Chapter 2: Skeebo's Limit
Another day in school. Skeebo looked through his report card. Nothing but Fs in every subject. He was so mad, he ripped up the entire card. "Failed! I've had enough of failure! I should be living the good life! Instead, it's all gone to that lemon squirt!" He said, looking out the window. Pac, Spiral and Cyli were talking as they were leaving. "Just because he's the last of those annoying yellow ones, the president chooses him to save the world?! No way! I just need those power berries." Skeebo said. "But how can I swipe them again?" He started to try and think of something. Then he got it. "Those power berries have to come from somewhere. I'll just follow them and see where that Pac-Rat is getting them from."
Just then, there was a scream. Skeebo looked behind him. Ice Ghosts were attacking the school, freezing everything in sight. He screamed and took cover behind a bush. "Ghost attack. That means that gag-inducing yellow freak must be close by to gobble them up." He said as he peaked out.
He was right. Pac, Spiral and Cyli came in on their hoverboards and went into the fray. "It's time to bring the heat." Pac said as he chomped a fire berry and changed into Fire Pac. The Ice Ghosts screamed as Fire Pac spewed a fire tornado to trap them and suck them up. "Ah. That was really spicy. Just the way I like it." Pac said, belching out the melted eyeballs of the Ice Ghosts. Spiral and Cyli hovered in and fired their PSCs, sucking up the strays. "You Icers should probably wear a coat in there." Spiral said. "Why? They're already so cold to begin with." Cyli joked. As Pac gobbled down his last ghost, the rest of them retreated back to the Netherworld.
"Well, another day saved thanks to us." Pac said as he landed and transformed back before belching out one last pair of eyeballs. "Yep. But seriously. Freezing the school? What was Betrayus' endgame there?" Cyli asked. "Don't know. Ever since Buttler betrayed him, he might be getting off his game." Spiral said. "Can't say I blame him. Anyone can get cranky when they haven't been properly served their between meal snacks." Pac said. But then he noticed his berry canister was empty. "Aw man. That was my last berry." "Then let's head to the round house and restock. Who knows? There might be some new berries for you to try." Spiral said. "Mmm-mmm! Can't wait!" Pac cheered as they headed out. Skeebo watched as they left. "This is it! This is my chance!" He whispered as he began to follow them.
Pac, Spiral and Cyli headed over to the Round House and walked right up to the building. Skeebo hid in the bushes as he followed. "The Round House? Figures the president would entrust that Pac-Rat to those power berries." He whispered. "Huh?" Cyli asked as she turned around after sensing something. Skeebo ducked down to avoid being spotted. "Something wrong, Cyli?" Spiral asked. "I thought I saw something. But I guess it was nothing." Cyli said before they went inside. Skeebo popped out and followed them. After entering the Round House, Skeebo followed Pac and his friends to President Spheros' office. He managed to actually roll into the office before the doors closed. "Ah, Pac-Man. Back for more berries?" Spheros asked. "Yes, Mr. President. That last ghost attack made me use up my last reserve berries." Pac said. "Very good then. I'll open the door to the Tree of Life then." Spheros said, taking out a remote and opening a secret door in the wall. Skeebo silently gasped as he saw this. "Be sure to lock it up when you're done, Pac. I've got to go promote a new tasty burger at Pac-It-In-Burgers." Spheros said, handing the remote to Pac. "You got it Mr. President." Pac said. As Spheros left, without noticing Skeebo, Skeebo peeked out at watched as Pac, Spiral and Cyli entered the Tree of Life Chamber. "Now that I know where that Pac-Punk is getting those super berries, I can finally be the better hero and get all the fame and glory I rightfully deserve." He whispered.
Later that night, after everyone went to bed, Skeebo snuck back into the Round House. He snuck his way into the Round House. "Now to find that remote and get me some of those sweet power berries." He whispered as he snuck over to Spheros' desk. He opened the top drawer, found the remote and opened the secret door. "Oh yeah. Heebo Skeebo is about to have his day once again." He whispered as he entered the chamber.
The next day, Betrayus launched another ghost attack if you could believe it. An entire school of Fish Ghosts was raining slime on the Pac-Mall. Pac and his friends were already engaged in battle. Pac was in his Chameleon Form, snagging the ghosts with his tongue and swallowing them. Spiral and Cyli sucked down the strays with their PSCs. The Ghostly Gang helped out by using their special skills to send the other ghosts flying. "Man, you'd think after failing so many times, Betrayus would learn from his failures." Inky said. "Yeah. He never was good at learning." Pinky said. "Maybe so, but at least his attacks don't make me late for lunch." Pac said before he belched out the eyeballs.
"Well, another day saved. What do you guys want to do next?" Spiral asked. But before anyone could answer, Pac's watch-phone rang. Pac answered it to see that it was from Spheros. "Mr. President? What's the emergency?" Pac asked. "Bad news, Pac. I just discovered that there was a break-in last night." Spheros said. "A break-in?" Pac asked. "Yes. Someone broke into the Tree of Life's secret chamber and stole some of the power berries." Spheros said. "Stole the power berries?!" Pac exclaimed in shock. "That is all kinds of wrong!" Spiral exclaimed. "But who'd break into the Tree of Life's chamber?" Cyli asked. But before anymore questions could be asked or even answered, another squadron of ghosts began attacking Pac-opolis. "Seriously? More ghosts?" Cyli asked in annoyance. "We'll have to call you back, Mr. President." Pac said. "Understood, my boy." Spheros said as Pac ended the call. As Pac and his friends headed off to deal with the ghosts, Skeebo looked up from his table with a sinister smile. "Now's my chance. It's time for Heebo Skeebo to steal the Pac-Rat's limelight." He said, holding up his own berry canister.
As the Pac-Team charged into the city, Pac ate another berry and flew up into the air. "Time for the second course on the All-You-Can-Eat-Ghost-Buffet." He said. "Out of my way, Lemon Wart!" Skeebo's voice exclaimed just as something zipped past Pac. Pac and the others looked on in shock as Skeebo, powered with the Rocket Berry, charged into the ghost army, bashing through each ghost that got in his way. "Is that…Skeebo?" Cyli asked. "But how'd he get his Rocket Berry power back?" Spiral asked. Pac glared at his old bully, putting the pieces together. Skeebo grabbed one of the Tentacle Ghosts and slammed him into a couple of Cyclops Ghosts. "Oh yeah! Heebo Skeebo is back, baby!" He cheered.
Meanwhile, in the Netherworld, Betrayus couldn't believe his eyes as he watched. "You gotta be kidding me! That little crybaby is back in the hero business?!" He exclaimed. "It would appear so, Lord Betrayus. But for some reason, I don't know why, but I feel like I've met that boy somewhere before." Buttocks said. "Hmm. Now that you mention it, that boy's face does ring a bell. But where have I seen it before?" Betrayus asked. "Perhaps we should withdraw our forces until we can get to the bottom of this." Buttocks suggested. "Hmm. You just might be onto something. ALL GHOSTS RETURN AT ONCE!" Betrayus shouted through the intercom.
The ghosts heard the order and retreated back to the Netherworld. "Ha-ha! That's right, ghosts! You better run from the awesomeness of Heebo Skeebo!" Skeebo boasted. "Oh, please." Pinky groaned. "Hey! How come you 4 are still here? Go back to the Netherworld where you belong!" Skeebo exclaimed as he got in the Ghostly Gang's faces just as his berry power wore off. "No dice, Heebo Lame-o. We're staying right here." Blinky said. "Fine! Then I'll just bring you to jail!" Skeebo exclaimed as he prepared to grab them. "Hands off, Skeebo!" Cyli exclaimed as she and Spiral stepped in the way. "Yeah! They're with us!" Spiral exclaimed. "They're ghosts! Did you losers hit your heads or something?!" Skeebo asked. "My ghost friends aren't the issue here, Skeebo." Pac said venomously as he marched up to his bully. "You were the one who broke into the Round House and stole those power berries." Spiral said. "That's low, Skeebo. Even lower than when you tried cheating me during the student body president elections." Cyli said. "So what?! I'm clearly the better choice to be the hero than any of your kind, Lemon Ball! So, stay out of my way or else!" Skeebo exclaimed as he marched off.
Later, Pac and his team reported Skeebo's crime to President Spheros. Pac's girlfriend and Spheros' niece, Elliptika, Elli for short, was there too. "So, it was that school bully of yours who broke into the Tree of Life's chamber and stole those power berries. I checked the security cameras and saw the whole thing." Spheros explained. "Zan'nen, Uncle Stratos. But why would this Skeebo do such a thing? Elli asked. "Skeebo's always been jealous that Pac's the chosen hero to protect Pac-World from Betrayus." Cyli said. "Not to mention he tried to play the hero once before. Didn't really work out." Spiral said. "Uh, if I could ask one little question here. Why does it always seem like Skeebo has it out for Pac?" Inky asked. "I don't know why Skeebo has it out for me. But I'm not gonna stand by while someone tries to steal my limelight." Pac said as he turned around to march out. "Where are you going, dude?" Spiral asked, making Pac stop. "I have to put a stop to Skeebo's shenanigans. I've always held back in the past because he wasn't worth it. But this is too far." Pac said. Suddenly, the alarm blared. The holovision showed another ghost attack in Pac-opolis. "Looks like you might get the chance, Pac." Cyli said. "Yeah. Where there's a ghost attack, odds are Skeebo will be there." Spiral said. "You guys ready?" Pac asked. The team nodded. "I'm coming too. No one usurps my aisuru as the hero." Elli said. "Thanks, Elli. Let's go." Pac said as he and the team hurried out of the Round House. "Good luck, brave heroes!" Spheros called.
Meanwhile, as the ghosts rampaged through the city, Skeebo watched the scene from the rooftops. "Ghost attack. Normally the old Skeebo would've run away, screaming in fear. But now that Heebo Skeebo is back in the game, it's time for some real hero-ing!" He boasted as he pulled out his berry canister. But before he could even bring out a berry, a tongue grabbed the canister and pulled it away. Skeebo looked on in shock as the tongue was revealed to be Pac's. "You! I thought I told you to stay out of my way!" He exclaimed angrily. "Not happening, Skeebs. It's my duty as the last of the yellow ones to protect Pac-World from Betrayus. It's my destiny, as it was my parents' destiny before me." Pac said. Skeebo growled, having had enough of this. "Now it's time for a Pac-Attack!" Pac exclaimed. But suddenly, Skeebo grabbed the canister and tried to wrestle it away from Pac. "Hey! Let go!" Pac exclaimed. "No! You let go!" Skeebo exclaimed.
As this struggle progressed, Pac's team watched this from the streets afar. And soon, the struggle caught the attention of everyone in Pac-opolis, including Spheros, Sir Cumference, Aunt Spheria, Buttler, Grinder, Fuzbitz and Grindette. Even the ghosts got stuck watching the scene of struggle. The camera man from Pac-News filmed the entire thing. Even Betrayus and Buttocks were watching the struggle from the Netherworld. "Well, this is actually quite entertaining. The Pac-Man and the wannabe hero in a duel for the title of Pac-Hero." Buttocks said. "Yes. I haven't enjoyed something this good since Ogle's last Super Spicy Slug Special." Betrayus said.
Pac and Skeebo continued to struggle over the berry canister. "Give me the berries, Skeebo!" Pac exclaimed. "Not a chance, Lemon Ball! You are not gonna steal the glory again! I've waited a long time to be the hero! A LONG, long time since the Ghost War! It's my destiny! My grandfather promised me this after helped Betrayus destroy your kind!" Skeebo exclaimed. Everyone gasped at this shocking reveal. Even Pac was so shocked, he let go of the canister. Skeebo went pale when he realized what he just said. "You- Your grandfather…helped destroy my kind?! Even my parents?!" Pac asked. "Yes! Alright! I admit it! My grandfather was partly behind the yellow ones' destruction!" Skeebo exclaimed. "He was one of Betrayus' benefactors back during the Ghost War. After Betrayus was captured, he promised me that our family would be famous, thanks to him. But ever since you started becoming the hero, all the fame went to you! My only regret is that I should've followed you into the Maze when I had the chance!"
Betrayus and Buttocks couldn't believe their ears. "Now I remember! He's the grandson of our old benefactor, Skirby!" Buttocks exclaimed. "Oh?! That's Skirby's grandson?! How did I not see the resemblance?" Betrayus asked.
Now Pac was really mad. "All this time, I thought you were jealous about my heroics. But now I know. The reason I'm the last of my kind. I always thought it was just Betrayus, Apex and the Pacinator! But it was YOU!" He exclaimed. "So? What are you gonna do about it, Lemon Squirt?" Skeebo asked mockingly. "Oh, what I'm gonna do to you doesn't compare to what I do to ghosts." Pac said, eating a Kung Fu Berry. "Uh oh." Skeebo whimpered. Pac kicked Skeebo off the building and sending him falling towards the street. Luckily, the Pac-Worlders had an airbag placed in the middle of the street and broke Skeebo's fall. "Ha! Joke's on you, Pac-Freak! The people saved me! I'm their real hero!" Skeebo boasted. Just then, the Pac-Cops cuffed his wrists. "What?! What's going on here?!" Skeebo asked in shock. "We've heard everything you said, Mr. Skeebo. Your family has caused more harm than good in Pac-World. You are under arrest for crimes so underwhelming that I won't even bother reading." Spheros said as he walked up. "You'll regret this, Spheros! There will come a day where you will need a real hero! Not some disgusting yellow one! A REAL HERO!" Skeebo shouted as the Pac-Police led him away.
Spiral, Cyli, Elli and the Ghostly Gang made their way up to the rooftop to find Pac sulking. "Pacster, you okay?" Spiral asked. "Yeah. I'm okay." Pac said, sniffling. "You're really taking what Skeebo said hard, aren't you?" Cyli asked. "Well, how often do you find out that your bully's family was in league with Betrayus wiping out your entire kind?" Pac asked. "But Pac, you have to remember that you're never alone." Spiral said. "Yeah, we're still your family, Pac." Cyli said. "As are we, Paccums." Pinky said. "And me, my aisuru." Elli said. "And us too, my boy." Sir Cumference said as he and the others came up. "Thanks, guys. You're all the best." Pac said, cheering up. "Now if I might point out that Betrayus still has a ghost army running amuck in the city." Blinky said, gesturing to the ghost army as they started rampaging through the city again. "Not a problem. The Pac is back." Pac said as he ate a berry and flew in to battle.
