Team Wanderer Assembles
All I wish for is a ship and a star to sail her by. Willy Wonka, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (NOT the Johnny Depp one, mind you.)
Chapter 3: Constructing a Ship
"You could always come with us." TL offered, "Sylar and I were travelling the universe before we crash-landed here."
Xem seemed to think before saying, "I've got nothing here, so…" Xem grinned before saying, "You've got yourself a teammate!"
"One problem." Sylar stated, "Our ship's at the bottom of the ocean."
"No worries." Xem replied, "There's a junkyard filled with Gummi parts in it!"
"Looks like we're pretty much set." TL grinned.
"…Did he just say 'junkyard'?" Sylar simply asked.
"Unfortunately." TL replied, the magnitude of his friend's words finally getting SOME sort of reaction.
"It's not like we've got a lot of choice." Xem stated.
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The three then stood at the foot of a junkyard filled with various Gummi Blocks.
"This is a Gummi Ship maker's dream come true!" TL exclaimed before going from place to place in the Gummi Ship (A/N: You know. Anime-style!), "We'll be needing a BIG ship, 'cuz ya never know how many people will be here! And an adjustable size! PLENTY of guns! Easy to fly! DEFINITELY hyper-drive capabilities! AND we'll be needing the stuff for creature comforts!"
"He's on overload here…" Sylar stated.
"Soul, calm down a bit." Xem said, grabbing his friend by the scruff of his mane, "There's only so much you can put into a ship!"
"And I've got JUST the guy to put it all together!" TL grinned, nipping his left thumb and spreading the crimson liquid over his glove and gauntlet before slamming them together and putting it on Xem's shirt, "FICTORIAN SUMMONING!"
In a puff of smoke, a rat with green fur and appeared to be half machine popped up. It screamed before it landed on the ashen ground at Xem's feet.
"WHY did ya do that, bub?!" he asked, irritably.
"Good to see ya, too, Rattrap." TL replied, "Jeez, after a few months of not seeing each other, THIS is how ya reply? I OUGHTA DISMANTLE YA!"
"Like to see ya try!" Rattrap shot back.
"They look like they care." Xem stated.
"Why am I the only sane person here?" Sylar asked.
"Sy, you used to be a sadistic serial killer." TL said, "Call THAT sane?"
"What'd ya summon me for in the first place?!" Rattrap finally asked.
"We're building a ship because the one Sylar and I were travelling in is currently at the bottom of the sea." TL replied, "And the only qualifications I have for ship building is with LEGO blocks."
"Is that true?" Sylar asked.
"Yeah, pretty much." Replied Rattrap, "So…what Gummi Blocks will ya be needin'?"
"The basics: blasters, wings, engines, cockpits, but also living quarters, an adjustable size, and maybe a food court." TL explained. Rattrap gave the hedgehog a 'what the heck?' look as TL said, "Never ask me for instructions while I'm hungry."
"Fine…" Rattrap sighed as he jumped into the Gummi parts, "You guys will have to help me out here. I'm not exactly the strongest guy you'll ever meet."
"Sylar and TL have telekinesis and I've got enhanced strength." Xem stated, "Just tell us where ya need it."
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About two days of nonstop working later, the group took in the new ship—it looked a bit like a giant, red crock-pot with a blue needle-nose with an orange tip. Equipped with multiple cannons (four for single-shots, two for missiles, and one for a giant laser), a set of wings, a cockpit, and could be adjusted at will, it was ready to take off.
"There's your ship, fearless leader." Rattrap said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've gotta go!"
Rattrap clenched his eyes and strained. However, instead of vanishing in a puff of smoke, he just…stayed there.
"What the slag?! Why am I still here?!" Rattrap shouted.
"Uh…yeah, about that…" TL said, grinning sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head. Rattrap then noticed TL's other hand was holding the Hero Scroll.
"You DIDN'T…" Rattrap said, fearfully.
"Yeah, I did." TL replied, "I took your name out of the Hero Scroll. I figured we could use a good mechanic like you. You're also a handy hacker and, let's face it, if I bite my hand any more times, I'll pass out from blood-loss."
"SO, I'M STUCK HERE?!" Rattrap shouted.
"Yeah, pretty much." TL replied with a shaky laugh, "But it's a little late now…"
"Sometimes, I hate ya, hedgehog…" Rattrap growled.
"Rattrap, I've just gotta ask ya ONE thing…" TL said, in a serious voice, "Why did Ultimo-sensei make you my first summon?"
"To protect ya." Rattrap replied.
"What better way to protect me than in a way that means I don't have to cut open my hand or summon you at awkward times?" TL asked.
Rattrap gave an exasperated sigh before simply saying, "Yup, I've lost it…I AM TRANSFORMED!" in a burst of red light, Rattrap shifted into his robot form, which had two wheels for legs, kept a somewhat rodent-esque face, had a strange helmet, and a long tail. He held out a hand to TL, "I'm in."
TL grabbed Rattrap's hand before pulling the Maximal into a hug, "Glad to be with ya, old friend. And, just to tell ya, I appreciated it when you were one of my summons."
"Thanks for it, fearless leader." Rattrap replied.
"I take it that we're now becoming a team?" Sylar asked.
"Team? What makes ya say that?" SoulDude asked, releasing the Maximal.
"Well, we've got you, me, Xem, and Rattrap." Sylar replied, "A bit large to be just a small travelling group, wouldn't you say?"
"Point taken…" TL replied, "But, one thing's obvious, I'm not leading."
"Why would you say that?" Sylar asked.
"Can we talk at this point?" Xem asked.
"No." Sylar deadpanned.
"Every time I've led a group, it's ended up as a disaster." TL replied, "Plus, I don't GIVE orders. I'm better at TAKING them."
"This COULD be the first time you succeed." Sylar pointed out. TL simply shook his head. Sylar then asked, "If the opportunity came if you could run and save yourself while the rest of your team dies, would you take it?"
"Of course not, Sy. What do ya take me for?" TL asked.
"If you would, would you give your life for them?" Sylar asked.
"Yeah, I would."
"Would you do anything that will, intentionally, harm them?"
"Heck, no. And why're you asking…"
"Would you have no favorites amongst the team?"
"No, I wouldn't. I'd say they're all equal."
"And would you be a kind, caring leader to the rest of the team? Tend to them when they're injured, avenge them if they died, or treat them if they're ill?"
"Where's he getting all this stuff?" Xem asked.
"Because it's what the writer's havin' him say." Rattrap replied.
"Yeah, I WOULD, Sy! But, what're you getting at?" SoulDude asked.
"If you would or wouldn't do any of this, then I'd say you've just passed the test of being the leader." Sylar replied, "The question is…are you willing to go the distance?"
SoulDude breathed in and let out a long exhale. He thought LONG and HARD. After a while, he looked the serial killer, straight in the eye, and said…
"I'll do it." He immediately looked at the three members and said, "Sylar, you're my second-in-command. When I'm not in charge, YOU are."
"With pleasure." Sylar replied. The hedgehog was more easily swayed that he thought…
"Xem, you're our pilot. You could fly a Gummi without wings or thrusters and STILL manage light-speed. Understood?"
"Yeah, I get it." Xem replied.
"And Rattrap, you're our computer expert." TL finished, wheeling over to the Maximal, "You're the best hacker I've ever known, you even managed to get a computer hacked when D-Dude couldn't!"
"Sure thing, Whitey." Rattrap replied, saluting.
"Alright then!" TL grinned, walking over to the Gummi, "We take off in our new ship!"
"Yeah, but what's the name?" Xem asked, "I mean, we just got it and all. I think we should give it a name…"
TL thought. They made it in a junkyard and it looked a bit like a crock-pot. He smirked.
"It's called the Junkpot!" TL announced.
Rattrap and Xem's mouths fell open.
"Tell me that wasn't the name he chose…" Xem pleaded.
"Unfortunately, it was. He went to the lowest common denominator…" Rattrap moaned.
"But I think it's a bit TOO late to change his mind. Let's just get going." Sylar stated.
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Xem sat in the pilot seat before beginning to fiddle with the buttons.
"Alright, crew." The Roswellian said, "The 'strap in your seat-belts' and 'no smoking' signs are up and we're GOOD TO GO!"
This ship took off into the cosmos with a powerful BLAM!
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The moment the ship was steady enough to allow the passengers to walk around, TL began exploring the ship. He already laid claim to his room—the one closest to the cockpit.
He then entered what looked like a large dojo.
"Guess this is the training area." The Fictorian said, walking into the center, "This is probably as good as any to begin…"
TL slamming his hands together as red energy began to radiate from his body. His eyes snapped open, showing that they were no longer ocean blue, but red…like the Ultima's…
Thus ends the Roswell arc. Next up is Konoha, which has one of the fight scenes I've been longing to make!