New Game+

"What exactly can this do?!" Cliff complained as he gazed at the fully naked Lowengren.

The lies that Lowengren made and that Cliff was supposed to commit to memory was as outrageous as the first.

Especially this lie. Why would the Team Rocket's motto be of any use during the future battles he will have in the future?"

"What can lies do?" Lowengren asked him.

Cliff frowned at the sudden question. But Lowengren's eccentric behavior has grown more and more now that the drug that strictly limited his personality was losing effect. The Game Mode Lowengren and the bad-mouthing, insulting, and very foul-mouthed Lowengren had merged, forming this strange, eccentric being.

But Cliff knew that his eccentricity was an extremely ingenious one. Considering that his strange quirks managed to defeat even the Tyrant Empress, Cliff couldn't help but maintain a certain level of respect and fear. This was in spite of the fact that he had spent the last hours watching Lowengren's naked body.

"Um… Deception?"

"Deception is the general effect. But the question is, what can deception do? On the battlefield, what can it do? What did it do to the Tyrant Empress?"

"Erm…" Cliff wasn't there and only heard the critical details of the battle.

"The plan was simple. We were to use the lies to destroy the momentum of the battle. The battle had to stop for the recuperation of Seeker and the others. The first lie appeared on my entry. It stopped the battle. They thought some strange being appeared and it worked. Now is that important?"

"It gave you more time?"

"Yes. Time is important. In the chaotic battle and the level of strength we have, time is something that we all need more of. Every second allows an Unlocked to recuperate far drastically than a normal human. For Seeker, that one second is enough to temporarily close up the wound he has through that strange forced contraction skill. At that moment, the time I gave them allowed Lennox to retrieve his lightning, and because it stunned even the Empress, the assault of lust was temporarily reduced."

"It was that useful?" Cliff was stunned.

"Every second counts. Now that we are Unlocked, a second is basically like five and more for those of Seeker's class. But that wasn't the only thing my lies made. My entry also made the Tyrant Empress cautious. And that is another important goal when deceiving others."

"I want my enemies to be less cautious. Why would I want them to be even more guarded?"

"Wrong. When fighting an enemy that is giving their all, making them exaggerate their attacks or defend themselves when unnecessary will not only buy you more time, it allows you to see more of their arsenal. With the case of the Tyrant Empress, she stopped attacking the Overcomers and focused on my existence. If you have allies with you, making yourself be seen as something far more powerful than you are will make the enemy hesitate in taking action."

"What if the enemy immediately uses a powerful attack that could easily kill us?" Cliff harrumphed.

"That's why you need to follow the series of lies that I will make. The Tyrant Empress didn't immediately kill me, right? Why did she pause and stop to kill me?"

"Erm… Because she was cautious?"

"Yes. When I say make them more cautious, I mean that our enemies will be on the defensive. And the way to do that is to add a little bit of mystery to your power or identity. If the enemy is unsure of who or what you are, they won't attack."

"How can you be sure that they would be on a defensive? If I meet an Overcomer that's trigger happy, I'd be dead!"

"Which is why you need to know which of my lies to throw. What if, you are mysterious not only because they don't know who you are but also because they seem to know of the information they need? Would they kill you?"

"No."

"That's right. So if your enemy is brave, calm, and spontaneous, you use a lie that will create more mystery. If the enemy is hesitant or shows any signs of weakness, you use a lie that will make you look powerful."

Cliff nodded his head in agreement.

"But why the Team Rocket's motto?"

"It gives you time because the motto is lengthy. With that, you can direct your team members as the introduction takes place. The time allows us to inform our other members of the plans based on the enemy's reaction!"

Cliff frowned. Would this really work?

"You, however, have to carry the burden of leadership. You have to be more decisive. If you can do what I can do, you'd have to take the lead of a team when you use my lies. So you have to learn how to adapt to the needs and actions that will follow."

"How will I know which action to take? I'm not as smart as you or Arthur!"

"Truth is… Even I don't know the results of some of these lies. I don't know what enemies you will be facing after all. These lies are all generic. It will make the enemy believe you're words, but even I don't know how to react."

"Then what should I do?"

"You have to figure that one out, yourself. I can give you the guns and the weapons, but you should learn how to shoot." Lowengren chuckled.

Cliff sighed.

"I heard about your next assignment. You are to face a Near Overcomer, right? Amir Mann?"

Cliff nodded.

"It was nice knowing you. I will treasure these intimate moments of you and me together." Lowengren explained with a heartful and sincere expression.

It was only then that Cliff realized what he was up against. Lowengren's lie urged Cliff to work harder and diligently. He began reading books, watching videos, and even talking to veteran soldiers that served under Harker of their battle.

During the mission that nearly cost Cliff his life, the anger and frustration that Amir Mann had because of the lies that Cliff sent out made Amir Mann rage and break his own rules.

His frustration led him to chase the trails of Cliff from one country to the other. Soon, the trail he caught on was already a trail that Lowengren had left behind.

Cliff survived the battle because of the lies that Lowengren armed him with. Not only so, but even the Dragons Fang, who accompanied Cliff, also held a trace of respect towards this delinquent.

And so, facing the Empress, Cliff made his move and used one of the most ridiculous lies that Lowengren prepared for him. There were many lies that Cliff didn't dare to try. This was one of them.

As Cliff started with his introduction, the falling spotlight didn't even faze him.

"It happened again, huh? What is it with these lies? It's as if the world adjusts to it!" Cliff, however, had no time to ponder the recurring miracles that Lowengren's lies brought.

Gardo immediately joined in. It was out of desire and excitement that made Gardo decided to join in with the fun. But as he landed, Cliff then divided his words and instructed Gardo as well as Roselyn and Tyler of what to do next.

"But General! The area around us is too thick! Although we can move through it, we wouldn't be fast enough to escape!" Tyler explained his plans.

"That's why I'm buying you more time. Split up into two directions. And Roselyn, you have to meow!"

"Why? I don't think it's necessary!"

"Do it! Lowengren instructed this!"

"General, I've been working with Lowengren for a long time! I'm pretty sure that there's nothing in that meow!"

"You haven't been with Lowengren since his Path appeared! Just do it!"

And as Lowengren and Gardo finished their last words, Roselyn kept quiet.

Cliff was so angry that he cried out angrily.

"What are you doing?! Do it now!"

The Empress suddenly sucked the Origin Energy around them. A giant, radiant forcefield enveloped her as the Origin Energy compressed itself into a powerful shield that was almost indestructible.

"Me-Meow! That's right." Roselyn cried in tears.

Cliff maintained his composure. As the lies would yield unknown results, he always had to be prepared to take the next action. After witnessing the shield, he immediately moved.

"Run!" Cliff gave his orders as he observed the nature of the shield and the position of the Empress.

The Empress inside remained cautious, gazing intently at Roselyn.

It was then the group ran together.

"Find Stanley and continue with the mission! Bring Gardo's team with you! Gardo and I will remain here to distract the Empress and draw attention to the rest."

"I think she'll be aiming to kill me, General!" Roselyn replied weakly.

The sudden disappearance of the Origin Power allowed them to move freely. And just a few seconds after the energy was released, the team had immediately rushed off and ran over a hundred meters from where they once were. The Unlocked's empowered body could smoothly run a hundred meters in less than five seconds, which would have already broken various world records.

The fleeing figures of the enemy finally dawned on the Empress. At first, she thought that they were rushing off to a distance that would make them safe from the attack. But nothing happened the further they were.

The stunned Empress suddenly felt a searing rage building within as she realized she was duped.

She cursed and tried to launch an attack, but the powerful shield remained stable. Unlike the other force fields, this impenetrable shield could not allow objects behind it to move through.

The Empress was stuck in her spot and couldn't move!

She then ragged and attacked but then realized that there was nothing she could do, and giving in to her rage would only make matters worse. She calmed down and recalled that she could still salvage the moment.

The shield was a miraculous thing that could form out of thin air as long as an abundant amount of Origin Energy was present. But the weakness of this amazingly tight shield was that it could not dissipate quickly. The Empress had to suck the Origin Energy. But since most of it had transformed, the amount that she could salvage was only about 30% of the original amount. The rest would be lost as the shield's chemical and kinetic changes would break down the complex Origin energy to basic the elements of Earth.

The Empress patiently waited as she knew she needed to salvage as much as she could. Any reckless or wild attacks that she made would only deplete more of the shield.

"I'll get back at that little brat!" The Empress clenched her fist so hard that the grating metal of her Exoskeleton could be heard.

At that moment, Cliff stopped.

"This should be enough." Cliff thought to himself as another memory of Lowengren's instructions surfaced.

"You have to be prepared for anything to happen. These lies were made to divert attention, take attention, instill fear, doubt or worry, and even provide assurance. I don't know how the enemy will react. If you lied, and they believed you, what would be their next action? Take advantage of it! If they get angry, take advantage of it! If they become afraid, take advantage of it. But remember this, whatever reaction they make, don't ever, ever, ever forget to do this one thing! For if you do this, the success of your future lies will only increase!" Lowengren's words came to memory once more.

Cliff did one of the strange things Lowengren revealed to him. While running, Cliff turned around and placed his hand on his forehead, with his fingers forming the 'L' letter.

"Loser!" Cliff shouted mockingly before running off and disappearing in the darkness.

BOOM!

A terrifying explosion occurred within the shield.

"Curse you!" The Empress howled as she tried to escape the shield forcibly, but it was of no use. The White Serpent of Midgar once more appeared inside the shield trying to break out, but it was of no use.

Cliff and his group had moved behind the platforms and were no longer within sight of the Empress.

"Carry on with the plan! Gardo, stick with me! Have your team follow Tyler!"

Cliff rushed off towards where the Drug Dealers were.

The battle that Cliff's team had, along with the two soldiers, was a wild one. In contrast to the tactical combat of Covenant, their battle was a wild brawl.

The electromagnetic technology that they had was the most basic and consumed very little energy. The lightning energy only allowed them to move in a fast, straight line to deliver a devastating kick or punch.

The Exoskeletons that they wore had a hammer-like heel, which they used to smash like a sledgehammer. Their elbows and legs had a sharp edge that they used to deliver powerful attacks that were hacked and slashed through the Zombie Robots.

The Small Time Drug Dealers did most of the melee. The Two soldiers supported from afar using one of the near-infinite weapons that New Great Britain developed.

Lightning Bolts was one of the most potent weapons that New Great Britain had. Each attack would harness and harden electricity and created a large bullet that was as big as a spike. The guns were among the most expensive parts of the entire group of Exoskeletons. Still, since no complex techs accompanied the Exoskeletons that were equipped with these guns, it wasn't granted any special clearance to keep it locked up in a secure place.

Yet now, in the hands of an Unlocked pilot, the gun displayed amazing potential. Even worse was that those who were upfront could take the bullets and reabsorb them.

The Lumberjack finally moved. But instead of charging towards the enemy, it rushed towards the pile of Exoskeletons. The body of the Lumberjack turned into the Liquid metal, and it seemed to be absorbing all the broken pieces.

"Attack that!" Zidane shouted as he noticed the peculiarity.

The Lightning Bolt attacks that shot for the Lumberjack's liquid body could not penetrate through. The Liquid metal absorbed the penetrating force the and the Lightning Bolt slowly disappeared within the molten metal. The body of the Lumberjack grew bigger and bigger, and suddenly another figure emerged out of it.

It was the Clown.

"Those brats!" The Clown exclaimed angrily.

"I don't think it's a good idea to chase them alone." The Lumberjack warned.

"No. I'm headed for the other allies. One of the traitors maintains a perimeter to ensure that our forces do not cross each other's borders. I guess that's what made them confident of this. He has retreated, but I've locked on to his signal. I'm going after him. You take care of these."

The Clown immediately rushed forward.

"He's headed for Stanley!" Earl realized the direction the Clown was headed, and the team immediately rushed to intercept it.

But suddenly, several powerful beams shot at the area, and a towering figure appeared.

The Lumberjack had brown larger, and another head could be seen on its chest. It had six extra limbs like a spider's arm that glowed bright red as some shot and the others stung.

The team had to retreat as the powerful beams could penetrate even the structures metal.

"We get hit by those, we're toast," Scribs warned.

"Will that Stanley be alright?" Counter couldn't help but wonder.

"We can only hope. For now, we deal with this spider."

A few hundred meters from where the soldiers and the drug dealers fought the Golem, Stanley maintained his position and drew the zombie robots' attention. Through this, Gardo's team managed to escape.

The Exoskeleton that Stanley piloted was heavily damaged. It would have been a miracle for an average human to remained uninjured with the state his Exoskeleton was. But for Stanley, it was easy.

"It looks like I have to leave the Exoskeleton." Stanley sighed.

Suddenly, the Clown flew faster than the speed of sound and with a gigantic ax as his hands and slashed the Exoskeleton of Stanley.

The upper torso of Stanley's Exoskeleton fell to the ground.

"Arrogant brats!" The Clown laughed as it stood over the broken remains of Stanley's Exoskeleton.