Party Crashers


"You mean to tell me, all this time, you guys didn't know about him being the one to give Morando access to your planet until Zadra told you guys when she came to Earth?" Steve asked as they looked at Aja and Krel who stood at the front, both Merlin and Douzie having to silence the crowd a dozen times for them to explain.

"Yep, pretty much," Krel answered.

"We are conflicted just like all of you," Aja answered.

"The dude was a traitor this entire time and you guys never once showed any anger toward him. It's just like Strickler, you cannot trust a single person." Darci stated as she glanced at Varvatos who was now in the farthest corner.

"Yeah, Jim are you a traitor?" Mary asked, turning to face the boy who tensed up. "Just kidding, you couldn't be, little angel," she patted his cheek as Clarie wore an unimpressive look.

"He's not a traitor, Mar."

"So, if this is the past we are watching now, and you guys don't know till the end, why haven't you said anything?"

"We're still trying to figure it out ourselves, Varvatos doesn't seem like he would ever do that, but we are unsure," Krel answered.

"And this," Douxie started. "Would be a perfect way to see how he feels, we know what happens, we had glimpses. This is all for a reason and it would be best if we continued it. Aja, Krel, and Varvatos, you guys are connected to Claire, Jim, and Toby. This is how it was meant to be."

"It is strange, but I guess. How can we all not be made at Varvatos?" Aja asked.

"For now, we keep it as is, you have been silent all this time, let's see his side."

"Yes, I would like to redeem myself, but I deserve the punishment brought to me. To rot in a cage." Varvatos said as he made himself comfortable in the corner. No longer liking the crowd.

"I guess, if we saw Strickler change, we might as well give it a shot," Toby mumbled. The crowd regained themselves as everyone sat, staring at the screen in hopes of something better.

"Oh, speaking of which, we forgot someone, do not worry, we already filled her in," Douxie stated as he snapped his fingers, a chair with Zadra appeared beside Barbara.

"This is quite strange."

Through the darkness of the night, a familiar house, hidden behind the coverage of the fence was in sight, however, behind it, standing silent in the woods, the Zeron Bounty Hunters had been staring the target down. Beta scraped their claws against the grass, almost animal-like as the other two were perched beside their ship.

Alpha looked at his partner, who seemed ready to leap before speaking. "Go, Hunt."

In the house, unaware of the lurking dangers, Varvatos had been speaking to the regenerating cores, standing tall above the orange contaminants. "You would be proud of Aja. She gamely faced a dangerous bounty hunter, emerged victorious in battle, and received a B-plus on her English paper. That's a language here, and B is a letter. It seemed very important to her."

Aja glanced at Varvatos, unsure how to take seeing his side. It made her even more confused but it seemed like it was important. She had to trust this.

As for Zadra who joined, seemed upset at the sight of the traitor, she was not happy, but whatever the magical beings were talking about, she had to watch.

Mother's icon floated down in front of the mentor, cutting him off. "Commander Vex, there appears to be a cat-like creature…"

"Silence! Varvatos Vex is in the midst of a debrief." he swiped the Mother away, while outside, the figure she had warned him about, was charging at the house. Beta leaped, only to smack into the force field and crash outside of the fence line.

Varvatos continued as he was still unaware this cat-like creature was their enemy. "As for Krel, Varvatos believes he is begrudgingly starting to acclimate to this dump heap…"

"Unknown being attempting to breach perimeter," Mother stated again. "Permission to vaporize?" Varvatos groaned out before turning to head to the commotion outside.

"If there is to be any vaporization, it shall be done by Varvatos! It's been too long since he killed something." Beta growled as he stepped through the shattered part of the fence, his claws raking against the protective field.

Just as Varvatos stepped through the hidden entrance of the Mothership, Luug had been barking wildly at the window.

"Intruder alert."

"A "cat-like creature," indeed," Varvatos said, staring at a piece of fence with a cat perched on it, licking its paws as it groomed itself. "Hardly worthy of Varvatos' attention."

"Wow, talk about arriving at the wrong time."

While Luug continued to bark at the animal, a voice echoed through the house, catching Varvatos' attention. "Lord and Lady Tarron, can you hear me?"

"Lieutenant Zadra?" He asked, rummaging through the cupboards and finding the beeping earpiece.

"Intruder alert. Intruder alert." Mother continued to warn.

"Prince and Princess Tarron, can you hear me?" Zadra spoke again, her voice sounding choppy. The mentor pressed the device against the side of his head.

"Varvatos hears you, Lieutenant, and is grateful to discover you're not dead!" The response that Zadra gave meant she hadn't heard Vex respond to her.

Zadra scoffed and crossed her arms as Merlin gave her a slight wave of his finger, reminding her to not say anything just yet. She grumbled, not believing she was letting a mere human tell her what to do, but she knew she would lose her spot here if she did.

"If you can hear me, there was a traitor on Akiridion-5. Sweet Seklos, this blasted…" As she struggled to relay the message, outside, the Zeron brothers had caught up to their comrade who continued to try and bust through.

"Beta, step aside!" The other blasted at the barricade that kept them away from their target before Alpha stepped up, placing a hand on his sibling's shoulder. "Their shields are too strong, brother."

"Then we must devise another means of attack." The three ran off, disappearing from view just as Varvatos had ripped open the sliding door, only to find nothing but the cat. He groaned in irritation before his next problem yelled through the device, desperate.

"If you can hear me, I know the identity of the traitor. Repeat. I know the identity of the traitor." Varvatos gasped as his posture changed, becoming nervous just as the scene changed.

"Mmhmm, you are in trouble."

The sun laid against the school, giving light to the students as Steve spoke, Aja standing before him as he tried to remain calm.

"With four words, the Palchuk is gonna make your dreams come true. Me. You. Bon. Fire."

"What's a bonfire?" Aja asked, genuinely concerned but Steve was completely unaware.

"Without me? Exactly." He chuckled before groaning as a leaf ruined the moment by dragging over his face.

"Can I bring my little brother?" She pointed to Krel who was trying to put pieces together that didn't match or were simply impossible to fit in.

"What? No! Besides, my Vespa only carries two."

"Oh! This is a local courting ritual. You are asking me on a date." Aja said with a teasing manner, Steve instantly losing his laid-back posture.

"What? No! Maybe. It's a group thing." He nervously pulled out his phone, which Aja instantly took as rule number three, and brushed a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Okay, then, I have to go somewhere else now." She pulled out her own, the two never making eye contact as they slowly backed away, the conversation seeming to carry on.

"Okay. I'll, uh, I'll pick you up at 7:00 on my Vespa for the group thing!"

Aja chuckled before moving to face Krel. "Little brother, sorry I can't work on the daxial array tonight. The blond and primitive oaf asked me to go to a bonbon fire party.

"Aha! He has what the humans call a "crush" on you."

"Of course! I must have crushed something when I kicked him in the face," Aja said, almost right, but not quite.

"Human dating customs are very strange."

"Listen to my voice, Steve." Eli's voice called out, causing Aja and Krel to turn their attention toward them. "I've matured, and mature people go into the woods and hunt the legendary Arcadian Billycraggle. According to myth, legend, and the Internet, that's when the Billycraggle emerges from its cave!"

"I still remember hearing you with a much deeper voice, listen, man, it was not cool!"

"Yeah, he's got a deeper one than half of us right now!"

"Hush your manly voice! No creeper talk around the plebes." Steve said as he walked into the shower room, leaving Eli.

The scene was quick to change as Ms. Janeth handed back the test papers, kids groaned as they stared at their scores, some had been excited. However, one was not paying attention to the score.

Eli leaned from his desk, looking at Krel. "Psst! Krel, let's hang out tonight. It'll be a bros' night."

"Why? I'm not your brother."

"Bros. Dudes. On the hunt for adventure! We'll do guy stuff, become best friends, and share all our secrets. I'll go first. I wet the bed until eighth grade. Okay, now you go."

The Trollhunting team stared at the boy in shock, all slightly leaning over to give him a strange look as he chuckled nervously.

"That is disgusting."

"Uh, no. Oversharing, you are absolutely oversharing."

"Eli, for someone smart, that was absolutely terrible. This shares your private life, you know that?"

"Well, if I do recall, this is where our memories weren't fully there yet, we didn't know much about what the theater shared!"

"Does not matter, that is gross!"

Thankfully, Ms. Janeth came between the two, setting a paper down on Krel's desk. "Another perfect test, Mr. Tarron. I don't know how you do it." Before Krel could glance at his sheet, the student in front of him had angrily taken the paper from Krel.

"Everyone knows Ms. Janeth only gives out one A-plus. That was always mine before you came here."

"And now you get Bs. Yeah, I suggest embracing the change."

Everyone laughed as Krel blushed from embarrassment, "this dude is funny as heck? Why on earth do we always judge before realizing how great they are?"

"Really, a life lesson?"

"I'll meet you at 7:00! Wear comfortable shoes," Eli said as Krel glanced at him, not seeming excited about it.

"Ugh!"

Back at the house, Ricky and Lucy Blank were staring over a Polaroid camera, "What is that?"

"Just a second, dear, I'm trying to…" Ricky stated before Lucy clicked the camera, the bright light shuttering in front of them, causing their eyes to spin rapidly. Thankfully they recovered quickly when Aja stepped into view.

"Oh, Lucy, it's our little princess's first party!"

"Now, don't you be nervous, honey bunny," Lucy stated, moving around Aja and placing her hands on her shoulders.

"I'm not nervous. What do you know about being nervous? You're robots. Ugh." She tried to move away but Ricky had aimed the camera, clicking it and blinding Aja.

"This one's for the scrapbook," Besides Ricky, Krel was chuckling at his sister's demise.

"Just be home by curfew, little lady, or you'll be grounded," Lucy glitched before quoting a line about pepper. "Grounded. Fresh ground pepper. Add a kick to your salad!"

"More to the point, if you are not home in time, your human forms will wear off." Mother spoke, reminding Aja of the change. The young woman groaned in annoyance as Mother continued, giving them a view of who was arriving. "Unknown being attempting to breach perimeter. Permission to vaporize." On the street, Steve was pulling up as Krel smiled, answering Mother.

"Permission granted."

Steve looked at Krel in surprise who simply laughed at the reaction, "Do not forget that."

"Really? You wanted to vaporize me?"

"Yep."

Steve turned to the crowd, "and you guys still think he is cool?"

"Most definitely."

"No, no, no, no! Don't vaporize my date. I mean, my... I mean, the Palchuk." Speaking of Steve, the boy nervously sniffed his pits, causing Aja to do the same

"Why are you acting so strange?" Krel asked.

"Oh, kleb!" She whispered and walked away while Krel continued to question her.

"You've attended enough royal court galas to handle one Earth date." Outside, Lucy and Ricky had already made their way to a nervous Steve. Ricky reached out his hand with a chuckle, doing the same crushing and long handshake he had delivered to Senor Uhl.

"Hey, put her there, son," Steve whimpered at the strong handshake. "Heck of a grip you've got there, pal. Now let's discuss your intentions towards my princess." Speaking of Princess, Aja laughed nervously as she appeared behind the blanks. "I don't want to hear about any hanky-panky up on Lovers Lane. Capisce?"

"Nope. No hanky or panky, Mister-sir, and ma'am!" Steve answered, looking in pain as the handshake continued.

From Steve trying not to be so nervous, the scene changed to Varvatos and Stuart who were dressed in their human attire, leaning over a table where the device lay.

"Your mate is taking a gamble broadcasting on an intergalactic walkie-talkie like this. Anyone can trace the signal. Not good." Stuart said as Luug whimpered, holding a toy and desperate for Varvatos to throw it.

"He is not my mate," Zadra snapped, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, he likes Nancy Dom–"

"DO NOT SAY IT!" Toby cried.

Thankfully, he did as he responded. "The information Lieutenant Zadra is in possession of must warrant such a risk."

"Ooh! What sort of info does she have?"

"Varvatos does not know, hence why he is here seeking your aid," the mentor lied but easily covered it as they stared down the device.

"LIAR!"

"So not glorious!"

"What do you think it is? Bounty hunters? Morando's plans? How to get salsa stains out of terrycloth? Because I've got this terrycloth apron…"

The old man moved to throw the toy again, letting Luug run crazy. "Varvatos fears it might be the identity of a traitor. Someone close to the royal family disabled the force shields, enabling Morando and his forces to attack the palace."

While Varvatos seemed unable to hide his worry, Stuart was left in shock before growing angry. "Of all the great houses to betray! How could they? The villainy! The evil!"

"Perhaps he has a perfectly legitimate reason?" Vex questioned, hoping to feel a little reassured about what he did. He sat down in the corner, barely paying attention to Luug but tossing the toy away.

"Come on, Vexy! There's no good reason to betray those kids or their parents!"

"Varvatos is certain the traitor is tortured by regret. Only a fool would listen to the likes of Morando."

Aja listened to the conversation, looking at both Zadra and her brother, the three sharing looks, while beside Zadra who seemed angered at the idea of even listening to his reasoning.

"We need to fix this, pronto," Stuart said. "Lieutenant Zadra needs to hunt down and rip the traitor's head off, and I shall help. Whoever had the gall to aid such an attack, we will have him or her exposed, disemboweled, and dishonored." As Stuart walked away, raging, Varvatos seemed to break inside even more, the expression clear as day as he gently pet Luug, worried.

"Dishonored?" He repeated quietly.

From his guilty look, the scene changed to Shannon who strummed her guitar, singing as a small group of friends hung around the fire, two including Mary and Darci.

Oh, give me a home

Where the buffalo roam

Where the deer and the...

However, they were disturbed and slightly angered when Steve swerved in on his Vespa, kicking up dirt toward the group. Steve pulled himself from the scooter, pulling off his helmet and turning to Aja who beamed with excitement.

"Welcome to the... bonfire?" His voice drowned out as Aja took off, running toward the flames, admiring them while Shannon continued her song.

"Wow! It's so beautiful and warm…"

Where seldom is heard...

"I just want to hug it," Aja continued, reaching out for it, right before Steve had pulled her back.

"Whoa! Watch out. Fire is hot and dangerous. Like me." He chuckled before Shannon suddenly cried out, taking the tune to a much faster pace. Aja squealed, already enjoying the night as she began to dance to the beat.

Claire blinked before groaning out, "he is not serious." Jim chuckled as Steve looked at the girl in shock.

"Are you always going to hate on me, I help now."

"Well, let's not forget what you have done to Jim, also your ego."

"Oh, so I hurt your boyfriend, now what, redeem myself?"

"Yep, pretty much," Claire said with sass as she looped her hand with Jim's, smiling at her love.

Home, home on the range...

Where the deer and the antelope play...

Everyone stopped, staring at Aja and Steve who decided to lose their minds as they danced the night away. They only noticed the stares as Mary clicked her phone, the flash indicating she had stolen a photo of the two.

"Guess we're not dancing?" Aja stated, taking off her helmet and handing it to Steve.

"Don't sweat it. Maybe they will later. How about a s'more?"

"Some more what?" Aja asked and Steve blinked at her before breaking out into a fit of laughter.

"Oh! Oh. I'll go find the marshmallows." The blonde boy stepped away, giving Mary and Darci the perfect opportunity to investigate the situation.

"Wait, you're with Steve? Are you like together-together?" Mary started.

"Why are you repeating yourself-self?"

"OMG! Steve and Aja. You can be Staja!" Mary giggled, turning into a fangirl. Or Ajeeve! No, no, no, Staja. Let's stick with Staja."

"I'll just keep my own name, thanks." Aja stepped from the two, the look of excitement she once wore had disappeared instantly. Darci took instant notice and followed her new friend, seeming concerned.

"This makes more sense when you realize they don't speak like us on her planet. I was concerned."

"Hey, are you having a good time, Aj?"

"Mm. Not really. This might be my first and last date." She answered, staring at Steve who was chatting away, clicking his tongue when he caught sight of his crush.

Mary let out a gasp, clutching onto Aja desperately. "Your last date? No! We just made Staja a thing! You can't break up with him yet."

Steve looked instantly hurt as Aja was quick to pick up his emotions, "No, not like that. I am afraid to get close, after all, you didn't know who I was. I wasn't going to lose another one."

"I guess that makes sense, I rarely felt the way I do about you, I just don't want to lose you either."

"You won't, I promise."

"The secret to a great date is just to be yourself," Darci added.

"Of course. Who else would I be?" As Aja stepped away, Mary turned to Darci.

"Speaking of dates, where's your Toby pie?"

"T.P. and Claire went with Jim to visit his Uncle Marlin or something," Speaking of the trio, they were currently with Merlin, standing in a tight form as water rushed toward them. Jim pulled out his sword and let the force of the wave crash against his blade, parting the water.

The crowd all looked at Jim and the others with a knowing look as Toby chuckled. "Ah, so that is how you and the old man are close," Krel stated.

"That was a very interesting and sad day," Jim mentioned.

"I love how you guys are being mentioned more!"

"Boring! That's so lame," Mary said, cutting off the image of their friends doing Trollhunter activities. The two joined beside the fire as Steve began to speak, telling a scary story as animals howled under the full moon, squawking and cooing.

"I was wrong, now that I remember what you guys actually did that day, it's weird to remember seeing one side to a story and living another, and then seeing another."

"That's the strange thing about magic," Eli commented.

"Draal died that day! How dare you, Mary!"

"Not good memory!" She stuttered as Eli gave her a knowing smirk.

"Mmhmm, now you say it."

"Shut up, Eli."

"It was a dark night. Not unlike tonight. Two campers were lost in the deep woods… when suddenly they heard a rustling!" He jumped at the crowd, scaring both Mary and Shannon while Aja smiled in excitement. "The campers rushed into the thicket, only to face the Billycraggle!"

Eli turned to Steve with a knowing and unamused look as Steve rubbed the back of his neck, "isn't that funny? I use a fake story, can't be scared when you risk your life against real trolls."

"Real funny, Steve. Thank you."

Everyone screamed, nearly falling off their logs as Mary desperately asked, "What's a Billycraggle?"

"Half billy goat, half craggle, with the horns of a ram and the breath of a lunch lady." Steve circled the group, even breathing in someone's face who seemed instantly disgusted. "But it wasn't always that way. The Billycraggle started out as a lost camper."

"This makes a lot more sense on why you kept calling the Zeron brothers a Billycraggle." Krel mentioned as he looked at Eli, slightly unimpressed by the storytelling.

"Yeah, it seems now that we review this, I was not on my game of Creepslaying."

"You think?"

Steve's dramatic look had changed into another scene, a phone pulled with their location out, Krel's voice echoing toward Eli who was staring at the screen.

"Are we lost? I don't like the "outdoors." Everything is covered in dirt." He stated, getting whacked by a tree branch.

"Shh," Eli hushed, "According to myth, legend, and the Internet, the Billycraggle only appears when the Dog Star is at its brightest."

"And that only happens once a century?" Krel asked. "You don't believe this Billycraggle actually exists, do you?"

"Trust me. Anything is possible in this town." Krel pulled away from Eli when a vicious snarling was heard through the dark night.

"What was that?" He mumbled as they frantically searched every area around them. The growl echoed out again as they slowly turned to look behind them as a bush rustled. Krel moved forward, ready to confront whatever was there, however, Eli pulled him back.

"Don't worry. I have experience dealing with creatures of an unknown origin."

"Eli, don't!" As Eli moved to the bush, the figure rose from behind it, revealing to be one of the Zeron brothers.

"We come in peace. I'm Eli, friend to Creepers!" It growled at him, Eli unaware it wasn't like a normal troll he had encountered before.

"Eli, that's not a friend!"

The smaller boy quieted Krel before facing back at the bounty hunter while Krel pulled out his serrator. "Eli, friend. You, creeper." It leaped from the bushes, landing in front of Eli before straightening out, every metal on its back clanking together before it ripped off its mask and roared in the boy's face.

The wind from the roar was strong as Eli's face could barely withstand it. Once it grew quiet, Eli blinked at the creature before letting out a scream. The bounty hunter's tail swung out, knocking Eli down a hill.

The crowd wanted to laugh at Eli for the move he made, which wasn't smart but they also grew worried for the boy's safety, also Krel who was now exposed to a bounty hunter and the hunter didn't seem to care about the casualties, or even hiding for that matter.

"Eli, come on, man. Didn't we teach you nothing with Trollhunting?" Toby asked.

"Well, all the trolls are friendly."

"Yeah, but you don't see Jim going up and shaking hands without realizing who they are at first, Strickler was one thing, but look what he did once he found out evil ones could blend in."

"Okay, okay, I get it."

Krel stared at the hunter before it pounced, thankfully a shield appeared in front of the boy, protecting him from the blow. The hunter bounced from the shield and crashed into the tree, but didn't let the hit falter him.

He stood back up as Krel fired, trying to land another hit while the light flashed upon the hill. Eli glanced at the light, unable to see Krel or the beast as he tried to feel for his fallen glasses.

"What the... I knew it!" Above, Krel had managed to land a blow on the hunter, knocking it to the floor before taking off toward Eli, and helping him to a stand.

"Are you all right?" Krel asked once he got Eli on his feet. The two took off running as the Zeron Brother shook off the blow.

"Do you know who that was?"

"In fact, I do."

"We just faced the Billycraggle!"

The crowd groaned in frustration, throwing their heads back as Mary shook her head at the boy who already seemed irritated.

"Dude, I thought you were smarter and better at this, or is all of this just an act? It better be an act!"

"He was so spot on with the Trolls, spent all the time searching for them, then he lets all his hard work fly out the window with Aja and Krel."

Back at the campfire, the kids were getting along, smiling and laughing right before Eli's scared scream ripped out, all the kids turning their heads to face both Krel and Eli who ran.

"The Billycraggle is in the woods! Run for your lives before he eats your face and makes your intestines fluffy!" Everyone laughed as Mary took a photo, explaining to Eli it was already told.

"You're a little late. Steve already told the Billycraggle story."

"The Billycraggle is real, you guys! Krel saw him, too." Eli pointed out, the boy looking around for Aja, but finding her nowhere.

"Yep, definitely what we saw," Krel stated dryly.

"Where is my sister and the blond oaf?"

"You mean Staja," Mary giggled. "They're probably sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G." Speaking of the two, they were headed deeper into the woods, Steve leading her to a said tree, which was rather ironic.

"So, uh, this is the tree that I told you about," he stated as Aja gasped in wonder, the tree was curved and stood tall, a perfect spot in the woods surrounded by dancing fireflies.

"Wow! Look at all the wooden arms. There must be dozens!"

Mary let out a squeal, "Oh, my gosh, are we about to witness what I think we are about to witness?"

"I do not see the happiness in the situation, the heirs are at risk, and of course, Varvatos is nowhere to be found!" Zadra yelled out.

"Hush, they survived, this is the important part, Steve has a soft side!"

"Pretty romantic, huh?" He asked before smelling his breath, suddenly Aja grabbed a hold of him, sniffing him everywhere and causing the boy to scream in a panic. She let him go before marveling at the tree, while Steve was stuck smelling himself.

The crowd blinked in surprise, not expecting that to be the first thing they saw during this romantic moment.

"We don't have trees on Akirid… I mean, Cantaloupia."

"Oh. Desert climate. Cool.," he leaned against the tree, only to fall back causing Aja to chuckle. Steve coughed as he got back onto his feet, only to find his date gone.

"Aja?" He called out, "Aja?" She suddenly appeared, hanging upside down in front of him as he gasped, jumping back in surprise.

"Trees are the best! Why do you hide them in forests?" She began to climb up the tree with ease that not a normal someone could pull off.

"What?! Hey, wait for the Palchuk!" Steve tried to climb the tree, struggling before rolling back down and landing ungracefully. A small hand reached for him, Aja smiling as she hung from the branch and Steve took her hand. "You are fast."

She pulled him to a branch before continuing her journey upward while Steve was left impressed.

"Everyone shut up, it's happening."

"We didn't say anything…"

"Whoa! You are not like other girls, are you?" She never answered, making it to the top with ease and letting her hand wave through the golden light.

"Are these stars?"

"No. They're fireflies," Steve answered as he finally made it to the top beside her.

"The universe… I forgot how vast it is. Back home, Zadra would tell us stories about the universe."

"Zadra?" Steve repeated in question.

"She, um, worked for my parents.

"Oh, like your babysitter?"

"She would never sit on babies, but she was tough, and she told us stories about beings on other planets."

"Ha! It's not just me!" Blinky cried out excitedly as he jumped into the air.

"I am confused," Aja stated.

"A babysitter doesn't sit on babies, they watch over them, make sure they are safe. Which is funny, we have a word where it makes more sense on what you guys think it is than what it means. Blinky made the same mistake too."

Steve let out a laugh, "Yeah like those exist."

"You know, the blonde oaf suits you well."

"Shut your dirty mouth."

"It always sounded so... adventurous."

"You see that super bright star?" He started, pointing to the glowing light far into the sky, "That's called the Dog Star. And that star is the Cat Star and that big one...that's the Elephant Star." She chuckled, making a grin stretch upon his face as she teasingly gave him a look.

"You're making those up."

"No, I swear on the, uh, Platypus Star," he turned to face her, their eyes locking as a look of love crossed their faces. It was as if the moment was perfect, their faces inching closer, lips slightly puckering as Steve mumbled out, "You're glowing."

"I am," she breathed out, unaware as her eyes changed into a black-blue hue, catching Steve's attention. He let out a soft yelp at the change of her eyes, pulling away and the tender moment they were about to share had been cut off.

"No, you're like glowing, glowing," Steve stated as she glanced at the tip of her fingers which had colored themselves with a familiar blue.

"Oh, no!" She came to a quick stand, "I gotta go! Thanks bye!" Steve's arm was hoisted up as she sniffed, startling him and crossing his arms frantically. He took a sniff as she had taken her chance to escape, leaping and swinging from the branches. "How could I have been so stupid?"

Steve sighed, he knew that she was not from the planet, but at that moment, he wished he had those answers, he was so confused about what he had done wrong, especially when it was so pure and special.

Beside him, Mary spewed out swear words as she clenched her fists, "I was so close to being right."

She left the boy in the tree, taking off in a sprint and dropping her weapon without notice. "Aja?" Steve tried to move down as she did, only to hit every branch, even squealing as his boys smashed into a branch. He tumbled till he hit the bottom, landing next to her discarded weapon.

"Aja!" he coughed before grabbing the device, "Aja, you dropped your... protractor?" In the woods, Aja's form began to change, her normal blue look appearing as she passed behind a tree.

Aja smiled, remembering this moment, he returned it to her and it was the sweetest thing ever. She was so happy that he managed to keep her out of trouble.

However, Steve was growing nervous, he had her weapon and she saw him now. What if she realized he never returned it to her? Would she hate him? Would she not love him any more than she had? He sighed and tried to hide his nervous fidgeting.

As she continued to run, she crashed into her brother, their height difference was very noticeable before Krel began to change back.

"Krel! We have a problem. A bad one."

"Great Gaylen! We should've listened to Mother."

"Don't ever tell her you said that," Aja scolded before a growl caused them to tense up, Krel pulling out his weapon and aiming.

"Ugh, make that two problems."

"Zerons?"

"Yes."

"My serrator! I must've dropped it when I was in a tree with Steve." She patted herself down, gasping when she couldn't find her weapon.

"Were you K-I-S-S-ing?" Krel asked, turning around.

"Almost, you were almost kissing and I would have been right!" Mary cried out.

"No! We need to keep the Zerons away from the bonbon party."

"And survive," Krel added.

People chuckled as they heard Krel, they were beginning to like the guy and his sense of humor.

"Good idea."

Back with Varvatos and Stuart, they were unaware of the danger lurking in the woods, bust placing the device on a wired radio. "We're getting close.

"Try moving that wire thing over there," Varvatos said as a small ring had vibrated in Varvatos' pocket.

"Your pants are ringing," Stuart reminded and the mentor groaned as he picked up the phone, pressing it to his ear and sounding annoyed.

"What?"

"A-hoy! This is Lucy Blank," the bot said on the other side of the line, "I have Mother on the horn for you." Beside her, the Mothership was floating in all her glory as she spoke.

"Commander Vex, the heirs have not returned to the Mothership." Varvatos groaned as Lucy put the phone back to her ear.

Zadra seemed to grow infuriated, if he was given such a warning, he should have taken it seriously. She wanted to move and knock him unconscious but she swore, that the old man had a sensor on her as he was already staring her down and silently telling her not to.

"Our little princess is on a date!"

"Technically, it's a "group thing," but by my calculations, their transductions will have already faded."

"Are you telling Varvatos Vex that the princelings are about to expose their true forms to a group of loose-lipped teenagers?" The old man said angrily before the phone was plucked from his hand and Stuart took his turn to speak.

"Rewind that, Lucy. She's on a date with who?" Varvatos whistled for Luug as Stuart gasped in surprise. "No way! But she kicked him in the face!" As Varvatos walked away, static echoed from the radio, Zadra's voice barely heard and the old man raced for it.

"Lieutenant Zadra! Zadra, it is Varvatos Vex. Can you read me?"

"Yes, ma'am, I did! Okay, Lucy, I've gotta go." Stuart said before hanging up the phone. Aja and Krel can't go all light show in the woods. Commander Vex, the royals need you right now." Varvatos pulled the radio from it's cord before walking from the shop, just as Luug reverted back into his form.

In the woods, Krel was sneaking around, appearing behind a tree, to move behind a rock. It seemed quiet as the boy stepped out, only for a golden lasso to wrap around his neck and pull him to the floor as the Zeron brothers leaped from their hiding spots.

Everyone winced as Zadra seemed to grow tense watching Krel being taken down by a rope, only to be circled by feared enemies.

"You should be protecting them, you traitor."

"Varvatos did, with my life," Varvatos said, looking her up and down as his eyes narrowed.

Krel choked and held his necklaces as they circled the boy. "Where is the girl?" Alpha asked.

"Oh, she's, um, hanging around here somewhere," Krel replied, just as his sister dropped from a tree, tackling one of the brothers as Krel tried to fire at another. The hunter leaped out of the way before firing back just as Krel managed to summon his shield.

"No, no, no!" Aja yelled out as she was thrown off the back of one of the brothers.

Omega stood next to Alpha, teasing their prey before firing. "Cute. They're trying to fight."

Krel landed in front of his sister, his shield raising to block the harsh blasts as they seemed to come from all directions.

"Krel!" As the boy moved to block more blows, the light had been noticed greatly near the campfire. Everyone had been gathered around staring at the scene in shock, however, Eli took his moment to brag slightly.

"I told you! The Billycraggle is real!"

"I knew I smelled lunch-lady breath," a kid commented, hiding behind Eli. At that moment, Eli didn't think twice, placing on his Creepslayerz helmet and revving the engine to the Vespa.

As he moved the side mirror, he caught sight of his teammate hiding behind a tree and armed with Aja's weapon.

"Steve! Steve!" The paranoid blonde twirled out from his spot as Eli called to him, moving closer to Steve on the Vespa, which was poorly done.

"Huh?"

"We need to clear the area. The Billycraggle is not like our other friends."

"The Billycraggle isn't real, Pepperjack," Steve hissed, tapping his knuckles against Eli's helmet.

A distant growl was heard, the two boys growing more nervous. "Sounds real to me."

"But Aja!"

"She's fine. She's with Krel. Let's go!" As Steve was thrown on the back of the Vespa, they sped out as the kids ran off in a screaming panic. However, Steve didn't seem ready to go as he cried out for his future girlfriend.

"I mean, not really, they're being hunted right now."

"Oh, please stop. I get it!"

"Aja!"

Speaking of Aja, she was currently hiding behind the shield as her brother managed to keep each blow from hurting them.

"Give me the serrator."

"Then I'll be defenseless. At least you can throw a punch," Krel hissed as his sister instantly wrapped her hands around the device, letting the shield vanish to blast a blow at one of the brothers, thankfully, she did not miss.

The brother had been thrown into his teammates, giving the two the perfect opportunity to flee. "Now climb!" Aja commanded and the two moved up the trees as Alpha watched with a growl, pulling out his weapon.

"I do not like this Mother Nature, I prefer the Mothership," Krel complained as he dodged shots that fired through the trees. Unfortunately, one knocked him off his balance and just like Steve, Krel was thrown against each branch before he hit the ground, all the while his sister had landed with ease. "What gloober invented trees?"

While the fall seemed painful, everyone couldn't help but laugh as he fell like a ragdoll, his luck nowhere in sight as he was soon hit with a branch. Krel crossed his arms, not happy that such a moment had to be relived, again.

"It's okay, little brother. As the humans call it, you have comedic relief."

"Yeah, great, I searched that up by the way. I don't know if I should take it as an insult or not."

Krel seemed annoyed as a branch fell and whacked him on the head. "Those trees are saving your lower posterior right now, and they are majestic!" As she helped him to a stand, they could hear their enemies coming closer. "That serrator would come in handy right about now."

Aja inspected the area as her brother readied himself. Her eyes landed on the discarded guitar that Shannon left behind just as the three brothers charged, cutting the distance between them.

She lifted the guitar and raised it, "Time to shred." Her epic stance was ruined when her brother ran behind her, taking the guitar from her hands and continuing his run.

"No, no, no, no, no, no. I've been wanting to play one of those."

"You can't have the serrator and the guitar." The Zeron Brothers growled and launched their attacks at the two while Krel perched his instrument against a rock that was instantly vaporized by a shot.

While they were worried, they couldn't help but chuckle at Krel's actions as he took the guitar and was more concerned about the safety of the instrument than himself.

"Well, with new experiences you got to give him that."

The instrument crashed against the ground as Krel panicked. "Not the guitar!" He grew angry and turned toward the villains while Aja ducked behind numerous objects, dodging the blasts as everything was disappearing.

"Three against two," Alpha hissed, throwing his whip at Aja, which had been blocked by Krel who shielded her with the serrator. "You don't stand a chance." As Krel yelled out, blocking each blow, Aja climbed up a nearby tree.

Omega roared and flipped over the burning fire as Krel tried to fire at him, only to miss and be tossed across the woods. He cried out right before his sister managed to catch him, pulling him onto the high branch.

Below them, Omega slammed his head into the tree, the two only being safe for so long before the tree gave in and collapsed. The siblings were thrown off the tree as it crashed into the ground, the Zerons surrounding the sight with a pleased look.

"They can't run. Move in." Alpha commanded. As they circled the fallen tree, Aja had been pinned beneath, desperately trying to kick it off.

"Krel, where are you? Help!" A noise caused Aja's head to whip around, growing worried. "Krel?" It wasn't Krel who came to her rescue, but her beloved pet Luug who leaped from the tree and tried to push it off, just as her brother came into view, also trying to push it. "Lively! But what are you doing here, Luug?"

"Do you still like trees now?"

"That's not funny!" Aja hissed as the brothers advanced. "And you need to get out of here."

Zadra was glad the two had a bit of humor during their face of danger, but Varvatos said he protected them and he wasn't there. The worry was beginning to naw on her, how much more were they going to get hurt before the traitor arrived?

"Not without you," Krel said, just as Luug grew annoyed at himself as he realized the easiest way to get her leg free. He turned and lifted his hind leg, firing at the tree which instantly melted, freeing Aja's leg.

"Nice shot, Luug!" The pet growled as the tree split, revealing Alpha and his brothers, aiming their weapons.

"You dropped your weapon," Alpha hissed.

"Drop yours," Vex commanded, suddenly appearing and tackling Alpha. He gripped the leader's leg as he punched the others away. "The royal heirs are under the protection of Varvatos Vex!"

The crowd breathed out in relief, they knew he was a traitor, but he never once intended to hurt them, in fact, he saved them countless amount of items, even granting Aja training. They knew they were conflicted, just like Aja and Krel but at the same time, they've seen good people do bad things.

Even Jim made mistakes, so they had to understand. If only Zadra did.

He tossed Alpha to the side and took on the others, which hadn't gone as well when he was thrown back by Omega. Thankfully, Varvatos regained his footing and wielded his weapon before dodging and striking blows against the two, moving closer to the fire.

As Varvatos was cornered, only holding off the two for so long, Alpha's voice was heard as he stepped closer. "You always wanted a glorious death, Varvatos."

"He can't take on all three," Krel stated as they were perched behind a bush.

"Let's even the score," Aja said before she moved out from her hiding spot as Krel and Luug followed. She grabbed an object from the ground before calling out to her mentor. "Vex, shield!" He listened, covering himself just as she tossed the object into the fire, which grew and sparked instantly.

The embers flew out, dusting the Zeron Brothers who yelled out in surprise. Krel and Aja moved toward Vex, holding their ground together.

"You two need to get back to Mother," Varvatos commanded, but they didn't listen as Aja grabbed flaming wood from the fire pit.

"You can't take all three of them alone," she replied, Alpha making a snarky comment when they righted themselves.

"She's right, Vex. Give up." At that, Krel used his shield as a weapon, striking at one while Aja dealt with her's who had made the dumb move to grab the fire she swung at them with.

The Zeron's skin sizzled as he screamed in pain, moving back as Varvatos came into view, dealing with another. He kicked the brother off of him and aimed his weapon at the hunter's chest.

"You do not hurt them. Varvatos Vex protects the Tarron Family… with his life!" Varvatos fired, the blast causing a vast crack to rip through the Zeron's chest as he flew backward. As he crashed against the ground, his mask burned in the fire, symbolizing the end.

Aja remembered him yelling at them, that he would die to save them if he could and it seemed her mind continued to fight itself. The boy who brought them here seemed to tell them to watch before anything and this is what it was meant for.

Maybe it was because she had nearly lost her parents and her home that she was angry. If he redeemed himself, maybe she could find a place to forgive.

Also, it helped that Varvatos made a finishing blow to get them to safety.

Angered, Varvatos tossed Omega to the side, grabbing his two royals before running off. "Quickly!" He yelled, just as Omega sat up, realizing their unconscious teammate.

"Alpha!" They yelled as they cupped the cheek of the fallen one. Alpha reached for the mask, managing to grab it and staring at his fallen teammate. He howled in the night before angrily swiping at the fire.

In the house, safe away from the brothers, Aja was smiling at her phone as Steve began to text her while Krel held the guitar. "We almost died, but, hey, a Zeron got fried." Krel noticed his happy sister. "Is that from Steve? Ugh, sweet Seklos! The Staja is a thing now."

Aja blew a raspberry at him as Krel began to strum at the guitar, singing.

Shannon smiled as she looked at Krel, "you can keep the guitar if you'd like. I'm glad it didn't end up breaking and to someone who always wanted to try it."

"Thank you," Krel said, a smile appearing on his face.

Staja, Staja, makes me wanna...

"There's nothing that rhymes with Staja," He said, ending the song quickly.

In Steve's garage, he was pulling in his Vespa as his phone chimed, revealing a message from Aja with a simple smiley face. However, that made him instantly happy. "Yeah! Smiley face! Ha, ha! It was a date! Yeah!"

Steve smiled slightly, by the looks of it, she seemed in love, perhaps her believing that he returned the serrator wouldn't ruin it.

In his excitement, he almost dropped the weapon, thankfully catching it with a chuckle. Yet, the slight movement activated the shield, knocking over items in his garage as it expanded, the shield vanishing after whacking against the numerous items.

"What the… My protractor does not do this!"

"Oh, kleb," Krel mumbled as he stared at the screen in annoyance.

"So, he somewhat knows…."

"Why do all creep-related things happen in his garage?!"

As Steve inspected the strange object, both Aja and Krel were in the living room, having a good time amongst themselves while Varvatos sat outside, staring at the intercom which finally began to make noise, Zadra's voice coming in clear.

"Princess Aja? Prince Krel…"

"Lieutenant Zadra."

"Where are the royal heirs?" Her voice said dangerously.

"They are safe."

"Where exactly are they?"

"This is not a secure transmission, but Varvatos Vex swears on his life that the children.."

"You are a traitor, Commander. I trusted you, and the king and queen trusted you, and you betrayed them." Zadra hissed as Vex shrunk into himself as a flashback occurred. As the king lay on the floor, injured, Varvatos hovered over him.

"Will you stand by my side one last time, my friend?"

"I will, my king."

"I know it was you, Vex. Protect my children." The memory ended as Varvatos looked overcome with guilt. He gripped the device in desperation.

"HE KNEW VEX DID IT? THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!"

"Please let Varvatos explain."

"Save your words. If you cause the royal heirs any harm, then I promise to make your death slow, painful, and without glory. I am coming for you!" Varvatos clutched the device before hearing Aja laugh as she tried to take the guitar. A disheartened look crossed his face.

Everyone was quiet, looking at Varvatos and then to Zadra, seeming indecisive on who to listen to first. They understood why Zadra was mad, who wouldn't be, but at the same time, they were curious about Varvatos Vex.

After all, he was overcome with guilt, it showed on his face. That was something an enemy never possessed guilt.

On Akiridion, Zadra stared at her friend who was moving fast on the screen. "Was that long enough? Were you able to follow the signal?"

"The royals are on a derelict planet called Earth."

"Good. We'll need a ship, and then we'll kill the traitor."

"Wait, kill?" Aja asked quietly.

"No. Fricken. Way!"