Chapter 3: Come Together Pt. 3
Previously:
"What is that?!" "Get Mom to safety." "On it." "We're gonna be chums for a long, long time."
(Intro)
At N-Tek, Forge was rounding up every N-Tek agent available for a full-frontal attack on THI, including Steel, Molly, Amelia, the Ferrus Quintuplets, Berto, Kat and Jefferson. "The clock is ticking, people! We need an omega priority rescue scenario ASAP! What do we know?" He asked. "Not much. No after battle trace of the Elementors or Max's energy signature. We're blind." Berto said. "Not for long. Analyze these stat." Forge said, handing the tablet that Molly and Amelia stole from THI to Kat. "I want a brief and in-action plan in 30." "Yes, sir." Kat said as she and Berto walked down one hallway while the rest went the other way.
Meanwhile, at THI, Max had fully recovered from Dread's power drainage and resumed struggling against his binds. "Ah, welcome back, my friend. Feeling better? So am I, as you can plainly see, thanks to you. And as soon as you generate more Turbo Energy. I'll feel better still." Dread said.
Later, at N-Tek, everyone, except for Berto, Steel and the quintuplets, gathered for a briefing. "Okay, this is where Max was grabbed. Factoring time and optimal underground speed of the Earth Elementor, we believe that Max is somewhere within this radiance." Kat explained. "And that's Trans Human Industries." Molly said. "So, THI wants the kid's Turbo juice. Who are these guys?" Jefferson asked. "Don't know. From the short time me and Molly have been in there, they could be anything." Amelia said. Just then, Berto came in on a skateboard with Steel. "Molly, Amelia, the files you swiped from THI, priceless. Check this out." Berto said, activating a button on his wrist and pulled up a hologram of THI Tower. "This is THI Tower. The plans look ordinary enough." "Until you activate the highly encrypted cipher code buried deep within the data file." Steel said. Berto activated the cipher code and revealed the secrets of THI Tower. "This place is a fortress. I don't know how you and Amelia got in and out of there in one piece, Molly." He said. "They weren't expecting company." Molly said. "They will be now." Forge said. "And the tower will be highly protected." Amelia said. "Still, we did find one way in." Berto said. "There's an exterior maintenance duct between tower levels 58 and 59." Steel said. "Aerial approach. Rappel down on the south side." Jefferson suggested. "We said it's a maintenance duct, not a doorway. It's too small for a person." Berto said. "But not too small for me." Steel said. "Then we have our plan. Where are the kids?" Forge asked. "Getting suited up." Amelia said.
Meanwhile, the Ferrus Quintuplets were getting suited in N-Tek suits. Yeager spray painted them to match their mana energy colors. "Not that I don't love your fashion expertise, Yeager, but why do we have to wear these suits?" Xena asked. "Because we can't get identified. We don't know why THI wants Max's Turbo Energy, but we can't risk them knowing who we are." Yeager explained. "Why? If it was Max's Turbo Energy these guys were after, why hide ourselves?" Zad asked. "Because when we use our mana energies, we can't get recognized. Bad rumors will start and we'll probably become the number 1 threat in Copper Canyon." Yeager explained. "That's a good point." Xena said. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go save our cousin." Vandana said, putting her helmet on.
Later, a tank carrying the team exited the N-Tek base and headed towards the city. "Steel, I brought this just in case. When you get inside and find Max, give him this." Vandana said, handing Steel a blaster. "What's this for?" Steel asked as he inspected it. "You'll see. The slugs will help you out." Xena said. The slugs hopped out of hiding, surprising everyone, except Molly and Amelia. "No surprise here." Molly said. "We'll need all the help we can get to save Max." Amelia said.
Meanwhile, Dread was preparing up his machine. "Why are you doing this?" Max asked. That made Dread chuckle as he walked back to Max. "Why? Why does anyone do anything? For power. Why are you working for N-Tek?" Dread asked. "N-Tek. Never heard of it." Max lied. "Please. You were seen with my former colleague, the insufferable Forge Ferrus. And you remind me of another old friend. He dreamed of saving the world by harnessing the most powerful energy source anyone had ever discovered…Turbo Energy. An energy I knew could make us all rich beyond our wildest dreams." Dread explained.
Meanwhile, the tank had parked just outside off THI Tower's view. "R.O.C.C. to Beach Ball. Status." Jefferson called to Steel over the com-link. Steel, whose carrying Max's 5 slugs and blaster, had flown up to the tower to access the maintenance duct. "Approaching THI Tower. Level 56. 57. 58. Maintenance hatch achieved." Steel reported. He then used a laser blast to blow open the hatch before he and the slugs entered. "How are we on time?" Molly asked. "32 minutes. It'll be close." Forge said. "Close?" Jefferson asked. "What do you mean, Dad?" Xena asked. "Max and Steel are Ultralinked. They can only be apart for 8 hours. After that, Max goes critical with Turbo Energy." Forge explained. "Like back at the abandoned building where we fought those gangsters." Wandella said. Molly started to worry from hearing that. "Actually, Max is not in danger of overloading. I can read his Turbo Energy signature from here and it's quite low. And unfortunately, so is mine." Steel informed through the com-link. "What happens when Steel runs out of Turbo Energy?" Vandana asked. "That's the other problem. If Steel can't link up with Max before he runs out of juice, he shuts down. Permanently." Forge said. The Ferrus Quintuplets gasped at that.
"And so, I decided to simply take what I wanted." Dread continued to explain. "Wow. Surprising twist." Max said sarcastically. "While I couldn't understand how he was creating the Turbo Energy, I was able to build a device that could siphon and store the energy for my own purposes. The siphon worked, but the storage…disastrous. The resulting Turbo Energy explosion permanently embedded my siphon device into my body. Horrible really. But thanks to my device, my body absorbed the Turbo Energy. But my colleague, he did not survive. C'est la vie." Dread explained, coldly without care.
Meanwhile, Steel and the slugs continued to navigate through the duct. "How's our boy doing?" Jefferson asked. "So far, so-" Forge started to say. Suddenly, Steel screamed, startling everyone. "Steel? You okay?" Vandana asked in worry. "Sorry for the outburst. It's just that this access duct…is some kind of sewage line!" Steel exclaimed in disgust. He and the slugs were covered in raw sewage. "Lo siento. Whoops." Berto apologized sheepishly.
"That one massive blast of Turbo Energy has sustained me for 10 years. It has given me power unimaginable. But nothing lasts forever. No matter. I have you now, my new best friend." Dread said. "Given the story about your last friend, I'm not feeling all that chummy." Max said. "If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be the man I am today. In a deliciously ironic way, I owe it all to Jim McGrath." Dread said. "Jim McGrath?!" Max said in shock at his own father's name. Then his Turbo Energy recharged itself and he started struggling against his binds again. "Ah, your Turbo levels have recharged even faster than anticipated. What do you say we eat?" Dread asked as he began siphoning more of the Turbo Energy. When he siphoned enough, Max passed out again. "What a rush! Let's do this again, shall we? Say in an hour?" Dread said as he turned to leave. Suddenly, Steel and the slugs burst out of the vent. "Release the boy or else!" Steel warned. The slugs snarled in agreement. "Steel." Max said weakly. "An Ultralink?!" Dread exclaimed in surprise as Steel slung a blob of sewage in his face to distract him. Then Steel cut some wires, picked them up and jabbed them into Dread, sending him crashing into the wall. Steel then used his lasers to unlock Max's bindings, freeing him. "Boy, am I glad to see you guys." Max said. "Oh, that reminds me. A gift from your cousins." Steel said, holding out Max's blaster. "My blaster." Max said as he took it. "Likewise, Max." Steel said. Max's slugs chittered as they hopped on to him and nuzzled him. "Okay. Now quickly! Let's-" Steel started to say. "DUCK!" Max exclaimed, pushing Steel down when he saw Dread recover and throw a machine at them. "A Turbo powered boy and a functional Ultralink? This is my lucky day." Dread said. He lunged for them, but Max, Steel and the slugs dodged to each side. Max then used his strength to pick up a steel beam and tried to strike Dread with it. But Dread caught it and blasted Max, knocking him down. Dread then leapt over to Max and picked him up. "Too weak." He said as he punched Max. The slugs chittered with worry. "Too little." Dread said, tossing Max into the wall. "Too late." As he prepared to finish Max, Steel flew up and blasted lasers into his face, blinding him. Steel then blasted some steel beams on the ceiling, making them fall on top of Dread. But that last blast took everything Steel had left as he collapsed. "Steel!" Max exclaimed with worry. "Sorry. Running on fumes here." Steel said weakly. "Not for long." Max said as he picked up Steel and linked back up with him. "Much better! Now let's get out of here!" Steel exclaimed in relief. But neither of them noticed Dread recovering, preparing to attack them with a steel beam from behind. "Go Turbo! Flight!" Max called, morphing into Flight Mode and blowing Dread away. After picking up the slugs, Max jetted up to the ceiling and used his jets to blow an escape hole in it. "Let's jet." He said. But suddenly, Dread grabbed his leg by surprise and pulled him back down. "Maybe I wasn't clear. You are never leaving this place!" He exclaimed as he started siphoning Max's Turbo Energy again. Max struggled to pull himself free. "Scary man's creeping me out, Max! Give it all you got!" Steel exclaimed. Max boosted his jets to full power. "No! Dread says NO!" Dread exclaimed. Max managed to pull himself free, but Dread also managed to pull Steel out of their link. The link's separation also deactivated Flight Mode, reverting the Steel Suit back to Basic Mode. "MAX!" Steel cried. "STEEL!" Max cried as he fell.
Max continued to fall, hitting the side of the tower. But then he managed to dig his fingers into the side, slowing him down before he fell over the edge. The R.O.C.C. Tank pulled right up just as he was losing his grip. "Viola! Safety net!" He exclaimed as he drew his blaster. The Arachnet slug, Viola, hopped into the blaster and Max slung her, spinning a web of safety at the bottom in front of the tank. Max finally lost his grip and fell into the net. "Max!" Molly cried as she, Forge, Amelia and the quintuplets rushed out of the tank. "You okay?" Yeager asked. "Yeah, I'm fine. Viola's net sure comes in handy." Max said, praising his Arachnet as he got out of the net. "Oh, thank goodness." Xena said with relief as she hugged her cousin. "Except he has Steel." Max said. "Who has him?" Molly asked. "Dread. Miles Dread." Max revealed. "Dread? That's not possible. He died 10 years ago. I was there." Forge said, stunned from hearing that name. "He knew all about N-Tek. About you, Uncle Forge. He knew about Turbo Energy. And…he said he was behind what happened to Dad." Max said. Everyone was shocked from hearing this.
Meanwhile, Dread cackled in success as he brought Steel to his machine. "I'd have thought you'd be less jovial, what with your plans being foiled and all." Steel said. "For an amazingly sophisticated automaton, you're not very bright. The boy has given me enough Turbo Energy to power me for a good long while. And as for you, well, let's just say I have some serious plans." Dread said. "How do you like this plan?!" Steel exclaimed, trying to fire his lasers. But Dread siphoned his Turbo Energy, knocking him out. "Plans that do not, however, require you to be conscious." Dread said. He walked up to his machine and contacted Naught. "Mr. Dread! To what do I owe this supreme pleasure? And may I say that you are looking fit and fabulous." Naught said. "Mr. Naught! Change of plans. I have finally obtained the missing component for our original plan." Dread said. "Splendid news, sir. I will reinitiate our previous operation as soon as possible." Naught said. "Destiny waits for no man. Now, Mr. Naught. NOW!" Dread exclaimed, cutting off the contact.
Meanwhile, Kirby and Sydney were talking as they came out from a deli. Dread placed Steel in his machine, activating it. Then the top of THI Tower opened up. The people started to panic as they saw what was happening. Even the R.O.C.C. Tank picked up what was happening. "Uh, Commander?" Jefferson said in worry. "Now what?!" Forge asked in annoyance. Then he saw what was happening. "Oh, crud. We're done being subtle. Kat, scramble the troops." He ordered. "On their way, Commander." Kat said. "You want me there too, Commander?" Berto asked. "No, Berto. You stay and analyze. But prepare your C.Y.T.R.O. We may need the backup." Forge said. "Yes, sir." Berto said.
Dread then activated the machine, cackling as the spiral on the tower started spinning. Then several red energy beams began powering up the spiral. And then the tower began firing energy tendrils, snatching up civilians. Everyone in the tank watched the horror on screen. "We have to get out there and help! We have to rescue Steel!" Max exclaimed. "We will. But we need to know what we're dealing with." Forge said. "Forge is right. If we don't know what this is, we can't bring it down or save Steel and the people." Amelia said. "What exactly are we dealing with?" Zad asked. "I have it, guys. But you're not gonna like it. The device seems to be an Ultralink-based energy catalyst. It's creating a fissile reaction with the human body that's generating a tiny fraction of Turbo Energy." Berto explained. "Why aren't we effected?" Forge asked. "Because all of our gear is N-Tek issue. The device only effects people using THI devices. Phone, watch, music player. That's what's attracting these tendrils of energy. Dread must've been planning this for years." Berto explained. "So, Dread is gonna squeeze the life out of every last person in Copper Canyon just to get his next Turbo Energy fix." Forge deduced. "With our buddy, Steel, making it all possible." Berto said. "That's it. Dread is going down." Amelia said, pounding her fist into her hand with an angry tone.
Later, Kat brought reinforcements from N-Tek in R.O.C.C. Tanks and Jump Jets. THI Tower continued snatching up civilians, including Sydney and Kirby. Forge handed out blasters to Molly and Jefferson. Then everyone met up in front of the tower's main entrance. Unfortunately, Naught saw them through the security cameras and activated armored doors, barring them entry into the tower.
Meanwhile, Steel began to weaken from powering the machine. "Is that you, honey?" He asked out of delusion just as Dread walked in. "Oh, you. Yuck." Dread entered a chamber and began siphoning the Turbo Energy from the people he captured, cackling like a madman as his body and armor began to transform.
Meanwhile, Forge motioned for 2 of his agents. The agents ran up to the armored door and stuck 4 explosive devices on it, blowing it wide open. Forge then signaled the attack and everyone charged inside the main lobby. Unfortunately, the tower's defense systems kicked in. Laser guns activated and started blasting at them, hitting one of the agents. "NO!" Forge exclaimed as they charged in and started firing, blasting down the guns. Max leapt up and kicked one down. Zad formed a mana energy boomerang in his hand, tossed it and hit a few of the guns as it came back to him. Forge saw one more gun and blasted it down. Naught was not happy. "Release the hounds!" He ordered, pressing another button. An army of Dread's robots called Dreadnaughts entered the main lobby and prepared to fire their blasters. Everyone quickly leapt for cover as the Dreadnaughts started blasting.
"Sir, it appears we have guests. Visitors from N-Tek." Naught said as he contacted Dread while he was still siphoning Turbo Energy. "Deal with it. And see that I'm not disturbed again. You're harshing my mellow." Dread ordered.
Meanwhile, the Dreadnaughts kept up their assault on N-Tek. As the agents all started to fire back, Forge motioned for 2 of them. The 2 agents ran ahead and blasted 2 of the Dreadnaughts. Forge then motioned for Jefferson and Kat. Being 2 of the best, they charged ahead and blasted a few of them. Jefferson smacked one with his blaster, knocking it down before blasting it. He then lifted Kat up onto a ledge, giving her a bird's eye view to blast down the Dreadnaughts. But they quickly noticed her and turned their laser blasts onto her. She quickly dodged the laser blasts and leapt back down into the fight. Forge then charged in, blasting the Dreadnaughts down. Then he drew his sword, activated his jetpack and started slashing them, cutting them down like they were made of paper. Then he slid under 2 of them and planted 2 explosives on their kneecaps, blowing them up.
Amelia and her quintuplet children fought side by side, blasting the Dreadnaughts with their mana energy blasts and blocking laser blasts with their mana energy shields. Vandana and Wandella tossed their mana energy whips at one, wrapping around its arms and tore it apart. Yeager and Zad both gave powerful mana energy punches, destroying another Dreadnaught. Xena ran in and formed a mana energy blade on her hand, slicing up each Dreadnaught in her way.
Max and Molly fought side by side. As they blasted and knocked down the Dreadnaughts, Max noticed one getting off an elevator. "That's my ticket to ride." He said, seeing his chance. He ran towards the elevator, knocking down every Dreadnaught that stood in his way. Just then, as one Dreadnaught prepared to blast him, he delivered a huge Turbo Energy punch, blowing both of them back. As Max recovered, another Dreadnaught marched up to him with its blaster ready. "Max!" Molly exclaimed, seeing her son was in trouble. She ran up to the Dreadnaught and blasted its head. "I gotta save Steel, Mom! I think me and him together, we can stop all this!" Max exclaimed, knocking down another Dreadnaught as Molly and the quintuplets regroup with him. "We're going with you, Max." Yeager said. "Yeah. You're not having all the fun without us." Wandella said. "Go. I'll cover you." Molly said. She started blasting the Dreadnaughts as Max and the quintuplets fought their way to the elevator. "I wish you were here to see him, Jim." Molly said sadly.
Max and the quintuplets made it to the elevator. But as they started going up, the elevator automatically stopped. Suddenly, another elevator came up from the other side with Naught on it. "Ah, company. Delightful. Can I get you anything? Would you like to use the executive washroom?" Naught asked sarcastically. "Does everyone working here have a screw loose?" Max asked in disbelief. "Apparently, everyone except our mothers." Xena joked, making her siblings snicker. "Ah-ah. I assure you, I am as sound of mind and body as you. Better, in fact." Naught said, leaping off his elevator and onto theirs. "We don't call it Trans Human Industries for nothing. Allow me to demonstrate." Naught then transformed himself into a freaky cyborg. "Oh boy." Max said in worry. "I think I'm gonna be sick." Zad said.
"Did you really think it was going to be this easy?" Naught asked as he threw a punch. But Max caught it and charged up his hand with Turbo Energy. "Oh no." Naught said in worry. "Oh yes." Vandana said. Max then blew Naught down the elevator chute. "Oops." He said before continuing with the quintuplets following.
Meanwhile, the others had finally blasted down the last of the Dreadnaughts. But suddenly, before they could go after Max and the Ferrus Quintuplets, they were blown off their feet from beneath. As they managed to steady themselves, the Earth Elementor hopped out from the pit. "Elementor!" Kat called. The Earth Elementor gave a loud roar as the Fire Elementor followed, materialized behind a few agents and tossed a fireball at Forge and Jefferson, which they quickly took cover behind a flipped over couch. The Earth Elementor sent an earthquake towards Molly and Amelia, which they moved out of the way. Forge and Jefferson started blasting the Fire Elementor, but the lasers didn't even phase him. The Fire Elementor leapt up to the 2 and prepared to fry them. But suddenly, the Fire Elementor was blown away into the wall by a missile. 2 more missiles then blew the Earth Elementor down too. Everyone turned to see Berto's C.Y.T.R.O. enter the main lobby. Berto was controlling it from his lab. "I may have to stay, but I'm still gonna play." He said as he prepared to fight. The Elementors recovered, but they got fired upon by the N-Tek agents. "Sick 'em!" Forge called. "Yes, sir!" Berto exclaimed. He charged his C.Y.T.R.O. towards the Elementors and blasted them with a barrage of missiles. "There's hope for you yet, Berto." Forge said with impression.
Meanwhile, Max and the quintuplets snuck their way up to the top of the tower while Dread was still siphoning Turbo Energy from the people. "Steel." They whispered. "Max? Quints? Didn't I recently risk my life getting you out of trouble?" Steel asked. "And now we're even, buddy." Max said. He tried to grab Steel, but a force-field blocked him. "It's shielded." Steel said. "No doubt. There must be a switch somewhere." Max said. "But where could it be?" Wandella asked. Suddenly, Dread snuck up behind them. "Max! Quints! Watch out!" Steel exclaimed. But Dread already grabbed them and tossed them at a machine. "Did you miss me?" He asked before he threw a punch at Max.
Meanwhile, Berto's C.Y.T.R.O. was still fighting the Elementors. But they severely damaged it, severing Berto's connection. Then the Earth Elementor stomped on Forge, trapping him under his foot. "Forge!" Amelia cried. She, Molly and the other agents tried to blast the Earth Elementor off Forge, but the Fire Elementor blocked them with a firewall. Forge tried to reach for his blaster, but the Earth Elementor was squishing him too tight. But then, Forge managed to snap the Earth Elementor's toe, breaking it and causing the Earth Elementor to roar in pain. Forge managed to grab his blaster and shoot the Earth Elementor in his glowing red eye. The Earth Elementor yelped as he grabbed his eye, moving off Forge. "Aim for those orbs on their foreheads! It's their Achille's heel!" Forge ordered. Kat hopped up onto the ledge again. Forge ran up to the Earth Elementor and delivered a powerful punch to the red eye, shattering it and knocking the Earth Elementor down. Kat blasted at the Fire Elementor. When the Fire Elementor leapt for her, Kat blasted his red eye, knocking him back down the pit and taking the Earth Elementor with him. Forge then dropped an explosive down the pit to finish them. "Let's finish this, people!" He exclaimed, walking up to the elevator with Molly, Amelia, Jefferson and Kat just as the explosive went off.
Meanwhile, Max and the quintuplets weren't putting up much of a fight against Dread. Max was kicked into the wall. Wandella leapt up and prepared to deliver a mana energy kick to Dread's helmet. But Dread caught it, surprising her. Xena and Zad ran in to help their sister, but Dread tossed her at them, knocking them down. "Pathetic." Dread said. Yeager summoned his mana energy whip and whipped it toward him. But Dread caught the whip and yanked it, pulling Yeager in and punched him, knocking him out. Vandana shouted and charged for Dread, her fists glowing with mana. But as she leapt up towards Dread to punch him, he caught her. "I might've known. The children of the Anodite." Dread said. Vandana was surprised at what he said. "Even your weak mana energy can't stand against the power of Turbo Energy." Dread said before throwing Vandana into the wall. Max slowly started to recover as Dread walked back towards him. "Max! The switch!" Steel exclaimed. Max lunged for the machine, dodging Dread's incoming kick. He then hit the switch, shutting off the machine and freeing the people, Sydney and Kirby from its tendrils.
"Nice work, partner." Steel said as Max removed him from the machine. The quintuplets recovered and joined their cousin and friend. "Alright, Dread. You can dish it out, let's see if you can take it!" Max exclaimed. He fired a beam from Steel at Dread. But it didn't even phase him. "Oh, I can take it! That's my whole thing! Weren't you dodos paying attention?!" Dread exclaimed. "It's no good. He'll keep absorbing your Turbo Energy. And our mana can't even scratch him." Zad said. "Then how do we stop him?" Steel asked. "What about the slugs? They might work." Yeager suggested. "Then show Dread what slug power can do." Max said. The quintuplets nodded and drew their own slug blasters. "What?" Dread asked in confusion. The quintuplets then slung their loaded slugs. Vandana slung her Sand Angler, Pharaoh. Wandella slung her Rammstone, Choco. Xena slung her Tazerling, Nuzzle. Yeager slung his Thresher, Shard. And Zad slung his Tormato, Swirl. But Dread managed to catch all 5 of the slugs in midair with an energy beam, shocking everyone. "Such fascinating creatures. Never have I seen anything like these before. Once I dispose of you, I'll need to further study these 'slugs' as you call them." He said, sending the slugs back to Max and the quintuplets.
"Well, anymore ideas?" Steel asked. "Would Protocol X795 work?" Max asked. "Worth a try." Steel said. "Go Turbo! Strength!" Max called as Steel linked up with him, morphing into Strength Mode. He then started punching Dread, but he caught the second punch. "Whatever you do only feeds me! Makes me more powerful! I'll drain you to a husk! I'll take everything you have!" Dread exclaimed as he and Max struggled against each other. "Then I'll just have to make…more!" Max exclaimed, taking Dread's arm and tossing him to the floor. But Dread recovered and blasted Max and the quintuplets with energy beams off the roof. Luckily, the quintuplets created mana energy platforms to break their fall. Unfortunately, they didn't catch Max as he fell into the street, leaving a crater where he landed.
"NO!" Molly shouted as she and her team arrived a little late and started blasting Dread as he turned to face them. "Ah, the good soldier, the lovely alien wife and the merry widow. I'd love to stay and…chat. But it'll have to wait." Dread said as he turned to the edge of the tower. "NO!" Forge exclaimed. Everyone started blasting Dread, but he jumped right off the edge.
The quintuplets lowered their platforms to the street and hopped down to help their cousin. "You alright, Max?" Xena asked. "Yeah. I just gotta stop falling from high places." Max said as he dusted himself off. "Yeah, us too. What was that? 4th time since we came here?" Zad asked. Suddenly, Dread landed in front of them and formed an energy blaster on his right arm. Max grabbed a streetlight and used it like a jousting pole. "Joust anyone?" He asked. The quintuplets nodded and formed mana energy jousting poles in their hands. They charged for Dread as he started blasting. But Max and the quintuplets dodged each blast as they kept on charging. "Go high, Max! We'll go low!" Vandana exclaimed. "You got it, Van! Go Turbo! Flight!" Max called, morphing to Flight Mode and jetting into the air. He dodged a blast as he dived towards Dread. The quintuplets lunged their mana energy jousting poles as Max lunged his streetlight. And together, they struck Dread and sent him crashing back into THI Tower. But as they prepared to go in after him, Dread blasted them, sending them flying backwards. And it just got worse when the cops turned up. Dread formed energy balls in his hands and fired them at 2 of the cop cars, forcing the cops to run away. He then picked up the 3rd one and prepared to toss it at Max and the quintuplets. "Go Turbo! Strength!" Max called, morphing to Strength Mode. Dread tossed the cop car at Max, hoping to crush him before the morphing was complete. But Max morphed just in time, caught it and set it back down. But suddenly, they saw that Dread disappeared. "Hey, where'd he go?" Yeager asked.
Suddenly, Dread appeared behind them, swatted the quintuplets aside and grabbed Max, carried him into the air and threw him on top of the cop car. "All this exercise is making me hungry!" Dread gloated as he landed on top of Max and siphoned a bit more of his Turbo Energy. He then carried Max into the air and tossed him at a parked truck. "Max!" Xena cried weakly as she and her siblings tried to get up.
Dread started to walk towards Max as he recovered. "Hey, I just had another bad idea. What happens if I generate too much Turbo Energy?" Max asked. "You go boom." Steel said. "So, what happens to Greedy Gus over there eats too much Turbo Energy?" Max asked. "Oh, I see what you're up to." Steel said as he caught on. "You with me?" Max asked. "Always." Steel said. "Let's do this, partner." Max said. "COWABUNGA!" Steel cried as Max charged for Dread. "Hey, you overgrown pilot light!" Max exclaimed as he tackled Dread into the tower wall. "What do you say we hug this out? Go Turbo! Flight!" He then morphed into Flight Mode and carried Dread into the air. "Turbo dampeners off." "Perhaps I hit you harder than I realized. You cannot harm me! You can only make me stronger!" Dread exclaimed as he began siphoning all of Max's Turbo Energy. Molly, Amelia and Forge arrived at the scene and saw them going up into the sky. "Max! No!" Molly cried. "Yes! This is the power I remember! The power I dreamed of!" Dread exclaimed, feeling the Turbo Energy fuel him. Max shouted as he started going critical with his Turbo Energy. Dread then realized what was happening. "No! It's too much! Too much!" He exclaimed. "I'm just giving you what you wanted. Oh, and Miles? Jim McGrath sends his regards." Max said. Dread screamed as they flew up towards the atmosphere. And finally, Max exploded, releasing an enormous wave of Turbo Energy. The people gasped at what had happened. Molly and the quintuplets looked up in tears, thinking that Max was gone. "Max?" Vandana said sadly. Amelia hugged Molly as she started crying. Wandella, Xena and Zad hugged each other as they cried. Yeager dropped to his knees as his tears fell. The slugs gathered as they mourned the loss of Max. Suddenly, there was a blue light in the sky, getting everyone's attention. And then Max flew down and tiredly landed on the street. "MAX!" The quintuplets cried as they ran to Max and trapped him in a big tearful group hug. "It's good to see you guys too." Max said as he hugged back. The slugs hopped over and chittered, happy to see that Max is okay. "Same to you too, little guys." Max said.
Just then, several reporters and photographers ran right up to them, started asking a lot of questions and taking pictures. "How does it feel to have saved all of Copper Canyon?" One reporter asked. "What can you tell us about THI?" Another reporter asked. "Are you 6 strange visitors from another planet?" A female reporter asked. "What are your names?" The third reporter asked. "Max." Max answered. "Steel." Steel added. "And the Mana Quints." Vandana added. "And there you have it. Copper Canyon saved by its very own superheroes, Max Steel and the Mana Quints." The fourth reporter said. "What part of 'secret organization' did they not understand?" Forge asked in disbelief. "Oh, grow up, Forge. We couldn't expect to be kept a secret forever." Amelia said. Molly smiled proudly at her son. "You should be proud of Max, Molly. Heck me and Amelia are proud of him and our kids. Copper Canyon is safe. The bad guys are gone. Now we just gotta figure out who's gonna sort out the mess at THI." Forge said, shifting his eyes on Molly. "What?" Molly asked. Forge just smiled. "Oh no." Amelia said, knowing what her husband was doing.
Meanwhile, Dread's body was floating through the atmosphere above Earth. Just then, Naught, having survived his fall from the elevator shaft, came by in one of THI's spacecraft and snatched Dread in a tractor beam.
WOW! What a chapter, right?! N-Tek comes to the rescue, and Max and the Ferrus Quintuplets lead them into a final confrontation with Miles Dread. It was rough, but Max managed to bring Dread down by feeding him too much Turbo Energy and sending him into the atmosphere. And now Max Steel and the Mana Quints are now the newest superheroes in Copper Canyon. But what plans does Naught have for his boss? What other challenges await our new heroes? Leave a review if you want.
Slug Arsenal:
Maxwell McGrath: Blaster: Guardian Pro-Fire XT
Slugs: Colress (Slicksilver), Candy (Thugglet), Tunnel (Crystalyd), Sophocles (Xmitter), Viola (Arachnet)
Vandana Ferrus: Blaster: Harbinger Firestorm
Slugs: Goldilocks (Midas), Pharaoh (Sand Angler), Disco (Phosphoro), Stickers (Jellyish), Omar (White Boon Doc)
Wandella Ferrus: Blaster: Crimson KNG
Slugs: Pincher (Armashelt), Choco (Rammstone), Rainstorm (AquaBeek), Sunny (Hop Rock), Nuclear (Grenuke)
Xena Ferrus: Blaster: Finale TYVM Grand
Slugs: Macaroon (Flopper), Giggles (Gazzer), Nuzzle (Tazerling), Izzy (Polero), Iris (Flatulorhinkus)
Yeager Ferrus: Blaster: Charger Ultra R3D
Slugs: Emerald (Geoshard), Wasabi (Neotox), Shard (Thresher), Bombie (Blastipede), Humming (Hoverbug)
Zad Ferrus: Blaster: BoonX2 Master
Slugs: Hailstorm (Frostcrawler), Swirl (Tormato), Shade (Negashade), Boomerang (Speedstinger), Jinn (Frightgeist)