CHAPTER 4: Weakness in Numbers

-Riley is standing on a podium in front of hundreds of Topes-

Riley: Ahem… -clears throat- The rash actions of one Durgen, leader of the Beanish kind, have gone too far. It is my regret to say that Durgen has stolen the Leviathan Emerald, the second key of Clydger's spell.

-All the Topes gasp-

Riley: It is time for me to relinquish my normal calm style of rule and begin on a new path. All Topes to arms! We strike immediately!

Random Tope: Wait, hang on. Does this mean you're developing a Leonic rule?

Riley: YES!

-All the Topes begin to mumble things to each other-

Random Tope: You? Leonic? Ha! You couldn't scare a worm even if you were eighty feet tall and covered with-

Riley: SILENCE, IMPUDENT FOOL!I don't care how you planned to end that sentence. Now you will follow me or face the consequences!

-All the Topes quiet down-

Riley: To arms, people! We will track and destroy that foul Durgen once and for all!

-The Topes all crowd out of the room. Minutes later, they are all running towards the Beanish city with various weapons in hand. Otto and Spike are following Riley-

Spike: That's quite an army you have there, Riley. I still doubt they'd be able to handle a standard Level 2 Cyber Brigade, though.

Otto: I don't think he wants to hear that right now.

Riley: I've got no idea what that means. All I know is that with our vast numbers and superior weaponry, we shall have no trouble penetrating the defenses of the Beanish city and capturing Durgen.

Spike: Jeez! At this rate, we'll be there in no time!

Otto: Say… what is that up ahead?

-The entire Tope brigade stops dead-

Riley: What is going on here? Why have you all stopped?

Spike: Um… look up ahead…

-In the distance, literally tens of thousands of Beanish are seen charging forward, screaming like maniacs-

Riley: Oh no… how did their population get so large?

Tope Commander: Should we turn back?

Riley: Not until we have defeated Durgen and taken back the Leviathan Emerald. Remember what Sir Leon the First did. He could get his way out of any situation!

-The Beanish army continues forward, still rambling like barbarians-

Riley: Fire ranged weapons! We can still scare them off!

Tope Commander: Agreed. MEN! YOU HEARD HIM!

-Some of the Topes take out a device that resembles a mortar and fire it. Every single shell explodes at the front of the Beanish brigade, eliminating a good chunk of them-

Otto: It's no good! There's too many of them!

Riley: I don't understand. Usually, the Beanish run at the mere sound of a pin drop. Why are they still continuing?

-The Topes reload and launch more rockets. The field is now covered in a thick smoke-

Spike: I can't sit here while they have all the fun. Let me at 'em!

-Spike takes out a grenade-like explosive and hurls it forward at a tremendous speed, taking out several Beanish on contact. More rockets are fired from the Topes-

Tope Commander: It's hopeless, sir! They won't stop!

Riley: What is going on here??? Why aren't they getting scared?

-Suddenly, a primitive-looking flying machine emerges from the crowd. The Beanish army is getting closer yet-

Otto: Oh dear.

Tope Commander: Up there! What on Tytrope is that?

Riley: That machine. I recognize it… Durgen! All units, fire at that machine!

-The topes put the last round of their rockets into the launchers and fire at the flying machine. A massive explosion is seen-

Spike: Woohoo! There's no way anything could have survived that!

Durgen: Such ignorance. Do you not know that I am invincible?

-Durgen jumps from his machine (which is still intact) and lands in front of Riley-

Durgen: Have you forgotten what power I have acquired now that I have two of Clydger's keys?

Spike: Shut up and die!

-Spike lunges at Durgen, but hits a force field and is sent flying with a severe electric shock-

Otto: Spike! No!!!

Riley: What sort of deviltry is this?!

Durgen: You are so stupid! He who possesses two of Clydger's enchanted crystal keys gets immeasurable power and charisma. Using my newfound strength, I was able to transform my people from weak cowards into vicious war drones in a matter of minutes! Face it, you're done for.

Otto: Told you we should have ran!

Durgen: He is correct. You should have fled while you still had the chance. But nooo, you had to fight on. And now, you shall pay for your moronic intentions…

-The Beanish army had reaches the Topes. Many clanks of metal hitting each other are heard, as are many screams of pain-

Riley: Aha! I have just remembered! The power obtained from two of the three keys is only temporary. You will lose your power soon enough, Durgen!

Durgen: Then I'd better do this quickly!

-Durgen takes out a rapier and lunges at Riley, missing-

Durgen: Come on, coward! You're only delaying the inevitable!

-Durgen begins to charge once more, but he suddenly stops, frozen in his tracks-

Riley: Your powers are gone! I knew it!

Durgen: What? Already? Oh, that Clydger is such a lazy little…

Spike: -weakly gets up- If I may intervine…

-Spikes throws another explosive at the now idle Beanish army. It explodes and every single one runs in utter horror back to their city-

Durgen: Grah! This is but a minor setback. You cannot stop me from obtaining the third key. I already have the Leviathan Emerald and the Titanic Topaz. The Beanish will consume all! -runs-

Spike: HEY! He stole our line!

Otto: Should we persue?

Riley: No. Our forces are too battered to continue on. Let's head back to town.

Tope Commander: Sir! Two of the Beanish are still coming toward us!

Otto: Hey, they look familiar.

Rayman: OTTO!!!

Spike: Eh? GL47 and the red bug?

Clyde: This armor makes me feel like a total dweeb.

Otto: Rayman! I thought we had lost you for good!

Rayman: That's what I thought, too. But instead of simply executing Clyde and I, he merely brainwashed us into thinking we were members of his attack force. Where is Globox?

Riley: Who is this limbless creature?

Otto: We'll explain later. Come on now, let's head back.

-Everyone trudges back towards the Tope town. Meanwhile…-

Durgen: Today's defeat will not affect our plans. I will get the Gargantuan Sapphire hidden deep within the Saskipellian Mines. I will free Globonitz and revive the old regime. I will be a hero. I will rule all, with Globonitz as my faithful servant!

TO BE CONTINUED…