Hi, everybody. Ayargh, more stuff happens.
Chapter 50: Prisoners of War
The Flying Krock
Kami shook wildly inside the bag she had been forced in, yelling muffled shouts as she tried to break free. Finally, the bag was pulled open from outside, and Kami instantly popped out, gasping for breath as she readied to attack her captors. It was none other than the Chaotix Crew. "HANG ON, hang on." Vector raised his hands in defense. "We're on your side."
"Huh?" Kami asked, seeing she was back on the Flying Krock, with Ava, Kweeb, and the Kongs. "You two-"
"You didn't think we'd let you go that easily, did you?" Kweeb raised a brow.
"After coming this far, I certainly wasn't gonna do that." Ava noted. "But after we did, Kweeb was the first to remind us of the Darkness Cannons. We knew you didn't mean what you said; entirely, but decided to drop you off until we came up with a plan. That's when we ran into the Chaotix. They told us this was part of K. Rool's plan to kidnap you and… tell you about his plan… I guess. So we flew close enough to Hideout Helm to let the Chaotix go in and rescue you."
"Once we snuck in," Espio continued, "I used my shurikens to project a smoke screen and fog the room so K. Rool wouldn't notice us, and allow us to steal you away from him and take you back to this ship."
"Huh… I noticed a lot of people try to kidnap me lately." Kami noticed.
"Oh, really?" Vector asked. "Well, ya put up more of a fight than Princess Peach."
"But we still don't know why the Chaotix are here." Ava said afterward.
"Oh. Well, it's all quite simple, really." Vector grinned sheepishly. "We were never with K. Rool from the start. We used to be with the Kremling Krew long ago, before we decided to leave and start our own—and rather successful, detective agency."
"K. Rool came to us one day and wanted us to help with his plan involving the Eight Firstborn." Espio followed. "We decided to join him, but only work as spies so we could stop him from the inside, somehow. We saw you three snooping around the Kremlicht, and figured you must be spies as well. But we couldn't let you slide without K. Rool suspecting anything from us, so we activated traps and informed him about you."
"But you really kicked our butts." Charmy commented.
"Anyway, after we heard you defeated both of Kroctus's brothers, we figured that was the best time to turn traitor." Vector finished. "Now, we wanna help you fight K. Rool, and help your friend heal from that Dark Cannon thingy."
"Well, thanks for the save, but I'm perfectly fine." Kami insisted, walking toward the ship's controls. "Now if you don't mind, I wanna go home and get away from this freakshow."
"Oh no you're not." Ava refuted, pointing one of her swords. "You're coming with us so we can get rid of that Darkness Cannon curse."
"Look, I don't need any help, so why don't you just move aside and-"
"Either you come with us peacefully," Kweeb started, aiming his ray gun at her, "or I can make you the size of a Kateenian hamster and just CARRY you with us. Your choice." He smirked.
"Grrr." She glared at the Kateenian.
"Ooo-kay then." Dixie decided. "Now, as I suggested earlier, we should go see Cranky Kong."
"Who is Cranky, anyway?" Kweeb asked.
"He's pretty much our elder. 'Cranky', as the name implies, but he's a wise old man. He'll know how to help."
"He also likes to whack Donkey with his cane." Tiny noted.
"Well, that's what Kami needs, a good old cane whack!" Kweeb joked, making the gesture of whacking with a cane. "That'll knock her back to her senses."
"Whatever." Kami grunted, deciding to slouch back in the same chair again. "Just get me some chips or somethin' if you're bringing me on this ride."
"I'll get nachos!" Charmy cheered, flying off.
"This is gonna be a pleasant ride…" Kweeb sighed in sarcasm.
Planet Avalar
The rest of Team Sonic had crashed onto Planet Avalar. Knuckles was currently exploring the fields of Avalar, as he tried to find a way off the planet. "…Huh?" His attention was directed overhead, seeing a strange mechanical pod pass over and crash several feet away. "Is…Is that-" The echidna dashed over and found the chubby scientist himself, fallen on the ground. "Eggman!"
The madman looked up and smiled brightly. "Well, if it isn't my good friend, Knuckles! So nice to see you, my crimson-haired friend!"
"Eggman. What are you doing out here?"
"Hnn." He frowned. "It was Eggman Nega. After I came up with that brilliant plan to shoot Dimentia with the Darkness Cannon, he attacked and ditched me on this planet. Just so he could get the glory from Lord Gnaa himself."
"Hmph. Well, it serves you right."
"Hurr. It's all my fault, I know. Joining with that Dark Master." He wept. "I never really wanted to, but Lord Gnaa saved me, and I felt I owed him a debt of gratitude. So I joined his team, but now I want out! You simply must help me, Knuckles." He begged.
"Geez, calm down, Eggman. We'll help you out." Knuckles smiled.
"Oh, you simply are a dear, Knuckles!" Eggman grinned. "But I MUST first get back to my robots. If you would be so kind as to lend me your Chaos Emerald, I could get back to my base and teach that traitorous Negative a lesson."
In mere moments, Knuckles returned to the rest of his gang and explained the situation. "You wanna WHAT? !" Tails yelled.
"We need to give Eggman that Chaos Emerald. He might be able to help us track down the Firstborn."
"Oh, for God's sake, Knuckles, how many times are you going to fall for this?" Amy rolled her eyes.
"Yea'! This is loike... eh… how many times has this happened, mates?" Marine asked.
"Let's count." Tails said. "There was the time we first met, when Eggman tried to steal the Master Emerald."
"When we went to Chris's world, and Eggman told you it was Sonic's plan to get us trapped there." Amy followed. "And also when he said he wanted to help us get home, so you would give him the Chaos Emeralds."
"When the Master Emerald shattered, and Eggman told you Sonic was after their pieces?" Tails spoke once more.
"And during the Metarex incident on that desert planet, Eggman tried to pull off the same trick he's doing now." Amy remembered. "And he's STILL able to trick you with it!"
"Ugh." Knuckles sighed in annoyance. "Okay, I know I messed up before, but this time, I'm sure he's telling the truth. We have to give him the Emerald."
"Knuckles, you can't keep FALLING for this stuff." Amy scolded. "I admire you for having faith in people, but we AREN'T giving Eggman the Emerald."
"Grrr. Well, I think we should give Eggman a chance and GIVE him the Emerald." The stubborn echidna refuted, stepping closer to Tails, who held the Emerald. "And since Sonic isn't here, there's no one to stop me!"
Marine ran in his way and yelled, "Well, OI'M gonna stop you!"
"Heh. Like a little girl's gonna stop me?"
"Ah'll show you 'o's the li'l sheila! AHH!" The two quickly engaged in a clash of quick punches. Knuckles jumped back and started punching chunks of rock from the ground at her, but Marine ducked and punched Light Spheres at him.
"Hey, stop it, Knuckles!" Tails yelled, dropping the Emerald as he and Amy joined the fight.
This lasted for several minutes, before the four friends finally became tired.
"Hoo… man, I'm beat." Knuckles panted.
"Hurrr…" Marine panted, sitting along the hill. "Oi, I need me some water." She reached in her pocket to grab a bottle. "Good I thing I still 'ave some from- DAAAH!" Before she knew it, she was clutched in a huge metal hand.
"MARINE! !" Tails yelled.
The metal hand came from a huge, robotic gargoyle, which Orbot and Cubot controlled from the cockpit. "I say! The doctor's plan worked perfectly! Not only have we the lightbender, but we've snagged the Chaos Emerald, too!" Orbot raised the glowing gem in his hand.
"IT'S OUR LUCKY DAY!" Cubot cried.
"OH ho ho ho!" they looked up as Eggman flew alongside them, with his usual maniacal grin.
"What? What is this?" Knuckles asked, surprised.
"Many thanks for tiring everyone else out, Knuckles, so I can use my eggstravagant Egg Gargoyle to capture this seafaring pest!"
"EGGMAN! ! YOU LIED TO ME!"
"Like I haven't done THAT before. But I would've loved to leave you fools to wallow together on this planet, but unfortunately, Gnaa doesn't like lightbenders, so he wanted me to take this brat somewhere else. Marine only caused ONE minor setback with Dimentia, but this is just to make sure it doesn't happen again. Now if you'll excuse me, we need to find some Firstborn. OHH HO ho ho hooo!" And the scientist and his robots were off flying into the sky.
"Grrr. DAMN IT! I can't BELIEVE Eggman tricked me AGAIN!" Knuckles screamed, boiling with rage.
"Calm down, Knuckles." Amy told him. "We've got to find a way off this planet to save Marine."
"Too bad Shadow isn't here." Tails said. "Where did he go, anyway?"
Somewhere in space
The black hedgehog was still flying around space at this time, standing on the wing of Rouge's ship. "Hmm… so… the rest of them vanished into hyperspace." Shadow observed.
"Looks like it." Rouge replied. "On their way to Planet Earth to stop Magolor. They're probably there looking for the next Firstborn. And according to my report, GUN just started the 'Anti-inhuman Revolution'. They're trying to track down all detected metahumans, aliens, and benders."
"So, GUN's finally lost it, you mean." Shadow figured.
"They'll probably be after us, too, seeing as we're alien." Rouge knew. "And yet OUR world's GUN actually WELCOMED us. But there's something I've been meaning to ask. Shadow: what is it really a good idea to attack Rachel like that? I mean, sure she's connected to that fiery girl, but…"
"Hmph. What happens to any of them isn't my concern. As long as Lord Gnaa and ALL of his accomplices don't succeed."
"Hmm. Whatever you say." Rouge shrugged, beginning to think to herself. He's probably still affected by the Darkness Cannon. But when I think about it, he's always been like this. Hm. And Amy says Sonic is the mysterious one. Either way, I don't want to spend forever in THIS boring place. "By the way… while we were attacking that space station, I did a little snooping. I overheard the minions saying that Gnaa is really into that Morgan chick for some reason."
"Hmm. She's probably vital to whatever it is Gnaa's planning. The question is… what."
"Maybe Eggman would know." Rouge figured. "He's never one to be outta the loop. Let's go to his base and see what's up…"
Cauldron Keep
Rumpel and Yuki had returned to Planet Avalar, to the mountain base known as Cauldron Keep. A toxic-green mountain that towered high over Avalar, surrounded by storm clouds that spiraled around the mechanical tower on the mountain's peak. The tower bore some kind of massive laser cannon.
Within the base's dark interior, the elf and icebender watched as Gruntilda whipped off a large curtain that covered the laser, and the huge weapon started to alight with beeping lights. The skull-headed witch inhaled the smell of dust through her bony nose. "Finally, after more than 8 long years. B.O.B. is back to give many the fears!"
"Looking spectacular as always, Grunty." Rumpel smiled.
"What does this thing do, anyway?" Yuki asked.
"Big-O-Blaster this is called. Leaves all who witness it appalled. Life force from any matter it can suck. Those caught in its path will be royally… well, you get the picture."
"BUT, Dear Grunty and me have reprogrammed it for a more… 'special' task. Which we can begin as soon as Lord Gnaa…" Rumpel stopped when he noticed the dark portal appear, and the Dark Master stepped out. "Wa-ha-hey! Right on time!" Rumpel fist-pumped. "Grunty, Yuki, introducing Lord Gnaa, Dark Master of the Negaverse. And Gnaa, this is Gruntilda, my old and still-beautiful friend from Hogwarts. And Yuki, icebender from the North Pole, part of a magnificently evil plan I'm working on, tell you about it later."
"Still your excitement, Elf. What is this?" the lord cruelly asked.
"Ah-he-hem: introducing: the Big-O-Blaster. The ultimate weapon that will be the end of all humanity." Rumpel explained as he led the possessed boy around the machine. "This marvelous device will spread darkness to all." He opened a slot on the machine that looked big enough for Gnaa's Keyblade. "That spectacular key of yours will fit here. When the laser drains the energy from living organisms, it'll go right in here, and instead rob the poor souls of their hearts." He then stepped before another slot, revealing a small hole big enough for his wand. "But with the added powers of Lucinda's magic, or should I say, Maleficent, original controller of the Heartless… the darkness of hearts will overflow the hearts, and magnificently transform them all into Heartless!"
Gnaa smiled evilly. This elf may just be on to something.
"Now if you would just stick it in." Rumpel instructed, as Gnaa forced his Keyblade into its slot. "And NOW…" Rumpel proceeded to stick the wand in the slot as he began to utter the spell and transfer the dark magic from Lucinda's wand. "Ifalas zaraz i is zarak. Ifalas zaraz i is zarak. Ancient darkness, eaters of light. Smite this world with all your blight! Spread your darkness and hatred to all. Let the followers of all light fall!"
The Big-O-Blaster started to spark with life, the spell taking effect and filling the cannon with power. "Hmmm. I'm impressed with what you have done, Rumpel. You have proven your loyalty, it seems."
"Hmm… what can I say, My Lord? I am the ultimate master when it comes with thinking up evil plans." He gave his usual wide smirk.
"My, my, my, what's this I see?" Grunty asked, studying the cannon's terminal. "A heart already inside this key?"
"Hmm. A perfect test subject. Can we extract the hearts now, Rumpel?"
"Oh ho ho, indeed! The hearts will come out of that faucet over there." He pointed at a huge tank with a dial that indicated how full it was, with a large faucet aiming at a square tub.
"Hmm… very well. Commence download."
"Commencing download." Grunty repeated, pressing a button and making the compartment holding the Keyblade electrify. They watched as a small spark traveled its way through the pipe connecting to the tanker, and when it reached the tanker, the dial pointed at the "1". Gruntilda pushed another button, which caused the inside of the faucet to glow pink, releasing a single heart that slowly fell toward the tub. When it landed, it poofed into darkness, creating a strange shadowy creature, with glowing yellow-white eyes and antennas, and was about the size of a cat.
Planet Earth
As the Sector W team was on their way to a circular mountain range, Sonya noticed Paddy's unconscious form glowing all of a sudden, and gasped when it vanished into thin air. "You guys!" she called. "Paddy's gone!"
"Huh?! What happened?" Angie gasped.
Cauldron Keep
Gnaa laughed maniacally at the sight of the creature. "Aha! Finally! My very first Heartless!" He laughed some more as he approached the creature, scratching its head as if it were a pet. "The first of many. Hmm… but it is rather small. And judging by whose it is, I assume it won't be very obedient."
"They serve NO ONE, stoopid boy! They'll use the darkness to make you their toy!" Grunty shouted.
"I am the darkness. My position as the Negatar gives me the power to control them. But the heart that spawned this Heartless… belonged to Paddy Fulbright. He was a lighthearted spirit, meaning his Heartless will not be so easily bent. But…" he turned back and glared at the Shadow, "we'll fix that before long. Now let's put this to the real test. Prepare to fire the cannon."
"Ooh, ooh, ooh!" Rumpel hopped around and raised his hand. "Let's attack the Elfin Forest!"
"B.O.B. is taking aim." Grunty said, the terminal locking onto the forest. "So will end the Elfins' game."
"Lock on target." Gnaa began as the machine erupted to life, shaking the entire mountain as the cannon charged. "Ready… FIRE! !" A toxic-green laser FIRED from the cannon, going miles across the planet's surface to reach its destination.
Elfin Forest
Little Elfin children pranced about the forest as Wesley Dodds and Mr. Oldman were passing through. "Ahh, the Elfin Forest. Even if you hate children, Larry, you gotta admire this whole fairytale world. It's really peaceful."
"Hnn… can we go now? The unfamiliar atmosphere of this planet is giving me hives."
"Larry, it's pretty much the same as Earth atmosphere, can't you-" He stopped when he noticed a green light coming from the sky. "…OH CRAP! !"
"GAH!" The old men immediately bolted when the green ray STRUCK the center of the forest. They ran hurriedly from the expanding energy field before they were swallowed inside. The explosion blew them the rest of the way out of the forest, but they were still okay. They stood up as Sandman's mouth dropped: the the Elfin Forest, once so beautiful and vibrant, became a ruined wasteland of death and decay. Larry just couldn't take it anymore, and he fainted.
Cauldron Keep
"NYAH HA HA HA HA HA HA!" Gnaa laughed when the tank's dial showed to fill with more hearts. "This weapon is INGENIOUS! You are BRILLIANT, Rumpel!"
"My cleverness only gets better, Gnaaby. And that's not even the best part. Once the tank gets full with hearts, this glorious invention will be able to spread Heartless wherever we please!"
"But dust of ages this thing has. Many charges it will need in-between blasts." Grunty informed.
"Seriously, I still question if some of these words actually rhyme." Yuki commented.
"No matter. We will have enough energy LONG before I'll be able to leave this vessel. Er, it may take a few moments longer…, but as long as this machine brews, the heroes will never stand a chance! They will never find all the Firstborn in time!" Gnaa's laugh echoed across the eerie mountains, as did the two witches'.
Sector R Treehouse
Bruce, Violet, and the Twins found the Sector R Treehouse set up on a beach house. "Let's hope these guys are with us." Yang said as he picked a booger and stuck it in a slot in the mailbox. The scanner confirmed their DNA as KND operatives, lowering a staircase that allowed them inside. They made their way to the living room where the Sector R Team was already waiting. They were almost all girls, except for one boy, who was playing a videogame with a pigtailed girl with orange hair.
"Hey, fellow Kids Next Door! Wassup?" the Sector R leader, Flordeluna "Luna" Martinez greeted them. She was dressed like a Delightful Girl, except she had brown eyes rather than hypnotized blue eyes.
"Numbuh 6.13." Bruce greeted as they saluted.
"Come on, you don't have to use formalities with me." Luna smiled, playfully punching the Sector Z leader. Since Sector Z was rescued, Luna and Bruce have met and spent time together on some occasions. The Sector R leader had a slight crush on the boy, and he had feelings that were barely visible, except that he was dating Violet.
"Keep it low, Sister." Violet told her.
"So, how's the search for the Firstborn we've been hearing about?" Sam, a choco-skinned girl, asked.
"It's been better." Yang answered.
"We went through this hyperspace and got separated from our friends." Yin followed. "We wound up here, and the place was packed with military troops."
"Yeah. GUN's started this Anti-inhuman Revolution thingy." Sam replied. "Pretty stupid if you ask me."
"By the way, you can take off that disguise." Ria Roxas, a blonde girl that looked like Numbuh 3, told Violet. "We all know about you, Violet, and we won't turn you in."
"Hehe… I guess so." Violet chuckled, remembering everyone in the KND knew about her since Operation: A.N.C.E.S.T.O.R.. She removed her bandana and khaki shorts.
"Well, thanks for letting us in." Bruce smiled.
"No problem." Flynn, the boy at the couch, replied. "Most of the KND's siding with those GUN Troopers, but we don't really like what they're doing. It's because of people like them that our old leader was driven away."
"Oh yeah… Matthew…" Yin looked down sadly.
"You know him?"
"My sister has a crush on him." Yang answered, making Yin blush. "In fact, they recently went on a date."
"What's he been doing lately?" the pigtailed girl, Jacquiline asked.
"Well… he met this group of other poisonbenders and started The Terrible Toxic Four. Then they started causing trouble." Yin explained.
"He what?"
"I-It's okay though! He's just… a little lost." Yin tried to reason.
"Yeah. Matt was always like that." Flynn remembered. "Always so emo."
"But we know he's a nice guy deep down." Raissa, a blonde pigtailed girl, smiled.
"He'd know that, too, if he knew his powers weren't good for evil." Luna said.
"Well, he is beginning to learn that." Yin informed. "But he's still a little lost. He'd probably come back to KND if he didn't think his old friends hated him."
"We don't hate him!" Flynn shouted. "I mean, he stinks UP the place a little, but he was still our leader. And our bud."
"I like being leader, but I still wish he'd come back." Luna followed.
"If only this anti-metahuman thing wasn't started." Sam said. "Matt probably wouldn't feel so ashamed and he'd come back."
"Hmm… that reminds me: anyone ever hear of this group called the X-Men?" Bruce asked.
"Oh yeah, I have." Flynn said. "They were this old group of metahumans; and some benders, who fought for Mutant Freedom, by showing everyone how good their powers can be. Too bad people aren't more like them…"
"Exactly!" Violet exclaimed, leaping onto the TV. Violet spoke passionately as the two playing operatives stopped their game. "This world has been falling apart because us metahumans are afraid to show who they are. Because of people like Commander Gunkan. I know that you guys aren't metahumans, but if we all stand together, and show them the good we bring, we can put a stop to this oppression and END GUN's ways, and let metahumans everywhere be free!" But at that instant, two large shurikens stuck through the wall on her left and right sides. "WAAAH!" The shurikens exploded and blew her toward her friends.
When the smoke cleared, everyone turned and saw Scarlet Vargas standing in the resulted hole. She was also disguised, but she pulled off her bandana and shorts, exposing her black cat parts as she extended long claws. "Can't count on YOU for that, monster. HNN!" the werecat dashed at her cousin and started swinging her claws, Violet ducking to avoid being sliced as she spun-kicked Scarlet's legs and knocked her over.
"Kids Next Door, battle stations!" Luna ordered as they all drew weapons and prepared to shoot her, but suddenly-
"HUH?" Their weapons were pulled away by a web-like substance, looking to see a couple Skulltulas by the hole, and seeing several flying demons outside.
"Nice to see you, kids." The tiny, filthy bean greeted as he rode in on his bird.
"Hannibal-" Yang started.
"Roy Bean!" Yin exclaimed.
"Ah should thank you for beatin' that dragon for me and allowin' Ying-Ying to steal the yo-yos." Bean grinned evilly. "Now that Ah'm free, it'd be mah pleasure to slow you in yer progress. Demons: waste these suckers." More holes were blown in the wall as squads of Moogers and Like-Likes charged in, with the Moogers wielding laser blasters.
"Can't they cut us a break for once?" Bruce asked as they ran to attack the demons. Flynn and Jacquiline punched two Like-Likes, but the blobs sucked them in and spat them at the wall. Nicole and Raissa tossed a rope around a Mooger's legs and tripped him, while Luna held onto the legs of a flying Mooger, slipping its pants down and exposing its heart-decorated underpants, making him blush.
Roxas Beach; a few yards away from the treehouse
Emily Matthews had finally waken up on the same beach. A few feet away, she saw Zuri shake his head awake from the crash, the Pokémon smiling at his owner, and she smiled back. "Hey, Zuri! Where do you think everyone else went?"
"Zuri." The creature shrugged. His ears suddenly perked up, however, at a slight sound coming from behind a nearby boulder. Emily quietly peeked behind the boulder, and gasped in shock and shame: Chad was shaking a can of Bang Gas, about to spray it on himself.
"CHAD! !"
"AHHH!" the boy screamed, nearly dropping the can, quickly hiding it behind his back and grinning nervously.
"Is that Bang Gas? !"
"What? N-n-no, no!" he lied, backing away as the girl stepped closer. "It's not Bang Gas, it's just, uh-" Emily simply switched to her ghost form and phased underground, popping up behind Chad and swiping the can.
"AHA! Chad, I thought you said-"
"I lied, okay? I knew it would make you upset if I took the gas, so I hid it from you until I would finally have a chance to use it."
"But I thought you said you could LIVE with being a regular human!"
"Yeah, well, I can't, so gimme that gas!" He demanded, trying to take it away from her.
"Er, no! You're not… getting…" Emily grunted, trying to hold it away from him as he reached. They heard an explosion suddenly and looked across the beach to see smoke rising out of a treehouse. They exchanged glances before Emily grabbed Chad and Zuri, flying them to the treehouse.
Back in Sector R
Violet hurriedly ran and dodged as Scarlet tossed more shurikens, blowing walls up all over the treehouse. The brown-furred cat dashed over to tackle her Italian cousin, scratching her cheek and making Scarlet growl, flipping over Violet and kicking her at a wall. She extended her claws and said, "It's time I end you-", but was suddenly tackled by Bruce, holding her hands behind her back.
Scar simply kicked the former Delightful over her and stood up, while he recovered and took out his carrot nun-chucks. He spun them around, but stopped when Scarlet swung her claws and sliced them to pieces, also slicing parts of his clothing off. "Gulp."
"Come on, guys!" Flynn shouted as he shot and killed a Like-Like from inside. "Show these demons who's-" Before he could finish, another part of the wall exploded and ceiling exploded as GUN Troopers piled in, dropping down ropes from helicopters.
The military men took aim at the demons and werecats as the chief spoke, "All freaks FREEZE! You are under arrest. Put your hands, tentacles, or whatever you use to hold things in the air and get on your knees or whatever!"
"Oh, Ah'm afraid you've got it backwards." Bean smirked. "WASTE them!" The Moogers and soldiers started shooting each other while Like-Likes slithered over and ate the soldiers, but they used darksabers to cut their selves free.
Emily, Chad, and Zuri arrived just in time to see all this. "Who are these guys? !" Em shouted. During her distraction, Chad immediately snatched the spray can. "What the-"
"Now I'll show you JUST what this is good for." Chad declared as he prepared to spray himself.
"CHAD, NO!"
Emily was too late as Chad began spraying all over his body. "HNNRGH!" Chad grunted when he already felt the transformation coming on. His skin turned a dark green, with several tiny warts as he grew into a more muscular form. His shoes were torn, his ears grew pointy, and his eyes turned blood-red. "AUUGH!" Chad faced Emily and roared, unleashing tons of saliva from his newly-grown fangs.
"Ch…Chad…" Emily was horrified. This new form was…
"Oh my God, that's disGUSTING!" a soldier yelled. "ARREST HIM!"
"AUUCK!" Chad screamed when the troops began pelting him with mini darts that gave him shocks, then tossed an electric net over him.
"WAIT, STOP!" Emily pleaded, floating in their way with Zuri. "He's not dangerous!"
"Arrest them, too!"
"Oh crud." The troops shot Emily with ecto ray guns and caught Zuri inside a little net.
When Scar and Violet pushed the other away, chains suddenly wrapped their hands from GUN troops from behind, pulling the girls back. "Hey, get back with them!" Bruce demanded as he and the operatives ran to help them, but a soldier jumped in their way.
"You kids get yourselves outta here and let the professionals- AHH!" Ying-Ying landed on the man's head and started pecking his eyes out before flying around the room.
"Heh heh heh!" Bean laughed. "The taste of eye-jelly really sweetens the buds, don't it?" The bird nodded before Yang tossed a S.P.L.A.N.K.E.R. and successfully knocked it to the ground, making Hannibal bounce along the floor in front of Sector R. He looked up as the seven operatives towered over him imposingly.
"We got you now, Bean Boy!" Luna smirked, raising her foot above the tiny demon.
"Why, what ever shall a helpless li'l bean like me do? YING-YING!"
The grey bird suddenly flew back, holding a bucket of Minish Dust in its beak. The dust spilled all over the kids, shrinking them to Hannibal's height in an instant. "Heh heh heh! The bigger they are, the more humiliatin' they fall. Scoop 'em up!"
"Ahhh!" the tiny kids screamed when a Mooger scooped them in a dust pan, dumping them in a hamster cage as another Mooger carried them off. Hannibal jumped back on his bird and rode off, leaving the rest of the demons to deal with the GUN Troopers.
"Come on! We have to save Violet!" Bruce yelled as the soldiers piled the metahumans on their copters.
"But what about Sector R?" Yin asked.
Bruce looked hesitantly between the GUN Copters, already flying off with Violet, and the Moogers carrying Luna and Sector R away. "Crud…" was all he could say. He couldn't decide which girl to save.
Base of the Sky Pillar
The Crimson Loftwing dropped Rachel and Sonic back on earth before flying leaving to the sky. The two spotted Blaze unconscious a few feet away, and went to assist the catgirl. Sonic held her head up as Blaze began to groan and open her eyes.
"Eh heh ha ha ha ha heh heh!" They looked up and gasped at the massive purple bird, Helmaroc King, holding Patton and Fanny in its talons while Ghirahim rode on the head.
"GHIRAHIM!" Rachel yelled.
"…HUH?" Ghirahim gasped when a green portal suddenly opened in front of them, and none other than the Demon Train flew out, its face giving a roar. Helmaroc King screeched and flapped upward, barely dodging, but the chimney scratched the bird along the bottom, making him drop the two operatives. Fanny screamed on the way down, but silenced when some glowing white strings wrapped around and broke their fall. "HNNRR. Keep your precious humans." Ghirahim snarled. "I'll have plenty more time to kill you all later. I'll be seeing you, Heroin, eh heh ha ha heh heh!"
"Man, I'm getting sick of him!" Rachel said angrily.
"But I must wonder, who our mysterious rescuers are." Blaze said as the Demon Train stopped on the ground for a landing, gently dropping Fanny and Patton.
"Well… never thought I'd be saving you kids." A familiar voice spoke. (Play Cole's Theme from Zelda: Spirit Tracks.)
It was none other than the son of Malladus himself. "Grandfather!" Rachel furrowed.
"And ME!" his minion, Cole exclaimed, floating by his side.
"Grandpa? Oh, great." Fanny sighed.
"Hmph. Still got that snotty attitude, do you?"
"Such is to be expected from ungrateful brats. And I mean, really 'ungrateful.' Didn't we just saves your arses?" Grandfather asked.
"What do you want, Gramps?" Rachel asked.
"What, can't old Pappy pay his grandson's girlfriend a visit? In fact, this isn't the only time we saved you kids today. Cole?"
"Ahem: everyone in the prison wing, report to the cafeteria for unicorn blood and bull hide!" Cole grinned, showing his sharp teeth.
"That was you?!" Fanny exclaimed.
"Indeed it was!" Cole grinned. "For we bring sensational news! We heard everything about Ganondorf and yadda-yadda, and we're here to help you kids."
"Yeah, uh, no offense, but we're not comfortable teaming up with people who tried to kill us before." Patton replied.
"Look, kids, you're against Ganondorf, we're against Ganondorf." Grandfather said. "He's been after the Uno Family for generations, and he must be stopped. And since you're the alleged 'Hero of Time,' it's in our best interest to help you."
"Then I say we go with them." Sonic decided.
Rachel sighed. "Alright, we'll play along. We're supposed to be heading for the Tree of Beginning. Which… I really have no clue where it is."
"The Tree of Beginning is a sacred place." Grandfather spoke. "It is rested within a mountain range, just on the border of Europe and Asia. Our Demon Train can take us there in a flash! And since we're all the way in Africa, it's probably a good idea."
Rachel sighed again. "Okay. We'll ride. But no tricks! I got my sword." She threatened, aiming the sheathed sword at his neck.
"Yes, yes, real scary. Let's just get on." With that, the five kids gathered onto the train and took seats as the demons floated back in the control room. (End song.)
"Now, how about a little music?" Grandfather smiled, putting a record in a slot and switching on the stereo. An old-timey song started to play to play, as Grandfather sang along. "Heeeey look, everybooodyyyy, there's a rainbow in the skyyyyy! Sooo let's go grab a cup o' coffeeee, and LET'S grab another piece of piiiee!" The kids were annoyed for the whole, long journey.
The Isle of Aura
Mika and Rainier arrived at the Isle of Aura, a strange island of many steep, misty white mountains, and a sleepy pink sky. "Well… this is the place." Mika said simply.
"Heh, great job mind-tricking the boat guy so he'd lend us a boat." Rainier laughed.
"I'm a natural." she smiled proudly.
The two started their venture up a thin, steep, snaky stairway. The only sounds were their footsteps on the stairs, and calm winds breezing across the peaks.
"Why did that ghost want us to come here?" Rainier asked.
"I don't know, but I always wanted to go here since I was little. I always wondered what was up here."
They reached the top of the stairs, just below the peaks of a few mountains. Standing at the very tip of the peak before them was a strange, blue foxlike creature, balancing on only one foot. It had black arms and legs, with single spikes on the back of its hands, wore a black mask, and had what looked like a whitish-yellow sleeveless shirt, with another spike on its chest. Its eyes were closed and his hands were folded as he appeared to be meditating.
Its closed eyes started to glow, seeing only the auras of everything around him. He looked down and sensed Mika and Rainier, who had a pink and red aura respectively. He attention focused more on Rainier it seemed. The fox's red eyes came open as he zipped down the mountain, and Mika gasped when he tackled Rainier several feet away from her, then tossed him further. The boy spat some dirt out as he stood back up and faced the ninja creature, who made a battle-ready stance. (Play "Team Galactic Battle" from Smash Bros. Brawl.)
Boss fight: Lucario
Lucario charged at the boy again, but Rainier quickly grabbed his fist when he punched, throwing Lucario behind him. Lucario landed on his feet and ran to throw more punches, but Rainier dodged and punched him just below his chest spike. Lucario then gripped and pushed him straight into a wall, flipping away before charging and throwing an Aura Sphere. Rainier dodged the sphere and let it explode, but Lucario charged and threw another one, but Rainier kicked it back at the ninja, pushing him into a wall.
Lucario recovered to see Rainier coming for him, the boy jumping overhead to aerial-punch him, but Lucario countered with his own fists before scratching him against the chest with his left spike. Rainier fell to the ground and looked up as Lucario was coming down with a slam-down, rolling sideways and avoiding it by a few inches. Lucario was about to kick down at him, but Rainier grabbed his foot and swung and bashed his head against the wall. While he was still holding on, Lucario spun and flung him into another wall, Rainier recovering and dodging another slam-down attack.
Lucario ran at him again, swinging his left leg while Rainier did the same, both legs holding the other back with equal force before the two started throwing punches again. Lucario jumped back and threw another Aura Sphere, Rainier dodging as Lucario started to run. The boy chased him around the short mountains as Lucario kicked small rocks on the ground at him, which Rainier dodged and still kept up. Lucario swiftly pounced his way up a cliff before shooting down, aiming his leg at Rainier as he was about to kick him, but the 13-year-old spun along the ground, stuck his foot up, and was able to kick him right between the legs, making the fox give a loud grunt.
Lucario was flung away on his back, but stood up once again to face Rainier. He was about to run and strike him again until Mika suddenly jumped in his way, drawing her lightsaber. "Stay back." She ordered. (End song.)
"Oh?… You…" He spoke telepathically.
"Wh-huh?…"
"It's been six years… Mika?"
Riolu excitedly chased 6-year-old Mika around the park, tackling the joyful girl as she giggled happily.
"…Riolu?"
"That used to be me. I'm evolved now. My name is… Lucario."
"Lucario?" Rainier asked. "Well, what's the big idea attacking me?"
"Hmm… my apologies." Lucario looked away. "I never liked humans that much. The way they treat us different creatures. It drives me mad. I come to meditate here… but it's hard to escape."
"Well, not all humans are bad." Mika told him. "Just people like GUN. Rainier's actually a pretty sweet guy."
"How come you didn't attack her? I mean, she's human." Rainier pointed out.
"Yes… but she is a psychicbender. Just like me. I have the power to sense peoples' auras. I am the Aura Spirit. Good creatures often emit blue auras, while dark ones emit red auras. I also have the power to sense benders' auras. Mika's was pink. A very rare aura for a psychicbender."
"Wh…What does that mean?" Mika asked.
"It means you are free-spirited. You've never let the darkness overcome your heart. Not many psychicbenders have such traits. The only other one… is Mew."
"Mew?"
"Mew is the Firstborn Spirit of Ancestors. A psychic being who cleverly hides from humanity. He has the power to transform into any creature, and blends in with all the others, right under humans' noses. And as such, almost every human that has ever looked for Mew could never find him."
"Almost?"
"Some humans almost came close, but all they could find was a fossil. They used that fossil to create the half-spirit you know so well: Mewtwo."
"But basically, Mew hides using the power of Illusion." Rainier summarized.
"Just like that Yarael guy." Mika remembered.
"Yes, and it is Mew's greatest strength. If you hope to find him, you will need to learn the power of Aura Sensing." Lucario explained.
"But where would we start looking for Mew?"
"Mew's home lies within The Tree of Beginning. I can lead you there… then I can teach you the power of Aura Sense."
"Bzzz-zz-zzzt!" came the cry of Moskito, zooming down from the sky and landing beside them, gesturing for them to get on.
"Coool!" Mika excitedly hopped onto Moskito's back.
"Um… this doesn't look safe…" Rainier said worriedly, having to hold onto Moskito's foot.
"Follow me…" Lucario closed his eyes and dashed down the mountains, and began scampering across the seas at fast speeds while the kids flew and followed.
"WhoOOOOAAAaaaaaaaaa!" Rainier's screams echoed the whole way.
Stage 45: The Great Ascend
Mission: Follow Lucario to the Tree of Beginning.
Addendum: Music I wanted to use is from Pokémon Movie 1, but I dunno what it's called. :3
Mika's hair blew behind her as the wind brushed past their faces. Rainier frightfully held Moskito's shoe for dear life, looking down past his dangling feet as the ocean loomed hundreds of feet below. Lucario was dashing across the ocean at high speed as they flew after him, but Rainier had no idea why they were flying so much higher. Mika didn't seem to mind the altitude at all. She sat calm and tight on Moskito's back, letting the strong winds cool her face.
"Whoooaaa can't you slow down? ?" Rainier exclaimed.
"Come on, Rainy, don't you listen to Sonic? ?" Mika asked excitedly. "Don't blink, don't think, just FLY!"
"I thought it was 'ruuuuun'!" he screamed as they flew faster.
"Whoa-oh! Watch out!" Mika yelled as GUN Beetles flew down from above the clouds and began to shoot them. Moskito swerved and dodged the robots as it spat at them and took them out. The Beetles were followed by Laser Hawks, moving up-and-down to avoid Moskito's shots, but Mika simply tossed Psycho Spheres to take them out herself. With that, Moskito decided to fly downward closer to Lucario, the wind rushing faster as they hovered a few meters over the ocean.
"Whoo-oo-oa!" Rainier screamed when gushes of water suddenly sprung from the ocean, forcing them to zip left-and-right to avoid.
"Sorry! The seas are pretty wild around this area!" Mika yelled, still grinning excitedly.
"Nnnn!" a water gush just barely scraped Rainier's pants. "How are you enjoying this?!"
"How WOULDN'T I enjoy this?! Hold on, there's more coming!"
Artificial Chaos creatures flew out of the sea and lashed their extendable arms, but Moskito swiftly dodged and took them out. They took a few hits when trying to avoid them and dodge geysers at the same time, but they still kept flying. Rainier fixed his glasses on aggravatingly, and his violet eyes widened in fear as a shadow loomed over them. "Um… Mika? YOU BETTER FLY UP! !" A gigantic wave sprouted from the deep and threatened to wash them away.
"No way! ! We can take it! Heeeeeere we go!"
"AAAHH-!" Mika formed a pink barrier around them as they SHOT into the wave. The waters zipped past them as they flew straight through, eventually springing above the surface and high into the sky.
"Yaaaaaa-haaaaaa!" Mika cheered, feeling the excited rush grow stronger.
"WhooooOOOOAAAA!" Rainier held Moskito's shoe even tighter. Lucario was still running straight across the sea as Bowser airships hovered down from the clouds. They launched Missile Bills at them which Moskito sucked in and spat at incoming Paratroopas. "H-How long will it be until we reach the Tree of Beginning?!"
"I estimate three hours!"
"Awwww…" Rainier couldn't hold in his stomach.
The Tree of Beginning
"Mmm… ohhh…" Annie Wilconson moaned from the sudden explosion. Her head was foggy… but she could vaguely remember.
"AAAHHH!" Annie yelped as the Star Destroyer began to come down. The Brain had teleported his associates, but not her. But when all hope seemed lost, she was wrapped in a cape, and whisked away.
"Huh!" her eyes shot open, as small rays of sun shone on her face. As her mind slowly came to, she instantly found Vaati's face looming over hers. "AHH!" she screamed, shooting up and backing away.
"Gee, take it easy. It's just me."
Annie still panted as she backed against something strange and bright green. She felt around the strange substance, and turned around with horror. "GYUUUUH!" A giant caterpillar hissed at her. She scrambled to her feet and dashed away, bumping into a giant ladybug. "AAAAAH! !" The ladybug flapped away, and Annie filled with more horror.
"Annie-"
"AAAH!" Annie whipped out her slingshot and shot Vaati's eye.
"OW! ! !" he rubbed it angrily. "Dang, girl! That's what I get for saving your butt?"
"Where the heck am I?! Why is everything so big?"
"It's not big, you're just tiny."
"What? ?"
"Take a look." Annie looked up, and her mouth dropped with wonder. They stood under towering, colorful flowers. Giant butterflies flapped overhead, enormous Pokémon frolicked, but hanging high, HIGH above their heads, it was no sky, but a glittering crystal-filled ceiling.
"Welcome to The Tree of Beginning." Vaati spoke as Annie's green eyes were bright with amazement. "Come on, I'll take you-" he was about to take her hand, but she forced it back.
"I still haven't forgotten how you betrayed us like that."
"What can I say? I'm one of those neutral people." Vaati said simply.
"Neutral?" Annie folded her arms. "I kinda thought airbenders were supposed to be good guys."
"No one ever said that. Air can be deadly at times, like all elements. But Air is the Element of Freedom. The idea of it is we're supposed to have free spirits, not generally caring about anything else. That's why, on some days I feel like helping, others I wanna betray yo' ass."
"And so you fight for both sides, huh." Annie looked around again. "Tree of Beginning, huh? Sooo… why am I small?"
"I shrunk you."
"You did?"
"Yes. I'm a Minish sorcerer. I'm able to switch between sizes at will, and I can take other people with me. Right now, you're in my home."
"You mean… you were born here?"
"Yes. When I was younger, I was an apprentice to this wizard. He's the one who created this magic hat."
"The one you said granted wishes?"
"Mm-hm. But I was tired of our ways of living down here, so I betrayed him and stole the hat. Afterwards, I found good work as one of Ganon's henchmen."
"Wait, you said you switch between sizes. …What does-"
"The Minish are a race of tiny beings. Here's a picture of the tree itself."
The picture that Vaati presented was of a humongous circle of mountains that made a wall around a colossal tree in the center. "'Course, you should've seen it from outside. Much bigger."
"It… almost looks like a KND treehouse."
"Doesn't it? The Minish are actually friends of the KND. They've secretly helped them for generations, as very tiny supporters who bring them any sort of food or supply they need. Come on, I'll show you around. In fact, I think several of your other friends are here, too."
Outside the Tree of Beginning
The group aboard the Demon Train could clearly see the top of the tree as they finally arrived. "Well, there it is, folks: The Tree of Beginning." Grandfather pointed out.
"While it may seem like just a tree rested on top of a mountain, it is actually a gigantic tree surrounded by a wide mountain range." Cole explained.
"Whoa. Just what is The Tree of Beginning, anyway?" Rachel asked.
"It was the very first tree grown after the Earth was forged." Grandfather answered. "It is said that this tree housed most of the very first organisms. Animal organisms, at any rate. It is home to two spirits: the Earth God, Regigigas, and the Ancestral God, Mew. The Firstborn."
"But while it is a tree, it is not entirely made of wood. In fact, a majority of it is rock-hard earth." Cole explained.
"It is also the origin of where the snot-nosed children of the old days got their silly ideas for stupid treehouses." Grandfather followed. "And while it was Celebi that helped to make those trees grow and flourish, trees are a part of the earth. Mew and the Earth God, and their tiny worshippers, are responsible as well."
Once the train drew close enough to the mountain range, it came to a stop and allowed the five heroes to step off. "Well, off you go." Grandfather said. "I would gladly accompany you kids, but unfortunately they don't let demons in. Plus the people that live there don't open up too well to adults. So I'm afraid only snot-nosed little kids like you will be able to handle things from here."
"Careful not to fall under any earthquakes! Nyee hee hee hee hee!" Cole laughed as the train doors closed, and the train passed through a portal.
"Well, that was short-lived." Rachel said.
"I'm actually quite glad." Fanny replied.
"Rachel! Guys!" The happy voice of Sonya's called as Sector W hurried to them.
"Sector W! Boy, are we glad to see you!" Rachel smiled.
"Everyone: this is Chiri!" Angie happily introduced her new Minish friend, holding her in her pinky as the five stared closely. "She's a Minish, and she's taking us to her village inside that tree over there!"
"Wait a second… where's Paddy?" Fanny asked.
"Um, Paddy… just disappeared." Sonya answered, shifting her foot nervously.
"He WHAT?!" Fanny yelled.
"We don't know how it happened! We were just walking… and suddenly poof, he's gone!"
"But what could've happened?" Rachel asked.
"RACHEL, LOOK OUT!" Sonic screamed, pulling Rachel out of the way when a sword spun out of nowhere, scraping along the ground before flying back like a boomerang.
"What the heck?!" (Play "Freaky Monkey Five" Theme from Ape Escape 2!)
The sword flew back to the hand of an old man with a short beard, black hair tied in a bun, and wearing a black robe, spinning closer to the group with sword in hand as he slashed a "P" along the ground. "I am Master Piandao. White Lotus Master of Swordsmanship."
"Oh great. Another one of you guys again?" Rachel sighed.
"Smart talk for one who has only known the way of the sword for so very long. But you lack the skills of a true master."
"Uh, hate to disagree, but I had this sword for a pretty decent amount of time. And I'm pretty good at it."
"Yeah! You shoulda seen the way she kicked Ghirahim's butt!" Angie exclaimed, giving air-punches.
"That may be so, but it was only the beginning of the quest. With the 4th Firstborn within your reach, you reach the halfway mark of your incredible journey. Battles later on will not be that easy. You must continue to hone your skills with the sword, and prepare for the battles at hand. Otherwise, you may never hope to destroy Ganon or save your brother."
"Don't underestimate Rachel." Fanny told him. "Lass is pretty strong."
"You bet!" Rachel declared, aiming her sword and readying it for battle. "I'll kick your butt with this sword tied around my back!"
"Interesting jester, but you must be resourceful." Piandao said, making several battle movements with his sword. "For just as the imagination is limitless, so too are the possibilities of the sword. As are the possibilities one could accomplish with a sword. It is a powerful weapon on its own, but with the Master Sword, you hold the most terrific power of all. I will see if your skill with the sword is with you. Enguarde!" (Replay theme!)
Boss fight: Piandao
"Remember, you cannot take back a stroke of the pen, or a stroke of the sword. Keep your wits about you, and be on your guard."
"No need to worry about that."
The two swordsmen charged at and began clashing their blades. Rachel did a Parry Attack and rolled behind him, but when she struck, Piandao spun out of the way and struck back, attacking her. He jumped high away in the air and tossed his sword like a boomerang again, Rachel dodging as the sword flew back. He shot over to slice her horizontally, but Rachel ducked and laid multiple blows upon him, pushing him back.
Piandao jumped and performed a vertical aerial spin, shooting over to Rachel and damaging her. "Careful, or you'll get your arms cut off." He taunted. When he performed the strike again, Rachel dodged right this time, then quickly ran and struck while his back was turned. When she kept striking, Piandao swiftly jumped on her blade, then flipped and kicked her back. After she recovered, she saw him charging another attack as he said, "Soul Surge: time your strikes and swing your sword."
He zoomed over to Rachel and prepared to strike her, and when she tried to strike back, he was able to strike past her while her guard was down, then quickly turned and kicked dirt at her. "You're getting ink on your face." He taunted once more. She wiped the dirt off and ran to clash with his sword some more, and was able to land a few more strikes. He jumped back and prepared another Soul Surge, but this time, Rachel watched for when he was gonna strike, quickly striking his sword back when he did so. He struck a second time, a third, and kept going faster each time, but Rachel still struck back. Their swords finally came in contact and pushed against each other, but Rachel was able to push him back and perform a Spin Attack, dealing heavy damage.
"You're good for someone who's more overworked than the average child. But let's see you try this." He then slipped over to several small rocks on the ground, and spun his sword to flick the stones at her. Rachel flipped and dodged them and spotted a slightly bigger rock, sticking her sword beneath it, flicking it up, then batting it over and knocking Piandao's sword back, allowing her to lay more strikes. "Yes. Observe your surroundings. Make them fight for you."
Rachel attempted a jump attack, but Piandao stuck at her from the ground, only for Rachel to swing back and flip behind him, successfully laying another spin strike. "HEYAH!" Piandao spun like a tornado over to Rachel, who saw multiple air slashes, but flipped back to dodge. When he stopped, she ran and dealt a few more blows before he jumped further away. He tossed his sword in the air and caught it before shooting over and swinging a storm of blows in multiple directions, Rachel trying to defend, but failed and took some hits on the last round, then was blown back by a spin attack.
When Piandao ran to strike her again, Rachel instantly jumped and did an aerial Parry Attack, knocking him away. She protected against a couple more swings before he tried a stab, but Rachel jumped on his blade, swerved below it, and kicked him back. Piandao charged for another Soul Surge, so Rachel did what she did last time and awaited his swings. He started with a quick one, another quick, a slow one, a slower one, and three more quick slashes until the swords started pushing against the other again. Piandao put more strength into his and made Rachel back up some, but the Supreme Leader still pulled through and pushed him away.
Rachel rose her sword skyward and allowed the energy to fill, the sword glowing with energy for a Skyward Strike. When she ran to attack, Piandao quickly slashed, but Rachel rolled behind, flipped back overhead, and finally knocked him on his back with the Skyward Strike, the sword falling out of his hand. As a final touch, she took her sword and sliced an "R" in the man's clothing, smirking as she twirled her sword and sheathed it away.
"Impressive performance. The way of the sword is with you strongly." Was the last he said before fainting.
"Heh. Old men are so slow." Rachel taunted. (End song.)
The White Lotus Master stood up a few moments later, holding his right arm. "Hmm… a short time with the Master Sword has learned you much, it seems."
"Well, I've always been a smart leader. Besides… I have my own spiritual guider." She smiled as Fi popped out.
"Yes… the Master Sword is a great weapon. It chooses its master most worthy. It did not choose you because you are Link's descendant. No, it chose you because of your brilliance, and courageous heart."
"Okay, enough with the flattery already." Rachel blushed.
The man walked over and kicked his sword in the air, letting it fall perfectly into its sheath. "Keep practicing your skills with the sword. And soon, you will have the strength to defeat the darkness, and save your brother. Now, if you'll excuse me… I need to get a new robe." With that, the swordsman bowed and walked away.
"That man had some WEIRD grammar." Fanny commented.
Afterwards, Fi spoke, "Master, I regret to inform you that I have not yet determined the origins of this 'White Lotus' these men refer to. But there is a slight possibility that Master Piandao was the last of them."
"It's alright, Fi. I feel like we'll be finding out soon enough. What's our next move?"
"Our next plan of action must now be to locate the Firstborn, Mew. I calculate a 90% chance Mew resides within this Tree of Beginning. Whereabouts of the Guardian, however, remain unknown."
"Well, let's go." Chiri told them. "You'll need my help to get in the tree, actually. Just follow my lead, and we'll find Mew in no time." The kids proceeded toward the tree.
Final Brain
Nolan, April, and Danika were currently exploring outside the Brotherhood Base, seeing the Stormtroopers and other villains' minions hard at work constructing some type of… city? They noticed the Sith Lord several feet away, who watched as Troopers pulled up a large statue of Palpatine, and decided to approach him. "Ahh… such a beautiful sight? My father's figure. The first of many statues that we will place around the world."
"What are you building out here, anyway?" Nolan asked.
"Why, the capitol of our grand empire, of course. Once the bustling town of Saudi Arabia… until we conquered it. I had to set up base somewhere. But soon, this land will be flowing with evil. And magnificent towns like this will be set up everywhere. We even set up one for Bowser, on the remains of a deceased villain's lair."
Mallah approached his master and spoke, "Master, ze Koopas have informed us that ze Junior Prospectors have been taken to Neo Bowser City."
"Excellent. I do believe we should go there. Come, Nolan. Our enemies may be there soon, too." With that, the Sith Lord and his ape strolled away.
Nolan looked at the Palpatine statue's face. Seeing its hateful, angry glare gave Nolan the chills. If Brain planned to stick these statues everywhere… he may have second thoughts. He shuddered as Danika pushed his chair along.
Hoo, well, this wasn't as long as the other chapters, but it still took a while. By the way, I just noticed something: in Zelda: Wind Waker, Link had to save his sister, Aryll, from Ganondorf. And now, Rachel, Link's descendant, has to save her brother! Only he's possessed, and not captured really, by a different person. So next time, we'll STILL have a lot of stuff happening. We'll have a scene with The Quads, the Team Alien group will meet Cranky, we'll head into The Tree of Beginning where we'll battle another spirit (guess who it is; not Mew), lots of things, really! Oh, and we'll also see the captured metahumans get taken to Gunkan! So, I'll see you then!