Chapter 1: A Traitor in the Ghost House
Another day in Pac-World, another Ghost attack. Pac-Man and his best friends, Spiral and Cylindria, have engaged the ghost army of the evil (And completely childish sore losing) Betrayus. Pac chomped down 5 to 6 ghosts already. "Mmm-mmm! I love the taste of nice slimy ghosts in the morning." He said, belching out the ghost's eyeballs.
Spiral and Cyli flew in on their hoverboards, catching ghosts with their PMCs. "Cyli, on your left!" Spiral called. Cyli looked left and caught the ghost coming at her. "Thanks, Spi." Cyli said.
Pac ate a fire berry and transformed into Fire Pac. "Just what I need. A nice hot meal." Pac said, blowing fire at the ghosts and chomping them. "Oh yeah. Spicy hot. Just the way I like it." Pac belched out the eyeballs and looked to the last remaining ghost. "Uh, I-uh-I'm just gonna go!" The ghost said, zipping off back to the Netherworld. Spiral and Cyli hovered up to Pac. "Well, another day, another ghost attack foiled." Pac said.
Meanwhile, in the Netherworld, Betrayus was not happy upon losing another attempt to take over Pac-World. "I! Have! HAD IT! I keep coming up with more and more brilliant plans to conquer Pac-World, but every time we launch them, the Pac-Pest is always ready to gobble my ghosts!" He ranted. "Yes. A real tragedy, sir." Buttler said. Betrayus started to think. "Someone must still be selling out information of our plans to the Pac-Man. But the question is who?" He asked. Just then, Dr. Buttocks hovered over to his master. "Betrayus, I know exactly who is telling the Pac-Man of your plans." He whispered. "Well then, don't just float there. Tell me who it is!" Betrayus ordered. "Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde." Buttocks revealed. "What? Those 4 dunderdolts? Yeah right." Betrayus said in disbelief. "No, it's true! I wasn't sure at first, but I've been spying on them with slug cams for months!" Buttocks said, turning on the playback cams.
Each video showed the Ghostly Gang talking with Pac and his friends over the years. "They've been informing the Pac-Pest and his sidekicks about our plans all year!" Buttocks said. Betrayus' eyes popped right out in shock. "No! No! NO!" He cried, putting his eyes back in. "I want those 4 arrested and held up for questioning! NOW!" He shouted.
"Thanks for the head's up, guys. As usual." Pac said. "Anytime, Paccums." Pinky said with a wink. "Okay. You really need to stop with the flirting. I'm dating Elliptika, remember?" Pac said. "I know. I just can't help it." Pinky said. "When can you ever help it?" Blinky asked. Pinky glared. "Uh, guys? We got company!" Clyde said, pointing at the sky. Everyone looked up. Another army of ghosts had just appeared. "More ghosts?! But we just foiled the last batch!" Spiral said. "No worries. I got this." Pac said. He gulped down another berry and flew up to engage the enemy ghosts. The ghosts dived down to attack. Pac got ready to collide and gobble down the ghosts. But suddenly, they veered away from Pac and kept diving down. Pac stopped and looked down. "Huh? They ignored me? Wonder what's up." He said, diving after them.
The ghosts stopped in front of the Ghostly Gang. 2 big guard ghosts emerged from the crowd. "Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde, you 4 have been charged with high treason to Lord Betrayus." Guard 1 said. "Treason? Us? Whatever are you talking about?" Inky asked, trying to act all innocent. "Yeah, we would never think of betraying Betrayus." Blinky said. "Really?" Betrayus' voice asked. The Ghostly Gang gasped as the ghost leader came out from the crowd. "You didn't think twice before setting the Pac-Man and his friends free when I ordered you to execute them the first time we met him?" Betrayus asked. Inky gulped. "Or when you taught them Pac-Fu?" Betrayus asked. Blinky started to sweat. "Or possessing my niece to woo the Pac-Man against my personal suggestion?" Betrayus asked. Pinky shook with fear. "And need I even mention the other times you leaked out my plans to the Pac-Man?!" Betrayus asked, getting angry. Clyde was now so stressed, he split in half. "Surely you know what happened to the last ghost who double-crossed me." Betrayus said. "Actually, no." Blinky said. "You never told us." Inky said. "That's because I had that ghost permanently eradicated." Betrayus said darkly. The Ghostly Gang gasped.
Pac landed between Betrayus and the Ghostly Gang. "I'm not about to let you take my friends, Betrayus." He said. "So be it. I always did like a challenge." Betrayus said. "GET THEM!" The ghosts charged. Pac charged back and started gulping them down. Spiral and Cylindria started sucking up loose strays with their PSCs. "You guys better take cover! We'll handle things here." Pac said. "Not gonna argue with that one!" Inky said as he and the others flew for cover. But then, a net fell right on top of them. "Hey! What happened?!" Blinky asked. "Ugh! I can't ghost out of this!" Pinky said, being unable to phase through the net. "But of course not. It's a special ghost proof component I've made especially for you, traitors." Buttocks said.
"Hold on, guys! I'm coming!" Pac called, hustling over. "Don't try it, Pac-Brat." Betrayus said, making Pac stop in his tracks. "Or I'll send every ghost in my entire army to destroy all of Pacoppolis!" Pac growled at Betrayus' threat as the ghost guards carried the captured ghost gang away. "Well then, if no one else has any objections, I'll just be taking these traitors back to the Nether World for permanent termination. Enjoy the rest of your day while you can. Because when I'm done with these 4, I'll be back to destroy you all!" Betrayus said before following his army. Spiral and Cyli ran up to Pac. "We gotta save them!" Cyli said. "But how? We'll be lucky if we don't get caught too." Spiral said. Pac sighed. "Maybe. Maybe this is one battle the Pac can't win." He said, walking away. Spiral and Cyli looked on with sadness.
Back in the Nether World, Betrayus floated back and forth from outside the Ghostly Gang's cell. "So, after everything I've done for you, you weak-minded ghosts just go and side with the Pac-Pest on account that he promised to get your bodies back one day?!" He asked, bursting into flames. The gang was starting to sweat. "It was her idea!" Blinky, Inky and Clyde cried, pointing at Pinky. "She thought the Pac-Man was in love with her!" Blinky said. "Yeah. She talked us into it out of pure blind love!" Inky said. "We couldn't just say no to our dear Pinky!" Clyde said. Pinkie blushed and smiled sheepishly. "Love?! Are you kidding me?!" Betrayus asked. "I can't help it! That lemon drop is my knight in shiny yellow armor." Pinky said in her usual love trance. Betrayus just stared with a deadpanned expression. "Wow. Sometimes you 4 are almost as dumb as Buttler." He said.
In the throne room, Buttler was dusting. And then he sneezed. "Uh, bless you, brother." Buttocks said. "Someone is talking about me?" Buttler guessed.
"Once Buttocks whips up his plasma eradicator, you will pay for your insubordination once and for all." Betrayus said, cackling as the Ghostly Gang shook and held each other with fear.
Meanwhile, the Pac-Team assembled in Sir Cumference's lab to come up with a plan to rescue Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde. "There must be something we can do to rescue them." Pac said. "I know, but what? We'll be lucky if Betrayus doesn't catch us too." Spiral said. "Pac, you know I love you, but why do you actually care for these particular ghosts above the others?" Spheria asked. "Because they've helped us whenever Betrayus tried any of his schemes." Cyli said. "We owe them a lot in fact." Spiral said. Spheria thought about this. All her life, she fought against the ghost armies of Betrayus. But now her nephew had gone and made friends with 4 of them. "Alright. So, what are we gonna do?" She asked. Grindette got into her battle-mode. "Uh, I don't think a full-on attack would be the best idea, Grindette. Besides, the ghosts would immediately recognize you." Sir C said. Gridette changed back with understanding. "Maybe we could use Fuzzbitz as a distraction?" Spiral suggested. Fuzzbitz chittered. "I don't think so. Fuzzbitz would be easily recognized by the ghosts too." Pac said. "There must be something we can do." Cyli said.
Back in the Netherworld, Buttler was carrying a tarp-covered tray to the jails. The guards blocked his way. "I'm bringing the prisoners their last meal." Buttler said. The guards looked at each other, shrugged and let him pass. Buttler brought the tray to the Ghostly Gang's cell. "I heard you brought us our last meal. What is it?" Blinky asked. Buttler removed the tarp, revealing lock picks. "Lock picks? Not exactly filling." Clyde said. "I know. I'm breaking you out of here." Buttler said. "WHAT?!" The gang asked in surprise. "You 4 were actually brave enough to go behind Betrayus' back and help the Pac-Man battle his army. I wish to know what that feels like." Buttler said as he picked the locks. The gang waited until the cell opened. "Quickly. We can escape before anyone notices we're gone." Buttler said. "You're coming with us?" Pinky asked. "Yes. I'm officially resigning my position as Betrayus' butler." Buttler said. "Okay then. Let's get going." Blinky said. The 5 made their way to the exit.
Meanwhile, Betrayus sat impatiently for a few hours as Buttocks built his plasma eradicator. "What is taking you so long?!" He asked angrily. "It's all set. With my new plasma eradicator, those 4 traitors won't be regenerating ever again." Buttocks said, showing off his new cannon. "Good. Now let us dispose of those 4 backstabbers once and for all." Betrayus said.
As Betrayus and Buttocks made it to the cell, they were shocked to see that the cell was open and empty. "WHAT?! Who let those traitors out of their cell?!" Betrayus asked angrily. "How should I know?! I was busy building my weapon!" Buttocks argued. "Whatever. I need a snack to calm my nerves. Buttler! Bring me a plate of sizzling slugs!" Betrayus ordered. But nobody answered. "Buttler! BUTTLER!" Betrayus screamed. Again, nothing. "Where is that incompetent brother of yours?!" Betrayus asked. "Again, I do not know and I do not care! I was building my weapon!" Buttocks argued. "You're looking for Buttler? He came by earlier." A guard said. "He did? What was he doing here?" Betrayus asked. "He said he was bringing the prisoners their last meal." The guard said. "Some last meal." Buttocks said. He showed them what he found. Buttler's lock picks. "That no good slug-serving twin of mine freed the prisoners!" He revealed. "Didn't think he actually had it in him." Betrayus was now in complete shock. "First, I'm betrayed by my servants, now I've been betrayed by my own butler?!" He asked in frustration. "Oh, it would seem so, your slimyness." Buttocks said. "Send every ghost we have to go after those traitors! I want them back and eliminated! NOW!" Betrayus ordered.
Back at Sir C's lab, the team was still stumped at coming up with a plan. "What if we build a drilling machine like the one Betrayus uses?" Spiral asked. "No way! That's too complex, even for me!" Sir C said. "Well then, that's it. We're out of ideas. What else is there left to do?" Pac asked. "Well, you could turn around for one thing." Blinky said, surprising everyone. "Blinky, Inky, Pinky, Clyde! You've escaped?! How?!" Spiral asked in surprise. "Well, let's say we have a certain 'Buttler' to thank for that." Inky said. "Buttler?! He helped you escape?!" Pac asked in shock. "I did. And I must say, I'm proud of what I've done." Buttler said, coming into view. "Buttler?" Pac asked. "I've suffered Betrayus' abuse for far too long. But these 4 have done the impossible. They went behind Betrayus' back and helped you. And I decided to do the same. I freed them and brought them here." Buttler explained.
Just then, an alarm sounded. Sir C brought up a monitor. "Uh-oh. Looks like another ghost attack." He said. "Looks like our little escape just went to the boss." Inky said. "Then it looks like it's chow time." Pac said. "Right behind you, Pac." Cyli said. "You guys better stay here. Don't want to risk them finding you." Pac said. "Right." Blinky said. "Good luck, Paccums!" Pinky called as Pac, Spiral and Cyli exited the lab.
Betrayus led the ghosts through Pac-World. "Search every building! Every sewer! Every bathroom! Every sock drawer if you must! I don't care how long it takes! Just get me those TRAITORS!" Betrayus ordered. "Sorry. But our friends aren't here right now. But we'll be happy to take a message." Pac said as he, Spiral and Cyli came in on their hoverboards. "Here's your message, you Pac-Pest! GET THEM!" Betrayus shouted. The ghosts charged into battle.
"Go time." Pac chomped a berry and sprang into action. He started chomping up ghost after ghost. "Mmm-mmm-mmm! Now that is some good ghost." He said, belching out their eyeballs. A tentacle ghost was about to grab Pac. But then, the ghost got grabbed and sucked into Spiral's PSC. "Thanks, Spi." Pac said. "No problem, Pac." Spiral said. Pac chomped another berry and blew up into Balloon-Pac. He then blew a big breath, blowing several ghosts towards Spiral and Cyli, who then sucked them up with their PSCs. "Now that's some big air, Pac." Spiral said. "No doubt." Cyli said.
In Sir C's lab, the others watched the battle from the monitors. "Whoo-hoo! Looks like Pac and his buds have those ghosts on the ropes!" Sir C said. "Not exactly." Buttler said. Sir C, Grinder and Fuzzbitz looked at him. "Betrayus will never stop until those who betrayed him are no more. He'll never stop until he has me and the others." Buttler said. "Then that means Pac, Spiral and Cyli will get tired out until Betrayus wins!" Inky panicked. "Well, what can we do?" Sir C asked. Just then, Blinky had an idea. "Wait. Does everyone remember the Pac-Fu training I taught you?" He asked. "Yeah." Inky, Pinky and Clyde said. "Pac-Fu training? What're you talking about?" Buttler asked. "Long story. Tell you later. Right now, it's time we get into the fight." Blinky said. Buttler was confused.
Back in the fight, Pac continued gobbling down the ghosts, but he was running low on berries and the ghosts just kept on coming. "We can't keep this up forever, dude!" Spiral exclaimed. "They just keep coming!" Cyli exclaimed in worry. Betrayus cackled in victory. But suddenly, the Ghostly Gang appeared and started attacking the ghosts with their Pac-Fu skills. "Ah. There you are, traitors. GET THEM!" Betrayus ordered. The ghosts charged towards the Ghostly Gang. Blinky used his Pac-Fu skills to send several ghosts splattering into the pavement. Inky split himself into several copies and ganged up on several more ghosts. As a Tentacle Ghost charged towards Clyde, he willingly split himself in half and sent the ghost splatting hard into a mailbox. As several more ghosts surround Pinky, she transformed into her Cyclops form and scared them off.
Nearby, Buttler watched as the Gangly Ghost battled his former master's ghost army. He began to think that if they can muster up the courage to go against betray Betrayus, then perhaps he could too.
"Grr! I've had just enough of this! Buttocks! Bring your plasma eradicator!" Betrayus ordered. Buttocks hurried over with his new weapon. Betrayus took it, shoved the scientist specter aside and took aim at the Ghostly Gang, making them freeze. Pac, Spiral, Cyli, and everyone else gasped in horror when they saw this. "Say goodbye, you worthless traitors!" Betrayus exclaimed as he began to squeeze the trigger. Suddenly, Buttler charged in, hollering a battle cry. "Buttler?!" Betrayus exclaimed in shock. Buttler then used his old Pac-Fu tricks to kick the weapon out of Betrayus' hands. Pac caught it with his tongue and ate it. "Mmm-mmm! Thanks for the snack, Buttler." He said. "A pleasure to serve you, Pac-Man." Buttler said with a bow. "You ungrateful sack of slime! After everything we've been through, you just go and betray ME?!" Betrayus exclaimed. But then, Buttler grabbed him by the mustache and pulled him close to see his new cold glare. "Don't ever come near me or my friends again." He warned. Betrayus gulped and nodded in fear. "Good. Now here's your full-course meal, Pac-Man!" Buttler called as he tossed Betrayus towards Pac, who caught the ghost leader in his mouth. "Much obliged, Buttler." Pac said before burping out Betrayus' eyeballs.
Later, Buttler and the Ghostly Gang were brought into President Spheros' office to be congratulated. "We are grateful for your help, my brave ghostly friends." Spheros said. Buttler and the Ghostly Gang blushed from this compliment. "And as gratitude for aiding Pac-Man in battling Betrayus and his ghost army, I will personally allow you 5 to access your old bodies from the Repository." Spheros offered. The Ghostly Gang were about to happily accept. "That won't be necessary, President Spheros." Buttler said suddenly. That shocked everyone. "As tempting as it is to have my body back, I…I am not ready. I haven't earned it." Buttler said. "Are you nuts?!" Inky asked. "You're turning down the one chance to get your old body back?!" Pinky asked. "Yes. And you should too. Through the many times you've helped Pac-Man, you never asked for your bodies in return." Buttler said. The Ghostly Gang were speechless by this. "That is why we wish to remain as ghosts to pay off our debt to society." Buttler said. "Hmm. That's actually a good idea." Blinky said. "We have made a lot of poor choices during our time under Betrayus' rule." Clyde said. "I'm all for it." Inky said. "Better than nothing I guess." Pinky said. "Very well then. Until you 5 have paid your debts to society, you shall remain ghosts." Spheros said. "Thank you, President Spheros." Buttler said. "Wait a minute, dudes. What're you guys gonna do to pay off your debts?" Spiral asked. "Hmm. I don't suppose you and Sir Cumference have any need for a butler, do you, sir?" Buttler asked. "Hmm. I suppose that can be arranged. You're hired, Buttler." Spheros said. "Thank you, sir." Buttler said.
"Thanks for getting us out of trouble, Paccums." Pinky said. "You really came through for us." Inky said. "Hey, after everything you did for us?" Cyli asked. "It was nothing, dudes." Spiral said. "We're always willing to help. We are friends after all." Pac said. "But of course. And if I'm pretty sure Betrayus is probably looking for a new butler by now." Buttler said.
Meanwhile, in the Netherworld, Betrayus was looking for a new ghost butler. But neither one of them could even satisfy his needs. "No, no, NO! This is not right! You're all USELESS!" He exclaimed angrily, throwing fireballs at the ghosts, scaring them out. "BUTTLER!" He screamed.
