Chapter 9: Paris, France

In Paris, the City of Love, Lupin III, Homer and Terra came out of the portal in an alleyway, as Lupin III recognized that they were in Paris, as they saw the Eiffel Tower in the distance. As Lupin III told Terra that they are in the City of Love, Terra felt like it’s a beautiful idea of where couples can get together. Homer on the other hand disliked it, as he says the French had nuked Springfield one time due to Major Quimby's "frog legs” joke, just when a hippo became the town's deputy. The other two just stared in disbelief, not believing something so dumb could have happened, till Homer said it did, and everything somehow went to normal the next day. The Master Thief told everyone that they have to go on forward, and not talk about this idiocy that happened in Homer's world. once they are out of the alleyway, Lupin III was shocked to see that Mr. X’s face is everywhere from on billboards, to on the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame, bus stations and even on trees. Lupin III realized that this is his version of Paris. He then told Terra that she should watch his step carefully not to be detected, while more sternly to Homer, due to his idiocy.

They had to move on to find a portal ball, as there were soldiers of Mr. X and the Scorpion organization he owns. As they went through, they had to pass by the police who were evil servants of Scorpion who harassed many women they met and other innocent people. They had to continue, to avoid detection, but this did not sit well with Terra, who wished to save those people, but the thief argued that they could get back to square one, as he does not want to deal with the guy again. They made it to the park where there was less of the police force guarding there. Lupin III told his allies that they need a plan, as they can’t constantly hop from one reality to another, so they need to barge into one of the government buildings to get a computer and flash disk with data that details where each dimension is safe or corrupted by Shadow Bugs. Terra got everything, but just as they were about to enact the plan, Mr. X appeared on the screen, overshadowing the park. Mr. X would greet Lupin III in a "we meet again" fashion, as he's glad that he came back, hoping that the master thief will return, as he had hopes of making the irony happen in having Lupin III serve him. Homer just got angry, saying that Mr. X stole his pseudonym for when he was a news writer, demanding royalties, including a ton of money and a personal movie theater to watch any movie or T.V. show he desires.

Mr. X got furious about Homer’s remark and demand, but chose to simply ignore it. He explained to Lupin III, his old enemy that he already lost, and was foolish to even come back, as the Scorpion troops came to surround the trio, with their guns pointing at him, and arrived at the scene was Fujiko, Jigen and Goremon, all with outfits resembling those of supervillains, and now has the blue skin of, meaning they have become Cyborgs. Not just only Mr. X took control, but many of Lupin III’s past foes have come back to life and teamed up to take revenge on Lupin for ruining their schemes. And Mr. X concluded that he should just give up, and that Terra must be captured, “cured” of her “condition” and returned to Barb-e. Mr. X cut off, and the troops edged in. Terra was already afraid of that threat, reminding her of when she was controlled by Kefka with the use of the slave crown. Till Homer did his quick thinking was able to get angry in response to an insult that Fujiko said about him being a fat idiot, as he gained strength from this anger and was able to demolish a third of the troops. As this was their chance to escape, Terra helped out, as she casted Holy to take another half, while Lupin was looking for an opening. Upon doing so, they all went in there, as he had some smoke bombs he threw to create a distraction for a get away.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

The trio had to fight across the streets of Paris, then Homer turned to one direction and noticed Barney chewing on a served arm. The arm was leaking a red liquid from the end with a bone sticking out, and from Barney's teeth marks, red stains were all over. Homer was in disbelief and concern, but Barney told him it’s alright, and he has not been affected by the Shadow Bugs. Terra questioned him with upmost anger, as she ask why would he do that. Lupin III thinks that Barney may actually be dumber than Homer and survived due to luck. Terra wondered why he’s there, demanding an answer. The Town’s Drunk then explains that he actually knew firsthand about the corruption, as he saw a few Shadow Bugs, and somehow they affected the world, turning a bird into an Auroros, then the Shadow Bugs spread, as he and Moe witness this from the tavern. Barney thought it was a hallucination, only for the people in Springfield to turn into monsters. Moe and Barney decided to take the precautions as if it’s Halloween, except that it was not that time of the year, it was real. He, Moe, Skinner, Willie, Lenny, Dr. Nick and Professor Frink met up in the lattermost’s house as he made a Transdimensional Machine he had made before just in time, and that Doughnuts were banned gave it all away that Mr. Burns created a cult to take advantage of the populous. They escaped just as Comic Book Guy, now the Collector arrived. So Barney said they are now with the SCP, which he forgets what they are about, except that they “contain” the corruption, and “protect” those who have not been affected. Upon hearing some footsteps, Barney gave Homer and co. a portal ball, as he quickly jumped in one he made saying he can’t any longer and that they have to find them, as he has to keep their location a secret.

As this happened, Terra begged Barney not to leave them behind, but it was too late. Homer was just disappointed with his best friend about this and was also afraid. He ranted about his betraying him, but Lupin III understood the reason Barney chose not to do so because the SCP could become what they are fighting against, so the best option was to follow the drunkard’s advice. Although Terra would point out that this guy is dumber than Homer, and they could just be as bad as the Corrupters, then saying no offense to the nuclear technician. They had to fight the oncoming soldiers, as more came. Lupin III told them too quickly to make up to the top of a nearby building. So that is what they did, with the thief making protecting the half-esper his first priority while the lazy dad had to face oncoming fire from soldiers, screaming.

They made it to the roof, where Lupin III threw the portal ball, and one portal emerged. He threw Terra first, as he wanted to save her in the doubts of living himself, then he went in as he had time. Homer saw the portal closing, so he had to go and made it just when it closed.