beams. Luckily, the targeting for the beams isn't random: It will select the character furthest from Midas, and fire on their position, with both a warning and delay. The next shot will target any OTHER player that is also furthest from Midas. So two players can take turns baiting and dodging the shots while the rest of the team engages the AV. However, this can be a bit harder during the "Upside down" room fights, as the blue beams will target whoever is furthest from the "Normal" Midas, NOT the one in this room with you; so the best strat is to have everyone keep their eyes peeled and finish these phases as quickly as possible.

NOTE: If going for the Best Friends Forever Badge, make SURE that Becky touches this console BEFORE anyone else activates it! You'll get the "Badge Found" indicator (assuming you do not already have the badge), and Becky will thank you for taking her on such a fun trip!

See Also


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