Shantae: The Eternal Spirit Chronicles

by IllusoryNomad

Following Shantae's latest crusade against the forces of evil, a new Relic is revealed that has the power to LITERALLY change (or even DESTROY) the lives of all who come into contact with it! Added to the emergence of a rogue, vengeful half-genie, as well as the unwelcome return of a certain marauding Pirate Queen, the Half-Genie Hero and company must spring into action once again!

8. Grudge From the Grave

Chapter 5C: Grudge From the Grave

Yo! Good to see you, as always. Now, I don't want to come off hasty or anything, but man, oh MAN was there about to be something truly terrifying about to go down, and I don't want to keep you waiting. In case you don't remember, two incredibly powerful opposing forces had arrived within the confines of the Phantasmagoric Forest, each looking to uncover some of the mystery surrounding these highly coveted fragments of the almighty Spirit Fuser. Whether by land, sea, or air, both of these forces proved themselves more than capable of braving the dangers the mystical jungle had to offer… one of which was more unnecessarily violent and unmerciful toward the environment than the other, but yeah. And at this point, the guardians of the Phantasmagoric Forest had been caught up in the crossfire of an impending war and had thusly been vanquished or otherwise dispatched… And at this same point, the stage (the decoratively flowery grounds just outside of a temple surrounded by a kaleidoscopic forest that had been set ablaze) had been set… These opposing forces finally encountered each other with every intent to collide like two fighter jets playing the world's most dangerous game of chicken. If that ain't enough to let you know what we're getting into, then we might as well get this party started…

"Hey… Are you okay?" Sky beckoned the critically injured forest goddess Maya as she approached. Wrench, who had since shrunken back to his normal size, perched himself on Sky's head while keeping a watchful eye on the injured forest guardian. Reasonably wary, the goddess recoiled as though to protect herself despite having to fight through endless, debilitating surges of pain to do so.

"S-Stay back, intruder…!" the weakened overseer warned as she held out a magic-charged hand at the bird trainer while clinging tightly to the wall of the temple she was laid up against. "Or… or else I'll-!"

"No, no, hang on! I'm not the enemy. My friends and I come in peace," Sky did her best to comfort the other woman, slowing her approach while raising her hands up in front of herself.

"Peace…? What kind of fool do you take me for…? You and that ghost man vanquished my allies that were protecting this sanctuary from the outside…! That is the only way you could have gained access to the forest…! You could not possibly be here for any pure reason…! Especially when you attacked at the same time as this fiendish pirate…!"

"We are here for peaceful reasons, I promise you! And believe me, we do NOT associate with the likes of Risky Boots," Sky fervently assured, staying in her protective position while keeping her cool. "My friend Tayshan and I were only trying to do some exploring, but it ended up with us completing the Surreal Shadow Rings challenge we were told about by the other guardians of the Phantasmagoric Forest before they attacked us. I'm sorry that we caused you trouble and hurt your friends, and we'll do our best to make it up to you. And it seems we'll start off by stopping Risky Boots from harming you more than she already has…" At that statement, Maya studied the blonde bird tamer up and down, not certain of what to make of her. And though she kept her flickering magic-charged hand up and ready…

"You… are seriously saying you are NOT associated with that detestable buccaneer…?" the ailing goddess asked, wanting to be absolutely sure if she could trust this total stranger.

"Exactly. We have an extremely rocky history with the likes of Risky Boots, and it's… unfortunately not a surprise to us that she ravaged this beautiful oasis the way she did. We spotted the forest fire and heard the commotion from above when we completed the trial. I promise you, we'll get Risky out of your hair, after which we can talk about how we can make things right…"

"…I do not… Gah…! Know if there will be enough time… but, I do not sense hostility… or dishonesty in your voice… Fine then, child," Maya remarked as she canceled out the glow in her hand and lowered it, letting her guard down just enough to allow Sky to approach, kneel beside her, and tend to her as best as she could.

"Thank you… Also, what's your name? Who are you?" Sky asked as she studied Maya's condition from top to bottom.

"I am… agh… I am Maya, the Great Overseer of the Phantasmagoric Forest… or at least, I was until I was assassinated by that despicable swashbuckler…" Maya fought through intense surges of pain to inform as she clutched a hand to the bleeding wound in her abdomen. "Ghgh…! Ghaaah…!"

"Oh, I see…" Sky morosely remarked, her boundless sympathy evident on her face as she laid a hand on Maya's shoulder. "I… I'm sorry this happened to you. We'll make Risky regret it for sure. There's no telling if that wound is fatal or not, but-!"

"Do not insult me, child… I have… a giant hole in my stomach that feels… like a rhinoceros impaled me with a horn made of piping hot steel… and the only thing keeping me conscious enough to even speak to you… is the tiny bit of magic I have left after exhausting my reserves trying to protect this forest and the Spirit Fuser piece locked away at the top of this temple…"

"Ah… um… W-well, I'll do my best to assess and at least make you comfortable…"

"I do not need your sympathy," Maya rather coldly turned down Sky's offer, shocking the bird trainer in the process. "However… I will let you do me just this one favor… regarding the Spirit Fuser fragment, which you were most likely here for anyway…" And as much as Sky didn't want to admit it outright…

"…We were, but we weren't going to trash this beautiful landscape to get it… If anything, we didn't even know it existed until we were told about it," the bird trainer confessed, however hesitantly.

"It hardly matters… The fact is that no matter what, Risky Boots CANNOT be allowed to have it… and if you and your mysterious wraith companion can help it… then YOU will become its new protectors, provided… that you are truly here to stop her."

"Ahh… I had a feeling something like that was going to come up…" Sky lamented, dreading the possibility of being given a treasure that was actively sought out by Sequin Land's most dangerously ruthless criminal. After a second, however, the concerned falconer sighed. "…but, if that's what we've gotta do, then… then, we'll do that."

"…Thank you…"

"Sure thing. Now, how do we get it? Are we still expected to go inside the temple?"

"No… I will… prepare a spell that will warp it to me, so… agh…! So that I may bequeath it to you… The spell will take a while, and I must do it without Risky Boots noticing…" Maya explained. "Your friend there… Is… Is he capable of fighting that dastardly pirate by himself?"

"Absolutely, he is," Sky offered her vote of confidence in her teammate's abilities. "He's super strong, and he's fought her before. He knows what he's doing…"

"…I sure hope so… because she is not to be taken lightly…"

Meanwhile…

"It's certainly a wonder to lay my eyes on you once again after all this time. My past truly DOES come back to haunt me, huh?" Risky Boots questioned as she stood at the edge of the forest clearing near the beginning of the walkway to the temple, seeming both surprised and intrigued by the wraith standing before her in the middle of the stony path.

"In more ways than one, believe me…!" Tayshan dared to threaten, fixing his anger-fueled gaze directly on Risky as they stared one another down. Risky's remaining Tinkerbat, evidently wanting NO parts of the confrontation, skittered out of the way and hid behind a nearby tree while keeping a close eye on its leader.

"I'd bet. Of course, I almost didn't recognize you despite my having tailed you and your blonde, bubble-headed, bird fetishist bestie all the way over here," Risky revealed, hurling a most scathing insult Sky's way in the process.

"Tailed us…?" Tay was about to ask, certifiably thrown off by his enemy's claim. Although…

"BIRD FETISHIST!?" Sky questioned with utmost shock and disgust in her tone. "Why, I ought to-!"

"You aren't going to do squat, featherbrain!" Risky taunted yet again, glaring at Sky. "You know by ALL accounts what I'd do to you if you so much as BREATHED in a way I didn't like."

"And already, you're showing that you haven't changed a bit or learned your lesson. Goodness, doesn't it get old being an obnoxious bully all the time? Honestly, it makes you look incredibly immature instead of intimidating! That's saying something for a woman in her mid-thirties when she goes around, picking on people HALF her age!" Sky boldly declared, not having it with Risky's sass.

"Grrrgh, How DARE you!?" the agitated buccaneer shouted, angry enough that she seemed to be contemplating all the most macabre ways to torture Sky in that moment. "Not that it's any of YOUR business, but I'm in my MID-TWENTIES! And just for that, I'm gonna take my sweet time plucking out all your feathers one-by-one when I get my hands on you…! Your little bird will become dinner for my Tinkerbats, too!"

"What!? You're insane!" the frightened falconer yelled back, reeling back in horror. "I'd sooner fight you MYSELF than let you do anything to me or my birds!"

"Oh? Then come over here and try it, egghead! I'll scramble you up and serve you with a side of toast!" Risky dared, shooting a most intimidating grin at the bird trainer as she anticipated the other woman's reply. Yet…

"Yeah, alright, that's as far as THAT goes," Tayshan interjected, having heard more than enough of the disrespect-fueled banter between his ally and his adversary. "Your beef ain't with Sky, so leave her alone."

"Or what, Tay-Tay?" Risky dared to ask while mockingly addressing the wraith with his least favorite nickname, smirking at him as she awaited his answer.

"You'll find out soon enough…! But before we get t' that, why did you follow us here? What do you want from us?"

"There's at least two big reasons for why I'm here," she cryptically began. "Of course, the only reason YOU should be concerned about… well, is the fact that YOU'RE one of those reasons."

"Me? What could you possibly want with me that you'd go out o' your way t' stalk us an' turn this forest into a giant fire pit? If you wanted t' find me, you could've done far less than THIS on your way over here," he derisively remarked, taking special note of the swaths of burning trees and billowing smoke clouds surrounding them. "What you did t' this place was COMPLETELY unnecessary!"

"Call it what you want, but I had a hunch you weren't quite as dead as I thought I'd left you," the Pirate Queen explained without hesitation or acknowledging his complaint. "As usual, you keep finding ways to show up right after I convince myself you're gone."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Risky. Does that bother you?" Tay sarcastically asked, though it appeared he already knew the answer he would get. Speaking of answers…

"Honestly? Not nearly as much as it DEFINITELY should. If anything, I'm more intrigued that you're here after everything that happened all those months ago," Risky casually revealed, throwing her adversary off once again. "And you're even sporting a brand-new look to boot! Dreadlocks this time, hm?" she further asked, derailing the conversation in record time. "Not a bad choice. It's… oddly fitting for you. That hairstyle hasn't been seen since the Pirate Master's days… It brings back memories, considering how many other pirates those days wore them."

"…Ya don't say…" Tay remarked in surprise, seeming to have been taken aback by the abrupt history lesson.

"I do say. And if I might also say so myself, you look more like a pirate than ever in this fancy green-and-silver getup… however garish and… dare I say, genie-like that color combo is… You'd look far better in purple, if you get what I mean." At that, the ghost man scoffed.

"Oh, really? I suppose it takes 'garish' t' know garish then, huh?" Tayshan shot right back with a condescending grin, causing his foe to sneer at him. "Also, purple ain't exactly my favorite color as far as clothes go. I have YOU t' thank for that change in taste. Ironic that the queen o' tacky outfits herself wants t' throw shade at me, either way. I wasn't lookin' for your approval, so I hope you don't mind it when I say your opinion don't mean jack t' me." Rather than be further insulted or further agitated by such inflammatory comments, Risky Boots… chuckled as a most morbid grin plastered itself onto her face.

"I see that tongue of yours is still as sharp as ever, too. Almost as sharp as the sword I KILLED you with," she taunted, pulling out her scimitar for emphasis… and oh, MAN did this conversation take a 90-degree turn for the dark…

"Ouch, Risky… What an 'unexpected' low blow from a heartless DEMON like you," the ghost warrior shot back, evidently unfazed by the fact that his enemy was apparently brandishing the VERY weapon she used to end his life… that oddly rusty scimitar… YIKES… Makes me wonder if that was really rust, or… "But you can imagine that starin' the cause o' my own death in the face at THIS point doesn't scare me. I'll guarantee right now that you would NEVER be able t' kill me again with that thing. Especially not in the way you killed me," he further remarked, his one eye glowing brighter and flashing even MORE rapidly between gold and silver…

"Ah, I suppose you'd be right in that sense, considering the rumor you're a ghost anyway. Or rather, the FACT that you're a ghost," she seemingly 'realized' as she sheathed her sword once again. "The halo's a dead giveaway. Pun intended, by the way."

"Right, but what I meant is that you wouldn't get another chance because I'd either break that sword or BREAK YOUR ARMS if you tried it…!" Tayshan made VERY clear as he threatened her, batting away her jabs about his living status.

"Ooh, now THAT'S the kind of ruthless brutality I like to hear from you, 'hero.' You think your goody-goody girlfriend Shantae would approve of you saying such naughty things to me?" the Pirate Queen teasingly asked, amused by the sheer coldness of her enemy's attitude toward her.

"At this point, I don't think she'd care in the slightest. She HATES you just as much as I do. If not more," Tayshan countered as his glare intensified.

"D'aww, now that just hurts my nonexistent feelings. Anyway, not to say I'm not happy to see you, because you KNOW I'm not… but how did you come back to this world? And why? Who resurrected you? And how long have you been back? I DEMAND to know," Risky Boots cut right to the point to ask her ghostly opponent as he stood before her in the middle of the smoke-shrouded forest clearing with no intent to back down. At that, however, the 'ghostly opponent' in question cocked an eyebrow in confusion.

"What? I get that you're curious, but are you just findin' out NOW or some point recently that I've been back?" Tayshan asked back.

"You think that's funny? Don't test me!" the agitated Pirate Queen immediately warned, her anger knowing no 'medium' option.

"No, I'm serious. I've been here as a ghost since the week after you killed me. I've been here for MONTHS."

"What!? MONTHS!?"

"Yep. How an' why I came back, I ain't at liberty t' explain t' you. It's none o' your business. Regardless, how could you not know up until recently? When did you find out I was here?"

"…Only just the other day," she sourly admitted through gritted teeth, growing increasingly annoyed at the fact that she didn't realize sooner that Tayshan still existed.

"That recent? Odd… Did Shantae never tell you?" the ghost warrior asked in genuine curiosity.

"…As a matter of fact, that miserable little tight-lipped tart didn't mention a blasted thing last time I saw her," Risky grumbled, her anger toward a certain half-genie only growing exponentially in that moment. "You've been around ALL THAT TIME, and I hadn't even gotten a clue."

"Weird that she never said anything t' you. But even then, I'd have figured you'd have heard somethin' about me in the last half a year…"

"Hmph. I was too busy planning a certain 'vacation' to notice, but you'd better BELIEVE I'd have hunted YOU down sooner if I knew you were still lingering around here like the restless spirit you are."

"So I've heard," he affirmed, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

"I'd be more surprised if you didn't. Yet, curiously enough, and as obvious as this might sound, I don't remember seeing you on Paradise Island. Why not?"

"I was tied up dealin' with other errands back home, simply put. I didn't go," Tay plainly remarked with a nonchalant shrug, giving as little insight as possible. "Regardless, I also heard about your latest monumental failure there," he added with a humored chuckle that Risky Boots did NOT appreciate in the slightest. "Yeah… About that…"

"What about it?"

"You teamed up with a bunch of all-powerful sirens, one o' which could steal the souls of half-genies, AND set up a complicated trap t' lure every half-genie you could over there t' feed that vampire siren for the purpose o' catchin' Shantae off-guard an' overwhelmin' her… an' you STILL lost? Seriously? Hah! It really goes t' show how much stronger she is than you… An' on the real, I gotta say that REALLY ain't a good look for somebody who routinely calls herself a 'genius' and a 'mastermind,' but I guess the irony's long lost on you by now. It ain't like I'm tellin' you anything new, of course… You're already super familiar with havin' your idiotic plans blow up in your face…!" he mercilessly rubbed her most recent defeat in her face, making her want to slice him into ribbons in that moment. However, she BARELY kept her cool and offered a tension-riddled rebuttal…

"You've certainly got a lot of venom to spew, huh? That's okay, though. That's perfectly okay. Just be prepared to eat EVERY LAST LETTER of what you just said there, Tayshan…! And you know what else? It just dawned on me… I now know one of the biggest reasons for the brat's absurdly high strength if YOU'VE been around as long as you have…!" the HIGHLY irritated Pirate Queen growled as her ruby red irises glimmered with unspeakable burning HATRED aimed at the ghost warrior standing before her. "It makes total sense now… You've still been endlessly feeding her your battle skills and 'training' with her all this time…! You've been CONTINUING to make her stronger!"

"Guilty as charged, 'Captain,'" Tayshan mockingly remarked with a triumphant smirk. "Shantae told me she handled you easily like she was just takin' out the trash… but judgin' by YOUR reaction just now, I guess that means you REALLY didn't do so well against her over on Paradise Island, huh?"

"Hmph. Figures…!" Risky murmured in contempt, ignoring Tay's question entirely. "For that, I will make your every conscious moment from this point on an unforgiving NIGHTMARE…!" she further ominously threatened him. "Now that I've found you without Shantae here to save you, you can count on it that I will NEVER let you see her again. And you'd better believe me when I say you'll be made to WISH YOU COULD DIE AGAIN for your rampant interference, you wretched, dirty DOG…!"

"Ah, back t' the 'dog' insults already… Can't say I missed that at all. Still, I can see you're not too happy with me, but you can't blame ME OR Shantae for you bein' as unprepared as you were for her. If I can help it in life OR in death, I will ALWAYS make sure she's more than strong enough t' completely HUMILIATE you like you know you deserve. An' if you think I'm gonna be any easier t' deal with now than I was the last time I beat you, then you are DEAD WRONG…" he boldly claimed, though the most surprising thing to gather… was that he actually fought Risky at one point and WON!? When the heck did THAT happen!?

"Is that a fact? I'd like to see you back it up, considering these fancy new tricks you've apparently picked up," Risky dared, not denying his claim in the slightest. "What else have you been up to, anyway? Evidently, you haven't been spending all these months slacking off, and…" she trailed off to look him up and down. After just a few seconds, however… "Hm. Now that I notice it, I don't see a single firearm on your person. Instead, you're shooting electric force balls out of your hands, summoning up gale force winds with just the swing of an arm, and you've turned yourself into a humanoid torture device with the way you so ruthlessly dispatched my minion. What else have you got for me? I'm interested to know…"

"You'll only find out AFTER I take you down an' bring you in for questionin'," the wraith warned, refusing to entertain her attempt to scout him out for his abilities.

"Oh, you're gonna try to ARREST me? Again? HAH! Classic Tayshan…" Risky taunted in amusement at such an apparently ludicrous idea. "You're welcome to give it another shot, but don't be surprised when I FLATTEN YOU UNDER MY HEEL for it like I did the first time we met…! And the time after that! And ESPECIALLY the time after that! It doesn't matter WHAT kinds of tricks you throw at me, nor does it matter that you bested me ONCE; you'd NEVER be up to the task of clapping ME in irons!" Evidently, Risky defeated Tayshan in battle at some point, too… and I guess she's won against him more times that he has against her? Huh… Does this make them rivals of sorts?

"If that's what you wanna believe, then go for it. I'm just lettin' you know, though, that you're probably not gonna like the way things turn out for you this time. Just as Shantae's gotten stronger, so have I. An' not just in the Magic department, either. You just better be ready t' get exactly what you signed up for here."

"Fine, fine, but all that power between the both of you idiots will go RIGHT OFF THE PLANK after I capture and corrupt you again. And this time, I'm making sure it stays PERMANENT!" Risky threatened as she readied herself for battle, growing far too agitated with the small talk to continue bantering with the disrespectful wraith.

"Bring it, then," Tayshan challenged, entering a battle pose himself. Yet… "Although, I just had a thought…"

"And that thought is…?"

"Do we REALLY have t' do this now?"

"…What do you mean?"

"Well… Aside from everything happenin' right this second, it's a nice day today. The sun's shinin' despite the smog from the forest fire your Tinkerbats caused, the birds are singin' despite needin' new homes… the flowers are… or rather, they WERE bloomin' before YOU came along and messed that up…" At that point, Risky grew even more impatient with Tayshan's rambling about the badly deteriorating environment around them.

"Your point, dog?" she demanded to know.

"Heh… I'm just sayin' that in peaceful times like these… it makes me wonder how A WITCH LIKE YOU STILL HASN'T BEEN BURNED AT THE STAKE YET."

"Ooh-hoo-hoo, is THAT right? Hah! Clever," the Pirate Queen remarked with a surprisingly humored chuckle at such a morbid anti-joke. "Glad to see you haven't lost that fiery wit of yours, Tay-Tay. And after all this time of you and that insufferable little ponytailed pipsqueak allowing me to think you were dead and buried, I actually kinda missed it… You're terrible, y'know that?"

"I'm still a bit surprised she ain't tell you, but what can I say? It ain't exactly like I was hidin' from you. If anything, I'd been anticipatin' the next time we crossed paths. But I get it. I'm the worst, I know."

"Nice of you to recognize that. Still, you know I LOVE it when you talk dirty to me, baby. Gets me thinking about that… wonderfully HEATED night of passion between you and me as though it happened yesterday…~" And at THAT surprisingly flirtatious remark, Tayshan grimaced and reeled back in evident revulsion, though his expression quickly shifted to one of immense anger. He balled his fist up tightly enough that one could see veins violently protruding from the back of it. It… perfectly matched the vein in his forehead… and the ones in his glowing eyes. Goodness, he looked FURIOUS… Seeing that her comment bothered him as much as it did, Risky smiled with triumphant glee as she stared him right in the face and continued. "Alas, you still chose to defy me after the fact, and you PAID FOR IT WITH YOUR LIFE…! I wouldn't expect much of a different outcome this time if I were you, even WITH the fact that you're apparently a ghost now. Of course, it goes without saying that I've ALSO become more powerful since our last hot little romp together."

"Hmph. You never miss a chance t' rub salt in THAT open wound… Some things NEVER change…!" Tayshan shot back with a notable tone of agitation and seething contempt… Huh… Wow, he seemed REALLY bothered by what seemed like simple flirting. What's up with that? "Regardless, you just lost any chance you had at me showin' you mercy. Now, much as I'd like t' stay an' reminisce about all the reasons I should kill you right now instead of arrestin' you, Sky an' I have got a bit of a tight schedule. Plus, as you might already be pickin' up by now, this obnoxious errand just came up… and now I suddenly need t' get my hands dirty rather than talk dirty with you."

"Heh, it's about time you finally got ready for what's in store for you. It isn't every day where I get to claim a treasure as big as this, but it's still no surprise that I need to get MY hands dirty, too…!" Risky agreed, all the more eager to do battle with the purposes of capturing Tayshan and taking the Spirit Fuser fragment for herself. "Oh, but let me say this one thing before we get all… hot and heavy with each other again…"

"Eugh… An' what 'thing' is that?" Tay dared to ask, even more put off by Risky's phrasing as he braced himself.

"When I snatch you up this time, your next dog collar will have an engraving on it that reads 'Headmistress Risky's Boytoy,'" she taunted with a most prideful grin, agitating him further. "That way, NO ONE will be confused about who the most important woman in your otherwise meaningless life REALLY is… And when you consider that I was your first bedtime 'partner,' I'd have expected you to at least be a LITTLE bit more appreciative of our time together instead of running off to be with that cheap little genie harlot and trying to act like nothing of the sort happened between us. For shame, Tay-Tay…"

"Why, you TRIFLIN'-!" Tayshan was about to explode, absolutely INFURIATED by Risky's bold and… honestly, VERY salacious claim.

"…Wait, WHAT!?" Sky strongly questioned in complete shock, not at all expecting such a mountainous revelation. "Tay, what in the world is she going on about!? Why does Risky keep implying you and she did something… 'intimate' together? She's… She's GOT to be joking, right!?" At that, the ghost man let out a heavy, HEAVY sigh as a look of pure uncertainty plastered itself on his face. After a tense moment of collecting his thoughts, however, he turned his head toward his teammate as she anticipated his reply.

"…For context, Sky… um… I… I don't know another way t' say it, but… er…" he hesitated as his face grew hot with a mixture of anger and embarrassment that made me WONDER what he was going to say.

"Well? Go on. Tell her all about what you and I did together that night, Tay-Tay~! She CLEARLY wants to know how long, hot, steamy, and passionate it was between us, and I know you're not much for secrets…" Risky prodded, grinning with malicious delight as she anticipated the grand reveal that she evidently already knew about. This, of course, prompted Tayshan to momentarily turn back toward the buccaneer and glare at her hard enough that he could've made her explode in an instant. Tempering himself, however, he shook off some of his anger, craned his head back toward Sky once more… and after another tense, pulse-pounding moment… he spoke.

"…Risky forced herself on me when she captured you, me, an' Rottytops the day before our last big battle with her," he explained, much to the bird trainer's immeasurable shock as she drew in a sharp gasp. "There's a lot more to it, but… y-yeah… You… might remember some o' what I mean if you remember our conversation when we all regrouped the followin' day…" he further shamefully admitted, leaving his friend stunned.

"Oh… Oh, my gosh…! Tay…!" was all Sky seemed to be able to say as she took the deeply troubling news in.

"'Forced myself on you,' Tayshan? Really? You're still sticking to THAT tawdry little tall tale?" Risky incredulously asked, though her unfaltering evil grin told all. "How could it have possibly been 'forced' if you agreed to it? Hm? If you really weren't into it, then you wouldn't have accepted the offer. You also wouldn't have had the notably strong 'reaction' you did back then… And if I recall, you kept that 'reaction' going 'hard' all night long for me. Face it: The truth is that you desired me as a woman, and you know it. I only helped you realize it for yourself when you gave in to your lustful urges and hungrily pounced on me the second I 'invited' you to do so in my bed back then. You're just ashamed to admit it in front of your bird enthusiast gal pal here."

"Not even in your WILDEST fantasies would that ever be true, Risky. And if by 'offer,' you mean the ultimatum you gave me that I 'participate' an' let you sink your claws int' me t' turn me evil or else you'd kill my friends in front o' me while we was chained up in your ship an' powerless t' stop you… then no, I WASN'T 'into it' in the slightest. I wanted t' protect them, an' you USED that against me an' manipulated me in the most DISGUSTING way imaginable…! An' for what? So you could get that Dark Magic Shard you made me swallow t' do its job o' brainwashin' me t' be your PUPPET! So you could forever hold the fact that you STOLE my first experience from me over my head! So you would be able t' claim some TINY, meaningless little 'victory' over Shantae like the petty, connivin' VIPER you are!"

"…Jeez…! I-I can't believe what I'm hearing…! Risky ASSAULTED Tayshan…!?" Sky murmured, her initial shock having not worn off in the slightest as she processed the bone-chilling reveal.

"…Most scandalous…" Maya remarked in equal surprise, however weak her voice came out.

"If that's what you want people to think, then go for it, big boy. Either way, you can't deny that you had more fun with me than you care to let on. Dark Magic Shard or not, you were fully conscious and consenting, as far as I recall," Risky nonchalantly remarked, unfazed by the accusations hurled her way.

"HARDLY! That 'vat o' boilin' lava' idea I had back then still sounds like a far better use o' my time, believe me," he firmly denied and referenced. I'm not exactly sure what he was referring to, but I only presume he meant he would rather jump into a vat of boiling lava than deal with Risky in any form of intimate situation like they'd been so tensely discussing. My guess was only supported by the fact that Risky's grin immediately switched to a highly agitated scowl aimed solely at him. Seems these two had some HISTORY with each other, and it was as far from 'pretty' as possible. The plot thickens… "But by now, I realize it's pointless goin' back an' forth with you over this…! I will not waste another BREATH explainin' t' you how messed up you are for doin' such a thing t' me, an' then havin' the nerve t' try an' use it against me AGAIN. But, I WILL tell you that you deserve everything comin' t' you in the next ten seconds for all the harm you've caused…!"

"Hm. How truly thickheaded you are to keep trying to spin the story in a way that makes you look like some sort of innocent victim instead of the willing participant you know you were… chains or no chains," Risky plainly remarked with a shrug and sigh, though her grin quickly returned once she regained her focus. "Posture and twist the details all you want, Tay-Tay, but it's clear you haven't forgotten a single aspect of your first experience with me after all this time. I'm honestly flattered! Was it that good for you, hon? Did you like being dominated by me for an entire night as I made you my personal concubine and made you submit to me, pleasing me in EVERY way imaginable until the sun began to rise the next morning? Are you pretending you didn't enjoy it because you're secretly hoping for another chance for me to have you all to myself? Hmm? It'd certainly be a wonder if it turned out you let your guard down on purpose this time because you want me to have my way with you again…! Naughty boy…~"

"Risky, what is WRONG with you!?" Sky shouted at the disrespectful Pirate Queen, filled to the brim with sympathetic rage and secondhand anguish. "You're such a heartless BEAST! How could you do something like that, and then stand there smirking and teasing him like you're PROUD of what you did to him!? You're an utterly DEPRAVED, MISERABLE EXCUSE FOR A 'HUMAN BEING'!"

"Can it, chicken chow," Risky shot right back. "The adults are talking. Kiddies like you don't have a say in this grownup matter, so stay over there and coddle that worthless nymph until her dying breath. I'll deal with YOU after I remind your friend here of why he'll ALWAYS belong to me, no matter where he goes or what he does…" At that, Tayshan's entire body ignited with a sudden, powerful *FWEEEERSH* of Light Magic that managed to startle Risky into grounding her stance as he got himself ready for a battle that ALREADY looked like it was gonna be ugly…

"…You know what? I'm DONE talkin' t' you. Let's go. You think you can wrangle me in an' turn me int' your slave again? Try it, Risky Boots. I'LL MAKE YOU REGRET JUST THE THOUGHT OF IT…!" a thoroughly incensed Tayshan threatened the Pirate Queen, making evident that he wouldn't be holding back.

"Now, THERE'S that eager attitude I've been looking for…! Fine, then. Let's get down to business…!" Risky welcomed the invitation, eager to show her enemies just who they were messing with. And with that…

TAYSHAN THE TENACIOUS: RANCOROUS REVENANT'S RAGE!

"…Wait, what?" Risky questioned, finding something amiss as she looked around at nothing in particular with a look of confusion. "Why is HE the one being acknowledged as the Bo-?"

"SHYAH!" Tayshan shouted as he dashed toward the befuddled Pirate Queen and delivered a swift, harsh *KATHROCK* of a spinning kick to her stomach that sent her hurtling backward. It appeared to be minimally effective, however, as she quickly performed a backward somersault and landed on her feet. Meanwhile, the ghost man recoiled from his surprise attack while never taking his eyes off his opponent.

"Grrgh…! Wow, I actually FELT that…" she murmured as she stretched out the odd tingling sensation in her abdomen resultant of the kick she received. "So, you're really playing your best card first? Are you THAT scared of losing to me again?"

"No to both those questions, but I AM ready t' bring your piratin' days to an EXTREMELY early end…! So, if you're not gonna surrender, then you'd better give it EVERYTHING you got before this is over! As I said, you'll get NO mercy from me!"

"Ooh, I suppose that means you're MAD… Heh, GOOD! In that case, we'll make this a battle where we BOTH go all out! HRRRAAAAAAAH!" Risky roared like a lion as she… whoa, whoa, WHOA, WHAT!? Sh-she… she POWERED UP the same way her opponent did! Only, with a low, INCREDIBLY chilling *FWOOOOORRRRSH*, Risky Boots ignited a powerful and undoubtedly ASPHYXIATING aura of black and dark purple that viciously rose and flickered off her curvy form like the raging inferno burning down the trees and shrubbery in the distance. Her power-up sent belting WAVES of evil energy tearing through the vicinity as it caused nearby flowers to instantly wilt, the air around her to grow at least a hundred degrees hotter, and her opponent to shield his face with an arm as she made him feel her presence.

"Gah…! No way…!" Tay muttered in complete surprise as he braved the sudden heat storm brought forth from Risky's unthinkably powerful Dark Magic aura. "She's… even stronger than I thought…!"

"Before we begin, let me just say I'm glad you haven't forgotten that I like it ROUGH, Tay-Tay…!" Risky taunted with NO form of filter whatsoever. "I know it's been a while, but show a girl another good time, why don't you? I'm sure you know what you're doing by now, considering what I taught you in our time together… Make this experience another one for us to remember!"

"Okay, that's ENOUGH with the creepy innuendos," Tayshan quickly shut down with a perturbed sneer, not the least bit amused with Risky's attempts to throw him off his game. "Here I come, Risky! HWARRAAAAH!" he further roared, wasting ZERO time as he raced ahead to challenge the Pirate Queen head on. And, with a blistering, ear-splitting, reality-warping *KAPWAAARSK* of their magic-bathed fists smashing against each other like two high-end sports cars going at top speed, they were off. Immediately following their clash, Tayshan and Risky Boots entangled one another in a high-stakes, high speed, high intensity brawl to end them all as they tore into each other right out the gate.

"For enemies… the romantic tension between these two… is palpable…" Maya observed, though she MAY have been reading into the situation a little bit too… er… deeply.

"What!? Ew, no, gross! That's NOT what they were talking about! Or at least, HE wasn't…" Sky hastily denied as she shuddered, evidently finding no form of truth in Maya's statement. "I don't have a clue what Risky's deal is with-!" she was about to further speculate before the sudden, rocky *KAKRAARSCH* of the specter against the wall of the temple nearby startled her out of her train of thought. Sky did her best to protect Maya from the ensuing chaos as both women watched their protector gingerly recover from the impact, that caused a MASSIVE, CRUMBLING DENT in the temple he crashed into. "H-hey, are you alright?"

"Ghah…! I'm good, but wow… She still hits harder than a hundred bombs goin' off all at once…!" Tayshan murmured as he picked himself the rest of the way up and braced himself. Risky Boots, her every move filled with the intent to OBLITERATE the wraith, charged directly at Tayshan with a Dark Magic-infused fist cocked and aimed.

"LET'S SEE IF YOU'RE STILL AS MUCH A GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT AS YOU WERE BEFORE!" Risky shouted as she leapt high and came BULLETING down toward the wraith with the speed of a crashing meteor. Yet, with an alarming, crackling *KRAKWAAKAKARSH*, Tayshan managed to block the incoming attack with a Light Magic-charged hand as he swatted her fist away, parrying Risky in midair to throw her off balance.

"You wanna talk about punishment!? How about THIS!?" the wraith shouted back as he, with as much strength as he could muster, hopped upward with a knee locked behind him. And, with a GUT-WRENCHING *KRATHRAAASHK*, he drove his knee into the evil buccaneer's exposed abdomen. Following the counterattack, he grabbed hold of her extended arm, whirled around once, and flung her backward as hard as he could. With a windy *FWISSSH*, Risky Boots went hurtling backward with naught but the thick, jagged sturdy tree trunks of the burning forest behind her to stop her. Wasting little time, the ghost warrior ignited an even stronger Light Magic glow with an explosive *FWOOORSH* and raced after her.

"HRAH!" Risky shouted as she recovered just enough to pull out her portable cannon and fire a *PRAPLOWGH* of a round directly at her opponent to distract him.

"YARRRAAAAH!" the impromptu Boss 'Monster' shouted as he charged up a bountiful supply of magic into his fist while he ran and cocked it back. Before anyone knew it, and with a truly FLABBERGASTING *KRAPLUNNG*, Tayshan PUNCHED THROUGH THE CANNONBALL, SHATTERING IT INTO A THOUSAND PIECES before continuing his mad dash toward Risky. YIKES! Anyone crazy enough to try something like that should AT LEAST be dealing with a few broken knuckles… if not an entire broken arm…

"Hoom!" Risky grunted as she performed a backward somersault while in midair, soon finding her feet firmly planted on the trunk of a tree. Of course, the walloping *KAKRUNCH* of the tree's bark as she struck it should tell you all you needed to know about just how FAST she was traveling through the air. Paying no heed to this herself, however, Risky spotted her enemy lunging forth with the intent to capitalize on his ostensible advantage. As soon as he closed the distance, she hopped off the tree while he threw another running punch that… with a monumental *KRAKRAASCH*, saw his fist JAM INTO THE TREE TRUNK!? Oh, boy…

"TOO SLOW, DOG! TAKE THIS!" Risky shouted as she took her opportunity to lunge forth, propelling herself forth with another *PRAPLOWGH* of her mini cannon before extending a Dark Magic-charged elbow to make her next move count. And, with a BONE-CRUSHING *KRAKRAAASH* against Tayshan's chest as he was pulling his arm out of the tree trunk, she made it count.

"GUHAAGH!" the specter shouted as he was sent barreling into the tree trunk.

"NOW, HEEL!" Risky yelled once more as she rushed ahead and delivered a Dark Magic-charged thrust kick that landed with another explosive *THRAKRAAASHK* against her opponent. And wouldn't you believe it? Risky sent Tayshan SMASHING THROUGH NOT ONLY THE TREE TRUNK HE WAS PINNED AGAINST, BUT ALSO TWO ADDITIONAL TREE TRUNKS WITH *KRATRAKK* AFTER *THWAKRAKK*! All three trees, which I might remind you were AS TALL AS SKYSCRAPERS AND SUPPOSEDLY ALMOST AS STURDY, went crashing down as they sent splintery chunks of wood and kaleidoscopic leaves scattering about. Oh, and it wasn't done just yet. As Tayshan went smacking into a FOURTH tree trunk with just enough momentum to damage it with a *KRAKRAK* of his body against it, Risky Boots went dashing through the woods after him. Thankfully, the wraith would recover with just enough time to see her coming. "TARRYAAH!" hollered a thoroughly invigorated, evil-charged Risky Boots as she pulled out her scimitar and attempted to slash at the undead warrior's stomach.

"HAAAH!" Tayshan yelled as he VERY quickly flung himself forth with one hand extended toward Risky Boots while the other one was stretched behind him, CRACKLING WITH ELECTRICITY! With an echo-inducing *KRACHIIING*, the wraith blocked the lady pirate's sword swing by clashing his silver vambrace against the sharp steel blade while his other hand continued to gather energy with a crackling *BWOORZHIKRAKRAK*. Acting quickly, however, he used the opportunity to grab her wrist before she could recoil from her attack. As soon as he snatched her up, he pulled her toward him as he stepped to the side.

"Gah…! What do you think you're-!?" Risky tried to demand to know before she noticed her enemy's other hand on a head-on collision course with her stomach… WHILE IT HAD A GIANT ELECTRICITY-ENSHROUDED FORCE BALL IN IT! Ooh, THIS looked like it was gonna hurt…

"SPECTER FLASH!" Tayshan shouted as he rammed his energy attack into Risky Boots with the amount of force it would probably take a grown adult to punch through a BRICK WALL! With a truly SHOCKING (no pun intended), not to mention BRUTAL *KAPWARKAZAZZAKAAZZZAAAP*, the wraith force-fed the Pirate Queen his special technique at point-blank range.

"GRRRAAAHAHAAAAAAGH!" Risky hollered out in unspeakable agony I couldn't even IMAGINE her feeling as she went BEAMING through the forest, smashing through at least FIVE OR SIX FULLY FORMED TREE TRUNKS with *KRAKARK* after *TWAKRAK* after bone-shattering *KRUNCH* before she eventually hit the leaf-covered ground with a jarring *THRUSSHK*. Mind you, she had surges of electricity running through her body as she flickered and flashed in such a cartoonish fashion that you could even see her skeleton for brief periods as she went through. And as per the harrowing new trend for this unfortunate jungle while two human WRECKING BALLS turned it into their battleground, every tree Risky smashed into came tumbling over as they left more of a mess. Only, this time, some of the trees Risky smashed into had BEEN SET ALIGHT by this point. So, as you might have guessed, the battle was CAUSING THE RAMPAGING WILDFIRE TO SPREAD EVEN MORE!

"I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!" Tayshan warned as he dashed through the deteriorating wilderness and the sweltering inferno, vaulting and jumping over fallen trees and through walls of flames to get to Risky.

"Hrrgh…! He HAS gotten stronger…!" Risky disdainfully acknowledged as she picked herself up and adjusted her hat. "But I've still got the upper hand…!" she further assured herself as she spotted him racing through the woods. As soon as she saw the glittering glow of his Light Magic through the burgeoning smoke clouds and burning shrubbery, she engaged.

"HOOWAAAH!" Tayshan roared as he tried to catch Risky Boots by surprise with a lightning-quick jump kick.

"RIGHT WHERE I WANT YOU!" Risky roared right back as she dodged the incoming attack and charged another awe-inspiring *FWOOOOOORSH* of Dark Magic into her form. As Tayshan was coming down, Risky reached her hand upward. And, with a *TWACK* of her hand on his vest, the Pirate Queen ensnared him. "RRRAAAAH!" she let out an additional animalistic shout as she reeled him in while cocking her other fist all the way back with the intent to KNOCK THE GHOST MAN INTO THE NEXT DIMENSION! Ohh, man, I wouldn't wish THIS on my worst enemy by ANY means…

"Whoohah!" Tay bellowed in shock as he was yanked off his balance, his vest and shirt ripping with a comparatively quiet *Tsheeersch* along the way.

"HRRYAAAAAH!" Risky screamed once again as she let loose an absolute ATOMIC BOMB of a haymaker that BLASTED Tayshan across the face with a most appropriately explosive *KRABKAWOOOOOOM*. Seriously, this punch had enough force to DECAPITATE TEN GROWN BULLS in a single strike! In tune with that most disturbing hyperbole, Tayshan was sent RIPPING through another collection of burning trees with *KRAKRAK* after *TAKWACK* after *BRAKRAK* after *THRAKROCK* that made even more of a mess. How many trees he was punched through this time? I… will admit, I lost count at TEN. Yeah, THAT MANY. Even more of the forest was engulfed in this seemingly endless dance of unforgiving blazes as its mysterious attempts to repair itself continued to exacerbate the fire's presence. "Hah…! Hah…!" Risky panted, paying no heed to her increasingly war-torn surroundings as she carelessly cast aside her opponent's ripped-up shirt and vest. Her Dark Magic still running strong nevertheless, the powerhouse of a pirate prepared herself for more fighting as she walked over and picked up her sword while dusting the splinters and soot off her outfit. And boy, was she ABSOLUTELY RIGHT not to let her guard down…

"YAAAAAAAAAARRRAAAAAAAAAAGH!" a most MONSTROUS, ear-splitting roar sounded out from another area in the maze of roasting trees. The roar came at such a frequency that it could've been heard MILES UPON MILES away. Accompanying this primal, guttural shout was an utterly DEVASTATING *KABWOOOOOOOOOORRSH* of a radiant, almost blinding aura that saw at least a dozen more trees toppling over. Additionally, a massive, windy shockwave went ripping through the area, causing Risky to ground herself as leaves, tree branches, tree TRUNKS, and fiery embers alike went whizzing past her. The windstorm calmed down almost as suddenly as it started, though it left a clear path in the forest between the Pirate Queen… and her angry, shirtless, aura-shrouded, dreadlocked enemy, whose one eye resumed flashing between gold and silver while the disfiguring scars littered across his face and abdomen… ALSO began to glow. Rather than be intimidated, however… Risky took it upon herself to marvel at the wrathful apparition before her and let out a raucous cackle.

"Hah! You certainly never fail to entertain, Tayshan!" Risky 'complimented' as she anticipated her opponent's next attack. "Look at you! You've come such a long way since I granted you those powers so long ago! Even in death, you remain in full control of them! It almost makes me want to VOMIT with how thoroughly you're still SQUANDERING them protecting unworthy peasants and weak little genies! You're just lucky I'm having so much fun BEATING YOU DOWN as you show me what you've learned! Nevertheless, it seems you owe me quite a lot!"

"Keep talkin' your trash, Risky! I never ASKED for you t' give me these powers, so I don't owe you squat! It'll be all the more ironic when I remind you AGAIN what a mistake it was for you t' do that! But either way… You just better not slip while you think you're ahead! Now, get ready!"

"Gladly! And don't you DARE insult me by being gentle! Give it to me as HARD AS YOU CAN!"

"Heh…! Your choice…!" Tayshan complied with a most… sinister grin as he, rather than charge directly at Risky, stood tall. He raised an arm up and extended it toward her, every finger fully flexed as he stood perfectly still. Meanwhile, he cocked his other hand back and chambered it, balling said hand into a fist as he focused every bit of his attention on Risky Boots. "HaaaaaaaAAAAH!"

"Oh? ANOTHER new move? I see…" Risky observed in wonder as she tucked her scimitar at her side, charging herself up even more as the black-and-purple swirls radiating from her form evolved into a dancing inferno of pure evil. "Well, it surely wouldn't be fair if you were putting in all this work to impress me while I simply sat by and watched without returning the favor. So, just for you, Tay-Tay… Since you've shown me YOURS, I'll show you MINE…!" And just like that, Tayshan and Risky Boots entered a most intense, pulse-pounding standoff that had the entire jungle choked up in asphyxiating anticipation… y'know, beside all the toxic fumes filling the air from the wildfire surging on around them. Yet, before the tension could settle all the way in between them… they eagerly fired off into the next round.

"PHANTOM BARRAGE!" Tayshan announced the name of that infamous technique he used on a certain rogue half-genie as he threw a punch with his chambered fist that… w-wait, I though the name of this move was 'Phantom BLITZ'! Did… did he change the name!? Also… as soon as he threw the punch, he seemed to COMPLETELY VANISH with a swift, windy *FWOOAAARSH*. Meanwhile…

"BUCCANEER STORM SURGE!" Risky Boots announced the name of HER OWN SPECIAL ATTACK, after which she ALSO seemingly vanished into thin air with an equally mystifying *FWOOOOAASH* of wind blowing forth like hurricanes had been plaguing the place. We wouldn't have to wonder where the combatants went for long, however, as they each magically reappeared, meeting each other halfway with a most JOLTING, echoing *KRAKLAAANG* of Risky's scimitar against Tayshan's vambrace as she slashed downward, only for him to block the attack before she could gather enough space to strike. And believe me when I tell you the clash was hard enough that it sent SPARKS flying off the opposing pieces of metal. But they weren't done there. Risky, with lightning quick agility, spun and tried to slash Tayshan low, only for him to employ a similar level of quickness to block it with another *PAKLACK* of his other wristband against her deadly blade. He followed up by landing a *PLOCK* of a thrust kick against Risky's abdomen to send her sliding back a couple feet while performing a most graceful, almost dancing-inspired spin move to reset himself.

After that, he raced ahead and threw a devastating haymaker at her, which she blocked with another jarring *KRATACK* of his knuckles against the broad side of her sword. Risky would try to capitalize by throwing a MIGHTY kick aimed low, so that she'd knock the ghost warrior off his balance. Seeing this, he hopped backward to try and create some distance… which seemed to be EXACTLY what Risky was hoping for, as she IMMEDIATELY went in slashing away fast enough that every rapid, metallic *SCHWISH* of her scimitar's rust-stained blade against the air sounded like she was slicing through cloth and rope! One could even see the gleaming shockwaves generated with every swipe! Seriously, it was like she was cutting wormholes in the fabric of space-time itself, she was swinging so hard! Yet, rather than run, try to create distance, or even CONSIDER being afraid of being shredded into ghostly ribbons, Tayshan soldiered on as he SOMEHOW blocked, dodged, and countered just about every strike while on a most valiant lightning-quick defensive. It was like the two adversaries were engaged in a cyclonic dance of DEATH that was equal parts beautiful and INCREDIBLY violent! Risky sliced, slashed, and swung in every direction imaginable, chasing Tayshan all across the forest as he pulled off what I SWEAR was a mixture of pivots, twirls, and… dare I say, BREAKDANCING tricks between bouts of blocking Risky's sword strikes despite her putting all the pressure on him.

Eventually, as soon as he saw an opportunity, Tayshan parried one of Risky's numerous sword swings with another *KLAPLACK* of his shining silver bracelet against her blade, repelling her as she found herself stumbling back.

"Now, you're OPEN! HRRAAAH!" Tayshan declared as he dashed forth and attempted to land a Light Magic, electricity-infused uppercut directly to Risky's chin… only for her to recover JUST fast enough to weave out of the way as his fist rocketed upward with an air-splitting *KRAKAFWOOOOOSH* like he'd tried to hit her with a CATTLE PROD. "Gah…! Shoot, you're faster now, too…"

"Fast enough to CUT YOU INTO LUNCH MEAT!" Risky countered as she used the opportunity to try and make her enemy regret his foolish actions… only for him to parry her sword AGAIN with another *KRAKLACK* of his vambrace against her blade as she tried to swipe at him from the side. "Hmph! Thought I had you…! You're not making this as simple as you should be, y'know…!"

"Glad t' know that gets on your nerves…! YAH!" Tayshan countered as he attempted to grab at the Pirate Queen's wrist, only for her to pull away at the last second and attempt another slash, which he BARELY had time to dodge as he hopped backward to avoid it. Instead, Risky's sword would be met with a truly frightening *SCHWEERSH* of the blade against a nearby tree. Slicing CLEAN THROUGH IT, Risky saw little to no resistance as she kept her focus on Tayshan and went on the offensive. As one might imagine, the tree came toppling down with a dramatic *KWAKRAKRAKRAAAASHK*, adding more fuel to the fire that threatened to envelop the entire sanctuary. Meanwhile, Risky Boots managed to tackle Tayshan to the ground, both of them landing on a pile of rainbow-colored leaves with a voluminous, crunchy *KATHRISHK*. Risky wound up immediately on top of him with her sword drawn, looking ready to take full advantage.

"SUFFER, YOU MISERABLE DOG!" Risky shouted as she, while fully coated in Dark Magic, straddled her enemy as she raised her sword high with the intent to impale him through the chest. And without hesitation, she thrust her sword downward… only for Tayshan to catch it in between his hands with a Light Magic-charged *KATWACK* of his hands against either side of the blade mere INCHES away from his sternum. "Gah…! Why, you…!"

"Let's see you counter THIS…!" Tayshan challenged despite the MASSIVE disadvantage of his position, managing to summon enough strength to push Risky's scimitar upward enough to get one magic-infused hand under the tip of the blade. Meanwhile, he charged a separate supply of pure electricity into his other hand… which was also balled into the TIGHTEST fist he could muster.

"You won't get the chance to think up another one of your dirty tricks…! Not if I can do anything about it…!" Risky grumbled as she put more force (and therefore, more Dark Magic) into her stab attempt, trying EXTREMELY hard to drive her sword through her foe like she was trying to vanquish a vampire. She was just about to overpower the ghost warrior when she, with a MASSIVE, ECHOING *KATHRACKAZAAAP* of her enemy's fist against her stomach, felt nearly all the air leave her abdomen. "Ghuhagh…!" she groaned as she doubled over, dropping her sword in the process.

"URAH!" Tayshan hollered, pouncing on the opportunity as he sat up and attempted to swiftly wrap his arm around Risky's neck and ensnare her in some sort of chokehold. He would find no luck, however, as Risky recovered JUST in time to grab his wrist hard enough with one hand that she could very well have ripped his arm off if she wanted. It certainly seemed to be the case, as her nails were digging hard enough into his forearm that she seemed to be puncturing his skin. "GHAGH…! Let go…!"

"RRAAGH!" Risky let out another animalistic shout as she threw a Dark Magic-infused hook that connected with a steel-shattering *KRATHROCK* against the ghost warrior's face hard enough to give him a lifetime's worth of concussions. She followed up by throwing another one that, with a jarring *KATHRASHK*, landed EVEN HARDER than the last, seeming to knock him for another series of loops entirely. Immediately after, she reached for her sword and reclaimed it before rising to a stand with her adversary's arm still in her grasp. "Hope this wasn't your dominant arm…!" she coldly remarked, making evident that she was about to DISMEMBER Tayshan! Oh, my goodness! Yet, as she raised her sword and held his arm up as high as she could to get a clean cut, she only BARELY noticed that his entire body began to glow and crackle with electricity. Before she could figure out what was happening, however…

"VOLT PULSE!" Tayshan shouted as he tensed up the hand Risky was holding. And before she knew what was happening, the ghost man's entire body suddenly ERUPTED with electricity… that was transferred DIRECTLY into the Pirate Queen with a most VIOLENT, flashing, crackling *ZZZAKRAKAZAKAZZZZZAAAAAAAZAAAP* of a most heinously unbearable electric current ripping through her entire body that sounded like the chirping of a hundred… no, a THOUSAND birds all at once!

"GHAAAAAAHAAAAAAAGH!" Risky Boots shouted in a level of excruciating agony I'm not sure she'd EVER experienced as every inch of her body was engulfed in sparks of Tayshan's magic-borne electricity. The shock, while only lasting a couple seconds, did just enough to almost completely paralyze Risky in place as she temporarily lost all feeling throughout her entire body. She held herself in a standing position, surprisingly enough, though it wouldn't be advantageous for her.

"TWOORRRYAH!" Tayshan shouted as he slipped from under Risky and rolled to a capable stand, though he wasn't planning on using the opportunity to catch his breath or reorient himself. Instead, he powered himself up with another *KAFWEEEEERSH* of Light Magic that sent leaves and smoky flames swirling around. This time, however, he winced as though he himself had been shocked with electricity. Doing his best to ignore sharp surge of pain, he raced ahead and went on the offensive. Just as Risky found herself recovering from the surprise electrocution, Tayshan raced in and rammed his fist as hard as he could into her bare abdomen with a mountainous *KWATHRAAAASH* that nearly knocked the wind out of her all over again. He followed up with an utterly STONE-BUSTING hook that went smashing into Risky's face with a *KRATHROCK* loud enough to rival a shotgun blast. Next, he landed a spinning sweep kick that knocked her off her feet with a sturdy *KARPLACK*, followed by him spinning one more time and, while his back was facing her, thrusting both his feet upward toward her chin before she could hit the ground. And, with a MOUNTAINOUS *WHAPLAAASHK*, he sent Risky PACKING as she went soaring into the air. Completing his dance-inspired maneuver, Tayshan rolled to his feet and whirled around, spotting Risky as she was helplessly ascending high into the air from his devastating combo attack. "Hah…! Time for me t' bring this to an end…!"

While Risky was in the air, trying her best to recover, Tayshan made his next move. Charging an astonishingly large concentration of Light Magic into two fingers, the determined wraith took aim like he was holding a gun. Gauging Risky's flight path, Tayshan poured all his focus on shooting down his moving target as he held his magic-charged hand steady while he gripped his aiming hand with his other one to steady his aim. His fingers had been glowing almost as bright as the sun as he locked his gaze SQUARELY on Risky as she began to descend.

"Ghah…! Hmmh…!" Risky grunted as the paralysis ostensibly began to wear off while she was plummeting from what had to be a good SIXTY feet in the air. "Agh…! I should've known better than to… Hm? Ah…!" she exhaled in shock as she, despite being upside down, turned and noticed Tayshan aiming at her with a pair of glowing fingers as she fell. "Grrrgh…! Gotta move fast…!" she urged herself, a sense of danger setting in as she tried to correct her position. Meanwhile…

"SNIPER'S JUDGMENT!" Tayshan hollered out, at which point his attack sounded off with a startling *TWEEERSH* as a familiarly DEADLY beam of concentrated light had BURST forth from his fingers. By all accounts, it was abundantly clear he planned on making sure Risky got back what she dished out tenfold. One would be foolish to underestimate Risky's uncanny battle sense, however…

"HWURAH!" the Pirate Queen shouted, somersaulting and powering up with another *VWOOOORZSH* of Dark Magic as soon as she heard the sound of Tayshan's magic blast. She immediately followed up by raising her sword up in front of herself with its broad side facing her JUST as she was about to be struck. And with a metallic *PRATWAAANG*, Risky BLOCKED the Sniper's Judgment attack! The light beam ricocheted off the blade and was sent careening harmlessly into the air, though the incredible force of the attack sent Risky hurtling backward like she was being blown away by a monstrous gust of wind. It was also worth note that she was sent smashing through yet ANOTHER burning tree's trunk with a crunching *KRATWARSCH* like it was made of papier-mache.

"WHAT!? No way…!" Tayshan remarked in total shock and frustration as his Light Magic glow simmered down a bit. He seemed to be low on breath as well, as he shook his aching hand and took the moment to recuperate as best as he could. At the same time, Risky Boots hit the ground on her back with a leafy *PLAPWISSSH*, though she was quick to roll backward onto her feet. Meanwhile, the tree she crashed through landed with a massive, fiery *PWAPLOOM* hard enough to cause a slight tremor. "Darn it…! You really don't go down easy…!"

"The same could be said of you…!" Risky shot back in equal agitation, herself also taking the moment to catch her breath as her Dark Magic simmered down just a bit. Brushing the leaves and tree splinters off her badly tattered clothes, the furious Pirate Queen remained absolutely determined to ANNIHILATE her opposition as she wasted no time approaching him with her sword still drawn. "And you'd better believe it when I say I'm going to make your punishment a HUNDRED times more grueling when I capture you…! No man… and I mean NO MAN would DARE try to make such a mockery of ME and expect to live to tell about it…!"

"Heh… I'm forced to agree in a sense, but then… in that same sense, you couldn't even keep me silent by killin' me. Seems you have worse luck than you thought at keepin' your reputation as 'squeaky clean' as you want it t' be… an' now, I'm about t' knock you off your high-an'-mighty pedestal again for old times' sake…!" Tayshan mockingly remarked as he momentarily rested a hand on his halo while shaping himself up and reentering a battle stance to prepare himself for the next round of this unbelievably chaotic encounter. The remark, heard loud and clear despite the growing, raging inferno almost entirely muting any other noise, ticked Risky Boots off something FIERCE as she glared at Tayshan with a vein protruding from her cheek hard enough that it looked like it would burst…

"You, and ONLY you could look your impending doom in the face and have the GALL to make another one of your IRRITATING jokes about it…! I PROMISE you, Tayshan, that tongue of yours will be put to much better use after I've gotten through beating you to a bloody pulp!" Risky very, VERY darkly threatened as her Dark Magic erupted from her body with another intimidating *FWOOOORZZH* that sent another swirling burst of gale force winds that scattered the flames surrounding her and her opponent.

"You can come over here an' try it, then…!" Tayshan dared as he glared directly at Risky's shining red eyes, his own magic flaring with an equally powerful *FWEEEEERSH* that sent another wave of suffocating wind blowing through the burning forest. And throughout the entire time, Tayshan's left eye continued to flicker and flash rapidly between gold and silver. Even odder, his Light Magic began to show swirls of the same dark purple that Risky's energy exuded… "An' just so you know… All the other people whose deaths you were responsible for say 'Hello' from the Village of Lost Souls…!"

"Good for them…!" Risky abrasively dismissed through a low growl as she reached a spot just a few yards away from Tayshan as they stared each other down.

"Just as cold-hearted an' despicable as I thought you'd be. In that case, I won't waste another second. Prepare yourself…!" the evidently vengeful spirit warned as he kept his gaze firmly locked on his target, ready to pounce at a moment's glance.

"I was just about to say the same to YOU…! HRRRRAAAAAH!" Risky Boots roared with nothing but boiling wrath in her tone as she ROCKETED forth with the full intent to take Tayshan down once and for all. And, with a monstrous *KRACHAAANG* of her scimitar against the ghost warrior's vambrace, Tayshan and Risky Boots entered another deadly TYPHOON of sword slashes, vambrace parries, electric haymakers, and Magic-borne clashes that carried them ALL OVER THE PLACE as they inadvertently became a two-person deforestation crew. *PRAKANG* after *KRAKAZAAKRISH* after *SCHWISHSCHWISHSCHWISH* after *KAPROCK* after *THRAKWANG*, the wraith and the pirate mistress went to WAR. Knocking down trees left, right and center as the unyielding blazes raged on, the two of them seemed ABSOLUTELY certain they wanted to UTTERLY DEMOLISH one another. Jeez… Some Boss Battle THIS was turning out to be, eh? What a nightmare…

Meanwhile…

"My… my word…!" Maya remarked in complete shock as she and Sky remained seated at the base of the Phantasmagoric Forest's temple. "They're… They're so powerful…! They'll destroy EVERYTHING if this keeps up…!" she worriedly observed as she held her hand high and channeled an arcane, swirling surge of olive-green magic into it.

"No kidding…!" Sky concurred as she did her best to shield Maya while covering her own face. "I can feel the heat of their battle from here…! How are you holding up with that spell?"

"It… ah…! I-it will take just a bit longer… Ghrrgh…! But… I am fading… This forest is already out of time as it is…"

"What? What do you mean?"

"When I… when I die… So, too, will the Phantasmagoric Forest…" Maya explained, much to Sky's shock.

"WHAT!?"

"My life force is… is bound to this entire island… The worse my condition, the worse… the condition of this once-lush, vibrant safe haven… The battle between your friend and that pirate… the rampant destruction of the fires set by her minions… it… it is hastening my impending end…"

"Oh, no…! Well, what if I flew you out of here on my bird? Do you think you'd survive long enough to get some medical attention?"

"No… I am bound to this forest… I am never able to leave…" Maya denied, growing weaker by the second as her body began to fade and become see-through. Oh, man…

"Maya! Just hang on!" Sky urged the dying forest maiden as they braved the fiery hurricane ravaging the forest in front of them.

"…If I left… the forest would die… which would cause me to die as well…" she fought through her increasingly gruesome injury to inform her situational ally.

"I see… What if you ate something? I have some food items in my inventory that-!"

"It would not work… I do not require sustenance, as my life depends… on the life of the forest… and vice versa… The… aaagh…! The only way to heal me… is to heal the forest… it is… too late for that now…"

"…Shoot…!" Sky cursed, her heart sinking as she held Maya tight to at least make her more comfortable as she continued to fade. It was additionally worrisome to her that Tayshan and Risky Boots were still fighting, laying waste to every tree in the forest they so much as touched while the raging fires burned everything in their path. She pondered what to do in this scenario as she looked around the arena. She couldn't take Maya to safety because Maya was bound to the forest. She couldn't try to take Tayshan and leave because he was busy trying to stop Risky Boots. And even if she COULD get him to abandon the battle and go with her, that would leave Maya at Risky's mercy… and this 'Spirit Fuser' piece… Whatever it was, Maya made it abundantly clear that the Pirate Queen COULD NOT be allowed to get her hands on it. Her best bet seemed to be to wait patiently as Maya used the last of her energy to bring the piece to her. After that, though… what was next? Would Tayshan defeat Risky? Would Risky defeat Tayshan? Would they be able to escape with the piece and without Risky tailing them further to claim the piece for herself? The mounting pressure and discombobulating anxiety were GRINDING away at the poor bird trainer's nerves… Yet, before she could think of anything else…

"HWAAAH!" Maya shouted, startling Sky out of her train of thought as she, with a miraculous, smoky *KWAPWOOOF*, summoned the fabled Spirit Fuser piece into her hand. The golden cylindrical object bore the head of a cobra with tiny rubies for eyes, fangs made of diamond, and a smattering of unsettling… not to mention unintelligible inscriptions all over it. The inscriptions glowed and glimmered with a magnificently menacing shade of red similar to the rubies in the snake head's eyes. "It… It is finally here…"

"Good. So, now what do we-!?" Sky was about to frantically question before a sudden *KAPWOOOOOOOORRRSH* ROCKED and QUAKED the entirety of the temple grounds. "WHOA! What in the heck was THAT!?"

"GHOOHWAAGH!" Tayshan could be heard shouting in what sounded like incredible pain as he was sent rocketing through the charred canopy and back toward the temple. It seemed he was worse for wear, evidenced by the tears and rips all across his pants and the numerous scrapes, cuts, and bruises littered all across his sweaty torso. Despite this, he performed a backward somersault in midair and managed to stick a VERY shaky landing on his feet with an impactful *PLOMP* of his sneakers on the grassland. Panting heavily as his body continued to radiate with a blinding Mixed… or rather, Dual Magic aura, the ghostly adventurer seemed to be having a bit of a tough time. Interestingly enough, his right fist had been crackling with *KRAPROCK* after *KRAKAZOCK* of electricity as he kept his composure. He wouldn't be reemerging from the forest alone, however.

"HRRYAAAAH!" Risky Boots shouted as she charged at nearly THE SPEED OF SOUND toward Tayshan with her strange silver handgun from earlier drawn. And while she was dashing full speed at her enemy, she aimed the pistol and fired it. With an ear-splitting *KRAFWIIIIIIISH*, Risky shot… what looked like A PURPLE JOLLY ROGER-BEARING BAZOOKA ROUND OUT OF IT!? HOW WOULD THAT EVEN FIT IN THERE!? Ah… I-I guess that'll have to wait till later for an explanation, because it was headed RIGHT FOR Tayshan, who'd been standing directly in front of Sky and Maya.

"Ah, no…! HrrrAAAAAAH!" Tayshan shouted in utter urgency as he, with another windy *FWEEEEEEERSH*, summoned up another burst of Dual Magic to protect himself with. Only… "Ghaaaagh…! Hah…! Hah…! C-come on…! We're almost done…!" he urged himself through his excruciating pain as the Dual Magic also began to crackle and waver violently… like he seemed to be losing control of his power? Hmm… Nevertheless, he managed to catch the rocket with his BARE HANDS, hurriedly whirling around and FLINGING it right back at Risky while she was still charging at him.

"What!? Impossible!" the Pirate Queen bellowed in total surprise as she saw the round from her own gun racing back toward her, though she did her best to improvise. Charging up another *KRAFWOOOOOOOOOORSH* of Dark Magic through her form, Risky Boots pressed ahead and switched out her gun for her scimitar. And, with astounding agility, she spun PAST the rocket as it whizzed by her and exploded on a pair of trees behind her with an enormous *KRABOOOOOOOOOOM*. As you might imagine, those trees were history. Nevertheless, Risky reached Tayshan in the blink of an eye, at which point the two of them engaged in another soul-shaking round of their close-quarters showdown. *KRAKLACK* after *KLACHING* after *PLOCK* after *KAPROCK*, the two of them were right back to trying to kill each other as they engaged in another deadly dance of punches, kicks, sword swings, wristband parries, and mutually shared all-encompassing HATRED. While Risky initially gained a small upper hand in pushing Tayshan into a defensive as he stepped back while dodging or blocking sword swing after thrust kick after sword swipe after Dark Magic-charged punch, he eventually saw his next opportunity to strike back.

"Gotcha! HRRYAAAH!" he shouted as he, with a most emphatic *PWACK*, caught Risky by the wrist as she was going in for another sword swipe. And when she tried to punch him with her free fist, he caught that with another electricity-spewing *KRAKAPLOCKZ* of her knuckles against his palm. Wasting ZERO time, Tayshan cocked his leg back, reeled Risky in, and delivered a JAW-SHATTERING *PRAKROCK* of a knee directly to her chin.

"BWAHAGH!" Risky shouted in understandably extreme pain as she was propelled upward to the point that her feet left the ground. Letting go of Risky's wrists in that moment, Tayshan followed up by charging a supply of Light Magic into his left hand… which, suspiciously enough, began to swirl with vestiges of DARK Magic as he cocked his hand back. Before long, though…

"DORRYAAH!" he hollered as he flung his palm forth and delivered a most DEVASTATING palm strike directly to his adversary's exposed abdomen. With a forceful *PRAPWARRSHK*, Risky Boots found herself being sent hurtling backward toward the far end of the temple grounds. Recovering surprisingly quickly, however, she reached her hands outward and planted them on the ground once the momentum from the force push died down (with her sword in hand, mind you). As soon as she did so, she sprung herself back to her feet, sticking what should have been an IMPOSSIBLE landing. It was at this point, however, that it looked like Risky was in hardly a better condition than Tayshan was. She was panting heavily, her pants were torn in various spots, she had scorch marks all over her pants AND her abdomen… She was ALSO littered with cuts, splinters, and bruises… and her long, silky purple hair had even come unfurled through her disheveled, tattered red-and-white striped bandana. Nevertheless, Risky remained ready for battle as her Dark Magic aura flared strong.

"Hah…! Blast it…! You… you were NOT supposed to be this much of a problem…!" the agitated buccaneer remarked through extremely haggard breaths. "Regardless, I'm still stronger than you…! That much is clear, despite the gap between us evidently getting a TINY bit smaller… That said, do us both a favor and SUBMIT already, dog! You know you can't win this time!"

"Ghah…! N-not a chance…!" Tayshan boldly refused, however tired he was. "An'… if you think your power level alone is gonna carry you through this… then you're… SORELY mistaken…!" he added, though he… he DIDN'T deny Risky's claim… Uh… Does… does that mean she really WAS stronger than him? Does that mean he really COULDN'T win!? "All it'll take at THIS point is one more clean shot, an' you'll be as good as locked down…" Well… he still had his confidence about him, so… I suppose that means something…

"Hah! Fool… Even in the face of another humiliating defeat, you still… hold onto that pitiful macho façade, expecting me to fall for the bluff," she laughingly retorted through her fatigue. "That's fine, though… because that just means you remember that it REALLY 'excites' me when my prey try till the very end to resist me…! So, be my guest. With whatever you have left in your tank, make the grand finale of this fight one for me to cherish…"

"…Goodness, could you POSSIBLY make that sound more perverted…?" Tay found it in himself to insult Risky at his own peril, though he came across as VERY agitated when he made his statement. "For almost this whole time, you been beltin' out all these dirty jokes… even though it got old after the FIRST comment you made…! You some type o' freak or somethin', Risky?" At that, she… CACKLED in delight?

"You should know from personal experience that I definitely am…! And I'm sure the knowledge gets your gears running if you find yourself curious enough to ask, honey…~" she owned her certified 'freak' status with a most confident grin, staring the wraith right in his gold-and-silver eye as she made her remark. As one would imagine, Tayshan glowered at her, his frustration intense enough that his Dual Magic flared brighter. "That aside, I think you know what I'm REALLY getting at. Let's cut the chit-chat and finish this, so I can claim my prizes and go home a happy pirate captain. Shall we?"

"On the part about finishin' this fight, I agree. Can't say for sure if it's gonna end in your favor, but… I guess THIS is where we find out…!" he offered his challenge as he grounded his stance and prepared to charge. Risky Boots did much the same. Meanwhile…

"…And… you're certain these two are not former lovers having a personal quarrel…?" Maya, for some reason, asked Sky as she made another odd speculation. "Despite the destructive nature of their battle… I can feel the disturbingly lustful energy from here…"

"Ugh, NO! Seriously, what are you seeing that I'm not seeing!?" Sky fervently denied once again, repulsed by the forest guardian's misconstruction of some sort of weird Tayshan x Risky Boots ship. Seeming to hear none of it, however, the wraith and the pirate were off to the races just one more time.

"HRRRAAAAH!" Tayshan shouted as he sprinted ahead with a mountainous *BWOOORSH* of his aura kicking up a blast of sweltering wind behind him that caused Sky to shield herself and Maya.

"YAAAAAAH!" Risky Boots also shouted as she blasted off running with an equally monumental *WROOOOSH* of her energy flaring and kicking up a massive gust of wind behind her. By every angle of it, it seemed these two were ready to utterly ANNIHILATE one another. Neither one of them showing any sort of mercy toward the other, Risky and Tayshan charged at one another with each of them aiming to claim a decisive victory. Yet… Something went TERRIBLY wrong when, with a sudden *CHAPROCK* of electricity racing through the ghost man's body from top to bottom…

"GWAH!" Tayshan grunted and winced in a surprise show of debilitating agony, stopping on a dime and clutching his abdomen. "Ghaah…! Sh-shoot… Soul-Link sense is goin' crazy out o' nowhere…! Shantae…" he muttered a most… unusual and truly perplexing statement about this 'Soul-Link' thing that kept getting passed around… And for him to immediately utter the name of Sequin Land's main heroine… was it possible they had some sort of shared sixth sense we weren't aware of? Before we would get an answer to that question, however…

"EYES ON THE PRIZE, DOG!" Risky Boots yelled, continuing to charge ahead without hesitation as she jumped on the opportunity. "RRRRRAAAH!" she further shouted as she cocked her fist back and… with a MONSTROUS, Dark Magic-powered *KABLAASH*, she HAMMERED the distracted Tayshan in the face hard enough that she very well could have BROKEN HIS NECK without question.

"UGHAGH!" the wraith bellowed out in unimaginable agony, stumbling back as he recoiled from the catastrophic haymaker. Risky wasn't done yet, however…

"RYAAAH!" Risky shouted again as she spun and slashed her scimitar at Tayshan, landing a BRUTAL strike across his chest with a startling *SKWIRSH* of its blade against his exposed skin, followed by another one that struck even HARDER with another raking *SKROSCH*. She followed up by lunging ahead and… and… and… OH, MY GOODNESS! She, with NO form of hesitation, tried IMPALING HIM WITH THE SWORD! Yet…

"HAH!" Tayshan hollered as he, at the VERY last second, dodged the lightning-quick sword thrust, locked his arm around Risky's, and squeezed and twisted as hard as he could.

"GHAAAH! D-Darn you…!"

"I… I TOLD you already, didn't I…!? Guess now I gotta SHOW you…!" he warned as he twisted his torso into her arm… evidently with the intent to break it as punishment for Risky's attempt to stab him.

"Don't get ahead of yourself…!" Risky challenged as she tried her hardest to pull herself out of the wraith's iron grip to no avail. "Grraaah…! Let… me… GO!" she VERY angrily demanded as her body quickly ignited with another bursting *FROOOOOOOOOWSH* of Dark Magic. Even still, Tayshan's grip held strong. Following her malicious power boost, however, Risky opted to play dirty… by attempting to scratch at Tayshan's face with her free hand. Seeing this coming, Tayshan used his free hand to grab onto hers, which gave Risky JUST enough leeway to lean back, cock her head even further back, and then… Ooh… And then just LAUNCH her head forward to deliver a most BRUTAL *KRATHUNK* of a headbutt directly to her enemy's face before he could do anything to defend himself against it.

"GWAAAGH…! Agh…!" the unfortunate guardian grunted and groaned in absolutely unbearable agony as she stumbled back, holding his aching face with a hand while reaching his other hand out toward the ground to keep from falling all the way over. It almost seemed like she knocked him out with that unwarranted cheap shot. Yet… His magic didn't fade… If anything, it… looked like it was changing color? Seeming oblivious to the change, however, Risky continued her wrathful onslaught while she had her advantage.

"Now, then…! I was saving THIS for that wretched genie brat, but YOU'LL make a perfect test dummy…! TAKE THIS!" Risky commanded as she grabbed Tayshan by the head, cocked her leg back, pulled him forward before he had a chance to get all the way back up, and… with a BOULDER-SHATTERING *KRATHROCK*, she drove her knee right into his face with the force of a SLEDGEHAMMER! Yet, Risky would only finish up her dastardly assault when she reached forth, grabbed him by the wrist to pull him in again, and then thrust kicked him away with a forceful *THUNK* of her boot against his chest, and charged another rush of magic into the arm she was holding sword with. The sword, with a frightening *VWOZHWEEEERRNG*, glowed bright with a hot purple energy as its wielder channeled her power into it. And within just a second… "HULL RIPPER!" she shouted the name of possibly one of her deadliest techniques as she slashed her sword against the open air with a crackling *ZHWOOOOORRSH*. The instant she did so, a HUMONGOUS, crescent-shaped, bright purple beam of light was discharged from her weapon with enough speed to break the sound barrier. Within the next instant, however, and with an eardrum-rupturing *KWABLOAARRSH*, the energy beam struck Tayshan with enough force to send him PACKING as he was flung dozens… if not HUNDREDS of feet across the arena.

"HWAAAAGH!" he hollered out in indescribable pain as he flew across the arena with hardly a thing to stop him. Within a few seconds, however, he landed with an EXTREMELY hard *THUD* of his back against the stony pathway to the temple. He hit the ground so hard that it CRACKED, for one. And for two, he was also sent flipping over himself before he landed once again with a much less impactful *PLOP* of his stomach on the ground. And before long after the fact… his aura disappeared… Oh, no… Oh, no! He… Did he just LOSE!? Shoot…! Yet… oddly enough, his right hand… it was still crackling with electricity. I only presume that means he wasn't done yet… It also helped that he had slowly, but surely climbed to his hands and knees within a few seconds of taking the devastating attack full-force. Nevertheless, Risky Boots let out a most triumphant cackle as she basked in her moment of perceived victory as she sheathed her sword and brushed the sweat from her brow.

"…N-no… He… he was not strong enough…!" Maya lamented, devastated to see that evil would prevail, and that her efforts would be in vain…

"Hah! In the end, you just COULDN'T hack it, Tay-Tay!" Risky gloated with the flashiest of evil grins on her face as she marveled at the scene before her. Tayshan down on his hands and knees like he was out of steam, his miserable friend stunned beyond belief as she coddled that useless forest nymph… It was nothing short of an absolute JACKPOT of a win for the Pirate Queen. "You fought surprisingly well this time around, but you could NEVER hope to defeat me by yourself! Nevertheless, those new powers of yours will still serve me well once I've corrupted you again… Now, then… Time to claim my treasures…!" And with that ominous declaration, she sauntered her way over toward the

"TAYSHAN!" Sky shrieked in absolute horror, tempted to get up and race toward him to check up on him… before Risky pulled her gun out and cocked it with a *crichick* that stopped the bird trainer in her tracks as she continued her aggressive advance.

"Ah-ah-ah~!" Risky Boots mockingly warned Sky, who froze in a mixture of shock and petrifying fear. "If you want to survive this encounter, young lady, then you'll do yourself a favor and back away from MY captive…! Otherwise, you'll find out just how 'delicious' a BULLET can be when it's flying into your face at MACH 1!" she further darkly threatened as she aimed the firearm at the falconer.

"You won't get away with this, Risky!" Sky proclaimed, though she was practically QUAKING in her boots in the wake of this increasingly discouraging ordeal. One could tell by the angered, yet incredibly frightened look on her face that she knew she was powerless to stop the Pirate Queen herself. "Shantae's gonna find out about this, and she'll-!"

"SHUT UP!" Risky cut off as she fired the gun with a startling, ear-splitting *KABLANG*.

"GHAAAHAAAAGH!" Sky wailed in unspeakable agony as she was sent tumbling to the ground, clutching her shoulder as it began to bleed. "Aaahaaagh! Ghaaah! Y-you…! You SHOT me…! YOU SHOT ME! Aaahaagh…! Hah..! Ghaah…!" she continued to groan and whimper as tears quickly flooded her eyes. Her pet bird, appalled and devastated that his closest ally was hurt, took flight and hovered around her, doing his best to ease her pain while protecting her from further harm. JEEZ…! Risky… really just SHOT Sky without a shred of hesitation…

"Gah…! Sky…!" Tayshan gasped in shock and horror as he powerlessly bore witness to his friend being so grievously injured. "No…! You'll pay for that…! Grrrgh…! Graaaah…! You'll…! PAY FOR THAT…!" he continued to murmur as he motioned to get up… though he'd been trembling with unmitigated rage as his body suddenly became encased in a swirling shroud of purple…

"NEVER mention that filthy little runt's name around me unless you have a DEATH WISH! That was your warning shot…!" Risky growled in contempt as she continued to walk toward them. "Anyway… You there! Nymph! I'll be taking that Spirit Fu-!" she was about to order as she turned her attention to an immeasurably frightened Maya… before, with a sudden, EXPLOSIVE *FWABWOOOOOOOOOOORRRSH*, a VOLCANIC ERUPTION of a swirling, tempestuous purple and blue aura came rushing out of the wraith we'd just presumed defeated. "Ergh…! Wh-what!? What's happening…!?" Risky questioned, though she wouldn't get much time to wonder… as Tayshan wordlessly got back up and glared a most inconsolable, rampaging HATRED at Risky Boots. Worse yet… his one eye had been glowing bright enough to rival the sun itself as it RAPIDLY flashed between gold and silver. The other eye? It was that gleaming, bone-chilling, soul-shaking, solid SILVER… Oh, no…

"Y-you can still STAND after what just happened to you? Darn it, I have to-!" she was about to comment as she aimed her gun at him… only for him to race ahead faster than she could anticipate and ensnare Risky's wrist with enough force to nearly CRUSH IT in his left hand. Or, I-I'm pretty sure he DID crush it, considering the unsettling *KERSNAP* that seemingly rang out from nowhere… Eugh… Grounding his stance, Tayshan reached his lighting-charged right hand as far back behind him as he could, with the electricity getting stronger with every *KRAZOCK*, *KRAKAZAK*, and electrified *ZRRKRAKAK* of the lightning bolts running through it. And soon enough, an electric energy sphere formed in his open palm that immediately grew to the size of five basketballs combined. "Ghah…! Unhand me, you miserable-!"

"You CLEARLY haven't learned ANYTHING from the last time we fought… an' I've seen FAR MORE THAN ENOUGH today t' know you CANNOT be allowed t' get away! I'm gonna END YOU ONCE AN' FOR ALL!" Tayshan threatened, his voice having changed… to where it had that terrifying double effect in it… Yet, before anyone could think to figure out what was happening… "GRRRAAAAAAH!" he shouted as he pulled Risky forth and rammed his attack into her stomach as HARD as he could. With a truly THUNDEROUS *KABWOOOOAARRKAHZAZAZAZZAAAAAP*, Risky Boots was sent RIPPING through the air, after which she hit the ground maybe ninety yards away with a *THUD* so hard that it DENTED AND SCORCHED the earth she skidded across. Meanwhile, the EXTREMELY agitated specter immediately took off the vambrace affixed to his right arm and tossed it aside. Just then, that same arm began to… to OVERFLOW with enough magic that he could potentially suffocate a herd of elephants with it…

"Dwaaaagh…! Ghah…! Sh-shoot….!" Risky cursed in unfathomable pain, having been knocked for such a disastrous loop that she almost lost all sense of awareness for a second. However, she found herself EXTREMELY slow to get up, as *KRAZOK* after *KRAKAZAP* of electric bolts surged all over her body. She… also felt almost entirely numb as she BARELY gathered up the strength to climb to a knee. The cackling bolts of electricity ripping through her form from head to toe totally paralyzed her in that moment as she lifted her head up and glared at Tayshan… who hadn't halted his attack as he immediately grounded his stance once again and… with another astonishing *KRAKAZAKROK* of electricity in his left hand in addition to the nonstop electric current in his right one, he charged up even MORE energy as his fluctuating aura flared intensely enough that it whipped up tornado-level whirlwinds around him that kicked up dirt, grass blades, and debris from all over the arena. "Wh-what…!? How…!?"

"HOOWAAAARAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Tayshan animalistically howled at the top of his lungs in rapidly increasing anger as he, with a particularly voluminous *KRAKAVWOOOOORSH*, summoned up not one, but TWO giant electric energy spheres… one in each hand… and, with a swirl of his arms in front of himself, he COMBINED THE ENERGY SPHERES INTO ONE with a frightening *BWAFROOOOOSH* as the deadly energy ball IGNITED into white-hot flames while surging with bolts of purple electricity. He aimed one open hand at Risky Boots while he used his other arm to hold the first one steady. Meanwhile, the presumably deadly energy attack remained stationary in his palm, crackling and burning with *CHARPROCK* after *KRAZOKOP* after awe-inspiring *ZZRRCHAPOCK* as it hummed like a swarm of the most violently aggressive wasps humanity had ever known.

"You…! You wouldn't DARE…! Agh…! There's… no way you've got the guts…!" Risky dared, not at all believing her opponent had any intention to push the envelope far enough that he would SERIOUSLY attempt to…

"WRONG…!" Tayshan countered, barely holding back as he aimed. "You were given FAR too many chances t' change your ways, an' you BLEW every one of 'em…! No more…! No MORE! This time, you're finally gonna get the karma you've deserved for WAY too long…!"

"…T-Tayshan… Wait…!" Sky attempted to call, though she could hardly even BREATHE as she remained seated behind her partner, clutching her shoulder as she braved the tempestuous winds whipped up by his aura. "You… you don't have to go that far…! Stop…!" she tried to call, though he could not hear her.

"Unbelievable…! How…? How could mere HUMANS possess such unfathomable power…!?" Maya remarked in complete bewilderment, beyond astounded at the inconceivably destructive display that unfolded before her.

"You're gonna be made t' feel EVERY BIT o' the pain you caused everyone around you…! An' what better way t' deliver it than through this next move…? SUN'S WRATH CANNON!" he warned as the electric fireball in his hand grew in size, causing him to wince once again in what seemed to be unbearable pain as he committed to this potentially FATAL technique.

"…D-Darn it…! I… I can't move…!" Risky complained through endless waves of shocking agony as she remained almost entirely immobile. As it seemed… Tayshan was ready to KILL Risky Boots on the spot… W-wow… I didn't expect things to EVER get so dark, so quickly, but… with the way things had gone down just in this battle alone… Yet, just when things couldn't get surprising enough, a sudden *TWEESCH* rang out from behind Tayshan and Sky, accompanied by a beam of a bright white light. And while the wraith and the injured bird tamer paid no immediate notice to the sudden disturbance in the atmosphere, Risky Boots immediately saw an image that SUPREMELY infuriated her as she remained immobile. The image? A certain purple-haired, ponytailed, red-garbed half-genie and her blue-haired male sidekick warping into the vicinity to immediately be taken aback by the ensuing chaos as they shielded themselves.

"Gahh…! Whoa, this Soul-Link sense is going off like NO TOMORROW…!" the half-genie in question complained, clutching her stomach for dear life as she and her teammate tried to get a scope of what was happening.

"SKY! H-hey, are you alright?" the blue-haired young man called as he hurriedly rushed over to assist the ailing falconer and tended to her. Meanwhile, the half-genie continued to scour the surroundings, trying to gather an idea of what was going on. It didn't take long, however, before the young heroine noticed the shirtless, magic-consumed, dreadlocked wraith charging up what appeared to be an ENORMOUS energy attack… while he aimed it directly at her blue-skinned buccaneer archenemy, who appeared to be stuck in place on one knee with electricity shooting through her body.

"What in the…? Tayshan!? Hey, what the heck is going on!? What are you DOING!?" she frantically called, immediately trying to race toward the vindictive ghost warrior with the intent to stop him. She would come up short on this endeavor… as Tayshan launched his attack without another second of hesitation. "TAYSHAN! STO-!"

"DIE A THOUSAND DEATHS, RISKY BOOTS! WRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" the wraith roared with EVERY OUNCE of energy he had to spare as he propelled his hand forth. And, with a truly DEVASTATING *KRRAKABWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRSSSSSH*, the 'Sun's Wrath Cannon' was on its way to OBLITERATE everything in its path. The attack exploding forth like a skyscraper-sized, mile-wide, blindingly bright, superheated LASER BLAST, it was on a DIRECT crash course for Risky Boots. Sweltering gale force winds RUSHED backward from the blast, causing EVERYONE behind Tayshan to shield their faces and hold their ground as best as they could. The blast scorched EVERYTHING it touched, leaving charred, black ashes in its wake as it rocketed toward its target. Try as Risky might, she couldn't move fast enough to get herself out of the way. Every slight movement in that moment was punished with a *KRACHOK* of electricity shocking her into place. It seemed that, by all accounts… the Pirate Queen was doomed. With no choice but to brace for impact, Risky did her best to tense herself up in hopes that she could tank the incoming attack.

Yet, JUST at the last second, Risky's lone remaining Tinkerbat in the area intervened by dashing to her aid. Wrapping its arms around her waist, the loyal minion used all of its strength to twist around and toss its captain JUST far enough out of the way that she wouldn't be harmed by their enemy's last-ditch counterattack. The Tinkerbat itself, however, would not be so lucky. Within a literal SECOND of it tossing Risky Boots out of the way, it was INSTANTLY engulfed in electrified flames, the sizzling *SKIIIIIIIIIIIKIZZIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSH* of the unforgiving fire blast ROASTING IT TO CINDERS IN NO TIME FLAT and leaving not even atoms behind. The blast didn't stop there, however. For the next five to seven seconds that felt like HOURS, the Sun's Wrath Cannon TOTALLY INCINERATED droves, upon DROVES, upon DROVES of trees, leaving nothing but a crispy, torched NIGHTMARE in its wake. Eventually, and with a monumental *KRABWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM* of a devastating explosion against some distant solid force that sent HUGE shockwaves ripping through the entirety Phantasmagoric Forest, the attack concluded… but not before sending a frightening mushroom cloud bursting upward through what little canopy there was at this point… Man, oh man, oh, MAN…!

It… basically should have gone without saying that everyone in the area found themselves beyond ALARMED at what just happened as the dust finally settled. Sky, Maya, Risky… Each one of them were rendered entirely speechless. The two late entries to the party were no exceptions, as they each glanced at each other to try and register what in the wild blue WORLD happened. The Pirate Queen herself had been staring in awe at the MILES of scorched earth caused by a single man with just his bare hands and a bit of magic… And speaking of the man in question…

"Ghaaaaharaawwwgh… Hah…! Grrgh…! Sh-shoot…! Hah… O-of course she'd get… bailed out right then an' there…!" he breathlessly voiced his dissatisfaction with his result as the aura around him rapidly dissipated… though there suddenly appeared this odd glittering phenomenon as he wound down and fell to a knee as his firing arm went entirely limp. In that same moment, that same arm suddenly surged with the same kind of electricity that paralyzed Risky. "DAHAAAAAAAGH…! Ghhaaaah…! Hah…! T-too much power…! Ahaaagh…!" he further complained as *KRAKAZIIIK* after *KRAKLOK* of immobilizing electricity ran through his arm… which, upon closer inspection, had seemingly BEGUN TO FADE FROM VIEW!? It… it didn't disappear completely, but the fact that it was becoming see-through… but then it solidified within a few seconds, with the skin of his appendage becoming three or four shades darker as though he stuck it in a broiler for ten minutes… Oh, my goodness…

"Tayshan!" the half-genie called, finishing her race toward the highly fatigued wraith as he continued to wince and pant in unyielding agony as he clutched his arm. Startled nevertheless, Tayshan turned and saw the most familiar of worried faces approaching him.

"Sh… Shantae? What are you doin' here?" he asked in an overabundance of surprise as they locked eyes. It was then, however, that the half-genie noticed many, MANY things were amiss.

"I sensed you were in trouble, so I warped here to make sure you were alright," she explained as she closed the distance and examined him up and down. "The more important question, though, is what happened here!? This forest looks like a tornado made of FIRE hit it!"

"It's… a very… long story…" he did his best to warn her as he winced due to his compromised, electricity-plagued arm.

"I'm sure it is, but I need at least a LITTLE bit of context," Shantae countered, growing more bewildered as she continued to scan Tayshan. "What in the world is RISKY BOOTS doing here!? How did you do that move!? Why did you use it to try and KILL her!? And your eye… It's glowing AND flashing rapidly between gold and silver! And is your arm okay? It looks like it's burnt! Where's the bracelet you had on it? And from the look of it, you look like someone put you through a meat grinder! Your… your scars are glowing, too… How badly are you hurt?" the half-genie drilled the wraith with questions and observations, a sizable mixture of surprise and concern whipping itself up into a perfect storm.

"You've… got a lot o' questions… Where do I even begin…?" he tried to joke, though he flinched again as another *CHAPROCK* of electricity ripped through his immobilized arm. "GHAHAGH…! Ahh…!"

"This is no time for jokes, hon. What did Risky do to you? And…" she trailed off, taking just a second to bat her eyes at the paralyzed pirate across the arena. Noticing the rough shape Risky Boots ALSO happened to be in with her badly tattered clothes, numerous scrapes and bruises, and even BURN MARKS littered across her form… Shantae's eyes widened in astonishment as she turned her attention back to Tayshan. "…what did you do to her? You both look like you went to WAR in this forest…"

"That's… because we did… and I'd… ghah…! I-I'd like t' answer your questions now, but listen… I'd… suggest you check on Sky an' the other woman behind us first…! I'll be okay, but they're both hurt bad…! Risky shot them…!" Tay urged to the best of his ability.

"Risky did WHAT!?" Shantae practically shrieked, appalled by the revelation as she spun around to see the injured bird trainer in question. At that point, Sky remained seated, clutching her bandage-wrapped shoulder and wiping her tears as Bolo knelt beside her and secured the bandages. "SKY! Oh, my gosh…! Hey, girl, are you feeling okay?" the half-genie worriedly asked as she approached, reluctantly leaving Tayshan to the task of trying to regain the feeling in his arm as he recovered from his attack.

"Hey, Shantae…" Sky greeted as enthusiastically as she could, though it was beyond clear she wasn't feeling well. "Glad to see ya, girl… I just wish I didn't look like such a mess…"

"I'm sure you can tell just by looking at me and Bolo that we didn't exactly come in looking our Sunday best either," Shantae assured, referring to the mildly disheveled state of her outfit and Bolo's tattered clothing and numerous battle-related scuffs.

"Yeah, we just got done an adventure of our own before we checked in on you," Bolo added in confirmation as he remained at Sky's side. "What happened here?"

"Tayshan and I were investigating a lead…" Sky explained as Shantae and Bolo helped her to her feet, though she had to be careful not to move her compromised shoulder as it radiated with searing pain. "We came to this place to do some research on a Relic I heard about… Long story short, we fought through a horde of nightmare creatures that called this place home before we confronted Risky Boots. It turns out Risky and her Tinkerbats followed us here, torched this jungle, and severely wounded the guardian over there… Her name is Maya, and we were trying to protect her after Risky injured her…" she added as she turned and led her friends over to the gradually weakening Maya, who'd remained laid up against the temple with the Spirit Fuser piece in her hand. At this point, however, Maya's entire body began to fade out of view as her injury grew too severe for her to realistically survive. Worried for her, Sky nonverbally urged the other two heroes to follow her as they all checked in on her. "Maya…! Oh, no…"

"…Ghahagh…! M-my time is running out…" Maya warned as she grew weaker and weaker by the second.

"Hey, it'll be okay. We've got you. We'll get you to safety, and we'll get you healed up," Shantae tried to assist as she approached Maya to pick her up, only for the forest guardian to halt her with a hand. "Hm?"

"No… there… is nothing you can do now. I am not long for this world… and the Phantasmagoric Forest will perish with me, as I mentioned to your ally earlier," Maya explained before turning her attention to Sky. "Speaking of which… You there… Bird whisperer…"

"Yeah?" the falconer perked up and approached. As soon as she got close enough, Maya reached out and handed Sky the Spirit Fuser piece, shocking both Shantae and Bolo in the process.

"Hand this Relic to the ghost man in green… Agh…! From what I see… H-he may be the only one capable of protecting it… I-in the meantime, you would… all do best to leave this place immediately… When I die, it will vanish… shortly after…" she requested and informed with what little strength she had left.

Meanwhile, the ghost man in question barely managed to pull himself to a shaky stand as his arm hung limp at his side. He held his other arm up, hand balled into a fist as he stared Risky Boots down. As one might imagine, he wasn't paying attention to the conversation going on behind him. At the same time, the Pirate Queen also barely recovered from her temporary paralysis and pulled herself to an unsteady, hunched over, breathless standing position… though she made no move to strike a battle pose.

"You… You just tried to KILL me…" Risky accused Tayshan, causing everyone else to turn their attention to here, each of their expressions RIFE with enmity and contempt. "You REALLY just tried to KILL me…! And the WAY you tried to do it… Hah… You scurvy dog…! How long were you keeping THAT technique under wraps…?"

"Yeah… Gah…! You should thank that Tinkerbat o' yours for pullin' you out the way at the last minute…!" the wraith remarked, unrepentant of his attempt on the Pirate Queen's life as his heavily compromised arm continued to sizzle and pop with *KRAZIK* after *PWAKWOK* with more recoil-based electricity. "An' t' answer your question, I had it saved long enough that you're the second person I was forced t' use it on…" he further answered, which I could guess only meant that he didn't have much experience with it, but that it was one of his most lethal abilities. And MAN, did that show…

"Really, now? I'm the SECOND, huh…? I only wonder who the first was…"

"Had it hit you, you would've been able t' ask him yourself…!" he darkly shot back, making evident that this particular move… was NOT to be trifled with.

"…Wait, what…?" Shantae could be heard whispering her question in shock as she tuned into Tayshan's and Risky's conversation.

"So, you've killed someone with it before, have you?" Risky remarked not in fear… but in INTRIGUE as she asked for confirmation. Tay wordlessly tilted his head as he continued to glare at her, sending a clear signal to the Pirate Queen… one that made her widen her eyes like she'd seen a ghost… Er, I-I mean a different ghost than the one standing in front of her, I mean. In the same vein, the half-genie also reeled back in silent surprise. "My, my… I can't help but wonder how gruesome an encounter that must've been, for a move like THAT to become necessary to end a battle."

"As long as you're able t' ask, you'll never know for sure…" he cryptically replied, remaining stoic as he stood as tall as he could in his fatigued state.

"Hm… An interesting reply," Risky acknowledged as she shakily reached for the gun she dropped. As she grabbed hold of it, however, she winced as she noticed a particular stabbing pain, alarming discoloration, and moderate swelling in the wrist of the hand she went to pick it up with. "Agh…! Hrgh… Gotta say, there have been a ton of odd things happening over these last few weeks, and especially today alone… all the way down to us winding up running into each other in this nausea-inducing dream trip of a forest… But certainly, the ODDEST thing about this entire situation… is YOU, Tayshan…"

"Me? What for?"

"For one thing, I don't have a clue how you managed to pick up all these fancy new magic techniques of yours since you died… but I'm intrigued by how DEADLY most of them are… Heh… The other thing… is that, unlike a certain genie, you… you've got some SERIOUS nerve… Hah…" she declared with a wicked grin, causing her enemies to tense up as they watched her every move. "It's been a LONG time… since someone has tried so brazenly to wipe me out… and had actually come CLOSE to succeeding…! I'm genuinely impressed…!"

"Impressed? Is that supposed t' be a joke?"

"Not at all, though I don't feel the need to explain myself to you," she implied, refusing to elaborate. "I'd… hah… I'd almost pegged you as a lost cause… but now… NOW… I've seen EVERYTHING I needed to see to know just what you're capable of. Your skills are sharper than ever… and it's obvious by now that you're STRONGER than ever despite the fact that I still hold a sizable edge over you… and even better, it still just takes a teeny, tiny little 'push' in the right direction for you become capable of doing ANYTHING… including KILLING anyone you view as a threat the MOMENT you deem it necessary. You actually DO still have that killer instinct I thought Shantae scrubbed out of you…"

"That's all well an' good, but what's your point, Risky?" Tayshan impatiently urged her.

"My point is that it seems I've rubbed off on you much more than you care to acknowledge," she taunted with a cackle that did no favors for anyone around to hear it. "And it also seems you haven't forgotten your true nature as a 'soldier,' after all. I've truly got that magic touch, huh?" At that, he scoffed in disdain.

"Hmph…! Of course, you'd find some twisted way t' turn this into a reason t' pat yourself on the back…"

"And it's much deserved, if you want me to be COMPLETELY honest. After all, you'd NEVER have gotten this strong if it wasn't for me. Oh, but here's the kicker…"

"The kicker…?"

"With everything you've shown me today, and with how much of a challenge you gave me with no form of dumb luck on your side… even after RETURNING FROM THE DEAD after I killed you… Infuriatingly enough, you've got resilience that I've never seen ANYONE possess before. You just plain never give up… I must say, I respect it just as much as I detest it. And believe me, I REALLY DETEST it…!"

"We've already walked that trail o' conversation before, so you ain't sayin' anything new."

"Sure, but it's not to be underestimated. Here's some 'new' info for you, nevertheless: Based on what I've seen of you today… In some ways, you've proven yourself to be AN EVEN BETTER FIGHTER THAN SHANTAE HERSELF! Hah! It's hilarious how ironic this is that killing you only made you more powerful!"

"What!?" everyone else in the vicinity collectively yelled in unison.

"You all heard me. And y'know what, Tayshan? That makes me just the HAPPIEST knowing that I was able to create something that could realistically bring about Shantae's ULTIMATE DOWNFALL once the dice roll in my favor. So thank you for showing me what you've learned in our time apart, because you've made yourself a prime target once again…"

"Oh good, because I DEFINITELY need you snoopin' around an' plottin' more underhanded ways t' kidnap an' brainwash me again," Tayshan sarcastically remarked. "You already cause enough headaches with the half-baked schemes you NORMALLY come up with. An' if the mind control gimmick didn't stick last time, what makes you think it'll work again?"

"That's for me to know, and for you to discover when you find yourself obeying my every command with no form of resistance. And trust me, it'll happen sooner than you think. You should feel flattered, honestly," Risky taunted with a shrug of her shoulders.

"An' you figure that because…?"

"Because that power of yours proves itself more and more valuable with every spicy encounter we have with one another. And once I bring you under my control again, I'll use your power in combination with mine, so that I can finally dispatch your idiot girlfriend once and for all, WASTE this miserable country, and turn it into a pirate's dominion of my ingenious design…!"

"I'd never let any of that happen in a MILLION YEARS, Risky!" Shantae shouted, stepping up and standing in front of Tayshan as though she intended to go toe-to-toe with the Pirate Queen herself. "If you think I'm gonna sit idly by and let you hurt my friends and wipe another place off Sequin Land's map, much less SEQUIN LAND AS A WHOLE, then you're SADLY mistaken! Our battle on Paradise Island should've BRANDED that message into your thick skull!"

"Please… Even WITH your increased strength and abilities, you got LUCKY the first time we fought out there because you resorted to cheap shots and your usual dirty genie tricks! You got lucky AGAIN against me and the Empress Siren because she wasn't able to absorb your soul like she should've been able to, and then it turned out she was too weak to deal with you on her own despite absorbing those other pitiful genies," Risky dismissed Shantae with a scoff. "And let's not even TRY to forget the fact that your dumb friends and that TRAITOROUS Lobster Siren bailed you out JUST as I had you snatched up, bound, gagged, and ready to be served to Empress Siren on an IRON SKILLET before you had a CLUE what was going on! Everything else about that fight could be chalked up to you pulling literal MIRACLES out of your narrow behind to save yourself from certain doom yet again."

"You've certainly got a LOT of excuses to hurl at me for why I beat you on Paradise Island. Then again, you've grown used to making excuses for EVERY time you lose. Don't you think it's time you started seeing if maybe YOU'RE the reason for your own misfortune? We wouldn't have to keep doing this if you just stopped being so darn STUBBORN and gave this charade up! It doesn't benefit anyone, and the more you keep it up, the worse it's gonna get for you!" Shantae defiantly argued, evidently in NO mood for Risky's shenanigans. "At this point, you're wasting EVERYONE'S time! Your own included!"

"Ohh, you ARROGANT little…!" Risky was about to shout before another jolt of pain shot through her body from head to toe. She shrugged it off as best as she could, however, as she continued. "Gah…! You're more full of yourself than you've ever been, that's for sure. You can guarantee that it won't go unchecked, because you need to be reminded of how easy it is for you to be knocked off that pedestal you're so pompously standing on…! The only thing you and I can remotely agree on is that the more we do this same old song and dance, the more tired I become of you. And one of these days, your luck will run out, and the song and dance will be met with a SWIFT AND VIOLENT END!"

"Oh, yeah!? Well, why don't you try me right here and now, so we can see just how 'lucky' I am or if it's simply that I've always been stronger than you!?" the Half-Genie Hero directly challenged, surprisingly eager to fight it out with her archnemesis as she began to glow with Light Magic. "There's no form of 'miracle' I would EVER need to beat you, Risky!"

"Yeah, you keep tellin' yourself that, you conceited wench," Risky brashly insulted with a shrug of her shoulders as she… stuck two fingers into her mouth, and blew an ear-piercing whistle to signal for a pick-up. "I've got nothing to prove to you now, but you'd better BELIEVE I'll be ready to pound that pretty little face of yours into PORRIDGE the next time you cross me…! You've had it coming for a LONG time…!"

"If that's true, then why are you running away now instead of squaring up with me? What's with all the idle threats to kidnap my boyfriend to try and make him do your dirty work for you? Huh? Sounds to me like YOU'RE the one trying to pull miracles to get a cheap, easy win! COWARD!" At that, Risky cackled in a mixture of BOILING anger… and an odd sense of condescending amusement.

"Ah, Shantae, how naïve you always are… It's easy to forget sometimes that despite all that vast, undeserved genie power and your hopeless heroic theatrics, you're still just a SNOTTY, IMMATURE LITTLE KID at heart."

"WHAT!? YOU-!"

"It's such a shame that YOU are what I'm forced to call my 'archenemy,'" she continued to berate the other young woman. "Honestly, if you were even a SMIDGE smarter than the average five-year-old, I'd have had at least SOME respect for you. If it wasn't for the fact that you're a half-genie, and the supposed 'Chosen One' of the bunch on top of that, I would definitely have keelhauled you a LONG time ago. You're a WALKING EXAMPLE of luck triumphing over skill, you stupid little girl…!"

"Keep runnin' your mouth, Risky, an' watch what she does t' you…!" Tayshan interjected on Shantae's behalf as he… seemed to struggle to keep himself steady. His arm had still been crackling with electricity as it remained limp at his side, and his eyes had finally returned to their normal golden shade. "You got a lot o' smack t' talk t' somebody you can't b-!" he was set to continue, though Risky seemed to get a VERY morbid idea as she flashed a sinister grin aimed at the genie/wraith duo.

"Oh, and in case you're looking for bedtime tips on how to please your man while you still have him, Shantae…" the dastardly Pirate Queen continued to address her half-genie enemy with the PURELY UNSCRUPULOUS intention to get on her nerves. "…Tayshan likes it when you nibble on his neck while you're riding on top of him…" she… very unnecessarily shared with a most disrespectful smiling wink. WOW…

"WHAT!?" the flabbergasted wraith bellowed, absolutely FLOORED by the scandalous reveal as his face grew HOT with… what I could only assume was embarrassment… Yikes…

"WHOA, WHAT THE HECK IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?" Bolo also shrieked, completely caught off-guard.

"Wow, are you SERIOUS!?" Sky additionally shouted, not at all amused by the lady pirate's dirty 'joke.' "HOW LOW CAN YOU GO!? YOU'RE A FILTHY, DISGUSTING PIG, RISKY! A PIG!"

"…Oh, MY…!" Maya found JUST enough strength to utter as she was completely blindsided once again. "THIS is what I have to hear before I die…? Truly an unusual way to go…"

"GRRRRAAAAGH, THAT TEARS IT! I'M GONNA RIP YOU APART FOR THAT, RISKY BOOTS!" Shantae ROARED with the ferocity of five hundred lions, a cataclysmic *FWEEEEEEERRRSH* of her Light Magic erupting from her as she charged headlong at the buccaneer with the purpose of BURYING her. Yet, just as the valiant half-genie took her first few steps in her mad dash, a sudden *VWOOOOSH* could be heard ripping through the air as though some airborne presence was about to make itself known.

"Heh…! About time you lubbers made it over here…!" Risky muttered as she slyly glanced upward and to her side. It was then that the malicious marauder spotted an extraction squad of her Tinkerbats, each fitted NOT with Propeller Packs, but with sophisticated, modernized JETPACKS! Seeing her rescue team incoming, Risky Boots took it upon herself to turn back to Shantae, flashing a most confident grin as the genie maiden closed the distance. And JUST as Shantae got close enough to deliver a *THWAP* of her patented Hair Whip attack. "HWAH!" the Pirate Queen grunted as she leapt high into the air. And as one might predict, she found herself purposely swept up in the reassuring arms of her Tinkerbat squad as they, with another *FWOOOOSH* of their jetpacks, carried her off.

"Gaaah…! HEY! GET BACK HERE!" Shantae shouted in frustration as she and the rest of the hero group watched their common enemy getting away.

"Sorry, but I've run a bit low on time!" Risky Boots smugly 'excused' herself as she and her rescue team soared over the myriad of burning trees and through the opening in the deteriorating forest barrier. "We'll have to postpone our little playdate for a time where I'm in better shape to completely annihilate you! See you losers later~!" she further taunted as she took pride in her daring escape.

"Oh, no you don't!" Shantae vowed as she raised her arms above her head and prepared a belly dance with the intent to transform into an animal form in which she could give chase. However…

"Shantae, wait!" Bolo called out as he remained kneeled next to Maya. Meanwhile, Sky walked toward a moderately worn-out Tayshan and handed him the Spirit Fuser piece as Maya requested. After studying the fancy object in his possession for a moment, he stashed it into his pocket.

"Wait? For what!?" she demanded to know as she turned to her spiky-haired sidekick. "Risky's getting away!"

"I know, but we've got more important things to worry about right this second," he urged her as he nudged his head toward the disappearing forest guardian and the rapidly deteriorating jungle around them. "If it's any consolation, Risky didn't get her hands on the Spirit Fuser piece she most likely destroyed this place for." Hearing that brought on a wave of conflicting emotions in the half-genie as she paused at Bolo's request. It was then that Shantae found herself brought to a most daunting realization…

"…You knew that the Relic in my hand was a fragment of the Spirit Fuser?" Maya found it in herself to ask as she continued to fade. At that point, everyone gathered around her, their collective concern growing.

"Yeah," Bolo solemnly confirmed. "Shantae and I actually arrived here directly from a place where another Spirit Fuser piece was taken."

"…W-where…?"

"A place called the Tangled Thread Temple," he explained. "Unfortunately, someone else claimed that piece before we could stop them…"

"That is… most unsettling news… No one was supposed… to know about the Spirit Fuser fragments except for their guardians… The world as you know it… will be in grave danger if those pieces are allowed to be reassembled…"

"Wait… What? What is this 'Spirit Fuser' thing y'all keep goin' on about…?" Tayshan asked as he stood, holding his badly damaged arm as he panted with noticeable fatigue.

"It is… a Relic with incredible ability… the depths of which I do not have enough time to explain… Just… Just know… that it could potentially grant its wielder unspeakable power… and that it CANNOT fall into the wrong hands…" Maya urged as she gradually slipped out of consciousness. "Even a single fragment of it could cause untold misfortune… if wielded with evil intent…"

"Hey, hey! Stay with us! We're here!" Sky called out as she kneeled by Maya's side with the intent to resume comforting her. "If you can hold on, maybe you can explain what-!"

"Ghaaaaaaaah…! Hah… ah… I… am sorry… but the forest… it howls in agony… It… and I… must rest…" Maya spoke just one last time as her eyes began to close and her body began to disappear entirely.

"Maya…!"

"Thank you… for trying to protect me… and… I wish you… the best in preventing the reassembly of the Spirit Fuser… Hah…" she spoke one last time, taking a final breath before… before she succumbed to her wound… Almost immediately after, her body dissipated with a *POOF*, sending glittery sparkles all around the vicinity and catching everyone by surprise. Following that, an astral projection of an uninjured Maya rose from the ashes, bearing a… a surprisingly peaceful smile. This ghost of the Phantasmagoric Forest's guardian wordlessly nodded at the group staring in varying degrees of devastation and concern before, with a gentle *whoooooosh* of the air around them, she vanished… and in that same moment, and with a startling *KAPLEEERSH*, the magic barrier surrounding the island's jungle shattered like glass, ensuring its imminent destruction. Er… W-wow…

The group went silent for a moment afterward, each of them exchanging concerned glances with one another or staring at the ground. One could presume they were paying respects to the fallen deity by not saying anything. Others could presume they were contemplating everything that had happened up to this point, and what to do next. Either way, this… was certainly a JARRING tragic moment for anyone around to witness it. After the moment had passed, however, another one of those odd, glowing victory platforms emerged nearby at the base of the unexplored, crumbling temple.

"…Another life ruined by that MISERABLE pirate…!" Tayshan was the first to speak, fuming with frustration as he cursed Risky Boots's name. The ghost warrior himself, however, seemed not to be able to recover his composure from the gruesome battle he had with pirate woman as his arm continued to crackle and he appeared increasingly challenged in keeping himself steady. "An' yet, she's STILL on the loose…! Darn it…! If only I hadn't missed…! Ghaah…"

"Tayshan…?" Shantae worriedly called to him as she approached.

"Y-Yeah, babe?"

"Are you feeling okay? You… You look like you're in really bad shape…" she pointed out, her eyes beginning to waver as she studied every scratch, cut, and bruise on the wraith's face and bare upper body… his damaged, darkened arm bereft of a silver vambrace… the numerous tears and rips in his pants… and especially the brightly glowing scar on his abdomen…

"…Could be better, t' be honest…" he barely found it in himself to admit as the forest was rocked with a startling *KRABLOOMBLUMBLOOOMBOOOM* of a quake that made it abundantly clear that it was time to evacuate. "But… I'll be fine. Don't worry too much… Let's regroup an'… an' debrief back home… before this place goes up in smoke…" he further suggested as he began to stagger toward the platform, offering his uninjured hand toward the half-genie. Rather than take his hand, however… Shantae could only stare in what appeared to be an immense, teary-eyed concern as she froze. Wondering why she hesitated, he halted himself as he exchanged stares with her. It… was almost like she was reminded of something she didn't want to remember…

"Bro, are you sure you're okay?" Bolo asked in reasonable concern as he carefully approached the ghost guardian. "I'm starting to get worried you'll pass out any second."

"…Good hunch… Bolo…" Tayshan praised, his voice getting weaker by the second as he struggled more and more to keep himself up. "…Gonna… need… t' recover… Uwaahagh…" he further groaned as he… he…! He went unconscious… Without warning, he tilted over, his eyes closing as he fainted.

"TAYSHAN!" Bolo shouted in panic as he rushed ahead alongside Shantae to catch the unconscious wraith. Just in the nick of time, and with a most frightening *PLOP*, Shantae and Bolo caught Tayshan by his shoulders before he could hit the ground.

"Oh, no…! Tay…!" Sky gasped and murmured in shock as she moved to try and help, only to be plagued by the stabbing pain of the gunshot wound to her shoulder. "Gaah…! Agh…! D-darn it, we're all gonna need to recoup…" she further realized as she clutched her shoulder with her opposing arm.

"Come on! Let's get out of here, NOW!" Shantae commanded, filled to the brim with distress as she began to visibly shake while holding her incapacitated boyfriend.

"Shantae, it's gonna be alright…" Bolo reassured her as best as he could, taking in the image of a stressed out, horrified, saddened half-genie as he helped her pull their teammate toward the platform that would warp them home. "Maybe we still need a minute to cool off before we go. You're starting to panic again…"

"I-I know, but I-I can't d-deal with that until we get back home! Now, HURRY UP and help me get him onto this platform!" she shakily yelled at him, uncharacteristically frustrated as the tears practically rained from her eyes. Jeez… she did NOT look like she was in a good mental space by any account.

"Ah! E-er, got it…" Bolo acknowledged and obeyed in fright, not wanting to upset his team leader further. Without another word, the two heroes succeeded in pulling their comrade onto the platform with considerable effort as another jarring *KRABLOOMBRUMBLUMBOOOOM* rocked the island in its entirety. At that point, an enormous rush of swampy water began to wash over the temple grounds.

"…Shantae…" Sky whispered in increased worry for her best friend, reading all of the despair in the half-genie's every word and move in that moment. Nevertheless, Sky followed her friends onto the platform. Along the way, she spotted and picked up Tayshan's missing vambrace, clapping it to her own wrist to hold for him before she joined the rest of the squad. As it seemed, they were set to complete their adventure…

"…I can't let this happen again…! I CAN'T let this happen again…! Please…! I can't… I can't let this happen again…" Shantae repeated to herself over and over again as she clung tightly to Tayshan, causing Sky and Bolo to glance at her in worry… before glancing at each other as though to ask one another what they should do. In that same moment, however, Tayshan… had somehow BARELY reawakened, his eyes flittering as he registered the wet, clammy sensation of Shantae's tear-stricken face pressing against his chest. Using what little strength he could muster in that moment, Tay pulled his uninjured arm from around Bolo's shoulders, much to the surprise of the other young man as he watched. Tay then laid his hand gently on the heroine's head, stroking her hair with his fingers. "H-huh…?" Shantae uttered in surprise, shifting her head upward to meet his golden-eyed gaze as he looked back at her.

"I'm okay, Shantae… Just… tired… Promise…" Tayshan did his best to reassure her as he continued to stroke her hair. "No need t' cry or yell at anybody, okay…? I love you…" Hearing his words in that moment, however raspy and fatigue-riddled, caused her to breathe out a sigh of relief as her heart pounded in her chest.

"Tayshan…" was all the half-genie could think to say as she quickly shifted her position. In a blur of a second or two, Shantae leaned herself forward. And just a second later, she pressed her lips to his in a most unexpected, concern-addled kiss as she slung her arms around his neck. Though caught by surprise, the ghost man did little to resist as he rested his hand to the young lady's face. Wiping a tear off her cheek with his thumb, he also closed his eyes as they assured one another through their embrace that they would persevere. Once the kiss was completed, Shantae shifted her head once more, this time directing her attention to her concerned sidekick while Tayshan rested his head on the platform and seemingly drifted right back out of consciousness. "I'm sorry for yelling at you, Bolo. I-I didn't mean to flip out like that…"

"Hm? Er, n-no, you're alright," he graciously forgave as he breathed a sigh of relief. "Water under the bridge," he added with a nervous chuckle. "Today was stressful, and we're all a little on-edge right now. It seems we've got another big series of adventures ahead of us, so we've just gotta keep our heads in the game."

"Right… Thank you," Shantae modestly acknowledged Bolo's assertion of their need to be prepared for more trials and tribulations in the near future while finding herself relieved by his forgiveness. At that, Bolo merely nodded, though he did so while further scanning the significant battle damage on their ghostly comrade. Following that, he turned his gaze over toward Sky, who'd also been worriedly staring at Tayshan while tightly clutching her injured shoulder. Before anything else could be observed, however, the entire group vanished off the platform with an emphatic *TWEEESCH*. And just like that, their mission was complete.

Of course, this cavalcade of catastrophic calamities would only TRULY be considered complete once we saw the remains of the Phantasmagoric Forest vanish into thin air. And VANISH, it did. With another series of explosions that rang out with *KABOOM*, after *KRAKAFWOOM* after eardrum-shattering *KRABWOOOOM*, the island broke apart. Its scattered sections being swallowed up under the ocean as the raging currents voraciously consumed the jungle tree trunk by burning, smoking tree trunk. As the island descended to its watery doom, the extinguishing *SKIISSSSSSSSSSSH* of the wildfires being put out filled the air as smoke and steam erupted from the ocean's surface. Many of the island's creatures… interestingly enough, wound up disappearing with *POOFs* and *POPs* galore, their forms dispersing into glittery dust as they, too, were lost to history… Well, except for at least five of those mysterious endangered Leopard Gals, who'd taken refuge atop a makeshift raft being pulled along by one of those terrifying gator monsters as it poured all of its power into swimming away from the sinking oasis. Where they could be headed was anyone's guess, but anywhere was safer than their disintegrating dream home by THIS point. Nevertheless, the mythical, enigmatic landscape known as the Phantasmagoric Forest was gone within minutes. Its every rainbow-colored leaf littering the surface of the sea before disappearing in a cloud of glittery smoke, almost all traces of it were wiped out… Yet…

Meanwhile…

Of all the people and things that did manage to escape the island's implosion… none were more notable than that gigantic pirate ship setting sail onto the ocean's stable current as its Tinkerbat crew steered it to parts unknown. Risky Boots herself was carried back onto the vessel by the rescue squad of Tinkerbats that had extracted her from the forest, though she seemed… like she had been having a rough time recovering herself as her Tinkerbats set her down.

"Ghah…! Ow…! Ow…!" she groaned in unspeakable pain as she winced like every part of her body was being clamped with vises. She was unsteady on her feet as well, prompting her Tinkerbat rescuers to keep a close eye on her in case she fainted. What concerned the worn-out Risky Boots most, however, was her swollen arm as she observed it. Befuddled as she was upset by it, she reached her other hand to it, poking and rubbing it in various spots until she hit an area that surged with so much pain that it nearly made her explode with untold anguish. "GHAAH! Arrrrgh…! D-Darn it…!" she cursed, another wave of extreme fatigue and residual pain shaking her to her injured core as she began to lose awareness.

One of her Tinkerbats gesticulated to ask if she was going to be okay.

"Does it LOOK like I'm okay…?" she snapped, though she grew woozier by the second. "Lousy dog broke my wrist…! When the chance arises… I… am going to make him AND that insipid little genie suffer a fate that would make even the PIRATE MASTER roll over in his grave…! Aaauugh…!" she swore her revenge against Shantae and Tayshan in particular as she fell over. She was saved from faceplanting on the deck by her Tinkerbats, who were quick to carry her on their backs and into the captain's quarters to nurse her injuries while the ship breezed along the endless, sparkling waves of the Sequin Land Sea…

Wow… and just like that, we've already accounted for two out of just FIVE pieces of this unusual Spirit Fuser… and in that same vein, two of the locations that were housing a piece were completely erased from the face of the planet along with most of their inhabitants. And to cap it off, we seem to have been witnessing a most heart-stopping race against time as not one, not two, but THREE opposing forces contended for possession of the five fragments of this supposed all-powerful relic. I'm seriously biting my nails right now on how this is all gonna play out. Would the indomitable hero Shantae be able to claim the five fragments in time to potentially resurrect her ghostly boyfriend before he disappeared forever? Would the rogue half-genie Hashanah claim the pieces and attain the ultimate power to realize her goals for vengeance? Or would the villainous pirate captain Risky Boots lay claim to the Relic and use it to destroy all her opposition and rule Sequin Land with an iron fist? I suppose the only way to find out is to stick around and keep a watchful eye. I know I wouldn't want to miss a beat, and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't either. So, do us both a favor and come back around for the next big development! I've got a feeling that it's gonna be a blast! Till next time!