"And… there! Good as new!" Engineer declared with a satisfied grin as he finished rebuilding the remote. He handed it back to Stewie, wiping his hands on a rag. "I even added a new navigation feature. All y'all have to do is type yer destination on the screen here and press the button. It'll guide you straight to where you need to go!"
"Brilliant!" Stewie exclaimed, examining the device with an admiring gaze as he tapped the screen. "You, sir, maybe the only human on this planet who understands true genius."
Sniper stepped forward, his gaze lingering on the group. "Are you sure you're ready to leave already? You lot have a knack for running headlong into danger."
"Yeah, I've still got a lot to teach you!" Soldier chimed in, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Your combat skills need serious work before you're ready for the battlefield!"
"We told you already, we don't have enough time for that! Hacker might already be closer to the crystal than we think!" Matt interrupted, his voice urgent.
"Or worse," Digit added, his wings flapping nervously. "What if he already HAS the next crystal and is on his way to the last one? What if he has all of them by now?!"
"Didge, calm down," Jackie said soothingly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Take a deep breath. We can't afford to panic right now."
Digit nodded shakily, closing his eyes and taking several slow, deep breaths, his nerves slowly settling. "Thanks, Jackie," he said with a small smile. "I needed that."
"Anytime," she said warmly.
"Alright, enough chit-chat! We need to get moving!" Stewie declared, his sharp voice cutting through the quiet moment.
"In that case, we're coming too!" Soldier proclaimed boldly, stepping forward and striking a heroic pose.
"Wait, really?" Inez asked, her eyes wide with surprise. "You're still insisting on coming with us?"
"From what we've seen, you certainly could use our expertise," Spy interjected coolly.
"Yeah!" Scout added with enthusiasm. "You've got guts, but sometimes you need muscle to back it up. We've got your backs when things get rough!"
"But I thought we agreed to solve this peacefully," WordGirl countered, her tone firm. "We're not here to hurt Hacker or anyone else—just to stop him from getting the last crystals."
Spy raised an eyebrow at her, his tone laced with skepticism. "Peaceful resolutions are admirable, mademoiselle, but do you truly think villains like Hacker will respond to reason? He's as cunning as they come."
"Besides, we've been over this already!" Soldier exclaimed, waving a hand dismissively. "Sometimes you've got to show the enemy who's boss! Even if it means getting your hands dirty!"
WordGirl stood her ground, crossing her arms. "That might be your way of doing things, but we're not looking to fight unless we absolutely have to. There's always another way."
"She's right," Inez added firmly. "Violence isn't the answer to every problem. We need to stay focused on finding the crystals and stopping Hacker—not becoming like him."
Scout scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Okay, okay, I get it. But if Hacker doesn't wanna play nice? You gotta admit, it'd be good to have us around just in case."
"Maybe we can compromise," Jackie suggested. "You guys can come along, but only step in if we're in real danger. Deal?"
Soldier grumbled but eventually nodded. "Fine. But don't say I didn't warn you when it comes to blows!"
Stewie, who had been tinkering with the remote, looked up with a smirk. "Splendid. Now that this riveting moral debate is settled, can we please get moving before Hacker claims yet another crystal?"
"Stewie's right! We need to act fast—there's no telling how close Hacker is to getting the third crystal!" Martin Kratt urged, his tone tense.
"But do we even know where we're going?" Medic asked skeptically. "The third crystal could be hidden anywhere!"
"We're supposed to search for a long-forgotten fortress in a place called the Farlands," Inez explained. "But we're not entirely sure where that is."
"Well, that's incredibly specific and helpful!" Sniper quipped, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Wait a second—did you say a long-forgotten fortress?" Scout asked, his expression shifting to one of realization.
"Where are you going with this, Scout?" Spy inquired, narrowing his eyes.
"Think about it! There's an old fortress not too far from here that's been abandoned for years. Could it be the one you're talking about?" Scout suggested eagerly.
"Lad, there are hundreds of abandoned fortresses in this area!" Demoman exclaimed, exasperated. "It could be any of them!"
"Dah! Crystal could be in any fortress!" Heavy agreed. "What makes Scout so sure it is that one?"
"Well, it's worth a try! You never know—we might find something!" Matt interjected optimistically.
"I highly doubt it. We've been there countless times and never found any crystals," Engineer said firmly, shaking his head.
"Maybe, but what if you missed something?" Matt pressed. "It could be a possibility."
"Hmmm… you might have a point," WordGirl murmured, her brow furrowed in thought.
"But Matt, we don't have time to take chances!" Jackie countered. "Hacker could already have the crystal by now!"
"I get it. But what if he doesn't?" Matt argued. "What if the crystal is there? Hacker doesn't even know we're here yet, so we could grab it before he does!"
After a tense silence, Spy finally spoke. "Very well," he said coolly. "We'll take a look. But mark my words boy—time is not on our side, and this detour could cost us dearly."
...
A few moments later, the group arrived at the fortress in question. The looming structure stood against the darkening sky. Despite the claims of abandonment, the fortress appeared to be in relatively decent condition—its outer walls largely intact, and the gates only slightly rusted.
"Okay! We're here," Spy announced as he stepped out of the van, brushing off his suit. He scanned the surroundings with a sharp gaze. "Now, where should we begin?"
The others followed, stepping cautiously onto the dusty path leading to the fortress. Mold crept up the wooden structures, and the air was thick with the scent of the dried deserted earth.
"Well, I think there might be a pattern to the crystals," Inez began, adjusting her glasses as she surveyed the imposing structure. "When we found the first two, they were hidden in places that were underground or otherwise out of plain sight. That might give us a clue."
"So, are we looking for some kind of passageway that leads underground or something?" Scout asked, his voice echoing slightly in the fortress's hollow corridors.
"I doubt it," Sniper replied quietly, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit surroundings. "Don't you remember? We've been here plenty of times, and never seen anything like that around here."
"So why do you come here so much anyways?" Digit asked.
"Yeah," Sniper said, glancing at her. "This place used to belong to the Blu Team. We managed to overcome them and take their base for ourselves."
"Really?" Digit asked, his tone a mix of intrigue and disbelief.
"Yup," Engineer chimed in, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "We come here pretty often to, well, duke it out with each other."
"Wait… duke?" Peter asked, scratching his head. "What are you, royalty or something?"
"Actually, Peter," WordGirl interjected with a small smile, "'duke it out' is another way of saying to fight or spar."
"Exactly!" Sniper exclaimed, gesturing animatedly. "When we get on each other's nerves, we like to settle things here. It's our way of blowing off steam."
"So, you all fight each other? For fun?" Digit asked, his mechanical wings twitching in confusion.
"Pretty much!" Scout said, grinning. "Beats sitting around waiting for something to happen."
Peter scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Huh, kind of like what we're doing now—getting ready to fight Hacker, right?"
"Sort of…" WordGirl hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "But it's not quite the same. We're not looking to fight Hacker unless it's absolutely necessary."
"WHAT IN THE BLOODY HELL?" Demoman bellowed, his voice suddenly cutting through the fortress's quiet air like a whip. He gestured toward the horizon, his finger pointing to a specific spot in the sky.
The group froze, alarmed by his sudden outburst, and followed his gaze. A ripple of light and energy twisted in the air, warping the sky into an ominous vortex. The swirling portal crackled with bolts of electricity, its edges glowing a foreboding purple.
Before anyone could process what was happening, several colossal robots emerged from the vortex, their metallic bodies gleaming in the dim light. They landed with earth-shaking force, the ground trembling beneath their weight. Following them, smaller robots poured out like an army, each one armed and ready for combat.
Perched atop the shoulder of one of the largest robots were two familiar figures. As the group squinted to get a better look, their eyes widened in collective shock.
"Tobey?! Mr. Big?!" WordGirl exclaimed, her voice breaking the stunned silence.
The self-proclaimed boy genius, Tobey McCallister, looked equally startled as his gaze landed on WordGirl and her allies. "WordGirl?! Cybersquad?!" He gasped, his voice filled with genuine surprise.
Mr. Big, standing confidently beside him, sneered down at the group. "What are you doing here?" He shouted, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Never mind them! Robots, ATTACK!" Tobey bellowed, his voice echoing across the fortress.
At his command, the robots sprang into action, their heavy, metallic footsteps reverberating through the ground as they marched toward the Cybersquad. Chaos erupted almost instantly as the group found themselves amid an intense battle.
"Split up!" Soldier yelled. "We'll hold them off! The rest of you go find that crystal!"
Nodding in agreement, the group divided their efforts. While half stayed to fend off the onslaught of robots, the others darted toward the fortress's deeper recesses, desperately searching for any sign of the crystal.
The Red Team wasted no time. With a synchronized roar, they raised their weapons and began firing at the approaching mechanical army. Scout zipped between the towering robots, landing swift blows, while Demoman hurled explosives that took down clusters of smaller Zachbots.
However, despite their efforts, Tobey's larger robots proved far more resilient. Their reinforced frames shrugged off the onslaught like it was nothing, and their counterattacks pushed the team back.
WordGirl was having her own struggles. Normally, she could dismantle Tobey's robots with ease, but these were unlike any she had faced before. They seemed sturdier, stronger, and faster, their titanium shells barely flinching under her powerful strikes. After a fierce effort, she finally managed to take one down, its massive frame crashing to the ground with a deafening clang.
She landed nearby, panting heavily and wiping sweat from her brow. As she glanced around, her eyes locked onto Mr. Big, who was standing confidently at the edge of the battlefield, grinning deviously. He held a sleek ray gun in his hand, its barrel glowing with a sickly red hue.
WordGirl's heart sank as realization dawned on her. Lexonite.
She suddenly felt a wave of weakness wash over her, her strength draining rapidly. It wasn't as overwhelming as she'd experienced in the past, but it was enough to make every movement feel like a struggle. Her fists clenched as she glared at Mr. Big, who seemed to be enjoying her plight far too much.
"Ah, so you've noticed!" Mr. Big sneered, his finger-twisting a dial on the ray gun. The red energy intensified, and the Lexonite's effects grew stronger. WordGirl staggered as her legs wobbled beneath her, her body trembling with effort just to stay upright.
Above the sound of battle, she could hear his laughter—low, mocking, and chilling. "How does it feel, WordGirl?" He taunted. "To be outsmarted, outmatched, and out of strength? I'd say it's game over for you and your little friends!"
Meanwhile, the Cybersquad darted into one of the old fortress buildings, slamming the heavy metal door shut behind them. Inside, the air was damp and stale, and the faint sound of the battle outside echoed through the thin metal walls.
"Why is this happening?" Matt finally broke the silence, his voice a mix of frustration and disbelief. "We were so close to finding the crystal, and now this?"
"Isn't it? Obvious?" Stewie snapped, his small hands gesturing dramatically. "They're after the crystal too! They must've known we'd come here!"
"But how?" Digit asked, his brow furrowing. "How did they know we'd be here, of all places?"
"He has the journal for crying out loud! You know, where your Protectors Of Cyberspace wrote how to find the crystals?" Stewie shouted frustratedly. "Honestly, it's a wonder any of you survive without me pointing out the obvious."
Okay, okay, let's not argue," Inez interjected, holding up her hands. "We need to focus on finding the crystal before they do. That's all that matters right now."
Digit fluttered up, his wings flapping softly. "Right, but where do we even start? This place is huge, and we don't exactly have time to check every place."
"Let's think," Matt said, straightening up. "The other crystals were hidden underground, right? Maybe there's a hidden passageway somewhere in here."
Just then, the roof of the building was suddenly ripped off its frames by one of Tobey's robots. Before the robot could grab them, they quickly ran over to the entrance.
The Cybersquad dashed to the entrance, the massive robot's metal fingers clawing at the air just inches behind them. Dust and debris rained down as its towering frame leaned into the building, the robot's glowing red eyes fixed on its fleeing targets.
"Move, move, move!" Matt shouted, ushering the others ahead.
"Where exactly do you suggest we move to?!" Stewie snapped, his short legs struggling to keep up. "There's a giant homicidal machine trying to crush us like insects!"
"Less talking, more running!" Jackie shot back, grabbing Stewie by the arm and pulling him along.
As they sprinted out the door, the group narrowly avoided the robot's mechanical hand, which slammed down with a force that cracked the ground beneath them. They skidded to a stop outside, glancing around for cover.
"Over there!" Inez pointed toward a partially collapsed watchtower nearby.
Without hesitation, they darted toward the structure, the robot lumbering after them, its every step shaking the ground. Once inside, they took a moment to catch their breath, but the distant tremors caused by the robot's pursuit reminded them they didn't have long.
"Okay, new plan," Matt panted, his wings twitching nervously. "We need to lose that thing before it turns us into scrap!"
"Brilliant deduction, Captain Obvious," Stewie muttered, earning a glare from Jackie. However, their attention was shifted when they heard a familiar scream.
"Woah!!!" The Cybersquad gasped as Digit suddenly came crashing to the ground, landing in a heap a few feet away from them.
"Digit!" Inez cried out as they rushed to his side. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah… I think so, Earthlies," Digit groaned, shaking off the impact. But as he tried to move, he noticed a peculiar tilt in his balance. "Uh oh."
"Digit… your propeller!" Jackie pointed in alarm.
Turning to look, Digit saw the small propeller on his tail feathers bent at an awkward angle. His beak fell open. "Oh, just what I needed! Now I can't fly! How can this get any worse?"
As if on cue, a distant shout broke through the noise of battle. "I think I know how!" Matt shouted, pointing toward the battlefield.
The Cybersquad followed his gaze, their expressions darkening. The Red Team was being captured one by one by Tobey's relentless robots. While the mercenaries had managed to dismantle numerous Zachbots, the battlefield was now littered with shattered metal and sparking wires.
But Tobey's towering was an entirely different story. The team's bullets, bombs, and explosives barely scratched their armored frames. One by one, the Red Team was subdued, each soldier restrained by the iron grip of the mechanical giants.
"This is bad! Really bad," Jackie echoed, clutching her hands to her chest.
"What are we supposed to do now?" Digit squawked worriedly.
"Come on!" Peter and the Kratt brothers grabbed the Cybersquad, urging them forward as chaos erupted around them. Chris carried a weakened WordGirl, her energy drained from the Lexonite. Together, they sprinted into one of the larger, multi-leveled fortress buildings.
Once inside, they hastily barricaded the doors with anything they could find—broken furniture, steel beams, and crates—though they all knew it would do little to stop Tobey's robots.
"We can't leave yet! What about the others? Or the crystal?" Matt protested, his voice breaking as he gestured back toward the battlefield, where their captured friends were being hauled away by the robots.
"Forget about them!" Stewie barked, his voice sharp with fear. "If we stay, we're all doomed!"
Before anyone could respond, a deafening crash shattered the moment. One of Tobey's colossal robots had torn the roof clean off the building, exposing them to the open sky. Sunlight flooded the room as the robot loomed above, its mechanical claws reaching downward.
"Hang on!" Stewie shouted. He slammed his finger onto the remote's central button.
Back on the battlefield, Tobey stomped his foot in frustration. "Drat! They've escaped again!" He pouted, his face scrunched in annoyance.
"Relax," Mr. Big said smoothly, adjusting his tie as he turned toward the captured Red Team. They were trapped in a massive cage, their weapons confiscated, and their spirits visibly crushed. Mr. Big's grin widened as he gazed at his prize. "The Cybersquad may have slipped away, but these fools will do just fine for now."