The Shane Gang rode swiftly into Caverna Mall Cavern, Eli at the head. Behind him raced Trixie, Pronto, and Kord. But there was a fifth person, riding a N9T-MAR model Mecha, also known as Nightmare, one that resembled a pitch black horse with blue details. The rider had short blonde hair and blue eyes. He was thin, but fit, and had a calm determined look in his eyes. A Frostcrawler, named Jack Frost (a.k.a. Frosty), sat on his shoulder, holding on for dear life as they raced along the path. He had a strap around his belt with three slugs: a Flaringo (Coal), a Thresher (Gator), and an AugaBeek (Coral). He had more, but decided to let most them rest at the Shane Gang Hideout, some hiding away in his backpack. His name was Carter, the newest member of the group.
The Gang had decided it was time to take a break and go on a trip to the Mall. Trixie was talking about how she had to protect her high score at the Arcade, and Pronto complaining about what happened the last time they were there, that being the experience with Mr. Saturday and his zombified minions. Carter merely listened, chuckling quietly to himself. He wasn't apart of the Gang then, he had only been with them for a short time. They had met at Quiet Lawn Cavern. Carter was tired of the quiet cavern, wanting to leave and live an exciting life. The Shane Gang gave him that opportunity. And now, they were all fairly close. He, proudly, felt like one of the family.
"We're here!" Eli exclaims, leaning forward on his mecha. Burpy was chirping excitedly, eyes wide.
The five came to a stop outside the large mall and dismounted their mechas. Carter looked at the mall, blue eyes wide. Being from Quiet Lawn Cavern, he had never been there before. He fixed his bag, looking at Frosty with a smile. The Frostcrawler chirps, his eye wide and excited. He jumped on the sluggers shoulder, pointing at the building with his arm.
"You've never been here before, have you Carter?" Trixie asks, as if reading his mind.
"Nah, I haven't." Carter replies, grinning widely.
"Well, the Magnificent Pronto will show you all the best stores." Pronto says, strutting towards the front door. The whole group roles their eyes.
"WE can hit the food court first." Eli suggests. "I'm starving."
"Yah, me too." Trixie sighs.
"Me three!" Kord throws his arm over Eli's shoulder's. practically knocking him over. "I could eat anything!"
"Even the Flaphas?" Kord pulls a face, looking clearly disgusted.
"Maybe not that."
The Gang enters the mall, immediately going to the Food Court. They were all hungry, and Eli thought it would be good to take a break from Pronto's homemade meals. Just the thought could make anyone pull a face. They got a pizza pie and sat down to eat. Kord was talking about a new upgrade he made to the mechas. He was using hand motions and everything, which was dangerous since he was a big guy. Carter, who sat beside him, calmly ducked and dodged his arms when they came close to hitting him.
"Hey, I'm gonna go get a drink." Carter said, standing up and heading to a stand where they were selling drinks. Just as he turned, drink in hand, he accidentally ran into another person, causing them to spill their drink all over themselves. "Sorry, du-" Carter cut off, looking up to see it was one of Blakk's men.
Eli noticed first, blue eyes narrowing.
"Guys, looks like Carter needs our help." He pointed over to where said blonde is surrounded by three of Blakk's men. Kord glanced around, noticing even more of the men around them.
"Hey, Eli, I don't think that's our only problem. Lo- Bro, where you goin'!?" The Cave Troll whisper yells the last part, conscious of the men all around them.
"Is there a problem here?" Eli asks, approaching the men. The three turn to glare at him through their red glasses. Eli offers a smile, albeit and tight one. That's when things start to escalate. Kord, Pronto, and Trixie flank Eli, but the rest of Blakk's men come out of the shadows. Eli looks around, raising an eyebrow. It looks like every bystander has disappeared.
"Why, if it isn't the Shane Gang!" A familiar voice shouts.
"Lock and Lode." Eli says, almost exasperatedly. "Haven't we beaten you enough times?" He jokes, chuckling quietly. Carter slowly reaches to his hip, where his blaster is strapped. The rest of the gang follows.
"Well, this time it'll be different. Now, either you hand over all your slugs, or we'll be taking you to Dr. Blakk." Lock sneers.
The gang pulls out their blasters, aiming them at the pair of Blakk's henchmen. The rest of the men pull theirs pointing them at the five.
"You're out numbered, Shane. Give up."
"No way." Eli replies, Burpy growling from the blaster.
"Well, that's just too bad. Ain't it Lode?" Lock asks his brother.
"Heh heh, it sure is, Lock!" Lode laughs, grinning idiotically.
"Get 'em boys!" The first slug is fired. Carter is about to step forward and pull his trigger to create a wall of ice when there's a second blast. A Tazerling comes out of nowhere. electrocuting the Rammstone out of the air. A dark figure jumps down out of nowhere, landing gracefully in front of the blonde. He can't get a good look at the person since they're wearing a black cloak.
"Ah Lock and Lode, we meet again." The voice says in a teasing voice. It sounds like a girl. Carter tilts his head, lowering his blaster slightly.
"What are you doing here?" The person, most likely a girl, laughs quietly.
"I was just in the neighborhood, thought I'd drop by and say hi. So, hey!" Then, the next thing the gang knows, there's slugs flying back and forth. The girl dives out of the way, rolling and then going up on her knees, shooting a Speedstinger at the men. The Shane Gang take action, diving behind a table which Kord flips to act as a shield, and shooting their own slugs. The girl agilely dodges ever slug slung at her, diving and rolling to avoid them. She moves fluidly and calmly, distracting Carter. He was enraptured by this mystery girl, wondering who she was.
The girl slings her Tazerling again. It flies through the air, zapping the rest of the guards with beams of electricity. They all drop, except Lock and Lode.
"S-She's scary!" Lode yelps, narrowly dodging the Speedstinger as it ricochets back to the cloaked figure.
"Lode! Be quiet, she's just a little girl!" Lock practically growls at his brother, who whimpers in response.
"Little girl, really?" The girl sighs heavily, her voice showing the roll of her eyes. "Whelp, time does fly, bubs. Bubye!" They're about to say something, but she fires a slug and it hits both directly. The brothers' eyes go wide and they turn, shouting loudly. They run, like they're being chased by a monster, tails between their legs. The girls laughs, kneeling down and holding her hand out to her slugs. the three jump onto her hand, chirping happily. "Good job guys."
Eli steps out from the table, blaster loaded with Spinner, his Arachnet.
"Who are you?" He questions, eyes narrowed. The figure stiffens, but doesn't panic, or at least, she doesn't show it. Her hand staying outstretched. Her slugs stare at Eli, the Speedstinger growling protectively. Eli recognizes the last slug, a Thugglet, much like Twist's Loki. Then, the girl starts to laugh quietly, her Thugglet joining in with a chirping laugh. She pulls her left hand in, letting the slugs go into their respective tubes. She stands, still facing away from the group.
"I would expect nothing less from a Shane." She says, mostly to herself. "But I did just save your life, kinda, I was hoping for a bit more trust. Didn't you Hypno?" There's a chirping from one of her slugs. "Yah, me too."
"Who are you?" Eli asks again.
"Fine, fine I'll tell you." She spins on her heels, her cloak flaring out slightly. Her hair falls gently around her shoulders and her eyes are bright, full of mirth. "I'm uh...MAry. Nice to meet you." She all of a sudden becomes shy, directing a small smile towards the Shane Gang. They all look surprised, eyes wide.
'This girl is in not normal.' Carter thinks to himself.