Even from high up in the clouds, the green mist that clung to Endsville sent a chill down Alice's spine. Like its neighbors Eternal Vistas and Eternal Meadows, Endsville had a spooky atmosphere that was challenged only by the old mining town in Haunted Ridge. She'd been lucky to never have to visit the place, only going through it on a class field trip to the Nuclear Plant, but today was the first time she'd actually set foot in the town.
Junior had sent out an early message, asking for her and Suzy to come meet him in Endsville. His cousin, Billy, needed some help, and Junior had offered up their services. Because it was a long walk, Alice opted to take the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. from the Cul-de-Sac to Endsville. It was safer than taking the Skyway Agents, who she still didn't trust.
"Alright, we're here," the K.N.D. pilot said as he landed the airship in a house's driveway.
Because of how early it was in the day, Alice was the pilot's only customer.
"Thank you," Alice said before hopping out of the flying camper.
She gave the area a quick look around. The home they were parked at was simple looking, and there were a few K.N.D. operatives scattered around the yard holding a game of Who Killed Who? Across the way was another house that looked normal too, except that there was a tree nearly as tall as the house bent over. If not for the fact it existed in Endsville, it would have been ruled a dead tree. It seemed to have some sort of life, though, because its limbs were swaying in the breeze. In the driveway was some Monkey Skyway Agents holding a game of Sumo Slammers. She pulled out her communicator to double check she was in the right area, but spotted Junior across the street. He spotted her at the same time and raised a hand over his head, waving it at her.
"Alice!" Junior called out to her, standing on the sidewalk directly in front of the house with the tree.
Alice waved at the boy and crossed the street (looking both ways out of habit), coming to a stop next to him.
"Good morning," Alice greeted. "Is this Billy's house?"
Junior nodded. "Yeah. He's inside with Irwin. Haven't had a chance to ask him since he's been playing President Evil."
Alice nodded in response. Since they were going to have to wait for Suzy, Alice turned her attention to the strange anomaly of the yard.
"Is the tree okay?" Alice asked, pointing at the hanging tree.
"Yeah, it's fine. It's actually a talking tree," Junior answered. "His name is Elderich Johnson Liar, and he's a thief.
"HEEEEY! GOOD MORNING TEAM SUPER STARS!"
Alice startled at the loud voice, and Junior groaned out of exasperation. Turning as one, they spotted a Monkey Skyway Agent flying through the air, holding onto their third teammate Suzy. The two touched down seconds later, Suzy first, and then the Skyway Agent afterward. Suzy patted down her hair, which had been messed up due to the flight over.
"Thanks for the lift, Griffin," Suzy said cheerily, skipping away.
The monkey grunted, and joined his fellow Monkey Agents in their game of cards. Suzy skipped over to her teammates, waving to them as she approached.
"Morning, Team Super Stars!" Suzy repeated.
"Good morning," Alice greeted the girl.
"That's the last time I let you choose our name," Junior grumbled.
"Oh, stop whining," Suzy said, waving a hand dismissively at him. "You've been doing it six days counting."
"Because of all the things you could call us, you went with that," Junior complained.
"Well Alice likes it, right?" Suzy asked, turning to look at her fellow female teammate.
"I don't mind it," Alice answered.
Junior released a loud sigh of exasperation.
"Heeeey. What's with all the noise out here?"
As a team, the three turned to the new voice. Billy was standing on his stoop, the back of his hands resting at his hips. Standing at his side was something small, green and with red eyes. Alice's eyes widened as she recognized what it was, and Suzy immediately called upon her Camp Oar. The redhead took a step forward, pointing her weapon directly at the Fusion Spawn. Her advancements were halted by Junior reaching out and grabbing her wrist, the one holding her weapon.
"Hold on, hold on," Junior said. "I know what this looks like, but it's not a Spawn."
"Junior, do you need a new pair of glasses?" Suzy asked, an eyebrow raising upward to her hairline.
"Listen, it's Billy's pet," Junior responded.
"His name is Runty!" Billy supplied, not realizing his pet was being threatened. "Isn't he the best?"
"He named it?" Suzy asked in surprise.
"Yeah," Junior responded, sighing in exasperation. "It just appeared one day, and the thing won't stop following him around."
"He even calls me papa!" Billy cooed, lifting the Fusion Spawn up into the air and smothering it in a hug.
Alice studied the boy and the Spawn, mystified. The Spawn, contrary to its nature, wasn't trying to bite Billy. And holding it didn't seem to harm Billy's skin. Looking closer, she saw how the Spawn cozied up closer to the human's leg. The behavior was odd, but even odder was that Alice felt she was missing something. She couldn't finger it, but it was at the back of her mind.
Suzy looked to be holding a debate, whether or not she could trust Billy and Junior's words. After a short debate, Suzy returned the Camp Oar to her communicator, and Junior released his hold on the girl's wrist.
"Well, he is actually pretty cute," Suzy commented. "But let's get down to business. What do you need, Billy?"
"Some garlic," Billy answered.
No one spoke for a solid three seconds, before Junior let out a flat "What?"
"There's vampires! I can't let them have my blood!" Billy complained. Still held in his arms, Runty purred in agreement. "I need garlic to keep them away."
"You want us to get you garlic to stave off Fusions?" Junior questioned.
"Uh-huh!" Billy said, nodding his head excitedly. "And if you get it for me, I'll tell ya where you can find a wishing skull."
"Absolutely not," Junior denied, crossing his arms.
"Why not?!" Billy whined.
"For one thing? I've dealt with that skull, and I don't want anything to do with it," Junior said, laying down the law with his cousin. "For another thing, I'm not getting you garlic. Go ask your mom."
"But I don't want to die from the Bloodsuckers! They'll suck my blood!"
"Billy, they're Fusions! Garlic won't actually work against them!" Junior argued.
"But think of the skull, Junior! You could make any wish."
"Hard pass," Junior responded.
"Awwwww~wwwhhh. But doesn't a wishing skull sound exciting?"
The newcomer's singsong voice brought an immediate end to the conversation. A chill ran down Alice's body as she realized that there was a person next to her, and this person's red claw was wrapped around her shoulders. Shakily, Alice's eyes travelled up the arm and to the face it belonged to. Looking down at her with his nearly ever-present smile was Townsville's number one terror: Him.
The demon of untold power and unknown origin was smiling down at her, his grin unspeakably unsettling. Alice didn't dare move out of his hold. For one thing, her body was frozen on the spot. For another thing, she didn't want to give him any reason to attack her.
"My, my. What's the matter?" Him asked. "You were so lively just seconds ago that I just haaaad to see what was going on."
"Wh-why are you here?" Junior questioned, trying to look brave.
"We~ll, with Mandy away in the desert, I thought I'd come and house sit for her. Make sure that no Fusion Monsters tear up her home." Him was trying to sound like he was doing this simple act of kindness, but none of them was fooled for a moment. Him never did anything out of the kindness of his heart. He wanted something, but none were going to open up that Pandora Box.
"Hmmm. Well you lot are no fun," Him complained. His eyes returned to Alice, a predatory glint in his eyes. "But you-"
His claw moved closer to Alice's face, and the act caused a survival instinct to activate within her. A bubble made of energy formed around Alice, pushing Him off of her. The demon disappeared in a poof of smoke and fire, but appeared a second later, his lobster claw slamming down on her protective bubble. Alice shrieked at the surprise attack, but her bubble held. Him didn't make an attempt to strike the bubble again, and weirdly enough he didn't look upset. His grin was nearly splitting his face in two, the tips practically touching his ears.
"Oh I was right," Him said, his high pitched voice dipping into a lower octave. "You arrrrrre interesting."
Alice forgot to breathe. She did not like the implication behind his words.
"Well, there are things I must do. Mr. Quackers and I have a bubble bath appointment to keep," the demon remarked, his voice once more high-pitched. "Toodaloo~"
Once more, Him disappeared in smoke and fire. The group waited for five seconds, just waiting for if he'd pop back in. When he didn't return, the group found it possible to breathe again. Alice dropped her protective bubble, and Suzy dropped down at her side, laying a hand on the alien's shoulder.
"Are you okay?" she asked in concern.
"Y-yes," Alice answered, her voice trembling.
"I knew that guy was supposed to be helping our side, but I didn't think he'd be here," Junior remarked, his brows furrowing in distress. "I thought he'd be hiding out in the Underworld."
"Well, luckily he didn't actually do anything," Suzy commented, helping Alice back onto her feet. "We'll just try to keep our distance with him."
"Soooo. How about that garlic?" Billy asked.
"No!" Junior snapped. "Billy, the Fusions don't follow the same rules! Garlic won't do anything to keep the Bloodsuckers away!"
Billy opened his mouth, to argue further, but Junior cut him off.
"And no, I don't care about the Wishing Skull," the half-demon retorted. "If that's all you called us for, we're going to leave."
"Wait!" a voice from inside the house shouted.
The team of three tensed, just in case it was Him again, but thankfully it wasn't someone so scary. Irwin peaked his head out of the doorway, looking at the three.
"If you're looking for something to do, I could use some help," Irwin said. "My gramps just called, and some Bloodsuckers ran off with his cape. They're in Eternal Meadows Cemetery, and he needs it back."
"That doesn't seem so hard," Suzy replied. She glanced at her teammates. "What do you say?"
"It's doable," Junior answered. He sent an annoyed look Billy's way. "Better than getting garlic."
Billy, recognizing a jab had been made at his expense, stuck his tongue out in retaliation, and Runty mimicked the action.
Alice bit her bottom lip, feeling a shiver go up her body. They had to go to the cemetery? Where her mother was buried? Her mother, who she had yet to visit and lay down flowers? Part of her wanted to say no, but she had to force that voice to the side.
"O-okay," she answered.
Suzy nodded, and shot a thumbs up at Irwin.
"We'll take the job!"
Endsville bled into Eternal Vistas, but the spooky atmosphere never changed. The atmosphere was why Alice always disliked going through it, since she felt like some monster was going to come up out of the ground and snatch her. She hadn't outgrown that fear; reality morphed it. Instead of unknown monsters, it was Fusion Monsters. The Spookas came too close, but were easy to get rid of.
"Are you okay, Alice?" Junior asked.
"Yes," the blue-haired teen answered. "They didn't get me."
"I meant about Him," Junior clarified.
Alice flinched at the demon's name, and she wrapped her arms around her body like that would stave off the chills.
"I...I'm doing better," Alice answered. "He just...scares me."
"He scares everybody," Suzy replied. "So don't feel like you have to put up a brave face."
Alice nodded, but it didn't make her feel better. What did Him want with her? Why would he want something from her? She wasn't interesting, and she wasn't the Powerpuff Girls. Did...Did he know she was an alien? Did that fascinate him in some way? Alice shook her head of the thoughts and forced it into the back of her mind, because the three had made it to the cemetery's gates, and she needed to focus on the task at hand.
"Okay, Irwin's on his way to his Grandpa's retirement home, so once we get the cape, we'll deliver it there," Suzy explained. "Since the cemetery is huge, I'm thinking we should split up to cover more ground. Junior, go to the left. Alice, to the right. I'll go up the middle. That good with you?" She received nods of agreement from her two teammates, which brought a smile to her face. "Great! Call in once you get it. Ready? Break!"
Suzy ran for the cemetery gates, calling out her Camp Oar to her hand. Junior followed, taking a left once he got inside. Alice was the only one left standing outside, staring at the sign. She was hesitant to go inside, considering the last time she'd been there, but her teammates were counting on her.
Taking in a deep breath to calm her nerves, Alice entered the cemetery and took a right.
Suzy had told Alice to take the right side of the cemetery, and so she had stuck close to the gate and followed its path. However, that ended up bringing her to a clan of Spookas, who were not her targets. She had fought off five of them before turning back the way she came, travelling back to the gate entrance to start over. When she was within eyesight of the entrance, she spotted a Bloodsucker and fired a ball made of energy at it. It didn't have a cape, so Alice went after the next Bloodsucker that was nearby. She went upward, going northeast through the cemetery and fighting the Bloodsuckers she encountered. By the time she had made it to the halfway point in the cemetery, she had fought seven Bloodsuckers, and was encountering a pack of three who had tried ambushing her. She deflected the globs of Fusion Matter they sent at her with her energy shield, and fired off an energy beam at the three, cutting them down in the middle. She held in a sigh that not a single one had the cape. She hoped Suzy and Junior had better luck than her.
"How peculiar you are."
Alice gasped out of surprise, caught off guard by the voice's sudden appearance from behind her. She whirled around and stepped back, putting some space between her and the stranger. Her eyes nearly doubled in size when she took in the stranger's appearance. He was tall, towering over her to the point that he was almost casting a shadow down unto her. He was young with skin so pale it almost looked pink and white hair cut at chin length. She couldn't see his eyes, which were protected by a pair of red-tinted goggles that only unnerved her. His clothing looked like he'd gone back in time and picked them up straight from Victorian England, complete with a black, wide-brimmed fedora. To Alice, he looked like a vampire. That in itself shouldn't have been so concerning since she was sent on this job by the top vampire, Dracula, but there was an air around this stranger that was mysterious, and considering where they were, it sent alarm bells in Alice's mind to get away from him right now. Fear was the only thing keeping her from actually running away.
If the stranger was shocked or offended by Alice's reaction, he didn't show it. In fact, Alice was having a hard time reading his emotions; his face was closed off, making him even more eerie.
"Wh-who are you?" Alice questioned.
"Classified," the stranger answered.
Alice frowned lightly at the answer, although that made her wonder. He wasn't near any gravestones. What was he doing here?
"Are you here to visit someone?" she asked.
"I'm here on classified business."
He walked forward, right towards her. Alice tensed at the movement, frightened that he was going to initiate a fight. She'd never been in a fight with a human before. School bullies had only pulled her hair, but didn't try hitting her, and she never fought back against them. She wasn't used to combat with a being made of flesh and blood. He was only inches from her, but he didn't reach out to hit her or grab her. Instead, the man walked past her without a second glance. She let out a breath she had been holding in from anticipation, and felt a small sense of relief flood her systems. That relief was gone when the hair stood on the back of her neck. She spun around, expecting him to hit her from behind, but the stranger continued to walk away from her, his back toward her. So it wasn't the man's surprise attack she'd sensed. It took her a second later to correctly identify the feeling.
"Wait, sir! Stop!" Alice cried out, her arm flung outward in his direction.
The stranger didn't listen to her and continued forward past a Fusion Matter covered mausoleum. As he was passing by its entrance, the wooden doors burst outward. If the stranger hadn't ducked in time, he would have been hit by the wood splinters. He got back up, but didn't have enough time to defend himself from the Bloodsucker that burst forth through the opening it had made. The Fusion Monster was centimeters from the stranger and would have been able to touch him if it wasn't for the shield that Alice materialized between the stranger and the monster. The monster roared in aggravation, but roared even louder when Alice used the shield to push the monster into the mausoleum wall. She kept the vampire inspired Fusion Monster pinned to the wall, but felt it resisting and pushing back.
"Please back up," she urged the stranger.
"Drop your shield," the stranger ordered, getting to his full height.
"I will, but-"
The stranger dropped into a fighting stance, one she didn't recognize. "Do it."
Alice stared at the stranger like he was crazy, but did as he stated. She couldn't have held it up any longer, anyways, since the monster kept wiggling to get out. With its freedom returned to it once again, the Bloodsucker wasted no time in launching forward, aiming for Alice instead of its original prey. The monster never made it to its mark.
The stranger shot off from beside Alice, moving faster than she believed a human person could go. He caught the monster in the neck, swinging around so that he had his feet on the monster's back, effectively riding the monster. Alice watched in amazement, not believing that someone would dare to do such a thing. The Bloodsucker did not share in Alice's amazement; it was annoyed that someone was stepping on it and tried to reach for the man with its claws. The stranger put the Bloodsucker into a choke hold, tightening his hold whenever the monster tried to make a swipe for him. The vampire Fusion Monster moved around in an attempt to throw the human off, but he held fast to the monster's neck, cutting off more oxygen every time the green creature tried to throw him against a tree or the side of the mausoleum. Eventually, the energy it was exerting and the lack of oxygen it was receiving began to slow the monster down, and when it was at a stage where it wouldn't be a problem, the stranger pulled out a cylinder shape item the size of a baton from his pocket and jabbed it into the back of the monster's head. The baton lit up and electrocuted the Bloodsucker, sending massive amounts of voltage into its body before it burst. Fusion Matter fell into a puddle and the stranger landed on his feet, one knee bent.
Alice moved closer, wary of the stranger still, but also wanting to ensure he was okay. Fusion Monster's skin could burn when exposed to it, and the man had just put the creature into a choke hold. A quick scan at his clothing showed no burn marks on his sleeves.
"A-are you okay?" she asked.
The stranger regarded her as he got back up on his feet, looming over her once more. She didn't feel the need to take a step back, and maybe that was because something about his posture didn't seem so intimidating anymore.
"Yes, I am fine," he said, his tone actually managing to lose its edge. "Thank you for your earlier assistance."
"I didn't do much," Alice admitted, dropping her eyes to her shoes. "You fought the Bloodsucker."
"You protected me from its initial attack," the stranger pointed out, and his statement had Alice looking back up at him. "You even tried to warn me about it." He paused, as if recalling something. He raised an eyebrow upward, staring at her inquisitively. "You were aware it was in that mausoleum, weren't you?"
"I had a feeling it was there," she acknowledged. "I didn't know what type of Fusion Monster it was, but I felt it there."
"Is that normal?"
Alice blinked, coming to the very sudden revelation that yes, yes it was normal for her to sense monsters. She'd been doing it from the very start. Even when one snuck up on her, she'd always known it was there. She'd been so busy that she had never stopped to think about it.
The stranger was staring at her intently, clearly waiting for an answer, but then his face shifted and returned to its neutral look, save for the fact the left corner of his mouth lifted upward. He probably had the answer figured out.
"Clues."
Alice blinked, tilting her head to the side in confusion. Where had that come from?
"Sorry?"
"Earlier, you asked me what I was doing. I'm looking for clues. Titan hasn't been spotted recently, and so I'm searching for it. My scanners indicated this is where it had been most recently."
Titan rang some bells for Alice. Like Megas, it was a mech that fought against giant monsters that the military couldn't handle. The last time there had been any word on Titan, it was before the invasion. The disappearance had been a hot topic for the first few days, but when there had been no sign of the mech, it was ruled to be missing or covered in Fusion Matter like Megas.
Another hero missing. The thought made Alice's heart twitch.
"Can I help?" Alice asked.
"No. I have eyes and ears searching for it everywhere. I came to check on this personally," the stranger answered. He paused, possibly thinking over something. "However…" He pulled out a tablet that was surprisingly not produced by DexLabs or Mandark Ind. She didn't recognize the manufacturer, and she didn't feel brave enough to ask. He held the tablet up to her, and showed her an image of two armored beings, one large and purple and one small and gold. "I'm also looking for my colleagues. If you see either of these two, let them know I'm looking for them. They have something to do with Titan."
"Okay," Alice agreed, memorizing the armored beings. She blinked and looked up at him. "But how? I don't know who you are."
The stranger pulled the tablet back and put it in his inside coat pocket, releasing a short chortle as he did so. Alice deflated under the noise, because it sounded almost condescending. She didn't think it was a stupid question, but maybe it was. Maybe she was just supposed to look in the index and find him that way?
"Solomon," he answered her, and her troubled thoughts halted.
"I'm-"
"Alice," Solomon finished. "I know."
Alice's blood ran cold and her breath left her. How did he know? She reviewed their entire conversation and found that she hadn't introduced herself at all. So how did he know? Alice's terror must have been visible on her face, because Solomon released another short chortle and it definitely sounded condescending. He turned and continued further into the cemetery.
"H-how?" Alice asked.
She didn't elaborate what she was asking about, but Solomon knew all the same. As he was departing, he turned his head over his shoulder and sent her a sly smirk.
"My business is in the extraterrestrial."
Solomon disappeared into the foliage without another word, leaving behind a frozen Alice. The alien girl's communicator demanded her attention almost immediately after he left, giving her little time to mull over the encounter. A holographic screen projected from the center of the communicator, and Suzy's head and shoulders appeared on the screen once she answered the call.
"Hey Alice!" Suzy greeted, raising her hand and waving. "Junior's got the cape and is waiting at the entrance. Meet us there."
"Okay," Alice said, nodding.
"Are you okay?" Suzy asked, her cheery tone turning worried. She narrowed her eyes to scrutinize the other girl closely. "You look a little pale."
"I'm fine," Alice answered. Suzy didn't look convinced, so Alice followed it up with something truthful, "I don't like being in the cemetery."
A look of understanding fell on the other girl's face, and she nodded. Her suspicions went away instantly, and a sympathetic smile spread out on her face.
"Okay, see ya at the entrance," Suzy said in parting, ending the call.
Alice pocketed her communicator, and after a quick glance in the direction Solomon went confirming he was no longer in sight, she headed for the entrance. Her encounter with Solomon was strange, but learning she could sense the location of Fusion Monsters was the strangest. Why could she? Was this a trait all aliens had, or just her? She could probably ask Max or Ben, but... She shook her head of the idea. They were busy with more important things than her.
Junior and Suzy were waiting at the cemetery's iron gates when she made it to the entrance. Junior spotted her first and tapped on Suzy's shoulder to get the girl's attention since she was busy typing away on her communicator. Suzy looked up and grinned at Alice, pleased to see she'd made it.
"Welcome back!" she greeted, pocketing her communicator. "We've got a new job after this."
"Where?" Alice asked, taking her place between the two.
"The Collector's Emporium," Suzy answered. "My friend Carl is there, and he needs us to come meet him. He's got a job for us that he wants to tell us in person."
Alice nodded in understanding. The Collector's Emporium was in Pokey Oaks South, which was only a town over. It would take them little time to meet up with him there. The familiar opening notes of Trip McCoy: Galaxy Boy sounded from Suzy's direction, and the girl looked at her communicator quickly.
"I can't believe that's your NanoCom's ringtone," Junior grouched, crossing his arms. "That show's boring."
"One, it is not," Suzy countered. "And two, that's not my ringtone. It's Carl's. I give everyone close to me personal ringtones so I can identify them easily." A Cheshire grin spread across her face. "Don't think I didn't notice your Sassy Cat ringtone."
Junior's face turned an interesting shade of pink as he sputtered out about how "It's Billy's fault! He messed with my Hokeymon ringtone!" Alice stood off to the side, her brows furrowed in confusion at the foreign word.
"NanoCom? What's that?" Alice asked, drawing her the attention of her teammates.
"What do you mean?" Suzy asked, looking at the blue haired girl in surprise. She pulled out her communicator and waved it around. "It's this."
"But...isn't it a communicator?" Alice asked, still confused.
"It was, but it became a NanoCom an update ago when they became capable of housing Nanos," Suzy answered.
Alice was only more confused.
"What's a Nano?"
"Greetings.
"With DexLabs' latest update, the capability to store and care for Nanos is now available. Nanos, the newest breakthrough in scientific discovery, are the creation of DexLabs Inc. and Mandark Ind. They are the miniatures of Earth's heroes, villains, and the in-betweens. Capable of offensive and passive abilities, they are designed to combat Fuse and his army. In order to create a Nano, the user must have a substantial amount of Fusion Matter, an item that is a representation of the Nano's person, and the user's imagination to purify the Fusion Matter. The best way to obtain the item is to face off with the counterpart's Fusion, which had stolen the item to begin with.
"Your NanoCom is only capable of holding three Nanos at a time, but you can have more than three. Nano Stations have been placed up around the world to provide easy access to all your Nanos. You can switch out your Nanos or change their powers at these stations. There is also a Nano Book that has been installed with the update, enabling the owner to look at what Nanos they have, and what powers they possess.
"Using your Nano in battle is the same for your weapon or items, so it should be familiar. Simply wave your hand over the NanoCom and either think or call upon the Nano of your choice.
"For any concerns or troubles with your Nano, please send an email to Douglas Mordecai."
Chibi Computress' form blipped out of existence, the recording finished and automatically turning off. Alice stared down at her NanoCom, feeling a little stupid that she hadn't bothered to check for any updates. Had this been on the news and she didn't notice because she wasn't watching it?
Suzy was walking right beside her, a hand lightly touching her arm to guide her as they walked. After stopping at the Home of the Ancients to deliver Dracula's cape, the team was making their way for The Collector's Emporium. Junior was taking lead, keeping Fusion Monsters at bay with the whack of his tentacles. The recording had just finished right as they were crossing the line into Pokey Oaks South.
"Computress mentioned Fusions," Alice began, turning her head to look at Suzy. "What are those?"
"Fusion copies. Think of them as evil counterparts, even to the villains," Suzy explained. "When you beat one up, they sometimes drop an item to make a Nano. Like for me, I had to fight a Fusion Numbuh Five, and I used the item it dropped to make a Nano Numbuh Five."
Alice thought over the answer and nodded in understanding. That was what Chibi Computress said, but having a visual example made it easier to understand.
"Are they powerful?" she asked.
"Not extremely, but they're tougher than the Boss Fusions," Suzy answered.
"Think of them like generals," Junior contributed to the conversation. "They don't roam with other Monsters, but they do command a small number of them."
"I..I can't recall seeing a Fusion," Alice admitted, feeling stupid.
"That's because the majority like to hang out in lairs," Suzy stated. "A few can be found roaming around, but they're rare."
"And they're in the Fusion Book?" Alice asked.
"Some," Junior answered. "As more Fusions are spotted, the book is updated."
Alice nodded in understanding. That made sense, which made her feeling even stupider for asking such an easy question. She dropped her eyes in shame.
"I'm sorry for asking so many questions."
"Awh, don't feel bad Alice," Suzy reassured the girl, squeezing the alien closer to herself. "It's good you're asking questions! That's how we learn."
"But you two are more experienced," Alice pointed out.
"That doesn't mean much. We just got in this earlier than you, but it doesn't change anything. After all," Suzy winked at the blue-haired girl, "we weren't the ones who fended off a Boss Fusion single-handedly."
Alice averted her eyes to the side and blushed under the praise, but it did lift her spirits. They'd been working together for a little over a week, and in that time, Alice had assumed she'd been bringing them down because of her lack of experience, but they didn't hold it against her.
"Okay, we're here," Junior announced, coming to a stop.
Alice wasn't a stranger to comics, although she didn't read them often. She liked reading from novels, but she did have a few issues of Freedom Gal and Pony Puff Princess on her bookshelf. However, she had never actually stepped foot into the comic book shop; her purchases were typically through The Collector's Emporium's online store.
The Collector's Emporium was massive. It wasn't intimidatingly large like the Treehouse or the skyscrapers of Tech Square, but the building did have a sign depicting the silhouette of the Collector himself, Lenny Baxter, looking down on the customers as they approached the building, which was terrifying. Raised above ground level with stairs leading up to the double-door entrance, there was a courtyard on the property, lined with benches for customers to sit and read their newly bought books on, as well as statues of comic books depicting some of the Collector's product that could be found inside.
Although there were Newspaper Ninja wandering the area, none seemed to be getting close to the property. It was like they were purposefully avoiding the place, which would explain why the property looked untouched from Fusion Matter. As the group walked up the steps, Alice noted how their group was getting looks from the customers who were just a little older than them. It made her apprehensive of entering the shop, but Suzy was at the door, holding it open for them.
Stepping inside, Alice was taken aback by how many bookshelves lined the store's walls'; they practically reached the ceiling with how tall they were. They were quartered off into sections based on their genres, like sci-fi, action, romance. Posters, wall-scrolls and cardboard cut-outs of the various franchise like Sumo Slammers, Yipper, Monsters & Mazes and even The Great Funtime Adventures of Bunny Bunny and Friends were on the walls or hanging from the roof. Giant life-sized statues for Dinobonoid, Sassy Cat, The X-Treme Adventures of Brandon and Mallory, and Action Hank were put in their genre specific area.
As they moved through the store, Alice spotted a table with a sign that said "Science Fiction Books of the Month" and, passing by, she spotted books for Space Wars, Star Check, Trip McCoy: Galaxy Boy, and Doctor Time Space and the Continuums. She turned away from the books, wrapping a hand around her midsection. She noticed Junior was eyeing some Spore books as they passed the horror section. Suzy noticed, too.
"We can do some purchases later," Suzy announced, giving the interior a sweeping look. "Right now we're looking for... Carl!"
Junior and Alice jumped at Suzy's suddenly raised voice. A few of the nearby shoppers were startled too, and some even turned to give Suzy an annoyed look, but Junior's glower had them turning back around. Suzy remained oblivious to the looks she had received (or just plain ignored them) and pointed at the counter. There, holding a conversation with Lenny himself, was Carl.
Carl jumped in surprise from the call, and turned around to find who called for him. Lenny, looking relieved to be out of the conversation, moved away from the counter and into his back room.
"Suzy!" Carl greeted back in his loud, nasal voice.
Junior actually shuttered at hearing the nasally voice and slowed down so that he reached their target last. Suzy had all but sprinted to her friend, giving him a hug when she reached him. Alice stood at a respectable distance away.
"Thanks for coming!" Carl said, returning the embrace before letting go.
"Obviously," Suzy responded. "So, what can we help you with?"
"You mean you haven't heard?" Carl asked, gasping in surprise. "The lead actor from Space Wars is in town!"
"Hold on, what?" Junior asked in confusion. "Who's in town?"
"Marcus Porknoll! He plays Loukas Oceanroamer! You must know him," Carl insisted.
"I know of him," Junior countered. "Besides, why would he be in town?"
"You don't believe me?!" Carl asked, his voice sounding scandalized at the idea he wasn't believed. "I heard him! I would think I, who has watched Space Wars in every form of media they've ever produced at least thirty times, would know the sound of Marcus Porknoll!"
Junior, looking annoyed with the conversation, opened his mouth, but Suzy stepped between the two and held up her hands in their direction, putting a stop to an impending argument.
"Where did you hear him?" Suzy asked diplomatically.
"Yesterday, I was on my way home and was passing by Candy Cove. I heard his voice coming from that area," Carl replied.
"I doubt he's in-urgh!" Junior rubbed his arm, running his hand over the spot Suzy had just hit.
"You want us to get his autograph?" Suzy guessed.
"Would you?!" Carl asked in excitement. "I'd go myself, but I'm waiting for Lenny to hand out the next issue of Justice Friends. It's reported that Monkey will be-"
"Hold on, you can't seriously think some big-time actor is in this area," Junior cut in, looking at Carl like he had lost his mind.
"I don't think it, I know it," Carl countered.
"Candy Cove isn't far," Suzy pointed out. "We can check it out. We'll report back with the results."
"You're seriously thinking of doing this." Junior sighed in exasperation. "What do you think, Alice?"
"I...I don't mind looking," Alice answered.
Suzy grinned and sent her a thumbs up. "That's two-to-one. We're looking."
Junior sighed and shook his head. "Great."
"This is just one giant goose chase," Junior complained. "Do you really think Porknoll would be out here?"
His question was directed at Suzy, who was leading the group of three through the streets of Candy Cove. The suburban housing district looked bare of any inhabitants, and every once in a while, the group had to dispose of some Barrel Bashers who thought taking on a group of Earth inhabitants was a good idea. So far, there was no sign of Carl's beloved actor, although this was something Junior knew would happen. He just didn't think Suzy, who had a good head on her shoulders, would fall for such a thing.
"Dunno, but that's why we're here," the redhead answered with a shrug, which was not the answer Junior was looking for. She looked away from Junior and focused her attention on Alice, who was walking just a little behind her on the left. "How about you, Alice? Do you think he's out here?"
Alice looked over at Suzy, blinking in confusion. She felt uneasy walking through Candy Cove, and not just because of all the Candy Pirate forts that were set up in house lawns. Since entering Candy Cove, the hair on the back of her neck had stood on end, and she had the distinct feeling that they were being watched. She had been so focused on her worries that she hadn't been listening to the conversation between her two teammates.
"I'm sorry. What happened?" she asked.
"Do you think Marcus Porknoll is in Candy Cove?" Suzy repeated.
Alice frowned in thought at the question, but her attention was pulled away to her surroundings. She looked back over her shoulder, the sense that someone, most probably a Fusion Monster, was watching her coming back tenfold. It wasn't the same feeling like when the Barrel Bashers attacked, and that made it all the more confusing. It was like they were being tracked, but she couldn't tell from where exactly.
"Is everything okay?" Junior asked when they didn't get a response out of her.
Alice forced herself to look away, bringing her attention to her two compatriots. The two of them were staring at her with matching looks of concern.
"I...have this feeling that something is following us," Alice admitted, rubbing at her arm.
She couldn't outright tell them about the fact that she had an internal radar when it came to Fusion Monsters. Without them knowing this and without her having any proof, it felt silly to say out loud. Junior frowned and gave their surroundings a sweeping look, trying to see if he could pick out anything that didn't belong. He couldn't see anything immediately, but he made a guess anyways.
"Could be some Candy Pirates," Junior pointed out, speaking just a bit louder so that if Candy Pirates were eavesdropping, they'd hear and know that the three were on to them. "They took over this area and could be hiding to ambush unsuspecting visitors."
"If so, that's pretty rude of them," Suzy commented, her lips forming a frown. "We're supposed to be on the same side."
Immediately, the incident involving the Delightful Children sprung to Alice's mind, and she looked to Junior to see his reaction. A dark look was on Junior's face, and his lips were curled enough for his teeth to be seen, but he kept silent. It had only been a couple days since the incident, and it was still clearly a touchy subject for the half-demon.
"Maybe," Alice conceded, although thanks to the conversation she'd had with Solomon at the cemetery she knew it wasn't Candy Pirates.
"Hey Suzy, where is this taking us?" Junior asked, noticing that they were heading for the forest that surrounded the neighborhood.
Suzy hummed and looked at her map, zooming in further to see where their destination was.
"Into the Candy Pirates' camp."
Junior and Alice stopped at the answer, looking incredulously at their redhead teammate.
"We're going where?" Junior demanded.
Suzy continued forward, waving her NanoCom in the air. "This is leading us into the Candy Pirates' camp."
Junior spurred to action, running forward and getting in front of Suzy. Because he was standing in her way, the girl stopped, raising an eyebrow at him quizzically.
"You want us to go in there?" Junior demanded.
"I've been there before, and had no problems," Suzy answered breezily.
"So you want us to trust them?" Junior questioned.
"Yep," Suzy chirped, sidestepping Junior and continuing onward. "C'mon you two!"
Junior frowned at Suzy's back. He was still clearly displeased with going into the encampment, and Alice didn't blame him. The villains were supposed to have entered a truce with the heroes in the fight against Fuse, but Alice didn't exactly trust them.
Suzy was at the edge of the neighborhood when she realized the two weren't following her, and so she stopped and turned to address them.
"You guys, trust me. We have a truce," she implored to them. "The Candy Pirates are working closely with Double D to protect the candy that Fuse is hunting, so we've got a working relationship that is beneficial to both parties. So long as both sides have something to gain, this will work out."
"They're pirates. They don't follow the rules," Junior stressed.
"They'll follow these because they love candy. Trust me," Suzy responded. "Now c'mon, we're almost done with Carl's request."
Junior and Alice shared another look with each other, wondering if they could trust Suzy's word. Finally, after a silent moment, Junior released a sigh and walked over to join her. Suzy smiled brightly and spun around, leading the way into the forest. Alice hesitated in following after the two, feeling like a pair of eyes were on her once more. Looking over her shoulder, she sought out who was spying on her, but found nothing - or no one - there. Shaking off the feeling, Alice jogged to catch up to her teammates, falling into line next to Junior.
The trio walked up the hill that separated the pirates' encampment and the Candy Cove residents, reaching the peak of the hill in a matter of seconds. The encampment looked empty, with only a handful of Candy Pirates hanging around underneath the tents that had been built. In the middle, circled by the tents, was a roaring fire, and beside that fire was Captain Stickybeard, barking out an order to one of his underlings. Suzy led her team down the hill to the outer ring of the pirate village, passing by the Monkey Skyway Agent that was stationed at the place.
"Ahoy, Captain!" Suzy greeted the Candy Pirate captain, waving a hand over her head wildly.
The Candy Pirates that were stationed at the camp immediately jumped to action, pulling out their candy-cane swords and pointing them at the intruders. Alice tensed up and Junior fell into a fighting stance, but Suzy observed the pirates with little fear.
"Awh, don't be like that," she said. "We went through this last time. We're on the same side here."
"Aye, she be correct," Stickybeard's voice spoke up, floating over his band of pirates. "Lower yer weapons."
The Candy Pirates did so swiftly, looking to their captain for further orders. With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the pirates back to their stations. Without the obstacles in her way, Suzy approached Stickybeard with a grin on her face. Casting a look of suspicion over the captain's underlings, Junior followed after her, Alice sticking to his side.
"Afternoon, Captain," Suzy greeted, lifting up her NanoCom. "You didn't happen to see an actor come this way, did you?"
"Yer bothering me and me crew for that? I thought ye were here to rid me of the Fusion pest," Stickybeard stated.
"What Fusion?" Junior asked, his suspicious look turning into interest.
"Me crew didn' get a good look at it, but they said it looked like one of 'em Powerpuff Girls, but a boy," the captain explained.
Junior and Suzy's eyes widened in interest, but Alice's eyes doubled in fright. Learning about Fusions was scary enough, but one of them was a Rowdyruff? Was it exactly like the real Rowdyruffs? How powerful was it? Could it even be stopped? She was slightly alarmed that Junior and Suzy weren't as worried as her. They actually looked excited by the prospect of facing down such a potentially powerful Fusion.
"A Rowdyruff Fusion? Never heard anyone say they spotted it before. Which way did they see it?" Suzy asked, her eyes sparkling.
Stickybeard indicated to the hill the three had just come from. Suzy saluted the captain, flashing him a bright smile.
"Have no fear, mon capitaine! Put your trust in us, and we'll take care of this baddie for you!" Suzy assured the candy captain.
Captain Stickybeard frowned at the elated girl, probably dubious someone their age could actual take on the Fusion, but he shrugged. He really had no other options available, so why not?
"Knock yerself out."
"I-I don't think this is safe," Alice voiced her concerns.
"It'll be fine," Suzy reassured the girl. "In a group of three, it'll be easy to handle."
"I've soloed mine," Junior contributed to the conversation, his tentacles already out and waving around in preparation. "They're tough, but not unbeatable."
Alice followed behind her teammates, not feeling as confident as them. Although Suzy had reassured her that a Boss Fusion was just a little under Fusions in terms of power, that still didn't put Alice's mind at ease. Not with the way the hair was standing on the back of her neck. That earlier feeling of being followed, of a predator stalking its prey, was back in full force. It had disappeared moments after they entered the Candy Pirates camp, but now that they were back scouring the neighborhood, their pursuer was back to following them. It was stalking them, waiting for its time to strike.
"Alice?"
The hand Suzy put on her shoulder had her jumping since she hadn't noticed the human's approach. Suzy's concerned eyes met Alice's panicked eyes.
"Alice, are you okay?" she asked. "You've been spacing out recently."
Alice looked away for a second, but then looked back up at Suzy and Junior.
"I think the Fusion is close by," Alice elaborated. "I...I can sense it."
"You can sense Fusions?" Junior asked in surprise.
"Yes," Alice answered. "I've...I think I had this since the beginning. Today, in the cemetery I...I ran into someone that made me realize I could detect them."
"So can you feel something?" Suzy asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Yes. But just a general feeling. I can't pinpoint where it is exactly," Alice answered.
"Could you try?" Junior questioned. "Would it be easier for you if we stood still?"
Alice thought the question over. "Yes, maybe."
"Okay, give it a try," Suzy said, resting her Camp Oar on her shoulder. "We'll keep an eye out for the thing."
Alice nodded in agreement, and closed her eyes. She had never tried seeking out a Fusion or even the Fusion Monsters before, so she wasn't exactly sure how it worked, but she had to try. She tried focusing on where she was feeling the eyes. She could feel some other Fusion Monsters nearby, but none of them felt like the predator. Then, slowly, she could pin-point the feeling. It was a strong monster, and there was no doubt in Alice's mind that it was a Fusion. It was the Rowdyruff Fusion.
Alice's eyes flew open in alarm. "In front of us!" was the only warning she could give before the Fusion made its appearance.
The Fusion rose from up behind a Candy Pirate fort and shot at the three, moving so fast that Alice didn't have time to throw up a force-field. The Fusion, indeed a copy of Boomer (weirdly enough wearing a straw hat), punched Alice in the chin. The force of the hit had Alice knocked off her feet. She flew back a couple feet and landed on the asphalt, shoulder first. She distinctly heard her teammates scream her name, but the Fusion was upon her again. It pulled back its fist and delivered three blows to her face. On its forth attempt, Alice threw up a force-field and threw the Fusion off her. The Fusion stumbled back, and that gave Alice enough time to sit up. She caught a glimpse behind the Fusion, and found that Junior and Suzy were being tied up with several handfuls of Swashbuckler Spawns. Her momentary distraction had given the Fusion the chance to grab her by her neck. With a tight grip around her neck, the Fusion rose into the air, bringing Alice along. The girl panicked and tried to break the Fusion's grip, but it was tight. Maybe it was because Fusions were naturally strong, or maybe because it had inherited Boomer's real strength. Whichever the answer, it was clear Alice couldn't break free through physical strength. Alarmingly, they were moving further and further from the ground, and the air was thinning. She was either going to be choked out, or lose air. Focusing, Alice raised up her hand and sent an energy beam at the Fusion's head. The blast hit the Fusion square between the eyes, and it released its hold on the alien. Alice gulped in a great deal of air, but it came out as a gasp as she came to the realization that she was falling.
Her scream was caught in her throat, incapable of escaping. She moved her eyes from the ever-approaching ground to the Fusion above her. It was getting over the injury, and soon it'd be coming for her. She could throw up a force-field to protect her, but it wouldn't do anything in the long run. Fusion Boomer had the advantage since it could fly, and could just pick up any one of them and drop them like eggs. If only she could fly.
Alice's eyes doubled in size at the thought. Fly? Hadn't she hovered just over two weeks ago? That was sort of like flying, right? The Fusion had fully recovered, and pivoted so that it could catch up to its prey. Closing her eyes, Alice thought back to what Blossom had taught her. "You have to focus and concentrate on your power. Think about what you want to use, and harness that power." Focus. She focused on the idea of not falling. She focused on being light as a feather. She focused on flying like a bird.
Alice's descent began to slow. The rush of the wind in her ears dimmed to nothing. It felt like she was floating. Eyes flying open, Alice glanced behind her and saw that the ground was still below her, and she wasn't rushing down to meet it. A quick look around found that she was indeed hovering in the air. She looked down at her hands, and she was outlined in a bright blue energy. It was mesmerizing, but she couldn't focus on the changes so soon. Throwing her head back up, the Fusion was nearly upon her. She threw up a shield to protect herself from the initial strike, and then shoved the shield at the Fusion. It was caught off guard by her ability to fly, and so it tumbled in the air from the thrust. With the Fusion disoriented, she shot off an energy ball. The hit clipped the Fusion in the shoulder.
Fusion Boomer snarled in rage, upset that it was hit for a second time. It shot off an energy beam of its own, and Alice dodged to the right. She raised her hands and formed a bubble around the monster and began shrieking the bubble. The Fusion struck the bubble, and because of how powerful it was, it took five hits to break out of the bubble. It shot at Alice and managed to land a hit in her stomach. The blow knocked the wind out of her, but she was able to raise a shield to protect her from the next strike. With how close the Fusion was, Alice decided to do something risky. She dropped her shield, and the Fusion thought this the perfect opportunity to strike her, but she positioned her hands on either side of the Fusions head and sent off an energy beam from both hands. The beams hit the Fusion's head, causing the creature to scream out in pain. It writhed in the air, the pain causing some short circuiting in its mind. Through the pain, the Fusion managed to send an energy ball at Alice, forcing her to stop her attack.
Although it was free from the energy beams, it had little energy to keep itself up in the sky, so it fell to the ground. It hit the ground and created a crater where it landed. Alice followed it to the ground and looked around for something to use against the creature. Spotting a medium-sized stone, Alice lifted it from its place on the ground and sent it through the Fusion's body. The final blow brought down the last of the Fusion's health. The body dissolved into Fusion Matter and was sucked in by her communicator. The straw hat Fusion Boomer had worn floated downward, landing on an item that had fallen out of the Fusion's person. Alice touched down next to the hat and moved it. She picked the item up and turned it over in her fingers, confused on why the Fusion would have a baseball.
"Alice!" Junior called.
He and Suzy, unharmed and completed with finishing off the Swashbuckler Spawns, jogged over to her side. Both of them sighed in relief when they saw that Alice wasn't majorly hurt.
"It dropped this," Alice announced, showing the two the baseball.
"Oooh, that must be the item that was used to make the Fusion, and it can be used to make its Nano," Suzy explained. "We can make one at the Cul-de-Sac Nano Station."
"Behind Eddy's throne," Junior added.
Alice paled slightly at the mention of Eddy's name. She hadn't spoken to the boy since their last encounter. She had been doing a good job of avoiding him, but her efforts were now to be thwarted. What would Eddy say to her? He had been upset with her after her battle with the boss monster, but he hadn't yet banned her from his kingdom. Maybe he was no longer disgusted with her?
"This is so exciting! I wonder what a Boomer Nano will be like?" Suzy pondered.
"That'll have to wait. We've already got things to do," Junior stated.
"The Cul-de-Sac is right over there," Suzy countered, pointing at the cardboard fortress that could just barely be seen from their position. "I'll message Sticky on the way over, and then go back to Carl after."
"But the actor…" Alice trailed off in confusion.
"Oh, Carl was just getting him confused with Stickybeard," Suzy answered. "They do sound similar, and that's why-" she held up her NanoCom and waved it around, "I recorded a bit of the captain to get a soundbite for Carl. Once he hears it, he'll realize this is who he heard."
"Suzy….did you know this entire time?" Junior asked the girl, his voice a mix between suspicion and annoyance.
"I had an inkling that Carl was mixing up Sticky with Porknoll, but I wasn't going to say anything until I had some evidence to back me up, which I do now," the girl answered him. "Besides, this worked out for the better. Alice now has a Nano! C'mon, this will be exciting."
Suzy looped arms with Alice and led the way to the Cul-de-Sac, a simmering half-demon following behind. Along the way, Suzy sent a message to Stickybeard that his Fusion problem had been taken care of. Stickybeard was beyond pleased that he had one less problem to contend with (offhandedly mentioning an attempted mutiny in his ranks, but Suzy didn't ask for more details).
The Cul-de-Sac was a popular place in the Suburbs, but the place seemed especially packed when the trio entered. Wilt was busy talking with a volunteer, but he did spot them and give a very brief wave. Ranger Joey was missing from his spot by the Imaginary Friend, which made Alice curious.
Eddy's throne had a mob of volunteers around him in an arch, listening to some sort of lecture from the short member of the Ed Trio. Toward the back of the arch, Alice could see Ranger Joey. The Urban Ranger looked downright aggravated in having to be at this lecture, and Alice didn't risk drawing his ire onto her.
A little ways off from the throne, ignoring the lecture, Double D was busy typing away at his NanoCom. He perked up when he saw the three approaching him, and he stuffed his NanoCom away.
"Salutations! How are you today?" Double D asked.
"Alice here is about to get a Nano," Suzy announced.
Alice flushed because Suzy was making it sound like a big deal, yet the tutorial had made it sound like such a normal addition to the war. Even still, Double D's eyes lit up like this was some big revelation.
"Incredible. Who?"
"Boomer."
Double D paled slightly at the mention of the third Rowdyruff. Boomer was an anomaly. Very recently, back before even the invasion, Boomer hadn't been spotted with his troublemaking brothers on their routine destruction of Townsville. Many speculated that something bad had happened to him, though recent talk on the forums said that he had been spotted hanging around Foster's Home, cleaning up some of the Scribble Spawns that infested the property. It made some wonder if he was still a problem or was trying to do some good; others thought it was just an act. Alice didn't know where she leaned on the matter, but she was feeling apprehensive about getting the new Nano; what if the characteristics it took on were his villainous ones? Could she handle a rebellious Nano who wanted to do harm instead of good?
"The Nano Station is right there," Junior informed Alice, stepping up on the other side of her and using his hand to indicate to the sole station sitting directly behind Eddy's throne.
Alice jumped slightly, since she hadn't been expecting him to speak so close to her, but she recovered herself with a nod. She stepped away from the group and moved toward the station, noting how similar it looked to the kiosks used to hand out the communicators after Fuse's invasion. Chibi Computress appeared on the screen, explaining how the process worked.
It was easier than Alice had anticipated.
First, Alice had to put the item that Fusion Boomer dropped into the slot that was lit up. The screen went blank for a second before showing a silhouette version of what she assumed was the Boomer nano. Second, she had to set her NanoCom in the imprint on the console. She had to line it up perfectly so that Fusion Matter could be transferred out of the NanoCom into the station. The screen that showed the silhouette turned from black to green, but no defining features were to be seen. Third, and the actual last step in the process, was for Alice to think about the Nano, which Alice remembered Chibi Computress discussing from the tutorial. She had to use her imagination to purify it of its wickedness. Maybe….even tweak his personality a little?
Closing her eyes, she imagined what a Nanoized version of a Rowdyruff would be. She put her hand on the scanner, which was how all of this came together. The screen that showed the green silhouette began to expand on the Nano's features: skin, hair, eyes, mouth, ears, freckles, hands, feet, clothes. When it was finished, the station let off a high-pitched DING and a small sliding door opened, revealing the compartment that hid the Nano as it was being formed. The Nano was awake, floating in the empty space within the compartment.
Alice stared at him. He stared back.
Then, cautiously, he floated out of the station, approaching Alice slowly. As he crossed the short distance, he kept flinging his eyes left and right, as if looking for someone to pounce him. When the Nano was within touching distance of the girl, he stopped. He didn't do anything more, just stared at her. Although worried that the Nano may take after its original, Alice recognized that she'd need to initiate conversation with the scientific wonder.
"Hi," she greeted the Nano.
"Hi," the Nano mirrored, sounding like a child and not like a teenager. "I'm Nano Boomer."
"Alice," the girl introduced herself.
The Nano smiled a tiny smile at the mention of her name, and the worry Alice had carried in her chest dissipated at the smile.
Maybe having a Nano wouldn't be so horrible.
"Awwwwwwwwwwh! This is the cutest!" Suzy cooed, startling both owner and Nano.
The Nano, recovering the fastest, zipped around Alice and put himself between her and the other three. He dropped down into a fighting stance, arms up and ready to strike. Alice spun around and caught him in one hand, holding him back from advancing on her teammates. She didn't know what he could do, and she didn't want him testing it out on Suzy and the boys. The Nano struggled for only a moment, not under the same thinking as Alice, but then he got a good look at the three and stilled, looking at them in confusion.
"You're not Fusion Monsters," he pointed out.
"Nope! One-hundred percent human," Suzy replied. She thought of it for a moment and then pointed at Junior with her thumb. "Well, he's fifty percent human."
Junior's eyebrows dropped in annoyance, but he bit his tongue. The Nano continued to eye them suspiciously.
"You're not going to hurt her?" the Nano continued with his interrogation.
"No way. We're friends," Suzy proclaimed.
Alice blinked, surprised at the admission. Alice had always referred to them as her teammates, but Suzy thought they were friends? Suzy wanted to willingly be her friend? The Nano's suspicious look dropped into a relaxed one.
"Oh, okay then. I'm Nano Boomer."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Suzy, and this is Junior, and the one with the sock hat is Double D," Suzy introduced, pointing at the person when she named them.
Alice watched as Suzy engaged her newest Nano in conversation. She blinked, still stunned that Suzy would refer to them as friends. And although Junior and Double D didn't say it, they also didn't refute the claim at all. It was stunning because no one ever wanted to be Alice's friend. She was the weird kid with the blue hair that was picked on relentlessly. Yes, people were nice to her, but she didn't think they were friends. She had assumed that Suzy and Junior saw her as a teammate, but they saw her as a friend?
"Alice?"
Alice startled at her name. Double D raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't think you heard us," Double D said. "Suzy and Junior are grabbing some Mung Daal's to celebrate. I was saying we should get a table."
"Celebrate? What are we celebrating?" Alice asked.
"Well, there's the Nano," Double D pointed out. "And I heard you can sense Fusions and fly."
Alice nodded slowly, numbly. It was still a surprise to her that she could do all that.
"I think those are some things to celebrate," Double D claimed. "Now, if you don't mind retelling it, could you explain how exactly you can sense Fusions? That sounds fascinating."
Her mind flashing back to the Professor's eagerness to learn more about her powers, a small smile of affection crossed her lips.
"I'll do the best I can."
Starting off 2021 with a bang!
This chapter, perhaps moreso than any other, has gone through so many revisions. Nothing I worked, and so I had to move around the puzzle pieces.
Alternatively, this chapter can be known as the chapter with the most in-universe references. I spent an ungodly amount of time coming through various Cartoon Network show wikis just to find in-universe media and franchises. I have a notepad file saved with every franchise I know of. If you want the list, PM me.
There are several missions mentioned or used. Billy's attempted mission was in reference to "Wish Upon a Weirdo." Irwin's is "The Grooviest Fusion (Part 1 of 3)." Carl's is "The Mark of a True Nerd." Stickybeard mentions a mutiny from the "Avenge the Sweet Revenge" storyline. The Wishing Skull is a reference to the Thromnambular and its subsequent mission line.
Solomon and the Titans crews almost didn't make it in. When I first began this, I hadn't yet seen Sym-Bionic Titan. During the summer, I watched all of it on Netflix and fell instantly in love, so I had to find a way to work them in. Having Solomon be in the cemetery went with his overall spooky atmosphere. The Titan crew won't be making regular appearances in the story, but there'll be mention here or there.
Marcus Porknoll is an allusion to Mark Hamill. Lucas Oceanroamer is an allusion to Luke Skywalker. Since Space Wars was an obvious reference to Star Wars, I decided to try coming up with fake names to allude to. I almost changed Space Wars to Stellar Combat, but just decided to roll with it.
Fusion Boomer wearing a straw hat is my own personal headcanon. Because Fusion Boomer had been shown in the PotD's in Candy Cove, guarded by the Swashbuckler Spawns, a friend and I joked about it being related to One Piece, and well...I may have photoshopped Luffy's straw hat onto the Fusion, so now I have it in my head that Boomer's Fusion counterpart wears a straw hat. On the topic of Fusion Boomer, because we never got to actually see him in FusionFall Legacy, I had to come up with the item for his creation and the Nano's. I also had to come up with a Nano power and name, which will be shown later on.