Operation: NECSUS, Part 21

Chapter 21: Return of the Cragmites

Planet Reepor; over Cragmite Ruins

The Aloha Oe entered Reepor's atmosphere and was sailing across its vast wastelands. "So this is where Tachyon lives, huh?" Artie observed. "No wonder he wanted to be emperor."

"I called Jerome and said he'd hear from me again in half an hour." Nebula mentioned. "If he doesn't, we're probably in trouble and he should run around in circles, crying for help."

"Good plan, I like it." replied Artie.

"Uh-oh! If we had a plan, we better execute it!" Haylee yelled as ships started bombarding them. "We've arrived at their territory!"

Nebula loaded her S.H.O.O.T.E.R. and ordered, "Land the ship and charge forward! No reason to change things now. Gilligans, stay on the Aloha and protect it, it's our only way off this rock. Kids Next Door: BATTLE STATIONS!"

"(We really need to use that more.)" Chris mentioned. (Play "Aqueduct Assault" from Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze.)

Stage 24: Cragmite Ruins

Mission: Get the Dimensionator back and stop Tachyon!

Act 1

The heroes charged through a small field of Drophyd Troops, the fish-heads firing as Bender stretched over and pulled himself against a squadron. Vanellope glitched her way to a huge wall of cannons, attracting the cannons' attention as she zipped around and made them shoot other Drophyds. She was also carrying Vweeb, so she slipped the little alien into one of the cannons so he could dismantle it from the inside. Bender hopped onto another cannon so he could bend it in a loop and make it destroy itself, and Sheila hopped onto another to punch and dent it with her right fist, making it destroy itself. After Makava sliced the turret off the remaining cannon, Bender proceeded to bend the wall's gateway down and let them all pass.

They headed up a stairway that led to another field, where two long lines of Killbots rolled forward, ready to shoot. Kirie gracefully dodged their bullets and bounced on their heads to make them shoot each other, while Dillon slithered as a shadow underneath them and tricked them to shooting downward, causing the bullets to bounce back and hit them. Mason ran to the cannons on the left side and shot gas into their turrets, then Chris shot flames inside to make the cannons explode. Haruka and Aurora repeated this process on the right side, and once the cannons were gone, Bender made a terrific leap over the gateway and pushed the button on the other side to open it.

The kids hurried through and went up another stairway to an even wider field. There were elite Drophyd troops like Enforcers or Cyclocannons paired with Ruffians and Killbots. Nebula zapped Space Lightning up an Enforcer's legs while Vweeb dashed to a Ruffian Mech and entered its hardware to tear up wires. Vanellope glitched inside of a Killbot and made it shoot its allies before blasting at a wall cannon, and when the bullets didn't do much, she made the Killbot speed over and blow itself up on it. Just as well, Kirie got on a cannon and smiled innocently as she slid a bunch of teddybears from a T.H.U.M.P.E.R. down its turret. When the cannon clogged, it blew itself up when trying to fire.

Chris furiously punched away Ruffians with flaming fists while Mason and Haruka grabbed an Enforcer's legs in Poison Whips to make them melt and for the Enforcer to fall over. Nebula shrunk Makava with Space Shrink as the tiny swordsgirl leaped into a Cyclocannon's structure and started speedily slicing its wiring. The cannon's wheels fell off as the fish-head was exposed. Dillon got on another wall cannon and attempted a new shadowbending move, wrapping his shadow Mario around the turret and strangling it until it smashed. Afterwards, MaKayla froze the remaining turret in time and sped its years until it finally rusted and decayed.

With the turrets defeated, a computer terminal unveiled itself at the gateway. Vanellope ran over and hacked in to begin finding the code. She entered the code 'The New King' to make the final gate open. With that, all of the heroes charged forth and passed through a snaky cavern. At the cave's end, they looked before none other than Emperor Tachyon on his walking throne, his associates Mom, her sons, Vendra, Trunchbull, and Wolf O'Donnell by his sides. They stood atop a cliff as the kids charged forward. (End song.)

"My, my, if it isn't young Miss Winkiebottom." spoke Tachyon smugly. "For someone with so limited spacebending, you've traveled very far."

"Tachyon!" glared Nebula.

"Star Wolf??" Aurora recognized.

"Unos." Wolf glared with hate.

"Pig." Trunchbull snapped at Haruka.

"Bull." Haru stated simply.

"Mommy!" Bender smiled with glee.

"Hmph. Useless junkbot." Mom huffed.

"Girl in pajamas." Vendra said to MaKayla.

"Uuuugh! I am tired of!..."

"Mwah ha ha ha! So glad you fools finally decided to join us!" the emperor laughed. "I had no intention of starting the show without you. But first, I must ask, how do you fancy my new crown? Fairly fitting for a king of my stature, is it not?"

Well, it's somewhat decent, but you've REALLY got taste in jewelry! Kirie beamed, admiring the purple glowing gems on the crown.

"Heeey! THAT'S no crown!" Bender observed. "I stole hundreds of them, so I should know! That's…"

"The Dimensionator!" Nebula exclaimed.

"MWAH HA HA HA! Many thanks for finding it for me, Deeeear! We must pass the compliments to Lord Business later!"

"I don't understand! Pollyx was on his way here to banish you with it!"

"Where do you think it CAME from, you twerp?!" Mom shouted. She said in a more caring tone, "Pollyx dear, would you please come out so the kiddies can acknowledge you?"

"Em, I'd rather not…"

"Ugh!" Vendra snapped her fingers and warped Pollyx to the front. "Just do it so we can get this underway!"

"Pollyx? …" Nebula was nearly speechless.

"Eh, hello, Nebula. Um, remember when I said I would deal with Tachyon by myself? Ehh, I was actually ehh, going to give him the…"

"YOU DIRTY- Ow!" Sheila wanted to punch him, but her left fist ached again.

"You betrayed us, Pollyx?!" Vweeb yelled. "But why!"

"Because he's my employee, you dummies!" Mom smirked. "Ever since I bought his company! The only way he could stay in business and research his petty supernatural activities was to do what I said!"

"But he's the original owner of the company! Why would he let you buy it in the first place?"

"Mommy took his son," Igner mentioned, "and threatened to hold him hostage unless Pollyx did what Mom said- OW!" Mom smacked her son.

"Took his… son?" Nebula questioned.

"Well… yes." Pollyx admitted with shame. "My son went exploring a few weeks ago and never came back. Mom revealed to have captured him, and wouldn't release him until I signed my company to her. But even after that, she STILL wouldn't release him until I, er, tricked you guys into helping me find the Dimensionator."

"So that's why Sollyx never reported for so long…" Nebula spoke quietly. "Mom was holding him hostage all along?!"

"Why can't we have one adventure where one of our friends isn't a double agent?" Chris asked.

"Plot twists are always fun." Tachyon said. "And the real plot twist hasn't even happened, yet!" He winked at the readers. "Now let's get on with the real reason we all came here for: the dawn of Galaxia's NEW age! And now, by the powers vested in me as ruler of this planet, it is time for the Cragmites to rise AGAIN!" He pushed a button on the helmet, and in a flash, colorful fireworks and streamers came flying out, and a banner that read 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' "…Um… to rise AGAIN!" He pushed another button, making a punching glove hit Vendra.

"OW! Grrrrr!"

"…To rise AGAIN!" Another button pushed, making a curtain cover Tachyon's body. Many buzzing sounds were heard, and the curtains unveiled to reveal him dressed like Sailor Moon. He pushed the button again, and the same actions happened to get him back to normal. "…How do I work this thing?"

"Turn the dial on the top." Nebula replied.

He did so, and the device puffed up. "And?"

"Just tell it who you want it to find." Nebula answered.

"Okay, thanks. Ahem… Dimensionator: FIND the CRAGMIIIIIITES!"

The Dimensionator unleashed a powerful blast into the sky, and a wind began to blow across the land as a tremendous vortex slowly grew. The kids only stared with anxiety, wondering what foul monsters would emerge from the spiral. Tachyon and Mom smirked wickedly, for the key to universal conquest was seconds away. Trunchbull stood impatiently, wanting to just whip some kids, and Wolf blew his cigarette uninterestedly. And of course, Vendra glared with impatience, hoping these Cragmites would hurry up so she could have the Dimensionator.

Several beams of light shone down from the vortex, and when they touched the ground, several silhouetted beings made their presence known. They looked very buff and vicious, ready to tear anyone limb from limb. Then… the lights vanished, and the Cragmites revealed. An army of vicious, insect-like monsters… all standing around and drinking tea like charming gentlemen. Some sat at tables with lovely curtains, reading newspapers or drinking tea, while some dined on delicious crumpets.

"Aaaaaahhhhhck." Tachyon and Mom's mouths nearly fell open in unspeakable shock.

"I say, whatever happened to the fine veranda we were just dining on?" a Cragmite asked in a British accent.

"This new décor really doesn't peek my fancy." a female replied.

"… … …" Tachyon and Mom still had no words.

"Didn't you say the Cragmites were banished by the Zathurians 2 million years ago?" Dillon asked Nebula.

"I guess a culture changes rapidly in such a huge amount of time." Nebula figured.

"Grrrrr WHAT ARE YOU FOOLS SITTING AROUND FOR?!" Tachyon screamed. "You're supposed to be TEARING THEM LIMB FROM LIMB!"

"Mmm, pleeease. What do you think we are, Neancragerthals?" a Cragmite asked.

"But I…I…"

"If we're all done here, we really must be going. We're having cricket this evening, don't you see. We don't know how to play it, but it's what we do." And with that said, the Cragmites turned into beams and shot up to the vortex again. The portal closed in an instant, and the barren fields fell into dead silence once again.

"… …" Tachyon and Mom turned back at the heroes with an honest-defeated expression. "…Um… I honestly expected your bones to be removed from your flesh by now. …I didn't come here with any Plan B whatsoever."

"That's disappointing." MaKayla said simply.

"Great, so the Cragmite invasion's a bust." Vendra summarized. "Can I have the Dimensionator now? I don't have time for this."

"Time… Wait…" It was then that Tachyon noticed the peculiar staff MaKayla was holding. "It couldn't be… GRAB THAT STAFF!"

Faster than they could react, Wolf flashed over and KICKED MaKayla away, taking her staff and jumping back to Tachyon. "I KNEW it!" The emperor said as he observed the clock. "The legendary Chrono Staff, held by the Time Spirits of old! With this, the Dimensionator can travel through Space AND Time!" He yanked the clock off and stuck it on the Dimensionator's front.

"Wait! Neither invention was meant to utilize the power of the other!" MaKayla told him.

"Blah blah blah, complain to your Time God. DIMENSIONATOR! Find the Cragmites from about 1,499,899 years ago!" And the invention sparked to life again, glowing blue as it harnessed the power from the Chrono Staff's clock. Another portal opened in the sky as blue light shone from it, and legions of figures rained down onto the fields.

"RAAAAAAAHHH!" a Cragmite Warrior landed before the kids, roaring with bloodthirsty rage.

"MWAAAAH ha ha ha ha haaaaa! IT WOOOORKED! Now let's get the REAL fun started!" Tachyon stood upon the cliff's ledge and announced to his legions, "CITIZENS of Reepor, WELCOME to the future! I am Emperor Percival Tachyon, your NEW ruler! Two million years ago, the Zathurians destroyed you! But NOW you are back, and all but 3 Zathurians have been extinguished! Today, we shall destroy them all, and take our RIGHTFUL place as rulers of the universe! And with the Dimensionator, the ultimate powers of Space at our disposal, NOTHING will stop us!"

"Grrrr!" Nebula ran at the emperor and attempted a blast of Space Lightning, but Vendra blocked her with a Space Block and blew it up to push her back. "Whoa!"

Wolf zipped around fast as lightning and kicked all the kids off their feet. Chris and Aurora ran at and threw fire at him, but he dodged behind and "Finger Pistol!" pressed both his index and middle fingers together to pierce their backsides like bullets.

"HuuuUUUUH!" Sheila ran at Trunchbull to attempt a forceful punch with her right fist, but the muscular principal easily punched her back and flung her against the wall in a flash.

"Impudent worm. NO child is STRONGER than ME!"

"Uhhhh, come on, even a TEACHUH is gettin' my species wrong!" Sheila groaned.

"Heeeee!" Vanellope glitched around and kicked all of Mom's kids in the head, but when she went for the Corporate President, she suddenly stopped and started sparking in midair.

"Hmph." Mom smirked and simply smacked Vanellope back to her friends.

"Vanellope!" Dillon exclaimed.

"If we're all done, let me use the Dimensionator!" Vendra demanded.

"Not until victory is assured." Tachyon wagged his finger. "You can speed that process, by warping these fools over the boiling acid RIVER!"

"Uuuuugh!" With that, Vendra snapped her fingers, and all heroes were teleported in an instant.

"MWAH HA ha ha!" the emperor laughed. "At last, it's DONE! Well, almost. It's time to enforce Cragmite rule across Galaxia! Starting by conquering Coruscant and SHOWING those lousy senators OUR SUPREME POWER! Then, my dear, you will have what you WANT." Vendra only glared with spite. As Tachyon's walking throne marched forward, he said to his muscular accomplice, "Trunchbull! Search the area to see if those kids are still around. I don't trust Miss Vendra's actions. I leave Cragmite command in this area under your control." He handed her a Cragmite badge and continued forward.

"Hmph. In charge of wretched vermin again. No matter. I was actually looking forward to this." With that, the evil principal walked off.

"Ahhhh, the smell of victory." Tachyon sighed. "Smells like tart. Oh well. But with the powers of Space and Time at my command, the Cragmite Empire will NEVER-" However, he heard a spiraling sound above and looked up with confusion. "What the…?!" His eyes widened.

Jerome and Neftin's ship, half an hour later

"Hmmmm… no call from Nebula. She must be in trouble." Jerome assumed.

"In hindsight, she should've set the time higher." Neftin commented.

"Well, action stages don't usually take that long. Let us just see how they're doing." Jerome attempted to call the Aloha, but-

"The number you have dialed has been dissolved into matter. If you would like to make a call, wait until all the particles are back in place."

"…Well, that's not a notice you get everyday." Neftin said.

"Sigh, alright, they've been captured. And it's safe to assume their ship's incapacitated, so we'll probably have to carry them."

"I don't know if you noticed, but you and me have a hard time squeezing in together as it is." Indeed, their little cockpit was fairly small, likely only meant for Neftin. "We're gonna need a bigger ship."

"…Wait… is that-?" Jerome looked ahead and saw a long, snaky ship swerving uncontrollably in the distance.

"-aaaaaaaAAAAAHH!" The R.O.C.K.E.T.-T.R.A.I.N. zipped by them like a bullet, going to an asteroid garden and bumping all around the drifting rocks.

"Chimney, slow down, we're going to crash!" Apis yelled.

"Those funky fruit juices on Amazonia ain't do me good no, HOOOHHN?"

"Gyom-gyoooooom!"

"Ooooooh, I didn't sign up for this!" Sollyx whimpered. "Can I please get off at the nearest field of monsters?"

"…" Jerome and Neftin raised curious brows.

Back on Reepor

"…Mmmmm… oww." Dillon awoke at the bottom of a dark gorge, looking up to see if they've fallen from where they just were. He couldn't tell. He heard sparking nearby, and gasped at Vanellope's unconscious, glitching form. "Vanellope!" He hurried over and held her head up.

"… A-Guuuhh-guuuhh-guuuhh-" She regained consciousness, "Ow! That Mom sure smacked me silly! Let's get up there and- kiiii-kiiii-kiiii KICK her gravy pots!" She fist-palmed, smirking with her usual spirit.

"Vanellope, that…that's not a good idea. She's doing something to make your particles short out, that was the second time. And you were already…"

"Already wh- uuuuhh-uuuuhh-uuuuhh- at?"

"Vanellope, you're-…y-you're glitching more than usual." His lips trembled. "I-It's… worrying me. I think you should sit these next battles out."

"Dillon, I dunno what you're talking about, I don't feel any- di-, di-, di-, di-, different."

"Just then!! You don't feel it happening, but you-… sigh, Vanellope, just… let's just go back home after we get off this planet, let you rest in the KND's computer network. Please…"

"Helloooo, Earth to Dillon, we can't go home when we're in the middle of saving the universe! We're this close to kicking Tachyon's butt! And I dunno about you, but I wanna teach that outta-date hag a LESSON."

"But you-"

Vanellope froze and glitched before taking Dillon's hands. "I'll be fine, Dill." she said with assuring eyes. "Quit worrying about me. You don't see Mason get that way with Sheila."

"Um, he does that with Sheila all the time."

"But does she ever listen?" she smirked.

"…" Dillon made a light smile. "She really doesn't. Siiiigh. Okay, let's get back to the others." He said more spiritedly. "We can't let those Cragmites conquer the galaxy. Let's hope Haylee and the triplets can keep the Aloha in one piece." He pulled out his wristwatch communicator and said, "Guys, this is Dillon. You read me?"

With Nebula and Vweeb

"Yeah, we read you." Nebula replied. "Looks like Vendra separated us in a fairly close proximity." There were several dots on her map representing the other operatives. "No reading on Bender, though. We'll try looking for him, you guys search around in your areas."

"Roger that." Mason replied.

"Okay, let's go, Vweeb. With the Cragmites working with the Drophyds now, our situation multiplied. We need to get off this planet and find where Tachyon's headed." (Play the "Gloomy Glacier" theme from Spyro: A Hero's Tail.)

Act 2

Nebula and Vweeb journeyed through the bottom of a deep canyon and found eggs that hatched Cragpoles, which were baby Cragmites. They came at them fast and gnashed quickly, but Nebula jumped away to blow them up with a grenade. The duo approached a wall that was too high to climb, but had parallel walls for a Wall Jump. The walls moved back and forth from each other, but at their closest point, they were too far apart. Nebula got on Split Pads and did the Space Split to have both halves kick off their own wall, then each other. They made it on top and overlooked a wide area within the trench, but Nebula didn't join back together yet, as they saw another tall Wall Jump across a river of acid. The walls were far apart, so she would need both halves.

To get across the river, both halves would need to cross two separate balance beams that zigzagged as they went across. One basically mirrored the other, so it was easy for both halves to stay on. The only hazard was Bonejaws, which were skeletal Lockjaws, leapt over the beams at different parts, so Nebula had to walk past those parts quickly. At the end of the beams, three Bonejaws jumped over the thin footholds, quickly but one at a time. They were closer on the left one, but further on the right, so it was like six Bonejaws jumped across the beams. The process was still the same however, and both Nebulas got across.

They had to cross one more toxic pool, which had G.R.A.P.P.L.U.H. targets jumping out at either side, at different parts and times. Nebula had to wait until there were two targets on either side at once, so both halves could swing across. Finally, they arrived at the three-story Wall Jump, in which the parallel walls had acid streaming down. The two halves had to Wall Jump the gaps between the acid, until they safely arrived at the top. The Nebula halves rejoined as they entered a wide open area above a toxic pool. They crossed a sloped path that led onto a platform that was the connecting point of various pathways within the trench walls.

"Helloooo! Bendeeeerrr?" Nebula decided to call out.

"Over here!" a voice called.

Nebula gasped. "Bender?! Where?!"

"Right HERE!" The two looked to a short rock and gasped: there lay Bender's severed face, only his eyes and mouth, and cigar. "Those cruddy Cragmites took mah body! I only have my eyes and mouth! Guess they didn't like all my staring and screaming. But at least I have a cigar." But just then, an alien rat came up and took his cigar. "Hey- What the-?! DAAAWW!"

"Bender, did you see where they took it??"

"Well, they took my chest and took it over there!" His eyes directed that way. "And they took my legs and took 'em over there!" Another way. "And they took my antenna and took it over there! And-"

"Okay, okay. Just wait here, we'll bring them back." Nebula spoke into her communicator, "Guys, we have a problem. Bender's body's been scattered, it's all over this area. Find his individual parts and bring them back to my coordinates."

With Sheila and Kirie

"Oiiii… Oi need me a soda." moaned Sheila as she and Kirie recovered.

This is no time for drinking, Sheila! Bender needs a Body Parts Scattered Across A Plain Rainbow Monkey! Kirie exclaimed.

"Ah dunno wot you said, but how 'bout we find Benduh's body parts so we can get back to the ship and get a soda."

Siiiiiigh.

The two journeyed through their own canyon and had to glide to platforms over a small river of acid, using their respective powers. At the end of this river, they climbed a rugged wall to a wide field where Cragmite Warriors roamed. The warriors blasted green energy balls at the girls, but they easily dodged as Sheila ran forward and punched the first one across the face. Just as well, Kirie ran to another one and sliced it to pieces with flower petals, but they only divided into Cragpoles and tried to munch on the girls. Sheila punched the Cragpoles away with Light Spheres, but jumped away when the other warrior ran to scratch at her with long claws.

Sheila ran behind the warrior, jumped off its back, and came down with a Ground Pound. Kirie jumped on another warrior from behind and covered his eyes, making him run around aimlessly and run off the cliff. The kids bypassed the remaining Cragpoles and proceeded to climb up an even higher rugged wall. The grabbable part went a little zigzaggy and had several boulders dropping from above. In some of the narrow parts, Snapdragons popped out to bite them, so they waited until they went back in their holes. Usual cliffside climbing stuff.

After reaching the top, they saw a pair of robot legs running around a wide field. The legs went different directions, so Sheila and Kirie ran to chase one. Kirie tackled one to the ground as it kicked her head, but she subdued it in time. Sheila chased her leg and managed to pin it under her feet, stomping it furiously until it finally conked out. With that, both grabbed their legs and carried them through a narrow passage within the wall. It led them to Team Nebula as they dropped the legs beside Bender.

With MaKayla and Makava

The timebender in pajamas was hanging upside-down above an acid river as Makava held her right leg, while hanging onto her sword that was stabbed in the wall. "I guess you timebenders have an according with the meaning 'hanging by a thread.' By the way, nice underwear."

MaKayla blushed slightly. "Siiiiigh…" Makava then tossed her to a nearby ledge, then proceeded to swing over herself. MaKayla then looked at her clockless staff with a frown.

"Your dad's probably gonna kill you, huh?" Makava said.

"Probably. But we have to get the clock away from Tachyon. Who knows how long the Dimensionator will last with the powers of Time clashing with it."

"Let's find Bender's parts and get on to that, quick."

The girls sidled across a thin ledge with holes in the wall that spewed out acid geysers. They waited for these geysers to calm before going ahead, making it to a bigger ledge before a narrow river where acid geysers shot up platforms from below, but they quickly went back down in 2 seconds. When the platforms flung up, MaKayla slowed them in time with Time Bombs so the two could cross easier, making it to a battlefield where Cragmite Hunters roamed.

There were 3 hunters and they kept a safe distance as they shot at the girls. MaKayla started a Time Recordance and ran to the right hunter, making it back away and blast at her. She restarted so the clone went for the hunter, and when it was distracted, she herself ran from behind, jumped, and knocked it out with a whipping spin-kick. She ran to start chasing another hunter, then restarted the Recordance again. When the second clone chased the second hunter, Makava went to slice it from behind, so MaKayla chased the third, remaining one. With that, the recording started again so the third clone distracted the last hunter, and she took it out by catching his neck in her staff from behind, flipping over, grabbing his snout in her legs, and flipping again to slam his head against the floor.

The girls continued across a set of platforms that appeared over the acid river. They landed on a floating flat rock that began to drift down the river. It was coming to a pile of rubble, but MaKayla reached the stick of her staff over and whipped the pile to make it Rewind to its fixed state, clearing the way for the rock to sail. Up ahead, a Cragmite was jumping around and blasting part of the trench walls, making more rubble fall, so MaKayla had to quickly whack them back into place. The Cragmite was also launching eggs at them, but Makava defended her ally from the projectiles by jumping and whacking the eggs away.

When the platform was nearing a waterfall (or acidfall), Makava tossed her swords into the left wall below a cave, so the two used them to bounce up there before she called the swords back. The Cragmite took aim to shoot them, but MaKayla froze him in time before she and Makava zipped over to whack and cut him from all directions. He unfroze and broke into Cragpoles, which MaKayla easily knocked out with her staff. "Even without the clock part, you're pretty quick in a tick." Makava complimented.

"Well, I was already formidable without it." Kayla smirked. "If I had it, I'd be way more powerful."

The two crossed a narrow path over some acid to a set of cliffs at different heights. The cliffs each had 4 holes in them, and those holes emerged a Hothand when the kids walked by. However, two of the holes had small, robotic hands, which they recognized as Bender's, who waved at them. The hands came out of random holes, and it was hard running back-and-forth between each cliff to try and grab them. MaKayla just waited for one to come out of a lower hole, then she tossed a Time Bomb to run and grab it easy. Makava stayed in the middle of the top holes, then saw the hand pop out of one and quickly grabbed it. With that, they climbed to the top of the cliffs and followed a path within a narrow cave, getting back to Bender with both arms. "I'm 40% back, baby!" he said.

With Chris and Haruka

Chris and Haruka were in a perilous field of green cracks in the ground, and they passed through carefully as it shot up acid geysers. "Careful not to set any steam off haphazardly." Haruka told him. They safely cut through the field and passed down a narrow path, leading them seemingly to a dead end with an acid river, and no way to cross. Haruka noticed the left wall was slightly cracked, so she bent some acid up and spread it on the wall. They stepped away as Chris shot a flame over and blew the wall open, revealing a cave.

Some acid oozed through the cave as they passed through, reaching a pool with a floating rock platform. They got on as Haruka used her bending to row them across, and after getting off on a safe foothold, they had to cross another pool several feet below them. There were more rocks floating around, so Haruka kept shifting her arms up to make acid geysers lift them, letting them quickly cross. They then overlooked a wide acid pool that was even further below them, and the next ledge far too high. There were several holes in the wall where geysers popped out of, so Chris tossed flames at those spots to blow the walls open and make acid pour into the pool, raising it higher. When it reached their level, they jumped onto a floating platform as Chris blew open more holes, making the acid flood higher.

It soon reached a grabbable wall below the ledge, so Haruka made waves push them forward so they could climb on. They entered the base of a very narrow shaft going several meters upward. "You know, I still have rocket boots." Chris mentioned.

"You think it's safe?"

"Better hold on." With that, Haruka grabbed arms around him as Chris shot straight upward. The heat from his rockets caused several acid explosions, and a powerful geyser rose faster and faster, but the kids flew out from the cavern as it shot high into the heavens. They took safe land on a narrow path before following it to a slight open area where Cragmites were taking drinks and snacks out of Bender's compartment. The operatives exchanged nods before Haruka blinded the Cragmites with gas, and they ran forth to quickly take the compartment. With that, they hurried through a narrow path to make it to Nebula and the others.

With Aurora and Mason

"Boy… this isn't the best place to get stuck in." Mason said as they were at the bottom of a very long, narrow hole.

"Ever see Emperor's New Groove?"

"Yeah?"

"Let's do it."

With that, both friends pressed their feet against the walls and their backs to each other as they slowly struggled to trek up. Some parts of the walls had acid holes in them, so they had to turn carefully so they wouldn't walk into them. Also, some poison spiders crawled out, so Mason sprayed them with gas to send them falling before they could reach. "Almost… there…" Aurora grunted as they were ever-so near to the top, their shoulders trembling.

"WAAAAAHH- UHH!" But fate was not kind to them as they ended up plummeting back to the bottom. "Ugh! SCREW this!" With that, Aurora grabbed Mason and flew straight up the shaft with rocket feet, making acid explosions emit on the way up before they exploded into a powerful geyser, but the kids took land on the ground up top. They passed through a narrow path to find a small field where Cragmites were playing kickball with Bender's head.

When one of the soldiers kicked it toward them, Mason swiftly jump-rolled out and grabbed it before hurrying down the path. When Aurora ran through, she smiled as she tossed flames in both directions to explode the walls and flood the area in acid, burning the Cragmites. They made it back to Nebula and co. to give Bender his head back.

With Dillon and Vanellope

The two adoptive siblings went down a few stairs to a minor field of acid geysers. Some Cragpole eggs hatched and released the baby monsters, but Vanellope zipped around and easily kicked them away. They came to a ledge before a wide acid river below, where Dillon had to Shadow Glide to far platforms and Vanellope glitch to them. They eventually came to a ledge below a huge cliffside where a Cragmite Warrior shot at them. Dillon used Veil and slithered over to pull the warrior down with him, beating him senseless until he reemerged as several Cragpoles. Vanellope kicked the Cragpoles away before they looked up at a high ledge several meters above and to their right. A Cragmite Hunter was shooting down with a turret, but Dillon became a shadow and slid up the wall, emerging behind the hunter and knocking him out.

Vanellope glitched her way up there to join him, and they had to repeat this process with another ledge further across on the left side. There were two Cragmites that tried to shoot Dillon once he was up there, but he dodged their shots and punched the air from afar, in reality punching them with his stretched-out shadow. They fell over the edge as Vanellope began to glitch over. But Dillon gasped when she froze midway and started sparking. But Vanellope recovered and successfully made it, and Dillon sighed with relief.

They crossed a thin ledge along the cliffside and entered a narrow cave. They reached a small room where a Cragmite was leaned against the wall and cleaning his teeth using Bender's antenna as a toothpick. Vanellope put on her cute, witty smile as she tapped his shoulder. "Hey, Mister. Why're you picking your teeth with a wiener?"

"It's not a wiener, it's an antenna." the warrior said.

"A robot wiener."

"It is not, it's for their brains or something."

"Want me to get you a hotdog?"

"The hell is that?"

"Somethin' you don't have, PFFFF-HAAA HAAA!"

"Grrrr, I'm gonna KILL you, you-" But he didn't have a chance as Dillon bested him with a Shadow Strangle.

The boy took the antenna and said, "You are really gross, Vanellope."

They made it back to the others and handed Bender his antenna. "Whew! Bender's back in business!"

"Great, then let's get back to the ship!" Nebula said rushedly.

"Hold on now! I'm still missing one crucial component: my ass!" He pointed to his empty crotch area.

"I didn't even know you HAD an ass." Vweeb replied.

"DI- Wh- Hu-?! Aaaaugh!" Bender grumbled.

"Relax, we'll find it." Nebula assured. "Just get us outta here first."

"Sure, sure." With that, Bender stretched to a cave across the acid and allowed the kids to cross, then he pulled himself over. They followed a path on the left of a river of acid as Cragmites came out and battled them. MaKayla slowed one with a Time Bomb and ran, jumped while shoving her staff in its mouth, then flipped and sent him flying into the acid. Kirie and Makava jumped and ran sideways across the air on each other's feet before flipping and kicking another Cragmite in the face, sending him back.

Three Cragmite Hunters shot snipers at them from afar, but Dillon slid over with Shadow Veil and pulled the middle one down to start wailing on it. Sheila spun her fist and ran at the right one as it shot at her, but she jumped high in the air and came down with a powerful punch, knocking it out. Chris and Aurora took hold of each other and shot at the left one in a flaming tornado, then Mason and Haru blew gas on him to blow him up. They were nearing the cave's exit, but Bender looked into the toxic river and spotted his prized possession on a floating rock. "Guys, there it is! My ass!" the shiny plate sparkled. "Let me just reach for it and-" He stretched an arm out, but several acid geysers popped up to block his objective. "Yikes!"

Vweeb noticed a series of small floating rocks leading to the crotch plate and declared, "Leave it to me, I'll get it!" To Makava's worry, he dropped down and began to jump the small platforms, but when he made it to the plate, he struggled greatly trying to lift it. "Nnnnnnn! Boy, I wish I took a few lessons in that Kateeny Style!"

"Sigh, I'll help him." MaKayla said as she dropped her staff and tossed Time Bombs to the small platforms. She dropped down and gracefully and carefully stepped across them on her tippy-toes.

"You guys get back to the Aloha." Nebula told most of the team. "We'll watch after these two." The Sector V members excluding Aurora, Sheila, and Kirie hurried off.

Under MaKayla's weight, the light rocks would've sunk instantly, but the slowed time made them stay buoyant for a few seconds. She had to toss more bombs quickly to slow other rocks, and the others constantly flinched and shut their eyes, expecting her to slip and fall any minute. She made it to Vweeb and the crotch plate and picked them up, putting the alien on her shoulder and the plate in her right arm as she began to hop back across while tossing Time Bombs. When she made it to the wall below her friends, she dashed straight up the wall and stylishly hopped back up onto the safe ground.

"Phew!" Aurora sighed in extreme relief and admiration. "That was amazing, MaKayla!"

"These things are just a minor stepping stone in the eyes of a timebender." she smiled coolly. "Here you are, Bender." She gave him his crotch plate.

"Assiiiiee! You're back!" Bender smiled lovingly and fixed the plate back on. It gave a little ding as he looked at it.

"Now who's ready to kick TACHYON'S ass?" Nebula asked excitedly.

Nebula!! Kirie scolded.

"Please, that stopped being taboo since we let THIS guy join." She pointed at Bender. "Now let's go!" They hurried through the cave and made it to the familiar field of enemy lines. They recognized this as their landing point… but something was particularly odd. (End song.)

The members of Sector V who went ahead were all staring at something as the others caught up from behind them. "Huff, huff… finally made it…" Nebula panted. "Oh?" Something looked a little off. "Hold on… where did the Aloha go?"

"Tachyon dissolved it into matter." Chris replied. "And that wasn't the only thing." Sector V stepped aside, and to Team Nebula's shock and horror, there stood the Gilligan Triplets, fused into one hideous being: Harry's legs were the ones standing, but Artie's legs came out at the hip. Haylee was on the butt, Harry's face was in its normal spot, and Artie's was on his scalp. Basically, they were much too distorted to be described all at once.

"Tachyon… likes matter origami." Harry stated simply.

"And his subjects are the butt of his work." Haylee said with disbelief.

"And he mushed all our brains into one center: me." Artie mentioned. "Why, my head's already spiraling with intelligence. Fourscore years and about 40 milliseconds ago, the founders of this fair country settled their dispute, over making Rhode Island the Holy State of Talking Clams. Thus, many oysters were found and saved from the foul stomachs of filthy rich walruses in big hats and monocles, and with no grub to fill their stomachs, the women grew weary and sought satisfaction from local sea-rhinos."

"The merging of three smart minds doesn't really help his own." Harry mentioned.

"PFFFFAAA HA HAAAA!" Vanellope laughed hysterically. "Haylee's a POOPY face!"

"HAAAA HA HA HAAA!" Dillon laughed.

"Oh, KNOCK it off, you two." Haylee huffed.

"Well, we can't just send Tachyon away now." Nebula said. "We'll have to make him fix this."

"I don't know if I WANNA stop Tachyon!" Vanel exclaimed.

"I'm getting a picture of this!" Dillon said, pulling out his camera.

"Good thing I never smile." Harry stated when Dillon snapped the shot.

"Uuuugh. Are you two done?" Nebula asked.

"In a moment: HAAAAA ha haaaaa!" They both laughed. "Now we're done."

"Great." Aurora eye-rolled. "So what'll we do about this?"

"If I may shed a little know-how on this situation," explained Artie, "I will have to objectify any possible assistance Tachyon may provide. Any remarkable chap will know simply to undermine and rest the caster responsible, thereby reversing any abnormal effects caused by-"

"We gotta knock Tachyon out, and everything'll go back to normal." Harry said simply.

"Well, then problem solved." Nebula nodded. "But there's still the matter of getting off this planet. With both our ships dissolved, we'll never be able to get everyone off here."

"Nebula, I'm in a less appealing mood to hear the word 'matter' right now, so…" Haylee mentioned.

"If all of you are quite done debating on something ultimately meaningless," began Artie, "might I direct your attention to the colossal metal quickly zooming for impact, in which an object of such velocity and proportion will no doubt splatter our organs like spaghetti thrown abruptly across the cafeteria due to some premature teenage girls outburst, after which she disobeyed her teacher and-"

"R.O.C.K.E.T.-T.R.A.I.N.'s coming, everyone out of the way." Harry said calmly as they all jumped aside. The field shook tremendously when the metal train crashed down and screeched to a halt.

"OOLAAAAAAAHHH RESCUE is HERE, wana-saaaans!" Chimney exclaimed as she toppled out.

"Gyom-gyooooom!" Gonbe fell on top of her.

Neftin and Jerome stuck their heads out as the former said, "How old do you have to be in their country to get a train license?"

"Sis!" Jerome floated to his sister as she recovered from the impact.

"Jerome! It's always good to know I can rely on you. And I see you brought… the monkey along."

"If I may interject," began Artie, here we go again, "I must inform you that that is not a monkey, nor is he even a full gorilla, rather he bares a resemblance of the rare Lumparian variety, if you direct attention to his snout, you'll-"

"Yeah yeah yeah, look where's my sister?" Neftin asked.

"She already left with Tachyon." MaKayla replied. "They're beginning the next phase of their plan on Coruscant."

"But by the looks of things, Tachyon's denying her the Dimensionator." Vweeb informed. "Seems a little distrust is stirring between them."

"Good, then we have time. I can't let Vendra awaken the King of Space!" Neftin fist-palmed. "Enough standing around, let's get back on this bucket and-" He was about to step back on the train, but one of the cars was suddenly lifted off the ground.

"Err… you're not going ANYwhere… without TEACHER'S permission!" declared Agatha Trunchbull, the kids gaping as the muscular woman raised that portion of the train. "I'm going to make you BEG for the choky… as I FLATTEN all your organs like week-old pudding and bury them alive!!"

"HUUU!" In Trunchbull's attempt to smash the kids with the train, she was suddenly thwarted by another powerful force. She looked underneath to see Mocha trembling as she lifted the massive metal, the giant still dressed in her Amazon outfit. "You're not… smashing anyone!" And just before her arms fell off, Mocha slammed the train back on the ground, immediately catching breath. "You guys take the train and get outta here! I'll beat the lard out of this mammoth!"

"Oiiii! I'm not leaving you with this crazy adaruto!" Chimney yelled.

"We don't really have time to debate it!" Nebula yelled, already hurrying on.

"Unless you'd like ME to drive the train." Haylee informed.

Chimney looked at the butt-face girl with disgust. "Nnnnnn! Fine! But I'm not carrying your corpse if you DIE, Mochan!" With that, Chimney hurried on the train, too. ("Gyom-gyoooom!")

"Don't worry, Chimney. My muscles are a MILLION times bigger than THIS fatso!"

"Evidently," said Artie, "it is not truly the 'muscles' that give one strength, as muscles are but an illusion to the equation, whereas the brain channels powerful impulses through your body to give it immense power, but only in times of crisis as any human could drastically-"

"We'll send help for you later!" yelled Harry as the train shortly took off.

Trunchbull got back on her feet and faced the giant furiously. "You've been a VERY naughty girl. But you won't get away with just a simple piece of coal. I'll tear you up so much that not even the crows will want to dine on your corpse. Big or small, you're still just a child, and I will not hesitate to teach you the UTMOST discipline!"

"Yeah, well I don't know how children were like when YOU were still employed, but it's a new age now, and children are bigger AND stronger than you!"

"The BIGGER they are, the louder their whiny little mouths! And the more behind I get to SPANK until they start to whimper! And I will not be satisfied UNTIL I see you cry!"

"Well, then you're in for disappointment." said Mocha with a dedicated look. "Because I have no reason to cry…" (Play "The Darkest Knight" from Batman: Arkham Asylum.)

Boss fight: Agatha Trunchbull

The principal was quick to charge at the giant and shove her back several feet as Mocha tried to push back. She jumped away before Trunchbull came at her again, but Mocha dodged behind, grabbed her, and tossed her against a wall. Trunchbull jumped back up and snarled like a bull, pulling her whip out as she dashed forward, wrapped the whip around Mocha's left leg, and dodged to Mocha's left before pulling the whip and making her topple. With that, she jumped to the back of Mocha's head and SMASHED her face against the ground.

"That's for coming to school in such inappropriate clothing! We are not cavepeople young lady, now BEG for forgiveness!"

Mocha weakly raised her head and used all her strength to fight back the tears due to dirt in her eyes. "I'll wear… whatever I want, you cow." She reached back and grabbed the Trunchbull before throwing her against the ground. She leaped up to try and smash her, but she flipped away before lashing her whip across Mocha's face, leaving a slight bloody scratch. Trunchbull ran at Mocha's legs and tried to shove her over, but Mocha remained firm on her feet and grabbed the principal, pushing her down and stomping on her.

Trunchbull forced herself up and made the giant step off of her, then grabbed a nearby boulder and chucked it at Mocha. She smacked it away, but wasn't prepared when Trunchbull leapt and punched her square in the face, sending her sliding backward. She recovered in time to see Trunchbull flying for another punch, but she flipped back to her feet and avoided, then sent Trunchbull away with a powerful punch of her own. The principal recovered and saw Mocha charging at her, so she ran at the giant and caught her whip around her left leg. However, Mocha kicked that foot behind her and flung Trunchbull in the air. She was hurling back as her whip was still wrapped, but Mocha gracefully twirled on her right foot, stomped the left back down, and threw a powerful kick at Trunchbull with her right, sending her flying for several meters.

After Trunchbull recovered, she spat blood and teeth from her mouth, which made her even more furious. Her whip was still by Mocha, who stomped on it after it unraveled. Trunchbull whipped out two more whips, which had metal blades along them. She ran at Mocha while twirling them, and the girl kept a steady stance. Trunchbull lashed the right whip at Mocha's left leg and cut a deep gash. It wasn't that deep since she was giant, but it was enough to make Mocha wince. Trunchbull whipped the other at Mocha's right ankle, making the giant sink to one knee once it cut. She looked up and gasped when Trunchbull leapt and scratched both bladed whips against the sides of her face, and when she came down, she jumped at Mocha and forced her on her back.

Trunchbull got on the giant's face and began dealing a series of forceful punches on Mocha's nose, with enough force to knock Mocha's head back for a split second. Trunchbull punched her once every second, but more blood fell from Mocha's nose with each one. It was like someone of average strength punching a regular-sized child, and while Mocha was much bigger, Trunchbull's equal strength made it exactly similar.

"You know what the best part of my job is!" Trunchbull began with a psychotic expression, a lust for blood in her eyes as she punched the helpless girl. "When children think they're so carefree, frolicking like rabbits in a meadow, and all their joy is WASHED down their face by the delicious tears in their eyes! No greater joy is there, than BREAKING that child's spirit! And you with your mammoth proportion is dining off a king's buffet! There's no use fighting it! CRY you miserable cretin!"

Mocha couldn't deny… it was way too painful. These endless punches… blood dripping down her face and gashes. Any child that faced this torment would do nothing more than cry. This unbearable pain. But Mocha… just didn't want to. Not anymore. (Pause music.)

Six years ago, when Mocha was small. Not just 'small' as in pre-giant, but small as in young. Even at 3 years old, she was fairly short. She was downright tiny compared to what she'd become. She reached up helplessly with pleading eyes as a big, strong bully raised her tasty Wonka Bar high in the air. "Give me that! That's mine!"

"Then grow longer arms, you shrimp!" And to add injury to insult, he kicked Mocha face-first in the sandbox.

With sand in her eyes, tears quickly streamed down Mocha's face, and she cried helplessly in the sand while the bully walked away eating the chocolate.

While at home, Mocha was feeling very hungry, and saw a box of cookies up on a counter. She jumped and jumped, trying desperately to reach the tasty treats. But they were much too high… and Mocha cried helplessly.

And one day, at a field trip to a Rainbow Monkey factory: "Okay class, who here wants a free Field Trips Are Fun Rainbow Monkey T-shirt!" the teacher asked joyously. Everyone raised their hands with enthusiasm, including Mocha who was far in the back. The teacher tossed a T-shirt to everyone, and while Mocha was desperately expecting one, she was far too tiny, and the teacher didn't notice. "Alright, that's everyone. Let's get on the bus!" And when the kids piled back on, Mocha cried again.

Then before she even realized, she was on a boat to Punk Hazard, to be fed candies every day that would make her giant. At her giant size, she felt a lot more confident. She could reach anything she wanted and beat up any bully, and even made several new friends. And when she was rescued, she didn't wanna shrink down. She wanted to save kids everywhere with her new superior strength. But then her giant size made several downsides. She constantly messed up her cadet team's missions during training, and she didn't fit in with Sector W7 at all at first. She figured she just wasn't good at any size and wanted to be small again.

"But if you give up that easy… then you really are a burden." Marcus told her.

"You know, I think I've been feeling too negative lately. I give up too easily on things. I need to be strong and look at the positive things. The good things I can do with being a giant."

Mocha wasn't small anymore. And she didn't want to feel small. She was tired of crying. She may've spent only a short time on Amazonia, but she deeply admired the strength and ferocity expressed by the female warriors. They were so strong… and Mocha wanted to be as strong as them. She didn't want to feel helpless and wanted to become as strong as possible, to fight for Sector W7, the Kids Next Door, and all the children of the world who might need her. All these tears she felt welling up inside her… she would take it all, and channel it into strength! (Resume music.)

Before the Trunchbull could land another punch, Mocha grabbed her fist and pushed back stronger than ever. She punched the woman from the right and sent her away, then ran at Trunchbull while she recovered, jumped up, and sent her even further with an aerial kick. Fuming with rage, the Trunchbull spun around rapidly and came at Mocha with both bladed whips stretched out. But Mocha ran forward with no fear and grabbed the whips in both hands, glaring at Trunchbull and ignoring the pain in both palms as the blades pierced through. She threw her arms up and flung the Trunchbull high in the sky as a result. The principal was diving down like a rocket, but Mocha released the whips, flipped upside-down, flung herself skyward with both feet aimed directly at the enemy. They both made contact as they turned with Mocha on top of Trunchbull, and the giant shot straight down and slammed Trunchbull into a crater under her feet.

She stepped off the principal as she lay panting on the ground. She sat up slightly and glared hatefully at Mocha once again. "You've pushed my buttons… for the last time… No child has survived my discipline… and none ever will. Every child I've taught, I've seen cry once or twice. I take their tears and use them as the top ingredient in my cake. I will take your tears… and create the largest cake in the world. This can all end… nice and easy… if you just cry!!"

"Well, if you haven't caught on yet, Miss Trunchbull… you're far over the line yourself. Your only joy is picking on defenseless kids… but I am not defenseless. I am stronger than you!" She punched her. "I'm BIGGER than you!" 'nother punch. "All the pain you've made kids feel, every tear I've shed, every scratch and bruise… I'll deliver it all back to you, with my own fist!" Trunchbull was too weak to move as Mocha leapt high in the air, an amazing feat for someone of her size and weight. But her weight caught on as she dropped straight down, eyes set on Trunchbull and her right fist pulled back. Her momentum increased, and even if Trunchbull tried, she would never get out of the way in time. Mocha was seconds from taking land on her, and as she said, every ounce of her strength was channeled in her fist. "AAAAAHH!!"

The massive fist SMASHED Trunchbull's belted stomach and bent her body in an angle. Blood came flying out of her forced-open mouth, and the bun in her hair unraveled. The principal was totally unconscious as Mocha panted heavily. "I…I did it." She spoke with calm, but extreme excitement. "Did you see that, Chimney? I'm… following my dream after all." And tears of joy began to drip down her face. (End song.)