Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: Here Come the Giants!

by Tilde-Heart

The past and present collide when an ancient evil from the bowels of Skylands' history is awakened by Kaos as he attempts to restore his empire of evil! Now, Chihiro and the Skylanders must team up with the heroes of Skylands' distant past in order to bring a stop to the revival of the Arkeyan Empire! (Canon-divergent retelling of Skylanders Giants)

12. Chapter 12

Guest: I believe there's some small stuff with the Wilikin coming up, but other than that what you've seen of the Wilikin is all for now!

---

Brawl grunted as he jumped atop a hill and flattened the grass underfoot, then he only sighed as the faint sound of mumbling and muttering came over the wind. Behind him, Rizzo, Nort and Snuckles all groaned as they finally pulled themselves over the side of the hill, then fell on their knees, propping themselves up with only their arms as they slouched over and panted. He had to admit, he hadn't though Dyna would take such a steep cliff—or maybe he was just used to taking shortcuts, being as big as he was and all. He paused to peer down at the steep fall below, so tall that the ground was a big blobby blur, then turned back.

"I can feel the blood pumping in my ears," Snuckles whined as he finally fell on his back.

Nort flopped down beside him, and Snuckles groaned as he turned to Nort.

"Nort, can you hear anything?"

Nort just groaned and shook his head before flopping on his side and closing his eyes.

"Yeah, I think… A nap's a good idea… Too…" Snuckles panted as his own eyes drifted open and shut.

While the two of them moaned and closed their eyes, Rizzo stumbled over and shook a fist.

"Come on, you two, that climb wasn't that bad!" Rizzo insisted, though the tired slur of his words and the way he stumbled over his own shaking feet soon after said otherwise. With one trip of his feet Rizzo planted face-first into the ground, moaning as he strained to push himself up for a moment before collapsing. "I, as your captain, I…"

Brawl sighed and shook his nonexistent head at the sight of all three mabu collapsed on the ground, when the sound of something alike to mumbling came over the wind. The voice was faint, no trace of what was being spoken to be heard, and yet something about the voice seemed somewhat familiar… So, Brawl tip-toed ahead, though his massive size ensured that the world around him still shuddered even with the most gingerly of footsteps. The wind whistled and rustled leaves from the sparse nearby trees and bushes, masking the voice at first, but then it came in, and louder to boot! Finally, he discerned the voice's words as it ranted something about recklessness and irresponsibility, and with a much more familiar tone to boot! Yes, this had to be Dyna!

So, Brawl hopped up another hill, one where the sounds grew their loudest, then knelt down and paused at the faintest sight of something green amid the endless stretches of brown earth. Brawl knelt down and gently nudged the green thing… And it yelped as it fell down, then jumped up on the rock and fell down once more! Brawl snagged a closer look, and yep, it was definitely Dyna, though the bags under her eyes made her seem wearier, less spirited than she was when they had arrived.

"Oh, it's you," Dyna sputtered, "the ancient hero of all Skylands."

"Just Brawl is fine," Brawl signed.

Dyna blinked, then paused for a moment before she pulled out another console from her pockets and held it up to Brawl. "I'm sorry, could you repeat that?"

So, Brawl signed once more, and in response the machine's screen flashed onto more.

"Oh, alright then, er, Brawl." Dyna sat down, though her hands still trembled a little—whether it was from being in Brawl's presence or the extra nerves from her argument with Boomette, he wasn't sure. "Good thing I brought that universal translator with me, even translates sign language!"

"Quite the convenient little gadget!"

The screen flashed once more, and Dyna glazed it over before chuckling. "I'm sure Boomette will be happy to hear that. She's the one who came up with the idea in the first place." Dyna sighed. "I'll tell her…" Dyna shook her head. "No, actually, I don't think she particularly wants to talk to me."

Brawl tilted to the side, and clasped his hands for a moment. He went to sign once more, but the sound of panting and running over the horizons turned their attention to the beginning of the hills, where three round figures ran in the distance.

"There you are! I was wondering why you ran off all of a sudden!" Rizzo shouted, before yanking his head over to where Brawl was. "Oh, and there you are, too!"

"Did something happen between you two?" Snuckles asked, pushing in front of Rizzo and walking up to Dyna with hands clasped and a frown. "I mean, that fight back there seemed pretty bad, and you were on edge the whole trip—"

"It's nothing." Dyna's mood changed immediately, ears flattened against the sides of her head as she turned away with the universal translator clutched tight to her chest. Her head lowered, and she pulled herself from the rock. "Just family matters."

Rizzo blinked, then turned around with a grin. "Well, if that's just all it is, then we should be on our way! Come on, time's wasting and we've gotta clear the way for the Skylanders!"

Dyna cringed, teeth clenched tight as she glanced back at Rizzo, but she quickly cleared her throat and turned further away.

"I'll, I'll catch up with you later, you go on ahead."

"Suit yourself!"

Rizzo hummed a tune as he strode off, but right before he could run off, Nort grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back.

Dyna, meanwhile, sighed once more, and Snuckles sat down beside her rock. His brows knitted a bit, a frown on his face as he twiddled his thumbs, then finally sighed.

"Are you sure? That didn't exactly look like something small," Snuckles said.

"Yeah!" Nort chimed in as he dragged Rizzo back, oblivious to Rizzo's shouts behind him. "You seemed really shaken up! Not to mention you were all huffy and angry on the flight here. You couldn't even look her in the eye!"

Dyna winced, her eyes perking up for a moment before she flattened them once more. Her lip trembled a bit, as if she wanted to speak, but she still turned away nonetheless.

"It's, it's nothing," she insisted, her lips trembling still, "it's a stupid thing, really, not something worth bugging others with."

"We're not gonna judge you if you don't wanna talk about it, but if it's bothering you that much, it's not something stupid!" Snuckles chirped. "We're all ears!"

Nort nodded in response, and Rizzo only shrugged… But with one jab from Nort in the shoulder, Rizzo yelped before warily nodding as well.

Dyna sighed, pulling herself off the rock and sitting down before them. She sputtered a little, scratching her palms and toying with her overalls' straps as she struggled to find the words to say, but finally she breathed in. Glancing at the translator in her hand for a moment, she finally lifted her head up.

"Well, you're right, Boomette and I have been growing more distant from each other lately," Dyna admitted. She sighed and turned her head, not even lifting her eyes from the translator. "She's been growing more independent by the day, and it kinda scares me that my family doesn't need to rely on me anymore."

Nort and Snuckles both nodded, but Rizzo's jaw just dropped as he tilted his head.

"That's it?" Rizzo scoffed as he stormed up to Dyna. "Why's that such a big deal? So, she's pulling her weight a little more—at least she's not like Blobbers!" Rizzo rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, scoffing once more. "All he does is gripe and grumble and complain! Just because I forgot to pick him up and left a few extra things to him, what's he complaining about? He could stand to pull his own weight a little more!"

"At least he actually needs you still!" Dyna scoffed and yanked her view away from the translator, though her grip was still fixed tight on it. "You say that now, but just wait—you're gonna miss that once they all leave you behind!"

Rizzo's eyes fluttered, and he slowly backed away. "Er, Dyna…"

"One moment, they're all relying on you and looking up to you, and all you'd ever want is to be there for them, but then they start moving on and you get left behind, and it seems like as far as everyone else is concerned, you're just there to do nothing but stand around! They never remember to keep in touch, seem to act like you never existed, and…"

Dyna sniffled, rubbing her nose and lowering her head before turning away. "You're just left waiting for the day when they all leave and you've got nothing left. You dedicate your whole life to helping them because nobody else could, because times were hard and the people who should've been there to do it couldn't… And now, you don't know what else to do! All you ever wanted was to take care of your family, and now you don't know what to do with yourself anymore now that they don't need you! You don't want to hold them back, but you can't imagine life without them!"

"Dyna?" Snuckles and Nort called.

"And then…" Dyna trudged back over to the rock, laying the translator on the side. Tears started to form, but she wiped them away just as quick. "You find out of nowhere that one's planning to get married and didn't even tell you, and you don't even know what to do!"

The tears started to fall further, and this time Dyna didn't bother to wipe them away, instead pressing her face into her knees. "You know it's not your business, she's not a little kid anymore and she can take care of herself and you know she loves her partner, and her partner's a good troll and you're sure they'll take care of each other, but she's the only one who stuck around and now she's going off! It feels like your whole family's leaving you behind, like everything you did never mattered to them! And, and…"

Dyna sniffled a little more, not even bothering to lift up her face.

"Now you don't know what to do with yourself."

"Married?…" Nort whispered as he scratched his chin. His eyes went a bit wide for a moment, then he shook his head. "Wait, don't tell me..."

Dyna sniffled a little more, and Snuckles frowned as he prodded over and offered her a tissue from his pocket. As Dyna wiped away her tears, Brawl knelt beside her and gently nudged her back with his finger. What a poor thing, feeling as abandoned and unwanted as she did—it tugged a bit at his heart just to see her like that.

"I think I understand how you feel," Brawl signed as he sat beside her. "You're so used to taking care of everyone, but now that they're getting busier and doing more with their lives and don't need your help anymore, you're at a loss about what you should do now, right?"

Dyna frowned, laying the tissue on the ground.

"How'd you guess?"

She forced a laugh, but Brawl didn't particularly find anything very funny. And Dyna must have noticed, because she just sighed.

"It's true. I just can't imagine a life without any of my sibs and I working together, but now it seems like they're all drifting away. Even though I'm still working with the family business like I always did, doing it with all these trolls I barely know and with everyone just gone now, it just doesn't feel the same, it's just so... Empty."

Dyna's eyes drifted back to the translator, then quickly drifted away. "She's gonna propose any day now and run off with her, I'm sure of it. And I want to be happy for her, but… I just don't know what I'll do when she leaves. I just wish she could understand how hard this has been for me! Having her constantly act like I'm the unreasonable one for being worried about losing the one family member I really have left, seeing as how everyone else doesn't even talk to me anymore..."

"I understand, I really do." Brawl clenched his hands for a moment, then went back to signing. "But, have you stopped to think about how she must feel?"

Dyna lifted her head and flicked her ears. "And what exactly does that mean?" She asked, a hint of venom in her voice.

"Well, she and her partner found this place on their lonesome, correct?"

Dyna lowered her head.

"Yes, they did," she said after a moment of contemplation. "They've been busy scouting out abandoned places where the tech's little more than waste and bringing it here to be repurposed—it was a genius idea. We've been cleaning up so many parts of Skylands and getting some shiny new stuff out of it, too!" Dyna laughed, and the faintest hint of a smile crossed her face. "I can't believe I didn't think of it."

"Then, while I'm sure you're just trying to look out for her, berating her and taking over on something she put so much pride in probably hurts her, too. I imagine she probably thinks you're looking down on her despite it all!"

Dyna frowned, clasping her hands and lowering her ears. "I, I wasn't trying to, I was just trying to keep her safe. This place is so dangerous and all…"

"Ah, yes, good intentions pave the road to the pits." Brawl chuckled a bit. "You know, this all reminds me of a spat with Eye I had, back when we had first started really working together…"

"You two, fight? That's ridiculous!" Snuckles cried. "You're one of the most famous team-ups there is! Everyone knows the story of the eye and the headless giant who teamed up and became Skylands' most legendary protectors!"

Brawl just swayed from side to side, signing, "well, that wasn't always the case. Even the most legendary of teams have their rough patches—especially when they're just starting out. You see, this all started right after we had just destroyed an Arkeyan monument and freed the ones forced to build it…"

§

Brawl groaned, leaning against the walls of the base with his arms crossed tight, so tight that they would've almost squeezed and cracked his armor if not for how durable it was. What was Eye thinking, lashing out like that?! He could hardly act like he was the one doing all the work here, much less take the credit for it! After all, who was the one dragging his sorry ass out of trouble all the time? Who was the one who did all the fighting while he was off shooting lasers? Who was the muscle and mind of their little partnership, the one who held all the brawn and brains while Eye flitted about? Not Eye, that was for sure!

But, he couldn't exactly rant or anything, so he just fumed as he pressed against the rough stone walls… That were starting to crack! The faint crackling sounds came from behind him, and Brawl gasped as he stumbled forwards, waving his arms before he turned back to find that only a few small cracks had formed. Phew, close one—but, he'd better not press it any further.

So, he just sat down and sulked, only half a mind paid to the part across the room where Thumpback cleaned his anchor of stray Quicksilver.

"There somethin' you wanna talk about, Brawl?" Thumpback asked, though his eyes didn't lift a bit from where he polished that anchor. "After all, you seemed pretty mad about your little spat with Eye back there."

"Was it that obvious?" Brawl signed.

Thumpback lifted his eyes, clutching the rag he polished his anchor with for a moment before he returned to polishing. "I mean, you blew up pretty badly—everyone else's talking about it over there." Thumpback chuckled as he wrung the cloth over an open wooden barrel and went back to polishing in a single motion. "Had to leave the room cause all the chatter was so noisy. Maybe it's all those years fishing at sea, but all that noise just isn't for me."

Brawl huffed. "Well, guess if Eye wanted all that attention he certainly got it."

"Oh? So you think attention is what he wants?"

Thumpback raised a brow, turning away from his anchor with an almost quizzical smile. Brawl had to admit, of all the other Elder Elementals, he found Thumpback hardest to read—it seemed like no matter what he always had a smile on his face, but not one of genuine joy. It was a strange tranquility, the kind that was almost impossible to see whether someone was genuinely happy or feigning joy to keep their cool, or silently judging and analyzing your every move while you stood dumbfounded. But, he seemed inviting enough, so Brawl raised his hands.

"What else would it be? Every mission we do, it seems like he's always trying to hog the spotlight—jumping headfirst into danger and fighting without a care, bluffing about how hard he works afterwards, always shoving into the conversation…" Brawl shuddered a little, leaning forward before pushing himself back up. "I keep telling him, everything will be fine as long as he leaves all the fighting to me! I'm the one with all the strength, he's supposed to scout and cover any oncoming danger for us! Why's he so caught up about not getting to hog all the glory and fame that he has to cause all this extra fuss?!"

Thumpback chuckled a little more, then turned to his anchor with that slight smile, shaking his head and tsking as he worked.

"What's so funny about that?" Brawl clenched his fist for a moment, a bit of heat bubbling in his armor. "Don't tell me you agree with him!"

"No, that's not quite it—I just saw things a bit different, is all." Thumpback peered down at his anchor for a bit, then hastily buffed out another spot on it. "You see, the way I see it, it's the opposite. It's not that he does too much… Rather, it seems to me like he feels as if he isn't doing enough."

Not… Doing enough? Brawl had wanted to retort, but he couldn't quite find the words. After all, from his standpoint Eye should have been doing less! So, he just stood, hands laid to his legs with not a finger raised, something Thumpback must have taken as a prompt to continue considering the aside glance he gave Brawl.

"Without factoring in our blessings, he doesn't have quite the physical strength and fancy abilities that the rest of us have, and even then the two of you split your powers so he's lacking in that area too. I'm sure he's worried that he's only a burden on us, only being able to scout at most. If I were him, I'm sure I'd have moments where I'd be concerned that all I'm doing is dragging people down and feel like I have to compensate…"

Brawl hummed, stroking his armor as he did. Now that he thought about it, Eye did seem awfully hurt when Brawl got angry with him—on the verge of tears, even! And all those other times, when looking back he seemed so desperate to be praised, so desperate to be acknowledged with those eager looks and proud stances and jumping headfirst into the fray… Brawl had thought he was just being reckless. Brawl winced a little, clasping his fist. He had never thought of things that way, and he was supposed to be Eye's partner, too! How could he have not recognized it?!

"But, he's not—" Brawl began to sign.

"A burden, you want to say?" Thumpback stopped polishing for a moment, laying his rag to the side as he frowned and started to turn it. "Even if you don't think of him as such, it's hard for him to believe it. Not when he's surrounded by those he thinks are more capable than he is."

Brawl cringed, and for a moment he thought back to his earlier fight with Eye. The things he said in his fit of anger piercing through his armor, sending pains he never thought he could feel! And then, he recalled the time he blew up at Eye for irritating the guards, and the look of pain in Eye's face when Brawl chewed him out, or all the times he constantly pushed Eye aside. All the times he took everything on by himself, and scolded Eye for wanting to help…

"Because you act like you're better than I am! You never appreciate how hard I'm trying to make this partnership work! Do you have any idea how frustrating it is, constantly trying to fight as hard as I can with no body and only half the elemental powers the others have? I have to work twice as hard to do just a fraction of what you can do, and I still fight harder! But all I get from you is complaining!"

That angered spiel from Eye flashed back to Brawl, then he clenched his fists and jumped from his seat. He had been so harsh on Eye, when Eye was just trying to help them, and didn't even bother to consider how Eye felt in all that! But not even just that—there were all the times he pushed Eye to the sidelines without even asking him beforehand, painting him as the weaker one without even considering his feelings… Oh, Ancients, he was an awful partner, not even thinking about how he felt! If he were in Eye's shoes, he'd have left, too! Brawl jumped from his seat, and his hands started to tremble.

"Of course, I'm not Eye," Thumpback added as he glazed over his reflection in his shiny, polished anchor. "For all I know, he could feel a whole lot different!"

But, those words were just barely present in Brawl's ears as he stormed out the room and rushed through the halls. All he cared about was finding Eye and apologizing to him—that is, if Eye hadn't completely forgotten about him and abandoned him for someone else, anyways!

His footsteps pounded through the base, shaking the floors as Brawl burst through the canopy that hung over it, disguising it from normal view, then leaped up the cliffs one by one. That build site wasn't very far from here, just a pull of an island or two away. Surely, Brawl would be able to catch up, right?

As Brawl hit the top of the cliffs and stormed through the forest, pushing away trees and crushing bushes underfoot, his breath started to thin as the world around him spun. Every single awful thing he had said to Eye started to pound against him, denting his armor and leaving it so weak and fragile he could barely bring himself to walk another step. What if Eye didn't forgive him? After all, Brawl had been so cruel and insensitive to his feelings, acting like he was the one who could handle everything and pushing Eye to the sidelines. And he'd have every right, considering how inconsiderate Brawl was of him!

The leaves continued to crunch under Brawl's feet as he ran, while his vision drifted from place to place amid the muddy spots of brown and green and orange and… Red and gold? Masses of red and gold hiked over the horizons, and in that moment Brawl immediately rushed to find a place to hide—his head, or lack thereof, was still in a haze, but he knew red and gold meant Arkeyans, and Arkeyans were the last thing he was prepared to deal with right now. His fist hit something cool and smooth, and Brawl shook his head, finding a large boulder where his hand had laid.

Just before he could jump behind it, however, large, thumping footsteps—an entire herd of them, in fact—rattled the earth, leaves popping off and falling from the trees as more large figures came in the distance.

"Brawl, there you are!" Tree Rex cried as he finally came into view.

Brawl glanced behind Tree Rex, and found the entire pack of Elder Elementals behind him. Why did he bring all of them? This was Brawl's issue to sort out, not any of theirs, and that wasn't even talking about the kind of attention it would bring to them! Tree Rex reached out a hand for Brawl, but Brawl just swatted it away and shushed him, though Tree Rex just winced and drew back his hand before he could make contact.

"Brawl, what's gotten into you?" Tree Rex frowned, the wood on his skin creaking as his brows knitted. "First you and Eye can't even look at each other without fighting, then you come back to base the angriest you've even been and then you run off in a fury! What's all this about?!"

Brawl drew back, ducking a little under the boulder. That's right, he was in such a haze that he couldn't even have time to explain! He went to say something, but then Thumpback squeezed his way to the front and cleared his throat.

"Calm down, Tree Rex, there's no need to get worked up. We've already had enough fighting for one day," Thumpback started, before gesturing to Brawl, "and I think Brawl agrees too."

Brawl gulped, then finally stood up a little. "He's right, I ran off because I wanted to find Eye and apologize," Brawl signed. "I, I wanted to find him before it was too late."

Tree Rex's brows lifted a little, a soft frown crossing his face before he smiled and laid a hand on Brawl's shoulder. "I'm glad to hear that, Brawl," Tree Rex's smile faded a little, "but how exactly did you expect to find him, running off like that? It's not like you can fly!"

Brawl twiddled his thumbs. "Well, er, I…" His fingers fumbling over one another, Brawl shook a tiny bit more. "I was thinking I could just pull some islands around, and maybe I'll be able to make a chain now…"

The other Elder Elementals met him with blank stares, and Brawl sighed.

"In hindsight, it was an absolutely stupid idea, but what else can I do? Eye could be anywhere right now, and I have no idea where he is!"

"Well don't worry too much, we'll find him, I promise," Ninjini said, summoning a round, sparkly purple orb with a wave of her hands. "With a quick scry, I should be able to figure out his location, then we can—"

"There they are!"

Brawl turned back over the boulder where that red and gold mass laid—and it was, indeed, Arkeyans! A small pack of large, bulky Arkeyans almost to his height decorated in fancy tassels he recognized as the kind worn by high-ranking Arkeyan generals, and from the sheer amount of fancy decorations they held, surely they were very high on that ranking list. Oh, looks like he really got himself into it now!

Brawl gasped, readying his fists while around him the other Elder Elementals drew their weapons, sharing his sentiment as the generals approached them… But the generals just drew back.

"Calm yourselves, we mean no harm!" The general at the head of the group said in an almost snide tone, then grimaced as he was immediately met with a wishblade to the neck.

"That's what they always say!" Ninjini hissed, a nasty scowl crossing her face as she gripped her wishblade tighter.

Her other hand clenched as if she prepared to summon a second blade while the other Elder Elementals backed in with anger in their eyes, and yet, the general didn't even fight, just choosing to hold up his hands while the other generals did so in compliance.

"Now, now, why so angry? We didn't come here to fight or raze villages or anything—in fact, we came here looking for you!"

Ninjini just pressed the wishblade even closer to the general's neck. "And why is that, exactly?"

The general just chuckled, his voice low as he raised a brow. "Pardon me for being on the nose, but you appear to be one missing!"

Brawl winced, clenching his fists as he stepped away. The absence of Eye resting on his otherwise headless top weighed on him the moment it was spoken, the empty space above him a crushing load that was almost unbearable—and the way the generals glared at him, too, only strengthened it. That snide look in their eyes, those jeers… They knew, and they'd be all too happy to rub it in. Thumpback and Tree Rex immediately moved to shield Brawl from view, but that only resulted in a couple of snide chuckles from the generals.

"And?" Ninjini prodded. "What of it?"

"What if I told you we knew where your little friend was?"

Wait, knew? Little friend? Arkeyans saying they knew someone was never a good sign, and the way it came off their lips like sweet honey showed it. Surely, something had happened to Eye! Brawl's hands began to tremble, and on instinct he pushed past the others, rushing to the head of the group.

"And? Where is he?" Brawl signed so rapidly that his hands bumped into each other. "Where's Eye?!"

The generals in the back shot raised eye glances at each other, but the one at the front only chuckled.

"Easy there, big guy, you haven't even heard the message yet!" The head general said before clearing his throat and placing his hands behind his back. "Your floating eyeball buddy was found wandering around the forest by our generals, and he's taking a nice little rest in our chambers!"

A few gasps came from the back of the group, and Brawl's own hands started to shake. Eye, in their captivity? And in chambers? Surely, they must have meant the torture chambers some of the others rebelling against the Arkeyans spoke of in hushed whispers, ones where those kept captive were subject to all sorts of cruel methods and experiments until they coughed up whatever the Arkeyans wanted—if they even survived to cough again! And to think, Eye was there, all because of this stupid argument!

"Worried about him? I'm sure you are—but don't worry, we're keeping him safe… For now."

The general's smile still laid on his face, cold as ice while he folded his hands. Brawl had heard people say that only the coldest and cruelest could rise the rank of general in Arkeyan armies, and seeing it now, he had a feeling they were right. The general cleared his throat and turned around, revealing a small, crimson red cape hanging from the back of his armor

"But, our guards have been absolutely itching for something to poke and prod lately, and they've been getting fairly impatient… So I'll just leave you on this note."

The general withdrew a charged warp start disc, only stopping to take one last glance at Brawl and smirk before they tossed the disc on the ground.

"If you want him back, have the suit come to our fortress in this forest, alone."

And just like that, a bright flash of golden light enveloped the generals and whisked them away, their laughter only faintly heard on the wings of the wind…

And all Brawl did was drop his fists, arms laying slack at his side. Eye was captured, taken to Arkeyan torture chambers and surely terrified out of his wits, if he was even alive at all! Not to mention all the awful things that went on in those chambers, the stabbing and drowning and burning and more… And all because Brawl was too selfish and stupid to actually think about how he felt! Brawl leaned over, clawing at the empty space in his armor where Eye usually laid, almost ready to fall over and shatter! Eye was captured and in serious danger, and it was all his fault!

"I need to go!" Brawl finally jumped up and signed at last!

His hands shook furiously, so furiously that a faint echo came from them and only grew worse as the others glanced at each other, all frowns and unsure looks… Almost as if, they were perhaps doubting his wish to go there? But, Eye was one of them too, surely they were just as concerned as he was!

"I don't like the sound of this," Tree Rex said as he stepped forward. "It's clearly a trap."

Brawl jolted back up, nearly knocking Tree Rex over as they faced off. "But, we can't just leave Eye there!" Brawl signed. "They'll kill him!"

"I know, I know, I'm worried about him too! But if they only want you and nobody else, surely they'll have a trick up their sleeve—they probably want to eliminate you both!"

Before Brawl could say another thing, Tree Rex turned his back to him and faced Ninjini instead. "Ninjini, any ideas what we should do?"

Ninjini hummed, then waved her hands and crafted a map out of a magic. "The closest fortress is to the west, and it's pretty heavily guarded. If we get a hold of the free magicians, we could probably put together a rescue party, but we'd have to be incredibly careful—"

Brawl clenched his fists, legs trembling at the thought. There was no time to waste waiting on parties and assembling and things, Eye was in trouble! Before he even knew it, Brawl's legs moved on their own, carrying him to the west as fast as they could while the shouts of the other Elder Elementals grew fainter and fainter. Sure, they could say they needed a plan all they wanted, but Eye couldn't wait a plan! And as his partner, Brawl had to save them!

So, he leaped past a pair of trees and planted on the ground, kneeling down low enough to catch a trail of golden sparkles… Wait, gold just like the light that came from that warp start! Brawl tailed after the trail, the trees rustling around him and the smells of the jungle turning to that of oil and metal as the foliage parted, revealing a large, almost castle-like gold and red building with smoke pouring from its towers—yes, this had to be their fortress!

So, Brawl slid down the muddy cliffs and stormed up to the front gates, his fists growing tighter by the second. The golden gates shone with bursts of light and smoke every few moments as the sounds of machinery rumbled from within, all from behind those golden stone walls and the two tall, poleaxe-wielding Arkeyan soldiers that guarded them. Brawl rushed forward, arm held up like a battering ram, but before he could storm the gate, the soldiers both thrust their poleaxes at Brawl in the moment with their eyes glowing red.

"Halt!" Cried the first, eyes shining brighter as they put their poleaxe's blade dangerously close to Brawl's chest. "State your business!"

The second did the same, but quickly rescinded their poleaxe.

"Wait a second…" they gasped, then burst into laughter as they drew the poleaxe back. "You must be that other Elder Elemental! Here for your buddy, are you?"

The first shot a glance back at the second, but chuckled along as well as they thrust their poleaxe further, running a cut along Brawl's chest. "Sorry buddy, but you're too late! He's already captured now!"

Brawl growled, and this time it was his fists that moved on their own, slugging punches right in the guards' faces! Sparks burst from their necks as they flew into the wall, their poleaxes flying back and slicing their chests open to reveal all sorts of wires and gears and mechanical guts—but only for a moment, as Brawl roundhouse kicked them into the bushes and slammed the door wide open!

Golden light shone down and turned red as alarms beeped and flared, and Brawl's head turned up to a round orb that flashed with light before he yanked it from its pedestal and shattered it, its grains and shards cascading at his feet like rain. The golden halls that stretched before him were more reminiscent of a palace's halls with their shiny golden walls, floors and ceilings, all propelled up by gem-encrusted red pillars and shining chandeliers… But that wasn't important to Brawl right now! He just stormed through, rushing up to a pair of tall golden doors and kicking them open!

The alarms sounded once more, and Brawl ran once more, thrusting himself all about as he scoured for Eye's location. The stretches of golden doors all completely identical showed nothing new compared to the stretches before, so he growled and burst into the next room, slamming the doors open so hard that they cracked the walls behind them.

The hall before him was thinner, now a shiny cool silver but still carrying all the regal aesthetics of the halls before. Yet, behind their thin walls, the sounds of screaming and shouting came, echoing with the metallic smell of blood… Surely, that couldn't have been Eye's blood, could it? Brawl shuddered, and his rampage slowed as he backed away. Above him, a panel on the ceiling slammed open and out from it dropped a holograph, one of a robotic scientist draped in regal-looking gowns with a malevolent glint in its eye! It chuckled as its eye fell on Brawl, and Brawl only squeezed his fists in response.

"Well look here, seems like you fell for our little ploy hook, line and sinker!" the scientist cried as it rubbed its hands. "Oh, just look at that rage, that anger! That's the stuff I like to see!"

Brawl growled under his breath, and the scientist only cackled further.

"You're here for your little friend, aren't you?"

The holograph flickered for a moment as the scientist faded away, and as if changing views, it shuddered and flickered before the image morphed into… Into a reflection of Eye! He was sitting on a pedestal, wings bound and a net keeping him flattened as tight as they could without splattering him, and he was surrounded by a whole group of other scientists, all wielding different electrically-charged and pointed weapons! Eye grunted, struggling and stretching as he strained against his bonds… But he was alive!

And now that Eye was for certain alive, the fear that filled Brawl turned to anger, his metal heating up at the very sight! He slugged a punch at the holograph, but it only fritzed and faded as he passed right through it! Brawl turned around, raising his fist to throw a punch, but nonetheless it was laughter that came from the holograph as it faded into the scientist's image once more and glared down Brawl.

"If you want him, then come get him!"

The holograph disappeared, and in its place the tiles on the floor before Brawl lit up in a straight, glimmering white line—surely, that had to be where Eye was! Brawl grunted as he took a step forward, but right as he did, the panels changed to red while ear-splitting screams came over the alarms! Brawl grunted as he fell to his knees, the walls starting to split open around him as the room turned shaky, then whole swarms of red and blue and gold came!

"Surrender, Elder Elemental!" The swarms cried as one, sparkling lights bursting from them and turning on Brawl before they shot out and pelted him in the chest!

Sharp cracks rang through the air, and stinging pains consolidated in Brawl's chest as he grunted, then tumbled backwards and fell to his knees as those sharp, hot lights pelted him once more! Brawl panted, his breath heavy and senses fuzzing up… But the sight of Eye all wrapped up and struggling to escape came to him, and in that moment Brawl jumped up and screamed, his voice bellowing and rumbling the floor with a power he didn't even know he had! He stomped as hard as he could, so hard that cracks formed in the floor and sprouted out a sickly, silver mist, and in that moment those blobby crowds collapsed, their sparkly things slipping from them as they shuddered and hacked. Brawl growled, kneeling down and charging right through as the mist surrounded him, consolidating into something hard and pointy that smashed through the ranks.

Sparks flew around him, the air turning smoky and charred as sparking electricity and explosions came from behind him, and that was soon joined by the sound of shattering metal as something crashed behind him and sent blue lights twinkling in the air. The halls switched and distorted in color around him, going from bronze, silver, jewel colored and more, and they were all a blur as he smashed through row after row—but he couldn't care, not right now, not when his partner was in danger!

Even as the sirens wailed, even as more of those blobby things he could barely discern crunched and exploded underneath his feet, even as the world around him slipped, his own footsteps light as air and slippery as if he was walking on oil, he, he had to keep running! The red lights that lined the floor shined, his only guide as his senses slipped, then finally they halted at a gold and red, blurry wall that Brawl crashed right through!

"Brawl!"

Wait, that was Eye's voice! As metal and crystals shattered around him, Brawl hunched over and fell to his knees, panting as he planted his hands against the solid, sleek golden floors. The world around cleared up, showing a shiny laboratory filled with all sorts of complex machines… And in the center of it all, Eye! He was still trapped like he was in the holograph, but he was thankfully unharmed otherwise, and he seemed to brighten the moment he laid sight on Brawl!

"Brawl, you came for me!" Eye cried, before thrusting himself forward and frantically flapping his wings the best he could. "Brawl, I have something I need to tell—"

"There he is!" cried one of the scientists!

In that moment, all of the scientists turned around and drew their weapons, all points crackling at Brawl. For a moment, Brawl's chest pounded again, yet the sight of Eye struggling and shouting behind those ranks brought him back up. Those scientists were the only thing standing between Brawl and his partner, the one he had wronged. But not anymore! Brawl cracked his knuckles, then clenched his fists to distract himself from the growing pain in his chest. He raised his fists, and in that moment…

The scientists all dropped their weapons and laughed!

"What, did you really think we were stupid enough to fight you?" One scientist cackled as they reached for a console. "We wouldn't be here if we were!"

The scientists all laughed as that scientist at the console pressed a button, and a massive gust blew down on Brawl as something dropped from the ceiling and slammed on the floor with a blow so mighty it knocked Brawl on his side! Brawl grunted, the sound of his armor crunching growling louder as the thing yanked him by the arm and wrapped its arms around him, squeezing him tight! As his chest cracked, his vision blurring and his hearing almost bleeding from the mocking laughter of the scientists, Brawl just barely caught sight of a tall, blue and gold ultron behind him…

§

"So, what happened next, then?" Dyna remarked, drawing her hand away. Though her gaze tried to remain neutral, there was a sort of fascinated look in her eyes, that kind of glimmer that people got when they were absolutely transfixed by a story and desired nothing more than the very next word. Or maybe it seemed a bit more contemplative, given how she shot glances at that translator every time Eye and Brawl's fight came to light.

"Yeah, yeah, what happened?!" Snuckles asked with all the excitement of a young child. "Did you and Eye team up and beat those guys?!"

"No, if you asked me, Brawl wiped 'em out single handedly!" Rizzo remarked as he leaned back and stretched. "Nobody's a match for such a tough ancient like him!"

Somehow, Brawl got the feeling that Rizzo completely missed the point of the story, but he just shook his head.

"Well, you see—" Brawl started to sign.

But, as Brawl lifted his nonexistent head, an awful screech burst across the lands! Dyna, Rizzo, Snuckles and Nort all keeled over and covered their ears as the sharp, harsh sounds of wailing sirens burst across the land, and Brawl himself just winced as red, eye-burning light fell over the fields! The sirens grew even louder as fields of electricity burst from the ground, and the sounds of marching started to echo over the horizon!

And below, Dyna must have noticed too, because she finally uncovered her ears and pushed herself from the ground.

"They found us!" Dyna cried, pointing to the hills. "Look, over there!"

Rizzo, Snuckles and Nort all pushed themselves back up and glanced across the hills, and Brawl followed them right as the marching sounds grew louder, paired with the masses of white and blue that marched over the horizon, then leaped and bounded across the cliffs, soaring through the skies and crashing down before them! The clicking and whirring of machines stirred the air as the masses of white and blue revealed themselves as massive armies of drones, all encircling around Brawl and the others while they turned on their weapons!

"We're outnumbered!" Dyna cried as she backed into Brawl's leg, clutching the translator close to her chest.

But, Brawl just shook back and forth and stepped forward. That's only what they thought!

"One minute, please!" Brawl signed.

The others nodded and hurriedly scrambled behind Brawl, who only slammed his palms together as the wind chilled around him. A thick, dark gray and black smog swirled around him while the skies above turned gray, and the grass around wilted as the earth turned cold and cracked. The cracks grew larger, stretching across the ground while the drones beeped and squealed, then out from them burst a whole flurry of purple ghosts, all in such a fury that they were little more than a mass of howling purple smog!

The ghosts swarmed the skies, blocking out its stretches with their purple smoke before splitting into droves and zipping down into the drones' ranks, spinning them around and tossing them like they were little more than feathers! The drones' weapons fell to the earth and disappeared within the cracks in the ground, while some of the drones followed as the ghosts tossed them inside!

Dyna stumbled out from behind Brawl's legs, blinking for a moment at the sight of entire swarms of powerful robots rendered hapless by swathes of unruly ghosts, then she stuck the translator back into her pocket and pulled out a handful of tiny marbles in exchange! With a swing of her arm, the marbles flew through the air and expanded, becoming full-fledged bombs in the blink of an eye! The bombs exploded quickly afterwards, their flames bursting all over the earth and enveloping the robots in their heat!

"Now's our chance, boys!" Rizzo cried as he yanked out a laser gun and rushed out, a quick moment taken to wave for Snuckles and Nort. "Quick, let's scrap these drones!"

"Right, captain!" Snuckles and Nort both cried as they pulled their own guns out!

The three of them lined up, their crosshairs fixed on the flaming robots as they lifted their guns, and with a trio of trigger pulls, hot lasers leaped into the flames and slashed right through the chests of several flaming robots! Their burnt corpses exploded in the moment, the fires burning brighter and more furious as their flames spread to the remaining robots and seared their circuits, eating every robot in succession until they had blown each one to bit and formed a veritable wall of fire! But, with a series of swirls from the ghosts, the flames quenched. All that was left behind was seared earth and charred circuits as the ghosts flew back into the earth's cracks, which soon sealed themselves up as the sun poked through.

Brawl left the ghosts with a small nod of appreciation, and below him Dyna, Rizzo, Nort and Snuckles all caught their breath when a set of beeps came from Rizzo! Rizzo frowned and pulled something from his pocket, a small device that flashed red.

"Wait, my com link was still on?" Rizzo remarked. "I thought I turned that thing off!"

But here it was, flashing brightly as the sounds of shooting and crashing crackled across its speakers, muddled with static and feedback!

"I, I don't think I can hold them back much longer!" Eye cried over the speaker!

Brawl gasped, leaning forward as crashing and shouts and the sounds of laser blasts rattled, occasionally mingling with another voice shouting something about robots and trying to contact someone. Brawl couldn't quite recognize it, as the feedback seemed to spark up whenever it spoke, but the worried looks Rizzo exchanged with Nort and Snuckles showed they certainly did.

"Just keep grabbing their attention!" shouted back another voice—Boomette's!

"Boomette!" Dyna cried, shoving Rizzo aside as she yanked the com link from his hands. "Boomette, it's me, Dyna! Do you read?"

Boomette, however, said nothing back. She just cried in pain as something crashed down over the speaker! The com link's light dulled after that, but Dyna just kept frantically poking it, tapping it, doing whatever she could.

"Boomette, Boomette, answer me!" Dyna cried as she shook the com link, eyes wide and fingers shaking. "Please, answer me!"

No response—the link still laid dead. Dyna breathed a shaky, barely-there breath, then shoved the link back into Rizzo's hands!

"Trace the call back, right now!" she cried!

Rizzo hastily nodded, pressing a few buttons before a map flashed into existence above the com link, one that stretched across the plains with a single red light flashing in the distance! At the very sight, Dyna dashed off, not even bothering to look any further while the others tailed after them, and Brawl just winced as he followed after. He was sure Eye was holding up the best he could, but… Brawl gulped, then clenched his fist.

Hang in there, I'm coming! was all Brawl thought as he strode across the cliffs.

§

Footsteps in a hasty, pattering rhythm echoed around the cavern as Vatra and Chihiro stumbled inside, then both of them collapsed on the side. Chihiro left out a soft moan as she retrieved the wheels from her pocket, and though she could barely stand, her legs shuddering the whole time she even so much as laid down, she still pushed herself up and swayed up to the center of the tunnel, before laying the other portal masters' wheels down and holding out her hand. Cyan magic sparked from her palms, glittering like the gemstones that sealed off the tunnel from the rest of the underground, and it glowed even brighter as the magic spread out in sparkly, curly wisps that fed into the wheels. As the magic seeped into the wheels' crystal and replaced their sparking, flashing light with something a bit more solid, Chihiro frowned and clasped her hands before opening them and casting out a bit more.

"What's taking them so long?…" Chihiro whispered. "Is that not enough?"

"Of course it isn't!" Vatra snapped back.

Chihiro winced and lifted her head, where Vatra leaned against the opposite side of the wall. He seemed to have gathered his bearings at last, judging by the way his face was devoid of sweat and grime, yet his ever-present scowl stayed as he leaned against the walls. Fingers twitching, he pushed himself from the wall and paused as he knelt down to where the wheels rested on the rocky ground.

"Whatever that blast did, it completely scrambled their magic essence—not to mention all the essence they lost channeling their magic to fight. They must be struggling to reform," Vatra explained, eyes not moving from where the wheels laid. "You'll need a lot more than a few measly sparks to revive them."

Chihiro nodded, then held out her hands once more as their veins glowed cyan. Despite how she locked eyes on the wheels, their crystalline surfaces still reflected the scowl and judgmental gaze Vatra held, those eyes boring into her soul. She knew for a fact that he was probably going to blow up any second now, berating her for every perceived mistake he had thought she made—and when he inevitably did, she was half-torn on whether she should snap back or just take it. If he hadn't been so testy and blown so many things up, they might not have had to retreat into a tunnel in the middle of nowhere in the first place, but if there was one thing she knew about self-righteous people from all the time she had to deal with them, it was that they never liked being told that they were wrong… Or argued with.

So, she just stood with her head hanging low, pumping as much magic as she could into the others' stagnant wheels. Her fingers trembled a bit at the sight, the memory of there being such a bright flash and them just… Completely going dormant shaking her core, but she clenched her hands against and just carried on, pumping the magic in while she tried her best not to lose her temper or panic or let slip or—

"So?"

Chihiro refused to look up still, instead peering down at the wheels. Their glow had started to stabilize once more, faintly shining from the confines of their crystal. The runes that had been carved into the surface started to light up one by one. Now that she thought about it, what did those runes mean? She had studied older forms of common with Spyro and Hugo in the library whenever she had gotten bored, but she never quite could remember the runes for it. Her magic slipped, and Chihiro just shook her head and pumped some more.

"Hello? Are you there?"

Chihiro scoffed, and with one last burst of magic, the wheels finally floated back off the ground, shaking a little as they reformed and the rest of her team hit the ground as not wheels, but ghosts. Their ghostly bodies had stabilized, and from the looks of it they didn't seem to have sustained any serious injuries (whatever injuries a ghost could get, anyways), but they all fell to hands and knees the very moment they reformed, sweat pouring down their bodies as they panted and struggled to keep up. Chihiro winced, then shuffled up to Sihiri and wrapped Sihiri's arms around her shoulders, gently leaning Sihiri against the wall and crafting a few cool pillows for her to rest on. Sihiri's brows clenched for a moment, but released as she moaned and turned over, clearly still worn from the fight. A small wince came from Chihiro, and she reached out for a moment, but then shook her head as a few red pillows burst from behind Sihiri's back.

And behind her, Vatra had lifted from his spot and knelt down to the others, propping them up against the walls and magically crafting something soft for them to rest on. Well, at least he was doing something decent for a change—maybe he had calmed down… Actually, no, judging by the glare he shot her as he led Inochi down by the rest area and laid her next to Sihiri.

"Are you going to acknowledge me or not, child?" he spat as he turned to Chihiro.

Chihiro snarled and turned back to Vatra. "I have nothing to say to you," Chihiro spat at last. "After all, I don't need a lecture from the very person who bungled this mission!"

Chihiro had to admit, the words just kind of slipped from her mouth—but it didn't seem to matter to Vatra, who scowled right back and crossed his arms.

"And you have an awfully snide attitude for being the one who got us into this situation in the first place!" Vatra shot back. "Meandering around didn't get us anywhere! It just set us further back! That Kaos person is probably already en route to Arkus, and here we are sitting in a tunnel, locked in by a bunch of crystals with most of our ranks down!" Vatra gestured back to the beginning of the tunnel, still sealed off by its shiny crystals. "And it was all for nothing! All those records were blown to smithereens before we could find it!"

Chihiro's vision tinged red, but she clenched her fist. She had better things to do, she couldn't get wrapped up in arguing with this dude, even though she knew he was just as much as fault as anyone, so she turned back to the other portal masters. Their tense expressions had lessened, turning neutral as they rested against their spots. An occasional twitch of the finger and groan came as they rested, a welcome break from Vatra's ranting, and Chihiro only sighed.

"Quite the mission this turned out to be," Vatra scoffed behind her. "If we had all just done as I said, this'd be over with already!"

Chihiro's brow twitched, and she growled as she turned back to Vatra. Alright, that was it—he has the gall to think that?! He does?! When he was literally the entire reason this failed in the first place? She was not taking this lying down any longer!

"And if you had just stuck to the plan, we wouldn't be in this situation in the first place!" Chihiro snapped back at last, biting her lip the way she bit back her desire to blow something up then and there. "I had everything perfectly planned out! If you'd just cooled your hot head a little, we could've gotten those records and left!"

"And if I hadn't, we wouldn't have found those records in the first place! We probably would've been stuck meandering in the caves with those drones! I actually took some initiative—"

"—and you taking initiative lead to those drones getting all irritated, chasing us down and blowing the whole thing up! If you'd just listened to me, we wouldn't be hiding in an ANCIENTSFORSAKEN TUNNEL RIGHT NOW!"

Before she even knew it, Chihiro and Vatra were face to face, noses pressed against each other as they both glared!… And now that she had finally broken from her enraged trance, the very sight of his burning hot eyes locked on her completely locked her up, hands shaking and head spinning for a moment. A soft groan came from the back, and Chihiro just huffed and turned around.

"This conversation is over," was all she said as she turned back to where the others rested.

There, Luz groaned and rubbed his head as he pushed himself up from the resting spot, one hand keeping him anchored to the ground as he tried to shake the grogginess. Beside him, the others had slowly begun to push themselves from the ground and open their eyes, pendants shimmering just barely as they pulled themselves together. Sihiri was the first to rise, still moaning and groaning as her shaky legs just barely kept her stable, and beside her the others began lifting themselves up in turn.

"What happened?" he groaned, his eyes just barely opened as he rubbed them. "Where, where are we?" Rubbing his eyes again, Luz lifted his head just a little. "did, did we…"

"'Fraid not. Those 'bots completely scrapped the place, and almost would've done the same to us if we hadn't escaped." Chihiro said, kneeling beside Luz. "Think you can stand?"

Luz staggered back up, then immediately fell back down and grunted. "Guess not."

Luz chuckled and forced a smile, then turned to where Inochi sighed and laid down, Sihiri and now Dej collapsing beside her. Nemir laid his crown on the ground next to them, showing off the silver roots that streaked across the top of his head as he curled back around the fading rest area… Then finally, they all sat up and sighed.

"I'm, I'm still a little dizzy," Inochi admitted, hanging her head. "But, I'll—"

"No, it's fine, just rest for now," Chihiro interrupted. A few hasty huffs came from Vatra beside her, burning up her back as she decidedly avoided his gaze. "We'll need to think of something else for the time being anyways."

Vatra stormed forward and pushed Chihiro to the side with a huff. "Correction, I'll be the one to think of a new plan since—" Vatra shot a glare at Chihiro, "—you are not capable of such important tasks."

Chihiro huffed and crossed her arms, clenching her hands tight to prevent herself from any more… Impulsive actions. Sure, she'd love to give the dude a flick in the face or something more aggressive, but if she flipped her crap at him he'd only use it against her! And besides, how could she hit a ghost anyways?

"Don't give me that look," Vatra hissed between clenched teeth as he glared at Chihiro. "In my day, I took down Arkeyan forces by the thousands! There's no way I could bungle something so simple as retrieving a record from a storage room! That would be child's play!" Vatra crossed his arms. "Not in the way you perceive it, anyways!"

Chihiro raised a brow and stepped forward. "Wait, are you saying I'm not taking this seriously?!"

"If you thought something as simple as a little lie would be enough to get what we need, then I'd say so! This is something that should be left to the adults, not children barely old enough to conduct themselves! That just leads up where we are now, trapped in a tunnel with nowhere to go! We'll be lucky if we get that record before the day ends at this rate!"

"You know, it sounds to me like you all could use a little help!"

Chihiro's eyes fluttered, and she turned away from Vatra. That, that was the voice she heard in the office, the one that lead her right to the tunnels! She gasped as a familiar brown light flashed from the tunnels' furthest stretches, one that seemed fairly distant but grew closer with every flash. But, a soft gasp came from her side, and on instinct she turned to Vatra, whose eyes were just as wide.

"That voice…" he gasped, "could it be?…"

So he recognized it, too? But, the sheer wideness of his eyes, the sheer look of wonder in them while his hands went limp and his jaw started to fall suggested it seemed much more familiar to him to her, something more than a simple savior. The brown glow reached its furthest, its warm caramel light brushed against Chihiro's face the way a friend's would, then finally something warm and smooth dropped into her hands! The added weight pushed against her enough that she turned down to her outstretched palm… Where a bronze crystal wheel with ancient runes carved into its surface now rested! Wait, a wheel?! Could it be?!

"I'd love to help ya'll out, but I can't do much when I'm stuck like this," the voice chuckled, with an accent that reminded Chihiro of some kind of weird mixture between a southern accent and some fancy European one. "Yer a magician too, right? I'd tell, I can sense the magic coming right off'a ya! So I'm sure—"

The wheel's glow started to flicker, and it cut itself off mid-sentence as it floated out of Chihiro's palm. Its light stabilized as it glazed over the rest of the tunnel, where the other portal masters all planted their eyes on it with the same awestruck expression that Vatra had. And judging by the way its own light flickered and flashed, the feeling must have been mutual. It warily floated up to Vatra, who gently lifted the wheel from the air and cradled it in his palms as the others all crowded him.

"Jorden?" Vatra whispered, cupping his hands further around the wheel. "Is that you?"

"You bet your boots!" the wheel chirped!

Vatra's hands flickered out for a moment, and Jorden fell right through with a shout before floating off. They now hovered back, positioning themself right in the middle of where Chihiro and the rest of the portal masters stood as they took a bow.

"I actually woke up like this a while ago—dunno how it happened, really! One minute I was fighting off all those robots, next thing I know I black out and I'm here, sleeping with the rockfish!" Jorden chuckled, twirling around in place. "But, it hasn't been so bad. I've been travelin' the tunnels, scouting the area out just like the old days! I practically know it like the back of my hand!"

"That's Jorden for you," Sihiri chuckled as she clasped her hands. "He's the finest lookout woman I've ever had the pleasure of working with!"

"Aww shucks, you make me blush!" Jorden's light turned a bit warmer, but even that tone was turned back to normal as Chihiro yanked Jorden from the air.

Jorden yelped for a bit, and his light flashed so bright that Chihiro immediately let him go, shielding her eyes as Jorden fell to the floor! Chihiro groaned, rubbing her eyes as the light faded, and Jorden warily chuckled as he floated up.

"Whoops, sorry 'bout that, caught me a bit off guard!" Jorden floated closer to Chihiro and hummed. "Anyways, back to business. Yer a new face here, aren't cha? Can't recall ever seeing you 'round these parts!

"Sort of," Chihiro replied, scraching the back of her head. "I'm a portal master—er, free magician from today's era. My name's Chihiro Hatsuki!"

"Today's era?" Jorden tilted to the side. "Whaddya mean?"

Sihiri winced, clasping her hands. "Well, you see, Jorden," Sihiri said as she floated up to Jorden, who in turn tilted to meet her gaze. "To cut a very long story short, while we were laying conscious in our pendants, ten thousand years has passed."

Jorden gasped, jumping back a bit. "Ten thousand?!" a human came from Jorden, and he tilted downwards as his light dimmed. "Would explain why the dates were all off on those fancy tablet thingies I saw those drones carryin' around… And here I thought all those sales records were way off!"

"Wait, did you say sales records?!" Chihiro cried, jumping up.

"Sure thing! I've been keepin' tabs on this whole place, studyin' the writin' and all that fancy stuff! What can I say, gives me somethin' to do."

Jorden chuckled, and Chihiro gasped as she yanked Jorden from the air. "That's great news! You see, long story short, we're looking for a record for a person named Kaossandra, but when we checked in there we didn't find a thing!"

"That's 'cause the stuff there ends at the J rune names!" Jorden wiggled out of Chihiro's grip and turned further down the tunnel. "The stuff startin' with K's at the end of this here tunnel!" Jorden twirled around, bobbing up and down as he floated down the tunnels. "Just follow me!"

Chihiro gasped and skipped down the tunnel, but turned around a moment to cast a glance at Vatra. For a moment, he frowned still, eyes closed as he drummed his fingers against his forearms, but then he sighed and released as he strode along. He cast a tiny glance at Chihiro, but rather than argue, just sighed and passed her by—seemed like he was in no mood to argue anymore.

The others slowly pushed themselves from the walls and trailed after Vatra in a tightly-packed line, and Chihiro skipped along the back, pausing for moments to peer amid the small, round walls of the tunnel.

The normal kinds of crystal formations lined their rocky, hard walls, tinting the tunnel in all sorts of bright colors, but amid them stood a few oddities—namely the strange, spiraling stalagmites that pierced the bottom, all colored in deep, cool, dull shades of brown totally unlike the warmer and brighter colors of the rest of the scenery. They each had runes like markings twisted into their surface like some kind of marking, a small protrusion compared to the rest of the thin, bumpy stone. Chihiro brushed her fingertips against it, but the sandy, gritty texture was so unpleasant that she yanked her hand away and skipped off shuddering.

"Now, according to my markers, just gotta veer a lil' to the right and… We're here!"

The light ahead of the tunnel flashed bright, this time in searing shades of yellow and white, and Chihiro skipped past the other stalagmites to follow it. As she reached the end of the tunnel and turned around to the light's source, her eyes first locked on the stretches of office floor and cabinets near-identical to the prior record room, and then to where the other portal masters all crowded around one particular file that had a drawer pulled open.

"Now, let's see…" Jorden said, his brown glow slightly visible as it bled into the others' light. The others all crowded further around Jorden, with his humming being the only thing that marked his presence. "Kadredz, Kaitlin…"

Chihiro stepped forward, then gasped and jumped behind a larger red crystal formation. She could've sworn in that moment that she caught something zipping around the office there, but when she rubbed her eyes and peered over the crystals, it was gone! Maybe she had just seen something? So, she stepped away from the crystals and crept a little more hesitantly towards the entrance when that white blur zipped right before her eyes! Yeah, she definitely didn't imagine that!

So, Chihiro dove behind a few large rocks amassed at the entrance and peered around, just distant enough that she could see but couldn't be seen. There, a couple cabinets across from the one the others were investigating, she caught a sliver of white and black and silver hiding behind a cabinet and peering out. Its sleek bodice and the black void that made up its face brought to mind those drones from earlier—wait, a drone?!

"Hey, look out!" Chihiro cried as she slid towards the entrance!

The others turned around and scrambled as the thing came bowling for them, but Jorden only turned around and grunted as it bowled right for him! A cry came from Jorden as he disappeared from view, while the sound of mechanical cackling echoed through the offices! Gasps came from all around as eyes living and dead focuses on the drone, who kept Jorden tight in its grip no matter how much he struggled.

"Target acquired!" the drone bellowed, not a moment taken to watch as Jorden grunted and attempted to squirm out of its grip. "There is no escape from security!"

"Hey, lemme go, you tin can!" Jorden hissed, ramming against the drone's palm as his glow grew bright and furious. "I thought I shook you five rooms ago!"

"No intruders shall escape from my sights! As a security drone, it is in my protocol to ensure that riff-raff like you doesn't escape!" The drone squeezed its hand closed. "And that includes you!"

"Give Jorden back!" Sihiri proclaimed, leaping out and thrusting out hands glowing with magic.

Her eyes flashed a bright purple, flaring like fire in tandem with her hands, and all around her the others did the same! Flames burst at Vatra's hands and feet while Inochi summoned vines that shattered the ground with a single wave, and weapons of bone and ice formed in Nemir and Dej's hands as they pointed them towards the drone. At the front of the group, Chihiro rushed forward and crafted a shield out of magic, barring the entrance right as Luz joined her with his own shield! At every angle, the drone was surrounded by an angry, armed portal master, and in response it wheeled back.

"It seems I am surrounded by powerful intruders." It beeped a bit more frantically, rows of text scrolling across its face before it finally beeped. "In that case, there is only one choice of maneuver according to protocol!"

The drone glanced over a slight open space between Nemir and Dej, and it revved its wheels as it sped right between them!

The two of them gasped and flickered for a bit as the drone passed them by, while the drone itself veered to the front and dashing towards the door at the back of the room with such fury that it kicked up furious clouds from the dust on the floor, and as it did, it shouted one thing.

"ACTIVATE SECURITY!"

The drone dashed through the doors, and the moment it disappeared down the halls, those same doors slammed shut! The lights hanging above the ceiling turned a deep crimson as sirens blared, and down below the whole room started to rumble.

"After it!" Sihiri shouted as she dashed off. "We can't let it get away with Jorden!"

The others all shouted out in agreement as they dashed after Sihiri, and Chihiro herself teleported to the back of the room and rushed up to the doors. A few pries of its knob showed that it was locked completely shut, so her eyes turned to a keypad beside it as she reached out for its key. The moment she did, however, a cage of electricity formed around the keypad, sealing it off! The lightning jabbed at Chihiro's fingertips and gave her a nasty little shock, pain searing through then as she jumped back and crafted a sword.

"Open sesame!" Chihiro cried as she slammed the sword right into the doors' surface!

She'd anticipated that even the tiniest gash would've formed inside, but her blade just shattered the moment it hit the metal! As its crumbled bits turned to dust and disappeared, Chihiro frowned and tossed a sphere right at it—but it too, just burst into sparkles and disappeared. Chihiro clenched her jaw, then held out her hands as sparks of cyan light formed between them.

"Allow me," Sihiri said, placing a hand on Chihiro's shoulder as she floated beside Chihiro.

Chihiro lifted her head, and the light in her hands faded as she hopped behind Sihiri. In front of her, Sihiri mimicked her position, holding her hands in an almost circular formation as a large burst of purple magic formed between her palms, then she jolted back as that burst turned to a giant purple laser that split a hole right in the center of the doors! The doors fell over soon after, their remains falling just outside of where Chihiro and Sihiri stood right as the others joined them, and they all rushed through the stretches of wide metal halls ahead.

Chihiro's footsteps pattered underneath her as she ran, a measly sound compared to the unrelenting wail of the sirens around, though thankfully the red lights that blared over had died some—she wasn't sure if her senses could take it. But, with every step she took, their light almost completely faded, save for strips and strands of red that shone bright… Almost like, lasers? Chihiro came close to one then skidded to a stop right as she came within a hair's length of hitting one. She peered over as large streaks of red light intersected, forming a tight, abstract grid around the halls ahead.

"That looks like a laser trap if I ever saw one," Chihiro remarked, stepping backwards as sparks from one laser popped off and nearly zapped one.

"Did someone say lasers?" Luz asked as he popped up beside Chihiro. He paused for a moment and rubbed his chin, leaning forward then nodding and drawing back. "Yep, those are lasers alright!"

With a wave of his hands, Luz's shield slipped down to his right arm, and he held it to his front as he charged through. "Luckily, I've got just the thing!"

Chihiro gasped, then shut her eyes on instinct, full expectancy of pained screams awaiting her—but what she heard instead with flashing! When she opened her eyes, Luz stood behind her, his shield shouldering the lasers' blows and reflecting their light onto the walls, far away from where they all stood in the center of the halls! Luz chuckled, then dashed forward, his shield reflecting the lasers the whole way!

"Behind me, everyone! This won't last for long!"

Chihiro dashed forward in that instant, ducking underneath the lasers overhead as she tailed after Luz. The lasers' light grew hotter and harsher, tinting the walls in shades of red while the faint scent of smoke wafted through the room, but Luz just stayed strong, charging forward with no hesitation as it reflected the lasers onto the wall! But, as he ran, the sound of panting, first shallow then heavier by the second came from him, and his legs trembled as the lasers glowed even brighter! With one last pant, he fell to his knees, arms shuddering as he propped up his shield… But even that shuddered too, particles of light bursting and fading around its rim.

"Geez, these things sure are strong!" Luz panted, planting his hands on his shield to further steady it. "I don't think even the Arkeyans had lasers like this!" Luz panted as his fingers slipped from his shield. "Don't know, if I, can keep going…"

"Then in that case, leave it to me!" Inochi cried as she floated up.

Inochi rubbed her hands, then smiled and cast them out. Soft humming strayed from her lips in time with the green lights that swirled from her palms as it fed into a large green orb just ahead of her, one that bubbled and stretched as it slowly formed a large, bulky body, long muscular legs, a round, fluffy tail… And with one final stretched, a bear made entirely of green light fell to the floor and roared! The lasers pierced into its sides, but instead of breaking or injuring it, the light turned green and formed into armor that flanked its sides!

Chihiro gasped and stepped back, almost intimidated by the sight of such a regal creature right out of the stories her mother had told her. She stepped back as her eyes locked with the bear, and in response, it lifted its head up and snorted, its eyes glancing at her with some kind of curiosity before it laid its head down! She reached out for a moment, but shook her head and rescinded her hand—bears should be treated with respect and all, especially when given the honor to ride one. Instead, she rushed up and jumped on the bear's leg, climbing up on its back and scooting further until she was inches away from the bear's neck…

"Alright, everyone, get on!" Inochi cried as she teleported beside Chihiro. "We don't have much time!"

Everyone teleported onto the bear's back, and the bear roared as it charged right through the lasers! Their light burst off the bear's armor and ricocheted back into the walls, burning holes in them as the bear charged through! The shriek of lasers grew shriller as the walls melted away, their watery, melted metal pouring onto the floors below, and yet the bear not once lost its footing as it stormed through the halls! Its eyes narrowed, and it snorted once more as its eye fell on a wall at the end of the hallway, then it roared and crafted a bright shield right as it charged straight through the wall!

A hole split open in the metal as the bear burst through, and its shield disappeared as all four paws hit the ground. Everyone slid off the bear's back in an instant, but while the others dispersed, Chihiro lingered behind and glanced just one moment more at the bear. She slowly, curtly nodded, and in response it only snorted before it disappeared into streams of green light, streams she lingered on momentarily before she rejoined the group.

The stretch of halls before them all seemed particularly normal, no traps or tricks of the trade to be found—just massive, identical stretches of dimly-lit cold metal to be found. No odd sounds came, nor the smell of poison or the taste of toxicity on the tongue… And yet, it was far from inviting, not with the extensive security that befell them prior. And judging from the way the others huddled together and whispered, they definitely felt the same.

Dej parted from the group first, eyes narrowed as he tossed a tiny ice cube into the halls expanses. And the moment it hit the floor, hissing burst from the ceiling as thick, green gas poured into the halls! The ice melted like it had been splashed with acid as the gas flooded into the halls, leaving everyone with watery eyes and hacking fits as they fell to their knees and covered their mouths.

Chihiro herself stumbled back, then the gas slammed her and she let out some kind of noise between a cough and a scream as she collapsed. Her eyes burned, straining to stay open as her chest tightened, and she could barely make a word out as she hacked and coughed! Propping herself up with one arm, she crawled along the floor as the gas grew thicker, clouding out the halls ahead… But just ahead of her, Nemir coughed and waved a shaking arm in the arm in small, circular motions.

A small, clear vortex formed above him, and it slashed through the air in swift waves! The gas vanished as the air slashed it away, until the halls were clear once more. But, everyone was still coughing and shuddering, so Inochi forced herself up beside Nemir and planted her hands on the ground. Pulses of green burst from her palms and spread through the halls, and slowly the coughing ceased.

The pulses hit Chihiro, and her chest loosened as the harsh, burning feeling left her face, and she finally found it in her to stand. The others had sped ahead of her, but her body still shuddered a bit with each step, so she just walked along briskly enough that she wouldn't lose sight of them as they passed through the door and into another identical stretch of halls—albeit one with much thinner walls, as the sounds of rolling and rumbling echoed around them!

"Let me go!" shouted a muffled voice from the end of the hall!

"It's him!" Sihiri cried, before turning around to the others. "We can't be far now, hurry!"

She stepped forward, and the moment her foot hit the ground, the ceiling rumbled and down from it came a whole trio of drones! They seemed a bit less sturdy compared to the ones before, their metal less polished and their glass a bit stained… But, with them being so bulky and tall that they only barely squeezed into the hall, they more than made up for it!

"INTRUDER DETECTED!" they bellowed with voices deep and hollow. "PREPARE FOR ERADICATION!"

Sihiri snarled as she floated back and held up her hands, then grunted as Vatra pushed past her.

"Not right now!" he cried as a fireball bright as the sun burst from his hands. "We have a friend to save!"

The fireball crackled as it soared through the air, its size growing larger by the second before it finally slammed into the robots and exploded! The robots flew backwards in a pile, bodies crashing and smashing before they warped underneath the fire's heat… Then, as the fire turned purple, they slammed through the walls, the hole they made quickly barred off by the weight of their corpses!

The ceiling rumbled again, and Sihiri only waved her hands as she teleported everyone to a door at the end of the hall and waved it open. The door sealed behind them as they all rushed in, just in time for more loud thumps to drop behind them, shaking the entire hall before something pounded at the door and dented it!

"INTRUDER DETECTED! INTRUDER DETECTED!" bellowed the robots on the other sides, their voices not a single bit muffled by the doors.

Sihiri winced as one dent came inches away from her back, then turned back to the halls ahead and floated forward. The path split three ways, each one identical to the last… And of course, lacking any signs of entry! More pounding came from below as Sihiri winced and floated forward, eyes drifting between all three entryways as she clasped her hands.

"I'm tellin' ya, if ya don't lemme go, I'll skewer yer lousy tin can with the biggest crystals I can find!"

"There!" Nemir shouted, pointing to the central tunnel. "I hear his voice!"

With Nemir leading the group, they all rushed through the tunnel and into a round, domelike room filled with black steel tiles, all placed together so loosely that they almost seemed liable to fall apart. And yet, they didn't budge a bit as they all stepped on. Across from them, the drone rolled across the floor, its back turned to Chihiro's group—perfect! It didn't even notice!

"Silence, you!" the drone shouted as it shook the arm it carried Jorden in. It scoffed as Jorden cried out jolted, jittery shouts, then it drew its arm back. "Nobody will get me scrapped, and that includes a loud-mouthed crystal!"

"Then how about us?" Vatra cried.

The drone grunted and turned around, and the moment it laid eyes on the portal masters that crowded its doorstep, a decidedly not-robotic shriek emerged from its voicebox as it leaped in the air!

"YOU AGAIN?!" the robot cried as it landed, clutching Jorden with both hands as bright numbers and error messages flashed across its face. "How did you get through the security measures?! They're the finest modern technology has to offer?"

Vatra chuckled, and cracked his knuckles as he stepped forward. "What can I say?" he asked. With every step he drew closer to the drone in a slow, patient motion, and the drone in turned inched away and leaned back as far as it could. "We're a fairly powerful team!"

The drone's face flickered, and it hummed as it wheeled back further. "A team?…"

A few more symbols flashed on the drone's face, and it cackled as it zoomed away then. "That's it! Security measure number 816, activate!"

A further part of the platform shuddered and rattled as the drone zipped away, but the drone only cackled as it hopped on! It fell under the drone's weight for a moment, and with another shudder it floated right towards the ceiling, the drone cackling all the way!

"Get it!" Vatra cried as he rushed after the panel!

Vatra cried out as he leaped forward and went to grip the platform—but right as he did, a mechanical arm burst from the ceiling and lunged for his pendant! Vatra gasped as he slid just out of its reach and fell to the floor, only for two more arms to leap out and jab at him! Vatra teleported away in a burst of flames in that moment, but as he reappeared a scream pierced his ears!

As he turned around, a mechanical arm bent up and down in an almost taunting manner as Chihiro clung to its base, grunting and shuddering as she climbed up and reached for its palm despite it flinging as wildly as it could—but as it flung, sparks of purple and green shone in its fingers' gaps!

"Sihiri, Inochi!" Vatra cried!

Flames burst at Vatra's feet as he spread off in large sprints, then bent down and jumped right for the arm, flames propelling his jump and sending him flying further… But right as he came within inches of the arm, it leaned back and tossed Sihiri and Inochi's wheels right towards the drone, who extended its own arm and snatched them out of the air! Vatra was only left to watch, his entire body frozen as the arm reached towards him—but before it could catch him, Luz jumped up and flung his shield in front of them both! The hand banged against the shield and flew back, waving around while both of them fell to the floor!

"You alright, Vats?" Luz asked as he turned back to Vatra.

Vatra went to reply, but his eyes just went wide as he pointed ahead.

"Behind you!" was all he could shout as another arm shot right for them, yanking Luz's pendant away before he could even reply!

Luz's light burst right before Vatra's eyes as the arm swung back and tossed Luz's wheel towards the drone, and Vatra only gasped as he collapsed on the floor! Another pair of shouts came to his side, and he yanked his head up as another arm swung away with glints of blue and silver in its grip.

"Luz, Dej, Nemir!"

Vatra trembled as he pushed himself up just enough to reach, and yet they disappeared just as quickly, leaving his arm to fall slack. He shuddered, choking noises coming from his throat as another hand leaped down from the ceiling and shot for him…

Shing!

And a bright cyan glow came next, its light caressing over him as Chihiro jumped in front of him with a shield held high! Her shield transformed into a drill that pierced into the hand's palm, then tossed it aside as it exploded! As the hand hit the floor with a crunch and sparked, Chihiro turned back and wiped her sweat.

"You alright?" Chihiro panted with barely any breath.

The sound of cackling rumbled from the ceiling, and Vatra stumbled to his feet as he darted across the floor, swaying and dodging underneath the grip of the many hands that grappled and shot for him! As a whole legion of hands burst from the ground and blocked his way, Vatra grunted and slid underneath, then flung a fireball into the ceiling with a single fling of his arm! The fireball tore through the ceiling, crafting a hole with flaming rims that rained down embers on the ground below, and Vatra leaped up with flames bursting from his soles.

"After it!" Vatra cried, his voice an echo from the ceiling as he flew off.

And behind him, Chihiro teleported underneath the ceiling and nodded as she flew up and tailed him… Right as one robot hand grabbed her leg! She grunted, yanking her other leg up as the other hands all grappled for her, then finally she summoned a sword and slashed the arm in half at the hinge! With a shake of her leg, the unfolding hand slipped from her leg and fell into the crowds as she floated up and tailed Vatra down the ceiling, only a moment taken to glance at the sea of hands that grappled and grabbed like vultures below her.

§

Eye grunted as he bumped into Boomette, and on impulse he shot a laser that bored into the ceiling. A part of the ceiling collapsed down below in response, slamming onto the head of the robot it landed on before bouncing off and splitting in twisted, jagged halves as it hit the floor. Shards of metal broke from it and shot into Boomette, who just grunted as she grabbed an orb from her pocket and slammed it down, crafting a shield that shouldered the blow right before the metal shards could even scratch them! The shield sank down, leaving the metal shards to clatter and fall by Boomette's feet, and she tip-toed around them as she staggered forward, hands stuck tight in her pockets as she shifted around for any more weapons, shields… Anything that could be of use!

Massive footsteps shook the ground and Boomette stumbled, falling to her side as a whole mass of marbles fell from her pockets, and she grunted as she reached out a hand for them. As she stretched them out, her fingertips brushing their cool metallic surface, it was a laser that got her instead, searing her hand with its red hot heat and forcing her to draw her hand back!

Boomette yelped as she sat up and blew her hand off, then winced as Blobbers bumped right into her! Sweat tinged his fur and stained his clothes as he fired off his pistol the fastest he could, its lasers cutting right through the chests of oncoming robot swarms and short-circuiting them—but to little use.

As the robots he shot down fell to the floor, their bodies sparking and exploding as they did, even more fleets marched in with bigger, bulkier bodies and shinier armor! Their weapons glistened in what little light the building provided, and that said nothing of the largest of their ranks, who brushed against the ceiling, crushing its top with no mind paid to the torrents of dirt and dust that cascaded down as they did! They were more concerned with Eye as he flew around them, zapping them with everything he could while they flailed their hands and tried to swat him down like a bug!

"There's too many of these guys!" Boomette cried, taking a moment to scoop the marbles she dropped from the ground. Her head rapidly shifted up and down, her focus changing from the marbles as she skimmed their surfaces to the onslaught of robots coming in, but regardless of which one she looked at, it didn't lessen her worry as she sweat buckets. "There's no way we can keep up!"

Boomette whimpered as she peered down at her marbles, and in that moment a pistol's shot came as something hot singed the top of her head! She yelped and ducked down, then grunted as Blobbers bumped into her once more.

"You're telling me!" Blobbers cried, his hands clammy and damp with sweat, so wet that he could barely keep hold of his laser pistol. "Eye can barely keep up!"—Blobbers winced, shooting at glance at the ceiling as another part of it burned away from a laser blast and caved in—"and I'm not doing so hot either!"

And Boomette only gulped, backing into the wall as she clutched her marbles tight.

"What are we gonna do?" Boomette whispered. She glanced down at her marbles, then winced as she cupped her hands further around them. "I, if I hadn't fought with Dyna and ran off, this wouldn't have happened…"

Boomette whimpered, then clutched the marbles close to her chest. Her ears flattened against the sides of her head as the sounds of charging laser pistols surrounded her, their heat warming the area around her—or perhaps it had been the heat of battle that brought the temperature up? Either way, it left Boomette panting and shuddering as she curled into a ball, fully ready to face the end…

And then, another blow shook the room, but not one from the battle itself.

No, the walls behind them exploded, shaking the warehouse so badly that a few light fixtures crashed down from the ceiling and smashed a few robots underfoot! The entire area chilled as the robots shuffled around in laborious turns, weapons raised as they faced the open back of the building. They stepped forward, preparing to charge, but what met them was not the blow of an enemy, but a thick, silver mist with a chilling presence like death itself!

The mist seeped into the gaps in the robots' armor, clouding their glass faces as they shuddered and dropped their weapons to the ground while their armor corroded and rusted. Sparks began to burst from their joints as the corrosion spread further, turning their shiny new armor to sickly, rotten, rusted metal, and finally they all exploded! Their flames warmed the area for only moments before a cold wind blew them out and left only a thin curtain of smoke remaining, and from that curtain, a large, humanoid, headless silhouette came from the mist!

Eye gasped as he jolted down, wings flapping in place for only a moment. "Could that be?" he asked, fluttering a bit forward as the silhouette grew closer.

And as it finally stepped from the mist, he gasped and shot forward.

"It is!"

Eye's short flight came to a quick stop as a pair of black armored arms caught him, and his wings hastily fluttered as he rested against his carrier's chest.

"BRAWL!"

A low chuckle came as the smoke cleared, unveiling Brawl as he stood with Eye resting in his arms! Eye chuckled as he flew up and planted himself on Brawl's head while Brawl smiled and gently rubbed his top. And below them, Dyna, Rizzo, Snuckles and Nort all stumbled out, coughing and hacking as they fanned the smoke away!

Boomette popped an eye open as she finally pushed herself up and ran forward—then slowed to a shaky walk the moment she laid eyes on Dyna. Her hands trembled, and for a moment she glanced back, as if wanting to run off. But, she just gulped and stepped forward, reaching out a hand and parting Dyna's hair.

"Hey, Dyna," Boomette said.

Dyna's eyes fluttered, but the moment she met Boomette face to face, Dyna gulped and stepped back. That same wide-eyed look rested in her face, and she too seemed as if she was a moment's notice away from running off. But the moment Boomette grabbed her hand, her eyes shrank, and a look of wonder seemed to shine in them as she gazed down at Boomette's hand.

"Listen, I, I'm…" Boomette sputtered, her head lowered for a moment as she scuffed her shoes against the floor. Boomette gulped, then finally raised her head. "I, I have something to say to you—"

"No, actually, I have something to say to you."

Boomette gulped, backing away for a moment as Dyna let go of her hand, then yelped as Dyna flung forward and hugged her tight!

"I'm, I'm sorry, Boomette." Dyna squeezed Boomette tight, burying her face the best she could in Boomette's shoulder. "I've always been looking out for everyone, but ever since the others left, I was worried that none of you needed me anymore! I got so worried about all that, that I took it out on you and tried to take control of everything, but… I just made a mess of it, didn't I?"

"Dyna…" Boomette gasped.

Dyna squeezed Boomette a bit tighter, then drew away and sniffed. "I'm sorry, from now on, I'll try not to be so overbearing."

"If that was how you felt, why didn't you just say so?"

Dyna raised a brow, and this time it was Boomette who leaped forward and hugged her tight! It was so sudden Dyna keeled over, nearly falling to the floor had she not regained her footing.

"We might all be busier doing our own things and all now, but that doesn't mean you're any less important to us! You're our big sister, after all. We'll always love you to bits and pieces!"

Dyna whimpered, and for a moment a few tears streaked down her face—but Boomette just giggled as she grabbed a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped them away. The two smiled as they left their hug, and the others smiled in turn as they surrounded Dyna and Boomette. But as they did, a massive explosion cracked from the back of the room, rumbling the floor and sending another light fixture falling from the ceiling!

Brawl leaped up and punched the light fixture away, knocking it into one of the larger robots and shattering it in that instant, and as he landed, Boomette and Dyna winced.

"Actually, let's save the rest of the talking for when the battle's won!"

"Agreed!"

Dyna dug into her pockets and pulled out a pair of pens before giving one to Bomette, and with a single flick from both parties, both pens turned into full-sized rivet guns! The rivet guns landed in their arms with a single flip back, and Dyna and Boomette both lifted them up so that the crosshairs fixed on the coming swarm of robots. But, before they could shoot, a whole swarm of tiny eyeballs leaped from the ground and swept through the crowds!

The robots beeped and stumbled about as the eyeballs flew around them in tiny vortexes, running underneath their feet or knocking into their knees! Entire groups stumbled and fell over their own limbs, crashing onto the floor as the eyeballs chirped and chuckled, some even bouncing on the robots' backs… But they all squeaked and flew off as a whole rain of silvery lasers streaked with blue rained down from the ceiling and sniped the robots where they laid! Holes burned into their backs, casting out smoke and flames from the gaps as their wires burned away.

And while the broken robots burned, Brawl stormed forward and grunted as he scooped up robots by the tens and tossed then into the crowd of robots that charged right for him! The robots exploded right as they hit the ground, lighting patches of the floor up in hot, smoky fire that funneled through the room and tinging the world around in shades of warm red and orange! And amid the hot firelight, a smaller flock of robots zipped in, dodging the flames and raising chainsaws twice as big as they were with eyes set on Brawl.

"Looks like it's our turn!" Boomette cried as she leaped out from behind Brawl and cocked her rivet gun.

Dyna nodded as she jumped out from Brawl's other side, and with one more cock, both rivet guns shot out entire waves of white-hot laser blasts, sniping the robots and knocking them back into the fire! The two of them beamed and gave each others a thumbs-up, then their guns slipped from their hands as the world around them shuddered! Thundering footsteps came as the largest robots of the ground lumbered in with glowing eyes and loomed down, arms raised as they prepared to smash the ground below!

But, Eye and Brawl just turned to each other and nodded! With one flick of their wrist and wing, thick smoky clouds of that silver mist swarmed out and sank into the robots, corroding and rusting their metal chassis with every whiff! The robots froze in place, and in tandem Brawl and Eye turned back to Dyna and Boomette and nodded.

Dyna and Boomette, for their part, scrambled to their feet and yanked their guns from the ground, then planted themselves on both Brawl's sides as they began shooting—however, even with its weakened state, the rivets just bounced off the robots' armor and ricocheted towards them! They both gasped and rolled out of the way as the rivets shot back and slammed into the wall, taking only a moment to shoot worried glances at the smoking wall.

"Leave it to us!" Blobbers cried as he shot forward, rifling through his pockets before yanking out a series of small mines. "Mabu Defense Force, assemble!"

"Hey, that's my line!" Rizzo cried from the other side of the battlefield! He scurried over, then huffed as he grabbed more small mines from his pockets and brandished them against the burning firelight. "Mabu Defense Force, assemble!"

"Aye-aye, captain!" Nort and Snuckles cried as they pulled out their own mines!

The four of them all shouted as they leaped in the air and tossed the mines into the air! Like frisbees the small mines swirled through the air as they hurtled right for the frozen drones, growing larger in size until they were the size of plates before latching onto the drones' rusted bodies! Red lights flashed in their center for moments, beeping furiously before finally exploding and capturing the drones in masses of fire!

Snuckles, Blobbers, Nort and Rizzo all scurried back, but as the others hid behind Brawl, Rizzo just grunted and slid back before slamming a disc against the floor! Rizzo rushed to hide behind Brawl as a shining light shield shot up and divided them from the fires that burned before them, feeding on the enemies and the world around as it melted and burned away… But even those flames seceded, tall and mighty as they were. The fires shrank by the second, leaving behind twisted, warped and burned metal covered in char marks and walls that folded in and twisted forward and back.

Dyna smiled as the flames died before her eyes, then walked up to Boomette and placed a hand on Boomette's shoulder.

"Nice job out there, Boomette," Dyna praised, before drawing back and lowering her head. "Something tells me I should say that a bit more often."

Boomette blinked for a moment, lips pursed as she stood in silence, but finally she smiled and nodded. "Thanks, sis."

"Eye take it you two have finally reconciled?" Eye asked as he popped off Brawl's head and floated down.

"I'd say so," Boomette replied. Her smile faded a bit, and her ears flicked. "But that reminds me, there's one more thing…"

"And?"

"You never did finish that story you were telling!"

Eye spun around for a moment, flapping his wings a bit more slowly before speeding up. "Oh, that story! That's right, we got interrupted by those robots!"

"And for that matter, you didn't, either," Dyna added, pointing to Brawl as she spoke.

Eye and Brawl both chuckled as they turned to each other, then Brawl sat down while Eye rested in his lap.

"I suppose we really should finish, then…" Brawl signed. "You see…"

§

Brawl grunted as he slammed so hard against the chamber that its walls cracked and dented below him, sending chips of gold falling into his body. The feeling was tingly and unconformable, an itch he couldn't scratch—in more ways than one, considering he had been bound tight and couldn't even reach his chest, let alone anything in it! A pedestal shot up from the ground below him, positioning him right next to Eye underneath that net, which in turn expanded to account for Brawl's height before steadying. The net squeezed Eye and Brawl tight once more, and they both cast sad, sorry glances at each other before turning away.

"I can't believe it, that plan actually worked!" cheered one Arkeyan scientist as they clapped their hands before turning to the one beside them. "And you said it was too obvious and they'd never fall for it!"

Eye and Brawl both hissed, then slunk over in shame as the other scientist scoffed before them.

"Whatever, save it for later," the other scientist scoffed as they tapped away at the console before lifting their head. A devilish smile crossed their face, and an almost twisted sort of glee bled into their voice as they cackled. "Now that we have two whole Elder Elementals in our captivity, we can finally find out just what it is that makes them tick!"

And with one last button pressed, practically half the room slid open, and out from the ceiling, walls, nooks and crannies alike burst sharp, shiny tools of all kinds! Needles and saws, blades and scissors and more all sprung out on shiny metallic limbs and crept towards Eye and Brawl in a slow fashion, the light glinting off of their blades and almost burning their faces with how bright it was!

Eye and Brawl both gasped, grunting and panting as they struggled against their bonds, but it was of no use! They were too tightly bound! So, Brawl snarled as silver light poured from his body… And faded almost immediately as a red and gold glow shone from his bonds! He gasped, and another burst of light turned his attention to Eye, who panted and fell over as another silver light faded from him!

"Struggle all you want, it'll do you no good!" the scientist cried from behind the glass. "Those bonds will take anything you throw at them! There's no way you can break them!"

Eye and Brawl both sighed as they glanced down at the bonds and then, at each other. Eye's wings trembled a bit, and Brawl's own hands started to shake. If, if they hadn't gotten into that stupid fight, they might not have been here, stuck in the chamber while the sounds of running saws and snapping scissors signaled their oncoming doom! If they had just, if they had just talked things out… Oh, there was no use reflecting on it now, they were doomed anyways. Brawl shuffled his arms, hoping to loosen the bonds some, but nope, his hands were still tied tight. So, he gulped—

"I'm sorry, Brawl," Eye whimpered, lowering himself so that he practically bowed over the pedestal he sat on. "This is all my fault!"

Brawl shuffled back a bit right as Eye rocked up, swaying from back to forth before finally stabilizing.

"If I hadn't blown up the way I did, and ran off in such a storm we wouldn't be here! I was so concerned about myself that I wasn't even thinking of what would happen… And now we're both going to suffer for it." Eye's glance shifted away, and his wings drooped a bit underneath the bonds. "I, I can't begin to say how sorry I am. I know you could never possibly forgive me…"

Brawl winced, the sight of Eye in his sulking sight an arrow right through his armored chest. Talking was never quite his strong point, but with his hands tied… It seemed as though he had no options. So, he took a few breaths, a few hoarse, croaking noises escaping from the bellows of his inner armor, then finally…

"I, I'm sorry."

Eye gasped, swiveling around to face Brawl, and this time it was Brawl's turn to hide his glance—not that he had one to begin with.

"I, didn't think of Eye. Didn't understand how important Eye was. Should have… Should have thought of how Eye felt." Brawl shuffled a bit, then bent over even further.

"Please, forgive me for being stupid."

A small, soft gasp came from Eye, then something soared, but not the tools that inched closer to then and whirred louder with each inch—no, something soft and squishy soared through the air and landed right in Brawl's lap! Eye chuckled, and Brawl turned down to where Eye now sat with him and made the best grin he could.

"Apology accepted," Eye said.

Brawl chuckled and knelt closer, so that the brim of his chestpiece brushed against Eye's soft, squishy surface. "Thank you."

The buzzing grew even louder, so loud that it rattled and echoed in Brawl's armor, and he lifted himself up to find those, shiny, sharp tools had them surrounded! They were just inches away from cutting them up, and yet Brawl didn't fight it—he just curled around Eye the best he could. They were both doomed, probably, but maybe he could buy Eye a little more time to find a way out. As the sharp, buzzing noises as the sound of screeching came, a sharp pain ran against Brawl's back, and yet he didn't scream. He just stood there, waiting for the end…

"What is it?! Can't you see I'm in the middle of something important!"

"Boss, we're in trouble! The, the other Elder Elementals, they found us! They already wiped out the front—"

"BE AFRAID OF THE BARK!"

Wait, that voice, that was Tree Rex's! Brawl turned around right as the wall in front of him smashed to bits, the shattered glass spilling across the floor while the tools slowed to a crawl… The finally stopped, going limp for moments before brown, bark-covered hands ripped them away! It was Tree Rex's face that met them next, his blue eyes warm and wide.

"Tree Rex!" Eye called. "What happened? How'd you get here?"

"After Brawl left, we called for backup and followed his trail to the fortress," Tree Rex replied. He knelt down and grunted as he fiddled with the bonds around Eye's waist… Then, a purple glow shone as the bonds loosened by themselves and collapsed to the ground.

"With the trail of carnage you left behind," remarked a smooth, kind voice as Brawl's bonds loosened, "it wasn't exactly hard to find you."

Brawl chuckled and scratched his rim as he turned to right, where Sihiri floated into view and smiled. For a moment, they both chuckled, basking in the silent peace of the ruined laboratory and an escape from death… But as crashing and smashing and shouts came from the door, all paired with the smell of smoke and fire burning from the doorway!

The four of them all turned around as the flames faded just enough to catch two of the portal masters swinging cloud-clad punches and crystal shards from metal pickaxes, then turned back and nodded.

"Well, I hope you two learned your lesson," Tree Rex remarked, skulking up and cracking his knuckles with his eyes not even leaving the doorway.

Brawl chuckled, then popped Eye back on the empty space at the top of his suit. The weight there felt a little heavier, but in a good, pleasant kind of way—something he hadn't even noticed he missed. Eye in turn chuckled and turned down, flapping his wings for a little bit before turning to Tree Rex.

"We sure did," Eye chuckled.

Tree Rex nodded. "I'm glad to hear it." Tree Rex finished cracking his knuckles, and his eyes glowed with a golden light that dyed their normal blues a bright green, the same green that shone in his solar cannon. "Now, let's say we get to scrapping some robot hide?"

"Gladly!"

And with that, all four of them cried out as they charged into the battlefield...

§

"And that was the story of how we almost broke up," Eye explained, before floating down into Brawl's hands and nuzzling his chest. "But, I'm glad we didn't!"

Dyna smiled, giving a solemn nod. "You're not the only ones who learned something," Dyna remarked, smiling as she ruffled Boomette's hair while Boomette chuckled.

Dyna joined her laughter for a moment, then sighed and stepped forward. "Anyways, onto more important matters…" turning to the others, Dyna pulled out the console. "We really should rejoin the others."

A few taps of the console, and a diagram of the building they stood in burst from the screen, shining in a bright cyan that brushed against everyone's faces while they crowded around Dyna! Dyna hummed as she pinched the screen, pushed a few buttons, and in tandem the map zoomed out, going further and further out until it show a diagram of the whole upper and lower area… And at the very sight of it, Dyna raised a brow.

"There's a shortcut through the main defense system right around here," Boomette said as she pointed towards a round tube near the lefthand side. "We take this baby, and it shout lead out just outside the main security household."

"Alright then!" Rizzo shouted, pausing for a moment to adjust his cap. "lead the way!"

So, Dyna and Boomette nodded as they trailed over to the lefthand wall! Boomette yanked off a panel left ajar from the earlier wrath of battle, unveiling a large, round tunnel underneath, and Dyna knocked on its top for a bit before they both crawled through.

The faint sounds of them thumping in the tunnel grew a bit louder as Eye, Brawl and the Mabu Defense Force all joined them, crawling through the dark, tight crevices of the tunnel as the world around them shuddered, rumbling sounds echoing from the tunnel as they crawled through…

Then finally, Boomette popped up and pushed open a disc at the top of the tunnel! The sun shone through as she crawled out and helped Dyna up, then turned around and hummed as she placed her hands on her hips.

"The security place shouldn't be far from here, hopefully…" Boomette remarked, turning around to the back as the others popped out, then screaming as a laser gun leaped out right in front of her!

On instinct she punched it back, sending it flying through the air… But as it crashed into the ground, the sound of laser guns charging and machines whirring resonated through the air! Even more of those guns burst from the ground, kicking rocks and dirt everywhere as they locked onto the party, who all backed into each other as the guns fired.

The lasers burned red-hot as they came in, but before they could fire, Brawl pounded his fist into the ground! The earth shuddered as a thick shield of bones formed around them and blocked off the lasers' blows, then leaped out and spun around as they slashed right through the laser guns' supports! The guns crashed to the ground, leaving only dull moans behind as they petered out, and Brawl just wiped his hands as he strode out.

"Come on," Dyna said, ushering everyone forward as she walked off. "Let's go meet up with the others."

But while Dyna, Boomette and the Mabu Defense Force carried on, Eye just chuckled and lingered behind.

"It's good that those two were able to reconcile," he remarked, his wings faltering a bit as he glanced over to where Dyna and Boomette happily chatted it up. "After all, when it comes to family… You never realize just what you miss until it's gone."

And Eye let out one last, tiny sigh before he flitted back to the back of the group.

§

As a door in a shiny, sleek hallway slid open, Chihiro and Vatra both grunted and glared each other as they squeezed inside, pushing against each other then whole time before they collapsed on the floor. Chihiro was the first to rise afterwards, pushing herself up and panting as the door slid to a close behind her, and Vatra came next with a grunt. His dark eyes shot a burning glance at Chihiro, then he glanced back at the doors.

"You saw where that drone took them, right?" Chihiro asked, wiping sweat from her forehead.

"Of course not!" Vatra spat back. "You were the one ahead of me! You should've been paying attention to it!"

Chihiro gritted her teeth, jumping back to her feet as she glared at Vatra. "Well, you were the one making the fire! You were the only one who could actually see anything!"

"And you said you'd keep watch, now look where that got us!" Vatra gestured back out to the halls, embers glowing beneath his bandages as his eyes laid on them. "We've been running in circles for hours now, and that drone is probably long gone, laughing in our faces while it keeps my allies in its clutches! Do you think this is some kind of game?!"

A sharp hiss came from Chihiro, and she clenched her fists, magic burst from her palms before settling.

"Of course not!" she cried back. "If anything, you're the one who's acting like it's a game!" Chihiro pointed directly at Vatra, laying her accusing finger just inches away from his pendant. "You're the one who's been moaning and complaining and arguing and messing up every step of the plan! If you'd just followed my plan, we'd have been out the door already and none of this would have happened!"

"And if you had taken hunting a rogue free magician more seriously, this wouldn't have happened! A child like you can't possibly understand the horrors the Arkeyan empire put us all through!" Vatra stepped back, flames sparking on parts of his body as he gritted his teeth. "We've all had to fight for their lives, escape by the skins of our teeth, suffered losses you couldn't even comprehend!" Vatra hung his head, the flames surrounding his bandages growing bright as his messy hair covered his eyes. "If you actually understood that, you would've actually taken him in instead of fooling around on your hands!"

Chihiro snarled, getting ready to fight back, but as she leaned in she loosened her hand. There was something a bit different about the way Vatra carried himself—a stroke of pain shone in his eyes, a kind of heartache carried by the strains in his hoarse, shallow breathing and the way his hands trembled. So, she just gulped and stepped back, her hands lowering as a small frown took the place of her snarl.

"We lost family, friends, our homes and lives and more! What could you understand about any of that?!"

Vatra's arms shuddered a bit, his legs following soon after, and with one sigh he fell to the floor. A sharp, strained gasp left him as he hunched over, his bangs shielding his eyes. For a moment, he didn't seem as strong as he did when she first met him on Glacier Gully, or even as angry as he was the whole mission… No, he seemed, vulnerable. It was scary to Chihiro, almost—even the Skylanders and Hugo and Master Eon and everyone always tried their best to keep face around her. But here, she was faced with an ancient portal master of legend, so shaken and weak and barely able to keep himself from crying.

"I had the perfect life before I awakened as a portal master—if given the choice, I'd have traded my abilities away in a heartbeat if it meant keeping it! I didn't want to lose that perfect life, so I meandered around, refusing to involve myself in any sort of affairs so I could keep it…" Vatra sniffled, and a few small tears dripped down his face. The tears echoed as they dripped onto the floor, and Vatra clenched his hand. "But, I was, I was so stupid. They, they razed my town, stormed the school where I taught! While I was so busy trying to make my escape, they found my pupils, and…"

Vatra sniffed some more.

"Ludo, he was a just a boy, but he was braver than I'd ever been! He tried to fight them off, even though he was a, just a boy, just a powerless boy! By the time I found them, I only found the rest of them, holding his body, dyed crimson from his blood…"

Vatra paused, taking a small breath as he wiped away his tears.

"A child like you'd never understand what's at stake! You wouldn't understand the lives lost, the danger you're putting yourselves through! Children shouldn't be fighting wars, they should be staying where it's safe!" With a scoff, Vatra hung his head once more. "Of course, you wouldn't understand anything I'm talking about."

Vatra sniffled, and surely he was probably anticipating that Chihiro would argue back or leave him—that pained tone in his voice definitely seemed that way. So, Chihiro just sat down with him, giving him a small smile as he turned down and raised a brow. She gently patted his shoulder, and despite the odd look he gave her, not once did he turn away.

"I'm sorry," Chihiro whispered, drawing her hand back. "That must've been awful."

A small gasp came from Vatra, but he stilled himself, resting his hand on the floor.

"He was one of the brightest pupils I had. He had such a promising future in front of him, cut off in an instant. And if I hadn't been so selfish, if I hadn't procrastinated, he might've lived… I can't let anyone else die the same way he did, the same way any of them did." Vatra wiped away his tears and shook his head, a small, pained laugh escaping him in the moment. "Ah, look at me, losing my temper and starting petty arguments with a child. I'm supposed to be the responsible one here…"

"I… Understand how you feel, to be honest." Chihiro laid a hand down. "When we were recreating the Core of Light, we saw lots of people who lost their homes and friends and family and more to Kaos and his cronies, the ones we couldn't save in time. Heck, because I got so caught up in my stuff, I got careless and a few of my friends nearly died because of me!" Chihiro hummed, knocking her knees together for a moment. "You don't want anybody else to suffer from your mistakes, don't you?"

Vatra stumbled back a little, and his eyes grew a bit wider—not from shock, but rather he seemed more overwhelmed. Maybe he hadn't expected Chihiro to give him the answers he did, or maybe he was still caught up in all this, but whatever the case, he sighed.

"Then why did you let this Kaos escape?"

"I didn't want to." Chihiro tightened her hand, fingernails digging into her palm as she snarled. "But he put a lot of innocent people in danger, even my mom and my little brother. I, I had no choice but to save them while he escaped." Chihiro sighed, lifting up her head as she forced a smile. "But, beating myself up over it and getting all worked up isn't gonna do anyone any good. The most I can do is just work as hard as I can to fix what happened before it's too late."

Vatra's lips twitched for a moment, almost as if he wanted to retort. He took a glance in Chihiro's eyes, his fingers twitched… And he nodded, pulling himself from the ground and dusting off his coat.

"I suppose this is no time for arguing, then," Vatra said, and for the first time since that mission began, a smile crossed his face. "Right now, we have allies to rescue!"

"Mm-hmm!"

Chihiro beamed up at Vatra as she jumped to her own feet, and in that moment she lifted her head and turned around.

"I remember now, that drone went that way!" Chihiro cried as she pointed straight ahead towards a long stretch with a shiny white door at the end. "It probably went through that door!"

"In that case, we have no time to waste!"

Flames burst from Vatra's soles, but not from anger or emotion of any kind. No, these flames molded around his feet, turning into skates that he skid on as he slipped across the room! He reached the door right as Chihiro teleported beside him, and the two of them planted their hands on the door, which slipped right open at the very touch! Hot air burst into their faces the moment the door ended, and Chihiro quickly shielded her eyes, but Vatra just burst ahead!

The whole room was hot with warmth, flames burning and broiling underneath the hole-filled metal bridge he walked on and stretching up by the second. Their light painted the room in red and orange and all sorts of other warm colors, or maybe the coloration came from the heat that seeped into the walls and gave it a warm glow. The fires crackled as intensely as they could, loud pops like firecrackers sounding as they danced and mingled with the sounds of footsteps pounding against the bridge, and the whole room smelled of ash and smoke, the kind of taste that rotted in the mouth and nose.

Of course, no sight was as rotten as the sight of that drone, who cackled as it held the others' wheel pendants tight within a clear sphere that dangled over the fires on shiny metal cords! Though the whole thing was soundproofed and not a voice came from within, the way their wheels glowed and banged against the sphere's surface showed their irritation enough!

"Found you, buddy!" Chihiro cried as she rushed ahead, now clad in cyan magic clothing not unlike a firefighter's. She pointed a finger ahead, and the fires shone in her vision, adding a burning feeling to her already-hot glare. "Now, give us our friends back!"

"I'd suggest you do as she says!" Vatra added, popping beside Chihiro as embers from the flames wound themselves around his fingertips. "The fires and I have quite the alliance!"

The drone gasped, swiveling around and clutching the sphere close to its chest. Inside it, the wheels all bounced up and down, almost as if they acknowledge they were being saved—but, a slap on the top from the drone had them sitting at the bottom in no time!

"You intruders! I thought I lost you five corners ago!" The drone cried, before wheeling away. "Well, that's no trouble of mine!"

The drone zipped up to the back of the bridge, and with a slam of its hand, a part of the wall popped off and unveiled a panel with a flashing red button.

"Security!" the drone cried as it practically smashed the button into the wall!

Sirens flashed as the flames below grew hotter, so hot that Chihiro yelped and bounced from foot to foot as they poked their way through the holes in the bridge. Beside her, Vatra cast out his hand with a strong swipe and a stern glare, and the flames in turn immediately sank back down below. But as they did, clanging came from the ceiling, earning both Chihiro and Vatra's attention as they drew their heads up, right in time for mechanical arms with laser guns held tight in their grip to fall back down!

The triggers clicked as the guns pointed down and shot their lasers, and this time it was Chihiro's turn to shoulder the blow. With a spin and a wave of her hands, a pair of shields formed around them and the lasers bounced off in turn! The flames started to burst again below her feet, then lowered but just barely, with their fires crackling eagerly as if they were about to jump for her!

Straining and grunting came from behind her as Vatra fell to his knees and planted his hands against the bridge, the red glow that surrounded his body glowing even more furiously than before! Shallow breaths left clenched teeth as his body heaved itself up and down with each one.

And at the very sight of him, Chihiro clenched her fist.

Ducking underneath a mechanical hand as it grappled for her, Chihiro wove through the onslaught of laser blasts, eyes set on the drone as it turned towards her and screeched! The drone yanked out a hand and transformed it into a charging cannon that prepared to fire… But instead of attacking it, she leaped on top of its head and jumped up! The drone fell backwards, the blow intended for Chihiro hitting a mechanical arm and knocking it into the fire pits instead, but Chihiro barely minded it as she reached the end of the path and yanked the button out of the wall!

The space where the button once laid sparked and zapped its own wires as Chihiro flung the button into the fire pits, then rushed over and grinned as it fell into the depths and melted away. But, as she leaned, the sound of something clunking from above thudded against the ceiling, and she frowned. Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned closer to the beams holding up the bridge.

"Is it just me?" she whispered as the bridge started to wiggle just a bit. "Or does that look a little looser than it was before?"

Chihiro hummed, and in that moment that same thud sounded again, and in tandem with it the bridge's beams fell further, unveiling the shiny silver chains that kept them suspended! Chihiro gasped, then screamed as the chains slid out and the bridge collapsed down into the ground below… Though as the bridge fell, the flames seemed to shrink before her, as if the bridge's very presence struck fear into their hearts!

They completely extinguished as the bridge finally slammed down, knocking everyone off and onto the charred steel floors of the dome that remained from the sheer force!

Chihiro grunted as she slammed into the wall and screamed as she rolled down, then as she reached the floor, her head brushed against some cool and almost plastic-like in feeling. She pushed herself up with a grunt, mustering all the strength she could despite the numb feeling that coursed through her. But something blew past her and pushed her aside once more as it swept something from the ground!

"You'll never free them, not as long as I stand!" the drone screamed as it zipped into a hatch at the bottom of the floor and fell down!

Its laughter bellowed from the open hatch as Chihiro and Vatra trailed over, the both of them kneeling down and peering inside the hole. For a moment, they both glanced at each other as if they were contemplating following it down, then they peered back down at the hole and rose as they prepared to jump in. As they rose, however, a massive force burst through the floor, splitting it wide open as the two of them blew back! Cackling sounded as they both hit the floors, and they grunted as they peered up.

That same drone stood before them with the sphere still intact, except it itself now rested in a larger, more polished suit, only its head visible from the safety of the suit's glass dome helmet. Large cannons and rocket launchers were mounted on its shoulders and back, just above the jetpack it hovered across the floor on. Even more conspicuous holes and lines stretched across the rest of its almost knight-like armor, perhaps the signs of more weapons buried underneath… And its chest, which opened up as it stuffed the sphere in and blocked it away with a clear shield!

"Of course, I'll deal with them later," the drone said, grinning as the sounds of charging machines came from its cannons. "But, you pests are the first to go!"

The drone cackled, spinning around as a bright orange glow shone from its body. Amplified by the shiny exterior of the armor, the glow spread, glowing so bright that a miniature sun wrapped around it. Hot flames fumed and burst, crackling like lightning around it, then parts of the sun turned white hot as missiles with flames wrapped around them shot at Chihiro and Vatra!

Vatra pulled Chihiro into his grip and hit the ground just before the two of them were blown to bits. The explosion burst behind them and crackled, but Vatra pulled himself to his feet and rushed off, Chihiro still tight in his grip. The world rumbled as more missiles blew up behind them, nearly pushing them off their feet as they ran with the trails of flames and smoke snapping at their heels, then as one missile came particularly close, Vatra turned around for only a moment before leaping aside!

The missiles swerved over and smashed into the wall ahead, exploding in a fury of flames that spread across the dome and heated its metal right before their eyes as they collapsed.

"What're you trying to do, blow us up?!" Chihiro cried.

"I'm not an expert, but I don't think this exactly protects this place!" Vatra added.

"It's all fortified, you idiots!" the drone cackled as it spun around. "I can do whatever I want, as long as it wipes you intruders off the face of Skylands!"

The drone cackled some more as it shot off another round of flames and missiles, ones that slammed into the sides of the dome and exploded in bursts of smoke and orange fire! As the rounds drew closer and closer, Chihiro and Vatra both leaped forward, narrowly dodging another blow, and with a slap of Chihiro's hands, a shield formed around them both!

"We've gotta find a way to stop this dude!" Chihiro cried, cringing for a moment as another missile crashed into her shield and cracked it. With a wave of her hands, the cracks sealed themselves up and she turned aside. "I can't keep making these shields forever!" Chihiro narrowed her eyes, glancing at where the drone cackled and spun around, shooting missiles with every twirl. "Maybe…"

Another wave of her hands, and Chihiro and Vatra both slowly faded from view, the shield fading around them in tandem! Well, not that the drone really noticed, considering how it was more caught up in shooting everything within eye-range.

Chihiro just closed her eyes, took a breath, and teleported just inches away from the drone. Glancing at the sphere still resting in its chest, she leaped forward—but as she came just within its grip, a hot, electrical shock zapped her and tossed her back! Chihiro screamed as she slid across the floor, the heat from her skid burning against her back while the sparks zapped her front, and she bit her lip to avoid screaming out from the pain.

"Where did the intruders go?!" the drone cried, swerving back and forth while its assault of missiles and flames ceased for just a moment. "Show yourselves! I absolutely heard your voices!"

Chihiro snarled and pushed herself up, and in that moment a hot, warm grip wrapped around her and lifted her to her feet.

"It's got a shield, too!" Chihiro whispered, shuddering as another zap burned her arm. "Looks like we'll need some way to disrupt it—"

"Duck!"

Before she could even really comprehend what happened, Vatra slammed Chihiro to the ground, her arms cushioning her face so that it didn't slam into the ground face-first! Another loud explosion sounded behind her, followed by heat so intense that her legs almost turned numb—or maybe that came from the shock of the explosion? Chihiro shuddered and pushed herself up, eyes laid on her hands… But wait, why could she see them? Was her spell wearing off already? Chihiro held her hands closer to her face, and winced at the vague, almost ghostlike sight—the spell was already wearing off! She had to think of something, fast!

"Let me handle things here!" Vatra shouted, his own presence slowly growing more visible. "I'll try and use its weapons to break down the shields, and you get the others!"

Chihiro nodded, then dashed back as Vatra rushed forward and knelt down, letting her numb, shaky legs rest for just a moment. She gulped, then slammed her hands against the floor. And in that moment, they went from faint, ghastly presences to completely visible once more!

In front of her, the spell wore off by the second as Vatra stormed in front of the drone, waving his arms and casting fireballs right at it! The fireballs burst the moment they the drone's shields, but they were plenty enough to get the drone's attention!

"There you are!" the drone cried! With one click, the rockets and cannons burst from its back once more, its voice raising to a shrill cackle as they charged. "BURN TO DEATH, INTRUDER!"

With one shoot, the rockets and flames and more all shot towards Vatra—and yet he stood perfectly still, not a budge or a hint of fear on his face! The missiles and burning fires alike all swirled around Vatra, drawing closer and closer to him by the second as he stood still, eyes closed and hands in pockets with not a care to the weaponry incoming… But just before they struck, Vatra opened an eye and they all stopped, hovering in place as they stood inches from his face before turning around and shooting right for the drone!

The drone screamed, clutching its chest as it wheeled off. But while it was fast, its own weaponry was much faster—it had been sniped in the back and knocked off its wheels before it even reached the dome's walls! Its shields short-circuited and shattered as it flew in the air, and the flames that came in afterwards slammed it into the wall! The sphere slid from its chest as it short-circuited, rolling down the dome's side before it bounced off, then finally the drone smashed face-first into the ground while its sphere landed and rolled away.

"Got'cha!" Chihiro cried as she snatched the sphere from the ground! Chihiro chuckled as her feet his the ground, then she rushed back over to where Vatra floated. "I got them!" Chihiro cried with eyes fixed on Vatra. "Quick, let's get—"

The familiar shriek of a laser blast hit the air, and Chihiro turned around right as something slammed into her foot, leaving her with a hot, searing pain! She screamed as she hopped backwards towards the bridge, the sphere slipping from her grip and landing back on the downed bridge with a thunk! The heat from the bridge hit her before the actual metal did, and she screamed as it seared into her back and numbed her body from heat, blood rushing in her ears and nearly drowning out the sound of cackling behind her! A faint rolling sound came, and some shouting after that, but her ears rang and pulsed so badly that she could barely make out the source.

Below her, the ground shook as the floors turned red-hot again, so red-hot that even the faint image of Vatra she could make out zipped up and landed across the bridge's other side!

The world rumbled around, and the blood in her ears started to fade out just in time for the sound of rumbling chains to pound against them as the world below her grew smaller and more distant. Her dizzy head finally cleared, and Chihiro pushed herself up as the bridge reached its tallest. The fires burned once more below her, and the heat seeped into her bones and left them to ache…

But as the sight of the drone rolling towards where the sphere laid drew closer, that pain disappeared and Chihiro dashed forward! Her arms stretched out as she flung herself towards the sphere—but right before she could catch it, the drone yanked it from the floor and tossed it into the fire!

The drone cackled as it held it hands up, only to scream as a massive laser blast from Chihiro knocked it into the back of the wall! While the drone grunted and smashed into the wall, Chihiro leaped on the side of the bridge and swung over, reaching out for the sphere—but it was of no use! Her grip was just far enough that it slipped away from her grip and fell down into the flames!

"Everyone! They're falling!" Chihiro cried!

"Don't worry, I'll get them!" Vatra cried, leaping on top of the bridge for mere moments before he flung himself off and dove into the flames!

Chihiro's eyes went wide as Vatra flew down before her eyes, and she herself swung down and tried to reach for him—but once again, she could only brush against the sleeve of his pants before he fell into the flames! His ghostly form grew smaller and smaller, dwarfed by the masses of fire as he fell in after the sphere! He grew tinier and tinier, a mere dot eclipsed by the masses of fire… And then, the flames exploded, forcing Chihiro to jump up and take shelter on the bridge!

"Vatra!" Chihiro cried as she clung the best she could to the bridge's beams!

The flames grew higher, so high that Chihiro jumped back as they licked at the bridge's sides and tossed it from side to side. Only left to cling to the bridge the best she could as it rattled, Chihiro glanced down at the belly of the flames, where they still burned the brightest they could… But as the fires shrank and the bridge stabilized, the flames almost started to part, stretching to the sides to unveil a burnt metal space in the middle where a faint, red glow floated up to meet her. Wait, a red glow? Could that be?

Chihiro blinked, then leaned over and rubbed her eyes as the red glow glowed brighter and started to take a more stable form—then she gasped and beamed! Right before her, Vatra floated up with a shield of heat surrounding him and the sphere clutched tight in his arms! A smile crossed his face as the shield evaporated, then he chuckled as he floated up beside Chihiro.

"I did say the fires and I had quite the alliance," he chuckled as he floated a bit higher up.

Vatra planted a glowing red hand on the top of the sphere, and a hiss sounded off as the top half turned red and watery before melting away! Rummaging through it for minutes, Vatra beamed as he finally yanked Jorden's wheel from the sphere.

"Catch!" Vatra cried as he tossed the wheel up to the bridge!

Chihiro jumped on top of the bridge's railing, clinging to the chains keeping it suspended as it started to sway! She shuddered for a moment, then leaned forward… And with one flick of her wrist, she yanked Jorden's wheel right out of the air, then swung around and leaped right onto the end of the bridge!

"Got'cha!" she cried, rubbing her hands around Jorden's wheel. "Now, let's get you outta this thing!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The drone cried as he dashed right for Chihiro!

Chihiro's gloves, then the rest of her mock-firefighter outfit dissipated into sparkles that flew right into Jorden's wheel, which shone with a bright, crystalline radiance as each rune on its surface lit up one by one! The cyan light that flooded into it turned to a warm caramel color, then from that light formed a sharp layer of crystals that shot out all around!

Chihiro yelped and ducked as a handful of crystals grazed over her head and stabbed into the walls behind her, while the drone squealed and wheeled back as several crystals skewered its chest.

And in the center of it all, Jorden's wheel pulsated and shuddered with light that formed into a bulky, muscular silhouette!

A string emerged from around the wheel's center and draped around silhouette's neck as rocks and clouds of dust burst in tandem with the light, revealing a human ghost with a sparkly brown aura! His skin was deathly pale, almost sheet-white if not for the faint hints of peach and the stains of dirt that coated his cheeks. His eyes were so brown they were nearly black, his brown hair was short and messy, and his nose was long and medium-size with a somewhat pointed tip. From head to toe he donned brown and silver armor akin to a knight's, with a helmet that had sides draped over his ears and a cracked, round flashlight embedded into its curved crest, firm shoulder plates attached to a chestplate embedded with sparkly gems in all sorts of colors, firm brown gloves that went up to his elbows, plates draping down from the sides of the chestplate and over his legs, and sturdy steel leg guards. Underneath that, he wore a yellow shirt with brown sleeves and brown pants, while a brown satchel with a darker brown Earth Element emblem rested on his hip.

He stood steady for a moment, hands clasped tight… Then he whipped around, cracking a smile with a missing tooth as he flicked out an arm!

"Crystallize!" was all he called as long, thin shards of brown magic shot into the floor!

In that moment, a thick, bulky layer of crystal formed above the flame pits, locking the flames in as the fires tinted their otherwise clear surfaces in warm colors! The first themselves turned to crystal as well, forming thin, spiky spears of warm reds and orange that spread across the entire floor as their light died! A cold air chilled the area as its warm red walls turned to more of a sullen brown instead, the only light coming from the faint glow of the crystals below!

"No, the fire pit!" the drone cried, rushing to the side of the bridge. "Now how am I supposed to get rid of these intruders?!"

"Ye don't!" Jorden cried.

The robot grunted as a massive punch smashed right through the back of its chest! The crystals that poked through its front fell into the crystal pit below and shattered, while the robot itself choked out gasps and shouts as it slunk over the side of the bridge. Its eyes dimmed as a cyan glow lifted it from the bridge and tossed it into the crystal pit, and as it flew down, a fireball shot into it and blew it up just before it hit the crystals!

"All security systems… Deactivated," droned a mechanical voice just faintly.

Vatra, Jorden and Chihiro all chuckled to each other as the laser guns and mechanical arms above drew back into the ceiling, and Vatra smiled as he waltzed over to Jorden and laid an arm around his shoulders.

"It's good to have you back, Jorden," Vatra said...

Then grunted as Jorden swept him off his feet and squeezed him in a tight hug! He gasped, sputtered and panted as Jorden nearly popped him like a balloon. As Jorden's death grip released, Vatra fell to the floor, panting and sputtering still as the sphere hit the ground and shattered.

"Yep, still as strong as ever!" Jorden cried as he flexed his muscles, kissing both his biceps before he chuckled. "Man, I took having a body for granted—floating around in a lil' crystal thingie is just plain weird, even when you like crystals!"

"You've got that right!" Luz chuckled from behind.

Jorden turned around as the freed portal masters floated around, then flew past Jorden as they shone bright and started to reform… But right as their bodies began to form, they shuddered and collapsed back on the bridge! They all groaned, but in front of them Chihiro chuckled and scooped them into her hands.

"Guess you all need a little boost, too!" Chihiro remarked as her hands shone with cyan light. "Coming right up!"

The magic from Chihiro's palms bubbled in the air for moments before seeping into the wheels, and in tandem their light glowed even brighter, morphing into the colors of their elements as the runes carved into the wheels shone! One by one they flew out of Chihiro's palms before forming proper bodies once more, and as the last of them flew out, they all regained their ghastly forms once more! They sighed as they slunk against railing and sat down, faces a bit paler and heads a bit heavier—but they were back!

"You all alright?" Chihiro asked as she sat beside Sihiri and laid a hand on Sihiri's arm.

Sihiri nodded, but her smile didn't really ease that odd, curious feeling that Chihiro got as she watched the others all pull themselves from the bridge and chat. Something egged at Chihiro as she watched Sihiri, a kind of unsteady feeling that made the sight of Sihiri and the other ancient portal masters a bit more morbid than usual…

"We lost family, friends, our homes and lives and more! What could you understand about any of that?!"

Vatra's words came back to her, and Chihiro bit her lip. That was right—Vatra had said that all in the heat of the moment, but at the same time, the pained way he said it… Surely, there had to be some truth to his words. And yet, the ancient portal masters all seemed so happy talking among themselves, like the world didn't come dangerously close to ending right then and there. Kind of reminded Chihiro of herself and the Skylanders, and all the fun times they shared even in spite of Kaos's conquest beating down upon them, of all the hard fights they had. Chihiro shifted forward, almost wanting to ask. But, before she could say a word, a warm hand gently grabbed her, its heat cooling the tension she didn't even notice she had.

"I… Er, I'm…" Vatra sputtered above her, before clearing his throat. "I apologize for my rashness during this mission. I had looked down upon you a bit too much, it seemed." Vatra glanced down at the crystals that coated what was once the fire pit below and sighed. "The Skylands of today is far more different than the Skylands I once knew. It seems I overestimated my ability to handle things."

Chihiro hummed, then joined Vatra in leaning against the railing. "Well, I've still got a lot to learn, myself," Chihiro admitted, glancing back at the others and then down below. "But, y'know, I guess that's why we work as a team. I cover the things you don't know, and you handle the stuff I don't."

"Well spoken."

The two of them chuckled, and Chihiro spun away as she faced the rest of the group. Chihiro pursed her lips, then shook her head. Maybe it would be best not to press further on the issue—they seemed so happy now, and after how hectic everything was, she was sure they were more concerned with getting this over with. She knew she was!

"Anyways, now that we're all back together," Chihiro said as she strode forward. "It's time we found that shield gun's location and got going!"

Chihiro clapped her hands, and a massive flash of cyan light enveloped them all!

In a shimmer and a flash, they were lifted from the pits and found themselves back in the record room where they had started, the light coating the wall in a faint cyan hue before fading. The whole place remained in an odd peace, mostly intact save for the massive hole Sihiri had blown in the wall… But that was of no concern to Chihiro, who grimaced as she glanced over the lengthy rows of file cabinets, packed tight and even larger in numbers compared to the last.

"Something tells me this is gonna take a while," Chihiro remarked as she crept over to one and pulled out a drawer. "Well, better get looking…"

"Or, we can just use this handy-dandy search function here!" Jorden chirped from behind!

All eyes turned to Jorden as he himself turned to a panel and tapped away. "'Enehana's not the only techie y'all know!" Jorden smiled as he lifted his hand. "Saw these drones pokin' at this weird lil' thing to find some stuff, so somethin' tells me it should give us just the thing we need!"

And sure enough, with a few beeps, a drawer in a cabinet near the top yanked itself open and flashed with cyan light! Chihiro teleported over and grabbed the source of the light—a tablet that flashed and faded in shades of blue—from the drawer, then paused as she glanced over its screen. The light stabilized for a moment, then morphed into a digital diagram of a shield gun, a location, and a label with a single pair of names—"Kaossandra and Konkord."

"Yep, this is it!" Chihiro cried as she waved the tablet in the air!

Another teleport, and Chihiro was back amid the portal masters' ranks, the tablet clutched tight. "Let's get going!"

Jorden nodded, and with a whistle, the floor rumbled as a gigantic drill made of crystal and metal pierced the floor as it dug its way into the room! File cabinets tipped over as the drill surfaced and swung its metal door open, and as everyone piled in, the door shut and the drill smashed through the wall before it dug its way up to the surface.

§

The lingering sounds of smoke and destruction rang in the air as Cali rolled through a door just before it closed, then propped herself up as it slid shut behind her.

The sound of deep grunting came as behind her Flynn pulled the flap of his hat from the closed gate, then brushed it off and smirked as he swaggered up to Cali. That same smug look of his was met with a smile and an eye roll from Cali, before she turned back to where the rest of the team laid with arms crossed and frowns twisted against the stone.

Before her, the looming mass that was Troll Home Security sat tall with its spiraling steel castles and rows of cannons and robots and other defense mechanisms still tall… And yet, there was no sign of her teammates to be found. Were they still talking things out? Had they gotten caught up with something else along the way? Could they have been captured or seriously injured by security, even?

Cali grimaced, clenching her hands tight at just the thought—she'd hope that wasn't the case. A soft sight came from beside her, and Cali turned to where Syracuse held her head down and scratched at her arm. Seemed like she was just as nervous about this as Cali herself was, maybe even more so considering how she mumbled and dragged her feet the whole trip around. Even when they had fought off security and blown a few things up, Syracuse still seemed super out of it—Stealth Elf had to pull her out of harm's way more than a few times. So, Cali prodded up to her and sat down.

"Is something bothering you?" Cali asked.

Syracuse, however, didn't bother to look up. She just sighed and sat down, occasionally glancing over a miniature console she had withdrawn from her pocket and toyed with its buttons. A glance at the screen showed that it sent out some kind of homing signal, as if calling for someone. But, after a few moments, Syracuse sighed and terminated the program with a button press, hanging her head once more.

"Syracuse, Skylands to Syracuse!" Cali called, waving her hand in front of Syracuse's face. "Are you still there?"

Syracuse grunted, lifting her head with wide eyes before sighing the moment her face met Cali's. "Oh, it's just you," Syracuse sighed, her eyes drifting back to the console. "Yeah, I, I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" Cali pressed her legs to her chest and turned her head to face Syracuse. "You've been spacing out a lot ever since we started this mission…" Cali brushed her boot against the faint trio of grass blades that poked their way out from the earth, one smaller than the other, taller two as if it was almost shrinking in their presence. "Is that fight they had still bothering you?"

Syracuse hummed, turning away for a moment as she fondled that tiny blade of grass. "I… I shouldn't say it. That's their business to resolve, not mine. I feel like if I tried to intervene between them, I'll just make it worse."

Ah, always a tricky subject, family issues—Cali wouldn't exactly know, but something in her gut told her that prodding it further was only going to make things a bit more tense. And with how tension broiled in the air, everyone else standing around with frowns and tense, brow-clenching stares, Cali figured it would be best not to press the issue further. Instead, she nodded and pushed herself off the ground, then trailed over to where Spyro and Flynn talked at the end of the trail, right in front of the gates that lead into Troll Home Security's more mechanized areas.

"Still no word from the kid?" Flynn asked.

Spyro shook his head. "Haven't heard a peep from Chi since they all left to get the location," Spyro replied. He clasped his front paws and grimaced, twiddling his toes together. "If it came down to it, we could probably try to find it ourselves, but…" Spyro grunted and pulled his paws apart. "With how they left, I can't help but be concerned—"

Flynn patted Spyro on the back with maybe a little more force than necessary, sending Spyro falling down and hacking as Flynn himself laughed. "Ah, there's no need to worry, lil' buddy! As long as you've got me right here, everything'll be perfectly fine! With my skills, those robots will be running for the hills!"

Spyro let out a wary laugh, pulling himself away from Flynn and sighing as he sat down. He had that kind of intense, contemplative stare he tended to get when he was deep in thought, surely weighing the options and contemplating whether they should run ahead or wait for the others first… Assuming the others hadn't gotten themselves into any trouble.

A low grumble came from the world underneath, and Cali frowned. Her ear flicked as it echoed again, and on instinct she scanned the area around, hunting for any traces of unruly robots they hadn't been able to shake—but found nothing. So, she just strode over to Spyro, who seemed as if he had about made up his mind.

Cali slipped her hand in her pocket, but froze as another, louder and fiercer rumble came from the ground below with enough strength that Cali's legs shuddered and she fell to her knees! She gasped a little, and above her Spyro jumped up a bit before soaring over her. The tremors below Cali continued at their pace, growing louder by the second as they steadied into a more stable rhythm, rumbling and shouting over the shocked cries of those around!

Forcing herself back up, Cali bolted over to the heart of the pathway, where the ground had started to crack as the rumbling grew its loudest! Pebbles and fragmented rocks bounced and leaped against the surface as the cracks spread further out, the rumbling growing even stronger in tandem…

Then finally, something shiny and bright poked through the cracks like a bird's beak piercing its eggshell! The ground split open as a massive drill made of what seemed like crystal and shiny metal broke through the ground and crawled over the upturned stone pathways, then finally stopped. Steam poured from its wheels as the door beside it opened, masking the figures of those who came from the open door.

The only discernible feature was a colorful array of sparkles that poked their way through the mist, the brightest being a cyan glow that hovered near the bottom and glowed even brighter as a gust of wind blew the mist away! The mist flew into people's faces, sending them coughing and hacking and covering their faces as it dispersed into tiny clouds, but the sound of familiar laughter and chuckling brought them to relax soon afterwards!

"We're back!" Chihiro cried as she stepped forward, pausing for a moment to whisk away the giant magic fan she held. "Sorry we took so long!"

Cali beamed and rushed forward, as did the others as they crowded around Chihiro and the rest of those portal masters! But, now that Cali got a closer look at them, she frowned and raised a brow—maybe she was forgetting something, but she was sure someone new joined their ranks! There, beside the woman clad in purple and the person clad in red was a muscular, pale-skinned person's ghost dressed in stone armor with messy brown hair and eyes so dark they were black, with a sparkling brown wheel pendant rested against their chest. They grinned as they held a sleek-looking tablet in one hand, yet the moment their eyes fell on the outskirts of the crowds, they shoved it into the purple-clad woman's hands and ran off!

"'Enehana!" cried the person in what had to be some mix of a rural and eastern Skylandian accent, "'Enehana, is that you?"

Over in the back of the ground, 'Enehana sighed as they fiddled with their gloves, but the moment they lifted their head, they gasped! Jumping to their feet immediately, they ran over and flung themselves into the ghost's arms—and for being as burly as they were, the ghost cried in surprise and nearly toppled over as they caught 'Enehana! 'Enehana took the moment to swiftly capture the ghost in a kiss, one the ghost quickly returned as the two stayed locked in time, 'Enehana's arms around their shoulders and the ghost's arms cradling 'Enehana tight… But finally, they drew back and let go as 'Enehana slipped from their arms.

"And who might you be?" Cali asked as she walked up to the two.

'Enehana just chuckled. "This is my girlfriend, Jorden," 'Enehana introduced, holding a hand out to the ghost who waved in turn. "I, I haven't seen him in so long, I just don't know what came over me… Being honest, I almost thought he was…"

'Enehana scratched their head, then yelped as Jorden scooped them back into his arms once more!

"Aw, don't worry! It'll take more than a little blast to take me out!" Jorden cried. "I'm not the toughest lookout woman in our ranks for nothing!"

'Enehana chuckled, looking down to the ground as they toyed with their gloves once more, and beside them Cali couldn't help but chuckle—they'd only been together for a few seconds, and yet she could tell just from looking that they loved each other a lot! Even though she wasn't entirely sure if she'd want to be in a relationship, she wouldn't mind having a partner like that. A few footsteps came from down the way, and Cali flicked her ear as she turned around.

"There they are!" Eye cried as he flew across, stopping in the air for a moment to turn around and flick his wing as if signaling someone over. "Eye spy them just ahead!"

Eye flew down and hovered just over the parts where the ground turned to stone, and Brawl was the first to pass him, bounding past and shaking the ground below as he rushed up to joined Tree Rex! The smaller parts of the party shuddered and shook as they stood back up from being knocked down by the force, right in time to catch Dyna, Boomette, and the Mabu Defense Force rush through the path!

"Apologies for the trouble, everyone!" Dyna shouted the moment she rushed through. "We've sorted everything out now!"

"Yep!" Boomette affirmed, rushing up beside Dyna and gently nudging her shoulder.

Dyna smiled back at her, and Boomette only beamed for a moment before running up ahead, to where Syracuse had run over to join them.

"Syrie, I'm sorry for getting you caught in the middle of my sister and I's stuff," Boomette whispered as she clasped Syracuse's hands. "You—"

"Don't worry about it, dear," Syracuse replied, gently brushing away strands of Boomette's hair, "it's all in the past."

Boomette blinked, then nodded and pulled back from Syracuse's grip. The three of them drew into the center, where everyone had gathered around the unearthed drill as Chihiro cleared her throat.

"Alright, now that everyone's back together, we can finally get back on track!" Chihiro shouted. "We managed to retrieve the location for the shield gun powering Kaos's place, so Dyna,"—Chihiro's gaze shifted to where Dyna stood between Boomette and Syracuse—"think you can scan it in?"

"Sure can!" Dyna said as she walked up.

Chihiro motioned towards Dyna, then snatched the tablet from Sihiri and passed it to Dyna.

Dyna nodded as she took the tablet, then grabbed a console from her pocket, popped open a slot and stuck the tablet in! A bright light shone from the tablet as white dots circled around its front in tandem with the similar sights present on the console, then both lights dimmed as the console beeped! Dyna unhooked the tablet from her console and stowed it away in her pocket, before humming as blue light pulsed before the screen and formed a map across it.

"The shield gun we're looking for should be at the end of the battlements, just a straight way ahead from where we are now," Dyna explained as she peeled her eyes from the screen and glanced ahead. "But, they've got cannons up the wazoo there—the biggest in their artillery!"

A booming, thundering nose came from ahead, and they all crowded around the gates right as several gigantic missile shells as big as buildings slowly flew and twirled across the long stretches of marble bridges flanked by stone before them. The noise of cannons firing rumbled the area and left a faint, smoky taste in the air, a sight that may have intimidated most… But, Tree Rex just walked solemn, cracking knuckles all the time he walked through the gates.

"They may be big, but so are we!" Tree Rex cried, turning back to a moment to match gazes with Bouncer, Ninjini and Hot Head. "Right?"

The three of them nodded and joined Tree Rex right as another cannon fired, shaking the ground while its missile flew out!

The missile swirled through the air, crawling towards Tree Rex as flames started to form at its tip, and he only snarled as he lifted his arm in the air. Light charged at the base of his solar cannon, forming around him in a hot shield, then he charged forward and leaped up before punching the missile right back at the cannon! The flames surrounding the missiles stirred brighter as the missile smashed through the cannon and blew it to bits—but it was hardly the only one!

Beside him, Ninjini levitated a swarm of missiles out of the sky and shot them right back at the cannons that fired them, while Bouncer dashed forward along the paths, leaping up and kicking missiles back! A string of explosions ruptured the walls as the cannons were blown to bits, their bricks crumbling as they cascaded down into the skies!

The rest of the group trailed along, beckoned on by Tree Rex as he landed and crept forward. They mostly retained a nonchalant air as they passed along the stone and metal paths, leaving the dirt and grass of the lands before behind with not a care. But while they all gathered together and walked, Hot Head winced and peered up as shade draped over the world around them.

"Is it just me?" Hot Head asked as he held a hand over his eyes. "Or did someone turn off the lights?"

Tree Rex grunted as he peered up, as did Ninjini and Bouncer, then the three of them swept the smaller members of their party into their arms and ran off—because not long after, a missile much larger than the rest smashed into the bridge and completely shattered the place where they once stood!

Another string of missiles rushed after them as they ran across the bridge, smashing its stone to bits and sending chunks of brick and metal flying everywhere with each explosion… Then finally, the missiles relented as they reached an interway, with them collapsing and falling to their knees.

"Just what was that?" Eye panted as he rested on Brawl's top. "Even eye couldn't even spot it!"

Tree Rex hummed, then twisted around and peered over the side of the interway before kneeling down and plucking 'Enehana from the ground. 'Enehana yelped for a moment as Tree Rex lifted them onto his shoulder, but they quickly steadied themself and clung to his horn.

"Tree Rex, what was that for?" 'Enehana asked.

Tree Rex just pointed to a large podium attached to one of the still-intact parts of the wall, one made entirely of stone with a large missile launcher planted on its top. It stood silent for moments, then shuddered just as bit as its whole body rumbled, almost like it was preparing to spit something out!

"I think that might be what's been shooting those missiles at us," Tree Rex said as he turned slightly. "Do you think you can—"

Another screech hit the air as shadows covered the path, and Tree Rex gulped as he ran off, scooping the smaller ones below him into his arms!

"Actually, hold on!"

The world rumbled as another explosion burst behind him, and Tree Rex only glanced momentarily at the broken interway before him! Another set of missiles a bit faster than the last charged after him with fires blazing, and he only gulped as he rushed faster! A brick wall came into view, and Tree Rex grunted as he sprung over it with the others following behind—but as they left, the missiles crashed through the wall and blew it to bits before carrying on!

"Those things just won't stop!" Tree Rex cried.

"Let's see how well they can track us if we're invisible, then!" Ninjini cried!

With a closing of her eyes, the entire group turned invisible to the naked eye and ducked behind an interway, pausing for a moment to catch their breaths… But the sound of screeching missiles shot them onto their feet! They all ran off once more, with a tiny glance taken behind to see that sure enough, the missiles were right on their tails once more!

"They're still chasing us?!" Ninjini cried.

"They must be heat-seeking missiles, then!" 'Enehana cried from where they rested on Tree Rex's shoulder. "Normally I'd be able to reprogram them, but the way things are, there's no way I can get close enough!"

Another explosion burst from behind, blowing the ground behind them to bits with a force so massive that it blew the entire group onto the interway face first.

A couple groans came as they all staggered to their feet, 'Enehana being the first to pull themself up.

As 'Enehana groaned and dusted themself off, their eyes moved towards a terminal seated on the stone. Drawing over to the terminal, they tapped their fingers against its keyboard and grinned as its screen flickered with light!

"The missiles, they're coming!"

'Enehana gasped at the shout from behind, then typed away, eyes narrowed as they typed. Sweat crawled down their skin as the sound of screeching missiles shook the earth, coming closer and closer away… And then, with one button press, the missiles turned tail and flew off!

"Phew, close one!" 'Enehana panted. "I managed to hack the system and block off our heat signatures—that should keep them off our tails for a bit."

'Enehana chuckled, then tapped a single button on the console. "And with that button press, that should keep the rest of their security from finding us, too!" 'Enehana chirped, smiling as they wiped their hands.

"Your genius strikes again~" Jorden teased as they sauntered over to 'Enehana.

'Enehana chuckled as they peered up at Jorden, but their smile faded. "But, that'll only stop the missiles, and only for a little bit of time. We'll have to find some way to blow up the launcher before it happens."

A screech came from the air, and 'Enehana cringed.

"Wait, but it wasn't supposed to stop that early! Did my program fail?" 'Enehana cast a glance back to the terminal, but it still shone with the light of their program's code!

"That's no missile, Ena!" Jorden cried. "It's a cannonball!"

'Enehana turned around right as a giant cannonball smashed through part of a small island and knocked it down into the skies, the cannonball rolling off and disappearing soon afterwards. But it wasn't the only one—another cannonball hurtled forward, and its path was set right on the interway they stood on!

Tree Rex grunted as he charged forward, then leaped up and hastily tossed the cannonball aside before crashing right back down! Behind him, the cannonball soared right through the air before slipping right towards the missile cannon and smashing into its side! As the cannonball rolled off and crashed down below, Tree Rex gasped, then grinned.

"Bouncer, Ninjini, Hot Head!" he cried, waving them over. "Take those cannonballs and toss them at the missile launcher!"

The three of them nodding, sweeping right up to Tree Rex as another round of cannonballs shot off! Ninjini floated forward and levitated them away so that they swept right across the bridge, just barely grazing them before slamming right into the cannon's side! It tipped over for a moment, before another round of cannonballs slammed into its left courtesy of a kick from Bouncer! The dented sides of the cannon shuddered, smoke and sparks of electricity pouring from its sides as it shuddered, pumping up and down… Then with one last shake, it spat out another round of missiles!

Hot Head grunted, then jumped forward and punched another round of cannonballs into the missiles—but the missiles just smashed through the cannonballs and charged for Hot Head! He and the others screamed as they ran off, just in time for the missiles to smash into the bridge! Parts of it shuddered and crumbled away as they all ran…

But while the others made it to safety, Dyna, Boomette, and the Mabu Defense Force all slipped back while the bridge crumbled away beneath them!

Bouncer quickly swept the Mabu Defense Force, Dyna and Boomette into his hands and wheeled away just as the bridge crumbled and collapsed. Leaning against a wall, he grimaced as they all climbed down from his hands and took cover, then lifted his head as a shadow fell over him before jumping up and dashing away! A missile screeched as it crashed down and smashed through the part of the interway where Bouncer once stood, but it wasn't the only one—another one trailed after the former missile's own vapor trails, its path set right for the platform!

"I'll handle this one!" 'Enehana cried!

Leaping atop Bouncer, 'Enehana scrambled onto his shoulder and leaped off just before he could protest! The flap of their backpack swung right open as they soared through the air, tossing out a jetpack that jolted down and strapped itself to their back! The flames burned bright as 'Enehana swirled away from the missile just before it could strike them, then zipped back and jumped right onto the missile's back! Orange light shone against their mechanical hands as they planted them on the missile's metal, then faded just as quickly as a red light pulsed over the missile—so, with a flick of 'Enehana's hand, a sharp knife burst from their palm! Gripping the knife, 'Enehana carved along a thin line just above them, snarling as the wind in their hair blew more furious and the cries of those below grew louder!

"'Enehana, get off of there!"

"What do they think they're doing?!"

'Enehana grunted, and with one last slice they ducked as the panel flew off and disappeared into the skies! They only cast one glance at the panel, then scanned over the open wiring and mechanisms placed inside the panel before yanking out an oval-shaped device and slashing right through its heart! The shield around the missile flickered out as the broken device split in two, and with it gone, 'Enehana turned down, eyes now focused on the missiles as they planted their hands against its warm metal surface!

An orange glow glazed against the metal of the missile just as it came inches away from hitting the edge of the bridge, then spun around and redirected itself right towards the cannon! 'Enehana grunted and leaped off, landing on the ground without a sweat broken as the missile crashed into the cannon before them, then staggered up as both cannon and missile exploded. Thick, warm-colored fire and smoke that burned with immense heat gated off the back of the area as 'Enehana adjusted the straps of their overalls—but instead of relishing in the destruction, they just pulled the straps of their backpack a bit higher and signaled to the others as they rushed for the end of the path!

They obediently trailed along, not a mind paid to the shooting cannons and bellowing shouts behind them, but Cali was the first of them to push forward as 'Enehana stopped by a tough-looking steel gate. Withdrawing a handful of orbs from her pocket, Cali flicked them towards the gate and jumped back right as they slammed onto the gate's surface, flashed for mere moments and then transformed into a full-on array of explosives!

"You might wanna stand back," Cali said as she withdrew a pack of matches from her pocket.

'Enehana nodded and drew backwards, taking shelter behind a table as Cali lit the fuse! Plugging her ears, Cali joined 'Enehana behind the table as the flames crawled along the fuse, singing it by the second… Then finally, the flames hit the gunpowder and the entire gate was absorbed in an explosive plume of flame! The fires quickly died as bits of burning metal rained down, and Cali and 'Enehana both jumped out from the table as the flames finally extinguished. The two of them passed through the burned, scorched pathway, and as they did, the cannons finally relented.

Instead, what laid before them were thick stretches of stone, each with a massive gun shooting a thick, bright laser into the stratosphere planted on round stands. They were all completely identical in their large size, shiny blue and gold metal exteriors and the hot white lasers they shot out—the only thing indicating any difference was their directions and the plaques near their bases, which all had different runes carved into them. Perhaps those were the names of those who had purchased them? Whatever they were, none of them were the one they were looking for—if the console was of any indication, that one was at the very end of the current path, on an island seemingly void of any other mechanical presence if the screen was of any indication.

The warbling and screeching of lasers rang in the air as they all passed along the paths, some taking moments to glance at the shield guns as if they were trying to seek out their objective. A few idle conversations came in the air, just at a volume where they could be heard but their contents couldn't be discerned, save for a yowl from Trigger Happy and a faint scolding, the exact words of which escaped Cali. Something about not touching lasers? Cali shook her head, then skipped ahead as the sight of a round, dome-like platform at the end of the pathway came closer into view. She hit the very end of the path, where the cobblestone underfoot traded out for smooth, paved brick, and what she faced left her with a bit of a frown.

She had expected something huge, grandiose, even—after all, if Kaos's family was royalty like that Ermit guy said, then surely whatever guarding their home was bound to be something big and serious, with lots of guards and elaborate mechanisms, right? But what met her gaze was a shield gun no different than the rest, one that shot a beam of light into the stratosphere that was almost completely eclipsed by a tower behind it that was so tall it poked the sky! A few glances behind showed similarly confused and surprised faces, all scratching heads and raised brows… But, she supposed that something being this simple should be a relief, especially after the utter pain in the butt security was.

"Alright, something easy!" Chihiro cried as she pushed past and wiped her hands. "Just gotta blow this thing up and we'll be on our merry way!"

Chihiro beamed and summoned a sword, then as she lifted it above her head, it stretched further, growing wider and longer in length until it practically dwarfed her in size! Being made of magic, its newfound size and weight did little to impair Chihiro's grip on its handle as she heaved it back the furthest she could. Her balance slipped a little by then, with her hopping backwards for a few moments before she tilted forward and ran up, the sword now held right above her head and she leaped forward and slashed it to bits! Well, she would've, had a shield not manifested out of nowhere and shouldered the blade! The sword exploded into sparkles of cyan light as the shield flickered out, leaving Chihiro to stumble backwards and huff as she crossed her arms.

"A shield! Should've known this was too good to be true!" Chihiro shouted before she turned to the back. "Spyro, Cynder, fly around and see if you can find a shield generator anywhere!"

"On it!" The two of them cried!

They both rushed forward and took to the air with a single leap, becoming little more than purple streaks in the sky as they swooped around the air for a few moments! The two of them disappeared behind the tower in the blink of an eye, and moments later, a purple screen formed behind Chihiro and broadcasted Spyro's face right before her.

"Found it, Chi!" Spyro cried, his voice somewhat muffled by the screen.

Its view turned down, now reflected on a tiny segment at the top of the tower where a beacon shining with gold light sat within its stone confines.

"Cynder and I will take care of this in a snap!"

With a flap of his wings, Spyro zoomed off, right down to where a violet, blurry figure that was presumably Cynder hovered to the left of the projector. Bursts of fire and lightning came from the two of them and slammed right into the side of the projector—but, rather than exploding or burning away, the two blasts completely burst midway through their path! Spyro and Cynder both turned to each other, and in that moment a crunching noise burst over the screen, completely eradicating it from the force of its noise!

"INTRUDERS HAVE BEEN DETECTED!" cried a booming, mechanical voice as the ground rumbled. "PREPARE TO BE ERADICATED!"

The rumbling and quaking of the ground below grew more furious as parts of the ground split, small slivers collapsing into the skies below as the whole earth shuddered! Ahead of them, the ground surrounding the tower's base started to chafe and upheave itself, stone tendrils bursting from the bottom like something was crawling out from it! The tower swung back as the tendrils finally crawled over the broken, churned chunks of ground, unveiling that they were attached directly to the tower's base. Those tendrils carried the tower as they scuttled across the earth, then finally settled on a place to rest in the center of the platform. This time, the tower itself is what rumbled as parts of it unfolded and twisted around, forming in the shape of a tall, hulking, vaguely humanoid robot that crashed down and roared, nearly blowing away those down below!

While everyone clung to what they could to keep their balance, whether it was the most stable thing they could find or took shelter beneath the ruptured earth, the robot's chest flung right open!

Out from it flooded an entire waterfall of shining metal that poured and stormed around the platform, raising weapons to the skies as they unveiled themselves! Shiny drones equipped with fancy weapons helmed the charge, with smaller, less impressive ones whose armor didn't gleam quite as well and whose weapons were dented and twisted in parts stood behind them, interspersed with chompies dressed in armor whose skin was a little too shiny to make them seem real and strangle little ghouls wielding shields shaped like glaring faces that blocked their entire front from view! Cries and beeps and shouts welled from the armies as they thrust their weapons forward, charging right for the group before a massive burst of thunder and lightning rained down from above, forcing them to stand back!

A fence of sparking electricity blocked the armies away from the group as Cynder and a sky blue-eyed Spyro floated down beside Chihiro, who nodded and immediately rushed forward as the electricity faded!

Chihiro screamed as she summoned a pair of swords and dove into the crowds, fixing her eyes on a smaller drone that she immediately sliced in half before swinging around and slashing the next. The two of them sparked and crackled as their broken halves fell to the ground, and Chihiro scoffed as she kicked them away! A whirling, buzzing sound came from behind, and Chihiro screamed as she slashed her sword into it.

But instead of hitting rusted, torn metal, what she hit instead was sleek, silver metal that cracked her sword's blade! One of the fancier, more polished drones rumbled as her sword exploded, and Chihiro grimaced and stepped back, hands glowing in molding shapes as if she was nailing down what to do next, while the robot got closer and raised a mechanical ax!

The robot trembled as it held the ax at its highest point, then the ax slipped from its hands as garbled code flashed across its visor! The robot slunk over and powered down as its control panel popped open… And behind it, 'Enehana swung aside and waved for only a moment before diving back underneath the open panel! The panel swung down a moment later, and 'Enehana hopped away and grinned as the robot rumbled.

Parts of the robot folded in as it twisted and shifted around, transforming it into a turret that locked onto the oncoming wave of drones and gunned them down! The turret spun in waves as it shot off red-hot bullets, which only increased in numbers as the other robots around the turret joined its fate! The turrets grew from one, to four, to an entire battalion that stretched along the front and gunned down the oncoming drones!

The drones that rushed ahead of the turrets screeched, letting out distorted, garbled cries as the blasts blew them to bits, while their parts rained down and smashed on the heads of the shield-wielding ghouls that rushed behind them!

The ghouls groaned and collapsed as they rubbed their heads, and one in particular groaned and tried to push down the bump that formed on its scalp when the sound of bubbling rushed from aside. It turned aside, then abandoned its shield and screamed as lava poured in from the cracks in the ground! The other shield wielders followed after the first as the lava grew closer to them… But just before the lava could pour onto the shields, it retracted and seeped back into the cracks!

"Alright, Nemir," Vatra said as he lifted a shield and tossed it to Nemir beside him, "got the shields!"

Nemir nodded, then merely whispered something under his breath as he bowed his head, and in response many small ghosts leaped from the cracks of the ground! The ghosts nodded towards Nemir for only a moment, then flew over and lifted the shields from the ground before floating over to the battlefield! They planted themselves in the back, just where the rest of Nemir's allies fought.

A couple of drones leveled blows at the shields that in turn bounced off and soared through the skies, their bright fires catching the eyes of Inochi, Dej and Trigger Happy! The three of them grinned at each other before rushing up to the very edge of the battlefield, with Dej running past Inochi and Trigger Happy before leaping out and flicking his hands!

Bursts of ice shot from his fingertips and smashed into the floor below, slicking it down as a solid sheet of ice cast over it! The drones that wheeled forward slipped over their own wheels and fell backwards, the ice cracking underneath them. And as the ice melted away, vines burst from the ground and wrapped tight around the drones, pinning them to the floor! As the drones struggled to get up, thorns shot from the vines' skin and stabbed into the robot's metal, tearing open their wiring and setting them aflame! The vines sank back into the ground, but the robots just laid down as the fires died at last!

And behind the shields, Inochi smiled and gently patted Trigger Happy, pushing him forward as he withdrew his guns.

Trigger Happy laughed as he leaped right over the shields, pulled the trigger, and sent a wave of golden lasers slicing through the drones!

The drones exploded in seconds, smoke and fire melting the shields as the ghosts flew away… And from the smoke, Spyro and Cynder shot through! The flames danced underneath them as they soared above, then Spyro narrowed his eyes as a giant, chompy-shaped robot gunned down the area around with chompies. Cynder glared it down before lifting her head to face Spyro, and the two of them nodded as they swept down.

The chompy-shooting robot's body rumbled as it shot off another round of chompies, then skidded back as a fireball slammed into its side!

"Hey metalhead, up here!" Spyro cried from the skies above!

The chompy-shooting robot shuffled around and fixed its cannons on Spyro and Cynder, loading them for only a minute before it shot them off! The chompies shot out by the second, screeching and bearing their fangs as they shot through the air—but Spyro's flames and Cynder's lightning reached them first, striking through and burning not just the ones that came for them, but the inner workings of the cannons as well!

The robot stopped and loaded its cannons once more as thick smoke churned and spewed out from the barrels, but all that came was an empty clicking noise. It loaded them once more only to be met with that same hollow clicking noise, so it lifted its cannon up and peered inside. Just as it reached inside, however, a massive gust of wind swept it back, knocking it into the air! As it hovered up, a black shadow dashed past and spun it around, then a black thunderbolt smashed right through its chest and blew it to bits! Chompies spewed everywhere as the robot's broken remains fell to the ground, then spun around as Spyro and Cynder dashed off.

While the chompies flew in by the thousands, Sihiri frowned, then held her glowing purple hands together and flung them out! A large, glowing purple net spread across the entire front and caught the chompies within its ropes before tying its top up tight, then dropping on the ground! With its massive weight, the world around shook a bit, but the rumbles quickly ceased as the chompies squealed and wriggled against the ropes.

"Now," Luz said as he stepped forward and stretched out his hands, "let's shine a little light on this!"

Luz clapped his hands, and above them the light grew brighter, harsher, heating up the world just a bit as a giant spotlight shone right on the net! The chompies' screams grew shriller, more panicked as the light shone on them and withered away their bodies, leaving only crinkly, brown leaves and tiny, wrinkled bodies devoid of eyes. As the light finally faded, the net disappeared and the chompy corpses blew away with the wind as the tower trudged forward. The ground shook with every step as it loomed over and snarled, fingers twitching for a fight.

"Alright, now what are we gonna do about that?" Chihiro asked, clenching her fists. "Thing's as big as a skyscraper!"

"It's certainly bigger than anything we've ever faced," Tree Rex remarked, the leaves on his back rustling just a bit. "If we just had something its size that could fight it off…"

"Wait, something its size?" Flynn repeated.

Tree Rex frowned and glanced down at Flynn. "Yes, that is what I just said."

Flynn grinned, then pushed his way through the group.

"I've got just the thing!" he cried, before whistling and waving. "Dread-Yacht, over here!"

Flynn rushed to the side as the Dread-Yacht zipped over, while the tower just groaned, and went to swat him down! But, it was a little too late—Flynn jumped on board right as the tower's hand smashed into the ground, and the Dread-Yacht zipped right off.

"What does he think he's doing?" Tree Rex asked as he stumbled backwards. "Now's not the time for a flight!"

Spyro blinked rapidly, then shook his head. "Wait a second, I think I know! Stand back, everyone!"

All those around heeded Spyro's word and skittered backwards, save for the tower! It just roared as it stormed forward, the world jumping and rumbling with every heavy step it took! It took one more step forward, threatening to crush those around underfoot… But before it could step down, the sound of a button pressing hit the air, and another giant robot stormed forward and slugged it right in the face!

The tower roared as the robot flew backwards, showing off a body with armor cobbled together from the Dread-Yacht's parts that shone and sparkled just a bit in the light, but only for a moment. The tower reeled back, lunging up and growling as it went to throw another punch, and in turn the Dread-Yacht thrust both its arms against its chest, shouldering the blow before grabbing the robot's arm and body-slamming it into the ground! Parts of the floor cracked and quaked underneath as an ear-splitting crunch burst from the tower robot, and the Dread-Yacht relented for a moment as a smile crossed its face—but in that moment, the tower yanked it down and trapped it in a headlock!

The two rolled across the floor, wrestling and pushing against each other as they slammed into nearby towers and completely knocked out their lower halves, leaving the towers little more than crumbling piles of itchy dust and sandy rubble as they rolled off! They flattened a few trees and patches of grass as they rolled just over the edge of the island, teetering precariously with just tiny slips of earth underneath them, and the tower screamed as it released the Dread-Yacht and prepared to kick it down! The leg swung, ready to make its blow—but mid-swing, the Dread-Yacht grabbed it and dug its fingers in, crunching and denting the metal of the leg! The two stopped mid-kick, and the Dread-Yacht slung a kick into its kneecap, knocking the tower back and giving the Dread-Yacht just enough time to leap back up!

The Dread-Yacht stormed forward and raised a fist right as the tower skidded back, and the tower in turn stormed forward and grabbed both its hands! The two of them pushed against each other, heels dug into the broken earth as they struggled with all their might! For once, they were evenly matched, neither party budging save for the faint shudder and strain of their hands and legs!

And down below, Sihiri hummed as she examined the fight, hand on chin and all, then she floated up to Chihiro and Spyro. The two of them stayed entranced with the robot fight, eyes locked on the two robots as they pushed and prodded against each other—as did the others.

"Everyone, I have a plan!" Sihiri cried, earning all attention before she nudged Spyro and Chihiro's shoulders. "You two, help me make some magic ropes!"

The two of them shook their heads, then jumped forward.

"How many and what size?" Spyro asked, with Chihiro nodding.

Sihiri hummed, rubbing her chin for a moment, then gestured over to where the tower and the Dread-Yacht wrestled against each other. "About that size."

Spyro and Chihiro both nodded, with Chihiro's hands flashing cyan and Spyro's eyes turned purple as they flicked out their hands and wings. Flashes of purple and cyan magic burst from the tips and snaked around the area, swirling around for moments before forming into a giant pile of thick, long ropes! They piled just before the battle, big enough that they at least blocked out the lower half of the robot's legs, and surely long enough that they could possibly wrap around the entire island! Another pile of purple ropes joined its top courtesy of Sihiri, who rubbed her hands as their own purple glow faded before she floated over to Tree Rex.

"Tree Rex, you and the others take those ropes and see if you can tie down that tower!" Sihiri cried.

Tree Rex nodded, then turned over and waved for just a moment as he ran off. "You heard her, get those ropes!"

Tree Rex was the first to yank a rope from the pile, followed by Bouncer, Ninjini, and then Hot Head! The ropes' tips fluttered and swayed in the wind as all four of them flanked the four corners of the tower, the ropes still held tight in their grip.

Ninjini floated up and cried out as she spun the rope around like a cowboy's lasso, then tossed it right for the tower's right shoulder! The tower spun out like unraveling yarn as it flew forward and looped around the shoulder, yanking it back as Ninjini floated down and pinned it to the ground with a large boulder made of magic!

The tower screeched as it yanked its right arm forward, tugging its hardest against the ropes, but right as they frayed just a bit, another rope wrapped tight around its left arm and drew it back! Bouncer strained from where he floated in the air with a mechanical jetpack on his back burning its brightest behind him, then he floated down and smacked the ground with his wheel. A mechanical stake burst from the ground below, splitting the rope in a way that it created a perfect circle around it!

The tower grew even more frantic, wailing and thrusting as ropes wrapped around its legs and stuck it to the ground, while below it Tree Rex and Hot Head wiped their brows. The two of them rushed off as the tower screeched and hopped backwards, still struggling and thrusting against the ropes despite how tightly it was held! It thrust forward one more time, only to get slugged in the face with a punch from the Dread-Yacht!

The tower flew backwards, the ropes fraying a bit as it smashed into the ground below and tried to pull itself up. Just as it started to lift its chest, the Dread-Yacht leaped down and body-slammed it back down, its head smashing into the ground and cracking both the head and the earth! Sharp, denting metal sounds came as the Dread-Yacht slung punch after punch at the tower's face, caving it in and leaving it a hot, smoking, dented heap where a head one laid! The head creaked as it just barely hung on its hinge, smoke poured from its open mouth and eyes the whole time, but the Dread-Yacht didn't relent, instead focusing its attention to the chest as it pounded away!

Searing orange light pulsed and burned from the chest as it smashed and pounded, and it burned even brighter with every hit, until it was so hot that the Dread-Yacht jumped away, just in time for it to dodge a flaming hot missile that launched itself right out of the chest and shot through the skies!

"It's weak!" Sihiri cried as she turned back to the group. "Set up some explosives, now!"

This time, it was Cali, Boomette, Dyna and the Mabu Defense Force who rushed out, running as fast as their legs could carry them towards the robot!

Dyna and Cali pushed ahead as they yanked round devices from their pockets and flicked them into the skies, then rolled forward right as the devices latched onto the robot's side and expanded into formal explosives! The two of them slammed a console down and wired the explosives to it as Boomette and the Mabu Defense Force worked away on the other side, hooking on another lengthy span of explosives… Then all of them rushed back as a ticking noise echoed in the air!

"We're all set!" Cali cried!

'Enehana nodded, then stepped forward and snapped their fingers. "And just to give things a little more oomph…" they whispered as their hand started to glow orange.

The broken robots parts behind them rattled and shuddered as they flew forward and attached to the explosives, twisting around them and forming into even bulkier, larger explosives! 'Enehana chuckled and drew back, then slammed their hands over their ears as the ticking sound grew shriller.

"You might wanna cover your ears!"

The others took heed and covered their ears as the explosives burst and the tower with them! Robot parts and bricks flew across the arena, smashing down and crafting holes in the ground around them as the tower's body disappeared… But amid the ruckus and rummage, a glowing light skated across the skies, a bright one with a shield that flashed and flickered in the skies!

"The shield generator!" Spyro cried!

He and Cynder zipped off, little more than purple blurs in the sky as they zig-zagged amid the flying wreckage and yanked the orange light from the sky, then tossed it backwards! The light grew brighter and larger as it came crashing in, the generator's body slowly coming into view with it… And as it came closer, a whole flurry of elemental attacks, from bursts of magic to shining lasers and crystals and more, met it through the air and pierced right through it! The generator crumbled to bits as it fell down to the ground, then a soft gust of wind scattered it to the clouds.

A flickering sound came from behind as the generator's remains flew off, and they all turned around and beamed—for right before them, the shield around the shield gun completely flickered out!

§

"Alright, everyone, the explosives are ready!" 'Enehana proclaimed as they backed up and grinned, their orange eyes fixed on the carefully-arranged pile of explosives that surrounded the shield gun. "You may want to stand back!"

'Enehana's eyes trailed back to where the rest of their crew had huddled behind a makeshift fort of barrels, wrecked machinery and other sundry they could scrounge up and toss into a haphazard barrier big enough to block even the Elder Elementals from view (and hopefully from danger as well). A thumbs up came from Chihiro on the other side of the barrier before disappearing just as quickly as it came, and 'Enehana grinned. Their eyes turned back to the explosives, but only for a minute as they drifted down to the remote in their gloved hands.

"Three…" 'Enehana proclaimed as they skittered behind the barrier themselves, leaning against Jorden's chest as their finger wiggled over the button. "Two…"

'Enehana's hand slowly crept down, twitching and fidgeting as it inched closer and closer to the button. "Two and a half…"

With a gulp, 'Enehana balled their hand into a fist and slammed that hand right down onto the button!

"ONE!"

A furious explosion bored and howled from the other side of the barrier, the coarse, choking scent of burning metal coating the area so thickly it sent a few into coughing fights while black smoke covered the entire area in a thick mist! The smoke spat out bits of flaming metal and broken machine pieces as crackling flames popped and laughed in people's ears, dancing with glee as the flames and smoke billowed higher and the scent of burning metal grew almost impossible to bear with how thick and pungent it was! The smoke poured over the barrier, seeping down and even forcing 'Enehana into a hack or two, then finally they scoffed and turned their eyes back to the smoke.

Creeping out of the barrier's protection, 'Enehana knelt down and hovered a hand above the ground, the broken bits of metal and machine extinguishing themselves and cleansing themselves of damage as they latched together, sticking further and further into each other until they had formed a crude, but sturdy fan! With a single spin of the fan's blade, a mighty gust blew away the smoke and fire until all that was left was ashes, soot…

And the charred remains of the shield gun, which had been burned and melted so badly that it was twisted into an unrecognizable lump of metal and salvage!

A rousing round of cheers came as everyone else piled out of the barrier's shield, smiles all around as the smoke and fire's remains wafted into the skies and vanished.

But, as they all grinned and beamed in the success of their mission, Dyna coughed into her hand and gently nudged Syracuse with her elbow. Syracuse jolted, but as her eyes turned to Dyna, Dyna only gave a small wink, one that was returned with a nod from Syracuse.

Clearing her throat, Syracuse stumbled out of the tightly-packed pile and pulled Boomette away.

"Syrie, what's the deal?" Boomette cried in the distance as they disappeared behind the remains of the tower.

Beside where Boomette once stood, Flynn turned around and crossed his arms.

"What're they doing?" He asked as he tilted his head, craning it in some hope of catching a glimpse.

And beside him, Dyna walked over and chuckled. "You'll see."

A few moments of silence painted only by faint birdsong and popping embers in the air stayed for a few moments, lulling everyone into a weary peace that was quickly interrupted as a single squeal of glee so loud it rattled bricks and metal alike burst from behind the rubble!

"OH SYRACUSE, OF COURSE I'LL MARRY YOU!"

A few shouts came out from behind the rubble as Boomette spun out with Syracuse held tight in her grip, the smile on her face so wide it stretched from long, pointy ear to long, pointy ear! Boomette came to a stop, stumbling and spinning around as she and Syracuse burst into hapless giggling, then finally she released her arms and Syracuse fell back to the floor. Leaning on each other as they stumbled over their own feet, the two shared one last kiss and turned to be met with the warm, knowing smiles of the rest of their party.

"Well, all's well that ends well," Dyna said as she wiped her hands and turned to Chihiro. "Now that this shield generator's down, I'd say you'll be able to take on Kaos's castle with no problems, portal master!"

Chihiro nodded, and with one clear of her throat, turned her attention back to the group.

"You heard her!" Chihiro cried as she pointed to the Dread-Yacht and ran off. "Kaos's place is open now! Let's pile up and set sail!"

"Hey, I'm the captain here!" Flynn cried, "I'm the one who should be saying that!"

Flynn grinned as he charged for the Dread-Yacht. "Alright, everyone, get on board! With my piloting skills, we'll be at that shrimp's place before you can even blink!"

"And we'll get back to salvaging over here!" Dyna cried, waving as everyone else passed her by and rushed for the Dread-Yacht. "And give that Kaos a good throttling for us, alright?"

Chihiro stopped in her tracks as she bolted up the Dread-Yacht's drawbridge, then turned around and waved.

"You bet we will!" Chihiro beamed as she waved back, but a large rumble sent her shaking as the world underneath her shuddered!

A small yip came from her as she grabbed onto the side of the Dread-Yacht, then she turned around and grinned as the Machine Ghost's robot body settled itself onto the side, its chest splayed open as the Elder Elementals and ancient Portal Masters all piled in!

Hopping onto the Dread-Yacht's deck, Chihiro took a seat by some barrels and leaned against the railing as the drawbridge receded back into the Dread-Yacht itself.

With a few flaps of its oars the Dread-Yacht set off, the cheers coming from below little more than a faint sound in the whipping winds! The Dread-Yacht shuddered and creaked as the Machine Ghost joined it, the two kept tight in pace with each other as they soared through the skies!

And as the intense wind whipped against Chihiro's hair and sent it flying across her face, she parted her hair and frowned as her eyes turned to the skies. Her hands squeezed the Dread-Yacht's railing tight, and as the clouds parted, split by the strike of the Dread-Yacht itself, she clenched her teeth.

"You better be prepared, Kaos!" Chihiro hissed, her volume low enough that nobody else around could hear it. "Once we arrive, you're finished!"

---

- Jorden going by he/him and being called a woman isn't a typo! He's a butch lesbian who goes by he/him pronouns