Here we go, ladies and gentlemen, fellow fanfiction readers and writers of all. Eliza Shane is about to make her return.
Chapter 23: A Mother's Return
Back on the surface, Eliza Shane's life was getting nowhere. After her sons, Eli and Harley, left to succeed their father's work as the Shanes, her life had hit quite the number of tragedies. Her parents recently passed away from a very ill sickness most elderly folk get when they reach the certain age. She attended the funeral during a sad, rainy day. The next day, her workplace got a huge upgrade, causing her and 10 of her workmates to lose their jobs. Due to everything that's happened, she was super worried, fearing that bankruptcy or eviction would soon follow next.
The next day, the day that was to be her and Will's wedding anniversary, she tried taking her mind off things by cleaning up the house, looking for things that she wanted to sell. While taking a break, she sat on the couch to think with her head in her hands. "What to do, what to do, what to do?" She chanted. As she got up, she heard the floor creak from beneath her feet. She knelt down and pulled the carpet back, discovering a secret compartment She opened the compartment. It contained a Shane container. On it was a letter. She opened the letter and started to read it.
"Dear Eliza, now I'm sure you know of this, but I have fallen protecting Slugterra, and I'm sure our boys have decided to follow in my footsteps. But I had this stowed away just for you. Consider it your anniversary present, should you ever want to make a new start for yourself."
Eliza then picked up the container and opened it. Inside was a light blue blaster of the same model design as Eli and Harley's with a white Shane mark. She picked it up and examined it as she continued to read the letter.
"If a new start is what you want, then I think you should take this blaster and rejoin our sons in Slugterra, to help them protect the peace. Whatever you decide, remember that you were a wonderful wife. I love you, Eliza. Now and forever. Will."
Eliza teared up at reading that last part. "I love you too, my dear Will, until death reunites us." She sobbed. She sniffled and took up her blaster. "Looks like it's time for me to join my sons." She placed her house up for sale and sent all of her household items to storage. She bought a parachute and 3 very long coils of rope. She then made her way to the sewers, looking for the doorway to the drop. And she found it. Since Eli and Harley already used it, she tied the ropes together and tied the one end to an iron rod and tossed the other end down the hole. She then started to climb down the rope. Halfway down the Drop, she started to hear something tearing. She looked up to see. The rope was started to break. "Oh darn." She muttered, before it finally broke, sending her falling down the tunnel, screaming into the dark.
(Intro) (Shane Gang updated with Shimei)
Eliza continued to fall down the rest of The Drop. Then she saw a light at the bottom. The end of the tunnel. She fell through, falling towards the ground. Lucky thing she brought a parachute. She pulled the cord and opened the chute. As she slowly descended, she took a good long look around. "So, this is Slugterra? It's even more beautiful than how Will described it." She said. Not long after, she finally reached the ground. She dropped the parachute and stood up. "Okay, now where would my sons be hiding out?" She asked herself. Suddenly, there was some chittering coming from her feet. She looked down and saw 3 slugs. A Phosphoro, a Flaringo and a Jellyish. "Well, hello there, little ones." She said, kneeling down to the slugs. She held out her arm and the slugs hopped on. Just then, she heard explosions nearby. "Come on little ones. I wanna see what's going on." She said, putting the slugs on her shoulder and heading towards the action. She hid behind a big mushroom as she looked to see what caused those explosions.
Eli, Harley and their whole gang was engaged in a duel with Locke, Load, Jon Bull, Shockwire and the Power Trips, as well as 7 other Blakk guards. Load fired a Hop Jack ghoul towards the cover Trixie and Lash were covering behind. Trixie retaliated by slinging Balloon, grabbing the ghoul in her tentacles and throwing it back in between Load's legs. Bull fired a Grimmstone, coming at Trixie and nearly punching her lights out. Luckily, Trixie jumped aside, but slipped in some mud, losing her blaster. She looked up and saw Bull towering over her. Just then, Shimei hopped onto a rock, split in her blaster staff into 2 and took aim at Bull. She slung her Rammstone, Jin, then Mong. Jin punched Bull, spinning him like a top, then Mong blew him away with an explosion. "Let's give them a real shock!" Shockwire said, firing 3 Amperlings at once. "Denied, you ghoul slinging scum!" Pronto said, firing his Frostcrawler, Freezie, creating an ice wall that bounced the ghouls back at Shockwire. But Shockwire jumped out of the way, and the ghouls hit a few of the guards instead, knocking them out. "Ha-ha! Now that was shocking!" Pronto joked. "Keep firing! We don't stop until we take their hideout!" Locke called, firing a Hop Jack. The other guards also fired their loaded ghouls. "Hold fast! We can't let them take the hideout!" Eli said, getting pushed back by the slung ghouls.
Eliza watched as her beloved sons were about to lose this fight. "I have to get in there." She said. She took a slug barrel from the belt that came with her blaster. Then she looked at her 3 little slug friends. "So, who wants to go first?" She asked.
Meanwhile, Blakk's goons had the Shane Gang backed into a corner. "Time to say bye-bye, Shane Gang." Locke said, taking aim at Eli. Suddenly, a Phosphoro zipped in front of the goons and blinded them with Flashbang. "Argh! What in tarnation was that?!" Locke asked. "HEY!" Everyone looked over to the mushroom. There stood Eliza, loading her Jellyish and taking aim. "You leave my sons and their friends ALONE!" She shouted, slinging her slug, covering Locke's face with Loogi. That made Load laugh. That is until Eliza slung her Flaringo at Load's pants, setting them on fire. "Fall back! Retreat!" Locke yelled. "Yeah! Run away!" Load yelled. The goons turned on their tails and ran off.
When the goons were gone, Eli and Harley looked in shock and surprise at the very person they never expected to see again. "Mom? Is it really you?" Eli asked. "Please tell me I'm not dreaming!" Harley begged. Eliza looked at her sons with a tearful smile. "It's me, my sons." She said, holding her arms open. Eli and Harley ran into them, and all 3 gave a tight family hug, letting their tears fall. "Wait. That's their mother?!" Trixie asked in shock. "That means she is Will Shane's wife!" Pronto said. "Well, this is a surprise." Kord said. The others just nodded in agreement. Soon enough, the 3 Shanes pulled out of their hug. Burpy then hopped onto Eliza's shoulder and nuzzled her cheek. "Aw, I missed you too, Burpy." Eliza said, tickling Burpy's tummy. "So, what are you doing down here, Mom?" Harley asked. "I actually came down here to join you boys." Eliza said. Eli and Harley were wide-eyed. "Long story. I'll tell you about it later." Eliza said. Just then, she noticed the rest of the gang. "So, who're your friends?" She asked. "Mom, this is our gang, the Shane Gang. Gang, this is our mother, Eliza." Eli introduced. Suddenly, Pronto zipped up to Eliza, taking her hand in his. "Well, hello mother of Eli and Harley. I am Pronto Geronimo, molenoid expert at everything and the best member of this gang." He said, introducing himself. He then tried to kiss the hand, but Eliza pulled it away and slapped Pronto so hard, he went spinning into the dirt. "Pleasured to meet you, Pronto, but never try to do that again." She said politely. "No problem, Mrs. Shane." Pronto said in a dizzy state. Harley snickered at the sight.
The others walked up to Eliza. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Shane. I'm Kord Zane." Kod said, holding out his hand. Eliza shook it. "You're a cave troll, aren't you?" She asked. Kord nodded. "I've only seen pictures of your kind. Never thought I'd actually meet one in person." Eliza said. Kord blushed at this compliment. "Aw shucks, folks. I'm speechless." He said. The others soon shook hands with Eliza and introduced themselves. "Vance Volt, Slug Run racer, at your service." Vance said. "I'm Mario. Mario Bravado, the greatest trick-shooter in Slugterra." Mario said. "I'm Lash." Lash said. "And I am Shimei." Shimei said with a bow. Eliza stared at Shimei for a second. "You're the granddaughter of the Unbeatable Master, aren't you?" She asked. "How'd you know?" Shimei asked. "Will told me about her, how she trained him." Eliza explained. Shimei then put on a very sad look. Eliza knew this look all too well. "Your grandmother's gone, isn't she?" She asked. Shimei nodded sadly. Eliza put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You can tell me about it later if you want to." She said. Shimei smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. Shane." She said, bowing. Eliza bowed back with respect.
Finally, Eliza turned to Trixie. "I'm Trixie. It's very nice to meet you ma'am." Trixie said, shaking Eliza's hand. "Pleasure's mine, Trixie." Eliza said. "Oh my gosh, you are beautiful!" She said, getting a good look at Trixie. She then looked back at Eli. She started to get the idea. "You and Eli have a thing, don't you?" She asked. "Well, it's not just a thing, Mrs. Shane." Trixie said, holding up the ring around her neck. Eliza gasped happily. "My engagement ring!" She said, tearing up. "Yes. Eli and I are promised to be engaged." Trixie said. Eliza suddenly brought Trixie into a big hug. "I know you'll be a perfect wife to Eli as I was to Will." She said tearfully. Trixie hugged her back.
Back at Blakk's fortress, Locke and Load gave Dr. Blakk the bad news as Jon Bull, Shockwire and the Power Trips knelt down in fear. "The Shane Gang defeated you AGAIN?!" Blakk asked in an outrage. "No sir. We had them cornered. It was some strange woman who defeated us." Locke explained. "One woman beat all of you?!" Blakk asked. "Well, she didn't seem like any ordinary woman, Dr. Blakk." Jon Bull said. "Yeah. She said that Eli and Harley were her sons. I think." Load said. Blakk put this info to thought. "If this woman is the mother of the Shane boys, then I need to see for myself." He said, standing up. "Prepare to move out. We are gonna draw the Shane Gang to us." He ordered. "Yes sir!" The goons said.
Afterwards, Eli and Harley showed Eliza their hideout, and introduced her to Wormy, Rath and the lava bats. "Wow! I got to say, this place is way nicer than our old home." Eliza said. "So, Mom, where'd you get that blaster?" Harley asked, gesturing to his mother's blaster. "Your father left it for me as an anniversary gift." Eliza said. She showed her sons the note that came with it. "You see, after you boys left, things back home have been rather sad for me. My parents passed away." That brought great pain to Eli and Harley's hearts. "No. Grandma. Grandpa." Eli sniffled. Harley took a tissue and blew his nose. "After that, I lost my job. The company I worked at got a huge upgrade and caused me and 10 of my friends to lose their jobs." Now everyone was on the verge of crying. Even the slugs and the pets. "After that, I feared that eviction or bankruptcy would next. So, while I was cleaning to get my mind off everything, I discovered this blaster and this note from your father. So, I put the house up for sale, placed our things in storage, and decided to rejoin my beloved sons here in Slugterra." Eliza finished. "But how'd you get down here to begin with?" Harley asked. "Yeah, Harley and I already used the Drop when we left." Eli said. "Well, I bought some very long coils of ropes and tied it to an iron rod and climbed down them. Unfortunately, the ropes broke as I was halfway down the Drop. Luckily, I also bought a parachute. I released the chute just as I exited the tunnel, and here I am." Eliza said. "Well, we're glad you're here, Mom." Eli said. "Yeah. We really missed you." Harley agreed. Eliza was about to tear up again, smiling big at her sons. "I've really missed you boys too." She said, bringing Eli and Harley into another big hug.
But just then, they received a call on their computer. Trixie hurried over and answered it. "Trixie Sting here. Who's calling?" She asked. On screen appeared Mario's girlfriend, Katy. "Katy?" Eli said. "Shane Gang! Bad news! Dr. Blakk and his goons are attacking our cavern! Please hurry! They're probably about to attack our pizza place!" Katy said. Suddenly, an explosion came from behind her, causing the screen to turn to static and end the call. "Babe!" Mario called with worry. Eli came up and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, Mario. Dr. Blakk is not gonna get away with this." Eli said. "Shane Gang, saddle up!" Everyone headed for the garage to saddle their mecha beasts. Eli turned to his mother. "What about you, Mom? You want in on this mission?" He asked. Eliza started to think, just as her 3 slugs hopped to her shoulders. She looked at them, and they nodded. She then turned back to Eli. "We're in." She said.
The gang rode right into the town. Eliza rode on Lucky's back with Eli. Blakk's goons turned to face them just as they were destroying the town. "The Shane Gang! Blast them!" Locke ordered, firing his loaded ghoul. The others soon joined in, firing their ghouls. The gang dismounted their mechas and charged into the fight. Trixie slid to the ground, firing her Tazerling from Club Slug, now named Zaps. She shocked 3 soldiers with Tazerbolt. The 2 male Trips backed Pronto into a corner. Just as they were about to fire, Kord came up behind them and knocked them out. "You owe me one." He said. Just then, Pronto saw the female Trip aim at Kord. "Eat my stink!" Pronto shouted, firing Stinky and hitting the girl with Blorfball, who then passed out from the smell. "Okay, now we're even." Kord said.
Lash took position on a rooftop. He saw a couple of goons coming in on jackal mechas. He slung String, tripping the mechas and sending the goons flying. Then Lash fired Bubba, bouncing the goons right into a window. Jon Bull cornered Shimei. "You think you have any of the skills your granny ever had? You're just as weak as she was!" Bull said. "Oh, is that right?" Shimei asked with a sly smile, splitting her blaster staff in 2. Bull slung a Grimmstone, but Shimei swatted it aside and started smacking Bull with her staffs. When she stopped, Bull's whole body was twitching from the pain. Shimei gave a small push and knocked Bull out. "That's what you get for insulting my strength." She said, firing Mong at a goon trying to slug her from behind.
Eliza watched as her sons and their friends fought the goons. "So, you're the mother of Eli and Harley Shane." A voice guessed from behind her. She turned to see Dr. Blakk on his personal mecha. "I have to say, Will Shane had an excellent taste in women." She aimed her blaster shakingly at him. "You! You're him, aren't you? You're Dr. Blakk!" She guessed. "That's right." Blakk said, getting off his mecha. "You stay back! I will shoot the man who destroyed my husband!" Eliza warned. "But why would you fire upon me for a man who never loved you?" Blakk asked. That made Eliza confused. "All Will Shane ever cared for was being the Shane. The soul protector of all Slugterra. Why do you think he wanted his sons to take his place? He just used you to conceive his heirs." Eliza put all this to thought. "But me, I see a woman who has great potential. Great beauty. Join me, and I will give you all the love you never had." Blakk offered, holding out his hand. Eliza felt torn. Should she trust this man?
"Mom! NO!" Eli yelled as he struggled with another goon. Eliza looked back at her sons and their friends. "Well, what do you say?" Blakk asked. Eliza squeezed her eyes. "I say-" She aimed her blaster at Blakk's face. "-eat a Flaringo, Blakk!" She yelled, firing her Flaringo and slightly scorching Blakk's face. Blakk growled as he wiped his face. "You can't swoon me that easy with your lies, Blakk. It's true that Will loved his work with defending Slugterra, but he loved me just as much. He was also willing to one day retire from his days as the Shane to spend the rest of his life with me." Eliza said, nearing tears through her anger. "So, go! Leave! Don't ever come after me or my sons again!" Blakk growled as he stood up. "Fine! But you haven't seen the last of me, Shane." He said, getting back on his mecha. "Fall back! This cavern means nothing to me anyway." He ordered. The goons seemed confused, but did as Blakk ordered.
As soon as Blakk and his goons left, the people started to come back out. Even Katy came out from the pizza shop and embraced Mario. Eli and Harley walked over to Eliza, now sobbing right out of the box. The 3 embraced very tightly as the gang looked on. "I'm sorry, boys. He tried to swoon me. I nearly believed him." She sniffed. "It's okay, Mom. You saw through him." Eli said. "Dad would be very proud of you." Harley said. Eliza sobbed softly as she hugged her sons even tighter.
Back at the hideout, everyone settled for dinner. As everyone started to dig in, Eli decided to ask. "So, now that you're practically stuck down here, what do think about joining our team, Mom?" He asked. That nearly caused everyone to choke on their food and spit take their drinks. "Are you sure about this, bro?" Kord asked. "I mean, your mother is still new down here. Plus, she only has 3 slugs. Slugs she only met upon arrival." Eliza looked at her slugs, who were hanging out with Burpy, Joules, Yang and Doc. She knew Kord was right, but she decided against it. "I think being a part of this team is a good idea." She said. Everyone looked right at her with shocked expressions. "I may be new here, but we Shanes always stay together, no matter what." She said, wrapping her arms around Eli and Harley. "Plus, with all these slugs and pets you have, this place could use a mother's delicate cleaning touch." "I hear that." Harley said. Everyone just laughed at this comment. "Then it's decided. Welcome to the team, Mom. You'll make us proud." Eli said. Eliza smiled.
At Blakk's fortress, Blakk was more furious than ever. He swatted several items off his desk. "That woman is just as insolent as her husband and sons!" He yelled. But then he took a few deep breaths to try and calm down. "No matter. Soon she will suffer the same fate as her husband. As all Shanes will." He said, looking to the few containers of Dark Water he had left.
WOW! Wasn't that amazing? Eliza Shane has made her return! She lost her happiness on the surface, but has regained it in Slugterra. What new adventures will soon await our Shane Gang? Leave a review if you'd like.
Author's note: Shimei's fighting style from the last chapter and here, I based the idea on Donnie Yen's scenes from Rogue One.
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 (Lariat), Gust (Tormato), Buzzsaw (Thresher), Digger (Crystalid), Spinner (Arachnet), Mucky (Dirt Urchin), Tangles (Vinedrill), Spooker (Frightgeist), Charger (Fandango), Stunts (Speedstinger), Glimmer (Phosphoro), Mo (Enigmo), Dazer (Hypnogriff), Urchin (Sand Angler), Dozer (Slyren), Jinxer (Hexlet), Torch (Forgesmeltor), Yang (Negashade)
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)
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)
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)
Pronto Geronimo: Stinky (Flatulorhinkus), Slimey (Jellyish), Soapy (Bubbaleone), Bruiser (Rammstone), Flame (Flaringo), Loogie (Lariat), Windy (Tormato), Squeaky (Flopper), Blocky (Hop Rock), Freezie (Frostcrawler)
Vance Volt: Blast (Hop Rock), Bloom (Vinedrill), Crust (Lavalynx), Legs (Arachnet), Swimmy (AquaBeek), Hardcase (Aramashelt), Squish (Jellyish), Blow (Tormato), Cheep (Flopper), Punch (Rammstone)
Mario Bravado: Ricochet (Speedstinger), Slide (Frostcrawler), Crawler (Arachnet), Echo (AquaBeek), Mess (Jellyish), Breeze (Tormato), Kate (Flopper), Porky (Dirt Urchin), Dunk (Rammstone)
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)
Shimei: Mong (Hop Rock), Jin (Rammstone)
Eliza Shane: Ellie (Flaringo), Min (Jellyish), Tink (Phosphoro)
