Spring Breeze: Creature of the bottom well
Chapter 4
Spring Breeze:
Creature of the bottom well
Sometime early in the afternoon…
"Alright, Sword Monster! Stick it to them. Slice and dice em good."
Commander Shellshock is seen cheering for his monster from the sidelines as a battle commenced in the middle of a busy street. Auroa and Maigashi are seen putting up a display of power while Alistor stumbles behind.
"Argh, Alistor! Get your head together." Maigashi pestered.
Explosions are seen setting off across the concrete pavement.
"I'm trying! You guys are moving too fast! We need to coordinate better."
The monster suddenly plunged through a car. Then, it begins hurling the scraps over to Alistor as he turned away.
"Watch out!"
Auroa dashed in with his whip knocking Alistor out of harm's way.
"Ow! That actually hurts!"
"Oh, quite your jabbering."
Auroa quickly casts a burst of wind, pushing the monster further back as Maigashi went in for the finishing blow. Shellshock is seen distressed.
"Gah! Sword Monster! Don't just stand there! Do something."
The monster barely had time to react as it mindlessly jumped in the air with its point tipped bottom. Aimed directly at Maigashi as an electrical surge of energy emits from his bow.
"The perfect shot!"
A bursting stream of lightning pierces through the monster, sending it crashing straight to the ground. Sparks quickly bursts from the monster's eye as it bursts into a pile of flames within seconds. The team then quickly turned their attention towards Shellshock.
"Now it's your turn." Alistor pointed his blade.
He begins charging towards the general, but the other two unexpectedly intervened. Alistor falls flat to the ground as Maigashi jumps over his back to gain momentum.
"Leave this guy to me!"
He fires a few electrical bolts, but the general easily dodges them. Auroa suddenly appears from behind.
"Not so fast!"
Before he had the chance to strike, Alistor quickly intervenes with a Star Breaker. Auroa was forced to fall back as a tiny glint was seen in the General's eye.
"Oh, this should be amusing."
Without hesitation, Shellshock hops over Alistor's head. Pressing both hands on top as Alistor fell flat on the ground once more. A mocking look was seen on the General's face.
"Such bogus! Your teamwork totally blows."
The other two attempt to fire some projectiles, but the General deflects it back with his chain. Alistor quickly got back up with a fired look.
"Let me handle him! You guys stay out of my way."
A disbelieving look was seen from the other two as Alistor readied his attack once more. The general quickly turns away.
"I can't even take you seriously. You're not worth the time. But tomorrow's a brand new day, so I'll be back with a new monster. So keep on, Wiggin!"
With one wave Shellshock immediately soars off into the skies.
"Damn, he got away!"
"Sigh…and that's a wrap." Auroa snapped.
A moment later, an argument escalates among the team upon return.
"Hey! What's going on?" Bamboo wondered.
"If it wasn't for us, you be mincemeat," Maigashi said.
Customers were seen watching in the middle of the background.
"Yeah! But you guys kept getting in my way. I would have had Shellshock if it weren't for you guys. And I'm not a platform."
"You should be more careful." Auroa reminded. "A careless move like that could cost you next time."
"Next time, give me a heads up! You didn't have to be so rough with your wind. That fall actually kind of hurt."
The argument continues on as Bamboo was forced to intervene.
"Hey! We got customers eating! Take it out in the kitchen!"
Hours after the battle, the night begins to break in. Dinner was being prepared at the restaurant while Bamboo had a quick intervention with Alistor in the middle of cooking.
"So… what's the deal anyway? You needed some friends, so I found you a nice pair. They don't seem so bad."
A disagreeing look was on his face.
"Friends? We don't even have anything in common. They're criminals! And I don't approve them one bit."
"Sigh…Well, you can't be picky about everything. Things won't always turn the way you expect, ya know. Go on!"
Bamboo continues to stir his pot while he rambles on.
"It's just… It's just the two works so well. They're fast, and I can't keep up with them. Maigashi is a complete jerk the whole time. And Auroa…well Auroa just plain gives me the creeps."
Bamboo placed his ladle down.
"Well, it seems you're rather intimidated. But that's ok because I'll figure something. Maybe what you need is some good bonding experience."
"Give me a break."
He suddenly gets knocked over the head with a ladle.
"No, I'm serious! The first step is building a good relationship with the team. Get to know and learn from one another. Then, we begin on something called trust."
"Trust?"
Bamboo grabs some papers over by his counter.
"Just leave it to me. I'll have your next mission prepared."
"Really!"
His mood quickly shifted back right up.
"Now go! Back to work!"
Meanwhile, back somewhere above at the Aggerona fortress…
"Well, that monster was a bust. Do you have another plan ready?" The emperor questioned. "We need energy for the labyrinth."
Shellshock was seen waltzing back and forth.
"Give me a sec. I'm still brainstorming. My old Sword Monster didn't go as planned. So we need something fresh and new."
"Well, that monster was used plenty of times in our last war. Your monster, how you put this lost its edge."
"Turn the channel." The General ordered.
A whooper grunt behind the scene pressed a button. The screen shifts to an area filled with forest and cabins. A great dam stands tall in the background.
"What is that object? Zoom in on that spot right there."
The screen begins focusing on an old well not far from a campsite. A dark presence is felt through the room.
"I got it! This is it! The answers we've been seeking."
"Oh? Do tell."
Shellshock begins elaborating as some files are presented.
"What we have here is not just an old broken well, but the sight of a monster sealed back during the glory days of the Great Moon. In fact, it's an ancient creature crafted by the Hundred Hands Emperor."
Vilevelious was puzzled for a brief moment.
"And you believe we can revive this monster?"
"Are you kidding? With my new tech on hand, this will be a cinch. In fact, with a little tweak, we can have this monster up to date and under our control. It will provide us with all the negative energy we need."
The emperor quickly gives the approval.
"Very well. You may proceed!"
The general looks over the screen once more; boy and girl scouts are seen setting camp by the vicinity.
"So Camp Hazefall is it? No problem, I'll simply improvise. With that dam in place, this gives me an idea anyway."
"Whoopers! To Hazefall!"
The General exits the room as the scene shifts back to Alistor and the party. Bamboo presents the next mission to them.
"What? A camping trip! You can't be serious." Alistor questioned. "This was not what I thought you had in mind."
Auroa looks over at the pamphlets.
"Seems like more work for us." Maigashi pestered.
"The director of Hazefall is in short supply of help this time of the year. So he needs a few helping hands to supervise these boys and girls." Bamboo explained.
An unmotivated look was now on Alistor.
"I won't even ask anymore."
"Good, then it's settled. We're off to Hazefall."
The party quickly packs, leaving in Bamboo's car. Meanwhile, somewhere in the middle of Hazefall, a fat man is seen rushing to a lone stall. In the middle of a barren field.
"Woo, I need to go now."
Pulling out a newspaper, he quickly enters, slamming shut the door. In a matter of seconds, Shellshock and a group of Whoopers arrive down at the scene. A soldier immediately points to the stall.
"So the director's in here?"
A whooper grunt begins knocking on the door.
"One minute, I'm busy."
The whooper knocks once more, ticking off the guy.
"Dammit! Can't you see I'm busy?"
Without hesitation, Shellshock brings the door down, catching the director by surprise. He lets out a girly scream.
"Alright, tubby! Off with the clothes! I'm running things from here on out. Do it now! Or I'll fire my laser."
Fear struck within the director as he knocks his head to the back wall. His pants quickly flew off as the whoopers apprehend him. The man was seen tied up and gagged as Shellshock stole his outfit.
"And last but not least, your hat. I'll be needing this."
The director was seen stripped to his underwear. The General takes a look at himself in a small mirror.
"Hmm. this disguise doesn't match with my red armor. Oh, wait!"
Shellshock begins tinkering with some buttons on his wrist. Shifting from a red-coated color to a jungle green for blending.
"Perfect! I now fit the part."
"Mmmmm mmmm."
The director continues to mumble on the floor as Shellshock shoves him back into the stall.
"Thanks for the cooperation."
With one kick, the stall tips over, trapping the man. A moaning sound is heard as the General walks off evilly laughing.
"Ok, guys! Head straight to the dam. Don't let anyone near."
The Whoopers immediately waltz off as the General makes his way to the campgrounds. A bus is seen arriving on the scene, dropping off a group of kids.
"Excellent heh heh heh."
In a matter of moments, Bamboo and the rest arrived on the scene. Parking the car in the driveway as they quickly unloaded.
"Let's see, the director's office should be right in here." Bamboo said.
The team enters inside, catching the General slightly by surprise.
"Who are you?"
"We're the help that you called for?"
Bamboo presents the papers to him. A baffled look was on the General's face for a second, but he kept calm.
"Uh….Oh yeah! Of course! Of course! The help. Yeah, totally! Ugh, here's your helper's aid badges."
Alistor begins looking over at the director strangely.
"Hey? What are you staring at?"
The other two quickly bumps his arm.
"It's not polite to stare," Auroa whispered.
"Oh, sorry. You seem rather familiar." Alistor speculated.
Tension slightly builds within the general as a sweat slips out. Shellshock readies his blaster under the sleeve.
"Oh, do I now?"
"Hmm, maybe not. Oh well…"
Bamboo quickly boots the team out.
"We'll just be off to our designated cabins."
Within moments the team unpacked inside. Bamboo begins prepping up in the kitchen as Maigashi takes a rest on the couch.
"Good! You three can begin to bond. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."
Auroa begins reading a book quietly in the corner.
"Maybe this trip won't be so bad after all." Alistor thought.
"Time for some zzz's," Maigashi muttered.
Within a moment, Maigashi feels a force bumping from under the cushion.
"What the hell?"
A kid immediately pops up from under, forcing him to stumble back.
"Hey! What's the deal? This is our cabin!"
More kids begin to emerge from under various furniture pieces. The three are quickly overwhelmed. Then, finally, a little boy approached over to them.
"The names Niko! You three must be the new aid the director sent over. Welcome to Hazefall, by the way."
The three are left dumbfounded for a moment. Unsure of what to do.
"Um…care to fill us in?"
"What? Do you mean you guys haven't gotten the drill yet? You're supposed to be our guides! Lead on activities and expeditions."
A tired look was seen on Maigashi.
"Yawn…Sorry. Just go and do whatever you need to do. I'm in the middle of a good nap."
Maigashi tucks himself back in, but the kids forced him right off. Then, finally, a little girl approached over to him.
"Well, not with that attitude inside. I'm Miko, by the way."
"I don't care…." He mumbled.
"Come on! We need to get outside. Rise and shine!"
Alistor and the team are immediately forced out by the kids. Niko hands over the planner to them.
"These are the activities we have set for today. Just supervise and watch over us."
"You better!" Miko pointed. "My parents paid good money for this. So you three get yourselves together."
"Ok, what's the first thing on the agenda?" Alistor wondered.
Auroa pulls open a map as the planner points them to a river.
"Look like a small hike to the Hazefall springs. Followed by some arts and crafts. Then a boat rides down to the marshes for some games."
The three begin leading the pack through the forest. Following the tranquil streams as the kids got rowdy.
"Ok, we made it…."
A small tavern rest by the springs. Lined with arts and crafts as the kids quickly rushed towards it.
"Hey! Watch it!"
As time progressed, the three quietly watched as the little ones enjoy themselves. Finally, Miko presents her painting to them.
"Well…what do you think?"
"Look's rather abstract." Maigashi shrugged.
The sound of a horn is then heard as Auroa cued the rest. Three disguised Whoopers pilot a boat downstream. The kids quickly dropped their brush to begin boarding.
"Look like that's our ride."
The Whoopers quietly drove the boat downstream without any speaking. The rest laid back to enjoy the scenery. Auroa rests peacefully on the side.
"Somehow, I feel I'm starting to understand you guys," Alistor said.
"Ugh... gag me with a spoon." Maigashi pestered.
In a matter of minutes, they arrived at the marshes for some games. The kids are seen with nets catching various wildlife, from frogs to small amphibians. The team quickly spots some dead trees not far from a distance.
"What in the world is over there?" Alistor wondered.
"Is that a well?" Maigashi noticed.
"Looks like it." Auroa nodded. "How rather odd."
The three are drawn close for a second, but then a dark presence swept past them. Alistor felt a cold vibe.
"I don't know…It doesn't feel right. It's as if there's a dark presence close by."
The others continue stepping forward.
"Come on! Don't be chicken. It's just some rusty old well." Maigashi muttered.
Before the two could get any closer, Niko's voice halted them.
"No! That area is off limits!"
"What do you mean?"
Miko begins tugging the two away from the dead trees.
"Something evil is said to live in there. A big bad monster, I heard."
"Monster? Give me a break!"
Alistor immediately steps in, recalling something.
"Of course! It's coming back now. I may be familiar with this story."
"Oh? Please share." Auroa said.
Daylight began to diminish as darkness, clouds in. The sound of stomachs grumbles as they began making their way back to the cabin. Bamboo prepares a full course meal for the camp.
"So, what's the rest on today's agenda?" Auroa asked.
"Well…we still got roasting s'mores by the campfire. Oh, and sharing spooky stories." Niko mentioned.
A reluctant look was seen on them.
"Guess you can tell us about that later."
An hour passed, and the party is seen sitting by the campfire. Each kid shared a story while roasting s'mores. Maigashi is seen bored while Auroa pretends to listen. Alistor was the only one to stay interested.
"Yawn, do you guys have any stories that won't put me to sleep." Maigashi pestered.
"Oh, you think you can do better?" Miko objected.
An unmotivated look was on Niko.
"Nah? It's just your stories bore me to death. I heard most of these already, and some are just plain made up with bad twists."
"Maybe you can tell us about that well now?" Auroa reminded.
Alistor focused on the fire.
"Well, it's not what you would call spooky. But ok, here goes."
The Creature of the Well.
"It was during the last major war of the Zophian era. The battle was at its peak when the Great Moon led the final charge against the Hundred Hands army. The emperor sacrificing one of his many hands created one of the deadliest monsters known to man. A parasitic creature called Negmanite."
The kids were seen hooked in with Maigashi.
"This was one of the many trials placed in his path. The Great Moon's army was caught by surprise when it attacked. Craving for the thirst for blood, it slaughtered countless victims. The casualties were great as it proved to be a match for Moon."
The Great Moon is seen holding his own against the creature while many bodies lie scattered across the marsh field. Then, finally, he draws his last breath.
"So, how did he beat it?" Niko asked.
"Well, with the last stroke of power, he focused it all on a seal. Then, targeting a well, the monster was imprisoned for all eternity. And as we know, this makes Hazefall the burial grounds for many fallen soldiers."
The kids were now seen shriveled up near a corner.
"What? It doesn't seem so bad." Maigashi shrugged. "Now we know we were sitting over a bunch of dead bodies. Maybe we can catch a ghost or something."
"I don't think I can sleep ever again." Niko shuddered.
Alistor suddenly feels something sticky under his garment.
"What the?"
Auroa and Maigashi were seen giggling.
"Look like you got yourself dirty."
"Guys!!"
Alistor walks off into the cabin, slightly annoyed.
"So, what are the plans for tomorrow?" Auroa asked Niko.
"Beats me. That's up to the director to decide. We'll find out tomorrow."
"I hope it's some dollhouse and dress up," Miko muttered.
Meanwhile, back at the office, Shellshock is seen tossing papers about.
"Fishing? Hiking? Raft riding? Macaroni art! LAME!!!!"
The commander spun his chair around, thinking to himself.
"What these kids need are some good labor! Hey? Maybe I can start with that new base I want to build."
He begins looking over some blueprints but gets interrupted with an incoming transmission from a Whooper.
"What? You guys made it to the well. On my way!"
In a split second, the General arrives at the marsh field. Surrounded by whoopers dancing across the well.
"It's time to break the seal!"
The commander shot out his chains encasing the entire well.
"Come forth, Negmanite! Your new master calls!"
Within a moment, the blood-dried well shatters apart. A deformed arm first reaches out from the hole. Then, it slowly pulls itself up. Finally, the monster begins taking steps forward but stumbles to the floor.
"Man, you're a complete mess! Allow me to fix you up. You are no longer affiliated with Hundred Hands! You are now a property of Aggerona."
More chains begin to encase the monster. Then, repairing parts of its body with a new coat of paint and armor.
"You once craved for blood. But now you'll go for power and water systems. Now go! Gather energy for the labyrinth."
The monster immediately jumps off into the nearest pond. The following morning the camp was awakened early for a surprise.
"Why is there so much garbage?" Alistor stumbled.
"Bamboo, did you forget to throw all your trash in the kitchen?" Maigashi asked.
"Hey! It wasn't me! I didn't cook that much last night."
A puzzled look was on the team as the director came forward. Handing off the agenda for today.
"A clean-up?" Auroa questioned.
Niko looks over the schedule.
"Let's see….Huh? Bridge-building, cutting trees, cement mixing and assembling bricks and walls."
The disappointment was seen in Miko's eye.
"But I wanted to play some dress-up in a dollhouse." She mumbled.
"Well, not today!" The director shouted.
"These tasks seem rather odd?" Auroa replied.
The director begins to waltz off.
"I want this place squeaky clean by lunch. Then we'll talk."
The party begins grabbing bags for the morning clean-up while Bamboo is seen along with the kids assisting. Sometime later, the director hands over the blueprints to the team.
"Are you sure we can do this?" Niko asked. "It's huge!"
The group is overwhelmed by the blueprints set for Shellshock's new base.
"Get to work!"
The kids were seen unmotivated to begin. Then, objecting to his every command as whining begins to commence.
"I don't want to build a fort!" Miko yelled. "It's a boy's thing, and I want to go home."
The sound of kids begins getting into Shellshocks ears as Alistor and the rest stood by.
"Gah! I got to shut them up. But, how?"
"I want to play dollhouse!"
From desperation, an idea struck the General.
"Of course! We ARE going to play in a dollhouse."
Miko and some others quickly calmed down.
"Really?"
"Yes! But instead, we need to build it first." Shellshock explained. "This is going to be a big dollhouse."
The children begin to get excited.
"Can we paint it pink?" She asked.
"What!!!"
"I want it pink!" Miko shouts.
"Ok, Pink? Fine! Just start!"
The kids begin to get to work as Alistor, and the others lent a helping hand. Finally, Bamboo makes his way back to the kitchen.
"Hmm, what to prepare for dinner?"
He spots a big bag of pasta.
"Ah! I'll just start boiling these then. Now for some water."
Bamboo heads to the sink. He pulls the lever, but nothing but a drip leaked out.
"Huh? Is this thing broken?"
He begins tapping over the leaky faucet. Flames quickly burst in his face.
"That's not right?"
He turns his attention to turn on the stove; water quickly gushes on him. Then, the lights begin flickering in the room.
"What is with this place? It's haunted!"
Bamboo rushed out the doors.
"Hmm? What's cooking?" Maigashi asked.
"It's haunted! Something is messing with the power and water." He panted.
Maigashi goes to take a look back inside with Bamboo.
"Hm, I don't see anything?"
The two proceed into the kitchen. Maigashi approached the nob on the sink. Bamboo briefly backs away. Water is generally seen flowing out of the faucet.
"Works fine for me. Must be your imagination." He shrugged.
He proceeds to turn on the stove.
"But I saw something." Bamboo gestured.
Meanwhile, back outside, Auroa overhears the kids mentioning something obscure while construction commenced.
"What are you two bragging about?"
Niko turned away in disbelief.
"It's true! My friends and I heard voices from the east side." Miko brought up.
"Voices?" Alistor questioned.
"When was this?" Auroa wondered.
Miko begins elaborating.
"Earlier, when we were cleaning. My friends and I decided to check the east field for any mess. That's when we spotted an unusual wooden compartment from a distance. We were tempted to check, but then we heard voices."
Miko and a couple girls were seen crouched behind a bush.
"Can you describe the voice by chance?" Alistor added.
"Well, it was like a moan. A cry for help or something. But we were scared, and it could have been a ghost, no doubt."
The camp continues with the labor for the remainder of the day. Nightfall soon arrives as everyone was ready for sleep. Auroa is seen reading a book by a small lamp while a group of kids is seen sneaking right out.
"Ok, Miko, I'll go. But you better not be making this up."
"Trust me! I know what I saw."
Miko is seen leading the way with a flashlight. The sound of owls hooting and crickets chirping as they walked by. Finally, the kids come to a halt behind a big bush.
"Ok, you got the camera? And you remember to bring the s'mores, right?"
"Of course, Miko."
Niko is seen pulling out the bag of marshmallows. The kids quickly spot the wooden booth nearby. They immediately hear the moans upon flashing the light over.
"Well…Go and check it out?" Miko ordered.
"What? Me! No! I don't want to."
The two quickly turned to the other kids, but they backed away.
"Ok, then how about we go together then. You hold the light while I get the camera."
Niko quickly agreed to her proposition. The two begin approaching the fallen stall as the sound grew louder. The other kids promptly came in to help turn the compartment around. Miko reached for the doors.
"Man, it smells so bad," Niko mentioned.
"On the count of three."
Without hesitation, the door flew open with a half-naked man emerging.
"EEEEEEEEEK!!!!"
Without a second thought, the kids quickly panicked as the man fell right over. The kids promptly rushed back to the camp, alerting everyone. Maigashi came barging out with his weapon on hand.
"Are we under attack? Speak to me!"
"Some fat half-naked bald guy jumped out at us." Miko cried.
The kids were seen shaking in their boots. He immediately fires a shot in the air to silence the situation.
"Oh really, eh?"
"Do you think your weapon is necessary?" Auroa questioned.
Bamboo's frying pan caught his eye.
"You're right! We got a potential predator on hand, so drastic force is needed."
He grabs the pan right off of Bamboo's hand.
"Hey, I just washed that."
"Relax, I'll give it back right after. This is serious business."
Without further ado, the party heads to investigate the scene. Maigashi spearheads the front armed with the pan as Alistor flashed the light. Bamboo and Auroa followed from behind as the kids stayed close.
"Hey, is that chocolate I smell?" Bamboo said.
"Niko, did you remember to bring back our snacks?" Miko asked.
"Um…No, I sort of forgot."
They then hear a sound coming from the distance. Maigashi goes to take cover behind the bush.
"Look like something crawling our way. Get ready!"
Meanwhile, somewhere back with Shellshock, he overlooks the progress of the new base. Disappointment in his eyes. A charming giant treehouse was set in place.
"Leave it to child labor. This looks nothing like the new fortress."
He tears the blueprint to shreds.
"I can't even look at it. Pink!"
Back with Alistor and the team, Maigashi readies to strike as the figure slowly begins approaching. The figure is seen tripping over a bag left on the ground.
"Oh no! Our s'mores!" Niko gasped.
"Mmmm, can this day get any worse?"
Without hesitation, Maigashi goes in for the strike. The kids were seen cheering on as he laid the beating on the intruder. With a series of quick blows, he was down in a split second. Alistor shines the light over, revealing the half-naked man.
"Who are you?" Bamboo asked.
Completely smeared from the marshmallow and chocolate, he goes to remove the rag from his mouth.
"Who am I? I'm the director! Who the heck are you?"
"Why we're the helper's aid, of course." Maigashi saluted.
"Wait a minute…The director is back in his office." Alistor pointed.
They continue to question the man.
"Yeah, how do we know you're not lying?" Bamboo pestered.
A furious look was seen in the director's eye.
"You morons! I'm the real director! That robot is a complete imposter. He took my clothes, and I've been trapped ever since. How can you be fooled by such a terrible disguise? Some aids you are."
"Is he red? Cause our director was coated in green." Alistor pressed on.
"Of course he's red!"
The children suddenly recognized the man's face in a matter of moments. A mistake of identity on hands.
"We're sorry. We were scared. We thought you were some creeper." Niko explained.
After a while to unwind and recuperate, Alistor comes to a stand.
"Shellshock is behind this. We can't let him get away. Come on!"
Within moments the party came barging into the office. Their weapons were ready on hand for battle.
"So you finally figured out."
The General removes his cheap disguise. The green coating on his armor shifts back to his usual red.
"You're through! We got you now."
A microwave sits behind the counter.
"Oh, I'm shaking under my metal boots. This camp really is starting to blow, and I'm getting bored. Negmanite! Get over here!"
Within a flash, the microwave explodes into bits and pieces. Negmanite emerges from behind the electrical socket. Kids begin to panic out of the room.
"I don't want my blood sucked." Niko cried.
"Me too!!!" Miko screamed.
Alistor takes his stand against the monster.
"It's too cramped in here. We need to take this outside." Auroa suggested.
The party rushes out of the office as the monster came crashing through the window. Maigashi goes on to fire a few shots.
"Let me have the first hit."
Three electrical arrows hit Negmanite, but the attack is seen getting absorbed within contact. The monster retaliates with a wave of beams sparking towards them.
"Damn, my moves will be useless." Maigashi nods.
Bamboo goes to take cover, shielding the children as Auroa goes in with his whip. The monster avoids his winds without effort.
"This one's fast. I can't get a lock on it."
Alistor makes a strike but misses. Negmanite is seen moving through the leaky pipes and power sockets.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! My monster won't go down that easily. Look around! We're surrounded by power and drain systems. Negmanite is made of energy."
Within moments the labyrinth can be seen shadowing over Hazefall. But, then, the power systems below blackout, leaving only the campfire in place.
"This isn't good."
The monster proceeds to the next faucet as Alistor attempts to land a direct hit. He continues to mindlessly swing, but Negmanite proceeds to retaliate with a gush of water.
"Looks like you're all washed up." The General pestered. "Now finish him!"
Negmanite proceeds with a few stomps to the ground as Alistor did his best to roll out of danger. Auroa intervenes with a few whips to stall but gets sent back from a blast of water.
"Watch yourself!"
Alistor makes his way to the director's position. The man, still half-naked, stumbled over as he slips by. The monster immediately comes to a halt.
"Something disrupting it!" Maigashi pointed.
An astonished look was on the General.
A sticky substance lay smeared below the monster's feet. Its form begins to deteriorate from the bottom as Alistor went in to make a cut. Slicing off part of its leg, the monster quickly pulls itself to the nearest drain.
"What? Argh! Of all the weakness."
Before the party had a chance to charge forward, the General takes to the air.
"A change of plans! We already drained the power! Now we need to fully contaminate the water. Negmanite! Get to the dam!"
The monster materialized into the leaking pipe as it makes way to the Hazefall dam. Before the party proceeded any further, they quickly begin gathering some supplies in the kitchen.
"What are we looking for?" Bamboo asked.
"Anything sticky." Auroa pointed. "I got a plan."
Bamboo pulls out a massive jar of maple from the cupboard.
"Will this do?"
"Perfect!"
Back outside...
"So, what's the quickest way to reach the dam?" Alistor asked.
"Well, there's a big gondola that can take us there in a few minutes," Niko mentioned.
"Then lead the way."
As Niko led the way, Negmanite arrives on top of the dam.
"Now get to work!"
The monster begins soaking its arms into the waters. Slowly polluting the system as negative energy flowed to the labyrinth.
"Good! In a matter of moments, nothing but a waste field will be left behind." Shellshock mumbled to himself.
"Sorry to rain on your parade."
Alistor and the team arrive at the scene.
"Argh! Whoopers, get them!"
Enemy soldiers begin rushing forward, but Maigashi jumps in.
"I'll handle these bogeys. Take out that monster!"
Bamboo begins setting the jar in place as Alistor charged at the monster.
"Here goes!"
Negmanite halts with the draining as Alistor came in with a Star Breaker. The monster dives into the waters, stopping him in place.
"Where did you go?"
Geysers begin shooting from the dam as everyone rushed to higher grounds. Whoopers are seen getting swept away by the friendly fire. Negmanite came emerging from a geyser as Alistor fell back.
"Whoah, watch out!" Bamboo hollered.
Within a split second, the wind begins shifting the waters back.
"What? A change in altitude?" Questioned Shellshock.
Negmanite lands over the ground delivering a softer impact. The sound of a jar shatters from the crack of a whip.
"Oh no! Negmanite!"
The general retreats back as Auroa emerged from the shadow.
"Now, Alistor!"
The monster lies wholly covered in the syrup's sticky mess as Alistor delivers the final blow.
"Star Breaker!"
Negmanite's entire body begins breaking from the inside as sparks flew. Shellshock starts to back away as the monster falls into the water, creating a massive explosion. Water rains over the scene.
"I'll get you next time!"
The general flies off into the horizon as the labyrinth fades away. Then, finally, a morning light begins to break in, with a rainbow appearing over Hazefall.
"Well, ya look at that." Bamboo smiled.
The camp looks over to admire the sight. Sometime later, the party was seen packing as the kids proceed to bid their farewells.
"Well, it was a lot of fun," Niko admitted. "Hope you'll visit in the future."
"We'll never forget you." Miko smiled. "That dollhouse was fun!"
A distasteful look was seen on the director's face as the rest waved goodbye. Then, Bamboo takes off with the car into the horizon.
"And that was Hazefall," Alistor muttered.
"Too bad we couldn't stay longer." Maigashi shrugged.
"Yeah… Being let off is something." Auroa admitted. "I don't think we'll be back anytime soon. We're not what you call the ideal candidates in the director's eye."
The team starts to have a small laugh.
"See! Good bonding we have here." Bamboo noted. "If you guys keep up the hard work, next week I might take us someplace snowy."
The last sight of the Hazefall Dam stands strong from a distance.