Chapter 3, time for a little excitement!
Chapter 3: Skills and Spills
The friendly duel began with Eli and I. Trixie took out her camera and started filming the duel.
"This is gonna be cool.", Kord said.
"Pronto agrees. Eli Shane is a tough slinger to beat.", Pronto replied.
Eli loaded his Infurnus into the slug tube in his blaster. "Are you ready, Wen Jing?", he asked enthusiastically.
"Just give me a minute.", I replied. I opened a small pouch at the left side of my backpack. The pouch was full of white powder. I pinched a little of the powder with my fingers. I motioned Glace and my AquaBeek, Shuizhu to come over.
"We are so going to surprise him later.", I whispered and smirked. I turned to Shuizhu. "Shuizhu, spray some water on Glace's back.", I ordered. She nodded and sprayed a small amount of water at Glace's back. I applied the white powder on Glace's wet back. I examined her back for a few seconds.
"We are good to go now.", I said to her. Glace smiled and hopped into a slug tube in my grip. I loaded her into my right hand blaster. Shuizhu hopped into an empty slug tube on my bandolier that was strapped on my chest. Then, I grabbed another slug tube with Arachne from the bandolier that was strapped around my waist and loaded her into my left blaster.
"OK, now we are ready!", I shouted and smirked.
"Show me what you got!", Eli shouted and slung Burpy. Burpy transformed into a dragon-phoenix hybrid and ready to fight.
I slung Glace and she transformed into a white and gray dolphin with an indestructible spiky ice armour. She pulled out a smirk before using Icecannon again. She curled into a ball and shot icicles toward Burpy. He smirked, thinking this would be a piece of cake. He used Flashfire and shot a small to medium fireball. The fireball and the icicles collided with each other. The icicles were ignited with flames. Burpy gasped in horror as the burning icicles hit him multiple times. He was defeated and he turned back to his protoform. The remaining flaming icicles flew toward Eli. He gasped and quickly ran before they collided with the ground. When the icicles collided with the ground, the fire quickly melted the icicles and spread across the ground. Eli realized that a firewall had just formed right in front of him.
"Eli!", Kord yelled in worry and quickly shot his AquaBeek out of his blaster. It was then followed by Trixie and Pronto as they slung their AquaBeek and Frostcrawler. The three slugs transformed and were flying toward the firewall. I quickly slung Arachne and she transformed into a giant purple spider. She used Flashnet and spun a big net like web. She used it to wrap up the three slugs and disable them. They fell to the ground.
"What's wrong with...", I raised up my hand silently before Kord could finish his sentence. I took a few steps to the firewall and called out for Eli.
"Eli! Try to take another open road to escape the heat!", I suggested loudly. Eli heard it and became calm. He spotted a safe route and he used it to escape the firewall.
He ran toward his Infurnus, who was lying on the ground, defeated. "Burpy! You okay?", Eli asked in concern. Burpy groaned as he got a headache, then nodded after he got rid of it. He hopped onto Eli's hand and then on his shoulder.
Kord, Trixie and Pronto ran toward Eli. "Bro, you okay?", Kord asked Eli. Trixie and Pronto looked at him concernedly.
"I'm fine, guys. Just surprise by the attack.", Eli answered. He turned to me. "What just... happened?", he asked me.
"Everybody thinks fire and ice can't be together, but with the help of science, it is made possible.", I started explaining and Glace, who had returned to me, grinned. I took my backpack and opened the pouch. "This is calcium carbide powder. It reacts with water to produce acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide. Acetylene is a flammable gas.", I explained.
"So, how does this related to the move your slug just did?", Eli asked, confused.
"I never revealed my secret to anyone, but I will tell you guys anyway.", I raised my eyebrow. "Sure you guys can keep the secret?", I asked.
"Sure we can. You can trust us.", Eli replied confidently.
"Okay, the move you guys just saw, was actually a combo move that I usually perform with Glace and my Flaringo, Huohuo. It is called 'burning icicles' and it is my favourite. First, Glace's back, which shoots icicles when transforms, is apply with water and then some calcium carbide powder. The reaction produces acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide. When I sling her, she transforms and shoots icicles. The icicles get contact with the water and calcium carbide, and the reaction continues. Then, Huohuo is fired and he uses Blastburst, which is a small fireball attack to ignite the icicles. The icicles explode into flames. They continue to burn even they get contact with ground and melt until the calcium carbide runs out.", I felt like a chemist when I was explaining it.
"Oh, that's why you stop us from using AquaBeeks and Frostcrawlers to put out the fire.", Kord said.
"Exactly.", I answered and smiled at Kord's intelligence. "Using those slugs will only increase the amount of water. It will only speed up the reaction and spread the fire.", I explained. "A lot of people don't know that and will only make it worse.", I added and smiled proudly.
"So, you guys want to duel with her?", Eli asked his friends. They hesitated. After seeing how I had defeated Eli in just one shot, they wondered whether they should take the risk.
"Come on, guys. It's no big deal, it's just gaining experiences.", Eli encouraged.
"Oh right, then. I will go for it.", Kord replied enthusiastically. He and I walked in opposite directions and stood in our positions, ready for the duel.
I grabbed a slug tube with Arthur inside from the bandolier that was strapped on my chest. "Ready, Arthur?", I asked and he nodded confidently. "Let's do this.", I said as I loaded him into my right hand blaster. I turned to look at Kord, who had loaded his slug into his blaster.
"Bet you can't beat my Rammstone.", Kord said confidently.
"We'll see.", I replied and pulled out a smirk.
Kord slung Bludgeon and he transformed into a red ram with giant blue horns and fists. I slung Arthur and he transformed into a western dragon wearing a shining armour, and his eyes were shielded with metal. Using his excellent sense of smell, Arthur sensed Bludgeon coming toward him. Arthur used Lancesoar and started shooting lances from its mouth. The sharp metal lances clashed Bludgeon. He was easily defeated and he turned back to his protoform. Arthur continued to fly toward Kord and used Bombardbay against him. The eyeball liked bombs at his belly fell off directly toward Kord.
"Uh-oh.", Kord murmured before the bombs hit him. An explosion occurred and could be seen afar. When the smoke cleared out, Eli, Trixie, Pronto and I saw a dazed Kord who then collapsed to the ground.
"Kord!", Eli yelled and ran toward him. Trixie, Pronto and I followed him. "You okay?", Eli asked him.
Kord gave a thumbs up. "I'm great. Best day ever!", he exclaimed cheerfully before collapsing again.
"Sorry for that, Arthur is one of the toughest slugs to beat.", I apologized as Arthur happily hopped onto my palm and then into an empty slug tube attached to my bandolier that was strapped on my chest.
"That's okay, Wen Jing. Kord will be alright.", Eli replied.
"I think it is my turn now.", Trixie said and decided to duel with me.
"If you don't mind but I will like to go hard on you in this duel.", Trixie warned.
"If you want to, I'm quite fine with it.", I replied and swiftly loaded my Frightgeist into my right hand blaster.
"Okay, you asked for it.", she replied and loaded her Tormato. She shot Bluster and he transformed into an orange dragon.
I shot Cacodemon and he transformed into an appearance of a hideous zombie. He used Spellaport and created a portal in the air. The portal rerouted Bluster and he flew back to his owner. He hit the ground and a rampaging twister was produced in front of her. Trixie squirted her eyes as sand and dust were blowing toward her in high speeds. She grabbed a slug tube from her bandolier that was strapped around her waist and loaded into her blaster. She shot her Rammstone and he knocked Bluster unconscious, stopping his attack. The surroundings became clear again as her Rammstone stood on the ground while her Tormato was seeing stars.
During the storm, I had loaded my Rammstone. I quickly shot Gongyang and he transformed into a red ram with giant blue horns and fists. Trixie swiftly loaded her Armashelt and shot him toward my Rammstone. Gongyang used Hammerstone and sent rapid fire-bashes from his rocky fists. The multiple rocky fists clashed her Armashelt and collided with the ground, creating explosions that sent Trixie off the ground. Her Armashelt turned back into his protoform and fell to the ground. I walked toward Trixie and lent her a hand. She took my hand and I helped to pull her up.
"That's some wicked moves back there.", she said.
"Thank you.", I replied. "Are you alright?", I asked her.
"I'm fine.", Trixie answered and went to get her fired slugs back. "Pronto, you're up!", she called out after she gathered her slugs.
"Finally! It's Pronto's turn!", Pronto exclaimed and went to his position. I returned to my original position.
"I am sure you have never take a whiff of my Flatulorhinkus.", Pronto said as he loaded Stinky into his blaster.
"I truly dislike the stink, and I seldom use it.", I replied. I grabbed a slug tube from my bandolier that was strapped around my waist and loaded it into my right hand blaster.
"Enough talking! Let's duel! Eat my stank!", Pronto cried out and shot his Flatulorhinkus. Stinky transformed into a purple salamander.
I shot my Tormato and he transformed into an orange dragon. Taifeng used Galestorm and he stopped in mid-air. He blew gale force winds, causing the purple disgusting gas produced by Stinky to be blown back to Pronto. Pronto coughed and started to become nauseous.
"Curse it pains! The stench, the hideous stench! It burns!", he yelped and fainted. I laughed as Taifeng returned to me, laughing at Pronto's actions.
"You okay, Pronto?", I asked.
"Pronto is fine.", he replied dizzily. He woke up a minute later.
"I have to admit, Wen Jing, you are pretty good in slugslinging.", Eli praised.
"Thank you, but you guys are better than me.", I replied.
"You are just being modest, Wen Jing. You actually took down Eli in only one shot!", Trixie commented.
"Well, I study the slugs and train them properly first before using them in duels.", I told my training tactic to them.
"You can join us if you want. Defend Slugterra from evil and harm.", Eli suggested.
"I'll love to, but I can't live with you guys. I have to live with my family, despite the chaos is raging on.", I answered.
"That's okay, no matter where you are, as long as you are in the team, you can always ask help from us. We are a family.", Eli said.
"Thank you, Eli. I will help all of you to protect Slugterra from evil. I promise.", I vowed.
"That's the spirit!", Eli cheered. I smiled.
It was night when I returned to my home cavern. I quickly rode my mecha-beast to my house and entered the garage. I closed the garage door and opened the door. I looked around and saw nobody at the corridor. I sneaked into my room and closed the door quietly. I took a bath and changed my clothes before going downstairs for dinner.
The family dinner was peaceful until a loud quarrel between my two aunts and my grandfather broke out. I could not handle the noise and took my meal upstairs. I went into my bedroom and placed my meal on my desk. I slammed my bedroom door and tried to finish my meal quietly. Unfortunately, the slammed door could not cover up the irritating argument. I became annoyed and wore my right hand blaster. I grabbed a slug tube and motioned my Slyren to enter the tube. Huangli, my Slyren, took out her earplugs and entered the tube quickly.
I opened my door and slung Huangli. I covered my ears before she reached velocity. She transformed into a yellow creature with bat ears, frog-like arms, and a fishtail. She had a blue belly and turquoise coloured tail and mohawk. She used Sleepytime and emitted a strange trilling call that put my family members to sleep. She turned back into her protoform and fell back to me.
I closed the door quietly and sighed in relief as I had my meal in a peaceful environment. I looked at my slugs as they were having their meal with a mix of human food and slug food. After I finished my dinner, I took my plate downstairs and washed it in the kitchen sink by myself since my family members were still sleeping.
I quickly went back to my room and locked myself inside. I entered my bathroom and brushed my teeth with non-fluorine content toothpaste. When I came out of the bathroom, I saw most of my slugs were already asleep. I smiled warmly at them and grabbed a book to read. Cibao, my Slicksilver and Zuanshi, my Geoshard were reading. Later it was joined by Glace, Aloe and Athena.
I read until I felt tired. I went to bed and pulled my yellow silk comforter up to my waist. Before I closed my eyes, I saw Cibao, Zuanshi and Athena were sleeping in their beds, which were actually socks. Glace and Aloe yawned before their heads fell onto their pillows and fell asleep. Eventually, my eyes closed due to tiredness and I drifted into my dreams.
Descriptions of my slugs introduced in this chapter.
Shuizhu: An uncommon female AquaBeek. Her Chinese name is "水珠", which means 'water droplet'. I bought her and Guodong in a slug sale when I was at a beach. Shuizhu is very calm and elegant. She loves to perform tricks in water and constantly trains herself to swim faster than any slugs. She and Glace are like sisters, and they spend most of their free time swimming and racing in the water.
Huohuo: A common male Flaringo. His Chinese name is "火火", which means 'fire'. He is my second slug. My family bought him with Glace as my birthday present. Huohuo is optimistic and daring. He and Glace used to fight each other. They eventually became best friends after I preformed a successful combo move with them. The combo move is called 'burning icicles' and it is my favourite. First, Glace's back, which shoots icicles when transforms, is apply with water and then some calcium carbide powder. The reaction produces acetylene gas and calcium hydroxide. When I sling her, she transforms and shoots icicles. The icicles get contact with the water and calcium carbide, and the reaction continues. Then, Huohuo is fired and he uses Blastburst (small fireball attack) to ignite the icicles. The icicles explode into flames. They continue to burn even they get contact with ground and melt until the calcium carbide runs out. The combo move can be perform with an Infurnus using Flashfire (shoots a small to medium fireball).
Huangli: A common female Slyren. Her Chinese name is "黄鹂", which means 'oriole', a songbird with a yellow body. She is a gift from my aunt, and she reminds of one of my crushes at the Surface who helped me to find the courage to sing again. Huangli loves to sing and dance, just like me. She takes pride on her beautiful singing voice. She always sings and dances with me, and sometimes she sings lullaby for kids to put them to sleep. My family members usually quarrel with each other, so I constantly use her to put them to sleep because I hate noises. She is usually seen listening to music with earplugs.
Cibao: A common male Slicksilver. His Chinese name is "磁暴", which means 'magnetic storm'. He is a gift from my uncle. Cibao is an introvert and he is a bookworm. He seldom talks to others and prefers to be surrounded by books and technology.
Zuanshi: A rare female Geoshard. Her Chinese name is "钻石", which means 'diamond'. I found her when I was admiring the crystals in a cavern. Similar to Glace and Shuizhu, Zuanshi is polished and well-mannered. She is girlish and behaves like a polite princess.
Now you know how the chaos in my family is. And does my training tactic similar to anyone in the series? Please don't reveal the spoiler even if you know who it is.
So the talk about friendship ends here. Starting from chapter 4, the story will focus more on slug it out with villains and more dark elements.