Chapter 17: Slug Orphans
(Intro)
Another typical day for Battle Force 10. Just working about on their rides, preparing for the next Stormshock. "How's the Reverb's repairs coming, Stan?" Vert asked. "Eh, hit and miss. I just need to tighten this last hinge and my sonic cannons will be finished." Stanford said, reaching for the toolbox next to him. Suddenly, he felt something fleshy and not metal. "Ugh, is someone's slug trying to be funny?" He asked. "No." Vert, Olivia, Sherman and Spinner said. "Then who's in my toolbox?" Stanford asked. He looked at his hand and saw that he was holding a light blue slug with skeleton markings. The slug chittered as she waved hello. "Well, hello there, little one." Stanford greeted.
The team gathered as Stanford showed them the slug he found. "What kind of slug is that?" Talia asked. "It's a Frightgeist slug." Vert revealed. "They have the power to turn even the bravest of warriors into wimpy cowards." Olivia explained. Just then, the Frightgeist started chittering frantically. "What's she saying?" Spinner asked. "She's saying that her friends are stuck inside an old abandoned warehouse." Agura translated. "Old warehouse? Like the one outside of town?" Ivan asked. The Frightgeist chittered again. "She's saying yes. Her friends are trapped inside there." Agura said. "Well then, we got some slugs to save." Olivia said.
Later, the team arrived outside the abandoned warehouse and parked their vehicles near the entrance. "This is the place?" Horace asked. "That's what the slug said. So, it has to be." Agura said. Vert opened the door and walked in as the others followed him inside. They looked around, seeing that it was apparently empty. "It's looks pretty empty. Nothing, but cobwebs." Sherman said. "Let's keep looking." Vert said. The team searched further into the warehouse. Just then, Stanford saw 4 little slugs nearby. "Hey, team, I think I found them!" He called. The team hurried over just as the slugs slid through a crack in the wall. "They headed inside the next room." Olivia said. Vert opened the door and everyone gasped at what they saw. There were hundreds of slugs in the room. "Whoa. I've never seen this many slugs in a single place before." Vert said. "Neither have I." Olivia said. "How do you think they got here?" Ivan asked. "I don't know. But right now, we gotta get all these slugs back to the Hub." Vert said. "But how? There's so many of them." Rayona said. "I have an idea." Stanford said. Everyone looked at him with curiosity. "I can teleport them to the Hub with my powers." He said. "You sure you can do it?" Agura asked with concern. "Yes. I've been practicing with my powers and finally managed to master them." Stanford said.
He closed his eyes and focused his powers. Just then, one by one, the slugs teleported out of the warehouse. The team was amazed by how well Stanford was able to use his powers so perfectly now. As the last slug was teleported to the Hub, Stanford sighed in relief as he sat down. "You alright, Stanford?" Olivia asked. "Sure. I may have mastered my powers, but they still tire me out on certain times. No biggie." Stanford said. Agura chuckled as she and Olivia helped Stanford to his feet. "Battle Force 10, come in. Team, are you there?" Sage called on the com-link. "We read you, Sage. What's wrong?" Vert asked. "Hundreds of slugs just appeared in the Hub." Sage said. "Uh, yeah. That was Stanford's doing. We'll explain when we get back to base." Vert said, feeling embarrassed.
Later, as the team returned to the Hub, when they parked in the deployment station, they saw the slugs playing throughout the entire base. Even TRINA and the pets found them fun. "Any explanation on how you found all of these slugs?" Sage asked as she petted a yellow and brown armored slug on her shoulder. One by one, the team explained what had happened with Stanford finding the Frightgeist, finding all those slugs from the abandoned warehouse and them suddenly appearing in the Hub. "Well, it's very sweet that you managed to find these slugs before something terrible happened to them. And Stanford, it's nice to hear that you managed to master your powers." Sage said. "Thanks, Sage." Stanford said. The team all start laughing as the slugs all start playing around them. "You know, guys, we're gonna need a room for all these slugs now." Olivia said. "Well then, it's a good thing that I can make one with Sentient Nanotech." Sage said.
A while later, Sage had created a whole room just for the slugs. (AN: Picture the inside of Eli's backpack) The team looked around in awe at how much fun the slugs were already having in their new room. "Wow. They seem happier than they were when they got here. If that's even possible." Zoom said. "Though I'm suddenly quite curious at what each of these slugs can do." Stanford said. "Yeah. We already know what some of them can do, but what can the others do?" Rayona asked. Vert and Olivia looked at each other and smiled. "We know how you guys can learn about what the slugs can do." Vert said.
The Wheeler siblings headed upstairs to the garage, went over to an old trunk by the wall and opened it, revealing a bunch of different blasters. "Figured these would come in handy someday." Vert said. "Otherwise, we wouldn't have been given them." Olivia said. They grabbed the blasters and met back up with the team in the training yard. "Okay, team, in order to understand which slug can do what, Vert and I have decided that it's time for you guys…to become slug slingers." Olivia said. The team was surprised by this. "To further understand what a slug can do, you must sling them a few times and glimpse at their powers." Vert explained. "That's why we're gonna give each of you guys one of our extra blasters." Olivia said. "Our friends' father gave them to us in case we ever meet friends we can trust with the secret of Slugterra's existence." Vert said. "So, what do you guys say?" Olivia asked. The team looked at each other with interest. "Alright. Teach us." Stanford said. "Alright. Everyone, each take a blaster and then we'll sort out the slugs for each of your own arsenals." Vert said.
Each of the team each took a blaster. Agura picked out a Renegade Ultra QLC. Sherman took an Enforcer Cyclone HTQ. Spinner picked out a Charger Ultra R3D. Stanford took a Finale TYVM Grand. Zoom picked up and spun a Boonx2 Master. Talia picked a Ricochet Flash XVV. Rayona took a Wild Spectre VD. Ivan picked out an Engarde MegaSheen X. Horace picked a Crimson KNG. And Iguanarox took a Wild Spectre VD, just like Rayona. But there wasn't one for Zug. "Hey, why Zug have no blaster?" He asked. "Because we're gonna give your arm a brand-new blaster attachment." Olivia said. Zug looked at his arm with an interest. "Come on. I know the schematics for a slug blaster. I can set you up." Olivia said, walking back to the garage with Zug following her.
Later, after gathering the slugs outside, the team stood by as Vert and Olivia set up targets of Kalus, Zemerik and Sauron. "Alright. We set up these targets to help you practice and learn what each slug can do. Remember, no slug only knows one trick. They can do several different attacks, but importantly you must know which attack you want that slug to use." Vert explained. "But in order to learn the attacks, the first lesson is a simple one. Pick the slug you want to use." Olivia said. The team looked at all the slugs. "Now since we now have hundreds of slugs to choose from, before you select any, Olivia and I are gonna do a refresh example of slug slinging and using their attacks." Vert said. He drew his blaster, loaded one of his slugs and prepared to fire. The team watched closely as he fired Nereus, hitting the Kalus target with Aquajet. He reloaded and slung Flint, blasting the Zemerik target with Blastburst. He reloaded once more and slung Marshal, knocking down the Sauron target with a Battelup punch. The team applauded the performance. "Nice shooting, bro. My turn." Olivia said. The targets reset themselves as Olivia got her blaster, loaded one of her slugs and took aim. She slung Lorelei first, freezing the Kalus target with Deepfreeze. She reloaded and slung Shockstorm, zapping Zemerik with Tazerbolt. She reloaded and fired Poppy, digging into the ground and ensnaring the Sauron target with Tendrella. The team applauded again. "Now that was just a taste of what certain slugs can do with their powers. Remember, each slug can use several kinds of attacks." Vert explained. "Right. Now it's your turn to try. Each of you, go to the slugs and pick out 5 each." Olivia instructed.
A while later, the team presented their 5 slugs to Vert and Olivia. Spinner had brought out his slugs for the occasion. Vert and Olivia inspected the slugs the others had chosen. Agura picked out a Vinedrill, a Lavalynx, a Tormato, a Dirt Urchin and a Phosphoro. Sherman picked a Rammstone, a Polero, a Tazerling, a Lariat and a Hexlet. Stanford picked out a Slyren, a Hypnogrif, a Negashade, a Hexlet and the Frightgeist from earlier. Zoom picked a Phosphoro, a Speedstinger, a Sand Angler, a Thresher and a Neotox. Talia picked an Armashelt, a Hop Rock, a Hoverbug, a Tormato and a Geoshard. Rayona picked a Gazzer, a Hexlet, a Bubbaleone, a Flaringo and an Arachnet. Ivan picked a Dirt Urchin, a Blastipede, a Grenuke, a Lavalynx and a Slicksilver. Horace picked a Flatulorhinkus, a Diggrix, a Flaringo, a Sand Angler and a Polero. Iguanarox picked a Jellyish, a Rammstone, a Hop Rock, a Hoverbug and a Geoshard. And Zug picked a Slicksilver, a Tazerling, a Slyren, a Thresher and a Flatulorhinkus. "Wow, you all picked some excellent slugs." Vert said. "Excellent condition too." Olivia said. "Alright, team, you got your slugs, now it's time for you to test them by slinging them." Vert said. "Alert! Stormshock opening!" Sage called on the com-link. The team groaned at this. "Well, looks like this is going to have to be an on-the-job training." Olivia said. "Talia, Zug, you 2 stay on Hub duty and practice yourselves. Everyone else, let's drive." Vert said.
The selected team drove out of the deployment station and headed towards the Salt Flats. The slugs tagged along for the ride. "It's storm-riding time!" Vert called as they approached the Stormshock. The team entered the Stormshock and crossed through the portal.
The portal opened and the team entered a Battle Zone loaded with mushrooms. "Whoa. A Battle Zone filled with mushrooms." Vert said. "It also reminds me of Slugterra as it's also filled with mushrooms." Olivia said. "Funny. It reminds me of something from one of my games." Horace said. "Sherman, scan for the Battle Key." Vert said. Sherman tried to activate the scanners, but there was something interfering with the systems. "Something's interfering with the scanners. I can't lock onto the key." He said. "Then I guess we're going to search the old-fashioned way." Vert said. "Zoom, can you provide air cover?" Olivia asked. "You know it." Zoom said. As the team searched on the ground, Zoom activated his Chopper's blades and hovered into the air. But there were too many mushrooms in his flight path, causing him to fly around them. "Zoom, there's too many mushrooms. Maybe you should come back down." Vert said through the com-link. Just then, Zoom spotted something shining in the distance. "Hold up. I see the key. About 20 clicks due Northwest." He said. "Good work, Zoom. Let's grab it and bag it." Vert said.
"Hold up. We're about to receive unwanted company." Iguanarox said as he noticed another portal opening nearby. Just then, the Dwellers crossed through the portal and prepared for battle. Just then, a fifth Dweller crossed through the portal. "Looks like the Dwellers brought a new playmate." Vert said. The newest Dweller was a female humanoid vampire with silver wavy hair and was riding on a vampire bat themed motorcycle. "Fidget, Krongo, Fury, keep the mortals busy. We'll go for the Battle Key." Sauron ordered as he and the vampire girl drove towards the key's location. Fidget cackled as he, Krongo and Fury drove towards the team. "Team, keep the Dwellers busy! Liv and I will go for the key!" Vert ordered as he and Olivia drove after Sauron and the vampire girl. The team tried to activate their weapons, but they weren't responding. "None of our weapons are responding." Agura said. "How is that possible?" Rayona asked. Sherman ran an analysis on the Battle Zone and discovered something shocking. "Guys, it's the spores from the mushrooms. As the mushrooms release their spores into the air, they must contain some kind of particle that affects everything on our vehicles." He explained. "Everything except our engines, obviously." Spinner added. "So, if we can't use our weapons, what are we gonna do?" Horace asked.
Just then, the slugs started chittering. The team looked at them as the Dwellers were getting closer. "That's it. It's time to use our slugs." Sherman said. "But what about the spores? Won't they affect our blasters too?" Ivan asked. "No. Since the blasters are Slugterran tech, the mushroom spores shouldn't affect them." Sherman deduced. The team got out their blasters and stared at them. "Let's do it, team." Agura said. They each picked one of their slugs and loaded them into their blasters before exiting their vehicles. As the Dwellers got close enough, the team all started firing their slugs. Agura slung her Vinedrill, hitting Fidget with Itchypants, causing him to itch and fall off his ride. Zoom slug his Phosphoro, blinding Fury with Flashbang, causing him to crash into a mushroom. Stanford slung his Hexlet, hitting Krongo with HyJinx, causing him to trip off a little mushroom and fall off his ride. "Haha! We got them!" Zoom cheered. "Keep slinging!" Sherman exclaimed as he slung his Tazerling, hitting Fidget with Tazerbolt. "We gotta run!" Fury exclaimed. Horace slung his Flatulorhinkus, hitting Fury with Blorfball, causing him cough from the awful smell. Ivan slung his Blastipede, firing his bombs all around the Dwellers. "Let's go!" Fidget cried as he, Krongo and Fury started to run. The Blastipede touched his antennae and detonated the bombs, sending them flying. The team laughed as they continued slinging their slugs.
Meanwhile, Sauron and the vampire girl had just arrived at the biggest mushroom, which had the key. But then, they noticed that Vert and Olivia were coming up behind them. "Druilla, go up there and bring me the Battle Key. I'll handle the mortals." Sauron ordered. "With pleasure." The vampire girl, named Druilla, said with an evil fang-y smile before she spread giant bat wings and flew up towards the top of the mushroom. Sauron grinned sinisterly as he turned back towards the Wheelers' vehicles as they stopped and drew his sword. "Olivia, go after that vampire. Stop her from getting the key. I'll handle Sauron." Vert said as he and Olivia got out of their vehicles. "But how? Sherman said over the comms that the spores won't allow the Jetray to fly." Olivia said. "Got you covered, sis. Use Kahili." Vert said, tossing Olivia his Hoverbug. Olivia nodded as she loaded and slung Kahili into the air. The Hoverbug flew around, picked up Olivia and carried her towards the top of the mushroom. Vert drew his sword as he walked up to Sauron. "Well, well, well, here we are again, Zodiac Aries, face-to-face, one-on-one." Sauron said. "Too bad it'll end with just one, Sauron." Vert said. They charged towards each other and clashed their blades.
Meanwhile, Druilla made it to the top of the mushroom, walked over to the key and was about to take it with an evil fang-y smile. "That key doesn't belong to you, vampire." Olivia's voice said. Druilla turned around to see Olivia aiming her blaster at her. "You think so, Zodiac Ophiuchus? Well then, just try and take it." She dared. Olivia slung Poppy, attacking with Itchypants. But Druilla used her wings to create a powerful wind gust to blow away the spores before swatting Poppy aside. "You'll need to do much better than that." She said mockingly. Olivia reloaded and slung Lorelei, freezing Druilla with Deepfreeze. "Chill out, bat-brain." She said. But then, Druilla broke free of the ice. "Seriously? You know that I'm literally cold-skinned, right?" Druilla asked. Olivia reloaded and slung her last 3 slugs, Crab, Shockstorm and Sirenix. However, Druilla just swatted all 3 of them with her wings. Olivia was shocked. "You've delayed me from my goal. But now you've made me work up an appetite." Druilla said, morphing into a humanoid vampire bat. "Time to feast on blood!" She leapt at Olivia, fangs ready to suck her blood. Suddenly, Olivia reached behind her back, pulled out another slug barrel, loaded it and aimed for Druilla's head. She slung an Enigmo slug, hitting Druilla in the head. Druilla gasped, morphing back as her vision suddenly went crazy. "What's happening?! My vision! I can't see straight!" She exclaimed. "Nice work, buddy." Olivia said as she picked up her Enigmo before walking over to the key and taking it. Olivia then watched as Druilla was left flying and crashing into the surrounding mushrooms.
Meanwhile, Vert and Sauron continued to clash their swords, neither one of them giving an inch. "You've improved. But you still can't beat me, Aries." Sauron said. Suddenly, Olivia landed on top of him, knocking him out. "Then it's a good thing I never fight without my sister beside me." Vert said. "I got the key, Vert." Olivia said, holding up the key. "Then let's get the team and get out of here." Vert said.
Later, the team made it back to Earth. Olivia reached out and snatched the key, sealing the portal. "Good work, team. You managed to use your slugs with great effort as you fended off the Dwellers." Vert said as the team returned to the garage. "That earns you all a passing grade." Olivia said. The team was happy to hear that. "But I am wondering how Talia and Zug are doing while we were gone." Stanford said. "Looks to me like they were doing alright." Olivia said. The team turned around to see Talia and Zug at the training area, slinging their slugs at the targets. "Oh, hey, guys. When did you get back?" Talia asked. "Just now. I see you 2 have been practicing." Vert said. "Yes. Talia and Zug expert slug slingers now." Zug said. "We can see that. Great work, everyone." Olivia said. "But remember, to be a great slug slinger, you must learn not to just trust in your slugs, but to also listen to them." Vert said. "Yes. Even slugs can be of greater help if you learn to listen to them." Olivia said. The team nodded as their slugs perched themselves on their new slingers.
Wow! Wasn't that an amazing original chapter? The team discovered an abandoned warehouse filled with slugs from Slugterra. As they picked out their own slugs, the team took them along as they entered another Battle Zone, which had giant mushrooms. While dealing with the Dwellers, the spores from the mushrooms messed with their vehicles' equipment. So, they used their slugs to send the Dwellers running for home. Meanwhile, Olivia deals with a brand-new Dweller, a vampire named Druilla. But using a secret Enigmo slug, Olivia managed to defeat Druilla and retrieve the Battle Key. What other new surprises await the Battle Force 10? Are there other villainous creatures out there in the Multiverse? Leave a review if you want.
