Chapter 5: Cleaning House
Max and Steel were walking through a dark alley as part of a new training simulation. "What do you think?" Max asked. "It's quiet. Too quiet." Steel said. "No doubt. Too quiet's never good." Max said. Just then, a group of armored ninjas leapt down from the surrounding buildings and attacked them. "Yep. Too quiet is bad. Really bad." Max said. One of the ninjas leapt at them and prepared to stab them with his sword. But Max and Steel managed to dodge the ninja, causing him to stab the ground. Another ninja ran towards Max and prepared to slash him. But Max blocked the sword with his armored arm and punched the ninja. Steel fought another ninja, dodging his sword with shooting him with laser blasts. But then, another ninja leapt across the buildings and kicked Max into a dumpster. The ninjas then grouped up and converged on Max and Steel.
"We wouldn't happen to have a Turbo Ninja Defense Mode, would we?" Max asked. "Unfortunately, no." Steel said. "In that case. Go Turbo! Strength!" Max called as Steel merged with him and activated Strength Mode. As the ninjas leapt up to attack, Max pummeled every single one of them like flies. "Piece of cake." He said. Suddenly, a manhole burst open behind him. He turned around to see a giant sewer monster emerge from the manhole. "Hope you're in the mood for seconds." Steel said. "Actually, I still got plenty of room." Max said. As the sewer monster lunged to attack, Max leapt back to dodge its attack. "So, you got a plan for this one?" Steel asked. "You bet. Deactivate Strength Mode." Max said. "Ooh. Time for a new move?" Steel asked. "You know it, partner." Max said. Steel deactivated Strength Mode as the sewer monster prepared to attack again. Max leapt up, dodging the attack. "Turbo Shooting Star!" He called. His hands glowed with Turbo Energy and dived towards the sewer monster. Steel's symbol appeared in front of him as he became fused with Turbo Energy. As he struck the sewer monster, Steel's symbol grew larger and exploded. "Oh yeah! Turbo Shooting Star for the win!" Max cheered. "Booyah, baby!" Steel cheered.
As the simulation ended, the Ferrus Quintuplets ran up to Max as they, Forge, Berto, Kat and Jefferson entered the simulator. "Wow, Max! You were amazing!" Xena cheered. "No doubt. And that last move you moved, plenty of pawnage." Yeager said. "He's right. That new Turbo Move's really gonna come in handy in case of an actual sewer monster attack." Berto said. "We'll keep it in mind, Berto." Steel said as he de-merged from Max's suit. "While it is true that learning new Turbo Moves are important, it's also important that you kids use your heads, not just your powers. Think on your feet, be resourceful, use the environment to your advantage." Forge explained. "Got it, Uncle Ferrus." Max said. "And thinking on our feet right now, we gotta go." Wandella said. "Yeah. We're late for lunch with Kirby and Syd." Xena said. "And Mom and Aunt Molly. You know how they can get." Zad said. "I do indeed. Get outta here, kids." Forge said. "Thanks, Uncle Ferrus. And good luck." Max said. "Good luck? With what?" Forge asked. "With this." Max said. Berto reactivated the simulation and re-summoned the sewer monster. Jefferson shrieked at the sight of it. Max, Steel, the Ferrus Quintuplets, Berto and Kat laughed at this as they left, leaving Forge and Jefferson to fight the sewer monster.
(Intro)
Meanwhile, at THI, Dr. Tytus Octavius Xander, head of environmental science, was getting ready for a meeting with Molly, who took over as CEO after Dread disappeared. "Clean, clean, clean. Must be bright, shiny and clean. The new CEO of THI wants to meet with me today. The previous regime never acknowledged my genius. But at last, I'm getting the recognition I so richly deserve. Tytus Octavius Xander, things are certainly looking up." He said to himself as he exited his office and headed towards Molly's office, carrying nothing but a fishbowl. The other workers stared at him like he was a mental case.
Upon arriving at Molly's office, Dr. Xander sat down in front of her desk. "Dr. Xander, while your work in environmental science has been…intriguing, your methods have been reckless, ill-advised and downright dangerous." Molly said with a serious tone. "Dangerous?! Ill-advised?! How dare you accuse me of…" Dr. Xander started to exclaim until Molly interrupted him by showing a video of one of his experiments. "Dr. Xander? Shouldn't we do this with a mechanical arm from a safe distance?" A female intern asked as she held a tube of uranium. "Nonsense. You're perfectly safe." Dr. Xander assured, not even bothering to turn around and acknowledge her. "Now go on. Pour the uranium into the vat." The intern started pouring into the vat. But something went horribly wrong. "Uh, Doctor? Help!" The intern screamed as the experiment began to go completely catastrophic. "Oh, the horror! The…" Dr. Xander nervously itched his neck at the intern's screaming before Molly turned off the video. "What?! That?! She was just an intern. And I learned so much from that." Dr. Xander assured. "We do not sacrifice interns here at THI, Dr. Xander! Thank goodness she's okay. Your colleagues describe you as increasingly unstable. Obsessed! They say you…talk to a goldfish." Molly said. "What?! Why, that's madness." Dr. Xander said, trying to cover the goldfish in his bowl. "Yes. Madness." Molly said, remembering the madness Dread caused. "Dr. Xander, I'm sorry, but…"
Meanwhile, Amelia brought Max, Sydney, Kirby and the Ferrus Quintuplets up to the top floor through the elevator. "Wow. You guys really sold this place short, Mom." Zad said. "It's actually nice to see this place without fighting robots or Elementors." Vandana whispered as Xena nodded in agreement. "So, where's Mom's new office?" Max asked. "Molly's office is just down this hallway." Amelia said. "You can't fire me! I gave this place my genius! And this is how you repay me?!" Dr. Xander exclaimed as 2 securities carried him and his goldfish out. Kirby took out his phone and recorded him. "I'll be BACK!" Dr. Xander shouted. "Wow. And I thought this trip was gonna be boring." Kirby said. Xena playfully elbowed him in the stomach. "Oh, kids. Welcome to THI." Molly greeted as she and Amelia started the tour. "Thanks again for inviting us here, Mrs. McGrath and Mrs. Ferrus." Sydney said. "Our pleasure, Sydney." Molly said. "This place is awesome! You 2 have the coolest job in the world." Kirby said as he continued recording. "Oh, we don't know about that, Kirby. Ever since Molly and I took over and started cleaning house, we've been discovering all kinds of unsavory experiments and initiatives." Amelia said. Suddenly, an explosion went off in a nearby lab, catching Kirby's eye. He watched as 2 interns were being snagged by a mutant tentacle. "Oh no! Not again!" The female intern cried as she and her partner were snatched. "Like I said. Awesome." Kirby said before Max pulled him back to the group.
"I must admit, Vandana's right. It's nice being here without being incorporated into a doomsday device." Steel said in Max's head. 'I'll say.' Max said through his mind. "Anyway, who was that guy being dragged out of your office, Aunt Molly?" Yeager asked. "Dr. Xander? A research scientist gone bad. He was supposed to develop a formula that could eradicate every type of pollutant known to man. But instead, he created potions more dangerous than any pollutant could ever be." Molly explained. Everyone looked at each other in disturbance. "Anyway, he's gone now."
Or that's what she thought. Dr. Xander re-entered his lab through the sewer system, wearing a special diver's suit. "Perfectly clean. HA! They dare me out of my own lab! They dare call me MAD!" He exclaimed, throwing his helmet. "They're the mad ones." A voice said. "Absolutely!" Dr. Xander exclaimed. Turns out, he was hallucinating his fish, Fishy, talking to him. "Our work's never been reckless or dangerous." Fishy said. "Never! Well, not much." Dr. Xander said. "And our work? Our work is to defeat the pollutants, yes? To neutralize the toxic. To clean?" Fishy asked. "Exactly so! To clean the filth! The purify the putrid! The FOOLS! They can't stop our work! Together, we will cleanse the WORLD!" Dr. Xander exclaimed. "Then let's begin by scouring THI off the face of the planet." Fishy suggested. "Yes. Yes! I quite like that idea." Dr. Xander said, activating his computerized monocle.
Meanwhile, Molly and Amelia showed the kids to a new wing in THI. "And over here is our new research and development wing." Molly said. "THI used to be all about making money. But now THI is all about using technology to make the world a better place." Amelia explained. "Wow! That is great, Mrs. M and Mrs. F. So great in fact, that I'd like to volunteer my time and services to your VIDEO GAME DIVISION!" Kirby exclaimed as he started trying out one of the new VR games. "Why does he have to be so cute?" Xena asked, giggling at Kirby. "The technology in my little finger is more advanced than this whole facility." Steel said. 'You don't have fingers.' Max said through his mind. "Yeah, good point. But still, there's gotta be more to this facility than just what they're doing here." Steel said.
Suddenly, an alarm sounded. "What's that?" Max asked. "That's our chemical hazard alarm." Molly said. "There must've been a breach." Amelia guessed. "Breach?" Sydney asked. "What kind of breach?" Yeager asked. "Containment failure, toxic ventage, chemical seepage, nothing good." Molly explained. "Uh, I suddenly feel itchy." Kirby said as he started scratching himself everywhere. Amelia tried to access communications, but they were shut down. "Communications are down." She said. "Come on. We need to get you kids out of here." Molly said, nodding to Max and the quintuplets as they ran down the hallways. "Come on, Itchy! Let's get out of here!" Max called to Kirby, who was left behind, scratching himself. "Whoa! Wait up!" Kirby called as he ran to catch up with them. As Molly, Amelia, Sydney and Kirby turned a corner, Max and the quintuplets hanged back to let Steel out. "Alright, Steel, go find out what's going on." Max said, de-linking Steel from his chest. "Finally, a little action." Steel said. Max and the quintuplets ran to catch up with Molly, Amelia, Sydney and Kirby while Steel went off to find out what was going on.
Molly and Amelia led the kids towards the main entrance. "Come on, kids, let's go! Everyone out!" Molly exclaimed. But suddenly, THI's lockdown protocol locked everyone inside. And then a purple cloud emerged from the vents. "Okay. Everyone, get back." Amelia said as they backed away from the purple cloud. "Ugh! It smells awful!" Sydney said, holding her nose. "Try not to breathe any of it in." Molly said as more filled in from the upper vents. "Okay. Is anyone else feeling itchy?" Kirby asked. "Nope. Just you, Kirby." Zad said. Suddenly, the workers and interns caught in the purple cloud started reacting strangely. "What is going on with the others?" Xena asked. "Excuse me, are you okay?" Molly asked as she went to check on one of the female workers. But the worker turned around to reveal that she now had a purple zombie-like infection, making everyone scream. "Mutants!" Kirby cried. "Not mutants! More like…zombies!" Max exclaimed, seeing that the other workers and interns had become zombies too.
Meanwhile, as Steel continued searching for what caused the alarm, one of the zombies in the hallway nearly got him. "What the?!" He exclaimed as he dodged the zombie and escaped.
Meanwhile, as the zombies converged on Max and the others, he, Molly, Amelia and the quintuplets pushed them back and sealed them in the hallways. "Well, that should hold them for a while." Yeager said. Sydney however was worried. "Don't worry. Nothing else is going to go wrong." Molly assured. But then the power went out. "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me!" Amelia complained. "Auxiliary power will kick in any minute." Molly assured. "Mom. Aunt Amelia." Max said as he and the quintuplets brought their mothers aside. "What if I get Steel to see if he can open the exit door?" He asked. "Or if worse comes to worse, I could use one of my slugs to bust us out." Wandella said. "No. The doors are down for a reason. Whatever the breach is, it can't be allowed into the city." Molly said. "She's right. We have to keep the toxins contained inside THI until we can find a way to reverse it." Amelia said. "Then we'll have to do what we can from this side." Vandana said. "Syd, you doing okay?" Max asked as he ran over to Sydney to check her. "I'm okay, Max." Sydney said.
Just then, the auxiliary power booted up. "Auxiliary power's up." Molly said. Amelia ran over to a computer. "Still no network access. But I think I can at least cycle the upper vents shut." She said as she closed off the upper vents, stopping the toxin from coming in. "Nice work, Mom." Zad said. "That should buy us some time." Amelia assured. "Now to figure out what's causing this mess." Molly said. "Wait. Where's Kirby?" Xena asked, noticing that Kirby wasn't with them. "Itchy?" Max asked. They looked around and saw him in a corner. "Oh, hey, Itchy. Over here." Max called. But something was off about Kirby. "Kirby?" Sydney asked. Kirby had been infected by the toxin and turned into a zombie too!
Zombie Kirby lunged to attack Molly. "Look out!" Max exclaimed. Molly dodged Zombie Kirby, making him trip and fall. "Okay. Everyone, stay calm." She said, not noticing Zombie Kirby getting back up. "Mom!" Max exclaimed. Molly turned as Zombie Kirby was about to attack her. "I got him!" Wandella called as she pulled out her blaster and slung Choco at Zombie Kirby, knocking him away from Molly. Sydney was surprised at what she saw. "I…we'll explain later." Wandella said, realizing she just blew the slugs' cover. Just then, Zombie Kirby recovered and lunged to attack again. "I got him!" Vandana called, slinging Omar and hitting Zombie Kirby with Medray. Kirby collapsed as the Medray cured him. "Kirby! Are you okay?" Xena asked as she rushed over beside him. "What happened?" Kirby groaned as he recovered. He looked at Omar, who chittered. "Uh, is that a slug?" He asked. "Long story. Tell you later." Xena said. "Everyone okay?" Molly asked. Suddenly, the zombies started banging the hall doors, scaring Sydney. Max put a hand on Sydney's shoulder to comfort her. But then he got pulled to the side by Molly and Amelia. "Those doors won't hold forever. We need to figure out why this is happening." Amelia said. "How are we gonna do that?" Yeager asked. "Max, see if Steel can get up to the mainframe on the lower level and get the computers back online. We'll have to head up to the monitoring station." Molly explained. "You hear that, Steel?" Max asked.
"Copy that. On my way now." Steel said as he passed by every zombie in the hallway. But when he opened the door to the next hallway, he saw that it was filled to the brink with zombies. "This is gonna take a while." He said.
Meanwhile, Max and the others were in the elevator. "Uh, quick question. How are we gonna get to the monitoring room with all those zombies?" Sydney asked. "Don't worry, Syd. I have that covered." Max said, holding out Candy. Sydney was confused. Max loaded Candy and slung her at their feet. When the elevator came to a stop and opened, they were disguised as zombies. "Are you sure this is gonna work?" Kirby asked. Just then, 3 zombies walked down the hallway and saw them. But seeing that they were zombies, they just continued on. "Positive." Max said. They walked down the hallways, passing by the unsuspecting zombies. And when they reached the monitoring room, they sealed the door as Candy dropped the illusion. 'Steel, any luck?' Max asked through his mind.
"Kinda stuck in traffic for the moment, Max. It's Zombie Rush Hour down here." Steel said as he zipped past the zombies and blasted them with his lasers. As he finally reached the end of the hallway, he sealed the door. But one zombie kept putting up a fight, trying to keep the door open. Steel blasted the zombie away from the door to seal it. He turned and saw that he arrived at the mainframe. "Max, I've arrived at the mainframe. And with the push of a button, abracadabra." He said, reactivating the computers.
"Yes!" Molly cheered as the monitoring computer came back online. Amelia checked the source of the gas. "It looks like the gas is dissipating in the upper levels. But it's still thick as pea soup in the lower ones." She said. "That's not all. Remember Dr. Xander? According to the mainframe…" Steel started to say. "Xander's lab is the only one in the building that has full power!" Molly realized. "Exactly." Steel said. "Wait. Dr. Xander's behind this?" Yeager asked. "Yes. The computer just analyzed the purple gas. It corresponds exactly with what Dr. Xander had been working on before Molly fired him." Amelia explained. "So, he did this on purpose?" Max asked. "Uh huh." Molly said. "But how does something like that do something like it did to those people?" Xena asked. "Xander's formula was designed to break down toxins at the cellular level. It dissolves chemical bonds, feeds on particulate matter, re-sequences gases and toxins." Molly explained. "So, if the formula had been stable…" Max started to say. "If Xander had been stable." Molly added. "…it could've been used to combat just about any form of pollution." Max finished. "But if released on humans, it breaks down neural inhibitors and feeds on the parasites in our bodies that keep us alive." Vandana added. "Alright. Me and the quints are going down to Xander's lab and try to find an antidote. You guys stay here. Keep the door locked once we're out." Max said. "But Max, you can't!" Sydney exclaimed in worry. "Don't worry, Syd. We know what we're doing." Yeager said. "We always do." Wandella said. "Good luck, kids." Amelia said. Max and the quintuplets nodded as they headed back into the hallway.
"Steel! We're heading for Xander's lab! Where are you?" Max asked. "Lower level. It's pretty much the place to be with all these zombies." Steel said as he continued blasting the zombies. "We're on our way." Max said. "Take the express route. There's a maintenance chute coming up on your left." Steel said. Max and the quintuplets stopped at the maintenance chute, opened it and dropped down to the lower level. "Thanks for dropping in." Steel said. "Thanks for having us." Max said. "That's a lot of zombies." Vandana said. "A whole army to fight." Wandella said. "The greater number of enemies, the more fun the better fight." Xena said. "Just how we like it." Yeager said. "You said it." Zad said. "Shall we?" Max asked. "Let's." Steel said. "Go Turbo!" Max called as Steel linked up to him and outfitted him in his Steel Suit. The energy wave from the link sent the zombies flying into the wall. The quintuplets used this chance to magically change into their super suits. "That's more like it." Max said. "Always dress to impress." Yeager said. The 6 started fighting off the zombies. "You know, for innocent people who don't know what they're doing, they're sure pretty good at doing it!" Steel exclaimed as he and Max tossed a zombie at a group. Zad drew a yellow-green mana katana and slashed at a few zombies, but not fatally. Wandella leapt over a zombie and delivered a blue-violet mana-powered punch to his chest. Vandana tossed a barrage of amaranth pink mana cards at the zombies. "We can't hold them off forever! We have to get to Xander's lab!" Xena exclaimed as she blasted a few zombies with a cerise mana beam from her hands. "If only we could blast them without hurting them." Yeager said, throwing a yellow mana shield at a few more zombies. "Wait, I think I have an idea for that." Max said. "I hear what you're thinking, partner." Steel said as he de-linked from Max. "Alright. Nice and easy. Not too much." Max said as he grabbed Steel and began charging him with Turbo Energy. "Shields up, Quints!" Vandana exclaimed as she and her siblings formed their mana shields. "Turbo Pulse!" Max called as he and Steel unleashed their Turbo Pulse, sending the zombies flying into the walls and knocking them out. "Nicely done, cous." Xena said. "Thanks. Now let's go plug that leak." Max said as he formed his helmet and headed off to Dr. Xander's lab with Steel and the Mana Quints following.
Meanwhile, Dr. Xander continued pumping the gas into the building. "Is that enough, do you think?" He asked. "Maybe a touch more for good measure." Fishy said. Dr. Xander pumped another dose of his toxic gas into the building. But Max, Steel and the Mana Quints arrived in the lab just in time through the pipelines. "Dr. Xander. What do you think you're doing here?" Max asked, surprising the unstable doctor. "This is my lab! Where else would I be?" Dr. Xander asked. "Oh, we don't know. Maybe looking for therapy." Yeager said as they leapt down from the pipes. "What are you doing here, whoever you are?" Dr. Xander asked as Max shut down the pump. "Isn't it obvious?" Wandella asked. "You toxically poisoned everyone in this building!" Max exclaimed. "Everyone? Excellent." Dr. Xander said as he took Fishy's bowl. "Hand over the antidote, Xander." Max demanded. "Or else we'll take it." Zad said. "I don't think I will." Dr. Xander refused. Suddenly, he tripped over his own helmet, causing Fishy to fly out of his bowl. "No! Fishy!" Dr. Xander cried as he tried to rescue his 'friend.' But Fishy fell through the grate, into the sewage. "No! No! FISHY!" Dr. Xander cried. Max, Steel and the Mana Quints all looked at each other, disturbed and confused. "Wow. Aunt Molly was right. This guy's really unstable." Wandella said.
Just then, something in Dr. Xander snapped. "Look what you've done!" He exclaimed, throwing a potion vial at them. As they dodged, the vial exploded upon impact. "Whoa! This guy doesn't mess around!" Zad exclaimed. "I'm coming, Fishy! I'll save you!" Dr. Xander exclaimed as he put on his diver's suit. Max came in with a flying kick, but Dr. Xander tossed another vial at him, sending him flying to a machine. "Hey! Leave him alone!" Yeager shouted as he and Vandana ran towards Dr. Xander. But he tossed another vial at them, sending them flying backwards. Dr. Xander continued throwing vials at the heroes, refusing to listen to reason. As Max dodged another vial by back-flipping onto experimentation tube, he noticed the contents of the vials pouring into the sewage. "Oh, that's not good." He said. Dr. Xander smacked a button on his computer and dropped the tube and Max. "Max!" Xena cried as she and her siblings ran to Max's aid. "I'm coming, Fishy!" Dr. Xander exclaimed as he grabbed his helmet and rushed towards the hatch. "Wait! Xander, stop!" Max exclaimed. But Dr. Xander wouldn't listen. He slipped on some ooze and fell into the sewage, putting his helmet on as he sank. Max, Steel and the Mana Quints looked on from the hatch. Suddenly, the sewage began filling up in Dr. Xander's suit. And then he started glowing. He screamed in pain as he sank further and further into the murky depths of the sewage.
"Uh, what the heck just happened?" Zad asked. "That sewage was contaminated when the compound that was in Xander's potions spilled into it. But it looks like the shock to his systems were too much." Max explained. "What a way to go. Especially for a fish." Vandana said. "If I ever start acting like that, promise you'll deactivate me." Steel said. "So, what now, cous?" Wandella asked. "He's gotta have his antidote formula here somewhere." Max said as he tried to access Dr. Xander's computer. But suddenly, the sewage erupted behind them. "Oh no! Not another sewer monster!" Max exclaimed. Fishy was dropped back into his bowl as a big armored mutant emerged from the sewage. "That ain't your Uncle Forge's sewer monster." Steel said. "It can't be!" Xena exclaimed. "Dr. Xander?!" They all exclaimed in shock. Dr. Xander had mutated into a big monstrous armored mutant. "You…hurt…FISHY!" He exclaimed. "What happened to him?!" Steel asked in surprise. "The contaminated sewage must've caused some kind of mutation in his body and fused him into his suit!" Max deduced. "And I thought Mr. Naught looked ugly." Yeager said. "What have you done to me?! I'm soiled! You are a stain of the fabric of my life! A stain that I shall now REMOVE!" Dr. Xander exclaimed as he brought out his new suit's new claws.
"All this over a fish?" Max asked. "That fish can't really be that important." Xena said. "I think he's just overreacting." Steel said. "My job. My work. My Fishy!" Dr. Xander exclaimed, firing a glob of toxic waste at the heroes. But they dodged the glob before it could hit them. "You will all pay!" Dr. Xander exclaimed as he fired another glob, hitting them. "Since when can he do that?!" Yeager asked. "I think since he went for a swim in that toxic soup." Steel guessed. "Right. Mutations can sometimes give anyone the most unnatural of abilities." Max said. Dr. Xander fired more globs at them. But they dodged the globs and escaped his sight. As Dr. Xander searched for them, they hid on another experimentation tube. "Does he look bigger to you guys?" Xena asked. "Like I said. Mutations make all kinds of changes on a person." Max said. "Nothing ever escapes your keen eyes." Steel said. Dr. Xander heard them, turned around and fired another glob at the tube, making the heroes fall into a puddle of his own gunk. "Do I even want to know what this gunk is?" Vandana asked in disgust. "No." Max said. Just then, Dr. Xander grabbed Max by the leg and held him up. "Max!" The Mana Quints exclaimed. "You did this to me! I'm a filthy, dirty, toxic!" Dr. Xander exclaimed as Steel and the Mana Quints blasted him and tried to free Max, but no avail. "And I'm Max Steel. And these are the Mana Quints. Nice to meet you…Toxzon." Max said. "Toxzon? Rather fitting. Good one, Max." Yeager said. Dr. Xander, or now called Toxzon, threw Max into Steel and the Mana Quints, and sent them crashing into some steel barrels. "And here I thought we were gonna be friends." Max said.
As Toxzon prepared to finish them off, Xena drew her blaster and slung Iris, hitting him with Blorfball. "Ugh! That is filthy! I can't stand it! That smells worse than me!" He exclaimed. With him distracted, Max, Steel and the Mana Quints started punching, slashing and blasting him. But Toxzon managed to knock them away. Then he came in surfing on his own goop. "Wow, he's just full of surprises." Max said. "Then let's show him a little surprise of our own." Steel said. "Go Turbo! Strength!" Max called as Steel linked up with him, morphing into Strength Mode. Toxzon activated his blades and bashed into Max. "Wow. He's as strong as he smells." Steel said. Zad charged in with his mana katana, but Toxzon blinded him with a glob and knocked him aside. "Believe it or not, he's even stronger." He said. "Not stronger than me!" Wandella exclaimed as she leapt up and prepared a mana-powered punch. But Toxzon caught her and threw her into Vandana and Xena. Toxzon then turned his attention to Yeager. "I'm going to make you what you and your friends made me!" He exclaimed as he prepared to slash at Yeager. "No thanks! I'm good with how I look!" Yeager exclaimed as he blocked the blades with his mana shield. But then, Toxzon blasted him towards the railing. "If I can't be clean, no one will be clean!" He exclaimed as he slashed the railing and started pushing Yeager over the edge. "Medallion Phantom!" Max and the quints exclaimed. "Everyone into the pool." Toxzon said. Suddenly, a glob of slime hit his helmet, blinding him. Yeager looked up and saw Stickers on the railing. "Thanks, Stickers. I owe you one." He said. Stickers chittered. Max came in and punched Toxzon, making him let go of Yeager. "Alright, Steel, it's time to finish this." He said. "Shooting Star?" Steel asked. "Shooting Star." Max said. "Oh yeah." Steel said as he deactivated Strength Mode. "Turbo Shooting Star!" Max called, jetting into Toxzon with his Turbo Shooting Star and knocked him out cold.
"Man, that was even grosser than when we fought Berto's sewer monster." Max said. "You alright there, Yeager?" Zad asked as he and the others helped Yeager up. "I'm okay. Another second and I would've feared at what I would've looked like." Yeager said. "Now let's get that antidote." Steel said. They headed back to the computer, but they couldn't access the formula. "No good. The files are all encrypted. Even I can't hack into them." Max said. But then, he got an idea. "Unless I make my own antidote." "How are you gonna do that, Max?" Vandana asked. "Simple. It's a matter of finding the toxin's neutralizing agent. I analyzed the formula in Toxzon's mutation during the fight and all the ingredients are right here." Max explained as he poured the proper potion ingredients into a beaker and mixed them together. "That should do it. Except there's still one crucial ingredient missing." He said. "And what's that?" Zad asked. "The catalyst. The chemical key to Toxzon's whole concoction." Max said. "But where would Stinky Face keep it?" Steel asked. Just then, Iris and Wasabi hopped over to Fishy's bowl. They took a sniff and realized that Fishy was more than he appeared to be. They chittered, getting Max's attention as they brought Fishy over to him. "Fishy." He said as he realized. Fishy was a special compartment for the catalyst. Max added the catalyst to the potion and inserted it into the machine. "Houston, we have antidote." Steel said. "Nice job, Max!" Wandella cheered as they all high-fived each other.
Max's antidote spread through all of THI, curing all of the zombies. But Toxzon recovered and sucked Fishy into one of the tubes on his suit. Neither Max, Steel nor the Mana Quints even noticed. "All toxins have been neutralized." Steel said. "Then open sesame." Max said as he disabled the lockdown. "Great job, team. Now let's cart this creep away." But as they turned around, Toxzon was gone. "He's gone!" Xena gasped. "Yeah, but something tells me we'll be seeing him again someday." Yeager said. Max walked over to the work bench and took several vials of Toxzon's toxin. "Uh, are those something you should be touching?" Zad asked. "Maybe. But I'd like to analyze these toxins myself to see if I can cleanse them." Max said.
Later, Max and the quintuplets, back in their original clothes, headed back to the main lobby where Molly, Amelia, Sydney and Kirby were waiting. "Is everyone okay?" Max asked. "Yeah." Molly said as she hugged her son. "Uh huh." Sydney said as she joined the hug. "Thanks to you, kids." Amelia said as she hugged her children. "I'm feeling kinda…hungry. Weren't we supposed to get lunch?" Kirby asked. "Oh, Kirby." Xena groaned playfully as everyone else laughed. "And once again, Max Steel and the Mana Quints save the day. And the crowd goes wild!" Steel narrated as he imitated a cheering crowd.
Meanwhile, Toxzon escaped into the sewers. "I gave them my genius and this is how they repay me? Unquenchable! They haven't heard the last of Tytus Octavius Xander. They haven't heard the last of…Toxzon." He said, embracing his new name. "No, they haven't." Fishy said. Both of them laughed maniacally as they swore revenge on their enemies and embraced their new lives as supervillains.
Wow! Wasn't that exciting?! While Molly and Amelia give Max, Sydney, Kirby and the Ferrus Quintuplets a tour at THI after Dread's disappearance. But the recently fired and unstable Dr. Tytus Octavius Xander released a toxic cloud into the building, turning almost everyone into zombies. While dealing with Max Steel and the Mana Quints, Dr. Xander wound up mutated into the nefarious Toxzon, making things more dangerous. But Max Steel and the Mana Quints managed to foil his plan and cure the zombified people. What adventures will Max Steel and the Mana Quints embark on next? Will Max be able to cleanse the pollution in Toxzon's toxins? Leave a review if you'd like.