Chapter 4: Pac-Pet
Another day, another ghost invasion in Pac-World. But something was different. No, it wasn't with the ghosts. It was with Pac. As he and his team arrived at the scene of the invasion, Pac seemed depressed for some reason. "You ready to gobble some ghosts, Pacster?" Spiral asked. "Yeah, sure. Whatever." Pac said in depression as he brought out his berry dispenser. He popped out a berry and ate it. "Let's get this over with." He said as he flew into battle. "Uh, okay." Spiral said in confusion. Pac's team noticed how depressed he was feeling for the last few days.
Pac flew into the invasion and started gobbling up every ghost in his way. "Hmm. You ghosts sure could use some salt to your slimy taste." He said in depression before continuing. "What's wrong with Pac? He eat something bad?" Inky asked. "Pac? Eat something bad? With him, nothing tastes bad." Spiral said. "You think he's still bummed with what happened with Skeebo and O'Drool?" Cyli asked. "I don't think so. He got over those rather quickly." Pinky said. Pac chomped down the last ghost and belched out the eyeballs before landing back on the ground. "Well, if anyone needs me, I'm at Pac-it-in-Burgers." He said before walking off in depression. "Zan'nen. This can't go on. We need to figure out what's making Pac so bummed." Elli said.
Meanwhile, Betrayus and Buttocks watched as Pac's team rushed after him. "Hmm. I've never seen the Pac-Pest so bummed during my invasions before." Betrayus said. "Perhaps we should see what's bothering him. It could work up to a new genius plan." Buttocks suggested. "My thoughts exactly, Buttocks. Send a Slug-Cam to Pack-it-in-Burgers. I want to know what the Pac-Pain is feeling." Betrayus ordered.
Later, Pac was eating at least a hundred Pac-burgers. "Pac, what's going on with you?" Cyli asked. "Yeah, you've been acting depressed all week." Spiral said. "Well, I don't really know how to explain it." Pac said. "You can tell us, Pac. We're your best friends." Cyli said. "Well, I guess…I've been feeling a bit lonely lately." Pac said. "Lonely?" Spiral asked. "I mean, I'm happy I got Elli as a girlfriend and you guys, Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde as friends. But what I mean is…I think I should get a pet." Pac explained. "A pet?!" Spiral and Cyli asked in shock. "Yeah. I think if I get a pet, I could learn the lessons of responsibility. Aside from protecting Pac-World from Betrayus' ghosts." Pac said. "Uh, Pac, you're my best buddy and all, but you have poor responsibility skills." Spiral said. "Yeah. Remember when the Pres gave you that key and you kept losing it?" Cyli asked. "And let it get snatched by the Pactopus?" Spiral added. "And then there was the time we were pet-sitting Mrs. Globular's dog and she got possessed by Spectre." Cyli said. "Okay, okay, I get it. I had some rough starts with responsibility. But I think I'm ready to give it another shot by getting a pet." Pac said. "Tell you what, Pac. Tomorrow, we'll go down to the Pac-Pet shop and look through the different pets." Cyli said. "Thanks, Cyli. You're the best." Pac said.
Meanwhile, Betrayus watched the entire conversation through his Slug-Cams. "So, the Pac-Pest has a desire to get an animal companion, does he? Well, I think I can give him a pet that will guarantee the destruction of Pac-World!" He exclaimed. "Already ahead of you, your royal sliminess. I've concocted a special creature with my newest invention." Buttocks said. "What kind of creature?" Betrayus asked. Buttocks brought out a controller, pressed a button and opened up a stasis chamber, letting the steam out. "I've created this stasis chamber to create a monster mixture of multiple pieces of DNA of the most dangerous creatures on and under Pac-World." He explained. Just then, a large paw emerged from the chamber. "May I present to you…my Pac-Beast!" Buttocks introduced as the beast revealed itself. It had the body of a Gargoyle, arms of a Were-Pac, feet of a Pacasaurus-Rex, wings of a Dragon and a metal helmet for a head. Betrayus was so amazed by the look of this creature, his eyes popped right out of his head. "It's…It's…beautiful!" He cried. "Yes. A true masterpiece created by my genius." Buttocks boasted. "Wait. Is that one of your Buttanium helmets?" Betrayus asked, recognizing the armor on the helmet. "I know it was a bust last time. But there's a reason for it. You see, I made its face to be so hideous, even you would tremble at the sight of it. And we're saving that special dish for dessert." Buttocks explained. "Then what are you waiting for? Send that abomination into Pacopolis and destroy the Pac-Man!" Betrayus ordered.
The next day, Pac and Cyli went down to the Pac-World pet store to look at the different pets. There were dogs, cats, birds, fish, pretty much everything. "Well, Pac?" Cyli asked. Pac looked through each pet. But not one of them stroke his fancy. "Sorry, Cyli. But none of these pets aren't my type." He said. "I know the feeling. After having Fuzzbitz around for so long, all other pets are just so…ordinary." Cyli said as they exited the store. Suddenly, people ran by, screaming in terror. "MONSTER!" A woman cried. "Pac, look!" Cyli called. Pac turned and saw the Pac-Beast rampaging through the streets. "What is that thing?!" He asked. "Call it a hunch, but I think this is the work of Dr. Buttocks." Cyli said. "You better call the others and tell them to get here quick. I'll deal with this thing." Pac said as he ate a Power Berry and took off. Cyli dialed Spiral on her watch phone. "Spiral, we got a huge, freaky beast rampaging through the city. Get the others and get down here fast." She said. "We'll be there in a flash, Cyli." Spiral said. Pac flew towards the Pac-Beast and prepared to throw the first punch. But then, the beast saw him coming and backhanded him into the street.
Betrayus and Buttocks watched the fight through their Slug Cams. "Ooh! That looked like it hurt!" Buttocks exclaimed. "I hope so. Give him another one, Pac-Beast!" Betrayus ordered.
Pac recovered, shaking the stones off his head. "Wow. That beast's got quite the backhand. Guess it's time to chop this monster down to size." Pac said as he ate an Elder Berry. "Time to go bananas!" He called, pounding his chest as he grew bigger and changed into Pac-Kong. He hooted as he got ready to fight. The Pac-Beast charged for him and bashed into him. But Pac-Kong gave a great roar as he grabbed the Pac-Beast and slammed it into the street. "Way to go, Pac!" Cyli called as she flew over on her hoverboard with Spiral, Ellie and the Ghostly Gang. "Whoa! That thing was made by Buttocks?!" Inky asked in shock and disgust. "That's twisted, even for him." Pinky said.
"TWISTED?!" Buttocks exclaimed angrily. "She does have a point. That Pac-Beast is the sickest thing you've ever invented." Betrayus said. Buttocks grumbled at that.
Suddenly, as Pac-Kong prepared to slam his fists down on it, the Pac-Beast quickly recovered and breathed a flamethrower at him. Pac-Kong screeched at the sudden surprise. The Pac-Beast smacked him with its tail, knocking him down. Pac-Kong hooted in anger as he hopped back up, pounded his chest and tackled the Pac-Beast, throwing it near the Round House. "Whoa!" Spheros cried as he took cover. As Pac-Kong was about to deliver the final blow, the Pac-Beast started to whimper. Pac-Kong gazed at the Pac-Beast curiously as it whimpered again. "You got him now, Pac!" Cyli cheered. "Finish it off!" Blinky cheered. But Pac-Kong turned around and snarled at them. "Hey! The monster's right behind you, dude!" Spiral exclaimed. Pac-Kong roared, swatting his own friends to the ground. As he shrunk back down to regular Pac, his friends quickly recovered and walked over to him. "What's the big idea, Pac? You mistake us for flies?" Cyli asked. "Sorry, guys. But I know monsters and when they want to make trouble." Pac said. "Guess all that time around Fuzzbitz turned you into an expert, huh?" Inky asked. "It looked like it was terrorizing the city, but it was just scared." Pac revealed.
"SCARED?!" Betrayus and Buttocks exclaimed in shock and anger. "You created creature that's easily SCARED?!" Betrayus exclaimed. "It wasn't my FAULT!" Buttocks exclaimed.
Pac comforted the Pac-Beast as it finally settled down. Just then, Spheros came out. "Mr. President." Pac greeted. "I heard everything inside. Seems you started feeling pity for this creature." Spheros said. "Yeah. Believe it or not, sir, I want to help him." Pac said. "Pac, are you saying what I think you are?" Cyli asked. "Yep. I've decided that from this day forth, this Pac-Beast will be my new pet." Pac said. Everyone was surprised to hear that. "Decision granted. Just make sure this big boy gets plenty of exercise, and plenty of food and water." Spheros instructed. "Will do, sir." Pac said.
"Oh, that's just great! Not only did our Pac-Beast just prove to be such a scaredy-beast, but the Pac-Man has also taken it as a pet!" Betrayus exclaimed. "Not to worry. I planned ahead for a contingency such as this." Buttocks said. "How so?" Betrayus asked. "I hid one of my Mind-Control Microchips on the Pac-Beast after his creation. So, when the Pac-Man takes the Pac-Beast as his pet…" Buttocks started to explain. "We can take back control of the Pac-Beast and reek havoc in the city!" Betrayus finished. "Exactly." Buttocks said.
Meanwhile, Pac and his friends were walking with the Pac-Beast through the park. "Pac, you sure having such a big beast as a pet is such a good idea?" Cyli asked. "He is a bit on the large side to be a pet." Spiral said. "Maybe. But I wasn't just gonna let the poor guy be sent back to the Netherworld. He deserves better than that. Don't you, buddy?" Pac asked. The Pac-Beast purred. "So, what're you gonna call him?" Blinky asked. "Hmm. Haven't thought of that." Pac said. The Pac-Beast started growling like it was talking. "He says that he has a name idea." Clyde said, translating the Pac-Beast. "What is it?" Pac asked. The Pac-Beast growled. "Larry." Clyde translated. "Alright, Larry. Good name." Pac said.
Later, Pac and Larry spent the next few hours bonding. They did everything to bond as a pet and his best friend. Playing fetch, learning new tricks and yes, even cleaning up after himself. To which Larry was a professional.
But it wasn't to last. For Betrayus was watching the whole thing. "Sorry to ruin your playtime, Pac-Man, but it's time for my Pac-Beast to start doing what I say again." He said as he activated the controller for Buttocks' Mind-Control Microchip.
Larry felt the chip activate, giving him a splitting headache and making him roar in pain. "Larry? What's wrong?" Pac asked. Larry roared and charged towards Pacopolis. "Larry!" Pac cried. But Larry ignored him and continued towards the city. "Guys, something's wrong with Larry. Get to Pacopolis, quickly!" Pac exclaimed with worry as he called the others. "We're on our way, Pac, my boy." Sir Cumference said.
Betrayus cackled as he controlled Larry, destroying the city. "I don't get why you always have to play with my inventions every time I help you create a new plan!" Buttocks exclaimed in annoyance. "You may be my alleged scientist, Buttocks, but I am still the most powerful ghost in all the Netherworld. So, shut it before I burn you to an ectoplasmic cinder." Betrayus threatened before continuing with controlling Larry.
Larry roared in pain as he was controlled into controlling the city when Pac and his team arrived. "What's gotten into Larry, Pac? He seemed okay back when he was scared." Spiral said. "I don't know. But he sounds worse than before." Pac said. "Clyde, can you tell what Larry's roaring on about?" Inky asked. "It…sounds like…he's crying in pain. Like something's picking at his brain." Clyde translated. "Picking his brain? Maybe like some kind of device hooked to his brain?" Cyli asked. "One way to find out." Pac said. He ate a Titanium Berry, transformed into Titanium Pac, and flew up towards Larry. "What do you see, lad?" Sir Cumference asked. Pac looked around Larry's body and saw Buttocks' Mind-Control Microchip. "Looks like one of Buttocks' control chips. That's what's causing Larry to go on this rampage." He called. "I might've guessed that it was Betrayus' second-rate scientist lapdog." Sir Cumference said.
Buttocks was now fuming with anger from hearing that. "NOBODY CALLS ME SECOND-RATE!" He exclaimed as he snatched the controller from Betrayus. "Hey! Give that back, Buttocks! That's an order!" Betrayus exclaimed. "I'll show that big-nosed has-been who the top scientist really is!" Buttocks exclaimed as he took control.
Larry roared as he charged towards Pac's team. "He's coming this way!" Spiral exclaimed. "Take cover!" Inky exclaimed everyone leapt out of the way. But Larry kept going after Sir Cumference. "Why is he chasing after Sir C?" Cyli asked. "Well, if I were to guess, I'd say Buttocks is controlling Larry now." Pinky said. "Guess he must've heard Sir Cumference call him second-rate." Inky said. "Yeah, he wouldn't have liked that." Clyde said. "Well, in case you're all done with these deductions, do you think you can help get Pac's crazy beast off my back before I get squished?!" Sir Cumference called as he continued dodging Larry's attacks.
Just then, Betrayus and Buttocks started wrestling over the controller. "Give that back! I was well in control of the situation!" Betrayus exclaimed. "Not until that old fossil pays for calling me second-rate!" Buttocks exclaimed. "This grudge is pointless, Buttocks! It's my plan to destroy the Pac-Pest and mine alone!" Betrayus exclaimed. "You wouldn't know how to plan even if your so-called genius was bitten by one of your stupid doggy's heads!" Buttocks exclaimed.
The wrestling of the remote was causing Larry to stop his attack get a major headache. He grabbed his head and roar in pain. "Larry's in pain again!" Clyde called. "Betrayus and Buttocks are probably fighting over the control again." Blinky guessed. "This is your chance, Pac!" Clyi called. "Get the chip, bro!" Spiral called. Titanium Pac flew towards Larry, reached out his hand and grabbed onto the Microchip. "Got it!" He called.
Betrayus and Buttocks were shocked by this. "If he pulls off the chip, we'll lose control of our monster!" Betrayus exclaimed. "Tell you what, you try to shake him off, I'll go and ready a new Microchip." Buttocks said before taking off. "Finally, something good comes out of that big brain." Betrayus said before going back to controlling Larry.
Larry tried to shake Pac off. "Whoa! Easy! I'm trying to help you, Larry!" Pac exclaimed. "Hang on, Pac!" Spiral called. "You can do it, Pac!" Cyli called. Pac struggled as hard as he could and ripped off the Microchip as Larry sent him flying off. "I got it!" He cheered, holding up the Microchip. "Alright, Pac!" Cyli cheered. "That's how you do it, bro!" Spiral cheered. "The Pac is back!" The Ghostly Gang cheered. Larry rubbed his head as he groaned. "You okay, Larry?" Pac asked. Larry grumbled gently, saying he was alright. "It's good to have you back, buddy." Pac said. "That's what you think, Pac-Pest!" Buttocks voice called. The team turned to see him flying towards them. "Once I reattach this new Mind-Control Microchip, my Pac-Beast will destroy this worthless city!" He exclaimed, getting his new Microchip ready. "That's what you think, Buttocks. The only thing that you're gonna do is get in my belly." Pac said. But then, Larry blocked him, growling at Buttocks. "He's saying Buttocks is his." Clyde translated. Larry grabbed Buttocks, making him drop the Microchip. "Let me go, you stupid monster!" Buttocks exclaimed. Just then, Larry flipped up his helmet, revealing his secret weapon. His hideous face. Buttocks screamed to the top of his lungs as the mere sight of Larry's face actually melted his slimy body, leaving his glasses and eyeballs. "Whoa!" The team said in awe. "That was twice as weirder than when that globe melted those Cyclops Ghosts." Inky said. Larry chuckled proudly as he flipped his helmet back down.
Betrayus was shocked by what happened. "So, that's what having a scary face does. Note to self: don't ever ask Buttocks to make another monster like that again. Ever." He said.
Later, Spheros hosted a ceremony for Larry. "And by the power vested in me, by the citizens of Pac-World, I hereby award Larry the Pac-Beast this honorary Pac-Team badge." He announced, presenting a badge to Larry. "It's official, Larry. You are now a full-fledge member of our team." Pac said. Larry purred at the sound of that. "We're proud to have you, Larry." Spiral said. "We look forward to working with you, Larry." Cyli said. Larry, overjoyed, grabbed the team and brought them into a big hug. "Easy! You're gonna squish my eyeballs right out of my body!" Pinky exclaimed. The crowd cheered and applauded for the newest member of Pac's team. "Gotta say, Pac, you picked a pretty good pet." Cyli said. "I know. I sure can pick them." Pac said. Larry chuckled at that.