Party of Scoundrels
Episode: X
Part One
A feast is taking place in the High King's Castle. As Raizer sits on the Crystal Throne, he carries a drinking horn and he drinks it before a slave girl pours some more in it.
Raizer: Wretched peasants, put aside your cares and feast on the succulent flesh of the roast munchkin!
She-Dom shows distaste toward the rotating, crispy munchkin on a barbecue grill.
Cook: Care for a slice of scroto?
She-Dom: Uh… that's his name, right?
Cook: Tis also that, miss.
Raizer: [to the audience] Yesterday, Ingersil has been conquered by the Queen of Kyland, and may the gods rest her soul, along with the lives of those who risk them for Xenotopia.
Bly, the Queen of Myner, kneels before Raizer.
Bly: You've won a great victory, your majesty. No one thought the kingdom of the yokai could be captured so easily.
She hands Raizer a ceremonial dagger with a gold hilt.
Raizer: A beautiful gift, Bly. You will be among the first to walk into Ingersil on the weekends.
Bly stands and bows. Now McGrady, king of Arkeezi, kneels before Raizer and hands him an urn decorated with painted warriors.
McGrady: My father Numerus had this urn made to commemorate his victory at Myner. I present it to you in honor of an even more memorable victory.
Raizer: Thank you, McGrady. [to the audience] So let the dwarves do their gay dance and let the gnomes play their sissy piccolos.
They begin dancing and music is played. But Raizer doesn't seem entertained.
Raizer: Dance! Dance, you little freaks. Faster. Faster!
The dancing and music speeds up more, then a dwarf trips and falls toward the Crystal Throne.
Dwarf: My ankle!
Raizer: To the kitchen with him!
Two Elite Force guards arrive and hoist up the fallen dwarf, much to his horror.
Dwarf: Wait, wait, wait! I do impressions. Behold, the swamp hag: "Get out of my swamp, you kids!"
Raizer: Don't let him get too crispy.
As the dwarf is dragged away, She-Dom walks over to his side.
She-Dom: Raizer, we need to talk.
Raizer: You look stressed all of a sudden. May I offer you a horn of coke and a shank of dwarf?
She-Dom: This is serious. This talk is private.
Raizer: Please, aren't you the one who said I have to be responsible?
He takes a bite out of the apple the slave girl next to him is holding.
Raizer: We're celebrating our victory in Ingersil, and I can't just-
Then, She-Dom grabs Raizer by the shirt and glares at him, indicating she wants her private time with him now.
Raizer: Okay. We'll do it. [to the slave girl] Meet me in my room at around nine tonight.
Raizer and She-Dom both walk down the hallway together, where they can be alone.
Raizer: Alright, what's this all about?
She-Dom: You think I don't see things right? Ever since you were crowned, it's been one bad thing after another throughout the kingdom, and they've been going from bad to worse.
Raizer: Oh, come on! My coronation was only a shock to the commoners. I'm going down in history as the youngest High King ever to sit on the Crystal Throne. It's making me as popular as my ancestor Archimedes when he forged this kingdom.
She-Dom: But very little of the people seem to grasp on that subject. King Archimedes was cherished for uniting the people. Your uncle was loved for his selfless thoughts for the people. And not too long ago, King Edgar was respected because he valued family, not of his own but everyone else's. You, on the other hand, don't resent any of them.
Raizer: Nobody's perfect. On top of it all, Edgar Morningstar's death was a noble cause.
She-Dom picks up a glass of wine and throws it in his face.
She-Dom: Fuck you!
Raizer: [furious] I'll teach you some respect!
She falls back as he raises his hand to slap her.
She-Dom: You think I'm scared of death? You might as well strike me while you can. But I would die knowing the truth.
Raizer: What truth?
She-Dom: About what really happened that day.
Raizer is hesitant to strike her. He lowers his arm and walks away from her, leaving She-Dom alone in the hallway.
Meanwhile, Dola'wic is in his fortress, having a discussion with the Death-Trio and Siniy.
Dola'wic: We have succeeded in sacking Ingersil, but the prince has revealed himself to the elves, and the Dragonators are against us! I have you to thank for that!
Sleek: Yeah, Siniy!
Gibber: Sheesh!
Ozzy: Get with the program, will ya?
Siniy: [growling]
Dola'wic: I meant all of you! Begone!
The four Deathwalkers disappear from the fortress and reappear in a swamp.
Ozzy: [to Siniy] But hey, welcome to the thirteenth century.
Sleek: Aww, don't look so sad, big guy.
Gibber: Yeah, not everyone gets the girl.
Siniy: [growls] Shut up.
He backhands Ozzy, and a swamp hag shows up in front of them.
Swamp hag: Get out of my swamp, you kids!
Dola'wic paces around in his fortress, until his cauldron bubbles. An image of Omicron appears in a veil of smoke, and the dark wizard bows before it.
Dola'wic: Oh great and mighty maker of darkness.
Omicron: You shouldn't be so raging upon your minions. Because now, thanks to you and your limited allies, Laputa has a new ruler. Who, you ask? Little ol' me.
Dola'wic: You… now rule the land of the gods, oh great lordship?
Omicron: Absolutely. Apex lost the bet, and now I win. Your alliance with Raizer Helix has served me well. However, I am weary about this "great evil" the gods have foreseen. I want you to keep an eye on the High King. And when this… runaway prince is about to show, let him make the first move.
Dola'wic: Yes, my master.
Part Two
In Mount Grandiose, Arkus is escorting Trimbo, Rozella Gideon and Milan down the streets of the mountain city.
Arkus: We can't thank you enough for saving our skins last night.
Trimbo: It's the least we can do. After the times you've helped us out.
Arkus: Normally, we don't allow human guests to enter here, but since the Elder has approved it, we are now.
Wor-Kis: But Arkus, when will we be at your place?
Arkus: Right this way.
Arkus takes his human allies to a tower. They all climb up the long stairway, which is enough to make the humans exhausted, and Arkus opens a door to the left, revealing an apartment room. There, he encounters two elves, which he introduces to his friends.
Arkus: May I present my parents: my father Larma-Su, and my mother Cecilia.
Larma-Su: Welcome, all of you.
Wor-Kis: Thank you all for- [stunned] Hold on, are you really Arkus's parents?
Cecilia: I just turned 170 this month, and staying there.
Milan: Wow, really? You look like you could be his sister.
Arkus: Don't listen to her. She's actually 245.
Larma-Su: Now, now. [to Trimbo] And who might you be?
Trimbo: Oh, sorry. I'm Trimbo, sir.
Larma-Su: Trimbo? Trimbo Morningstar, the prince of Ukrim? We've heard about your father's death. We're so sorry for you to encounter that.
Cecilia: But you're here, that's all that matters.
Cecilia leans forward and kisses Trimbo on both cheeks, before looking at Rozella to do the same on her cheeks.
Cecilia: And you must be Rozella Steelov. I've heard rumors of your beauty. For once, human gossips were right. Come, you all must be tired.
The elves escort the humans to the living room, where they all have a seat in the furniture.
Larma-Su: And now, to business. First of all, we would like to hear about your… absence. Ever since the war in the canyon, everyone thought you were dead.
Trimbo: That's what I was told, yes. But in truth, I survived and I was… stranded on Colossus for three weeks, either attempting to escape or not. But in the end, I had the help of Gideon Nolish and Milan Strift to help me.
Cecilia: But how? How is it that you were sent all the way to a giant's island?
Trimbo: [beat] Raizer. He tried to kill me with his cannon. Because he knew that I would be the heir to the Crystal Throne.
Arkus: That would make sense. When he heard of Townley's will for Edgar to inherit first until the end of his lifespan, Raizer was furious. It would be true he did it to claim the rule for himself.
Cecilia: But still… you're not going back to Kyland City?
Trimbo: I can't. He might be expecting me to return. And if I do… they would hold my family, my friends… even Ukrim… for ransom. [pauses] I don't… want them to suffer so that I can state my claim.
Larma-Su: Hmmm. Well, I'd say you've come to the right place at the right time.
Rozella: What do you mean?
Larma-Su: Do you not realize where you are? This is Mount Grandiose. The home not only for elves, but the home of the Dragonators. Aside from whatever forces you've seen, we're also the protectors of rebellious forces and keepers of peace. We master dragons, and we vanquish evil.
Arkus: Or so we thought. But last month, the Oracle speaks of seven heroes, each of a different race, who can come together to stop this great evil.
Gideon: It would be the ogres. The Tribal Unity, am I right?
Rozella: No, it would be much worse than that.
Trimbo is remembering that, which he was told of by Pelly, but he remembers more of it.
Trimbo: What if it's… us? I mean, think about it. Back then when the ogres breached the Great Barrier, we were all together. Not only humans, but an elf, a yokai, a half-dryad, and we recently found out Rift is a demigod.
Arkus: I remember it as well, but that makes only six. Even if we are those prophesied heroes, who would the seventh be?
Instead of answering, Trimbo gestures to Ringo on his shoulders, which doesn't seem appealing to Arkus. Then, a raven flies into the room to perch on a chair. Larma-Su takes the message on the bird, looking into it.
Larma-Su: It's from our slope guards. They say they've captured an ogre, and he orders to speak with… you, Arkus.
Arkus: Who, me?
Gideon: It might be a trap. We're gonna have to-
Cecilia: [sternly] Not so fast. No one is going anywhere. [pause; smiling] Not until somebody would eat some of my baked goods. I spent twelve weeks perfecting it, and I need to know if they're tasty.
Rozella: Why… yes. We would like that, along with a spot of tea.
Wor-Kis: I can't eat, so this is upsetting for me.
Afterwards, Larma-Su heads out with the boys following him down the streets. But in the tower, Milan and Rozella are both watching them leave, as Cecilia walks over to them.
Cecilia: You two girls must be feeling lucky.
Rozella: Lucky? How?
Cecilia: Don't think a married woman wouldn't know. I meant how lucky you're both are with your own man. Mr. Nolish is a real gentleman, and he seems to be interested in elven culture. And for Trimbo? Well, Arkus told us he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but… he's kind-hearted, thoughtful and never seems to give up on anything important.
Rozella: [blushing] Um…. Yes. Yes, he is.
Milan: So is Gideon. He's really special.
Cecilia: But listen, I've got something to say. While we wait, how about we spar together?
Milan: [baffled] Spar?
Later, the girls are in a field, which looks like a tennis court without the net, and they all carry wasters.
Milan: Um… sparring? What for?
Cecilia: You see, we elven women have a random custom. When we're looking for a man to court, we measure them with our skills. You've seen Arkus in combat?
Rozella: Yes.
Cecilia: I was the one who trained him, as he studied to become a Dragonator.
Milan: I don't know. Fighting is something ladies don't do so often.
Rozella: No, but you've been trained by Bestial to master your fears. Combat is another way to face them. Because when you're facing wars, there's so much that would traumatize you, when you lack the experience of it.
Cecilia: She's right. And you've got the Elite Force on your tail. Just give this a shot and you'll see what this gains you.
Milan is hesitant for a few seconds, but after thinking about it, she holds her waster with both hands. And so, she and Rozella spar against Cecilia, who quickly overwhelms them with her quick swordplay. Rozella gets up back, only to be bested by Cecilia time and time again.
Cecilia: You never underestimate your opponent, dear. That's the most important rule in combat.
Rozella: I…. Should've guessed that.
Cecilia: Again.
Milan is next, only to be bested by the she-elf too, and it ruins her shirt in the process.
Cecilia: Another thing: your attire must be enough to move around in.
She pulls the skirt to make it short, which makes Milan feel embarrassed as she covers her underwear.
Milan: [blushing] Cecilia, this is….
Cecilia: It's okay. Nobody's peeking anyway.
Meanwhile, Larma-Su is in an interrogation room, where he eyes the ogre strapped to a chair. It turns out to be Hashlick. Larma-Su, a little weary, turns over to Trimbo and his friends.
Larma-Su: He's come here, alone and unarmed. I would suggest you… take care of this.
Arkus: Trust me, most of us have had our experience with ogres before.
Larma-Su exits the room. Alone, Trimbo sits down on a chair in front of the ogre, who is surprised to see him.
Hashlick: Prince… Trimbo? You're alive? I can honestly say I'm thrilled to-
Suddenly, Trimbo punches Hacklick in the balls, and the ogre wheezes in extreme pain.
Trimbo: That's for everything you and the others have done.
Hashlick: [wheezing] I can explain- [clears throat; normally] I mean, I can explain my reason to be here.
Arkus: It better be. Because you only have ten seconds to explain.
Hashlick: First off, my name is Hashlick. Second, I'm here for negotiations, on behalf of my tribe and the relief from Rathborne's rule.
Hearing that, Trimbo and his friends are both stunned and baffled at the same time.
Arkus: How could it be so? You and the other ogres have been charged for sacking northern Craitos, the deaths of innocent creatures, and the conspiracy of the rogue Duke Cardi, but you come here to make peace with us?
Hashlick: Let me admit something here. I do recall the times that we've done, but I never shared with Rathborne's interests. All he could think about is riding Xenotopia of the human race, because his family was ridiculed by your ancestors, when they were… attempting to live somewhere else than just swamps. Our kind used to live anywhere else than just swamps, but that all changed, because of humanity building and expanding their cities beyond normal boundaries. The ogres back then tried to negotiate with the humans, but when they said no… that's when the war broke out. The ogres lost, forced into exile, but in the end… we blame ourselves for going too far.
Trimbo: Why should we heed your words? Why should we give you a chance, huh?
Gideon: You gave me a chance, didn't you? You found out Cardi was my father, and yet… you never showed disdain over me.
Wor-Kis: He's right. And when you found out Rift's grandfather was Cruciatus, you treated him as an equal.
Trimbo: [hesitant] This is different. Far from different.
Arkus: Actually Trimbo… the ogre's been telling the truth. Human civilization used to spread across Xenotopia, trembling everything in sight like a plague, and that's when the ogres resisted and demolished them one by one. For argument's sake… he may have the right to speak for a negotiation.
Trimbo is still reluctant to hear Hashlick out. But after everything he's been hearing, he decides to give him a chance.
Trimbo: Alright. What do you want?
Hashlick: I am to understand… we're all pissed off at Raizer Helix. He's killed off most of my tribe, as well as your own back in the canyon. I am… so sorry about your father's death, but I ask you for a better way to make peace all over Xenotopia. Instead of fighting, we can all trust to form an alliance for the greater good, and we all… put the past behind us.
Trimbo: If only we could, it would be us against the High King. The chances of achieving that kind of peace our… zero.
Arkus: Or maybe not. For you see, it was Cardi who shared human tactics to the ogres, and he died before we could ever get all the answers we needed, for he was sent by someone working in the High King's Castle. So… the only person who can tell us that… would be Rathborne himself.
Hashlick: And with me… I can lead you to his campsite.
Trimbo looks at Hashlick with a scold, thinking about how to reply to this idea.
Part Three
Back with the ladies, Rozella and Milan are both nearly exhausted from their spar with Cecilia, who is not tired at all. But Milan regains all strength she has, and rushes over, until Cecilia dodges her blow. Just when Cecilia is about to strike, Milan uses her waster to pull up the she-elf's skirt, which makes her squeal and let her guard down, and she points her waster at her throat. Cecilia is stunned by the move, but she smiles in approval and drops her weapon, forfeiting the match.
Cecilia: That was a good move. It was a little perverted, but you used it as an advantage, and that counts for something.
Milan: [heaving] To be honest… it's not easy… fighting for a lady.
Rozella: No, but I've fought since I was a child, and look at me now. [giggles]
And then, Trimbo comes over with Arkus to tell them something.
Trimbo: Did I miss something?
Rozella: Not at all. We just finished our spar. What is it?
Trimbo: We're leaving in an hour. We've… formed an alliance with the ogre who wants peace.
Milan: We're… trusting an ogre?
Arkus: Only for the time being. We're still seeking answers for Cardi's schemes.
Trimbo: More than that, we want Raizer out of my back. It's a dangerous world out there.
Elsewhere, a chariot passes across the road. Rift runs out of some bushes towards a lamppost. He gestures to Vel who is covered in leaves. He runs to Rift but as he does, the leaves fall off him except one when he reaches him. He shrugs with a sheepish chuckle. One by one, the rest of the Falconers and the Grand Army run out of the bushes to Rift, when Cleese slips and his pants fall off, spilling his stuff out on the pavement.
Cleese: Uh, all right, nobody look til I get my pants back in.
Rift: We have to keep going.
Garlym: But do you have a plan, sir?
Jacksyn: Are we gonna do this all night? My greaves are killing me.
Rift: We're gonna have to find shelter. We've lost too many men back then, including Ayazz. What I need for us to do is establish shelter, away from society, and… find a solution to this- [pauses] AUGH! Take a five minute break!
Rift takes his leave, being on his own, with the others left behind. He is pacing around in a clearing, lost in thought.
Rift: I can't do this. I've been eager to be a knight, not a leader. What would it prove, anyway? It won't change anything. You can't change the past. [beat] I don't know what to do.
Kappa's voice: Now that's an unfortunate speech.
Startled, Rift draws his sword. He hears rustling from the bushes. A man wearing a hooded robe steps forward. The man pulls his hood down. It's Kappa.
Rift: Kappa.
Kappa: I've taken a super risky thing to do here. I've… left Laputa without a word, and figuratively speaking… I'm just as a scoundrel as you and the others are.
Rift: I don't have time for this. I've lost too many.
Kappa: I know. First it was your mother, then some of your friends, and now it was Ayazz. And I am… very sorry about all this.
Rift: Why would you care? Why do you think nobody prays to you anymore, huh? You and the other gods do nothing to save our lives. And yesterday, I had to bury the only man who felt like a father to me, and the only person I've cared for since the day I opened my eyes… is gone. And what did you do? Nothing.
Kappa: You think I cared nothing for Juniper? If I didn't… I would've told my father to fuck off when he said I should set an example of Cruciatus when he declared war on us. But if I did… you would never be born, and everything Ayazz would've wanted would be a fantasy. He lost too much more than you have, when his baby was taken and killed. He would've died for protection, which he did.
Rift: He was killed by that yokai samurai.
Kappa: Because he thought you killed the woman he hoped to marry. He defended his kingdom, his people. How many cousins have you killed? How many sons and fathers and brothers and husbands? How many, Rift? To him, you were his son. He died for his time, and he was lucky not to live long enough to see you fall. But now… the lives you have left are needing you, Rift… because he chose you to lead them.
Rift is hesitant to say anything, as he wipes a tear off his cheek.
Kappa: Now listen well. I may not be what you hope for me to be, but I and the gods need your help. Raizer is seeking to ruin Xenotopia, and you must go to the Territories right away.
Rift: The Territories? What for?
Kappa: You'll soon find out. Now, I must go. The others will find me, and they'll erase your existence.
Kappa retreats into the bushes, and disappears without a trace. Rift thinks what he was told, and he rushes back to the Grand Army.
Garlym: Orders, sir?
Rift: The Territories. That's where we're going. Hopefully, the ogres are hiding there.
Vel: Um, hate to object to you there, but… most of us are still exhausted from the journey, and-
Suddenly, a police siren is heard and it alarms everyone.
Voice: Get on the ground, asshole!
Jacksyn drops to the ground, scared.
Jacksyn: Please! Don't shoot, don't shoot!
Voice: Don't move! I'll shoot your legs off, you pussy face, son of a yeller belleh!
But then, Maroon pulls up next to them, laughing, and he's driving a limousine-esque carriage. Next to him is Kesseki, also driving a limo-esque carriage.
Maroon: Ah, you should have seen the look on your face.
Jacksyn: Maroon? You douchebag, you scared the- Holy shit, did you steal a carriage?
Maroon: Yeah, check this bad boy out. Got sirens too. Woop, woop.
Kesseki: We thought we might like to have a ride to where we're going.
Rift: That's do. Everyone, grab your gear and get on the carriages.
Garlym: You heard the man! Go, go, go!
One by one, the Grand Army gets on the carriages, and they drive onward to the Territories.
Meanwhile, the Cyan Diamonds are walking stealthily to an Elite Force campsite. They see a few guards patrolling it. But then, Jimsey comes out jumping to get attention.
Jimsey: Hello, boys!
Guard: Hey!
The guards chase Jimsey into the woods, until they get beaten up by something. When that's done, Pelly comes out with Carrie and the others, beckoning them to follow her. She climbs over a fence, lands on solid ground, and hides behind a tent with Carrie at her side.
Carrie: [whispers] You sure this is going to work?
Pelly: [whispers] Come on, Carrie. This is a routine raid. It's the same as the last ones.
With her mace, Pelly prays to the gods to give it power.
Pelly: Gods above, grant me limited power with my mace and lend me its strength.
The mace glows. Pelly comes out of hiding, drawing attention to the soldiers in the camp, and she slams the weapon on the ground, making a little earthquake that makes the Elite Force fall to their knees.
Soldier: You bitch!
Pelly: NOW!
Right on cue, the Cyan Diamonds storm the camp through the main gates, and a battle begins. But during the fight, Pelly is sneaking her way into the storage tent, which is where the food is usually placed. She gets inside, but she finds there is no food anywhere. And then, the Death-Trio point their weapons at her throat, and Dola'wic comes over with a smirk.
Dola'wic: A former cleric. This is better than we would imagine.
Part Four
Back in Mount Grandiose, Trimbo and his friends are preparing to leave, packing all the things they need on Norbert and Blaze. Hashlick has his hands bound together, being dragged in like a prisoner.
Hasklick: Is this really necessary?
Trimbo: Until the verdict is clear, you're going to be our prisoner.
Gideon: Okay. I've got all the supplies I need to make some hand warmers. The Territories is supposed to be cold this month after all.
Rozella: Wor-Kis, I want you to return to Prusha. Tell my father we're going to need help with his dragon riders.
Wor-Kis: I will. But, I…. I want you to make sure you don't go into a trap.
Hashlick: I swear it to the gods, it's not.
Arkus: Let's get going. The moment the Elite Force hears about what happened last night, they're bound to return here for a rematch.
Now ready, the team mounts on the two dragons, and the beasts take to the sky, flying upward to the Territories. Larma-Su stands on the balcony of his tower, saying his prayers.
Larma-Su: Gods above, hear our prayer, watch over Trimbo and his friends.
In Laputa, things are looking pretty bad for most of the gods. As Omicron sits on Apex's throne, the king of the gods is chained like a dog to the floor. The Twins are tied up like marionettes, fighting for Omicron's amusement, and chained next to the throne are Gamma and Delta.
Zeta: You wanna piece of me?
Beta: No, I want the whole thing!
Zeta: Then take it! Shove it all until ya choke!
Beta: Here, have lots of it!
Delta: Stop it! Omicron, leave them alone!
Omicron: [chuckles] Oh, I've forgotten how amusing those two are.
Omicron pulls the chain, and Gamma walks up to him holding grapes. He takes the grapes, eats them all with one gulp, and tosses the roots aside.
Omicron: Gamma, it really pains me to see you this way. A goddess of beauty like yourself should be in the arms of the next king of the gods.
He waves his finger and a crown appears. But Gamma slaps it away, disintegrating it.
Gamma: You and I both know it would never happen. Not when you-
Omicron: Please, I'm not the one who told Raizer he should be crowned to begin with. And speaking of which…. [to Apex] I haven't seen your son since the sacking of Kouta. If he's run away from home, it would make him a disgrace to be a god of protection.
Apex: He's still shocked about these sudden events. He will come around.
Omicron: Or maybe his father never taught him well.
Omicron taps on the chains with his staff, and it electrocutes Apex for ten seconds.
Apex: Omicron, just because you were-
Omicron: Don't talk back to me, you beluga lout! You will do what I order you to do, slave!
Apex: [pauses; ashamed] I am… sorry, Omicron. It was never my intention to… punish you for eternity.
Omicron: Why would you care, huh? You guys got all the glory. You made Xenotopia with your flesh and blood, you created life, and you became popular for it. But what about me? I just take life away.
Apex: But as the lord for the Pits of Hades, you were given a task of judging who is worthy of ascending to heaven or not. Why do you think I spared your life… instead of killing you? [beat] Because you know the difference between right and wrong, and you just… don't show it so often.
Omicron: And who's fault do you think that is? Hmmm?
Apex: I confess… I was too hard on you. But in the end, you are always part of this family.
Omicron: I was. Until the end of our fight.
Then, a phone rings from the throne. Omicron hurries and answers it.
Omicron: Hello? Oh, yes, what is it? [pauses] Yes, I do recall the ceremony every fifteen years. They said I was delayed, yeah? [pauses] Good, good. Tell them it's all settled. I'll be there at sunrise in two days. In the meantime, please get me a pizza already for your soul. [laughs] Goodbye. [hangs up.] Now, as I was saying….
Delta: Omicron, this is not how we live. We should be listening to prayers and come up with-
Gamma: Delta, there's nothing we can do. As gods, we're strictly forbidden from interacting with them, until they perform a ritual for us.
Omicron: [smugly] Ya better do what your mother says. Now… prepare for my pizza. I have a ritual to attend to soon.
Back in Xenotopia, Blaze and Norbert fly over a ruined settlement of past assaults. Milan is astride Norbert, where she looks at the scene from above, and it comes to her horror.
Milan: What is this?
Arkus: The ruins of the past. Back to when the Great Barrier was breached. Most of these men didn't have what it takes to stop the ogres, when they were assumed to be big brutes, until they showed strategy.
Hashlick: We're almost there.
Ahead is the Great Barrier, the invisible mystic wall with the bottom parts on the ground. The dragons fly through it with ease, but because of Hashlick being an ogre, he is flung off and he falls to the floor on a heavy impact. When the team sees that, they beckon the dragons to land safely, while Hashlick is on the other side of the wall.
Trimbo: What happened now?
Hashlick: I guess you've forgotten something. Only ogres can't get through the wall.
Arkus: We won't have enough time to drill a tunnel.
Gideon is thinking of a way, and when he gets an idea, he rushes to Norbert's saddle bag for some of his phials.
Rozella: What are you doing now?
Gideon: What I'm really good at. The rocks underneath the Great Barrier. It's a weak type of mineral, and it's very sensitive to sulphuric-based chemicals, so I'm… concocting a special type of acid.
Using all his equipment, Gideon mixes the chemicals together from one phial to another, shaking them gently, and finishes when the one in his left hand is glowing. He comes over to the Great Barrier. He pours the chemicals on the floor, and the dirt begins to melt away, leaving the mystic wall undamaged, until it makes a huge hole big enough for any ogre.
Part Five
Hashlick sees the hole, and begins to crawl into it to go under the wall, but he gets stuck by the waist.
Hashlick: Dammit! I'm stuck!
Gideon: Hang on, I'll make another.
But when he gets back to the bag, Gideon finds out he has no more ingredients to recreate the acid.
Gideon: Oh no. I've run out of stuff.
Hashlick: Please, get me out. I'm scared of getting stuck.
But Trimbo doesn't seem to care about what happens to Hashlick, as he looks away from him. However, he looks back to see the ogre is worried, enough to make Hashlick shed a tear, and Trimbo is finally taking pity on him. With no other options, Trimbo rushes over and pulls Hashlick by the arms to free him.
Trimbo: [straining] Come on! Help me pull!
But then, Dola'wic appears behind the team in a veil of smoke.
Dola'wic: You all need a hand? Let me give you eight. Yen! Zu! Chao! Xing!
The Deathwalkers appear before the team, drawing their weapons and ready to fight.
Arkus: [to Trimbo] Keep helping Hashlick. We'll stop them.
Arkus draws his sword and points it at Dola'wic, beckoning Norbert to breathe his fire breath at them. But Dola'wic blocks it with a force field. The Death-Trio charges with all their speed, but Rozella uses dryad magic to block them with a wall of vines. Ozzy and Gibber cut through it with their bladed weapons, but Arkus clashes with them both, starting a fight. Siniy is about to slash with his katar, until Gideon throws the remaining phial at his face, disorienting his vision. However, during the fight, Sleek is tangled by a vine.
Sleek: This is why mom always says to eat your greens.
For Trimbo, he struggles to pull Hashlick all by himself, until he gets an idea when he sees Ejof on his back.
Trimbo: Hang on, I'll have to make the hole bigger. Ringo, start digging!
With the shield, Trimbo uses it as a shovel to make it big enough for Hasklick to fit through. Ringo helps out with the digging.
The two dragons breath fire at the Deathwalkers, vaporizing all except for Siniy, then Dola'wic casts a spell that disorients them. But he sees Trimbo, and he smirks with an idea. With the staff in his wooden arm, he raises it to summon a dark dragon from thin air.
Hashlick: [panicking] Hurry, HURRY!
Finally, Trimbo pulls Hashlick out in time. The dark dragon blasts fire right on them, but Trimbo blocks it with Ejof. As the two run off, they get blasted a few more times, only to be blocked by the shield again. When they split up from the others, Trimbo sees a lake of boiling water with floating logs.
Trimbo: Wait! The water's too hot!
But Hashlick crosses the boiling lake by hopping on the floating logs. He jumps on two logs and nearly loses his balance.
Hashlick: As long as you don't step in it. Now, come on!
As Ringo jumps on his shoulder, Trimbo carefully crosses the acid lake without falling into the water. Suddenly, Siniy shows up behind Trimbo, drawing his katar.
Siniy: You're not going anywhere.
Siniy jumps from one log to another. When Trimbo gets on a rock, he draws his green-bladed sword and they begin to fight. Hashlick makes it to shore, but he whips around to see the fight.
Hashlick: Careful, careful.
Trimbo tries to keep his balance on the rock, so as to not dump into the boiling water, then Siniy swings his blade that disarms Trimbo of his sword. But when it falls, the sword ends up in the water where it melts away like the water's lava.
Trimbo: Oh, fuck!
Siniy: And now… prepare to die.
But then, Hasklick throws a rock at Siniy's face. Then Ringo kicks Siniy, and it causes him to fall into the boiling water, where he was vaporized. Stunned by what happened, Trimbo looks back at the ogre, and he smiles in respect. However, the dark dragon reappears with a comrade as they both fly toward the two.
Trimbo: Oh shit.
As he jumps to another log, the third dragon emerges from the waterfall and breathes fire. It leaps and causes a tidal wave, allowing Trimbo to get to the other side. As Hashlick gets Trimbo back on his feet, the third dragon emerges from the boiling lake with its two comrades. As the three dark dragons chase the two, they breathe fire on the trail, which explosively blows up parts of the ground, but they manage to jump away from the fiery breaths. And then, Blaze flies over and roars at the dark dragons, protecting Trimbo from them. He inhales and lets out a huge stream of fire, which scares off the dark dragons.
Trimbo: Pussies!
However, Dola'wic traps the three of them in an electric cage. The others come over to save them, but Dola'wic threatens them with his staff point at the caged Trimbo.
Dola'wic: One move from you all… and he dies.
Suddenly, an energy arrow strikes Dola'wic in the shoulder. Agonized by it, the dark wizard's magic fades, freeing Trimbo, Hasklick and Blaze from the cage, and Dola'wic disappears without a trace to escape.
When Dola'wic is gone, Trimbo and his friends all look to see where that energy bow came from. It turns out to be Kesseki and the Grand Army, where the Falconers are all overjoyed to see Trimbo alive.
Falconers: Trimbo!
Trimbo: Guys!
One by one, Trimbo hugs Rift and the Falconers.
Rift: You're alive!
Jacksyn: Thank the gods you're okay.
Vel: I knew you'd make it.
And then, Maroon tearfully hugs Trimbo.
Maroon: Dude! [sobbing] We thought you were gone forever!
During that time, Kesseki and Arkus shake hands.
Kesseki: I was hoping you might show up.
Arkus: I wish we did earlier, but we were… pinned down.
Trimbo: [to Garlym] What's the count, Captain?
Garlym: What you see… it's what we got. We lost most of our men, including Ayazz. But he offered his command to our demigod. We were so worried about you.
Rift: Been trying to find you for days. Afraid you'd been eaten.
Gideon: But he didn't.
And then, Garlym notices Gideon and Milan, but has no idea of who they are.
Garlym: Who are these two?
Trimbo: Gideon and Milan, from Brimey-Blue. They helped me get back here.
Garlym: Wait… Gideon? As in Gideon Nolish? The entire Elite Force is looking for you.
Gideon: That, we know. I was to be drafted, but we decided to run away.
Garlym: [chuckles] My kind of guy.
Kesseki: But Trimbo, who's the ogre?
Trimbo: He's with us.
Hashlick: [to Garlym] Listen, I understand we're enemies of war. But for the greater good, I'm here to form an alliance to stop the High King's tyranny.
Rift: We know the feeling. They made us sack Ingersil, killing everything in sight, and we… lost Commander Ayazz in the process. Raizer Helix must be stopped.
But Hashlick sniffs in the air, picking up a scent, and he looks worried all of a sudden.
Hashlick: Not good. The storm's coming.
Rozella: What storm? I don't see or hear-
[thunderclaps]
Cleese: Whoa, that was loud.
Hashlick: I'll explain all the details later. But not under a blizzard.
Arkus: He has a point. Snowstorms in the Territories are very, very dangerous.
Hashlick: This way, there's a cavern over there.
The cave is shown ahead of everyone.
Garlym: Orders?
Rift: We're going to take shelter anyway. Soldiers, into the cavern! Hurry!
Now with the Grand Army, everyone walks across the place as the blizzard begins to swirl and blow, but Blaze blocks them with his wings. The freezing wind makes it hard for the puppies to walk ahead, but they steadily continue. Hashlick goes to the cave, illuminates it with a lit torch, and ushers the entire clan inside the barn, where they are camping inside. The dragons follow them in, which is becoming a little too small for them.
Hashlick: It's dark, but it's still dry.
Cleese: I don't mind the dry, it's the dark part I'm having trouble here.
Suddenly, Cleese steps on Ringo's tail, which prompts him to scratch him.
Cleese: Ouch! Oh, sorry, Ringo. [to the others] Good thing he didn't bite.
Maroon: Well, nothing can go wrong. Because we're the only ones here.
Then, a random person comes walking in towards Maroon.
Man: Excuse me, do you know if Costco has any of those Tommy Bahama beach chairs left?
Without an answer, Maroon beheads the man with his sword, killing him.
Part Six
Afterwards, a bonfire is lit to warm up everyone in the cave, and everyone listens to Hashlick.
Hashlick: And right after the canyon, we went back to the Territories. Rathborne was assuming that we should… let humanity kill each other until only ogres remain.
Jacksyn: I don't like it when I say this out loud, but… that is a good strategy.
Rift: And now the gang's all here, we can have our chance. As soon as the storm's over, we'll find the Tribal Unity's basecamp, storm them with everything we've got, and we can defeat Rathborne. If he's going to think we're going to kill ourselves, we'll keep it that way until we take him by surprise.
Trimbo: No. We need him alive.
Arkus: Ever since the Great Barrier breach, Rathborne's forces have been showing strategies taught to him by Duke Cardi. But we think there's a connection between him and whoever's working inside the High King's Castle, which was claimed to be a threat to Xenotopia.
Garlym: But how can you be so sure?
Vel: It's true, sir. We had this conversation in Kyland during Rift's birthday. And we were… instructed to keep it to ourselves for the time being.
Jacksyn: We weren't sure who to trust around us that time.
Arkus: But now, we have to. As far as we know, Raizer is up to something. It's been happening since he was crowned. All the jobless young men are forced to join the Elite Force. He approved the invasion of Ingersil. During that time, he sanctioned Major Mercury to pin my people in Mount Grandiose.
Rozella: Now is the time to stop this. It's up to us to find out all the answers ever since the breach, and get it done before it's too late. And to do that, we all must work together, no matter our differences.
Kesseki: I agree. It's one of the reasons why I want to return to begin with. And I know you all feel the same.
Garlym: As much as I respect this decision, we cannot do anything without the newly-promoted Commander's orders.
Rift is thinking about this, and he has to come up with a solution since he is now Commander of the Grand Army. And then, he comes up with a decision.
Rift: We're going with Trimbo anyway. Not only because he's our friend, but he's… believe it or not… above us all in this cave. If he thinks he's the rightful heir to the Crystal Throne… I'm with him.
Vel: Same goes for me.
Maroon: Me too. Who cares what fuckers say. He's one of us.
Jacksyn: Here, here.
Cleese: We all feel the same.
All: [chattering] We're all with him.
Garlym: But your highness… you realize if this campaign doesn't succeed, you would be executed and your family will be accounted for?
Trimbo: I do. But ask yourself, Garlym. What would Ayazz say? What would my father say?
[5 second silence]
Garlym: They would… both want this. [beat] The Grand Army is at your service, my liege. If it's important to you…. [bows] …we're with you to the end. Everyone, make camp for the night. Vel, stand watch at the cave mouth, and tell us at once if there's a change outside.
Vel: Yes, sir.
Vel goes sitting at the cave mouth to keep an eye out for any ogres out there. While everyone settles in for the night, Trimbo sits aside as Hashlick brings him a discarded sandwich.
Hashlick: Here. It's not much, but it should keep your strength up.
Trimbo: Look, um…. I wanted to say thank you for helping me back there.
Hashlick: It's the least I can do. Besides, you're the one who saved me from being trapped and… letting me burn to the bone. But, um…. [pauses] My father… wanted this to begin with. A moment when humans and ogres coexisted without that wall.
Trimbo: [stunned] Did he? I mean… do some ogres wish for stuff like that?
Hashlick: Mostly… my tribe. The, uh… Whitefur Tribe. We were hunter-gatherers a thousand years ago, and we lived for the hunt of animals. Sometimes we even offered it to the humans when they got hungry.
Trimbo: I wish we knew about this sooner. And then… my father would still be alive.
Hashlick: I know what you mean. I miss mine too. He died in a blizzard like this one now, trying to keep me warm, and he was found the next morning. But before the last day of his life, he told me about his dream. A dream where our tribe… lived in a swamp, just like our ancestors did. I'd want that very much, if it means to help him rest in peace.
Trimbo is thinking about his father's own dream, sharing his feelings with the ogre.
Trimbo: I understand completely. My father wanted a portrait of three generations of the Morningstar family together.
Trimbo and Hashlick both smile at each other, earning more of each other's respects, and they begin to find their own cozy place to sleep.
Up a hill, Gideon is making a straw bed for him and Milan, but Milan is standing alone, staring at the blizzard-covered cave mouth.
Gideon: Milan?
Milan: I miss them. I miss my father and sister back home. I…. I wish I had the time to say goodbye.
Gideon: So do I. But we didn't have an option. If we did that before we left, we would assume Dola'wic would interogate them for answers, and they would be tortured to tell the truth. We ran away without a word to protect them.
Now feeling the cold, Milan walks over to the straw bed Gideon just made. The two of them snuggle together under the blankets, keeping themselves warm, but Milan isn't sleepy yet.
Milan: Gideon? If this fails… what will happen to us?
Gideon: Trimbo's promised us to make sure we get what we want. If he fails, if we're to keep hiding from the authorities… we'll have to improvise. We will have to go to uncharted regions, build the apothecary our way… and get married.
Having a tender moment, Milan leans forward and kisses Gideon, before they both fall asleep. The whole clan is now fast asleep, as a few of them try to make room for themselves. Norbert is sleeping next to Arkus. For Blaze, he walks over the humans without stepping on them, and he rests his head close to Trimbo and Rozella, sleeping at last. Everyone is now asleep as the blizzard blows over the country. But on a mountainside, someone in the shadows is spying on them.
In the High King's Castle, Raizer sits on the Crystal Throne, impatiently about something, and a guard walks over to him.
Raizer: Well?
Guard: We've searched everywhere we could, but there's… no sign of She-Dom anywhere. Most of us assume he's gone back to Ukrim to chat with the King.
Raizer: Well, send a raven there. I should have an outpost not too far away from Alibi Castle. Just tell them to make sure She-Dom is there or not.
Guard: Very good, sire. Oh, and by the way. Dola'wic's waiting outside.
Raizer: Send him in.
As soon as the guard takes his leave, Dola'wic enters the throne room with Pelly gagged and wrapped in chains.
Dola'wic: Here's one, your highness. A former cleric, which may be enough for the ritual.
Raizer: I'll have it in any way. But where are your manners? We don't gag chicks like her. Remove them from her.
Dola'wic pulls the gag off her mouth, allowing her to talk.
Pelly: If you think I'm being dragged here for some kind of purpose, it would change nothing.
Raizer: Now, that's when you're wrong. You will be something much more for me at this moment. And before sunrise, you're bound to be-
Pelly: Fuck that. I'm not a cleric anymore, but I'm still pure. I'm no one's whore.
Raizer: You're mistaken. You're something much more.
Pelly: Whatever it is, it changes nothing. Because Trimbo is-
Raizer: Dead. I saw it with my own eyes.
Pelly: Now who's wrong? He just showed up to me, and he says he's going to kick your ass to the Pits of Hades.
Angered by those comments, Raizer slaps Pelly across the face.
Raizer: You better choose your words wisely. Because they will likely be your last. [to Dola'wic] Take her away.
Dola'wic drags Pelly out of the throne room. But as they both leave, the Oracle comes in with a concerned look on her face.
Oracle: Why is Pelly dragged in and out of here?
Raizer: Nothing for you to worry about.
Oracle: I beg to differ. Because as the Oracle, I can have my chance to find out one way or another.
Raizer: Whatever it is, it's beyond your mere understanding.
Oracle: Don't be so sure. You forget… that there are a lot of things in ruling a kingdom that you don't fully understand. Mankind can try to defy the gods, but they can never deny the truth: the gods always know when there's a lie.
Raizer: Obviously… you don't understand as much as I do. I don't intend to defy the gods.
Suddenly, Raizer grabs the Oracle by the head and smashes her face on the side of the Crystal Throne, killing her in the process.
Raizer: I intend to replace them.