Chapter 36: Keys to the Kingdom

The Shane Gang were engaged in a duel with El Diablos Nacho in the Pronto's home cavern of Molemound. Nacho slung a ghoul at the gang's position. Pronto, who's scarf was pulled over his nose, slung Bruiser. "Okay, what part of "Pronto must never go home to Molemound!" did you not understand?!" He asked, trying to run away. But Kord grabbed him and shoved him back into the fight. "Mole up, Pronto! We have more 'urgent' matters to deal with." Trixie said. "Yeah. Like it or not, we need you in this, Pronto." Dana said.

Nacho slung a Greneater, almost hitting the gang. Kord slung Sploder, but Nacho leapt off the building he was on and slung a Grimmstone, a Harmashelt and a Dark Urchin. The molenoids, completely oblivious to what was happening around them, just kept to themselves as the ghouls zipped by them. Harley slung his new Geoshard, Gem, crystalizing the Harmashelt with Crystallist. Pronto slung Doozey, putting the Grimmstone to sleep with Sleepytime. The Dark Urchin attacked with Sandspur, but Kord slung Silv, deflecting the spikes with her armored shell. The spikes landed on a table where a molenoid was eating his lunch. One of them pierced his sandwich. He pierced an olive through the spike and prepared to eat.

"If these people don't move, someone's gonna get hurt!" Kord said with worry. "Molenoids of Molemound! For your safety, please take cover and leave El Diablos Nacho to the Shane Gang!" Eli called. The molenoids just stood there, like they didn't even hear him. "HEY! He said move it or lose your heads, moles!" Harley shouted. Again, the molenoids just stood there. Nacho fired a Hop Jack, making the Shane brothers duck back down for cover. "Why aren't the molenoids concerned for their safety?" Eli asked. "Yeah. They're almost as clueless as you, Pronto." Harley said. "Pronto is not like other molenoids. They see what they want to see." Pronto said as Trixie fired another slug. "And there's only one of us in danger here. ME!" "You can't out run your past, Pronto." Eli said as he loaded and slung Spinner, trapping Nacho in her web. "Besides, whatever you did couldn't have been that bad." Eli said. "Bro, you do know who you're talking to, right?" Harley asked, knowing Pronto.

Nacho broke free from the web and slung another Hop Jack. "Incoming!" Vance called. The others scrammed out of the way, but Pronto got caught in the blast, landing in the middle of the molenoid crowd. Then, his scarf dropped, revealing his face. "It's our king!" The molenoids cried. Pronto tried to cover his face back up, denying anything, but the molenoids just continued to praise him. "Pronto is their king?!" The gang all asked in shock. Pronto chuckled sheepishly. "Wow. I did not see that coming." Harley said, his eyes agape.

(Intro)

"Pronto's their king?!" Eli asked as the molenoids helped Pronto up. "No wonder hie refers to himself in the third person." Eli said. "And has delusions of grandeur." Trixie added. "I usually thought it was just his oversized ego." Dana said. "Uh guys?" Kord said, slinging Bludgeon as Nacho fired a Thrasher. Both the slug and ghoul collided, but Bludgeon stood in victory.

Nacho loaded and slung another Hop Jack as the gang took cover. "Did the Underground say why Blakk sent Nacho to Molemound?" Eli asked. "Nope. What're molenoids known for?" Trixie asked. "Weak eyes." Eli said. "Blocked pores." Trixie said. "Big egos." Harley said. "Strange insect appetites." Vance said. "Largest collection of maps in Slugterra." Kord said. "Pasty complexions." Eli said, until he thought of what Kord said. "Oh wait! That last one!" Just then, Nacho fired another Hop Jack at the gang. And then, the ground beneath them crumbled, sending them falling into a molenoid home. The molenoid living there, who was doing a crossword puzzle looked at the gang funny. "Score another win for the Shane Gang." Kord said sarcastically as he put a picture back on the wall.

Kord climbed out of the hole. "Nacho's gone." He said, noticing that Nacho was gone. "But he was kicking our butts. Why'd he run?" Trixie asked as she and the others climbed out. "Because he's smart enough to know he wouldn't get another lucky shot." Kord said.

"BIG BROTHER!" 5 little voices called. "Uh-oh." Pronto said, knowing those voices. Just then, 5 little molenoids ran forth and tackled Pronto with big hugs. "Big brother Pronto!" "Oh, we missed you so much!" "It's good to see you!" "Welcome back!" The 5 little molenoids said cheerfully. "Oh, you little scamps! The one thing I've ever truly missed about home." Pronto said, hugging them back. The gang looked on with confusion. "Oh! Allow Pronto to introduce his younger quintuplet siblings. Michaela, Elle, Jaxson, Russell and Nelson." Pronto introduced. "Hi." "Hello." "How do." "Sup." "Pleased to meet you." The quintuplets said. "Hi. Eli Shane. This is my brother Harley, my fiancé Trixie, Kord, Vance, Mario, Lash, Shimei, my mom Eliza, Watts and Dana." Eli introduced. "We know." Russell said. "We heard stories from other caverns about you." Elle said. "Glad to hear that we're popular." Eli said.

"Uh oh." Pronto said. The gang and the quintuplets turned to see what was happening. The molenoids just fitted Pronto with a king's robe and placed a huge key in his arms. "Ugh. He'll be impossible to live with now." Trixie groaned. "As if he didn't have enough to brag about already." Lash said. "No doubt. I might have to move out." Harley said. "At least his majesty doesn't refer to himself with the royal we." Eli assured. "Don't give him any ideas." Trixie said. "Yeah, bro. I'm already near my 'Pronto Annoyance limit' as it is." Harley said. "Surely you jest. Pronto would never put on heirs." Pronto said, dodging the mole advisor's attempts to crown him. "As heir to the Molemound throne, you must take it." The advisor advised. The gang looked on as Pronto hid behind Kord. Harley looked at him with mere confusion. He felt a tug on his leg. He looked down and saw Nelson. He knelt down so he could listen. "Big brother Pronto has a big dislike for being king." Nelson said. "Why so?" Harley asked. "Let's just say it's a rather embarrassing sight for his already oversized ego." Nelson said.

"Guys! Nacho left a trail we can follow all the way across Slugterra." Eli said, pointing towards the outskirts. "That is not the way out of Molemound. That is the Path to Wisdom." Pronto said. The gang didn't understand. "Which leads to the Vault of Knowledge?" Pronto said. The gang still didn't get it, making Pronto groan. "The Repository of All Molenoid Wisdom. Including the Mapa Mundi, the famed molenoid map of everything!" He explained as the advisor put the crown on his head. "Everything?" Eli asked. "Every cavern, tunnel, shortcut and hidey hole in Slugterra." Pronto said.

"That's gotta be what Dr. Blakk sent Nacho here to find!" Eli deduced. "If we're right about Blakk being in league with the Darkbane, that map could give him other routes to the Deep Caverns! We can't allow that!" "But Nacho already has a head start." Mario said. "And he's more skilled than all of us combined." Eliza said. "Lucky thing King Pronto can order his whole army after Nacho." Eli said, making Pronto stop in his tracks. "No! The molenoid king does not command armies!" Pronto explained, throwing down the key and the crown, only to have his people rush in and put them back on. "He serves his people, paw-and-foot, 25/7!" "Well, that's just stupid." Harley said. "8 years backlogged and those toilets ain't gonna plunge themselves." A grouchy molenoid said, handing Pronto a plunger. The gang and the quintuplets, minus Harley, snickered at this. "Pronto is not amused." Pronto muttered. 'Neither is Harley.' Harley thought to himself, not liking this molenoid king tradition.

"Listen. Not to worry, folks. The Shane Gang will take on Nacho and save your Mapa Mundi." Eli said as Pronto threw down the key again, causing the molenoids gasp and hustle over. As Pronto took off the crown, the advisor took it and slammed it back on his head. "Pronto, you can sort out this king stuff later. But Nacho has a huge head start and we need to move." Eli said. "That life is over now, your Highness." The advisor said, shoving the key back into Pronto's free arm. The gang were getting a little annoyed by this. "Now that you have returned to us, you must face up to your obligations." The advisor advised. "Oh! Well, there you go. That's it, you see. I am booked solid. Wall to wall adventures, right through the middle of the next decade. So, you know, there's that." Pronto said. "And if we're gonna find Nacho and save your map, we need our talented tracker." Eli objected. "Yes." Pronto said, tossing the plunger and the crown away. But the molenoids caught them and gave them back to Pronto. Eli shook his head and groaned in annoyance. "Like I said, they're just like Pronto." Harley said. "Sire, you may draw your friends a map to the map." The advisor suggested. Pronto grumbled as he handed the advisor the key and the plunger, took out a piece of paper and a pen and scribbled out a map to the Mapa Mundi. "We are here. It is there." He said, handing Eli the map. Eli looked at it and walked off for Lucky. Pronto sighed sadly for not being able to join his friends.

As the gang mounted their mechas, Eli noticed Harley hadn't moved from his spot. "Harley! We have to go!" Eli called. "Not this time, bro. I'm staying here to observe Pronto's alleged 'kingly' duties." Harley said. "But if we have to go up against Nacho, I need everyone." Eli said. Harley just folded his arms and stood his ground. Eli saw a look in Harley's eyes. A look he knew all too well. "Alright. No point arguing. See you when we get back." Eli said, riding off with the others. "Why'd he let Harley stay?" Trixie said. "Because Harley has a certain look that tells when his mind is made up about something. Eli and I know it very well. So, whenever Harley gets that look, it becomes pointless to argue with him." Eliza explained. Trixie understood this.

The gang rode up to the temple. "We're playing catchup." Eli said. "Ignorance is bliss." Trixie said, reading the writing over the entrance. "What does that mean?" Lash asked. "Molenoid motto." Kord said, getting off Wyatt. "Oh. That makes sense." Lash said. "Well, our bliss requires Blakk's ignorance. After you." Eli said. But before they could enter the temple, they heard a noise coming from Wyatt. Kord was about to open the hood, when the Geronimo Quintuplets popped out. "You 5?" Kord said in surprise. "What do you kids think you're doing here?!" Eliza asked, using her big mom's voice. "You guys need a guide to the map." Jaxson said. "And without big brother Pronto, we can help with that." Elle said. "For the record, this was Russell's idea." Michaela said, pointing to Russell, who was smiling innocently. "You think they'll be able to help?" Kord asked. "They are kids after all." Mario said. Eli looked at the quintuplets. They were begging with big puppy eyes. "We'll need all the help we can get. Alright, you're in." Eli said. "Yay!" The quintuplets cheered. "As long as you behave." Trixie added. "Yes ma'am." The quintuplets said, heading into the temple.

As they continued through the tunnels, Eli examined the map. "This can't be right." He said. "Well, he did just scribble that thing together in 3 seconds." Trixie said. "Big brother Pronto is known for his crude handwriting." Nelson said. "I'll say." Mario said.

The gang and quintuplets soon came to a series of pathways. "Seriously?" Trixie said in disappointment and mild frustration. "If this is the Path to Wisdom, no wonder the molenoids prefer ignorance." Kord said. "No doubt. Can't tell which way is up in this place." Watts said. "We could've really used Pronto to get through this maze." Eli said.

A crowd of molenoids lined up as Pronto sat on the throne with Harley by his side. "Sorry, but today is Random Complaints Day. Come back tomorrow for wardrobe malfunctions." A molenoid guard said. A molenoid with a sock on his head turned away in disappointment. Pronto sighed in disappointment. "Is this Pronto's destiny? To spend my days ruling over the most…BORING matters in all of Slugterra?!" He asked himself. "And your evenings repairing everything that needs fixing around here." The grouchy molenoid said, tossing Pronto his plunger. Pronto sighed in disappointment. "I DON'T WANT TO BE KING!" He cried in complaint, throwing the plunger away.

Little did he know, Sedo and Munch were watching from behind a pillar. "You'll not have to worry about that, Pronto. For long." Sedo said. Munch chuckled silently as they slunk into the shadows.

"Wow. Pronto really hates being king." Harley said. "Of course, he does. After all, the position was forced onto him." The guard said. "Forced? What're you talking about?" Harley asked. The guard hesitated, but kept silent. "Look, if you know something, then I have to know. Otherwise, I can't help my friend." Harley said. The guard sighed, knowing that he couldn't hide the truth anymore. "Well, to start, let's say the quintuplets weren't the only family Pronto had." He started to say. Harley sat down to listen to the story. "In fact, all of this has to do with our last king. His twin brother Pinto." The guard said. "Twin brother?!" Harley asked in shock. "Yes. Like Pronto, Pinto longed for adventure. So, one day, Pinto left the throne to Pronto so he could go adventuring. He was gone for 4 whole years and we haven't heard a word from him. Until one day, we received a messenger. He was carrying Pinto's satchel bag. He told us that Pinto had perished on his journey. So, with Pinto gone, the throne was passed down to Pronto by decree of the people." The guard explained. Harley felt his heart drop. "Whoa. I could only imagine how that must've effected Pronto." He said, looking sadly at his molenoid friend. "It had an even sadder effect on his poor quintuplet siblings." The guard said. Harley thought about how Pronto must've felt from losing his twin brother, and thought the same of himself if he lost Eli.

The gang and the quintuplets squeezed out from a crevice onto the ledge near a deep chasm. "No trace of Nacho. Must be pretty far ahead. We need to pick up the pace." Eli said as Burpy lit the way, looking down into the chasm. Couldn't see the bottom at all. "How's Nacho know where to go?" Kord asked, pulling himself out of the crevice. "Good question. Nacho couldn't find his way through this place by himself." Vance said. "We have Pronto's map. What does Nacho have?" Trixie asked. Just then, Eli noticed Nacho running along another ledge across the chasm. "Ask him." He said. Nacho slung a Hop Jack, hitting the middle of the ledge. Eli and Trixie fired back. Nacho dodged the slugs and slung Dark Urchin. The gang ran ahead, dodging the ghoul and fired back. Nacho slung a Frostfang just as the gang ducked into a bigger crevice, sealing it with Mirrorshard. Nacho growled at the gang getting away.

"I thought we were goners." Kord said. "Must be dumb luck we got away." Eli said. "Could be, but I don't know." Dana said. The gang turned to see another challenge. 3 different doors. "Any guesses?" Eli asked. "Maps always have a riddle or a hidden clue to point the way in situations like this." Trixie said, pulling out the map. "Let's see. How would Pronto think?" She asked as the gang looked at the map. "Found it!" Eli called. Everyone looked to him and the quintuplets standing in front of the door with the big signs. "We find it easier this way." Elle said. "Ignorance is bliss." Jaxson said. The gang shrugged and headed down the tunnel with Eli and the quintuplets following.

Meanwhile, Pronto was bored out of his mind with his duties. "It says 100, right on the pack. But I count 98." A molenoid said, dropping a pile of rubber bands in front of Pronto. "Yeah, well, once I got 92. Cry me a river. Next!" Pronto said.

"My co-worker looked at me funny." A male molenoid said fearfully. "THERE! She's doing it again!" He cried. A female molenoid next to him looked at him with a crooked eye. That really disturbed Harley. Pronto sighed, knowing what to do. "I now pronounce you man and wife. Next!" He called. 'That's how molenoids get married?' Harley thought.

"My faucet's been dripping for the last 2927 days, and you have to fix it, your majesty. 6 on the dot. Don't be late." An elderly molenoid said, tossing a pipe wrench to Pronto. "And don't track in mud like the last king. Which reminds me. Bring a mop." "What is wrong with us?! Don't we molenoids know how to do…anything?!" Pronto asked. "A question I've been asking about you for months." Harley said. "My liege, they are not used to thinking for themselves." The advisor said. "Of course, they don't." Harley muttered. "That's always been the king's job. Ignorance is bliss, right? But I don't have to tell you that. Unless you think I should. I mean, you are the king. What do you think I should do?" The advisor asked. Pronto just sighed. "Pronto? Thinking? 2 words I never want to hear together ever again." Harley said.

The gang and the quintuplets passed through another tunnel and looked up. The platforms were way up high. "Now what?" Lash asked. "We're supposed to keep climbing." Trixie said, looking at the map. "Yeah? Well, we ain't climbing that." Kord said. "You're right. We're gonna have to float up." Eli said. He loaded and slung Suds. He then leapt off the edge and grabbed her tentacles. He gave a thumbs up as he floated towards the top. The gang nodded and loaded their Bubbaleones too. "You kids might wanna grab onto someone." Eliza advised. The quintuplets nodded and climbed onto the gang's shoulders. Michaela grabbed Trixie, Elle grabbed Dana, Jaxson grabbed Vance, Russell grabbed Watts, and Nelson grabbed Lash. The gang slung their Bubbaleones and floated up with Eli. But they weren't alone. Nacho floated right up behind them with a Bubbalash. "It's Nacho!" Trixie called as Nacho fired a Greneater. The explosion nearly threw everyone off. Just then, Elle lost her grip and fell off Dana. As she fell, Nacho grabbed her and stared into her eyes. "Elle!" Eli called. But just then, Elle pulled out a frying pan and smacked Nacho in the face. As soon as she was freed, she jumped off Nacho and back onto Dana.

Nacho fired a Hop Jack at Kord, but Kord bounced out of the way. Eli slung Goober, but he hit a stone pillar as Nacho fired another ghoul. Trixie slung Blizzard, running up another pillar and bouncing off it to avoid the ghouls. As Blizzard blocked Nacho's path with Deepfreeze, Nacho started floating the other way. "Guys, Nacho's going the wrong way." Eli pointed out. "Maybe he knows a shortcut?" Trixie guessed. "Yeah. Maybe we should follow Nacho." Kord said. "No." Eli said.

The gang and the quintuplets floated right up to the right ledge, finding the smolten sealed entrance to the Vault of Knowledge. "Sealed. We're here first." Eli said. "Huh. I was expecting it to be…grander." Kord said in disappointment. "What did you expect? It was molenoid designed." Michaela said. "Good point." Kord said. "But how do we get in? The doors are covered in smolten." Trixie said. "Remember this guy?" Eli asked, picking out Torch's barrel. "Torch! Perfect!" Kord said. "Huh. Still forget that you still have that slug." Dana said. Eli loaded and slung Torch, spraying the door with Forgestrike and melting the smolten. The gang opened the doors and inside was the Repository of All Molenoid Wisdom, filled with thousands of papers. "Look at all this stuff." Trixie said. "Every piece of molenoid history is stored right here." Jaxson said. "Well, dig in." Eli said, making Kord groan.

Pronto wasn't having it any better. "You see, she says potato and I say potato." A male molenoid said. Pronto had had just about enough of all of this. "THAT'S IT! I'm calling this whole thing off!" He shouted, tossing the key at the molenoids. "I QUIT!" "It's about time you showed some backbone, Pronto." Harley said. "But Majesty, the law is very clear." The advisor said as Pronto tossed his robe. "His Majesty can quit, but first he must find a volunteer to take his place." That stopped Pronto in his tracks. "But no one is foolish enough to volunteer for this!" He said. "If it is foolish to desire a life of service to one's people, call me a fool. But I volunteer." Sedo said, making his appearance and putting on the robe. "Sedo! My life! Long! Nemesis?!" Pronto asked in shock and anger. "And Munch too!" Munch said, appearing beside Sedo. "Oh no, not this guy again." Harley grumbled. "It is my honor to pick up the mole king mantle and herby lay claim to the kingship." Sedo said, taking the key and the crown, but Pronto took the crown back. "I un-quit!" Pronto suddenly declared. That made the molenoids gasp and Sedo drop the key. "Can he do that?" Harley asked. The advisor looked in the book and nodded. "Oh, Pronto, still sore that you could never best me at anything?" Sedo asked mockingly. "What?! No! Need I remind you that it was I, Pronto, who humiliated you in the Slug Run?" Pronto asked. "Humiliated? By you? This does not ring a bell." Sedo said, pretending not to remember his defeat at the Slug Run. "Really? You don't remember Pronto riding a big Crystal Worm and burying you with a Crystalyd slug?" Harley asked. The molenoids all looked at Harley in confusion. "Well, he was. I was there. Remember the whole thing." Harley said.

"Then maybe this will clean the wax from your ears! Pronto Geronimo, former heir to the Molemound throne, am now your king!" Pronto said clearly. "Ah yes. You wear the crown of the king. A little big for you, no? You'd think perhaps it would fit us better." Sedo said, using the royal we. "Ooh! Sedo use the royal we!" Munch said. "That can't be good." Harley muttered. "The royal we?! NO! How dare presume to be like Pronto, we! I- I mean us!" Pronto said. Sedo then slapped Pronto with a pair of gloves. "Then we challenge you for the kingdom." He challenged, making the molenoid crowd gasp. "He can do that?" Pronto asked. The advisor stuttered a bit. "It is all very legal, I assure you." Sedo said, pointing to the right spot in the book. "Indeed. The challenge must be met or Sedo, unopposed, shall become our new king." The advisor said. The molenoids became worried. "Then his Highness accepts! Slugs at 5 paces!" Pronto said. "And may the best mole win." Sedo said. "Not if Pronto has his way." Pronto said.

Pronto and Sedo marched up to the center outside the castle. Harley and Munch stood with the molenoid crowd. The advisor stood in the middle, holding a blaster case. "His Majesty was challenged, and so, has first pick." He announced, opening the case. Inside were 2 blasters. One was a really shiny one. The other was quite small and rusty, like it would fall apart the second you touch it. Pronto was about to grab the shiny one, but then he noticed a strange look in Sedo's eyes. That's when he started to think. "You knew I would go for the shiny one. So, perhaps this is what you wish me to do. Therefore, I should choose the other. But you are a crafty opponent. And you know Pronto is smart and would think many moves ahead. And so, you must really want me to choose…the shiny one! Or do you?" Pronto deduced. Sedo just looked confused. "Is he just stalling before he chooses blaster?" Munch asked. "Probably. I never could understand what goes on in that mole's head." Harley said. "You think you can outwit your king by making him doubt himself. But it is I who have outwitted you, my willey nemesis. You choose first!" Pronto said. Sedo picked out the shiny blaster. "Don't ask me why, but I honestly thought you'd go for the other one." Pronto said in surprise. Harley face-palmed himself.

Trumpets sounded as Pronto and Sedo were now standing back-to-back, blasters ready. "5 paces, turn and duel." The advisor instructed. Pronto and Sedo each took their paces as the advisor counted. When they reached 5 paces, Sedo turned to fire, but saw that Pronto hid in cowardice behind a plant. "Typical." Harley muttered.

Meanwhile, the gang and the quintuplets were still trying to find the Mapa Mundi. "What now? It'll take us years to go through the rest of these." Lash said. Just then, Trixie found something interesting. "Find something?" Eli asked. "Not the map. Something else." Trixie said, showing Eli what she found. It looked like a very old book with a similar symbol of the Universal Slug, with 12 six-pointed stars surrounding it as each star have different colors, on the cover. Eli took it from Trixie and looked at the title. 'The Tales of Slugterra's First Protectors.' "This is interesting." Eli said. "What you got there?" Shimei asked. "Ever seen a book like this before?" Eli asked, showing her the book. "I don't think I've ever seen one like this before." Shimei said. "Well, I'm taking it. Seems like an interesting read." Eli said. "Can we hurry up before Nacho realizes his mistake?" Kord asked impatiently. But then, the doors were blown right open. "He's already here."

"Thanks for leading the way." Nacho said as he emerged from the smoke. "Us?! You were a step ahead the whole time!" Trixie objected. "No. He wasn't. He tailed us! It was an elaborate fakeout! And we fell for it." Eli said, realizing Nacho's real plan. "Now hand over the map." Nacho said. "Don't have it. But if you wanna help us search, we could use the extra hands." Eli said, hiding Gust's barrel behind his back. "I prefer to work alone!" Nacho growled, preparing to fire. "Guys! Grab onto something!" Eli said, slinging Gust and creating a Slyphoon in the middle of the Repository. The strong winds caused all the papers to fly around while also pushing back a struggling Nacho.

"Yoo-hoo! King Pronto! Come out and face me like a mole!" Sedo dared. "Grr! Get in!" Pronto said, shoving a barrel into his bad blaster with frustration. Sedo slung a Frostcrawler, freezing the plant with Deepfreeze and shattering it to pieces. "I shall smite you with my kingly might!" Pronto said, slinging his Thresher, Bitey, shredding Sedo's pants with Throttlebite. Sedo quickly covered himself and slung his own Thresher, doing the same thing to Pronto's pants. "Oh, I did not need to see that!" Harley said, covering his eyes. "Neither did Munch!" Munch added, doing the same. Sedo charged towards Pronto, blaster ready. But Pronto ducked out of the way and ran up the stairs to the castle roof.

Meanwhile, Nacho, still struggling against the wind, aimed his blaster at Eli. But then, a map blew past him and hit Kord in the face. It had the mark of the Mapa Mundi. "That's it!" Eli called. "What's it?" Kord asked, wiping the map from his face. The wind caught the map and blew it away. "Dude! You just threw away the Mapa Mundi!" Dana said. "Oops." Kord said sheepishly. Luckily, the map blew past Eli. He jumped and air swam towards it, trying to grab it. But Nacho brought out an Amperling and tossed it into the wind. The ghoul reached velocity in the wind, transformed and shocked Eli with Amperjolt. The wind died down and Eli fell to the ground, losing some of his slug barrels, including Joules. Eli saw the map was close and grabbed it. But Nacho readied his blaster just as the rest of the gang and the quintuplets regrouped. Nacho fired a Briardrill. The gang ducked out of the way as it dug into the ground. Just then, a Briarsnipe grew out of the hole, snaring the gang and the quintuplets in its thorny vines. Eli ran over to help. "Eli? RUN!" Kord shouted. Eli looked behind him as Nacho loaded and slung another ghoul.

Pronto stopped as he and Sedo reached the castle roof. "Surrender scoundrel!" He said, aiming his blaster. "Sedo does not know the meaning of the word!" Sedo said. "Then as king, I shall work to improve the schools!" Pronto said, slinging Doozey as Sedo fired his own Slyren. Both slugs just shrugged to each other as they zipped passed by. Both slugs transformed and attacked both moles with Sleepytime. Pronto gave a big yawn and fell asleep. "I- I-" Sedo tried to say, but fell asleep too. "This has got to be the laziest duel I've ever seen." Harley groaned.

Nacho had Eli at blaster point. "Hand it over!" He demanded. "What does Blakk want with it?!" Eli asked. Nacho didn't answer. Instead, he noticed Joules hopping out of hiding and grabbed her, making Eli gasp. "This slug has caused me a lot of trouble." He said, remembering the Barton & Spinx incident. "Hand me the map or it's paste!" Joules tried to zap Nacho's hand, but it had no effect. Nacho chuckled and started to tighten his grip, making poor Joules whimper. "STOP! Take it." Eli said, holding out the map. "But whatever Blakk has planned, he won't get away with it!" "Eli don't!" Trixie said. "Sorry, Trix. It's the only way." Eli said. "Dude, it's just one slug!" Nelson said. The gang gasped at what the youngest molenoid just said. "Don't ever say that to Eli again." Dana said, trying to keep her cool.

Nacho tossed Joules, causing Eli to drop the map. Nacho caught the map just as Eli caught Joules, making his getaway. Eli knelt down and picked up Buzzsaw. "Buzzsaw, help them out." Eli said. Buzzsaw hopped over and sawed the gang out of the Briarsnipe's grip.

As Nacho exited the temple, he loaded a Greneater and slung it into the temple. Its tail fuse sizzled as Nacho continued on his way before it exploded, causing a chain reaction inside. "Guys, this place is coming down!" Kord shouted.

Meanwhile, Sedo and Pronto just woke up and got ready to continue the duel. But Sedo quivered with disgust at the sight of Pronto's gut. Pronto slung his new Speedstinger, Zippy, knocking Sedo's blaster out of his hand, making the crowd gasp. Pronto then pointed the blaster into Sedo's nose. "You would not blast an unarmed mole." Sedo said. "Say my name or smell the consequences." Pronto said. Stinky, who was loaded in the blaster, snickered with eagerness. "I'd do it if I were you, Sedo. Stinky's smell is nothing to joke about." Harley called. "Your name, my old friend, is toast!" Sedo said, stomping on Pronto's foot. Pronto grabbed his foot and hopped in pain, right off the roof. The crowd gasped as Pronto tried to scurry back onto the roof, but grasped onto the ledge. "Pronto!" Harley called with worry as Munch chuckled.

Sedo loomed over the helpess molenoid king. "You know, Pronto, I do seem to recall a certain nosey little mole whose interference put me in the red with Blakk." He said, stomping Pronto's left hand off the ledge. "Yes! That was me!" Pronto said. Sedo chuckled as he removed one of Pronto's fingers. "Of course, it was. But a mole who stands in my way would've been much more imposing. Something you obviously are not, Pronto." He said, removing another finger. Pronto was now whimpering with fear. "That's it! I quit!" He cried. "Of course, you do." Sedo said, removing the final finger. Pronto screamed as he fell. Harley, Munch, the molenoids and Sedo looked on unamused at where a still screaming Pronto landed. Pronto stopped screaming to see that he landed shortly on another ledge over the castle door. He then sighed with disappointment. "Well, I'm now embarrassed and sad for the poor mole." Harley said.

Meanwhile, the gang and the quintuplets managed to escape the temple just as it finally collapsed. "So, the sum total of molenoid history." Trixie said. "Yeah. That can't be good." Eli said. "It never is." Vance said. "Plus, Nacho got the map." Kord said. "Actually…" Eli said, pulling out the real map. The gang and the quintuplets were shocked. "How did you-" Lash started to ask. "Nacho's not the only one who knows how to pull a bait and switch." Eli said. Burpy chuckled.

The molenoid advisor presented Sedo with the crown as Pronto sat on the stairs in frustration. "Confidentially, I hope your friends beat Nacho to the Mapa Mundi. Then it will be my pleasure and not that brutish fellow's to hand the map over to Dr. Blakk." Sedo revealed. "Dr. Blakk?!" Pronto asked in shock. "You mean you're still working for him?!" Harley asked. "Yes. My benefactor has given me a second chance to be his second chance. And with Dr. Blakk's backing, this king won't be clearing drains and settling petty squabbles for the little moles." Sedo said. "That TEARS it! I un-quit!" Pronto said. "Ah-ah-ah. No takebacks, Pronto." Sedo said. "Aha. But I had my fingers crossed when I said I quit. It does not count." Pronto revealed, showing his crossed fingers. "Ooh. Sneaky." Harley said. Pronto felt proud of himself. But then Sedo grabbed him and threw him down the stairs and into the dirt. "The finger crossed double cross! Curse that molenoid rule!" Sedo cussed. The molenoids now gasped with worry as they looked on. Pronto came to, seeing that Sedo had him at blaster point. "He attacked a royal personage! Justice demands that we whack this mole!" Sedo said. Pronto gasped at what his nemesis just said. "The royal we?!" He asked. "You starting that again?!" Harley asked out loud.

Just then, the sound of motors interrupted the execution. Everyone turned to see or got out of the way as the gang and the quintuplets rode up on their mechas. "Folks, really sorry, but your people's history is…" Eli started to say. "History" Trixie finished. The molenoids only shrugged it off as if saying 'What're you gonna do?' Sedo prepared to finish the job, but saw that his blaster was gone. Pronto came in and pointed the blaster in his face. "Oh no." Sedo groaned. "Ah yes!" Pronto said. But Sedo ducked down as Pronto took the shot. Sedo laughed as Pronto sulked, but Stinky bounced off the cavern wall and roof and into Sedo's open mouth. He transformed as Sedo swallowed him, releasing Blorfball in his stomach. Sedo felt queasy as Stinky hopped off his tongue, fainting from the effects. The molenoids scattered to avoid the smell as the gang looked on. "Okay, now that officially wins the weirdest thing I've ever seen award." Harley said. Pronto proudly placed the crown back on his head. "A somewhat indirect smiting, your Majesty." The advisor complimented. "Yes. Another senseless victim of second-hand smoke." Pronto said.

"Oh no." Eli said, seeing something on the Mapa Mundi. "Eli?" Trixie said. "What's up, bro?" Harley asked. "The Mapa Mundi, your Majesty. It holds dangerous secrets." Eli said, handing Pronto the Mapa Mundi. Harley and Pronto looked at the map, seeing what Eli meant. "I urge you to destroy it, so Blakk can never come after it again." Eli said. "You want me to eliminate the last surviving fragment of molenoid history?! Can I do that?" Pronto asked, looking at the advisor. "Actually, you can." Trixie said, holding up what she found in the repository. It was the back end of the book the advisor was holding. "The missing chapter of the Book of Molemound! It's been lost for ages!" The advisor said with pleasure. Pronto looked at the map, thinking about what to do. "Eh. What the hey? Ignorance is bliss, right?" Pronto asked, holding up the map. "Burpy?" Eli said. Burpy nodded, knowing what to do.

"NO!" Munch shouted. The gang turned to see that he had the quintuplets locked in his grip. "You will give Munch Mapa Mundi or Munch crush little molenoids like blueberries." He warned. Eli was about to draw his blaster, but Harley stopped him. Eli looked at Harley, and he pointed over to Pronto, who was now all burning red with rage. "You…dare to threaten…Pronto's little siblings?! Big mistake." Pronto growled. He drew his blaster and slung his newest slug. It transformed like a dragon. It fired a sizzling fireball at Munch's eye. Munch cried in pain, releasing the quintuplets. "Big brother Pronto!" The quintuplets cried, running into Pronto's arms. "There, there. You are safe now." Pronto said, hugging his younger siblings. Then he glared back at Munch. "Now let's show Munch what happens when you mess with the Geronimo bloodline." He said. The quintuplets turned to Munch and pulled out their own blasters. Michaela fired a Hop Rock. Elle fired an AquaBeek. Jaxson fired a Speedstinger. Russell fired a Frightgeist. And Nelson fired a Lavalynx. Munch saw the incoming slugs, screamed in terror and ran out of Molemound faster than you could say 'Bob's your flipping uncle.'

"Well, now that that's all over." Pronto said, holding out the Mapa Mundi to Burpy. The fire slug blew his flame and burned the Mapa Mundi. Now there was one last thing to take care of. "So, what does the new chapter say about the king going on adventures with his friends? Maybe?" Pronto asked. "It says that if the king is absent or unable to perform his duties as required, he must appoint a proxy." The advisor explained, reading the lost chapter. Pronto was now intrigued, getting an idea. "Then I dub thee Sedo, keeper of the keys, royal stopper of leaks and decider of all things squabbley and petty." Pronto declared, giving Sedo the key and plunger. "Of course, questions of Molemound policy will remain with the king. Me." "Pronto! You- You- YOU-" Sedo tried to say in frustration, not finding the right insulting words. "Majesty will do. Although I would also accept my Liege and/or your Highness." Pronto said. "Now that is a kingly act, my kingly friend." Harley said. "Say Pronto, what was that last slug you used on Munch?" Eli asked. "Oh, you mean Molty?" Pronto asked, holding out his slug. "He's called a Firenzar. He's among one of the rarest slugs in all of Slugterra." He explained. "Cool." Eli said.

As the gang headed home, Eli was still dumbfounded from Nacho tricking them. "Nacho really played us. Too predictable." He said. "So, we'll change up our game." Trixie assured. "That's not what bothers me. The Mapa Mundi didn't just point the way to the Deep Caverns. It marked the location of the Drop." Eli revealed. "What're you thinking, boss?" Watts asked. "What if Blakk doesn't wanna go deeper? What if he's searching for a way to the surface?" Eli asked. "But why? What does he hope to gain from finding the way to the Burning World?" Shimei asked. "I don't know. But whatever it is, it's not good for both our worlds." Eli said. "Yeah. But since the one and only copy of the map is toast, Blakk's not going anywhere. Right?" Kord said. "Hey. If you destroyed the original map, what does Nacho have?" Trixie asked.

Nacho, in the middle of a canyon, opened the rolled paper, only to find a badly drawn picture of himself eating nachos. He roared into the canyon out of frustration.

Well, how was that? The Shane Gang journey to Molemound where Pronto is revealed to be the king. And while the others go to stop Nacho from getting the legendary Mapa Mundi, Pronto and Harley stay behind to contend with Sedo and Munch. But was the book Eli found in the Repository? And what other surprises await the Shane Gang? Leave a review if you'd like.

Special thanks to FoxyKhai0209 for Pronto's Quintuplet siblings and the Tales of Slugterra's First Protectors book.

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), Larry (Lariat), Gust (Tormato), Buzzsaw (Thresher), Digger (Crystalyd), Spinner (Arachnet), Mucky (Dirt Urchin), Tangles (Vinedrill), Spooker (Frightgeist), Charger (Fandango), Stunts (Speedstinger), Glimmer (Phosphoro), Mo (Enigmo), Dazer (Hypnogrif), Urchin (Sand Angler), Dozer (Slyren), Jixer (Hexlet), Torch (Forgesmeltor), Yang (Negashade), Beeker (AquaBeek), Mimkey (Mimikreas), Jaws (MakoBreaker), Gasser (Flatulorhinkus), Crystal (Geoshard), Foggy (Neotox), Jammer (Xmitter)

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), Twister (Tormato), Lucky (Hexlet), Sizzle (Grenuke), Quill (Dirt Urchin), Ping (White Boon Doc), Bubbles (Bubbaleone), Polo (Polero), Skitter (Speedstinger), Flasher (Phosphoro), Gem (Geoshard)

Trixie Sting: Bluster (Tormato), Blizzard (Frostcrawler), Spider (Arachnet), Twirl (Polero), Balloon (Bubbaleone), Haunter (Frightgeist), Pounder (Rammstone), Slicer (Thresher), Rocks (Hop Rock), Jelly (Jellyish), Blossom (Vinedrill), Spotty (Flopper), Dunes (Sand Angler), Zaps (Tazerling), Roller (Armashelt), Scorcher (Lavalynx), Nighty (Slyren)

Kord Zane: Bludgeon (Rammstone), Sploder (Hop Rock), Jolt (Tazerling), Trip (Polero), Flycatcher (Arachnet), Floatie (Bubbaleone), Iceberg (Frostcrawler), Scorch (Flaringo), Jetstream (AquaBeek), Spitz (Lariat), Chuckles (Gazzer), Floppy (Flopper), Pincer (Armashelt), Glint (Phosphoro), Throttle (Thresher), Quicksand (Sand Angler), Silv (Slicksilver), Pollen (Vinedrill)

Pronto Geronimo: Stinky (Flatulorhinkus), Slimey (Jellyish), Soapy (Bubbaleone), Bruiser (Rammstone), Flame (Flaringo), Loogie (Lariat), Windy (Tormato), Squeaky (Flopper), Blocky (Hop Rock), Freezie (Frostcrawler), Doozey (Slyren), Zappy (Tazerling), Stripey (Polero), Planty (Vinedrill), Shelly (Armashelt), Sharky (MakoBreaker), Bitey (Thresher), Zippy (Speedstinger), Molty (Firenzar)

Vance Volt: Blast (Hop Rock), Bloom (Vinedrill), Crust (Lavalynx), Legs (Arachnet), Swimy (AquaBeek), Hardcase (Armashelt), Squish (Jellyish), Blow (Tormato), Cheep (Flopper), Punch (Rammstone), Chill (Frostcrawler), Swallow (Bubbaleone)

Mario Bravado: Ricochet (Speedstinger), Slide (Frostcrawler), Crawler (Arachnet), Echo (AquaBeek), Mess (Jellyish), Breeze (Tormato), Kate (Flopper), Porky (Dirt Urchin), Dunk (Rammstone), Crush (Armashelt), Razz (Thresher), Pinkie (Bubbaleone)

Lash: Zing (Tazerling), Speedy (Speedstinger), Hopper (Hop Rock), Bubba (Bubbaleone), Stinx (Flatulorhinkus), String (Polero), Goat (Rammstone), Sleepy (Slyren), Webber (Arachnet), Ice (Frostcrawler), Spark (Flaringo), Winger (Tormato), Witch (Hexlet), Phlegm (Lariat), Peep (Flopper), Melt (Lavalynx), Clash (Armashelt), Shroud (Frightgeist), Oxide (Gazzer)

Shimei: Mong (Hop Rock), Jin (Rammstone), Zeng (Vinedrill), Leng (Polero), Kaz (Grenuke), Hindo (Flaring), Huong (Phosphoro), Hei-Hei (Hoverbug), Yung (Armashelt), Mai (Arachnet), Fong (Bubbaleone)

Eliza Shane: Ellie (Flaringo), Min (Jellyish), Tink (Phosphoro), Pimpy (Bubbaleone), Jimbo (Hop Rock), Jason (Frightgeist), Fitz (Tazerling), Flick (Grenuke), Griff (Hypnogrif)

Watts: Scourge (MakoBreaker), Polly (Hoverbug), Rush (Rammstone), Sinker (Hop Rock), Maelstrom (Tormato), Tidal Wave (AquaBeek), Preserver (Bubbaleone)

Dana Por: Webby (Arachnet), Willy (Frostcrawler), Tailwind (Tormato), Rosie (Vinedrill), Jinx (Hexlet), Nemo (AquaBeek), Bubbles (Bubbaleone)

The Universal Slug