Chapter 65: Time Loop:

Arashi's POV:

I was cleaning Liger when the others came in.

"I hate that Angry Archer guy," says Miko, "to be honest, is there still an arrow in my butt?"

"No, but maybe you should go to Med Bay," says Jack.

"You guys had fun," asks Arashi.

"Y'know, we could've used the extra help," says Jack.

"Maybe, but I'm not an official agent. I'm pretty much a freeloader in your base."

"Let's go guys," says Jack.

. . .

I was then walking down the halls. I noticed everyone seemed to be hiding something. Brightmore looked like he was making sure no one was following him into his room. Twilight rushed into her room. Jack was on the phone with someone. Everyone was doing something. Weird. but probably not important. I opened a door and there was a weird explosion.

. . .

"I hate that Angry Archer guy," says Miko, "to be honest, is there still an arrow in my butt?"

"No, but maybe you should go to Med Bay," says Jack.

"Wait, what," asks Arashi.

"Y'know, we could've used the extra help," says Jack.

"Didn't we just have this conversation?"

"Let's go guys," says Jack.

. . .

Weird. It was like the day was restarting. I was walking down the halls and I saw all that stuff again. I opened the door and then came that weird explosion.

. . .

"I hate that Angry Archer guy," says Miko, "to be honest, is there still an arrow in my butt?"

"No, but maybe you should go to Med Bay," says Jack.

"Okay, what is going on," asks Arashi.

"Y'know, we could've used the extra help," says Jack.

"Yeah, I know. This is the third time you told me this!"

"Let's go guys," says Jack.

. . .

I knocked on Steel's door and told him everything.

"That is peculiar," says Steel, "I think there's a movie with that plot. What was it called? Oh right, 'Groundhog Day'."

"Okay, so why am I the only one who remembers?"

"That's what Phil Connors was wondering."

"Look, this always happens when there's an explosion!"

"Maybe there's a bomb and something is giving you a chance to stop it."

"Okay, so... Oh no, here comes explosion!"

"Quick, find me and say Groundhog Day!"

. . .

"I hate that Angry Archer guy," says Miko, "to be honest, is there still an arrow in my butt?"

"No, but maybe you should go to Med Bay," says Jack.

"Oh no," asks Arashi.

"Y'know..."

"Yeah, I know, but never mind that! Steel, Groundhog Day!"

"Okay then," says Jack.

. . .

"So, you're trapped in a time loop?"

"Wow, that groundhog thing worked."

"I love movies."

"Okay, so that bomb got in somehow."

"Do you think Rook planted it?"

"Steel, listen. Everyone's hiding something."

"But who would most likely be..."

We all looked at Brightmore's room.

"I think I know."

. . .

When Brightmore left his room, Steel and I entered. We looked around until...

"I found something," says Steel.

"What is it," I asked.

"Brightmore is... practicing magic to entertain at a children's birthday party."

"Really?"

Then the explosion came.

. . .

"I hate that Angry Archer guy," says Miko...

I ran past them and grabbed Steel. "Groundhog Day!"

. . .

We checked on Twilight.

"She once said she had to fight her inner demon," says Steel.

We entered Twilight's room and found her... watching a movie.

"What are you doing," asks Twilight, "I have been waiting to see 'Gnome Alone'!"

We got out.

"I didn't even know she watches TV. I thought she was just a bookworm."

"Some people are fool of surprises," says Steel.

Cue explosion.

. . .

"I hate that Angry Archer guy..."

"Groundhog Day!" Steel then follows me.

. . .

Let's see who Jack's talking to," I said.

"Could be his mother, or Arcee, or Miko and Raf... wait, they're here."

"Come on."

We follow Jack and...

"I know, Sierra, but my new job's... complicated."

"He's talking to his girl," I said, annoyed.

"We should've thought of that," says Steel.

Explosion.

. . .

"I hate..."

I then ran out screaming.

"Well, that happened," says Jack.

. . .

I followed Raf. He was just trying to look taller.

Explosion.

. . .

"This is ridiculous," I said, "I have been following these guys. Miko was just playing a dumb dance machine! Roadblock was just flipping burgers! Wait, what if it's one of the other teams? I never trusted that beach head..."

"I have an idea too," says Steel, "maybe you should try having fun. That's what Phil Connors did.

. . .

So, I started goofing around. I partied. I pranked some of the others. I also danced down the halls.

. . .

"I can't take this anymore, Steel," I said.

"And you said you've done this 50 times?"

"I gotta get out of this! And I think it'll end once we find that #$% bomb!"

"I think we should tell the others," says Steel.

Explosion.

. . .

"I..."

"Guys, there's something I should tell you," I said.

. . .

It wasn't easy, but I managed to convince the others. We looked for the bomb. Eventually, I found a trail of weird things.

"What in the..." I began.

"Dang it," says Beach Head, "that weird purple dog is always draggin' stuff in!"

I think I might know where the bomb is!

Explosion.

. . .

"I hate that Angry Archer guy," says Miko, "to be honest, is there still an arrow in my butt?"

"No, but maybe you should go to Med Bay," says Jack.

"Where's Spike," asks Arashi.

"He's in Twilight's room, why," asks Jack.

"Groundhog Day!"

"By the Allspark," says Steel, "Arashi's trapped in a time loop, but that doesn't explain..."

"Follow me!"

. . .

We entered Twilight's room and found Spike with the bomb.

"Oh, hey guys, check out this cool metal ball I found..."

"Spike, that's a bomb," says Twilight.

"Oh." Spike then screams and jumps into Twilight's arms.

"Raf, can you disarm it," asks Steel.

"I can try," says Raf.

We didn't have much time, so I grabbed it and went into a blast proof room.

"Arashi, what are you doing," asks Jack.

"I'm saving you guys. Twilight, you're a really smart girl, and if you need some time to yourself, then you deserve it. Miko, you are full of energy. Don't ever change. Raf, don't be ashamed of your height. because you have a lot to offer. Steel, you've been a good friend. Roadblock, you're a gentle giant and a great chef. Brightmore, never hide any of your hobbies. Jack, you need to tell this girl something."

"I'm sorry I brought that bomb in," says Spike, "please don't die, Arashi!"

Just as the bomb was about to explode...

. . .

I find myself in a strange place.

"What in the..."

"Greetings, I am Flawless Gem," it was some kind of winged unicorn thing, "I am The Queen of Reality."

"You did all that!"

"I had to. You needed to learn more about your friends, Arashi."

"How do you know my name?"

"Because you are essential to the defeat of Metlar. I'm not saying you have to join their team, but if Metlar is to be defeated, then you must at least be more familiar with them."

"Wait, so, none of that was real?"

"I created a false reality that made it appear as if you were trapped in a time loop. But something that happened might be accurate. Whatever you choose, it is up to you."

. . .

And just like that, I was back in the hallway. I then knocked on Brightmore's door.

"'eaaars?"

"Hey, just gonna say, kids also like juggling." I walked away.

I then knocked on Twilight's door.

"Can I help you?"

"I'm going to make sure you get your alone time. Also, keep an eye on Spike, in case he drags anything dangerous in."

I knocked on Jack's door.

"Arashi, I'm on the phone..."

"Is that Sierra? Hey, I'm Arashi. I'm just going to say, you're lucky to have someone like Jack! " I walked away.

"Oh, you want to know who that was?"

. . .

"What did you want to talk about," asks Director Flagg.

"It's... about me officially joining Unit: E," I said.

In the next chapter, the team has to save Rainbow Dash from the Cult of Metlar.