"Hah, hah, Almost there," Eli huffed as he scaled the cavern wall as Burpy, Joules and Noodle watched the bubbling lava far below.
"W-Woah!" The rock he had grabbed onto for support broke and he fell, barely grabbing onto Pronto.
"Gah!" The Molenoid cried, trying their best to hold steady as Eli found somewhere more stable to grab onto.
"Thanks Pronto," Eli exhaled as Burpy chittered reassuringly to their fellow slugs.
"Y-Yes. This journey is not so easy," Pronto said as the pair resumed their climb.
"Hah… Yeah. I almost died, four times. Liv would not have been happy if I did."
"Well now she will be, thanks to Pronto's magnificent tracking skills. But, you can praise me later," The track said, pulling himself up out of the ditch and onto stable ground. "Behold, round one of the tournament!"
Scorched Sparks Cavern's tournament location was even busier than that of Herringbone's. Spectators walked around with popcorn or a drink in their hands as slingers were either practicing or examining the wares of some set up merchants.
"Woah, cool," Eli exhaled, his eyes widening in fascination as he looked around.
"Hey, what took you so long?" Kord asked, popping into view as Eli helped Pronto out.
"Molten lava, razor sharp cliffs and a molenoid with a constant need for pit stops," Eli answered.
"What? My bladders are very small," Pronto defended himself.
"Why didn't you just take the road?" Trixie asked, looking up from her camera in confusion.
"Wait, there was a road!?"
"How did you think we got here?" Olivia pointed to an entrance on the far side of the cavern as her brother looked to their tracker for an answer.
"Bah," Pronto dismissed with a wave of his hand. "When you're with Pronto, you don't need roads. A good reason to bring me along with you when you are out fighting evil."
"All that matters is that you both made it," Kord interrupted as the group started moving towards the central area. "Now the only question is, who are you guys going to duel first?"
The siblings looked around, excitement in curiosity in their eyes as their gaze first fell on a slinger who appeared to be juggling their blaster. Next they spotted a set of triplets who moved in perfect unison. The pair could not help but smile at each other as they shared the same thought about duelling them together. Finally, they found themselves looking at John Bull who's Thresher slug tore a mannequin's head clear off.
"Uh," Eli looked unnerved and Olivia shrunk behind him slightly.
"How about we wait until the first round is announced?" The Shane girl suggested.
"Yes, that would be for the best. Also, you best stay close, these lava lakes can be very unpredicta-BLE!" Pronto shrieked as a wave of lava splashed upwards and the siblings pulled him out of the way.
"Woah!" Eli let out as their eyes widened as his sister pulled him back. "Okay that was kind of scary, but also kind of awesome."
"Only if you think being burned alive is awesome," Olivia frowned slightly. "What'd they do; pick the most dangerous cavern they could find?"
"Oh don't be silly," Pronto waved his hand in dismissal. "Each round of the tournament is hosted by a different cavern. They're probably saving the truly deadly ones for last," he said, oblivious to the unsettled expression Olivia had.
"It'll be fine," Eli reassured as the group came to a stop. "I doubt they'd actually make us duel somewhere that could kill us."
"I don't know about that," Trixie said, focusing her camera lens on a line of mannequins. "A dangerous location would make for good entertainment."
"Ahh, yeah, I guess," Olivia said as she looked around.
"So, who's duelling first?" Eli asked.
"No clue, they'll announce the pairings once they're ready," Trixie said, turning her lens toward a couple passers-by.
"They haven't been announced yet?"
"That's the thing, they don't announce them or the type of contest until the last minute," Kord explained. "I have no idea whether I'm supposed to be preparing for a sharpshooting contest," the cave troll thrust his fist into his palm, "Or a mecha back duel. It could be anything," he sighed in uncertainty.
"Leave it to me," Pronto spoke up. "I will use my expert skills in persuasion to find out early."
Just as the molenoid turned to walk off, the speaker above them groaned.
"Attention! The first round of the tournament will be one on one duels!"
Pronto ran back, gesturing to the group to lean in before he whispered. "Okay… It is one on one duels."
"Thanks for the tip, Pronto," Eli said as the group shared a smile.
"It is my pleasure. Anything to give you the edge my friend," The molenoid bowed.
Shortly thereafter Eli found himself face to face with his next opponent; a man named Jacques as the two faced off across a lava lake. Each slinger stared down the other, a hand near their blasters as they waited for the announcer's signal.
"DUEL!"
Jacques was quick on the draw and as a result fired an Aquabeek directly at Eli. Too slow to launch a counter attack, the Shane was launched by a jet of water and skimmed across the ground as his slug's tube flew out of his hand.
"Woa- Burpy!" Eli yelled as the Infurnus was thrown out of the tube and over the chasm's edge.
The Shane went over too but was able to grab an outcropping to stop his fall. "Burpy…" he murmured as Joules and Noodle looked on in horror.
A second later, the Infurnus popped out of the molten lake, wearing a huge grin on their face allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Maybe you could have mentioned that hot lava won't hurt you," Eli said and heard Jacques' laugh above him.
"I saved the best for last," the man said, loading a slug and aiming down at the teen.
Just as he was about to pull the trigger, Burpy jumped into Eli's blaster and the teen pulled the trigger. The Infurnus velocimorphed, knocking Jacques away as he flew out, buying Eli the seconds he needed to climb up. Springing from the hole, Eli caught his slug and moved towards his opponent.
"So did I," Eli said as he stood over Jacques, pointing his blaster down at the singed man.
"WINNER! ELI SHANE'S THE WINNER!"The announcer called when Jacques raised his arms in surrender."Take your pick, Mr Shane!"
Eli smiled at the result as he stood back, allowing his opponent to stand.
"Aww, I know which one you're going to take," Jacques pulled a tube off his bandolier, ready to hand over the slug inside. "It sure was sweet knowing ya."
"Your Tresher slug's great," Eli pushed the tube back into the man's hand. "But c'mon, I can't take him. I know how I'd feel if someone took Burpy from me," he said much to Jacques' surprise before something caught his eye.
"You're an Armashelt, right?" The teen leaned in, tapping on a tube and the slug inside smiled proudly. "I could use a cannonball whilst I'm out helping people and kicking evil's butt. What do you say?"
Rather than say anything, or in a slug's case chirp, the Armashelt jumped out of its tube and into Eli's hand whilst Burpy and Joules smiled at their new friend.
"I think I'll call you… Banger," Eli smiled. "Is that okay with you?" The slug only smiled in return at the name and Eli exchanged a handshake with his opponent before turning to walk off and search for his friends.
As her brother's match was just beginning, Olivia found herself face to face with her next opponent. Lode was quite a bulky man and had a few bandaids across his poorly shaven chin. It was abundantly clear to the Shane that he was also quite eager to duel as he had already subjected their match to two false starts.
"Okay guys, we've got this," Olivia whispered, thankful for the chance to calm her nerves.
"DUEL!"
Immediately Lode pulled the trigger and fired a slug and Olivia dove onto the floor.
"Talk about trigger happy," Olivia frowned and let out a yelp as she rolled to the side when her opponent fired again.
As the Rammstone sailed towards her, Olivia countered with Charlotte. The Arachnet slug transformed, catching the horned-velocimorph in its net and they both dropped to the ground.
"Ollie, I need a distraction," Her Flopper nodded as she loaded it into the blaster and pulled the trigger.
Just like in her last duel, green smoke erupted from the slug's body as it flew towards their target and hit them in the chest.
"Hey, where did the cavern go!?" Lode's arms flailed as he attempted to fan the smoke only to become impatient and fire a slug through it and towards a group of spectators who instantly scattered.
"Now, Fizz! He's open!" Olivia fired her Bubbaleone and the balloon-like velocimorph crashed into Lode causing him to lose balance and fall down.
Seizing the opportunity, Olivia rushed forward, grabbing Charlotte along the way and moved to stand over her opponent.
"Can we call it a draw?" Lode asked hopefully, looking up at the girl who simply shook her head. "Aww…" he dropped his blaster.
"WINNER! OLIVIA SHANE IS THE WINNER!"
Olivia exhaled as the announcer made their call and stepped back to allow her opponent to stand. "That was a good match, Lode."
"Right back at you!" Lode smiled, any and all disappointment of his defeat gone as if it had never happened. "Well see you later!" he turned around and began to walk off.
"Wait just a second! You need to pay up!" An official called whilst Olivia stood there dumbfounded.
"Aww, do Ihaveto?" Lode groaned, looking at the person who stopped them.
"Yes!" It seemingly took everything for the judge not to lose it at the larger man.
"Fine!" Lode slumped and made his way back towards Olivia before presenting his slugs. "Take whichever one you want, Miss," he smiled widely.
"Okay…?" Olivia sweatdropped at the man's sudden change in attitude before she looked at his bandolier. and turned her attention towards his slugs.
"Hmm… How about…" Just as she was about to tap a canister containing a Hop Rock another slug caught her attention. "Oh, hey. You're an Armashelt" The slug in question looked side to side before they chirped questioningly.
"Yeah, I'm talking to you," Olivia pointed at the slug and gave them a smile. "My brother and I could use a powerhouse like you. What do you say? Would you like to help fight crime and protect people?"
The slug's eyes widened at the offer before they chirped eagerly and lept from their tube.
"Glad to have you with us," Olivia smiled, moving the slug to her shoulder. "Would it be alright if I called you 'Shell' from now on?" she asked to which the slug chittered in reply.
"Nice to meet you," She began as she turned back to Lode only to see him already leaving. "I guess he's got somewhere else to be?" The sound of more blaster fire caught her attention and she went to investigate.
"WINNER! TRIXIE STING'S THE WINNER!"
"Way to go, Trixie!" Olivia cheered upon reaching the front of the crowd just in time to see the redhead holster her blaster.
"Hey, Liv!" Eli called from his spot and moved to join her.
"Eli, hey," she greeted. "How'd your match go?"
"I won, no problem," He said to which Burpy chittered. "I'd like you to meet, Banger," He held up the Armashelt to which Olivia chuckled.
"Great minds think alike," she held up her own slug. "Meet Shell."
Shell chittered a greeting to which Banger responded with a single chirp. The siblings shared a chuckle as the former slug's eyes widened.
"So, me, you and Trixie won. Where's Kord?"
"Uh… There" Eli scanned the crowd and was drawn to a familiar groan. "I guess not everyone was so lucky," he said, feeling bad for the cave troll who looked worn out as he approached them.
"Totally," Kord exhaled. "You two should see the dude I just hammered! Woo-hoo-hoo!" The Rammstone on his shoulder cheered.
"Dr Blakk," Maurice interrupted, causing the man to sigh as he looked up from his desk.
"Maurice, what have I told you about interrupting me while I work?" Thaddeus turned around as the slugs behind him quaked in terror.
"It's about that slug slinging tournament."
"And I should care because?" Blakk rolled his eyes impatiently.
"The Shane kids," Maurice began. "They're still in it. According to my guy they might actually be good. You don't think they'll be a problem do you?"
"In ten years perhaps," The doctor chuckled, turning back around.
"But you still want me to keep an eye on them, right boss?"
"Leave."
"I'll take that as a 'yes.'
"Come on dudes and dudettes, floor it! We're only halfway to Rock Lock Cavern and the next round starts in less than an hour!"
"Hey I've been meaning to ask you," Eli said as Kord pulled alongside him. "Cave trolls are like the best engineers, right?"
"Well, I don't wanna brag…" Kord said, a bit embarrassed.
"So why become a slug slinger?"
"My clan wanted me to go into the family business," The cave troll explained. "A lot of the passageways we used today were built by my people. But, turns out slinging slugs is a whole lot more fun than busting rocks."
"Yes, yes, yes," Pronto interrupted. "I of course come from a long proud line of molenoid explorers."
"What about you, Trixie?" Olivia asked, holding onto the back of Lucky as she tried her hardest not to look down as they passed over a gorge.
"Not much to say," the redhead replied. "I was tired of seeing bad people ride into my home cavern to cause trouble. Without a Shane around, somebody had to do something. I was the only one who wanted to fight back," Trixie exhaled. "That's partially why I make my videos, so people can see what's happening in Slugterra; the good and bad."
"Tracking however is the molenoid's greatest skill," Pronto interrupted to continue his boast.
"Speaking of that... Where exactly are we, Pronto?" Eli asked.
"Oh just a little shortcut I know about," The tracker answered as Trixie's attention was drawn to carvings on the cavern wall.
"Those are Shadow Clan markings," Trixie's eyes went wide and she turned forward. "Is this one of their trails?"
"Yes, at one time it was," Pronto answered as the cavern began to darken and the dirt road was replaced by solid ground. "But they haven't been seen here in years- Gahh!" he let out a scream as the group came to a sudden stop.
Moving from the darkness towards the group were several sleek-black monkey-like beings, each one with a three pronged tail and glowing green eyes.
"Well, guess what," Trixie whispered, fear in her voice. "They've made a comeback."
"Is that the Shadow Clan?" Eli whispered. "I've always wanted to see one."
"Usually if you get close enough to see one…"
"It's the last thing you thing you'll see," Kord finished Trixie's words.
"So, what do we do?" Olivia asked as she watched the clanners creep towards them.
"RUN!" Was Pronto's immediate suggestion as he immediately turned around and flawed it out of the trail, Trixie and Kord following quickly behind him.
Eli however revved Lucky's engine and drove towards them.
"Eli! Olivia! He means runaway!" Trixie yelled at them.
"You guys get out of here!"
"We'll distract them!" The twins yelled back as the Shadow Clanners gave chase.
"Okay, so what is the plan, Eli?" Olivia whispered.
"Just try and stay ali- Woah!" Eli pulled hard onto the breaks and Olivia's eyes widened as they skidded to a stop before a much larger group of Shadow Clanners.
"This was a bad idea," Eli sweatdropped as the largest of the clan shrieked at them.
"You think?" Olivia asked rhetorically as Eli turned their mecha around and sped after the others, looking back when she heard slugs going velocimorph.
"Look out! Hop Rocks!" Her eyes widened as she watched a Clanner use their tail to sling one.
"Liv, get down," Eli said and his sister laid back, allowing him to fire a clear shot.
Burpy transformed and flew towards the Shadow Clan, creating a towering wall of flame to block off the shrieking creatures.
"Nice work, Burpy," Olivia said, catching the slug as it flew back to them and they made it out soon after.
"What were you thinking?" Trixie asked as the group set off down a new path.
"I don't know what we were thinking," Eli replied. "Dad always talked about them like they were no big deal."
"He said he ran into them all the time whilst he was out patrolling the caverns," Olivia added.
"Yeah but your dad was Will Shane. You two? You're just… crazy," Trixie said to which the Shane twins looked a bit sheepish.
Rocklock Cavern was much greener than either Shane had been expecting considering the caverns they had passed through to make it here. Thick roots hung from the stalagmites on the cavern ceiling whilst moss grew atop many of the giant boulders that lined its landscape. Of course neither Eli or Olivia had the time to enjoy the scenery as the next round was revealed shortly after their arrival.
"THE NEXT ROUND WILL BE FOUR ON FOUR TEAM DUELS!"The announcer revealed."EVERYONE CHOOSE YOUR PARTNERS!".
"Well, what do you say guys?" Olivia was the first to speak as she and Eli turned to their friends who looked at each other.
"Oh come on," Eli added. "What's the worst that can happen?"
He was quick to find out when their match began. As soon as the announcer had let off their Phosphoro, the siblings ran ahead only to find themselves in trouble almost immediately. An opposing trio of slingers confronted them moving in perfect synchronisation and opened fire upon the siblings, knocking them back into a boulder.
"Oof" the twins groaned as a fourth slinger fired at them.
Trixie stuck out from behind it and fired a slug of her own to deflect the attack and Kord fired a slug of his own to cover them.
"Don't just sit there!" The cave troll said and both he and Eli ducked to avoid incoming fire. "Get some cover!" He grabbed Eli as Trixie pulled Olivia to safety allowing both to catch their breath as another volley missed them.
"Who are these guys anyway?" Eli asked as he and Trixie went to take a peek.
"These three are the Power's triplets, Aka the Power Trips," the redhead explained as the pair watched them reload. "They've been training together since they were born. It's like they know what each other is going to do before they do it."
A trio of Hop Rocks flew their way and the pair ducked for cover as the boulder exploded causing them all to jump up and start running for a better place to hide. The Power Trips continued to give chase and fired once more whilst Pronto watched on from the stands with a drink in hand.
"Ahh, enjoying the match I see," The molenoid elbowed a fellow spectator who looked disgruntled. "Heh heh. You know, they may be Will Shane's son and daughter but Pronto taught them everything they know!" he boasted.
Olivia stepped out to take a shot, only to be slugged and lose her balance, sending Ollie ricocheting out of the arena and into Pronto, knocking the drink from his hand and shattering the glass.
"Ooo, except for that," The molenoid winced.
Eli ran in to help his sister only to find himself ducking and covering as a trio of Flaringo's shot overhead.
"... Or that," Pronto turned his head up.
"Slug him again, brother," The Trip in blue said.
"Yes, sister," the one in green replied.
"Woah, wait!?" Eli looked up in shock. "One of those dudes is a girl?"
"You couldn't tell?" Olivia asked, firing Charlotte at the trio as the pair made for cover.
"Not the time, Liv!" He said as the pair ducked through a small opening and found themselves with Trixie and Kord once more.
"Wait, where's the other guy?" Olivia asked the pair as they stood up.
"Right there," Kord pointed towards a young man stuck to a wall by Jellyish goo, his blaster too far to reach. "Found him sneaking around while you guys were having your sibling showdown."
"Let me out!" the young man yelled at them.
"We will when we win, Stevie," Trixie replied.
"It's Steven!" the man yelled back at her.
The boulder they were hiding rumbled and began to crack and the group turned their attention towards.
"We need to be working together like they do," Eli spoke up, refocusing the group. "Show me your slugs," The trio did. "Kord, you'll sling that Phosphoro. Trixie, we'll need your Arachnet. Then, we'll see what Banger and Shell can do," The chosen slugs chittered.
"It takes weeks to bond with a new slug, Eli. Sometimes months," Kord said and the group winced as their cover took another hit.
"You can shoot it, sure," Trixie added, looking back. "But to pull off a complicated move, there's no way a slug you just won will do exactly what you want it to do."
"I may be new at this, but I know when a slug is bonded with you," Banger gave Eli a smile and a nod.
"What do we have to lose?" Olivia said as Shell chirped eagerly, hopping into her blaster. "We've got your back, Eli."
"Thanks, sis," The teen smiled. "You guys?" Trixie and Kord looked at each other.
"Okay, we'll try it your way," The redhead answered for them as Eli nodded..
"Kord, you draw them out and then we'll fire on my signal. Go!"
Without hesitation Kord sprinted out from their hiding spot and towards the far side of the arena. "Here goes nothing!"
"There, brothers," The blue Trip said and the three opened fire.
As Kord ducked and rolled behind cover, Eli and Olivia looked towards the cavern ceiling and shared a nod and then another with Trixie.
"Now!"
Kord's Phosphoro flew into the air and let out a blinding flash to disorient the trio who groaned and shielded their eyes. Trixie's Arachnet flew from her barrel and spun a large web, trapping the Trips in place. Finally, the Shane twins fired their Armashelts at the cavern ceiling. Banger and Shell tucked in their pincers and flew between stalactites, crashing against them and sending them crashing down, leaving their opponents trapped as their slingers moved in.
"Haha, there you see! One of my signature moves!" Pronto boasted proudly as the spectators applauded.
"WINNERS! TEAM SHANE!"
"High five!" The Shane twins held their hands up to their teammates who looked confused at them.
"Ehh?" Kord managed to let out as Eli lowered his hand.
"Come on, Trixie, don't leave me hanging," Olivia said excitedly.
"Hanging on what?" The redhead asked, making Olivia drop her hand too.
"Uh, nevermind, maybe later?" Eli said.
"Good. Because we've gotta get going to the next round," Trixie said, turning to walk off. "Let's take our pick and go."
"You had better be right about this, Maurice," Dr Blakk said as he stepped aboard one of his most infamous innovations; the Slugterran Express. "My time is precious."
As his boss took their seat, Maruice took out a pager and spoke into it. "Western Caverns, driver. Dr Blakk wants to watch the slug match."
"Lets see what these new Shanes have to say for themselves," Blakk smirked, a feral-sounding growl coming from the small cage a few inches away as the train began to move.
The Shane twins slung their slugs left and right as they progressed through the tournament. It was just as Kord had told them back in Scorched Sparks Cavern, every round was different in one way or another. From trickshot competitions to mecha back duels, even a double jeopardy round where the loser would have to hand over an extra slug. With every win, Eli's and Olivia's collections of slugs grew, as did the cheers they received from spectators. To their pleasant surprise they were even asked to sign a few autographs.
Of course the further along they got, the more the siblings began to wonder if they were going to face off with each other. They did not have to wait too long for an answer however.
"FOR OUR FIRST SEMI-FINALS MATCH! ELI SHANE VS OLIVIA SHANE!"
"Well it had to happen eventually," Eli grinned, standing a few feet in front of his sister. "No hard feelings when I beat you, Liv?"
"No hard feelings here. I've been looking forward to this," Olivia grinned back. "What do you say to joining me after I win, Burpy?"
At her words the Infurnus' head lit up with flame and the slug blew a raspberry, making the pair chuckle. "She's just kidding, Burpy," Eli reassured before looking at his sister. "You're just kidding, right?"
His sister only giggled in reply.
"DUEL!"
Immediately, Olivia fired Shell causing her brother to dive onto the floor to protect himself.
"Maybe she wasn't kidding," Eli sweatdropped and fired Joules.
The Tazerling slug transformed and aimed a bolt of electricity and Olivia rolled out of the way to avoid it.
"You're going to have to try better than that, Eli!" Olivia yelled as she pulled the trigger once more.
"I'm just getting started!" Eli fired a slug of his own.
Oliva's slug was Marina, her new Aquabeek, whilst Eli had fired Suds, his own Bubbaleone. The pair transformed almost in sync and the balloon-like velocimorph completely swallowed the former's water jet along with the slug itself.
Olivia would not give up however and shot a Frostcrawler which she had named Frosty. Going velocimorph, the ice slug unleashed an icy breath at the ground, forming a path as it sailed towards Eli. The Shane girl wasted no time in sliding atop the path towards her brother, loading Charlotte and pulling the trigger.
Like clockwork the Arachnet slug transformed and spun a web and launched at Eli. Eli, however, was ready and slung Buzzsaw. His new Thresher slug transformed, rolled up and tore through the web as it spun, knocking the opposing slug to the ground as it continued on.
"W-Woah, hey!" Olivia yelled as she ducked, almost losing her balance as the slug flew overhead.
Eli was quick to follow up and fired his own Arachnet. Spinner spun a web of their own before launching it at Olivia, catching and knocking her down.
"Oof," the Shane girl groaned as her brother stood over her. "Aww, dammit!"
"Dad always said to make sure you have a follow through," Eli smiled and Burpy grinned at her from inside the blaster barrel.
"Yeah, yeah. You got me," Olivia conceded.
"WINNER! ELI SHANE!"
The crowd burst into cheers as Eli helped his sister free.
"Alright, so who are you taking from me?" She asked, holding out her slugs as they jumped into her palm.
"That's a good question," Eli said, looking at the slugs who gathered in their palms. "Your Frostcrawler looked pretty great. Kinda makes me want one of my own," Eli smirked. "Especially after you tried to take Burpy."
"Eli!"
The young Shane burst into laughter. "I'm kidding. Although I would like to borrow him for the next round. What do you say, Frosty? Want to ride with Burpy and me for a while?"
The slug in question looked up at Olivia who nodded with a smile before the slug chirped and crawled into Eli's palm.
"Welcome aboard," Eli said as Burpy chittered to the ice slug.
"Hey, what do you say we go slug hunting after the final round? Actually get you one?" Olivia said as the pair made their way out of the arena.
"Sounds like a plan," Eli agreed. "Anything you're interested in?"
"Not at the moment, but I'm sure I'll think of something," Olivia replied with a smile as her slugs moved back to their tubes and Fizz moved to her shoulder. "But we can talk about it later, let's find the others." her brother nodded in agreement.
"Congratulations, Eli," Trixie said as the pair joined up with her and Pronto. "Sorry to hear you lost, Olivia. Next time for sure."
"Yes, you two performed splendidly," Pronto agreed. "One day even you two may be as great as Pronto."
"I hope I don't have to wait that long," Olivia chuckled. "But, thanks guys."
A soft groan caught the group's attention and they turned towards it only to see a heavily bruised and limping Kord moving towards them.
"Kord, what happened to you?" Olivia asked as the group hurriedly made their way over.
"I'm fine, nothing I can't handle," Kord reassured before turning towards Eli. "I just heard on my way over. I'm sorry, bro."
"Uh, what do you mean?" Eli asked confusedly. "I'm in the finals."
"Yeah, against John Bull," Kord winced, holding his arm. "Look at what he did to me."
Olivia's eyes widened as did those of Burpy and the rest of her friends as he continued. "But bro, you don't have the skills or the body mass to take on his rammers. I'm sorry to say it dude, but this guy is gonna crush you."
The mecha ride to the final round was a quiet one as Eli tried to ease his nerves. One final match stood between him and letting all of Slugterra know that the Shanes were back on the scene and he could feel the pressure mounting despite the reassurances of his friends.
All that fell away when the group entered the cavern however. As they arrived at their destination a crowd of onlookers was waiting for them, applauding and cheering loudly.
"Go get em, kid! I'm rooting for ya!" An older spectator called from the crowd, causing Eli to smile.
"See, bro. Nothing to worry about," Olivia said. "You got this."
"Thanks," Eli replied.
"Eli and Olivia Shane will not be signing any autographs!" Pronto announced to the crowd. "Pronto however, has several poses available!" He began to demonstrate only for the crowd to become distracted upon hearing a loud horn in the distance followed by the sound of something screeching to a stop.
"The Slugterran Express…" Kord's eyes widened as the railway let off steam.
"And it's not carrying just any passenger," Trixie added upon seeing a man disembarking.
"Dr Blakk? Why would he be here?" Kord wondered.
"Which of you are Eli and Olivia Shane?" Dr Blakk addressed the crowd and at the man's question they turned towards the group.
"That would be why," Olivia exhaled as Burpy began to growl angrily as the man approached. "Woah."
"It's okay, Burp," Eli reassured as he turned to his friends. "Who is that guy?"
"Doctor Thaddeus Blakk," Kord answered, a little surprised in his voice. "Your dad never mentioned him?"
"Never heard of him before," Olivia replied in a hushed tone.
"Well, some people say he was the last one to see him," Trixie replied back.
"What your friends say is true," Blakk added as he came to a stop. "Will Shane was a true hero. I owe my life to him in fact. Let's find a place to talk, shall we?"
"Our friends are coming with us," Eli took the lead on speaking to the man.
"By all means," Blakk agreed and turned, gesturing for them to follow.
"It's okay, guys. We're just going to talk," Eli said and Olivia gave him a nod before they all followed.
"A small perk of owning the main line of transportation is that one gets to travel in a certain style," Dr Blakk said pridefully as they made their way inside the train, taking delight in a moment to show off one of his crowning achievements.
"So soft," Pronto said, making himself at home in a large chair at the center of the room. "It's like an angel's whisper- Gah!" The molenoid yelped in surprise when Maurice picked him up and carried him away as Blakk took his seat.
"So Will Shane had children," Blakk chuckled to himself as he sat down. "I'm not surprised. The Shanes and their secrets."
"You were our dad's friend?" Eli asked.
"Friend?" Blakk chuckled. "Not exactly. Your father and I had our differences. But that's all in the past. You and I have a chance to start fresh. Perhaps some day, even work together," Maurice set down a carrier.
"I've been told that you're both a little short on slugs," The man continued, sliding the carrier forwards. "Consider these ones a gift."
As the group looked inside two pairs of glowing red eyes stared back at them and a loud and feral growling caused them to recoil in surprise.
What happened to those slugs?" Trixie asked.
"Why, I improved them, young lady," Blake answered with a smile. "I'll admit my first few attempts were unpredictable. But they've led to perfection."
"That's not perfection," Eli said. "You've made it into some kind of a... ghoul."
"'Ghoul?'" Blakk smiled at the name as the twisted slug chomped at the bars containing it. "I like that."
"You can't do that to slugs, they're the key to everything here."
"By messing with slugs like this, you could destroy Slugterra," Olivia said, agreeing with her brother.
"I seem to have heard these words before," Dr Blakk folded his hands together with a frown. "I suppose it was silly to think that the Shanes would accept them. We're done."
As Maruice tensed his arms, Eli and his friends turned around and began to make their way out.
"Here in this little contest you may be heroes, but out in the real world, Shanes? Stay out of my way," Blakk warned, prompting the twins to turn back.
"We don't know who you are, but my slug seems to," Eli addressed Blakk. "He doesn't like you. I don't either."
"Neither do I," Olivia added. "We're going to be the new Shanes, you better get used to it." With that the door closed behind them and left the train.
Disembarking the train, the pair held their heads high through the crowd as they made their way to join up once more with Pronto, Trixie and Kord.
"Is everyone okay?" Eli asked.
"We're fine, bro," Kord was the first to speak. "That, well... That was, I don't know what to say."
"Those poor slugs," Trixie added. "How was he able to twist them like that?"
"I don't know," Olivia said as Fizz rubbed against her cheek, trying to reassure their troubled slinger as she scratched their head. "Dad never told us about any of that. I wouldn't have thought something like it would be possible."
"Perhaps Blakk figured it out after he went missing?" Trixie speculated, causing Burpy to let out a growl and their head to flare up.
"Woah, Burpy!" Eli's eyes widened. "Settle down. It's okay, we'll figure out how he did this," he said to which Olivia nodded.
"This is all very concerning," Pronto interrupted. "But it will have to wait. Eli still has a tournament to win and Pronto needs to find something to eat before his stomach devours him from the inside." His tummy rumbled as if to prove a point.
The group looked between each other before coming to an agreement.
"Yeah, you're right," Eli said as the group began to walk. "It might be better to think about this after on a full stomach."
Dr Blakk was not done with his business however and whilst the Shanes turned their attention back towards the tournament he made his way through the cavern. A glare was sent the way of anyone who looked at him, he was far from content as he came across the man he was searching for.
"Doctor Blakk?" John Bull looked up in surprise as the man approached. "What do you want?"
"I want to see you win today," Blakk replied with a smile.
"I'm duelling a kid," John said.
"You're duelling a Shane," Blakk corrected, shoving a red tube into John's hand. "Never underestimate a Shane."
The ghoul inside looked up at John and snarled, making the man stammer as he thrust it back. "W-Well, I don't need your ugly slugs," He turned away only for Blakk to stop him.
"You know who I am. You know what I'm capable of. You'll use it against the Shane boy," Blakk threatened and pushed the canister back into John's hand before taking his leave.
"What's it like being daddy's boy and having everything handed to you?" John asked, shoving a tube into place as Eli stepped up to face him.
"Wouldn't know. My dad's been gone a long time and nobody handed me this!" Eli fired Spinner.
The Arachnet slug transformed and before they could act John's Hop Rock spun around, smacking the slug off course with its tail before continuing on. Eli dove to the ground just in time as it exploded behind him.
"Bro!" Kord yelled from the group's spot in the crowd. "Less talking! More remembering what I told you!"
"What was that again?!" Eli asked.
"Don't talk when you should be blasting!" The cave troll replied hurriedly when John fired another slug and Eli ducked again and retaliated with his own Hop Rock.
Sidestepping and giving his opponent little time to breath, John Bull fired another slug and Eli ran up a stone to evade. The Shane was quick to follow up with a slug of his own. His Polero, Bolo flew towards John, catching the man's feet as he pulled the trigger and knocked him down, his slug flying into the ceiling.
John was quick to pull himself up however and fired back with a Rammstone to which Eli twisted his body and lept over it much to the crowd's amazement.
"Yeah, Eli!" Olivia cheered along with the crowd as her brother shot Joules. "Take 'em down!"
The Tazerling slug transformed and fired a bolt at John, shocking the man and making him lose balance. The Shane boy was quick to take advantage of this and followed by firing Beater, his Rammstone who punched his opponent right in the gut and sent him into the dirt with a thud.
"That's it!" John yelled angrily as he stood back up and looked through the cheering crowd until he saw Dr Blakk scowling at him.
Looking down at his bandolier, John hesitated as he reached for the ghoul and slotted it in.
"You're the last shot, Burpy," Eli loaded his grinning Infurnus. "Make it count," he and his opponent fired simultaneously.
Both slugs flew from the blaster and transformed and Burpy's eyes widened upon seeing a ghoul flying at him. The velocimorphs crashed into each other and recoiled back, the ghoul snarling as it lunged at Burpy. The Infurnus slug let out a cry as the ghoul dragged them around, spinning them inside a vortex of wind and then rocketing them away. In a single dark flash the wind dispersed, knocking Eli down and the crowd gasped in horror, all except Dr Blakk who grinned in satisfaction.
"WINNER! JOHN BULL IS THE WINNER!"
"Eli!" Olivia leapt down a couple of outcroppings towards her brother.
"Olivia, wait!" Trixie called after her.
"Alright, Shane, you know the rules!"The announcer said over the loudspeaker.
"I'm sorry guys," Eli apologised to his slugs. "One of you is going to have to go."
"Hah!" John laughed, approaching the pair as Olivia helped her brother up. "I don't need your slugs," the man said as he held his hand out and an eerily familiar looking creature jumped onto it. "Not when I have one of these."
"That's the ghoul! Blakk gave it to you, didn't he?" Eli questioned, though of course he already knew the answer.
"Who cares, get lost!" John yelled as his own slugs fled from him. "I don't need you. And there's plenty more where this came from. With those words, he turned and left them and the crowd above also dispersed.
If you both choose to follow in my footsteps, it will be up to you to protect Slugterra from all kinds of dangers. You are Shanes, you have good hearts and whatever you both choose, I'll be proud of both of you.
The twins exhaled as Olivia folded their father's letter and tucked it away as her brother looked out over a forest cavern.
"We've waited our whole lives to sling slugs and be Shanes," Eli lamented. "I just thought we would be doing it with Dad."
"I know," Olivia said. "But, at least we still have each other, right?"
"Yeah, you're right," Eli smiled.
"Not just each other," A familiar voice interrupted, causing them to turn around. "You will have Pronto to guide you on your journey!" The molenoid exclaimed from atop his mecha.
"And I'll make sure you both get there, buddies," Kord added. "I've got your backs."
"I'll spread the word across Slugterra," Trixie added, waving her camera. "Everyone will know that the Shanes have returned."
"It could be dangerous," Eli said.
"We laugh at danger," Kord dismissed with a smile.
"Most of the time we'll probably be making it up as we go," Olivia said.
"That is how I live each day!" Pronto said, sipping on some kind of beverage.
"We'll be going after Dr Blakk," Eli added. "Whatever those ghouls are, we have to stop him from making more."
"Thought you'd never ask," Trixie replied.
"Alright," Eli smiled as Burpy let out a chirp. "We're the new Shane Gang. Where do we start?"
"SOMEBODY! HELLLLLLP!" a voice cried out and an explosion sounded in the distance.
The Shane twins nodded as they sprung up and the gang loaded their blasters
"Guess that answers that," Eli said as the twins leapt about their mecha beast and the group sped off. "Let's ride!"
A very belated Happy New Year to the members of the Slugterra fanbase. It took me far too long to get back to doing this story but shortly after posting chapter 1 my life got hectic real quick and I decided to take a break until I had some form of a backlog to work with. Judging by me updating my Fossil Fighter's story and uploading one of my old university one shots, this plan did not go well and there is no backlog.
I am still trying to keep ahead of when I'm posting though and have halfway of Chapter 3 written so that's something. I'm hoping to at least get to Inheritance written by the end of the year, but we'll have to see if that actually happens though. I'll hopefully at least make it to The New Kid, but its still something worth striving for, right?
Anyway, I was quite surprised about the comments I received in the first chapter and I'm grateful that a few of you took the time to do so. So thank you :). Hopefully I'll have the next chapter out soon, but I do want to try and get a bit further ahead before I do. Don't want to upload everything too quickly and have nothing to post later, you know? Especially since I get distracted with other story ideas easily.
But anyway, that's it from me. Hope you all enjoyed reading and I'll see you next time!