Merry Christmas, everyone! I'm back! That's right, this is SuperHeroTimeFan coming back to you for the Holiday with a brand-new Chapter for my Kaijudo Crossover Story, A New Duel! I'm glad to be back, and I'm happy to see that despite my absence, you have all continued to support me. Thank you all. I am sorry for not updating this Story in a while, but my new semester of College has been a tough one. I could only get a few Stories done, and times have been tough for me. Still, that is no excuse for me. I am here to bring you a brand-new Chapter, so sit back for my new present to you from under the Christmas Tree, because my new Chapter starts now! Please be sure to review, rate, and as always, please be sure to enjoy!
Chapter 14: Crazy Vegetables
In Memory of John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18th, 1921 – December 8th, 2016)
And…
In Memory of Craig Graham Sager, Sr. (June 29th, 1951 – December 15th, 2016)
San Campion December 8th 1723 Hours PDT
In the Duel Master Temple, Robin, Kid Flash, Miss Martian, Aqualad and Zatanna stood with Ray, Allie and Gabe, as well as Gargle, who was working on something, as Master Kimora was walking towards his garden with a giant tomato in his hands.
"Normally, I limit my gardening to Creature Realm Plant Life," Master Kimora explained as he put the tomato down before trying to haul up a dandelion. "But as you can see…" he started out, struggling to get the flower out from the ground. "The vegetation on this side of the Veil has been behaving rather strangely of late!" he strained before finally managing to pull it out of the ground.
"Looks like quite a thorn in your side." Robin mused.
"Really?" Allie asked. "That's your best joke?"
As this was going on, Gargle was using his powers to merge several garden tools together. As soon as the glowing subsided, he picked up a remote.
"Ah!" Gargle said as the items, now merged into a helicopter, flew up as he pressed the remote. "Gargle Delete!" he called out before sending the helicopter to fly over and cut some of the dandelions.
"Gargle, no!" Gabe called out as the dandelion puffs started to fall. "That's a Taraxacum Seedhead!"
It was too late. The puffs from the dandelions fell to the ground and created several tall plants.
"Augh!" Gargle yelled as he jumped into Gabe's backpack. "Self-Replicating Program!"
"So… you think the rapid growth is another… Butterfly Effect?" Allie asked.
"Sounds reasonable." Zatanna added on.
"Can we get some help with these plants?" Wally asked as he vibrated his hand to cut the plants down.
"I'm on it!" Miss Martian called out. She flew towards the plants and used her Martian Vision to cut the plants down.
"We've already seen phenomena leak into our world from the Water and Fire Civilizations," Master Kimora said as the plants continued to grow while Kid Flash and Miss Martian cut them down. "I guess it was only a matter of time… until Nature began to bleed over."
"On the other hand, we could be on the bring of eliminating Worldwide Hunger!" Gabe exclaimed with excitement.
"Think of that trophy!" Wally exclaimed with excitement as he and Miss Martian stopped.
"Or choking the Planet with jumbo dandelions," Allie said before feeling something in her foot. She started to squirm before letting out a laugh. "Okay. These tickle," she said, lifting up her foot to reveal that some of the growing dandelions went through her shoe. She put it down, only to laugh even more. "Make it stop! Haha!" she laughed.
"Either way, we should check it out!" Ray said as he activated his Gauntlet. He performed a kata and held his Gauntlet hand out, opening a Veil to the Nature Civilization.
Allie continued to laugh before Zatanna pinched her. Allie calmed herself down before joining everyone as they made their way through the Veil to the Nature Civilization.
"Children, wait!" Master Kimora called out. "We must proceed with caution… for once."
Allie scoffed. "Come on, Master Kimora," she said as she and Zatanna looked to each other and smiled. "How dangerous could a bunch of ferns be?"
Master Kimora sighed and walked after everyone.
"Don't worry," Aqualad said. "I'll help keep everything in check."
"Thank you, Kaldur'ahm." Master Kimora said before he and Aqualad walked through the breach in the Veil.
Soon, everyone arrived on the other side of the Veil. Everyone looked around at the giant plants around them.
"This is definitely… roomy." Gabe mused.
"The foliage has definitely grown larger since I last visited," Master Kimora said as everyone looked around. "But… otherwise… all seems peaceful." He said before turning around. He performed a kata on the breach that took them to the Nature Civilization, actively closing it.
All of a sudden, vines started to lash out at everyone. Ray and Gabe were knocked off of their feet while Aqualad and Zatanna were thrown into the air. The vine from the same creature sent the others back as well before Ray and Aqualad took out their swords.
"Danger! Error!" Gargle shivered as he jumped into Gabe's backpack. "Click Help! Panic!"
Allie looked back while Ray slashed through the vines. Some vines grabbed onto her and wrapped around her body.
"Oh, Dad always tells me to eat my vegetables," Allie said as everyone started to get wrapped around in vines. "Ugh! He just never told me to do it before they eat me!" she exclaimed as the Creature started to pull them in towards it.
Soon, everyone started to struggle against the Monster.
Gabe managed to get a glance at Ray. "We could sure use Bob's help right about now." He said.
"How can I do a Summon Kata when I can't even move my arms?" Ray asked. "And my Sword's out of reach!"
"Plant not eat Gargle," Gargle said as he placed a finger on the Creature's vines wrapped around Ray. "Gargle eat plant!"
Gargle started to drain water from the plant, causing the vines to grow weaker. Ray, now strong enough, broke free and ran for the Sword of the Sentinel Flame. He placed his sword hand back before thrusting it out. He placed his hand back and twirled around, kicking forward before stabbing his Sword out.
"Tatsurion the Unchained!" Ray called out, summoning Bob to Battle.
Out from a Fire Breach in the Veil, Tatsurion the Unchained roared and leapt out, lighting himself on fire. He lashed out a chain towards the creature before Ray leapt at it and slashed at it with the Sword of the Sentinel Flame. As he landed, he looked behind Tatsurion.
"Bob, behind you!" Ray called out.
Bob turned around just in time to see several vines grab onto him. He roared and lit himself on fire before grabbing everyone while the others leapt onto his back.
Allie sniffed her hand. "Ugh!" she said in disgust. "I hate the smell of burnt veggies!"
"Ugh…" Bob groaned. "This is why I'm a meat eater."
Ray leapt onto Tatsurion. "Bob, fly us out of range!" he ordered while motioning with his hands and the Sword of the Sentinel Flame.
Bob did just that and flew out. Miss Martian and Zatanna flew after him, carrying the rest of the Team with them before making their way into the air.
"Like how you're getting the hang of that sword!" Zatanna called out.
"No wonder you're the Natural!" Robin exclaimed.
"Thanks," Ray called back before looking down. "Hey," he said, pointing a finger down to a part of the land and placing his sword at his side. "Isn't that Quillspike Territory down there?" he asked.
"I wouldn't know," Bob replied, trying to hide away some awkwardness. "I, uh… I haven't seen my family since our last visit."
"I thought Bob's home was closer to the water." Allie said, noticing how far away the Quillspike Territory was from the water.
"Technically, that was due to the giant Earth Eater that kept devouring the shorelines," Gabe said, remembering the last time they were at Quillspike Territory. "You know, the demonic health and the geologic expansion it's been experiencing."
"Someone care to recap?" Wally asked.
"Happened a while ago, before we met you," Ray explained. "A giant Water Civilization Monster attacked Bob's Nature Civilization Home sand ate some of the shore."
"Ugh!" Allie scoffed. "The land got bigger!" she exclaimed while rolling her eyes. "Could you just say 'The Land got bigger'?"
"Perhaps we should investigate." Master Kimora suggested.
"Not a bad idea." Aqualad added on.
Tatsurion sighed and flew everyone down. Miss Martian put down Robin and Aqualad while Miss Martian put Wally back down onto the ground. However, where Bob landed was farther from the Quillspike Village. Everyone got off as he hid his wings away.
"Why are we landing here?" Ray asked. He pointed a finger farther to the left. "Your family's village is over there."
Tatsurion growled calmly. "I want to walk," he said sternly. "It's good exercise." He said before walking towards the village.
Master Kimora and Aqualad followed before Kid Flash and Robin walked after them.
"What's wrong with him?" Ray asked as he turned to Allie, Gabe, Zatanna and Miss Martian.
"I don't know." Allie replied with a shrug.
"Can't you read his mind?" Gabe asked Miss Martian.
"Um… no," Miss Martian replied timidly while secretly setting up a Psychic Link with Allie. "I can't read Creature Minds."
"Well, I guess there's only one way to find out what's up," Zatanna said. "Let's move."
"Yeah," Ray said. "Let's go." He said as Gabe and Gargle walked after him.
"M'gann, what is it?" Allie asked. "I thought you could read any mind."
"I can," Miss Martian replied as she and Allie walked after everyone. "But what Bob was thinking… it made me feel what I felt about who I REALLY am."
"Bob's Family doesn't know about him having Dragon Wings and Fire?" Allie asked. She let out a sigh after processing what M'gann was trying to say. "You're still nervous about what everyone will say when you show them you're a White Martian, aren't you?"
"You're the only one who knows about that," Miss Martian replied. "As a friend, I beg you not to tell them until I feel the time is right."
Allie smiled. "We're friends," she said. "I'd NEVER tell them without your consent."
"Thanks," Miss Martian replied back with a smile on her face as well. "Now, let's catch up with the others."
"Race you there!" Allie called out as she ran ahead. "And no flying!"
Miss Martian laughed and ran after Allie.
At the Quillspike Village, all of the Quillspikes were busy with their harvest. At the front of the line were Tatsurion's brothers, Razor-Hide and Prickle-Back. As they were leading the Quillspikes, they suddenly stopped upon seeing Tatsurion, Ray, Allie, Gabe, Master Kimora and the Team standing in front of them.
"Well, well, well," Razor-Hide said. "Look who decided to honor his family with a visit." He said in a mocking tone.
"Bare-Bottom!" Prickle-Back exclaimed before he and Razor-Hide laughed.
Zatanna and Miss Martian giggled at this while Robin and Wally snickered.
"You said you would never call me that anymore!" Tatsurion growled.
"You said you'd visit more!" Prickle-Back remarked before their mother, Headstrong Wanderer, ran over.
"That's enough, Prickle-Back!" Headstrong Wanderer scolded. "Leave your brother alone!" she ordered before running toward Tatsurion.
Tatsurion sighed and hugged his mother as she hugged him. "Hello, Mother." He said.
"You've missed much while you were away, Son," Headstrong Wanderer said. "Almighty Colossus has returned!"
"Who's Almighty Colossus?" Zatanna asked.
"The Monarch of the Nature Civilization," Razor-Hide explained. "You lot look new."
"New human friends," Tatsurion explained. "Continue, Mother."
"Our King overflows with Mana," Headstrong Wanderer explained. "His very footsteps spread it right into Nature's Soil."
"You can actually feel our territory expanding, Brother!" Razor-Hide exclaimed.
"We have more land, more crops!" Headstrong Wanderer went on. "We prosper like never before!"
"I hear that!" Robin exclaimed.
"Makes you proud to be a Quillspike!" Prickle-Back said as he placed his hand on Tatsurion's shoulder.
Razor-Hide investigated Tatsurion's new spikes. "I see you managed to sprout a few new spikes yourself!" he exclaimed as he lifted up Bob's tail.
"Very few." Prickle-Back teased, hitting one of Tatsurion's spikes before the brothers laughed again.
"That's not all that's sprouted." Ray said.
"RAY!" Allie and Miss Martian exclaimed.
Tatsurion cleared his throat to change the topic. "How's that War going with the Water Civilization?" he asked. He turned to Aqualad. "No offense."
"None taken," Aqualad replied. "So, what is the status of the War?"
"Ah, we're spiking Water's tailfins!" Razor-Hide bragged. "Expanding our territory faster than the Earth Eaters can devour it!"
"Water wouldn't dare attack!" Prickle-Back exclaimed, causing Aqualad to roll his eyes. "No offense," he said to the Atlantean. "They'd tremble at the might of Nature…" he started out before seeing an irritated look on Kaldur's face. "Oh, sorry."
"Water not scared of Nature!" Gargle exclaimed, spitting water at Razor-Hide.
"Bad idea." Kid Flash said.
Razor-Hide growled. "Indeed." He snarled as he picked Gargle up.
"Say, uh…" Gabe started out. "How about we help you out with your harvest?"
"Sure," Bob said, grabbing Gargle and putting him down. "Let's do that."
"What do we have to do?" Kid Flash asked.
"Just try and pull the crops off of the trees," Headstrong Wanderer said. "Grab as many as you can and put them into our baskets."
Everyone nodded and went to work. Ray took out his sword and grabbed one crop. However, he noticed it squealing.
"Are these guys supposed to do this?" Ray asked.
"It happens a lot," a Quillspike said. "Here," he said as he brought over a basket. "Go and put it here."
Ray shrugged and put the crop into the basket.
"Wow," Allie said as she noticed more of the fruits squealing. "Your crops seem a little feisty."
"Yeah, well Quillspikes are feistier!" Razor-Hide exclaimed.
"Someone's coming!" M'gann exclaimed.
"The Choten?" Ray asked.
"Unhand our brethren!" a voice called out. Everyone turned and looked in confusion as several vegetable-based Creatures leapt down. The main one had a sword in his hand. "I, Rapscallion, claim this soil in the name of the Wild Veggies!" he exclaimed, aiming his sword at everyone.
The Team looked in shock before Kid Flash broke out laughing.
"Just what we need," Allie mused as Ray and Gabe grinned. "A Salad Bar with an attitude."
"Got any whipped cream there?" Zatanna asked.
"You have no claim here!" Razor-Hide remarked. "This is Quillspike Territory!"
"Hold on," Master Kimora said as he walked in between the Wild Veggies and the Quillspikes. "I am sure this all a big—"
Rapscallion swung his sword at Master Kimora, spreading ooze over him.
"Master Kimora!" Ray called out.
"Stay back!" Master Kimora called out while struggling to get free. "Can't… move!"
"Quillspike Rumblers, attack!" Headstrong Wanderer called out.
Razor-Hide sent several spikes towards Rapscallion, but he easily deflected them with his sword.
"You call that an attack?" a Creature with a pumpkin head asked. "Ninja Pumpkin will show you an attack!" he exclaimed before wrapping vines around several Quillspikes. He sent ooze at the others, causing them to fall to the ground.
"Hold your ground!" Ray called out as he and Aqualad slashed at the ooze. "Don't let them intimidate you!"
"Mother, stand back," Tatsurion said as he helped Headstrong Wanderer get to safety. "I've got this."
"Assist me, my Plant Brethren!" a broccoli-shaped Creature called out as he lifted his staff into the air. "So says Shaman Broccoli!" he exclaimed before sending vines up from the ground.
Ray sent fire from his sword before looking to Tatsurion. "Ready to whack some weeds?" he asked.
Tatsurion yelled and lashed out at the incoming vines with his chains.
"Scaradorable of Gloom Hollow!" Allie called out as she swung her arms back and forth before summoning Squeaky from the Darkness Civilization.
"Okay, Squeaky," Miss Martian said as she floated down. "Let's move."
"Scream Attack!" Allie yelled while motioning with her arms for the attack.
Squeaky screamed at the Wild Veggies, knocking back Shaman Broccoli.
Ninja Pumpkin looked up and snarled before sending forth more ooze.
"Be still, Creature of Darkness!" Rapscallion yelled.
The ooze hit Squeaky, immobilizing her and causing her to fall back.
"Hey!" Miss Martian called out before sending forth a mental attack, causing the Wild Veggies to cover their heads.
"Give me that!" Allie exclaimed as she grabbed a Water-Bearer from Aqualad. She swung it at Rapscallion, who parried off her attacks. "You really are a rotten vegetable!"
"Silence, Fleshling!" Rapscallion called out, disarming Allie.
Rapscallion prepared to immobilize Allie, but Gabe ran over and grabbed his arm.
"Ew!" Gabe exclaimed before Gargle came up. "Gargle! I think I'm allergic to green onions!"
Gargle placed his finger on Rapscallion, siphoning off water from his body.
"Ooh!" Rapscallion groaned as he fell to the ground. "Forsooth! For I am dehydrated!"
Tatsurion lashed a chain at Rapscallion, knocking off plants from his hat. Ninja Pumpkin leapt up and kicked Squeaky, banishing her back to the Darkness Realm.
"Squeaky!" Allie exclaimed.
"Bob, fly us up!" Ray called out. "Take the height advantage!"
"No need," Bob said. "I have a plan."
Bob backed away as the Wild Veggies cornered him towards the rock wall.
"Getting us cornered was your plan?!" Ray exclaimed.
At that moment, Bob ran forward past the Wild Veggies. He shot missiles towards the rocks, causing them to fall onto the Wild Veggies.
"Yeah!" Prickle-Back exclaimed.
"Yah!" Razor-Hide cheered in victory.
"That… was my plan." Tatsurion said.
"Yeah?" Ray asked, pointing up to the cliff, where Headstrong Wanderer was taking cover. "But I don't think that was!"
Tatsurion looked up and gasped, seeing his Mother hanging from the edge. "Mother!" he exclaimed.
"Mother!" Razor-Hide called out as he ran towards Headstrong Wanderer.
"We're coming!" Prickle-Back called out.
"I don't know what your problem is," Ray said. "But this time, we have to fly!"
Tatsurion roared and sprouted his wings. Razor-Hide and Prickle-Back turned around and gasped in surprise before Headstrong Wanderer fell. As she screamed, Bob flew up and caught her just in time.
"Wings!" Razor-Hide exclaimed.
"He's got wings!" Prickle-Back exclaimed.
"You didn't know?" Zatanna asked.
Tatsurion landed his Mother on the Ground. She turned around and looked to her Son with shock.
"You look like… your Father." Headstrong Wanderer said.
"I am nothing like my Father." Tatsurion said sternly.
"Oh, yeah?!" Razor-Hide exclaimed angrily. "You got the fancy dragon tail, the wings…"
"Next thing we know, you'll be breathing fire!" Prickle-Back exclaimed.
"Hey!" Miss Martian exclaimed.
"I didn't ask for this!" Tatsurion exclaimed. "I didn't ask for wings! I evolved!" he exclaimed as his wings went into his back.
"Oh," Prickle-Back chuckled. "So now we're evolved," he said. "Aren't we special?"
"Cut it out!" Miss Martian yelled, flying up and sending the two Quillspikes back. "He never asked for this! This is just the way he is! Why can't you just accept it and back off?!"
Everyone looked to M'gann with surprise.
"Whoa, M'gann, calm down!" Ray called out. "It's not your problem."
Miss Martian panted as she flew down. "Sure feels like it." She said as Allie helped her regain her composure.
"Easy there, Megan," Allie said. "I've got you."
"This is why I didn't want to fly," Tatsurion said to Ray as he turned his attention from his brothers to his partner. "I knew how they would react."
"It's just going to take them some time to get used to this," Ray reasoned calmly, understanding where Bob was coming from. "They'll come around." He said as he motioned towards Razor-Hide and Prickle-Back.
"This is not our way, Brother!" Razor-Hide called out as he and Prickle-Back got back up. "Quillspike don't fly!"
"Wow," Robin said as he and Zatanna watched from afar. "I never knew it would be this bad."
"Yeah," Zatanna said as she helped Allie heal a Quillspike. "Never imagined it to be anything like this."
At the same time, Gabe was healing Master Kimora away from his paralysis. After feeding them enough Mana, the two started to slowly move.
"Kimora and Quillspike back online!" Gargle reported.
"Good," Wally said. "Great work."
"Huh," Allie said as she looked to her Gauntlet as it glowed with Mana. "You know, I think we're finally getting the hang of these Healing Spells."
Master Kimora rubbed his head before looking towards the rubble. "I don't understand," he said. "Wild Veggies have always been… wild," he said, causing everyone to raise an eyebrow. "But never before have they ever been so aggressive, at least beyond reason."
"That Carrot Guy we rescued from the Fire Civilization seemed reasonable." Gabe said.
"Yeah," Robin said. "Real Karate Master there."
"Heh," Allie scoffed. "Maybe he can tell us what's up with the Agriculture here."
"Carrot Guy…" Master Kimora said. "You must mean…" he started out before punching forward and sending forth a punch and a kick at the same time before spreading out his arms and clapping his hands, punching forth again and yelling out, "Karate Carrot!"
Out from a Nature Civilization Breach in the Veil, Karate Carrot came out. He got into a fighting stance, prepared to duel, until he saw everything around him.
"The Nature Civilization," Karate Carrot said with a frown on his face as he looked down. He got onto his knees and knelt down to the earth. "I am at one with my Home Soil at last." He said as his mustache went into the ground siphoning off the Mana.
"Um, excuse me? Mr. Carrot, Sir?" Gabe asked as he walked up. "Could we possibly get your insight on this unusual phenomena?"
"The soil," Karate Carrot said as a smile came onto his face. The ground rumbled softly. "So rich with Mana," he said. "So nourishing… invigorating," he went on as he started to become more muscular. "So… reviving," he said. As he continued to siphon off Mana, he panted slowly. "Finally, my power returns to me!" he exclaimed as he got back up, now fully muscled.
"Really let himself go…" Wally said.
"Um…" Allie said as she stepped back as the rubble started to move. "Speaking of reviving…!"
Everyone turned to see the Wild Veggies come out from the rocks, roaring as they pumped their fists into the air.
"That must be it!" Master Kimora exclaimed. "The Wild Veggies must be connected to the soil!" he exclaimed, causing everyone to turn to him. "The extra Mana must be overloading them, causing their rage!"
"En Garde!" Rapscallion called out in a deep voice as he sent out more paralysis ooze.
"Look out!" Ray called out as he created a Mana Shield to protect Headstrong Wanderer, Razor-Hide and Prickle-Back.
"Damn you!" Bob yelled. He roared and breathed fire towards the Wild Veggies, causing them to jump away from the flames.
"He does breathe fire!" Prickle-Back exclaimed.
Allie, Gabe and Gargle ran over while the rest of the Team started to try and take on Karate Carrot.
"Cease Fire Wave!" Gargle called out.
"It's the Mana-Enriched Soil that's making them aggressive!" Gabe exclaimed.
"Don't hurt them!" Allie called out. "We just need to get these Veggies off the ground."
Ray placed his hand to his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm," he thought out loud. "If only there was someone here, big enough, with wings… who could fly!" he said as he aimed his attention to Bob.
Bob continued to breathe fire before turning back to Ray. "I still can't carry them all!" he said.
"Then we must summon more flyers." Master Kimora said.
"We'll help out the best we can." Miss Martian said.
"Summon your Creatures!" Zatanna called out. "Hurry!"
"Copper Locust!" Allie called out.
"Three-Eyed Dragonfly!" Gabe called out.
"Scissor Scarab!" Master Kimora called out.
Allie, Gabe and Master Kimora all performed Nature Civilization Summoning Katas, summoning the Copper Locust, the Three-Eyed Dragonfly and the Scissor Scarab. The three flew and picked up Rapscallion, Ninja Pumpkin and Shaman Broccoli.
"Hi-Yah!" Karate Carrot called out as he prepared to land a drop-kick onto everyone.
Robin fought off against the Karate Carrot before Miss Martian sent him flying backwards.
"Ezylarap!" Zatanna incanted, paralyzing Karate Carrot before Bob flew and picked him up from the ground.
From the air, Rapscallion, Ninja Pumpkin, Shaman Broccoli and Karate Carrot started to lose the extra Mana they had, causing them to revert back to normal size.
"What O?" Rapscallion asked as he looked around.
"Why are we… flying?" Ninja Pumpkin asked as he tried to get free from the Three-Eyed Dragonfly.
"See?" Allie asked as she lowered her Mana Gauntlet. "Cut them off from the Mana in the soil, and those Wild Veggies aren't so wild anymore."
"But we can't keep them off of the ground forever," Master Kimora said. "Remember that."
"Yeah," Kid Flash said. "Especially when it's expanding."
All of a sudden, Aqualad and Gabe heard a roaring and looked up. Their eyes widened with surprise.
"I do not think that may be an issue for much longer." Aqualad said.
"Look!" Gabe called out.
Everyone looked to see Midnight Crawler rising up from the water. However, unlike how he was before, he was more evolved and upgraded with weapons on his body. He charged up his weapons on his hands, causing everyone to gasp while the Team stood ready to fight.
"Midnight Crawler returns to devour my village." Tatsurion said.
"Uh, Bob?" Ray asked as he took out his Sword of the Sentinel Flame. "I don't think he looks too interested in eating."
"He's gonna destroy the village!" Miss Martian exclaimed.
Midnight Crawler screeched and blasted ice at the village. Soon, parts of the ground became frozen in ice, causing crops to slowly fall apart.
"What?" Allie asked. "I thought we got rid of that Earth Eater!" she exclaimed.
"Midnight Crawler 2.0!" Gargle exclaimed as he ran over, making signals with his hands to emphasize what he was saying. "Updated and rebooted… with game-enhancing hardware!"
All of the Quillspikes ran away while Ray slashed apart the ice sent towards the Nature Civilization.
"Water didn't give up on pushing back the Nature Civilization," Gabe said. "They built a better Earth Eater instead!"
"Water Civilization Tech Rock!" Gargle cheered.
"I thought you were on our side!" Kid Flash exclaimed. "Why are you for the enemies now?!"
"Oh, right," Allie said. "You weren't here. He was banished."
"And the Choten controls King Tritonnus!" Aqualad added on. "But he is no king of mine."
All of a sudden, ice was shot in the direction of the group.
Gargle screamed and jumped into Gabe's backpack. "Don't rock Gargle!" he exclaimed as everyone ran away.
"We need to get everyone out of range of these weapons!" Ray called out.
All of the Quillspikes continued to run away. As they did, Headstrong Wanderer turned around to the remaining Quillspikes.
"Quillspikes, fall back!" Headstrong Wanderer ordered.
"I have no quarrel with you, Insect!" Rapscallion exclaimed as the Copper Locust continued to keep him off of the ground. "Unhand me at once!" he ordered before seeing Midnight Crawler shoot at him. "Flee! Fly! Fly me out of here!" he called out as he started to panic.
All of the other flyers tried to evade the ice shot at them. Miss Martian shot at one ice blast and shot back at seven more with her Martian Vision, melting the ice away.
"Bob and weave!" Ray called out as he slashed apart ice blasts headed towards him and Tatsurion.
"Scissor Scarab! Evasive Action!" Master Kimora called out as he motioned his Gauntlet at Scissor Scarab.
All of a sudden, the Copper Locust crashed to the ground while evading ice blasts from Midnight Crawler. Allie and Gabe watched as Rapscallion slid onto the ground. He looked up and snarled as he started to become overflowed with Mana before he took out his sword.
"Have at you!" Rapscallion called out, shooting paralysis ooze.
Gabe and Allie created Mana Shields from their Gauntlets, protecting them and Master Kimora from the ooze.
"Yo!" Allie called out before pointing a finger forward. "The enemy's that way!" she remarked before letting out a scoff. "Huh. Someone needs anger management."
Rapscallion growled before he heard Midnight Crawler. He turned around as it blasted ice down onto the ground in front of him as he got up.
"No…" Rapscallion said as ice froze over the ground beneath him, causing him to shrink back down to normal size.
"Huh," Allie said with surprise. She turned to Gabe. "Looks like I talked him down."
"Wrong!" Wally called out as he raced towards Midnight Crawler.
"No one asked you, KF!" Allie called out.
"No, he's right," Gabe said. "It wasn't you… it was the frost!" he exclaimed. "It must be draining all of the excess Mana from the soil!"
Gabe was right. As the frost spread over the land, the enriched crops started to whither away.
"At least that's done," Master Kimora said as he walked in between Allie and Gabe, grabbing Rapscallion as he groaned. "At least that's one problem solved."
"And a new one created!" Allie exclaimed.
Master Kimora looked up and gasped, seeing what was going on. Wally was racing in front of Midnight Crawler and shooting lightning at him from his speed. It slowed him down slightly, but Midnight Crawler managed to crumble parts of the land, causing it to fall into the water.
"Look out!" Zatanna called out as she flew over and grabbed Wally while Robin tossed long range birdarangs towards Midnight Crawler, all exploding on impact and knocking him back.
"Humans, spare yourselves!" Headstrong Wanderer called out as the Quillspikes ran for high ground. "Return home! This is not your fight!"
"I'm no human!" Miss Martian called out as she levitated two Quillspikes towards the higher ground.
All of a sudden, a Quillspike ran over, yelling. Headstrong Wanderer turned to him to see a crack open up in the ground.
"I don't think so!" Ray called out as he and Tatsurion flew down and caught the Quillspike before he could fall in. "We don't abandon our friends!"
"That's right!" Tatsurion called out as he flew Karate Carrot and the Quillspike over towards where everyone else was.
Everyone ran up to the high ground, where Scissor Scarab, Copper Locust and Three-Eyed Dragonfly flew down with Bob, landing the Wild Veggies as well.
"This is all your fault, Quillspike!" Ninja Pumpkin remarked to the Quillspikes.
"Us?!" Prickle-Back exclaimed in offense. "You Veggies attracted the Earth Eater!"
"Hey, hold up!" Robin exclaimed. "Fighting each other isn't going to solve anything!"
"Yeah!" Ray exclaimed as he walked up, making a T with his hands. "Time out!" he called out. "In case you haven't noticed, you all have a common enemy!"
"For now," Allie said as she looked to Midnight Crawler. "It looks like he's reloading for another attack!"
"Even if we worked together, there's no way we could fight off that thing!" Gabe exclaimed.
At that moment, Gargle leapt out of Gabe's backpack. He walked towards the edge and extended his eyes towards Midnight Crawler. "Scanning, scanning…" he said as he zoomed in on Midnight Crawler. Upon seeing some cracks in his armor, he let out a victorious shriek. "Ah!" he exclaimed. "Gargle find Midnight Crawler Weak Spots!" he exclaimed as he zoomed in even further. "Make weapon!"
Gabe looked around. He saw to the north that there was only land, and when he looked to the south, he saw the same thing.
"But… you don't have anything to make a weapon with!" Gabe exclaimed.
"Never underestimate Water." Aqualad said.
"Ah, not anything," Gargle said before extending a finger towards the Quillspikes. "Anyone." He said before walking over towards Razor-Hide.
Razor-Hide watched as Gargle went into his tail and pulled out a spike.
"Ow!" Razor-Hide exclaimed. "Hey!"
Everyone watched as Gargle made his way from Razor-Hide over to Rapscallion. Rapscallion watched as he planted the spike into the ground before he grabbed the end of one of his swords and squirted out some ooze onto the spike.
"Forsooth!" Rapscallion exclaimed.
Gargle held up his ooze-covered spike. "Long Range Paralysis Missile!" he proclaimed.
Robin grinned and gave Gargle a soft applause.
"That's brilliant, Gargle!" Ray exclaimed. "Now all we have to do is combine your strengths!"
Gargle walked up to Ray and grabbed his sketchpad. Everyone looked down as he drew a picture of Midnight Crawler and the weak spots on him.
"And download malware here, here and here," Gargle explained, pointing the pencil to the three weak spots of Midnight Crawler before drawing an explosion while mimicking the sound effect as he drew it. "Midnight Crawler System Crash!"
"Count me in!" Prickle-Back exclaimed.
"Here." Ninja Pumpkin said as he spit some paralysis ooze onto Tatsurion's spikes.
Rapscallion and Shaman Broccoli started to cover Razor-Hide and Prickle-Back's spikes in ooze.
As Razor-Hide was looking to his ooze-covered spike, something hit him.
"Wait," Razor-Hide said. "How do we get close to the weak spots?" he asked as he pointed to Midnight Crawler. "Quillspikes don't fly!"
"We do today!" Headstrong Wanderer called out.
"Shaman," Robin said as he took out his birdarangs. "Think you can cover these too?"
"Of course," Shaman Broccoli said as he covered the birdarangs in ooze. "But gloves or not, you will still be paralyzed."
"Not if I'm not holding them," Robin said before looking to Miss Martian. "M'gann, think you can fly me up and throw these?"
"I'll try." Miss Martian replied.
"Good luck, Ray." Allie said as she helped Ray onto Bob.
"Godspeed." Zatanna said as she kissed Ray on the cheek.
"Don't die out there." Allie said to Robin.
"Good luck." Zatanna said as she kissed Robin on the cheek as well.
Ray blushed at both girls before looking to Midnight Crawler. "Let's fly!" he called out.
Soon, Robin, Miss Martian, Ray, Tatsurion, Master Kimora, Allie, Gabe, Prickle-Back, Razor-Hide, Scissor Scarab, the Three-Eyed Dragonfly and Copper Locust took off towards Midnight Crawler. All of the riders were armed with the long-range paralysis missiles made by the Quillspikes and the Wild Veggies. Rapscallion rode with Prickle-Back on Scissor Scarab while Ninja Pumpkin flew with Razor-Hide on the Three-Eyed Dragonfly.
Master Kimora, who was riding with Allie, Gabe and Robin on the Copper Locust, turned around to Headstrong Wanderer.
"Stay here and guard the land with the rest of the Team!" Master Kimora ordered.
"Uh… how?" Headstrong Wanderer asked as she looked to Shaman Broccoli and Karate Carrot.
Shaman Broccoli and Karate Carrot looked to each other silently. The two nodded to each other before walking towards the edge.
"What's the plan?" Miss Martian asked.
Master Kimora was about to speak up until Ray spoke up instead.
"Okay, you guys keep Midnight Crawler distracted," Ray said to Master Kimora, Allie, Gabe and Robin before looking to Rapscallion, Razor-Hide, Ninja Pumpkin and Prickle-Back. "The rest of us will hit all of his weak spots."
"Right!" Robin called out as Miss Martian lifted him off of Copper Locust and into the air.
"Ahem!" Master Kimora spoke up, causing everyone to turn to him. "Raiden, as Nature Civilization Master, technically, I am in command."
"Oh, sorry," Ray apologized. "What was your plan?"
"We'll keep Midnight Crawler distracted," Master Kimora started out, causing Robin and Miss Martian to raise an eyebrow in confusion. "The rest of you, hit all his weak spots!"
"Isn't that what Ray just…" Robin started out.
"Just go with it," Ray said before looking to the others. "Come on!"
Back at the land, Shaman Broccoli and Karate Carrot made their way to the edge of the cliff. The two looked out to the edge as Wally, Aqualad and Zatanna walked towards them.
"What are you doing?" Kid Flash asked.
"We will commune with the land." Karate Carrot said as he spread his arms out.
"What if we lose control again?" Shaman Broccoli asked.
"Mana flows in both directions," Karate Carrot explained as he motioned his hands in two different directions before motioning them to the ground. "Channel yours back into the soil," he said to Shaman Broccoli. "Heal the Earth… and heal yourself." He said before placing his hands onto the ground.
Shaman Broccoli nodded and knelt down to the ground.
Kid Flash, Aqualad and Zatanna watched as Mana started to pour out from their bodies. The Mana flowed back into the ground, and slowly but surely, it started to spread across the land.
At the same time, Master Kimora, Gabe and Allie flew the Copper Locust towards Midnight Crawler. Midnight Crawler looked to them and growled as he charged up his cannons. The three flew Copper Locust around as Midnight Crawler fired at them, causing them to take evasive action immediately.
"I think we got his attention!" Allie called out.
"Let's hope the others can get close enough to fire their quills!" Master Kimora called out.
As Midnight Crawler fired at the Duel Master and the Adepts, Ray, Tatsurion, Robin, Miss Martian, Rapscallion, Prickle-Back, Ninja Pumpkin and Razor-Hide flew down from above.
Prickle-Back fired four quills at Midnight Crawler, all bouncing off of him. Midnight Crawler growled as the three flew past him before Robin tossed an exploding Birdarang. Midnight Crawler growled as he was hit with the attack before Prickle-Back and Robin both sent their respective paralysis weapons towards one of the weak spots. The birdarangs and one of the quills stuck to the weak spot, causing all four to look to each other and grin. However, Midnight Crawler fired at the four, causing Miss Martian and Robin to get onto Copper Locust while Prickle-Back, Ninja Pumpkin and Three-Eyed Dragonfly were banished away.
"Prickle-Back!" Razor-Hide called out as he flew down with Rapscallion on Scissor Scarab.
Midnight Crawler looked up as Razor-Hide yelled and shot several quills towards his body. Two of them hit the next weak spot before Midnight Crawler growled and shot at the three, banishing them as well.
"No!" Robin called out.
"We will save them, Robin," Master Kimora said. "Don't worry."
"It's all up to Ray and Bob now." Allie said.
Midnight Crawler looked up and shot at the group, causing them all to dodge while Ray flew in on Bob, armed with his Sword of the Sentinel Flame.
Ray looked to the drawing that Gargle made, having crossed out the weak spots taken out so far. "One last weak spot!" he called out. "Now let's show everyone what those wings of your can do!"
Tatsurion flew down as Ray slashed apart several incoming ice blasts. However, one of them hit his wings, and the two fell towards the water.
"My brothers were right!" Tatsurion exclaimed. "Quillspike don't fly!"
"You're not just Quillspike,. Bob! You're Dragon too!" Ray exclaimed as he charged Bob up with Mana. "Combine your strengths!"
Bob growled and burned away the ice, flying back to Midnight Crawler. He fired more ice, but Ray slashed them apart before standing up. "There's our target!" he called out before grabbing the ooze-covered quill. "Mind if I borrow this?"
"Ow!" Tatsurion yelled. "Just make it count."
Bob flew right up Midnight Crawler's chest and let Ray throw the quill like a spear up the last weak spot.
"Nothing's happening." Bob said before Midnight Crawler started to short-circuit.
"I wouldn't call that nothing!" Ray called out as Midnight Crawler fell back into the water.
Back on the land, Robin and Miss Martian were getting checked on by the Team while Master Kimora and the Adepts readied their Gauntlets.
"You're certain you can summon back my brothers?" Bob asked.
"If our Mana levels are sufficient…" Master Kimora said.
Everyone was about to summon back the Quillspikes, Wild Veggies and flyers until they suddenly flew back to them.
"Guess we didn't summon them from that far away." Allie mused.
Everyone cheered as the Quillspikes and Wild Veggies landed.
"Something's wrong." Bob said.
"You mean because the soil's still rich with Mana?" Master Kimora asked.
"No. Because everyone's getting along." Bob replied.
"And why not?" Shaman Broccoli asked. "There is no need to fear us now," he said as roots spread under him. "We have learned to achieve proper balance with Mana."
"With meditation, we can all channel the excess Mana back into the Earth." Karate Carrot went on.
"And I will spread the word to all of my Plant Brethren. Together, we will stabilize all of Nature." Shaman Broccoli said.
"Oh, that means no giant tomatoes on our side of the Veil," Gabe sighed. "So much for eliminating world hunger."
"One can always hope." Wally said.
"You should've seen us on those insects, brother!" Prickle-Back said to Bob.
"We Quillspikes are born flyers!" Razor-Hide exclaimed.
"See?" Ray asked. "Told you they'd come around."
Bob grinned and spread his wings. "In that case… you won't mind if I take you two for a… little ride?" he asked before taking off with his Brothers into the air.
Everyone looked up and laughed as Bob's brothers yelled. Bob, on the other hand, grinned. From that day on, Quillspike were always meant to fly.
Author's Notes: Well, everyone, what did you think? You like my late new Chapter? Sorry I couldn't have it up sooner, but I had Finals and other things to take care of. I hope this makes up for my absence. I'll try my very best to have a new Chapter out as soon as I can, I promise. I just hope that this is enough to satisfy you for the Holiday. Please be sure to review, rate, and as always, if you can, Private Message me for anything on the Story. After all, I'm always keen to hear from you, just as long as what you say is positive. For now, this is SuperHeroTimeFan signing off. Merry Christmas, everyone! I wish you a Happy Holiday! See you soon!