Alright everybody, get ready for my newest original chapter.
Chapter 32: Chain of Command
The Shane Gang were engaged in combat with a squad of Blakk's guards, led by Twist and his elites. "Last chance for you to give up, Twist!" Eli called as he fired Goober, gunking up a guard's blaster with Loogi. "Why should I? I'm having way too much fun!" Twist called, firing a Greneater. Eli saw it coming. "I got it, Eli!" Harley called, slinging Bubbles and swallow the ghoul. It exploded inside her stomach, causing her to belch it out and gently float to the ground. "Thanks bro." Eli said. "No problem." Harley said, picking up Bubbles.
3 guards fired 3 Hop Jacks towards the gang. Vance slung his new Frostcrawler, Chill, creating an ice wall with Deepfreeze and sending the ghouls back. "You think you're so chill? I'll show you chill." Frost said, firing a Frostfang. "Let's heat it up a bit too!" Flame said, slinging a Pyringo. "2 ghouls incoming!" Mario called. "I got them." Dana said, slinging Tailwind, catching the ghouls with Slyphoon. "Time to relive the past." Lash said, loading Witch into his blaster and slinging her. Frost and Flame looked on in shock as Witch transformed and hit them with. They thought nothing happened. That is until Flame slipped on a loose pile of dirt and fell to the ground, taking Frost with him. Frost unintentionally slung a Greneater into the air as he landed. The ghoul flipped around and dropped down between Frost and Flame, its tail sizzling. "Oh no." Flame wheezed as the ghoul exploded.
Twist fired another ghoul. "Bull! I'll take the slugs and head back for Blakk's citadel! You keep the Shane Gang in check!" He ordered. Bull nodded as Twist ran for his mecha. Eli saw Twist mounting his mecha. "Twist is bolting out with the slugs!" He called. "Not to fear! Pronto will clear you a path!" Pronto shouted, firing Stinky at several goons, knocking them out with his stink. Eli saw his chance, mounted Lucky and rode after Twist. Bull saw Eli coming and seeing his chance for payback from the tournament ban, aimed his blaster at him. "Payback time, Shane." He muttered, preparing to squeeze the trigger. But then, he heard a slug being slung. He turned and saw a Frightgeist transform and was hit by Frightningrod. Bull screamed at the sight of the angry slug and ran away. Lash blew the smoke from his blaster. "I just love that Frightgeist effect." He said as the Frightgeist, whom he named Shroud, hopped back to him. "That's all the goons. Now let's go help Eli!" Harley called.
Meanwhile, Eli was chasing Twist. "You can't get away, Twist! Just give up the slugs and I'll let walk away without a single scrap!" Eli called. "I think not, Eli! It's you who's gonna get scraped!" Twist said, firing a Hop Jack at Lucky's feet. The blast sent Eli flying off his mecha. Eli tumbled to the ground. But just as he started to recover, he saw Lucky coming down and landing on top of him.
Harley and the others rode over. "Eli!" Harley called. "Where are you, buddy?!" Kord called. "Guys!" Dana called, pointing to Lucky's crash site. The gang hustled right over. Kord lifted Lucky right off of Eli. "Eli!" Trixie said with worry. "You okay, kid?" Mario asked. Eli started to come around. But when he tried to move, he screamed in pain.
(Intro)
At the hideout, Eli was being treated by Eliza while being examined by a doctor. When Lucky crashed on him, his leg had been broken. The rest of the gang waited outside as Kord and the doctor walked out. "Well?" Harley asked. "Well, the leg is definitely broken. Luckily, it's only a minor snap. It should heal in a few weeks." The doctor said. "So, that means we're grounded until Eli gets better." Mario said. "Wait 'til I get my hands on that brother of mine." Lash growled. "Take it easy, Lash. You'll get your chance. I promise." Eli said. Harley thanked the doctor as he started to leave.
"One other problem. With Eli recuperating, who's gonna be the leader?" Vance asked. "Don't worry, guys. I have that covered." Eli assured. "Harley, until I get better, I'm appointing you as temporary leader of the Shane Gang." Everyone was surprised by Eli's decision that Harley would take over as temporary leader. Even Harley was a bit taken aback. "Pronot does not want to argue about this, but how can we be sure that Harley is qualified to lead? Because Pronto's modest personality might be better suited for this position." Pronto boasted proudly. Harley scowled and stepped up to the molenoid. "Listen to me carefully, molenoid. Whether you like it or not, I am your supervisor now. So…ATTENTION!" Harley shouted in the tone of a stern military sergeant. Pronto, hearing the tone, stood at attention, saluting. "Alright, we better get ready for our daily patrol! Turn your back already, molenoid! Direction to the garage at a quick pace! Forward march! Hup! Hup! Hup! Hup!" Harley commanded. Pronto walked with a brisk marching step. Everyone laughed from seeing this. Even the slugs were also rolling about it. "Oh, that was great!" Mario said, wiping tears from his eye. "This marching Pronto is totally worth remembering!" Trixie said, filming all of this with her camera. "Dude, you were driving it like an old drill sergeant! Where did you learn that?" Kord asked. "I watched a lot of old war movies back home." Harley said.
Inside the garage, Harley and the others mounted up on their mechas. "Trixie, Mom, I want you 2 to stay here and watch over Eli while we're out on patrol." Harley said. "That's a good idea." Eliza said, not wanting to leave Eli alone. "You sure you can do fine without me?" Trixie asked. "Look, I know you're always a big help, but right now, the place I need you to be is right by your fiancé." Harley said. Trixie gave that some thought. "You're right." She agreed. "Alright then. We're rolling out, gang." Harley called, riding Delta out of the garage. The rest of the gang followed.
As the gang rode out, they received a call from the Monarch Inn keeper from East Rift. Kord opened the call on Wyatt. "The keeper of the Monarch Inn from East Rift. Do what to we owe the pleasure?" Kord asked. "Shane Gang, I figured it might interest you to know that Blakk's elites have taken refuge here to gather up our slugs." The keeper said. "Actually, that does interest us. We'll right there." Kord said, ending the call. "Looks like we're heading for East Rift. Let's move it! Double-time!" Harley called, riding ahead.
The gang rode into East Rift in no time. They took position behind some boulders just as Shockwire and Deagan turned up with several goons, loading several slug canisters onto their mechas. "You think this'll be enough slugs?" Shockwire asked. "Enough for the boss not to feed us to the ghouls." Deagan said. Just then, Twist, Frost, Flame and Bull rode up. "Well?" Twist asked. "We've captured all the slugs we can carry on all of our mechas." Deagan reported. "Good. Then we have no reason to stick around. Move out!" Twist ordered.
"They're getting ready to leave." Vance said. "Then now's the chance to strike." Harley said. "Excellent! Pronto shall lead the charge." Pronto said, preparing to attack. "Oh no you don't." Harley said, pulling Pronto back. "We can't afford any of your constant screwups. We're doing this my way." Pronto sulked. Harley loaded his new Phosphoro, Flasher, and slung him into the sky. The elites and goons looked into the sky, seeing Flasher transform. "What the?" Twist said. Flasher then used Flashbang, blinding them. "Kord, Vance, Dana, Vinedrill Tangle-up Move!" Harley called, firing Ivy at the ground under the goons. Kord, Vance and Dana followed with their Vinedrills. Then, the goons got tangled in the slugs' Tendrella.
When Twist and his elites regained their sight, they saw their goons trapped in the Tendrella. "How did that-" Twist started to ask. "How's it going, Twist?" Lash's voice asked. The elites turned to see that the Shane Gang had them at blaster point. "Why am I not surprised that you guys would show up?" Deagan asked. "Because you know as long as Blakk's having you losers causing trouble, we'll be there to stop you." Mario said. Suddenly, Shockwire noticed something. "Wait a minute. Where's the lead Shane boy?" He asked. "He's not here at the moment. I'm leading the Shane Gang at the moment." Harley said. That made Twist smile nastily. "I guess that ghoul I slung did more damage than I thought it would." He gloated. Harley glared at the traitor. "How exactly do you expect to beat us without your brother, Harley?" Twist asked tauntingly. "Oh, won't you be surprised." Harley said. By then, the goons broke free from the Tendrella and drew their blasters. Twist and his elites drew theirs as well. "Blast them all!" Twist ordered, firing their ghouls.
The gang took cover and fired back. Kord slung Jetstream, blasting a couple ghouls back into their protoform with Aquajet. Watts slung his Tormato, Maelstrom, and Lash slung his Gazzer, Oxide. First Oxide hit 3 of the goons with Hilariteaser, then Maelstrom blew them into a wall with Galestorm, but due to Hilariteaser, they were too busy laughing to notice the pain. Shockwire slung a couple of Amperlings. Harley and Pronto took cover as the ghouls hit their cover. "I know it's not right time to ask. But it kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it?" Pronto asked. "Wonder what?" Harley asked in annoyance. "If Eli, Trixie and your mother are having as much fun as we are." Pronto said. Harley thought about that.
Back at the hideout, Eli was being treated by Eliza and Trixie. Trixie had put a wet cloth on Eli's head and Eliza was feeding Eli some hot soup. "Now let me know if it's too hot, okay?" Eliza said. "Guys, I appreciate this, but could you maybe tone down the pampering a bit?" Eli asked. "Sorry, babe. Until you can walk again, we're gonna take really good care of you." Trixie said. "Right. I'll go fluff up your pillows." Eliza said. "And I'll go fix you some cocoa." Trixie said. As the 2 women left the room, Burpy hopped up to his slinger. "I have a feeling that this is gonna be scarier than Mr. Saturday's zombie trick." Eli said with worry. Burpy just snickered.
Twist and his elites and ghouls kept firing more ghouls. Dana slung Webby, latching her web on a goon's face and tugging him down to the ground. But the ghouls just kept coming. "It's no good! There's too many of them!" Kord said. "Then it looks like I'm gonna have to try something special." Harley said, pulling up his double-barrel blaster. "Very good! Then Pronto will gladly take the charge!" Pronto boasted, preparing to head out. "You'll stay right here and keep slinging." Harley said strictly. "Yes sir." Pronto smiled sheepishly and sat back down.
"Mario, Shimei, give me some cover!" Harley called. Mario slung Dunk, digging into the ground with Slabhenge. Then Shimei slung Kaz, landing in front and creating a blinding explosion. Harley held up Twister and Gels. "Twister, Gels, you guys ready to really give these guys a slimy bath?" He asked. His slugs chittered with anticipation. "Then let's do this." Harley said. He equipped the double-barrel onto his blaster and took aim. "Hey, what's that Shane kid doing?" Bull asked. Twist squinted his eyes, trying to make out Harley's plan. Harley fired his 2 slugs. Twister and Gels transformed and started spinning back-to-back. "Uh oh!" Twist said, knowing what's coming. Together, Twister and Gels created their fusion move, Slimestorm, a slimy tornado firing blobs of slime. Twist ducked out of the way, but the blobs hit the other elites and goons, knocking them down with a heavy, slimy thud.
Twist was the only one left, and was still willing to fight. "You still standing, Twist? You could only do us a favor and run away with your tail tucked in, avoiding any further humiliation. And I really don't want Lash to keep witnessing this." Harley said, acting reasonably enough for a leader. Twist hesitated with only 1 ghoul left in his blaster's pitcher, and his helpers lay battered on the ground. Suddenly, they heard the growl of a mecha beast. They looked and saw a nightmare mecha beast, rode by a fairly well-known individual. "Uh oh. Look who else came to the party." Kord said with worry when they recognized the person they never expected to see again. El Diablos Nacho.
"El Diablos Nacho? I didn't know he was back! But I feel that there's something familiar about him." Harley said. "If Pronto is to be honest-" Pronto started his monologue. "Be silent!" Harley ordered, making Pronto go silent. "I didn't call for backup, Nacho! What do you want?" Twist asked, showing a huge dislike for Nacho's company as he pulled up and got off his mecha. "Blakk sent me to check why you're delaying the delivery of slugs. And I can see clearly why. You are alone against the Shane Gang." Nacho said without refraining from mocking the boy. Twist growled with irritation.
"Somehow we didn't expect to see you again, Nacho, because we surely didn't miss you." Harley said as he and the others took aim at both of them. "You seem surprised, Shane, but what amuses me the most is that you took command of the gang while your brother licks his bed-ridden wounds. Though you probably didn't guess that we've seen each other in the Deep Caverns." Nacho mocked, exchanging information that shocked the gang. "Have we met him in the Deep Caverns?" Shimei couldn't believe it. Harley stared at the smiling Nacho for a moment until it dawned upon him. "Of course, you were the Darkbane who talked to Brimstone and led us to the cells." He revealed. "Though you still haven't basically been an intelligent savvy like any of your species." Nacho gritted his teeth, but controlled himself. "Yes, and I'm curious how you knew it was me, despite the changed appearance." He said slyly. "Simple. It was that stench you give off." Harley mocked.
Nacho roared furiously and slung a Grimmstone, catching the gang off guard. "Take those slugs back to Blakk! I'll handle the Shane!" He ordered. Twist grumbled, but decided not to argue. He mounted his mecha and rode off with the slugs he captured. "You guys go after Twist and try to cut him off! I'll handle Nacho!" Harley called. "You got it, buddy!" Kord said. "Be careful, Harley." Shimei said. The gang mounted their mechas and rode off after Twist. Harley and Nacho glared at each other. They then raised their blasters and fired.
Twist was already almost way ahead, but the gang caught up to him rather quickly. "You might as well give up now, Twist! You can't outrun all of us!" Kord called. "Maybe, but you won't be able to outrun this!" Twist said, firing a ghouled AquaBeek, known as an Aquafreak. The gang dodged the ghoul. Kord slung Trip, but Twist jumped his mecha out of range. But it gave Lash the chance to sling Zing, shorting out Twist's mecha beast with Tazerbolt. Twist crashed to the ground and the canister came loose, freeing the captured slugs. Twist struggled to get up, but found himself held at blaster-point by Lash. Twist was prepared for what was to come, but Lash lowered his blaster. Twist was confused. "Get out of here." Lash said, kicking his own brother in the chest. Twist recovered and got back on his mecha. "You've gotten better, Lash. But next time, you should take your shot." He said before riding away. Lash stared after. Shimei walked up and took his hand. "You did the right thing, darling." She said. Lash smiled and nodded. "Right. Now let's get these slugs back to East Rift." Kord said, gathering up the slugs.
Meanwhile, Harley was blown back by Nacho slinging a Tempesto. Harley retaliated by slinging Quill, firing Chortlesnort. But Nacho dodged the attack and slung another Hop Jack. Harley intercepted by slinging Claws. Then he slung Shredder, coming at Nacho with Throttlebite. But Nacho just swatted the poor Thresher aside. "You think you have any chance at beating me?" Nacho asked gloatingly. "I know I can beat you. Because just like Eli and my dad, I have great slugs to rely on." Harley said. "Please. You're just as weak as your brother. For now, at least." Nacho said suspiciously. "What? What're you talking about? Tell me!" Harley demanded. Nacho turned his head, hearing the gang's mechas approaching. "You'll find out soon enough. We're counting on it." He said, slinging one more Hop Jack at the ground and creating a smoke cloud, covering his escape "Harley?" Kord called as the gang rode up. But Harley was too focused on the smoke cloud. When it lifted, Nacho was gone. Harley stared for a while. 'What did he mean?' He thought to himself.
As the gang rode back to the hideout, Harley told them about what Nacho said. "What do you think he meant?" Vance asked. "I don't know. But I got a feeling that I'm about to find out soon." Harley said, rubbing the spot on his thigh. Soon enough, the gang made it back to the hideout. "NO!" Eli's voice cried. "Eli!" Harley yelled as they rushed in, only to find an embarrassing sight. Eliza and Trixie were trying to clean Eli's face from all the food and drinks they gave him. "Come on! Stop it! Have you no mercy?!" Eli cried. "Stop struggling, Eli!" Eliza said. "You're making us spread it!" Trixie said. Burpy and the other slugs just sat there at laughed. The rest of the gang just stood there in shock for a moment before turning around and exiting the hideout.
Well, how'd you all like that? Eli gets injured, Harley takes over as temporary leader and everybody finds out that Nacho has returned. What else awaits the Shane Gang? Leave a review if you want.
Special thanks to General TigerDragon for the idea for this chapter.
Slug Arsenal:
Eli Shane: Burpy (Infurnus), Joules (Tazerling), Noodle (Flopper), Banger (Armashelt), Bolo (Polero), Rammer (Rammstone), Rocky (Hop Rock), Chiller (Frostcrawler), Burner (Lavalynx), Suds (Bubbaleone), Goober (Jellyish), Sparky (Grenuke), Larry (Lariat), Gust (Tormato), Buzzsaw (Thresher), Digger (Crystalyd), Spinner (Arachnet), Mucky (Dirt Urchin), Tangles (Vinedrill), Spooker (Frightgeist), Charger (Fandango), Stunts (Speedstinger), Glimmer (Phosphoro), Mo (Enigmo), Dazer (Hypnogrif), Urchin (Sand Angler), Dozer (Slyren), Jinxer (Hexlet), Torch (Forgesmelter), Yang (Negashade), Beeker (AquaBeek), Mimkey (Mimikreas), Jaws (MakoBreaker), Gasser (Flatulorhinkus), Crystal (Geoshard), Foggy (Neotox), Jammer (Xmitter)
Harley Shane: Matchstick (Flaringo), Squirm (Flopper), Frostbite (Frostcrawler), Webs (Arachnet), Gels (Jellyish), Zipper (Hoverbug), Ivy (Vinedrill), Masher (Rammstone), Frights (Frightgeist), Shredder (Thresher), Smelly (Flatulorhinkus), Claws (Armashelt), Splatz (Lariat), Twister (Tormato), Lucky (Hexlet), Sizzle (Grenuke), Quill (Dirt Urchin), Ping (White Boon Doc), Bubbles (Bubbaleone), Polo (Polero), Skitter (Speedstinger), Flasher (Phosphoro)
Trixie Sting: Bluster (Tormato), Blizzard (Frostcrawler), Spider (Arachnet), Twirl (Polero), Balloon (Bubbaleone), Haunter (Frightgeist), Pounder (Rammstone), Slicer (Thresher), Rocks (Hop Rock), Jelly (Jellyish), Blossom (Vinedrill), Spotty (Flopper), Dunes (Sand Angler), Zaps (Tazerling), Roller (Armashelt), Scorcher (Lavalynx), Nighty (Slyren)
Kord Zane: Bludgeon (Rammstone), Sploder (Hop Rock), Jolt (Tazerling), Trip (Polero), Flycatcher (Arachnet), Floatie (Bubbaleone), Iceberg (Frostcrawler), Scorch (Flaringo), Jetstream (AquaBeek), Spitz (Lariat), Chuckles (Gazzer), Floppy (Flopper), Pincer (Armashelt), Glint (Phosphoro), Throttle (Thresher), Quicksand (Sand Angler), Silv (Slicksilver), Pollen (Vinedrill)
Pronto Geronimo: Stinky (Flatulorhinkus), Slimey (Jellyish), Soapy (Bubbaleone), Bruiser (Rammstone), Flame (Flaringo), Loogie (Lariat), Windy (Tormato), Squeaky (Flopper), Blocky (Hop Rock), Freezie (Frostcrawler), Doozey (Slyren), Zappy (Tazerling), Stripey (Polero), Planty (Vinedrill), Shelly (Armashelt)
Vance Volt: Blast (Hop Rock), Bloom (Vinedrill), Crust (Lavalynx), Legs (Arachnet), Swimy (AquaBeek), Hardcase (Armashelt), Squish (Jellyish), Blow (Tormato), Cheep (Flopper), Punch (Rammstone), Chill (Frostcrawler)
Mario Bravado: Ricochet (Speedstinger), Slide (Frostcrawler), Crawler (Arachnet), Echo (AquaBeek), Mess (Jellyish), Breeze (Tormato), Kate (Flopper), Porky (Dirt Urchin), Dunk (Rammstone), Crush (Armashelt)
Lash: Zing (Tazerling), Speedy (Speedstinger), Hopper (Hop Rock), Bubba (Bubbaleone), Stinx (Flatulorhinkus), String (Polero), Goat (Rammstone), Sleepy (Slyren), Webber (Arachnet), Ice (Frostcrawler), Spark (Flaringo), Winger (Tormato), Witch (Hexlet), Phlegm (Lariat), Peep (Flopper), Melt (Lavalynx), Clash (Armashelt), Shroud (Frightgeist), Oxide (Gazzer)
Shimei: Mong (Hop Rock), Jin (Rammstone), Zeng (Vinedrill), Leng (Polero), Kaz (Grenuke), Hindo (Flaringo), Huong (Phosphoro), Hei-Hei (Hoverbug), Yung (Armashelt)
Eliza Shane: Ellie (Flaringo), Mel (Jellyish), Tink (Phosphoro), Pimpy (Bubbaleone), Jimbo (Hop Rock), Jason (Frightgeist), Fitz (Tazerling), Flick (Grenuke), Griff (Hypnogrif)
Watts: Scourge (MakoBreaker), Polly (Hoverbug), Rush (Rammstone), Sinker (Hop Rock), Maelstrom (Tormato)
Dana Por: Webby (Arachnet), Willy (Frostcrawler), Tailwind (Tormato), Rosie (Vinedrill)
The Universal Slug
