Chapter 27: The Mother of Matches
In the Tirasis Drome, Sidney was battling against a little girl player named Cassandra. The little player had won the last battle. Both players were down to their last Creatures. Sidney had Akkrean, and Cassandra had Arkanin. "Nice move, Cassandra. I wasn't expecting a Micro-Mash attack." Sidney said. "Thanks, Miss Sidney. That Coil Crush you used at Skeletal Springs was awesome too." Cassandra said. "Cassie!" A voice called. Cassandra looked at her scanner, seeing that her mother, Marge, had called. "What did Mommy say about making friends in Chaotic?" Marge asked. "Not until after the match. Sorry, Mommy." Cassandra said. "That's right. Now get your game face on!" Marge said. Cassandra glared. Sidney glared back with a smile.
Cassandra spun her Location randomizer, landing on the next Location card in her deck. "The next Location, Mipedian Dew Farm." The Drome Master announced. "Arkanin attacks Akkrean." Cassandra declared. She tapped her Arkanin and transformed into the bird-like Mipedian. Sidney tapped her Akkrean and transformed into the big bird. "Let's get Chaotic." Cassandra said.
At the Mipedian Dew Farm, Akkrean dropped down by the little wreckage near the watering stone. "Playing hide 'n' seek, are we? Okay. I can play." He said, forming a Wind Whip in his hand. Nearby, Arkanin peaked from inside the wreckage.
At the Port Court, Minnie, Gisele and Nika were watching the match. "Uh oh. Sid better be careful." Minnie said. "No kidding. That little girl is one tough cookie." Nika said. "You'd gotta be if you had a mom like that." Gisele whispered. Marge sat close by. "You got this, Cassie. This is your moment." She said with confidence.
Akkrean continued on. But then, he sensed something. As he turned around, Arkanin burst out of the wreckage and attacked with Sandstrike. The attack sent Akkrean into the sand, burying him.
(Intro)
Arkanin walked towards where he buried Akkrean. "Sorry, Miss Sidney. But I guess you just couldn't stand being in the sand." He gloated. Just then, a Windslash burst from the sand and hit Arkanin. Then Akkrean bust out. "Don't be so sure. I practically grew up playing in my sandbox." He said. "Well, you're in my sandbox now. Confusion!" Arkanin shouted, firing a blue beam from his head. Akkrean jumped into the air, dodging the attack.
"You got him now, Cassie! Hit him with a Turbulence Funnel!" Marge called. "Geez. That mother sure enjoys Chaotic way too much." Minnie said. "So, I've heard." Nika said, cleaning her ear with her pinkie.
Akkrean fired a Cyclone Slam. Arkanin fired back with Power Pulse. Unfortunately, the cyclone redirected the pulses back at Arkanin, knocking him to the ground.
"Ugh! Come on, Cassie! Don't let that big chicken push you around!" Marge called.
Arkanin tried to launch another attack, but Akkrean pushed him back with Whirling Winds.
"You can't keep keeping your guard up for the whole match!" Marge called. "How does she know? And since when do they let mothers like that into Chaotic?" Gisele asked. "Actually, she's not just a mother. I did some research on her. She's a player from Sidney's parents' generation. QueenMarge. One of the toughest Mipedian players ever. And when her daughter started coming to Chaotic, Marge became her coach so that she could live up to her mother's legacy." Minnie explained.
Akkrean whipped his Wind Whip, trying to strike Arkanin. But Arkanin knocked it out of his hand with Lucky Shot. He then fired a Slowsand at Akkrean's feet, causing him to start sinking in the sand.
"That's it, Cassie! Just like I taught you!" Marge said, dancing in celebration.
"Hurlicane!" Akkrean shouted, firing an orb of air energy at Arkanin, knocking him back. As Arkanin recovered, he formed a little stone in his hand. "This Citadel Lodestone will grant me usage of earth attacks!" He said. Akkrean managed to pulled himself free from the sand. "Vigorous Gust!" He fired several streams of wind from his hands. Arkanin dodged and fought back with Pebblestorm.
"Hit her with a Gravel Grind, Cassie!" Marge called.
Arkanin blasted a Gravel Grind, hitting Akkrean in the shoulder.
"Come on, Cassie! One more and she's code!" Marge called, now working a sweat.
Akkrean grabbed Arkanin with Squeeze Play and delivered a Lightning Burst, coding Arkanin in a second.
Marge was shocked and disappointment. "Lucky brat." She grumbled.
Sidney and Cassandra had exited the Drome and were heading back to the Port Court on the moving sidewalk. "Really. That was the toughest match I've ever had in a while. You did great, Cass." Sidney said. "Thanks." Cassandra said sadly. "Hey, don't look so down. You almost beat me." Sidney assured, putting a comforting arm on Cassandra's shoulder. Cassandra smiled at this, but felt her smile drop, knowing how her mother will react to her loss.
They later reached the Port Court and walked to their respective tables. "Nice win, Sid." Minnie said. "Yeah. Good move, putting Akkrean on your battle team and giving him a Wind Whip." Gisele said. "Yeah, that bird is one mean battler with those air attacks." Nika said.
"I guess I messed up. Sorry Mom." Cassandra said. "Sorry never wins a match." Marge said strictly. "The problem is that you're thinking too much. You need to be more physical when it comes to battling in the Dromes. If you played like I taught you, you would've obliterated Majorina just like I obliterated her mother." That last part caught Sidney's ears as she and her friends listened closely. "I don't know how you can beat a CodeMaster if you can't beat a 3rd rate player like her!" Marge said.
Boy, that got Sidney mad. "That's it!" She got up from her seat and marched over to Marge. "Excuse me! Not that it's any of my business, but I think your daughter's a great player. And I'm not a 3rd rate player!" She scolded. "You're right. Your mother was 3rd rate. You're a 4th rate player compared to her." Marge said. "Hey! You don't know who you're talking to here!" Minnie said as she, Gisele and Nika joined their friend. "Yeah. Sidney's a great player too. She even beat CodeMaster Amzen!" Nika said. "Please. She just got lucky because Amzen's a girl." Marge said. "Oh, and you're the expert all of a sudden?" Sidney asked mockingly. "I've battled plenty. With the cards, online and in the Dromes. I've even battled your mother several times when we were your age. She'd win some, I'd win others. But she could never be superior to me." Marge boasted.
"Well, if you think you're so superior, let's see how you do against me!" Sidney said. That shocked everyone. "You're challenging me?!" Marge asked. "That's right." Sidney said. "Very well then. Been a while since I've had a good match. You're on, Majorina." Marge said, getting up from her seat. Both girls glared at each other. Cassandra suddenly got worried.
Later in the Oron Drome, Sidney and Marge prepared their decks. 'So, this lady thinks because she beat my mom numerous times, she thinks she's superior to my family? Well, wait 'til she sees what I can do.' Sidney thought as she looked over her deck. She had put Quadore, Frafdo, Lomma, Neffa, Blazier and Verlina on her team.
Minnie, Gisele and Nika watched from their table. Cassandra sat with them on Minnie's lap. "Too bad Robbie has the flu and couldn't come today. He would've killed to see this." Gisele said. Minnie noticed Cassandra still looking worried. "You okay there?" She asked. "I'm just worried for your friend. I've studied my mommy's old matches. She's really good." Cassandra said. "Maybe. But Sid's just as good. Just you wait and see." Nika said.
"Players, lock your decks." The Drome Master instructed. Sidney and Marge locked their decks and revealed their teams. Marge had put Melke, Malvadine, Siado, Uro, Sobjek and Marquis Darini. "QueenMarge, because you had been challenged by Majorina, you will attack first. Activate the Location randomizer." The Drome Master instructed. Marge spun her randomizer, landing on the first Location. "The first Location, Darkened Dunes. Choose your attacking Creature and its target." Marge looked through the frontlines. "Malvadine attacks Lomma!" She declared. She tapped Malvadine and transformed into the Mipedian warrior. Sidney tapped Lomma and transformed into the female gazelle. "Whoo! Almost forgot how good it feels to transform into a Creature." Marge said, stretching out her arms. "Let's get Chaotic!"
At the Darkened Dunes, Malvadine trailed across the hard dark sand, forming an Entropy Modulator on his wrist. Lomma peaked down from a hardened wave. 'Ha-ha. Let's cool Momma down with a Hail Storm.' Sidney thought. Lomma fired a Hail Storm at Malvadine, knocking him to the ground. He quickly recovered and turned around as Lomma hopped down near him. She fired Riptide, pushing Malvadine back down. Lomma continued pushing on her attack. But little did she know, Malvadine raised his arm, readying an attack. He let loose a Lightning Burst, directing it across the water and shocking Lomma, coding her in a second.
Sidney glared as Marge transformed back. "Whoo! That was exhilarating! I haven't felt the joy of victory in years!" Marge cheered. 'I gotta beat this woman. I gotta usurp the queen.' Sidney thought. She spun her randomizer, landing on the next Location. "The next Location, Skeletal Springs. "Frafdo attacks Uro!" Sidney declared.
Frafdo, armed with the Gigantroper, stomped through Skeletal Springs, looking for Uro. "What's the matter, Marge? Afraid my Gigantroper is too big to handle?" Frafdo called. Just then, he heard a noise. He looked up and saw something in the sky. Uro was equipped with a Windstrider. Uro started firing Hail Storm, hitting both Frafdo and the Gigantroper. Frafdo had the Gigantroper fire back with its Gatling Blast. Uro steered his Windstrider to avoid the incoming blasts. He then fired a Power Pusle, but Frafdo countered with the Gigantroper's Energy Blast. Frafdo then tried a new feature. He made a hand pose and shot a grappling hook from the Gigantroper's wrist, hooking onto the Windstrider. That shocked Uro. Frafdo smiled and fired another Energy Blast at the Windstrider. The attack made the Windstrider catch fire. Uro smirked and steered his burning BattleGear towards the Gigantroper. He leapt out as the Windstrider crashed in the Gigantroper's face. Frafdo was about to attack again, but then the giant robot started to wobble until it fell forwards. Frafdo braced himself as it landed on top of him, coding him.
Marge transformed back, smiling proudly. "Now that was a win fit for a queen." She said. Sidney growled with frustration.
Marge's attack. "Melke attacks Blazier." In the New Mipedim Tropics, Melke blasted Granite Balls at Blazier, knocking him out of a tree. He got coded as he hit the bottom.
Sidney's attack. "Neffa attacks Sobjek!" In Glacier Plains, Neffa attacked with Demon Eyes. But Sobjek just swatted them away with his Staff of Wisdom and blasted Neffa with Night Strike, coding him.
Marge's attack. "Siado attacks Quadore." At Ravanaugh Ridge, Siado blasted Quadore with a Power Pulse, coding her as she hit the ground.
"Don't take it so hard, little Majors. Anybody can lose 5 battles in a row." Marge said. "Of course, I've never lost that many when I battled your mom, but-" "I don't need you to cheer me up with your boasting!" Sidney snapped. "Oh, did I get little Majorina mad?" Marge asked mockingly. "Oh, you did that way before this match by smack talking my mother. And now you're gonna pay for it." Sidney said. Marge chuckled. "I highly doubt your Verlina can stand against my Mipedians by herself." She said. "Oh, just wait and see." Sidney said.
Sidney's friends watched with awe. "Oh, your mom's in trouble now, Cass." Nika said. Cassandra kept her focus on the screen with interest.
"Majorina, it is your attack." The Drome Master said. Sidney spun her randomizer, landing on the next Location. "The next Location, Fear Valley." "Verlina attacks Melke." Sidney declared.
At Fear Valley, Melke got scared from the monster shaped mountain. Then, Verlina leapt out of the mouth and shouted. Melke ran as Verlina launched a Tempest of Terror. Melke tripped and screamed as the demon heads hit him and coded him.
Marge's attack. "Sobjek attacks Verlina!" At Al Mipedim, Sobjek fired a Delerium from his Staff of Wisdom. But Verlina jumped out of the way and blinded him with Hail Storm. When the snow cleared, Sobjek saw that Verlina landed behind him. Verlina then hit Sobjek with Torrent of Water, coding him.
Sidney's attack. "Verlina attacks Siado!" In Castle Pillar, Siado attacked with Cyclone Slam. Verlina slashed through the winds with Slashclaw and shouted with Megaroar, sending Siado into a trap. The trap smushed Siado, coding him.
Marge's attack. "Uro attacks Verlina!" At Queen's Gate, Uro came in with his Windstrider, firing with Power Punch. But Verlina broke through the attack with Mind Strike, coding Uro.
Sidney's attack. "Verlina attacks Malvadine!" At Jade Pillar, Verlina and Malvadine struggled against each other. Malvadine was close to pushing Verlina over the edge of the platform. But then, Verlina supersized her arms and threw Malvadine over the edge. Malvadine was coded as he landed in the water.
"There's no way you can beat me, Marge. This isn't just for me. This is for my mom!" Sidney said. "I'll admit that you might be a bit better than your mother. But that doesn't mean that you'll win this match. Because your Verlina's gonna explode into code." Marge said. "My Verlina hasn't lost a battle yet!" Sidney said. "That's because she hasn't battled Marquis Darini yet. Verlina may be Maxxor and Intress' daughter, but my Marquis Darini is one of the toughest Mipedian soldiers ever. You'll never beat him." Marge said.
Marge attacked Verlina with Marquis Darini in Gloomuck Swamp. Verlina fired Pebblestorm, but Marquis Darini blocked it with Tornado Tackle. "Seriously? I thought this Location was supposed to boost your earth attacks, not bore me to death." Darini said. Verlina just growled. "Too bad you couldn't put up a better fight than your mother." Darini said, preparing his final attack. Verlina got ready. Darini fired a Cyclone Slam. But suddenly, the attack was blocked. The air cleared, revealing that Verlina was equipped with an Aquatic Familiar. That shocked Darini. "An Aquatic Familiar?! Where did you get that?!" He asked. "While I was preparing for my match with your daughter, I ported to the Riverlands and scanned it." Verlina said. "No matter. It won't be enough to stop me." Darini said. "Torrent of Flame!" He fired a stream of fire from his hand. Verlina blocked it with the Aquatic Familiar. "Whirl Wreck!" She spun around, creating a whirlpool tornado, sending Darini flying into a tree. "Is that all you got?" Darini growled. "Not nearly. Flood Force!" Verlina shouted, firing an orb of water at Darini. The orb exploded into a big wave, hitting Darini and coding him.
At the Port Court, the girls toasted Sidney's victory. "Nice work in there, Sid." Minnie said. "You really sent Marge packing with her tail between her legs." Nika said. "Thanks. But I think it could've gone either way." Sidney said. "I should say so." Marge's voice said. The girls turned to see Marge and Cassandra standing behind them. "What do you want?" Gisele asked. "I- I wanted to apologize for my behaviour in the Drome." Marge said, shocking the girls. "I realized I was setting a bad example for Cassie when I was boasting about being superior." Sidney listened well. "The truth is, your mom was one of the best players I've ever played against. And so are you." Marge said. Sidney stepped up to her and held out her hand. "If you or Cassie ever want a rematch, just call me." She said. Marge smiled and accepted the hand, shaking it. Minnie, Gisele, Nika and Cassandra smiled at the sight.
