Here we go! Chapter 5! Enjoy!
Chapter 5: Club Slug
Pronto was up late eating chips and watching tv. Suddenly, a commercial came on. "Do you spend hours on tedious dueling and your slugs still aren't learning new moves?!" A voice said as 2 bored slingers slung Flatulorhinkuses. "Why, yes I do." Pronto said, with Stinky popping out of the bowl. "Are the other slingers getting the best slugs and leaving you with Floppers?!" The voice continued as the one guy held up his Flatulorhinkus, who made a sick face. Pronto looked to Stinky with a glare. "No good, lazy, stinking Floppers? Yes!" He said, picking up Stinky. "Tired of knowing which slug to use or if it's even worth using at all?!" The voice continued as a boy was looking through a selection of different slugs. "It's like he's reading my mind!" Pronto said with wide eyes.
A big man with a Thresher on his shoulder then appeared on the screen. "Here at Club Slug, we know that you have better things to do then waste your time getting your hands dirty. Making your slugs more powerful." The big man said while the one guy tried to load a Tormato slug into his blaster. "Oh, you are preaching to the choir my friend." Pronto said, falling out of his hammock. "This slug learned 5 new moves in a single weekend!" The big man said holding the guy's Tormato. "And I didn't have to do anything, but sit back and watch, while enjoying a relaxing massage at your fully equipped spa. Thank you, Sergeant Slug." The other man said as the big man gave a salute. Pronto looked at his toenails. "I could use a pedicure." He said.
"Then what are you waiting for? I'm Sergeant Slug and I say get up, pack your bags and let me do the work so you don't have to. That's an order!" Pronto gave a salute. "Sir, yes, sir!" He said. The bowl on his head dipped covering Stinky who gassed. Pronto fainted from the smell.
Intro
Kord was walking along the hideout's training grounds, until he felt a certain presence behind him. "I'll apologize now for what's gonna happen to you in a few seconds." He said. Eli came from behind a tree. He hopped off a mushroom to the ground. "Too bad your threats aren't as strong as your breath." Eli smacked. "I'm a cave troll. What do I care about breath?" Kord asked, making a point. "Good point." Eli admitted. They got ready to standoff, until- "Uh, what are you guys doing?" Trixie asked, sitting on a nearby rock. 'Wow! If possible, I think Trixie's getting more beautiful every day.' Eli thought, looking at his teammate/crush. "We're practicing the fine art of psyching out your opponent." Kord explained. "How 'bout less psyching and more slinging?" Trixie asked, holding up her blaster, loaded with Bluster. "Keep talking, Trixie." Harley called from on top another mushroom. "Because words are all you're good at slinging with."
Trixie just glared with a smile and fired. Bluster transformed, heading towards Eli and Kord, performing Slyphoon. Eli fired his new Lariat slug, named Larry, into the sky. Larry transformed and slung Eli a Wrappler, pulling into the sky. Kord got caught into the wind caused by Bluster. Eli flew up on Larry's Wrappler, landing on Harley's mushroom. Kord, still struggling, fired Bludgeon right into the Slyphoon, putting Bluster in a dizzy state. With the wind dying down, Kord tumbled to the floor.
Trixie and Kord heard the Shane brothers cheer as they ran to the edge of the mushroom. "You ready?" Eli asked, loading Banger. Harley loaded his new Arachnet, Webs. "Good to go." He said. They backflipped off the edge and fired their slugs. Banger at Kord and Webs at Trixie. Kord fired Sploder to try and cancel out Banger, but Banger just bashed through Sploder and knocked Kord's blaster out of hand. Trixie was distracted by Eli's move, that she didn't see Webs coming. Webs fired a web, trapping Trixie in her sticky silk. Eli and Harley floated down, holding Suds' tentacles. As the brothers touched the ground, Suds popped back to her protoform and into Eli's hand.
Kord shook his head, recovering from the blow and Trixie managed to get free of the web. Banger and Webs bumped heads and hopped back to their slingers' hands. "Way to go, Banger!" Eli said, praising his slug. "You too, Webs. Great job." Harley added. The slugs nodded as the brothers stood up and walked to Kord. Eli held out his hand. "Don't get so worked up, Kord. It's just practice." He said. "For you 2, maybe." Kord said, taking Eli's hand. "A few months ago, you 2 didn't even know what end of the blaster the slug came out. Now I can't even get a shot in."
They then heard Pronto struggling with putting luggage on his mecha, only to have it fall on top of him. Eli came over and uncovered him. "Pronto? What's with all the luggage?" He asked. "You on the run from somebody?" Harley added. "Ah, yes. Very good questions." Pronto said, getting up. "Allow me to ask all of you: are you tired of spending hours with tedious dueling?" He asked, repeating the commercial. "Uh, no. That's the best part about being a slug slinger." Eli said. "Yeah. When you win everytime." Kord said, getting in Eli's space. "Oh, drop it, Kord." Harley said. "Are other slingers leaving you in the dust?" Pronto continued. Kord thought about it. "Well." "It's never bothered us." Eli said, putting his arm over Harley shoulder. "Yes, it does." Pronto tried correcting Eli. Harley dropped his hand on Pronto's head and pushed him down.
Pronto got up and zipped back to the luggage. "And that is why I have paid for all of us to spend a luxurious weekend at Club Slug." He announced. The slugs seemed happy. "Yeah, I'm a slinger not a dancer." Eli stated. "Yeah. Last time you danced, you looked like a fool." Harley said. Eli blushed and slapped him on the side of the head as he laughed. "It's not that kind of club." Trixie said. "They advertise on late night vid screen. It's like a boot camp for slugs and a vacation for slingers." She explained. "Vacation?! Really?" Eli asked, intrigued. "Oh, you and Harley could use one, Eli. You've both been working so hard." Pronto stated. "And while you're sipping fresh squeezed nectars by the heated pool, your slugs will be gaining power and experience. All in one weekend." He explained. Burpy, Banger and Rammer all chittered happily at the opportunity. Eli and Harley thought about it. "Well, that's hard to swallow. But the pool does sound pretty nice." Eli said. "And my mouth is practically watering on the thought of the fresh squeezed nectars." Harley added. "If it helps me get a leg up on you and your brother, Eli. I'm in." Kord said, slapping Eli's shoulder.
Trixie looked to Pronto. "How much did it cost us?" She asked. Pronto began to sweat. "Uh. Can you put a price on our success?" He asked, trying to get out of it. "How much, Pronto?" Eli asked, getting serious. Pronto started sweating harder. "Uh. Heh-heh. Did I mention that we got a group discount?" He asked. Eli glared harder. "Only half our gold." Pronto answered in defeat. "PRONTO!" The group yelled. "Ugh. I can't believe you! I was saving for a new blaster!" Trixie groaned. "We all worked hard for that gold, Pronto!" Harley said. "And that is why you need a vacation. You see? It all evens out." Pronto said, still sweating. Kord now got into Pronto's face. "If this doesn't work, I better get my gold back." Kord warned. "Sorry. No refunds." Pronto said nervously. "Guess we'll just have to load up at the buffet to get our money's worth." Eli said with confidence.
As Harley, Kord and Pronto walked to the mechas, Eli spoke with Trixie. "Why were you saving up for a new blaster?" Eli asked. Trixie looked down at her blaster. "Well, I just feel left out what with you and Harley and the others having cool blasters. So, I started saving up my half of our gold so I could buy a new blaster." She explained. "But now that I think about it, this blaster was a birthday gift from my mother. I'd feel guilty if I replaced it." Eli put a hand on her shoulder. "One thing my dad taught me about slug slinging is that it's not the blaster you have. It's the one who wields it." He said. Trixie smiled. "Thank you, Eli. You're very sweet." She said, kissing his cheek before walking to her mecha. Eli blushed and chuckled, walking over himself.
On arrival at Club Slug, Trixie took out her camera and started filming. "Here we are at Club Slug. We're about to put this non traditional way to power up your slugs to the test." She said, pointing her camera from the sign to her teammates. "But first, lets meet the other guests." She walked over to 3 other guests. "Hi! I'm shooting a short documentary of our stay here. What's your name and why are you at Club Slug?" She asked the first guest, a big fella almost at Kord's height. "Name's Waylon. And I'm here to power up my slugs! Duh!" He replied. "On the weekend, me and the boys like to kick back and sling a few. After this, my slugs are gonna rule! WHOOO!" "That's nice." Trixie said, feeling uncomfortable around this ego maniac. She turned her camera to a blonde dude looking at his nails. "And you are?" She asked. "You must be the only person in Slugterra who hasn't never heard of the Croesus clan. If Club Slug is all that it claims to be, I may just buy the place." He said with a snobbish attitude. "SNOB! Excuse me." Kord fake sneezed, making Harley snicker. Croesus glared.
Trixie then turned her camera to a punkish girl. "What about you?" She asked. "If you must know, I'm Desdemona and I'm here to power up my slug to get at my brother! Now get that thing out of my face!" Desdemona rudely said, putting her hands on the lens and walking away. "Okay." Trixie said, unsure about their guests. Harley stared after Desdemona. "Wow. Some woman. And the attitude. I actually like that." He said. Kord went wide eyed. "You like that?" He asked. "Everybody has different tastes, don't they?" Harley asked back.
"ALRIGHT!" Called a voice. The gang and guests turned to see Sergeant Slug. "LINE UP AND STAND UP STRAIGHT!" He ordered. Everyone lined up. "YOU FLOPPERS READY TO DO SOME HEAVYLIFTING?!" He turned to Waylon. "At ease. The Floppers that are going to be working here are your slugs! They do the work, so you don't have to." He explained. Waylon and Croesus were very happy, as were Eli's slugs. Sergeant slug noticed the Shane brothers' names on his list. "I see we have a couple of Shanes with us today. It'll be an honor to train up your slugs, sons." He saluted to the brothers. "Oh. I'm just here for the waterslide." Eli said. "And I'm here for the nectars." Harley added. "No offence sir, but I think this sounds too good to be true." Eli said. Sergeant Slug grasped his arm around Eli's shoulder. "No offence taken young man! I hear it all the time." He explained. "But, by the end of this weekend, you and your brother are gonna be believers!" He stepped away from Eli. "Come on, everyone! I will show you how it's done!"
Sergeant Slug led his guests to a special high-tech cannon. Waylon and Croesus looked eager to see what it does. "Without giving away any trait secrets, here's how it works. First of all, who's got a slug I can use as a demonstration?" He asked. Pronto ran forward. "Use mine! Use mine!" He said, holding up Stinky. Stinky hopped eagerly into Sergeant Slug's hand. "Look how eager the little guys are. They know what's good for them." Sergeant Slug said. He loaded Stinky into a big slug barrel and dropped some slug food in it and Stinky ate it. "My special blend of slug chow allows for a quick recharge. And here's why they'll need it." He loaded the barrel and started up the cannon. Kord was getting goosebumps. "Ooh boy! This is pretty cool." He said to Trixie, who nodded. "Once a slug is loaded in the machine, it's slung into velocity." He said as Stinky was fired. "Transforms. Fired into the target tube and shuttled back into the magazine. Where it's fired again. And again. And again. And again. Keeping them going all day and all night." The guests continued to watch. "This gives them the experience they need to learn new moves, faster than you can imagine. And the slugs love it! Hand over all your slugs, everybody, and we'll give 'em all a spin."
The guests, minus Eli and Harley, walked over and dropped their slugs into the barrel. Sergeant Slug loaded them up and fired them back and forth from the cannon. "Look at 'em go!" Sergeant Slug called, giving Waylon a high-five. "And without anybody lifting a finger." Desdemona looked on. "My slug looks meaner already." She said impressed. Sergeant Slug walked over to the Shane brothers. "So, what do ya say, boys? Ready to give my method a try? Your slugs sure are." He said pointing to the slugs. Burpy, Banger, Rammer, Webs, Matchstick and Frostbite chittered with eagerness from in their barrels. "Our slugs and we like powering up old school. We're all on vacation this weekend." Eli said. The slugs grunted in disappointment. "Sorry guys. But this isn't who we are." Harley stated. Sergeant Slug thought about their answer. "You Shanes are famous for being traditional. Well, I've already got your gold." He said, allowing it. "Okay everyone, go out and relax! THAT'S AN ORDER!" He shouted to the guests. "WHOO HOO!" Waylon shouted as he and Croesus ran for the spa. "Except for you guys, of course." He said turning to the slugs. "Come on guys. Let's check out that waterslide." Eli said. "And I wanna try some of those nectars." Harley said, rubbing his hands together. The slugs sighed in defeat. The brothers walked off as Sergeant Slug oversaw the progress.
The guests settled up by the pool. Pronto relaxed in his deck chair. "I gotta admit, Pronto, I could get used to this." Kord said. A woman was giving him a pedicure with a power sander. "Better leave a big tip, Kord." Trixie said getting up. Harley was relaxing in the pool, sipping on a nectar. "Mmm! That is some good nectar. Right guys?" He asked his slugs, who were sipping their own nectars. They chittered in agreement. Near him, Waylon, Croesus and Desdemona were relaxing in their own chairs. "This is a sweet deal! Daddy always said, 'why do something you can pay an underling to do'? And I can pay plenty." Croesus said. Harley glared from afar. "Daddy must be paying you a fortune if he's sending you here." He muttered. Croesus glared at Harley as if he heard what he said. "When I get home, my brother's gonna be the one that pays. With a stinker slug right in his rotten face!" Desdemona said. "Whoo!" Waylon said. Harley stared at her, noting her attitude with a strange interest. 'What is it about punk girls that get me so interested?' He thought.
Eli was sitting on top of the waterslide with his slugs, Burpy, Banger, Chiller, Rammer and Bolo. "See? Who needs some crazy machine when you have this?" He asked, amazed with the slide. He took off down it, his slugs following. "Listen up, everybody!" Sergeant Slug called. "It's been a few hours now. How'd you like to see first hand on how your slugs are progressing?" Everybody gave a big cheer. "Thought so. Who's up for a friendly duel?" He asked. And as if right on cue, Eli and his slugs came out from the bottom of the slide into the pool, splashing Sergeant Slug. "Did someone say duel? Count me in." Eli said. "That's right, Eli. Who wants to test their new and improved slugs against a Shane?" Sergeant Slug asked. Kord saw his chance. "Yeah. I'll do it." He said getting up from his chair. "You are on." Eli said, ready to duel.
Everybody assembled in the training field. "Ok, boys! One slug, one shot." Sergeant Slug called and tossed Bludgeon's barrel to Kord. Kord loaded Bludgeon into his blaster. "I am taking you down! You are slug meat Eli Shane! You hear that?" Kord asked, trying to psyche Eli out. "Keep talking, Kord! That's about all you can do." Eli psyched back. Burpy chittered, wanting to have a go. "No, not this time, Burpy." Eli said, taking Banger's barrel instead. "Go easy on him, Banger." He said. Banger growled, getting ready. "Enough talk! Get ready slingers! On my mark!" Sergeant Slug called. Eli and Kord got ready to draw their blasters. Eli readied his blaster, loaded with a ready Banger. Kord readied his blaster, loaded with an unusual, yellow-eyed Bludgeon. "DUEL!" Sergeant Slug called.
The 2 fired their slugs. Banger transformed, readied his claws to bash Bludgeon. Bludgeon also transformed and attacked with Rockstorm. But as the rocks made contact with Banger and the ground in front of Eli, they exploded. Eli flew back onto the ground. Banger landed on the ground defeated. Trixie, Harley and Pronto looked on in shock at what happened. Eli sat up, dazed from the explosive attack. Bludgeon hopped back to Kord, who was also shocked from what he did. Sergeant Slug walked up next to Kord. "So, Eli Shane, still think my system's a joke?" He asked. Eli didn't answer. Instead he looked at Bludgeon, who still had those yellow eyes, like he'd just went crazy.
"Eli!" Kord called and ran over to his best friend. "You okay, buddy?" He asked, helping Eli up. "Yeah. I think so. You beat me!" Eli said, still dazed but impressed. "Your right, I did! I beat ya!" Kord said, feeling proud of himself, pulling Eli into a bro hug. "I DID! I BEAT YA!" "With a whole new move. That was amazing!" Trixie said. "I know, right?!" Kord asked, getting over excited. "Yes. Now I wish I'd bet on you." Pronto said in disappointment. "Pay up." Harley said, bumping the molenoid. Pronto gave him 3 gold coins. "Now are you convinced?" Sergeant Slug asked, walking over. "That was pretty convincing." Eli admitted as he picked up Banger. "Are you okay, Banger? What happened?" He asked his disappointed slug. "You got owned is what happened!" Waylon called.
Harley looked over to Kord and noticed Bludgeon. "Hey Kord. What's up with Bludgeon?" He asked. Kord took his slug from his shoulder and noticed he was panting heavily, like he was running out of steam. "Alright. Back to the machine, tough guy." Sergeant Slug said, taking Bludgeon from Kord. "Takes them a few sessions to get seasoned like old Butch here." He stated, pointing to his Thresher. Eli looked on as Butch and Bludgeon hopped off to the cannon, only Bludgeon hopped very weakly. "Ooh! Me next! Me next!" Pronto called. "The mighty Pronto will defeat Eli even better than the troll." He boasted. "Soon enough, son. How bout it, boys? Ready to get off the sidelines and into the game?" Sergeant Slug asked. Eli looked at Banger, who nodded eagerly. "Okay. Maybe we can give Banger a spin and see how he does in a rematch." Eli said. Harley held out his hand as Webs popped out of her barrel. "Yeah. I think I'll let Webs give it a try too." He added. Banger and Webs smiled.
Eli and Harley were looking at the cannon when Kord walked up. "Are you sure you're okay buddy?" Kord asked, putting a hand on Eli's shoulder. "I really dumped you good back there." "No, it's cool. I'm glad you finally got a shot off on me." Eli said, happy for Kord's victory on him. "Yeah. It's just hard for us to wrap our heads around the idea that a machine could do all that." Harley stated. "Yeah. And it's hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that I just kicked your brother's butt. But there's his butt and here we are. How much proof do you 2 need?" Kord asked. Banger and Webs chittered, hopping onto Eli's hand. "Looks like Banger and Webs are convinced." Eli unsurely stated. "They may just be slugs, but they know what they want." Sergeant Slug said walking over with the machine's barrel. "Hand them over and I'll fire 'em up." Eli looked to the slugs, then walked over to Sergeant Slug. The slugs hopped into his hand and he walked over. "Don't worry, Banger. I'll be right here." Eli assured his slug. "Yeah, me too, Webs." Harley added. "They don't look worried. They look pumped." Kord said. Banger and Webs excitedly hopped into the barrel. Sergeant Slug loaded the barrel and prepped the machine, slinging Banger, then Webs, into velocity and back again.
Sergeant Slug came up beside Eli and gently elbowed him. "Everything's fine, kids. I've trained hundreds of slugs in this thing." He assured the brothers. "Well, they seem to like it." Eli said looking on. "They love it!" Sergeant Slug called. "Just wait 'til morning. I'll make believers outa you 2 yet." The 4 looked on as the slugs were continuing to be slung back and forth.
The next morning, Sergeant Slug walked towards Eli and Harley, holding Banger and Webs, who both had yellow eyes and looked a little shaky. "What did I tell you kids?" He asked. "Okay. I'm a little impressed." Eli said. "I'll admit: so am I." Harley said. "How do you feel, Banger?" Eli asked. "Webs, you good?" Harley asked. Banger and Webs both gave an eerie shriek and growled. Eli and Harley looked at their slugs. "I think they've had enough." Eli decided. "Me too." Harley agreed. Banger and Webs got sad at hearing this. "Suit yourselves." Sergeant Slug said, handing back the slugs. "Guess it's time for breakfast guys. All you can eat buffet!" That got everyone moving. "Excuse me! Coming through! On your left! Molenoid!" Pronto called shoving his way through. "Hey! Watch it, Pronto!" Harley yelled. Suddenly, Banger and Webs hopped out of their slinger's hands. Eli and Harley looked and saw them trying to hop back into the machine. "Come on, Banger. You've had enough." Eli said, holding out his hand. "Yeah, Webs. You too." Harley added, doing the same. Just then, the slugs tried to bite their fingers. "WHOA! Banger!" Eli yelled. "Webs, what's wrong with you?!" Harley asked. The slugs looked sad at what they did.
At the buffet Pronto took a whole plate of wiener dogs. "All you can eat'. A noble concept." He said, sitting with his teammates. "Pronto must fuel the flames of his soon to be even greater greatness with wieners." He held up the plate and started gulping them down. "Banger and Webs would never try to bite us!" Eli stated. "Yeah! That machine is making them crazy!" Harley added. "Hey! The crazier the better for what I'm planning to do with them." Desdemona said. "And did any of you see how deflated Bludgeon was after our duel and how Sergeant Slug hustled him out?!" Eli asked. Waylon and Croesus smiled and shook their heads thinking Eli and Harley were nuts. "He's hiding something." Eli said with a glare. "I think so too." Harley agreed. "He said it takes a while to season them." Waylon reminded them. "Look at Butch. That slug is buff! Whoo!" Harley just slowly shook his head, glaring at the 3. 'Idiots.' He thought.
"Look, maybe something is going on, guys. But this has cost us half our gold. We gotta see it through." Kord said, eating a wiener. "Graduation is in a few hours. We'll stick around until then and keep an eye on the slugs." Trixie planned. "That won't be good enough!" Harley snapped. "Harley's right. He and I both know that the slugs who go through that machine come out wrong. And we're gonna find out why." Eli said, putting Banger on his shoulder and getting up from his seat. Harley followed, glaring at everyone. "Come on, Banger. Maybe a little workout duel will settle you and Webs down." Eli said, scratching Banger's head.
As the brothers got outside, Eli and Harley looked at their slugs, still sad from before. "It's okay, Banger. You and Webs couldn't help yourselves." Eli said, holding up a barrel for Banger. "Yeah, Webs. It's all good." Harley said, doing the same. Banger and Webs hopped into the barrels. Eli and Harley took their positions and loaded their slugs into their blasters and slung them. Banger headed for a mountain and exploded on contact. Webs spun a lot of webs at a stone wall faster than usual. "Whoa." Eli said. Banger and Webs collapsed and hopped over tiredly. "Banger, you okay?" Eli said, kneeling down and holding the barrel for Banger. Harley did the same for Webs. The slugs tried to climb back into their barrels, but they couldn't muster the strength and fell into their slinger's free hands.
Eli and Harley looked at their slugs worriedly. "Banger looks like he's losing steam." Eli said. "Webs too. What's happening to them?" Harley asked. "A scam! That's what's going on." One of the guys from the commercial said, walking up. "I fell for the claim same as you 2. Now look at my slugs. That machine makes them crazy!" He said, holding a tray of slugs. "We thought so! How?" Eli asked. "Get's them all pumped up! Then they collapse after a few shots and you gotta pay for another round! Sarge calls it 'maintenance'. His slugs seem fine, but they're always charging up." The man explained. "That's just what we needed to hear." Harley said, clutching his fist.
During graduation, Sergeant Slug started handing back the slugs. "Congratulations, grads! As promised, here is your new and improved ammo!" He said. "Best slugs money can buy!" Croesus said looking at his slugs. "Can't wait to try them! WHOO!" Waylon said, hyperly eager. "Don't forget to tell everybody you know what Club Slug did for you!" Sergeant Slug said. "You mean rip all these people off?!" Eli said, he and Harley exposing him. "These artificial level ups don't last you guys. And you're gonna have to keep coming back for more." He explained. Trixie and Pronto looked at their slugs, taking note at what Eli said.
Sergeant Slug glared. "Dude! I like coming here!" Waylon said, not listening at all. "Does anybody in this place think before they talk?" Harley asked Eli in a mutter. "My money my slugs. Why do you 2 care?" Croesus asked. "Did brainless money boy seriously ask us that?" Harley asked out loud. Croesus glared. "We care when it hurts the slugs. We care when it's dangerous for all of you." Eli explained. "There's a reason it takes a long time to train a slug. It's that you'll have the experience to handle it. This way, someone's gonna get hurt. And bad." Eli's team smiled at his concern. "Eli's right. These slugs are no better than Dr. Blakk's ghouls." Harley added. Waylon and Desdemona gave that some thought.
"You 2 might be Shanes but you both are also bad for business." Sergeant Slug said before turning to his guests. "Anybody who's with me gets a free month's maintenance." Waylon, Croesus and Desdemona looked at each other and ran to Sergeant Slug's side. "Looks like we got ourselves a deal. And a duel." Sergeant Slug said with a sinister smile. Trixie, Kord and Pronto ran to Eli and Harley. "We got your backs, boys." Kord said. "It's not mine or Harley's backs I'm worried about." Eli said looking at his teammates' crazy slugs, then looking back at their opponents.
Waylon and Croesus got ready to draw their blasters. "I'm telling you guys, you do not wanna fire those slugs!" Eli warned them. "I paid good money for these slugs and I'm gonna use them." Croesus said, loading a Tormato. "Yeah. Dirty money!" Harley joked. Croesus got angry and fired his slug. "Make way! Pronto can stop this!" Pronto said, stepping in front. "Pronto don't!" Eli said, trying to stop the molenoid, but was too late. Pronto fired Stinky. The Tormato used Slyphoon, swinging stinky back at Pronto, bouncing him off the rock, off a metal rail on the top and back to the ground. "Oh, the smell!" Pronto groaned, dizzy from the bouncing. As the Slyphoon continued, Trixie tried to run for cover. Eli tried to sling Bolo at it, but it blew Bolo right back, wrapping around Trixie's legs, tripping her. "Eli!" She yelled. "Sorry!" Eli called, running from the Slyphoon. It came back around to the others, until it transformed back after hitting a big rock.
Sergeant Slug slung Butch. Eli countered with Burpy. Butch's power knocked Bupry aside as it sawed right through a rock behind Eli. "You'll get 'em next time, Burpy." Eli assured his slug as it bounced back into his hand. Butch continued to saw through the rocks, 'til one was about to collapse on an unconscious Pronto. Trixie gasped, but Kord pull him out of the way, avoiding slugs slung by Waylon. Waylon fired a Rammstone, while Kord countered with Bludgeon. Their collision caused a big energy burst from their new power, but Bludgeon hopped away okay and victorious. The other Rammstone was dizzy and even lost a tooth. "Ha! I love that these slugs are crazy! TEAR IT UP, GUYS!" Desdemona cried out as she loaded and fired her slug. Trixie rolled off and fired a Tazerling, which bounced off the other slug and into the sky, creating a lightning storm. "Look out!" Harley yelled, shoving Desdemona out of the way of a lightning bolt. Desdemona looked at him as they recovered. "Why'd you save me?" She asked. "Because it's what we do. And you shouldn't let a lightning bolt mess up your pretty little face." Harley answered before running back into the fight. Desdemona blushed at what he said. 'Pretty? He think's I'm Pretty?' She thought.
Sergeant Slug dodged another crazy slug as it bounced of the rocks, breaking them and sending them down to the ground. Croesus managed to dodge one and started running. Another rock nearly crushed him, but Kord grabbed him out of the way. Kord carried Croesus over to Eli. "Keep the others safe. Those slugs will lose power in a few minutes." He said. "A few minutes can be a long time!" Kord noted, feeling a little rock hit his head. Trixie pulled Desdemona away from under the still storming cloud before they could get hit by the lightning. "Maybe too long!" Trixie said as Kord picked Desdemona up and carried her and Croesus away.
Sergeant Slug fired Butch again. But Eli countered by firing Chiller. Chiller put Butch into a Deepfreeze attack, sending him into a rock. "Chill!" Eli said. "Seriously? 'Chill?" Trixie asked. Eli blushed and shrugged. "It's a good one-liner." He said. Another slug came from Sergeant Slug and right at the 2. It blew up in between them, sending them flying on both sides. Eli landed near Sergeant Slug. "I got a whole army of amped up slugs, kid! What do you got?" Sergeant Slug asked. "Friends I've fought with. Friends I can count on. Right, Burpy?" Eli answered, holding up Burpy's barrel. Eli loaded Burpy and fired him while Sergeant Slug fired Butch. Burpy fried Butch with Flashfire, noting that Butch was tiring out. "Your pumped-up slugs are deflating, Sergeant." Eli gloated. Sergeant Slug picked up his deflated slugs. "Funny, I have just the solution to that problem." He said taking off. "Harley! Come on!" Eli called to his brother, going after the sergeant. "Right behind you, bro!" Harley called, following Eli.
The Shane brothers followed Sergeant Slug, only to meet the cannon's gun barrel. "You 2 are gonna shut me down?!" Sergeant Slug asked, loading the barrel into the cannon. "I don't think so! Your slugs are beat! Mine are pumped!" He fired slug after slug from his cannon, laughing like a complete maniac. Eli and Harley took cover behind a rock. "You sure you're up for this, Banger?" Eli asked his still recovering Armashelt. Banger nodded. Eli took the barrel and loaded it into his blaster. "Then let's make it count!" He said. He jumped from behind and fired Banger towards the machine. Banger entered through the gun barrel and short circuited the machine. "NO!" Sergeant Slug yelled as he jumped out of the way as his machine blew up.
The sergeant looked over the burning pieces of his precious machine, not noticing Harley firing Webs at him, trapping him in the Arachnet's webbing. "That should hold you for now, Sergeant." Harley said. Banger then dropped from the sky and into Eli's hand. "Way to go, Banger!" Eli praised his slug. Banger nodded happily at his praise.
After all the craziness, everybody gathered at the entrance. "Well, our slugs didn't exactly power up. And we almost got killed. But at least no one else will get scammed." Trixie pointed out. "As much as I hate to admit it, you were totally right about this bogus bootcamp." Desdemona said, holding up her slug. "I never would've gotten the drop on my brother with all the bunk slugs they barf out here." Harley walked up to her. "Maybe I could give you some pointers on getting the drop on your brother sometime, if you want?" He offered. Desdemona thought about it, then smiled and blushed. "It's a date." She answered. "Maybe I'll try the old-fashioned way next time. And when I say 'I', I mean our butler and perhaps the cook and chauffeur." Croesus said snobbishly, walking away. "Not likely, money boy." Harley muttered. Eli and Desdemona looked at him, noticing a phone-like device in his hand. "Harley, what did you do?" Eli asked. "I found the number to his homestead and phoned his parents." Harley answered with a grin. "He's gonna have quite the work out when he gets home." Eli and Desdemona snickered at this.
"That was still pretty awesome though. You know, the way our slugs went TOTALLY NUTS! WHOO!" Waylon said like a complete dunderhead. "Waylon! Not awesome!" Eli reminded him. "Oh yeah. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not exactly a fast learner. But still learned my lesson about stuff like this." Waylon said. "And hey. If you guys ever need some extra help, me and my boys will be there to help sling a few." He added. "Yeah, me too." Desdemona said, shocking everyone. "Just because I'm a punk, doesn't mean I don't have a heart for protecting my home and my friends." She said. "We'll hold you guys to that." Eli said. Desdemona gave Harley a wink before she and Waylon walked on their way home.
As Eli waved goodbye to them, Pronto started digging through the rubble from the battle. "Oh, please be there, please be there! Please be there!" He pleaded while digging. "What's wrong, Pronto? Is one of your slugs under there?" Trixie asked, getting on her mecha. "Slugs?! Blah! Don't be stupid." He answered insultingly. "I'm trying to find-" He stopped and gasped happily, pulling out a bag. "Our money! Now we can take advantage of an interesting opportunity, I have recently become aware of." He said, walking to his mecha beast. "Opportunity?" Trixie asked in disbelief. "Guess some people never learn." Eli stated as they rode away. "Apparently some genius has devised a method of supercharging mecha beasts, so they run 5 times faster." Pronto explained. The others groaned at Pronto's foolishness.
Sometime after the left, Sergeant Slug, still wrapped in the web, was approached by a shadow. He turned to see who it was, and he saw Dr. Blakk. "It seems that you've been busy with slugs, Sergeant." Blakk observed. "Even though my ghouls are savagely crazy enough, I could use a weapon like yours to my advantage." Sergeant Slug gave it some thought. "When do I start, sir?" He asked with a wicked grin.
Well, that's that. Sergeant Slug now working for Dr. Blakk. Huh? Huh?! And about Desdemona, I've seen goths with big hearts for others before. And more surprises will be on their way. Leave a review if you want.
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), Doc (Boon Doc), Larry (Lariet)
Harley Shane: Matchstick (Flaringo), Squirm (Flopper), Frostbite (Frostcrawler), Webs (Arachnet)
Trixie Sting: Bluster (Tormato), Blizzard (Frostcrawler), Spider (Arachnet)
Kord Zane: Bludgeon (Rammstone), Sploder (Hop Rock)
Pronto Geronimo: Stinky (Flatulorhinkus), Slimey (Jellyish)
