A/N: Hello, everyone. This is my very first chapter of my Infinity Train X Mao Mao crossover event: "Infinity Train: The Pure Heart Car" What do you think? Now, I put in a few surprises in this story and one of them would even make the main antagonist even badder, to make him more like a threat not to be taken lightly and a comedic villain at the same time like Aku from "Samurai Jack". But I digress. The main cast for the series will be Ashley Johnson as Tulip, Ernie Hudson as Atticus, Jeremy Crutchley as Glad One, Owen Dennis as Sad One, Macintalk (which voiced Auto in Disney and Pixar's WALL-E) as the New Steward, Parker Simmons as Mao Mao, Griffith Kimmins as Badgerclops, Lika Leong as Adorabat. So, feel free to tell me what you think after you finish reading this. Oh, and a fair warning: this story's rating is bound to change to M at some point, nothing too violent or gory, I can assure you, though. :) Enjoy.
"Infinity Train: The Pure Heart Car"
Prologue: "An Urgent Emergency"
It's been a few weeks since Tulip had settled in at Osh Kosh Game Design Camp 7 months after her adventure aboard the Infinity Train. Sure, there have been some challenges along the way since settling in, but they were nothing she couldn't handle. Everything seemed normal enough, until one day when Tulip was speaking with Mikayla via webcam on her own computer to go along with her own room...
"How are things going with you on your end, Mikayla?", Tulip asked.
"Eh, same old, same old.", Mikayla responded.
"Aw, come on, Mikayla. I can tell by the way you're smiling. You obviously did something different today.", Tulip responded.
"Well, I guess there was one thing we did, but you probably wouldn't be interested.", Mikayla responded.
"Oh, yeah? Try me.", Tulip responded.
"Well, have you ever heard about a role-playing game called 'Adventures of Pure Heart Valley?'", Mikayla responded.
"Get out. I didn't know you play this game, too.", Tulip spoke in elated excitement.
"Yeah, of course I do, what with the cute little sweetypies, and sky pirates, but I think my favorite character is the cat. I think he's named Mao Mao or something like that. Anyway, he's the main hero of this adventure with a badger with a cyber arm called Badgerclops as his best friend or something like that, and even a cute adorable bat, hence the name Adorabat.", Mikayla commented.
"Yeah, I know. He's my favorite kind of guy, too. I mean, why couldn't he with all those inspirational quotes like, 'a true hero always does what's right...'", Tulip began.
"'...Even when it crushes him inside'.", Mikayla finished.
"I know, right? Sometimes, I just wish I'd get a chance to actually meet him in person. And even his friends, too You know, if they were real.", Tulip responded.
"Under normal circumstances, I'd laugh at this just for the fun of it, but since you and I both play the same game, I can really agree with you on this one.", Mikayla assured.
"Really?", Tulip puzzled.
"Yep. I only wish that there was a new video game about it, though. That'd be another video game I could like.", Mikayla commented.
"Just as much as 'Good Guys poppin' Bad Guys'?", Tulip asked.
"You know it.", Mikayla responded.
"Yeah, that would be really cool, wouldn't it?", Tulip grinned.
"Yeah. Well, gotta get some shut-eye. It's getting a bit late. Hope you have some fun at Game Design Camp, though.", Mikayla spoke.
"Hope you have a good night, too, Mikayla.", Tulip waved.
"Night.", Mikayla spoke.
"See you later.", Tulip spoke before ending the call and then thinking of an idea of her own.
"Hm. What if I make it a video game?", Tulip wondered just before Tulip's right hand began glowing a green symbol of the train Tulip boarded 7 Months ago, puzzling her.
"Huh? What's going on?", Tulip puzzled.
Then, just outside, Tulip looked outside to notice the same train she went on some time ago.
"The train? What's it doing here?", Tulip asked to herself before she decided to take it upon herself to investigate as she put on her green sweat jacket with elbow patches and boots before heading out the window and then eventually arriving at the train before the sign above the door tilted and read "Pure Heart Valley", surprising Tulip.
"What? Pure Heart Valley is real?", Tulip puzzled before the door opened with the Steward stepping out, much to her shock as she gasped before it spoke.
"Scanning Passenger.", the Steward spoke before scanning her in a green horizontal light, puzzling her, considering it attacked her last time, in a downwards and upwards motion, mostly at the symbol on Tulip's right hand before its eyes flashed as it beeped before it gave off an approving beep.
"Passenger Tulip Olsen identified. Conductor One-One wishes to see you.", the Steward spoke to Tulip.
"One-One? What's going on? Is he okay?", Tulip puzzled before the robot in question suddenly appeared out of the doorway and then stopped to see Tulip.
"I can assure you, I'm quite all right, Ms. Tulip.", Glad One assured, surprising her.
"One-One? What are you doing here?", Tulip asked with a grin as they hugged each other.
"Well, you see, I'm in a bit of a spot of trouble with a few passengers in the Pure Heart Valley car.", Glad One explained.
"What kind of trouble?", Tulip puzzled.
"Big trouble. The passengers causing that much trouble in the car are a group of pirates led by a snake in a robot suit with a monkey.", Sad One stated, making Tulip gasp upon realization of what he was talking about.
"Orangusnake.", Tulip spoke.
"Exactly.", Sad One agreed.
"How did you know his name?", Glad One puzzled.
"Because, I've played a game about Pure Heart Valley when I was little.", Tulip stated.
"Really? There's a video game about Pure Heart Valley? You're joking.", Glad One responded in surprise.
"Well, not exactly a video game, per sé. More like an actual RPG board game. It's still very fun, though.", Tulip assured.
"Oh. Well, that's all right.", Glad One assured.
"So, where's Atticus? How's he doing?", Tulip asked.
"Well, he's currently investigating the reason for the chaos going on around here aboard the ship of the sky pirates.", Glad One stated.
"There's a good chance he might not make it out alive, though.", Sad One added.
"And that's why you need me, isn't it?", Tulip guessed.
"Bingo! But you won't be carrying the burden alone, Ms. Tulip. For, I am currently rounding up key passengers like yourself for this very mission.", Glad One responded.
"Really? Who are they?", Tulip asked.
"I dunno, but some passengers may arrive sooner than others and they're all good in a misunderstood way, just like you.", Glad One responded.
"Well, it would be kinda nice to explore the real thing. All right, One-One. I'm in.", Tulip assured.
"Well, in that case, all abooooard!", Glad One shouted as a portal started glowing in the dark doorway before Tulip gasped upon apparent reentry inside the train.
Chapter 1: "A New Adventure"
Later, in the real Pure Heart Valley, Tulip groaned as she stirred awake and saw the clouds in the sky before sitting up.
"Huh? Clouds. And mountains? And even a forest nearby?", Tulip puzzled before One-One popped up from her backpack.
"Enjoy your nap, Ms. Tulip?", Glad One asked.
"One-One. You're here? But what about the train?", Tulip asked.
"Don't worry, Ms. Tulip. The Train is on emergency maintenance for this very mission.", Glad One assured.
"Huh. Well, that's good to hear.", Tulip grinned a bit before she heard groaning from someone apparently next to her before Tulip turned around and noticed someone with red hair, glasses, dark green eyes, a lab coat, a bright t-shirt with a crescent moon on it, and a crescent moon hairpiece.
"Uh, One-One, who's that?", Tulip asked.
"That, Tulip, is Mary Test. A scientist from the Test family like her twin sister Susan who performs all sorts of cool, wacky experiments with her, mostly on their younger, daredevil-esque brother, Johnny Test.", Glad One stated.
"Huh. And how do their parents feel about all this?", Tulip asked.
"That's simple. If they unnecessarily perform too many experiments, they get grounded...usually, for life.", Sad One replied.
"Yeesh!", Tulip responded sharply before she overheard a conversation between Ketchup, Chubbum, and Adorabat, puzzling her.
"Where?!", Ketchup exclaimed.
"Huh? Where did that come from?", Tulip puzzled.
"Try looking over in that direction, Ms. Tulip.", Glad One suggested before Tulip saw the frightened Ketchup, Chubbum, and Adorabat.
"Geez, Adorabat. You know monsters can never come here with the Ruby Pure Heart protecting us.", Chubbum spoke as a transparent glow passed by on the Ruby Pure Heart before huffing as he removed the blanket from the grass and took the petrified Ketchup home.
"This is just too much simulation!", Ketchup whimpered.
"Wait. So, this is Pure Heart Valley?", Tulip realized.
"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?", Glad One replied just as Mary came to next.
"Easy there, Mary. Are you okay?", Tulip asked.
"Yeah. Wait. How'd you know my name?", Mary asked.
"Well, One-One told me.", Tulip replied.
"Nice to meet you, Mary. I'm One.", Glad One began.
"One...", Sad One finished.
"And I'm Tulip.", Tulip spoke as she offered her hand.
"Okay... Well, it's nice to meet you.", Mary spoke as she shook we hand.
"Same here.", Tulip responded.
Meanwhile, Adorabat grew disappointed and sighed.
"Nothing exciting ever happens here.", Adorabat sighed before she flew away only to notice unexpected visitors as she gasped while Mary spoke to Tulip.
"So, where are we and why are we here?", Mary asked.
"First off, this is Pure Heart Valley. Secondly, we're here because something's going on in that car that's threatening it as we speak and we have to stop it.", Tulip responded.
"Like what?", Mary asked.
"I'm not entirely sure yet, but if there's one thing I do know about it, it's anything but good.", Tulip responded before Adorabat swooped in and got all excited.
"Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh! We have new visitors! We hardly get any visitors here!", Adorabat spoke excitedly, surprising Tulip and Mary while One-One grew a bit excited himself.
"I know. We're one of the first visitors here!", Glad One agreed.
"Get out! A talking robot?!", Adorabat exclaimed.
"Robots. And we come as a pair.", Sad One responded.
"Just who are you guys? No, seriously. Who are you? I really want to know.", Adorabat smiled.
"Uh, okay? Well, I'm Tulip, this is Mary, the little robot's One-One, and you must be Adorabat, right?", Tulip asked, making her gasp in excitement.
"No way! How'd y'all know my name? More importantly, what brings you guys here?", Adorabat asked.
"Well..., let's just say we've heard about you, first off. And second, we heard that there's something going on in Pure Heart Valley. Not sure what it is, though. That's why we're going to investigate.", Tulip responded.
"Yeah, what is going on?", Adorabat puzzled.
"That's something I'd like to know myself.", Mary responded.
"And we will. Somehow...", Tulip responded as she looked up at the sky.
Meanwhile, in the air, there rode on an aero cycle a black cat with green eyes, red ninja-like armor for his elbows and kneecaps, a cape, and a golden katana with a black bike helmet on, and a badger with a cyber arm and an eyepatch.
"Dude, maybe I could take the wheel for a little bit?!", Badgerclops exclaimed.
"We're almost there! And you fly like a grandma.", Mao Mao responded.
"Now, that's really rude to Grandmas.", Badgerclops retorted before Mao Mao only spoke gibberish while flailing his left arm before a big airship was made known from behind the clouds as the cat laughed.
"There they are.", Mao Mao spoke.
"Oh, good! Pirates!", Badgerclops spoke sarcastically in a frightened tone before Mao Mao laughed boldly and then took off toward it.
Later, Mao Mao and Badgerclops were already on the other side of the spot where the Aerocycle was parked as Mao Mao pointed upwards with Badgerclops then searching through his cyber arm for any useful tools.
"Let's see. Egg beater... Laser beam, Hah! Here we go.", Badgerclops spoke as he switched from egg beater to laser beam to a very useful tool for getting up high ledges: a grappling hook, before firing it upwards and then lifting themselves up as Badgerclops held on to Mao Mao.
"This is a bad idea, man. These pirates aren't messing around. Just look at the decor.", Badgerclops discouraged, not knowing that Atticus was searching around the airship for anything vital to Orangusnake's plans when he noticed Mao Mao and Badgerclops as the latter pointed out the decor, which was a sort of Halloween decoration.
"Once we take down these sky pirates, our reputation will soar! And I'll be that much closer to the Legend I am destined to become.", Mao Mao grinned before chuckling.
"Dude, are you having that fantasy where your family loves and respects you and you're also super buff?", Badgerclops asked.
"I told you that in confidence.", Mao Mao retorted.
"It was cute. Who cares?", Badgerclops responded.
"It was not cute!", Mao Mao retorted whisperingly.
"Awfully talkative animals, aren't they?", Atticus commented before he then saw a whole horde of cockroach-like creatures with paws of a Jaguar, three free range tails, and a soft tentacle-like appendage that could literally suck souls known as Ghoms behind the main crew led by Orangusnake as he monologued, not knowing that Mao Mao and Badgerclops had the same idea on the other side.
"There they are.", Mao Mao spoke after shushing Badgerclops for his laughing.
"Attention, you scurvy dogs! And...other creatures. After years of dedicated searching, we finally discovered the long lost Pure Heart Valley!", Orangusnake spoke before laughing as his crew cheered and the Ghoms growled in anticipation.
"Soon, with this new invention I made that brought us these creatures as our latest recruits, we shall invade the valley and seize the Ruby Pure Heart, and then... THE WORLD!", Orangusnake shouted before the Ghom army screeched and the gang chanted, saying "Orangusnake! Orangusnake! Orangusnake!", worrying Atticus.
"Doesn't he even realize? If he does that, there'll be no world for him left to rule here.", Atticus spoke to himself.
Then, the chanting stopped.
"But first, roll call. Let's see. Uh, Orangusnake! Oh. Hehehe. Here.", Orangusnake grinned before then turning to his next to members.
"Beefmaster?", Orangusnake asked.
"Greetings.", Beefmaster responded.
"Thunderfist?", Orangusnake spoke before the villain in question, resembling a big pink gorilla with responded whilst thrusting his fists against each other and giving off lightning sparks and tossed out a couple banana peels at the same time.
"Ooh, ooh, ooh! Present!", Thunderfist called out.
"How imposing. No wonder Orangusnake rallied them. Still, I must present my case.", Atticus stated as he stepped forward cautiously, not knowing that Mao Mao and Badgerclops both had different ideas.
"Dude, let's bounce. That guy's name is Thunderfist. And you'll never become a legend if he crushes you between his biceps.", Badgerclops warned.
"Maybe, you're right. Perhaps, we... Oh, say, what's that?", Mao Mao asked, making Badgerclops look around for where Mao Mao was pointing only for the cat to trick him and inadvertently turn his cyber arm into a spatula, puzzling Badgerclops.
"Uh, why did you turn my hand into a spatula?", Badgerclops asked.
Meanwhile, Atticus stepped forward.
"Excuse me, gentlemen, but I'd like to put a brief pause on your roll call, if you don't mind.", Atticus stated.
"Of course, we mind! Who do you think you are? And, uh, make it snappy, please? This is sort of a private function.", Orangusnake responded.
"I am Atticus, King and Uniter of the Cardigans and the Pembrokes.", Atticus responded.
"Hold on. You mean to tell me, that you're...royalty?", Orangusnake responded.
"Hailing from Corginia, yes.", Atticus responded, only to earn jeering laughter from him, his gang, and even the Ghoms themselves after a moment before Orangusnake spoke up.
"You honestly think...that you are a king?! Hoo, that's rich.", Orangusnake laughed, making Atticus growl impatiently.
"Oh. You were serious, weren't you?", Orangusnake asked.
"Mayhaps, you don't quite grasp the severe consequences befalling this realm if you take the Ruby Pure Heart.", Atticus stated.
"Those consequences being?", Orangusnake asked.
"If you steal the Ruby Pure Heart, it will destabilize the whole valley, making it uninhabitable not just for the sweetypies residing there, but for everyone else remaining, so I'm afraid I must urge you to cease those operations.", Atticus responded.
"Oh. Hmm, how about... no.", Orangusnake smirked before he quickly spotted Mao Mao and Badgerclops fighting with each other as Mao Mao wrestler on top of Badgerclops' cyber arm, trying to change it into a useful weapon before Atticus was the next to notice as well, leaving both of them puzzled.
"Yo, you can't just press...!", Badgerclops began.
"Laser! Give me the Blaster.", Mao Mao urged as he changed the cyber arm from spatula to a laser blaster.
"So invasive!", Badgerclops shouted before Mao Mao and Badgerclops noticed the puzzled Orangusnake and Atticus before Mao Mao pressed a button, causing the laser blaster to fire before Badgerclops slipped on a banana peel and accidentally blasted through the ship many times, even right through the core, causing it to explode, although Atticus was lucky to have dodged the lasers.
"Uh, I advise that you be more careful with your aim next time.", Atticus advised.
"Look, that was not part of the plan, corgi dude.", Badgerclops responded.
"It's Atticus, and I assure you that it's quite all right with me.", Atticus responded.
"GET THEEEEEM!", Orangusnake shouted before the airship suddenly started exploding and tipped down, causing Beefmaster, Thunderfist, and three others, including Steel Wing, not to mention the Ghoms to fall off the edge before the ship tipped back up with the Ghoms lucky to get back on the ship due to flight.
"Steel Wing! Why aren't you flying like they are?", Orangusnake asked.
"These wings are too heavy!", Steel Wing shouted as he and the others fell before landing in a river, causing an eruption of water to go up before then splashing down, causing a transparent pink wall to show itself for a moment again as Tulip, Mary, One-One, and Adorabat noticed.
"We're okay!", Steel Wing assured with a quiet shout.
"Whoa.", Adorabat spoke in amazement.
"What just happened?", Mary puzzled.
"The airship must've started to explode.", Glad One responded.
"But Atticus is still on that ship. Shouldn't he have gotten off by now?", Tulip puzzled.
"Who knows? Maybe he got trapped.", Sad One responded.
"Not helping.", Tulip tensed through her teeth.
Meanwhile, Orangusnake turned to the next best thing.
"All hands on deck! Who's still here?", Orangusnake asked.
Then, three lesser villains turned up being a giraffe in mecha armor, a rat in a sort of costume, and an ostrich in a classy mob boss get-up mixed with mechanics.
"Ramaraffe!", Ranaraffe introduced.
"Boss Hosstrich, sir.", Hosstrich introduced next.
"And Ratarang.", Ratarang spoke before accidentally turning into a boomerang shape and falling to the floor, confirming Orangusnake's worst fears.
"We're doomed! Attention, all Ghoms! Abandon ship immediately! I repeat, abandon ship!", Orangusnake exclaimed before the Ghoms fled away from the airship.
Meanwhile, Atticus was running with Mao Mao and Badgerclops.
"That was so not cool.", Badgerclops panted.
"What are you talking about? Did you see all those explosions?", Mao Mao panted in response before laughing.
"That is so not what you meant to do!", Badgerclops retorted.
"Never mind who meant to do what. We have to egress from the crumbling airship and fast.", Atticus urged.
"One step closer to legend, baby!", Mao Mao spoke with proud laughter as he cradled Atticus and then jumped onto his Aerocycle with Badgerclops following before the latter pointed out a flaw.
"One step closer to the ground, dude.", Badgerclops corrected as the ship started falling down.
Then, the Aerocycle tipped down sideways before then taking off from the airship as Tulip, One-One, and Mary noticed from faraway.
"I just hope Atticus is aboard that thing.", Tulip sighed.
"Don't fear, Ms. Tulip. It'll take more than a crumbling airship like that to get him.", Glad One assured.
Meanwhile, Mao Mao reveled in his victory.
"See? We took down the pirates and everything went exactly according to pl...", Mao Mao began before he, Badgerclops, and Atticus inadvertently crashed into a transparent punk wall, causing it to beat an X-shaped crack before the three crash victims fell down while the Ruby Pure Heart was now exposed as well as the city, attracting the attention of a few lizards as well as a big creature as its eyes were fixated on the Ruby Pure Heart, much to Tulip and Mary's chagrin and Adorabat's puzzlement.
"What do y'all think is making them look at us like that?", Adorabat puzzled.
"I don't think it's us they're looking at, Adorabat, and I don't want to stick around and find out what they are looking at.", Mary stated.
"We should probably get out of here.", Sad One suggested.
"Great idea. Run!", Tulip urged before she and Mary ran with Adorabat flying with them as One-One began to sing the same wacky chase song from when Tulip first boarded the train as the big creature stomped its way toward the valley, not noticing them.
"What are you singing right now?", Mary panted.
"Don't ask. It's a wacky getting-chased song.", Tulip responded.
"I made it up.", Glad One stated before the creature then roared loudly as it stumped closer.
Meanwhile, Mao Mao and Badgerclops were at the center of an apparent town with Badgerclops on top of a railing for the fountain, Mao Mao on the ground and Atticus in the water before Mao Mao stirred awake and became puzzled to notice sorts of ominous shadows watching him before snapping fully awake and drawing his sword.
"Badgerclops, wake up.", Mao Mao spoke, unknowingly pushing Badgerclops toward the water, causing Atticus to jump out of the water, all wet from the fountain before shaking the water off him and then noticing that his crown was missing.
"Huh? Hey, where'd my crown go?", Atticus asked.
Then, Badgerclops got out of the water and gave the crown back to Atticus.
"Here you go, little doggy.", Badgerclops spoke while placing the crown back to him.
"Thanks. I was feeling a little exposed without it. And please. Call me Atticus.", Atticus responded.
"Atticus, huh? Sounds like a cool name. I'm Badgerclops and this is Mao Mao.", Badgerclops spoke as he readied his laser blaster.
"Enough talking. It appears... we're not alone.", Mao Mao retorted whisperingly.
Then, eventually, Mao Mao heard a noise from behind and aimed his Katana quickly, only to notice a green sweetypies with glasses and a sort of three-leaf clover symbol on his belly named Lucky.
"Hiya.", Lucky greeted.
"What? What is this tiny, uncooked doughball with eyes?", Mao Mao puzzled whilst tickling him with his Katana.
"That tickles.", Lucky chuckled.
"Hey, Mao Mao? I don't think these little guys pose a threat.", Badgerclops stated.
"Ah. They must be the locals of the town.", Atticus guessed.
"Well, that makes this easy...", Mao Mao began before turning around to spot more sweetypies behind Lucky, surprising him.
"You look soft. Can I hug you?", Chubbum asked.
"No. Just where...", Mao Mao began before Lucky climbed on top of his right shoulder.
"Let's be friends.", Lucky suggested before Mao Mao only shook him off.
"Not even!", Mao Mao exclaimed.
"They smell so good.", Badgerclops squeaked in excitement.
"We aren't here to stop and...smell the weirdos.", Mao Mao urged as he removed the sweetypie from him.
"As unnecessary as that comment is, uh, what's your name again?", Atticus asked.
"The name's Mao Mao.", Mao Mao introduced.
"Right. Mao Mao has a point. We don't have time to idle here, not with an invasion coming for this valley in mere moments.", Atticus urged.
"Ah, it's okay to take a break sometimes.", Badgerclops assured.
"I made you a pie.", a sweetypie stated.
"That fast?", Atticus spoke in disbelief.
"We literally can never leave.", Badgerclops responded as he took a pie offered to him.
"No. Legendary heroes don't sit around eating pie all day.", Mao Mao retorted.
"And we won't. We will need time to prepare for a counterattack against an invasion on Pure Heart Valley if it happens.", Atticus responded.
"What invasion, Atticus? Mao Mao bungled their plans, remember?", Badgerclops reiterated.
"I was there, yes, but all that did was delay them. After that humiliation, I expect the retaliation will be fierce.", Atticus responded.
Meanwhile, Tulip and Mary were running toward the entrance with Adorabat and One-One in tow when they noticed Mao Mao ranting about what Legendary Heroes usually do with Badgerclops and Atticus nearby.
"What is it that you believe legendary heroes do, anyway?", Atticus asked.
"They travel around the world with a sword, not to mention while holding a familial Code passed down from generation to generation! And that's what makes a hero truly legendary.", Mao Mao stated as Tulip gasped from seeing Atticus while Adorabat gasped from seeing Mao Mao and Badgerclops.
"Atticus!", Tulip shouted, causing Atticus to notice her.
"Tulip!", Atticus shouted before barking as he ran over to her before both hugged each other.
"You're okay.", Tulip grinned.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?", Atticus responded.
"Hooray! The old gang's back together! I told you it'd take more than a crumbling airship to get him.", Glad One grinned.
"Hold on. I didn't know Atticus was a talking dog, too.", Mary spoke in surprise.
"Wait. You mean you have one at home?", Tulip puzzled.
"Yeah, but his name is Dukey and he usually hangs out with Johnny.", Mary responded.
"Huh.", Tulip understood before Mao Mao cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Uh, are those friends of yours?", Mao Mao asked.
"Indeed, they are.", Atticus assured.
"Hi, I'm Tulip. And I... like books?", Tulip responded.
"And I'm One.", Glad One introduced.
"One...", Sad One added.
"I'm Adorabat.", Adorabat spoke as she flapped her wings.
"And I'm Mary Test. You can just call me Mary.", Mary responded next.
"And you must be Mao Mao and Badgerclops, right?", Tulip guessed.
"Ah, so, you have heard of us, huh? It seems our heroic reputation precedes us.", Mao Mao grinned.
"Well, yeah. Anyway, we kinda got a big monster problem on our hands here.", Tulip stated.
"What big monster problem?", Mao Mao puzzled before big stomping quakes occurred, frightening the sweetypies.
"That big monster problem.", Tulip responded.
"Come back! I'm still hungry!", Badgerclops shouted.
"But not as hungry as that thing.", Sad One retorted before the creature crashed through the gate numerous times before our burst a Dinosaur Like raptor with a horn on top of its nose.
"Now, this whets my appetite.", Mao Mao grinned before he drew fort his Katana just as the creature then spat out acid at the ground with Mao Mao dodging and Badgerclops, Mary, Atticus, and Tulip becoming disgusted with the smell.
"Rude!", Badgerclops spoke.
"Ugh! So nasty!", Tulip spoke nasally.
"Ugh. I agree.", Atticus shuddered.
Meanwhile, Mao Mao and Badgerclops fought it to a stand-still before the former slid back a bit and engaged again with Adorabat watching the fight in amazement before Badgerclops pushed her out of harm's way, literally.
"Watch out, little dude.", Badgerclops spoke before getting her to safety and getting back in the action.
"Mao Mao, heads up!", Badgerclops shouted as he then trapped the creature with a net before Mao Mao swung his Katana at the creature, sending it flying out of Pure Heart Valley like a baseball in a home run, amazing the sweetypies.
"That was soo cool!", Tulip spoke in amazement.
"Indeed, but that's nothing compared to the invasion on Pure Heart Valley heading our way.", Atticus responded.
"Invasion?", Mary puzzled.
"So, that's what's gonna happen. That's why you needed my help, One-One.", Tulip guessed.
"Exactly.", Glad One responded.
"Now, that that's over, we should continue our mission before it gets too...", Mao Mao began before Atticus interrupted.
"And the sooner we prepare a counterattack against the invasion on Pure Heart Valley, the better.", Atticus urged.
"Again, what Invasion?", Badgerclops puzzled before the Gholm Army screeched from far away.
"Okay, I'm gonna go off-hand and say...that invasion.", Tulip spoke as she pointed towards the army led by Orangusnake, who was on top of one of the Ghoms and laughing while holding a similar cannon from before on Tulip's last adventure, dredging up unpleasant memories of Atticus getting turned into a Ghom by Amelia for Tulip as she gasped.
"But... of all the weapons Orangusnake has, why does he have that one? How does he have that one?", Tulip spoke in shock.
"This is ridiculous. This place is like an all-you-can-eat monster buffet. How'd y'all survive this long without protection?", Mao Mao spoke in disbelief.
"I'll tell you how, you saucy knave.", an anthropomorphic lion spoke as he emerged from the heart at the center of the fountain as it opened up with the lion ascending via water before jumping off gracefully and landing toward the ground flawlessly.
"Whoa. That was pretty impressive.", Tulip commented.
"Yeah. No joke.", Mary agreed.
"Ah, royalty. Greetings, your majesty. I am Atticus, King and Uniter of the Cardigans and the Pembrokes. I extend to you my greetings.", Atticus greeted.
"Wait, what?! Atticus is a King?!", Badgerclops exclaimed.
"Oh, I apologize. Did I fail to mention that?", Atticus asked.
"YEEEES!", Badgerclops exclaimed, still reeling from the revelation in excitement.
"Oh. Fair greetings to you as well, Atticus. I am King Snugglemagne the 25th, ruler of the impervious and perfectly protected Pure Heart kingdom, or at least, what will remain of it, now that the Ruby Pure Heart no longer functions. Without its cloaking power, we're completely defenseless. I guess something big crashed into it.", Snugglemagne guessed before Mao Mao came to a horrible realization.
"Uh, why does your face look like that?", Tulip puzzled before she eventually realized something.
"Oh, no. Don't tell me that you...", Tulip began before Mao Mao then went for the Aerocycle to see any proof of this.
"No! No. No, no, no!", Mao Mao spoke before seeing the proof for himself as the front of the Aerocycle was partially broken.
"NOOOOOOOO!", Mao Mao exclaimed as his own fantasy fell apart with the buff Mao Mao proofing back to normal and then falling down straight to the ground.
"Are you okay?", Mary asked.
"I broke the Ruby Pure Heart. If I leave these people in danger, I'm no better than a villain. I'm stuck here.", Mao Mao responded.
"So? Don't leave them here. It's not like you have a choice anyway.", Tulip responded.
"Don't you understand? If I stay here...", Mao Mao began, pointing to the sweetypies.
"The king looked at me.", Chubbum blushed.
"Me, too.", Lucky giggled.
"My days of roaming the world, making a name for myself are over. I'll never become a legend now.", Mao Mao finished.
"First off, never say never. And secondly, are you just gonna be miserable because of that one mistake?", Tulip asked.
"Yes, because a hero does what's right, even if it crushes them inside.", Mao Mao sighed, impressing Adorabat.
"Wow.", Adorabat beamed.
"Well, I'm all in for you doing what's right, but you gotta do it fast.", Tulip urged before the Ghom army arrived as the Ghom leader, with which Orangusnake was sitting on top of, roared, calling forth the other Ghoms before they then invaded the area and one of them even caught Lucky before it began sucking his soul only for Pinky to blindside it, puzzling it.
"Say hello to my little friend!", Pinky shouted before whacking the Ghom with his binoculars, buying Lucky time to escape only for the Ghom to pursue only for it to get smacked in the chest by Atticus who head-butted it towards the wall before barking.
"Good boy, Atticus.", Tulip grinned.
"Man, he's good.", Mary spoke in surprise.
"You have no idea.", Tulip responded.
Meanwhile, Orangusnake successfully laid out plungers on the Ruby Pure Heart.
"The Ghoms led us right to it! At last, while they distract those fools, the Ruby Pure Heart is mine!", Orangusnake proclaimed.
"Pirates.", Mao Mao spoke.
"Pirates!", Badgerclops spoke in shock.
"Pirates!", Tulip growled angrily.
"Pirates!", Atticus spoke in calm fury before barking.
"Pirates.", Sad One sighed.
"Pirates?", Mary puzzled.
"Pirates!", Adorabat spoke in excitement.
"But first, one last recruit for the road. Eenie, meenie, miney..., YOU!", Orangusnake spoke while holding out his gun before firing it at Mao Mao, making him gasp.
"Mao Mao, no!", Tulip shouted before she shoved him out of the way and took the bullet for him, or in this case, a laser blast, worrying Atticus.
"Tulip!", Atticus exclaimed.
"Oh, boy. Here we go again.", Sad One sighed.
"Huh? Where did that girl come from?", Orangusnake puzzled.
"Tulip, wh-why did you...?", puzzled Mao Mao as Tulip began grunting not from the apparent damage she took, but also from the horrifying transformation about to begin.
"No! Stay back! I don't...want to...hurt you!", Tulip grunted.
"Hurt me? What are you talking about?", Mao Mao puzzled before Tulip started grunting in pain as she grew three long-range tails before her hands turned light black and grew claws while her feet turned the same color only they turned into paws, making Adorabat gasp first before Badgerclops and Snugglemagne, out of horror, and Mao Mao, who went like "Whaaaaa?" while gasping, and puzzling the rest of the sweetypies, even Orangusnake before Tulip yelled out in pain as her transformation completed itself.
However, the transformation was only halfway done when it finished, leaving Tulip with her most human features intact as she still kept her human facial features, and even her voice, although she still had the creature's wings, paws, and soft brush-like appendages dangling down from above her upper lip as she panted heavily, worrying Tulip.
"Tulip? A-Are you all right?", Atticus spoke nervously.
"She's not Tulip anymore, Atticus.", Sad One spoke.
Then, as expected, and also a bit unexpected, Tulip responded back to him.
"Uh, yeah. I-I think so.", Tulip responded as she shook her head to shake off her headache, relieving Atticus and the others before they grew worried for her again.
"Oh, Tulip. You're all right.", Atticus sighed.
"Well, yeah, but not completely.", Tulip responded as she then stood up on two legs and saw what happened to her.
"Well, on the bright side, at least you're still not evil, either.", Glad One giggled.
"Yeah, but wh-what just happened to me?", Tulip puzzled.
"That's exactly what I'm wondering myself. WHY DID YOUR TRANSFORMATION STOP HALFWAY LIKE THIS?!", Orangusnake shouted.
"Uh, Boss? You might wanna take a look at that there dial.", Boss Hosstrich suggested.
"What about the dial?", Orangusnake puzzled before he noticed, much to his surprise, that the dial was accidentally set in-between mutate and reverse.
"Oh. So, that's what you get for putting this dial in-between mutate and reverse, huh? Hehehe. Well, this is embarrassing. Everyone present with me, put the heist on hold and return to the airship! I gotta write a new label for that feature. Something tells me it could come in handy.", Orangusnake spoke before he went towards the lab while everyone else near him that were outside went back inside the airship.
"Tulip, do you know what that means?", Mao Mao asked.
"He's been trying to create an army of creatures like that to steal the Ruby Pure Heart!", Tulip realized.
"Well, yeah, there's that, but also? You've just bought us enough time to stop him from stealing the Ruby Pure Heart. I thank you.", Mao Mao thanked.
"Huh. Uh, you're welcome?", the apparent Ghom hybrid puzzled.
"Right. Now, let's make it count.", Mao Mao urged before whistling for the Aerocycle, which then landed near Mao Mao and the others.
"Wow!", Adorabat spoke in wonder before walking over there only for Mao Mao to stop her.
"I need you to stay here. Those pirates mean business, especially with those creatures around, and I don't want you to get hurt.", Mao Mao responded before then taking off toward the airship, leaving Adorabat alone.
"Let me guess. You wanna help, too?", Tulip guessed.
"Mm-Hmm.", Adorabat nodded dejectedly.
"Well, there's still one way you can help.", Tulip assured.
"Really? How?", Adorabat puzzled.
"We need to get to that cannon gun and change Tulip back.", Atticus responded.
"And the other creatures, too, right?", Tulip asked.
"Possibly, but to do that, we need some kind of distraction to keep Orangusnake and his army busy while we do that, which is where you come in.", Mary stated.
"If you're up for it.", Glad One added.
"In that case, show me where to start.", Adorabat responded.
Meanwhile, Mao Mao and Badgerclops were heading toward the airship just as Orangusnake was finishing up.
"'H-Y-B-R-I-D'. And, there we go. A new label. Perfect. Now, where was I? Oh, yes.", Orangusnake spoke as he finished writing the label and placed it in-between mutate and reverse on his gun before then running out and laughing triumphantly, quickly forgetting that he left the gun back inside.
"Orangusnake, you filth! Hand over that gun, change Tulip back, and surrender, or we'll...!", Mao Mao shouted.
"Tulip? Who's Tulip? Oh, that's right. The one who took the laser for you. In rebuttal, ooh, I'm so scared. If only I had some way to blast you out of the sky!", Orangusnake shouted before firing a big purple laser from the main cannon on the ship before Tulip bashed the Aerocycle out of the cannon's path.
"Tulip. You saved us. Again...", Mao Mao spoke in surprise.
"Well, I didn't exactly come alone.", Tulip responded before Adorabat waved.
"Hi.", Adorabat waved, surprising Mao Mao.
"Adorabat, didn't I tell you to stay put?!", Mao Mao snapped before Adorabat gave a raspberry in response.
"Well, it couldn't exactly be helped.", Mary stated.
"We'll distract the army while you take on Orangusnake and his henchmen.", Atticus strategized.
"Heh. That's funny. I didn't think you'd actually have a good plan.", Mao Mao grinned.
"I may be a pacifist by nature, Mao Mao, but I'm also a warrior by necessity.", Atticus responded.
"Okay. Now, let's go. One, two, three, break!", Tulip shouted before two groups went in different ways with Mao Mao and Badgerclops heading in the front while the rest headed for the back.
"Badgerclops, take the wheel!", Mao Mao urged.
"But I thought you said I...", Badgerclops began.
"Make your grandma proud.", Mao Mao grinned before he leapt off as Badgerclops took the wheel.
Meanwhile, Tulip, Atticus, One-One, Adorabat, and Mary went near the doorway.
"All right, guys. Here's the plan. While you guys distract the army, Adorabat will keep the henchmen busy and I'll go get the gun quickly and then we all get out. You guys game?", Mary asked.
"Got it.", the rest nodded in reply before the group of four burst in, attracting the attention of the army, although not immediately as one of them went like "Huh?".
Meanwhile, Mao Mao confronted Orangusnake, Ramaraffe, Boss Hosstrich, and Ratarang.
"Hey, over here.", Adorabat spoke, causing Hosstrich and Ramaraffe to go after her.
"Come back here, you little...", Hosstrich spoke as he and Ramaraffe were chasing her up until they got knocked out.
"You're asleep now.", Adorabat grinned.
"Looks like it's just you and me now.", Mao Mao spoke to Orangusnake.
"Psst. Throw me at him, Boss. He'll never see it coming.", Ratarang suggested before Orangusnake picked him up and threw it at Mao Mao only for him to dodge.
"No, I'll be back!", Ratarang shouted as he zoomed away before Orangusnake attacked with a slam but missed just like his next attack as he tossed his weapons at Mao Mao, who ran past them without a scratch before drawing his Katana and then leaping toward him only for Orangusnake to defend himself with a purple holo-axe, forcing Mao Mao back.
"Fool! You'll never stop me from claiming the legendary Ruby Pure Heart for my own!", Orangusnake exclaimed.
"Legendary?", Mao Mao puzzled before a clash began as Orangusnake forced Mao Mao back.
"Once this legendary prize of the legendary Pure Heart Valley is mine, I will become a truly legendary pirate!", Orangusnake smirked.
"Pure Heart Valley, Legendary? You're saying this place is...legendary?!", Mao Mao asked.
"Yeah. Super legendary. You didn't know that? I assume that was why you were here.", Orangusnake responded.
"Oh. Psh. Yeah. I knew that. I knew that. But just, like, hypothetically, if someone were to be the savior and protector of this extremely legendary place, that person will be legendary, too?!", Mao Mao asked.
"Well, I..,suppose.", Orangusnake responded.
"Hot dog! Mao Mao, we love you. You're so legendary. I wish I was as cool as you. Oh, Mao Mao...", Mao Mao spoke to himself.
"Uh, I'm not sure what's happening here, but it seems, mm, sad.", Orangusnake commented.
"Sad? Haha. I'm gonna be a legend.", Mao Mao smirked.
Meanwhile, Atticus growled as he ran past the snaky tails on the Ghoms and had them chase after him before Atticus made it so that they ran into a wall just as Mary found the gun with the label "Hybrid" written and placed in-between mutate and reverse.
"Found it.", Mary spoke before one of the Ghoms pinned Mary with Tulip noticing.
"Mary, no! One-One, can you help her?", Tulip asked.
"Say, no more, Ms. Tulip.", Glad One responded before separating himself and then stopping the Ghom from sucking her soul as it got knocked back before Glad One ran back and then reattached himself to Sad One as Mary spoke.
"Thanks, One-One.", Mary sighed as she picked the gun back up.
"Anything I can do to help.", Glad One responded before Tulip then set the dial completely to reverse.
"Mary, wait. You can worry about me later. It's them you need to worry about right now. We still need a way off the ship once this is over.", Tulip urged.
"Thanks for the tip.", Mary responded as she then aimed the gun at the Ghom army, making them screech an uh-Oh sound before Mary fired the gun just as elsewhere, Mao Mao knocked Orangusnake back and looked up to Badgerclops.
"Badgerclops, what do you say we blow this ship?", Mao Mao suggested.
"I'd say, 'all right, sure'.", Badgerclops responded as he tossed the bomb over to Mao Mao before he leapt up and whacked it toward the ship only for Orangusnake to catch it.
"Aha! You thought you could...?", Orangusnake began before he suddenly got whacked by three tails, knocking him down and letting the bomb go before Adorabat caught it.
Then, puzzled, Orangusnake stood up and saw the source that knocked him down, a half-mutated Tulip, accompanied by Mary, Atticus, and One-One, making him gasp from the sight of the Ghoms reverted back to normal.
"Did you really think you could get away with turning me into this? Puh-lease.", Tulip discouraged.
"You're kind of in a bad place right now.", Sad One added to Orangusnake, who then turned to notice Adorabat holding the bomb over the engine, to add further insult to injury.
"Uh, you there, child. Hand that bomb to me. I-I'll give you candy.", Orangusnake bribed.
"That does sound pretty good, but a hero does what's right, even when it crushes them inside.", Adorabat refused, earning a smiling nod from Mao Mao before Adorabat let go of the bomb.
"Bye bye, bomb!", Adorabat shouted before the bomb made contact with the engine and exploded, causing the ship to start to fall apart.
"Let's get out of here, guys!", Tulip urged before Mary, Atticus, and One-One went piggy back on Tulip's back before she started flying away with the cured victims just as Mao Mao, Badgerclops, and Adorabat followed via Aerocycle before Ratarang came back.
"I'm back!", Ratarang shouted before he unwittingly hit Orangusnake, tipping him down, leaving the airship to float up at first before it quickly fell to the ground.
"We're okay!", the defeated villains shouted weakly.
"We didn't ask!", Tulip shouted back in reply before she landed alongside the aerocycle.
"All right, now that that's over, let's get you back to normal.", Mary spoke as she then aimed it at Tulip.
"Yeah. Good plan. Not like there's much for it now, anyway.", Tulip agreed before Mary fired it at Tulip, reversing the mutated effects on her.
Later, Tulip, who's now back to normal, Mary, Atticus, One-One, Mao Mao, Adorabat, and Badgerclops, who literally held vast amounts of food with his arms, were at the center of town as King Snugglemagne the 25th was now handing down medals up until he saw Badgerclops before giving himself a medal.
"One for you, and one for you, one for you, you, you, and you, and one...for me. To thank these legendary heroes, I name Mao Mao and Tulip Sheriffs and Protectors of our beloved Pure Heart Valley. Now, let's go watch TV!", King Snugglemagne spoke before he and the sweetypies left in victory as he giggled.
"TV? I didn't know they even had those here.", Tulip spoke in surprise.
"Yeah. If Johnny was here, he'd rush over there in a split second.", Mary commented.
"Really?", Tulip puzzled.
"Like you wouldn't believe.", Mary responded.
"You know, something tells me that we could be great friends frm all this.", Tulip grinned.
"No, but we could be best friends.", Mary assured.
"Oh. Well, that's a step up.", Tulip grinned.
"Well, I guess this is it.", Mao Mao grinned.
"Home sweet home.", Badgerclops agreed.
Then, suddenly, a monster roared.
"It sounds like a monster's nearby.", Atticus stated.
"Could be trouble.", Mao Mao guessed.
"I guess we better check it out.", Badgerclops spoke before they started walking there until they stopped after a second with Adorabat getting depressed.
"Well, you comin'?", Mao Mao asked.
"Huh?", Tulip puzzled.
"Really?", Adorabat asked.
"Are you kidding? You guys saved our butts.", Badgerclops grinned.
"Besides, all 5 of you remind me of me and I'm incredible. I'd be a fool not to recruit myself.", Mao Mao grinned.
"Oh, yeah!", Adorabat spoke excitedly before she flapped over to where Mao Mao and Badgerclops are and put on her own helmet before Badgerclops and Mao Mao equipped theirs on.
"But how are we gonna get there?", Tulip asked.
"Well, since our last adventure, which was a few hours ago, I took the liberty of making this.", Mary spoke before pressing a button on the keys, causing a pink, flashier Aerocycle to appear next to Mao Mao's Aerocycle.
"Whoa! How'd you build that so fast?", Tulip spoke in surprise.
"I dabble.", Mary grinned.
"A bold move!", Atticus commented.
"Well, this could be interesting.", Sad One stated.
"You think? Let's go already!", Tulip grinned before she, Mary, Atticus, and One-One climbed aboard.
"Look out, monsters! Here come the monster busters!", Glad One shouted as both Aerocycles zoomed past the Ruby Pure Heart and blinked out like stars.
However, not one group of heroes knew that Orangusnake saw them flying away in the distance with a dastardly plan for vengeance.
"Enjoy your victory, Tulip, while it lasts!", Orangusnake sneered before he laughed maniacally, only to hear Bos Hosstrich's voice.
"Uh, Boss? May I please get some assistance?", Boss Hosstrich asked as he was dangling down from a tree, making Orangusnake sigh.
A/N: So, what did you all think? Pretty unexpected, right? Anyway, if you have ideas for what the next episode should entail, please let me know. :) Until next time.