What up, readers? Here we are, back to another Bad Batch episode for the first time in a while.

Before beginning this chapter, I would like to address that I haven't seen quite as many reviews as hoped. For one thing, reviews help me know that my work is good and that people enjoy reading my stories.

Anywho, on with the story.

Episode: Infested

After the whole fiasco with Nefari messing with everyone's dreams and disturbing the dreamers' slumber, everyone was so glad to get the chance to catch up on sleep.

This was especially good for the Fett twins Boba and Omega. For a few days after that, they finished their final exams, and now they were preparing for the first event before summer started: their graduation from the 8th grade.

A lot of big events were coming this summer. Myra's sweet sixteen, Gabby's seventh birthday, the Inter-Galactic Music Awards (which Count Crescendo was nominated for yet again), and of course Qui-Gon and Shmi's royal wedding. (Secretly, Tech and Mila were still also planning to elope sometime this summer. They just wanted to be sure they found a great place to seal their vows with just Tech's family there, but eventually they would do so again with all their family and friends from both sides.) And this fall, Boba and Omega would be starting high school.

The twins were ecstatic about the graduation ceremony coming up soon. It was going to be great, and the family was having a big party to celebrate.

Neither of the twins would've imagined they would've made it this far. A few years from now, they would graduate high school too and go to college. And by then, Gabby, Lamenta, and Goldie would be graduating eighth grade too. None of the grownups could believe how fast the youngest members of their family were growing. Already, Luke and Leia were standing very well and starting to walk; now their parents were trying to get them to talk too. Still no signs of magic in either of them yet, but they were three months away from their very first birthday.

But now, it was two days before the twins would be graduating, and on this day, Omega was accompanying the Bad Batch on yet another mission, but this time she also had a couple friends come along.

Goldie, being the curious girl she was, never got out much, even after she and her parents moved in with the royal family. She'd spent all her life on Verden in a little village where she basically spent her time foraging and building things by day, stargazing at night, and occasionally brushing up on her bug whispering. Goldie knew a lot about her mom's side, but not really a lot about her father's side of the family. She'd tried asking him before, but he always seemed to get upset if anyone mentioned his side of the family. But, Goldie did know that he'd been to lots of different places. So, she figured maybe adventuring ran in his family.

Naturally, Goldie would take pretty much any chance she could to go anywhere, but Garrett would only let her go if he could accompany her to make sure she was safe. She was still learning to control her own abilities, and despite her father being a teacher, she needed time to learn just like any student.

The Batch and their guests exited the Marauder, the batch removing their helmets after an exhausting mission. Garrett carried his daughter out of the ship, also a bit tired from assisting with the mission.

"I don't know how you manage to survive such things before you had magical equines beside you."

"Wrangling them came easy, if you ask me." Maybelle said.

"Only because because you had Professor whistle blower to help you." Crosshair remarked, amid Maybelle rolling her eyes with a snort.

"Cid better pay us extra for that mission." Hunter said.

"Eh, it wasn't so bad." Wrecker said.

"She failed to mention the drop zone would be swarming with Gundarks." Echo remarked.

"Luckily, I come prepared," said Garrett. "You never know when a dog whistle comes in handy."

"I didn't know Gundarks hated high pitched noises," said Goldie.

"They actually aren't too different from that time I faced a pack of rogue werewolves in the forest of Transylvara. Still, I am surprised Cid gave no warning to you, especially considering you mentioned this was an important mission, and two children could have easily been Gundark chow."

"Even if Cid was aware you would be coming along," said Tech. "It is not the first time she has left out key details."

The Batch, the horses, and the Heartwoods walked down the streets of Ord Mantell, when they suddenly came across a bunch of people in dark armor. Somehow, the fact that they remained silent only seemed to add to their intimidation.

"Daddy...?" Goldie hid her face in Garrett's chest.

"Settle down, Caterpillar." Garrett whispered, holding his daughter closer.

The group, except for the horses, entere Cid's parlor, only to find it was more packed than normal, at least to the Batch's knowledge.

"This is where you meet your colleague?" Garrett asked.

"Yep." Omega said.

"When did this place get so popular?" Echo questioned.

"And who are they?" Tech added.

"Not our problem. Let's find Cid." Hunter said.

The humans walked toward Cid's office, out from which walked a couple of Pykes. But a masked guard obstructed their path before they could enter.

"Where do you think you're going?" said the guard.

Next thing they knew, Garrett had to cover his daughter's eyes from a couple of blows to the guard before he was thrown against the wall.

Hunter and the others entered the office, where they were met by more guards, who brought out their weapons. But the Batch had their weapons out too, and the magical members made their hands glow as a threat to use their powers.

"It's rude to barge into one's office unannounced." said a strange Devaronian man none of the others had seen before. He was petting some animal in his arms like a villain in a spy movie with a cat.

"This isn't your office." Hunter said, still holding his weapon up.

"Guess again," scoffed the stranger.

"Ruby?" Omega gasped, recognizing the pet.

"She's my prized pet."

"What are you doing with her?"

"I paid. Cid delivered."

"And where is Cid?" Hunter asked.

"Cid's out. This parlor and Ord Mantell are now my territory. But if you're looking for work, I might have use for you."

The Batch then put their weapons away.

"We'll think about it." Hunter said.

"You do that."

The Batch left the parlor and informed the horses on what happened.

"But with Cid out of the picture," said Teatra. "how are we supposed to gain any knowledge of where the villains Marviverde released are?"

"My best guess," said Indira. "we do it the old fashioned way and wait for someone to report them or they show themselves."

"Either way," said Hunter. "We're getting off Ord Mantell. "Tech, prep the ship. The rest of us will gather supplies."

"But what about Cid?" said Omega. "What did he mean when he said she was 'out'?"

"Given his tone," said Tech. "it is a plausible assumption that Cid was either forced out or taken out."

Goldie's eyes widened at that.

"You don't think they had her permanently silenced and then hid her in a wall, do you?" she said.

"Where'd you get that idea?" Echo wondered out loud.

"A murder mystery novel the big kids were reading."

"Remind me to keep the age-inappropriate books out of the little ones' reach when we return home." Garrett said.

But, Omega didn't think they should leave just yet.

"Well, we have to find her and help her." Omega said, jumping in front of the grownups.

Just then, someone cleared their throat not far away.

"Nice to see one of you cares." said Cid. "Inside. Now."

The group walked in with Cid, and her two usual patrons Weequay Ketch and Ithorian Bolo.

"So, you boys met Roland." Cid said. "He's a former client and the son of crime boss Isa Durand. Roland's trying to make a name for himself by joining up with the Pykes."

"What's he doing on Ord Mantell?" Hunter asked.

"This port's connected to multiple hyperspace routes, ideal for smuggling. My parlor's right in the middle of the action. Roland saw the value in it and took it."

"Sounds like the kind of thing smugglers would do," said Garrett.

"But we are taking it back.

"We?" said Hunter.

"If I lose, you lose. Don't forget how good I've been at helping you find real criminals and keeping your secret from them."

"I believe she is threatening us." Tech said.

"You do realize we could easily report you as well?" Garrett said, making his hand glow.

"Who's this guy again?"

"That's Garrett. He's my family's teacher."

"So, you think I'm afraid of someone teaching magic tricks?"

That angered Garrett greatly.

"I happen to be a highly respected professor at the finest magic academies in Enchantra, a high ranking member of the Enchantra High Commission's education board, and have faced more than a few mighty beasts of dark magic and high ranks of danger. And I could just as easily use any spell I've mastered over the years against you."

"Daddy!" Goldie scolded.

None of the humans were used to seeing Garrett in such a state; normally he was so level-headed and patient. But Cid was the one to test his patience.

"When we needed help, we came to Cid, remember?" Omega said, stepping up calmly. "Now she needs help. We can't just walk away."

"You tell 'em, Tiny!" said Cid.

Hunter sighed. "So, what's your plan?"

Garrett had Goldie ride on Banjo's back since he was one of the strongest and could fly away the fastest if any threat should come about and they needed to get the little one away quickly. Meanwhile, Cid explained her plan to the bunch.

"My sources tell me that a buyer is meeting Rolan tonight. to acquire a shipment of spice he's storing in my back office."

"You want to disrupt his supply chain by stealing the shipment and thereby sabotaging the deal." Tech said.

"In short, make him look like bad customer service," said Teatra.

"Very good, Goggles and Starway." Cid said. With the way Teatra burst out singing like she was a Broadway star, Cid began nicknaming her Starway. "When the Pykes come to collect, Roland won't be able to pay, and he'll be their problem."

Cid led the group over to a bunch of boxes which she moved out of the way to reveal a manhole to reveal a secret entrance.

"Start climbing tough guys." Cid said.

Unfortunately, the horses were too big to fit down there. Except Indira; she was flexible enough to squeeze through. The others would have to take a different route.

"Crosshair, since you're the best shot, you go with Goldie." Garrett said. "Keep her safe."

"She's in good hooves and hands, Professor." Pinto tipped his hat.

It was really dark where the bipeds and Indira were. Luckily, everyone had flashlights and Omega's light.

"Where are we?" asked Hunter.

"Ord Mantell's old mining tunnels. These rails run underneath the city. It's how we're sneaking into my parlor to steal the spice."

"Well, why don't we just walk in there and take it?" Wrecker asked, crossing his arms. "We can handle those guards."

"No one can know we're involved," said Cid. "Roland is one thing, but the Pykes aren't an enemy you want to make."

Omega then recalled her father mentioning how he and Obi-Wan faced Pykes once. They were definitely bad news if it left two of the bravest Jedi knights spooked to have a run-in with them.

"We'll use these carts to transport the crates of spice."

"Are you sure these carts are even stable enough to hold the weight?" Garrett asked.

"Of course I'm sure, Smarty Pants."

"They're not in the best shape, but I can get the motors operational." Tech said.

"No. Motors are too loud. This is a stealth mission. Your boys are good at that, right? Tiny, Goggles, you're with me."

So, the groups began moving their carts by pumping them across as quietly as possible, while Indira simply flew by until they reached their destination.

"Now, listen up." Cid said firmly as she turned to the others. "When we pass through those doors, not a peep out of anyone. We don't want to wake the hive."

"The what?" Echo said.

Cid rolled her eyes slightly and explained, "The caverns have a slight infestation problem."

Wrecker chuckled and said, "We're not afraid of a few bugs."

"I don't think she means a hive of honeybees or butterflies, Wrecker." Garrett pointed out.

"Well, it won't be a problem if everyone keeps their traps shut. Big guy, get the door."

Using his strength, Wrecker opened the door, and the groups went farther down the rail, and they began to hear the sounds of screeching. Just like Garrett said, this was definitely not a hive of bees or even hornets, which were probably harmless compared to whatever was in here.

"What was that?!" Wrecker panicked quietly. In a panic, he accidentally dropped his flashlight into the cavern below.

"What did I say?" Cid scolded.

Wrecker scoffed. "It was an accident."

Suddenly, there was the sound of screeching and rumbling; even Indira was getting nervous at this point. But then the noise stopped.

"Keep moving." Hunter instructed.

After a while, the batch finally arrived at a ladder of some sort. Poor Wrecker was exhausted.

"Drink up, Wrecker." said Indira, feeding Wrecker some water from a bottle, similar to how people would feed foals milk.

"This ladder leads into my back office," said Cid. "Up you go."

"Without eyes on the office, how do we know Roland is not inside?"

"I've got that covered." Cid smirked, taking out a small device, on which she pressed a button.

Meanwhile, up in the parlor, Ketch was sitting and eating some Mantell Mix. When he saw his device blinking, he knew it was his cue to move. Casually, he walked up past Roland with his Mantell Mix and "accidentally" dropped a few pieces on the floor. And when Ruby saw them, she immediately started following and eating them..

Except, Ruby didn't know she was walking into a trap... until a cage was tossed over her.

"Got her!" Pinto exclaimed.

But, Roland was quick to realize his pet was missing.

"Ruby?" he looked around, not seeing his lizard anywhere. He looked at the guards. "Don't just stand there. Find her!"

Pinto and Teatra gave Bolo and Ketch a ride through town with the cage, and they passed it on to Goldie and Banjo, who flew them out of view and out of reach.

"All clear," said Bolo.

"What now?" Goldie asked.

"Now, we wait." Banjo said.

Tech carefully opened the secret door and confirmed it was safe to enter the back office. Except, when they got in the office had its own infestation of ugly rat-like critters.

"Ugh. And I thought Wrecker was a slob." said Echo.

"Can the commentary," said Cid on the comm. "Roland won't be gone for long."

Tech, Hunter, and Echo entered the room to find the crates. Tech took out a pack and scanned it."

"Six crates of spice confirmed." said the smartest batcher.

"Here. Hand it over," said Wrecker.

Being the strongest, Wrecker was the one to carry the spice down. Hunter and Echo carefully moved the crate towards the hatch so wrecker could set it down on a wagon Garrett built, so Omega could tie a rope to it which was attached to Indira's rein, so she could help Cid move it to the cart.

Meanwhile, Roland was desperate to find his pet Ruby. The guards soon returned to Roland empty-handed.

"Where is she?" Roland demanded.

"We looked everywhere. Can't find her." said a guard.

"Keep looking."

Goldie, meanwhile, did her best to keep Ruby quiet by feeding her some more mix and talking to her.

"You're actually pretty cute, Ruby." Goldie smiled. "Cootchie, cootchie, coo."

But Ruby started screeching again.

"Keep that thing quiet!" Crosshair whisper yelled.

"I'm trying!"

"Give it more mix."

"I just ran out."

"I thought I told you not to eat any."

"I didn't."

"Oops." Banjo blushed.

"Banjo!" the humans scolded in unison.

Ruby started to move around in the cage more and eventually bit Goldie's finger, making her drop it and release the lizard.

"She bit me!" Goldie cried.

Ruby ran around the corner and found her owner, who was relieved to see she was alright.

"There you are," smiled Roland. He scratched Ruby's tummy as she rolled over, the lizard panting happily and kicking her little leg until her owner picked her up and hugged her. "Good girl."

The humans took this as their cue to get the heck out of there, but Roland spotted them and ordered his guards to go after them.

Banjo rode with Goldie on his back, but Crosshair whistled for the other horses to jump into action, and together they began running or swooping about to distract the guards and buy their friends some more time.

Of course, they also had to notify Cid.

Cid got the message quickly. But as they began bringing in more and more of the spice, Indira started to get all sniffly

"Out of time, boys." she said over the comm. "Get the last two crates."

"I'll seal the door." Echo said, getting Mini-R2 out from the special pouch he had made for the little droid.

Mini beeped and stuck a rod into the door's keyhole.

Meanwhile, Roland was approaching with a couple of guards who barely managed to escape the wild horses putting on a rodeo outside.

"Don't worry. We'll catch those two and kill them," Roland cooed to his lizard. "Yes, we will."

Roland approached the door, and one of the guards entered a code to open it, but it didn't open. He tried again, and it didn't open. So, Roland used a special key: his blaster. But as soon as he got into the room, he noticed something was missing.

"The spice. It's gone!"

Roland looked around, and he quickly discovered the hatch.

Cid declared that they were loaded well enough and it was time to go.

"ACHOO!" Indira sneezed. "I think the spice is making me sneeze."

"Found them!" Exclaimed a guard.

"Uh oh!" Omega said. "We've got company!"

"I'll hold them back." Indira said, and she started to fight the guards while the humans helped Cid get as far away as possible.

But soon, the guards were able to escape Indira and get onto another cart, and it became a railway chase.

"We've got incoming!" Wrecker exclaimed. He took out his blaster and started firing.

"I said no blaster fire!" Cid scolded.

"Tell that to them!"

Hunter made their cart screech to a halt, to the guards' confusion, and when they crashed into each other, the guards fell out of their ride. Most of them anyway. One of them remained... until a second cart of masked guards sped into his, sending all of them flying out.

Cid was especially relieved that they'd made it so far without waking the hive.

"If those laser brains woke the hive, we're all dead." she said.

Suddenly, Omega heard a screeching sound.

"What's that sound?" said Omega. The sound continued, and Omega literally shined some light on where they were. "Cid, I don't like this."

Suddenly, WHOOSH! There was a huge swarm of what felt like it had to be a bunch of bats or something

"Power up the engines!" Cid exclaimed.

Wrecker did as commanded, and the carts accelerated, but there were more creatures coming.

"We got more coming!" Wrecker exclaimed.

The Batchers blasted the bugs with their blasters, Garrett and Omega with magic, and Indira mainly kicked and avoided as many as she could. But throughout the fight, Tech noticed a pattern in the bugs' behavior when he shined his flashlight on one.

"They're avoiding the light." he said. "Use your torches"

Everyone lit their lights, and Omega shined some of her light, but had to be careful not to blind everyone else, but she couldn't avoid Indira in time.

"My eyes! I'm blinded! I can't see!" Indira whinnied as she was thrown off course.

Unfortunately, Indira ended up crashing into some bugs and into the cart and throwing it a bit off course too.

"Not the spice!" Cid exclaimed.

Hunter, Wrecker, and Echo were forced to flee their cart to avoid the bugs causing as much damage to them as they did to the carts and crates.

"Forget the spice. Let's go!" Echo said. "Wrecker, seal them in."

"Indira, follow the sound of my voice!" Garrett said, getting Indira to come close enough for him to grab her rein and guide her out while her vision was recovering.

Everyone rushed as quickly as they could to get the hell out of there and Wrecker sealed the door shut.

"Whew!" Wrecker breathed a sigh of relief.

"Are you alright, Indira?" Hunter said, petting Indira's muzzle as she was on the rare occasion she freaked out.

Indira snorted as Garrett was making sure she was okay.

"I was just blinded for a moment." Indira said. "In other words, I'm fine."

"Well, at least we got rid of the spice, right?" Omega said.

"Good thing too." Indira sniffled. "I think I may be allergic to that stuff."

Roland picked up some beads sitting on his desk as he took in what had just happened.

"I didn't anticipate Cid to be so bold or foolish." Roland said. And he wasn't alone. "His men managed to capture at least two of the people involved

"It- It was all her idea," stammered Bolo. "We swear."

"Yeah, it was a distraction." said Ketch. "We weren't gonna hurt Ruby. Honest."

"Tell me where Cid took my spice!" Roland demanded.

"We don't know. She didn't say." Bolo said.

And that was when Roland's buyers arrived.

"Get them out of here." Roland said quickly.

"Where is our payment?" said one of the Pykes.

Roland tried not to show it, but he was terrified.

"The shipment was stolen," he said. "You'll get your money. But I need more time."

But the Pykes were far from pleased.

"We did not come to hear excuses. If you cannot deliver as promised, you are of no further use to us."

Roland and his guards then brought out their blasters.

"I said you'll get your money. I suggest you go back to Oba Diah and wait."

But the Pykes showed no fear.

"You are out of your depth, Durand. Either you correct this grave mistake, or you and your entire family will experience what pain truly feels like."

Sometime later, the Bad was set to meet the others at Cid's parlor. They hadn't heard from Goldie or Crosshair, or even the other horses. Omega had to ride Indira since Estrella was with the others.

"Are you sure your parlor's safe?" Omega asked.

"Bolo and Ketch said the Pykes already came for Roland." Cid said. "I told you they don't take kindly to unpaid debts."

The humans, Trandoshan, and pegasus all entered the parlor, and there they saw a scary sight. Many masked guards' bodies were on the floor, no doubt the Pykes' work.

"See? My plan worked like a charm. Even better than expected."

And out from the office came Roland in binders and the Pykes.

"That's her. She's the one you want." Roland said.

"It has come to my attention that you have stolen our shipment of spice. Return it to us, and we will consider this issue resolved." said the Pyke.

"Not sure what he's been telling you, but we don't have any spice."

"If you cannot return them, we shall accept other means of payment."

That was when the others heard the sounds of whinnies struggling, and kicking. And the humans and Indira were all horrified to see that the Pykes had put the horses in binders too! Pinto, Banjo, Maybelle, Estrella, and Teatra! And Crosshair was in binders too.

"You can't take them!" Echo said. "Those are our horses! And our brother."

"A small price to pay for the lost spice. Unless you can return it to us."

But then Garrett noticed someone was missing.

"Crosshair, where's-?" Garrett started, until Crosshair interrupted him.

"I don't know where they took my weapons," said Crosshair, speaking in a tone to try to let Garrett know Goldie was safe. "I only know I'm the only human they caught."

"Kill them all," said the Pyke.

"Wait." Hunter said. "We don't have the spice on us, but we know where it is."

"My patience is wearing very thin," said the Pyke. "If you know where the spice is, then you should have no problem retrieving it. Until you do, the child and the pretty horse stay here."

The Batchers and Garrett all pulled out their weapons or magic protectively.

"Not happening," said Hunter.

"You misunderstand." said the Pyke. "This is not a negotiation."

Cid looked at Omega and then at the Pykes. She held up a claw.

"If I may..." she said. And she turned to Hunter. "You all don't realize who you're dealing with. If you don't lower your blasters, we're all gonna wish we were dead."

"And if I or Omega uses magic?" said Garrett.

"Let me handle this," said Cid.

So, while Garrett went to look for Goldie, the four oldest member of the batch went with Cid to search for the spice. But, Hunter tried to reach Omega's parents, knowing that Anakin had faced Pykes before; maybe he would have an idea how to rescue his eldest daughter.

"We can't leave Omega, Crosshair, and the horses with them." Wrecker said, not liking leaving his siblings or the horses behind with some dangerous Pykes. "What if they got Goldie too?"

"Crosshair cleverly notified us that the Pykes did not capture her, and potentially they do not even hold knowledge that she was with him. Hopefully, however, she is safe.

"We don't have a choice, but we know where the spice is." Cid said. "We'll return it, and the kid and your pets will be fine."

"They're not pets," said Echo. "They're our friends."

"Whatever."

"The ptero-creatures we encountered in the cavern are Irlings." Tech said. "They are nocturnal insects with visual sensitivity to thermal registers. Our best chance is to strike before nightfall."

"Muscles and I will rappel down into the cavern and locate the crates. I got the kid into this mess, and I'll get her out.

Tech steered the Maruader above the cavern, and Cid and Wrecker got themselves roped and harnessed. But Wrecker didn't like what he saw when he looked down below.

"You've gotta be kidding me." he groaned.

"And this time, don't drop it." Cid said sternly.

Cid and Wrecker were slowly lowered into the cavern and began quietly searching the caverns for the spice. Wrecker nearly woke something up by taking a wrong step, but luckily nothing happened. He did manage to spot one crate tangled in some webs though.

"Found one." he whispered.

Before Wrecker could get the crate, Cid stepped in the way.

"I'll secure it," she said, not trusting Wrecker to hold onto the crate this time. "Start looking for the other crates. Quietly."

She secured it, and the crate was lifted up to the Marauder.

Meanwhile, Goldie was panting as she kept running through the alleys of Ord Mantell. After the Pykes attacked her friends and started binding the horses, Banjo quickly hid her in a bin that was nearby and told her to stay hidden. But in the fight, the bin got knocked over, and Goldie had only one option: run!

She was scared. Goldie really wanted her dad now. She wanted to use her powers to help her friends, but she was too scared of missing the shot or hitting the wrong target or something. Goldie hadn't used much magic in her lifetime, especially not in front of anyone; even when she lived on Verden, she seldom used her power out of fear that people would laugh at her for not being strong, brave, or swift enough. She couldn't even bring herself to use a spell to help her father find her.

"Daddy, where are you?" Goldie cried, looking up at the sky.

Meanwhile, Omega sat in the binders the Pykes placed on her. She looked at Estrella and pretty much asked with her eyes why none of the unicorns were using their magic to free everyone. But Estrella tapped her hoof in morse code, which the horses had been teaching the humans.

In morse code, she said, "If we do that, the Pykes could come after us, and then find and harm Goldie, or worse go after the rest of your family and our friend too!"

So, Omega tried to come up with another plan. She eyed the blaster that sat on the table.

"Don't try it. They'll kill you." Roland advised. "If you're friends don't return the spice, we're both dead and your pets remain prisoners."

"We're not pets!" the horses all said together, offended.

"Whatever." Roland rolled his eyes. "That's what happens when you meddle in other people's business."

"Us?" scoffed Omega. "You're the one who took Cid's parlor from her."

"You take what you want. That's the Durand way. It's a tactic my mother has perfected-OW!"

Roland hissed in pain as Maybelle nipped at his ear.

"Maybelle!" Omega scolded.

"Mess with us, you get bit. That's the Caballo way, and the Equinaro way." Maybelle snorted.

"So, your mom's a criminal too?"

"Ugh. You make it sound so undignified." he chuckled. "If she saw me now."

"Well, our ma would say you got what was comin' to ya." Pinto said.

"Do those things ever shut up?" Roland said.

"Not really." Omega said. That was when Ruby crawled into Omega's lap and purred.

"Ruby doesn't take a liking to many people," Roland commented.

"Don't worry, Ruby. We'll get out of this."

Meanwhile, the Bad Batch was still collecting what remained of the spice.

"Crates three and four are aboard." Hunter confirmed.

Echo noted the time in was, while Tech was working on some kind of device.

"It's almost night," said Echo. "Those things are gonna wake up."

"I am preparing for that possibility," said Tech, adjusting his goggles.

Only two crates to go. Wrecker was relieved especially, because he was getting tired.

"Last crate..." Wrecker exhaled heavily. "... in hand."

"Rest later," Cid whispered. "Final crate secure. Bring us up."

The Batch started to slowly raise Cid and Wrecker up with the final two crates, Wrecker frantically flashing his light about as he heard more bugs buzzing.

"Stop squirming." Cid said.

Inconveniently, Cid's crate bumped an abandoned cart, and the cart fell from its cable and toppled into the cavern with a bunch of loud bangs and clangs. This was not good.

"Maybe they didn't hear it." Wrecker whispered with hope in his voice.

"I don't think we're that lucky." Cid said.

"Yeah, me neither."

And it turned out they were right, as a huge swarm of Irlings suddenly surrounded Wrecker and Cid. Wrecker was scared out of his pants of this crazy event.

"Get us out of here!" Wrecker screamed in the comm.

"Wrecker, what's going on?" Hunter asked.

"Irlings," said Cid over the comm. "Lots of 'em!"

"Help me! Help me!" Wrecker screamed, blasting as many Irlings as he could, but Cid was more worried about the spice. No surprise there.

"Tech," called Hunter.

Luckily, Tech was just about finished with his device.

"This should distract them." Tech said. Quickly, he took the device to the open door and threw it down. "Incoming!"

Tech's device hit the floor, and with almost no warning, unleashed a blinding light that distracted the Irlings long enough for the team to pull Wrecker and Cid back on board.

"See, Muscles? That wasn't so bad." Cid said.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I'm okay!" Wrecker muttered to himself. "Phew!"

"GOLDIE?" Garrett shouted. "Goldie, where are you?"

Garrett took out a photo of his daughter and asked around if anyone had seen her. But anyone he asked either didn't know or they rudely bumped him off.

"Oh! I got one last thing to try." Garrett said, taking out a butterfly ring his wife had given him a while back. A ring with the power of the buckeye butterfly, which had the power of location. If ever he was lost and needed to find a particular place or person, the butterfly would guide him to it when he had no other way of doing so.

Garrett tapped the butterfly twice.

"Find Goldie Heartwood."

And so, the butterfly began to fly and guide Garrett in the right direction.

Goldie, meanwhile, was crying as she hid behind some crates she found. This planet was definitely dangerous; she wasn't even sure local authorities were trustworthy enough to ask for help at this point. She did know one thing for sure: she did not want to continue exploring this particular planet or ever return to it. Back on Verden, she knew how to navigate by the stars, the sun, even by following familiar plants and scents. But this place had nothing like she had back in her old hometown, not even like at the palace. Except... a common buckeye butterfly?

"A butterfly?" Goldie was confused. "Where did you come from?"

"Goldie!" Garrett exclaimed happily. "There you are."

"Daddy!" Goldie screamed, running into her father's arms and receiving a big hug and kiss.

"Can we get off this planet please?"

"Of course, my little sunshine. Let's go find the others first."

Garrett met with the others, but he held his daughter very protectively, seeing as there were Pykes here.

As it turned out, the Batch managed to get the spice back to the Pykes.

The lead Pyke inspected a pack from one of the crates.

"Since the spice has been returned, the matter between us is resolved." said the Pyke, but then he took out a knife and pointed it at Roland. "But not with you."

Omega and Crosshair were pushed towards their brothers, but Roland was forced onto a table.

"Don't!" Omega begged. "He made a mistake. That's all."

"She's right," said Cid. "Kill him and you'll be starting a war with Isa Durand. Do you want that heat right now?"

"And what about heat from King Qui-Gon, considering you held his granddaughter hostage?" Estrella added. "Or even Queen Reigna, seeing as you kidnapped many of her subjects?"

"Call this a bad deal and walk away." Cid finished.

"We do not accept bad deals." said the Pyke. And he struck, cutting off a piece of one of Roland's horns.

Roland screamed in pain

"Our business is finished. It would not be wise for our paths to cross again."

The Pykes also gave Garrett the key to release the horses, and he and Goldie got right to doing just that.

Omega approached Roland and asked if he was okay.

Roland shrugged and said, "It's a small price to pay."

Omega passed Ruby into Roland's arms.

"I'll be going now," said Roland. And he walked off with Ruby.

"Come on, boys. First round's on me." Cid said.

Wrecker scoffed.

"You owe us way more than that."

"Don't push your luck." Cid said.

The horses, of course, got right to happily licking their riders. Even Crosshair couldn't help welcoming the affection, seeing as they'd just gotten out of a pretty scary time.

While the humans went in for a round, Hunter was curious about something Omega just did.

"Why did you stick up for him after what he did?" he asked her.

"I don't know," said Omega. "Ruby likes him. Maybe he's not all bad."

"You have a good corazon, Omega." Estrella.

While the grownups were having a round, Omega and Goldie started brushing the horses to settle them down after all that happened after a while. But... eventually, Omega's phone started ringing, and she saw that her twin was calling for video chat.

"Hey, Boba." Omega said.

"Omega, where are you?" Boba said, looking and sounding like he was in a hurry. "We're supposed to be getting ready for graduation!"

"What?!"

Omega looked at the time and saw her twin was right.

"Oh no! We're gonna be late!" Omega said. "Estrella, we gotta go!"

"Everyone! Hold off any more drinks!" Estrella called. "We're gonna be late!"

Then Hunter and Garrett realized what time it was.

"What's the rush?" Cid asked.

"Graduation!" Omega exclaimed, rushing with the others to get home in time to prepare for graduation.

"Tech, how much time do we have?" Teatra asked.

"Based on our current location, if we jump to hyperspace within five minutes of exiting the atmosphere, that will barely give us all enough time to get dressed and groomed." Tech said, prepping the ship.

"In that case..." Teatra got some things out. "Rule number one of the theater: always be prepared for any scenario. Alright, Princess Omega, let's get you prepped for your shining moment."