Time once again for one of my own chapters. Enjoy!
Chapter 42: Secret of Crystalyd Cavern
Another day at the Shane hideout. Everyone was doing their thing. Bella was running about the place, holding Pronto's pants in her mouth. "BELLA! Give Pronto back his pants!" Pronto shouted as he chased her in his underwear. Kord was making some special land legs for Reolin and Dew. "Alright, that should do it. And with these breathing apparatuses, you 2 will be able to help us in battle more." He said. Reolin and Dew suddenly pounced on him and started licking him in affection. "Okay, okay! You're welcome!" He said, laughing from the tickling of tongue.
Vance and Mario were attempting to place a final card onto a house of cards. But then, Bella and Pronto hustled past, knocking down the cards. "Oh man!" Vance exclaimed. "Interference!" Mario called. The Hoverbugs were playing with Marble and the lave bats. "Wow. Things are sure hopping around here now." Harley said. "Yeah. Maybe we should throw a monthly anniversary party to celebrate us becoming a family." Eli said. "Sounds like an idea, babe." Trixie said. "I'm game for a party." Harley said.
Kala was on the computer, doing some research. She typed on the keyboard, looking into Dr. Blakk's files, but hit a high security firewall system. She just smirked, knowing what to do. She cracked her fingers and simply typed some codes, getting through the high security system with no problem, thus hacking into Blakk's files. "Now, let's see what you got hiding, Blakk." She said, looking through the files. Just then, she stumbled on a file marked 'Top Secret.' She opened the file. But then, she gasped out loud. The gang heard her and gathered around her. "Kala, what's wrong?" Aerona asked. "Look what I found in Blakk's files." Kala said, showing them what she found. The secret location of the secret cavern of the Crystalyd slugs!
The gang was all shocked. "Why would Blakk be after Crystalyds? They only surface once every hundred years." Eli said. "I have a theory. Blakk must've worked on this in secret and searched for the Crystalyd's secret cavern. No doubt to capture them and ghoul them." Fareeda guessed. "Well, that's not going to happen." Harley said. "Harley's right. Looks like we have our next mission. Saving Crystalyd Cavern." Eli said.
(Intro)
The gang rode through a canyon. Kala downloaded a map to the location on her phone and led the way. "We should be coming up on the exact location right now." She said. "I can't believe it! The actual location of the secret cavern home of the Crystalyd slugs!" Trixie said with glee. "It'll be awesome to get our own Crystalyds now." Harley said. Just then, Kala skidded her mecha to a stop. "What's up, sis?" Fareeda asked. "Looks like we were beaten to the punch this time." Kala said, pointing out to the open. The gang gasped at what they saw. A Blakk Industries drill, crawling with goons. The drill was drilling into the ground at the exact location of the cavern.
Twist and Deagan were overseeing the operation. "We've been drilling all morning! Are you sure this is the exact location of the cavern of Crystalyds?" Deagan asked with complaint. "Of course, I'm sure! It said so exactly on the map that this is the exact spot!" Twist exclaimed. "Okay, okay! Chill." Deagan said. "Once we reach the exact depth, we'll be able to capture every single Crystalyd in the cavern. That'll be enough ghouls to please Blakk when he returns." Twist said. "And if Nacho finds out that we're doing this against his orders?" Deagan asked mockingly. "Hey! Nacho does not give us commands, Deagan! He may be Blakk's main enforcer, but we're ranked above him." Twist said. "And if the Shane Gang were to show up?" Deagan asked. "Please. As if they could ever find out about Blakk's most secret projects. Though if they did, it'll be a good chance to give those Garcias some payback for what they did to Loki." Twist said. "Yet you still carry your golden Smugglet around, hoping the effects of that Midas slug would wear off naturally." Deagan said, gesturing to a couple of goons polishing Twist's still golden Loki statue.
"Hey, Twist!" Someone called. Twist and Deagan turned to a command goon. "We're nearing the exact depth of the cavern." The goon informed. "Excellent. Then let's prepare to score our big payday, boys. In the name of Dr. Blakk!" Twist said. The goons cheered.
The gang watched them work from a canyon hill. "Should've known Twist and Deagan would be part of this." Eli said. "No sign of Nacho though." Kord said. "I don't think he's even involved in this." Dana said. "We gotta get down there and stop them from drilling down to the cavern." Trixie said. "How? The last time we faced a drill like that, it was underwater. And that one looks more complex." Mario said. "He's got that right. All the central wiring is connected through a certain chain of energy. And it looks like the machine is powered by an ion power core. And that's bad." Kord said, examining the drill. "How is that bad?" Pronto asked. "If that core goes critical, it could cause an ionic pulse that could shut down every electronic device in this whole cavern." Kord said. "That includes our blasters." Kala said.
Just then, as a guard was bringing in slug canisters to capture Crystalyds, he caught a glimpse of the Shane Gang in the distance. "SHANE GANG!" He shouted, firing a Grimmstone. "Get clear!" Eli shouted. The gang scattered as the ghoul hit their cover. "Keep that drill going until we hit the cavern! We'll deal with them!" Twist ordered, drawing his blaster. "Called it! I knew they'd show up." Deagan said, readying his blasters. "Yeah, yeah. You can gloat later. Right now, let's just do this thing!" Twist said.
The gang rode their mechas into the battle as the guards fired more of their ghouls. Shimei leapt off her mecha, splitting her blaster in 2. She first fired her new Tormato, Wang, and then her new Dirt Urchin, Feng. Wang started by forming a Slyphoon. Feng followed by jetting into the Slyphoon. The guards were confused. Until spikes from Feng's Chortlesnort attack shot out from the Slyphoon. The guards try to dodge them, but the wind from the Slyphoon directed the spikes into their rears, causing them to yelp in pain. Shimei looked on proudly, but then she noticed a Greneater coming right for her. But then, an Arachnet launched her web, catching the Greneater and throwing it off balance. Shimei looked back and saw Lash with his blaster smoking. "You can thank me later." Lash said. "Actually, I'll thank you now." Shimei said, giving her boyfriend a peck on the cheek. Lash blushed and fainted.
Kala dismounted her mecha and comes face to face with Twist. "Well, well. So, we meet again." She said. "I'm gonna give you one more chance. Let's duel and you change Loki back from his golden prison." Twist demanded. "Mmm. I don't think so." Kala refused flirtingly. "Then you will pay for everything that you've done! Just as Eli and Harley will." Twist said with frustration, firing a Barreto. Kala reacted quickly and dodged the ghoul. Twist fired 2 more ghouls, an Attacknet and a Hop Jack. Kala slung Aries and began to perform her martial arts. Through her command, Aries punched the 2 ghouls away. Twist was surprised. 'How did she do that?' He thought. Kala then commanded Aries to uppercut Twist, sending him into the air and landing on the ground hard, knocking him out.
As Aries returned to Kala, she walked up to Twist and looked over his unconscious body. "You are completely lost in mind because you desire revenge. It is meaningless." She said, walking back to rejoin the battle.
At the same time, Paulina slung Snowstorm, freezing several guards in their place with Iceberg Coffin. "YOU!" Deagan shouted. Paulina turned to see him stomping towards her. "You again." She said. "I'm not just here to take my Infurnus back. I'm gonna make you sorry for that Vinelash wedgie you gave me and for stealing my Infurnus the first time we dueled!" Deagan said, very mad about everything the youngest Garcia did to him. "DEAGAN!" Paulina suddenly yelled. Deagan flinched. He never expected such anger from this young lady. "Your obsession with Burpy and Hestia is controlling your mind and it's blinding you! The more you let this obsession control you, then the more you will regret what you will do to yourself!" Paulina scolded. "Obsession is death." Deagan was taken back by the last part. How she said it so coldly. He became shocked and frightened by her words, especially the last part. He tried to speak, but he found himself unable to talk due to the sudden fear in him. Her words got the better of him.
Paulina took advantage of this and slung her new Armashelt, Hardstone, and bashed into Deagan with Cannonbolt very hard, knocking him out. As Hardstone returned to Paulina, she walked over and glared at the unconscious Deagan. "Your death will come soon once you realize your mistake." She whispered before leaving to join her sisters and friends.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Shane Gang managed to drive the rest of the guards back to their mechas. "Keep at them! We got them on the ropes!" Eli called as he slung Tangles, hitting a couple guards with Itchypants, causing them to start scratching themselves. Dana followed in with her new Slicksilver, Silvia. The slug ensnared the guards' blasters with Magnacoil. The guards mounted their mechas and rode off like the cowards they were. "Haha! Victory is ours!" Pronto boasted. "Not yet it's not." Kord said, looking over the controls of the drill. "The drill just hit the depth to the Crystalyd Cavern, but I managed to power it off. Unfortunately, we still need to deal with the ion core." "Don't worry about it now, Kord. Let's head down into the cavern to make sure the Crystayds are okay." Eli said. "Yes. And then we can get Crystalyds too." Pronto said. The gang all looked at Pronto. "What?! Eli has one! And an Enigmo and a Forgesmelter! Why should he get all the good slugs?!" He whined. "He does have a point." Mario said.
So, after retracting the drill, the gang all headed down the hole into Crystalyd Cavern. But little did they know, Twist had slowly regained consciousness and pulled up his phone. "Send reinforcements." He whispered.
Eli carefully led the gang down the hole. Finally, he found the exit. "Whoa." He said in awe at the sight. The rest of the gang followed and reacted the same way. An entire cavern right under the original cavern. Slug-sized tunnels filled the entire cavern. Thousands of Crystalyds populated throughout the entire cavern. "Look at that." Kord said. "Can you believe it?" Fareeda asked. "The secret cavern of the Crystalyd slugs." Pronto said. "I've never seen a more beautiful sight." Paulina said. "Take a good look, Digger. It's your old home." Eli said. Digger hopped out of his barrel and into Eli's hand, taking a long-awed look at his old home cavern.
Pronto stepped forth. "Okay. So, now that we're here, let's snag up a few Crystalyds for ourselves and figure out how to stop that drill." He suggested. "Are you sure about this, Pronto? We don't wanna upset the nest." Kord said. "Oh, what's the harm?" Pronto said. He slowly crept up to a nearby Crystalyd and prepared to catch it. "Touch that slug, and you'll enter a world of pain." A voice called, stopping him in his tracks.
The gang turned to see Twist and Deagan, along with an army of reinforcements. "You just don't know when to quit, do you, Twist?" Eli asked with a glare. "Of course not, Shane. Once we capture all these slugs and get rid of you, Blakk will highly reward us once he returns." Twist said. "So, one chance. Get out of our way!" Deagan demanded. Eli got ready to draw his blaster. But suddenly, Aerona grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "Don't. We'll handle this." She said. She and her sisters stepped forth and readied their blasters. "You're stark raving mad! Don't you see that there's an army of us?! You 4 can't possibly beat all of us by yourselves!" Deagan said. "Oh, but that's the thing. We can." Fareeda said.
Aerona raised her blaster and slung Hiccup, Fareeda slung Aquarius, Kala slung Aries, and Paulina slung Capricorn. As the 4 slugs transformed, the girls performed their martial arts and took control of them. Twist and Deagan were confused at what they were doing. Then Aerona made a move with her skills and Hiccup blasted half the guards with Blastburst. Fareeda moved next and Aquarius blasted another half with AquaJet. Kala made her move and Aries sent another half of guards packing with Slabhenge. Finally, Paulina moved and Capricorn blew the rest away with Galestorm. Eli and Harley looked on with awe. The way the sisters and their slugs moved as one, it was like they had the power to control their slugs' natural elements.
The guards, completely spooked by what the Garcias did, ran out of the cavern with their tails between their legs. "No! Come back!" Twist yelled. "Get back here and fight, you cowards!" Deagan ordered. "It's over, you 2." Aerona said. Twist and Deagan turned and glared at the sisters. "It would be best for both our sides if you surrender." Paulina said. Twist and Deagan refused surrender and drew their blasters. But the sisters were quicker. They loaded and slung their Midas slugs. Together, they launched a huge Golden Duststorm attack, blowing the 2 traitors out of the cavern.
As the Midas slugs flew back to their slingers, the gang came up, cheering for the sisters. "That was amazing!" Kord said. "Coolest form of trick shooting I've ever seen!" Mario said. "Where did you guys learn to do that?" Eli asked. "Well, we actually learned it from our old favorite cartoon show a couple years ago. It's called Elemental Bending." Aerona explained.
Just then, a rumble came from above. "What's going on?!" Trixie asked. "The ion power core! It's about to go critical!" Kord said. "We gotta get topside! Now!" Eli said. The gang hustled to get back to the top. Digger, who stuck around, watched them leave, then looked to his fellow Crystalyds, who all looked at him. Then, he got an idea.
The gang made it back to the top. But when they looked at the drill, the ion power core was glowing bright, building up with energy. "This isn't good. Once that core goes full critical, the ionic pulse will shut down everything electronic in this whole cavern!" Kord said. "Could we destroy it?" Lash asked. "If we did, the destruction would set off the ionic pulse too." Kord said. "There must be something we can do." Trixie said. "Wait! Where's Digger?" Eli asked.
Just then, there was a chitter. The gang turned and saw Digger leading a group of his Crystalyd friends out. "Digger!" Eli called as Digger hopped into his hand. Digger then started chittering his idea to Eli. "What's Digger saying, babe?" Trixie asked. "He thinks if we sling him and the Crystalyds to dig a deep hole under the drill to bury it, the ionic pulse won't be able to affect anything underground." Eli explained. "That might just work. There's barely anything electronic underground." Kord said. "It's worth a try." Aerona said. "What do we got to lose?" Pronto asked. "Alright. Everyone grab a Crystalyd and let's hope for the best." Eli said.
The gang each took a Crystalyd and loaded it into their blaster. "Lead the way, Digger." Eli said, slinging Digger. The others followed with their Crystalyds. Together, the slugs circled the drill and started digging around it. And in just a few seconds, the ground under the drill gave and the drill fell deep underground. The ground shook as the ion power core went boom. And it worked. Nothing electronic in the cavern was affected. "It worked!" Kord cried. The gang cheered in victory. Digger and the other Crystalyds emerged from the hole and hopped back to their slingers. "Nice work, Digger. Looks like you're 'Slug of the Month' winner this month." Eli said. Digger chittered, saying thank you. "Now we really need to throw a party for this victory." Harley said. "Yes. And we each finally have our own Crystalyds." Pronto said, gesturing to his new Crystalyd.
Back at Blakk's citadel, Twist and Deagan stood in Blakk's throne room. Apparently, Nacho had just found out about their little operation and was not too happy about this. "You disobey orders and go behind my back to try and gather ultra rare slugs in their secret cavern for Dr. Blakk! And to top it off, the Shane Gang manage to defeat you once again!" Nacho ranted angrily. "If it was up to me, I'd have you 2 replaced with worthier apprentices for Blakk." Twist and Deagan gulped. "But it's not. So, I think I'll just have to further your education…in pain." Nacho cracked his knuckles and walked towards the 2. "Wait! Nacho! Let's not be too hasty!" Twist objected. "Just watch the suit, kay? I just had it dry-cleaned." Deagan said. Nacho just roared and lunged at the 2.
WOW! Wasn't that something?! The Shane Gang uncover the secret of Crystalyd Cavern. And the rest of the gang each got their own Crystalyds too. What other surprises will challenge our heroes? Leave a review if you'd like.
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), Jinxer (Hexlet), Torch (Forgesmelter), Yang (Negashade), Beeker (AquaBeek), Mimkey (Mimikreas), Jaws (MakoBreaker), Gasser (Flatulorhinkus), Crystal (Geoshard), Foggy (Neotox), Jammer (Xmitter), Bugsy (Hoverbug)
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), Hestia (Infurnus), Drill (Crystalyd)
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), Starling (Phosphoro), Roxy (Crystalyd)
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), Flats (Flatulorhinkus), Cliff (Crystalyd)
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), Spitty (Arachnet), Fissure (Crystalyd)
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), Storm (Tazerling), Tim (Crystalyd)
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), Chasm (Crystalyd)
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), Sprout (Vinedrill), Darcy (Crystalyd)
Shimei: Mong (Hop Rock), Jin (Rammstone), Zeng (Vinedrill), Leng (Polero), Kaz (Grenuke), Hindo (Flaringo), Huong (Phosphoro), Hei-Hei (Hoverbug), Yung (Armashelt), Mai (Arachnet), Fong (Bubbaleone), Wang (Tormato), Feng (Dirt Urchin), Ravine (Crystalyd)
Eliza Shane: Ellie (Flaringo), Min (Jellyish), Tink (Phosphoro), Pimpy (Bubbaleone), Jimbo (Hop Rock), Jason (Frightgeist), Fitz (Tazerling), Flick (Grenuke), Griff (Hypnogrif), Midnight (Slyren), Wilton (Neotox), Oya (Tormato), Canyon (Crystalyd)
Watts: Scourge (MakoBreaker), Polly (Hoverbug), Rush (Rammstone), Sinker (Hop Rock), Maelstrom (Tormato), Tidal Wave (AquaBeek), Preserver (Bubbaleone), Gorge (Crystalyd)
Dana Por: Webby (Arachnet), Willy (Frostcrawler), Tailwind (Tormato), Rosie (Vinedrill), Jinx (Hexlet), Nemo (AquaBeek), Poppy (Bubbaleone), Silvia (Slicksilver), Crevice (Crystalyd)
Aerona Garcia: Goldie (Midas), Hiccup (Flaringo), Cancer (Armashelt), Icestorm (Frostcrawler), Bomb (Hop Rock), Goopy (Lariat), Slabs (Rammstone), Taurus (Crystalyd)
Fareeda Garcia: Shiny (Midas), Thunderstorm (Tazerling), X (Xmitter), Aquarius (AquaBeeker), Eve (Negashade), Maggie (Slicksilver), Sagittarius (Hoverbug), Jack Hammer (Crystalyd)
Kala Garcia: Aurum (Midas), Lila (Thugglet), Scorpio (Hexlet), Aries (Rammstone), Gemini (Polero), Sparkly (Phosphoro), Prick (Dirt Urchin), Bulldozer (Crystalyd)
Paulina Garcia: Chrysos (Midas), Cepheus (Firenzar), Snowstorm (Narwhaddle), Cassiopeia (Sand Angler), Chainsaw (Thresher), Virgo (Vinedrill), Capricorn (Tormato), Hardstone (Armashelt), Abyss (Crysatlyd)
The Universal Slug