Hello, people! It's time for a boss! Eh, but first, ever wonder what our favorite galactic leader is up to? Well, let's find out.
Chapter 8: Lament of the Leaders
Playground Ruins
The sky was grey and gloomy over the old, abandoned countryside playground. Dimentia Z. Winkiebottom sat lonely on the swingset, looking down at her reflection in a puddle. The one who was once the almighty leader of the Galactic Kids Next Door, wasted away to practically nothing, just like the time spirit said. It felt to her like all joy in the world had been lost. Even if she was back to life.
"Boo hoo. BOO hoo hoo." Dimentia looked up at the strange, fake sobbing, coming from behind a slide. She stood up from her swing and slowly walked around the old slide. "Boohoo. BOO hoo." She went around and finally saw- "Oh, hello."
"AHH!" she stepped back in fright at seeing Rumpel Stiltskin. She's heard of the deal-making elf, and knows all about his ways of trickery. She knows of his timebending, too, but the only reason she never hunted him was because the spirits suspended his powers, so there was no REAL threat to her.
"Hmm. If it isn't everyone's favorite demented leader. If you're looking to make any friends, this isn't a good place."
"No one's ever been to this wasteland of a playground in ages. That's what I heard…" Dimentia replied. "What are you doing here, Rumpel?"
"Mmm, sinking away in depression of how I can NEVER be powerful. Isn't that sad?"
"Oh, how very pitiful."
"I suppose you would know from experience, wouldn't you?" Rumpel stood up. "That feeling where everything you had just… disappears before your very eyes." Dimentia only turned away as Rumpel approached. "Oh, but how sad it is to watch you suffer. Just because I have to live miserable, doesn't mean you should. However, I can make it ALL better…" He walked in front of Dimentia and pulled out a contract. "If you just sign the dotted line."
She looked at the contract. "What?"
"Sign the dotted line, and I'll take away the day young Nigel Uno was recruited into your ranks. He'll never come to GKND, and you'll never be dethroned. Just sign away…" He gave a creepy grin.
"Forget it, elf." She waved him off. "I know your tricks. And they won't work for me."
Rumpel frowned and rolled up the contract, stuffing it down his shirt. "Oh, you leaders are SO hard to mend. Very well…" Dimentia watched as he took out his wand. "NNGH!" She barely dodged as Rumpel shot a magic blast.
The elf grinned as he pointed behind Dimentia at the playground. The magic blast hit the playground, and the former leader watched as eyes and teeth appeared upon it. The playground came to life and roared at Dimentia.
"WITCHES!" At Rumpel's call, a fleet of witches on broomsticks flew down from the sky. Rumpel's large goose, Fifi came down, and Rumpel flipped onto it.
"What is this?" Dimentia asked.
"I recently got a job working for the Dark Master! I decided to please him by taking out any competition. Starting with you. Ahem: ATTACK!" (Play Porky's Theme from Smash Bros. Brawl!)
Stage 6: Playground Ruins
Mission: Escape from the monster playground!
Dimentia hurriedly ran as the living playground began chasing her. She tried to push it back using her Starbursts, but it kept coming, along with Rumpel and his witches. She jumped as the witches tried zooming into her, and dodged as they tossed pumpkin shackles. She grabbed a couple shackles and pulled the witches off their brooms, then hit them with lightning.
"AHH HA HA HA!" Rumpel cackled, launching spells at other fallen playground parts, making them into monsters. Dimentia shocked and stunned them, throwing them into the big playground, but it kept pursuit. She also had to dodge as Rumpel fired spells at her that exploded. She turned around and launched another blast at the elf, knocking him over, but he held onto Fifi and climbed back up.
Up ahead was what looked like a garbage dump of ruined playground parts. She climbed up a slide-tunnel that was slowly being chomped away by the monster. She fell out the other end and landed on some swings, hanging high above the ground. She swung her way over as the monster still chased, and also avoided spells from witches. She swung her way to a rock-climbing wall and started climbing upwards as the monster followed. Once at the top, she slid down another slide that gave way and broke halfway down.
Dimentia fell out but luckily landed on a broom with a witch. She shoved the witch off and started flying away from a squad of pursuing witches. The old hags fired spells and shackles, but Dimentia countered with her lightning hands. She flew over the playground dump and landed near a huge wall of ruined sets, but the monster immediately broke through, so Dimentia kept running.
The livid contraption then started grabbing fallen parts off the ground and tossed them at Dimentia, who ducked. The black-and-white leader ran over some train tracks and ended up getting her shoe caught in the track. "ROOOAAAR!" came the cry of the monster. Dimentia looked back to see it was still there. She heard a loud whistle and looked to her side to see the train was approaching.
The former leader struggled to get herself free from the sticky track as the monster and train approached. The playground roared and leapt, mouth wide open as it came down at Dimentia. The former leader finally got herself free and dodged just in time.
The beast got its teeth stuck in the ground as a result, and looked in horror as the speeding train came closer. As it struggled greatly to get free, Dimentia gave an evil smile and waved as the train shot past and ran the monster over. She gave a victory pose and kept going. (Stop the music.)
Inside the train's control room, Ed, Edd, and Eddy looked below the windshield to see the smashed form of the monster. They went back in, and Eddy smiled and said, "See, Double D, I told ya driving a train would be no sweat."
Double D looked disbelieved, as always. "Well, Eddy, I just hope the children who come to that playground don't get too upset."
"It's their fault for puttin' a playground in the middle of the track in the first place. Anyhoo, this train-driving business will have us rich in-" His sentence was cut short when the train crashed into a rock.
"…Train glass tastes like blood, guys." was all Ed said before the train exploded.
"Hmm hmm hmm." Dimentia chuckled to herself as she walked along the gloomy wasteland. "What fools. WHOA!" she jumped back just before a spell hit, looking up at Rumpel Stiltskin and the witches.
"Well, it seems like you're more trouble than you're worth." The elf dealer said. "Shoulda gotten rid of you a long time ago." With that, he waved his wand and yelled, "Avada KEDAV-", but he and his witches froze in place.
Dimentia uncovered her eyes in confusion. "Wh…What?…"
"What a surprise. I never thought I'd be saving you." Dimentia turned to find a strange, hooded girl. She pulled off her hood to get a better look at the former leader. She had jet black hair cut just above her elbows, and had one strange curl that stuck up in the front. One of her eyes was pale pink and the other was watery blue. She appeared short and slim, and wore a black hoodie, faded jeans and black army boots.
"Olive Pioji." Dimentia recognized her. "I should've expected to see you here."
"How couldn't you?" she smiled. "This place is just SO peaceful and quiet. Probably the only playground on this Earth that isn't littered with snot-nosed pests, ha ha!"
"Yes, you teenagers certainly like that. That's why I was especially glad to kill you first."
"Mm hm hm. 'Course… if I could change history, which I can, I wouldn't so much as THINK about exterminating them. Time is a dangerous power to behold, Dimentia."
"Yeah, yeah. So what are you doing here? Did old Clockslave send you?"
"Dialga, actually. But the Dark Master is returning, and we need your help."
"Forget it." She pouted, turning away. "Like I'd ever help you timebenders. Let alone a teenager like you."
"Tsk tsk tsk." Olive shook her head and walked beside Dimentia. "Oh, Winkiebottom. You're just so dense. If you want things to change for the better, you have to help us."
"Mmmm." She looked down.
"…Got anything better to do?" Olive asked.
"I guess not."
"Good! Then you'll help us!" Olive said, wrapping an arm around her. "And I got just the place to start." And with that, she gestured her finger upwards. Dimentia watched as the massive spaceship, the Blue Typhoon, passed right over them, the engines roaring across the grey skies. Dimentia looked questioningly at Olive, who just smirked. "By the way, can't you fly?"
"Hm?" Dimentia then levitated into the air. "Oh… oops. Hehehe." She chuckled, blushing in embarrassment, figuring she could've just flown or warped away.
Sector W Treehouse
"Boy, what a hothead."
"Who let that kid in here, anyway?"
"CORK IT, Harvey!"
"Harvey is SUCH a whiner."
"He is so not cool."
"He's only in here because Numbuh 362 is his sister."
"Then maybe SHE oughta be decommissioned, too."
"Ooohhh…" Harvey groaned and held his head in pain, waking up in his room.
The other Sector W members, plus Angie Granite, were watching Paddy and Lee play Sonic Adventure 2 2-player. Sonya, though, still looked upset. "Sonya, you really think they'd kick you out just for having weird powers?" Lee asked.
"Yeah! Numbuh 362 wouldn't allow it!" Paddy assured.
"Thanks guys. But I'm still not sure…"
"Hey, if you ask me, you have a gift." Lee said. "And if anyone makes fun of you, they better hope I ain't around."
Sonya smiled and giggled.
"Hey, look! Harvey's awake!" Angie exclaimed and pointed as Harvey walked into the living room, still holding his head.
"Are you okay, Harvey?" Sonya asked.
"Mmm… I'm not sure. I got this weird headache… It's probably nothin'."
"Well, wanna play some Sonic?" Paddy asked.
"So we can kick your butt?" Lee smirked.
"Oh, you're on!" Harvey said, grabbing a controller and sitting on the couch. They chose a mech level and started battling each other.
"By the way, Chad is Sonya's older brother." Angie decided to say randomly.
"She is?"
"Angie." Sonya whispered in anger.
"Yep! And she can sense peoples' emotions! Right, Sonya?"
"Pfft. No she can't." Harvey denied.
"Actually, I can. And right now, you're feeling really angry at something."
"Huh… actually, I do feel kinda angry. Don't know why…"
"I didn't really want him to find out, Angie." Sonya gritted, glaring at the earthbender.
"Wait, you didn't want me to know? Why not?"
"Well, I kinda feel upset about the whole thing, and you aren't really the best at understanding these things."
"And most of the time, you're kind of a bully about it." Lee said.
"Hey! I am NOT a-"
"WINNER!" Paddy exclaimed, beating Harvey at the videogame and doing a dance. "Eat my dust, Harv!"
"Auugh! !" Harvey shouted, throwing his controller to the floor. "That is SO-" And to everyone's shock and surprise, when Harvey waved his arms in anger, he fired a dark purple laser from his hands, destroying the TV. "WHOA! ! What the heck?!"
"What was that? ?" Sonya asked.
"I dunno… but that was awesome! Let's see if I can do that again!" With that, he threw his arms out, and fired another laser at a wall. "Co-o-ol!"
"He must've gotten that power when he was zapped in the well." Lee figured.
"Um… Harvey? Maybe you should be careful with that…" Sonya suggested.
"No way!" Harvey yelled, standing up and looking at his hands. "I wanna have some fun with this!"
"Harvey, I really think we should- WHOOAA!" Everyone gaped as Sonya was suddenly lifted into the air.
"Awesome!" Harvey exclaimed, waving his hands around and controlling Sonya.
"Harvey, put me down!"
"Yeah, yeah, in a minute." Harvey said, making Sonya spin like a wheel.
"ENOUGH, Harvey." Lee shouted, smacking his leader, making Sonya drop.
"Oww…"
Lee grabbed him and said, "Come on, we're goin' to see your sister.", as they dragged him off.
Rachel's House
"Come on, kids!" Facilier exclaimed, holding a bunch of cards in his hand to Hoagie's face. They were all gathered in Numbuh 362's house since they got back. "Pick a card, any card!"
Hoagie picked a card at random, looked at it, then put it back in the deck.
Facilier handed the cards to Nigel, who burned them with his firebending.
"…So what's my card?" Hoagie asked.
Facilier smirked. Hoagie's face lit up and became red as steam rose from his ears. "AAAHHHHH!" He suddenly erupted a huge breath of fire from his mouth.
"How should I know? They got burned." With that, the voodoo man and Nigel high-fived.
"…Ha ha! Good one!" Hoagie laughed.
"Hahaha! You're funny, Mr. Facilier!" Kuki exclaimed, standing beside Wally.
Facilier then took his hat off, and held it upside-down in front of Kuki. "Hey, reach in mah hat, win a free toy! No peeking!" The Asian girl smiled as she closed her eyes and reached her right hand in the hat.
Everyone gasped as a gigantic, green-sleeved hand emerged from the ceiling and felt around. "Aaaahhhh!" Wally screamed as the hand grabbed and pulled him up.
Kuki pulled her hand out and held the shrunken Wally in her palm. "Ooh! Hey, Wally, look at-" She turned to show the "doll" to Wally, but he wasn't there. "Huh? Where did Numbuh 4 go?" she asked, looking around.
"It's me, Kuki! Put me down!" the tiny Wally yelled. Kuki gasped and dropped him back in the hat. "OOH." Wally grunted, landing back on the floor with a thud, back at regular size.
"Oh, there you are! Aw, but now I lost my doll…"
"Ugh…" Wally rolled his eyes.
"Ah ha ha!" Facilier laughed, putting his hat back on. "Works every time." Just then, Grim grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
"Harvey. You know we got a job to do here, right?"
"Man, chill, Grim." He whispered, pulling free. "We'll tell them later. Let's just have a little fun."
"Hmmm…" Rachel and Nigel sat by each other on the couch as the blonde leader looked away in thought.
"Rachel, relax, the doctor said Harvey's fine."
"I know, but what if something did happen? We should've gotten out of there when we had the chance. I mean, we didn't even get anything from that mountain."
"Rachel, you seriously need to lighten up. You're stressing too much. I'm positively sure Harvey's-"
"Numbuh 362, something's wrong with Harvey." Sonya said, walking in with the rest of Sector W.
Rachel glared at Nigel, who gave a nervous chuckle. "Sigh… what's wrong?"
"Check this out, Sis!" Harvey exclaimed, lifting Nigel up with his newfound psychic.
"Whoa! WHOOA!" Everyone gaped.
"Hm hm hm!" Eva giggled. "Way to raise your spirits, Nigel! WHOOAA!" Eva was suddenly lifted up as well.
"I call this one… kissing cousins!" With that, Harvey pressed the two's faces together, making it look like they were kissing.
"Harvey! That's mean!" Sonya yelled.
"So? It's funny."
"Grrr! Harvey, stop-" Sonya tried to stop him, but Harvey aimed a hand at her and began strangling her.
Everyone gaped in total fear. "That's it, Harvey!" Rachel said, getting up and stomping over to him. "As your Supreme Leader/sister, I order you to-"
"NO!" She jumped back in shock. "I'm through taking orders from you. I'm sick of everyone hating and making fun of me. From now on, I make the rules around here." Harvey spoke in a terrifying, unison voice.
Everyone screamed when the wall was suddenly blown down, and Lehcar and Scarlet stood in the hole. "Hope we aren't interrupting." Lehcar said.
"Nope! Not at all!" Harvey said. "Let's blow this joint." With that, Lehcar grabbed Harvey, and the two girls ran off.
"HARVEY!" Rachel yelled, running after him alongside Sector W.
"Get lost, Rachel! I'm hanging with THESE girls now. AH HA HA HA HA!" With that, they chased after the evil girls in the forest.
Open area of the forest
Rachel and Sector W continued to run after Lehcar, Scarlet, and Harvey. They stopped and gasped when they reached a field area with a huge cliffside, spotting Harvey and the girls, standing beside Ganondorf. "YOU!" Rachel shouted, aiming her staff.
"Let Harvey go! Or I'll make you eat earth!" Angie threatened.
"Heh…" Ganondorf only smirked.
The operatives started to wobble as the area began shaking. "Oh no… what's happening now?" Sonya asked.
They all watched as a massive stone pincher emerged from the cliff up ahead. Another popped out as the area shook more. In an instant, the cliffside exploded into smoke, and a huge scorpion, made of earth and several eyeballs, landed in front of them, snapping his pinchers and roaring. "AAHHH!"
"Wh…What is that thing?" Sonya stuttered.
"Cool!" Lee exclaimed.
"Come on, team. Let's take it out!" Rachel exclaimed, drawing her staff. (Play "Poison Spear" from Sonic and the Secret Rings!)
Boss fight: Earth Scorpion
"I don't know what that thing is, but I'm takin' it out!" Rachel exclaimed as the scorpion screeched once more.
"You fight earth with earth." Angie said. "So let me try!"
The kids dodged as the scorpion stabbed its tail down, then Sonya and Lee avoided when it snapped its right pincher at them. They noticed an eye in the pincher, so Sonya unleashed an Emotion Beam just before it snapped them, blinding the eye. There was another eye on its right arm, so the pincher continued to attack. Lee swung his yo-yo, wrapped around the arm, hauled himself up, then stomped the eye, breaking the arm off.
The left pincher was going for Paddy, but he shot a G.U.M.Z.O.O.K.A. at the eye and blinded it. The tail tried stabbing at them, but got stuck in the ground. Paddy climbed the tail and jumped onto the arm, shooting the other eye out and breaking the arm off. The scorpion screamed in anger as it charged for Rachel, but Angie used her earthbending to hold it back. "Now, Rachel!" Angie shouted. Rachel took this moment to leap onto its back, where she found a large eye with a dark purple aura. She ran forward and slashed the eye with her Yield Staff, then was forced off as the beast shook.
The monster reassembled its parts and started spewing boulders from its mouth. Angie used her bending to grab the boulders and throw them back. She hit back other boulders and also blinded both arms' eyes. She tried hitting the pinchers' eyes, but the claws only grabbed and crushed the rocks.
Rachel ran for the left pincher and tried to slash the eye, but only hit the claw, which tried to snap, but she back-flipped. The claw turned horizontal, so Rachel cut vertical, slicing the eye and breaking the arm. The beast turned and tried to snap her with the right claw. When it lashed, she used the punching glove side to punch the eye out, then bounced off the claw and onto the back before the arm fell off. When the tail tried stabbing her again, she kept doing flips and dodging. When she jumped onto the eye, she tricked the tail into stabbing down, totally blinding the eye as Rachel hopped off.
The Supreme Leader gave a victory pose, but stopped when she saw another eye appear in its mouth. She slowly backed away when the eye flew out and became sharp teeth that started chomping, approaching her. The Sector W team fired their weapons, trying to force the eye back. Sonya and Angie combined their emotion and earthbending (respectively) and forced the eye back inside.
"Angie?" Rachel spoke, aiming her Yield side at the eye.
"Got it!" With that, Angie stomped the ground, flinging Rachel straight at the eye. Her staff stabbed right into it, making dark energy spew out as she fell off. In a few seconds, the Earth Scorpion crumbled into nothing.
"Kids Next Door: Mission accomplished." Rachel said in victory. (Stop the music.)
"Uh… what's that?" Lee asked, noticing a strange, dark-purple crystal in the spot where the scorpion was standing. The crystal emitted some kind of whisper and dark aura, and also sounded like a boiling teapot.
"KIDS!" They turned their attention to Grim, who stood by the forest. "Dat t'ing's an Evil Crystal. Destroy it quick, before that t'ing comes back!"
Rachel did as told and quickly ran for the dark crystal, using all her strength to slash it with her Yield Staff. After a few swings, the gem cracked, and Rachel was able to shatter it completely, creating a blinding flash of purple, as well as a screaming sound. The flash went away as Rachel began sweating and panting.
The other operatives ran to her aid. "Are you okay, Rachel?" Sonya asked.
She took a second to catch her breath. "Yeah… I'm fine."
"Woo, that was close." Grim said. "Let's get back home, kids. There's something we need to discuss."
"But we can't let them get away with Harvey!" Rachel said.
"It's too late, Rachel. Harvey is long gone." And with upset expressions, the 6 operatives followed Grim back. Rachel looked up to the cliffside where the villains escaped to. She didn't want to accept her little brother was gone.
Man. I procrastinated a lot with this one. Anyway, the Earth Scorpion is based off the Sand Scorpion from Secret Rings (duh) and the Evil Crystals are from Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon. Next time, the main group will learn their mission. Later.