"Beldam? What good are you? You have all this time since The Great Tree, and you still haven't done away with this Red Yoshi character!?" Grodus angrily demanded answers.

"Well, yes, sorry, this Red Yoshi has proved to be a lot more powerful than we expected." Beldam defended. "I-"

"You do realize us X-Nauts must not open the door first, correct Beldam?" Grodus asked.

"Mmmwee hee hee… Yes, sir. I realize this, but you can be sure we will take this clown down the next time we encounter him. We have created a weapon that will defeat him most assuredly."

"This pleases me, but you toy with my patience, Beldam." Grodus complained.

An X-Naut rushed in. "Sir!" He saluted. "Dr. Phun of the Octarians has arrived, along with Octowser."

"Ah, yes!" Grodus hopped down from his control centre. "Come, Shadow Sirens. We must greet our new allies." He turned to two X-Nauts. "You two! X-Nauts! Check on our prisoners!"

"R-Really, sir?" The one asked.

"Yes, you two. Begone!"

"Awesome! We get to catch a glimpse of our best-looking visitors we've had in a while!"

"Let's go, bro! Can't wait!" They saluted as they exited.

"Huh!" Beldam huffed. "They need their eyes checked, that's for sure!" She turned to Grodus. "Come, my leader. Let us go meet our new allies."

"Hail, Sir Grodus." Octowser was waiting at the landing dock. He offered a handshake to Grodus.

"Hail, Octoliver Octowser." Grodus returned the handshake. "Today is a good day, is it not?"

"I would most assuredly agree, Sir." Octowser nodded. "Our two powerful empires ally to form an even more powerful entity."

"Yes." Grodus agreed. "Allow me to introduce you to some of my finest workers, these are the Shadow Sirens: Beldam, Marilyn and Vivian."

"Nice to meet you all." Octowser greeted.

"Yeah, yeah." Beldam seemingly rolled her eyes.

"Tell me, Octowser. Where is your leader, Dr. Phun?" Grodus questioned.

"He must have been held up from leaving Glitzville." Octowser informed. "Those drive-thru lines can be a wait!" Octowser joked. No one laughed, until Octowser turned to his troops, who began to laugh hysterically. Grodus was unamused, and Octowser sheepishly smiled. "That was just a joke, sir." Suddenly, a ship pulled in. "That's them." Octowser and his troops walked forward to greet Dr. Phun. "Hail, Octavous Phun."

""Həˈləʊ ðer, ɒktəaʊzər." Dr. Phun stepped out of the ship. "ˈsɒri tu həv kept ju ˈweɪtɪŋ. Ðɪs ɪz maɪ njuː rɪˈkruːt, ˈɒktəʊ Grʌbə."

"Nice to meet you, Octowser." Octo Grubba extended his hand.

"Good to meet you, too." Octowser agreed. "What took you guys so long?"

"Wi wər held ʌp bi ði Red Joʊʃi." Dr. Phun informed.

"Well, Dr. Phun. I'd like you to meet our new ally, Sir Grodus of the X-Nauts."

Dr. Phun pulled a microphone out from his sleeve. "Hail, Sir Grodus." He spoke English into the microphone. He offered a handshake.

"Hail, Octavous Phun." Grodus returned the handshake. "These are some of my workers, the Shadow Sirens: Beldam, Marilyn and Vivian."

Dr. Phun nodded to them. "I understand there is business we need to be discussing."

"Yes, yes. Come this way." Grodus led them to the main room.

"So, where is young William?" Grodus inquired.

"He…" Dr. Phun paused. "He was killed in an encounter with the dreaded Red Yoshi. HE was killed defending the Gold Star we had in our possession."

"Hmm." Grodus thought. "William was a good boy. The Red Yoshi shall pay for this blow to the Octarians." He led them to some chairs. "Please sit."

They took their seats. "I am in discussion with the Third Crystal King of Crystal Valley, regarding the Crystal Star he holds there. He has invited me to his city to discuss terms of this star." He brought up the location. "If you would be interested in travelling with mw to confiscate this star, you are permitted to."

"How does that sound, Dr. Phun?" Octowser asked.

"Sounds quite fine." Dr. Phun agreed. "But I would really like to have someone go out to find Will. And then there's the fourth Crystal Star, too."

"I can travel to find the fourth Crystal Star." Octo Grubba offered.

"Excellent." Grodus confirmed. He clapped. "Shadow Sirens, you will accompany Octo Grubba to find the location of the fourth Crystal Star."

"Great." Beldam muttered. "Your wish is our command, Sire."

"Octo Grubba, take some of our troops with you if you run into the Red Yoshi." Octowser offered.

"No, really. I'd like a piece of him myself." Octo Grubba requested. "If it's no problem."

"No, no. You can travel with just the Shadow Sirens." Grodus confirmed. "If it's not too much trouble, get going as soon as possible."

"You got it!" Octo Grubba winked. "Let's go, Shadow Sirens!" He headed out of the room.

"As for Will, Octowser, I can provide you with some of my ships and troops to help locate him." Grodus offered.

"That's be great, actually." Octowser agreed. "I'd like access to the ship you flew here, Dr. Phun."

"Yes, granted." Dr. Phun waved. "Ah, yes! I picked up that weapon you requested from the Glitz Pit. I have transferred it to the ammunitions level."

"Good, good." Grodus nodded. "Thank you, your partnership is much appreciated."

"Well, I need to get some rest. This whole Red Yoshi ordeal has been tiring. Thank you for your allegiance, Sir Grodus. I look forward to this mission."

"You need not to worry about the Red Yoshi, doctor." Grodus called as he exited. "We have a man on the inside. We will know the location of the fourth Crystal Star as soon as they know it."

"That's reassuring." Dr. Phun agreed. "Hail, Sir Grodus. I must retire to my quarters now." He walked out.

'I made a good move trusting those Octarians.' Grodus thought to himself. 'Let's see if it pays off.'

"Yawn…Boy, I slept good." Callie yawned. "Marie, what time is it?"

"No clue." Marie admitted. "Let's go see what TEC's up to."

"Sure." Callie agreed.

"HOLD IT!"

"WHAAAH!" Callie and Marie shrieked, holding each other in fear.

"WHOA! You really scared them, bro!" an X-Naut laughed.

"I know, right?" the other laughed.

"You jerks!" Callie protested.

"Why would you that!?" Marie added.

"Calm down, girls. We're just fooling around, that's all." the first explained.

"Sorry about that." the second clarified.

"That's all right." Callie accepted.

"I'm Marie, this is my cousin, Callie." Marie introduced.

"Nice to meet you guys." The two X-Nauts opened the cell, walked in and sat down. The one closed the door. "Is there somewhere else we can talk?"

"Yeah, there's a secret storage closet back here." Callie opened it. "Come on in."

"Thanks." one of the X-Nauts thanked.

"What are your names?" Marie asked.

One of the X-Nauts was about to tell, until the other gave him a look. They nodded, and took off their masks. "My name is Crysto, and this is my friend, Crysycle."

"How?" Marie asked. "You two are Inklings."

"Not fully." Crysycle explained. "We're people of Crystal Valley. We're half-Inkling, half-Shadow. That's where we get our faded pink hair."

"How did you guys end up here?" Callie asked.

"It's a long story." Crysto explained. "We were members of the Protectors of the Crystal Valley. We were designated the task of protecting the Crystal Star that lies there. Until the X-Nauts arrived."

"What happened?" Marie asked.

"Sir Grodus came, demanding the Crystal Star from us. Our king, the plagued Tyrannous One disagreed. Our king may have been a tyrant, but he was still our king. He rebelled, and in turn, so did Crystal Valley. However, The Tyrannous One's power was too much for himself to handle. The darkness inside – The Shadow Prince – took over his body. It killed the Crystal King our people accepted as a king. He was easily defeated by his son, Crystallpher III, and the Shadow Prince was exiled to the Tyrannous one's crown. Grodus escaped to confront us. There were three of us designated to defend the Crystal Star that day: Crysto, our Captain and myself. Our Captain refused to give up the Crystal Star, and Grodus challenged him to a battle to the death. Our Captain was killed, Sir Grodus took the Crystal Star, and since he liked what he saw in us, he took us to his fortress to raise us as X-Nauts. We were some of the most powerful troops Sir Grodus had ever trained. We quickly learned how to do most things around the base from serving the troops lunch or hijacking a train, and that pretty much brings us to today." Crysycle finished.

"Wow." Callie responded in awe.

"You guys have seen a lot." Marie confirmed.

"Yeah, we've seen it all," Crysto agreed. "Yep."

"Well, thanks for the story." Callie thanked.

"We'd better go see what TEC wants." Marie told Callie.

"You guys talk to TEC, too?" Crysto asked.

"That's right." Marie confirmed.

"Yeah, he's the one who told us all about you guys." Crysycle told.

"Well, you guys can come, I guess." Callie assumed. "Let's go see what he wants."

"Hey, TEC!" Marie greeted. "We brought some friends."

"Yes, I can see." TEC saw. "Hello, Crysto, Crysycle. Where are your masks?"

"We've got them." Crysto explained. "Just that we need some air."

"Ah." TEC understood. "Anyways, Squid Sisters, I need a favour from you two."

"Sure, TEC!" Callie answered. "What's up?"

"I need you two to ask Sir Grodus about something." TEC explained.

"Go ask Grodus!?" Marie restated, shocked. "Think that's gonna be a bit tricky. What is this all about?"

"I recently obtained information that brought a particular…issue to my attention." TEC continued.

"But aren't you the main computer?" Callie asked.

"Yeah!" Crysycle agreed. "Shouldn't you know everything?"

"Sadly, I am unable to know certain things that aren't entered or recorded in my database." TEC explained. "That's why I must know what Sir Grodus thinks of this issue."

"What have we got to do?" Marie asked.

"Well, you can find soldier's uniforms in the room above, and Crysto and Crysycle already have uniforms. They can guide you there. Here is what I want you to ask him…" TEC showed what it wanted said on its screen. "Got it?"

"Yep, we're good." Crysto agreed. "Let's get you girls some outfits."

"All changed?" Crysycle asked.

"Yeah, we're good." Callie agreed, "A bit smelly, but okay."

"Great!" Let's go see Sir Grodus." Crysto figured.

The group had gotten to the level of Grodus' chamber. Suddenly, a weird-octopus-koopa thing walked out. "Ha Ha!" He yelled. "That was fun, Grodus! I'll take you on in poker again next week!"

He turned to the 'X-Nauts.' "Hey. I'm Octowser; I'm new around here. Can't wait to beat you guys in poker, too!" He walked away.

"Octarians are working with X-Nauts now?" Callie asked.

"It seems that way." Crysycle agreed. "Actually, Sir Grodus has been talking about that for a while." He approached the door. "Let Crysto and I do the talking." They walked in, and saluted the X-Naut salute.

"Yes, X-Nauts 2073 and 2074? What seems to be the problem?" Grodus asked.

"We were just wondering what the plan is for the Squid Sisters, that's all." Crysto inquired.

"Well, I've got no plans for them as of now, I'm still concocting, if you know what I men. Do not treat them roughly, that is my only order."

"But, what will become of them after we've finished our plans?" Crysycle asked.

"I'll keep that to myself. Know your place, worms!" Grodus decreed.

"But, Sir Grodus! It's us, Cr-I mean 2073 and 2074! Remember? Those Crystal People you picked up a few years back? Your most powerful foot soldiers?" Crysto pushed.

"Believe me, I'd tell you guys if I knew what I was gonna do!" Grodus convinced. "I'll tell you guys once I figure it out…maybe."

"Thanks, Sir." The two saluted. "Over and out!"

"TEC! We've got your info." Callie arrived. "I recorded the whole conversation. I'll upload it to your database." She plugged her phone in to upload the conversation.

"Wait-how did you get your phone back?" Marie asked.

"Snagged it when we walked in!" Callie laughed. "But I still can't message with it, the X-Nauts would be alerted if I did."

"Of course." TEC agreed. "You may contact the Red Yoshi now."

"Great, thanks, TEC." Marie smiled. She began to type, "To Red: We've confirmed that the X-Nauts are trying to take over the world. This is probably stuff you already know, but here's something you don't: The X-Nauts have joined forces with the Octarians, meaning they're even more powerful. Thankfully, we've met new allies here, and they will help to gather as much information as possible. – Squid Sisters."

"Message sent." TEC confirmed. "It's getting late. You'd better get to sleep. Good night."

"Good night, TEC." Callie and Marie retired to their cell.

"Well, back to work!" Crysto walked out, to return to their quarters.

"Hey, let's shortcut through the landing docks." Crysycle suggested.

"Good idea." Crysto agreed. They began to walk through the docks, until Crysycle stopped.

"C'mon, bro! Keep moving!" Crysto urged.

"I just figured out where we are."

"Well, where are we?"

"The Moon."

Fin.