Okay, here's the second part of The New Kids. And the truth will be revealed. Enjoy!
Chapter 15: The New Kids Pt 2
Previously:
"Who are you guys?" "The name's Twist. And this is my brother Lash." "Is that a Thugglet slug?" "Yup. Dazzle them Loki!" "You 2 should be 2 of us. You both proved that today. You're Shane Gang. You're family." "What makes you think this will work?" "Because they trust us."
On a new red prototype of the Slugterran Express, some rich folk were discussing the outfits of the train. "You know, some people say we've lost some of that rustic outer cavern flavor with the Slugterran Express." A rich man named Dorium said. "Personally, I'm on the same page as Blakk. I think a little civilization is just what these areas need." The other rich folk chuckled in agreement as a waiter walked past. "Oh waiter? Be a good boy and bring out some more of those delicious little breadsticks, won't you?" Dorium asked. But this wasn't a waiter. It was Eli wearing a disguise. "Of course, sir. I'll have those right out to you." Eli said, walking away to the next car.
Eli groaned, setting down a tray of nectars he was carrying. "Not sure what annoys me more. The snooty passengers or this disguise." He complained as Burpy laughed. "Sorry, bro. Would've done it myself, but you lost the toss." Harley said, leaning against the wall and eating a breadstick. "Quit complaining." Twist said, coming into view with Lash. "This was your plan, remember?" "Got the security card." Lash said, holding up a card. "Let's do it then." Eli said. He activated his comm. "Can everyone read me?"
Mario and Pronto were set up near a track switch. "Loud and clear, kid." Mario said. "Naturally and as always." Pronto added.
Kord was tinkering with the train controls. "In position." Kord said.
Trixie and Vance were standing beside a rail cart. "All set here." Vance said. "We're good to go, Eli." Trixie followed.
"Okay. Then let's go steal ourselves a train." Eli said.
(Intro)
24 Hours Ago:
At the Shane Hideout, the gang were going over the plan. Eli laid out a map on a table and covered it with 2 little train models and a glass mole. Harley, Trixie, Twist, Kord, Vance, Mario, Lash, Pronto, the slugs and even Wormy gathered round the table. "Here's what we know. Tomorrow night, Blakk is moving a shipment of Dark Water to a secure facility. This isn't your average mark. Blakk's not taking chances. We're talking armed guards, private train, the works." Eli explained. "Must be a pretty big shipment with this much security." Mario guessed. "We hit Blakk less than 2 days ago. Shouldn't he be regrouping?" Trixie asked. "Twist?" "The opposite. If anything, Blakk's stepping up his game." Twist said. "Twist's right. You guys cut off his supply when you took out the Deadweed mine. But he's still got plenty." Lash added. "Twist's intel suggests that Dark Water is being moved from Blakk's citadel to a depot in the outer caverns." Eli said. "Don't blame him. I wouldn't wanna live on top of that stuff." Trixie said. "Considering what that stuff did to the miners at Deadweed, neither would I." Vance added. "Granted that I wasn't there at Deadweed, but from what you guys have told me, I'll take your word for it." Mario said. "This is it, guys. We pull this off, and we put Blakk out of the ghoul business for good." Eli said. Everyone either cheered, clapped or even gave a positive roar.
But not everyone appeared to have been paying attention. Kord and Harley were thinking about something else. "Kord? Harley?" Eli called, snapping them back. "You guys listening?" He asked. "Sorry. Wha-what?" Kord asked. "Yeah, what were we talking about?" Harley added. "The mission briefing?" Eli reminded. "Sorry. We're still thinking about the ghoul depot. It doesn't make any sense. I shut down the security grid, then Twist and Lash went in, and Diablos appeared behind us. But how'd he even know we were there?" Kord said. "I have a theory. Maybe someone on the inside leaked out information of our raid to Nacho." Harley thought. "You mean like a spy?" Kord asked. "Maybe. But if so, the question would be: who is it?" Harley said. "Let it go, guys. Eli needs you both in the game." Twist said. "Eli especially needs you, Harley. Afterall, you're his brother." Lash added. "Yeah, you're right. Sorry man. Whatever you guys need." Kord said. "Alright. But I'm not dropping my spy theory. Now let's continue." Harley said, thrusting the small red train model.
Present Time:
Eli, Harley, Twist and Lash climbed up the back of the train. Twist ran and jumped to the front. Lash and Harley followed. Eli brought up the rear. The train hit a bump, causing Eli to fall off. "Eli!" Harley called. But Twist caught Eli's hand. "That was close." Twist said. "Thanks." Eli said.
"Keep that throttle to the floor." A goon in the control room said to a disguised Kord. Kord took out his blaster and aimed it at the goon. "We've a schedule to keep, you lazy-" The goon stopped as he turned to see Kord. "-cave troll?" "So formal. Call me Kord." Kord said. Eli entered, holding a rope.
Eli, Harley, Lash and Kord gained control of the train. "Twist, lose the extra baggage." Eli said into his comm. Twist took position on top of the train and fired a Speedstinger at the train's connector bolt, separating the rich people's car from the train. The rich people flinched as their car slowed to a stop. "Well, I know that I'll be asking for a refund." Dorium said, taking his monocle out of his drink.
23 Hours Ago:
"I'll say it. It sounds risky, Eli. Even for us." Trixie said. "You and Lash brought us the intel, Twist. What do you 2 think?" Eli asked. "If it was me, I'd never try anything this crazy." Twist said. "But that's just you, bro." Lash said. Twist sheepishly smiled. "But if Eli thinks we can pull it off and it means sticking it to Dr. Blakk, I'm behind him. 100%." He said. "Then this is our target." Eli said, placing the red train model on the table. "3 miles from the shipment, an express train carrying some of the richest collectors in Slugterra." "I don't get it. How does stealing one train help us steal another?" Trixie asked. "Same as any magic trick worth its salt." Twist said, loading Loki's barrel into his blaster. He took aim at Pronto. Pronto flinched at the sight and tossed up a bowl of slop he was eating. "Don't shoot!" He cried as Twist fired. Everyone looked on in shock. Pronto checked all over. He wasn't shot. Twist held up his hand. "Misdirection." He said, clutching his fist, then opening it again to reveal Loki. "I think I get what Twist is planning. If we steal the train from the rich people, Blakk's guards won't be able to tell the difference." Harley explained. "Well, yes. We certainly fooled them." Pronto said, trying to keep a smile. "Nice. Now back to the plan." Kord said.
Present Time:
Blakk's train was on route to the depot when suddenly the driver caught sight of something on the tracks in front of him. He gasped and stopped the train. 2 old guys were trying to fix their transport. "About time you boys came along. Can't seem to get this darn thing a-moving." Old guy 1 said. "If only you'd listen to me once in a while." Old guy 2 grumbled.
The driver gave the transport a tune-up. "Try it now." He said. Old guy 1 tried to start the engine, but it just sputtered. "This is a head scratcher, old timers. Might have a part in the train that could help." The driver said, walking back to the train. Suddenly, the transport's engine started up. "Well, son-of-a-gun. Can't believe I was using the wrong key this whole time." Old timer 1 said. "I knew it!" Old timer 2 said. "Well, if you knew, why didn't you say something?" Old timer 1 asked grouchily. "I did say something! You just don't listen!" Old timer 2 snapped. "I can't help it if I'm going deaf." Old timer 1 said, shifting the transport and driving away. The driver just shook his head.
When they were out of sight, Trixie and Vance pulled off their masks. "This is Trixie. Vance and I bought you 10 minutes. Heading your way now." Trixie said into her comm. "Ugh! Felt like an oven in that thing." Vance groaned, sweating from wearing the mask. "Yeah. But you actually pull off an old timer really well." Trixie said. "Yeah. Wonder if I'll actually be like that when I actually hit that age." Vance said, throwing the masks away.
The gang's train pulled up to the depot. "About time. You were supposed to get here 10 minutes ago." The guard that was stationed at the depot said. "Yeah. Sorry about that. Little trouble with the train." Twist in disguise said. "You want a repair crew to take a look?" The guard asked. "No. We got it. It was the engine thing. It's all good now." Twist said. The train hooked onto the cargo and started to drive away. "Well, see ya." Twist said as they drove away. Wasn't long until Blakk's train pulled up. "What do you want?" The guard asked. "Sorry we're late. Couple of old geezers had a breakdown on the tracks." The driver said. "Where's the cargo?" The guard gasped, figuring out that he was tricked.
As the gang's train continued on. "Better get a move on. Blakk want's this shipment to the depot on time." One of the guards that came with the cargo said. "Afraid this train's gonna be a little late." Twist said, taking off his mask. The guards gasped at the sight. Kord, Harley and Eli flanked them. Trixie and Vance rode up on their mechas as the first guard was knocked off the train. They both caught up and jumped onto the railing as the second guard was thrown off. "No ticket." Kord joked. Trixie and Vance climbed on. "Good to have you and Vance back, Trix." Eli said. "Thanks. It's good to be back." Trixie said, pecking her boyfriend on the lips. "Yeah, but they'll figure out we've switched engines by now." Vance said. "He's right. We should get moving." Trixie said. "Full-throttle, Kord." Eli said. "It's all up to Pronto and Mario now." Kord said, speeding up the train.
22 Hours Ago:
"First of all, I would like to say I, along with Mario, am honored to receive the role most integral to this plan's very success." Pronto said. "Great. Then let's go over it again, buddy." Eli said. "Just as long as I am still key-mole in this plan." Pronto said. "You're pushing now." Eli stated. "Pushing to the front of the pack, as key-mole. Perhaps some commemorative key-mole t-shirts would be in order." Pronto suggest. "Okay! You just went one step to far, Pronto." Harley snapped, getting in Pronto's face.
As Harley and Pronto bickered, Twist received a call from Maurice. Twist groaned and moved out of sight to take the call. "I told you not to contact me here." He said. "The boss just wants to check in as all. You've made him certain assurances." Maurice said. "Lash and I have everything under control. Don't call again!" Twist said, hanging up. Lash was watching, knowing that Twist was talking to Blakk. Harley also noticed, getting an idea about Twist.
"He says he's got everything under control, boss." Maurice said. "They better, for their sake." Blakk said. "What about the younger brother? From the look on his face, he might try to weasel us out." Maurice said. "Then we can't afford no mistakes. When the time comes, have him destroyed." Blakk ordered.
Present Time:
Blakk's train came into pursuit of the gang's train. "Here they come! Just stick to the plan and we'll be fine." Eli said. The driver loaded and fired an Amperling, nearly got the train with Amperjolt. He then fired a Hop Jack as he continued the pursuit.
Meanwhile, Pronto and Mario waited by the track switch. Pronto whistled as he waited.
As the pursuit continued, Twist held his hand over a red button. "Whoa buddy. You hit that emergency break and we're through." Kord warned. Twist continued to eye the button, attempting to push it. "They're gaining on us, Eli!" Kord said. "Keep pouring it on! We just need some room to breathe." Eli said. Twist, attempting to push the button, just clutched his fist, backing off from his attempt.
Pronto continued to whistle as he and Mario waited.
The Blakk train driver fired another ghoul. "Almost there." Kord said.
Pronto continued to whistle. "Here they come." Mario said, eyeing the train in the distance.
"Almost there." Kord repeated. Soon enough, Pronto and Mario came into view. "Now, Pronto!" Eli called. Pronto flipped the switch, changing the tracks for the gang. The gang's train turned left, heading down a tunnel. Pronto fired Bruiser at another switch, activating a waterfall to cover their tracks. Pronto then switched the tracks back. Blakk's train passed. Pronto and Mario saluted as it left. "Key-mole to Team Pronto. Operation Key-mole is a success." Pronto said into his comm.
The gang cheered on the train. "We couldn't have done this without you and Lash, Twist." Eli said, putting a hand on Twist's shoulder. "Us? It was your plan." Twist said. "My plan was just a piece of it. Everybody chipped in. That's what family does." Eli said. 'Family.' Lash thought. "Stop!" Kord suddenly said. "Why? I mean, okay it's a little sappy, but it's true." Eli said. "No. Stop! We're gonna crash!" Kord shouted. The train wasn't slowing down.
The train headed straight for a rock wall. "The breaks!" Eli said. Trixie pressed the emergency break, but nothing happened. "It's not working!" Trixie said. "I thought you said we'd have enough room to stop this thing." Eli said. "Well, we didn't plan on going this fast!" Kord said. Pronto and Mario emerged from the waterfall, holding an umbrella. "Pronto will save you!" He tossed his umbrella away, loaded his Lariat, Loogie, and fired him at the cargo. Pronto cheered. Until Loogie fired his Wrappler at Pronto's blaster, and dragged him along. Mario groaned and rode his mecha after him.
Eli opened the side door and leaned out. "Come on, buddy. Slow us down." He said to Chiller, who was loaded. Chiller was fired. He turned around and blew his Deepfreeze at the train. The wheels screeched on the tracks as they were being frozen. But no avail. Chiller transformed back and landed on the track. The ice on the train broke off. Chiller hopped out of the way before he got flattened. Trixie fired Balloon at the wall, hoping her inflated body can stop the train. The train crashed against Balloon, but everyone was okay. Well, except for Pronto. "Once again Pronto saves the day." Pronto said in a daze before he went unconscious. Mario just shook his head.
Everyone cheered in victory. Except for Kord and Harley, who was checking out the train. "Come on, Kord. We should be celebrating." Eli said. "I know. It's just back at the depot. How did Diablos know where we were? One second nothing, then he's there. It's weird right?" Kord said. "You really think Harley was right about this spy thing?" Eli asked. "I think so. But if there was a spy, who would leak our plan out?" Kord asked. "Probably the same guy who sabotaged the emergency brake." Harley said, hopping out of the train. "The wiring's a mess." "Guys, we just pulled off a once in a lifetime heist. You gotta learn not to sweat the small stuff." Eli said. "I'm an engineer, bro. I'm all about the small stuff." Kord said. "Well, there's nothing small about this." Eli said.
Trixie took a good look at the cargo. "I can't believe it. Blakk's whole supply." She said. "Oh, to see the look on Dr. Blakk's face. He will soon and forever rue the name Pronto." Pronto boasted, earning looks from everyone. "Oh, and well, yours as well. But mostly Pronto." He said. "Actually, he'll be ruing the names Eli and Harley Shane. I mean after all, he has it out for Shanes. To him, you're just considered dead weight." Harley corrected. "DEAD WEIGHT?!" Pronto screamed in shock.
"These will be cool here for a few days. In the meantime, I suggest we bail and find somewhere to lay low." Eli said. "You mean we're not staying?" Twist asked. "I want us gone in 5. We'll come back when we know it's-" The cargo doors opened up. Nacho and a whole army of goons emerged. "-safe." "Dr. Blakk sends his regards." Nacho said, aiming his blaster. Pronto screamed. The gang ran for cover as the army fired their ghouls. Eli turned to see a Tempesto coming towards him. He turned and fired Burpy. Burpy fired Flashfire at the ghoul, causing an energy surge and creating a Skyclone as Nacho and 2 other goons hopped down. Nacho roared as the gang took cover behind some rocks.
"This whole thing was a setup! And we fell for it!" Trixie said as the ghouls hit their cover. "Survive now, blame later!" Kord said, firing Iceberg and freezing the 2 goons. "Nacho pushed them aside. "Come out, children. I promise a quick oblivion." He said. "Pronto does not want a quick oblivion! Pronto prefers his oblivion to be slow and gradual." Pronto said, dodging another ghoul. "Pronto, I don't think that helping your case." Harley said.
Nacho and his army advanced slowly. "We're sitting ducks out here." Eli said. "Take Twist and Lash and find some higher ground! We'll cover you." Kord said firing another slug. "We'll surprise them, then make the charge up the middle together." Eli said. "Right behind you." Twist said.
2 goons waited for any movement. "Now!" Eli called as he and Twist ran for a nearby cave. The 2 goons fired 2 Amperlings. Kord fired Jetstream, knocking the ghouls back into their protoform with Aquajet. Lash soon followed after Eli and Twist. Another goon fired a Hop Jack. As Eli and Twist hopped over a rock, the ghoul hit the rock as Lash stepped on it. Eli and Twist looked back. Lash was struggling up and Nacho was walking over. Eli ran to help. "Eli! Just leave him! We have to keep moving!" Twist called. Nacho fired a Grimmstone. Eli jumped over Lash and fired Buzzsaw. Buzzsaw knocked the ghoul away with Throttlebite. Eli helped Lash up. The goons continued to fire on the rest of the gang. Eli noticed 3 more goons advance on him, but were caught in a Blorfball gas cloud. Eli turned to see Pronto, who fired Stinky from off a rock. Pronto winked. Eli nodded and followed Twist and Lash into the cave, while the goons coughed from inside the gas cloud. Harley watched as Eli, Twist and Lash ran into the cave, glaring with a thought.
Eli, Twist and Lash ran deeper into the cave, until Eli stopped and noticed something. "It's one of my dad's hideouts." He said, walking over to a workbench. "Eli, we have to keep moving." Twist said. Eli picked up a picture and brushed off the dust. It was a picture of him, Harley, Eliza and Will. "You miss him, don't you?" Lash asked. "There's nothing more important than family, Lash." Eli said. Lash put a comforting hand on Eli's shoulder. Twist just glared down.
The goons fired 3 more Hop Jacks at the rock wall, making a rock slide that nearly squashed Pronto. Kord looked at one of the Hop Jacks and started to think. 'Loki. Loki's a real ghoul. Then, that means Twist-' He thought. "Kord. Kord!" Trixie said, tapping him. "Get your head in the game." She said. "It is. We have to get to Eli." Kord said. Trixie, Vance, Pronto and Mario looked at each other confused. "Listen to me. Back at the depot, something wasn't right. It was Loki. On the monitor, Loki should've appeared as a regular slug, not a ghoul. It's illusions only work on living things, not cameras. Unless he actually was a ghoul and dropped his illusion for the scam. That's why a slug like Loki can cast such powerful illusions and why he avoided Doc's touch. Doc can't heal without reaching velocity, but he'd still recognize the ghoul in Loki right away." Kord explained. "But that means-" Trixie thought with a shock. "Harley?" She turned, but Harley was gone. "He must've figured it out." She activated her comm. "Eli? This is Trixie. You have to get out of there. It's Twist. Eli, do you read? I said Twist and Lash are working for Blakk."
Eli heard her message. "Is it true?" Twist raised his blaster. "That must be a yes. Are you gonna tell me why?" Eli asked, raising his hands. "I haven't decided yet." Twist said. Lash just sadly backed up to the wall. "You Shanes. So predictable. Well, you jumped at the chance to leave Blakk's Dark Water down here where no one will ever find it. Well now, that's exactly what's gonna happen to you."
"Toss the blaster to Lash." Twist demanded. Eli took his blaster and tossed it near Lash. "And turn around so I can see your face." Burpy hopped out of his barrel and hopped away before Lash picked up the blaster. Eli turned, gasping at Loki's true form. "Loki's a ghoul?" He asked. "I wasn't the only one playing you." Twist said. "Gotta hand it to you Twist, you even had the rest your slugs fooled." Eli said, gesturing to Twist's former slugs, who were huddled together in fear. Lash looked at their saddened and fearful faces, feeling sorry and pitiful for them. "You know they'll never follow you now, right?" Eli asked. "Cry me a river. I have all the ghouls I need." Twist said, not caring at all.
Nacho and his army advanced on the gang. "We have to find a way into those tunnels." Trixie said. "Perhaps if I talk to them." Pronto suggested. "Afterall, Pronto is a skilled negotiator." Pronto cleared his throat. "FIRE!" Nacho yelled. 3 goons fired an Amperling, a Hop Jack and a Tempesto. Pronto screamed as all 3 ghouls hit him at the same time, knocking him into the rocks. "Diplomacy has failed!" Pronto screamed.
"A Shane without his blaster. That's a sad sight." Twist said. "One Shane you mean." Harley said, coming into view, aiming his blaster at Twist. "I had the feeling it was you. Not just with Loki back at the depot. I noticed you talking on your comm during the briefing." "Can't put one over you, can I?" Twist asked. "Yeah. Eli may be a few days older than me, and the leader of this gang, but I was always the wee bit smarter and observant twin." Harley said. "Maybe. But you try anything and your brother gets it." Twist warned. "Yeah. Well, I may not have my blaster, but I still have my slugs." Eli said smirking.
Burpy hopped onto Twist's shoe and lit it on fire. Twist felt it and stomped his foot to put it out. Eli saw his chance. He kicked Twist's blaster out of his hand. Eli tried to punch Twist, but he dodged and grabbed Eli's arm. "Oh, that's one thing you should know about me by now, Eli." He said as he flipped Eli over his shoulder. "Never challenge me in hand-to-hand." He walked over to his blaster as Eli recovered. As Twist picked up his blaster, Eli tackled him. Lash was about to go to help. "Don't." Harley said, turning his blaster on Lash.
Nacho and his goons continued to fire their ghouls at the gang. "Diablos is our number 1 problem. Take him out and we can get to Eli and Harley." Kord said. "So, what do we do?" Mario asked. "What we need is a plan." Pronto said. "A crafty, surprising, clever-" "RUSH HIM!" Trixie yelled. Kord picked up Pronto and the gang ran out from their cover and charged towards Nacho. "Rush him? 'Rush him' is not a plan!" Pronto protested.
Eli and Twist struggled in each other's grip. "How could you do this, Twist? You and Lash were like family to us." Eli said. "Family? Like a Shane could understand that word." Twist said, flipping Eli onto his back. "What're you talking about?" Eli asked. "Your father is the reason me and Lash are orphans!" Twist revealed. Harley looked at Lash in shock. "Is it true?" He asked. "It's true." Lash said sadly. "Our father was a slug smuggler."
[Flashback]
A younger Twist and Lash were waiting outside a building. Their father dropped out from a window holding a cage full of slugs. 'It was only a few slugs.' Will Shane caught them. The 3 attempted to escape on their mecha. 'We weren't hurting anyone.' They tried to stop before they fell off the edge of a ravine. Will fired an Arachnet and caught Twist and Lash as their father fell into the ravine. 'He could've just left us alone.' Twist recovered and glared at Will, vowing vengeance.
[Flashback end]
"He had to be the hero, just like you." Twist finished, aiming his blaster at Eli. Harley looked at Lash, who didn't even bother to raise Eli's blaster. "You don't blame my dad for what happened, do you?" He asked. "No. Will Shane was just doing his job. My father's actions were his own." Lash said. "Then why work with Blakk?" Harley asked. "It wasn't my choice. At least not to Twist. He always decides what's best, not caring about what I say at all." Lash said. "Lash! Stop talking to him and blast him!" Twist demanded. Lash flinched and looked from Twist to Harley. "You know it's the wrong thing to do, kid." Harley said. Lash gave it some thought. He then saw a Flaringo nuzzle his foot. He picked it up and it hopped into the blaster. Knowing what he had to do, he then pointed the blaster at Twist with Harley. "Put it down, Twist!" He said. Twist growled and fired Loki at his own feet, disappearing.
Eli looked around. Twist reappeared behind him and kicked him. Loki hopped back into the blaster. Lash tossed Eli his blaster. Eli loaded Joules and fired her Tazerbolt at Twist, but he disappeared again. "Remember what I said earlier?" Twist asks, bouncing off Eli's shoulders. "About misdirection?"
The gang kept charging towards Nacho. Nacho and his goons kept firing ghoul after ghoul. Trixie flipped over one and slung Blizzard towards them, blowing Deepfreeze. Nacho ducked and it hit the train, but froze the entire army. Nacho loaded a Jollyfist ghoul and slung it towards them. The gang took cover as Nacho fired another Hop Jack.
"We'll never take him out like this." Kord said. "Never say never. We will do the Molenoid Long Bomb." Pronto suggested. "But that's just a legend." Kord said. "Not anymore." Pronto said. "On my 3. 1. 2. 3!" Kord tossed Pronto into the air. Nacho seemed confused. Pronto readied his blaster. Nacho prepared to counter. But then Trixie, Kord, Vance and Mario prepped their blasters too, shocking Nacho. Trixie slung Pounder. Kord fired Sploder. Mario slung Ricochet. Vance slung Legs. And Pronto fired Windy, his Tormato. Nacho eyed all of the incoming slugs, seeing no way to dodge. Pounder bashed his arm. Legs trapped him in a web. Ricochet bounced repeatedly off the train and his head. Sploder knocked him to the ground. And Windy sent him and the frozen goons flying in a Slyphoon.
Pronto, still flying, smiled in success, until he hit a wall and dropped at the gang's feet. "I am alright. Nobody worry about Pronto." He said in a daze.
Twist kicks Harley down, then disappears again. "We know how you feel, Twist. Me and Harley lost our dad too." Eli said, helping up his brother. "You have no idea know how I feel!" Twist's voice echoed. "So, all of this was just for revenge? Over something your father did to himself? You really wanna end up like Blakk?" Harley asked. "I'm a survivor, Shanes! All my life, I've known the game is rigged." Twist said, reappearing and shoving Eli into Harley and Lash. "So, I like to make sure I'm on the winning team. And from where I'm standing, that's Blakk. Plain as day." He disappeared again. "How could you betray me like this, Lash? Their father destroyed our father!" Twist echoed. "Wrong. He did that to himself. Will Shane saved my life. Something you would obviously never do. Some brother you turned out to be." Lash stated. Twist reappeared and punched Lash in the face. "You were always the weakling, Lash. Too weak." He said, disappearing again.
Eli, Harley and Lash went back-to-back, preparing for another attack. "It's about power, Shanes. That's something both your father and Blakk understood." Twist said. "LIAR! Our father never cared about power! He only cared about protecting the people and the slugs." Harley snapped. Another Twist appeared. "Please. As if slugs even have feelings." He said, angering both Shane brothers as 2 more Twists appeared. "Face it, you don't even know which one of us to shoot." "Who says I have to choose?" Eli asked, firing Stunts at the roof. Stunts ricocheted off the roof towards the one Twist, who disappeared. Stunts then bounced off a machine, under Eli to the second Twist, disappearing as well. Then Stunts bounced off a column and into the real Twist.
Twist landed by a wall. There his slugs looked at Twist with anger and hatred in their eyes. Twist looked shocked. "Don't ever say that slugs don't have feelings." Harley growled. "Because they do. And right now, they feel one simple thing for you. Hatred." The slugs pounced all over him. Twist groaned and screamed in pain as the slugs attacked him. Then he disappeared. Eli, Harley and Lash looked on.
Trixie, Kord, Vance, Pronto and Mario met up with them. "Eli?" Trixie called. "Where is he?" Kord asked, wanting to give Twist a good blasting. "It's okay, Kord. He's gone." Eli said. Trixie ran to him and hugged him tight. Vance looked over to Lash. "I'm guessing if you're still here, you're off the hook?" He asked. "Not yet." Lash said. He walked over to where Twist's blaster laid and picked it up. Then, Twist's slugs hopped up to him. "I'm sorry for what he did. But if you can find it in your hearts to trust me, I promise that I can do what he could not. I'll protect you and take care of you." He offered. The slugs looked at him for a while. Then the Flaringo from earlier hopped onto his shoulders and chittered. The slugs looked at Lash happily and hopped all over him, nuzzling him and making him giggle.
The gang looked on happily. "Twist maybe gone, but it's not the last we'll see of him." Harley said. Mario looked around. "What do you want to do with this hideout stuff?" He asked. Eli picked up the picture of his family. "Load it all up into the train. All of it. Repair the train and let's go home." He said. Everyone each picked up a box and started to head out. "You know, with all this stuff, Wormy and all of our slugs, we're gonna have to remodel the hideout." Harley said. "So, when we get back, what does everyone feel like eating tonight?" Pronto asked. "Ooh, I know. Newt mucous stew. No? Steamed scornbeetle spleens?" "Let's just order something in." Kord suggested. Twist hid behind a column, watching them leave. He was angry that his own brother betrayed him, but a small part of him felt guilty for betraying them.
Back at the hideout, Pronto served turkey legs for dinner. "Dinner is served." Everyone dug in and munched in like there was no tomorrow. But Kord noticed Eli wasn't eating. "Eli, you alright, bro? It's not like you to turn down a homecooked meal." He said. "A non-insect meal. Which I will add are rare for Pronto." Trixie said as Pronto slurped up an insect. "It's fine. It just doesn't feel the same somehow." Eli said, getting up and walking to the window. "He's still thinking about Twist." Harley deduced. "Eli baby, he did try to kill us." Trixie said. "Agreed. Pronto does not have many rules. But I draw the line at people who try to kill me. It is extremely rude." Pronto said. "The point being you can't let him get to you, kid." Mario said. "He's right. He had us all fooled." Vance agreed. "Maybe. But I know there's good in Twist. He just has to realize that he's not alone here. I just hope we can help him see that before it's too late." Eli said.
"It is too late for Twist." Lash said. Everyone turned to him. "He has too much of our father in him. You all probably know this, but it's hard to help someone who doesn't want to be helped." He explained. "Perhaps. But one can never know unless they try." Eli said.
At Blakk's fortress, Blakk was even more upset than he was before. "So, after considerable time and money, you return to me with nothing." He said. "Shane gang escapes, your brother betrays us and the sons of Will Shane remain at large." "I got them to the cavern just like I promised. If it wasn't for that traitorous weasel brother of mine." Twist said. "I am not interested in excuses, boy! I am interested in results!" Blakk snapped before turning to Nacho. "And you. Have you anything to say for yourself?" "Nope." Nacho answered. "Then you will fail me no more. Go back to where you came from!" Blakk yelled, firing a Tempesto at Nacho's feet, creating the same black hole that swallowed Will Shane. "Remember your promise! We will meet again Blakk!" Nacho screamed as he got sucked in, leaving the same scorch mark.
Blakk smile as Twist looked on in shock. "And as for you. Good work." Blakk said. Twist was slightly startled. "There will be other chances for revenge, Twist. You did as I expected you to under the circumstances. And you no longer need your brother. He was only slowing you down. Holding you back. Now I have valuable intelligence on Eli and Harley Shane and their associates. Not to mention, a new apprentice." Blakk said. Twist grinned and started to walk out. "Oh, and Twist." Blakk said stopping him. "You saw today what happens to people who do fail me. For your sake, don't make a habit of it." He warned. Twist nodded, now knowing his place.
Wow. Ain't that something? Twist becomes Blakk's apprentice out of need for revenge for his father while his brother betrays him and Nacho is sent back to whatever hellhole he came from. Don't worry. They kept the train. Who knows what'll happen next? Something happy? Something sad? Something both? More surprises await in the future.
Author's Note: After I finish working on Snowdance, I was thinking of writing a few of my own chapters in between some of the other episodes. One that probably introduces the sinister duo of Fire and Frost. Leave a review if anyone has any ideas.
Slug Arsenal:
Eli Shane: Burpy (Infurnus), Joules (Tazerling), Noodle (Flopper), Banger (Armashelt), Bolo (Polero), Rammer (Rammstone), Rocky (Hop Rock), Chiller (Frostcrawler), Burner (Lavalynx), Suds (Bubbaleoen), Goober (Jellyish), Sparky (Grenuke), Doc (Boon Doc), Larry (Lariat), Gust (Tormato), Buzzsaw (Thresher), Digger (Crystalid), Spinner (Arachnet), Mucky (Dirt Urchin), Tangles (Vinedrill), Spooker (Frightgeist), Charger (Fandango), Stunts (Speedstinger), Glimmer (Phosphoro), Mo (Enigmo), Dazer (Hypnogriff), Urchin (Sand Angler)
Harley Shane: Matchstick (Flaringo), Squirm (Flopper), Frostbite (Frostcrawler), Webs (Arachnet), Gels (Jellyish), Zipepr (Hoverbug), Ivy (Vinedrill), Masher (Rammstone), Frights (Frightgeist), Shredder (Thresher), Smelly (Flatulorhinkus), Claws (Armashelt)
Trixie Sting: Bluster (Tormato), Blizzard (Frorstcrawler), Spider (Arachnet), Twirl (Polero), Balloon (Bubbaleone), Haunter (Frightgeist), Pounder (Rammstone), Slicer (Thresher), Rocks (Hop Rock)
Kord Zane: Bludgeon (Rammstone), Sploder (Hop Rock), Jolt (Tazerling), Trip (Polero), Flycatcher (Arachnet), Floatie (Bubbaleone), Iceberg (Frostcrawler), Scorch (Flaringo), Jetstream (AquaBeek)
Pronto Geronimo: Stinky (Flatulorhinkus), Slimey (Jellyish), Soapy (Bubbaleone), Bruiser (Rammstone), Flame (Flaringo), Loogie (Lariat), Windy (Tormato)
Vance Volt: Blast (Hop Rock), Bloom (Vinedrill), Crust (Lavalynx), Legs (Arachnet)
Mario Bravado: Ricochet (Speedstinger), Slide (Frostcrawler), Crawler (Arachnet)
Lash: Zing (Tazerling), Speedy (Speedstinger), Hopper (Hop Rock), Bubba (Bubbaleone), Stinx (Flatulorhinkus), String (Polero), Goat (Rammstone), Sleepy (Slyren), Webber (Arachnet), Ice (Frostcrawler), Spark (Flaringo)