Villainy Redux Syndrome

Villainy Redux Syndrome is the fourth episode of the second season of TFAWPS. It is the thirtieth episode overall.

Plot
Slowly going insane in the Negative Zone, Zack formulates his own escape plan while Pig King begins his expedition to Planet Simpson. While chasing down Cell, TFAWPS end up embroiled in yet another conflict between Planet Simpson and Planet Popstar.

Synopsis
Inside the Negative Zone, a violent storm rages on. Zack waits in a small cave by himself wondering where his two lackeys are. Suddenly, Agent Yellow and Bart rush into the cave with their hands full of food. Zack asks them what took them so long and Bart replies that the Negative Zone Soldiers have been getting restless lately and nearly attacked them today. Agent Yellow asks if he's heard from Pig King today and Zack says he hasn't heard from him in days and that as soon as they get out of the Zone, they're going to "cook him into bacon." Bart suggests that maybe it isn't Pig King's fault and that maybe TFAWPS got to him. Zack reminds him that it's impossible since S.E.C.R.E.T. have him under castle arrest. He then says that they'll eat their dinner and then find their own way out of here.

On an abandoned moon, Cell examines his shard. He comments that he is still five shards short, but now he has a lead, but also comments that he is going to need help to search the entire universe and should begin searching for assistants.

In the Starcaster, the team gathers around the meeting table to discuss Planet Popstar and Planet Simpson. Pink Panther tells them that Kirby contacted him this morning and said he's making his way back to Planet Popstar now to clear his name and may need some help from them as witnesses in order to help him. Sonic agrees and also states someone should keep an eye on Cell as well and to do so they will need some kind of protective equipment to protect against his mind controlling powers. Lupina says that she has been trying to work on something for them but she isn't a mechanic, but luckily they know a really good one. Sonic says he's splitting the team in three. He says that himself, Mofo and Pink Panther will meet up with Mega Man and help Kirby clear his name, while Paco, Buster, and Roy travel to Planet Simpson to meet with Princess Peach. Sonic then tasks Ted, G. Biv, and Lupina return to the Land of Ooo to get some help. The team put their hands in and Lupina begins piloting the Starcaster to drop everybody off.

In Pig King's Castle, Pig King packs his bags in preparation for their expedition. Captain Cowboy pokes around Pig King's lab and finds some of the original plans for Master Robot and asks if he can keep them, which Pig King tells him that he can't and to put them back. Captain Cowboy asks again, but Pig King shuts him down for good. Dr. Robotnik emerges from his lab with a new and improved wormhole machine and presents it to Pig King. As a test, Dr. Robotnik turns it on and it opens a brief portal to the Negative Zone. Pig King talks into the wormhole looking for Zack, but finds an answer from Bart. He tells Pig King that he'll go get Zack and they can come through, but Dr. Robotnik chimes in and tells him that the portal is too weak to be opened here and that they are heading to Planet Simpson to open it. Bart asks why portals to the Negative Zone are opening near his home, but Dr. Robotnik says he has no time to explain and Captain Cowboy says that he's looking forward to meeting his new employer because he owes him a lot of money, by this point. Just then, the portal closes. Suddenly, there is a knock on the castle door and Captain Cowboy and Dr. Robotnik quickly wheel the wormhole device into another room while Master Robot answers the door. Luigi tells Pig King he's here for his check-in and that it looks like something is off. Pig King assures Luigi that nothing is wrong and that he should just leave. Luigi replies that his behavior is suspicious, but Pig King responds that he's just tired and that he'll take a nap and Luigi responds that he'll be back later tonight. As Luigi leaves, Pig King orders Master Robot to order Captain Cowboy to fire up his ship.

In the Negative Zone, Bart returns from a hunting trip and informs Agent Yellow and Zack that he just had a conversation with Pig King about opening a portal near Planet Simpson. Zack blows up at Bart asking why he didn't inform him, but Zack responds that he is still his boss and that everything that Bart learns, Zack has to know too and calls Bart totally useless. Bart tries to defend himself, but Zack completely shuts him down. Agent Yellow asks his boss what's going on and Zack apologizes saying that he's losing his mind in this cave. Bart replies that he could try coming out hunting with them some time instead of lazing around the cave all day, prompting Zack to attack him.

On Planet Popstar, Pink Panther, Sonic, Mofo, and Mega Man make their way through the streets with Mofo asking what's with all the weird looks they're getting. Sonic tells him that it seems the Popstars don't like outsiders. Outside the main building, Kirby waves them over. He tells them that they should try keeping a low profile since Popstars aren't the friendliest of people. Kirby informs them that clearing his name won't be as easy as he initially thought. He says that King Kai has had enough and popular opinion for the war is at an all time high and to make matters worse, Meta Knight is the one testifying against him. Sonic sarcastically replies that it sounds like great odds to him and they head into the building. As they make their way through, Sonic, Pink Panther, and Mofo continue to get looks and people mutter under their breath that the Land of Ooo is a disgusting little planet and that it's filled with nothing but spineless fools. Sonic begins to say something but Mega Man tells him to drop it and that the sooner they clear Kirby's name, the sooner they can leave.

Meanwhile, Ted, G. Biv and Lupina arrive in the Land of Ooo and Lupina comments that it's home sweet home. The Mayor greets them and welcomes them home and offers to throw them a party. Ted politely declines and says that they are here to meet with an old friend and the Mayor kindly offers to escort them to their destination. As they arrive, they knock on the door and are greeted by Wally. Upon realizing his old friends have paid him a visit, he wraps Ted, G. Biv, and Lupina in his arms and gives them a tight squeeze. After separating themselves, Wally asks how they've been and if everything has been going okay and G. Biv tells them that things have been better and asks to come in, which Wally cordially invites them. G. Biv tells him that no doubt they've heard that Planet Simpson and Planet Popstar have restarted their war and they have another evil supervillain to deal with as well. Wally asks what, if anything, he can do to help and Lupina tells him that the team could use his mechanical expertise once again. Wally says that he's still unsure and tells them that his internship with S.E.C.R.E.T. has been going really well, but eventually folds when Ted offers him a ride on the Starcaster. As the group gets ready to leave, they witness a ship flying away from Pig King's Castle. The Mayor reassures them that it's just S.E.C.R.E.T. and that they've been keeping an eye on him since TFAWPS left, but Ted tells them that that's no S.E.C.R.E.T. ship and leads his teammates in an investigation to Pig King's Castle. As Captain Cowboy pilots his ship, he tells Pig King, Master Robot, and Dr. Robotnik to buckle in as they enter hyperdrive.

On Planet Simpson, Paco thanks Princess Peach for meeting with them once again. She replies that she wouldn't meet with them if it wasn't important. She says that the war effort isn't going as well as she'd hoped and that, although her people are strong-willed, Planet Simpson just lacks the necessary firepower they need in order to defeat Planet Popstar. Roy replies saying that that's why they're here to help negotiate another peace conference with Planet Popstar. Princess Peach is very grateful for the opportunity and says that, if they are willing, need some help with another matter. She says that the Simpson flagship has crashed down on a nearby moon and was wondering if they'd be willing to look into it. Buster says that they've already looked into it, but didn't really get too far since the ship and the moon itself have been occupied by a crazy alien with mind-controlling powers. He also explains that he is the one responsible for firing the first shots of the war. Princess Peach suggests that it was this alien that destroyed the ship, but Buster replies that, although he doesn't have solid proof, he suspects that it was the Halberd. This shocks Princess Peach who states that is impossible since the ship went down before the war started, meaning Meta Knight attacked without being provoked. Suddenly, Princess Peach gets a call from Allister McCallister who has landed on the moon and that his men have begun fighting each other. Without hesitating, Paco, Buster, and Roy borrow a Simpson pod and head down to the moon.

In the Negative Zone, Zack has begun frantically running around and screaming throughout the area. Agent Yellow and Bart discuss the best way to handle this situation. Bart tells him that with Zack acting like a crazy person, command of the Dark Order falls to him. Agent Yellow says that if Zack finds out Bart said that, he'd kill them both. Bart says that he's already tried dealing with Zack his way and that now it's Agent Yellow's turn. Reluctantly agreeing, Agent Yellow approaches Zack and manages to get his attention. Agent Yellow reminds him that he's in charge and if he doesn't get his act together soon, he's never going to be able to be in command of an army. Zack, initially angry, relents and agrees with Agent Yellow and Zack finally agrees to head to the point where Dr. Robotnik and Pig King will open the portal.

At Pig King's Castle, Ted, G, Lupina, and Wally rush in to find the place abandoned. Suddenly, Luigi rushes in with Wario and Waluigi close behind. Ted asks who they are, but Luigi replies that they're S.E.C.R.E.T. and recognizes the four of them as TFAWPS. Ted responds saying that Pig King has escaped. Luigi responds by calling him Captain Obvious and asks if they have any leads as to where he might have went. Ted says that it isn't their responsibility and says that Mario is supposed to be watching this place. Luigi takes full responsibility for Pig King's escape and says that Mario had to take care of urgent business on Planet Simpson. G explains that TFAWPS also has business on Planet Simpson and then they agree to contact their teammates to try and discover what happened. Suddenly, Team Chaotix arrive and inform Ted that there is an emergency on Fin-Land and that King Salamence demands his attention immediately. Ted agrees to return and Wally and Lupina let him know that the components they need are on Fin-Land as well and accompany him. G then asks Luigi for a ride as Ted, Wally, Lupina, and Team Chaotix depart for Fin-Land.

As Captain Cowboy's ship approaches the abandoned moon, they find it full of Planet Simpson troops fighting each other. Deciding to circle back around to the dark side of the moon, he lands the ship and everyone exits. Pig King orders everyone to ignore the fighting and sets Master Robot up as their guard while Dr. Robotnik begins constructing the device. Captain Cowboy talks to Pig King about how excited he is to meet Zack and that he knows he's a prince and that he's probably loaded with cash. Pig King replies that while Zack may be a prince, Pig King is a king, but Captain Cowboy tells him that he's no king, he just pretends to be and reminds him that he's seen the inside of his castle. Pig King, initially about to cry sharpens up, reminds Captain Cowboy that if it wasn't for him, he wouldn't be getting any pay to begin with. Suddenly, Cell approaches them both from behind and says that Pig King is wrong and that it's really up to him because they've entered his domain now and he has no intention of letting any of them escape alive. Pig King turns around and sees Dr. Robotnik trapped by cosmic chains. Master Robot quickly runs up and gets into attack position, but Pig King quickly tells him to stand by. While Cell and Pig King have each other at a stalemate, cosmic energy rains down from the sky around Cell, Pig King, Master Robot, and Captain Cowboy. Looking up, they see Roy firing the shots from Paco's back. Buster yells down that it's really up to them actually and Paco flies them down to have a talk with them. Cell challenges them saying they remember what happened last time they faced him and gestures towards Dr. Robotnik. Cell walks over to the device and turns it on. Pig King warns him that the device isn't complete yet, all he sees is the inside, but he can't enter and nothing can come out. Inside the portal, Zack, Agent Yellow, and Bart run towards their exit. Paco puts two and two together and realizes their plan and tells Pig King that he can't allow them to complete it. Quickly, Paco, Buster, and Roy jump into action and the group begin a battle. Roy faces Cell one on one, while Paco takes on Master Robot and Pig King and Buster fights Captain Cowboy, learning of his origins.

In the conference hall, Sonic, Pink Panther, Mofo, Mega Man, and Kirby are brought before King Kai. As they all kneel out of respect for the king, the hearing begins. King Kai accuses Kirby of treason and colluding with the enemy. Kirby denies all charges and says that he's loyally served Planet Popstar for years. King Kai agrees that Kirby has served Planet Popstar loyally, but questions his loyalty to the Simpsons. Kirby says that he isn't loyal to Planet Simpson, but does want to see this war brought to a close. King Kai says that the war is necessary. King Kai then calls on Mega Man and Pink Panther to speak on Kirby's behalf, being the only two of his witnesses to serve with him in battle before. Both Mega Man and Pink Panther attest to Kirby's loyalty. Suddenly, Meta Knight bursts into the room. He greets the King and walks right past Sonic, Pink Panther, and Mofo without a second glance. Meta Knight asks King Kai for permission to speak, which he grants. Meta Knight says that all of this means nothing. He says that while Kirby may have served Planet Popstar in the past, he's done so when it suited him and never his people as a whole. He also claims that all Kirby fights for is personal glory, rather than preserving the Popstars' image as the superior race. Lastly, he says that most importantly, he is not loyal to King Kai. Mega Man objects, but King Kai quickly silences him. King Kai points out that everything Meta Knight has said is true. Meta Knight then looks to Sonic and say that he recognizes him as that bug from the Land of Ooo that foolishly challenged the Cosmic Entity. Sonic retorts by saying that although it was foolish, he won. Meta Knight comments that Sonic did nothing, it was his teammates that defeated the Entity, while Sonic did nothing and yet here he is taking the credit for it. Meta Knight wonders if he even remembers the names of his two dead teammates. Mega Man once again calls an objection, but King Kai forcefully silences him. Meta Knight continues, questioning what Sonic hoped to achieve by waltzing into a foreign courtroom and demanding justice for a traitorous captain that he doesn't even know and his investment in a war that doesn't even concern him, asking if it's to further his own personal glory. Meta Knight notices Sonic's anger and smiles to himself and tells Sonic that the truth can be a scary thought sometimes. Meta Knight then says that it'd be best if Sonic just allowed the Entity to destroy the Land of Ooo to prevent Sonic from embarrassing himself further and causing more destruction and war. Sonic furiously attacks Meta Knight, but Mega Man holds Sonic back. Meta Knight rests his case. King Kai then stands up and declares any member of TFAWPS and the All-Captains Squad banished from Planet Popstar and gives them an hour to leave the planet before he attacks. With no other choice, Sonic, Pink Panther, Mofo, Mega Man, and Kirby leave the planet.

Back on the abandoned moon, while Zack, Agent Yellow, and Bart continue running towards the wormhole, Cell manages to overpower Roy and knock him out of the battle. He then manages to take out Buster, Captain Cowboy, Pig King, and Paco, but finds himself unable to subdue Master Robot with his mind-controlling powers. Intrigued, he approaches Master Robot curiously. Cell asks him why he is unable to read his thoughts. Master Robot tells him that he has no thoughts and he is simply a machine. Cell then asks if he just does everything Pig King asks, and Master Robot replies in the affirmative and that he is happy to do so. Fascinated, Cell approaches Captain Cowboy and steals Pig King's original blueprints for Master Robot from his pocket and departs, while dropping his prisoners down. Master Robot initially wants to chase down Cell, but Pig King orders him to help him. Paco and Buster corner Pig King and Master Robot and tell them that they aren't going anywhere. Suddenly, Roy announces the approach of the Starcaster and greets G. Biv. Captain Cowboy and Dr. Robotnik quickly make an escape on Captain Cowboy's ship. G. Biv solemnly announces that they have some rather bad news to discuss and Pink Panther says that it's really bad and tells Paco and Buster to take Pig King and Master Robot to the lock-up, much to Pig King's dismay. G. Biv takes down the wormhole device and brings it onto the Starcaster. In the Negative Zone, Zack, Agent Yellow, and Bart reach the wormhole just as it closes. Agent Yellow and Bart share a concerned look while Zack begins another rage. Suddenly the group is surrounded by Negative Zone Soldiers.

On the Starcaster, Sonic gloomily and angrily looks out the window while the rest of the teams all report their findings to each other. G. Biv states that now that they all know Pig King escaped, there's nothing really new to report from the Land of Ooo, other than they got Wally back and Ted was called home for an emergency. Paco reports that they've successfully convinced Princess Peach to another round of peace talks. Roy asks Pink Panther how it went with King Kai. Pink Panther, with a hint of anger in his voice, tells Roy to ask Sonic how that went. Regretfully, Sonic turns around and informs his team that the meeting went badly, very very badly. He says that not only is King Kai going to boost up his war effort, but TFAWPS, Mega Man, and Kirby are banned from Planet Popstar forever and there's nothing they can do about it. Buster optimistically suggests they could help Planet Simpson win the war, but Sonic angrily shoots that idea down, saying that they can't trust Planet Simpson and they're banished from Planet Popstar and that they should have never interfered with the war to begin with. He suggests that they should focus their efforts on taking down Cell. As Pink Panther attempts to make a suggestion, Sonic quickly shuts him down and tells him "that's an order," with Pink Panther and the rest of the team replying with a solemn "yes, sir."

On the abandoned moon, Cell looks over the plans and after a montage of tinkering, he flips on two switches and brings his creations to life. As the two androids approach their creator, Cell looks at them with confident caution and the eyes of Android 16 and Android 17 flicker to life. Cell simply asks "Am I your master?" At the same time, both Androids reply with a confident and stern "yes, sir."

Characters

 * Sonic
 * Ted
 * Pink Panther
 * Paco
 * Mofo
 * Buster
 * Roy
 * G. Biv
 * Lupina
 * Wally
 * Mega Man
 * Kirby
 * Cell
 * Pig King
 * Master Robot
 * Zack
 * Agent Yellow
 * Bart
 * Captain Cowboy
 * Dr. Robotnik
 * King Kai (first appearance)
 * Meta Knight
 * Princess Peach
 * Luigi
 * Wario
 * Waluigi
 * Allister McCallister
 * Mayor
 * Vector
 * Espio
 * Charmy Bee
 * Android 16 (first appearance)
 * Android 17 (first appearance)