Shantae and Triton drop down from the hole they came in. Triton looks at Shantae and huffs in annoyance. 'This is going to be a painful experience,' he thought. Shantae looks to Triton with curiosity with a hint of pout. 'What's his deal?' she thought.
As they reach the ground, Triton sticks the landing. But Shantae loses her footing as she lands and falls flat on her face. Triton grinned with humor. "Better watch your step tailwhip," he said. Shantae huffed, "Jerk." "Hey, you wanted to go further in the tunnels," said Triton. "I'm just trying to keep myself positive."
After a few steps, Triton takes a quick look around their surroundings. "Okay, this is it." "What's it?" asked Shantae. "This is uncharted territory," replied Triton. "Everything around here is all new to me. So unless you want to explore these tunnels alone, I suggest you stay close."
Shantae sighed, "Whatever you say." Shantae follows Triton close by as he uses his screech to open another sealed glass door. They pass by a waterfall, where Triton does his best to avoid it. Shantae however doesn't mind a few drops hitting her arm. Then, a few large lobster creatures start coming their way. The two fight with Shantae's ponytail and Triton's bare hands, and agility.
"I gotta say," said Shantae. "You sure know how to fight." Triton brushed off his knuckles and cracked them. "It's one of the things you learn while living down here," said Triton. "There's no one in this world you can trust besides yourself."
"That's not exactly true," said Shantae. "You gotta at least trust someone." Triton remained quiet. Shantae decided to stop talking to him for a while. The two find a passage down below next to a waterfall. Triton climbs down as far away as he can from the waterfall. 'He does not like to get wet at all,' thought Shantae.
She climbs down using the ledges close to the waterfall. She fights off a couple bats, collecting treasure and food. As she gets down, she finds Triton panting from climbing. Seeing him struggle made Shantae feel pretty bad for the boy. So while he wasn't looking, she gave him an apple she snatched from one of the bats.
Triton takes notice of the fruit and looks over to Shantae waiting for him by a locked door. He didn't know what to think. She gave him an apple, and she earned it from fighting those bats. He looked down at the fruit and took a quick bite. As he gets his second wind, he hides the apple in his pocket and walks up to Shantae.
"Looks like we'll need to find a key for this door," said Triton. "Okay," said Shantae. "The key shouldn't be far from here." She points to the passage behind them. "I think we should start looking there." Triton nods and leads the way.
As they get deeper into the passage, Triton smells a terrible aroma. He stopped Shantae from advancing. "Hold on," he said. He slowly approaches the chasm in front of them. "We don't want to fall in there. That chasm is filled with gas poisonous to animals, us included. We'll need to find a way across."
Shantae finds a pad on the floor nearby. When she stepped on it, a large cobblestone popped out of the chasm. "Will that work?" she asked. "Just about," replied Triton. The two jump over the chasm and continue searching for the key.
But as they got to the other side, both passages were blocked off. "Ambush!" cried Triton. And just like that, a couple of crab and urchin creatures appeared. Shantae fought off the crabs, and Triton fought off the urchins. One of the urchins shot a barb at Triton, only to be deflected by Shante's ponytail.
The two remain silent until they reach a dead end. The door suddenly closes right behind them, and then a giant blue lobster creature appears. The two prepare to fight and the blue lobster charges at them. Shantae and Triton dodge just in time. Shantae attacks with her ponytail, only for the blue lobster to deflect her attacks.
Triton jumps up and grabs the lobster from behind and tries to stop the creature from defending himself. Then, he throws himself in front of the creature and slams it to the ground. The creature gets back up, only for Shantae to whip its legs. The creature fell back to the ground and she whipped her hair on its eye, causing the lobster to explode.
"Hmm," chuckled Triton. "I guess you're not that bad of a fighter either." "I've had practice," said Shantae. The two grab the key that appeared in the center of the room. The doors opened up and Shantae gestured to him to lead. "Shall we?" Triton nodded, "Let's go."
The two go to the locked door, and use the key to access the passageway. And on the other side, they find another button on the ground. Shantae steps on it and the wall moves toward them and turns into a ledge to jump on. But as she walked off, the ledge turned back into a wall.
That's when Triton had an idea. "Okay, I know what to do here." He steps on the button. "I'll stay here and you go ahead and climb up."
"Are you sure?" asked Shantae. "I'll manage," replied Triton. Shantae nodded and jumped up. After she left, he looked to his right hand and let a drop of water on his palm. A suction cup appeared in his palm and he started climbing on the wall.
He climbed up as fast as he could to try and catch up with Shantae. He climbed up more walls with his suction cupped hands and reached to the top. There, he fought off a couple more crab creatures. He used his suction cups and planted them on two of the crabs. He swings them around like boxing gloves and clears the area in no time.
Just then, Shantae jumps up from out of a hidden ledge. Triton looks to his hand and quickly hides it away from her. "Hey tailwhip," he said. "Oh, hey Triton. How'd you get up here?" asked Shantae. " I had my ways," he replied.
"Oh I got good news," said Shantae. "I found a chest in a hidden passage not far from here. I looked inside, and I found this map." She pulls a map out of her hair and shows it to Triton. "Now this can come in handy."
He takes a look at the map and nods with understanding. "Well, the good news is that this map shows all the locations of this labyrinth. But the bad news is that there's no passage that leads to the topside." "Guess we'll have to keep looking if we're going to find the half genies," said Shantae.
The two continue to fight off crustacean creatures, find hidden keys, and jump over deadly chasms. But with the map, the two start going deeper and deeper in the tunnels. This made Triton agitated and upset. "I don't understand why we don't just turn back," said Triton. "This map says that this is a section of looped tunnels." "If any of the half genies are around here," said Shantae. "Then they should be somewhere deeper in the tunnels."
"Look, I'm still not sure I should be helping you out with this," said Triton. "Hey, don't go backing out on me," said Shantae angrily. "You agreed to help me!" "This isn't even my business," said Triton. "Why couldn't you get anyone else to help you, Ms Superstar?"
This made Shantae snap, "Because no one else will help me! Okay?!" Triton froze in place when she shouted. "My friends won't help me find them, and the officials told me to stay out of it!" Shantae started to calm down, but kept her tone firm. "They made me feel helpless, weak. Do you know what that's like?"
Triton looks in her eyes and could tell she was hurt when she stood alone, planning on doing what's right. He feels helpless and weak all the time, and he hides his sadness by attacking those who think less. Shantae looks at Triton, thinking she may have convinced him. But he breathes and continues walking in the tunnels. 'He is so immature,' she thought.
As the two continue walking, the doors suddenly shut, trapping them. Then, a familiar face came falling down. It was Shantae's enemy, Risky Boots. Triton stood in shock, while Shantae got ready to fight.
"Risky Boots," said Shantae angrily. "Ho ho ho ho ho ho!" laughed Risky. "The half genie runt! Fancy meeting you here." She turns her attention to Triton. "Oooo, I see you made a new friend."
Triton shook his head, "W-We're not friends." He felt agitated seeing the pirate captain face to face. Shantae was bold and firm. "I know what you did, Risky! You better release those girls, or else!"
Risky Boots smirked with amusement, "Oh my! You just have all the answers don't you?" She turned away, then drew her sword and flintlock pistol. "Heh… Think what you like. You won't live long enough to interfere with my plans! And that goes for you too, boy! Tinkerbats! ATTACK!"
A batch of Tinkerbats appear before the two and surround them. "I'll get Risky Boots, you handle her Tinkerbats! LET'S GO!" Shantae jumped ahead from Risky's henchmen and stood toe to toe with her.
Triton stood surrounded by the tinkerbats. They drew out their swords preparing to attack. One sword shone a flash of light in Triton's eyes. In that flash, he instantly saw fire, swords and angry eyes in his face. That flashed image brought out a dark fear in his mind. That fear triggered his eye transformation. He went from hazel to yellow serpent, and made him charge at the tinkerbats.
Shantae and Risky were at each other's throats. Shantae kept whipping her pony tail at the captain, while she tried to get a shot on her with her flintlock pistol. Every shot Risky made, Shantae would dodge it. And every whip Shantae made, Risky would jump.
But, just as Risky lined up for a shot, Shantae whipped her pistol out of her hand and did a jump attack. Risky resisted her grasp as much as she could. Until she looked to see Triton fighting her tinkerbats.
Triton jumped and bashed and slashed his way through all the tinkerbats he could fight. Then, he gives off a high pitched scream knocking them down. He runs down, slashing away more tinkerbats until they fall to their backs. They lay afraid of his vicious eyes and snarling teeth as Triton approached them with anger.
The sight of Triton made Risky grin. "Stop!" Triton looks at Risky in surprise, and the tinkerbats retreat. Shantae was most shocked that Risky would stop a fight. She sheathed her sword and said, "That's enough fun for now. If you want to know who really captured those girls, you won't have to look very far."
She turns away, but then looks back at Triton. "There's more to you than you think," she said. Triton was confused, "What do you mean?" Risky grinned, "Ta-Tah!" She makes a clean getaway as the doors open back up. Triton didn't know what to think.
"What did she mean by that?" Shantae asked. "I don't know," replied Triton. "All I know is, I'm not like the other villagers." The two were silent as Triton scouted ahead, and Shantae gave a curious look at him before following him after.
As they got to the other side, Triton failed to see a waterfall nearby. The water hit his right arm, causing it to grow fins and scales. He yelped in fright. 'No no! She can't see me like this,' he thought.
"What is it, Triton?" asked Shantae. He quickly hides his arm and backs up a bit. "Uh..nothing! Everything is fine. Just got wet is all." But the next step he took, he slipped and fell down another hole.
He dried off his hand just in time as Shantae jumped down after him. "Are you okay?" "Ugh," he groaned. "Yeah I'm fine." Then suddenly he stops, he looks behind her, and he sees a half-genie trapped in a cage.
"Uh, Shantae?" He points behind her, and she turns around. She gasps, "PLINK!" Plink opened her eyes and saw Shantae and Triton. "Are you alright?" asked Triton. "Who did this to you? How did you get down here?" asked Shantae.
Plink was stunned and too frightened to speak. Shantae was worried. "Plink! Snap out of it!" Shantae's plea got Plink's attention. "Huh?" She immediately snaps back into reality. "Where…am I?"
"You don't know how you got down here?" Triton asked. "Gosh," said Shantae. "Are you feeling alright?" "I..think so," replied Plink.
"Hold on," said Shantae. "We'll get you out of there." "We will?" Triton asked. "Of course we will!" snapped Shantae. Triton put his hands up, "You're right, you're right." The two open the cage from the outside by prying the bars from both ends. They free Plink with ease.
"This cage sure looks weird," said Shantae. "This is not like any other cage I've ever seen," said Triton. "Most of them are usually destroyed or in pieces."
"Never mind the cage," said Plink. "Here, I've got something for you, Shantae." Plink gives Shantae what looks like a coin with a picture of a newt on it. Triton was most intrigued, "What is that thing?" he asked. "That is a magical fusion coin," said Plink. "It allows half-genies to transform instantly into a new form."
"What kind of form?" asked Shantae. "This form bears the mark of a Dash Newt," replied Plink. "Dash Newt?" Triton asked. "Dash Newts are rare creatures that inhabit the island," said Plink. "Using its abilities, you may be able to locate the source of evil in this place."
Triton felt uneasy, "Okay! We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Shantae however, felt bold. "Leave it to me! I promise to do my very best!"
Plink nodded and said, "If you dash into a wall, you can stick to it. Give it a shot!" Shantae used the fusion coin and turned into a Dash Newt. The next thing she knew, she started climbing on the walls of the underground tunnels.
"I'm impressed," said Triton. "This can make climbing up holes be a breeze. Like the one you fell down here." "Maybe," said Shantae. "But then, the other half-genies would still be stuck down here."
She climbed up the wall, leaving Triton and Plink behind. "Aren't you going to follow her?" she asked. "She can handle herself," replied Triton. "I'll find my own way out." "You know, I sense you have a dark secret," said Plink. Triton darted his eyes back and forth. "I- uh, have no idea what you're talking about."
"Your center is clouded," said Plink. "And you lack the answers of what it is that confuses you." Triton perks up surprised and confused. He turns around to face Plink, only to find that she disappeared. "How did she…?" He shrugs it off and starts climbing with his suction cup hands, following Shantae.
He climbs up the holes in the ceiling, then comes to a stop when a locked door is in front of him. He hears the ceiling open up from above, and Shantae comes flying down. "Hey Triton, I got the key to the door here," said Shantae.
She looks at Triton, who is showing a puzzled look. "What's wrong?" "It's Plink," he replied. "Before she disappeared, she told me that my center was clouded. It's like she could sense my soul."
"That's because Plink is a seer," said Shantae. "She could sense dark vibes, light vibes, and anyone who feels conflicted." She keeps her eyes on Triton who is given a conflicted look. "Are you conflicted with something?" she asked.
Triton sighed, "Look, when you're down in these tunnels, it's hard to trust anyone and anything. I haven't had a friend for as long as I can remember." Triton looks down, feeling tired and helpless. "All I ever knew down here was to survive whatever it takes."
Shantae started to feel sorry for the lonely hermit and sighed. "I know what it's like to feel alone from time to time," she said. "But the only thing that kept me from feeling this way was having my friends by my side."
She nudged his arm and smirked, "I say you're long overdue for a friend." She does a little spin and raises her hand with the key in her palm. "And I'd gladly offer you my friendship for all you've done for me."
Triton was surprised. He didn't know how to respond, he just looked down. Not wanting to feel tough and brutal, he simply said, "I appreciate the offer tailwhip. I'll think about it." Shantae shrugged, "That's all I'm asking for. Just give me and my friends a chance." Shantae unlocks the door and the two continue on.
The two suddenly get ambushed by a couple of large blue lobster creatures. The two look and smile. "I'll take one, you take the other?" Shantae asked. "You got it," said Triton. "How about I give you a hand?" He grabs Shantae's arms and swings her around. He lets her go, and she gives a powerful whip of her ponytail. Causing the first blue lobster creature to disintegrate.
The other blue lobster creature stood its ground against Triton and Shantae. Triton decided to use his high shriek ability to stun the creature, Shantae uses her new Newt Dash ability to sneak around the blue lobster and shoot a fireball from behind. The attack was successful and Shantae and Triton smiled.
They soon reach a giant door at the end of the corridor that instantly opens in front of them. "Looks to me like someone is expecting us," said Triton. "Then let's get to it," said Shantae. She makes her way in the corridor and Triton follows behind.
The two enter what seemed to look like a chamber for a giant creature. Triton saw a vine about to attack Shantae. He pulled her out of the way just in time, and the two saw more vines moving in the center of the room. They climbed into a giant plant pot and a giant creature loomed over the two.
The creature looked more to be a plant-like humanoid figure with green leaves and roses as part of her attire. She yawned from her rest and looked upon Shantae and Triton. Triton was shocked.
"Oh my," he said. "I know what that is." "What is that?" asked Shantae. Triton points up to the creature. "That right there," said Triton. "Is a siren. A legendary creature with an alluring voice. They are known to be very dangerous, because they use their voices to lure unsuspecting ships to their doom."
"He's right," said the siren. "Welcome to my domain! And you're just in time for dinner!" She sprouts her vines, making her bloom with enchantment. "Now do tell me. Are you two sour, sweet, or both?"
"I don't like the sound of that," said Shantae. "Me neither," said Triton. "Prepare to fight!" The two race in opposite directions just as the siren planted red seeds. She sings the seeds to bloom, causing giant vines to pop out.
Triton looks down and notices two pads on opposing walls. Then, he looks up to find three holes that lead to the surface, where sunlight was most likely to shine. Triton shouts, "Tailwhip!" He points to the pad near her. "Dash Newt!"
Shantae looks up and smiles at Triton. She jumps in the air and turns into a dash newt. She lands on the pad, causing the pot to move closer to her. The siren takes notice and throws a red seed at where Shantae is.
Triton rushes over to stop the seed from hitting the ground. But the siren throws a batch of green seeds in the ground. The green seeds pop out to reveal chomping saplings. Triton slashed his way through the minions with ease, but the siren wouldn't give up. She calls to her vines and blocks Triton from going any further.
The siren laughs, but Triton has one more trick up his sleeve. He uses his high screeching ability, causing the seed to drop a few inches away from Shantae's location. The seed is planted, and a vine shoots up in the air, missing Shantae.
The siren looks at Triton with a shocked expression. "You did that!?" she asked. "No one else could do that! Except another siren!" Triton was surprised, and so was Shantae. Triton then closed his eyes and brushed on morning dew on the palm of his hands. "What can I say?" he said. "I'm full of surprises!"
He jumps up to the pad behind him, opening the hatches from above. The sun shone bright above the siren. She felt the sun hit on her leaves and skin, that she bloomed with glee. She yawns and stretches out her leaves, revealing red buds to the two.
Shantae jumps off the pad, causing the pot to move away from the sunlight. Triton uses another high pitched screech to attack the siren, while Shantae casts fireballs causing the siren to wilt in pain.
The siren screamed as her pot started exploding and a bright light filled the room. When the light disappeared, so did the siren.
Triton jumped down from the wall and rushed to Shantae. Shantae did the same. "Triton, that was incredible!" she said. "That we managed to take down a powerful mythological creature?" Triton asked. "That was pretty cool."
Shantae offered Triton a high five to celebrate, but Triton was a bit confused. "You've never seen a high five before?" asked Shantae. "Nope," replied Triton. Shantae smiled, "It's like this…"
She takes Triton's hand, unaware that his suction cup palm is still wet. She smacks his palm with hers, only to have it get stuck by Triton's suction cup.
She gasped, "What the?!" Triton realizes his mistake and helps her pull off. "No no no no." He brushes his hand off, making his suction cup disappear. "What was that?" asked Shantae. Triton was embarrassed to talk, but Shantae stood her ground. "Please tell me." She gives off a pleading look, making Triton whimper.
All his toughness was put to the test at this moment. All the times when he talked tough, acted tough, and looked tough, were all just to hide away his anger or fear. But now, he has a chance to show someone who was putting their trust in him.
He takes a deep breath and says, "The truth is, you're not the only half-human in this room." He brushes his arm on the morning dew and shows green scales appearing before her. "I'm also half-human. But the other half, I'm not so sure. I thought if I was entirely sure of who I was, I would've told you sooner."
Shantae was surprised, but Triton was not finished talking. "There are times when creatures underground get the drop on me and take everything I have. And in those times, I lose control of myself. I don't know what I've done, until it's too late. I don't want anyone to get to me, even when I don't know what I am. Either I am something more, or I'm just what they all say I am: a monster. I act tough Shantae. But most of the time, I'm terrified."
Shantae felt his story to heart, even by him calling her by name. She broke the silence and asked him, "How come you didn't tell me that before?"
Triton just replied, "Because we weren't friends before." The two hybrids look up at each other. And for the first time, as long as he could remember, Triton smiled genuinely to Shantae. He reaches his hand out to her. "Friends?"
Shantae smiled with glee and shook his hand. "Friends." Triton sighed in relief. "Okay, now let's get out of here," said Shantae.
"You got it," said Triton. "Those other half-genies ain't goin' to rescue themselves." Shantae stopped and turned surprised at his statement. "Now you want to find the other half-genies?" she asked. "They're still not my business," said Triton. "But if it's important to you, I think I'll stick around a little longer."
Shantae smiles with delight. "Then let's go!" Just as Shantae turns around, she trips off a vine. But before she could fall, Triton grabs her arm and catches her. "Woah," he laughed. "You need to watch your step down here." "Oh, thank you Triton," said Shantae.
Triton smiled, "You're welcome." He takes out his apple Shantae gave him, takes another bite out of it, and they walk out of the Water Lily siren's chambers.
Whew, that is quite something. Triton is slowly opening up to Shantae about his secret. But I think it's a unique start of trust building in this adventure. What other wonders Triton will discover as they continue their quest? Find out when Two Hybrids, One Hero returns. Keep on Truckin'!