When she woke up this morning, Shar hadn't expected to have a very eventful day but she'd already had more excitement today than she had in the past year and it wasn't even this sun's peak yet. Blonko had returned with Bahrvad and Xylene plus two new alien friends. And they'd already gotten into a fight. In all of her brother's time away, she'd only seen one fight which, while safe, was honestly pretty boring. Maybe now that Blonko was back, she'd get a chance to finally use her swords again. She'd been practicing since Tetrax left but the simple life of a farmer didn't leave her many opportunities to use them.

Seeing the fight with Kundo sucked out some of the appeal though. Scout was still coughing. Xylene and Bahrvad said he'd be fine but it was still scary. The Loboan could've died if the other Plumbers hadn't gotten there in time. And Scout had graduated toward the top of his class at the prestigious Plumber Academy. Seeing him get his tail handed to him made the danger she'd forgotten all the more real.

But she tried not to think about it. The others were hanging back, giving her the first real chance to talk to her brother in two years and she wasn't about to pass it up.

"So," she began, pulling Blonko ahead of the group, "you can turn into Tetrax now?"

"Diamondhead," Blonko corrected. "I met the creator of the Omnitrix on Galvan Prime. He decided I was ready to start unlocking new aliens. Ten of them, actually. I have learned how to use all of them yet but I have gotten pretty good with Diamondhead. It was exciting to transform into him for the first time."

"I remember you always seemed so jealous when Bloxx could not replicate some of Tetrax's feats," Shar laughed fondly as they walked. Bloko's expression grew longing and he gave a nostalgic sigh.

"I remember. But, I have gotten better with Bloxx. He is no Petrosapien but he has his own strengths. I have gotten pretty good with my original aliens. Um, mostly that is. I still have not figured out how to use Archfiend's hellfire and I still sometimes send myself flying with Antigravitesla and Terrorsaur has given me some trouble…"

"Seven out of ten is not bad," Shar told him in that same tone she always used when Young One's leaps fell just short of covering the river, "especially considering you are mastering alien bodies. You should not have such high expectations, Blonko. It is fantastic you have made as much progress as you have!"

"Maybe," Blonko hummed, gaze focusing on the path before him. "I hope to improve during my time on Revonnah. Has anyone filled you in?"

Shar shook her head. "No. I never had the chance to ask. I did not even know Bahrvad and Xylene were with you until I saw them helping your new friend."

Blonko rubbed the fact of his head sheepishly. "Forgive me. I probably should have told you sooner but with Mother…"

"She will come around," Shar promised. "Let us focus on something else for now. What was it you wanted me to know?"

"Right. So, I graduated."

"I figured as much."

"Hush. After graduating, all cadets must train under an agent until the agent determines that they are ready to become a full-fledged agent themself. Bahrvad and Xylene technically cannot be our mentors since their job is not exactly a traditional one. Scout does not know any eligible Plumbers so we thought Wat-Sen would be our best option."

"What about Ship?"

"What about him?"

"Does he not know any Plumbers that could train you?"

Blonko paused for a moment. "Shar, Ship is a dog. He is a pet, not a cadet."

Shar felt her face heat up in embarrassment. "Oh."

Blonko laughed. "Do not fret. It is an honest mistake. But you do have a point. I suppose we could have gone to Galvan Prime but I do not particularly want to train under a Galvan. And I do not think Xylene would appreciate being stationed there either."

"Really? How come? You said before that the creator of your watch lives there?"

Blonko nodded. "He does but his people are pricks."

"Blonko!"

"Pardon my language." Blonko did not at all sound like he meant it. "They are truly an awful race. But I would like to take you someday. Scout and I made a couple of friends there. I would love for you to meet them."

"Are they Ship's species? Because if so, I would love to. He is rather cute."

Blonko shook his head. "No. Ship is a piece of a Galvanic Mechamorph. The full version is significantly less cute. I have one in the Omnitrix, actually. I can show you later. But our Galvanic Mechamorph friend is… ill. He does not look like Upgrade does."

Shar frowned. "Is your friend going to be alright?"

Blonko shrugged. "I hope so."

Shar sensed her brother didn't particularly want to continue the subject but that was okay because they were nearly at Wat-Sen's mountainside home. Already she could see him waving from outside. "Welcome back! Sorry for all the grouchiness before. You should know by now that I'm not a morning person."

"It was not even morning," Blonko muttered under his breath but he seemed genuinely happy to see the old Plumber. "Have you put any thought into what we asked?"

Wat-Sen nodded. "I must say I'm honored, even though Xylene made it sound like I was your last option. I think it's no secret I'm getting up there in years and I've already got an apprentice but it sounds like Bahrvad and Xylene have got you covered training-wise. If you just need a station and name to sign you off, I'd be happy to mentor you two."

Rook blinked like he'd just been bombarded with more information than he actually had been. "You already have an apprentice? Who?"

Shar flashed a proud smile. "Me."

"You?"

"You should not sound so surprised, Blonko," Shar said, voice taking a teasing tone. "I was training all those afternoons you spent with Tetrax and Wat-Sen too. Did you really think I just stopped after you left?"

"Well, yes," Blonko admitted. "You always seemed to like Tetrax more than Wat-Sen. You always called Wat-Sen a lazy old fart."

"Hey!"

Shar had to admit that was true. She missed their old friend. He could train Shar in so many things that Wat-Sen just couldn't. But, even if he couldn't exactly keep up with her, it didn't mean she couldn't learn something. "My training has taken a turn away from combat more toward the educational and bureaucratic end but it is still training nonetheless."

"So how are we going to do this?" Scout asked, glancing between Xylene and Bahrvad. "There are two of you and two of us. Who is training who? I think it's kind of obvious you two play favorites. Are we sticking with them or are we going to switch it up?"

"We don't play favorites!"

"I have met you two twice and I can already tell that Xylene's favorite is Blonko and Bahrvad likes Scout more," Shar spoke up. She crossed her arms smugly. "Is that who you picked?"

The silence, to her amusement, was all she needed to know her answer.


Scout, as he told everyone, was fine but Bahrvad still insisted he rest a bit before getting into trouble again. It was just as well. Jumping from the Academy with its digital schedules to a planet regulated by the sun was hard. He could definitely use the sleep to adjust. They all could.

"Terrorsaur!"

Except for Rook. Hence the early morning transformation.

Ship yelped, sliding off Scout's chest and falling onto the floor as the Loboan sat up. Curse his sharp hearing. Was it going to be like this the whole time he stayed on Revonnah? Waking to each little noise? Having one roommate back at the Academy was bad enough. Now he was sharing Wat-Sen's tunnels with Rook, Xylene, Bahrvad, and Ship. How was he supposed to get any sleep?

"Is something wrong, Scout?" Xylene asked groggily, rolling over on her makeshift bed. Reaching out, she scooped Ship off the floor and let the little Mechamorph snuggle his way under her covers. "Do you hear something?"

"Rook just transformed and took off," Scout answered, flopping back down onto his mattress. "Do you… Do you want to go after him?"

Xylene was quiet for a moment before sighing and throwing her blankets off her. "I probably should, shouldn't I? I'll be back soon. Try to get some rest, you two."

Scout fully intended on doing just that but Bahrvad's gaze remained on him long after Xylene left. He suppressed a groan as he rolled over to face him. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Come on, it's too early for this. Just tell me."

"Normally you like going after Blonko when he goes off like this. Is something wrong? Is what happened yesterday still bothering you?"

"No. Well, yes." Scout ran a paw over his face and sat up, trying not to make too much of a show of it. He was tired but he didn't really want to have this conversation lying down. Sensing it was serious talk time, Bahrvad sat up as well. "It's just… There was so much happening yesterday that I didn't really have time to be nervous about being on a new world."

"And? Are you? Nervous about being on a new world, that is."

"I mean, yeah?" How could he not? This wasn't Anur Transyl. He was nervous all the time. "But that's not even what's bothering me. I feel like… I don't know, I got a bad start. Everyone here hates me-"

"They are wary of aliens. It's not personal, Scout."

"I know, I know. But I also messed up against Kundo."

"That wasn't your fault either. You fought valiantly but Kundo is a master martial artist."

Scout sighed. "I know in my head that I'm being ridiculous but I can't really shake the feeling, you know?"

If Bahrvad was any closer, Scout knew he would've put a hand on his shoulder. "You can't change the past. All you can do is try your best and move forward with your head held high. I know it's cliche but sometimes we need reminders to just take the small steps."

"...You're saying I should go after Rook, right?"

"I am."

Scout let out a long breath. "Alright. Make sure Ship doesn't get tangled in a blanket again, will you?"

"Of course." Bahrvad let himself sink back into the bed, the lucky bastard. Scout would love to go back to sleep right now. Beds were more comfortable in the morning, even these garbage cots Wat-Sen pulled out of thin air for his guests. Sleep sounded practically hedonistic right now.

Ambling out of the mountain on all four paws, Scout realized maybe he was being too whiny. It was rather nice, actually. The air was clean and the sun was warm but it was different from what he'd felt earlier. Scout blinked a few times, trying to clear his mind enough to put some thought into it. The words to describe it never came though.

In the distance, he could see Terrorsaur flying, Xylene chasing after him. But he also saw a Revonnahgander on the ground. He frowned. He couldn't tell what was happening exactly but Xylene seemed to have Rook handled and Scout's curiosity was getting the better of him. He went after the Revonnahgander.

It took awhile to cross that much land but when he finally got there, he realized it was worth it. "Hey. Rayona, right?"

The girl jumped a bit when she noticed the Loboan behind her. She looked startled, even more so than she had the day before, so Scout kept his distance and settled down a few strides away from where she was sitting. She seemed to relax a bit and turned away again to watch the rising run. "Right. And your name is Scout?"

"Yup." Scout let his eyes flicker away, focusing on the horizon like she was. They didn't have sun rises on Anur Transyl. He couldn't decide if they were overrated or the best thing ever. "R- um, Blonko was here just now?"

She pulled her knees closer to her chest. "Yes."

"As Terrorsaur? Did he scare you?"

She made a noncomitmental hum. "No. Yes. I do not know. I… I woke up early this morning to go for a walk. It is strange having Blonko on Revonnah again. I wanted to clear my head a bit. I was not expecting to run into him. I do not think he was expecting to run into me either."

Scout shifted his weight onto his elbows, getting a bit more comfortable but still keeping out of her space. "Yeah, you're probably right. I think he just wanted to fly a bit."

"He uses that form recreationally?"

"Uh-huh." Scout tried to remember what Rayona had told him yesterday. She had a history with Terrorsaur, right? One encounter, at least. Was she just scared of his appearance? Or had she seen the psychic horror the form was capable of? Scout shook himself. If it was the latter, Scout doubted Rook would be very keen on turning into Terrorsaur anywhere around her. He decided it didn't matter. "So, um, you and Blonko? You're friends?"

"You keep asking that."

"Sorry." Scout scratched the back of one of his ears. "It's just… Well, he mentioned you a couple times. You're the only one he ever brought up who wasn't a family member. And you two reacted funny when Shar paired you off together. Sorry if I'm being nosy but-"

"We used to be romantically inclined," Rayona interrupted. "Yesterday, I told him that my family wants me to marry a man from another village."

"Oh. Um… Is he nice?"

She laughed softly. "I do not know. I have never met him. I only know his name but the Imber family is a successful one. It would be good for us to have a woman join their household."

Scout frowned. He didn't like the sound of that. "You… You don't sound happy about that."

"I suppose I am not."

"So… Do you want to be with Rook? Blonko, I mean?"

She shook her head. "I do not think so."

"Because of Terrorsaur?"

She paused. "Maybe partially. I think we have just grown apart. But it is fine. It was foolish to think I would marry for love."

Scout's frown deepened. "I… I don't understand. Sorry I keep asking so many questions, I know this is none of my business but I… I really, really don't understand."

She giggled. Scout couldn't tell if there were any notes of amusement in it. "I do not blame you. I am sure Revonnah's traditions would be confusing to an outsider. Do your people marry for love?"

Scout thought for a moment, unsure how to answer that question. "Loboans don't really marry. The moon dwellers and planet dwellers are pretty different but none of us are really ones for formalities. Commitment is just kind of an understood thing. If you love someone, that's all that really matters."

"Sounds nice."

"It is. Do you want something like that?"

She got to her feet. For a moment, Scout was worried he'd offended her. "I want what is best for my family. It was nice talking to you, Scout, but I must go. It is nearly time to begin the harvest."

"I- alright. I guess I should go find Blonko."

"You do that."

Scout watched her leave, an uneasy feeling in his belly. He'd hoped talking to Rayona would provide him some answers but now he was just confused about things he didn't even think were things to be confused about. He sighed and pulled himself onto his paws. He should go find his friend. If Rook's conversation with Rayona was anything like the one he'd just had with her, he was sure his friend could use the distraction.


Kundo wasn't there to make the opening speech for the start of the harvest. Rook wasn't really sure how he felt about that but Scout, Bahrvad, and Xylene were bombarding him with enough questions to tug his mind away from the matter. Normally, Rook would find himself annoyed but surprisingly, he was relieved. Anything to get his mind off… Well, everything. His absence from the previous harvest, the encounter with his former master, and his conversation with Rayona weighed heavily on his mind. His sister laughing at his best friend for holding a harvesting tool upside down was exactly what he needed right now.

"You need to put your hands here," Shi instructed, giggling as she pointed to the grip on Scout's harvest tool. Scout blinked and cocked his head like a confused puppy as he spun the tool around in his hand. Rook put a hand over his mouth, trying to hide his smile. The sight of his tiny sister teaching this giant alien how to do anything was quite hilarious.

"I think my hands are too big," Scout told her, frowning as he tried to fit the stick in his palm. "My claws keep bumping each other. You think I can use my claws instead? They're pretty sharp. Maybe I'll get more control."

Shi's face scrunched up in thought. "I do not know. The harvesting tool is used so we do not put too much strain on our backs but you are already all hunched over…"

"Shi!" Shar scolded, looking up from behind an amber ogia bush to glare at her sister.

"What? It is true."

"Maybe you can use the tentacles on your muzzle?" Xylene suggested. She seemed to be having no problem with the harvest tool and Rook was sure her telekinesis would prove to be more than helpful on the fields. "They should be plenty strong but still provide plenty of dexterity."

Scout didn't look particularly enthusiastic about that idea. "That doesn't sound much better. And that's the inside of my mouth you're talking about. I don't want to scratch it up on all these vines and rocks and everything."

"Maybe we can use Ship to make a new tool?" Rook suggested. As funny as this was, this was just the beginning of the harvest and it would be nice to get a good start sooner or later.

"Your other friend is using your pet," Da spoke up, pointing at the edge of the field without looking up. Rook turned, seeing Bahrvad holding a black and green harvest tool with a perplexed look on his face. Young One was clambering up on his shoulders, loudly pointing out which hand went where. "It should be fine if the wolf just uses his claws, as long as he is extra careful not to crush the fruit."

"I'll try. I just want to help however I can. I don't mind going a little slower than everyone else if it means I'm still harvesting fruit," Scout answered, casting a worried look toward the part of the field Bralla was working. Shim was doing a good job keeping her away but Rook could tell his partner was still nervous about her presence. "But if I can use my claws, does that mean Ro- uh, Blonko can use his aliens? Wildvine or Moot would be pretty good on the field."

"Shockrock and Diamondhead could craft some pretty useful tools," Xylene added, "and Slapback or Kringl's homunculi could cover a lot more ground."

Rook had to say the prospect excited him. He looked to his father but Da was already shaking his head. "We already have four aliens on the field today. I do not think we should push it."

"Yes, Father," Rook sighed, trying to hide his disappointment.

Da's expression softened ever so slightly. "But maybe another time. Afterall, the harvest season is very long. I imagine your abilities will be very helpful as the easy bushes run out."

Rook blinked in surprise, too shocked to form words. Shi beckoned him to duck down so she could whisper in his ear. "Father has been saying stuff like this a lot. I think he feels guilty about what happened when you left. He keeps trying to show Mother that aliens are not bad but I do not think it is working very well."

Rook felt his heart twist in his chest as a smile formed on his face. "That is alright. He is trying and that is what matters. That is a lot more than what I expected."

Shi gave him a toothy smile and turned her attention to a nearby plant. Scout crouched down and carefully began digging his index claw into a vine, carefully cradling the attached fruit in his other hand so it didn't fall. Behind him, Da and Xylene worked side by side. Rook glanced in Shar's direction, wondering if she noticed the same thing as him, but she was too focused on her work to share the look.

Rook let out a content sigh and raised his harvest tool. If the rest of the season was like this, maybe he'd be able to forget all his troubles and just enjoy the fortune he had to have so many good people in his life.


Shar could sense that something was bothering her brother. She wasn't sure what. It could be any number of things or something else entirely. She didn't ask. Scout clearly wanted to but he was keeping his maw shut so she figured she should follow his lead. Shar may be his brother but Scout had grown to know the new Blonko on a level Shar feared she never would.

But right now, it was okay because she could finally see Blonko's new aliens.

"Rath!"

"What does this one do?" Shar asked, leaning forward in interest. Beside her, Wat-Sen blinked, an emotion she couldn't read appearing on his face, but gave no indication he planned on getting up from the speciation corner. With a Tetramand, Uxorite, Loboan, and… whatever this new transformation was hogging the training field, it was definitely for the better that Shar and Wat-Sen kept their distance.

"Rath is strong!" Rath shouted in a tone very uncharacteristic of her brother. He peeled back his lip into a grin, flashing his razor sharp teeth. "Rath is the strongest there is!"

Bahrvad crossed his arms and huffed. Shar wondered if he was offended but the Plumber was too level headed to show it if he was. "Not quite. Apoplexians are strong but you still need to put in some work until you can use this form nearly as well as your Tetramand form."

"Are you saying Rath isn't the greatest?"

Shar gasped at the contraction. This alien really didn't sound anything like her brother. Blonko never used contractions, no matter what form he was in. What was different about Rath?

Scout, realizing he did not want to get caught in the middle of this, slunk off to the side to stand by Shar and Wat-Sen. "Apoplexians are known for being, um, angry. And determined. And not very smart. They're as strong as Tetra- um, Four Arms and a lot faster but turning into him always makes Rook a bit…"

"Scatterbrained?"

"That's a lot nicer than what I was going to say so let's go with that."

"Blonko always attacks Bahrvad in this form," Xylene explained. "Wat-Sen's got a training trip planned for you three so we thought it would be a good idea to give Rath a training session so Blonko can focus on his other aliens while you're away."

This was news to Shar. "We are going away already? It has only been a few days. Last time it was many weeks before we-"

"Rath wants to go on a training trip!" Rath bellowed loudly. In just a few strides, he was suddenly right in front of Shar, massive hands gripped around her shoulders. Scout looked alarmed and took a step back but Shar couldn't find it in herself to be scared. "Rath's sister! Do not ruin this for Rath!"

He didn't shake her but the earnestness in his voice reminded Shar of Young One. She giggled. Blonko never acted like this. He was the eldest sibling. He was never allowed. It was hilarious seeing him like- oh, was he pouting?

"Rath is not funny," Rath grumbled. "Rath is never funny unless Rath is trying to be funny."

"We know, tiger." Bahrvad sounded amused. "Rath is the funniest there is."

"Is Plumber Four Arms making fun of Rath?!" Rath, releasing Shar, whipped around to jab a finger in the Tetramand's direction. "Because let me tell ya something Plumber Four Arms, no one makes fun of Rath!"

Rath crouched down and threw himself at Bahrvad like a pouncing cat but, after Rath's long winded rambling, the Plumber was plenty prepared and caught the Apoplexian's wrists with two hands, leaving Rath to whine and try scratching him with his hindpaws which he grabbed as well. Rayona couldn't help but laugh into her hand. Rath looked even sillier than Young One ever could.

"Rath's sister! Stop laughing and free Rath!" Rath shouted, stopping his struggling for a brief moment to shoot Shar an annoyed glare. "Rath needs to beat Plumber Four Arms before he times out!"

"The point of this exercise is for you to be able to stay an Apoplexian without fighting Bahrvad before you time out," Xylene reminded. She was clearly trying to chastise him but she too sounded far too amused. Rath, however, didn't seem to notice.

"Rath does not care. Rath wants to prove he is stronger than Plumber Four Arms."

"What does he call you?" Shar asked, turning to Scout. The Loboan shrugged.

"Lots of things. Usually some variation of wolf partner. Or he'll call me indecisive or boring or something." Scout paused, thinking for a moment, before snorting. "Sometimes he calls me Plumber Blitzwolfer. I'm not sure why."

"Blitzwolfer is Blitzwolfer!"

"Rook never knows what that means when he changes back," Scout explained, humor dancing in his eyes. "Rath can seem kind of scary at first but he's a furball. He's probably one of my favorite forms. Rook's roommate was an Apoplexian and Rath is infinitely more fun than him."

"Rath hates Rath's roommate!" Rath declared. Bahrvad, realizing Rath was distracted, put him down but remained ready to grab him again if necessary but Rath was too busy ranting again to notice. "Rath's roommate got his scent all over Rath's stuff! And he wasn't angry enough! Rath's people should always be angry. Rath is always angry at everything! And he'd never wrestle with Rath!"

"You never asked," Scout reminded. "You never wanted to transform in front of anyone."

"That is not Rath's fault!"

"So you just do this?" Shar asked, looking in Xylene's direction. "You just have Blonko turn into Rath and let him yell until he times out?"

"Pretty much," Xylene answered.

"Does it work?"

She shrugged. "We're just getting Blonko used to the form. He already knows how to utilize enhanced speed and strength. The real challenge is controlling his Apoplexian temper. Once he masters that, it shouldn't be hard to teach him to use his abilities. And it's a nice break compared to our usual sessions. It's like watching a child."

"Speak for yourself," Bahrvad grumbled. "You're not the one he's so determined to fight."

"Rath only fights Plumber Four Arms because Plumber Four Arms is strong! Almost as strong as Rath! Rath wants everyone to know-" Rath was cut off by the sound of beeping. Redirecting his rage, he looked down and jabbed a finger into his own chest. "Let me tell ya something Omnitrix! Stop beeping! Rath wants to stay Rath! Why, I oughta-"

The familiar light flashed and the massive Apoplexian vanished. Blonko blinked a bit, like he was disoriented, before his gaze fell on his sister. He made a half choked sound and buried his face in his hands, as if he was embarrassed. He probably was. Shar grinned, unable to resist the opportunity to tease. "I never got to see you as a child-"

"Shar."

"-but I look forward to seeing Rath's reapparences."

"Stop."

"I think we need to do something about his tongue though."

"Brallada."

"He has such a filthy mouth! Who taught him that? Shame."

"I am leaving. You are never seeing Rath again, Shar."

"But she hasn't even seen the best parts!" Scout protested. Blonko shot him a look that felt absolutely murderous but it only seemed to fuel Scout's cheekiness. "She just said she never got to see you as a child! Do not deprive your sister of Rath!"

"You two are insufferable. I am going to find Ship." Blonko, ignoring his sister and friend, turned to Wat-Sen. "You said you wanted to take us on a training trip?"

Wat-Sen nodded. "Yup. Now's a good a time as any to get going. Gather your things, kiddies. Time to show you what it means to be a Plumber on Revonnah."


Author's Note: A lot of this chapter was just silliness. This isn't a very long part of the series so I just wanted to show Rook's team on Revonnah and have Shar react to some aliens.