A/N: Hey, guys. In the previous chapter, Rayman and Globox entered the volcano and reached a temple, where they passed a riddle about ancient runes and menhirs. It appears that Globox's state is getting worse, and this is creating tension between him and Rayman. Will these tensions subside? You will find out soon! Let's begin!
''I think we're almost there.'' Murfy said.
''Yeah. I hope we can get home as soon as possible. These burning sensations give me a terrible headache.'' Globox added.
''Well, get that thing under control, whatever it is!'' Rayman said. His growing confusion was beginning to turn to irritation.
''Rayman, whatever it is, I can't always control it! It happens when I least expect it!'' Globox replied.
Murfy became increasingly worried. The situation was very confusing, but also tense, as no one could understand what was going on and there was some tension between Rayman and Globox. Why did Globox sometimes seem to lose control of his body? Were they mood swings, as he had assumed in the temple once? What was that painful sensation he was feeling? And who was that evil voice that occasionally made itself heard when this happened? That voice was familiar to him, and he thought it was André, but he didn't have the evidence to prove it.
''There is one thing that makes me doubt. Plum juice has no magical properties, so why were the Hoodlums making it?'' Globox asked.
''It's true that plum juice does not have magical properties, but when fermented, it has similar effects to alcohol, and that produced by the Infernal Machine also has properties similar to those of drugs.'' Murfy replied.
(''Boss Fight 1- Kid Icarus Uprising OST'')
Suddenly, a monster similar to a Knaaren, but with black and orange skin, with flames on his back.
''A Firemonster! It can shoot fireballs, emit a fiery breath, and generate flames from his back! Watch out and use the Fire Protection!'' Murfy shouted.
''Is it me or does that thing look like a Knaaren?'' Globox asked.
''I can see the resemblance. They look like their distant cousins.'' Rayman said. ''Now let's take him out!''
The Fireonster fired fireballs at Rayman, who activated the Fire Protection and then struck with a series of three punches and a kick. After avoiding his fiery breath, he then fired his Magic Fist, dealing further damage. Globox tried to help his friend by firing energy balls from his mouth, but the sensation returned for the umpteenth time, and after three hits and two more that missed, some of them hit the wrong target. When he went to fight at close range, he was nearly slashed by the Firemonster's sharp claws and was then scorched by his breath of fire.
Rayman hit the monster with a fully charged Magic Fist and then fired a missile with the Shock Rocket Fist, but it was dodged, and his attempt to use the Whirlwind was unsuccessful. Globox used the LockJaw Fist, grabbing the Firemonster with the grappling hook and releasing an electric shock before slamming him to the ground (slamming him in the lava would do no good) and slapping it with two slaps with the other hand. After dodging a fireball, he went to the lava, where he tried to throw rocks, but a particularly large one was thrown in his face, causing a bruise the size of a golf ball to appear.
After Rayman activated Fire Protection again, the Fire Monster grabbed him and slammed him into nearby rocks, a grip far too tight for him to free himself, only to release his fiery breath on him. Globox barely avoided his bite, and hit him in the jaw with his cannon arm after activating the Shock Rocket Fist, then hit him with a kick that knocked him to the ground, freeing the Guardian of the Glade of Dreams from his grasp, and fired at him in the mouth four times before being hit by his claws.
The limbless hero was thrown into the lava, but failed to activate the Fire Protection in time, forcing him to separate his limbs and roll to put out the fire quickly. Globox tried to help him, but yet another loss of control caused him to miss his aim and half of his ranged attacks ended up hitting him instead of the Fire Monster. Rayman then activated the Heavy Metal Fist, unleashing a powerful series of blows, and a fully charged Magic Fist disintegrated the monster.
(''Boss Fight 1- Kid Icarus Uprising OST-s'')
''Phew. Let's get out of here, before we're reduced to ashes.'' Globox murmured, relieved that the monster was now dead.
''There's a warp in here. It should take us out. ''Murfy said, and the three entered a blue light that teleported them away.
Rayman, Globox and Murfy found themselves outside, facing the volcano. The sky was cloudy, and it looked like it would start raining soon.
''Well, I thought I was going to die of heat for a moment.'' Murfy commented.
(''Ikana Valley- The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask OST'')
Suddenly, Globox felt that painful sensation once again, except this time it was even worse than before. ''My head! It hurts!'' he exclaimed, falling to the ground.
''What's going on, Globox?'' Rayman asked, concerned.
''That feeling again, but even worse! Don't come near, both of you!'' Globox cried out. The pain he felt was like a thousand knives, and he knew he could lose control of his body again, so he forced himself, but unfortunately, he couldn't. His eyes were red again.
''Uh-oh. He can't take it anymore!'' Murfy shouted.
In fact, that mysterious evil voice came out of Globox's mouth and chuckled. Murfy was caught off guard. ''Wait a minute... André ?! ' he exclaimed, shocked.
''Exactly! After that idiot swallowed me, I left my spirit behind next to his brain! André is back!'' André chuckled.
''Give me back my friend!'' Rayman shouted.
''I don't think so, Lame-man! This new body will be mine soon, and when I control it, I will conquer the Heart of the World! Smell ya la-'' said André, but Globox came to his senses just at that moment, and he seemed extremely uncomfortable, while his friends didn't know what to say.
''Guys, I-'' said the amphibian, but that feeling made him lose control of his body briefly again.
''It's the second (or third, I don't know) time that I have saved your skin, you limbless thingamajig!'' yelled André's voice. It was clear that when Globox was not in control of his body, his voice was replaced by that of the Black Lum, which made him say things he would not normally say. For about a minute, he seemed to be in control again, but then he ended up under André's control again, and the atmosphere became more and more tense. What was going on?
''You let André possess you all this time?!'' Rayman exclaimed.
''I didn't know! On top of that, we turned André into a Red Lum when we killed Reflux! How could I have known?'' Globox asked.
''Oh I don't know. Because of these mood swings!'' replied the Guardian of the Glade of Dreams.
''Mood swings? What are you talking about?''
''You are not the Globox I know! You would never do these things, you would not say these insults!''
''Something's wrong with me. If André really got into my brain last month, I would also have noticed if he had bounced around my frontal lobe!''
Globox's voice seemed to mix with André's, and Murfy watched the scene worried, noticing that Rayman was starting to get irritated. It began to rain.
''Why didn't you tell me sooner?!'' Rayman yelled.
''I didn't want to make you come to the conclusion that I have become bad, because I am not!'' replied Globox. After finishing the sentence, the exact same thing happened as before. He could barely stay in control of his body to speak, and André's voice almost made him say insults.
''If something was wrong with you, you had to think about it earlier! You're an idiot, you know that?'' said the limbless hero.
''Me?! An idiot?! How dare you?! I thought we were friends!'' snapped Globox, also on the verge of getting angry. Controlling his body was becoming even more difficult, and he had to try hard to avoid responding with another insult.
''Well, I don't recognize you anymore! Where is your sense of morality?'' replied the Guardian of the Glade of Dreams.
''What's that supposed to mean? I'm not the idiot, you were the one who should have known that something was wrong with me!'' Globox said angrily.
''Do you have any idea what I go through to save your backside? Every time something happens to you that forces me to save you! I swear you can't do anything without me! If I were you, I would just go!'' Rayman yelled.
(''Ikana Valley- The Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask OST-s'')
(''Good-Bye Sadness- Mario & Luigi Paper Jam OST'')
These last words from Rayman hurt Globox's feelings. He reacted by trying to give him a slap, missing him. ''Fine! First Uglette two months ago, now you! You are all always insulting my intelligence! I've had it enough from all of you!'' he yelled, full of anger, which was then replaced by despair. He had tears in his eyes.
Rayman realized he had gone too far, and his expression was full of regret. ''Globox... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...''
''Save your breath. I thought you were my best friend, and you betrayed me! ''Globox replied, in a not very successful attempt to mask his true emotions. There was betrayal in his eyes.
''Globox, that's nothing... I'm sorry...'' Rayman murmured. But Globox didn't answer, and ran off, crying. ''Globox, where are you going? Come back!''
Murfy said nothing, but it was clear he didn't want to see that scene. The limbless hero, disgusted by what he had done, fired his fist forward and caused it to hit him in the face when it came back. ''Let's just go home.'' he murmured, and Murfy, though worried, nodded.
The way home seemed to take hours. Rayman walked with his head down, and he was full of regret as the rain got harder. ''I'm such a fool...''he thought sadly.
''Rayman? I want to let you know it's not your fault.'' Murfy said.
The Guardian of the Glade of Dreams looked at him as if he had just said a curse word in public. ''Yes, it is, Murfy. I shouldn't have yelled at him. Globox and I had a fight and he left me behind. He was right: we should have realized earlier that something was wrong.'' he replied sadly.
''To tell ya the truth, that voice sounded like André's, but I only recognized it now. If Globox hadn't noticed it during the month, we couldn't have known it either. And even if he did, he didn't want us to think he had become evil.''
When the two returned home an hour later, Ly, Clark and Uglette watched the scene, concerned. ''Rayman, what's wrong?'' the fairy asked.
''I'm fine. I just need to be alone.'' Rayman replied. He looked as defeated as when he had been captured by the Robo-Pirates two years earlier.
''Are you sure you're okay?'' Uglette asked.
''Yes, you look awful, little buddy." Clark added.
''Go away, please.'' said the limbless hero, climbing up a tree.
Everyone else left, but they were really worried. They didn't know if he had found Globox. But even if he had found him, why had he come back alone? What happened?
(''Good-Bye Sadness- Mario & Luigi Paper Jam OST-s'')
A/N: Oh, no. It seems that the spirit of André is taking control of Globox. He and Rayman have had an argument, and the latter is discouraged. How's Rayman doing? And how is Globox doing? We will find out in the next chapter. See you soon!
(1): This is similiar to a move used by Samus in Metroid: Samus Returns, where she can perform a close-ranged counter-attack. If she hits a Metroid like this during their physical attack, they will be vulnerable, allowing her to hit them with a series of missiles.
(2): Over the course of the series, something happens to Globox in the plot multiple times: in Rayman 2, he gets captured twice, one in the beginning alongside Rayman, and one at the end, in Rayman 3, he accidentally swallows André and gets separated from Rayman three times, including one where he gets captured, in Hoodlums' Revenge, he gets possessed by André at the beginning of the game and gets separated from Rayman after the third boss's defeat, and in the Game Boy Advance version of Rayman Raving Rabbids, he gets captured alonside some Teensies in the starting level.
