Birds were chirping amongst trees, someone walking towards the sun. They grabbed a vine and swung across a large gap. They landed safely, moving away a large leaf to reveal that the person was Jack, wearing a coat. He removed his goggles, narrowing his eyes and wiping off his cheek. "Ugh, next jungle fantasy, I'm wearing shorts." He ran off and turned on a flashlight, stepping forward into a dark pathway. He heard something and flinched in alarm as two snakes hung from the ceiling. "Ahh! Snakes!" He backed away in alarm, almost falling off the platform. He pointed his flashlight forward to see big pink spiders. "Ahh! Spiders!" He put his flashlight in his mouth and jumped, flipping through a trap and grabbing a vine. He then saw a fusion of a snake and a spider. "Spider snakes?! Really!" He screamed in terror, looking up to see another spider heading for him. "This ancient temple needs some serious pest control!" He jumped onto the vine and then leaped across the gap, making a break for it once he climbed up.

He saw a light in the distance and then jumped into the open, blocking off the creatures with rocks nearby. He sighed in relief once they were gone. "Jungle-y temple-y area mapped," He marked something off with a pencil, hearing a noise. He looked up to see a giant needle heading for him and he ducked his head for it to hit a tree. "Whoa! Easy now, that almost hit me." He gasped as he saw a big creature looming over him. "Ah, no, wait, wait!" He then got tackled, landing on the ground.

He was actually in the forest, and was tackled by Rover. "Oh, Rover," He complained at the monster pet, who ran around happily. "You interrupted my way too long adventure fantasy. Rover grabbed a large fang with purple goo over it, bringing it over to Jack. The boy crossed his arms in annoyance. "We can play later, Rover. Right now, we need to finish running recon on this area."

Rover whimpered as he stared at the boy, who looked at the map he had. "Hmm. Cool, cool. Fun, fun. I know things seem great...but we need to make sure there aren't any more threats out here," He stared Rover in the eye. "Like...Thrull."

Thrull stood in front of his master Rezzoch, the five spying on him. "He was plotting the end of the world right under our noses." He stood over the heroes in his giant tree form.

Rover barked and touched his nose with Jack's. "Ha! Noses, exactly!" He scratched Rover with a smile. "And if we're gonna make a life in this town, we have to make sure nothing like that is secretly festering in some unexplored area," He peeked inside a log, a little monster running out of it. He checked his map again. "So, if we're here, then over there should be-" A zombie hand suddenly punched through the map and he screamed in terror, backing away. "I'll tell you the same thing I told him," He jerked a thumb to Rover, who snarled. "Will play later!"

Suddenly more zombies came out of the grass, heading towards the duo. "Fine, guess we'll play now," He glared at them. He swung his hockey stick, knocking one down. Rover knocked one away with his strength, Jack swinging one over his head. He then swung again, only for it to get stuck in the tree above him. He looked up to see a zombie in the tree, trying to pull out his weapon. The zombie then fell right towards him.

"Ah, crud!" Jack jumped out of the way just as the zombie landed. He looked up to see more surrounding him, grabbing the giant fang and pointing it. "Back off! I've got a bone, and I'm not afraid to use it."

As soon as the zombies saw it, they backed off, alarming him. "Hang on a sec..." He pointed the bone again, and two zombies behind him recoiled back in fear. They stepped forward, and he held it up again, to get the same reaction. Then he repeated pointing it again and again, before all of the zombies just straight up left him alone.

"Bones! Zombies hate bones?" He asked in confusion. Rover sniffed the goop that was on the bone and gave a disgusted look. He then pointed at it with his nose. "Oh, the goo!" Jack sniffed himself, and it was not a good smell. "Huh, something actually more repellent than Quint's socks." They looked up ahead to see more giant bones with goo on them, and they headed towards it. "Wonder why this thing made the zombies act that way. So weird," He started touching it, Rover panting a little. "I mean relatively speaking. The fact that I'm standing here during an apocalypse, discussing zombies with a monster dog has kind of changed the meaning of the word weird."

Rover licked his face, earning a laugh. "We better bring this back with us," He gave it to Rover to hold onto, patting him on the head. He then looked up ahead, smiling. "Oh, wow! Ha ha! Look at that! Wait till I tell the guys!" He looked up ahead at something.


"Great work, guys!" June smiled as they were doing renovations for the whole area. "We'll have this place fixed up in no time."

Quint hooked up some speakers thanks to the help of a monster, laughing and giving a thumbs up. May was fixing Big Mama as she heard it and bopped her head with a smile. Biggun had the car lifted up above her. He was also holding up June, who was painting over the Joe's Pizza sign to make it look like a monster eating pizza. She gave him a thumbs up and he put her down. The two shared a high five and May stood up, her clothes having oil patches along with some on her face.

"Big Mama's all fixed up. Just needs a test drive later," She patted the car in relief. June looked up as some monsters were setting up lights. Dirk was shoveling dirt into a hole as two monsters came over, one of them Chef. He gave Dirk a thumbs up, and he returned it. Then Biggun pushed the pile with ease into the hole, stomping on it. Chef laughed and left, Biggun patting Dirk on the head. And he was grateful...but he kinda also didn't wanna be shown up. He threw down the shovel in frustration.

Some monsters were acting as a construction crew to cut up planks in half. Dirk saw the one using his teeth to cut the planks looking dehydrated. He grabbed some soda bottles and went over...but the monster who produced liquid had beat him to it. He looked disappointed as he dropped the soda bottles and left. He sat on the slide, two monsters going down it.

June and May walked over to him. "So, why do we need the slides, again?" Dirk questioned the duo.

"For fun," June smiled at their friend.

"And apparently it's a good place to mope," May gestured to him.

"Oh, I thought it was because you humans break so easily," Skaelka spoke up as she joined them.

"Also true, for these guys, anyway," Dirk nudged the girls, who looked slightly annoyed. "I got more of a monster build myself."

"That is right!" Skaelka slapped his shoulder. "Dirk the strong one!"

"Dirk the strong one?" June asked in amusement.

"That's what the monsters call me," He chuckled to her.

"Not me, flesh bag," Chef interjected while slithering past them. "Why don't you go back to flesh city, you freeloader?" May just rolled her eyes at him. Out of all of the monsters, Chef was definitely the biggest in terms of being a jerk. "Now, Skaelka, that's a warrior you wanna wipe down your skillet for," He chuckled and then left the four.

"Don't worry about it, flesh bag," Skaelka pointed at Dirk before walking off. Quint's punching device started to hit Dirk.

"I fixed the Hyper-Puncher you requested, Dirk," He explained, earning a chuckle.

"Oh, awesome, dude!" Dirk took it happily. "Now I can punch way faster again." He left while playing with it.

"Uh, May?" Quint walked up to the girl.

"What's up?" She asked while turning to him.

"You just..." He chuckled, pointing at her. "You're looking a little dirty."

"Oh my gosh! My outfit!" She feigned in fake horror, and they both laughed. June glanced at the two, wondering what was going on. Quint took out a handkerchief and wiped off her cheek. May chuckled with her cheeks flushing and took it from him. "I can...clean myself up, thanks. Might as well go freshen up in the treehouse," She left while looking back and then blushing, running off.

"What was that all about?" June gave a teasing smile to him.

"Just an inside joke between us," He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Anyway, since you finished the Hyper-Puncher, that means you can start on the Auto-Dirt-Digger I asked for," June spoke up and they walked off.

"Right after I finish Dick's Stickum Gun, then Jack's Lazer Skateboard, then fix the Auto-Dialer for monster emergencies you asked for last week, June," He listed off from his notebook and she winced a little. It seemed like a lot of work for just one person.

"You sure you're okay with all of that, Quint?" She asked in concern.

"I've told you, I've got this. It's what I do," He assured her with a smile.

"Okay, good," June stated while May slid down the ladder in a fresh t-shirt and jeans. "Then do mine first."

Dirk came up and placed an arm around Quint. "After mine! Uh, glad you got your priorities straight. Ha ha!" He fist-bumped Quint with the Hyper-Puncher, June looking up in thought.

"Hey, May. Anything I can do for you?" Quint offered her and she waved a hand.

"Oh, no, I'm honestly okay. And there's nothing I can't do myself, you know. Perfectly content with upgrading Big Mama on my own."

"Not even like a new slushie machine or game?" He raised a brow at the girl.

"I do like both of those..." She daydreamed with a finger on her cheek but then shook it off. "But I'd rather not overdo it, you know? I used to be the most popular girl in school, I don't really miss it that much with all the lavishing and stuff."

June saw some monsters hanging up some lights, and they gave thumbs up to the group. "Looking good, guys!" June called out to them. "Now all we need is to somehow magically power these things."

"You need magic?" Skaelka asked while walking by with wood. "Bardle! Bardle!"

He was floating in mid-air using his magic, his back turned to them. "I am concentrating."

"And I am calling you!" Skaelka retorted back to him. "Why do you point out things we already know?" He groaned in defeat, turning around to her so that he could get it over with. "The humans need magic to make power in these metal sticks. Make it so!"

"My powers do not work that way," He rubbed a temple. "If you want me to displace matter with my mind," He levitated a monster just to demonstrate. "Or enter an extended dream state..."

"Like Nevada?" Dirk wondered cluelessly, getting baffled looks from his friends.

"Where do you get Nevada from that?" May sagged her arms in disbelief.

"I have more than enough mystical energy. But I'm afraid they'll have to find a permanent human way to return their power." Suddenly a vat of yellow liquid was slammed down in front of him, dirtying his clothes.

"Break time, you grease monsters!" Chef called out to everyone. "Come get some gullet pudding soup before I eat it all myself." All the monsters gathered around to get a helping.

"I shall be in my chambers contemplating my way out of this dimension," Bardle looked at himself, shaking his ears dry. Skaelka took some soup from his clothes, licking it from her hand. "And into one that is far less irritating...and greasy," He left the area as Dirk, May, and Quint joined the table, June walking off.

"Thanks anyways, Skaelka, but that's not quite what I meant. We need a steady power source," She explained to the female monster.

"Why is this?"

"To keep us safe," June answered, the two gasping as the little pink monster used a train near them. "And, okay, also for fun." The train then came to a stop. "So, if I'm sticking around for a while, and it looks like I am, I'm gonna want a tricked out DJ platform," Biggun offered his club for people to get on and they did so. "A giant outdoor movie screen, and a personal slushie machine. Ever since Quint mentioned it to May, I kinda want one now." They leaped onto the roof of Joe's Pizza. "But if anyone asks, safety!" She moved the plank that was just nailed to the roof.

"Axe equals safety!" Skaelka held it up while June was given a construction helmet.

"Yeah. Okay, I guess," June stepped onto the plank, flipping off it to land in a ball pit. She laughed as she popped out of it, joined by Quint and May.

"Nothing against Skaelka's axe, but we need a little more than that," He said while rubbing his chin. "And I know just the thing!"

He turned on a flashlight while doing an ad in his room. "Need lights at night to see if anything is coming to eat you?"

"Uh, yeah, dude. That would be helpful," Dirk shrugged cluelessly while May just facepalmed.

"What about an electrical barrier to keep the zombie hoards away?"

June made zombie noises while her face was painted to look like one. May laughed at her antics. She went over to Dirk and May, roaring in the girl's face. The girls laughed while June hugged May. "Uh, what are you guys doing?"

"All you need is a sustainable, reliable power source. You need a big generator!" Quint pushed June away from him.

"Good, great. Where's it at?"

Quint gave a blank look. "Uh, I actually don't know."

Dirk gave a sound of frustration, June pushing away Quint's hand. "If this is gonna work as our home, we need more power," June stated, her arm around May's shoulder. "I really hope Jack found something."

"Shouldn't he have been back by now?" May raised a brow while glancing out to the town.

Jack was riding Rover back home as he saw a monster hammering at something, giving it a thumbs up. "Nice hammering!" He then looked to another monster near a motorcycle. "Good job fixing that three-wheeler, Tres. You're a triple threat!" He fist-bumped one, patted the head of the other, and then shook hands with the last one. He jumped off Rover near his friends. "Guys! Guys!"

"What's with the bone?" June noticed it immediately. May sniffed the air and then gagged, putting her hand in front of her mouth.

"And why's it smell so awful?"

"Oh, yeah, crazy thing! I got zombie attacked by, like, a million of them. But I fought 'em all off," He laughed as he smiled eagerly. "You should have seen me."

Like a ninja, he ran around the bone, jumping off zombies and swinging around with ease. He made one zombie hit another with a laugh.

He punched the air while swinging around the bone and they all stared at him skeptically. "I'm sure that's exactly how it went," June stated in doubt.

"And they were repelled by the goo on this bone," He flicked it in front of them and they recoiled back so that they didn't get hit with it.

"Like Quint's sock-level repelled?" June jerked a thumb at him and the boy grunted in annoyance as May now knew this fact.

"Exactly!"

"Badge of respect, my friends," Quint stated while the others weren't amused. "No time for laundry. I'm a scientist!"

"True that, bud."

"Yeah well, from now on, you're doing your laundry so that I don't have to smell it," May pointed at him. "If you're really that busy, we'll do it together."

"Okay, I'll do it!" Quint agreed eagerly, to the shock of everyone. But then again, if it wasn't someone other than her, he probably wouldn't have agreed to.

"Here, I thought maybe you and May could figure it out," Jack offered the bone to them.

"Hmm," Quint took some into his fingers. "It could come in handy. I'll have to study it further."

"When we have time. I'm busy with sprucing up Big Mama and Quint's got projects to do," May stated as Quint put down the bone.

"So, you didn't find any power?" June asked in disappointment.

"No, but..." He sighed as she walked off sadly. "I found something better. The, you know, the place! With the outer space dome, and dried ice cream, and you get to miss classes."

"Wait, you mean the Planetarium?" Quint wondered happily.

"That's it! I knew it started with a P. I-it looks cool. We should all go," Jack offered his friends.

"Of course, the Planetarium! It has a huge generator! We can use it to power up the whole town square!" He gestured to the area around them.

"Oh, well then..." Jack chuckled awkwardly; he actually just wanted to hang out with them. "Yeah. I totally found power."

"Yes, yes, yes!" June was so happy that she hugged him, looking up and letting go. The two laughed, Quint and May grinning at each other. Dirk threw a basketball, but it got blocked off by Chef before he could score.

"Monsters only, sweet cheeks."

"Dude, I love this joke-y tease-y rapport we got going-" Dirk got an air horn blown into his face.

"Beat it, flesh bag."

He grumbled while rubbing his neck, casually looking at his knuckles. "I got places to be, anyways..." Rover whimpered as he felt bad for the boy. Clearly Chef didn't want him around the monsters...


As the sun was setting, they were walking across a large gap. "I can't tell you how much I love school field trips," Quint gushed to them.

"Dude, school is extinct," Dirk pointed out as Jack started climbing a pile of cars.

"I've already set up a ton of stuff at our place for when we have more power," June stated in excitement while holding her hands together, turning around to May. "Hey May, maybe we can set up a karaoke machine, like good old times."

"That'd be pretty fun, but I don't have a good voice," May coughed awkwardly as Quint was looking at her curiously.

"That's why it's fun," June smirked a bit at the girl.

"Yay, I can't wait," She looked annoyed from this.

"Oh, yeah. I got my own power plans," Jack pointed to his head.

Quint, while wearing his lab coat, pulled down a giant lever. "We have the power!" Jack screamed while the treehouse was covered in lights, neon signs with their faces appearing while everything around them was also in lights, pointing at the treehouse. All the monsters awed over it, and the treehouse took off like a rocket, fireworks surrounding them as they took off into space.

"Ha!" Jack gave a smug look. "Didn't overdress for that fantasy." He then heard a noise, looking up to see that his friends had started climbing without him. "Uh, hey! Wait up, you guys!" He raced after them.

"You think you'll be able to get the power running right away, Quint?" June asked while he struggled to climb up the roof of a car.

He fell and then was snagged by a rope held by May, who smiled. "Hopefully. Let me just reorganize my schedule. Again," He looked a bit annoyed before looking at her wide-eyed. "But I-I can handle it. If I can survive Thrull and finding out about May's dad, nothing can intimidate me again."

"You got that right, Corporal Tiger Pants," Jack held out his fist for Quint to bump.

"You ever been around Biggun after he misses a nap?" Dirk pointed out while crossing his arms. May pulled up Quint and took his hand, pulling him up. "Now, that's scary."

"You'd know better than us," June gave him a knowing look and he glanced at her wide-eyed. "You're practically President of the Monster Fan Club. Ha ha, ooh, burn!"

"What?" He asked her in defense. "Monsters are cool!" He watched her use her spear to leap over a car. "We got lots in common, is all. We're-we're all big, we're all strong."

"You're all hairy," Quint pointed out as he climbed up. "Ooh, moded corroded."

"May, aren't monsters cool?" Dirk asked as he helped her up.

"Monsters equal cool. But you getting sidelined by them, not as much," She shook her head as she walked past him and he pouted.

"Jeez, Dirk, if you like them so much, why don't you marry them?" Jack teased him further.

"Uh, why don't you go take a hike?" Dirk jerked a thumb behind him.

"Well, since we're doing that right now...done and done," He stood on top of a car. "Ooh, burn. Right? Right?"

"Uh, you guys can't congratulate yourselves on your own burns," Dirk protested as they jumped off the cars. "It doesn't work like that!"

"That's exactly how it works," May shrugged at him, gasping as she realized she did one. "Ooh! Bringing it back and making it flame!" She high-fived June with a huge grin and he grumbled as he trudged after them.

"Such a good burn," Jack said to himself while running after him.

"So when would bringing power be up next on your schedule?" June looked over Quint's shoulder to look at his notebook.

"I don't know, maybe we should lay off of him?" May gave June a pointed look, but her friend was just confused. "Guy's got enough to do."

"Oh no, don't worry, May!" Quint smiled as he came up to her side. "I'm fine, but...t-thanks for worrying about me," He blushed a bit and she cleared her throat, looking away with her cheeks flushed. "You know, offer's still up for me to change my schedule if you want something."

"Quint, I'm fine. If I really need to, I'll do it myself," She assured him while waving it off.

"Well, yeah, I know that, but...you know, we've grown really close, so...I just want to do something nice for you," He rubbed the back of his neck bashfully and she blushed.

"Ooooh!" Dirk wrapped his arms around the two. "Romance in the air!"

"What-no! Not like that," Quint protested nervously, even though yes, that was the intent. May pushed him off in annoyance.

"Dirk, you're not gonna burn us, knock it off," She huffed at him and he just wiggled his eyebrows, Jack and June grinning at the two.


It was getting dark as they continued walking in silence, and then they finally reached their destination. "There it is!" Jack pointed up ahead and they smiled. The moon was shining down on the Planetarium and Jack sneaked around first. "But what's on the roof? That wasn't there before." They looked closely to see a dark shadow on the roof, and it was screeching whatever it was.

"What the heck is it?" Dirk asked and June gasped in realization.

"Wretches!"

"Ugh, man, the smell!" Dirk said in disgust, waving a hand in front of his face.

"Yep, they stink of evil. Wretches, Dozers, Blarg, Thrull."

"Um," June facepalmed herself.

"They all stink worse than Quint's socks! If they were evil."

"What does evil even smell like?" May couldn't help but wonder, sniffing the air and looking away while gagging. "Never mind. I got my answer, and it's disgusting."

"Okay, here's the plan," Jack spoke up while everyone gathered around. "Quint, what gadget did you bring to fix this?"

"I don't have a gadget for this," Quint argued back. "I've been busy!"

"Okay, then new plan...May, what gadget did you bring to fix this?"

"Seriously? Just because I help Quint in his lab doesn't mean I know all of his techniques to build a gadget for this," She gestured to herself and him in annoyance.

"Okay, okay. How about this?" June started off.

The plan started with Dirk getting into a car, and he turned on the headlights. Jack stood up from a car and used his hand to make a shadow puppet of a dog. Then he made a rabbit, followed by a bird, then a person with a pumpkin for a head. "Hey, you stinking wretches! You think you're tough enough to battle me?" The wretches looked up and saw the shadow, flying away into the sky. While they were distracted, the group all rushed for the Planetarium.

"Wow, that was easy," Dirk commented as they reached the door. "Like, too easy."

"Dude, don't say that," Jack warned him in disbelief. "Now things are gonna get not easy."

"Guys, you're both jinxes," May told them with a calm look. "Can we just go inside?"

The wretches roared and they opened the entrance, looking around at the objects. The five turned on their flashlights and stepped in. "So, where's this generator thing, anyway?" Dirk couldn't help but ask.

"Now this I do have a gadget for," Quint smirked, his hands on his hips.

"Dr. Quint Baker's EMF Detector. The electromagnetic field radiation detector can find any residual energy source."

"That's genius, Doc Baker!" Jack rolled past on a skateboard.

"Pick up Quint Baker's EMF Detector. It may be funny looking, but it gets the job done."

"Yeah, just like Jack," Dirk laughed as Jack frowned, his arms crossed. "Burn!"

"Hey!"

"Okay," Jack smiled at the group. "It's generator time."

"And if we get separated, we meet back here," Quint whispered to everyone as they stepped inside. Water dripped from above, and they noticed some zombies lurking around. Jack and June, with their weapons, knocked them off the railing. They looked down to see several zombies down there. Jack looked at the broken staircase, and then at the giant display of planets.

"Only one way across the solar system," Jack put his flashlight into his mouth and jumped across, the planet spinning around above the zombies. He landed on the other side with ease, cheering at his friends.

Once they got across, Quint used his detector and it blinked rapidly. He gasped, the others doing the same as he looked up ahead. He opened up a panel, and he smiled as he held the detector, which went crazy in front of a giant generator. "Behold!"

"Way to go, bud!" Jack fist-bumped him.

"Let's hope it works," June grinned widely as Quint plugged it in. "Mama needs a new pair of electrical shoes." Quint turned it on, flipped a switch, and the lights turned on in the room. All of them cheered, May reaching out and hugging Quint from behind. He flinched but smiled at the gesture. All of them stepped out into the open.

"Oh, yeah," Jack complimented as they saw all the displays.

"It's better than I could have dreamed! It's nerd-vana!"

May just chuckled at him. Usually when they went to the Planetarium, she did pay attention, but other times her 'friends' wanted to do something else. Quint laughed as he ran around, Jack taking a photo. Then they all played around the satellite car.

Next up, they used the hovering system while wearing space suits. A zombie appeared and they all winced. Then he lightly pushed the lever, causing all of them to go out of control as they flew around, the zombie trying to stop the machine.

They touched a rock that emanated lightning, their hair sticking up. May's hair went like an afro as it popped out of its braid, all of them laughing at each other.

They raced into the gift shop, all of them taking some freeze-dried ice cream. "It's like I just won the lottery!" Quint gushed while wearing a hat, carrying an atom figure, and eating the ice cream. He took a happy bite. "Science-y."

Behind a room was a planet that looked real, but it wasn't. Quint and May stood next to each other as the former pressed a button. "Got it!" He smiled as they took their seats, watching the presentation they'd always watch on field trips.

"Space."

"Whoo! Best field trip ever!" June smiled happily at Jack while bumping his arm a little.

"The ever-present dome of endless wonder." Jack smiled and blushed, the girl not paying attention. He put his hands behind his back. Quint glanced nervously at May's hand, gulping a little. He finally got the courage to place his hand over hers. May blinked and glanced at him, but he looked away, a blush on his face. She smiled softly at him, not moving her hand.

"And just when you think the universe..." Jack squinted closed as he saw a dark shadow of sorts past the planets. "Can't get any more mysterious..." Something suddenly flashed yellow and he leaned in a little closer. Something was definitely there, but he couldn't make out what it was.

"Am I crazy, or do those stars look weird?" He whispered to June, who looked in the same direction.

"Yes," She answered simply.

"Guys, I'm trying to watch a show," Dirk hissed at them from up front. Quint and May noticed the same mysterious eyes looking down at them.

"What is it?"

"I don't know, but something tells me we should high-tail it out of here," May jerked a thumb behind her. And their instincts were right because a pair of wings emerged from the pair of eyes.

"Oh, no!" June shouted as it was one of the wretches from outside!

"Back to the generator!" Jack shouted as they rushed out of the room. The wretch got stuck while screeching at the five.

"That's the biggest wretch I've ever seen!" Dirk screamed as they reached the generator room. Quint scrambled to take it apart, pulling wires left and right.

"Must work faster! Must work faster!" He then placed the generator on Dirk's back, and they used seatbelts to fasten it around him. Since it was heavy and he was the strong one, they elected him to carry it.

"If a monster can carry this, I can carry this," He encouraged himself as they came across the wretch, running in the opposite direction. The wretch screeched while chasing after the group. "Come on, Dirk monster. Gah!" The wretch flew straight through a sign as they screamed. The wretch started knocking stuff down as they came across the planets. Jack jumped first, followed by June, Quint, and May. The zombies were still down below growling as June helped Quint. He turned around and grabbed May's hands as she jumped. As he pulled her up, she glanced back at Dirk, who crawled over the railing. He jumped as soon as the wretch arrived, the creature just missing him. Then as soon as he landed on one of the planets, it creaked, causing them to gasp. As he jumped to the next one, the one he jumped from broke off due to the weight. It then bounced around the crowd of zombies.

Dirk jumped again, gripping the generator as he could either get zombified or get eaten by a wretch. He jumped one last time, holding onto the railing tight. They gathered around to pull him up, the wretch jumping onto a planet. As they pulled Dirk up, the planet fell and the wretch crashed. They made a break for it, rushing down the stairs and hearing a noise. They turned around to see the creature flying towards them with the planet in hand. They then all screamed as they ran off from the rolling planet.

They rushed for the exit, opening up the double doors as the planet crashed into the entrance. The wretch poked its head out. Then the entrance caved in, the rubble falling in front of it.

"It's...still...okay!" Quint panted out to everyone as he leaned against the generator.

"Yeah. It's okay and freakin' heavy!" Dirk retorted back and Quint winced a bit.

"Maybe don't express relief that a heavy generator is okay with him carrying it again," May whispered to Quint. She could kinda tell that the latter was relieved that they didn't have to search for a new one if the one they got broke or destroyed.

"I think we got him," June turned to Jack. "Or, at least, the Planetarium did."

As soon as she said that, the wretch crashed through the roof, and they looked up anxiously. "Nope!" Jack exclaimed to her and they took off.

"I can't just keep running," Dirk said in exhaustion as he lagged behind, eventually falling with the generator supporting him. The wretch crawled out and peeked inside.

"Guys," June spun her staff into her hands. "Plan Alpha!" They rushed out of the grass entryway, leaving the generator behind. The creature screeched and landed on top of the entryway, peeking at the generator.

"Hey! Space ice cream!" Quint held it up. "A delicious treat for humans and wretches alike!"

"Come and get it!" May called out while ripping one off and taking a bite. "Mm-mm, delicious."

"You're trying too hard," He gave her a blank look.

"And you're a hypocrite," She said simply while wiping her mouth with her eyes closed.

"Oooh!" The three cat-called from nearby and Quint looked a little embarrassed now. The wretch flew straight for them and Quint screamed as he leaped and pushed May to safety, both of them landing side-by-side. The creature crashed into the fountain and the two got up, running for a tree. They rolled to the other side, the wretch snapping its teeth. May kneeled in front of Quint protectively, narrowing her eyes. She reached into her pocket and threw powder into the wretch, hurting its eyes as it screeched.

"Hey, you dumb post-apocalyptic pigeon!" June shouted from the top of the tree, waving her hands. It flew in front of her and she got her staff. "Now!" Dirk threw some rope to get its foot.

"Got him!" The wretch struggled, handing the rope to May, June, and Quint. June ran the rope and the tree. May held one side as June held the other. They brought the two halves around, but the wretch flew up before they could tighten the rope around the tree...and instead the movement tied a knot around May's wrist.

"Uh oh," She said with fearful eyes. Then the wretch flew off with May's wrist tied at the end, sending her into the air. "Ahhh!"

"No, no, no, no, no!" June shouted as she jumped up and held May's waist. Quint tried to get them down, but was too late as the three flew around with the wretch. The rope tightened around May's wrist and she yelped as it was a little painful.

"Get me out of this knot!" She shouted as June attempted to reach up to it. Suddenly the rope loosened and they flew onto the grass. They peeked out of the grass in annoyance and Quint saw a rope burn around May's wrist, causing him to growl.

"Hey, big boy! You missed me! Your lunch is getting away!" He then ran off as the creature flew after him.

"Jack, you're up!" June shouted and he climbed up the display rocket.

"Ahh! I'm getting too old for this!" He rolled into the entryway, landing in front of the generator. Jack stood on top of the rocket with his slicer ready, narrowing his eyes. He rushed forward as the two stared each other down. He leaped and got right underneath the stomach, slicing it open. He then landed right into a rose bush.

"Ow, ow, ow! Thorns, thorns, thorns!"

The wretch crashed into the tree and landed on the ground. Then it retreated away thanks to the cut he just got. They all went over to Quint, Jack pulling off the thorns. "Ow! Ow!"

"That's it," Quint panted out to them. "We are officially mothballing Plan Alpha!"


"Ugh, this stuff really clings," Jack looked at the slicer with goo on it as they started walking home.

"That wretch encounter in the Planetarium was exceptionally scary," Quint commented as Jack put his weapon back. "Nevertheless, still one of my top six field trips."

"And at least we all got out alive," May grinned with her hands on her hips.

"Totally worth it!" Jack cheered as they watched Dirk walk up the small hill.

"We've got power!" June exclaimed while pumping up her fists.

"Civilization!" Quint added in, getting high-fives from the three.

"Uh, this thing is still heavy," Dirk wheezed to his friends. "Less squawkin', more walkin'!" May rolled her eyes in amusement, since the minute he would see the monsters, he'd be saying otherwise.

"I'm sure we could find a dolly or something," Quint suggested to the others.

"Shh! Carrying weight makes him feel needed," June told him.

"How do you know that?"

"May told me," She jerked a thumb to the brunette, getting weird looks from Jack and Quint.

"I learned it from the whole fake dating thing, he liked carrying my books sometimes for the heck of it," She shrugged a little. "Wasn't gonna stop him from something he wanted to do."


They made it back to the treehouse, where Quint was setting up the generator. Everyone watched in anticipation, June especially. Bardle walked up to the boy as May handed him the tools he needed. "Your reliance on machinery confounds me, from both of you," They glanced up at him.

"Heh, no offense, but your magic wasn't exactly lighting this place up."

"Quint!" May gave him a small glare. "What he means to say is that we couldn't rely on you for power, because it might drain you. Or have other effects we don't know about, since we know you like your...solitude," She rubbed the back of her neck. Solitude was more like he just didn't want to be around people and focus on other stuff.

Bardle just chuckled in response. "I'd wager my magic against your machinery any day," And with that, he left them.

"Is it ready?" June asked in excitement.

"Yeah, come on! We've got slushie machines to juice up."

Quint was signaling for him not to say that and May blinked, glancing at him. He laughed as he rubbed his arm. "He wasn't supposed to tell you that...I just wanted for you to have at least something that relied on power. Are you mad?"

"Of course not," She smiled softly at him. "Thank you, Quint. I really appreciate you doing that."

The three just smirked from behind her back, Quint blushing in embarrassment that they were watching. He cleared his throat and turned back to the control panel. "Almost got it...there, done!" He closed the panel and flipped up the switch. It started up as they watched it power the jukebox behind them. Then all the lights came on, all the monsters cheering. June looked up and beamed, clasping her hands together.

"We have power!"

"All right!" Dirk pumped his fists as the group of friends cheered along with the monsters. "Not too shabby, if I do say so myself," Quint smiled proudly, looking to Jack.

"Now we can finally cross that off the overall list," May wiped her forehead.

"Guys, it's amazing," June smiled at the two.

"You two rock!" Jack gave them a group bear hug, the two laughing.

"That we do. That we do!"

Dirk walked up and pointed to something behind them. "Looks like that bulb is out. I'll get one of the monsters on it."

"All right, that's enough of a test for now," Quint stated while looking around. "I still have to monitor the output."

"Yeah, we don't need things too bright in case-"

"Hey," June stopped the both of them. "Maybe just a minute longer?" She gave them pleading looks.

"Yeah, you guys," Jack smiled in agreement with her. "Maybe we just enjoy the moment."

"Indeed," Quint smiled back and nodded. "Yes, indeed."

"Mm..." May still looked a bit skeptical while she crossed her arms. "I don't know, guys. What if-" She stopped short as June and Jack gave her puppy eyes. She then rolled her eyes to the back of her head with a small smile. "Fine, but not too long, okay?"

Everyone enjoyed the lights and how all their hard work paid off. However, May's concerns were warranted as one of the bulbs sparked, going across the wires and landing in a building. Lights turned on from inside the vine-covered building. "Repeating. This is..." There was static, but it was clear that it was...another person. "We are...respond if you can...we will try again in two..." After that, the message ended.

The wretch from before returned to its home, crawling back to some debris. It closed its eyes, still in pain as it now had a scar from Jack's slicer. The scar glowed purple ominously...

As the five friends enjoyed their pizza, the morning after they defeated Thrull, black liquid dripped from Jack's slicer. And this was just the start as Rezzoch returned...

Rezzoch, from the tree, released blue energy that went out into the forest. It arrived at the location of the wretch. It opened its eyes, alarmed to see it come straight for him. Before it could react, Rezzoch entered inside the scar, causing it to grow and transform. The result was a much more powerful wretch, one that basically attacked another incoming wretch...and ate it alive! The new wretch, after swallowing its prey, let out an echoed screech...