Chapter 16: Snowdance

A young boy had just kneeled down to pick up a slug, but the slug plus a few other slugs scampered past him in fear. The boy watched as people ran past him screaming. Then there was a rumble behind him. He turned to see a giant Frightgeist slug angrily stomping towards the screaming people. The boy screamed. A man grabbed the boy and ran out of the way before the giant slug could crush him.

'Coming soon, the movie event of the year, Attack of the 50 ft Slug.'

Suddenly, a couple of shadows covered the whole thing. Pronto and Harley were with the gang at a mecha drive-in theater in Snowdance Cavern. Pronto and Harley were on their way back from the snack shack with popcorn for the gang. "I tell you Harley, the journey back to the others from the snack shack is more difficult then I expected." Pronto complained. "Yeah, I know." Harley agreed. "Luckily, we have supplies to sustain us." Pronto said, tossing some popcorn in his mouth. "Seriously? These are for the whole gang. You need to control your appetite issues." Harley advised, but kept eyeing the popcorn he was carrying. "I mean, so should I, but who knows how long before we reach the others. I mean with your 'directions', I'd say a very long time." He threw some popcorn into his mouth as well.

With the others, Kord was groaning with desire for popcorn. "I can't enjoy this without popcorn." He complained. "Are you kidding, Kord? This place is awesome!" Eli said. "Totally. Giant screen. Killer sound. Snowdance Cavern rocks. Even with the ice ogres." Trixie said. "Ice ogres? Who're they? The guys who make the snow cones at the snack shack?" Eli asked, trying to make a joke. Lash chuckled. "Ice ogres are the carnivores who live inside that glacier." Trixie explained. "Oh right, because that makes so much more sense." Eli said. "Relax bro, it's winter. They're hibernating." Kord said. "Yeah, the one time you don't want to see an ice ogre is when it's awake." Vance added.

Just then, Pronto and Harley returned. "Finally!" Kord said happily. "Yes. The journey was long and arduous, but behold, the bounty that Pronto and Harley have procured." Pronto said. Kord took the popcorn boxes and passed them around to the others. Kord was about to reach into his, but noticed it was empty. It was the same for the others. "Alas, since the journey was long and arduous, Pronto and Harley were forced to consume most of the bounty." Pronto said. "I'm sorry, guys." Harley said, feeling ashamed. "But I did hang on to this for you, Burpy." He pulled out a tiny bag of candied fruit and handed it to Burpy. The little slug chittered for joy and took the bag. Kord however was very upset. "I'm gonna be forced to consume you if I don't get me some popcorn!" He warned. "Oh no, my friend." Pronto said, hopping onto Wyatt. "You would never return from such a journey. Only a molenoid can navigate the treacherous maze to the snack shack." He hopped off and started to walk back to the snack shack.

Suddenly, everyone started shushing. Trixie looked up at the screen. "The movie's starting." She said, putting on her 3D glasses. Eli, Harley, Burpy and the others did the same as the movie began to play.

[Movie Screen]

2 man were at a standoff. "Well, here we are. Just me and you. And I can't remember if I have 1 slug left, or 2." The one man said.

Eli and Harley scoffed in amusement. "Oh, come on! You can't hold a blaster like that!" Eli said, calling on the way the man was holding his blaster. "Yeah, it'd ruin the trajectory." Harley added. Trixie shushed them. "You're gonna tell Max Jackson how to shoot?" She asked. "Max Jackson?" Harley said in confusion. "He's only like the biggest action star ever. They say it's impossible for directors to get him to do what they want." Trixie explained. "Well, I bet you got what it takes." Eli said. "Yeah. Especially with the sternness in your voice." Harley added. "Yeah. Well, it's a long way from making videos for the Slugnet to working with a star like that." Trixie explained. "But somehow, someday, a movie I shoot is gonna be on that screen." Eli took her hand. "Well, I do hope that you do make it there someday, Trix." He said. "Thanks babe." Trixie said, gently squeezing his hand.

"Hey! You're blocking my view!" A guy from behind the gang complained. Trixie and Eli took a look. A few familiar faces had just pulled up in front of the guy. "I'll park my mecha where I wanna park. And I'm gonna park right where you are." A boy with a familiar rude voice said. "Yeah. If you don't like it, maybe try to afford a better spot. If an underling like you can." Another boy with a familiar snobbish voice said.

"Hey! Keep it down! We're trying to watch-" Trixie started to say, until they all got a look at each other. It was Billy of the former Hooligang from Quiet Lawn Cavern. Along with Croesus from Club Slug and Sid and the slug hunters from Jungle Cavern. "The Hooligang?!" Eli said in surprise. "The Shane Gang?!" Billy said in surprise. Both gangs drew their blasters and prepared to standoff. "Well, looks like we got ourselves a standoff." Max Jackson said from onscreen.


(Intro) (Shane Gang updated with Lash)


Both gangs continued their standoff. "Look Billy, we're just her to watch a movie. Let's not ruin it for everyone." Eli said, trying to reason with hot-headed loser. "Okay. Then how about I just ruin it for you?" Billy asked, not caring at all, as usual. "You know these guys?" Lash asked. "Unfortunately. Billy's a hot-headed nobody who was causing trouble in Quiet Lawn Cavern a few months back. Way before you, Vance and Mario joined the team. Croesus was a guest at the Club Slug scam. And the other 4 were slug hunters we went up against in Jungle Cavern." Harley explained. "Make sure you film all of this, Camera Cutie! I want everyone to see the new and improved Hooligang beat the Shane Gang." Billy said to Trixie. "Yeah. Like I'd film a bunch of poor losers who have a 0% chance of beating my boyfriend and his gang." Trixie gloated. Billy then looked to notice Vance and Mario with the gang. "Wait. Vance Volt?! And Mario Bravado?! Why are these legends hanging out with you losers?!" He asked with disbelief. "What? We should resort to hanging out with your losers?" Mario asked back with a gloat.

Billy growled and fired a Hop Rock, knocking Eli's glasses off and landing in front of the screen. Everyone who was watching the movie all started to ride their mecha beasts out of the cavern in a panic. "Billy! We can't do this here! Someone's gonna get hurt!" Eli said. "Someone is! You!" Billy said. "Yeah! You and your gang are gonna get your money's worth. In PAIN!" Croesus added. All of them fired 3 Hop Rocks, 2 Flaringos and an Armashelt. The explosions sent most of the gang flying to the ground.

As the crowd started to leave, Pronto was on his way back from the snack shack, carrying a big bag of popcorn. "Oh no. It sounds like Pronto is missing all the good parts of the movie." He said in worry. But of course, the big popcorn bag was blocking his vision. So, he didn't know what was happening.

"What's your problem, Billy?" Eli asked, getting annoyed with Billy. "Payback from the last time we met! After Shorty and Goggles betrayed me, Dr. Blakk took away my ghoul privileges thanks to you! I was lucky not get fired!" Billy explained. "And you, Croesus?" Harley asked. "After that little skirmish at Club Slug, when I got home, my parents and the servants put me through the worst workout of my life because of you! No matter how much I offered the servants, my parents said it was for my own good!" Croesus explained. "I consider that doing you a favor, you ungrateful snob." Harley said. "Afterwards, Croesus and I met up along with these slug hunters and decided to form a new Hooligang to take you all out!" Billy said. "More like Fooligang if you ask me." Mario joked, making Vance laugh.

Billy growled and fired another slug. One of the hunters fired a Frostcrawler, putting Kord in a Deepfreeze. "Kord!" Eli called, firing Spooker at Billy. But Billy ducked out of the way and fired another Hop Rock. Eli jumped out of the way and ran for better ground. Billy, Croesus, Sid and the hunters continued to fire slugs. Croesus and the hunters fired Flaringos and Hop Rocks while Billy fired a Thresher. Lash fired Ice, freezing the Flaringos into ice cubes. Trixie swung from a crystal to avoid the Hop Rocks and fired Rocks, headbutting the Thresher in the jaw. Trixie then fired Pounder, freeing Kord from the Deepfreeze. "Th-Th-Th-Thanks!" Kord said, freezing.

"You're finished, Jackson." The bad guy in the movie said. "You're finished, Shane!" Billy yelled, copying the villain and firing a Rammstone. Eli fired Banger, bashing the Rammstone and redirecting it towards the glacier. As the slug hit it, it started to crack towards the cavern roof, getting the gang's attention. Eli was about to fire another slug. "NO!" Kord and Harley yelled, grabbing Eli. "What are you doing?!" Eli asked. Kord pointed to the glacier. "See those cracks? We'll all be buried under a mountain of ice if this thing comes tumbling down." He said. "He's right. We can't risk an all-out slug war with these conditions." Harley added. "Ha! Eat slug, Shanes!" Billy yelled, firing another Hop Rock and sending Eli, Harley and Kord to the ground. "Stop! We gotta take this outside, Billy!" Eli said. "He's right! If that ice wall falls, we'll all be crushed!" Harley added. "I told you! I'm not stopping until my gang wins!" Billy said, not listening at all. No surprise. "Now, if you wanna surrender, then fine." He fired a Lavalynx at the ice wall, causing the roof to crumble some more. "Stop! Okay! Okay, fine I give up. Duel's over, okay? You win! Just stop shooting!" Eli said, putting his blaster away and raising his hands. Trixie and the others also walked over, as Trixie filmed the entire thing. Billy then started cheering. "You see that? I won! I beat the Shane Gang!" He said, foolishly firing another slug at the roof. "Didn't you hear what Eli said, you imbecile?" Trixie asked. "Of course, I heard him. He said 'I give up!" Billy said, mocking Eli.

"Like he would actually surrender to you, you son-of-a-" Harley started. But Kord grabbed his shoulder. "We all gotta chill here. Those cracks are messing with the glacier's structural integrity." He said, pointing to the cavern roof. "We're probably okay as long as-" Suddenly, a loud roar was heard. "As-" "Yeah, you probably don't need to finish that sentence." Eli said. Another roar came from behind the ice wall. "Looks like hibernation's over." Eli said. Trixie nodded in agreement. Suddenly, a fist punched through the wall, then out jumped a wide-awake and very angry ice ogre.

Everybody cringed. "So, what did Pronto miss?" Pronto asked, blindly walking towards the ogre. "Pronto!" Trixie yelled. The ice ogre roared. "Yes, I know. The surround sound is impressive." Pronto said. He then took a smell of the ogre's breath. "And nobody told me that the movie was in smellovision! And the special effects are absolutely incredible! Even without- the- glasses?" He whimpered, while slowly realizing. The ogre roared and Pronto screamed in realization and ran off. The ogre started to stomp towards them. Eli, Trixie and Harley aimed their blasters, but Kord stopped them. "Guys no! This glacier's not stable! We've got bigger problems!" He said, pointing to the still cracking wall. Billy, Croesus and the hunters fired their slugs at the ogre. But as the slugs made contact, the ogre started to glow and grow bigger, shocking the Hooligang and the Shane Gang. "You're right. We do have bigger problems." Eli said. When the ogre stopped growing, it slammed it's knuckles to the ground and roared.

The ogre stomped towards the gang and prepared to drop its fists. "Hey you." A voice came. The ogre turned back to the still playing movie. "Yeah. I'm talking to you." Max Jackson said. The ogre pounded his chest and growled. "Huh. I guess he doesn't like Max Jackson's acting either." Trixie said. "Well, glad to see I'm not the only one." Harley said. "Come on." Eli said. The gang took off for their mechas.

The ogre continued to size up on the movie. "Go ahead. Try me." Max Jackson dared. Suddenly, the movie powered down. The ogre turned around and roared. "What happened to the movie?" Eli asked as the gang mounted their mechas. Just then, a molenoid exited the projection booth. "The shows over! The exit is that way! Everybody out! Ja, hurry! You're the last ones! No refunds!" The molenoid said. But then, the ogre grabbed the molenoid. The gang looked on. "Hmmm. Perhaps he was hoping for a refund." Pronto guessed. "Doubtfully." Lash said. Kord shook his head. "Come on!" Eli said, taking off. The rest of the gang soon followed. Trixie took out her camera and was about to follow. "Where do you think you're going?" Billy asked, stopping Trixie in her tracks as he and his gang rode up towards her. "Don't you losers ever give up?!" Trixie asked, annoyed. Billy rode up beside her. "You're the ones who give up, remember? That's why we're taking this little pitstop before getting out of here." Billy said. "I'll take that, and then take you!" He reached for the camera, but Trixie pulled it out of reach. "Hey! Hands off my stuff!" She warned. "You got proof that the Hooligang is better than the Shane Gang. And once we put it on the Slugnet, everyone will see." Billy said. "Eli Shane, my boyfriend, giving up a duel with a gang of worthless nobodies to protect people? Oh, and look at him now, saving that guy while you guys just sit around like Flopper slugs." Trixie said, fixing her camera on her team riding towards the ogre. Billy took notice of this and drew his blaster. "Just keep that camera pointed at me. I'll show you who's the better man. And you'll get yourself a better, handsomer boyfriend." Billy said, riding towards the fight. "Pft. Like I'd date a sore loser like you." Trixie muttered with a scoff.

The mole screamed as the ogre roared. The gang rode up towards the ogre. "What do we do? Hitting it with slugs only made it bigger!" Kord said. "Then we gotta get creative." Eli said. "How are we gonna do that?" Lash asked. Eli drew his blaster, firing Spinner at the ogre's legs. Spinner wrapped a web around its legs, making it trip and drop the mole into the snow. The ogre shook off the pain and started to grow again. "Okay, well, good news is it's not just hitting it. Anything that makes it angry makes it bigger." Eli deduced. "This is good news?!" Pronto asked as they rode ahead.

Eli picked up the mole. "Hop on! We're all getting out of here." He said. "Good call, kid!" Mario agreed as they rode past the ogre's feet. The ogre roared as they ran for the exit. Meanwhile, the Hooligang rode up. "Ha! Just like the Shane Gang, running from the fight!" Billy said, firing a Rammstone. "Yeah. What a bunch of wimps!" Croesus added, firing an Armashelt. Eli took notice of this. "Wait! No! What're you doing?!" He asked. "Trying to prove that he's better than you. And trying to score with me in the process." Trixie explained, riding up. The slugs hit the ogre, only making it grow bigger with anger. "Yeah! Well, he's better at making that thing bigger." Eli said. The gang rode towards the exit, avoiding the falling ice debris. "Most slugs only anger the ogre. You can't beat him without the soothing song of the Slyren slug." The mole explained. "Slyren slug?" Eli asked. "Wait! Lash, don't you have your Slyren slug?" Harley asked. "Well, yeah. But I left Sleepy at the lair." Lash said regretfully. "Well then, where can we get a Slyren?" Eli asked. "Oh, there's a whole big nest of them deep inside the ice ogre's lair, ja." The molenoid explained. "Deep in there?!" Pronto asked in shock. "You'd have to be crazy to go in there." Vance said. The gang stopped to let the molenoid down. "Go! We'll try to slow it down." Eli said. The mole nodded and ran for the entrance.

The ogre turned and roared as the gang rode back in. Eli slung Burpy wrapping the ogre in Flamespire, melting the ice where it was standing and trapping it. "That'll slow him down. Let's go!" Eli said. But then, Eli started to feel bad for the ogre. Just then, Billy rode up. "You filming this, Camera Cutie?" He asked. "Every single frame." Trixie said, filming Billy. "I want everyone to see how the Hooligang stop this thing, while Eli and Harley Shane ran like chickens." Billy taunted, clucking like a chicken. "Oh, this is too good." Trixie said, finding Billy's foolish voice very amusing. Billy fired a Tazerling at the ogre's head, zapping it and making it grow even more. Everyone cringed and rode off towards the exit, but the ogre dug out of the hole and hit the cavern roof, caving in the entrance. "Aw man! We're trapped! The entrance is caved in!" Billy said. "Because of you!" Eli blamed. "What're you blaming me for?! I'm the only one trying to slug this thing!" Billy said. "Exactly! We're trapped in here because of your stupidity!" Eli said, now getting more angrier than the ogre. Billy started to get equally angry at being called stupid. "Uh guys? Take cover now, fight later!" Harley suggested as the ogre stomped over. "Get to cover! Everyone into the snack shack!" Eli called. Everyone ran inside the snack shack as the ogre followed and started pounding on the roof.

Everyone cringed as the ogre pounded the roof. "We need that Slyren slug." Eli said. "We're not gonna have time to find it if we don't shore up the glacier!" Kord said. "He's right. If it falls, it'll crush the whole cavern!" Mario said. "All the more reason we need to escape! Alright! Pronto can dig a tunnel. But I will need some help." Pronto said. Just then, the ogre smashed a big hole in the roof. "What you all need to do is be quiet! You're throwing me off my aim!" Billy said, trying to get a shot in. "That's not gonna work! You gotta listen!" Eli protested. "Yeah right. Like I'd ever take orders from losers like you." Billy said, firing a Rammstone at the ogre. "See?" Billy said chuckling. But the ogre pounded roof again, making everyone cringe. Billy, Croesus, Sid and the hunters ran outside, firing more slugs as the ogre chased them.

The Shane Gang looked on. "Let them go. Maybe they can at least keep that thing busy." Eli said. "That's a big if, bro." Harley said. "So, what now?" Lash asked. "Harley and I'll go for the Slyren. You guys take care of the rest." Eli said. Trixie took Eli's face and kissed him. "Good luck." She said. Eli nodded. "Come on, Harley." He said. Both Eli and Harley ran into the glacier. As they ran deeper inside, they started to hear something. "Hey Eli, you hear that? Sounds like-" Harley started. "Singing?" Eli finished. They looked up towards an ice ledge. "We're gonna need to get across the hard way." Eli said. Both Eli and Harley fired Larry and Splatz at the ledge. The Lariats hooked their Wrapplers onto the blasters. "Oh, this is so gross!" Eli said in disgust. "You said it!" Harley agreed.


Meanwhile, Billy started riding the ogre's head, whooping like an idiot. "Yee-Haw! Hey, Camera Cutie, look over here! Whoo! You getting this?!" He asked. The ogre almost stepped on the gang. "Stop! You're leading it right on top of us!" Trixie said. "Yeah? Well, I wouldn't have to if you come over here and film me!" Billy said as the ogre tried to shake him off. Kord grabbed Pronto before he got stomped on. "We are never getting out of here alive, are we?" Kord asked. "Probably not." Vance said.


Back at the ledge, Eli and Harley started climbing the Wrapplers, but for some reason, they started getting sleepy. "Don't know why I'm so-(yawns)-tired suddenly." Eli yawned. "Yeah, I feel ready to-(yawns)-take a nap." Harley added. Eli and Harley continued to yawn as they reached the top. Harley pulled himself up, but fell asleep after. Eli grabbed the edge, but fell asleep and lost his grip, falling down into the abyss. Burpy sparked his flame, waking him up. Eli saw he was falling and grabbed the Wrappler. "Thanks, Burpy. It must be the-(yawns)-singing." He said. He climbed his way back up and pulled himself up next to Harley, still asleep. Burpy hopped over to Harley's shoulder and sparked his flame, waking him up. "Argh! I'm up! I'm totally up!" Harley said. "Harley, look." Eli said pointing at a big crystal in the middle of a bunch of sleeping ice ogres. It was covered with singing Slyrens. "Slyrens!" Eli yawned. "That's why we're so sleepy. The Slyrens singing is like-(yawns)-a lullaby." Harley deduced. Eli and Harley walked towards the crystal, yawning in the process. "Hey there, little-(yawns)-guy." Eli said, scratching a Slyren on the head. "We need your help." The Slyren hopped into Eli's hand. The other Slyrens stopped singing. Eli and Harley then shook off the effects. "Okay good. Now we're up." Eli said. Suddenly, there was a growl. The brothers turned to see. The ogres were waking up! "Unfortunately, so are they." Harley said. "And it looks like it's just in time for breakfast!" Eli said in worry.

Eli put the Slyren on his shoulder as an ogre with a scar on his right eye woke up behind them. Eli and Harley ran as it tried to grab them. The Shane brothers ran, dodging ogres left and right. Burpy chirped as another ogre came up from behind them. They dodged to the left as it slid its head into a crystal. But they saw another ogre standing in front of their path. They looked back to another that was chasing them, then to each other. "Go low?" Harley asked. "Go low." Eli confirmed. The brothers slid under the ogre as the other slammed into it. As they ran for the edge, Eli loaded and fired Suds. They jumped and grabbed her tentacles. They floated towards the bottom as the ogres gathered at the ledge. Suds popped back to her protform as Eli and Harley rolled to safety. The ogres roared. "Try coming after us now!" Eli taunted. The ogres backed away from the ledge. Eli and Harley fist bumped and prepared to leave. But suddenly, the ogre with the scar jumped across the ledges and landed near the brothers, roaring in anger. "Hey, you I didn't really mean it!" Eli said. "Yeah, it was only a joke!" Harley said as they both ran for the entrance.


Meanwhile, Pronto and Lash were trying to dig a tunnel in the cave-in. "This might be easier if we had Eli's Crystalid." Pronto said. "Yeah, well, Eli's not here to lend us Digger now, is he?" Lash asked. At the time, Croesus, Sid and the hunters continued shooting slugs at the giant ogre. Billy hopped over and fired a Tazerling, shocking the ogre with Tazerbolt. "Did you catch that one on camera? Just like Max Jackson, right?" Billy asked. "Almost like Max Jackson, partner." Croesus said. But as usual, the ogre just grew even bigger. "ARGH! WOULD YOU STOP GROWING?!" Billy asked annoyed. "It would if we stop shooting it." Sid said. "You're not helping!" Billy yelled in Sid's face. The ogre prepared to stomp on all 6 of them. They scattered before its foot dropped.

The Hooligang scattered passed Trixie, Vance, Kord and Mario. "Too bad he isn't an actor. At least then we could direct him to do what we want." Trixie said. "Yeah. If we had a movie director." Kord said. Vance had a lightbulb go off in his head. "Say, don't we already have a movie director in our gang?" He asked. Trixie got the idea. "Actually, yes. We kinda do." She said.

As the ogre went to grab Croesus and the hunters, Billy hopped onto its foot. The ogre took notice and tried to squash Billy, but he jumped off and the ogre smashed its own foot. It roared in pain as Billy landed near Trixie, who was filming him. "Now that was totally Max Jackson." She said. "Yeah, I know." Billy said as he got on his feet and fixed his hair. "I gotta admit it, you're a natural. The camera eats you up." Trixie said, making Billy feel good about himself. "This is too good not to get on film. Except for-" "Except for what?!" Billy asked. "There's just something a little off. It's 6 of you against the one ogre." Trixie pointed out. The ogre noticed the 2 and jumped at them, but they jumped out of the way. "Ever seen Badder than Bad?" Trixie asked. "Only about 15 times." Billy said. "I've seen it 16." Trixie gloated before dodging the ogre's fist. They ran as the ogre tried to grab them. "Watch out!" Trixie said, shoving Billy out of the way before the ogre belly-flopped on them. "Does Max ever have anyone helping him?" Trixie asked. "Fat chance. Max Jackson always works alone." Billy said. "Exactly. Your new friends are just stealing the spotlight. I can't focus on you. Tell them to dig the tunnel and seal up the cracks. This is your big Max Jackson moment." Trixie said. Billy thought about it. "Yeah. I'm the star! Not them!" Billy said.

Billy turned to his gang. "Alright you punks, listen up! You 3, help the blue turkey, Volt and Bravado seal up the cracks in the glacier! Sid, do what the mole and other kid are doing! Croesus, you're with me!" He ordered. "Did I hear that right? You want to share the spotlight with Croesus?" Trixie asked. "Why not? Max Jackson may work alone, but I actually enjoy Croesus' company." Billy said. "Actors. Play to their ego and it works every time." Trixie said, shaking her head.

The 3 hunters joined Kord, Vance and Mario. "Okay, what do you need us to do?" One of the hunters asked. "We'll soak up the cracks with our AquaBeeks. You guys freeze the wet spots with your Frostcrawlers." Kord explained. The hunters nodded. Kord, Vance and Mario fired their AquaBeeks as the hunters fired their Frostcrawlers. The Aquabeeks soaked the cracks with Aquajet while the Frostcrawlers froze it all up with Deepfreeze.

Sid ran over to help Pronto and Lash. "You know what you're doing is gonna lake too long, right?" Sid said, quoting on a still digging Pronto. "You got a better idea?" Lash asked. "How about this?" Sid said, firing a Hop Rock at the cave-in and creating a hole, only for the 3 of them to get covered in snow. "Seriously?" Lash asked as Pronto shook his head. Sid sheepishly smiled.

The ogre walked around looking for everyone. "And ACTION!" Trixie called. "Hey, Snotface!" Billy called. "You think you're pretty cool?" He turned to Croesus. "Well then, how 'bout you take this snow and flake?!" Croesus said, throwing a snowball at the ogre. The snowball hit the ogre in the shoulder, making it chase after the 3. "Get it? Flake. Like a snowflake. Cause he's an ice ogre!" Croesus said, laughing at his joke. "Good one, rich boy." Billy laughed. Trixie just groaned.

They ducked back inside the snack shack. "We got this action hero thing down." Billy said. "Yeah. Except action heroes usually win." Trixie pointed out. "So, what do we do now?" Croesus asked. "Wait! I got it! How 'bout we shoot it with more slugs?" Billy suggested, taking aim at the ogre. "Brilliant call, chap." Croesus said, taking aim. "Uh no! That makes it bigger. How 'bout you try not shooting it?" Trixie suggested. "But if we don't shoot it, what do we do?!" Billy asked. "Yeah. You got a better idea, Camera Girl?" Croesus added. Trixie started to think, until she looked at an empty popcorn box, getting an idea.

The 3 snuck up behind the ogre. Billy and Croesus felt unsure "I don't know. I can't see Max Jackson doing this." Billy said, holding up a full box of popcorn. "Are you kidding me? This is cinematic gold!" Trixie said, holding up a small piece of popcorn. "Embrace the popcorn. Be the popcorn." Billy and Croesus looked at each other. They smiled slyly and nodded. Billy shoved Trixie's hand aside and pulled up his blaster. "I've got a better idea. Get us finishing him off with a Rammstone and Grenuke combo!" He said. "Excellent idea." Croesus agreed, pulling out his blaster. "NO!" Trixie yelled, stepping in front of them. Billy and Croesus glared. "I told you, if you shoot it, it'll get bigger and angrier!" Trixie said. "Oh pish-posh! As if it cares." Croesus said. "Yeah! It's just a big, ugly beast!" Billy said. Both Billy and Croesus fired their Rammstone and Grenuke slugs at the ogre. But they just bounced off the ogre's back. The ogre turned to face the 3, roared and grew some more. "We're doomed." Trixie muttered.

"TRIXIE!" Eli's voice yelled. Trixie, Billy and Croesus turned to see Eli and Harley running out of the tunnel. "WE'RE SAVED!" Trixie screamed, happy to see her boyfriend and his brother. That is until the rest of the ice ogres followed the Shane brothers. "No, you were right the first time. We're doomed." Billy said. "Yep. Leave it to a Shane or 2 to make a problem worse." Croesus added. Trixie zoomed her camera on Eli's shoulder, noticing a certain slug. "He's got the Slyren! Shoot it!" Trixie called. "I can't! We only have one!" Eli said. "Okay. We just got to get our ogre together with those, then he can shoot them all at the same time." Trixie explained. Billy scoffed "Yeah right. So that Eli and Harley can be the heroes? What's in that for us?!" Billy asked. The big ice ogre roared and threw his fist down. The 3 dodged. "Uh, how 'bout getting out of this cave alive?" Trixie asked. Billy and Croesus dodged the ogre's foot and ran for a nearby cave. "Billy, Croesus wait!" Trixie called. "Move! Into the projection booth!" Eli called as he, Harley and Trixie ran for the projection booth.

Billy and Croesus ducked behind the cave wall. "Great! Now that the Shane brothers are back, they can take all the glory and be the heroes! AGAIN!" Billy cussed. "Wait! They said that Slyren slug can stop these beasts, didn't they?" Croesus asked. Billy scoffed. "As if a slug's harpie voice can stop these things." He said.

The 3 ducked inside the projection booth as the big ogre cornered them. "How'd that one get so big?!" Harley asked. "Take a guess." Trixie said. Harley growled. "Great! We need a new plan here! We can't fire the Slyren on all of them with half of them chasing after Billy and Croesus." Eli said. Just then, the ogre broke through the glass and tried to grab them. "I got those 2 to help us before, and I can do it again." Trixie said, putting a plan together with her camera and the projector.

Meanwhile, the ice ogres were terrorizing the entire cavern. The one with the scar came up behind Kord, Vance, Mario and the 3 hunters. It threw a punch, but Kord caught it. Vance and Mario pushed his back to help him. The hunters ran away. "Hey! Where're you guys going?! It's only a 10,000-pound, flesh-eating monster!" Kord called. "Not helping, Kord." Vance said as they struggled.

Another ogre charged towards Pronto, Lash and Sid. The 3 separated. The ogre saw Pronto and Lash run inside a little cave and blocked the entrance.

Sid and his hunters regrouped with Billy and Croesus as they fired at another ogre.

Soon enough, everyone was cornered or pinned down by ice ogres left and right. Harley was dodging the big ogre's hand left and right as Eli and Trixie were setting up her camera on the projector. "Anytime now, you guys!" Harley said. "Almost there." Trixie said as she typed in the finishing touches. "And…now!" She activated the projector.

"Hey Snotface!" Billy's voice called from the screen. The ice ogres turned their attention to the screen. The ogres roared and headed for the screen. "Look at us, Croesus! We're totally movie stars!" Billy gloated. "I just might cry!" Croesus said, starting to tear up. "Don't celebrate yet! Look!" Sid said, pointing to Eli running towards the ogres. "STOP HIM!" Billy yelled as they charged back in. The big ice ogre, still next to the projection booth, took notice on the ones who attacked him.

Eli stopped behind the ogres and held up a barrel for the Slyren, who jumped in. Trixie was about to power off the projector. "Wait! Look!" Harley called, pointing to the Hooligang taking aim at Eli. "ELI!" Trixie screamed. Eli turned to see the Hooligang aiming their blasters at him. But before he could do anything, they suddenly got covered by a big pile of snow. Eli turned to see the big ogre dusting off his hands. "Thanks!" He called. The ogre gave 2 thumbs up. "Now!" Eli yelled as he loaded the Slyren into his blaster. Trixie shut down the projector. The ogres got confused until they heard Eli's blaster. The ogres roared, as did the Slyren as Eli fired him. The slug transformed and started singing his Sleepytime attack. The ogres started to get drowsy from the attack and dropped dead asleep. The Slyren transformed back and hopped back towards Eli. "Thanks for the help, little guy." Eli said, picking up the slug. "You know, I could use a slug like you on our team. How 'bout it?" He asked. The Slyren chittered and nodded. "Welcome aboard. How 'bout I call you Dozer?" Eli asked. The slug hopped on Eli's shoulder and chittered.

Eli walked towards the rest of the gang, along with the big ice ogre, now back to its normal size from Dozer's song. "Nice shot, babe. Max Jackson couldn't have done it better." Trixie said. "Pronto could have." Pronto fibbed. Lash scoffed. Pronto glared at the boy. "Well, you couldn't have because we were busy trying to procure an exit!" Lash said. "Oh, speaking of which. Eli, may I?" He asked, pointing to Digger's barrel. "Go nuts." Eli said, giving Digger to Lash. Lash loaded Digger and fired him towards the cave-in. Digger transformed and drilled an escape tunnel. "Show-off!" Pronto muttered.

Eli turned to the ogre. "Hey, thanks for the help with the Hooligang." He said. The ogre growled gently and nuzzled up to Eli. "Aw. I think we have a new friend." Trixie said. "Now we definitely need to remodel the hideout." Harley said with impression. "Glacier's all fixed too. Solid as a rock." Kord said. "Hey, and Trixie got one of her movies up on the big screen." Harley said. "Yeah. Turns out we have a real movie director after all." Kord stated, gently elbowing Trixie. "Thanks. But next time. I wanna work with a better cast." Trixie said. "Well, congrats any way, Trix." Eli said, taking his girlfriend's hand. "Thank you, my brave action hero." Trixie said, moving closer to wrap her arms around her boyfriend. They stared at each other romantically for a few seconds.

Kord then cleared his throat, interrupting the moment. "Yeah. Well, I'm totally beat. And so are my slugs." He said, pointing to his sleeping slugs. "I'm just glad it's all over." "It's not over!" Billy's voice called. They turned to see the Hooligang, free from the snow and aiming their blasters at them. "Oh, come on!" Harley groaned. "Do these losers ever give up?" Mario asked. "Come on, Billy. It is over. We took out the ogres." Eli said. "You didn't do anything! We were the ones on screen! You saw what happened. We were the ones who got all of the ogres together! So, we were the ones who saved the day!" Billy said. "That's right. And once everyone sees what we've done, no one will think your gang is better than our gang again." Croesus said. "Now hand over the camera, all of your slugs and your girlfriend, Shane, or get your butts kicked again." Billy warned.

Eli noticed something moving behind the Hooligang. "Yeah, I don't think so." He said. Billy just smiled nastily. "Fine! Then we'll take them anyway after we-" "You'll be doing nothing of the sort, Billy boy." A familiar voice came from behind. "Nothing except surrender." Another voice said Billy and his new gang turned to see the last thing they'd expect. "Shorty?! Goggles?!" Billy said in shock. Billy's former gang members, Goggles and Shorty, now dressed in security uniforms and aiming their blasters at the Hooligang. "What are you traitors doing here?! And what are you wearing?" Billy asked. "They're with me, felon." Another voice said. In between Shorty and Goggles walked in the Shane Gang's old friend Millard Milford, along with a platoon of security slingers. "Millard!" Eli said. "Good to see you, Shane Gang." Millard said, saluting.

"But how'd you security slingers know we were here?!" Billy asked. "I put in a call through their network while Eli was putting the ogres here back to sleep." Kord said. "And we're putting you under arrest, Billy." Shorty said. "What?! No! My new gang and I just saved this cavern!" Billy protested. "Which you also put in danger in the first place." Goggles said. "Drop the blasters and put your hands behind your back, Hooligang." Millard said. "We're not doing anything until we get what we came for, Pig-Face!" Billy cussed. But as he was about to fire his blaster, he got jumped from behind. Goggles and Shorty dogpiled him and handcuffed his hands behind his back. Croesus and the hunters tried to turn around but were also dogpiled by the other security slingers. "Hooligang, you're all under arrest for the crimes of disturbing the peace, nearly destroying the cavern glacier, causing harm to these fine heroes and the ice ogres, and disrespecting Millard Milford, security slinger." Millard said, reading the charges.

As the Hooligang were now being dragged away to holding trailers, Trixie was filming the last bit of their cussing protests on her camera. "So, how'd you 2 get to be security slingers?" Harley asked. "Well, a few months after we last saw you guys, we came to Caverna Mall where we met Millard." Shorty started. "We figured what better way to start off our Hooligang-free career than as security slingers." Goggles said. "They walked up to me and asked for a job as security slingers. At first, I was reluctant, but when they said they were friends of yours, how could I refuse." Millard finished. "Good for them. Jobs as security slingers is just the new start these 2 needed." Kord stated. "Although their personal time together is a little discomforting at times." Millard whispered, pointing to Shorty and Goggles, who were making out heavily. "Cut them a break. They couldn't do any of that when they were working for Dr. Blakk." Kord advised.

Eli walked over to Trixie, still filming Billy and his gang being loaded up. "This may be your best work yet." He said, putting his arm around her. "Yep. Can't wait for everyone to see it when I post it on the Slugnet." Trixie said, turning her camera around, getting everyone in the shot. "And that's a wrap folks!" She said before turning off the camera.

Well now, how about that huh? Billy, Croesus and the slug hunters team up to form a new Hooligang. The Shane Gang not only get a new slug, but a new pet in an ice ogre. Plus, Goggles and Shorty now security slingers. Stay tuned. Next chapter's gonna be my first own chapter. Leave a review in you'd like. Plus, I need ideas for a name for our new ice ogre. I welcome any ideas for names.

Author's note: Sorry if writing for this fanfiction was kinda slow. New year's been quite the ball buster for me, keeping me busy. My night classes were canceled at the week before they were supposed to start due to low enrolments, I started a workout program at my town gym, and the whole Coronavirus news has been worrying me.

Slug Arsenal:

Eli Shane: Burpy (Infurnus), Joules (Tazerling), Noodle (Flopper), Banger (Armashelt), Bolo (Polero), Rammer (Rammstone), Rocky (Hop Rock), Chiller (Frostcrawler), Burner (Lavalynx), Suds (Bubbaleone), 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), Dozer (Slyren)

Harley Shane: Matchstick (Flaringo), Squirm (Flopper), Frostbite (Frostcrawler), Webs (Arachnet), Gels (Jellyish), Zipper (Hoverbug), Ivy (Vinedrill), Masher (Rammstone), Frights (Frightgeist), Shredder (Thresher), Smelly (Flatulorhinkus), Claws (Armashelt), Splatz (Lariat)

Trixie Sting: Bluster (Tormato), Blizzard (Frostcrawler), 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 (Arrachnet), 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), Swimy (AquaBeek)

Mario Bravado: Ricochet (Speedstinger), Slide (Frostcrawler), Crawler (Arachnet), Echo (AquaBeek)

Lash: Zing (Tazerling), Speedy (Speedstinger), Hopper (Hop Rock), Bubba (Bubbaleone), Stinx (Flatulorhinkus), String (Polero), Goat (Rammstone), Sleepy (Slyren), Webber (Arachnet), Ice (Frostcrawler), Spark (Flaringo)