Chapter 8 — The Worth of Gravel

Once Canyon got back with the Bean Titans, the group were led by Hippity to a special pyramid. It had a giant "B" engraved on all four sides of it.

"I don't see a Tower." Hippie said.

"That's because this one isn't one. This is our base, son." Hippity replied.

"What? A tomb is our base?" Fancy said.

Hippity sighed, leading the Titans to the front entrance. He opened the door. "What say you now?"

The inside of the base was like Las Vegas away from Las Vegas, as the Main Hall had a casino's environment: a few bars, a giant pool in the center (to add on), and slot machines everywhere... to name a few things, at the least.

Many of the Bean Titans were blown away by the sight of the Main Hall.

"All right Titans," Sweet said, "I don't mean to ruin the fun, but don't get too excited now. The tour has to go on. Angels, hop to it."

After his words, Dotty immediately went to the super-computer room for the data share business.

Moments later, Mystic gasped while mentally scouting the area in her crystal ball.

"What's wrong?" Aurora asked.

"Wrinkle's already onto us. He sent Scurry near here... with an esper." Mystic responded.

"What does it look like?" Dotty asked.

Mystic tried to mentally picture it again. "It has a golden headpiece on its white hair... a man-like torso... and big arms." She showed the image of it in the crystal ball.

"The earth esper... Hashmal, Bringer of Order!" Dotty told them. "Relation: Leo the Lion."

"You guys go on with the tour. Leave them to me." Hippity said.

"Are you insane?" Fancy exclaimed, knowing that Scurry specializes in fighting heavy hitters—disregarding Hashmal. Scurry has never lost to anyone with the earth element.

"If not anyone else in the Titans, I want to be one to show Scurry up."

"What about the esper?" Kuku asked.

"I'll deal with him too."

"All right, Hippity. We'll be at the Tower in Spain. Mac, stay here to warp him to your hometown." Sweet said.

"Got it." Mac replied.

Soon, all of the Bean Titans left matters in the hands of Hippity and Mac.

The two of them exited the Pyramid Base.

"Ugh... how much more trouble could these espers give us? A few of are nearly dying because of them alone, regardless of the fact that someone is commanding them." Mac rambled.

Hippity was a little silent. "Mac, listen..." Hippity began.

"What?"

"I know we've had our differences and fights in the past—some worse than others... I just want you to know that I'm sorry about it all."

Mac still wore his calm, yet stagnant look. "It's fine, man. Stuff happens. For that, I apologize for my carelessness."

Hippity looked far out to see two silhouettes, one bigger than the other, moving towards the base. "Can you do me a favor, then? Leave both of them to me, okay? If I have nothing left, come and get me."

"All right. Good luck."

Hippity's power suddenly bursted, as he immediately zoomed out towards the two foes. After jumping up, he equipped his Armor of the Mantle—an armor made of solid stone from condensed magma from the Earth's mantle layer. Though it makes him a bit slower, his moves are more powerful and his defense is increased.

Scurry saw Hippity in the air, falling down towards himself and Hashmal like a meteor.

"Hashmal, look alive!" Scurry warned him.

Hashmal looked up to see Hippity, but it was too late, as Hippity connected with a Meteor Crush (super-strong, ground-shaking punch) to Hashmal's head. The after-effect created a 50-yard long crater in the sand dunes.

Scurry got up, after getting caught in the quake. "Whoa." he said.

Hippity jumped to the other end of the crater, seeing Hashmal get up from the punch. "I see you still have some fight in ya." Hippity said.

Hashmal immediately ambushed Hippity with its powerful Quakeja attack, breaking Hippity's Mantle armor and sending him into the sand behind him.

Hippity emerged from the sand a few seconds later. "Breaking my Mantle armor... that's a first. If I take another hit like that, I'll be broken."

"Just finish him, Hashmal. Big moves aren't necessary." Scurry told the esper.

Hashmal responded by using its common move Roxxor—where he formed a giant boulder and threw it at his target.

"Playtime's over." Hippity said. He then used his geokinesis (movement of the earth) to condense the boulder into sand and move it along with all the sand around them, to cover Hashmal in a great pile of sand. "Sand Burial" were the next words to come out of Hippity's mouth, as he closed his fist, causing the sand to implode, crushing Hashmal with it. It was done.

A yellow crest flew away from Scurry and into Hippity's body.

"No!" Scurry yelled, rushing in an effort to get the crest back.

"Cataclysm." Hippity whispered, using his best move with the last of his energy. Then both he and Scurry fell down to the ground.

Mac warped in and put his wing on Hippity, prepared to warp out and catch up with the rest of the Bean Titans.

"Good fight... *looks at Scurry* nah, he can stay here." Mac murmured, teleporting himself and Hippity to the Titans.

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