Tnacsuroc
Aliehs and Asia paired together and roamed the slums of Tnacsuroc. The girls hijacked a hoverbike to zoom around the streets, but if they carelessly ran over citizens or patrolling guards, the troops would be after them until they would hide. Regardless, they had to roughhouse some troops to interrogate them for info, and they learned that Sirhc was being held in the Fitness Factory. They snuck into the factory via a basement entrance. (Music: "Fitness Center" from Luigi's Mansion.)
The factory was nicely decorated like a series of gyms and exercise rooms, where the workout equipment was designed to pump machines. They had to solve puzzles and platforming segments based on exercise equipment, like doing a bench press to open a gate, swinging hoops, climbing poles and jumping to others, or running long treadmills while jumping hazards. "It wouldn't kill ya to do some of these with me!" Aliehs yelled at the flying Nimbi.
"You're the muscle, I'm the wing!" Asia grinned with a flap. "Plain and simple!"
They found Sirhc being forced to power some cogs with his Armordillo. Asia blew him out of the machine, but Sirhc was still forced to attack them. Aliehs and Asia treated him like a kickball and knocked him around until he was dizzy. Afterward, Asia flew to pin him to the ground. "Leave the rest to me!" Ahcniea climbed out of Asia's hoodie and cut the skin of Sirhc's head open. She located the chip in his brain and picked it out before restitching his head.
"Phew! Thanks a lot, girls. I was able to resist a little bit thanks to Ahcniea's medicine, but it wasn't enough."
"'ey now! You can't just stop production like that!" A large shutter opened as a giant cog rolled in. It turned to show its side, with Smooth Etep in the center cockpit. "You kids are under arrest for deserting the navy!"
"Hey, smartass, we're trying to SAVE the navy!" Asia shouted.
"Should've figured a robot don't mind serving Jarg of all people." Aliehs said.
"It don't matter what I think, you lot! I'm programmed to serve the navy no matter who's in charge."
"Then you could do with a reprogramming." Sirhc decided. "Leave him to me, girls! Time for my 'exercise' to pay off!"
"Oi, before you do that," Aliehs pulled a mechanical pack out of her cube, "Yrrah made you some new armor. Wanna try it out?"
"Sure!" Sirhc threw off his old suit and fit on the new one. As Sirhc curled up, he found several levers available to him, such as a charge thrust, magnetic connectors, and even a size-shifter to shrink him to half size. He adapted to the new functions well as he fought Etep's Egg Cog. There was an opening between one of the pegs on the cog, in which he rolled against it to break in. He would shrink to travel through a tunnel leading to the center, using the magnet functions to stay balanced on the spinning cog and ramming through security devices. Sirhc resized and rammed Etep at the end, but was kicked out of the cockpit.
Sirhc would then have to travel up a metal strip on the wall and bounce himself to the cog, quickly rolling up over its pegs and reaching the opening. Sirhc repeated the tunnel and rammed Etep once more, this time KOing the lieutenant. His friends seized the robot and escaped from the factory.
…
Otullak used his hacking to learn that Eitra was taken to the War Pets Tower, so Eelyah and Ahcom infiltrated it. (Music: "Sgt. Byrd" from Spyro Reignited.) It resembled a tall, wide birdcage, filled with usual pet abodes like doghouses, birdhouses, or cat towers. Eelyah used cementbending to fight the war-torn mammals, though some could resist and tank the cement quite well. Some animals even possessed their own bending, but Ahcom could weaken their chi. Throughout the level, they smashed open hamster cages to free Eitra's hamsters, who would happily scamper after the girls and mimic their platforming motions.
At the top of the tower, a kangaroo in a navy uniform stood guard with a platoon of baby kangaroos, boxing gloves over their fists. "Mr. Nagillig, it seems these naughty intruders are trying to make off with your 'amsters." The kangaroo said in an Australian accent.
"YO, EELYAH!" Eitra dropped from the ceiling and gave his sister a tight hug. "Been worried about ya, girl! You won't believe what-!" Against his will, he squeezed Eelyah tighter, but she pushed him off with a cement fist.
"Eitra, tell those 'amsters of yours to seize them!"
"Agh! Hamsters… attack the enemies!"
The hamsters knew what he meant and saluted: they lined up to fight the kangaroos. Eitra was still forced to attack his sister, his Haki a strong match against her Cement Fists. The kangaroo, Pet Tamer Aliehs, instructed her children to maneuver and strike accordingly, but Eitra was still able to give directions to the hamsters. Ahcom merely hung back to observe, but she noticed Aliehs doing warm-up punches. …Narrowing her eyes, Ahcom could sense chi building up in the kangaroo's gloves.
Eelyah was eventually able to hold Eitra down and bind him in cement, and both the hamsters and kangaroos were passed out from exhaust. It was then Aliehs leapt at Eelyah to deliver a powerful Kanga Punch, but Ahcom jumped to slap her arm with her palm. Aliehs spun to tail-whack Ahcom away, then delivered the punch to Eelyah's cement shield. The punch cracked the shield, but lost a lot of its force. Ahcom recovered and engaged Aliehs, blocking her gloves and dealing chi-blocking punches to the kangaroo until she was down.
Black Wing Gang
"There was another Aliehs, huh?" Asia asked after hearing the report. "I wonder if your mom named you after her?"
"I think it's just a typical Australian name." Aliehs shrugged.
The girls playfully kicked Sirhc's small ball form around the street partway to their next destination. Lirpa was being forced to work inside a military restaurant. Sirhc infiltrated by rolling through the vents and along the floor of a kitchen, careful not to trip any of the cooks. (Music: "Fiesta de los Muertos" from Rayman.) Sirhc would find a switch and open the backdoor, allowing the girls to enter. The cooks were trained in combat and began to fight the intruders, but were swiftly dealt with. They would have to platform over fiery ovens, dodge mechanical knife guns, exploding turkeys, and other culinary hazards. In an area where the door was sealed, Sirhc would be kicked into a small vent and roll his way around a cafeteria, evading the shoes and sights of the soldiers until he found the switch.
During his third sneak-around, Sirhc found Lirpa cooking in the classiest kitchen. She prepared several dishes and carried them away, the Armordillo discretely following. Lirpa led him to a private room where Vice-Admiral Mada was waiting. She had prepared a Lava Steak, Spicy Soup, explosive bread, and boiling water. He took a bite of the bread, but shouted, "What's this?! It's supposed to taste like a firework, not a fricking balloon! My meal's ALL ruined now! Get in there and make it again!"
"Can't you eat the fucking rest?!"
"DON'T GIMME THAT 'TUDE! I'm a world class gourmet, and I WANT MY GRUB!"
"How about we grub you in the face?!" The officer whipped around: Asia and Aliehs entered the room after Sirhc hit the switch.
"Asia! Aliehs!"
"Hey! This floor ain't no place for the likes of you!" Mada shouted, his fist boiling lava. "Lirpa, punish them!"
Aliehs and Lirpa engaged in a kicking battle, while Asia used her airbending to blow Mada's lava away, the cooling air causing to harden for small intervals. While they dealt with them, Ahcniea chose to sneak over to another room, hoping to find more prisoners. She found a room with piles of acorns… and Rear-Admiral Reknoc stuffing himself. "Good golly gosh… all this time, we were serving a bloody pirate. Why did this happen? If it weren't for this chip, I'd stay in here and eat all day, but I'll be forced back into battle any moment."
"Mr. Reknoc!" Ahcniea called, earning the squirrel's attention. The Lilliputian walked up to him innocently. "If you would let me, I could remove that chip for you!"
"Oi, it's the little'n! You'd best not come here, or…oh no!" As the Navy Seal flashed in his eyes, Reknoc began to morph. Ahcniea was horrified as he turned into a monstrous acorn with thin arms and legs. "Watch out, young'n! I ate the Acorn-Acorn Fruit! They'll all be after you! Run!" (Music: "Being Chased" from Conker!)
Reknoc burped some kind of gas over the thousands of acorns. They all popped eyes and came to life, bouncing at Ahcniea with cartoonish "boing" sounds. Ahcniea used her knife to cut them down to size, eating some to regain her stamina. She ran about the hordes and searched for the largest acorn, that being Reknoc. If he saw her, he would be forced to run away, so Ahcniea climbed him from behind. He tried to shake her off as she needled his soft top, Ahcniea having to grab the stem when he tried. She was able to get into his brain and make him ram the wall, dizzying Reknoc. Ahcniea fell off, but the battle wasn't over. Reknoc began trying to Ground Pound her, and with the acorns distracting, she got squished once. Ahcniea baited him for a second attack, but stabbed his rear with a knife. Reknoc bounced and fell on his front, rubbing the sore spot. Ahcniea was able to get on his head and repeat her first technique, damaging Reknoc again.
Several of the acorns piled up over their master, shielding him. Others remained to fight Ahcniea, but as she cut them up, she formed her own acorn suit and disguised herself. The other acorns got confused and looked around. Ahcniea was able to merge herself with the "armor" and dug down to Reknoc's head. She poked his brain once more, forced him to shake the acorns off, and bash his head against the wall again. Reknoc fell unconscious, morphing back to normal as the acorns lost sentience. She proceeded to pick open his head and pick out the chip.
"Ahcniea, there you are!" Sirhc rolled in. "They knocked out Lirpa, we have to go!"
"I just finished!" Ahcniea jumped into his hands, Sirhc curling up and rolling out with her.
Aliehs carried Lirpa and bolted across an emergency exit walkway, Sirhc joining. Mada sent a flow of lava after them. (Music: "Speedy Comet" from Mario Galaxy.) Asia stayed airborne and used wind gusts to slow the lava down. Soldiers flew on jetpacks and tried to shoot them, but Aliehs took them down with Dark Fists. They reached the end of the walkway and made the jump over some roofs, before a silver slash stopped them. "Aliehs!" Admiral Eniram landed before them.
"Hey, Mum. Gonna try to stop us?"
"You know I don't want to!" Eniram dealt kicks against her daughter. Aliehs passed Lirpa to Asia to better meet her attacks. "I…I'm sorry, Aliehs! For being such a blind fool! If I'd have known what Sir Ovi was plotting, I would've taken him down right then!"
"Yeah, but then I couldn't stand my mom being the Fleet Admiral. Then I'd have way less freedom!"
"Indeed…" Eniram smirked, making Light Spears drop down, but Aliehs endured and punched her in the nose. Since it was nighttime, Aliehs had the elemental advantage, but she was a bit tired from fighting Lirpa.
It was then Eniram took a shot to the hip. "HEY, stinky procione!" Awful Oiram stood on another roof. "Remember me?!"
"You again?!"
"Heard this was a nice restaurant! Invited some boys to take it over!" Some mafia ships flew over the building. Nonoblovs (sentient spoons) dove from them and invaded. Eniram glared, but was relieved as she focused her attacks on Oiram. Asia looked at Aliehs questionably. The Faunus sighed and chose to retreat, trusting her mom to survive.
Block Breaker Gang
Eelyah and Ahcom rode a boat across a walled lake, where a long stone bridge spanned across, zigzagging at several angles. (Music: "Bullet Bill Blockade" from 3D World!) There were troops, tanks, and droids marching the road, and the speakers resounded with the "HUP! TWO! HUP! TWO!" of Eirik's voice. Eelyah forced her way through the platoons, platforming over lines of Bullet Llibs and using Ahcom to crawl under tanks, get inside, and K.O. the drivers so Eelyah could climb over them. Eirik was on a stage at the back of the brigade, shouting in large speakers to blow them back. "HEY, if it ain't my block-brained buddy! I'd be happy to see ya if I weren't shouting against my will! Ya mind DOING something?!"
Eelyah molded a cement wall to push against the soundwaves, struggling to maintain it. But once they were close enough, Ahcom climbed a ladder Eelyah left in the wall. She jumped over and landed on Eirik, chi-blocking her throat. Eirik was forced to strangle the short girl, but Eelyah bound her up in cement before she could.
"Eelyah happy you okay, Eirik."
"Yeah, me too, ya big oaf. …?! Whoa, Eelyah! Mudbending suits you, but those things are ugly, girl!"
"Whuh…?" They turned. There was a platoon of large mud monsters marching up the way they came. They were drowning the KO'ed soldiers in their muck.
"Ha ha ha!" Austin, the blue-haired farm boy Despairager, led the monsters shaped like him. "Hey, thanks for knocking them out for me! I'll take them away if you girls wanna split."
"Who are you?" Ahcom asked.
"I'm Asigan, from the Smile Pirates. I'm guessing you're all DNK. I know we're supposed to be enemies, but I was just here to abduct some troops."
"Where all mud come from? Cube?" Eelyah asked.
"Well, most of it came from me. I'm a Logia, so I can store tons of mud in mah body! I can trap people, too, hehe."
"Th-that sounds disgusting!" Ahcom cringed.
"Y'know, what're the odds one of our operatives are trapped inside you?" Eirik asked.
"Huh? Uh, I dunno."
"Eelyah, I think we should capture that creep!" Ahcom shouted. "His power sounds way too creepy!"
"Me guess so…"
"Aw, shucks. 'Guess I'll have to get rough with you." Austin expanded his mud hand and punched it at Eelyah, who bent cement around the fist and hardened it. The cement weighed his fist down, so Austin tore his arm out and reformed it. "You bend cement?! Darn, I didn't expect this. Ah better get!" (Music: "Motley Bossblob" from 3D World.)
He treated past his Mudmen and commanded them to attack. Eelyah bent up parts of the bridge to create Cement Men in her likeness, plowing through the monsters. Eelyah caught up to Austin as he thrusted Mud Fists, stretching numerous out of his body. Eelyah only used two Cement Fists to counter them, but sent chi from her foot to melt the ground around Austin. He sank, and she hardened the dirt. Austin melted himself out of the trap and kept running. He made a cannon emerge from his belly to shoot mudballs at Eelyah, the Neanderthal tanking some hits while evading others. She put cement over her fingers, spun the arm, and molded a bowling ball, hurdling it at Austin to smash his head. She stretched cement to grab his cannon and yank it out, throwing it in the lake.
Austin made it to the end of the bridge and crossed the gate to enter a grass-covered field, the soil muddy on this cloudy day. Austin began to amass all the mud in the field, growing into a titan. But Eelyah had already bent up the bridge as they crossed it, melting and molding it all into a giant cement statue. As the giants traded blows, Eelyah began to pound the mud into the ground, melting the cement over him. Austin became trapped under a cement ground, with the whole underground area being trapped within the area's stone architecture. There was only the tiniest hole for Austin to rise up from, but before he could leak out the rest of him, the hole sealed. The tiny Mudman panicked seeing a pair of huge feet, the hunched Neanderthal staring over him cutely. Austin tried to run, but Eelyah caught him in her beefy fingers.
"Is that actually him?" Ahcom asked, studying the tiny boy.
"I dunno how Logias work," Eirik said, "but I guess they can move their conscience in whatever part of their element-body is available."
"But what about your Logia-dimension? If we got you in a different source of mud, could you still access it?"
"…" Austin shrugged. "Me just get mud out from here." Eelyah figured. "But only little! Huhu!"
Eelyah trapped Austin in a Cement Coffin afterward, and both him and Eirik would be uplifted to a DNK ship and taken away. "Wait!" Austin yelled. "Before you take me… I wanna ask y'all a favor. Can ya please find Incubator? He got taken by the navy back in Rebmevon. We really miss him…"
They remembered Incubator as the farmer from Windmill City. He was Akasim's adoptive brother, who made an army of clones of her for the Smile Pirates. He was most likely brainwashed and serving the navy somewhere, along with all those clones. They had to wonder if Akasim wanted to see him again…
Either way, they still had to rescue Sipa, and they suspected she was in the captivity of the mages. Admiral Uub's division was located in Sky City, a Greek-style town with numerous churches. Yrrah carried the Black Wing Gang up on a navy airship, stolen with the aid of Akurah and Yenmihc. Once they had infiltrated, Asia and Aliehs roamed the slums of the sacred town. It seemed to be a place of refugees, so the girls fit right in with their street clothes.
"The navy rescued me from Arim when the pirates took over." said a young Nayaru girl. "Maybe when the war is over, I can go back some day…"
"Yeah, so anyway," Asia blew off the topic, "do you know a place where they take, like, dark witches or something?"
"Um…well, I suppose there's the Hanging City where they take sinners."
"How does one get there from here?"
There was a long stairway in the farthest back of an alley. The girls and Sirhc traveled down the stairs and reached the Hanging City underneath the island. This town had shabbier-looking buildings and was loud with the sounds of rocket engines holding up the island. Lightbending troops and mages in church robes tried to stop them, and Asia would engage Pegasi in the air. Sirhc used his magnetic ball to travel over metal paths along the "ceiling," hanging precariously over the abyss. He would land on his own pathways and shove down enemies before flipping switches, making paths for Aliehs to cross.
They fought their way through a military prison and broke into a treasure vault. Ahcniea picked open a sealed casket and found, "Sipa's wand!"
"Ah!" Asia beamed and took it. "Then she has to be here somewhere!"
"HEY! Put that wand down!"
They spun, finding Vice-Admiral Ade at the entrance. "You're that Zul girl's master!"
"Look, kiddos, I don't have time to deal with you. I just got a call that Zul's been captured by the Smiles. So, why don't we make this simple: hand the wand over, I'll get going, and you kids get a chance to escape?"
"Yeah, why don't you tell us where Sipa is first?" Asia glared.
"You're outta luck 'cause she ain't here. And even if I wanted to, I can't tell you where she is."
"Then why don't you go worry about your own student and leave us alone?"
"Grrr!" Ade grunted. "Well, bad news for you: I'm gonna be forced to arrest you."
"Or you could just stay still and let us knock you out." Aliehs remarked.
"You think I want to work for that space devil?! Little punks like you are so full of yourselves that you don't show any consideration. How about a little sympathy?! Don't you feel sad that the most holy witch on Netheria is forced to serve evil?"
"Maybe, I'm still kinda too mad at you to care." Asia said. "But hey, I was looking forward to getting back at you, anyway."
Asia blew Ade off the railing and into the abyss, but she transformed into a robin harpy. Asia battled Ade in the open air, the mage using magic to summon flocks of robins. Asia whipped out a new weapon crafted by Yrrah, a Super-Vac! Her airbending enhanced the vacuum's suction as it inhaled the birds. Asia would shoot the condensed birds back at Ade to damage her. Ade detached several feathers from her body and cast a spell to rapidly duplicate them. The feathers formed giant drills to launch at Asia, who formed an Aero Shield to disperse some, but took some cuts. Ade also formed a thick feather shield around herself, but Asia slurped it all into her vacuum. The bag of her vacuum would shrink as the duplicated feathers naturally disappeared from inside it.
Ade cast a curse on Asia that caused worms to emerge from her ears, much to the Nimbi's utter disgust. The harpy landed talon cuts in her distraction, but Asia then flew right up against her, puffed air against her thumb, and caused tons of worms to spew out of her ears. She faced her left ear against Ade, shooting several worms down her throat. While the harpy gagged against them, Asia sucked Ade's own feathers up her vacuum. Ade plummeted, but used a spell to quickly regrow her feathers. She fast-duplicated her feathers to gigantify her wings, with another spell to enhance their strength as she slammed them against Asia. Asia resorted to kicking on Storm Bird Fury, her black-winded wings matching Ade's size to clash with her. She swat off several of Ade's feathers, but she flew away and used magic to conjure a Feather Vortex. Asia mustered an equally big vortex from her vacuum, sucking the feathers inside. She flew directly to Ade and began spinning her in the suction. Afterwards, she switched the setting to 'Blow' to blast Ade the opposite way, smashing her against a tower.
Asia dove in to stamp her sneaker against the Robin Lady, knocking her out. "Well, now's Ahcniea's chance to do surgery on a harpy."
Eelyah and Ahcom made their way back to the hideout. "Wait, wittle wats!" The muscular Cragmite choreman, Probelg chased hamsters around the street. "I wanna cuddle wid you!"
Eelyah and Ahcom entered the sewer hatch he was guarding. A mosquito was buzzing around Ahcom's head, the girl whining and flailing her hands. "Go awaaaay! Mosquitoes shouldn't be in cities!"
Once safe inside Otullak's hideout, the girls settled for pizza. Nekcarb brushed Eelyah's hair, the Neanderthals smiling warmly. "So, you guys are still missing one more friend?"
"Yeah, they said they haven't found Sipa."
"Haven't found anyone with that name. But… I did find a new file in the Construction Folder."
"Yeah?"
"Something called Orbit Evacuation. I haven't been able to pick it open, yet."
"Just focus on Sipa first."
"Fine…"
Otullak couldn't dig up any useful info on this matter… but he didn't need to. DNKG called and reported that Nega-MG had rescued Sipa from the Y-Naut Fortress. With this, just about most of the operatives captured by the Four Emperors were saved. All those out in the field were asked to return to DNKG to discuss their next plan.
DNKG
The operatives made it back to base without too much issue. A feast was prepared to celebrate their success thus far. Akasim was invited up to reunite with Arohpsohp. When she was asked about the opportunity to see Incubator again… she was hesitant to answer at first.
Ahcniea removed the chips from Eirik, Eitra, Sipa, and any A.U. Pirates they rescued. "You found my wand!" Sipa beamed, happily taking her Devil's Wand back from Asia. "Did anyone tell you you're my bestie, Asia?"
"Only a few, hehe!" Asia laughed.
"I guess I don't need this White Dragon, anymore!" Sipa casually tossed it away.
"Hey!" Nollid jumped to catch it. "A White Dragon? I actually need a new wand."
"Oh! Well, it's a good thing I saved it for you!"
"You were just about to throw it away!"
"Um…has anyone seen my daughter around?" Ave asked.
"Mrs. Noskcaj, I'm afraid your daughter is still in Meta-Beast custody." Atawid responded. "To that end… Ahcniea, we may need your medical expertise down below. Annaira, you should come as well."
In the base's prison wing, Komugi lay on a stretcher with Yppils and Latsyrk watching over her. Ahcniea was told about the many shards of glass lodged within her. "These two are members of Ztar Xof." Atawid said. "Their teammates have taken Ydolem elsewhere, and she'll only be traded for this woman's safety."
"Yeh, so you bet'er get to work." Latsyrk demanded, cocking a shotgun.
"But who is this lady?" Ahcniea asked.
"She's Komugi." Annaira remembered. "The one who the Ant King… was infatuated with."
"Shut it and get to work!"
"Give me some proof that Ydolem's okay!"
"Relax, we got our boys on call." Yppils held up a communicator. "Your girl will be safe and sound so long as this dame remains the same."
"She better." Anna glared. "Anyway, Ahcniea can pick the glass out while I keep her blood stable. We shouldn't have a problem saving her…"
…
Some sectors were still distraught over the loss of their friends. Nega-W called their families and reported Yllas's death. The Monkey Crew called Innus and told her of Ycrad's death. Hcaz wanted to be alone in the bathroom for a while, cursing himself for his weakness. "I couldn't protect Purple… and we even lost Ycrad because of me. Dammit! I thought Super Fist was supposed to be unbeatable! I thought it was supposed to defy reality?!"
"You crazy fool! No one ever said Bo-bobo was invincible!"
"AH!" Hcaz jumped off his toilet seat and faced inside. Zach's face appeared in the rippling reflection. "Where the heck did you come from?!"
"We denizens of the Crazyverse can communicate through the toilets!"
"You're lucky I didn't go!"
"Hcaz, although Bo-bobo Kempo seems strong, not everyone has a good sense of humor. Not everyone will be affected by it. The same way a normal punch won't hurt a rubber man, or how cats aren't swayed by bones. There has to be a time and a place for a good joke."
"Well, there's not gonna be a time now. There's nothing funny about death and war! Our power only works if we ignore reality, but how can I ignore all this pain and despair around me?"
"I could ask myself the same question. But no matter how much darkness surrounds you, you have to keep your funny bone in check. Because without humor, happiness can never return! You can be pouty if you want, but don't be potty forever. Eventually, someone will need to use that stall! Just wait for the right foe… and let your humor reach theeeeem…" He faded away within the ripples.
…
Detective Amo was strapped to a bed on his front, with Xedni studying the chip on his neck. Ydnic and Oyib were tied down as well. "It does seem like a tiny computer. With enough hacking, I may be able to detach it from his system. But if they're connected to a network, I may be able to sabotage all of them. That'll help Acificap in the event she received the same treatment…"
"How long you think it'll take?" Narod asked, worried for his friend.
"Can't really say…"
"Well… if anyone can do it, it's you. You're so smart and talented, Xedni."
"Yeah, yeah, real flattering."
"Mmmmm…" Narod could tell she was still upset about Field Day. He was pretty disgusted with himself, looking back on it. Xedni was more than being a heavy eater and he should've known that before. After this was over, Narod would have to make it up to her somehow.
…
"We actually saw Zul as we were escaping from Aluza." Lorac said to Asia and Sipa. "She sounded really apologetic. I wanted to save her, but Nosam dragged me away!" She stomped and shot her face toward the taller boy.
"She was mean to Sipa!" Nosam argued. "And I don't think it's 'cause she was brainwashed!"
"But she sounded earnestly regretful! Even if Sipa were still mad at her, it was wrong to just leave her!"
"What do you think, Sipa?" Asia asked.
"Hmmm…" Sipa bowed in thought. "I mean… I'm still pretty mad about how they treated me… but I do pity them. I don't want to see them hurt."
"You see, Nosam?" Lorac stated. "If you're gonna act considerate to other girls, you should've considered her feelings, too. So, until you rescue her… I forbid you from talking to me!" And she marched away.
"L-Lorac!" Nosam reached out… but knew deep down it was pointless. "Oh…" Depressed, Nosam looked around. He saw Aullik sitting depressedly at a table, eating some Water-Dogs. He went to sit with him. "Hey, bro. Things go bad?"
"Shyah. I'm a total loser."
"AH, cheer up, ya big kahuna!" Anaigrom slid over and rested elbows on Aullik's head. "If you hadn't distracted those pirates, Asigan would've had a way harder time!"
"Big deal. Your friends think I'm stupid. And they act so awesome and make me feel stupid. 'Cause I can only make waves and stuff. And I can't do other cool waterbending tricks."
"Look, buddy, everyone's got things they are and ain't good at. I don't know if it helps, but we need waterbending like yours out on the ocean. Just like we need Xedni for computers, it's not like she's much good in… sports or somethin'."
"Yah, but she can make those little holo-thingies and still kick butt. You can't do that with waves, man."
"Well, if you really feel bad, why don't you take this time to practice? Nosam's a waterbender, too. Think you can give him a few pointers?"
"Er…I'm not really feeling up for it now."
"Sheesh, boys are so picky. Just get back in the game soon, okay? I'm pepped for taking back Allebmoog's homeworld and I want my man beside me!"
"Huhu…" Aullik spared a weak smile. But that passion just made him feel worse. They were all risking their lives to fight the mafia and stop their tyranny, but all Aullik wanted was to hook up with his girl and get a haircut. But if she was willing to fight this war… he would be a loser of a man if he didn't help.
…
"Lorac." Airam approached the thief. "There's something we wanted to ask. You still have the Five Healthy Wonders in your possession, right?"
"Uh-huh?"
"Those will be vital in restoring Toadstool World's vegetation. I'm not gonna ask you to retrieve them now, but as soon as we defeat Don Shrew, we'll need them available."
"I was actually gonna make a quick trip to my vault. There's something else I wanted to have ready. I guess I'll give the Healthy Wonders to the Little Dads while I'm there. They should know where the Brocco Tree is."
"Do be careful then."
As Lorac walked away, Sipa approached Airam next. "Hey, Airam, you mentioned that Admiral Uub hinted my whereabouts, right?"
"Not to us specifically, but that is what the others said. Supposedly, Uub is in league with the revolution."
"That explains it. Uub is the one who ordered my transfer to the Y-Naut base. And he told me to 'find him on Toadstool later.' Do you think he wants me to help in the revolution?"
"I'm not sure what all he can do with Jarg managing his actions. You gonna try to find him?"
"I think I will."
…
Airam then traveled to the medical wing, where Sutsugua was giving Asigan some medicine. Little Oemor stood by her head. He could sense her pain far more immensely at his level. "I can use these samples to make her a cure. She's not in any immediate danger now, but between her, Ydnew, and the others, I'm not sure how long it'll take."
"Just fix them up as soon as possible." Airam told him. "We're gonna need to put everything we got into taking out Mom."
"How're we gonna do that?" Oemor asked. "We can't just kill her, right? Are we just gonna… beat her down and lock her up somehow?"
"We'll have to do more than that. We have to ensure she'll never be able to hurt anyone again. And I sort of have an idea. When me and Revilo were on Toadstool, we were attacked by Meta-Beasts. And one of them had a timebending Devil Fruit that could summon creatures from the ancient past. Some of those poison bugs bit me and I nearly got sick. I think if we capture that guy and force him to use his powers for us, we could make a poison to bring Mom down."
"But won't she just become immune to those, too?"
"That's why he and I need to do a little science. My mom is so doped on drugs that she's a poisonous demigod. I've seen her and Dad get in a few fights, and whether it's missiles, chainsaws, or whatever, my mom's been able to tank them. We even saw her get crushed by Egeb's castle form and survive. I'm sure enough damage would leave wounds eventually, but I still think the best way to take her down is make her taste her own medicine. By which I mean our own. …Poison."
"It sounds kinda cruel though, hehe. But I can't say I care either way. I want her gone as much as you do…"
Ydnew was sitting in a high chair while Ikik was trying to serve her baby food. "Baaaah!" She smacked the spoon away.
"I'm sorry, Ydnew, but we need to feed you stuff that'll sit well in your tiny tummy. We promise we'll have a good meal ready when you're all grown up again."
"Probably be good for your diet, too." Revilo remarked.
"And who asked you?!"
"Just saying. You're hitting puberty too fast with all that hair."
Ikik dumped the small jar's contents against his face. Revilo angrily wiped it off. "Can't you be a little less of a dick in a situation like this?! If you hadn't sided with her, WE wouldn't have gotten involved! You're fucking lucky I'm even sticking around!"
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry! I was only joking."
"And I don't appreciate it! You and Airam were total jerks to me. At least she's trying to change, but what's your excuse?"
"W-well… I'm still mad that you didn't come with us. And that you went to my mom behind my back. It doesn't matter whose fault it was, but I…I can't let my feelings go that easy!"
"Then act a little nicer! I thought if I helped out with this, we could at least try to be friends again. Even if you were a jerk, I thought you would appreciate me for helping this time, but you're still an entitled prick!"
"F-Fine. I-I do appreciate it… Ikik. Getting captured by that witch, forced to work for her… I was so fucking pissed, I wanted to strangle her so many times! And I kept thinking if the rest of you sided with us, we wouldn't have wound up captured. So, I was mad at you and that shrimp, Oemor, but… I'm glad you decided to stay. I can't really… figure out how to say it."
"…At least you tried." Ikik sighed. "Let's just keep the stress to a minimum, okay? We're all gonna need each other's support for the rest of this war."
"Yeah…"
"Yay!" Ydnew cheered.
"Hey, her first word!"
…
The DNK addressed Nerehc Onu and Atawid on the cafeteria stage. "We lost some friends during the first phase of this war, and I won't hold it against anyone if they wanna go home. Even so… we as the 'Daring Pirates' must win this war, or we'll all wind up as the Emperors' slaves. I've just been to the Posiverse, and things are going just as well with Cheren's crew. So, we gotta work our hardest so we don't get upstaged! If we're going to secure a total victory, we can't just wait for the pirates to kill each other. We have to defeat the Four Emperors and their commanders with our own hands! But first, I'll need a show of hands. Who's ready to go the distance and finish this war?"
"YEAH!!" Most of the operatives shot fists up.
"And with that, we've already secured our victory." Atawid smirked, holding up a sheet of printed paper. "Just like when the Under Army attacked, I've already set you guys up with a foe. But if you want, we can go ahead and discuss further. I'm sure some of you already have your fights picked out."
The ops looked over Atawid's list, sharing discussions of either agreement or worry. "Hmm, I see…" Yrret stroked his chin. "Hey, Ylime… I might need your help to beat him. Will you?"
"Uh-huh!" She nodded determinedly.
"Yeah, not surprised to be set up with her." Anaigrom shrugged. "I'm up for it."
"Hmm…" Ydnew glared, but nodded. "Boo-boo."
"Oh, I see…" Ynohtna observed. "Alright! I'll do my best!"
"Oh…" Ibyf read her match in mild surprise. "I guess it does make sense…"
"WHOA!!" Eel screamed, startling the crowd. "Atawid, are you crazy?!"
"I beg your pardon?"
"What the heck?! You set yourself up with… THE ANT KING!"
The kids quickly checked this fact, and gasped! "Yup." Atawid tapped a finger to her forehead. "Call it my intuition… but I think I'm the only suitable match for him."
"Call it arrogance, more like it." Nerehc said. "Just let me fight him. My white flames against his gold ones."
"Now, Nerehc, don't you have faith in me?"
"I want to, but…"
"Then just be patient and go along with my plan."
"Hmm…well, is everyone satisfied with their matches?"
"Uh-huh." Revilo nodded.
"UH-HUH!" Leic fist-pumped.
"Absolutely!" Sipa smirked.
"Hey, Lirpa, wanna train with me?" Aliehs asked.
"Not a bad idea~"
"Then Daring Pirates, you're free to ship out whenever! Crush those pirates and win this war for everyone!"
Tnacsuroc
Fleet Admiral Ovi marched out on the headquarters balcony. The news broadcasted the admiral to all homes on the planet. "Attention, people of Tnacsuroc! The threat of the pirates has escalated. Thousands of districts have been ransacked and more are bound to follow. But the navy has prepared a contingency plan to ensure your safety. We have established various towns as Safe Zones, complete with barriers and state-of-the-art security. Everyone is ordered to move to the nearest Safe Zone immediately. Worry not, for we will crush the pirates soon so you all may return to your homes! For now, in the likely event war comes to those homes, you must be safe."
…
"Orbit Evacuation?" Otullak repeated. "Wait… could this plan be…uhhhh…"
Otullak's head felt empty. His knowledge was slipping away, as was his blood. The mosquito suckled at his head like a smoothie.
The mosquito expanded, becoming a skinny, large-eyed humanoid hybrid. He had black hair, a torn black top, and ripped blue jeans. The monster finished sucking Otullak's blood as he passed out. It pulled out a communicator and said, "ZAD, I FWOUND OTULLAK! YE WAS YELPING THE ZNK."
"Otullak?! Report your location at once, Imulli! That slacker's getting a thousand whoopins!"
Imulli was the eldest brother of the Kcydloz family, the eater of the Bug-Bug Fruit, Mosquito Model. He could suck blood from his victims, rendering their limbs immobile or mind unconscious. People are appalled by him, so he spends most of the time as a bug.
Toadstool; Spring Mountain
According to Reswob Jr., he suspected Admiral Uub would be waiting on Spring Mountain, a relaxing place under constant rain with Japanese aesthetics. (Music: "Dragon Road Night" from Sonic Unleashed.) Sipa ventured the mountain under the dark of night, battling Aurors from Uub's division. She used spells to solve puzzles, like shrinking a fallen tree to help the river flow, allowing her to ride a boat across, or burning down giant spiked chestnuts. The lanterns helped light the way up this dark, damp mountain.
She found Uub standing in an open area of the forest. "You've got your Devil Wand back, eh? You've chosen to stay attached to dark magic."
"I use dark magic to help my friends. I may end up in the Underworld, but it won't matter if I can stop you corrupt jerks!"
"I've no grounds to argue, anymore. Not while we've been puppets all this time. But in a way, this was a good outcome. I was planning to die for a long time."
"How come?"
"As you know, I'm a special Animagus who can transform into the elephant spirit, Airavata. When Airavata dies, his divine chi is released into the atmosphere and creates seven days of worldwide rain. So, when I die, rain will fill the entirety of Toadstool. Doing so should purify the planet's vegetation and natural life."
"So, that's your goal. Are you sure it'll work?"
"It should. Because -15 years ago… I traveled to the Posiverse and challenged the Firstborn Manaphy for his God Chi."
"WHAT?!"
"It was hard to get him and Kyogre to accept, since I'm not a waterbender. But they agreed to it after they listened to my cause. I was allowed to use all my magic; if I had just used water spells, I would've been trounced easily. But after earning a portion of Manaphy's chi, Airavata's water became even purer. With this, I can definitely restore Toadstool anew. However… so long as Don Shrew was in power, she could easily poison this world again. But you DNK… you plan to dispose of her in this war, right?"
"We will."
"I'll have to bet on it. With Jarg limiting my freedom, I can't end my own life. He may even force me to leave the planet. So, I've no choice but to rely on you. If I let Don Shrew or one of her officers kill me, they may suspect something. 'Course, endless worldwide rain is enough to drive suspicion. But don't you have anyone else with you?"
"They're on standby. I plan to beat you with my own magic. Don't worry, I don't plan to curse your rain or anything. If you want me to kill you, all you need is pain."
"Very well. Let us duel!" (Play "Boss Battle 1" from Smash Brawl!)
Sipa conjured red bubbles and cast them, Uub blocking with Protego before flicking a disarming spell. Sipa dodged and zapped the ground around Uub, stretching black-brambled trees to stab him. She burned a circled design around her, so when Uub tore through the trees and lunged, she jumped away. Landing in the circle, a spire of Hellfire erupted from it, burning Uub. Sipa followed with Sectumsempra to slash the Najin, but he withstood the cut and flicked another Expelliarmus, knocking Sipa's wand away. She tried to grab it, but Uub caught her in magic ropes and raised her. Sipa kicked her right shoe at him—the shoe grew fangs and gnashed the admiral's face. It snapped the ends of the ropes, dropping Sipa as she reclaimed her wand.
Uub cast charms at the trees to bring them to life, having them stretch their roots to grab her. Sipa cast flame spells to hold them back, but was then trapped in a Stun Spell. Uub leapt to PUNCH Sipa in the head, sending her flying. She was able to mutter a spell to break the stun, in time to dodge a Glacius and cast a jinx to flip Uub's vision upside-down. Sipa cast a version of Lumos Solem where the sunlight flickered on and off, hoping to ruin his vision further, but Uub cast a Sunshade Spell on himself, followed by a Light Arrow spell into Sipa's eyes. Anticipating Uub's attack, she cast a Jelly Bones spell on herself, nullifying the damage as she was kicked and bounced back.
She undid the spell, then used another to erase the light in her eyes before she became too blinded. Uub cast electric spells, but Sipa cast Protego in defense. She bit her hand and drew blood, spilling it on the soil. Sipa drew a design around the blood and brought a lion to life, made of dirt and glowing red eyes. Uub spun his own magic design in the air, creating a tiger to fight the lion, but the tiger was eaten first. Sipa Apparated behind Uub and pricked the back of his neck with a spell, taking some blood and mixing it with some of her leaking blood. She poofed to another spot, drew another circle, and dripped the blood on it. Uub spun his arms to cast Ventus at Sipa, but the witch changed her feet into roots to stick to the ground. Still in the circle, Sipa bit off her own finger, causing Uub to lose the same finger. She jabbed her wand into her right eye, poking Uub's eye, but the mage cast a spell to make a mud wave and ruin Sipa's circle.
Uub finally transformed into the Airavata. As Sipa climbed out of the mud, she quickly cast Protego to block a gush of water, afterwards Apparating underneath him. Sipa burned a circle on the ground and caused a black crystal iceberg to rise and pierce his belly. Uub shook off and shattered the crystal, spinning and sweeping the whole area with his giant trunks. However, Sipa had Apparated farther across the mountain, taking the time to draw a bigger circle, lighting candles, and uttering a long incantation. Uub felt the rise in power and spat five gushes of water. But with a flash of red lightning, Sipa transformed into her own Animagus: a Cerberus. The three-headed dog pranced up the mountain and engaged the five-headed elephant.
Her huge fangs gnashed his trunks, practically tearing them off, but Uub willed steam to seep out and burn her. He slammed his trunks against Sipa to knock her away, followed by cannons of water to push her farther. Sipa used her claws to draw another design in the ground, but with Uub's water flying to ruin it, Sipa ingested the water. The water boiled in her stomach and became toxic, so as Uub charged at her, she spat it back, burning the elephant. Sipa charged, bit his trunks, and swung him around and into the circle. Powered by her own blood once more, Sipa called a spell and electrified Uub with red lightning. Uub spilled his own blood to break the spell, but Sipa pounced his back and gnashed three of his brains. The trunks reached up to grab her, but Sipa jumped down and thrusted his side, chewing the legs afterward to knock him over. Sipa tore directly into his necks, Uub choking out cries of pain. Eventually, the elephant stopped struggling. (End song.)
Sipa ran out of energy and shrank back to normal size, panting on the ground. "Keh…cough…" Uub smiled. "Sipa… I hope that my rain… will wash away… the evil of Toadstool."
Sipa cracked a smile, too weak to move any more. Uub passed away… and Airavata's mist rose to the heavens. The rain poured harder over Spring Mountain… and the rest of the world was covered in rainfall. "Sipa!" Asia flapped over, landing beside her friend laying alone on the mountain. "We saw you two after you transformed! You were wild, girl! What happened?"
"Asia… we need to call the Little Dads. I think they should bring the Brocco Tree now. Uub's rain is… purifying the vegetation of this world. If his rain combines with the Brocco Tree… Toadstool is sure to be saved."
"That's gonna be tricky with the mafia still active. What about you? You look like you overdid it."
"Yep. I don't think I'll be able to use… magic for a while. Hope you don't… need me too bad."
"Hehe. Let's get you outta here." Asia lifted her friend and flew off.