Chapter 7: Return of the M'arrillians

Near Wooden Pillar in the UnderWorld, Kughar, Hifdan, Thonder and Swassa were patrolling the location, looking for something. Or someone. "Are you sure you saw whoever it was you saw around here, Swassa?" Thonder asked. "I'm positive, Thonder. Whoever it was I saw, it looked familiar." Swassa said. Just then, Hifdan started to hear something. "Wait! There. By those roots." He said, pointing towards a series of roots by the pillar. The 4 slowly crept up towards the roots, readying their BattleGear. "Okay. We know you're back there. Come out with your hands up." Swassa said. A silhouette started to emerge from behind the roots. As it fully emerged, the 4 Creatures looked on in shock. "No way! It can't be!" Kughar said. "But it is!" Hifdan said.


(Intro)


Sidney had just ported to Kiru City as soon as she heard the news reported from the UnderWorld. She ran into the castle, towards the council room. There, Maxxor, Intress, Najarin, Heptadd and Verlina were speaking with Takinom, Mudeenu, Odu-Bathax and Smildon. Sidney burst through the door, panting for dear life and catching the attention of the council. "Sidney!" Verlina said, running over to help her friend. "Are you okay?" She asked. "I think- I'll be- alright." Sidney said between breaths. "You know, next time you come to Kiru City, I suggest you scan the inside of my castle to prevent your long breathless run for next time." Maxxor joked. "Yeah. Maybe- you're right." Sidney said.

Afterwards, the meeting truly started. "I called this meeting because we received word from 4 of our operatives at Wooden Pillar. They've come across someone we haven't faced for years. Ri'oha." Maxxor explained. The other Creatures gasped. "Who's Ri'oha?" Sidney asked. "Ri'oha's a M'arrillian. One of the ancient Creatures that were sealed behind the Doors of the Deepmines thousands of years ago." Heptadd explained. "They were released once again after we released a M'arrillian spy named Phelphor from Ice Pillar." Takinom said. "And after all of the recent attacks and Creatures placed under their mind-control, you all decided to join forces for the first time." Sidney guessed. "How did you know?" Mudeenu asked. "My father told me this tale when I was 7." Sidney said.

"Anyway, Hifdan contacted me and told me that they have Ri'oha in custody at the Pits. Takinom, you, me and Intress are to go and interrogate her." Maxxor said. Takinom and Intress nodded. Maxxor turned to Sidney. "Sidney, if you are willing to, I wish for you to accompany us as well." He said. Sidney thought about it. "Sure. Why not? It could give me a chance to actually meet a M'arrillian. And maybe get a scan of this Ri'oha as a bonus." Sidney said.

Maxxor, Intress, Takinom and Sidney made it to the UnderWorld Pits. There, Hifdan greeted them and explained everything. "So, she just surrendered like that? No one's under her mind-control?" Maxxor asked. "No Maxxor. She just came from behind the roots and surrendered like that." Hifdan said, snapping his fingers. "It has to be some kind of trick. Phelphor did the same with us when Khybon and Jiggorex thawed him out from Ice Pillar." Takinom said. "Let's just hear her out first. We'll know then if she's still working for her M'arrillian buddies." Intress said. Takinom gave it some thought. "Alright. For you, dear sister, I'll hear Ri'oha out." She said.

Soon enough, Hifdan brought the 4 to Ri'oha's cell. Kughar and Swassa stepped to the side. The beautiful M'arrillian Fluidmorpher looked up at their faces. "Maxxor. Intress. Takinom. Been a while." She said, until she noticed Sidney behind Intress. "And who's the little human?" She asked. "That's Sidney. She's a Chaotic player. And the daughter of a good friend of ours." Intress said. "Okay, enough pleasantries. Why are you here, Ri'oha? Why'd you come back here to Perim?" Maxxor asked. "I've actually been hiding out here for a few years now. I was hoping to get the chance to speak with you. I wish to negotiate." Ri'oha said. Maxxor raised an eyebrow.

They brought Ri'oha into Takinom's castle to hear what she had to say. "I've been watching all of you interact for a while. More especially since Ab'lop joined your alliance." Ri'oha said. "What do you have to negotiate?" Intress asked. "For as long as I can remember, Aa'une has told us tales of Perim. How the Creatures of Perim have always conspired against us. But now I see that you only do what you do to protect your lands. Which is why I want to discuss peace." Ri'oha explained. "You're lying! Phelphor tried that trick on us before, and we're not falling for it again!" Takinom snapped. "Easy Takinom. Let her speak." Maxxor said. Takinom took a deep breath and sat back down, getting pats on the back from Intress. "Now then, what set your mind to decide to come to us with a request for peace?" Maxxor asked. "I watched as Ab'lop received Saand's friendship, which then worked up to earning the friendships of the rest of the Tribal Alliance. You probably wondered if there were other M'arrillians like Ab'lop." Ri'oha said. "I'm guessing you're possibly one of them?" Intress asked. "Yes. There are other M'arrillians like me and Ab'lop. I want to join the Tribal Alliance. Speak my voice on my behalf, so that one day, other M'arrillians may follow in my path." Ri'oha said. Maxxor turned to Takinom. "I'll leave this decision to you, Takinom. We are in your domain after all." He said. Takinom looked at Ri'oha and started to think. "Very well. I will give you a chance to prove your loyalty. Until that chance comes, I will reserve judgement." She said. "I thank you. I will prove myself to you and the Tribal Alliance." Ri'oha said with a bow. Suddenly, Ri'oha was covered in a blue glow. She turned her head to see Sidney scanning her. "Oh! Sorry. I was just-" Sidney tried to say. "It's alright, young one. I guarantee that I will be a big help to your future matches in Chaotic." Ri'oha said. Sidney nodded.

Sidney ported back to Chaotic and met up with Minnie and Robbie at their table. "So, what was the news in Perim about?" Minnie asked. "Well, there was a sighting near Wooden Pillar. Hifdan and the others investigated and found her." Sidney said, pulling up her new Creature scan. Minnie and Robbie gasped. "Is that a-" Minnie asked. "M'arrillian? Yes, it is." Sidney answered. "Her name's Ri'oha. She was captured near Wooden Pillar. Takinom gave her the chance to prove her loyalty. So, Ri'oha has joined the Tribal Alliance." Minnie and Robbie went wide-eyed. "I mean I believe Ri'oha, but I think there's something else going on." "So, what are you gonna do?" Minnie asked. "I'm gonna go to the Beta Drome. Test her out. Tap into her memories. See what she knows." Sidney said, getting up and walking away. "Sidney, wait!" Robbie called. Sidney turned back to her friends. "We want to help you out. Help you understand Ri'oha." Minnie said. "She's right. You don't have to do this by yourself." Robbie said. Sidney just smiled and shook her head in amusement. "Alright. Come on." She said, motioning them to come along.

In the Beta Drome, Minnie and Robbie prepared their decks for battle. "Okay guys. Lock decks." Sidney said. The 3 locked their decks and revealed their teams. Magmon and Bivike against Ri'oha. "Alright guys, I'll choose the location." Sidney said. Minnie and Robbie nodded. Sidney spun the Location randomizer, landing on the chosen location. "Jade Pillar. Good Location to test out my new M'arrillian." Sidney said. All 3 of them tapped their creature cards. Robbie transformed into Bivike first. Then Minnie transformed into Magmon. Finally, Sidney transformed into Ri'oha. "Okay guys. Let's get Chaotic." Sidney said.

At Jade Pillar, Robbie and Minnie hooked up and searched the platforms for Sidney. "She must be close by. I can feel it." Robbie said. Just then, Ri'oha slithered from around the pillar. 'Okay. Time to see what you know, Ri'oha.' Sidney thought. Then she started to tap into Ri'oha's mind, looking into her memories.

[Ri'oha's Memory]

Ri'oha watched from afar as Ab'lop associated with the other Creatures. She then felt something deep in her heart. 'Maybe there is a chance we can live peacefully with the other Tribes.' She thought.

She met with several other M'arrillians inside the Doors of the Deepmines for a special meeting. "I called this meeting because I wish to discuss something that's never been discussed before. I wish to negotiate peace with the Tribes of Perim." She said. The other M'arrillians discussed what she said. "Impossible!" One M'arrillian said. "Lord Aa'unne would not approve." "Lord Aa'unne's not here!" Ri'oha snapped. "Please. I've watched the Tribes get along even greater than ever since when we were at war with them. They even accepted Ab'lop. If they can accept him, they can accept us." She said. The M'arrillians stared at each other in deep thought. "We will take time to discuss your offer, Ri'oha. In the meantime, you do as you requested." The council leader said. "Thank you, sir." Ri'oha said with a bow.

[Memory end]

Sidney gasped. 'She wasn't lying! She really wants peace!' She thought. "Well?" Bivike's voice asked. Sidney turned around to see Bivike and Magmon preparing to attack. "You find out if Ri'oha really wanted peace?" Minnie asked. "I'll tell you after I win the match." Sidney said, firing Riptide from her eyes.

Back in Perim, Takinom was sitting on a cliff overlooking Ravanaugh Ridge. Ri'oha slithered up to join her. "Anything?" Ri'oha asked. "Nope. No one within miles." Takinom said. "Well, that's good." Ri'oha said. Takinom looked at her, feeling guilty about her early behavior. "Listen, I'm sorry about my behavior earlier." She said. Ri'oha looked at her. "I was just still upset from when Phelphor tried to trick us before. More especially when Milla'iin and Van Bloot took over the UnderWorld. I didn't think that there would be other M'arrillians like Ab'lop." "I don't blame you. After what we did, I completely understand why you don't trust me." Ri'oha said. Takinom had a thought. "Are there any M'arrillians who agree with your decision?" She asked. "Only a slight few for now. I'll know when/if the council contacts me." Ri'oha said. They continued to look out beyond the ridge, not knowing someone was watching them from the bushes behind them.

Back in the match, Magmon fired a Lavalanche while Bivike blew a Toxic Gust. Both attacks hit Ri'oha hard, but hardly got a scratch. "That tickled. Coil Crush!" She yelled, wrapping her tail around Magmon, squeezing really tight. Bivike freed her by hitting Ri'oha's tail with Lightning Burst. "Sorry Sid, but it's time to end this." Robbie said as he and Minnie prepared their final attacks. Ri'oha struggled. 'He's right. But there has to be something I can- Wait. The M'arrillian mind control!' She thought. She turned to her opponents and her eyes glowed purple. 'Stop!' She said mentally. Magmon and Bivike stopped. 'I am not the enemy. You both are the enemy of each other.' Magmon and Bivike turned on each other and fired their attacks at each other, coding themselves.

Back at Ravanaugh Ridge, Ri'oha heard something coming from behind them. She turned to see a Heat Rage aiming at Takinom. "Look out!" Ri'oha shouted, shoving Takinom out of the way. She took the hit herself and fell over the cliff. Takinom gasped at what happened to Ri'oha and growled at where the attack came from. "Torrent of Flame!" She shouted, firing her fire stream at the bushes. As the flames hit the bushes, the attacker jumped out into view. An orange-yellow gargoyle with one eye. "Krekk!" "Long time no see, Takinom. Chaor sends his regards. Inferno Gust!" Krekk said, firing a typhoon of fire from his hand. Takinom flew out of the way. "Blazing Claw!" Takinom fired claws of fire from her fingers, hitting Krekk in the chest. Krekk recovered and flew after Takinom. The 2 UnderWorlder flyers flew around, firing different fire attacks back and forth. Takinom had enough. So, she decided to go for broke. She started building up what little fire power she had in her. "INCINERASE!" She cried, releasing all the fire towards Krekk. Krekk was blown away by the blowback. Takinom dropped down to the ground, tired from using Incinerase. Krekk flew down and hovered over her, cackling at the sight. "What a waste, using Incinerase. Now you're out of fire attacks. But I still got plenty." He said, preparing to launch another attack. But suddenly, he was blasted back by Rainspears. Takinom looked behind her. Ri'oha was up and fighting. "You. Will leave. My friend! ALONE! RIPTIDE!" She screamed, blasting jets of water from her hands, sending Krekk over the edge. Krekk finally gave in and flew away like a coward. Takinom panted as Ri'oha offered her a hand. Takinom took it and pulled herself up. "You saved my life. You've proved yourself. It's official. You're now in the Tribal Alliance." She said. "Thank you, Takinom. I'll make you and the others proud." Ri'oha said. "I know you will." Takinom said.

Back in Chaotic, Sidney got back from Perim after hearing the good news. "That's excellent. Ri'oha will be a big help to the Tribal Alliance." Minnie said. "Just like she was in the Beta Drome." Sidney said. Both girls chuckled at the memory of their Beta match, but noticed Robbie wasn't laughing. "What's wrong, Rob?" Sidney asked. "It's one thing that Ri'oha was willing to join the Tribal Alliance. But the other M'arrillians may still need some convincing." Robbie said.

Back in Perim, the M'arrillians were roaming around inside the Doors of the Deepmines. The 2 Chieftains, Erak'tabb and Rath'tab, met up near the entry to the Psikoon Madness Chamber. "You think Ri'oha's right? That we should negotiate peace with the Tribal Alliance?" Rath'tab asked. "Maybe one day we can. But for now, we M'arrillians are better off living in our deserved exile here at the Doors of the Deepmines." Erak'tabb said.