Chapter 43:

(All right, then. Let's get to Thunder Tower. This shouldn't be so difficult. We've got flashbacks, antagonists, hints at foreshadowing.)

He could see the man preaching into the town again, about the necessities of their new changes to the town and by extension—the islands. More people came to the islands, and they seemed more odd. Claus was going to "buy" food for the sheep. Thankfully, he could trust Jackie at the Yado Inn with what he provided for the sheep. Claus had fond memories of he and his parents would take the sheep out to a few fields for the exercise. "Thanks again, Jackie." Claus said, "Anytime." Jackie said, from far in the Inn. Claus could see that Fassad was gone from the square.

"Mr. Polestar. I'm sure your day is going swimmingly." Fassad had said, in a chipper mood. Claus took a deep breath, "It's good to…see you, Mr. Locria." Claus said to him.

"Haha. It's good to see you take care of your parent's flock even after everything—"

"MY flock." Claus felt the need to clarify what the flock meant to him. "Ah, my mistake. I'm simply saying, that it's great that you take care of YOUR flock even after all this time." Fassad said, "I'm sure they love your perseverance, even after all the lightning reported in Tazmily Village." Fassad had said to him. Claus tried to lift up the food, "I appreciate that, sir. But I need to get back to it. I have chores I need to do, still."

Claus said, trying to end the conversation quickly. "Yes, yes of course. I'm sure you do. You know, you really are an incredible young boy. It reminds me of the time I first met you." Fassad had said. Claus rolled his eyes, trying his hardest not to get angry. "I and my associates had been looking for suspicious individuals, and YOU come from a forest like some sort of wild child." Fassad had laughed, as if it were that simple. They both knew it wasn't. "Then, you call forth the Dragos to fight off evil. Haha! I must say, it was a sight to behold." Fassad had said, "I'm sure you still like to play hero every now and then." Claus brushed his hair.

"I'm sure I was mistaken, but I wasn't PLAYING hero. I was trying to be one that day." Claus said, starting to walk away.

Fassad's smile began to fade. "Well, even heroes make mistakes, I suppose. I just hope you don't make yours one day?" Fassad said, there being a threat in those words. "We're only looking out for you, you know?"

Claus sighed, "Yeah, I'll keep that in mind, Mr. Locria." Fassad just chuckled, before pulling out a banana to eat. "Good, good. Now then, I've kept you long enough." He gave Claus a farewell, the boy walking home after that conversation. He needed to do something about this. That Fassad man was clearly a charlatan, and how anyone bought this "benevolent peddler" act was beyond him.


(Like Ekko from League of Legends, we're in the present)

"We're finally here…" Fuel said, "It took a while to get here, but it was well worth it." Claus said, "Gotta say, it looks bigger than I thought it would be when we got up close." Kumatora called out how the view from Club T makes it look a little smaller than it appeared before them. "All right, let's hurry and go in." Claus said, "We'll find a resting area somewhere in the building." Claus started pulling out his disguise and began infiltrating. "All right, we need to lie and say we're here for the party that was supposed to be here, today. We planned to all meet up at Club T to get ready." Fuel said, trying to come up with a good lie. He honestly couldn't help but laugh.

"I got the bombs ready to blow up the controls." Kumatora said, putting on her helmet. Claus nodded, "We've got a long way, so keep that in mind." He cautiously warned his friends. Claus took a deep breath and got ready to go in."It's time…"Claus's purple eyes began to glow with no one noticing, due to the helmet. "I'll make these monsters pay everything they did to me…" Claus thought to himself.

(Inside)

When they were inside, they only saw a worker on guard duty. "What's your purpose here?" The guard had said. Fuel then chose to speak up, "U-Uh…We're here because we're trying to listen to all the music we can at the radio station. Although, we're also here to obsessively check the engine room." Fuel lied to the guard. "Oh, you want to use the radio to listen to music, huh? When you get there, could you download a thing for me? I was hoping to get Peace Sign by Kenshi Yonezu." The guard asked a favor. "Of course, man! Here, we need our ID's, right?" Fuel said, pulling out his ID. "Oh, by the way, you left this back there." Fuel pulled out two ID's;One for him and one for Boney.

"All right, let's get through. I've wanted to…listen to some new music from the radio station area." Claus said, awkwardly. "All right then, thanks a bunch." He said. They took the elevator in, "We've got no cameras or blind spots in here. I think we're safe for a minute." Kumatora said, taking off her helmet. "All right, let's hope that we won't have to fight in here." Fuel said, "Who knew you were so impressive at lying, dude." Claus said, "Ruff ruff! (Either that, or the Pigmasks are really stupid!)" Boney said, "And Boney thinks they're just stupid." Kumatora sighed, "All right, we're heading to the next floor, helmets back on." She told the boys, and they put their helmets back on.

Claus led the quiet charge, "Hold it, guys!" A nearby sentry had spoken to them from the elevator. "I know who you are! You're here to destroy Thunder Tower!" He accused them, "Whoa, what're you talking about?! W-We're not here to do that…" Fuel said, trying to cover up. Claus was ready to fight if he needed to, "Hah! You losers fell for it! I've been saying that to all the soldiers who come in here!" He said, "I mean, that's mostly what I'd say if any suspicious people snuck inside!" The sentry explained. "Anyways, see ya!" Claus just casually waved and got a little nervous while walking around. "Okay, keep it together, Claus." Claus said in his head, "You're walking through enemy territory. You can get through here…then you'll find your answers and…" Claus was scared to hear what he heard at the end of his thoughts. "Destroy", "Eliminate" "Purge", "Is that…what I'm doing here?" Claus asked himself, "E-Either way, I'm trying to make sure these guys don't hurt my family and village again." Claus decided to stay on task. Besides, he hadn't intended on destroying ANYONE, but rather destroy the tower.

(Later)

Most of the room they've traveled to were outrageous. Fuel had time to name a few new enemies, like the Whatever & Minor Robot. But these rooms on this floor, made it seem like the area was being powered by catfish. One guy suggested they make a Chimera based around it. One of the Colonels had mentioned that Boney was an "adorable dog-like soldier."

Kumatora noticed Claus looked a little sluggish, and he's been trying to walk it off. "I'm pretty sure you need to save your energy." Kumatora had explained. "I'm fine, Kumatora. The next floor's just past this ladder." Claus said, before seeing someone blocking the ladder. It was the Pork Trooper, Claus remembered seeing him somewhere before. "What is your reason for being here, soldier?" He asked,

"We're here to—" Before Claus could speak up, the Pork Trooper started sniffing. "Hold it, there's something off about you, soldiers. I smell…"

"U-Uh, four lazy soldiers that want to go l-listen to DCMC!" Fuel lied, trying to make sure he bought. "Haha, I get what you mean—but no, I'm smelling…a dog…and…ACK! I smell a female!" The Pork Trooper said, "W-Wait, you SMELL me? EWW!!" Kumatora just felt disgusted for a moment. "Y-You aren't Pig Masks! You're just spies or something! Girls freak us out!" The Pork Trooper said.

"You're not going a moment further!" The Pork Trooper got into a fighting position. "Everyone, get ready!" Claus said, with him being ready to use his powers if need be.

Boney decided to sniff to see if he could find any affinities or potential weaknesses. "Bark bark! (I think I smell the grease and stuff from Club T!)" Boney said, "Okay, uh…wait a sec…" Claus said, feeling his memory ring like a bell. "That's it! Wait, I have a DCMC Pamphlet!" Claus said, which halted the Pork Trooper in his tracks. "Wait, what?! Is it the new one?! Please tell me you know how to handle it with care?!"The Pork Trooper asked, hoping these intruders weren't careless with the awesome merchandise of DCMC. "I do! I have it right here! If you want it, come get me!" Claus said, hoping he could see a good opening. The Pork Trooper went in for a powerful swing at Fuel, but Fuel tried to evade his punch! Boney went and kicked a Pencil Rocket to Kumatora. Kumatora smirked and lit a match before launching it at the man. "AARGH! MY EYES!" The Pork Trooper said. "That's what you get for sniffing, you sick f*!" Kumatora said, angry. Claus then pulled out the pamphlet! "Better hope I don't tear this pamphlet!" Claus said. The Pork Trooper shrieked in horror. "NO, WAIT! IT NEEDS TO STAY IN CONDITION!!" He shrieked, trying to swipe at the boys again! Claus ducked and swung his stick at them, pushing the Pork Trooper back again.

Fuel was running and managed to shock the Pork Trooper with a scary mask. "A-AAARGHH!" He shrieked. Kumatora put on her gloves and punched the Pork Trooper in the chest! "Nice one, K!" Fuel said, watching the Pork Trooper get knocked to the side. "Bark bark bark! (Now, guys, climb up the ladder!)" Boney said, "Good call! Guys, come on!" Claus said, trying to climb up the ladder.

"Hey, Pork Trooper. We don't have to keep fighting. Take the pamphlet and we'll call it even." Claus said, dropping the pamphlet, while the Pork Trooper was frantically trying to catch it.

"W-We're NOT even! I WILL GET YOU! BUT THANKS FOR THE PAMPHLET, YA ROTTEN LITTLE B*!" The Pork Trooper said.

Claus' eyes widened a little, he wasn't expecting so much rage. Thank the Lord he didn't need to use his powers to get past this guy. Here's hoping they wouldn't have to fight this much.

(Meanwhile)

Fassad had stepped away from his place in town square for a moment and went into an inn. He heard his radio calling him, and he needed to pick up. "It's me. Who is this?" A sentry called over the line and said a bunch of their own had managed to beat up the Pork Trooper and further into the facilities. Fassad sighed and became annoyed, "So, then, punish them! Honestly, I think you should be able to handle a few turncoats!" Fassad shouted at them, "…What? What do you mean "there was a girl" among them?" Fassad knew his employer wouldn't allow girls into the Pigmask Army, so there was already something wrong along those lines. "They went further into the tower? Keep monitoring the situation. They'll be heading into Master's "playroom". Keep surveillance. I want to know who these people are." Fassad ordered, walking around. "I'll be there shortly." Fassad hung up the call and then pulled out a banana. He unpeeled it before eating it, the peddler throwing the said peel on the ground.

"If it's the young man off playing "hero" again, he'll be dealing with us Villains soon enough." Fassad smirked, getting ready for his visit to Thunder Tower.

(Back at Thunder Tower)

Fuel felt relief from feeling the wind blow against him and his sweaty clothes. "How can anyone fight in these? I was barely hanging on as is." The boy said.

"No doubt we caused enough trouble for the engine room to be on alert." Kumatora explained, "Yeah, but at least like this, we can fight a whole lot better." Claus said. "Ruff ruff! Come on, let's hurry and head upstairs!" Boney barked, waiting right by the steps.

"Yeah, good call. We're almost to the engine room." Claus said, looking up into the next few floors.

This was glorified scaffolding in his opinion, as this area was mostly stairways and ladders to get to the higher floors. Claus could see while he was looking something was coming their way. Claus stayed on guard for a moment before Boney sniffed and told him: "Ruff ruff! (It's okay. It's from Mom and Dad.)"

It was a carrier dove Mom always used. The bird cooed at the boy, "coo coo cooo….cooo(I have a letter from your mother, dear. Oh, and Duster and Wes's wanted to hear from your friends.)" the dove said. "Oh, thanks. Guys, these are from Duster and Wess." Claus said, handing two letters to Fuel and Kumatora.

"I wonder how Wess is doing. I hope he's finally stopped calling Duster a moron…" Fuel said.

"I hope Duster's got some good intel for us at Club T." Kumatora said, blushing a little. Claus could see that she seemed like she was lying about it being intel.

Claus and Boney sat down for a moment and read the letter:


Dear Claus & Boney,

Hi! I'm sorry it's been a bit of while since I've written to you. But how is camping with Fuel? I hope you two are all right in the woods. Remember to watch out for those Chimeras. Your father and I are looking forward to when you come home. Speaking of which, your dad has been doing well with the herd, and I can see you handle the sheep with more confidence and firmness. Haha, you're a lot like your dad, you know? Please write back to me, baby. I'm looking forward to hearing from you. And I wanted to tell you one more thing: I know we may seem distant at times, but I promise that we love you very much, honey. I don't want you to think that because we miss Lucas oftentimes, it means we love you, less. We want you to be safe, baby. I hope you'll be okay.

Love From Your Mother,

Hinawa.

P.S. Don't think I forgot about you, Boney. I'm sending you baby kisses and cuddles. Stay safe with Claus, okay? Love you!


Claus smiled for a moment, but it was fading a bit. It was obvious his mom still grieved his brother, and was trying her best to not abandon him in this. "Don't worry, Mom. We're okay. I'll find Lucas…I promise." Claus thought to himself, before he was licked back into reality. Boney looked sad for a moment: "Nmmmmmm…(It's gonna be okay, Claus.)" Boney whimpered, "Ruff ruff! (We'll find him and bring him home, I'm sure! I can pick up his scent!)" Claus petted Boney's head. "Yeah, there's no doubt about that. You're the best tracker we got, Boney" Claus pulled out a piece of pen and paper from his back and started writing.


Dear Mom,

I hope you're reading this! Hi! We're all right. Camping's not bad, and me and Fuel have been roughing it pretty well out here. We DID get into a few fights with a few small Chimeras, though. Anyways, I hope you and Dad have been surviving the "thunderstorms". Anyways, I wanted to talk to you about what you said about me. I wanted to tell you thanks for everything.

I know losing Lucas was hard on both of you. Every now and then, Dad still goes to the mountains. But I want you to know that I'm okay. I love you and Dad so much, Mom. Your strength is something I wanna live up to, someday. I know I'll make you proud. One day, I'll figure out the truth about what happened and if I can, I'll find Lucas. We'll be a big family again.

It's all I wanted to say. I hope to hear from you again, Mom. Love you. I hope you sent kisses and hugs to me through this letter and not just Boney.

Sincerely, Your Son Claus.


Claus then rolled up his paper and tied it with a small ribbon. "Could you take this back to my mom?" Claus asked. The dove cooed in agreement and flew off. Claus looked at his friends and smiled. They were close. Once they shut this down, the Pigmasks would lose one of their weapons against the village. That left only the Chimera Research Lab to deal with. Maybe then, Claus will find out what these monsters did to Lucas.

(aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we're done! I hope this was fun to read! Let me say right now, I LOVE writing the Pigmasks. That whole joke about there being no girl Pigmasks is actually a funny reference to Strange Hill High and the Templeton Aliens. Anyways, next part will be more focused on Claus's powers and I hope u like it! Lemme know what u think and stay strong and awesome!)

Romans 12:1 KJV:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.