Chapter 18

"That was Supreme Starman," Robert said.
"So, that's the one," Jeff commented.
There was an obvious tone of anger in his voice. So far Supreme Starman had incapacitated Ness and killed Poo. Jeff wanted to make him pay for all of that in spades.
"He seemed to be in a rush," Robert noticed, "Too bad we can't just up and fly away like that."
"Well, it may not be entirely wise to try and draw him into a fight as of yet," Jeff cautioned, "He definitely is a skilled fighter."
"You have fought against advanced Starmen in the past," Robert pointed out.
"I did have some help," Jeff reasoned.
"Right," Robert replied, "Gotta fight PSI with PSI, don't we?"
Jeff gave Robert a curious look, but remained silent.
"So waht exactly should we do?" Robert asked, "I can tell this isn't the kind of place you can easily attack."
"Indeed it is not," Jeff said, "I was more or less hoping to gather substantial information and relay it back to the others. Sadly, I do not feel that we have the necessary power to infiltrate and disable Stonehenge right now. It was nearly impossible to do so twenty years ago. I can't imagine it exists now without some improvements."
"So we need to muster together a small army of sorts," Robert noted, "It's a shame I'm so far from Berk right now. If I could contact them, I'm sure they'd be a big help to us."
Jeff looked down with wonder. He knew Berk was destroyed, and he know he should probably tell Robert about it, but he was worried about what Robert may do. He could tell Robert was very honorable and loyal, and his fierce loyalty to his people may drive him to doing something that would only lead to his death. No, for now at least, Jeff knew that he must remain silent. There would be time later for mournign Berk's destruction.
"It's a mook," Robert said.
Jeff's head snapped up as he looked at the mook emerging from Stonehenge's entrance.
Jeff was able to notice some differences in this mook from the other mooks he has seen. This one was somewhat taller. It was a very dark shade of red. It's tentacles were longer than most mooks and it seemed to move with a grace not known among the rest of the mooks.
"He's heading into a cave beyond Stonehenge," Robert pointed out.
"Into that cave?" Jeff said shakily.
"Do you think we should follow him?" Robert asked.
Jeff moved out from behidn the tree and tried to get a better look. His mind was racing with the possibilities, with none of them being good.
Suddenly, an alarm blared around them.
"UNAUTHORIZED BIO-FORMS DETECTED! UNAUTHORIZED BIO-FORMS DETECTED!"
"They have sensors!" Jeff gasped, "We have to move!"
"ACTIVATE SECURITY BOTS!"
Up the path from where Jeff and RObert stood, the ground opened up into tiny holes. Robots sprung out of the holes, holding guns and quickly scanning the nearby area with their red visors.
"We have to hide," Jeff hissed, "We cannot risk a fight. There's no telling what else may be inside Stonehenge that we would awaken."
Robert and Jeff quickly went ot the corner of the canyon and hunkered down within the snow banks, praying that they would not be discovered by the searching robots.

Shendi had to fly high above the ground in order to have somewhat of a clear view. The shadow of the Deep Darkness seemed to extend high into the air as well as covering the ground below.
Finally, Shendi spotted a patch of light. He soared down and landed on the moist soil.
"So, this is the entrance," Shendi mused, "It's of little wonder why few are capable of finding it."
A wild n' Wooly Shambler soon touched down next to him.
"You have your orders," Shendi said, "There shouldn't be any opposition standing in our..."
"HIIIII-YAH!"
"...way?" Shendi finished.
As he spoke, serveral small bluish blurs soared overhead and landed on all sides of Shendi and the Wild n' Wooly Shambler.
"Identify yourself, stranger!" one figure demanded, "Few come to these lands, and I would hope that you do not intend on coming here as foe!"
"Tendas," Shendi identified, "Unusually loud ones at that."
"We have come to greatly overcome the timidness that was our past," one Tenda declared, "Now, do as we say, identify yourself!"
"As you wish," Shendi replied, "Whirlwind Pforce!"
Strong winds suddenly raidiated from Shendi's spot. This caught the Tendas off guard and send them tumbling across the ground.
"I am Shendi," Shendi introduced, "And it is you who would do well not to be a foe in my path."
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Shendi spun around to see another group of Tendas leaping through the air, various weapons raised above their heads.
"Foolish, little creatures," Shendi spat as he raised his hand, "Deflector Pforce."
"Barrier!" the Tendas yelled.
Yellow sparks suddenly shot out around the Tendas as Shendi's attack was knocked away.
"What?" Shendi murmured.
He barely had time to process it though as he jumped away as the Tendas swung their weapons. A few hit the Wild n' Wooly Shambler, knocking it down. It screeched in reply and shot out a series of beams which blew some Tendas away.
"Quaint," Shendi complimented, "But ultimately inferior."
Some Tendas jumped at Shendi, but he leapt high into the air and floated over them.
"I would move if I were you," Shendi said to the Wild n' Wooly Shambler, "I doubt the master would want the plan to be delayed because I have to wait for a replacement Shambler."
The Wild n' Wooly Shambler quickly joined Shendi in the air.
"Now, watch carefully, "Shendi began, "Chaos Pforce!"
Shendi waved his hand through the air, and the ground below was suddenly rocked with several explosions. The fish in the swampy waters of the Deep Darkness fled to deeper waters and the leaves on the trees fell off in response to the tremor. The dust slowly settled and Shendi smiled.
"I think that should stifle any future annoyances," he said, "Now, onward!"
Shendi hurried into the Tenda caves, followed by the Wild n' Wooly Shambler.
The remaining Tendas inside seemed to suddenly remember how shy they once were and anxiously retreated into that state.

Mako, Brian, Angela, and Kayla slowed down as the teleportation ended.
"Hmm, I was hoping to land right at Ness' house," Mako said, "But it's harder to judge where you're going to land when you're taking so many people with you."
"Are we far?" Angela asked.
"Not too far," Mako said, "Ness' childhood house is actually just up the road from here, but he's in a new neighborhood just northeast of downtown Onett. I guess it's about a mile from here."
"Guess we should get going then," Brian said, "Pokey had quite a head start when he escaped from Twoson."
"I just hope we can stop him in time," Kayla said, "And then I think seeing Ness will help us out some. He may know more information that will help me find Michael."
"He just may," Mako said, "Jeff was going to head back to his lab and attempt to gather more information on the enemy. Perhaps he's learned more since I left."
"So this is where it all began," Angela marveled, "That hightop over there is where the meteorite hit."
"And now it all comes back here," Mako said, "Sort of fitting when you think about it."
"It still feels so weird to me," Brian commented, "I just never imagined experiencing something like this."
"Same here," Kayla said, "I just wanted to find Michael, but more and more I'm seeing that there's so much more going on. It's mind-blowing."
"It's destiny," Mako said, "Same as before."
"It's cool," Angela remarked, "All the stuff I've read about the Chosen Four. We're actually living it now, aren't we?"
"Guess so," Brian sighed.
Kayla stopped walking and looked towards the trees.
"What is it?" Angela asked.
"I thought I just saw..." Kayla began, "Nevermind. It's nothing."
The four kept walking on.

Georg moved deeper into the woods next to the path Brian, Angela, Mako, and Kayla were walking on.
So, they're all here, he thought, Judging by the direction they're heading, their goal must be to seek counsel with Ness. Musn't waste anymore time then. Georg hurried to the edge of the woods and came to a rocky cliff. He flew into the air to the upper paths. Georg scanned around the vicinity. He knew that what he was looking for was nearby.
"There," he said aloud as he noticed his destination.
He flew over to a small valley and landed next to the large phenomenon known as "Giant Step".

"Over there is Ness' neighborhood," Mako announced.
"No sign of Pokey yet," Kayla noticed, "Not sure if that's a good thing or not."
Brian then felt a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. He felt this feeling before, and it was usually for a good reason. Suddenly, before his eyes, he could see him aiming his murderous hands at them all, and the beams being fired, and the explosion.
"Get down!" Brian yelled!
On instinct, everyone dropped to the ground. As they did, a large energy beam soared past them and curved up into the sky.
"Drat!" Pokey cursed as he stepped out from behind a nearby tree.
"Well, I guess we found him," Kayla moaned.
"This stalking that you're doing of me really has got to end," Pokey said.
He noticed Brian getting up and cocked his eyebrows.
"So you're here too?" Pokey commented, "How interesting, and the other boy could be a spitting image of that Poo character that hung out with the pig's butt. No doubt you're his son. I guess fate is choosing more annoying children to try and save the world."
"Well, this isn't about any of that right now," Kayla said, "This is about stopping you."
"I'd love to play," Pokey replied, "But I do have a prior engagement."
"Exactly," Mako said. "You are not going to be visiting with Ness today," Mako declared, "Not while we're here."