Chapter 24: Way of the Mipedian
Sidney was battling as Drabe in Darkened Dunes. As Drabe treaded the land, armed with a Liquilizer, he noticed that there was no breeze in the air. "What happened to the wind?" He asked. "It's right here!" A voice called. Drabe turned to see his opponent, battling as Kolmo, blowing a Cyclone Slam at him. The attack sent Drabe back a bit. Drabe fired Riptide from his Liquilizer, but Kolmo jumped aside to dodge the attack and blasted Drabe with another Cyclone, knocking the Liquilizer out of his hand.
"Airsault!" Kolmo shouted, firing Airize from his head. Drabe dodged to the left, causing the attack to hit the ground of the cliff behind him, cracking it. "Degenervate!" Drabe shouted, firing the attack from his chest. But Kolmo ducked down, dodging the attack. "Ha! You're going down, Majorina. Spirit Gust!" Kolmo called, conjuring 2 spirit heads and sicking them on Drabe. Drabe was surrounded and was about to fall from the cracked cliff ledge. But then, he fired a Power Pulse. The attack deflected off a spike on the surface and hit Kolmo, coding him.
"And that's how I got the win. If you wanna call it a win." Sidney said, explaining the match to Minnie and Gisele. "What're you talking about, Sid? You know a win's a win." Minnie said. "Yeah, but I won by luck. Not skill." Sidney objected. "Girl, your record's as good as your dad's." Gisele said. "Especially since your recent victory against CodeMaster Amzen." Minnie said. "But I've been losing my edge lately. Against Mipedian players." Sidney said. "That's because your rep's growing, so you're getting more challenge matches." Minnie said. "She's right. You're marked. Just like your father was." Gisele said. Sidney started to think. "Then maybe I'll take another page out of my dad's book." She said. "How so?" Minnie said. "I think it's time to improve my skills. If I wanna learn to think like them, I think it's time for me to learn some new tricks. I need to learn the Way of the Mipedian." Sidney revealed.
(Intro)
Later that day, Sidney ported to Al Mipedim to meet with Prince Mudeenu and Princess Oézaeria to discuss her idea. "So, you wish to learn the Way of the Mipedian, young Sidney?" Mudeenu asked. "Yes. It's so I can improve my skills." Sidney said. Mudeenu started to think about this. "I believe we know a Mipedian who can help you with that." He said.
Mudeenu and Oézaeria led Sidney to the city's training grounds. There, a certain Mipedian was training some new Mipedian soldiers. "Whoa! Who is that?" Sidney asked. "That is Headmaster Ankhyja. He is the best melee fighter in our Tribe." Mudeenu said. "He teaches our young Mipedian warriors at our academy for the Alliance these days." Oézaeria said. "If you want to learn the Way of the Mipedian, he's the Mipedian you want to speak to." Mudeenu said. Sidney stared at Headmaster Ankhyja as he performed a form of martial arts she never seen before. He flipped off one hand, dodging a Hail Storm and slammed his foot into the ground, creating Rock Wave. "I'd like to meet him." Sidney said. "Good answer. He's just about finished with his class anyway." Mudeenu said.
Headmaster Ankhyja was drying his sweaty head with a towel when he sensed Mudeenu and Oézaeria approaching. "Your majesties. Do what do I owe the pleasure of your presences?" He asked with a bow. "We've brought a friend who has an interest to learn the Way of the Mipedian." Mudeenu said. "A human friend." Oézaeria said. Headmaster Ankhyja raised his eyebrow. "This is Sidney Majors, daughter of our friends, Tom and Sarah Majors." Mudeenu said, introducing Sidney. "Ah, so you're the daughter of the great Tom Majors. I've heard about your father, though I've never had the pleasure to meet him." Ankhyja said, shaking Sidney's hand. "Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you too. So, can you help me?" Sidney asked. "But of course. I've always wanted to train a human in the Way of the Mipedian." Ankhyja said. "Good. Then we leave Sidney in your capable hands." Mudeenu said. "Thank you, your highness." Ankhyja said with a bow. Mudennu bowed back and walked away. "Good luck, Sidney." Oézaeria said, patting Sidney's shoulder. Sidney smiled and nodded before Oézaeria walked away to join her cousin.
Headmaster Ankhyja brought Sidney to the Mipedim Oasis. "Now learning the Way of the Mipedian is never an easy task. Are you prepared for your first lesson?" Ankhyja asked. "I am." Sidney said. "Good. Now first, you must find your Mipedian center." Ankhyja said. "How do I do that?" Sidney asked. "Simple. I find my Mipedian center through meditation. It relaxes me when I look for my Mipedian center." Ankhyja explained, sitting down into a meditation position. Sidney sat down and tried it. "Now, as you meditate, allow yourself to soak in the majesty of your Mipedian surroundings. Let the air in the Location lift your spirits into the foliage of Mipedian purity." Ankhyja instructed. Sidney breathed in and out slowly, allowing herself to do exactly how Ankhyja instructed.
Later, Ankhyja prepared Sidney for the next lesson. "Now, for the next lesson, we learn to master the form of the air." Ankhyja said. Sidney raised her eyebrow in confusion. "You see, when a Mipedian uses an air attack, they must first become one with the air." Ankhyja said. "Observe. Tornado Tackle!" He created a Tornado Tackle. But then, he slightly moved his arms and body. And then, the tornado matched his movements. Sidney looked on with shock and awe as Ankhyja continued moving himself and the tornado at the same time. Finally, Ankhyja gave a huge slow down swipe of his arms and the tornado flew to the ground and subsided. "Awesome." Sidney said. "Glad you think so, cause you need to master the movements in order to master the form of the air." Ankhyja said. Sidney nodded. "Then let's begin." Ankhyja said.
A few days later, after some intense training, Sidney ported back to Chaotic to prepare for a match. She told Minnie and Gisele all about her training with Headmaster Ankhyja as they made their way to the Imthor Drome. "Seriously. He taught you all that?!" Gisele asked. "Yep. He's a really great teacher." Sidney said. "Guess we're about to find out if all that training will pay off." Minnie said. "Right. Good luck, Sid." Gisele said. "Thanks girls." Sidney said before heading in the Drome.
Sidney docked her scanner just as her opponent did. "Majorina has challenged PyroNika." The Drome Master announced. Nika had fiery red hair and wore a fire-printed jacket. "Nice jacket." Sidney said. "Thanks. I like to think of it as an UnderWorld fashion sense." Nika said. Just then, Sidney got a call on her scanner from Minnie and Gisele. "Sid, don't underestimate this girl. We've faced her in Drome matches before. PyroNika's as tough as she looks." Minnie said. "And don't let her mild attitude fool you. She's extremely hot tempered when it comes to battling in the Dromes, just like an UnderWorlder." Gisele said. Sidney looked at Nika. "Rawr." Nika said. Sidney felt uncomfortable from this.
"Players, lock your decks." The Drome Master instructed. Sidney and Nika tapped their scanners' top buttons, locking their decks and revealing their teams. Nika had Skithia, Miklon, Rothar, Ilx, Krekk and Skreeth. While on Sidney's team, to everyone's surprise, consisted of all Mipedians. During her training days, she gotten new Mipedian scans. Her team had Brathe, Qwun, Melke, Gnarlus, Sobjek and Savell. "Hey, you're playing all Mipedians!" Nika said with shock. Sidney just smiled. "I don't know what you're playing at here. But if you're trying to throw me off my game, it ain't gonna work. I've beaten lots of Mipedian players." Nika said proudly. "Cool. Then this will be interesting." Sidney said.
"Because PyroNika won her last match here in the Imthor Drome, she will attack first. Activate the Location randomizer." The Drome Master instructed. Nika spun her randomizer, landing on the first Location. "Khybon's Forge! My favorite Location." Nika said, deciding which Creature to choose. "Rothar attacks Melke." She tapped her Rothar and transformed into the big minotaur. Sidney tapped her Melke and transformed into the big lizard. "Let's get Chaotic." She said with a hiss of the tongue.
At the forge, Melke crawled across the bridges, looking for Rothar. "Hey, Lizard Lips!" A voice called. Melke turned and saw Rothar attacking with a Lavalanche. Melke leapt up and the attack hit the railing. Rothar looked up, but Melke was gone. Rothar started to look around. Truth was that Melke activated his invisibility and held onto the top bridge. Then Melke reappeared and blew Toxic Gust, blinding Rothar. 'Okay, just remember what Headmaster Ankhyja said. Soak in the majesty of the Location just like in the Oasis.' Sidney said. Melke adjusted himself and started to meditate in the cloud. As Rothar coughed through the cloud, he still looked around to try and find Melke. He managed to find Melke's silhouette in the cloud and marched in to attack. Melke sensed Rothar coming and kept to his relaxing meditation. Rothar got in close and prepared to attack. "Iron Balls!" Melke opened his eyes and fired Iron Balls at Rothar, sending him over the railing and into the lava pool below, coding him.
"Yes! Way to go, Sid!" Minnie cheered as she and Gisele watched from the Port Court. "You go, girl." Gisele said, taking a bite from her burger. "Hey girls. What's going on?" Robbie asked, walking up to their table. "We're watching Sidney's match. Wanna watch with us?" Gisele offered. "Sure. Who's winning so far?" Robbie asked as he sat down. "Sid. She won her first match using all Mipedians." Minnie said. That caught Robbie by surprise. "Did you say Mipedians?" He asked. "Yep. She's been studying the Way of the Mipedian with Headmaster Ankhyja." Minnie said. "The next Location, Hunter's Perimeter." The Drome Master announced from the screen. "Sweet. Now Sid's got the advantage." Gisele said.
"Brathe attacks Skithia!" Sidney declared, tapping her Brathe and transforming into the big lizard. Nika tapped her Skithia and transformed into the beautiful pale demoness.
Brathe scaled the side of the old tower, going invisible to avoid being spotted. Just then, he saw Skithia approaching on a Mowercycle. Brathe shot a Power Pulse at Skithia, but she skidded the Mowercycle to a stop, creating a dust cloud with the sand. The Power Pulse hit the cloud. Brathe growled, knowing that he missed. He formed a Scout's Monocular and scanned through the sand cloud, only to be blasted by a Pebblestorm from the Mowercycle. The attack knocked him off the tower and crashing into the sand. Brathe recovered and fired a Cyclone Slam, knocking Skithia and her Mowercycle onto the side.
"Yes!" Minnie cheered. "Blow her away, girlfriend!" Gisele called. "So, Sid's trying some new tricks by using the Way of the Mipedian. That could work." Robbie said.
Skithia rode her Mowercycle up the Tower, but found no other way to escape at the top. "It's the end of the road. There's nowhere to run now." Brathe said, cornering his opponent. "I don't need to run. So long as I have my Mugic. Diminuendo!" Skithia called, activating her Mugic. The Mugic played in key, a light shined over Brathe and he shrunk to the size of a mouse. "This battle is over, shrimp!" Skithia said, preparing one more fire attack. Brathe shook in fear. Skithia fired an Inferno Gust, but Brathe scurried out of the way. 'No point in trying to attack! I gotta take cover until the Mugic wears off!' Sidney thought. Brathe went invisible and headed down to the center tower. Skithia growled and blasted Blaze Barrage down the tower. Brathe managed to crawl through a small crack in the tower, making it outside. "Well, at least I'm safe." He said. But then, the Mugic wore off, growing him back to normal. Skithia sensed this and turned around. "Blazing Claws!" She shouted, firing claws of fire from her fingers. Brathe braced himself as the claws struck all around him until one hit him, coding him.
"Looks like you made a mistake not going with your OverWorlders, Majorina." Nika said. Sidney almost felt like giving up. 'No. I have to remember everything Headmaster Ankhyja taught me. If I want to win, I also got to think like a Mipedian. Really become a Mipedian.' She thought.
Nika's attack. "Skithia attacks Qwun!" Winner: Qwun.
Sidney's attack. "Qwun attacks Krekk!" Winner: Qwun.
Minnie and Gisele cheered as they watched. "Well, Sidney's training is really paying off." Minnie said. "Better to wait until it's over, luv." Robbie said.
Nika's attack. "Miklon attacks Qwun!" Winner: Miklon.
Sidney's attack. "Melke attacks Miklon!" Winner: Melke.
Nika's attack. "Ilx attacks Sobjek!" Winner: Ilx.
Nika felt confident as she transformed back. "Looks like the tide's turning in my favor, Sidney." She said. "Maybe, but you're still gonna wash out." Sidney said.
Sidney's attack. "Melke attacks Skreeth!" Winner: Skreeth.
Nika's attack. "Skreeth attacks Gnarlus!" Winner: Gnarlus.
Sidney's attack. "Gnarlus attacks Ilx!" Winner: Ilx.
"You can do it, Sid!" Robbie called. Minnie and Gisele looked at him. "I don't want her to lose, but I don't know if she can win using the Way of the Mipedian." Robbie said. "We're about to find out." Gisele said.
Nika spun her randomizer, landing on the final Location. "The final Location, the Storm Tunnel." The Drome Master announced. "Ilx attacks Savell!" Nika said, tapping her Ilx and transforming into the air demon once more. Sidney tapped her Savell and transformed into the Komodo dragon-like Mipedian. "Ilx already obliterated 2 of your Mipedians, and this will make it an even 3 for the match!" Nika said. "Don't count on it." Sidney said.
In the Storm Tunnel, Savell struggled against the strong winds. Ilx, being made of air, glided through the winds with ease, firing air attacks at Savell. 'I can't lose my first all Mipedian match in a place good for air attacks! There's gotta be a way for me to channel my air attacks with the winds in the tunnel. That would- Wait. That's it!' Sidney thought. As Ilx fired an Airsault, Savell dodged it and fired a Cyclone Slam into the tunnel. "Can't go the distance, huh Majorina?" Ilx asked tauntingly. Savell took a deep breath and copied the movements Headmaster Ankhyja did during their training. "What're you doing? This is a battle, not a meditation lesson!" Ilx said. Just then, he heard something coming from behind him. He turned to look. The Cyclone Slam redirected itself towards him. He tried to flee through the tunnel, but the attack was faster. The attack coded him as soon as it hit him.
"I can't believe it!" Nika cried in shock at her loss. "Neither can I." Sidney said as she changed back. "Well, that's the first time I've ever lost against a Mipedian player. You did quite well, Sidney." Nika said. "Thanks. You too, Nika." Sidney said. Just then, Minnie and Gisele called her scanner. "You did it, Sid!" Minnie said. "How's it feel to win using the Way of the Mipedian?" Gisele asked. "A little weird, but definitely good." Sidney said.
Later, Sidney was heading to the Transport Center. Minnie, Robbie and Gisele caught up to her. "Hey Sid, where're you heading?" Minnie said. "I'm porting for Al Mipedim. Tell Headmaster Ankhyja that his lessons really helped." Sidney said. "Okay. Well, see ya." Minnie said. Sidney tapped her scanner and ported away. "You know that she's also probably gonna ask for another lesson, right?" Gisele asked. "She's really taking the Way of the Mipedian seriously." Robbie said. "Yeah. It'll actually be good practice for her. To become a great player as her dad." Minnie said.
At Al Mipedim, Sidney told Ankhyja about her match using the Way of the Mipedian. "Excellent, young Majors. You truly mastered the Way of the Mipedian." Ankhyja said. "Thank you, Headmaster." Sidney said. Ankhyja smiled. "But there's still so much that I don't know about the Way of the Mipedian. Is there anything else you can teach me?" Sidney asked. "Actually, I'm glad you asked. Because there is much to learn about the Way of the Mipedian. And I think the best way to start your next lesson is with the knowledge of Mipedian Mugic." Ankhyja said. "Cool. When do we start?" Sidney asked. "Right now. Follow me to the Muge's Square. I know some Muges there who can help with this lesson." Ankhyja said, leaving the room. Sidney followed.
Later in Chaotic, a crowd was cheering at a match on the screen. Minnie and Robbie turned up and joined Gisele at their table, along with Nika. "Looks intense. Who's battling, Gisele?" Minnie asked. "Sidney. She's practically cleaning house with this guy." Gisele said. "I didn't know she had a match today." Minnie said. Robbie got a good look at the battle. "Is Sidney playing all Mipedians again?" He asked. "Yep. Her game's really improved since she won against me." Nika said. "She was a little shaky at first, but she's still got 3 Creatures left. The other guy only has Nakal left."
True to what Nika said, Sidney was battling as Brathe while her opponent was battling as the Danian Mandiblor Nakal in Danian Hall at Mount Pillar. Nakal was about to fire from his Liquilizer, but Brathe grabbed it with his Wind Whip and pulled it out of his hands, sending it out the door. But Nakal was far from beaten. He launched a Rock Wave, sending Brathe into the secret passage to the elevator shaft. Luckily, Brathe used his Wind Whip to grab onto a nearby root. "Eat fire, Mipedian!" Nakal shouted, throwing Flame Orbs at Brathe. 'I know how to get out of this. That Mugic Ankhyja showed me the other day- Now I remember!' Sidney thought, activating one of her new Mipedian Mugics. "Anthem of Oppression!" The Mugic played in key as it activated. Then a beam of light shined over Nakal. And since he was able to use fire and earth attacks, the Mugic caused twice the damage and coded him on the spot.
Everyone cheered in the Port Court. Even Robbie was impressed. "Sidney's turning into a great player using the Way of the Mipedian. Maybe even better than me." He said. Minnie, Gisele and Nika looked at him. "What? Not everyone can be a great player when using a single Tribe." Robbie said.
Later, back on Earth, Minnie and Gisele, after officially meeting her in school, caught up with Sidney. "Hey Sid. Why'd you book so fast after school?" Gisele asked. "I have a huge match in Chaotic tomorrow, and I wanna work on my strategy." Sidney said. "Guess you're going with all Mipedians again, right?" Minnie asked. "Right. I've been on a major winning streak since I started using the Way of the Mipedian. So, I'm sticking with them for now." Sidney said. "Hey, maybe we could go scanning in Perim tonight." Gisele suggested. "I was actually thinking the same thing." Sidney said. "Great! What do you wanna try for? Some new Mipedian Location scans?" Minnie asked. "No. I actually wanna get a scan of Prince Mudeenu to bulk up my Mipedian Creature deck for a lesson I learned from Headmaster Ankhyja. Where would be the best place to scan him when he's not at Al Mipedim or Kiru City?" Sidney asked. Minnie and Gisele thought about that for a second. "I know just the place." Gisele said.
Later in Chaotic, Minnie, Robbie, Gisele and Nika watched Sidney's match. "Yeah! Go MajorMudeenu!" Gisele cheered. "Sid's mastery of the Way of the Mipedian is really improving. I didn't think it was possible." Robbie said. "I don't know. She might not win this battle." Minnie said. Everyone looked at her. "Well, I mean look at who she's battling. CreatureConductor's an expert with his OverWorlders. And Sidney's practically a Mipedian newbie." Minnie explained. "True, but the odds are kinda in her favor. She's up 2 Creatures to 1, and her Mudeenu's tearing up Pouril Forest." Nika said.
Truth is, while Sidney was battling as Prince Mudeenu, CreatureConductor was battling as Maxxor's cousin, Prantix. Prantix grabbed Mudeenu with Squeeze Play and slammed him into the ground. Mudeenu recovered and prepared to attack, but Prantix quickly attack with Unsanity, making him dazed and confused. Prantix then attacked with Ember Swarm, sending Mudeenu into the trees. Mudeenu's energy dropped down to 10. 'Running low on energy. And I have no healing Mugic left. Wait. I equipped Mudeenu with a Flux Bauble! I'll use it to flux us to a whatever Mipedian Location is next in my deck and get energy to heal Mudeenu.' Sidney thought. But it was too late. Prantix fired an Earth Pulse and coded Mudeenu.
"Oh, darn it!" Minnie said. "And this time is the last time. Sidney only has Sobjek left, and CreatureConductor only has Prantix." Nika said. "Right. And Prantix is as tough as his cousin." Robbie said.
"Majorina, you're one of the best Mipedian players I've ever beaten." CreatureConductor said. "I'm not beaten yet." Sidney said, spinning her randomizer and landing on the final Location. "Mipedim Valley." "Sobjek attacks Prantix!" Sidney declared, tapping her Sobjek and transforming into the wise Mipedian Muge. CreatureConductor tapped his Prantix and transformed into the crazy cousin of Maxxor. "Want me to stand a bit taller when we battle to make things even?" He asked tauntingly. "That's okay. I'll be the one walking tall when I win." Sidney said.
At the Mipedim Valley, Sobjek proceeded with caution across the terrain. "No sign of Prantix yet. To win this I have to play wisely, just like a Muge." He said. He went invisible and prepared for wherever Prantix might show up. Just then, there was a loud humming sound, like helicopter blades. Sobjek looked to the sky and saw Prantix. Apparently, CreatureConductor equipped Prantix with a Flitflut, and he knew how to fly it. Prantix fired Pebblestorm from the Flitflut's cannon, hitting right near where Sobjek was standing. Sobjek dropped his invisibility and hopped from rock to rock to safety in a nearby cave. Prantix snickered, thinking he had the Mipedian Muge trapped, and flew down to finish him off. But then, Sobjek zoomed out of the cave, revealing that he was equipped with a Bronzeflight. Prantix followed him, firing more earth attacks from his Flitflut. Sobjek steered his Bronzeflight and dodged each attack as best as he could. Just then, he saw a cliff coming. 'It's now or never.' Sidney thought. She casted a Mugician to activate one of her Mugics. "Melody of Mirage!" The Mugic played in key as it activated and a light shined over Sobjek, creating multiple illusion copies of himself, making Prantix confused. Prantix fired Iron Balls from his Flitflut at the illusions, but none of them revealed the real Sobjek as the Mugic wore off. Just then, Sobjek's Bronzeflight zipped up out of nowhere, surprising Prantix. Sobjek smirked and fired Airize from his Bronzeflight, hitting Prantix's Flitflut and coding him from the explosion.
"The winner, Majorina." The Drome Master declared as Sidney transformed back. "Sidney did it! She's a true master of the Way of the Mipedian." Gisele said. "Not just any true master. The ultimate master of the Way of the Mipedian.
Afterwards, Sidney ported back to Al Mipedim and reported to Mudeenu, Oézaeria and Headmaster Ankhyja. "You have done well, Sidney Majors. You truly are the ultimate master of the Way of the Mipedian." Ankhyja said. "Thank you, Headmaster. I owe everything to your teachings." Sidney said. "Sid? Aren't you forgetting something?" Oézaeria asked, pointing to Sidney's scanner. "You- You want me to scan- Headmaster Ankhyja?" Sideny asked in shock. "I'd like to consider it a reward for your hard work and determination, Sidney." Ankhyja said. Sidney smiled, took her scanner and scanned Headmaster Ankhyja. "Thank you, Headmaster Ankhyja. I promise I'll put your scan to good use." She said. "I will hold you to that, young master." Ankhyja said, bowing to Sidney. Sidney bowed back.
