CHAPTER 20

Outskirts of Dark Castle. Hideout of King D6 of DeDenidea that has been neutralized following a difficult battle with the members of Galaxy Squad. The Dark Matter beast controlling him has been eliminated.

Dark Castle, unknown location, 800 hours

Pinkobashi grabbed his items and met up with his teammates, patiently waiting for his troop carrier to land. With the war finally over, he reflected on his newfound abilities in slaying his enemies and saving the world from tyranny once again. A carrier plane had already touched down to pick them up. The pink blur was the last to board as he looked out on the ruined battlefield of Dark Castle, a relic of the ancient past. There were always rumors of another war abounding. King D6 was barely conscious when he woke up flex cuffed and unable to move himself. They could only hear his cries for help and bitter rage as he was restrained further. He chatted with his teammates as they pulled his massive weight.

"How do you guys feel that it's all over?"

"Marvelous...Pinkobashi!" The Princess raced up to Pinkobashi and kissed him. The other women were jealous of the fact that a flirty bitch got to him.

"Damn showoff!" Ariana muttered under her breath.

"Let them have their fun..."

"Wait...we have a phone call...it's Deenon and Garlemagne..." Alexander reminded the members of Galaxy Squad and the other animal friends.

"Hallo...zis is Deenon speaking..."

"We get you...what's up..."

"Have you zlain za beest yet?"

"Affirmative!"

"Dark Matter has been destroyed..." Commander Garlemagne joined in. "We've done it..."

"Za vorld is zafe for now..."

"Mission accomplished! We're heading home!" They all went aboard the carrier plane. Their respective carrier planes were joined by an escort of a few F-25s as they made their ascent.

"They must be really mad now!" Jack joked.

"Without their precious king...the whole population will crumble at our knees..."

"The people of DeDenidea are safe from his reign of terror..." Blaze affirmed.

"Can't wait to receive a hero's welcome..." Jim shouted.

"It won't be long..." Sash reckoned.

"You said it..." Splash concurred.

Within a few hours of bitter fighting, the nation of DeDenidea was forced by Poponia to offer up an armistice and sue for peace. The war was officially over, and all puffball-kind were safe. The two leading empires of the world would agree to reduce armaments and promote peaceful cooperation amongst themselves.

"This war was all a big misunderstanding..." Commander Seginorishippu reckoned. "We are not terrorists...we are trying to save the world from a much darker fear..."

"Your punishment has been revoked...you both have given us the tools to save our planet..."

"You will ensure that your organization will dissolve effective immediately..."

"Understood..." Hikariowataru affirmed. "The creature is dead...the mission is complete..."

Popoken. Capital of Poponia. Residence of the Prime Minister.

Popoken, Poponia, 1200 hours

Galaxy Squad and the animal friends were present on the capitol grounds the following day of their deployment. They were promptly ordered to bow in order to be knighted by Queen Poponiana herself. Each of the brave warriors were presented with their gold medals recognizing the highest possible service in bringing King D6 and his empire to justice. The animal friends were delighted to have received their amazing rewards. The Poponian nation received a warm welcome. Strangely, Deenon was not present in the crowd. In addition, all of the members of the former Knights of Spatha were nowhere to be found, having gone underground. The nation of Poponia was safe. Soon they were about to receive the word that Galaxy Squad would also be dissolved to ensure plausible deniability and reactivate in the event of the emergence of another global threat, but they would be ready for anything. The war-torn planet of Pop Star would never be the same.