Chapter 5: Om Nom Nom
The Choten and one of his minions were in the San Campion sewers, looking for a certain creature. "Have you located the creature?" The Choten asked. "Target is in sight. Creature 52767. It's a big one. In range." The minion said as he tore open a portal with his tech gauntlet. The Choten held up an aspiration biopsy syringe gun as the minion forcefully summoned a big darkness creature. A giant dark green worm with a copper underbelly, 2 sets of mouths, tiny horns and giant metal mandibles called a Venom Worm. The worm screeched in anger as the Choten approached it. "Now hold still, my little Venom Worm." The Choten said as he prepared to inject the syringe into the worm. But then he stopped, sensing someone approach from behind. "Nigel, you old bean. You don't mean to take me on by yourself again, do you?" He asked. "Not this time, no." Nigel said as he, Hector, Nadia and the Kazamas revealed themselves, ready with Ra-Vu, Rusalka, Gillaflame, Grove Protector, Citizen Tokori and Haven's Elite. The Choten put the syringe back into his jacket and put on his tech gauntlet. "Oh, very well. Destroy them." He said, taking control of Venom Worm.
"Gillaflame, strike back!" Hector exclaimed. Gillaflame leapt up and started slashing at Venom Worm. "Grove Protector, root sprout!" Sakura exclaimed. Grove Protector dug his arms into the ground and attacked the Venom Worm from underneath, striking its underbelly with his roots. Kaito and Miku motioned their arms simultaneously as Citizen Tokori and Haven's Elite attacked the Venom Worm together, striking it with their weapons. During this, Nadia noticed the minion tearing open another portal. "Rusalka, stop him." She said. Rusalka flew over and whacked the minion with his tail, knocking him out and removing the gauntlet's claws. But the portal remained torn open. Nadia and Nigel turned Rusalka and Ra-Vu's attention to the Choten. Rusalka attacked with his tail and Ra-Vu with his lightning attacks, but the Choten conjured a mana shield to protect himself from the attacks. But he was pushed back, losing the syringe in the process. Behind him, an unseen silhouetted creature crossed through the portal and took off. Rusalka flew up to the Venom Worm's head and hit it with a psionic attack, making it screech in pain. Ra-Vu fired a lightning attack into its open mouth, making it disappear.
Afterwards, Nadia found the syringe and picked it up. "Come! They couldn't have gone far!" Hector exclaimed, preparing to take off down a tunnel. Nadia and the Kazamas prepared to follow "Stop, all of you! Healing the breach is our immediate concern. And I advise against taking on the Choten." Nigel said. He motioned his body and sealed the teared portal. Hector, Nadia and the Kazamas didn't want to say anything, but they sometimes grew tired of Nigel's concern for healing breaches in the Veil over going after the Choten. But the little creature who escaped ate its way through a metal fence and started several fires through the forest as it made its way towards the local neighborhood.
(Intro)
As the fires continued spreading towards town, Ray, Jen and their group were walking down the street. "Hey, guys, check out the fires." Ray said, noticing the fires. "Already tracking them via online satellite application." Gabe said, tracking the fires with his phone. "Of course, you are." Terry groaned, knowing how dedicated Gabe is to his phone. "Weird. There's no fire line. It's like spot fires are just randomly erupting. Random, but obviously related. Must be Creature Realm related causes. It's the only logical explanation." Gabriel deduced, making the girls yawn. "Uh, that's the only logical explanation? Not Sunday barbeques gone wild?" Allie asked sarcastically. "Not unless there happens to be a big meat riot to go with it." Portia joked. "You guys are just jealous because I'm always 3 steps ahead of you." Gabe said. But he didn't see the tree in front of him as he walked into it. Ray, Jen and Terry face palmed themselves as the girls snickered. "Ow."
Later, the kids arrived at the temple and were brought up to speed by Hector and Janet as they brought them to Nigel, Nadia and the Kazamas. "It's a minor situation. The fires started very close to where we just sealed a breach in the Veil." Hector explained. "Yeah, we saw the smoke on our way over." Greta said. "I would think creature related causes." Allie said. "Yeah. Maybe Fire Civilization?" Terry guessed. Gabe glared at them for stealing his deduction. "Very perceptive, children. Our security surveillance in San Campion confirms this." Nigel said. "You have spy cameras in town, Master Brightmore?" Ray asked. "Not spy cameras. Stalker Spheres. Tiny flying light creatures sensitive to fluctuations in the Veil and mana emitting anomalies." Nigel explained as he went through several screens on a light creature known as Argus, Vigilant Seer. "So, Ray was right. Spy cameras." Jen said. "Huh. I guess that's one way to put it, Jen." Miku said.
"So, what's causing these fires to begin with?" Maribel asked. "The fires are being created by a Fire Civilization Burn Belly called a Blaze Belcher, a small creature with a big appetite for anything flammable. They belch fire." Nadia explained, showing them the Blaze Belcher's tablet. "Yes. They might be small, but they're very dangerous when it comes to their eating and belching habits." Sakura said. "Yeah. One time, I summoned a Blaze Belcher, but it ended up eating my pants!" Kaito said, blushing hard from the memory. "Your assignment is to find, battle and banish the creature." Nigel instructed. "You can make it a game. Whoever vanquishes the Blaze Belcher wins." Hector said. "And we'll be by your side to help you prepare." Sakura said. The kids readied their gauntlets. "Cool. So, what will you have us do?" Ray asked. "This exercise will not be about summoning. It's about control." Nadia said. "And since you will be up against a fire creature, we have chosen a water creature for each of you." Hector said. "But why can't I just summon Weave since he's technically half Water Civilization?" Jen asked. "Jen, you can't just rely on Weave alone, honey. You need to rely on other creatures for a job only they can do." Janet said. "You're mom's right, Jen. You can't just rely on one creature alone for certain missions." Kaito said. Jen frowned sadly. But Ray put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Alright. Who'd you choose for us?" She asked.
Hector motioned his hand. "Ray, you remember Buoyant Blowfish?" He asked as Blowfish floated up next to Ray. "Good to see you again, Blowfish." Ray said. Blowfish purred as he licked Ray's face. "For Allison, Steam Star Grapplog." Nadia said. "Yeah. We didn't exactly see eye-to-tentacle last time." Allie said. Steam Star sprayed its watery contents in her face as it floated next to her. "That better have just been water." Allie said. "For you, Jennifer, meet Dreamfish." Hector said. An orange angelfish creature with a red-eye, 6 tentacles and see-through fins floated next to Jen. "Whoa. You are beautiful." Jen said. Dreamfish blushed at the compliment. "For Terrence, Frogzooka." Nadia said. A green frog cannon creature hopped up next to Terry. "A frog with a cannon head? Just when I thought I'd seen everything." Terry said. "For you, Gretchen, meet Man o' Warden." Hector said. A cute little jellyfish bird creature floated up next to Greta. "Aw. So cute and squishy." Greta said, gently poking the little creature's belly, making it giggle. "For Portia and Maribel, Eye of the Tides and Aqua Initiate." Nadia said. Portia nearly jumped out of her socks as a big floating ball with multiple tendrils and a single eye floated next to her. Maribel shook hands with the pale-white humanoid water creature.
"Uh, maybe it's best I don't have a creature? I mean, I'm already tracking the fires and thus, the Blaze Belcher. And if this exercise is about control, shouldn't logic dictate that we should find and control it?" Gabe asked hesitantly. "I'm afraid it's not that easy, Gabriel. And logic should also dictate that you shouldn't refuse your master's assignment so early in your training." Nadia said. "Sorry, Master. May I have my creature please?" Gabe asked. Nadia handed the tablet to Ray and walked a few feet away from the group. "Reef Prince Glu-urrgle!" She called, opening a portal. Just then, a small light blue creature with 2 big leg hands, 2 skinny arm legs, a big cup head, goggle eyes and computer chip markings on its body came through the portal. The group were staring at the little water creature in confusion as Nadia presented him. The creature started making a weird gargling noise. Allie, Terry, Greta, Portia and Maribel started laughing. "He sounds like my dad at the dentist. And he looks like the spit cup. You should call him Gargle." Allie joked. Gabe walked up to Gargle and the 2 stared at each other for a second. Gabe motioned Gargle and himself questionably to Nadia, who nodded. Just then, he noticed Gargle taking his phone. "Hey, give that back!" He exclaimed, taking back his phone. But then Gargle put his fingers in Gabe's ears and did something to his brain that made him fall over. Gargle then started looking through Gabe's backpack. "Well, looks like Gargle's a curious little guy." Jen said. "Uh, Master, are you sure this Gargle is good for me?" Gabe asked. "Give him time. He may surprise you." Nadia said. Gargle pulled out a pair of Gabe's gym shorts. But Gabe quickly took them back out of embarrassment, making the others, minus Ray and Jen, snicker.
Later, the group was heading towards a garden center. There was a big hole in the fence. The Azurite glowed as they got close. "The mana signature is pretty strong here. So, the Belcher must be here." Ray said. Gargle quickly rushed in through the hole. "Wait, Gargle! Don't rush in!" Gabe exclaimed as he followed Gargle. Allie couldn't stop chuckling. "You gotta admit, that was pretty funny. Gabe totally couldn't control that little Reef thing." She said. Just then, Steam Star sprayed steam in her face. Jen chuckled at that. "I think Steamy really likes you if he's doing that to you." Ray said. "Really?" Allie said while wiping off the water from her face as she felt Steamy's tentacle play with her hair. "Looks like it. I guess Steamy can sense your kind heart, despite how you treated him last time." Sakura said.
As Gabe entered the garden, he started looking for Gargle. "Gargle? Where'd you go?" He called. Just then, he noticed Gargle approaching the Belcher as it was eating plants. "Okay. Attack." He said, motioning his arms. But instead of attacking, Gargle extended his fingers and touched the Belcher's head. "Okay. Weird way to attack." Gabe said. As he ran up to them when the Belcher ran off, Gargle took Gabe's phone and placed his finger into it. "Hey, what're you doing?" Gabe asked as he struggled to take back his phone.
Meanwhile, Ray, Jen and the others ran in with their creatures and prepared to engage the Belcher. "Alright, the Blaze Belcher is vulnerable to attack while it's eating. So, now's your chance." Sakura said. "Go, Steam Star!" Allie called, motioning her hands. Steamy floated over the Belcher and sprayed it with water. "Nice shot, Allie. Go for it, Dreamfish." Jen said. Dreamfish floated towards the Belcher and fired a jet of water from her mouth, hitting Belcher and sending him flying backwards. "Quick! Grab him, Initiate!" Maribel called. Aqua Initiate caught the Belcher in his big hands. "Nice catch. Now let's banish this little burper." Terry said. But then, the Belcher bit Aqua Initiate's hand, causing him to let it go. "Oh no! Don't let it escape!" Portia exclaimed, motioning her hands. As the Belcher ran, Eye of the Tides floated in its way and fired a psionic attack from its eye. But the Belcher dodged the attack, sliding under the big eye creature. "Okay. You're turn, Blowfish." Ray said. Blowfish fired a psionic attack, but the Belcher dodged it and took off. "Don't let it get away." Kaito said. Terry and Greta motioned their hands as Man o' Warden fired a jet of water from his flipper hands and Frogzooka fired from his cannon head, trying to trap the Belcher in a crossfire. But the Belcher managed to escape the crossfire, causing Ray to fire Blowfish's psionic attack at Allie and Sakura. "ARGH! Brain freeze! Watch where you point that thing!" Allie exclaimed. "Sorry. Let's try this together." Ray suggested. "Oh, that felt worse than the last time." Sakura groaned as she rubbed her head.
As the kids and their creatures chased the Belcher into the greenhouse, Gabe finally got his phone away from Gargle, who still had his finger inserted into it. As Gargle retracted his finger, his goggle eyes suddenly started to glow red. "G-Abriel." He suddenly said. "G-Abriel? Gabriel! That's my name! Did you hack my phone?!" Gabe asked in shock. "User Data, PVCTEF, G-Arbriel Wallace." Gargle said. "That's personal. But also, quite fascinating. But we need find that little pyro." Gabe said. "Pyromaniac? Fire starter, very, very small." Gargle said before heading for the greenhouse. Gabe grew further curious about Gargle as he followed. "Burn, baby, burn!" Gargle exclaimed as he charged in. "Since when does the spit cup talk?" Allie asked. "He updated himself with my phone, installing an advanced language program into himself. Actually, quite fascinating." Gabe said. "But of course. Gargle is a Water Civilization Cyber Lord, a master in technology enhancements. They can upgrade anything and even themselves." Miku explained.
Inside the greenhouse, as the group entered, the Belcher was eating bags of fertilizer. Just then, it started burping fires, setting the entire greenhouse ablaze as it took off. "Forget the Belcher for now! We have to put that fire out!" Ray exclaimed. The kids motioned their hands and the water creatures started dousing the fires. "Gargle, extinguish the fires!" Gabe exclaimed. Gargle started gurgling and ran off. "Wait! The fire's over there!" Gabe protested as he chased Gargle.
Meanwhile, one of the Choten's vans pulled up to the greenhouse. "Mana sensors put the anomaly at 50 meters north, sir." One of the goons said. As the van pulled up, the Belcher was feasting inside a dumpster in an alley. The Choten himself got out of the van to investigate. "Quite the appetite, little friend." He said as he used his tech gauntlet to snatch the poor creature and bring it into his grasp. "What else lies within you?" He asked as he injected another syringe of serum into the Belcher. Just then, the Belcher belched out a fireball, freeing itself from the Choten's grasp, and then the fireball turned into another Blaze Belcher. The second Belcher popped the van's rear tire and took off with the first one. "Interesting. Track and observe. Inform me of any new developments." Choten ordered before calling Alakshmi and Saanvi on his com-link. "Alakshmi, Saanvi, come get me please."
Meanwhile, as the others were still trying to put out the fire, Gargle and Gabe were collecting supplies. "Gargle, would you mind telling me what we're doing? We're supposed to be putting out the fire." Gabe said as he filled a wheelbarrow with Gargle's supplies. "Firefighter." Gargle said, handing Gabe a garden hose. "Yes, fight the fire." Gabe said.
After getting enough supplies, Gabe and Gargle ran back out to the burning greenhouse. "Dude, control your creature!" Allie exclaimed. "I would try to, but his actions get me curious." Gabe said. Just then, Gargle gargled at the other water creatures, causing them to cease their firefighting. "Uh, did he just tell our creatures to back off?" Portia asked. "Hey, don't tell them what to do! Who does he think he is?" Allie asked in annoyance. "Reef Prince." Gargle said. "I gotta say, that's pretty cool." Ray said. "Yeah, his speech pattern is very well put." Jen said. After Gargle assembled the supplies he gathered, he started to glow, blinding the kids for a moment. When the light died down, in place stood a mechanized sprinkler. It floated into the air and sprayed the fires, putting them out in a flash. "Whoa! He built that? That's awesome." Ray said amazed. "Yeah. That was nicely done, Gargle." Gabe said. Gargle gargled, giving a thumb's up. "Like I said. Cyber Lords like Gargle are masters of technology enhancements." Miku said. "Okay. Now that the fire's out and the burning poop smell's going away, where'd that little baby get to? I still wanna win that contest." Allie said. "We all do, Allie. But where exactly did that little burner scamper off to?" Greta asked. "It must've left the greenhouse while we were putting out the fire." Ray said. "Come on, Gargle. Let's see where the little pyro went." Gabe said. "Right. Searching for tiny pyromaniac." Gargle said.
The group started looking outside, searching through the alleys and trash bins. "Boy, I forgot how hard it is to find such a tiny creature." Kaito said. "LOL! Lost of Leftovers LOL?" Gargle asked, examining a moldy sandwich. "Not exactly. LOL means Laughing Out Loud." Gabe corrected. "Ah, Laughing Out Loud." Gargle said. He took the sandwich, an empty bottle and a dirty diaper and started juggling them. Gabe laughed at that. "Laughing Out Loud! LOL!" Gargle laughed. Just then, after having their little laugh fest, Gabe thought of an idea. "Hmm. Gargle, can you track the Belcher's trail via infrared search?" He asked. Gargle looked around and found a heat trail leading away from the dumpster. "G-Abriel! 411!" He called before following the trail. "He found it! I guess Gargle might be good for me after all." Gabe said, growing more and more impressed with Gargle by the second as he followed.
Ray and Jen watched the scene. "Gabe and Gargle really seem to be getting along." Ray said. "Yeah. A bit rocky at first, but they're really improving." Jen said. "It's also kind of hilarious. Maybe he'll trade me so I can try out the spit cup myself." Allie said. Steamy gurgled sadly at that comment. "Aw, don't worry, Steamy, I'm just kidding. I wouldn't trade you." Allie said, petting Steamy's tentacle. "But Gabe's always so dependent on his techno stuffs and his GPS." Terry said. "Yeah, but you saw how Gargle built that sprinkler thing. I think the 2 of them are a perfect match." Greta said. "Makes sense. They both appear to be techno nerds and all." Portia said. "Yeah." Maribel agreed. "You're all right. Gabe and Gargle need each other." Ray said. "You're right, Ray. Gabe and Gargle are a perfect match for each other. Especially when they put their big brains together." Sakura said. Just then, Jen noticed an orange light coming from a window on a nearby building where Gabe and Gargle were heading to. "And it looks like they're about to lead us to the burning burper." She said. "That's the San Campion paper factory." Portia pointed out. "Makes sense. Paper is highly flammable." Terry said. "We better hurry before the Belcher eats everything and puts the factory out of business." Kaito said.
Meanwhile, back at the temple, the Masters and Janet were examining the serum in Nadia's lab. "It seems the compound we recovered from the Choten contains mutagenic properties." Nadia said. "A mutagen formula?" Janet asked in surprise. "We knew he was collecting creatures, but mutating them? Why would he do such a thing?" Hector asked. "In order to make himself more powerful. But violating the natural order will plunge both our worlds into turmoil. His ambition is not to be underestimated." Nigel said. "Speaking of underestimating, our acolytes and the Kazamas have not yet returned from your little competition, Hector." Nadia said. "I'm sure if there was a problem, they would've called." Hector assured. "I hope they're alright. Especially Ray and Jen." Janet said with worry.
Meanwhile, the group and their creatures ran into the paper factory and found the Belcher feasting on paper sheets. Just then, Gabe got an idea. He got his backpack, reached into it and pulled out a Change-O Bot manga book. "Gargle, bait him with this." He said, giving the book to Gargle. "Yoo-Hoo!" Gargle called, tossing the book. The Belcher saw the book, happily ran over to it and started eating it in 3 whole bites. Just then, Gabe caught it with a trash can. "Gotcha! Epic win! Nice work, Gargle!" Gabe cheered. "Epic win!" Gargle cheered. Just then, the others gasped. "What? Is something wrong?" Gabe asked. "Uh, G-Abriel?" Gargle whimpered. Gabe turned around and gasped at what everyone saw. There were more Belchers eating more and more paper, and belching out more and more Belchers by the second. "There's more of them now?!" Portia exclaimed in shock. "Not that anyone asked, but I'm guessing that the Choten might've had something to do with this." Greta said. "Uh, maybe we should alert the Masters." Gabe said. But suddenly, Ray and Jen sealed the doors. "Are you 2 crazy?! You just locked us in!" Greta exclaimed. "We can handle this. No one gets out." Jen said. "Right. Something tells me that most of these Belchers are clones. Once we capture them all, I can use the Azurite to get rid of the clones, cure the original of whatever the Choten did to it and we can banish it. Together." Ray explained.
Meanwhile, the Choten's goons were fixing their tire when they picked up multiple signals of the Belchers. "I'm getting multiple readings on the targets now. I think the rate of duplication has accelerated. We better check this out." The driver said. After the second goon finished with the tire, he got back in the van and they drove off to the paper factory.
Meanwhile, the group tried to contain the Belchers. The water creatures put out several fires caused by the Belchers. The kids and the Kazamas chased a few Belchers into a corner. But as they prepared to contain them, they just belched out more clones and took off. "It seems like the more they eat, the more they burp." Allie said. "And the more they burp, the more they multiply." Ray said. "If they keep burping more clones at this rate, we'll be up to our armpits and Belchers." Jen said. "Let's look on the bright side. At least they're not farting." Gabe said, trying to lighten the mood. Everyone looked at him with unamused faces. "Farting? Really?" Terry asked. "That was weaker than the meatloaf special last week." Maribel said. Just then, Gabe thought of something as Gargle gurgled. "That's it! The sprinkler Gargle made at the greenhouse. Maybe he can build something else to help us fight the Belchers." He said. The others, minus Ray and Jen, were shocked by this. "You're actually suggesting that Gargle help us? Without using your logics and your phone?" Greta asked. "That's a bit unlike you, Gabe." Portia said. "Well, I did learn from Ray and Jen that to control a creature, you have to give up control sometimes." Gabe said. Ray and Jen smiled at that. "Good thinking, Gabe. Go do your thing." Kaito said. Gabe walked up to Gargle. "Gargle, do you think you can build something to fight all these Blaze Belchers?" Gabe asked. Gargle started to think as his eyes glowed red until he thought of something. He gathered several parts from pipes, springs, bolts and panels. "Oh, I get you. Metal and glass, non-flammable so the Belchers can't eat it." Gabe said. Gargle started glowing, fusing the parts together. When the glow died down, behind Gargle stood a giant glass case. "Impressive. But what does it do?" Gabe asked. Gargle motioned for a hose-like nozzle to extend and suck up the Belcher they caught in the trash bin. The poor thing saw no way to escape. As another Belcher ran by, Gabe and Gargle proceeded to capture it and the others.
After a while, the creatures met back up with the group with a full case of Belchers. "Looks like we captured all of them." Allie said. "Good. Now to get rid of these clones." Ray said. As he held up the Azurite, it started to glow and the Belcher duplicates disappeared into dust, leaving the one Belcher he presumed to be the original. "Nice trick, Ray." Terry said. "Alright. Now let's banish this little guy once and for all." Jen said. Suddenly, the kids saw something shocking and backed away from the glass case. Ray and Jen turned around and saw that the original Belcher was suddenly growing bigger and bigger! Allie, Portia and Maribel felt like puking. The Belcher belched out a big fireball, breaking open the glass case and blowing the kids away. As they recovered, they saw to their shock that the Belcher had mutated into something bigger and angrier. "Yeah, we should call the Masters." Ray said.
The mutant Belcher let out a giant burp, letting out more fire than ever. "What is THAT?!" Sakura shrieked. "I don't know, but it's pretty much hotter than it was as a tiny Belcher!" Kaito cried. As the group ran for cover, Ray received a call on his phone from Janet. "Ray, what's going on?" Janet asked. "Mom, remember that cute little Blaze Belcher?" Ray asked. "Yeah. Why, what happened?" Janet asked. "Well, now it's a big…uh…what do we call this thing?" Ray asked. The giant mutant started eating the paper rolls whole. "Om Nom Nom." Gargle said. "Yeah. We got a big Om Nom Nom. Big appetite, big belly, bigger burps." Ray said. "Try and keep it contained, Ray. We're on our way." Janet said, ending the call. "They're on their way." Ray said. "Right. We just gotta contain it." Jen said.
Meanwhile, the Choten's goons pulled their van up next to the building. "Contacting the Choten." One of the goons said as they contacted the Choten through the van's video phone.
"Come on, Steamy, give that sucker a facial." Allie said. "Buoyant Blowfish, stick him." Ray said. Blowfish and Steamy prepared to engage the Om Nom Nom in battle, but the big mutant stepped on them. "Ooh, that's gotta hurt." Kaito cringed. "Get him, Dreamfish!" Jen exclaimed. Dreamfish floated up to the Om Nom Nom and started spraying water at its face. The Om Nom Nom backed away from the attack, taking its foot off the poor flattened creatures before they disappeared. "Man o' Warden, aid Dreamfish!" Greta exclaimed. "You too, Eye. Contain that beast!" Portia called. Man o' Warden and Eye of the Tides floated up and aided Dreamfish, spraying the Om Nom Nom with their water attacks. But the Om Nom Nom proved to be a really tough cookie as it belched out a huge fireball and hit the 3 water creatures, making them disappear. "Oh, that's it. Blast it, Frogzooka!" Terry exclaimed. Frogzooka leapt forth and started blasting the Om Nom Nom. But Om Nom Nom barely felt the blasts as it headed towards Frogzooka and prepared to stomp on him. "Initiate, help Frogzooka!" Maribel exclaimed. Aqua Initiate hurdled over and grabbed the Om Nom Nom's foot, trying to stop it from crushing him and Frogzooka. But Om Nom Nom forced its foot down, crushing Aqua Initiate and Frogzooka. The kids were further shocked at how the mutated Belcher easily defeated all their creatures. "It's stronger than ever!" Miku exclaimed. The Om Nom Nom made a break for the wall, getting off the flattened Aqua Initiate and Frogzooka before they disappeared.
"Sir, the targets have stopped multiplying. And there seems to be one left with an enormous mana signature." The goon reported. "Then move in and capture the one." The Choten ordered. Just then, the Om Nom Nom burst through the wall of the factory and stepped on the van. The goons quickly evacuated the vehicle before the mutant Belcher crushed it. Just then, the Om Nom Nom noticed a trestle bridge and headed towards it. "We're gonna need a bigger truck." One of the goons said. As they took off, the group ran out of the factory and saw where the Om Nom Nom was heading. "He's heading for the bridge!" Gabe exclaimed. "He's gonna eat the bridge!" Allie exclaimed. "Gabe, what time is the train supposed to be arriving at that bridge?" Greta asked. Gabe pulled out his phone and checked the train schedule. "Judging by the schedule, the train will be here in a few minutes. We'll never make it." He said with worry. Just then, Gargle drove up in an air skimmer, made from a paper machine, a giant fan and 4 springs on the bottom. "All aboard!" He called. The group boarded the skimmer and pulled down the safety bar as Gargle started up the skimmer and bounced it down the hill.
As they reached the bottom, Ray, Jen and the Kazamas got out and ran towards the Om Nom Nom as it started eating the wooden stands and belching fire on them. "Okay, that's enough." Ray said with determination. "It's time to go big or go home." Jen said. "Tatsurion the Unchained!" Ray called. "Skarvos the Assassin!" Jen called. The doors opened as Bob and Weave came through, roaring for battle. Gargle whimpered at the sight of them. "The Reef Prince? What's he doing here?" Weave asked. "You called us to fight this…this puddle?" Bob asked. Gargle whimpered as he hid himself behind Gabe's legs. Just then, Weave noticed the Om Nom Nom. "Uh, Bob?" He said, pointing to the mutant creature eating the bridge. "Ah. Yes. I see. Well then, uh, let's go." Bob said. He picked up Ray and placed him on his back as Weave picked up Jen and put her on his shoulder. They charged towards the Om Nom Nom and tackled it in its side, knocking it down. "We got your backs! Grove Protector!" Sakura called. "Citizen Tokori!" Kaito called. "Haven's Elite!" Miku called. 3 doors opened and the called creatures came through to aid Bob and Weave.
Suddenly, a train whistle was heard. "I don't have to tell you what that means, do I? Increased volumes, slight topper effect." Gabe said. "The train is getting closer! Just say it's getting closer!" Allie snapped. "We gotta do something before it becomes crash hour!" Terry exclaimed. As the Om Nom Nom recovered, Gabe checked his phone for analysis on the bridge and train's weight. "Gargle, pelota access the train's speed, load the resistance parameters, stress limitations." He said. "G-Abriel no brainer?" Gargle asked. As Gabe handed him the phone, Gargle touched the screen with his left antennae and started downloading data as he started glowing again.
Meanwhile, Ray, Jen, Bob, Weave, the Kazamas and their creatures distracted the Om Nom Nom. As the mutant creature prepared to stomp on Ray and Bob, Weave formed a ball of water from the puddle they were standing in and threw it at the Om Nom Nom's face, blinding it. Bob dodged the foot and started running around the Om Nom Nom while Gargle began modifying his skimmer. Citizen Tokori blasted the Om Nom Nom with his crossbow arm as Bob threw his chain, hooking it around the mutant's ankle. But the Om Nom Nom grabbed the chain and whipped it, throwing Ray and Bob aside. "Ray! Bob!" Jen cried. "Gotcha!" Weave exclaimed as he skidded through the puddle and caught Ray and Bob. As they recovered, Gargle turned his skimmer into a car jack, holding up the train track. "Think it'll hold?" Allie asked. "Let's hope so." Portia said with worry. As the train passed over the bridge, the jack held with all its strength. The kids sighed with relief as the train safely passed by.
Bob's head fueled with fire and head-butted the Om Nom Nom hard in the belly. Weave leapt up and punched the Om Nom Nom hard in the face twice. Grove Protector extended his root arms punched the Om Nom Nom's back hard. Citizen Tokori continued blasting it while Haven's Elite spun around and slashed the mutant creature across the chest with his sword arm. The Om Nom Nom, now really angry, tried to swat the 5 creatures and their human friends, but they dodged each blow. Bob and Weave delivered a double blow to the Om Nom Nom's head, knocking it down. "We know you hate dodging, but nice dodging." Ray said. "Yeah. You 2 are really getting the hang of the bob and weave tactic." Jen said. "Hmm. Thanks." Bob said. "Yeah. I'm actually beginning to like it." Weave said. But the Om Nom Nom recovered and belched a huge fireball at them. Grove Protector, Citizen Tokori and Haven's Elite took cover behind Bob and Weave as they endured the fire attack while Ray, Jen and the Kazamas protected themselves with their mana shields. Bob brought out a shoulder cannon and started blasting the Om Nom Nom while Weave attacked with beams of dark energy. "We're not making a dent! At this rate, it'll take hours before this Om Nom Nom thing starts tiring out!" Miku exclaimed. "Hey, we don't know how much longer we can do this! And I can't calm it with the Azurite while it's like this!" Ray called. "Yeah. Does Gargle got any other tricks up his sleeve?" Jen asked. "Hot, hot. Hot and spicy." Gargle said. "Hey. Wait, that's it! Ray, Jen, if it can't belch, it can get catastrophic indigestion!" Gabe called. "That's a good idea." Jen said. "Bob, Weave, can you guys use your chains and big hands to close his big mouth?" Ray asked. "It won't be easy." Bob said. "He's right. It'll be hard to even get close to that big guy's mouth." Weave said.
"Maybe we can help." Hector said as he, Janet and Nigel ran to their aid. "Gillaflame, return fire!" He called. Gillaflame ran past him and charged towards the Om Nom Nom, dodging one of its punches. He swiped his blade across the ground, creating a fire wall. "Jarbala Keeper, stealth strike!" Janet called. Jarbala Keeper leapt down from the bridge and slashed the Om Nom Nom's back with her daggers. "Ra-Vu, end this chaos!" Nigel called. "Haven's Elite, aid him!" Miku called Ra-Vu spun his staff and Haven's Elite spun like a top as they both fired cyclones of light, trapping the Om Nom Nom. "Quickly, go for the legs!" Sakura exclaimed. Grove Protector extended his arms and wrapped them around the mutant creature's right leg while Citizen Tokori fired a grappling hook from his crossbow at the left leg. "Go, Bob!" Ray called. "Go, Weave!" Jen called. Bob and Weave charged for the Om Nom Nom and sealed up its mouth. "Alright. Now hold still, big guy." Ray said. He held out the Azurite as the Om Nom Nom's catastrophic indigestion started building up, causing its body to overheat. The Azurite glowed brightly, blinding everyone for a minute. As the light died down, Bob and Weave let go of the Om Nom Nom as it fell to its knees and started panting heavily. "It's okay. Just calm down." Ray said as he and Jen walked up to the big creature with caution. "You're alright. Just breathe." Jen said. The Om Nom Nom looked at Ray and Jen as it calmed its breathing, giving them a purring smile. "You're welcome." Ray said. "It's what we do." Jen said. The Om Nom Nom picked them up and gently hugged them. The kids, Bob, Weave, Gargle, Janet, Hector and the Kazamas smiled at the sight. Even Gillaflame, Jarbala Keeper, Ra-Vu, Grove Protector, Citizen Tokori and Haven's Elite were amazed, looking at each other with wonder. But Nigel just walked off, being his unapproved self as usual.
Later, everyone returned to the temple and stood before Argus. "While reviewing our Stalker Sphere surveillance, I came upon this." Nigel said. He pulled up a replay of the Choten injecting his serum into the Blaze Belcher, giving it its multiplication power. "That guy again?" Allie asked. "The Choten." Janet said. "So, he mutated the Blaze Belcher. That's how it was able to multiply itself." Sakura said. "I knew he had something to do with this." Jen said. "You should all be wary of him as you continue your training." Nigel advised. "On a lighter note, while things didn't go quite as expected, you all learned a valuable lesson." Nadia said. "And what's that, Master?" Greta asked. "That things never go as expected." Nadia said. "She's got us there." Miku admitted. "One thing did. Jen and I won the contest." Ray said. "Not so fast. You and Jen may have won the battle and cured the creature. Gabriel still has his creature." Hector pointed out. "Gargle." Gargle said. "Yes. And since they repaired the bridge and came up with the idea to defeat the…Om Nom Nom, they win." Hector declared. "Thank you, Master Chavez. And you as well, Master Nadia. Teaming up with Gargle was the logical choice after all." Gabe said. Nadia gave an approving smile. "Say, Gargle, do you think you could give my phone an upgrade?" Gabe asked. "New upgrade, request acknowledged." Gargle said as he took the phone and took off. "Hey, wait for me! Gargle!" Gabe exclaimed as he followed. The group smiled as they looked on at the new friendship between a human and a creature. "A boy and his creature. A real heartwarming sight." Sakura said.
Meanwhile, at the Choten's lair, Choten and Aqua Seneschal were studying the Blaze Belcher's sudden transformation into the Om Nom Nom. "I am unable to account for one tiny creature to suddenly evolve into an even large one. Especially after the multiple clones suddenly disappeared without a single opening of the Veil." Seneschal said. "A secondary mutation? It seems I must determine whether my new evolution serum is unstable…or just incredibly effective. Clearly, this calls for further testing." The Choten said. The doors nearby opened to a series of holding cells where dozens of creatures were being held.
Wasn't that pretty cool? Ray, Jen and their friends deal with a Blaze Belcher that slipped through a portal created by the Choten with a selection of water creatures. But the Choten mutated the Belcher, causing it to multiply at first, but then transform into a bigger creature called an Om Nom Nom. But with the help of Gabe's new partner, Reef Prince Glu-urgle, they were able to cure the Om Nom Nom and tame it. What further tests will the Choten perform? How many creatures has he kidnapped and tortured? Leave a review if you'd like.
