After Kiru City, Flamberge and Entrapta had reentered the Forest of Life. Back on their mission to find any shards of the End that may have landed in perim, they now had the accompaniment of two of the local inhabitants of this world called Perim. Intress, a full furred tigress, and Kathlaa, a semi-furred tigress, who were currently teaching Entrapta and Flamberge about Perim.
"So, let's start with the basics of our land, shall we?" Kathlaa would ask, as she and Intress prepped their lesson on Perim. "To start out, the land of Perim is divided between four tribes who rule over four biomes of the land. This land here we're going through is ruled by the Overworld. The wastelands are ruled by the Mipedians, the desert lands are ruled by the Danians, and the magma lands are ruled by the Underworld. Kind of the reason we thought you were of them, Miss Flamberge." Kathlaa explained.
"What, is red the Underworlds favorite color or something?" Flamberge asked as a bit of a quip.
"And Flamberge cant really be an Underworlder. If they live underneath you, they all should be more… monstrous." Entrapa said. "My theory is that unlike you, the Underworlders are more like demons."
"You are slightly correct. Humans have described them as such, and they do live underground somewhat. But, Flamberge still fits the bill as one of them sadly. Not all of them fit the bill. And yes, red, purple, and black are all primary colors for them." Kathlaa explained.
"So why is Kathlaas wardrobe red and black?" Flamberge said.
"It is a symbol, of surviving captivity by the Underworlders. I traded my freedom to them… for Maxxor and Intress' life." Kathlaa said.
"Takinom took her in. Treated her as I did. Made sure she was well taken care of. Even trained her in the arts of flame wielding." Intress explained. "In the end, it was a mistake, as Kathlaa defeated Chaor to earn her freedom. As she says, the armor is a reminder of her immaculate tenacity." Intress finished, smiling at Kathlaa.
"Interesting. So, could you tell us more about the 4 tribes?" Entrapta asked.
"Sure! What do you want to know, and which tribe should I tell?" Kathlaa asked.
"Why don't we start with your tribe, the Overworlders?" Flamberge asked.
"Very well. Overworld is a haven for many creatures to call home. We welcome all who seek refuge or good intentions for Overworld, and by default, Perim, to our tribe without much hassle. That's how I was taken in, after all." Kathlaa explained.
"Maxxor is our leader, if you will. Appointed by the muge Najarin himself, Maxxor has lead Overworld with a mighty power and a strong sense of justice. He is respected by all, even the Underworld." Intress declared.
"All of the creatures in the Overworld are more or less human in some way. There are those with animal traits like me, Intress, Attacat, and Tangath Toborn, while others bear more human resemblances, like Maxxor, Aivenna, Najarin, and even Bodal." Kathlaa explained.
"And then, there are the underworlders. Im guessing from the way you jumped on me before, Kathtlaa… your tribe and them dont exactly have the best relationship." Flamberge guessed.
"It's shaky at best. Chaor and Maxxor are on…. Rival terms, let's put it. Underworlders are brutal, but they help keep a sense of balance in Perim if you catch my meaning." Kathlaa explained.
"Chaor… hes the leader of the Underworld, right? Is he as tough as Maxxor?" Flamberge asked.
"If hes their leader, he has to be. Especially being a rival to Maxxor." Entrapta theorized.
"Indeed. He's the toughest Underworlder to roam Perim. Do not underestimate his might if you find yourselves unlucky enough to meet him." Intress stated simply.
"I'll take your word for it…." Flamberge said. "And what about the Mipedians and Danians? Whatre they like?"
"Mipedians are a tribe full of mostly reptilians as humans call them. They're cunning, yet strong when they need to be." Kathlaa stated. "Danians are all about teamwork. They resemble an ant colony to the humans, with how uniformly they act."
"And are they your enemies too?" Entrapta asked.
"Not as fierce as the Underworld. Though there are troublemakers now and then." Kathlaa explained.
"Sounds like you guys have been having this conflict for a long time." Flamberge said.
"We've been in conflict ever since I've been a General. Longer than that. It's rough. What's worse… for some reason, there are some from other tribes launching attacks on each other. Without past knowledge of doing so." Kathlaa stated.
"Mysterious…" Entrapta smiled with interest.
"So its just your tribe and the three others that live here? What about these 'players" the council mentioned?" Flamberge asked.
"The players don't live here. They come from a plane beyond our own, from a place called Chaotic. They are Chaotic players, humans who assume our forms to duke it out in honorable combat." Kathlaa explained. "Some make dangerous journeys to Perim in attempts to add to their decks via scanning our biometrics."
"Ah-hah! Chaotic! Thats the best way to describe this world!" Entrapta realized.
"Whaddya mean, Entrapta?" Flamberge asked.
"This world is real, but it also made of data. Code. That code is constantly changing, adapting in random ways. It makes up everything, from this world, to the creatures, to the weapons they use, and even their secret magical spells." Entrapta said.
Before the tigresses could ask what they meant, the ground suddenly shook as the two of them looked around.
"...What… was that…?" Kathlaa asked.
"...It sounds large… Massive… No creature in Perim can become the size of a giant. Not without Fortíssimo. Last I checked, I didn't hear the tune of that Mugic being cast!" Intress exclaimed.
"Berge… i have a feeling we may have stumbled upon something Perim isnt prepared for." Entrapta whispered.
"Youre right. From the shaking, this could be bad. We cant let this spread." Flamberge whispered back. "We have to send one of these two catgirls back while the stronger one comes with us to fight. But which one?"
"Kathlaa… Can you handle this fight?" Intress asked.
"I'll hold as long as I can, Intress." Kathlaa declared.
"I'll head back to Kiru City and gather a force with Maxxor's help. Hold out until I return." Intress declared, soon leaving.
"Yeah, we'll go with the black cat lady who almost killed you." Entrapta whispered.
"I can hear you two whispering. Intress and I both did. Cat-like hearing." Kathlaa sternly said. "That's why she went back to Maxxor."
"S-Sorry…" Flameberge said.
"Don't be. I need your help. If we can convince Maxxor of the nature that this creature is from is something you two alone must deal with, perhaps he will ensure word of their existence does not spread to other tribes. We must hurry before Intress returns!" Kathlaa ordered.
"Got it!" Flamberge nodded with confidence. "We need to figure out the Location the rumblings coming from."
"Already done. I sense it coming from the Glacial Plains! Follow me!" Kathlaa declared.
"Hold on! Before we go, I'd like to check your combat abilities." Entrapta said, pulling out her scanner. "This won't copy your code, but it'll give me a sense of how strong you are."
"Must you at a time such as-!? …Ugh, fine, very well." Kathlaa sighed, posing for the scan.
Upon the scan's completion, Entrapta was soon greeted… With a card!?
Kathlaa
Creature - Overworld
Courage: 85
Power: 105
Wisdom: 60
Speed: 90
Mugic Ability: 3
Energy: 75
Ability: Consume one Mugic Counter. Target allied creature heals 20 Energy. Kathlaa takes 5 damage.
"Wow!" Flamberge said. "Kathlaa, these are your stats and abilities!"
"Yes, I know this." Kathlaa groaned. "I already gave a scan to one MajorTom before."
"Your power level is absolutely amazing, Kathlaa!" Flamberge spoke in awe.
"Why yes, it is impressive isn't it? Now, if you two are done fawning over being two of the few humans with my scan, shall we get going?" Kathlaa demanded.
"Okay, okay!" Flamberge said.
"Theres just one problem… Glacier plans is a few kilometers away from our location." Kathlaa said. "...Or was it miles? Ugh, human measurements!"
"That wont be an issue!" Entrapta said. "According to your summary, youre fast enough to cover huge distances within minutes."
"Your point? I can get there fine, yes. What of you two!?" Kathlaa asked.
"Youre strong enough to support passengers, right? Let us hop on your back, you can give us a ride!" Flamberge recommended.
"...You two want to ride me." Kathlaa deadpanned, and yes, she meant to say exactly those words for a very comedic moment for more adult audiences.
"Yes! I have my own ride, but i forgot it at home. And youre the only one fast enough to get all of us there." Flamberge said.
"I see…I've never given anyone a ride, so…. Well, why not." Kathlaa shrugged as she hefted up Entrapta and Flamberge on her shoulders with ease. "Awaaaaay we go!" And off they went at full speeds to Glacier Plains!
"Whoohoo! This is awesome!" Flamberge said in awe. Kathlaa was clocking in at speeds of nearly a race car, twice the speed of a cheetah! To support both her and Entrapta, she raced on all fours, the latter holding onto Kathlaa's chest with both her pig tails.
"This is fun!" Entrapta said. "Ive never ridden an organism so fast before!"
"You're amazing, Kathlaa! Strong enough to carry two people on your back, and as fast as a race car!" Flamberge complimented.
"Thank you!" Kathlaa smiled, before sweating a bit. "Though if Entrapta moves her pigtails around too much around my chest… gah, best not to think about it."
(Cue: Titan: Giganto- Sonic Frontiers)
Sure enough, Glacier Plains was soon in sight, as Kathlaa quickly began putting on the breaks, as the trio slid across the ice, finally stopping before a cliff, overlooking a wide open icy arena, with a familiar Titan roaming about in it.
GIGANTO
"No way… what's Giganto doing here?!" Flamberge asked in shock. "I thought Sonic sent it to the junk heap!"
"Giganto? Sonic? What are you on about now?" Kathlaa asked.
"The latter name doesnt concern you right now, Kathlaa. But you should know that Giganto is the name of that lumbering mechanical monstrosity roaming through the ice fields." Entrapta said.
"Then he must be stopped. Does this beast have any weaknesses?" Kathlaa asked.
"Well, we just hit it until it went down, but… i think we should aim for the face!" Flamberge said.
"The face you say? Leave that to me. I've got just the attack in mind. Can you two distract it?" Kathlaa asked.
"It'll be like an ant fighting a collosus, but sure." Flamberge said.
"I'll… stay here. I make robots, not fight giant ones." Entrapta said.
"Should've expected that… guess iits you and me, Kathlaa. Let's go!" Flamberge said, drawing her sword and charging into the ice field.
Giganto looked down at Flamberge, tilting its head a bit as Kathlaa began to get into position to attack.
"Thats right, come get me you lumbering pile of scrap metal!" Flamberge called, getting the titans attention while running. "If Sonic can kick your giant butt solo, than so can i!" she said as the titans attention was turned to her, turning all its attention to the fire weilder as it gave its opening.
"Bingo! EARTHEN SEARSHOT!" Kathlaa exclaimed, as suddenly, earthen shards hit Giganto's head, before exploding at once, actually toppling the large giant as it fell onto the ice, cracking it some, but not breaking it! "Haha! No evil shall escape the justice of-!" Kathlaa was about to celebrate, when Giganto began to move again. "HUH!?"
Giganto suddenly got to its feet, enraged now as suddenly, it let out a screech, indicating it was now battle ready.
Switch: Undefeatable - Sonic Frontiers OST
GIGANTO: 75% HP
"Uhm…. Was all I did just piss it off…?" Kathlaa nervously asked.
"You did do some damage! Just keep hitting it in the face!" Entrapta called. "A-And try not to get flattened!"
"(Great… of all the times not to pack Fortissimo! And even if i used one, i still wouldn't be able to match its size! Ngh… I'll have to rely on Song of Resurgence and Cannon of Causality thanks to the parting gift Takinom gave me to try and even the odds.)" Kathlaa thought to herself. "(Let's try pressing the advantage now. Wouldn't hurt, would it?)"
Pulling out a Red 7 sided gem, Kathlaa suddenly raised it into the air.
"Prepare to burn! Feast your eyes upon the Cannon of Causality!" Kathlaa exclaimed.
Giganto saw Kathlaa trying to use the gem, and just as she released a red phantasmal spirit to try and invoke the spell, the titan fired a laser from its mouth straight at her.
"Kathlaa, look out!" Flamberge called, as the laser forced Kathlaa to dodge, as she used her powerful legs to do so… only to drop the mugic before she could finish the incantation, as it soon dropped and slid towards Flamberge's feet.
"Damnit! I didn't get it to fire!" Kathlaa cursed.
As for the spirit that left Kathlass body, it floated around for a bit before it spotted flambarge as she got close to Gigantos legs and gave them a few hacks with her sword.
Suddenly, the spirit whisked into Flamberge, as it suddenly gave Flamberge resonance with the dropped Mugic.
Flamberge Mugic Ability increased!
Tribe: Underworld
Mugic Ability: 0 - 2
Flambegre shivered upon this, shocking her. "Something just flew in me!"
"My Underworld Mugician! Did it just reject me!?" Kathlaa gasped before sighing. "...Makes sense, I am of Overworld, Takinom did say this might happen. Hey! If you can, try to find that gem I dropped, it contains Canon of Causality! We can use it to blast this giant mech! I'll keep it distracted!"
Kathlaa soon leapt in front of Giganto, firing ice shards as Giganto gave chase.
"Uh, what am I looking for exactly?!" Flamberge asked.
"A seven sided gem! It's red in color- GYAGH!" Kathlaa exclaimed as she was smashed by Giganto.
On the scanner, Entrapta suddenly watched as Kathlaa's energy changed.
Warning: Creature Kathlaa has taken 60 damage. Energy remaining: 15. Critical health levels.
"Berge! Find that Mugic! Hurry!" Entrapta said.
"Im looking, im looking!" Flamberge said before she found it in the snow and grabbed it. "Got it!" she called.
BAM!
Extreme Warning: Creature Kathlaa only has 5 Energy remaining. Health is extremely critical.
"Crap, i gotta do something, or else Kathlaa's gonna die! How much damage does this thing do?!" Flamberge exclaimed.
"20! If it hits Giganto's face, it should deal at least triple that!" Entrapta exclaimed. "Remember the name! It's Canon of Causality! Hurry!"
"Okay… here I go!" Flamberge said, tossing the Mugic up in the air just as giganto noticed. Flamberge then burend up her body, causing the Underworld Mugican to be released. And this time, the titan was too late to stop the mugic from activating as the mugican went right into it.
Snippet: Canon of Causality - Chaotic OST
"Haaaaaaaah….CANNON OF CAUSALITY!" Flamberge cried as the tune of doom and destruction played, as a meteoric fireball rained from the sky, smacking Giganto in the face and knocking it across the ice!
GIGANTO: 35% HP
"Guhh…." Kathlaa groaned as she limped out of the crater before dropping to a knee, bleeding profusely as she tried to stay upright. "I owe you my life, Flamberge…. Truly…"
Flamberge ran over to Kathlaa and pulled out something. "Save that for after the battle, and after you take one of these." she said, pulling out a bag.
"Huh…? Is that Battlegear of yours? …If so, I can take some help…" Kathlaa nodded, reaching into the bag and grabbing a bean.
"Its not battle gear, they're Senzu Beans. If you eat just one, your injuries will be healed right up. Go on, try it!" Flamberge smiled.
Kathlaa soon tossed it into her mouth with the classic sound of a Senzu CRUNCH before chewing it up and swallowing, as she gulped it down.
"Not a bad taste… WHOA!" Kathlaa exclaimed, as suddenly, she bulked up a bit as her injuries went away.
Report: Creature Kathlaa has been healed. Sack of Senzu battlegear has restored her Energy to 75. Ability 2: Maximum Energy increased by 15. Kathlaa now has 90 Energy. Secret Ability: First Use on Unique Creature increases Power by 10. Effect applied. Kathlaa now has 115 Power.
"Yeah, first time you take one, its always got a kick to it. You feel okay?" Flamberge asked.
"Okay? Okay!? I FEEL AMAZING!" Kathlaa smiled as she flexed. "Those beans sure do the trick! I feel stronger than ever! And I can't wait to put that giant Mech into the dirt!"
Undefeateable: Resume
Speaking of said Giant Mech, Giganto was rising up, as Kathlaa snarled, preparing to fight again, when suddenly, a Mugic was tossed from above, belonging to Najarin who had just gotten to the battle, as Kathlaa caught it.
"Niice! Thanks for the aid!" Kathlaa smirked.
"Of course! Now smite that creature!" Najarin exclaimed.
"Another mugic? This ones totally blue though…" Flamberge said.
"Its Najarin's special Overworld Mugic. Some of our best Mugics are locked away. Najarin must have known the danger and will let me use his own Mugic for it. Let me show you it now!" Kathlaa declared, tossing up the Mugic.
"Become refuse of the aftermath! SAGE'S STORM!"
A tune similar to a mashup of Decrescendo and Fortíssimo played, with a hint of Canon of Causality, as the blue mugician whirred to life as a massive storm brewed, as magical lightning blasted Giganto in the head, enough to cause it to collapse, as its very body began fading away in darkened code.
GIGANTO SLAIN
Sage's Storm: Cost - One Blue Mugic
Check - If Energy Lost this battle /= 25 - 10 Damage
Check - If Energy Lost this battle /= 40 - 10 Damage
Check - If Energy Lost this battle /= 70 - 20 Damage
Result: 40 damage to target: Giganto
Head Hit! TRIPLE DAMAGE!
120 Damage!
Battle Completed
(end Song)
"Whoo! Lets go!" Flamberge pumped her arms in victory.
Just then, Maxxor and the other Overworlders arrived, to see what remained of Giganto as it began to fade away, as Maxxor turned to Flamberge and Entrapta.
"This is the 'clean up' you two are tasked upon?" Maxxor asked.
"Massive apologies! We didnt know something like that would be the first thing we had to face!" Entrapta said.
"Ohohoho! No need to be afraid, my friends. Maxxor is not angry." Najarin laughed.
"No. I am concerned that you two would take up such an undertaking like this without demand that we help you solve it. If creatures like that are dwelling in Perim thanks to acts beyond our realm….. By whatever is holy… we are in danger." Maxxor remarked in heavy concern.
"The last thing Perim needs is widespread panic… if word of this gets out…" Intress brought up.
"...Kathlaa, you are being given a new task." Maxxor declared. "Guide the outsiders across the vast lands of Perim. Venture to the Underworld if you must, but one thing is clear: You must eliminate these foreign foes. If left unchecked…."
"I understand, Maxxor. Consider it done." Kathlaa declared.
"Should Tom and his friends wish to journey into Perim, they shall be demanded to stay in the confines of Kiru City. We cannot have them learning of this scenario." Maxxor declared with a growl to his tone.
"Maxxor's right. These aren't Creatures, they're machines who attack on sight. Civilians shouldnt know about this at all." Entrapta said.
"Nor should the rest of Perim. Do what you can to carry your mission in secret, all of you. We must not let the other tribes, especially the Underworld, learn of this instance." Maxxor demanded.
"Yes, sir!" Flamberge assured.
"You seem to have gained some mugic ability, young one. Perhaps you would like some Underworld Mugic for your journey?" Najarin asked.
"Nah. Whatever happened, i think that was temporary." Flamberge said.
"One can never be too sure, young Flamberge." Najarin declared. "In any case, have some extra mugic, Kathlaa, you'll need it for the journey."
Received 3 Decrescendos!
Received Fortíssimo!
Received Canon of Causality!
Received Geo Flourish!
Received Ember Flourish!
Received Song of EmberNova!
Received Song of GeoNova!
"Thank you, Najarin." Kathlaa nodded.
"Only one Fortissimo, Najarin?" Intress said.
"That is all we can spare, Intress. We must save it, for if those beings come to Kiru City, we must have a fighting chance." Najarin spoke tersely, seeming to hint at the fact that it was intended to be only one given to Kathlaa, as if it was a secret only he knew.
"(Najarin didn't see how big that Titan was…. Even if I use Fortissimo, I'll be outmatched… ….Unless he means for me to use it for something else? But what…?)" Kathlaa pondered.
"You must go. Now. Go and continue your clean up. There is much I must discuss with my Overworld council back in Kiru City." Maxxor ordered.
"We won't fail you, Maxxor." Kathlaa declared, as she, Flamberge, and Entrapta set off to deal with the other shards to clean them up.
