SZ: Welcome Back folks...and be weary! It's about to rain cats and dogs this chapter!
Z0: Ah puns...well residual Halloween energy left *lifts up giant demonic hand before slapping SZ with it*
SZ:...*gives a Sr. Pelo style scream of pain*
Makoto: hoo boy…*grabs the curtains and pulls them down*Seanzilla115, KamenRiderZ0, and Gammatron own nothing aside from their original content!
"...and you're sure you saw a member of the Koko Clan yesterday?" Tsubaki asked Makoto once they were within the HQ with the others the day after the Argost and Cryptid mission.
"Uh, I'm definitely sure!" Makoto argued, "I saw her with my own eyes...and sent the robber she beat up to the police!"
"And why would she…"
"Apparently he touched her music player."
"So what happened next?" Tsubaki asked, "Did she run away, or something?"
"No. She just resumed listening to her music and just walked off into some mist," Makoto answered.
"..."
"I'm serious here!"
"I'm sorry, but I find this skeptical Makoto," Tsubaki sighed, "No one even knows if the Koko Clan still exist, and there is little to no info about them unlike the Kaka Clan."
"I know what I saw." Makoto replied.
"And you realize you're telling me she vanished into mist...like some kind of mirage."
"...well when you put it like that I sound crazy…" Makoto pouted, "But It happened, and she's real!"
"...Know what? Fine...then let's test your little theory…" Tsubaki said as she moved over to the main computer and began to type something in, "I'll search up some security videos from teh traffic cameras, and You let me know if you see this 'Koko girl'."
"Great." Makoto smiled before looking up and blinking at the number of individual monitors that popped up, "Gh!? We have that many!?"
"You think this is bad, You should see London. The entire city is littered in random CCTV cameras watching every bit of the city." Tsubaki argued, "...I was outvoted when I suggested trying the same…"
"...Yeah that sounds right," Makoto whispered as she began to focus on the screens.
"Hey girls. Whatcha up to?" Ben asked as he and rook walked over...with Celica following behind.
"Trying to disprove a theory th-" Tsubaki began as she turned, blinking a bit to see Celica behind them, "...how did…"
"She wanted to head to Undertown and ended up taking the elevator to the surface," Ben explain, "She ended up at Mr. Baumann's store."
"He even apologized to Ben when Celica pointed out that he spooked Ben into accidently knocking down his soup can display," Rook added.
"Well of course. Yelling at someone for doing something you accidently made them do makes you come off as a hypocrite," Celica spoke.
"He tried to argue, but she gave him that 'scolding and disapproving parental figure' look," Ben added.
"It was most effective in making him calm down and feel horrible for his usual antics. Earth Parenthood techniques are powerful methods of emotional manipulation. Bordering on tactical." Rook added.
"Yeah...that's parents." the earthlings all responded.
"...Ahem! As I was saying…" Tsubaki began as she looked back at the screens, "I'm trying to disprove this theory about a Koko Clan Girl Makoto saw yesterday."
"Aren't they that clan opposite of the Kaka Clan you told me about, babe?" Ben asked his girlfriend.
"Yup," Makoto nodded, focusing on the screens as she looked through the footage, "...and I know I saw her yesterday, Tsubaki…"
"I beg to differ."
"Mmm!" Makoto puffed her cheeks up at that.
"You're gonna check...all of this?" Ben asked in a shocked tone.
"I plan to try...wait a minute...I have a boyfriend...with a form whose whole thing is eyes and eye puns!" she blinked in realization.
"Yeah okay fine, this is my afternoon one way or another." Ben sighed.
"Wait...really?" Makoto blinked.
"I love you...and I know how this goes. So...let's just skip to my helping you, and you loving me even more."
"...r-right," Makoto nodded as a green flash went off.
"Alright...let's get to work," Eyeguy muttered, stretching his fingers a bit as he began looking at the screens.
"So what are we watching for?" Skurd questioned.
"A wolf girl listening to music with the robber she beat up nearby," Makoto answered.
A what now?=
"Oh lord not him," Skurd muttered as Max and Steel waked over...or rather floated over for Steel.
Well hello to you, too, Booger=
"Roomba," Skurd muttered.
"So what's this about a wolf girl?" Max asked as he dismissed his helmet.
"Key points: Koko Clan, trying to prove she's real, looking through screens to do so," Makoto summarized.
And let me guess. Ya haven't found her yet?= Steel guessed.
"Nnnope." Eyeguy replied.
"I still can't believe we missed a battle with Cryptids of all things," Max muttered as he saw some screens showing the battle from yesterday.
I can't believe a dinosaur is still alive...I was sure they all died= Steel muttered.
"Makes you wonder what else we may have in our w-" Tsubaki began.
"Found it," Celica spoke, earning everyone's attention as she pointed to the image in the very center of the screen, "See? I can see her...and she seems ot be singing The Wonder of You by a Mr. Elvis Presley."
"...How did…?"
"My sister accidentally used a silent spell on both of us for three days, so we learned how to read lips."
"And how did you know the name of the song?"
"Found a music store and listened to all their songs before Mr. Tager took me back to my room at Los Solidad."
"How many adventures do you have?" Tsubakii asked.
"Hmm...I think I lost count around 50 or 60 at some point…" Celica spoke
"...wow= Skurd and Steel blinked.
"I..I don't…" Tsubaki whispered in disbelief as she focused on the screen, seeing the Koko girl on it.
"See?! I told you!" Makoto exclaimed.
"They are real…" Tsubaki whispered before seeing her walking into some mist, "...hmm…"
"We're tracking them, aren't we?" Eyeguy asked
"Not yet," Tsubaki answered as Eyeguy changed back into Ben, "We may need some more info...and as it stands, there is one group that might know about the Koko Clan and how to find them."
"...Really glad I'm dating you, babe," Ben noted, knowing where this was going.
Will we need a spray bottle of water and catnip if they get angered?= Steel asked.
"It's best you do."
"Nya~ Tao bored…" Taokaka mewled out of boredom, standing near the passageway leading to Undertown, "No Goodguy...nyo food...Tao bored and hungry….borgry…bongry...hunred?" her ears then twitched as she heard footsteps, making her look up to see Ben, Makoto, and Max walking over, "Oh~! Changing-Guy, nya~!"
"Sup Tao." Ben greeted, "Wanna help us with an adventure?"
"We'll treat you to lunch later~" Makoto smiled, "Sushi~"
"Sushi?!" Tao beamed, stars in her eyes as she began to drool, "TAO LOVES SUSHI!"
"Adventure first." Makoto added, "But to hold you over...here's a tuna sandwich." she tossed Tao a half wrapped sandwich.
"Nom!" Tao chomped as she ate the half in one bite.
"Okay...now keep in mind...this is kind of a weird adventure." Ben spoke up.
"Which is something I guess you're used too," Max added with a shrug.
"What's the adventure, nya?"
It involves looking for some Koko girl a-=
"KOKO?!"
"STEEL!"
What? Why keep it secret?=
"Talk about bl-" Skurd began.
"Where?! Where Koko mutt?!" Tao hissed as she looked around, her claws out as her tail poofed up, "Koko won't take Kaka home!"
"Down...down girl." Makoto spoke, patting her head, "Listen, we only know of one, and as far as we know she's good. But we want to find her, she's very strong and could either hurt someone by accident, or could be targeted by weirdos we've been dealing with. We'll make sure no such bad thing happens."
"...mm…" Tao pouted as she dismissed her claws, "Fyine…"
"Hey we're treating you to a meal later, you don't get to be snippy." Makoto muttered, "But you gotta promise to be good."
"Fyine…"
"Uh-uh...you have to make the most powerful promise ever in the history of promises." Makoto crossed her arms. She then held up one hand with her pinky extended.
"...Nya?" Tao blinked as she looked at her extended pinky, "...nyani?"
"It's called a Pinkie Promise..and you never...ever break a Pinkie Promise," Makoto explained.
Really?= Steel asked.
"Immature...but it just might work." Skurd noted.
"One problem though…" Max pointed out, pointing to Tao's long pawed sleeves, "How can she make a pinkie promise if she...well...do Kaka clan members even take those things off?"
"That's...a good question," Ben noted.
"Nya? Demo…" Tao began as she looked at her sleeves, "Tao...can't take these off...a Kaka Clan Warrior must have them on at all cost, nya..."
"Hmm...good point Tao…" Makoto nodded as she pondered a bit, "..I got it! A Tail Promise!"
"Nya?"
"Rather than use our pinkies for it.." Makoto began as she turned, swaying her tail before Tao, "We wrap our tails together and shake them."
"Oh~! Tao can do that!" Tao beamed as she turned, wrapping her tail around Makoto's as she shook it, 'Tao promises she'll behave."
"Yes...good, we have the cat." Skurd spoke, "Now...how will you stop her from becoming an uncontrollable hurricane of disaster like She normally is?"
"She was promised sushi...no way will a cat, especially someone from the Kaka Clan would turn down fish," Makoto explained.
"It's true," Tao nodded, "We never turn down fish...and especially don't turn down Boobie Lady's Meatbuns, nya...meatbuns~" she began to drool at the thought...before her ears drooped, "Tao misses Boobie Lady…"
I feel like we're missing some context here…= Steel deadpanned.
"Eh basically." Ben shrugged.
"I knew who she means...and she misses Tao too." Skurd replied.
"We can bring her for a visit one of these days," Makoto whispered to the boys, "For now Tao..let us get to searching for a Koko Wolf gal."
"Nyes furry girl nya! For sushi~!" Tao declared as she shot her fist up into the air.
"This is gonna be a weird day." Ben and Max sighed.
Oh good I'm not the only one dreading this…=
"Speak for yourself, Roomba...I plan to enjoy this nonsense to the sounds of Benny Hill...mwahahahaha!" Skurd laughed maliciously.
...Hate you. I hate you so much…=
"Wait...you listen to Benny Hill theme music while we're in danger?" Ben asked.
"Maybe...the Omnitrix has an MP3 setting…"
"It does?!"
"Should've read the manual~"
"I really need to…" Ben muttered.
"Hmm…" Tsubaki pondered as she and Rook were examining the area the Koko Clan girl was last seen, hoping to find something to help track her down, "Rook, did you find anything yet?"
"So far nothing yet…" Rook answered, currently examining some claw marks on a nearby wall, "Though it seems to have claws as sharp as a Kaka Clan warrior's claws, though it seems this one is in more of a kick-like motion rather than the usual arm flail."
"Interesting," Tsubaki noted, "But still, I never expected such a thing to happen...things really have been getting stranger for us."
"Yes...I noticed," Rook nodded with a small sigh, "And we still have no knowledge of when the NOL will make their move…"
"Among the many enemies we have out there...they worry me with how we know the least of their current strength and structure." Tsubaki sighed.
"Same...which is why we must prepare for both threats," Rook stated.
"At least for now...we have something to keep us occupied. Instead of being idle," Tsubaki sighed trying to calm down, "We can treat this as a means of keeping us sharp for any situation. Even with the strong friends and allies we've gathered. We shouldn't get sloppy,"
"Perhaps there is something to Ben and Makoto's method of finding time to relax when able. They hardly seem worried," Rook smiled.
"True…" Tsubaki nodded, "...and it has been a while since I've looked into a good mystery…"
"All we need are Kajun, Mai, and Noellie and we'd be Remix Hearts for the investigation!" Makoto beamed.
"Yes a-ahh!" Tsubaki yelped in surprise.
"Hmmm...Still not as big as Booby Lady or Furry Girl's…" Tao muttered from behind.
"T-Tao!" Tsubaki exclaimed.
"Ahh! Tao no! We talked about this!" Makoto yelped as she tried to pull Tao away.
"My what a clear blue sky today…" Max muttered as he looked up at the sky.
Why does she do that?= Steel questioned.
"Tsubaki, before you kill me I tried to make sure she'd behave!" Makoto quickly tried to defend herself.
"..its fine, Makoto," Tsubaki sighed as she covered her chest, '...though why do I feel...saddened I...n-no no. Don't fall for the insanity,' she thought as she shook her head, "Still good job, you three. By having a member of the Kaka Clan with us, we can learn all we need on a member of the Koko Clan."
"Nya! Tao will find Koko Mutt!" Tao declared.
"Yes, but it would help if you could inform us about them, Taokaka," Rook stated.
"...nya?" Tao blinked, "Demeow...all Tao knows is that they steal the Kaka clan's food when they find some, fight for food territory...and that we hate each other, nya."
"But you'd know one if you smelled one right?" Makoto asked.
"Nyep."
"Well we have a locator…" Makoto muttered.
"So all we have are rumors, legends...and...biased stories," Tsubaki sighed, "Great…"
"Told you we should've asked the village elder," Skurd deadpanned.
Oddly I agree with the living booger= Steel added =Should not have gone with what I assume is the village idiot=
"That's probably putting it kindly…" Skurd muttered while watching Tao...who was now being distracted by a flying bird.
"Actually...She's the village's best fighter behind Torakaka and is the next guardian of the village," Makoto explained.
Really?" Steel and Skurd questioned in disbelief.
"Yup. Tora told me once while me and Ben were helping her out in the village when the kittens went missing in a game of hide and seek."
"I highly doubt that given how easily distracted she seems to get," Skurd deadpanned.
"Actually...she may have some form of ADD," Rook suggested as Tao was busy sniffing the area.
"ADD?"
"Attention Deficit Disorder," Tsubaki explained, the group unaware of Tao looking around before she saw something turn the corner nearby "...which makes a lot of sense given how easily distracted Taokaka gets."
"Like with laser pointers...though that's most likely the cat side of her," Ben added.
"Uh...guys?" Max spoke.
She's gone= Steel spoke up.
"Wait, what?" the others blinked as they looked around...seeing no sight of the hyperactive catgirl, "..."
"...huh….guess we were the ones distracted while we were chatting about her ADD," Makoto noted, "Irony~"
"And now we gotta look for her…" Ben muttered, "...We may as well split up to see if we can find her."
"Good idea...hopefully she can't have gone too far," Tsubaki sighed.
"Mmm...Tao knows she smelled wolf nya…" Tao muttered, currently sniffing the ground as she crawled on all fours, "Mmm...nearby...but where, nya?" she muttered, her eyes narrowed as she looked around, her tail saying a bit before her ears twitched, "...music?"
"Hmm...What to listen to this time, garu…" Tao looked over to see the Koko Girl from yesterday currently looking over her music player, "Mmm...maybe Sinnatra...or a bit of soft rock or jazz, garu...something to fit a search…"
"Found you, nya!"
"Garu?" she blinked before leaning back, dodging Tao's attempted slash as she flipped away, "...Kaka clan, garu?"
"Koko mutt!" Tao hissed, "Tao found you, and will beat you!"
"...demo...What did I do, garu?" she asked tilting her head out the side in a chill manner, "Did...a member of my clan bump into you before, garu?"
"Nyo! Tao knows you filthy Kokos will take Kaka's food territory of undertown, nya!"
"...Undertown, garu?" the Koko girl blinked before sidestepping from another of Tao's slashes, "I'm just looking for something for Mimikoko, garu…"
"Reow~!" Tao hissed as she threw a bowling ball at the Koko Girl...who leaned back before kicking the bowling ball high into the air, "NYANI?!"
"You're becoming annoying, garu…" she muttered before looking back at her music player, "Hmm...Walk like an Egyptian...haven't heard this one in a while, garu. Thank you, kitty kat," she said in Engrish before she began to leap away, humming to the song she had chosen by accident.
"Wh-?! Get back here, nya!" Tao hissed as she gave chase.
The Koko girl just hummed along with her music as she kept jumping backwards, her eyes closed as she kept dodging every thrown object Tao tossed at her...including a kitchen sink and a safe full of fish. When Tao closed in on her for a pounce, the koko girl then jumped up, letting the catgirl plant herself face first into a street sign.
"..Me-ow…" Tao groaned as she slid down, her eyes swirling for a moment before she shot up and shook her head, "Grr...mutt won't trick Tao...only Tao tricks Tao!"
"There you are, Tao! Wh-" Max began as he, Makoto and Rook ran into the area...only to wince when Tao ran off after the Koko girl, "Hey wait!"
"Get back here!"
"She must have found her," Rook noted.
"After that catgirl!" Makoto called as she ran ahead.
"Hmm?" the Koko Girl blinked as she stopped mid-leap, making Tao shoot past her and crash into a nearby water fountain, "...squirrel, garu?" she blinked as she turned to see Makoto running up, "..."
"...Uh oh," Makoto tensed as she skidded to a halt, "...d-don't even think about it."
"..." the Koko girl blinked as she took a step forward, making Makoto tense as she took a step back, "...Garu?"
"D-Don't you dare...Don't you d-dare…" Makoto warned, fists raised as she started to sweat.
Okay...What am I seeing?= Steel asked, his optic displaying a question mark.
"It's rather unusual seeing her act like this," Skurd noted.
"...I'm...s-serious...d-don't...you...dare…" Makoto whispered as her entire body visibly shook.
"..." the Koko Girl binked as she took out a pair of wireless earbuds in her ears before putting them and her music player in her tail….and began to walk off.
"...ph-"
"RISU DARU~!" the Koko Girl beamed as she leapt back, twisting her body around as she leapt right at Makoto.
"EEEEEYAAAAAAAH~!" Makoto screamed as she began to run, holding onto her tail for dear life, "NOT THE TAIL~!"
"Oh you gotta be kidding me…" Ben realized as he and Tsubaki ran over, "The Dog chasing squirrel bit?"
"RISU GARU~!"
"NOOOO~!" Makoto screamed as she scrambled up a tree as the Koko Girl ran around it, barking, "Down! Down, I say! Away with ye and yer barking and yapping!" she threw acorns at her, "The power of nuts compels you!"
"..." Max, Ben, Rook, Steel, and Skurd slowly looked at a facepalming Tsubaki.
"Squirrel Beastkin often have a phobia of canine," Tsubaki explained, "And Makoto's...a really bad case at times. Noel...did not help that phobia when she tried to help cure her of it at the academy. It just made it worse."
"...What did Noel do?" Max asked.
"I still can't figure out how she did it, but Noel managed to convince the student council-myself included-to have a Dog Day at the academy as in the academy had anything dog-related at it for an entire day including actual dogs," Tsubaki explained, "Makoto...didn't take it well."
Considering the stuffed animal collection in her bedroom, I'm not shocked she'd want a day with number one animal voted as 'most liked' in the world=
"You Earthlings and your domesticated beasts…" Skurd muttered.
"...But...why does she not freak out around Wildmutt or Zed?" Rook asked.
"One; because I know he's my boyfriend! Two; I can tolerate her!" Makoto snapped, "Now someone help get her away from me~!"
"She's really into music," Ben noted, "Her ears must be pretty strong given her animal powers…"
"I see what you mean!" Skurd cheered, "A dog's ears are incredibly sensitive!" he began fiddling with the Omnitrix before slapping it for Ben, changing him into Echo Echo.
"Risu garu~! Risu garu~!" the Koko girl barked happily as she reached up, her tail wagging happily, "Minakoko da play with Risu, garu~!"
"Least we know her name…" Max muttered.
"Yeah, good! Now please save me~!" Makoto begged.
Stop!= Echo Echo called out, forming a line of clones cutting off the Koko girl from chasing Makoto =You get one warning, leave my girlfriend alone, and calm down, or else this is gonna hurt in the morning!=
"..." Minakoko blinked for a moment, her attention focused entirely on Echo Echo as she looked him up and down, "...music player? ...Iie...stereo system?"
"You could say that," Skurd noted.
"..." Minakoko blinked as she pulled out her music player.
"...What a-" Skrud began before the music player was put into him, "Mph!"
What are y-= Echo Echo began before some music began to play from them =Don't! Stop me now….=
"Eee~! Queen Saikyoda garu~!" Minakoko beamed as she flipped back and began to dance.
Pffft...I gotta record this for future blackmail...no, it's too good to keep for blackmail!= Steel laughed.
"Mmm...mm (Shut...up)..." Skurd muffledly growled.
"I...didn't think he could do that…" Max muttered.
"Oh neat…" Makoto noted as she was hiding behind Tsubaki.
"Hands down or I'm putting a steak on your neck and tossing you before her," Tsubaki growled.
"!" Makoto quickly held her hands up, sweating heavily with wide, terrified eyes.
Echo Echo slumped his shoulders before unplugging the music player from Skurd. The music cut off, making Minakoko pause and look down at the Echo Echo's.
We don't like that!= they all complained in unison.
"..." Minakoko just stared down at him...or rather, the music player in the main Echo Echo's hand as her eyes began to slit, "Don't touch…"
What?= Echo Echo blinked before the Koko Girl did a quick spin kick aimed right at him, making him tense as he ducked, the tree behind him shattering into splinters and toothpicks from the force of the kick =?!=
"Kono Yaro~! Don't touch my music!" she snapped, her eyes showing a wild angry look as an aura in the shape of claws covering her feet.
I really didn't want to do this…= he sighed before taking a deep breath and unleashing a sonic shout at her.
"Whoa!" Minakoko yipped as she jumped out of the way, "Hey! No using sound on Minakoko, you broken, music-stealing stereo, garu!"
I'm not stealing it! And I'm not a stereo!= he complained as he and his clones began shouting again, making Minakoko jump out of the way of each blast.
"Boo! Your broken music stinks, you music-stealing broken stereo!"
"Get her, babe! Chase her off real good!" Makoto cheered, a pair of earmuffs over her squirrel ears.
"Where did you get those?" Tsubaki asked.
"I can't really hear, but I assume you are asking about the ear gear. Well, I keep a pair on me whenever Ben uses Sound powered aliens!" Makoto explained loudly, "Undertown has a lot of good places for those with non-human ears!"
"Give me back my music!" Minakoko howled as she kicked up a pebble at her feet and sent it at one of the copies of Echo-Echo so hard, the air friction caused the pebble to ignite into a fireball the size of a soccer ball.
Oh cru-!= the copy began before crying out when the ball impacted, sending him and a few other copies back from the shockwave.
Ugh...I hate this so much…=
"How do you think I feel?" Skurd complained.
Change up…= The clones recombined into one before slapping the Omnitrix. Minakoko blinked before looking up as Big Chill flew up into the air, "Bad girl…" he spoke before breathing out a blast of freezing air which caused the ground around her to ice over, and her grip and balance on the ground to go with it.
"Ah! A...awoo~!" she yelped, struggling to stay balanced as he feet slipped around the frozen ground.
"Listen, I'm not trying to take your music player; I just didn't like I was turned into a stereo. How would you like it if Queen started playing from your mouth against your will?" he asked, "I mean, I like Bohemian Rhapsody as much as the next guy...but from inside your own head...not as enjoyable…ugh. My head is still spinning..."
"What about me? I was the connector port…" Skurd complained, "I could feel those Earthling sound waves passing through my cell wall...ugh...that was unpleasant to feel…" he waved around his little tentacle arms, "It felt like I was being turned into pudding! Pudding!"
"And you chased me!" Makoto barked from her hiding spot.
"Mmm...hate...this…" Minakoko whined as she was on the verge of doing a leg slip, "Can't...fail, garu~"
"...Wait. Where is…" Rook began before the water fountain suddenly burst.
"Counter attack, nya~!" Taokaka declared as she shot out...wearing a two piece swimsuit consisting of a lot of yellow-orange straps, and yet she still had her hood and sleeves on.
"What the?!" Max blinked as his mask formed, "Why?!"
I have several questions!= Steel exclaimed.
"I agree with the microwave on the questions!" Skurd exclaimed as well.
"Where was she even hiding those?" Rook blinked.
"Awoo!?" Minakoko yelped, her ears and tail shooting up just before Tao tackled her into a fight cloud.
"What is even happening anymore?" Max asked.
"I wish I knew…" Big Chill muttered.
"Go Tao! Get her good!" Makoto shouted, wearing an orange and black cheerleader outfit as she waved a pair of yellow pom poms.
"I'm not even gonna bother asking…" Tsubaki groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Alright...this...is officially out of hand." Max sighed walking forward as he changed to Strength Mode, he then reached down and picked up both girls, one in each hand, "Okay you two wanna act like animals...fine, you'll get punished like them too."
"...P...punished nya/garu?" Tao and Mina repeated in a slightly worried tone.
"Bad," Max deadpanned as he sprayed a small water bottle at Tao and Mina, earning hisses and growls from the two as they kept trying to shield from it using the other, "Bad girls."
"Seriously?" Ben snickered.
"What? It worked on the rowdy cats and dogs in my first hometown," Max defended as he sprayed them both.
"And...it's working surprisingly well with them, too," Makoto added, still hiding behind someone, this time Ben.
"Now...what have we learned?" Max asked, "You're not getting your stuff back 'till you make nice. Which we have kept safe and confiscated not stolen," he sprayed them again before they could argue.
"Mmmmm…" both whimpered.
"So...what do we say?" Max asked.
"...sorry, nya/garu…"
"Okay, good." Max crossed his arms, "Now we will give you back your music player, and Tao...try to stop being dumb."
"Nyo promises…"
"...I don't even want to fight, garu," Mina muttered, "I was just getting something for Korokoko."
"Korokoko?" Ben repeated
"One of the pups back in the village, garu…" she explained.
"Alright look...we're sorry for Tao. We...we can't really control her that well…" Max muttered, "She's...kinda dangerously unfocused."
Accurate…= Steel muttered.
"Look...Makoto randomly saw you, and we kinda needed to confirm you exist," Ben added.
"What with the discovery of many...many things new to Earth, it's best we keep track of a clan of dangerous wolf people. Lest someone...well someone do what happened today," Skurd added, "In retrospect...most everyone here is a little below the healthy IQ level."
"Hey~" Makoto frowned at that, "I have a phobia, alright?"
"I was referring to the two boys and the flying toaster, but I accept your admittance," Skurd chuckled.
"...Says the slime who got used as a connector," Makoto smirked back.
"Wh-?! D'oh~! Foiled again!"
Not that hard…= Steel snickered before he felt bread being poked on him =...They're poking me with bread, aren't they?=
"Where's the slot?" Tao pondered, "Flying Toaster is def...defu...it doesn't make toast."
Get out of my face!= Steel snapped, swinging his arms around and scaring Tao away, sending the bread slice up and land on his face =...Laugh and I will not be responsible for my wrath coming upon you=
"Ahem! Anyways…" Tsubaki began as she looked at Mina, "Considering you are here...and the fact you mentioned a 'village' means you and your...pack?"
"Hai, garu."
"Good. We were hoping to find your village and talk to your village elder."
"Or leader...or whatever the one in charge is called," Max added.
"...Mmm…" Mina began to ponder, "I don't know...our village is hidden and not sure if you'll be welcomed….but...there is a truce right now, so...I guess it wouldn't hurt…but..." she looked over at Tao, "She can't say to attack anyone in the truce…"
"..."
"Tao…"
"But….how will Tao defend herself if evil Koko attack, nya?!" Tao argued.
"Evil?" Mina blinked.
"I think this is a classic case of demonizing your enemy..." Max sighed, "Tao, you gotta promise to chill. Or else…" he held up the spray bottle.
"?!" Tao tensed up, "..Tao promises, nya…"
"Okay we got the cat girl under control." Max spoke, "And likewise, this is yours." he handed back Mina's music player.
"Garu~!" Mina beamed as she took it back and snuggled it against her cheek, "My Elvis~"
"Girl likes her music." Makoto noted, "So given how she acted...I don't have to go right?"
"Well…" Tsubaki began before flinching as Makoto grabbed her by the collar of her uniform and pulled her close.
"Right?!" she asked, clearly panicked.
"...N...no….you and Ben can go do your own thing…" Tsubaki whispered.
"Kay bye!" Makoto's voice was all they heard as she and Ben vanished. The latter more so abducted going off the scuff marks his sneakers left on the floor.
"Huh Ben left a note," Max noted, picking it up, "'In the event I have been kidnapped by my loving girlfriend due to a dog related panic attack, I leave the job of sarcastic doof to Max.'" he read, "I humbly accept this honor."
I DON'T!= Steel complained.
"PS. And the job of annoying alien symbiote goes to Steel." Max added reading off the back.
...joy…=
"Oh like I don't enjoy this either…" Skurd muttered as he was on top of Steel's head.
"Skurd?" they asked.
"Yes...as part of my deal with Makoto...I am not allowed on the watch when it is...bleh...Snuggle time…" Skurd shivered, "And the only other alien with tasty DNA is young Maxwell. But it is safer if I stick to the outdated iPod so I don't turn into a slimy grenade."
Least I wasn't used as a connector= Steel countered.
"Least I don't get chucked around like a cheap boomerang."
"I wish I could mute both of you," Max muttered.
"Okay...if everyone is good…" Mina beganas she stepped before the group, "I'll lead you to the village."
"And how will we travel there?" Rook asked before Mina pulled out what looked liek a dreamcatcher in the shape of a dog's paw, "?"
"This is gonna be a magical nonsense trip ain't it?" Max asked, looking at Tsubaki.
"Most likely," Tsubaki answered as Mina began to chant something silently, causing msit to appear before them.
"We only use this in case of emergencies or scouting missions, garu," Mina explained as she began to step into the mist.
"Well...into The Mist...said everyone who ever died in a Stephen King book…" Max mumbled.
"Please do not mention that movie. I...am still trying to make sense of its ending…" Rook muttered as he stepped in.
"Read the book buddy…" Max sighed.
"There is a book?" Rook blinked.
"When it comes to movies...there is almost always a book...and it's better." Max sighed.
"It's very true." Tsubaki nodded.
"...mm...Tao isn't sure about this...it could be a..." Tao began.
"Come on, you…" Max sighed as he dragged her in by her tail, Tsubaki soon following after them as the mist soon faded.
"I swear to god if I hear anything creepy I'm detonating Steel." Max spoke as they kept walking.
This better not turn out like the SCP Ikea…= Steel grumbled.
"I wish you two would stop with the horror references…" Tsubaki sighed.
"It'll make the reveal nothing was wrong all the more satisfying." Max argued.
"Yes but what if it's a fake out?" Skurd argued.
Stop it...=
Mina looked at them as they had this seemingly never ending conversation the whole trip. She didn't understand half the things they mentioned. But their ability to talk with each other like a family was interesting.
"...Are we in the woods outside the city?" Rook asked, noticing a few trees passing the group.
"Hmm?" Tsubaki blinked before looking, "...your right…so this means..."
"Unlike the Kaka Clan, we Koko like to live in forests or areas with plenty of foliage, garu," Mina explained a bit, "We like the fresh air and being close with our home planet, garu."
"Lies! Koko mutt look for spots to steal Kakas food, nya!" Tao hissed.
"Down girl!" Max spoke spraying Tao making her hiss and back away, "This...shall not be easy...sorry Mina…"
"It is fine, garu…" Mina assured, "Honestly...I do not want to cause needless bloodshed in a clan war, garu…especially with how many of us are left, garu..." she whispered as her ears drooped sadly.
"Few?" Rook repeated.
"You'll see, garu…" she replied as she stopped, "We're here…"
Tsubaki and her team stopped as the mist began to part, revealing a small village similar to te Kaka Clan's village, only it was more canine themed for some of the buildings, but it also had a bit of a native-american feel to it.
"Welcome to Koko village, garu…"
"..." Tao gave a small growl as she kept herself ready.
"Tao no…" Max spoke.
"But...they m-"
"Minna, I'm back garu!" Mina called out, earning the attention of a few women and girls based on different types of canines. However unlike the Kaka Village and its large number of citizens there...there were even less...possibly around the 30-40s at best.
"Onee-san, garu~!" a young girl with shiba-inu ears and a tail beamed as she ran over and hugged her leg.
"Your clan is...so...small…" Rook noted.
"..." Max looked around noting the unease of the other villagers as they watched them, he dismissed his helmet to calm them down some, "Hey whoa...we're good guys...no need to worry...oh and don't worry about Tao...she's going to be good...or else she gets the bottle again." he held his hands up while walking forward, "Rook...spray Tao…" he whispered, "We need to break the ice…"
"Understood," Rook nodded.
"Wait wh-" Tao began before hissing when she was sprayed, "Mmm~!"
"...garu?" one girl with beagle ears and a tail blinked as she and a few others stepped forward..and began to sniff some of the group, "This one...smells strong, garu," she whispered as she and another with dachshund ears and a tail smelled Max.
"Technically among those of us here right now...Max is our strongest." Tsubaki muttered.
"...does he….have someone, garu?" the second one asked as she blushed a little.
"Oh I see where this is going…" Skurd whispered.
"...no before you a-" Max began before he was suddenly surrounded by a group of teh Koko girls.
"Please be my mate, garu!" a grey-wolf Koko girl begged, her tail swaying happily as she held a collar with a heart-shaped locket on it.
"Wha?!"
"No me!" a Labrador Koko girl spoke as she hugged Max from behind, "I always wanted to have pups, garu!"
"Why is this happening?!" Max asked as his helmet formed out of panic.
I suppose your being a stronger life form is appealing to them…= Steel noted =And technically you are since you're only half human after all=
"Not helping Steel!" Max exclaimed.
"Iie...me," a few parted as a tall Koko woman themed after a Doberman walked over, "We could use him to help repopulate our species, garu…"
"R-repopulate?!" Max exclaimed.
"...Oh dear. I see now…" Tsubaki whispered in realization, "This is…"
"Hai...we're the remains of the clan, garu…" Mina answered as she picked up the small Koko Girl, "Korokoko was the last one born out of us, garu…"
"Wan wan!" she barked a bit as he tail wagged a bit.
"She's the most adorable thing ever…" Tsubaki muttered to herself.
"So…" Rook began as he looked at the Koko Women and girls surrounding Max, who was trying to back up from them, "You and the others here are…"
"Hai…" Mina began as she let Koro down, letting her run off while chasing after a butterfly, "We are close to a...mm...what did Holikoko call it...oh yes...we're an endangered species."
"Nya? En...enda...ende...en…" Tao tried to repeat as she began to groan, "Mmm...big word hurts Tao's head…"
"A little help here please!" Max exclaimed.
Yes! Please!" Steel and Skurd exclaimed.
"Enough!" the crowd tensed as they moved back from a disheveled Max, seeing a tall long azure haired Koko woman walking over, a few scars on her arms and legs as her midnight-blue eyes stared on at the group.
"Sk..Skolkoko, nee-sama…" Mina whispered.
"Sh...she is tall…" Rook whispered in slight unease, feeling the tall Koko woman was a predator ready to strike at any moment.
"Oh...I've never been more glad I now live in a suit of impenetrable armor…" Max groaned as he was left to fall to the ground.
"...Mina," Skol spoke as she looked at Mina with narrowed eyes, "Why have you brought outsiders to the village, garu?"
"That'd be our B…" Max spoke up as he pushed himself up, "We made a big deal of looking for...why...ask my Commander." he jutted a thumb to Tsubaki making her blink in panic, "Also don't worry...Tao's harmless."
"Am not!"
"Bottle!" Max snapped, making her cry and hide behind Rook.
"...You are lucky we are in a truce at the moment," Skol stated as her eyes became slit, the ground turning into ice underneath her, "Otherwise you wouldn't leave this forest alive."
"Gh?!"
"S...such a intimidating aura…" Tsubaki whispered as she looked at Skol, "...soka...so those are real as well."
"Hmm?" Rook blinked as he looked over, "What are real as well?"
"A very rare type of Beastkin…" Tsubaki whispered to him and Max, "They are usually based on mythical creatures of legend like dragons and such, but they are so rare it's considered lucky or unlucky to even encounter one…"
"So they are like a form of Cryptids…" Rook whispered.
"And taking a crack given her name and the ice…" Max began before tensing when Skol looked at them for a moment, "...I'm guessing the animal part of her is based on a Fenrir…"
"That would explain the intimidating aura…" Rook gulped as Tao heavily shook behind him.
"Ah...I really hate when we have to do a mission cause of Makoto and Ben…" Max sighed.
How do you think I feel with the booger on my head?= Steel deadpanned.
"Roomba…" Skurd scoffed.
Sh-=
"State your business here," Skol demanded, making the group stand at attention.
"...ahem! W...w-we wish to speak with your village leader please," Tsubaki answered as she stepped forward.
"...I'll speak with the chieftain and we'll see, garu," Skol answered as she walked over to a large tent with a wooden carving of a wolf above the entrance, "She is currently talking with the person who proposed the truce for now..."
"U-understood," Tsubaki nodded as Skol stepped into the tent, "...oh dear lord…" she sighed in relief as she fell to her knees.
"So...we all agree...we're dumping our work on Ben and Makoto for the rest of the week right?" Max asked.
"Yes/indeed," Tsubaki and Rook answered.
After today...yes please!= Steel exclaimed
"I will love this...mwahahaha!" Skurd laughed maniacally.
"..." Tao seemed to ignore Skurd as she looked at the crowd of Koko Women and girls as they began to walk away. She sniffed a bit as she smelled a bit of food...but it seemed barely enough to feed most of the people in this village. It was then she recalled it...her own village having a food famine of sorts until she was able to blow a hole in the 'roof' of the Kaka Clan's old home to bring them some food, "...they're...surviving too nya…" she whispered before shaking her head, "Nyo! Koko Evil...Tao was told about it…"
"Uh by who?" Max asked, overhearing her.
"They seem to be just another group of folks trying to survive a crazy stupid planet." Skurd added.
I'm with the booger...this feud seems really stupid…= Steel muttered.
"But...the war between clans w-" Tao began before Skol walked out of the tent, "?!"
"You may come in…" she informed as she stepped aside, "Be respectful for our guest and the chieftain, garu."
"Of course," Tsubaki nodded as she and the others slowly stepped into the tent.
"I wonder who this guest is…?" Rook whispered once they were inside.
"Possibly someone from the Kaka Cl-" Tsubaki began before stopping, seeing an elder the size of the Kaka Clan's leader speaking with what looked like a cat...like a literal cat.
Said cat was wearing an orange hoodie similar to the Kaka Clans, only his face was seen to show his cat face while a pair of dark-grey cat-tails swayed a bit behind him while he sported an eye patch over one of his amber eyes. Resting near him was a long katana kept in a crimson-red sheath with the handle a mix of grey and pure white.
"I...was not ready for today…" Max spoke.
"Hmm?" the cat blinked as he looked over at the group, "..oh hey there, kiddos. Guess the good doctor was right about you comin' here...well minus the Omnitrix kid."
"...y..you...you're…" Tsubaki began in shock...and slight excitement, "Your Jubei...one of hte Six Heroes that fought the Black Beast."
"Yup! Though I'm more for tryin' to relax most these days," he chuckled a bit, "Can thank th' village chief here for providing me some safety from those Forever Knights...not that I couldn't handle them, but still…"
"They were cowards with no honor…" the elderly Koko woman spoke, a mask like that of a wolf resting near her.
"...so the Forever knights w-"
"CAT PERSON!" Tao beamed, breaking the mood as she hugged Jubei, "Tao missed you so much, nya~!"
"Heh heh...hey there, kiddo. Still buggin' Ragna I take it?"
"Nyo..but Tao has been having fun with Good Guy, nya!"
"Soka...well nice t' see you but…" Jubei began before adapting a serious look, "We need calm right now, so stand back and show respect."
"...y-yes sir, nya…." Tao nodded slowly, her ears drooped as she stepped back and sat on all fours.
"Wow...didn't even need a spray bottle." Max spoke.
"It is wise not to speak back to the Progenitor of the Kaka Clan," the elder advised, "Especially since they are known as the Strongest Swordsman within the same group as Lord Valkynhayn, garu."
"...hold on...Ragna once mentioned is master during a spar with Ben…" rook spoke as he held his chin and thought, "And Ben assumed they were a cat….you…" he pointed at jubei, "You were the one who trained Ragna...are you not?"
"...heh. Smart boy…" Jubei grinned a bit as he got up, "You got it in one go, son. I helped personally trained Ragna in how to fight…and trained him how to use that anger of his in battle. Heh heh...I remember this one time I left him in a hole full of bears for a week, and the bears ran after I came back to him!" he laughed a bit at the memory.
"And I thought that one dad from Ranma 1/2 was extreme…" Max muttered.
"Shouldn't you be more nervous?" Skurd asked.
Max is always making jokes to calm himself…=
"I don't feel like anyone here is out to kill us...the tall lady...maybe." Max argued.
"Skol is a good person...but she takes her job as the Village guardian seriously," the chieftain informed.
"So you don't deny she'd kill me if accidently upset her?" Max chuckled.
"If you were an enemy to the tribe, you'd be dead where you stand."
RED FLAG!" Steel and Skurd exclaimed.
"But now is no time for bloodshed…" the Chieftain sighed as she looked over at Jubei, "As you were saying, Jubei?"
"Ahh..right. Nearly fergot," Jubei nodded before regaining his serious composure, "Now is a time for the Koko and Kaka Clan to join as one…"
"NYA?!" Tao gawked at that before flinching at the glare Jubei gave him.
"As you know...both your clan and the Kaka Clan have been fighting one another for ages," Jubei stated as the others listened in, "While some of the Kaka Clan fought to help in the Dark War….the rest and warriors of your clan were fighting one another for territory because the original leaders of your clan hated one another."
"Yes...Chieftain Inuko and the Kaka Clan leader at the tim Nekoka hated one another...leading to many bloody fights within our clans," Jubei nodded before frowning "However...thanks to some intel from Ms. Alucard...we learned one thing."
"Hmm?"
"They were influenced by the Mind Eater's Curse."
"?!"
"That thing again…" Max noted tilting his head.
"You know how dogs and cats have that instinct to hate one another most of the time?" Jubei asked the group, earning a small nod, "Imagine that..but cranked up to 110%...to the point where any good history between the two clans just vanished with only a history of hating the enemy clan being told through each one. It's why no one even bothers to ask about theKoko Clan..because no one can get any info from them given how secretive they are."
"Yes...especially given our clan's limitations…" the chieftain sighed.
"Limitations?" Tsubaki repeated.
"Yeah...you know how the Kaka Clan have...er. Had that genetic code in their DNA where they can't go over a hundred?" Jubei asked.
"...oh no…"
"Yeah...thanks to that snake who manipulated the original leaders of the clans, especially the Koko Clan...they can't go over 50 without someone dying the moment it goes over…" Jubei stated with a sad sigh, "It's a reason why I suggest both clans unite...to end this bloody feud, help one another…deal with the NOL when the time comes."
"...hmm...yes...that is true…" the Chieftain spoke as she looked at the firepit before her, "Our clan's flame is almost at its wits end...we cannot stay hidden for any longer…but..."
"But?"
"I have yet to find someone to lead the clan in my stead," she informed before coughing, a bit of blood escaping her lips, "I am...tired...oh so tired." she whispered before she began to cough more violently .
"Hey whoa easy now." Max spoke walking over, "Man...and us without the one guy who can heal this stuff…"
Sad to admit, you don't have such abilities Max. I'm a combat unit and you just generate raw energy…= Steel added.
"...so...they're...dying?" Tao asked.
"In a sense..." Jubei sighed.
"Call Ben, tell him this is an actual emergency." Tsubaki turned to Rook.
"Understood," Rook saluted as he quickly pulled his communicator out and turned it on, "Ben come in."
"Hmm?" Ben blinked as he and Makoto were sitting on the sofa watching TV with snacks and a blanket to keep comfy, "Rook, emergency call," Makoto looked down at the communicator, "Sup Rook?"
We seem to have an emergency...a endangered race type of emergency= Rook informed
"Endangered?" Makoto repeated.
"...am I right to believe this is about the clan of canine girls?" Ben asked.
You are correct= Rook spoke.
"Yeah okay, I'll meet you guys in a few…" Ben sighed, "And I just got comfortable to…"
"I'll keep it nice and snuggly until ya get back," Makoto offered with a small smile.
"Thanks...don't worry...I won't ask you to come...chances are they got younger kids who can't be stopped…" Ben muttered, "I'll bring back something to eat on my way home…" he sighed grabbing his jacket.
"Stay safe babe!" Makoto waved as Ben quickly stepped out, "I love him so much…"
"He's on his way," Rook spoke as he put the communicator away.
"Good. Stand outside with Tao and keep an eye out for him," Tsubak stated, "Max, see if you can help me get the chieftain to her bed."
"Do not…" the chieftain began in her panting, "Concern yourself with me child…"
"How can I not be concerned?" Tsubaki countered as she and Max helped her up, "You're the leader of these people...you need to stay strong from them."
"We're headstrong young people who refuse to back down from Evil monsters and overlords from the depths of space," Max explained, "Yeah we're helping, so accept this is fact."
"Best do what they say, Lukoko," Jubei spoke up, "These kids have some good hearts in 'em and won't take no for an answer."
"...very well. Some rest...will do I suppose," she replied with a small nod.
"Don't worry, we got a good friend who can help. He's not a doctor, but he does have an alien item that has the power to repair damaged DNA," Max chuckled, "Almost better than a doctor, unless you need a doctor's note to get out of a company training seminar on how to not crash the air ships…"
"I told you not to touch the button…" Tsubaki sighed.
"It was big and blue and said emergency…" Max chuckled.
"Yes, and all you dumb Earthlings like to press the big shiny button…" Skurd rolled his eyes.
"No lip out of you," Tsubaki stated as she and Max helped the chieftain onto a small mat.
I've been scanning her to see exactly what the issue is= Steel spoke up as a faint blue glow was coming from his eye.
"And?"
...she has a advanced form of lung cancer...it's a miracle she's even alive right now=
"Can the Omnitrix help with that?" Max asked looking at Skurd.
"Who's to say, even with all the time I spend learning the device, his healing function is far too advanced." Skurd admitted.
"I see.." Tsubaki whispered, "Still...there has to be something we can do."
"For now..we can only hope until Ben gets here," Max sighed.
"...something on your mind Tao?" Rook asked the cat girl, the two standing outside the tent as they kept an eye out for Ben.
"Nya?"
"You seem disturbed by something…"
"...Tao feels...conf...co...confl…" Tao muttered as she tried to find the right words.
"Conflicted?"
"That…" Tao sighed, "Tao thought Koko were evil after hearing a few older kaka warriors talk...but…" she looked out at some of the Koko girls in concern, "They are struggling...like we were before..."
"Like you were?"
"Nyes! Tao became vigilante to get food for everyone on Kaka village bus!" Tao declared, "Tao is gonna take over as guardian after big sis Tora, so she wants to do her best to make everyone happy, meow!"
"I can understand that Tao." Rook smiled, "To want to do your best for your family and your people. It is a very noble goal to strive for. But this lesson is also good, you now know these people are just like yours. You are wiser now."
"W-wiser?" Tao blinked a few times, "Tao...is...Wiser?" her tail curled into a question mark.
"...n-nevermind," Rook whispered, "Still, your mother must be proud of you."
"...meowther?" Tao repeated.
"Yes...wait. Have you...never met her?"
"...no…" Tao replied as her ears dropped, "Tao doesn't even remember much of her...all she knows that she never came back after giving Tao a hug, nya…"
"Oh...I am sorry Tao."
"It's fine...but...Tao wonders…" Tao began as she looked up at the sky, "Is she...looking after Tao from somewhere...safe nya?"
"...I am unsure, but…" Rook began as he looked up, "I know those we hold close are always looking after us...no matter where they are."
"...maybe…" Tao whispered before a blur ran into the area, "?!"
"Hey! Sorry I took so long...looked around every forest and mountain for y-" XLR8 began before yelling as he dodged an axe kick from Skol, "WOAH NELLY!"
"Intruder!" Skol growled as ice began to form underneath her.
"Not an intruder!" Max shouted as he and Tsubaki ran out, "That's just our friend! He's here to help! He can heal people!" he panicked, running in front of Skol while reforming his helmet defensively, "He just has trouble shooting a text saying: Hey I found the place…"
"To be fair, I forgot my phone at home…" XLR8 muttered before tending at the glare Skol gave him.
"Maybe don't upset the scary wolf lady…" Max muttered, "I don't think she understands sarcasm and/or comedy…"
"L-listen…" Tsubaki spoke as she stepped before Skol, "Ben here is not an intruder...he is here to heal your dna...to heal your village chief."
"...explain," Skol demanded with a scowl.
"...Uh...how do we go about explaining the concept of DNA repair via an alien watch to a lady whom I'm sure wouldn't even care for the full details…?" Max turned to Tsubaki.
"...Magic alien watch?" she shrugged equally concerned.
"...I sense you are half telling me the truth…" Skol spoke, making them sweat nervously, "...but if it means helping our tribe...helping the chieftain...then I'll accept that…"
"Phew…"
"However…" she began as she aimed a clawed foot at XLR8, "If the chieftain ends up dying...if anything happens to my people? There is nowhere on Mother Earth you can hide from me, Garu..."
"I think just like the love of my life...I have developed a fear of anything canine or lupine…" XLR8 muttered, "Our kids are so not getting a dog…"
"Least we calmed her down a bit," Tsubaki sighed as XLR8 changed back into Ben, "Now then Ben...please do whatever it is you did for the Kaka Clan."
"Okay…" Ben nodded before looking at Skol and held his Omnitrix arm out, "Touch it."
"?"
"Want my help or n-" Ben began.
"Minakoko!"
"Hmm?" Mina blinked, pausing in listening to music with Koro as she looked over, "Hai garu?"
"Touch this humans magic...watch thing."
"...mmKay," she shrugged as she walked over, lightly putting a finger on the Omniteix, "like this g-?"
=GENETIC DAMAGE DETECTED=
"?!" The two Koko females tensed as they jumped back.
"Omnitrix, can you repair all the people here in this village?" Ben asked as he looked at the Omnitrix.
=AFFIRMATIVE. ALL SUBJECTS WITH THE SAME GENETIC DAMAGE ARE WITHIN RANGE=
"Please do so," Ben smiled.
=AFFIRMATIVE! ORDER VERIFIED: ACTIVATE GENETIC RESTORATION PROCESS=
"So many big words garu/nya," Mina and Tao muttered before a blue light came from the Omnitrix and began to cover the entire area in blue light, "?!"
"So that's how it works," Tsubaki whispered.
"Yeah Azmuth likes making that feature very dramatic." Ben smiled.
"And bright apparently," Max added.
"Ooh~ pretty aoi garu…" Koro awed as she liked at the blue light covering the area.
"...I don't feel different garu," Mina muttered as she looked at herself.
"Well of course not, you don't feel a change to your DNA." Ben replied, "But the Omnitrix is really good at changing DNA. And now your all...well...I guess normal." he muttered, "Okay shot in the dark...there is a limit to how many of you can...you know...exist at a time. Yeah...none of that, your good now."
"?!" Skol's eyes widened a bit as almost-practically-every Koko woman and girl within the village poked out of their huts and tents.
"Uh yeah...you can...uh...have families without limit now." Max muttered, "So you know...good luck with the dating scene."
"..."
"...for the record!" Ben began as almost all the koko women and girls paused mid leap, "I got a girlfriend...or in this case mate back home."
"It's true, nya…" Tao spoke, "Fluffy girl declared she was changing guys after everyone back home wanted him to be their mate...I think there's still that one group wanted the big tiger man nya…"
"So yeah...spoken for!" Ben added. He then blinked as he noticed Max was gone.
"Yeah you're all good!" Max's voice got their attention as he was sitting on a tree branch, "I'm...just gonna get in some bird watching…" he chuckled before climbing up higher.
"Aww but I am missing the fun…" Skurd groaned.
I'm not…= Steel deadpanned.
"...you…" Skol began as she picked Ben up, "Our chieftain...now."
"B-"
"Now."
"...yes ma'am!" Ben nodded as she carried him off into the tent.
"...should...should we assist?" Rook asked.
"I wouldn't!" Max shouted, somewhere deep in the tree canopies.
"Hmm...wonder what all th' ruckus is out here?" Jubei pondered, sitting near the resting chieftain as he noticed Skol walking in...while carrying Ben by the scruff of his shirt, "...well. Finally getting to meet the boy Paradox likes t' talk about."
"A...talking cat?" Ben blinked slowly.
"Not...well if you want to be technical…" Jubei mumbled.
"Ben, this is Jubei." Tsubaki spoke, catching up with them and overhearing them on account of Ben's shock making him speak loudly.
"...wait. As in the guy who trained Ragna and part of that Six Heroes group Makoto talked about?" Ben asked, earning a small nod from her, "...I was half-joking about him being a cat."
"Heh. You're not the first, son…" Jubei chuckled before stepping aside, "But enough for now...let's see if that fancy gizmo of yours can heal Lukoko's condition."
"What's wrong?" Ben asked as Skol put him down, letting him walk over.
"Advanced form of lung cancer," Tsubaki answered.
"Wait what?" Ben blinked, "I don't know if the Omnitrix can even fix that…" he spoke honestly.
"It's all a matter of technicality." Skurd spoke having snuck back onto the Omnitrix without their notice, "The affliction known as cancer is not like a virus or bacteria, but the own body hurting itself." he added, "Something wrong with the patient's DNA be it natural or outside factors. If we are to ask the Omnitrix in the right manner….well it could clean the damaged DNA patterns that should be making the cancer...and boost the production of Killer T Cells."
"Killer what?" Ben asked.
"The natural cells in the body of earthlings that fight cancer cells…" Skurd sighed.
"We have those?" Jubei blinked, equally shocked.
"Right?!" Ben agreed.
"You earthlings are such idiots…" Skurd sighed.
"True...but we can kick ass when it calls for it!" Jubei laughed.
"I may need to pull you into a study session again Ben…" Tsubaki sighed.
"Most likely I'll use Grey matter to ace it or half listen anyway," Ben muttered.
"Heh heh! I like this kid!" Jubei laughed a bit.
"Ahem!" Skurd cleared his throat, "the patient?"
"Oh right right," Ben nodded before holding up the Omnitrix, "Omnitrix, scan her if you please?"
=SCANNING…= the Omnitrix spoke as a faint light began to scan and examine Lukoko =DAMAGED DNA PATTERNS DETECTED. COURSE OF ACTION?=
"Repair please." Ben nodded.
=VERIFIED: ACTIVATING DNA RESTORATION PROCESS= the Omnitrix said as the blue light returned and engulfed the elder Koko =RESTORATION FINISHED...HOWEVER THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY IT HAS AFFECTED THE SUBJECT'S LIFESPAN…THE SUBJECT HAS ONLY A YEAR OR TWO LEFT=
"Is there anything we can do?" Ben asked the Omnitrix.
=NEGATIVE: THERE IS NO SUCH FEATURE, ONLY DNA REPAIR CAN BE DONE=
"...but…"
"You did your best.." Jubei spoke with a sad sigh, "Least you were able to prolong her life enough…"
"But I…"
"Not everyone can be saved…" Jubei stated, "Even if you're a big hero that can do almost anything...life speaks a different tune for it. There will be times you can't save a person, whether be they an ally, family…" he closed his eyes as he thought of someone, "Or your love…"
"Hmm…" Ben nodded, "Maybe...I know there are people I can't save…" he muttered as if recalling a memory, "But...for someone whom I had the honor of using the same sword as...I gotta keep trying." he chuckled, "I promised to keep the Earth safe, something tells me that old Knight will haunt me if I don't keep trying with all my weird powers. Plus I was raised by my grandpa to be a pretty stubborn doofus."
"...hmm…" Jubei gave a small smile at that, "Pretty deep words from someone your age...I like that."
"I like to think despite how stupid I am...I learn something from all the folks I've fought with." Ben smiled, "It's why I like reminding people, I'm not a cop or warrior...I'm a Hero."
"...hero…" Skol whispered, her hair shadowing over her eyes as her fist shook, "And yet..you couldn't s…"
"Relax...Skolkoko…" the chieftain spoke as she sat up, "I am glad...he was able to heal me, but if I am to die within the following lunar cycles...I am glad it'll be with you all."
"But...chieftain…"
"Hey...you can't give up yet." Ben smiled, "The Omnitrix can't heal you anymore, but I mean...it's not a medical tool. Maybe a real doctor can help you." he chuckled, "You got a little extra time, a good doctor who actually knows their stuff and who knows, you could stick around a lot longer." he offered, "Something tells me we need you to stick around if you're the only thing stopping that scary lady from causing some big trouble."
"Grr…" Skol frowned at that.
"Once I have rested up, I'll see to a meeting with the Kaka Clan elder for a possible union between our clans," Luukoko smiled a bit, "And do not mind Skol...she's a good person...and a good pup."
"?!" Skol tensed a bit at that, fighting off the blush forming on her cheeks, "O...obaa-san…"
"Why so embarrassed? You know it is true my grand pup…"
"Grand pup?" Tsubaki and Ben repeated.
"She was the previous guardian...no. She was my daughter's pup," the chieftain explained.
"Oh...I get it." Ben laughed, "I get why you were so upset now." he turned to Skol, "If it was my grandpa...I'd be kinda...testy too…" he muttered, "But that just means you're the one who should be telling her to get better, not me."
"...mmm…" Skol blushed a bit further at that before she shook her head, "You are right...and I do tend to keep a close eye on her since she grew ill, garu…"
"Look I get it...it's family." Ben smiled, "We'd do anything to keep them around, they look out for us even when we're acting stupid."
"That Threshold is vast…" Skurd muttered.
"I'm just lucky I had a grandpa who is really good at his job," Ben spoke while smacking the Omnitrix...and Skurd into the wall.
"OW!"
"I also have some great friends...who are a lot more like family too." he turned to Tsubaki, "Most are like the sisters I never wanted...but they keep me from messing up the world by being bossy."
"Someone has to make sure you don't end up using the Omnitrix for something stupid," Tsubaki stated with a small amused smile.
"See...Bossy Older sister." Ben chuckled.
"You truly hold those close to you like family...that is good," the chieftain noted with a small smile, "That is something both we and the Kaka Clan hold dear...we cherish everyone within the clans like family…"
"Which is a strong moral code to live by," Jubei added with a smile, 'Though...I'm not really one to say...Kokonoe…'
"If you ever need help...just look for us." Ben offered, "We're kinda in the middle of a lot of...nonsense. But we'll always help out. It's part of the job, sides we got plenty of strong folks, me and Max are just some examples."
"Good to know…" the chieftain nodded a bit as she yawned a bit, "For now...I believe it is time for me to rest…"
"Good idea." Ben smiled.
"I'll help escort them to the village exit…" Skol spoke, "I'll look after things while you rest chieftain."
"I'll see about sending some medical staff here to help." Tsubaki spoke to Skol, "So...please don't jump the gun when some nice folks show up."
"...I won't if it means the chieftain will receive help," Skol muttered.
"Good."
"Hello?" Tao spoke as she poked her head in, "Can Tao...say something?"
"...you may," Skol replied.
"Ok…" Tao muttered as she walked in.
"Tao...sorry for accusing you nya…" the cat girl whispered as she hung her head sadly, "Tao didn't know...you were struggling this bad nya…"
"Tao?" Ben blinked, never seeing her act so mature to this degree.
"Tao didn't know...you were so low on food...that there were so few of you meow..." Tao added as she looked up, a sad look in her eyes, "Tao wants to be Guardian of her village too nya...but...Tao feels bad if you're like this…"
"...?" Skol blinked in slight surprise, "...what are you plotting Kaka?"
"Nothing...Tao just…" Tao began as she began to search her outfit before pulling out a large bag full of meat, "Tao was gonna try and make something for Tora with this...but Tao feels Tora would be happy if she gave this to you…"
"...where was she...know what? Not gonna ask," Skurd muttered.
'...heh. Guess Tao learned something big today…' Jubei thought with a small smile, 'Her mother would be proud of her kitten growing up…'
"Huh...this trip made Tao level up her maturity…" Ben muttered to Tsubaki.
"Lets just take the win…" Tsubaki muttered back.
"Agreed…"
"...ahem. V...very well then, garu…" Skol muttered as she took the bag of meat, "We'll humbly accept your offering…"
"Cool!" Tao beamed as her ears perked up, "Hope It's enough to feed you, wolfy girl nya!"
"?! W...wolfy girl?!"
"Tao can't remember names well…" Ben sighed, "It's no use arguing either, once she's named you, it all she can call you by."
"We gave up trying to teach her." Tsubaki added.
"But...that…" Skol began before Tao suddenly hugged her, "ahh!"
"Tao got plenty of meat in there, so it'll be enough to feed everyone, wolfy girl!"
"Ookami-onna janai! Skol da!"
"Skol da? But...you don't taste like soda nya."
"T-you licked me?!"
"Ah...I guess not even the most intimidating of person can handle Tao…" Ben muttered.
"Hai…" Tsubaki whispered before tensing as the area began to grow cold.
"Release me, feline!"
"Okay! I think that's enough!" Jubei exclaimed as he grabbed Tao and began to escort her out, "Word of advice...if an angry Koko warrior sets her sight on you, run...run far away."
"Well I guess my work here is done." Ben chuckled, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a girlfriend, a comfy sofa, and a movie to get home to."
"And I'll go get rook and Max so we can head back to hq," Tsubaki sighed as she began to step out.
"I'll drop off Tao at home...or Ragna's office." Ben chuckled.
"O-office?" Jubei blinked.
"Yeah. He's the Sheriff of Undertown." Ben explained, "He's kinda beloved down there, and he gets to live life beating up criminals and crooks. He's also really involved with the community down there...if anything the only real issue he has...is Tao."
"...huh. Ragna involved in a community…" Jubei whispered before laughing a bit, "Thought I'd never hear that phrasing in my life."
"He just gets along better with aliens," Ben shrugged, "Guess it's this weird mutual understanding they have."
"May have to drop in on a surprise visit tomorrow after my business is done then," Jubei chuckled.
"...wait. Business?" Ben repeated as Jubei walked further ahead, "...why do I feel worried about that?"
"Knowing Ragna...he'll blame you for Jubei suddenly appearing, and our lives getting crazy again." Tsubaki sighed knowingly.
"Most likely…"
"So...they didn't try to pounce you or claim you?" Makoto asked as she and Ben were walking down the hallway leading to the training roll within Plumbers HQ.
"I acted fast and shouted I'm taken. Then I kinda just left Max to the wolves...half literally...but he was fast to take a note from cats and climb like his life depended on it." Ben explained.
"I enjoyed it…" Skurd chuckled, "Mostly because the roomba getting treated like a chew toy…"
"Chew toy?"
"Max tried to distract them with Steel and they used him like a chew toy," Ben explained.
"And I recorded the whole thing!" Skurd declared in his laughter.
"How?!"
"I took your phone while you weren't looking."
"You're oddly fast for a slime…" Ben muttered.
"Let's just distress and focus on doing some quick morning spars," Makoto stated, "Thinking of training my Astral Vision so I can make my clones last longer."
"And possibly snuggle me from all sides?" Ben joked with a grin.
"May~be," Makoto giggled as she gave him a peck on the cheek before whispering to him, "plus I can use my clone to take care of my daily task so I can focus on you handsome~"
"Oh...I like the sound of that…" Ben chuckled with a slight blush.
"And you call me overly affectionate…" Skurd sweatdropped.
"Quiet you," the two states as they opened the doors.
"Hopefully we c-" Ben began.
"Mornin' kiddo!"
"...wait what?" Ben blinked as he looked ahead, seeing Jubei standing in the middle of the room with Rook and Max, "Huh?!"
"Ben...is that…" Makoto began.
"Ragna's marter and member of the Six Heroes? Yes...yes it is," Ben answered, "But...why…?"
"Eh. I bumped into your grandpa a few days ago and we hit it off," Jubei answered, "Also wanted to help you kids out."
"With what?"
"Some training of course."
"...Grandpa…" Ben began, 'That might explain what that business he mentioned is…'
Don't worry Ben. Jubei is on the up and up= Grandpa Max assured from the observation deck =You'll need to prepare for battle, so I'd figure I'll let Jubei handle your training for today=
"Shouldn't be too bad," Max shrugged as he gained his armor.
"This is the person who had trained Ragna...I am in a mix of worry and curiosity," Rook added.
"Oh don't worry. I'm not fighting ya," Jubei assured, earning a mental sigh of relief from Ben, "Unless ya want me too...because I was originally gonna give you the training course I put Ragna through."
"No thanks…" Ben muttered bluntly.
"...alright…" Jubei began as he walked off, "Training course it is…"
...I swear if you jinxed us, I will haunt you= Steel glared at Ben.
"Trust me...I'm not the problem…" Ben sighed.
"Well...we may as well face what e-" Makoto began as the room changed to a large forest...with the four surrounded by a bunch of very tall and large wild animals with various traps set up around the area, "..."
"You know I didn't picture Rambo's Death trap...but somehow I knew it was a Rambo Death trap…" Ben sighed.
"Oh dear…" Rook whispered.
just one rule for this kids…= Jubei spoke from the command room =And it's something that'll be embedded in her minds for the next 30 minutes=
"What's that?" Rook asked.
Simple….DODGE!= Jubei laughed as the animals charged.
"RUN!" Ben panicked as he and Makoto began running.
"Oh geez!" Max yelped as he and Rook followed after.
"This is rather extreme!" Rook screamed as he ducked under an arrow.
Nonsense! If you wanted extreme...Max could've added his own touch to it!= Jubei stated.
"Don't you dare Grandpa!" Ben snapped.
Chin up Kiddo! You kids got this= Max called on =Heck! Got a big meal planned for ya after this!=
"Not reassuring!"
If you can complain you can train!= Jubei cheered.
"Gah ha~!" The four screamed.
SZ: and thus another of the six heroes have debut, and we got some nod on the Kaka and Koko clan's history
Z0: things where...crazy
SZ: yup...and we got more crazy next time involving Billy Billions...which gives you possible hint what comes next time
GT: Not really. It may be an original involving him. May not. You'll just have to wait and see...if Fanfiction works properly and you see this.
Z0: Let's not tempt fate now...read and enjoy folks.