Chapter 3: Heroix Unite Pt 3
Previously on Heroix Crusaders Ethereal:
"Goodbye, Shane Gang." "Omentaurs!" "You guys alright?" "Yeah. But we've seen some pretty weird things." "Let's show these beasts what teamwork is about." "This isn't over." "I can sense a great power from this thing." "Greetings. I am Sage." "Xana, what's wrong?" "Where's our baby sister?" "Greetings, Shane Gang, Storm Hawks and Battle Force 10. I know you're wondering about what has happened to your little Shane, Xana. I have sent Dred to capture her and use her as a hostage as part of my new plan. If you want your precious baby back…the Shane Gang must come to the Forbidden Cavern without your new allies. I have witnessed what your friends can do during the battle in Blade City. If you dare to bring them with you, little Xana's life will be doomed and you will never see her again."
(Intro)
After Eli, and the others returned to the Shane Hideout with Will, Zoom and Zen, and told everyone about Xana being kidnapped, even showing them Heltora's message. Eliza became devastated and started crying in despair after hearing this. Piper and Starling comforted the distraught mother as she continued crying. "This is the worst thing ever when Xana gets kidnapped by Dred, a second time." Kord said in worry. "Second? What happened the first time?" Junko asked. "She got kidnapped by 3 knuckleheads who posed as photographers. But some of our friends managed to save her and return her to us safely before sending those 3 somewhere far away." Dana explained. "What are we gonna do to save Xana, Eli?" Trixie asked with worry. "I'm working on it, but I can't think straight due to my fear! Just thinking about my baby sister's safety and in the hands of those Doom Slingers!" Eli said, feeling incredibly worried. "We can help." Vert said. "No. You heard her message. If we bring you guys with us, they'll kill Xana." Harley said. "Well, we can't just stay put and do nothing." Agura said. "I agree. We can't stand by with a child's life in danger." Skyler said. "Dad, what can we do?! I'm out of ideas on what to do to save Xana!" Eli exclaimed, filled with panic. "I don't know, Eli. I can't think of anything either. My mind's full of worry and fear for my Xantara's safety." Will said.
"Is there something we can do to help save your baby?" Aerrow asked, seeing the Shane Gang so distraught. That's when Rune realized. "I know someone who can help us save Xana." He said. "Who?" Finn asked. "I did mention some friends who helped save Xana from those 3 knuckleheads, didn't I? Well, those friends are Rune's family." Dana said. As everyone headed outside, Rune stepped forward and let out a high-pitched shriek into the air. Aerrow flinched at that. "What is he doing?! Why is he making that sound?!" He asked, covering his ears. "Rune's calling his family." Aerona said. Just then, after Rune stopped shrieking, flashes of green lights appear and revealed a group of black and green monkeys. The Shadow Clan.
Shocked by their appearance, the Storm Hawks and BF10 got ready to fight, thinking the Shadow Clan was a threat. But the Shane brothers stopped them. "No, no! Don't hurt them! They're our friends and allies!" Eli said. "Yes, we recognize them. The famous Shadow Clan." Vert said as he and Olivia walked up. "The protectors of all slug kind and all the caverns in Slugterra." Olivia said. "You've met them before?" Spinner asked. "Not officially, but we've watched them from afar the last time we were here." Vert said. After introducing everyone to the Shadow Clan, Eli and Harley put on their Shadow Talkers to speak with the chief, who had decided some time ago to name himself Ishromo. "What is going on, sons of Shane?" Ishromo asked. "Xana's been kidnapped by Heltora and her Doom Slingers and had taken her somewhere called the Forbidden Cavern." Eli said. "We need your help to rescue her." Harley said. But the Shadow Clan hissed in fear at the mention of the Forbidden Cavern. Ishromo started hissing to Eli and Harley, with the others, except Junjie, Yu Jie and Rune, not understanding what he was saying. "I'm afraid Ishromo said that the Shadow Clan can't help us." Eli said. The Shane Gang, Storm Hawks and BF10 were shocked to hear that. "Why not?!" Eliza cried. "Due to the Forbidden Cavern's evil energy, the Shadow Clan will grow weak if they get too close to the cavern." Harley said. "They have to remain a fair distance from the Forbidden Cavern in order to protect themselves." Eli said.
Eliza started crying again in despair. "I can't bear to think about the danger that my poor little baby Xana is in!" She cried. "I warn you, sons of Shane. Do not go to the Forbidden Cavern or you will never return. Alive." Ishromo said in a warning tone. But being the stubborn Shane that he is, Eli refused to give up. "No. I'll be willing to take the risk to save Xana, with or without the Shadow Clan's help." He said.
Eli started walking off, shoving past the protesting Shadow Clan. "I'll teach Heltora for threatening my family." He said venomously. Vert reached out with his hand and placed it on Eli's shoulder, stopping him. "Wait, Eli, if the Shadow Clan can't help you, then the Storm Hawks and Battle Force 10 can help if you'll let us." He said. "No. You heard her message. Heltora will kill Xana if you guys come with us." Eli said, shoving Vert's hand off before continuing. "Don't worry about that, Eli. Heltora and the Doom Slingers will not be expecting you." Olivia said as she walked up. That caught Eli's attention as he stopped and turned around to his childhood friends. "What do you mean by that?" He asked. "I have a plan and I want everyone to listen carefully. That way, little Xana will be safe in one piece." Vert said. Eli stared at him for a moment before looking over to his team. "What do you think, gang? Do you agree with this?" He asked. The team muttered amongst themselves before nodding in agreement. "Okay. What's the plan, Vert?" Eli asked. Vert smiled at this. "Alright, gather up, everyone. Here's what we're gonna do." Vert said. The Shane Gang, Storm Hawks, Battle Force 10 and Shadow Clan gathered up as Vert started explaining his plan.
Meanwhile, at the Forbidden Cavern, within the dark palace, Dred brought the still unconscious Xana into the dungeon, placed her inside a large cage and locked her inside. "Very well done, Dred. You did a good job in kidnapping the tiny Shane quite so easily." Heltora said as she and Nacho came up to Dred. "I was just doing what you asked me to do, Mistress Heltora." Dred said. Nacho looked over Xana in her cage. "I never expected those Shanes to have such a little member on their team." He said. "Little Xana here was born just months after the chaos caused by our old friend Blakk and those 2 Goons." Heltora said. "So, what's the next plan?" Dred asked. "Now we will wait for the Shane Gang. Now that they know about my message you left them, Dred, I know they'll come to rescue their innocent child from this horrible place…without their new allies." Heltora explained with a sinister smile.
Meanwhile, outside the dark palace, John Bull and CC were on the balconies of the dark palace. They were tasked in looking out for the Shane Gang. Using high-tech binoculars made by Quinten, they looked around to see which way the Shane Gang would come. "I got nothing on my end, Bull. Anything on yours?" CC asked. "No." Bull said. But then, he caught something. "Wait a second." He spotted the Shane Gang coming their way to the Forbidden Cavern. "Call Heltora. Tell her that our guests are coming." He said. CC took out a walkie-talkie and called Heltora. "Heltora, the Shane Gang's coming our way." He informed. Inside the dark palace, Heltora smiled evilly as CC delivered the news before turning to face Nacho and Dred. "Our guests have arrived. Get ready to confront them." She said. Nacho and Dred chuckled sinisterly as they headed off.
Meanwhile, the Shane Gang stopped their Mecha Beasts at the edge of the Forbidden Cavern. Eli got off Lucky and turned to face his team. "Alright, gang, we're about to enter the Forbidden Cavern. We need to be on our highest guard if we ever run into the Doom Slingers, or worse, Omentaurs." He said. The team nodded in understanding as they got off their Mecha Beasts and followed their leader into the Forbidden Cavern. As they walked through the horrifying cavern, Junjie looked around the cavern. "This place is filled with evil. I now understand why the Shadow Clan can never enter this place because of the evil energy emitting this cavern." He said. Just then, the Shane Gang caught view of the dark palace. Eli knew good and well that was where Xana was being held captive. "Alright, gang, stick with the plan. We're going in." He said. But before anyone could move, terrifying shrieks started echoing throughout the Forbidden Cavern. Emerging from the shadows, dark humanoid beings surrounded the Shane Gang with no escape. These dark humanoids were called Darklings, one of the many types of Omentaurs. The Darklings snarled and hissed at the Shane Gang with evilness in their voices. "Well, well, well." The Shane Gang looked over to see the Darklings clearing a path for Nacho, Dred and the rest of the Doom Slingers. "Welcome, Shane Gang. Good to see that you didn't bring your new allies. I guess Heltora's message was threatening enough to you guys for the sake of your little Shane's safety." Nacho said, chuckling evilly. "Where's Xana?" Harley asked aggressively. "Oh, she's fine. She's sleeping peacefully in a cage in our dungeon." Nacho said, mockingly as he and the others chuckled evilly. Hearing that, Harley growled as he was about to attack them. But Eli put his arm out and stopped him. "Stand down, Harley. I don't want to put Xana in harm's way." He said. Harley did as he was told and stood down. "We just want our younger sister back." Eli said. "Oh, we'll give her back…if you are willing to surrender to us." Nacho said.
But then, Eli smirked slyly. "I thought you would say that." He said. Nacho got confused as he said that. "NOW!" Eli yelled. Suddenly, Junjie summoned an aura bow and Tad summoned a light bow. They both fired arrows of aura and light at the Doom Slingers and the Darklings. The Doom Slingers quickly dodged them, but some of the Darklings got hit and turned to ash. "What the?! They've never done that before!" Billy exclaimed in surprise. Suddenly, he got blasted by a stream of water by Fareeda. "Nope." She said. Just then, the Shane Gang all started attacking with various powers and fighting styles. "How is this possible?! The Shane Gang never had any sort of powers like this before! Only their new allies had these powers!" Nacho exclaimed in confusion. "That's because…we're not the Shane Gang you guys were looking forward for." Eli said. All of a sudden, the Shane Gang became engulfed in red light and revealing their true form. The Storm Hawks and Battle Force 10! The Doom Slingers were shocked to see this. Nacho was also shocked to see Aerrow, who was posing as Eli. "Just like Vert planned." Aerrow said with a smirk.
[Flashback]
Vert started explaining his plan as everyone listened. "Here's what we're gonna do. The Storm Hawks and my team will pose as the Shane Gang, with a little help from a Thugglet's illusion power. As we distract the Doom Slingers and Omentaurs, you guys will go in and rescue Xana from the base of the Doom Slingers. Once you have her, get out of there immediately. But just in case, Shadow Clan, you guys back them up in case their escape goes awry." He explained. The team agreed, liking the plan. Each member of the Storm Hawks and Battle Force 10 took turns deciding which of the Shane Gang, they would be posing as. "Right then. Aerrow, you'll be posing as Eli. Rigg, you'll be Harley. Starling, you're Eliza. Ivan, you're Will. Piper, you're Trixie. Sherman, you're Kord. Spinner, you're Pronto. Stork, you're Vance. Vuto, you're Mario. Zen, you're Lash. Odessa, you're Joshwa. Judy, you're Shimei. Junko, you're Watts. Agura, you're Dana. Stanford, you're Deagan. Cellica, you're Aerona. Sky, you're Fareeda. Lavender, you're Kala. Talia, you're Paulina. Horace, you're Cilan. Finn, you're Tad. Radarr, you're Rune. Mimi, you're Barry. Zoom, you're Junjie. Rayona, you're Yu Jie. Iguanarox, you're Daichi. Skyler, you're Itsuki. Twilight, you're Naoki. And Skyla, you're Satoshi. Olivia, Aria, Amy Lu, Zug, Grace and I will be going with the Shane Gang." Vert explained.
Later, the 3 teams and the Shadow Clan were about a mile away from the Forbidden Cavern. Sage, Destina and TRINA decided to stay at the hideout to stay out of danger. "Alright, Joshwa, Kala, use your Thugglets now." Vert said. Joshwa and Kala loaded Loki and Lila, and slung them into the air. As they transformed, they performed their Lusionist move, releasing flashes of red light over the Storm Hawks and Battle Force 10. When the light died down, they were all disguised as the Shane Gang. They looked at themselves, feeling amazed at their new disguises. "Alright, team, you all know what to do." Vert said. The disguised team understood, hopped onto the Shane Gang's Mecha Beasts and rode off towards the Forbidden Cavern as the Shane Gang watched them leave. "Are they gonna be okay?" Eli asked, feeling unsure. "They'll be fine. They'll give us enough time to get inside the Doom Slingers' base while they distract them." Vert assured. "Now we just need a slug to make us a tunnel, a Crystalyd, to drill us all the way to the Doom Slingers' base." He said. Eli smiled. "Well, I just happen to have a Crystalyd right here. Say hi, Digger." He said, holding up a slug barrel with Digger, who chirped to say hi. "Alright, Digger, let's get digging." Eli said as he loaded Digger and slung him into the ground, using Tremor Tunnel to drill and create a tunnel. "Excellent. Everyone into the tunnel." Vert said. The Shane Gang ran over towards the tunnel and hopped down it, followed by Olivia, Zug, Grace, Aria and Amy Lu. Eli and Vert stayed behind to speak with Ishromo. "You have a brave heart, son of Shane. If you and your friends really can make it out of the Forbidden Cavern, then the Shadow Clan are willing to help, despite our warning." Ishromo said. "We will, as long as we have the Storm Hawks and Battle Force 10 by our side." Eli said. Ishromo looked at Vert and started hissing something to him. "I don't understand what you're saying." Vert said. "Ishromo said that you better watch my back, and my gang's." Eli said, translating Ishromo's hisses. Vert nodded in understanding. "I will. Olivia and I are Eli and Harley's best friends since we were kids." He said. Ishromo shook Vert's hand, giving him his full trust. With that, Eli and Vert hopped into the tunnel to catch up with the others.
[Flashback End]
Nacho had now become incredibly furious. "We have been TRICKED! ATTACK!" He roared as he drew his blaster. But before the Doom Slingers and the Darklings could start their attack, Aerrow removed his scarf and unveiled the Atomic Crystal. "Skylight Unite!" He yelled. And in a bright flash, which everyone was blinded by, the Storm Hawks transformed into the Skylight Guardians as the light died down. Battle Force 10 was in awe to see the Storm Hawks transform into the Skylight Guardians. "Whoa! That is amazing. It almost reminds me of this show I used to watch when I was a kid. It had these teenagers that could transform into these heroes in colorful suits, I think." Horace said. The Doom Slingers were shocked from what they just witnessed. "Take them down!" Aerrow ordered as he fired an air blast at Nacho, sending him flying before crashing back down to the ground. That just made him more furious as he got back up. "ATTACK!" He yelled. The Doom Slingers started slinging their Omen Slugs and the Darklings charged as the Skylight Guardians and Battle Force 10 prepared to fight.
Meanwhile, Digger managed to reach the dark palace, right in front of its front doors, as he dug out from the ground and made an exit tunnel for the Shane Gang, Wheelers, Aria, Amy Lu, Zug and Grace. "We're here." Vert said, getting out of the tunnel first. "Blegh! I prefer being covered in snow over being covered in dirt." Amy Lu said. As they exited the tunnel, they overheard the battle going on in the distance. "Looks like my team and the Storm Hawks are distracting the Doom Slingers as we planned." Vert said. "Good. Now, come on. Let's go in, find Xana and bug out of here." Eli said. He raced towards the doors. But as he approached them, he hit an invisible force field of some kind and it shocks him. He got thrown back, but Vert and Harley caught him. "E, are you okay?" Vert asked, worried. "I'm okay. Just shocked." Eli said. Olivia walked up to the invisible force field and raised her finger to touch it, which zapped her a bit, making her withdraw her hand away with a bit of pain. "Ouch! We can't get through this force field. It's keeping us out of the dark palace." She said. "How are we gonna get in then?" Trixie asked. Just then, Olivia got an idea. "Everyone, step back." She said. As everyone stepped back, Olivia summoned an archer's bow made of her astral energy. She fired an astral arrow and hit the force field, which caused it to start sparking with electricity and then, it was immediately taken down. "Uh, what just happened?" Pronto asked in confusion. "I just destroyed the force field. Now we can enter the dark palace." Olivia said. Will walked up to the doors and pushed them open, allowing the Shane Gang, the Wheelers, Aria, Amy Lu, Zug and Grace to enter the dark palace.
Meanwhile, back in the fight, as Zoom fired an aura arrow at a Darkling, turning it to ash, he caught a glimpse of the Shane Gang, the Wheelers, Aria, Amy Lu, Zug and Grace entering the dark palace. "Good luck, you guys." He said, knowing that they were going to find Xana and hopefully, get out of there, alive. He quickly turned back to another Darkling coming toward him and fired another aura arrow at it.
Meanwhile, within the dark palace, inside its dark hallways, the Shane Gang, Wheelers, Aria, Amy Lu, Zug and Grace were sneaking around. "Pronto feels so scared! This place is so horrifying with all its scary features and appearances!" Pronto cried in fear. But then Harley slapped him on the back of his head, snapping him out of it. "Pronto, you can worry about your cries in fear later. Right now, we have to find Xana." He said. Unaware, Heltora was watching them through her crystal ball as she sat on her throne, within her throne chamber. "So, they've come to get their precious innocent little girl back." She said. She then turned to face a large, tall rusty knight's armor holding a huge rusty knight's sword in its right hand. "Go have some fun with our…visitors." She ordered. Just then, the armor started moving as it walked off and left the throne chamber. Heltora chuckled evilly, knowing that her uninvited visitors will be in for a terrifying challenge.
Back with the others, they were looking everywhere, but Xana was nowhere to be found. "Where is she? Where can my daughter be?" Eliza asked, feeling the weight of her fear on her shoulders as she couldn't stop thinking about Xana's life being at stake. "Eliza, calm down. We'll find her as soon as possible. And once we got her, we'll leave immediately to get out of danger." Will said, calming his wife. Later, they entered a large chamber with a huge open space. On the other side is a set of double doors. "Pronto is willing to bet that Xana and possibly Heltora are on the other side of those doors." Pronto said. "Then we just need to walk towards them." Eli said. However, as they stepped onto the open space, the armor suddenly came down from above and landed in front of the heroes. As it stood up and readied its sword, it glared down towards the heroes with glowing red eyes. The Shane Gang, the Wheelers, Aria, Amy Lu, Zug and Grace were shocked to see it. "What is that thing?!" Pronto yelled. "That…is the Knight Death!" Vert said, recognizing the armor. "The Knight Death is one of the most known powerful Omentaurs that ever existed. Only one worthy opponent can truly defeat it without showing fear." Olivia explained. The Knight Death raised its sword and brought it down towards the heroes.
The heroes moved aside as they dodged the Knight Death's sword. "Stop that knight!" Aria exclaimed. The heroes all shouted as they charged towards the Knight Death. "No, wait!" Vert exclaimed. But as Amy Lu was about to strike with her ice blade, the Knight Death swung its sword and knocked her, Pronto, Dana and Rune aside. Then it struck Lash, Shimei and Grace, then Aria, Barry and the Fuurins. "Monster!" Kord exclaimed as he, Zug, Junjie, Vert and Olivia charged for the Knight Death. But the Knight Death swung its sword and knocked them down too. "It's too strong!" Eliza cried with worry. "What is it Olivia said? Only a worthy one can defeat the Knight Death without showing fear." Will said. Eli, thinking about what they said, got a determined look on his face as he stood up and walked towards the Knight Death. "Eli, no!" Eliza cried. The Knight Death turned to face Eli as he stood before it. "I'm only gonna say this once. Move aside and let me get my sister back. Or else…I will destroy you." Eli said threateningly. The Knight Death, not feeling threatened by his threat, readied its sword. The heroes looked on with worry as the Knight Death was about to strike.
But as the Knight Death swung its sword, Eli back flipped to the right and dodged it. He summoned his Aether sword and charged towards the Knight Death, striking it before flipping over it. The Knight Death swung its sword again, but Eli quickly moved out of the way and struck the Knight Death's armor in numerous sections repeatedly. The heroes watched in awe at how fast Eli was moving. But then, the Knight Death swung its sword and clashed with Eli's, pushing him back with force. Trixie gasped with worry for her fiancé. As Eli recovered, the Knight Death was about to strike him again. Eli managed to dodge the incoming swings, but as he blocked another strike, he was forced back and knocked down again. But he managed to recover again. "Gonna have to do better than that." Eli said. He charged at a high speed, dodged the Knight Death's sword, and started leaping around the hall and striking the Knight Death repeatedly with his Aether sword. "Whoa, look at Eli go." Aria said in awe. The Knight Death was about to swing its sword. Eli leapt up, dodging the sword, but the Knight Death punched him with its left arm and knocked him down hard. "ELI!" Eliza cried as the heroes stared in shock.
Eli slowly recovered as he winced in pain. His left eye was cut and bleeding. But he wasn't willing to give up. He stood up, glaring at the Knight Death, and readied his Aether sword. As the Knight Death charged towards Eli, ready to strike with its sword, Eli's eyes started to glow bright blue and blocked the sword with his, pushing the Knight Death back with a powerful force. Then Eli stabbed his Aether sword into the floor and created a wave of crystals, trapping the Knight Death's legs. As the Knight Death swung its sword, Eli leapt onto the blade, slid down it and struck the Knight Death's midsection with his Aether sword, making it drop its sword. As the Knight Death got free from Eli's crystal trap, it charged towards Eli, preparing to punch him. But Eli dodged to the right and placed his hand on the floor, creating an Aether blast right from under the Knight Death's feet and sending it flying into the air. Then, Eli summoned 5 tendrils made of Aether energy and they wrapped around the Knight Death's arms, legs and neck. Then, as he leapt up high, his Aether sword started glowing bright light blue. He gave a great shout as he dove towards the Knight Death and slashed it hard. As he landed, the Knight Death landed behind him and dissolved into ash.
The heroes rushed over to Eli as he collapsed his knees onto the floor from exhaustion. As they reached him, Vert knelt down in front of him, putting his hand on his shoulder to steady him. "Are you okay, E?" He asked. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just exhausted." Eli said. "Are you sure, Eli? You just took a massive punch from that Knight Death and now you have blood streaking over your left eye." Will said with concern. "I'm sure. I'll be okay. And I'll heal my injury later. Right now, we need to get Xana." Eli said. Vert helped him to his feet. "E, you did an amazingly great job on defeating a Knight Death. It even was your first time. It was dangerous to face, but you did it to save your sister." He said. Eli smiled at that. "I'll do anything to get Xana back." He said. "Good of you to say that, Eli. I just picked up her through her mana signature. She's behind those doors." Aria said, sensing Xana's mana. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Harley exclaimed. The heroes headed for the doors and burst them wide open to reveal a long corridor. And at the end of the corridor was another set of double doors. Wasting no time, the heroes headed towards the them. As they reached them, they burst them open to reveal the throne chamber. And sitting on the throne with her legs crossed, was Heltora herself. "Ah, Shane Gang and friends. I bid you welcome to my dark palace." She said sarcastically with an evil grin.
"You know, I'm actually impressed that you made it here just to get your precious little Shane. And how my Doom Slingers were easily fooled by your new allies posing as you." Heltora said. "Stop stalling us, Heltora! Where is my daughter?!" Eliza demanded as she stepped forward. Heltora smirked with a wicked chuckle as she snapped her fingers. Just then, a lion Omentaur came in with a cage in its mouth. Within the cage was Xana, now fully awake. As Xana saw her family, she gave a whimper. "Mommy!" She cried. "It's okay, Xana! Mommy's here!" Eliza called. But before she could step forward, Heltora stopped her by holding out her right hand, glowing with dark energy. "One more step and little Xana is done for." She threatened. Just then, something big entered the throne chamber, revealing itself to be a giant snake Omentaur, called a Greed Cockatrice. The heroes were shocked to see such a beast. "A Greed Cockatrice!" Olivia exclaimed. "We can be glad Zoom's not here. He would've started freaking out at the sight of this one due to his fear of snakes." Vert whispered. Heltora used her dark magic to telekinetically lift Xana's cage out of the lion Omentaur's mouth and hovered it over to the Greed Cockatrice as it hissed, looking at Xana with hunger in its eyes. "Little Xana will be Greed Cockatrice chow if you heroes dare try anything to save her." Heltora threatened. "Please don't do it! She's only a baby!" Eliza begged, terrified. "I don't care." Heltora said. "What do you want, Heltora?! Is there something that involves Xana?!" Eli asked angrily. "Maybe. I have one single goal; finding a legendary crystal to rule, not just Slugterra, nor planet Earth, but the entire universe and beyond for my master." Heltora explained. "And what is this crystal you're searching for?" Harley questioned. "The Ethereal Crystal." She answered. Most of the Shane Gang gasped at that name as if they knew what that crystal was, leaving the Shanes, the Wheelers, Aria, Amy Lu, Zug and Grace confused.
"Guys, what exactly is this Ethereal Crystal?" Eli asked. "Oh, it is supposedly the most powerful crystal in all of Slugterra. Legend has it that it possesses an unimaginable vast power which it grants to those who seek to use it." Pronto explained. "The molenoid is correct. I want to find the Ethereal Crystal and use its power to rule the entire universe and beyond for my master." Heltora said. "But the Ethereal Crystal is only a legend and was never truly found. No one even knows if it even exists." Rune said. "Oh, it does exist. It was simply hidden away. Away from those who swear to use it for evil. But now, in order to prevent any one of you from learning the crystal's secret location, I will eliminate the only thing that could possibly lead you to it…Xantara Shane." Heltora explained. "NO!" Eliza cried. Heltora released her hold on Xana's cage and dropped it. The Greed Cockatrice opened its mouth widely, ready to devour Xana. But then, Xana outsmarted Heltora. She activated her Shadow Clan pendant and teleported through the shadows right before the cage fell into the Greed Cockatrice's mouth. "What?!" Heltora exclaimed in shock. Xana reappeared in Eliza's arms. "Oh, my baby! You're safe now!" Eliza cried, hugging Xana tightly. "Mama!" Xana cried.
"We have what we came for, Heltora. We're leaving." Eli said. "Oh, you'll be leaving…after you all die!" Heltora exclaimed, summoning more Omentaurs into the throne chamber. The heroes prepared to fight as they found themselves surrounded by the Omentaurs as Heltora cackled madly.
Suddenly, before the Omentaurs could attack, the Skylight Guardians and Battle Force 10 burst through the double doors, having dealt with the Doom Slingers, Darklings and Omen Slugs outside. "Sorry we're late for the party." Aerrow said. "Oh, on the contrary. You're right on time." Heltora said. She snapped her fingers, giving the Omentaurs the order to attack. As the Omentaurs started to attack, the heroes shouted as they started fighting back, forcing their way through the hordes in order to escape the dark palace. "Come on! The exit's just up ahead!" Vert exclaimed as they ran through the hallway to the exit. But as they exited the dark palace, they found their escape route blocked by the Doom Slingers, having recovered from their fight with the Skylight Guardians and Battle Force 10, aiming their blasters at them. "I've just recently decided that your new friends make me want to puke, Shane!" Boss Ember exclaimed. The heroes turned around to see Heltora and her Omentaurs slowly approaching them from the hallway. "We're trapped!" Tad exclaimed. "Not for long!" Aerrow exclaimed. The Atomic Crystal started glowing brightly again. "Look out! That crystal's going bright again!" Brutale exclaimed. Suddenly, in a bright flash of light that blinded their enemies, the heroes all disappeared. The Doom Slingers were very shocked by this. Heltora snarled furiously before letting out an angry shout that echoed throughout the whole cavern.
Meanwhile, the heroes reappeared outside the Forbidden Cavern, near the edge, where the Shadow Clan was waiting. Eli put on his Shadow Talker as Ishromo approached. "You made it." Ishromo said in surprise. "Told you we'd make it out." Eli said. "And your sister?" Ishromo asked. "She's alright." Eli said, gesturing to Eliza holding Xana. "Good. But we must leave before they find us." Ishromo said. Eli nodded as he and the heroes followed the Shadow Clan away from the Forbidden Cavern.
Later, after that crazy event, the Shane Gang, the Storm Hawks, after they changed back to their regular forms, and Battle Force 10 returned to the Shane Hideout after successfully completing their mission. After returning to their home, the Shadow Clan all started teleporting back to the Dark Periphery, but Ishromo stayed behind for a moment. "You and your friends did well for rescuing your sister, son of Shane. But you also must be careful if you should ever again encounter Heltora, the Doom Slingers, or their Omentaurs." He said. "We will." Eli said. Ishromo nodded before teleporting back to his home cavern.
Later, in the living room, Trixie was treating Eli's wound as she wiped off the blood streak from his left eye. Eli winced as Trixie applied some medical cream on the injury before covering it with a band aid. "Thanks for treating my injury, Trix." Eli said. "You're welcome. But why didn't you use Doc to heal it?" Trixie asked. Eli shrugged. "I don't know why. Maybe I was too exhausted from all the craziness we've been through in the Forbidden Cavern." He said. Trixie chuckled at that. Just then, Harley, along with the Misthearts and Wheelers, walked up to the couple. "How are you doing there, E?" Vert asked. "I'm fine. How's Xana?" Eli asked. "Mom's placed her in her bedroom after she fell asleep." Harley said. "Well, I'm glad Xana's safe from danger. If you hadn't planned everything out, Xana's life would've been lost." Eli said. "And I'm glad I did. I can't stand around while a baby's life is at stake. And I didn't like how you guys looked so helpless when Xana was in the hands of Heltora and her Doom Slingers." Vert said. "You know, we all made a great team. The Shane Gang, the Storm Hawks and Battle Force 10." Aerrow said. Just then, Eli thought of something. "What if all 3 of us formed a great big team? All 3 of our teams?" He suggested. They were surprised to hear that. "But why?" Trixie asked. "We all work well together like a great big team. And with Heltora and the Doom Slingers still out there, and those Omentaurs rising in the Forbidden Cavern, I think all 3 of our teams will have the power to save our entire universe. So, I thought of a new name for this new team with all 3 teams joining together." Eli explained. "That's a good idea." Olivia said. Harley, Vert and the Misthearts agreed.
"So, what's our new team name, Eli?" Aerrow asked. Eli thought of it for a moment. "How about…the Heroic Crusaders?" He suggested. "I like it. But it feels a little off and needs something a bit more, well…cooler." Harley said. "Then I say we replace the c with an x. Heroix Crusaders." Eli said. "Now that sounds way cooler." Aerrow said. "I agree." Aria agreed. As did Harley, Trixie and the Wheelers. Eli smiled as his brother, lover and friends liking the new team name. "Then it's official. Heltora, the Doom Slingers and their Omentaurs won't be prepared for what's coming. Because starting today, a new team of heroes rises. And they will be called…the Heroix Crusaders!" He declared as they gazed out the window.
WOW! Well, was that hot stuff or WHAT?! After some careful thinking and planning, the Shane Gang, Storm Hawks and Battle Force 10 came up with a perfect strategy by distracting the Doom Slingers and infiltrating Heltora's dark palace. As they battled one of Heltora's strongest Omentaurs, a Knight Death, Eli was injured by its sword, scarring his left eye. But after finally defeating it, the Shane Gang confronted Heltora as she was about to feed poor baby Xana to an even scarier Omentaur, a Greed Cockatrice, because she was a piece to finding an ancient crystal, known as the Ethereal Crystal. But Xana managed to escape with her pendant. After regrouping with the others, the Atomic Crystal helped them escape their enemies. After realizing how well they and their teams worked together, Eli, Harley, Aerrow, Aria, Vert and Olivia decided to form a new team, naming themselves…the Heroix Crusaders. What new adventures await our new team of heroes? Will they uncover the truth of this Ethereal Crystal? Will Eli discover the truth of his connection with Heltora? Leave a review if you want.