A/N: Hey, guys! In the previous chapter, Rayman, Globox and Murfy had to face several Hoodlums, old and new. Let's see what they will face now.
After taking some Red Lums, Rayman and Globox reached a gate, but saw a Hoodblaster that pulled a lever and closed it.
''Damn, talk about of bad timing.'' Murfy murmured, before the limbless hero defeated the Hoodlum. ''And Dr. Roméo Patti's office is somewhere beyond that gate.''
''What do we do now? I don't think there's another way to get there, and it's not safe here.'' asked Globox, who had seen Hoodbooms above the group.
At that moment, it began to rain heavily. Rayman tried to use the Throttle Copter to reach the lever, but it was too high, and it was also too far away to be able to operate it with the Shock Rocket Fist. ''I shouldn't be able to reach that lever, it's too high and too far away. Let's go this way.'' he said, pointing to a tunnel behind them. Upon exiting the tunnel, the three saw a tall tower that glowed bright blue, with red lights nearby, and were amazed.
''This tower is truly enchanting. And it's huge too. Too bad there isn't an elevator.'' Globox said.
''Who knows who built this tower. I'd say we go in.'' Murfy said.
The amphibian, however, was not convinced. ''I don't know if elevators are typical of towers, but I don't trust them. I would prefer to enter these places only if they have elevators, or I would lose all day. Besides, I think that soon, I'll have to give André something to drink.''
''Well, there are no elevators on this tower. But there are some stairways. Maybe we will find clues at the top.'' Rayman said, entering the tower.
(''Fairy Fountain- The Legend of Zelda The Minish Cap OST'')
At the entrance to the tower, Rayman hit a switch, making some platforms go up and reaching a flight of stairs, where he rescued a Teensie, and when he reached the top of the stairs, he saw a mix of Purple Lums and metal hooks.
''Remember you can cling to Purple Lums even without the LockJaw Fist, but without it, you can't cling to metal hooks, so equip it if you see any.'' Murfy said.
Following his advice, the limbless hero activated the LockJaw Fist to swing from the Purple Lums and hooks to reach another staircase, and then a third one, and a fourth one, until he saved another Griskin that he followed outside, also using the helicopter to land safely.
''Thanks for saving me, hero. One of my brothers is still a prisoner of the Hoodlums. Free him and we will open a passage for you to the alternate version of the tower, where we are locked up.'' said the spirit.
''Rayman, are there any clues?'' Globox asked.
''Yes. A Griskin has been captured by the Hoodlums, and if we find him, he will open a portal to the place where the spirits of the other Griskins have been locked up.'' Rayman replied.
''There is a precipice here. And I see no dangers. I wonder if we can find him.'' said the amphibian, and they all jumped off, landing in front of a small pond and defeating a Slapdash by throwing a plum at its head. At the end of a long path during which they used the plum to continue, and Rayman reached the last cage with the Throttle Copter, destroying it.
''Thanks, Rayman. The spirits of the other members of our tribe are trapped in another dimension of the tower. I will create a portal to allow you to reach the alternate dimension. Also, I will face the Hoodlums you saw next to the gate, we Griskins can generate and manipulate lightning.'' said the Griskin, who created a magical portal and left.
Globox immediately drank a barrel of plum juice. ''Rayman, you enter the tower, I will wait for you outside.'' he said, before getting intoxicated and spitting many bubbles that brought Rayman back to the top, before he entered again, while the Griskin killed the two Hoodbooms and the Hoodmonger from the other part of the tunnel.
(''Fairy Fountain- The Legend of Zelda The Minish Cap OST-s'')
(''Crystal Tower- Finald Fantasy 3 DS OST'')
Entering the alternate dimension, Rayman defeated two Hoodmongers and saw another one, different from the usual ones, dressed in blue and red and with a yellow symbol on its uniform.
''Look out, Rayman! An Hoodmonger Officer! They are high-ranking members of the Hoodlum army, and few Hoodmongers receive this privilege. They fire three bullets at a time and are considerably stronger and more resilient than normal Hoodmongers.'' Murfy said, analyzing the enemy.
The Hoodmonger Officer was pretty tough, and deserved his high-ranking status, hitting the limbless hero more than once, the extra range of its shots made it more difficult to dodge and sometimes, they even dodged attacks. Determined to reverse the situation, Rayman equipped the Heavy Metal Fist, and thanks to the increase in power, he managed to defeat it. He climbed the stairs and confronted a Hoodblaster who was protected by a Hoodoo, defeating them both after some difficulty due to the wizard, then solved some puzzles with the Shock Rocket Fist and used the Throttle Copter to reach a series of Purple Lums, then continued the climb to the top, also avoiding some explosive bottles of plum juice, which were thrown by a Hoodboom on top, with a Hoodoo to protect it, and after another not easy fight, he defeated them and destroyed a door with the Heavy Metal Fist, saving several trapped spirits.
''Thanks for saving us, hero! The spell that the Great Spirit Palmito has cast on us has been broken. Now we can finally leave this prison. As a reward, we will increase your attack power.'' said one of the spirits, and they all cast a spell on Rayman.
''Nice, I needed that. Do you know how to reach Dr. Roméo Patti's office? My friend would need help.'' asked the hero.
''To reach the doctor's office, go through that gate to reach the sea. It's not very far from here, you can swim there.'' answered a spirit, and all the Griskins left, free.
Rayman was shrunken by stone with the sybol of his shoe, and guiding his right shoe, passed through small narrow passages to return to the entrance, where he returned to normal and exited the tower through the portal.
(''Crystal Tower- Finald Fantasy 3 DS OST-s'')
''Rayman! I've been waiting for you!'' Globox exclaimed, still a little intoxicated by plum juice.
''Let's go back now, we need to get to the doctor.'' Rayman said.
(''Middle Boss Battle- The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time OST'')
Crossing the tunnel, the group saw a large armored Hoodlum with a seatless toilet-like cannon attached to its shoulder, which was attacking a Griskin.
''Hoodlum at 12 o'clock!'' Globox exclaimed.
''That's a Heckler! They are hard-to-defeat armored Hoodlums and among the most powerful in the army! They have an affinity for turtles, and their armor is very hardy(1). They can fire by pulling the chain of the cannon attached to their shoulder, and if you get too close, they will grab you and knock you to the ground! Find a way to penetrate that armor!'' Murfy yelled, scanning the mighty enemy.
Globox tried to forcibly detach the Heckler's armor, unsuccessfully, being thrown away and hit by gunfire, but was mostly unharmed. Rayman tried to use the Shock Rocket Fist, which damaged the armor, but it had no effect on the Heckler, thus forcing him to find another way to damage it. He used the Heavy Metal Fist, and with a charged shot, he managed to knock the armor off, then hit it with a kick before it could fall on the enemy, but he found himself too close and the Hoodlum grabbed him by the hair and slammed him to the ground a few times.
''This guy is really tough.'' thought the hero.
The Heckler opened fire again, and Globox was hit again, which worried Rayman and Murfy. ''I'm fine!'' he reassured them. Still intoxicated by plum juice, he then began to slap his opponent and hit him with a series of kicks, attacking in a reckless manner, which surprised his friends. They thought that was an effect of plum juice, and the fight continued.
''You stay away! Or you will taste the fury of my slaps!'' Globox shouted, but just then, the effect ended, and overcome with fear, he ran away to avoid being hit by more shots, which hit Rayman instead.
The fight lasted for another minute, and the limbless hero fired a missile with the Shock Rocket Fist, hitting the Heckler and defeating it with the Heavy Metal Fist.
(''Middle Boss Battle- The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time OST-s'')
''These Hoodlums are literally everywhere, and we still don't have a way to make them Red Lums again.'' Murfy said.
''Yeah. And these fights have been very tiring. ''Rayman said. ''Globox, are you okay?''
''I'm fine. What about you?'' Globox asked.
''It will take much more to stop me.'' replied the limbless hero. ''You know, I saw that while you were still intoxicated, you attacked the Heckler and weakened it. Do you think it's an effect of plum juice?''
''I don't know. If so, I just hope it doesn't make me drunk anymore. I think I'm starting to get used to it.''
''OK. The spirits of the Griskins have told us that we must go on by swimming. The doctor's office isn't far from here.'' Murfy said. Rayman, being lifted by Globox, fired the Shock Rocket Fist, managing to hit the lever, and the group continued.
(''Aqua Man Stage- Mega Man 8 OST'')
Rayman, Globox and Murfy reached the sea. At the moment, it has stopped raining, and it is late morning.
''Globox, stop eating your boogers! I feel like I'm in a pile of mucus!'' shouted André, inside Globox. This sentence confused everyone, since Globox, being an amphibian, does not have a nose.
''You know, Globox, Murfy taught me to swim with one of your children.'' Rayman said.
''Really?'' asked the amphibian.
''Yeah! On my first adventure, I always risked death just by touching water or falling into cream, but when I faced the Robo-Pirates, Murfy taught me that. Over the course of two years, I have improved my swimming skills under his supervision, and now I don't even need oxygen anymore. Take a look.'' said the hero, diving underwater and activating the helicopter(2).
Globox was amazed. ''Wow! I bet the training paid off.'' he said.
''You bet, Globox. Murfy knows a lot, he is known as ''The Flying Encyclopedia'' for a reason. I'm really grateful to him for that.'' Rayman said.
''Well, that's essential.'' Murfy replied, and before diving in, Globox spat a bubble and let him in so he could breathe underwater.
''Murfy also taught me to use my Magic Fist to light up too dark areas underwater.'' said the limbless hero.
''You have a very good instructor, my friend.'' Globox said.
''Globox is right, Rayman.'' Murfy added.
After a few minutes of swimming, the three managed to reach the other side, seeing a building.
''Guys! I think this is Roméo Patti's office!'' Rayman exclaimed.
''We hope that the problem will be solved as soon as possible.'' said the greenbottle.
''Rayman, you are the coolest, and you are my bestest friend.'' Globox said.
(''Aqua Man Stage- Mega Man 8 OST-s'')
Rayman and Murfy smiled, but André spoiled the moment by mimicking Globox. ''''And you are my bestest friend.'' IS IT EVER POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO BE SO DUMB?!'' he screamed.
The limbless hero was tired of hearing that high-pitched, irritating voice. ''André, you're a pain in the neck, you and that horrible voice of yours! And don't say that stuff about my best friend!'' he yelled.
''Don't squeeze my belly, guys. And don't shoot your fist in my mouth, Rayman. You'll just hurt me and you could make me throw up.'' Globox said.
''I'm really starting to get tired of André too, Rayman. Let's go to the doctor's office, okay?'' Murfy added.
Rayman calmed down. ''Sorry guys. I just want the problem fixed ASAP.''
''After what happened with Dr. Otto Psi, I feel uncomfortable with doctors, but if that's what I have to do, let's do it.'' Globox concluded, and the three entered.
Saved Teensies: 9/9, total 28/60
A/N: OK, guys, Rayman, Globox and Murfy have reached Roméo Patti's studio. I know I didn't include the Céloche boss, but do not worry- I have plans for it later based on discarded content in the final game. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and see you next time. See you soon!
(1): Hecklers wear protective armor due to their strong affinity for turtles.
(2): In the first game and the GBA versions of Rayman 3, and Rayman Raving Rabbids , Rayman cannot swim and falling into the water kills him, and he takes damage in Rayman: Hoodlums' Revenge, but he can swim with limited oxygen in Rayman 2. In the DS version of Rayman Raving Rabbids and in Rayman 3, he can swim underwater with an unlimited amount of oxygen, and in the latter game, he can also do somersaults to dodge attacks and swim better and faster using the helicopter.