Operation: NECSUS, Part 8: Mocha's First Match

Chapter 8: Mocha's First Match

Shooting Star; lone asteroid in space

The radio turned itself off after a while. The two finally woke up after three hours of peaceful, undisturbed sleep. Nebula slept as great as she always did, despite her uncomfortable position. Although her body felt rather numb after awakening.

"Yaaaawn. Boy, do I miss my cozy bed. How'd you sleep, Vweeb?"

"Yaaaawn." Vweeb was still tucked behind her ear as he stretched. "A lot more than you did."

"You Kateenians and your special privileges." She shook her head. "Sigh… that was a nice sleep. Okay, it's time to move out. We have to get to Amazonia and find that Dimensionator." Nebula quickly started the ship up and took off.

"Hey, Nebula, when you read the message from that artifact… didn't it say something about Six Clans, and 6 pieces, or something?"

"Yeah, it did… I'm guessing it means the Dimensionator's broken into six pieces. And one of them is with the Amazonians."

"But didn't it also say something about the prize going to 'someone who matches the size and strength of the Amazonians'?"

"I know… I guess it means they'll only give it to one of their kind; or someone who's just as big. I don't suppose you would be a worthy candidate?"

Vweeb glared. "My mom might, though. She isn't as big, but, she's strong, and she practically acts like them."

"She does. Fine woman." She smirked. "Anyway, I'm sure we'll figure out something. Maybe they have growth potions or something…" And so, they continued on the flight to Amazonia.

Amazonia; Hancock's Throne

Boa Hancock had her head rested in her hand as she sat on her throne. One leg crossed over the other as Chris Uno smoothed her toenails with a giant file, which he had to hold with both arms. "Arceus, please don't let Cheren find out about this." He whispered. "Can I take a break now?" he asked exhaustedly.

"Ohh?" She made teary eyes. "Don't you want my nails nice and smooth?"

Chris couldn't say 'no' to those gorgeous eyes. "Um… y-yes, of course I do." So he returned to filing. Hancock smirked humorously as she stroked the petrified hair of Artie Gilligan on her left armrest.

A blond-haired Amazon named Margaret came up the stairs and spoke, "Empress Hancock, there are ships coming down. They belong to MomCorp."

Hancock sat up with an angered look. "What does she want?! Oh well. Guess I better go." She stood up, stepping on Chris ("Ow!") before slipping her high-heels on. "I don't want you getting rusty. Find your sister and smooth her nails." She demanded as she walked away.

Chris lay smooshed flat on the ground. "Y…Yes, Ma'am."

Hancock's sisters accompanied her on the way out, stepping down the temple stairs as they approached the small group of spaceships hovering overhead. Mom stepped out on a small balcony on the flagship, alongside her sons, wearing her bluish-green fat-suit. "Why, hello, Boa." She spoke in a loving, motherly tone. "My, look how thin you three look." Her sons spared a weirded glance to the chubbier sister, Mariegold. "Strong, giant warriors, and you still know how to keep your figure."

"You know men are forbidden on the planet, right?" Mariegold reminded with a hateful glare.

"Correct, which is why my boys aren't on the planet."

"Well, you should know that I barely allow you in my atmosphere." Hancock retorted. "What do you want, Carol?"

"I'm on official business for Emperor Tachyon. It seems a group of human children have wandered onto this planet, and he would like me to find them. You haven't seen them, have you, Dearie?"

"Children?" Hancock instantly knew what she was talking about. "No. I haven't seen them."

"You had better not be lying." Walt spoke with a grim tone.

"Oh… you believe me, don't you?" Hancock spoke with her teary eyes.

The boys immediately fell head-over-heels. "Of course we do…" Larry said.

"Of course… they might be hiding on my body somewhere." :heart: Hancock winked.

The boys had hearts in their eyes, and their chest-hearts were beating out of control, drool falling from their mouths.

"QUIT YOUR GAWKING!!"

"Ow-Ow-Ow!" Mom slapped them.

"Peh. Stupid men." Mom said in her hateful tone. "If you didn't eat that Devil Fruit, they'd NEVER be as love-struck. Now did you see the pesky kids or not?"

"No, I haven't." Hancock stated more sternly. "Now why don't you run back to your man-master?"

Mom spoke caringly again, "Well, I'm sorry for wasting your time, Dearie. I'd love to scour this whole planet myself, but when you're aiming to conquer a multitude of businesses, you just can't have the time. I'll just be going now." She turned to walk back inside, but stopped and turned back. "Oh, but if it's alright, I'll be sending Killbots to search the planet in my place. Don't worry, they won't be a nuisance." With that, she and her sons continued inside, and the ships dropped a series of orange robots with tank wheels and machinegun hands before flying away.

"Alright, Killbots, Mom wants this whole planet searched for those children, captured dead or alive." A Killbot spoke. "The best way to do that is combine our-"

"SOMEONE SAID 'CARBINE'!" They immediately shot the previous Killbot. The rest of them decided to spread out and search the jungle, much to the worry of the Boa sisters.

"We're not letting them roam about the jungle, are we?" Sandersonia asked.

Hancock sighed. "I wish we couldn't… but you know what Mom has over us." The taller sisters exchanged frowns. "Siiiigh… I suppose the surrounding warriors will deal with them. I think I need a bath…" She returned up the stairs, her sisters following with concerned expressions.

Over Amazonia's atmosphere

The Shooting Star was finally coming into Amazonia's atmosphere. "So Tachyon is after a device called the Dimensionator, and one of the pieces lies on Amazonia?" Pollyx asked from the com..

"That's right." Nebula confirmed.

"As I expected!" Vweeb and Nebula gave disbelieved looks. "Our texts make a few mentions of such a device, but I had to be sure."

"You know where we could find the other pieces?" Neb asked.

"Not really. But those Six Clans of unique culture, may be something to look in to. If the Amazonians are one of them… I wonder who else it may be? A-Anyway, good luck on your quest, and be careful. Those Amazonians are a nasty bunch. Women… heh heh heh. Eh…" Nebula glared. "Emm… bye-bye now." Transmission ended.

The ship flew over the planet's jungle as they searched for a place to land. "Hey, what're those robots down there?" Nebula asked.

"Those are Killbots!" Vweeb noticed. "They're Mom's special force of assassin robots. She usually sends them out to dispose of worn-out robots, but I wonder why they're here?"

Down below, while the Killbots were searching the planet for Sector V, one looked up and noticed the small ship. "Hey, what is that? A shooting star?"

"SOMEONE SAID SHOOTING!" The others blasted the Killbot that noticed them, and at that instant, they all began blasting the spacecraft.

"Eyaaah, 'guess they're after us!" Vweeb concluded.

"We'll have to land someplace far away, avoid drawing attention. Tachyon probably wanted Mom to help hunt me down. But the Amazons shouldn't let them run around either. I hope they're going to help soon."

The Shooting Star landed in a small opening in the jungle before they climbed out. "Where would we even look, anyway?" Vweeb asked.

"Chances are, the piece belongs to the Empress of Amazonia, Boa Hancock."

"Boa Hancock??" Vweeb was suddenly excited. "The prettiest woman in the universe?? Oh, it's been my DREAM to… look at her!"

"Hoyyy-yoi-yoi." She shook her head. "Just don't catch her when she's doing something private. A bug like you, she'll show no mercy." (Play "Cobalia Wilderness" from Ratchet: Tools of Destruction.)

Stage 7: Amazon Jungle

Mission: Get to Boa Hancock's Temple.

The two passed through some trees and arrived at a small camp area of huge log walls, where Killbots were roaming around. Nebula exchanged a serious nod with Vweeb before they ran out, and Nebula began blasting the robots with her S.H.O.O.T.E.R.. "HEY, it's those aliens we're supposed to be looking for! Fire, fire!"

"You mean 'shoot them,' right?" another asked. "I don't want a repeat of the last incident-"

"SOMEONE SAID 'INCINERATE'!" They blasted the robot that said that. All fire was then directed at Nebula, who dodge-flipped as Vweeb jumped off her shoulder. The speedy little Kateenian hurried to the first robot, jumping up its tank-wheels and into an opening. He made it to the head and reprogrammed it to fire at other Killbots, but the others averted fire and blasted their ally. Vweeb jumped out before it exploded, but in their distraction, Vweeb was able to toss grenades at the others.

Once they were knocked down, Neb and Vweeb searched for a way out of the tall log walls. There were a few small forts in the camp with bridges leading to each other. There were also clotheslines with giant laundry hanging from them. Once again, women. Nebula climbed a ladder to the first floor of the fort, then had to cross a bridge with a Killbot patrolling. When the robot turned, Nebula ran up to toss a grenade from behind, easily destroying it. They crossed to the alternate fort, where Nebula had to launch her G.R.A.P.P.L.U.H. to reach the next floor. From there, she used a row of G.R.A.P.P.L.U.H. targets to swing back to the other fort, where they found one end of the clothesline.

Vweeb crossed the line to the top of one of the walls, jumping over and out of the camp. With that, he made his way around to the entrance (a little difficult since he had to trek a jungle of grass). There was a Bombbot walking around outside, which Vweeb climbed in to activate his self-destruct. Vweeb quickly jumped out and ran before the robot erupted a powerful explosion that destroyed the wall's entrance. Nebula smiled at his success as she jumped down and exited the camp, picking Vweeb up as they moved along.

They got to an open area where a river flowed through. Nebula ran in and tossed grenades at the robots, then began dodging when they fired machineguns. She ran between Killbots and tricked them to blasting each other (it's a lot easier with them than other enemies), then ducked behind a rock to catch her breath. "It's hard to focus when they're firing nonstop!" Nebula panted.

"You're not the one with sensitive ears." Vweeb stated. He hurried out and blasted his Stun gun at one's wheels, causing it to spin out of control and shoot its allies. He was the only one left, and as he looked around, he said, "Oh man. I'm gonna get fired."

"SOMEONE SAID 'FIRE'!" Nebula exclaimed, running out to blast and destroy him.

They passed through more trees and saw another, larger camp, where Killbots were sawing down trees outside. They were about to run out and attack them, but the robots were immediately shot by giant arrows, and the kids gaped when a group of cavewoman Amazons stepped out, wielding bows. "Ugh. Man or manbot, they no have ANY respect for nature." one stated.

"Haaack! Women!" Vweeb snickered. "Ope-" Nebula cupped a hand over him.

"Where these robots come from, anyway?" another Amazon asked.

"Perhaps we talk to Empress Hancock about them?" another suggested.

"No, I hear she taking bath. It disrespectful to disturb her. Women deserve privacy."

"Yes. Besides, would not want to get cursed." With that, they returned through the woods.

Nebula and Vweeb stepped out of hiding as Vweeb said, "Definitely wouldn't wanna get squashed by them."

"They were talking about a curse. I wonder what they meant?"

"Who knows what girls are talking about nowadays. …Eh, no offense."

Nebula eye-rolled. "Let's just hurry."

They entered the camp and found two Killbots around a fireplace, roasting some dead alien animal. "You know, I can understand wanting to hunt down and kill nosy children… but why does Mom always use us to hunt down her dinner?"

"She's cheap, that's why. This way, she doesn't have to kill the supermarket owners and have to pay for their funeral."

"But I thought she just sent secret assassins to do that?"

"She does. But then she has to kill them to avoid paying THEM!"

"AAAAHH HA HA HA!"

Nebula immediately tossed grenades to wipe them out. "Sorry, but Mom isn't getting her serving tonight."

"You know she'll just steal her kids'." Vweeb noted.

"Yeah, I know."

There was a Bombbot at the top of this camp's fort, but the ladder that led up to the fort was held up by two ropes. They looked to the corner and saw the familiar stand that belonged to Numbuh 20x40. They approached as his hologram presented itself. "Hey-hey-hey! Didn't think I abandoned THIS old thing, did ya?! Take a trip down memory lane, with GKND's classic N.I.N.S.T.A.R.! A weapon that NEVER gets old, just like that cruddy ninja manga that JUST needs to end! Just 3000 Bolts!"

Nebula paid the amount through the stand's transporter before 20x40 sent the shuriken device. "It's all yours, Mac! Um, Macette. Now go show them giant women how it's done! (And send me some photos if ya get the chance.)"

Galactic Kids Next Door: N.I.N.S.T.A.R.

Ninja Item Niftily Slices Terrorizing Attackers Readily

With the N.I.N.S.T.A.R., Nebula was able to cut the ropes holding the ladder and bring it down so she could climb up. She had to climb a few more ladders before reaching the top where the Bombbot waited. She grabbed the small robot and tossed it at a cracked end of the log wall, blowing it up to reveal a cliff over a misty chasm. There was a pathway that led down and to the right, so the two followed along. Nebula had to swing G.R.A.P.P.L.U.H. targets to get across gaps, and when there was a row of targets, boulders were falling between them, so she had to wait for them to pass before swinging.

She landed on a platform, where a wide chasm separated them and the next ledge, where a Killbot sat. There were several rocks sticking up from this ledge, which protected the two as the Killbot began blasting. It destroyed the rocks after a few seconds of shooting, but it would soon reach them. "Well, this isn't the best place to be. Any ideas?" she asked Vweeb.

The Kateenian noticed the rock on the left had a yellow glow emanating. "Hey… can we destroy that one?"

Curious, Nebula tossed a grenade and blew it up, revealing a Yellow Drill Wisp. "It's a Wisp!" The creature looked with surprise before immediately flying into Nebula's body, her body glowing yellow. "Whoa! I guess I can use its powers, too…"

"Well, you better use it fast." Vweeb said as the Killbot was ready to destroy their hiding place. She flipped toward the wall and called, "DRILL!" to burrow into the cliffside. She drilled directly past the Killbot's ledge, causing it to get unstable and make him fall. There were other Killbots seated on ledges, so Nebula drilled past them all to make them plummet.

Skill Point acquired: "Someone said Drill!"

She reverted to normal when she drilled into a cave, whose entrance was on another ledge. They passed through and found their selves behind a waterfall, jumping through and seeing it continued from the river they passed earlier. This lower river led them to a small ledge that overlooked a vast valley where Amazons roamed. They jumped down as Nebula approached a cavewoman Amazon, while Vweeb hid in her ear. "Um, excuse me? Can you tell me how to find Hancock's Palace?"

"It big structure over there." She pointed to the tall temple in the distance. "Empress taking bath now, so not best time to visit."

"Guess that's why it's important to call ahead o' time!" Vweeb remarked from Neb's ear.

"Huh? Who said that??" another Amazon asked.

"Uhhh… I have a coniferous earwig… it's a real chatterbox."

"YUCK!!" Vweeb popped out of her ear, covered in wax. "Shoulda packed Q-tips for the trip, huh??"

"Hey! It's a man!" the Amazon shouted.

"That man? Look smaller than normal." the cavewoman said.

"It's so cute!" another one squealed. "Can he do my hair?"

"Sorry. He's mine." Nebula declared before tossing a grenade at the woman.

"She want tiny man to self!" the cavewoman yelled. "Beat her 'til she learns to share!" They raised spears and stabbed down at her, but Nebula jumped back and blasted them with her S.H.O.O.T.E.R.. Other Amazons launched arrows, but Nebula dodged and threw her N.I.N.S.T.A.R. to cut their bows. It took more grenades than normal to knock them out, but they still prevailed nonetheless. Vweeb shot his Stun gun at some incoming Amazons, but it barely stunned their huge bodies, only slowing them a little. But while they were slowed, Nebula shot their shins to make them fall, but it took several hits for it to work.

They decided to bypass any remaining ones and hurried through the trees, still following the river's route. They reached a cliff over a swamp area, where crocodiles swam around below. A set of G.R.A.P.P.L.U.H. targets led down to a raft tied to a rock, so they swung across and landed safely on. They untied the raft and began to flow down the river, while crocs were swimming up to munch them. Nebula had to shoot and keep them back, while also having to move the raft left and right to avoid rocks in the river.

They began to flow into a cave, where rows of Lockjaw piranhas leapt out from ahead attempting to bite them, but they moved the raft into the gap of the Lockjaw rows and missed them. This process went on a few more times before a row popped up, in which one of the Lockjaws was actually an Orange Rocket Wisp. Nebula moved the raft so the Wisp would land on her, and she was able to absorb it. At that instant, a giant Lockjaw, as wide as the river, jumped up to swallow them whole, but Nebula changed to a- "ROCKET!" and propelled upwards with Vweeb through a hole.

They landed in a jungle area and passed through to reach a wide river area with several large platforms and wide bridges leading between them, with Amazons patrolling them. "You know, if they don't see me, you don't have to fight them." Vweeb noted.

"Yeah… but we also wouldn't get EXP." With that, Nebula ran on and started to toss grenades at the Amazons, making them slip and fall in the rushing river. One platform didn't have a bridge leading to it, but Nebula used G.R.A.P.P.L.U.H. targets to swing across. The next platform didn't have a bridge either, but Nebula saw the Space Lights down in the water. She conjured Space Blocks in those spots and used them as platforms to reach the ladder leading onto the next platform. They crossed a few more bridges, taking out Amazonians, before reaching the jungle again.

They followed an open path through the woods, which made a right turn to a straight, wide route where several lines of Killbots rolled forward. "We're far beyond the front lines, aren't we?" Vweeb said.

"Hang on… I might have a plan." Nebula picked up a small rock and threw it into a bush across from them.

"Huh?" A Killbot stopped to look around. "Did you hear something?"

"SOMEONE SAID 'SUBMACHINE'!" The line behind them blasted and destroyed the front, the ones behind them shot them, then the ones behind them, then behind them, until the very back row was left. The kids easily crossed the path and took the last line of Killbots out.

They got to a small enclosing with a ledge that overlooked another small river. Above them was a Rocket Wisp trapped in a wooden cage hanging from a branch, so Nebula tossed a N.I.N.S.T.A.R. to drop the cage and make it smash open on the ground. The Wisp shot into her body and let her absorb its power. "ROCKET!" She flew horizontal this time as they flew down the river, having to maneuver up and down as Lockjaws jumped up at different heights, munching as usual. The Rocket power was still limited, so Nebula had to grab other Orange Wisps on the way.

Another Giant Lockjaw leapt up to feast on them, so Nebula flew even higher, above the jungle and still grabbing Rocket Wisps as she flew. Killbots were dropping from ships above, floating down on parachutes as they tried to shoot Nebula. At one point, one Killbot was above another, but she flew in the space between and caused them to shoot each other. She then had to fly down and up and down and up to avoid Killbots in those respective directions, then had to dodge quickly when Killbots fell in random areas without parachutes.

They drew closer to the palace as Vweeb stood on the tip of Nebula's rocket. "Alright! We're almost there!"

"Good. Hopefully we'll be able to find-" But as luck would have it, the Color Power finally wore off. "Uh-oh." Nebula fell fast toward the ground while Vweeb fell after her slowly, being a lighter weight. However, a bird flew by and caught the Kateenian in its beak. "Vweeb!!"

"Hey!" Vweeb shook as he dangled by the shirt in its beak. "Kateenians aren't part of the worm family, so back off!" He shot the bird's eye and caused it to drop him straight to the temple. "Aaaaaaahhh!" He fell into a roof window that was oddly steamy.

After a forceful impact on the ground, Nebula dizzily recovered and hurried up the long stairway to the temple entrance. There stood the blue-haired cavewoman, Kug, who spoke, "You no look like from around here. You friend of earlier humans?"

"Earlier humans? …Um, I'm here to talk to your empress. Mind if I come in?"

"Empress taking bath. No disturb. I give you tour of palace, until she done." With that, Kug walked in as Nebula decided to follow.

Hope Vweeb don't get in too much trouble. she thought. (End song.)

Foggy room of the palace

"Gyaaaahh- uuh!" Vweeb bounced on the ground of some hot, foggy area, standing up to look around. "Cough, cough… euh… where am I?" Vweeb struggled to keep his eyes open. The thick, steamy fog was making his tiny body sweat, and it was so hard to see through. Still squinting his eyes, he reached his arms out and tried to feel around. He felt himself walk into a hard, solid wall, feeling around until he reached what felt like a rugged gap. He climbed to the next level, then approached the wall above, climbing up its gap.

He walked forward and stopped above a ledge, overlooking what seemed like a vast ocean. The fog was still too thick, but he could hear waves for miles. He looked around and saw the shadow of another land mass to his right. He approached the land mass and proceeded to walk across. Huge globs of water covered the odd, peach-colored surface. He crossed a hill that was a few feet above the lower ground. He didn't notice the tremendous eyes that opened on either side.

The hill ended at a ledge which Vweeb jumped down, and on either side of the cliffside were two parallel caves, with strange, giant hairs in both of them. Vweeb walked forward and crossed two, soft hills, which were oddly designed like lips. He then stood atop another high ledge, overlooking a vast valley between two, wide mountains. "Huuu…" Vweeb sighed, the heat growing stronger by the minute. "This sure is a lot… to fit in one palace. Am I… even in there? Whoa!" The mysterious ground started to quake, and before Vweeb realized, the vast landscape seemed to turn vertical. "Whooooa!" Vweeb fell past the round mountains and past several more miles of landscape before finally splashing in the sea.

"Bl-l-l-l-lurp, heeelp!" Vweeb frantically shook in the deep, thick water, hoping someone would hear him in this vast, foggy sea. But no one could possibly be around, and it seemed hopeless. The ocean's waves proved superior to his tiny, feeble body. Like a bug that mindlessly slipped in the pool, doomed to drown. It wasn't long before he sunk, and the water quickly slipped in to his tiny lungs. But before his end, a massive platform suddenly rose from below, saving his life. As Vweeb coughed water out, the platform whooshed and let him spill onto the land around the sea.

Vweeb shook back to his senses, seeing humongous waves surf over due to a force of incomprehensible size. Vweeb looked directly up, but the fog blocked his view of the gargantuan figure. The giant seemed to go up for miles, stretching all the way to the stratosphere. Finally, the giant knelt down, its face drawing closer and closer to little Vweeb. The tiny alien's mouth dropped: the ground that Vweeb was walking on was the face of a beautiful giant of immeasurable size and beauty. The twin caves were her nostrils, the hills were her gorgeous lips, and the mountains… well, you get the point.

"Ohhhhh!" The tremendous giantess's gasps echoed for hundreds of miles in Vweeb's tiny ears. "You… What are you…?"

"Uhhhhhhh…" Vweeb has never felt more madly in love. "I was just… dropping in…"

"Did you come in… to visit me?" she asked with a red face.

"Yes… I came to visit you…" Vweeb's face turned more red, making a goofy smile.

"But… you're just so tiny… how could you make it all the way here?..."

"Heheheh… I guess I… just wanted it so bad…"

"Mmmmm." Boa Hancock turned around. "Such a small little man… and yet… so very desperate."

"Ehhhh… Huh?" But Vweeb shook back to his senses when he had a clear view of Hancock's back. "Hey. On your back…"

"!!!" Hancock was stricken with horror. She spun around and slammed her hand on the side of the tub, greatly shaking the earth at Vweeb's height. "You!! You can't tell ANY one about that!"

"Uh… But w-what is it?"

"Just don't tell anyone… please?" She made a beautiful pose that Vweeb could never resist.

"Aaaahhhhh… O-Okay."

"Hm-hm-hm…" She scooped the teeny, speck-sized boy onto her pinky nail. "Awwww… you're so nice." She picked him up and lightly held him to her chest. "I'd like it if you stayed here… and be my pet."

"Gladly…" Vweeb seemed to lose all common sense, his love taking total control. "I'll gladly… be your pet."

With Nebula

"This our exercise room." Kug explained as they passed a huge room of giant exercise equipment. Amazons were running on giant treadmills, lifting giant weights, bending on giant exercise balls, and shooting giant arrows at normal-sized targets. "Where warriors train and be ready in case evil man attack. Keep physique young and beautiful." They then walked by a large gym where Amazons were playing basketball. "Here our indoor basketball court. We no can dunk, but good fundamentals. That more fun to watch."

"Mm-hm… that's nice." Nebula didn't really have time for this stuff. "Um… I really need to speak to your empress. So, if we could move this along quickly…"

"Empress taking bath. No disturbing. Especially because of Curse Mark."

"Curse Mark?…"

"Long time ago, Hancock and sisters battle evil snake demon, called Medusa. They take Medusa's power, so Empress now turn people to stone. They bare Medusa's evil eyes on backs: anyone look into them, get turned to stone. That's why no one go in when empress sisters take bath."

"Hmmm…" Nebula had trouble believing this tale. It was something to look into…

"You wait in guest room 'til she can come out. We got other guests today, with own man slaves. If you ask, but they no listen, so you demand, they do your hair." She showed Nebula to a small room before walking away.

"Okay… thanks." Nebula felt her black-and-white hair with a worried look. What's wrong with my hair? She entered the open doorway, but stopped in surprise when she saw who was there. It was Sector V, in which the boys seemed to be serving the girls. Harry brushed Haylee's hair, Dillon painted Kirie and Vanellope's fingernails, and Mason fed Haru and Sheila berries.

"You know, Chrissie, this'd make a great occupation for you." Aurora smiled as she relaxed in a chair while Chris smoothed her toenails. "Maybe you can find a part-time job in Sector J."

"Not in a million years…"

"Sector V?!" The kids looked up and noticed Nebula in the doorway.

"Nebula??" Aurora exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "You're alive!"

"Ho, thank goodness!" Chris beamed. "Maybe YOU can reason with these Amazons!"

"Think about it." Nebula smirked sarcastically. "How did you all escape?"

"Vanellope hacked their computer and tricked them to flying here." Aurora replied. "We met their empress, and… you know, stuff."

"Hold on, where's Artie?"

"You aren't gonna believe this," Harry projected, "but Artie got turned to stone!"

"What??"

"That empress has some weird power that turns people to stone!" Aurora followed.

"It's the Curse of Medusa!!" Haylee exclaimed. "It's real!!"

"Yah… but she's soooo beautiful, though." Aurora noted.

"Yeah… she is." Haylee agreed as hearts were in their eyes.

"Ugh, don't take a gurgle from those blokes." Sheila stated. "Ever since we met that empress, they've been goo-goo ga-ga over her. Ah mean, whaddo they see in her??"

"Frankly, I ain't so lovey-dovey… but even I feel somethin' for her." Harry mentioned. "Artie, I understand… but me?"

"Hmmm…" This made Nebula curious. "Well, anyway… I'll have to try and reason with her so she'll change Artie back. There's actually something else I want from her, too. Let's see if I can-"

"Hey, you. Brown female." Nebula turned when Ornik walked in. "Empress Hancock sisters want to see you."

She walked out as Nebula followed her with a curious look. The Sector V members exchanged glances and joined them.

They went to the palace's dining room, where the towering Boa sisters awaited them. Mariegold and Sandersonia wore suspicious looks while Hancock had a flirty smile, glancing down at her left shoulder. "Hmm… I heard that we had another guest?"

"Uhhh… that'd be me." Nebula raised her hand. "Are you… Empress Hancock?"

"Hm hm hm!" Hancock giggled. "So you're the one who brought this cute little guy!"

"Y-Yeah… wait, huh?" Nebula looked closer, finally noticing the tiny blue-white dot on her shoulder. Her little friend was lovingly rubbing his head against her neck. "Vweeb!!"

"Ohh, so that's his name!" Hancock blushed. "It's so cute! Can I keep him?"

"Unfortunately, no. I need him."

"Pretty pleeeease?" Hancock made teary eyes. "I promise I'll find you a new pet."

"Aww, just let 'er keep him…" Aurora said as the team (minus Sheila) fell infatuated.

"No!! And Vweeb isn't my pet, he's one of my operatives, AND my friend."

"HUUU!!!" The Amazons gasped loudly.

"Tiny male is superior female's FRIEND??" Kug questioned.

"She no use him to scrub inside of smelly shoes after day of invigorating exercise?" Thog asked.

"No! Well, sometimes… er, but that isn't the point! Just because someone looks inferior to you doesn't mean you can treat them as servants. We ALL know girls are superior to boys, but there're better ways of showing that."

"I second that!" Aurora declared.

"YEAH!" Haylee cheered.

"WHOSE HAIR WERE WE DOING?!" Chris and Harry yelled.

"Hmph. The day I think of men as friends." Hancock stated smugly. "They think so highly of themselves, treating women like tools. The only people you can trust are women. The only ones you can rely on to run a society. Girl rhymes with world, so we're a perfect match."

"Yes, what would our society be without fundamentals of basketball, or Twilight, or Arceus forbid nail-polish- Ow!" Chris was smacked by Aurora.

"Your nails would look a bit nicer if you tried it…" she stated.

"Hmph. Exactly what I mean." Hancock glared. "The only place in the cosmos for you are as slaves."

"Siiiigh. Well, I guess it's not my place to try and change the customs of a different culture." Nebula said. "But Artie and Vweeb are still our operatives and we want them back."

"Sorry." Hancock said as she pulled out Artie's frozen form, petting his head. "But I've already grown to love both of these boys. Boys rhymes with toys, you know, and they're so fun to play with. But if you want 'em so bad…" Hancock smirked, "you can always fight for them."

"Fight for them?"

"When women wish for the freedom of captured men, they must fight our warriors in Kuja Colosseum." Mariegold explained. "If you win, all the captured men go free. If you lose… they get snu-snu."

"Uhhhhh they're a little too young." Aurora mentioned.

"Then I guess I'll just crush them." Hancock said simply.

"Say what?!" Vweeb exclaimed.

"I'll do it gently…" Hancock said with a loving look.

"Okay, My Lady…" Vweeb said infatuated again.

"Wait a moment!" Sandersonia spoke up. "The rules say that Amazonians can fight for men's freedom, and they're allowed to bring support. If they fight in the colosseum, an Amazonian has to be with them."

"It only fair." Kug said. "Tiny female get smooshed if fight alone. She need equal chance like everyone else."

"If you say so." Nebula shrugged. "Anyone wanna help out? Anyone?" The Amazons in the room exchanged worried glances. "Sigh… well, that puts a hole in things."

At that instant, everybody jumped with surprise when the entire temple shook. The Amazonian Margaret ran in and yelled, "Empress! A train just fell from the sky!"

"What?!"

Everyone immediately headed outside, seeing a huge silver train crashed into a crater in the ground. "And… so does that." Nebula remarked.

"Nnnn-NYAH!" The train's door was forced open by a familiar giant girl with black hair, covered in soot. The rest of her friends dizzily climbed out.

"Nnnn… Did I make it in less than 10 parsecs?" Chimney asked, eyes spinning.

"I don't think that's how it works, Chimney…" Apis said.

"Hey, it's Mocha!" Dillon beamed. "And Sector W7!"

"…Wait a minute…" Nebula's attention was instantly fixed on the giant girl. She hurried down the stairway and ran to the dizzied team as they recovered. "You guys. What're you doing here?"

"Nnnn, we got this note that told us to come here at this specific date!" Chimney spoke, showing Nebula the note. ("Gyoooom!")

Nebula took the paper and read it curiously. "It…It says 'Nebula will need Mocha's help.' It lists the date, and the coordinates for this planet."

"You're Nebula, aren't you?" Mocha asked.

"Yeah… and you were one of Caesar's victims?" she remembered. Mocha nodded. "But… you're about as big as an Amazon. Which means…"

"Hey!" They turned back to find the Boa sisters. "Are these girls friends of yours?" Hancock asked.

Nebula faced her with a serious look as she raised a hand to Mocha. "This is Mocha, my Amazon friend. She'll be fighting with me."

"OOWAAAAH! YOU'RE AN AMAZON?!" Chimney screamed. ("Gyom-gyooooom!")

"Uhhhhh…" Mocha was confused. "Y-Yeah… I guess so."

"Very well." Hancock decided. "The combat will begin in one hour. We will show you to the arena so you may prepare."

Kuja Colosseum

It was five minutes until the combat, and the stadium was swarming with cheering Amazon women. Well, they weren't really cheering, just chatting loudly about the match or other things. The arena itself was a circular platform several feet above a lower floor surrounding. On the north end was a stairway leading to the throne of Boa Hancock, where the empress sat with her sisters by her side. Inside a south lobby, Nebula was refueling her weapons while Mocha was trying to lift Amazon-sized weights. "Even at MY size, these things are heavy. Why did I have to fight in this?"

"Because our operatives are in danger, and we can only save them by winning this combat. Unfortunately, we need an Amazon to fight, and your size fits that category."

"But I'm still just a human." Mocha frowned. "I can't match their strength just because I'm giant."

"Even if you can't, I can back you up with my weapons. Thankfully we're allowed to use them. …Who sent you that note, anyway?"

"Chimney said the R.O.C.K.E.T.-T.R.A.I.N. just appeared in their hangar and the note was in it; after the Punk Hazard thing. We assumed you or one of your friends sent it."

"How can that be? None of this started happening until yesterday. And you weren't even an operative. No one could have known this whole thing would happen."

"Then… who do you think did it?" Mocha asked worriedly.

"I don't know… but if they called you for help, I'd hope they have good intentions…"

Once their gates opened, Nebula and Mocha nervously stepped out into the stadium, walking up one of the thin stairways to the ring. "Welcome to Kuja Colosseum, where two fearless females dare to challenge our warriors for the freedom of two tiny man-slaves!" one of the announcers spoke. "On to you, Nog!"

"Thank you, Cosmos." A cavewoman Amazon followed. "Stepping into ring is child Amazon, Mocha, and tiny-slave leader, Nebula."

"YAAAAAY MOCHAAAA!" Chimney screamed from the audience. ("Gyom-gyooooom!")

Mocha nervously waved to her friends. The two skimmed the arena, waiting eagerly for their opponents.

"Today, these two will face a series of mighty Amazon Warriors, along with the esteemed sisters of Empress Hancock!" Cosmos announced. "If they win, the male slaves are theirs to play with once again! But if they lose, the boys will meet their ends under the bottoms of Hancock's lovely heels. Will these girls bring the goods? Let's find out. Nog?"

"Let combaaaat begin!" Nog exclaimed. (Play the "Arena Combat" theme from Ratchet: Up Your Arsenal.)

"Can't we have something besides Ratchet & Clank?" Vweeb asked.

Shut up.

Sub-game: Kuja Colosseum

Mission: Win the combat and rescue Vweeb and Artie.

"First to enter the ring, our lovely line of mighty Stone-Swingers!" Cosmos announced as a squad of Amazons swinging ropes tied around stones charged in and hurled their weapons at the two. Mocha grabbed some of the ropes and pulled the Amazons forward before shoving them away. Nebula quickly dodged the large, fast projectiles and blasted the women with her S.H.O.O.T.E.R., only damaging them a little bit. They hurled their stones again, but Nebula tossed grenades and destroyed the stones. A squad of Amazons piled onto Mocha, but Nebula blasted them to weaken their grip, allowing Mocha to knock them around. She managed to grab one by the legs and swing it into other Amazons to knock them out of the ring. She stopped as the one she was swinging was dizzy, so Mocha proceeded to toss her out.

"Up next are sword and axewomen. They make kids go slice." Nog announced as the next squad charged in. Nebula swiftly dodged one's axe, thankfully small enough to do so, before running underneath and dropping grenades at her legs. One swung her axe at Mocha, who grabbed and held it back before kicking her in the knee. Mocha took the axe and used it to clash with the weapons of other Amazons, flinging the weapons of their hands and knocking them to the ground. An Amazon thrusted her sword at Nebula, who jumped on it, ran to her face, and slammed another grenade against it.

Two Amazons ran at Mocha from both sides, but the giant girl ducked and kicked both feet at their shins, knocking them down before thrusting her elbow against their stomachs. With that, she proceeded to push them out of the ring, exchanging a smirk with Nebula.

"That's it for the swordswomen." Cosmos frowned. "Oh well! All that matters is that they tried!"

"Women- OW!" Chris echoed.

"But don't worry! I'm sure the archers will do perfectly!"

The next team of Amazons came, all standing around the ring as they aimed their bows. The two dodged as the arrows launched, but one of them grazed Mocha's arm below the shoulder. "Nnn!" She winced, but still ran forward, barely dodging the other arrows as she shoved an Amazon over the edge. Nebula blasted her S.H.O.O.T.E.R. at two's eyes, making them squint as Neb ran between them, tricking them into shooting each other's legs. "Ow!"

"Sorry."

"It's okay. Everyone make mistake."

"Yeah, but this is on PURPOSE!" Nebula exclaimed before launching a N.I.N.S.T.A.R. and scraping all around their bodies, allowing Nebula to run in front and toss bombs at their feet, causing them to fall back over the edge. The other Amazons ran around as they blasted arrows at Mocha, but the giant girl was able to grab some and hurl them back. Nebula tossed a N.I.N.S.T.A.R. and sliced the strings on some of their bows, allowing Mocha to run up and easily lay punches on them. When two more took aim at her, Mocha held up an unconscious one as a shield, then ran forward to swing that Amazon into the others.

"Hmmmm. Dese girls are good. Women are usually in prime, the younger they are." Nog said. "Not that age have any effect."

"I think it's time these girls move on to the NEXT round!" Cosmos announced. "Next, let us welcome the champions of Kuja Colosseum: the esteemed Gorgon Sisters! Boa Mariegold, and Boa SANDERSONIA!"

The slim, snake-tongued sister that was Sandersonia, and the obese, stern-faced sister Mariegold stepped onto the ring, standing much taller than the previous warriors. The two operatives wore smirks of confidence, however. "Heh! We'll knock you BOTH off your feet!" Nebula declared. "'Cause you know what happens, the bigger they are!"

"That may be so. But what if we had no feet to fall off of?" Sandersonia asked.

"Huh?"

"Gorgon Sisters: TRANSFORM!" The two touched hands and flashed as a rushing background suddenly appeared behind them.

"Form oooof: King Cobra!" Before their eyes, Mariegold transformed into a giant, yellow King Cobra.

"Form of: Anaconda!" Just as well, Sandersonia transformed into a giant anaconda snake.

Nebula and Mocha looked with surprise and fear as the massive snakes stared with wide smiles, hissing loudly. "Uhhhh… that sort of changes things." Nebula said worriedly.

"Know the power of the curse brought onto us by Medusa." Sandersonia hissed.

"This is your last chance to run away now…" Mariegold declared.

"Not a chance!" Mocha said determinedly. "I'm tired of running away! I'm staying to help my friends!"

"So am I." Nebula decided. "No matter what happens… I need to find the Dimensionator and save GKND."

Dimensionator? This caught Hancock's interest.

"It's Nebula and Mocha vs. Boa Mariegold and Sandersonia!" Cosmos announced.

"Let one-sided combat begin!" Nog exclaimed.

Boss fight: Boa Mariegold and Boa Sandersonia

The devious snakes hissed once more before gnashing rapidly at Nebula and Mocha, the kids frantically dodging away. Nebula ran back a good distance before tossing a N.I.N.S.T.A.R. at Sandersonia. "Hissss, attack from the front, then from behind, then repeats." Knowing this, the thinner sister dodged her head right, letting the shuriken pass, and when it kept coming back, she easily moved her head around and evaded it. She finally caught it in her fang and threw it back, but Nebula blocked it with another one.

Mocha tried to run around Mariegold as the bigger sister tried to smash her with her tail, but Mocha dodged the tail before getting behind and attempting to wrap both arms around the tail. She was unable to lift the gigantic snake, who ended up flinging Mocha away with her tail. Once in the air, Mocha was punched and slammed into one of the arena's columns.

"Nnn!" Nebula faced Sandersonia with nervousness, the anaconda keeping her devious smirk. She dodged a tail-smash from the snake before tossing two N.I.N.S.T.A.R.s, but the snake swiftly dodged them both before gnashing at Nebula, who jumped back. After recovering, Mocha ran at Mariegold in attempt to throw some punches, but the snake's skin was much too thick. "Hmph, I don't even NEED Armament." she declared before punching Mocha back.

Nebula and Mocha stood side-by-side as they tried to catch their breath. "These snakes… are a little stronger than I thought." Nebula panted.

"I don't suppose… this planet has any growth potions." Mocha panted.

"Hm, they seem to be getting a little tired, Sis." Sandersonia smiled.

"Good. Meat better with salt." The operatives glared as the snakes hissed, ready to gnash their fangs once more. Their heads came down, and the operatives readied to dodge, but- (End song.)

"Huh?" The sisters stopped when the stadium suddenly quaked. Everyone in the audience looked around for the source of the disturbance. A pair of gigantic hands gripped the roof of the east stadium, before a gigantic caveman, with a head covered in brown hair, raggedy white shirt, and muscular arms, revealed himself. "ROOOOAAAR!"

"AAAAAHH!" The audience Amazons screamed with terror.

"It's a… caveman?!" Nebula exclaimed.

"But… no man should be able to live here undetected." Hancock said. "Let alone a giant one. Could he…"

"MWAH HAHAHAHA hahahahaha!" A small flagship floated down from above, where Mom and her sons stood on its platform. "Sorry to drop in unannounced, but something just came up! TEAR IT OFF, you big bastard!"

"Rrrrrrr…" The giant grabbed the edges of the ring in both hands, causing the operatives and Gorgon Sisters to wobble off as he lifted it off its perch. He sent the platform hurling away before all eyes were directed at where it sat. Nebula and the Boa sisters gasped at the dark-pink crystal that sat in the center of the ruin.

"There it is!" The crystal brimmed in Mom's eyes. "The Dimensional Fragment! He was right!"

"Did Tachyon find out about it?…" Nebula wondered. The giant caveman carefully reached down and gripped the crystal in his thumb and index fingers.

"Mwah ha ha ha! Finally, the first piece of the Dimensionator is ours! Maybe NOW Tachyon will quit whining…"

"What do you think you're doing?!" Hancock yelled.

"Hancock, meet Geoffrey Giant! An ordinary Giant from Planet Avalar, who I 'commissioned' to test some experiments for me in exchange for a few thousand gems. I gave him the Human-Human Fruit, Model: Neanderthal. The strength of a caveman, mixed with his own Giant strength makes him stronger than ANY Amazon! But certainly not as smart. With his power, I can easily find ALL of the Dimension Fragments!"

Is she a customer of Caesar, too? Nebula wondered.

"That stone is a sacred relic!" Hancock declared. "You won't be flying away with it so easily!" She shot a deathly glare at the villains, and Mom's 3 sons were instantly knocked out. The Giant, however, scratched his head in confusion.

"Mwah hah hah! As a caveman, Geoffrey lacks the proper intelligence to be affected by your Conqueror's Haki!" Mom laughed. "Besides… it's not your place to interfere, Empress. Lest I decide to, EXPOSE the Curse Mark under each of your backs!" Hancock, Mariegold, and Sandersonia flinched.

Vweeb snapped out of his love-struck trance when he heard this. "Curse Mark?"

"The Curse Mark of Medusa?!" an Amazon yelled.

"Run for it, girls!" a cavewoman yelled. The stadium was soon clear of Amazon Warriors, with the exception of the Boa sisters.

"Huh! Cowardly little squirts." Mom huffed. "Using that silly little story, you keep them away at all costs and stop them from seeing the truth. But don't worry, Dearie. I have no intention of showing them for you. As long as YOU back off and don't interfere."

"…" Hancock only slouched in her throne and cupped a hand over her eyes. Her snaky sisters lowered their guard and reverted to normal forms.

"Hold on a second!" Nebula spoke up. "I don't know what you have over her… but I'm NOT letting you take that fragment!"

"Hm? Hey, you're the little brat TACHYON wants me to hunt down. Well, this is perfect! I'll wipe you out AND deliver the Dimensional Piece! Tachyon's not in a hurry, he can wait for it. GEOFFREY! SMASH those snot-bodies!"

"Roooo! Rrrrooo?" He stared confusedly at the fragment still in his fingers. Having nowhere else to put it, he shoved it up his nose. "OOOOOAAAARRRR!"

"Ahhh, you guys hear that, he just wants to go kayaking!" Dillon joked.

"Well… whaddo we do, Nebula?" Mocha asked.

"Just kick his butt, I guess. It's the only option."

"ARRROOOOOO!" (Play Gohma's Battle Theme (First Half) from Zelda: Wind Waker.) ("THANK you." Vweeb shouted.)

Boss fight: Geoffrey Giant

The giant caveman threw his fists down to crush them, but Nebula and Mocha dodged as Nebula threw grenades at his fists, making him wince slightly as he blew the smoke from his knuckles. He then grabbed chunks of ground in his hands to throw them on the kids, but Mocha was strong enough to punch the stones and shatter them. She grabbed one of the boulders and spun around before hurling it back at his face. He shut his eyes and wobbled forward slightly, crushing part of that side of the stadium.

He recovered and punched around the inside some more, forcing the two to jump around to avoid. He grabbed more boulders and hurled them faster, and Mocha was unable to grab and throw them without others blocking them off. The giant girl ran out of breath and ended up pelted by several boulders in the face. The Giant focused his attention on Nebula, who dodged the next boulder before tossing a N.I.N.S.T.A.R. up to his face, scratching around the eyes. He became distracted long enough for Mocha to recover and throw a discarded boulder to his face, totally corking his mouth.

The two laughed at this before Mocha grabbed another boulder and hurled it up, forcing the other one into his mouth. The Giant choked a little before falling forward, crushing the east wall of the stadium as he lay on the ground, coughing the boulder out. In his dizzied state, the two hurried over as Mocha reached up his nostril in attempt to pull out the Dimensional Fragment. "Yuuuck! His snot's made of glue or something!"

"MWAH HA ha ha! Never underestimate a Giant's nostril! Most of Galaxia's GLUE comes from their noses!" Mom cackled.

"That… is a very gross fact." Nebula said.

"GROOOOAAAR!" The giant pushed Mocha away and got back on his feet. They finally had a full-body view of him, seeing he was wearing a dark-yellow khaki loincloth. He stomped into the arena and shook the ground with each step. Nebula tossed grenades at his feet, but this didn't do much before he jumped high in the air and forced a bunch of boulders out upon landing. He started to kick the boulders around as Nebula dodged, while Mocha tried to push them back and stub his toes. As Nebula searched around for a weakness, she noticed one of the boulders was glowing yellow. She tossed a grenade and destroyed it, revealing a Drill Wisp inside. The Wisp shot into her body and granted her its power.

"DRILL!" She burrowed beneath the ground and drilled directly up against the bottom of his right foot. He gripped his foot and hopped on the other, allowing Mocha to toss a boulder at his toes and topple him down. Nebula ran to shove a grenade up his other nostril, exploding inside as he inhaled the smoke. "AACHOO!" The fragment came out, but it dangled from the snot, so he sucked it back in.

"Ugh. This is taking too long." Mom said in annoyance. "I'm late for an appointment with my chiropractor. He still owes me $200 for that Arm-Flexor. SCREW IT ALL you bastard and COME back to the ship!"

"Rooooo… roo-rooo." The Giant shrugged and began the walk to his Big Ship. (Play "Gohma Second Half" from Wind Waker.)

"Quick, go after him!" Nebula yelled as they gave chase.

"Right!"

The two charged after the Giant as he grabbed and chucked boulders back at them, which Mocha grabbed and chucked at the back of his shins, making him slow down slightly. A squad of Killbots were charging from ahead, forcing Nebula to slow down to dodge and toss grenades at them. One of the Killbots released an Orange Rocket Wisp, which flew inside Nebula and turned her to a rocket. "ROCKET!" She shot high into the heavens, and when she reverted to normal, she began to skydive and list toward the Giant, aiming to land on his head.

She grabbed hold of his bundle of hair as he furiously tried to shake her off. She ended up dangling in front of his face as she shoved another grenade up his nose. She finally dropped as the bomb exploded, and the fragment dropped out of his nose, with the smoke having dissolved the snot. However, the fragment landed in his open palm as he still carried it along.

Mocha helped Nebula up as they looked to the Giant, just seconds away from reaching his ship. "It's gonna get away!" Mocha yelled.

"Rrrrr…" Geoffrey suddenly stopped, feeling oddly dizzy. "Eeerrrrrr…" He couldn't move another step.

"WHAT'S WRONG with you, you bastard?!" Mom yelled.

Back at the colosseum, Hancock just noticed someone was absent from her shoulder. "Where's Vweeb?"

At this time, the Kateenian was inside the Giant's head, blasting his Stun ray at his already-weak brain. "I snuck in Nebula's pocket during the battle and got in THIS guy after she landed on him!" he exclaimed to no one in particular. "Now it's all up to them!"

"Well, whatever's wrong, now's our chance." Nebula said. "Mocha, try and push him down!"

"Right!" Mocha charged for the Giant's left leg and shoved it forcefully, throwing a series of rapid punches while Nebula tossed a shuriken at his right shin.

"Errrrrr…" Geoffrey finally fell on his back, his hand lying flat on the ground as the fragment fell out.

"NOOO! Get 'em, you worthless drones!" Mom ordered as another squad of Killbots came out. Mocha already charged over to start thrashing some while Nebula noticed the particular glowing-orange one. She smirked and tossed a grenade, retrieving the Rocket Wisp. "ROCKET!" Nebula shot straight for the heavens and came down even faster, finishing the caveman with a powerful impact on his stomach.

"EEEEERRRRRR!" He fell unconscious as his body shrunk back to normal (though he was still giant). Vweeb jumped out of his ear, shaking his head from the dizzy. "A little warning next time!" (End song.)

With her victory assured, Nebula walked over casually and picked up the Dimensional Fragment, tossing in up and down in her hand with a smirk. "CURSES!!" Mom pounded her control deck. "That damn clown told me the Caveman Fruit was a GUARANTEED success! You win this round, you rotten kids. But as soon as I'm done spanking the holy crap out of a certain clown, YOU'RE GETTING a worse punishment than Miss Trunchbull could dish out!"

"Ohhhh…" Walt, Igner, and Larry finally woke up. "What happened, Mommy…" Larry asked.

"QUIT SLEEPING AND GET READY FOR TAKEOFF!"

"O-O-Ooow!" She slapped the three of them again before they left for space.

Back at the colosseum

Sector W7 had fallen into deep sleep, and Chimney was first to awaken. "Oowaaah… what time is it?"

"HOW DID YOU FALL ASLEEP WHEN ALL THAT WAS HAPPENING??!" Nebula and Mocha screamed.

"It'll sure take a while to fix everything, though." Sandersonia observed. "Are you alright, Sister?"

"Hmm… as long as Mom showed her sorry self out, I'm happy." Hancock stated spitefully as she walked down to the operatives.

Sector V went down to join Neb and Vweeb as Hancock approached them. The empress still looked spiteful as she spoke. "…I suppose I should thank you… for getting rid of that thing."

"Well, there's one way you could do that…" Nebula hinted.

Hancock furrowed her eyes. "Hmph… cut off their cuffs." Sandersonia became a snake and gnashed forward, biting off the Sector V boys' chi-blocking cuffs.

Chris rubbed his wrists and alit flames in his hands. "Hoo-hoo, sweet!"

Hancock then reached under her robe and pulled out Artie's petrified form, setting him on the ground before unfreezing him. "Who-o-oa!" Artie shook back to his senses. "Did I just get snu-snu??"

"Now get off this planet before I have ALL you boys stoned." Hancock demanded.

"You don't have to tell US twice." Mason remarked as they were already walking away.

"I'll miss you, My Lady!" Artie yelled lovingly.

"You." Nebula snapped to attention when Hancock spoke to her. "…Just… who are you, anyway?"

"I'm Nebula D. Winkiebottom."

"Are you… human?"

"Half-Zathurian."

"…" Another word that caught Hancock's interest. "…Follow me." She and her sisters walked off as Nebula and Vweeb followed.

Hancock's Temple; basement

The empress led the operatives to an underground part of the palace. A mural was painted on the wall, of black-and-white beings standing under a black hole, and in the black hole's center was the Dimensional Fragment. "This is a prophecy that's gone back longer than we can remember. Our ancestors were entrusted a holy fragment that fell from the stars. They were told to watch it until someone of its race of origin would return to claim it. It's said they would need it to stop a war that took place eons ago."

"The war between Zathurians and Cragmites." Nebula figured.

"There's a Kids Next Door on this planet, too, of young Amazon Warriors. As a man, Tachyon has no say in the customs of this planet… but using Mom, he's been able to keep the Amazons under control."

That immediately raised the question in Nebula's mind. "Is that because Mom HAS something over you?"

"…" She didn't speak.

"I don't understand. If you're a powerful warrior of Amazonia… why does someone like Mom intimidate you?"

"…" Hancock shut her eyes. "I can't tell you. If the truth got out… I would lose my position as Empress."

"Does this have anything to do with the Curse Marks on your backs?"

"…" Hancock faced Nebula with tears in her rageful eyes. "That's none of your business! I gave you the Dimensional Fragment, now leave!"

"Well… okay." There was clearly a deep grudge between Hancock and Mom. Nebula wanted to know more about it… but she didn't have the time. She hurried out of the temple to return to her ship.

"Siiiigh." Hancock leaned her head against the wall. "It doesn't matter either way… the mark is still on my back. I can never be free of my past… and if the others knew… it could ruin our future."

"I know what the mark is."

Hancock gasped and spotted the tiny, white speck that was Vweeb on her shoulder. "My head was a little foggy from your beauty… but I thought I recognized it somewhere. It's what they use to mark slaves."

"Gnnn!!" She gritted her teeth in anger, seeing the smirk on his tiny face.

"Ahh, relax. I won't tell anyone."

"Huh?" The three sisters looked with surprise.

"A person's past is their own business… and if you don't want people to know… well, you don't have to tell 'em 'til you're ready."

This was hard to believe… coming from a boy's mouth.

Vweeb jumped up onto her giant nose as she focused her eyes together. "But it could be because you're extremely cute and I don't wanna see girls cryin'. It's what happens when you're a mama's boy. But you don't have to worry 'bout a thing. My tiny lips are sealed."

"…" Hancock could feel the honesty in his little voice. To think she was hearing this from a male… a very microscopic one, at that. 'Course, he was so small, she could've been hearing him wrong.

"Anyway, I gotta go." Vweeb said as he leaped off, landing lightly on the ground (even though it was miles high from his view on an Amazon's head). "We kinda got a mission to do. Maybe we'll come visit later! When you're not bathing… that is."

"Wait." Vweeb stopped and looked up. Hancock asked, "If you're not a slave… why do you follow Nebula?"

"Duh, 'cause she's my friend. You don't follow someone 'cause you're a slave, you follow them 'cause you respect them. You guys can have male friends too, if you let them. And if Nebula didn't have me, she wouldn't get too far. She knows that…" He winked.

"…Can I… ask you to do something?"

"Um, sure. I guess so…"

"…Destroy Mom. Tear her company down."

Vweeb could see the rage in her eyes better than anyone. He didn't know the whole story behind this… but because of that mark, he had an idea why she wanted Mom destroyed. The Kateenian smirked and raised his left pinky. "Count on it." Even from her incredible height, she could see him raise his pinky (also because of her Observation Haki). She got to her knees and lowered her right pinky, so that his could touch her nail. Of course, she never felt him do so… but the promise was sealed nonetheless.

With that, the little Kateenian turned and quickly hurried after Nebula. As odd as it sounded… Hancock would miss him.