The new Shane

Disclaimer: I don't own Slugterra.

Chapter 1: First day of slinging

I groan in my sleep as I feel a sudden, yet very small heatwave flow over my face. I slowly open my eyes to see my Dad's Infernus Slug smiling and chirping at me. I smiled back, "Good morning to you too Burpy." I said as I rose out of bed, Burpy jumping onto my shoulder as I look myself over in the mirror. My hair was red, like my mother, but short-ish like my father. With blue eyes, and an outfit that looks like the Shane outfit, except my shirt is green where it would normally be black. Not a bright green, but a semi-darker shade.

I step downstairs and find dozens of slugs gathered around a cake, streamers, and my parents, as well as Kord, and Pronto all waiting for me, "Happy Birthday!" They all yelled in unison.

"Happy birthday, Rohan." My father, Eli Shane, said. Yep, that's right. My full name is Rohan Shane. Son of Eli and Trixie Shane. And today, was my 15th birthday. My dad didn't want me slinging slugs until I turned 15. He said that was the rule for him that Grandpa Will made.

Before cake, I sat down on the couch as everyone lined up to give me their presents. Up first, was Kord, "Congrats on finally being old enough to duel, bro." He said as he handed me a box. I opened it up excitedly. Kord is one of the best mechanics in all of Slugterra, rivaled only by Krendall. I opened it, to see a blaster that was styled just like my Dads, except it was a little bit slimmer.

My eyes lit up, "No way! This thing looks awesome!" I exclaimed.

Kord chuckled, "Yeah, I've been working on that bad boy for months. It's capable of handling any kind of power a slug can pack." Then, Kord reached for a capsule and leaned it down to one of the Rammstone slugs, "And here. I'm also giving you Bludgeon."

I took the capsule and let Bludgeon hang on my shoulder, "Thanks Kord. I know how much he means to you. I promise that he's in good hands."

After Kord, was the not-so humble Pronto, "Yes, well. Pronto will give you a gift, that no stinky cave troll, can possibly out do." He then handed me a rolled up map, "This, is a map that I have drawn up, from my vast knowledge. Containing main routes and shortcuts."

I could see Mom roll her eyes, "I'd stay away from the shortcuts until you're used to slinging for your life." She said, generating a laugh from everyone, minus Pronto.

After I finish laughing, I look at the Molenoid, "Thanks Pronto, this'll definitely come in handy."

Pronto made a proud expression, "Aha! And, also, I too, shall give you one of my slugs." He said as he reached for one.

In my mind, I was pleading, "Please don't be stinky. Please don't be stinky."

He then handed me a capsule with a Polero Slug, "Behold! A Polero slug!" He said in a dramatic voice.

I let it stand in the palm of my hand, "Welcome to my arsenal Splits." I said as I pet his head with my finger, getting a purr from him.

After Pronto, was mom, "Rohan, first, I'd like to give you this." She handed a box to me, I opened it and went wide-eyed.

No way. Seriously?

"Y-Your camera? You're really letting me have this?" I asked in disbelief. She never let me even touch the camera before, never mind use it.

Mom nodded, "Yes. The adventures a slug slinger has, are the most amazing things in your life. This way, you can immortalize all those moments worth remembering." She then handed me Bluster, her Tormato slug, "And this little guy, is so you can blow the others away." She said with a slight giggle.

I took Bluster slowly, she always let me play with him and Burpy when I was young, "Thanks Mom." Then came Dad.

Dad sat down across from me, "Rohan. Reaching this age is the first step to, eventually, taking my place as the Shane who protects Slugterra. So here's your gift from me." He said as he put something in my hand.

I looked at it and was stunned, "Burpy!?" I yelled, getting a gasp from everyone else in the house. Apparently no one knew about this. "But I thought you said I'd get Burpy when I came to be ready to surpass you." I said. He reminded me of that every time I brought up wanting to see Burpy transform.

Kord looked at my dad, "He's right, Eli. That's what you told us you'd do."

"Why the change of mind?" My mom asked.

Dad stood up, "Because Burpy was with me when I was learning, and he helped me get as good as I am. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I didn't want my son to not have that experience."

I looked at Burpy, who simply nodded, before looking back up to my dad, "I'll make you proud. All of you. I promise."

After lighting the candles, hearing "happy birthday," blowing the candles out and eating cake, I grabbed my new blaster, "Alright. So who wants to be my opponent for my first duel, and my first win?" I said with a confident grin on my face.

Pronto scoffed, "Feh! He gets and Infernus and he thinks he can best the mighty Pronto? I think not!" Before anyone could object, I had already grabbed my slugs and ran outside.

I handed my mom the camera, "Think you could record for me?"

Mom smiled, "Of course." She held the camera up and hit record, "It's time for Rohan's first duel." She said in her 'fond memories' voice.

I simply roll my eyes and get in position.

Kord stands between me and Pronto, arm raised, "Slingers ready?" Both me and Pronto nodded. "DUEL!" Kord yelled as he swung his arm down.

Pronto fired the first shot, it was an Armashelt slug. I duck down, grab Bludgeon, and fire. Pronto squeals and braces himself as Bludgeon goes over his head. Pronto opened his eyes and relaxed, "Ha! You missed!" But I was too busy firing Twist to pay attention to what he was saying, "Oh Floppers." He said just before getting tied up by his feet. Pronto struggled to keep his balance as he fires Stinky. I grab Bluster and fire. Bluster shot a tornado towards the other Slug, sending the cloud of stink straight to Pronto.

I then loaded Burpy into my blaster, "I've waited my whole life to do this." I say to myself just before I fire. Burpy transformed and circled around Pronto, disorienting him and knocking him over. I ran to my opponent, grabbing Bludgeon along the way and loading him in. When Pronto looks up, he sees me with a loaded Rammstone ready to fire.

"And that's it. Rohan's the winner." Kord announced.

I jumped in sheer joy "YES! My first duel!" That's when I was hit by my parents from both sides as they hugged me. Normally, I'd feel embarrassed, but after finally having a duel, I couldn't care less.

"That was amazing!" Mom said.

"Yeah, you timed everything perfectly." My dad noted.

I nodded and looked down to my slugs, "What are you guys doing in those? This is just as much your win as it is mine. Get out here and celebrate with us!" That's when all four of my slugs tackled my face. I fell to the ground in surprise, laughing the whole time through.