Chapter 8: A Bug in the Drome
Sidney and Minnie climbed up some stairs in Castle Pillar. "So, this is Castle Pillar, huh?" Sidney asked. "Yep. It's one of the trickiest locations in the entire UnderWorld." Minnie explained. Sidney looked around. "I thought you said it was built with traps and puzzles." Sidney said. "It is. But rather best we don't trigger any traps. Let's just grab our scans and port on back." Minnie said, pulling out her scanner. Sidney did the same. They both scanned around the pillar. They were both about to port back to Chaotic when they heard something. "Help! Help!" A voice called. They looked over the edge to see a Danian surrounded by floor spikes. The Danian looked up to see the 2 girls. "Well, aren't you 2 a sight for sore eyes?" He said. "That's Lhad. He's a Mandiblor." Minnie said. "I know. I've seen him in the Dromes." Sidney said. "What's the problem, Lhad?" Minnie asked. "One of your kind trapped me here. A male. I think he might be working with the enemy." Lhad explained. "What enemy? The Tribes are all at peace." Sidney said. "Rogue UnderWorlders. Like the ones that served Van Bloot who're now probably serving Chaor." Lhad explained. "Oh." The girls said. "You gotta help me! I'm not exactly the wisest of Danians, so I can't figure out how to crack this puzzle!" Lhad said. "Okay, let's head down there, solve whatever puzzle Lhad's gotten into and send him on his way." Minnie said. "Right. Oh, and Lhad? Is it okay if we get a scan of you after we free you?" Sidney asked. "Yeah, sure. Fair deal." Lhad agreed.
Meanwhile, a familiar shadow creature crept near Castle Pillar with an equally familiar Alliance hating human. "Lhad's in there, Shadlocke. I kept my end. You better keep yours." A.J. warned. Shadlocke looked at Castle Pillar through a set of high-tech binoculars. "Deal's on hold, boy." He said. "What?!" A.J. asked in shock. "Look by the door." Shadlocke said, giving A.J. the binoculars. A.J. looked to see Lhad shaking Sidney's hand, thanking her for the rescue. "Ugh! That Alliance loving brat! She's always getting in the way!" He said with anger, shoving the binoculars back into Shadlocke's hands. "I'll fix her. And I know just the guy for the job." He said, smiling nastily.
(Intro)
After Sidney and Minnie got back to Chaotic, they settled down to their table with Robbie. They told him about Lhad at Castle Pillar. "Whoa! Whoever did that must really hate Danians." He said. "Who would do such a thing?" Minnie asked. "I don't know. But as much as I love a good mystery, I got a match coming up." Sidney said. "Oh yeah. Your match against Marshal327." Minnie said with worry. "What?" Sidney asked confused. "That guy's a bit of a hustler. And he's clever. Like he knows what his opponent's gonna do before they do it." Robbie explained. "Yeah. And he's got a strong deck of Danians." Minnie added. Now Sidney started to worry. "Okay guys, help me. I need a plan to beat him." She said. Minnie and Robbie nodded. Unknown to them, A.J. was sitting nearby smirking.
Later, the 3 were sitting at a training table, planning a strategy. "Remember Sid, Marshal327 almost always uses Danians. So, he'll probably try to bury you with earth attacks." Minnie said. "Then I'll use Locations that work against earth users, like Everrain and Cordac Falls." Sidney said, adding the 2 Locations to her deck. "And I can use water Creatures in the Riverlands." She put Crawsectus, Lomma, Ikkatosh and Sukoval on the battle board. "Lomma and Crawsectus will come through for me. And I'll definitely put my girl Verlina up front too. She and Sukoval are my go-to Creatures after all." She said, putting Verlina on the board. "Oh! And that scan I got at the Riverlands. My Uncle Kaz told me this. Downstream from the Corrin Rapids, there's a rock that's shaped like a skull. Beyond that is a waterfall. And behind it is a little cave. If I go through it, I can see through the waterfall and launch sneak attacks." Sidney explained. "That is an excellent idea!" Minnie said. "But what Battlegear are you gonna use? And what Mugic?" Robbie asked. "Don't worry. We're gonna plan it all out right now." Sidney said.
Little did they know, was that A.J. had bugged the table and was listening to their entire strategy through a familiar earing headphone. "Thanks for the piece, Mom." He muttered to himself.
Later, A.J. met up with a rather slight chubby boy by BattleDrome Crellen. That was Marshal. "You got the info I assume?" Marshal asked. "When have I ever failed, Marshal?" A.J. asked. Marshal chuckled. "This is gonna be my best victory yet." He said. "Yes. And Sidney Majors will get what her family deserves." A.J. said with an evil smile.
At the Crellen Drome, Sidney and Marshal prepared to assemble their decks. "This Drome Match is a Player Challenge Match. Marshal327 has challenged Majorina. Assemble your battle teams." The Drome Master said. Sidney and Marshal started assembling their teams, choosing from different Creatures, Battlegear, Mugic and Locations. "Lock your decks." The Drome Master said as they finished. Sidney looked down at her scanner, receiving a call from Minnie and Robbie. "Good luck, Sid. And stick to the plan." Minnie said. "Thanks. I will." Sidney said as the call ended. Both Sidney and Marshal pressed the top buttons on their scanners, locking their decks. The Battle Board expanded, revealing their teams. On Sidney's team: Verlina, Sukoval, Lomma, Crawsectus, Ikkatosh and Laarina. On Marshal's team: Lore, Galin, Junda, Mallash, Hota and Hiadrom.
"Yes! I knew it. Marshal picked all Danians." Minnie said as she and Robbie watched from the Port Court. A.J. sneered from nearby as he called Marshal.
"They think they got it all figured out." Marshal whispered. "They don't know who they're dealing with." A.J. said.
"Because Marshal327 challenged Majorina, Majorina will attack first." The Drome Master said. Sidney spun her Location randomizer. "The first Location: Cordac Falls." 'I gotta get rid of Junda right away.' Sidney thought, choosing her first target. "Verlina attacks Junda!" She tapped her Verlina and transformed. Marshal tapped his Junda scan and transformed into the Squadleader. "Let's get Chaotic!" They both said.
Inside the caves where the river flows in Cordac Falls, Verlina crept through the caves looking for Junda. Suddenly, Junda came in throwing Flame Orbs. Verlina dodged them as Junda landed. "Nice Creature. Beating the daughter of Maxxor and Intress will be a big pleasure." Marshal said. "Not gonna happen, Bug-Eyes. Frost Blight!" Sidney said, firing her beam of ice at Junda, hitting his chest and sending him into the wall. "Oh, that was cold. But so is this!" Marshal said, forming a Liquilizer in his hand. He fired a Hail Storm, blasting Verlina into the river. 'I can't lose Verlina this fast. Better use Mugic.' Sidney thought, using one of Verlina's Mugician's to activate one of her Mugics. "Song of Resurgence! Heal me!" She called as the Mugic played in key. A purple-pink ray beamed down to where Verlina was sinking, healing her energy. She jumped right out of the river and landed near Junda. "Very clever. But it won't save you from me." Marshal said. "Junda's powerful. But not wise. Unsanity!" Sidney called, firing a purple beam from her head, hitting Junda and starting to mess up his head. "Hey. Looks like a perfect day to go falls diving." She said. "Okay." Junda said, completely under the effects of the attack. He jogged over to the edge of the falls, giggling like a schoolgirl. Then, without thinking whatsoever, he jumped, falling straight to the bottom, coding on impact.
Both transported back to the drome. "Majorina wins the first battle." The Drome Master said as Sidney transformed back. Sidney moved Verlina to the empty spot on the board. "Your turn, Marshal327." Marshal spun the randomizer until it stopped. "Mount Pillar Reservoir."
In the Port Court, Minnie and Robbie watched. 'Water attacks are stronger at the Reservoir. Marshal definitely won't attack Sid's toughest water Creatures.' Minnie thought, drinking her soda.
"I choose Lore to attack Verlina!" Marshal called.
Minnie and Robbie turned confused at what they heard. "Did you hear that?" Robbie asked. "Yeah. That's weird." Minnie said.
Lore's picture burst into code, making Verlina the winner. "Majorina wins again."
Sidney's attack. "Verlina attacks Galin!" Winner: Verlina.
Marshal's attack. "Hota attacks Verlina!" Winner: Verlina.
Sidney's attack. "Verlina attacks Mallash!" Winner: Verlina. Sidney cheered as she transformed back.
Minnie and Robbie looked on as the crowd watching cheered. "I don't know why Robbie, but I get the feeling that something isn't right." Minnie said. "Yeah. Me too." Robbie agreed.
"You are down to your last Creature, Marshal327. Choose your Location." The Drome Master said. Marshal spun the randomizer until it stopped. "Mount Pillar Reservoir." "Hiadrom attacks Verlina." Marshal said. He tapped his Hiadrom card and transformed. Sidney transformed into Verlina once more. "Good luck." Marshal said. Sidney just chuckled.
At the Reservoir, Verlina hopped over to one of the pools in the Location. "Marshal doesn't get it. I already won here twice today." She said, forming a Fulgurite in her hand. Suddenly, Hydro Balls came out from the pool and nearly hit Verlina, but she jumped back. She watched as Hiadrom climbed out of the pool. "But not against Hiadrom." He said. He then started to make the water in the pool raise into a wave, nearly washing Verlina over the edge. "Hiadrom's water attacks are stronger at the Reservoir. Or did you forget? Hail Storm!" He blew a Hail Storm at Verlina, sending her into the wall. "Oh yeah. There's no place like home." Sidney stood up and wiped her chin. "Apoc-eclipse!" She yelled, firing an orange orb from her chest. But Hiadrom caught it and crushed it. He then raised his hands. The water in the pools started to bubble. Then spouts started to shoot up and hit spots around Verlina. "How quickly things can turn around in this game. Fluidmight!" Hiadrom sent a big wave in the form of a giant fist towards Verlina. She jumped out of the way before she got hit. "Coral Balls!" She called, throwing balls of coral, hitting the big Danian. "Ouch." He said, not even scratched. "Swarm Song!" Hiadrom gave a Mugician to activate a Danian Mugic. It played in key and activated. Tiny insects started swarming Verlina. She screamed in pain as she finally got coded.
Sidney glared as Marshal transformed back. "Well, guess that's bye-bye for Verlina." Marshal gloated. "Verlina may be gone, but I still have 5 Creatures left." Sidney stated. "Not for long." Marshal muttered. "Majorina, your attack." The Drome Master said. Sidney spun her randomizer. It stopped. "The Riverlands." "Sukoval attacks Hiadrom!" Sidney called, tapping Sukoval.
At the Riverlands, Sukoval swam under the water. 'That cave should be around here. I'll surprise Marshal and win this match.' She thought. She passed through the waterfall into the hidden cave. "Now I just have to wait." She said. "You looking for me?" Hiadrom's voice asked. Sidney turned in surprise to see the big Danian behind her. "Power Pulse!" He called, firing pulses from his fist, smashing Sukoval into the cave wall. "Is that all you got?" Sidney asked. "How about this? Terraport!" Marshal said, making the ground under them raise itself. Sidney closed her eyes, waiting for the blow. But nothing happened. When she opened her eyes again, she saw that they were both back at the Reservoir. "Mount Pillar's Reservoir? How'd we get back here?" She asked in shock. "Terraport lets me change the battle Location to the next card in my deck, which happened to be the Reservoir, because they're all the Reservoir!" Marshall revealed. "Yeah, but you just lost use of your earth attacks using Terraport." Sidney pointed out. "I won't need earth attacks, so long as I got my water attacks, which are very effective here. Especially since I have these." Marshal explained, forming 2 gauntlets on his arms. "Gauntlets of Might." Sidney said in realization. "That's right. So, I'll just keep using Terraport to bring us back here to the Reservoir for every battle, until I win the match!" Marshal said, firing Torrent of Water from his mouth, coding Sukoval.
Marshal's attack. "Hiadrom attacks Ikkatosh at Mount Pillar Reservoir." Winner: Hiadrom.
Sidney's attack. "Laarina attacks Hiadrom at Lake Morn." "Until we Terraport to the Reservoir." Winner: Hiadrom.
Minnie and Robbie watched as Sidney started to lose. "Marshal's playing perfectly. The Gauntlets, the Reservoir." Minnie said. "Just like he did in his previous matches." Robbie said. "Almost as if-" "As if he knew what cards Sidney was gonna put in her deck." A.J. said, walking up to them. "Which he did. Because I told him her whole strategy. Just like how I told him the strategies of all the other players he's beaten." He revealed. Minnie and Robbie gasped. "Maybe the next time you Alliance loving skunks decide to the big heroes to a poor unfortunate Creature, you'll mind your own business!" A.J. warned. Minnie started to put the pieces together. "Lhad! Castle Pillar! You were the one who trapped him there!" She revealed. A.J. just smiled proudly.
Sidney, as Crawsectus, was scurrying to get away, but Hiadrom knocked her down with Aqua Balls. "Ha! You only have 2 Creatures left. But neither Crawsectus or Lomma have the water attack skills Hiadrom has. And I'll Terraport us back here for the final match! Just give up, Alliance Lover!" Marshal demanded. 'I can't give up! There must be something I can- Wait. That's it!' Sidney thought. "Song of Futuresight!" She called, activating the Generic Mugic. But Hiadrom coded her with Riptide.
"Marshal327 wins the match. Both players have 1 Creature left." The Drome Master said. "Why'd you use Futuresight? To see your humiliating defeat?" Marshal asked. "Didn't you know? Song of Futuresight not only allows me to find out what attack you're gonna use, but it also allows me to lock in my next 2 Locations." Sidney explained. "Correct Majorina. Your Location deck is unlocked." The Drome Master said. Sidney's 10 Locations appeared on the board. Sidney selected the first 2 she eyed. "Your attack, Majorina." The Drome Master said. Sidney put up the first Location she locked in. "Everrain." "Lomma attacks Hiadrom!" She called as they both transformed.
Hiadrom made his way through the rainy forest until he found Lomma. "One tiny little flaw in your strategy. I just gotta use Terraport to bring us back to the Resevoir and you're finished." He said with confidence. "Not exactly. Everain's a terrible place for earth attacks." Lomma said. "Maybe. But you never know until you try." Hiadrom said, preparing to Terraport. "Not likely." Lomma muttered. "Hymn of the Elements. Grant me the use of air attacks." She cast a Mugician to activate her Mugic. It played in key and shined its light over Lomma. Hiadrom looked on with confusion. "Eroding Blast!" Lomma shouted, blowing a stream of air from her hands, hitting Hiadrom in the chest and sending him into the rocks. Hiadrom growled as he got up. "What a waste of Mugic." He gloated. "Terraport!" He slammed his fists down to use his attack. But nothing happened. "What the?" "One tiny little flaw in your strategy. Eroding Blast takes away your earth attacks." Lomma explained. "Clever. But your little stunt won't save you, Alliance Lover!" Hiadrom said. Lomma's ears pricked up at the name A.J. called her. 'That's the second time he called me that.' She thought. "Riptide!" Hiadrom blasted a stream of water, sending Lomma into a tree. Hiadrom continued to pour on his attack. "Sludge Gush!" Lomma called, firing a stream of sludge at Hiadrom's feet. Hiadrom started slipping on the sludge. Lomma walked over to Hiadrom as he slipped and fell to the ground. She gave him a light kick and he slid on the sludge into a crevice. As he fell, he burst into code.
Back in the drome, Marshal growled at being defeated. "She cheated!" He accused as Sidney transformed back. "She used your strengths against you. That's not cheating. That's strategy. Majorina wins the match." The Drome Master said.
After Sidney left the drome, she made her way to the Port Court to meet up with Minnie and Robbie, earnig cheers and praises from other players. "Nice win, girlfriend." Minnie said, giving Sidney a high-five. "Thanks. But it was close." Sidney said. "It was like-" "Like he knew what you were gonna do?" Minnie asked. "Yes." Sidney answered. "A.J. bugged us when we were setting up your strategy, and then blabbed it to Marshal. Just like he did for the other matches Marshal won." Robbie explained. "Yeah. A.J.'s also the one who trapped Lhad in Castle Pillar. Turns out those 2 are tight with each other. Which is also why Marshal called you Alliance Lover." Minnie added. "Which means trouble for all of us." Sidney said.
Outside the drome, Marshal marched up to A.J. "Nice job. Not!" Marshal snapped. "Oh, calm down. It's just a temporary setback. We were close." A.J. assured. "Close isn't good enough! I want to destroy that Alliance loving brat and her little friends!" Marshal said. "Not to worry. There will be a chance for that. In the meantime, I think I know someone who would like to include you in his plans." A.J. said, walking away. Marshal stared after him, thinking about this offer.
