Chapter 4: The Cove in The Bog

(Mud Bog Island)

Pit and Harpie Shantae landed on the island by the docks. After they landed, Pit deactivated the Power of Flight and Harpie Shantae changed back to regular Shantae. Then Shantae took a look at the ship parked at the docks.

Shantae- Yep, that's definitely Risky's boat.

Pit- You know, you still haven't told me how you know where on this creepy dark island Risky is heading if she is looking for the Devil's Egg.

Shantae- Before the Pirate Master was brought back by Tabuu, I came to this island to try and stop him from resurrecting. Didn't work since he resurrected…twice…Anyway, there was a strange cave that acted as a gate between the living and dead. They called it the Village of Lost Souls, but it was technically a gateway to hell. I could tell. In short, there must be a connection since the Devil's Egg is a backdoor out of hell.

Pit- Lady Palutena, do you see anything on this island?

Palutena (telepathically to Pit)- That artifact is invisible to my All-Seeing Eye of Palutena. Otherwise I wouldn't have asked Mimic to look up information on it.

Pit- Oh…

Suddenly, Shantae felt a strange sensation in her head and she almost fainted. Luckily, Pit caught her.

Pit- Shantae? Are you feeling ok…

(Shantae's vision)

A much younger version of the genies, Azra and Ruqayya, were rushing through the Mud Bog Island's creepiness until they approached this large rock covering a wall.

Young Azra- Ruqayya, let's hurry. Merlin will not be happy if he finds out we keep sneaking out to our secret hiding spot.

Young Ruqayya- Stop worrying so much, Azra! Let me just move this…

Ruqayya managed to push the rock out of the way and revealed a small opening for two young children to squeeze through.

Young Ruqayya- After you, sis.

Then the two genies crawled through the small opening in the stone wall. When they came out of the other end, the two arrived at a small cove.

Young Azra- Finally. Now we can play in our secret hiding spot again!

Then young Ruqayya pushed Azra in the back, but in a playful way.

Young Ruqayya- Tag! You're it!

Then the two girls began running around this secret cove.

(Back at Mud Bog Island)

Shantae snapped out of her daze, but she noticed that Pit was poker her with a stick.

Pit- Oh…you're awake now!

Palutena (telepathically to Pit)- I told you that was a bad idea, Pit.

Viridi (telepathically to Pit)- Actually, I think hearing Shantae's reaction to Pit's stick might be funny!

Pit- Oh, why are you here, Viridi?! To mess with me again?

Viridi (telepathically to Pit)- What can I say? It's what I live for, Pit!

Shantae- Just put the stick down.

Shantae got herself back up and rubbed her head.

Shantae- Had a strange vision. I thought I saw…was that my mother? Anyway, she appeared to have a secret place to play on Mud Bog Island when she was a little girl…and with Ruqayya of all genies…

Pit- Let's just find Risky Boots before she finds the Devil's Egg.

As Pit and Shantae began to move into the bog, a looming shadow appeared near the docks, obviously following them.

(Deeper in Mud Bog Island)

After exploring the island for a bit, Pit and Shantae arrived this this giant stone wall in the bog.

Pit- Damn! This place is almost as creepy as the Underworld. It feels like there's a presence of dark power from all around.

Shantae- Actually, this place was influenced by the Pirate Master's dark magic.

Pit- Guess that explains the black oozing creeps we've encountered.

Shantae- Hold on, Pit! This place looks…familiar…

Then Shantae noticed the rock conveniently placed right next to the stone wall. Shantae quickly moved the rock over and revealed a small hole opening in the wall.

Shantae- I knew I saw this place before! This was where my mother and Ruqayya came to play in my vision. This path must lead to that hidden grove. You think that's where the Devil's Egg is located?

Palutena (telepathically to Shantae)- Makes sense if Azra hid it in a place she had a personal connection to while at the same time being well hidden.

Pit- One problem with that, Lady Palutena. This hole is small. If Azra did come here, this tunnel was clearly made for a child to crawl through. It's too small for us to squeeze through.

Then Shantae performed a dance that transformed her into Snake Shantae.

Snake Shantae- I think I can fit through with this form.

Pit- But…what about me?

(Later in a hidden cove)

Snake Shantae slithered out of a tiny hole in the wall in the wall. But when Snake Shantae opened her mouth, a miniature Pit jumped out of her mouth.

Pit (more high pitch than usual)- Ok, now please change me back to normal size!

Viridi (telepathically to Pit)- I don't know. I'm liking you like this, Pit.

Pit (more high pitch than usual)- Not funny, Viridi!

Palutena (telepathically to Pit)- Don't worry. I've got you covered, Pit.

Then Pit returned to his normal size while Snake Shantae changed back to normal.

Pit- I assume that since Viridi is joining us, Pittoo will be showing up?

Viridi (telepathically to Pit)- I'm sure if Dark Pit heard that, he'd demand you not call him Pittoo. But anyway, I'm afraid I already sent Dark Pit to run an errand for me. However, should the situation escalate, I'm more than prepared to send him in. But right now, I'm just here for entertainment.

Shantae- Yep, this is the cove I saw in my vision. Actually nice looking for a spooky island like this one. Can't believe my mother and Ruqayya played here.

Palutena (telepathically to Shantae)- My head…I'm picking up a dark presence…yes, I can definitely sense the Devil's Egg nearby. This must've been where Azra hid it, in a place that must've meant a lot to her.

Shantae- Why would this place mean a lot to her? I mean, I saw Ruqayya in that vision.

Viridi (telepathically to Shantae)- I can understand your still angry with your crazy aunt. Don't blame you after all the damage she did in your story back during the last season. But it wasn't really Ruqayya's fault she ended up that way. She didn't choose to succumb to dark magic. Truth be told, it was Tabuu. 1,000 years ago, he convinced her to open a spell book containing dark genie magic and that corrupted her mind. It did ironically lead to Azra meeting Marco and Loewy and eventually joining the original team, but that wasn't the real Ruqayya who attacked you. Deep down, Azra still cared about her sister and still cherished the good times they had.

Pit- I see Viridi has a soft side after all. Who would've known with that bid ego of yours?

As Pit was about to begin searching the cove, a small root peeked out of the ground and actually caused Pit to trip and face plant into the sand.

Viridi (telepathically to Pit and sarcastically)- Goodness me. Where did that little root come from?

Pit pulled his head out of the sand, but to everyone's surprise, there was a large stone crammed in Pit's mouth.

Palutena (telepathically to Pit)- That's it! The Devil's Egg!

Viridi (telepathically to Pit)- Wow! That's one way to use that big mouth of yours, Pit.

Pit tried to protest at Viridi, but with the Devil's Egg in his mouth, all he could really do was mumble a bit.

Shantae- Uh…maybe we should get that out of Pit's mouth.

Either Palutena or Viridi made a pair of rubber gloves appear on Shantae's hands so she could pull the Devil's Egg out of Pit's mouth. Took a bit of force, but Shantae eventually managed to pray the Devil's Egg out of Pit's mouth. However, once the Devil's Egg came out, a smoke bomb appeared and surrounded Pit and Shantae with a cloud of smoke.

Pit- (Cough)…what's going on?

Shantae- Must be…(cough)…and ambush…

When the smoke cleared, the Devil's Egg was gone from Shantae's hand.

Shantae- What the?! The Devil's Egg…it's gone!

Risky Boots' voice- Over here.

Pit and Shantae turned around and saw Risky Boots standing near the hole while holding the Devil's Egg in her hand.

Shantae- Risky Boots!

Risky Boots- In the flesh.

Pit- Never mind that! She has the Devil's Egg!

Risky Boots- The Devil's Egg? Is that what this ruby is called? I just kept having dreams about this treasure and as a pirate, I never turn away from good treasure.

Pit- That ain't any kind of treasure you'd be interested. That's actually a dangerous artifact.

Risky Boots- Stuff it, you overgrown pidgin!

Pit- What? You're still mad I kicked your ass during last season?

Risky Boots- You just got lucky that time!

Pit- Guess we'll have to fight if we want to get the Devil's Egg back.

Shantae- Ok…but remember, we can't break it. Try to be careful.

Viridi (telepathically to Shantae)- Trust me, being careful is not one of Pit's strong points. Come to think of it, I don't think it was Icarus' best features either. In fact, Icarus was even worse than Pit in that department.

Pit- And I suppose he talked back at you whenever you got on his nerves too!

Viridi (telepathically to Pit)- Actually…he did…and Icarus was just as rude about it as you are, Pit.

Palutena (telepathically to Pit and Shantae)- Focus! I don't think I need to remind you of what will happen in that thing breaks.

Pit- Understood, Lady Palutena.

Risky Boots fired her pistol at them, but Pit and Shantae dodged. Pit pulled out his First Blade and rushed at Risky. Risky Boots blocked with her sword.

Risky Boots- Not using your bow this time?

Pit- I'm good at handling any kind of weapon.

Then Monkey Shantae used her acrobatic skills to get in close and managed to knock the Devil's Egg out of Risky Boots' hand while she was distracted with Pit. Risky Boots kicked Monkey Shantae and knocked her to the ground, changing her back to regular Shantae at the same time. However, Pit swung the First Blade and knocked Risky's sword out of her other hand. Risky Boots rushed to try and get her sword back, but Pit fired a shot from his First Blade to stop her. Risky ducked underneath the ranged shot, but it hit the Devil's Egg as it was falling back down.

Pit- …oops…

Viridi (telepathically to Pit)- Oops?! You just destroyed the Devil's Egg! I'm sure you know what that will now mean, dumbass!

Palutena (telepathically to Pit)- This is bad…really bad…

Suddenly, a black cloud of smoke erupted from the shattered remains of the Devil's Egg as the sky also turned dark.

Demonic voice- Finally! After all these years…I'm finally able to cross over to this world!

Then a shadowy figured could be seen emerging from the black smoke.