Tony was recovering quickly, his energy returning faster than expected. Wei stood by his bedside, observing him with a calm demeanor.
"Your healing factor is too powerful," Wei remarked, his tone neutral but slightly curious.
"Or maybe it's your medicine," Tony said with a faint grin. He hesitated before continuing, "I wanna ask you something."
"Ask quickly," Wei replied, rubbing his temple, "because I'm about to sleep."
Tony leaned forward slightly. "Why do you never remove your mask?"
Wei paused for a moment, then shrugged. "If you want an answer, wait a few hours. I'm going to sleep." Without waiting for a reply, Wei lay down, turning his back to Tony.
Tony watched him for a while before curiosity got the better of him. Quietly, he approached the sleeping Wei and carefully reached for the mask. He tried to remove it, but it wouldn't budge—it was as though it was part of Wei's very skin. After several attempts, Tony sighed in frustration and gave up.
Returning to his room, Tony was startled to find Ryu and Kai inside, waiting for him. He quickly grabbed a cloth mask and slipped it on, not wanting to explain too much.
"I'll be back," Tony said hastily and left for the market, wondering if they were searching for him.
As he roamed the market, his sharp eyes spotted Jin and RG Ryu commanding a group of Guards. He approached Jin cautiously, lowering his voice as he spoke.
"Jin, what's going on? Did you find another clone of Ryu?" Tony whispered in Jin's ear.
Jin turned, his eyes widening in surprise. "Tony, is that you?" Then, raising his voice, he called out, "RYU! RYU! Oh—both of you! Tony's here!"
Both Ryus turned toward him, their faces lighting up in recognition.
"Tony, where were you?" Ryu demanded, his voice edged with both worry and irritation.
"I'm sorry, Tony," RG Ryu said quickly, stepping forward. "We thought you were an intruder. I'm really sorry."
"How are you? Are you okay?" Jin asked, placing a hand on Tony's shoulder.
"I'm alright… but why does all this feel like a dream?" Tony replied, looking between the two Ryus.
"Because we're both standing here," RG Ryu said with a small smile. "We're planning to attack the master of the monsters."
"But why didn't you come to us sooner?" Ryu asked, his voice rising in frustration.
Tony sighed, running a hand through his hair. "After I escaped the castle, I made it to the market, but I collapsed because of my wounds. When I woke up, I was with a masked person who gave me medicine. When he went to sleep, I came out and saw you all here."
Jin's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, then he clapped his hands together. "So, Ryu—I mean Royal Guard Ryu—give him what he deserves."
RG Ryu nodded and handed Tony his Chain Blade.
Tony's eyes widened. "That's mine."
"That's why you deserve it," Jin said with a grin.
"Are you able to fight monsters now?" RG Ryu asked, his tone serious.
"Yes, I am," Tony replied, gripping the Chain Blade tightly.
"That's my bro—I mean, yours," RG Ryu said with a chuckle.
"No," Ryu interjected with a warm smile. "We're all brothers."
Tony smiled back. "Alright then. What do I need to do?"
"We have to wait for Kai and Tony," Ryu said.
"I'm right here," Tony said, confused.
"Not you," RG Ryu clarified with a grin. "The other Tony."
Tony sighed and shook his head, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Alright, let's wait for them then."
Just then, Princess Ling Hua reached there, her regal presence immediately commanding attention.
"Princess," Jin and RG Ryu said in unison, bowing slightly.
"Hello," Princess Ling Hua greeted, her tone calm yet determined. "I heard you're planning to kill my brother's murderer. I'm coming with you."
"Princess, that's far too dangerous," Tony said, stepping forward. "We can't risk your life."
"Yes, Princess, Tony is right," RG Ryu added firmly.
Jin nodded in agreement. "After losing a Prince, this kingdom can't afford to lose its Princess."
"You are the last of your family, Princess," RG Ryu said. "We can't take that risk."
Princess Ling Hua's eyes hardened. "If you won't let me come with you, then I'll end my own life. You decide."
A tense silence fell over the room. Tony exchanged a worried glance with the others before sighing heavily. "We don't have much choice, do we?" he said. "Jin, you'll stay with the Princess and keep her safe."
Before anyone could respond, Kai and G Tony reached there, their expressions grim.
"Those monsters were guarding a castle," G Tony reported breathlessly.
"And there were gates—portals—where the monsters kept pouring out," Kai added, his voice tight with urgency.
"It looks like he's been building a monster army since last night," Ryu said, his brows furrowed.
"When are we attacking them?" Princess Ling Hua asked, stepping forward.
"Wait, Princess, are you really coming with us?" G Tony asked, his tone tinged with surprise.
"Yes, she's coming with us. She gave the orders," Jin said with a resigned shrug.
"But there's danger there," G Tony said, his concern evident.
"If we don't take her with us," Ryu interjected, "she said she'd take her own life. We don't have a choice."
G Tony sighed, shaking his head. "Alright, but how is she going to fight the monsters?"
In response, Princess Ling Hua raised her hand, a crackling surge of electricity sparking to life. With a swift motion, she unleashed a bolt of energy that struck a nearby fly in mid-air, killing it instantly. As the others stared in stunned silence, she demonstrated her poison powers, a dark aura coating her fingers.
"In our royal family, every King, Prince, or Princess possesses powers like my brother," she explained, her voice steady as she displayed her abilities.
Kai whistled softly. "Looks like we've got someone who can close those portals," he said, clearly impressed.
"So, when do we attack them?" Princess Ling Hua pressed, her determination unwavering.
"Tomorrow morning," Jin said decisively. "We can't give him any more time to prepare."
The next morning, the army was assembled, their weapons gleaming under the sun as they marched out of the city gates. In the bustling market, Wei noticed the commotion and approached a bystander.
"Where is that army going?" Wei asked, his voice sharp with curiosity.
"They're heading to attack the monsters," the man replied. "They've found the castle where the monsters are coming from."
Wei's eyes narrowed. "So, the portal opener will be there too," he murmured to himself. "This is my chance to return to my world."
Gripping his Sevpon tightly, Wei silently slipped into the shadows, following the army at a safe distance.
The army reached the castle by midday, its jagged, blackened walls towering ominously above them. From the ramparts, they saw a figure clad in dark robes, methodically opening monstrous portals. As soon as the monsters noticed the army, they let out ear-piercing roars and charged.
The battle began. Steel clashed with claws, and the air filled with the cries of warriors and the growls of beasts. Amid the chaos, the figure turned toward Ryu and RG Ryu. A wicked grin spread across his face.
"Friendship of two dimensions? How quaint," he mocked. "Too bad it ends here."
"Noxic," RG Ryu growled, recognition flashing in his eyes. "It was you. You killed our Prince!"
Ryu stepped forward, his blade gleaming. "Jin, Kai, both Tonys and Princess—destroy the portals while we handle him!"
The group split up, each heading toward the pulsing portals scattered around the battlefield.
G Tony and Princess Ling Hua reached one portal together. G Tony held off the oncoming monsters, swinging his blade with precision, while the Princess focused her electricity powers. Lightning crackled around her hands as she unleashed a powerful surge, shattering the portal into flickering shards.
Nearby, Tony stood in front of another portal, frustration etched across his face. "How am I supposed to break this thing?" he shouted over the din of battle.
"Your blade has another ability," Jin called out, dodging a monster's attack. "Feel it. Focus!"
Closing his eyes for a moment, Tony gripped his Chain Blade tightly, channeling his energy. Slowly, the cyan glow of the blade shifted to a vibrant orange. With newfound confidence, Tony struck the portal with all his might. The impact was explosive, and the portal disintegrated into ash.
Jin, meanwhile, used his knife, igniting it with fire that turned to molten lava. With a swift strike, he reduced his portal to rubble.
Kai, standing in front of a massive gate-like portal, scratched his head. "A gate without doors? Makes no sense," he muttered. A mischievous grin spread across his face. "Guess I'll give it some doors."
Using his creative powers, Kai crafted an ornate set of double doors, sealing the portal shut. Taking it a step further, he conjured a chair and a grand piano. Sitting down, he began to play a jaunty tune as the battle raged around him.
The others soon arrived.
"Kai, what are you doing? We need to destroy the portal!" G Tony shouted, exasperated.
"But look how beautiful the gate looks now!" Kai replied with a playful shrug.
Rolling her eyes, Princess Ling Hua stepped forward, unleashing a powerful strike of electricity. The portal shattered, taking Kai's crafted doors with it.
"My doors!" Kai exclaimed, feigning despair.
"Focus, Kai," Jin said, shaking his head.