105. The Frogman leaps

It was morning at the Loud house and the Loud siblings were waiting in line to use the bathroom when they were interrupted by shouting.

"Lana I told you to keep Hops away from my bed!"

"Well it's not my fault he likes you though I don't understand why!"

"Uh oh." Lincoln groaned. "They're at it again."

"Go figure." Lori said.

"It's like this almost every morning." Lynn groaned.

"Alright which one of us should break them up?" Lynn asked.

"I'll do it." Lori said. "The sooner the better." She heads to the twins' room and see that they're right in each other's face. Funny thing was Lola had a crystal hammer while Lana was leopard. Lori knew she had to step in immediately. "Whoa guys chill. What's going on?"

"I've told Lana, a bunch of times to keep Hops off my bed. But everytime I wake up I already find him on my bed." said Lola.

"Hey, it's his way of waking you up." Lana said.

"Well I don't want a frog to be the first thing I see every morning!" Lola replied.

"Just trying to help." Hops says.

"Alright let's calm down." Lori said trying to diffuse the situation before it's bad. "Lola get rid of the hammer. Lana change back to human."

"Fine." The twins said, with that said Lana turns back to her human form and Lola placed the Crystal hammer under her bed.

"Ok good. Now we don't want to get this want to get our parents' attention. We're going to discuss this in a civil manner." said Lori.

"As long as she keeps that frog away from me!" Lola said.

"Like Hops wants to be near you now!" Lana retorted.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Lola asked with a glare.

"You're just a big ole meanie who thinks the only thing that matters is anything with glitter and anything that's pink!" Lana told her. "You think everything the opposite of that is gross and doesn't matter! Looks aren't everything Lola!"

"They are important Lana. You can't show up at some fancy event covered in overalls and mud." Lola said. "Without looks you can't get anywhere in love."

"I'm with Lana on this one Lola." Lori said.

"But they don't always matter! Sometimes you just need to be smart and know what you're doing! Sometimes all you need is brains and skill." Lana argued.

"That is also a very good point." Lori said. "You too both make good arguments but you both need to relax."

"I relax when that stupid ugly frog leaves me alone!" Lola shouted. However she instantly regretted it when she saw Hops's face.

"Oh so I'm stupid and ugly." Hops said sadly. "I see how it is. Fine I'll leave you alone. And I won't bother you again." He sadly hops out of the room.

"Hops come back!" Lana shouted after her pet.

Lori than gave Lola a glare and placed her hands on her hips. "That wasn't very nice Lola." Lori said.

"Oh come on Lori, he'll get over it." Lola said.

"You need to say your sorry." said Lori.

"Lori he's a frog." Lola said. "I'm not apologizing to a animal."

"Not just Hops, but to Lana as well." Lori said.

"They'll get over it." said Lola. "They can't be angry at me forever."

"Lola, you really hurt them." Lori said. "That's not something they'll just forgive on their own. You gotta apologize. Now you two are leaving me no choice. I was gonna give Lana the day off because she did that job with Luan, Lincoln and Lisa yesterday but because I need you two to make up, you're forcing my hand. You two are gonna go with me on patrol."

"Wait what?! But it's my day off!" Lola exclaimed.

"Sorry Lola, but you and Lana brought this upon yourself." said Lori.

"Ugh fine." Lola grumbled.

"Now get ready and grab a breakfast burrito. We start patrol right after school." said Lori.

"Fine." Lola groaned.

After school let out, Lola stood outside with Lana waiting for Lori to pick them up. Lola cast a glance over at Lana who was holding Hops in her arms. Neither one was looking at her or talking to her. Vanzilla pulled up with Lori driving and Leni, Lynn, and Ronnie occupying the other seats. The two wordlessly got in Vanzilla before taking off.

"So how was your day girls?" Lori asked the twins but they didn't say a word.

"So Lana, I heard that you faced off against a ghost meta human." Ronnie Anne said. "Sounds like we have a Danny Phantom rip off."

"Well Luan did most of the work." Lana said. "The rest of us held off the Jestorbots."

"So Jestor has another lackey." Lynn said. "Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to start looking for him."

"Agreed." Lori said.

"But what about Ryker?" Leni asked. "Don't we need to find him too?"

"We will find him Leni." Lori said. "It's just going to take a lot to talk some sense into him about time travel and such."

"Yeah it'll be a pain in the ass to to get him back on our side." said Lynn.

"We'll focus on that later. Jestor comes first." said Lori.

"But where would we start looking?" Lola asked.

"Not sure." Lori admitted. "For now let's just get to base and see if Mr. Cuddles has any leads."

"Good idea." Ronnie Anne replied.

Once Vanzilla arrives at the base, the team exit the vehicle and walk in the base. "Mr. Cuddles!" Lori called out.

"He's currently busy children." Martha told them. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Actually maybe there is." Lori said. "Do you know if Mr. Cuddles found any clues to where Jestor is hiding out?"

"He started to look into that, but there hasn't been much connections and clues lately." said Martha.

"So he started to look for Jestor and found nothing." Lynn said.

"Precisely." Martha responded. "He first looked into the original area where you first encountered him but it's still completely destroyed from when the Terror Crew and original Revenants. He then looked into the fight club that you were held in but that's locked down by the police officers."

"So much for that." Ronnie Anne said.

"There's not enough leads to help us Jestor." said Lynn.

"Then maybe we should try a different approach." Lori said.

"Well whatever we do, I ain't doing it with a frog hater!" Lana stated while glaring at Lola.

"As long I don't have to be around this frog lover, I'll do whatever jobs Lori wants me to do." Lola said.

"Well I hate to break it to you but I'm pairing the two of you together." Lori told them.

"WHAT!?" The twins scream in unison.

"Maybe a little alone time will help get you two on the same page." Lori said. The two twins glare at each other when Soothsayer walks in.

"Ah welcome kids." Soothsayer greeted. "I know you six are going on patrol soon but how about we do some training real fast. You must keep your skills."

"I mean sure I guess but we were about to leave." Lori said.

"Nonsense. It'll only be a half hour of training." Soothsayer insisted. "You mustn't get rusty."

"We're not getting rusty." Lynn said.

"I beg to differ." Soothsayer said. "That encounter with Gorron, Torron and Viron comes to mind."

"Oh come on, we still had our A-game." said Lynn.

"Oh really?" Soothsayer questions. He holds out a tennis ball. "Take this ball from my hand." The L-Crew exchange a glance before shrugging.

"Easy." Lynn said. She steps up and reaches for the ball only for Soothsayer to use his staff to push her hand away before using the staff to sweep her feet out from under her.

"Sloppy." Soothsayer said. "You let your guard down. You kids have gotten to comfortable and have neglected your training to improve your skills. The battle with Armageddon showed your weaknesses. You've gotten cocky. Just because you defeated Climate, Replicate, Rubbor, Electron, Adamborg and Colonel Mavor doesn't mean you're unbeatable. Your battle with Armageddon showed that Might I remind you that several of your enemies are still at large. The Terror Crew, Xander, Pike, Jestor, Leonard Miller, Helios, and now Spirit. Not to mention we don't know the full intentions of Quill or where Clockwork is. You all must be ready for the day you face them again especially with new metas popping up daily. You must continue to hone your skills. Something you all have failed to do."

"Look Soothsayer, we've been busy with other things." Ronnie Anne said. "I've been working at my family's bodega."

"I'm going to college soon, you know how stressful that can be." Lori pointed out.

"I don't want to hear excuses we begin your training right now." Soothsayer said.

"But-" Lana began but Soothsayer interrupted her.

"No buts! Outside now!" Soothsayer ordered.

The girls all groaned and walked outside to the training yards. "Let's just get this thing over with." Ronnie Anne said.

"If you insist Ronalda, you're first." said Soothsayer.

"So what's my issue?" Ronnie Anne asked.

"Simple. You lack power." Soothsayer responded. Ronnie Anne flashed him a confused look. "Allow me to explain. You focus too much making flashy techniques that you haven't tried to actually increase your power. Your powers have barely increased in power and it shows in battle. At this rate you'll be proving Nuke correct that you're second rate."

"So what you're saying is that I lack power?" Ronnie Anne asked as Soothsayer nodded,

"That is correct." Soothsayer said.

"Well I guess I've been only focused on making cool moves that I didn't try to practice my powers." Ronnie Anne said. "Alright I'll start practicing." She walks outside and Soothsayer turns to Lori.

"Lori run to that stream and back." Soothsayer said pulling out a stopwatch.

"Sure." Lori said. She sped off to the stream and then back where Soothsayer stopped the stopwatch. "So?"

"Three seconds." Soothsayer said.

"Well that's good right?" Lori questioned.

"It was the same time as the last time we timed you." Soothsayer told her. "You haven't gotten any faster."

"Wow, that's something I didn't except." Lori said.

"Yes, you need to be faster. If there's a burning building, you need to get the citizens out of the building before the fire fighters arrive." Soothsayer said.

"That sounds ridiculous." Lori pointed out.

"The Flash did that." Soothsayer pointed out.

"Fair enough." Lori admitted.

"Lori as the fastest on the team your job is to be able to run ahead and scout for danger, quickly get civilians to safety and most importantly be faster than your opponent which includes reaction speed." Soothsayer told her. "Right now the only one who's able to keep pace with you is Johnny Speed who sadly is faster than you still but only by a little bit. You must be faster in all aspects."

"Right. Let's start." Lori said before heading to the training field.

"Lynn, you let your guard to much." Soothsayer said. "While you're highly durable, your durability has limits. Opponents such as Squatch and Rampage can overtax your durability because of their immense super strength. You need to increase it."

"Ok sure. What do I need to do. Lift up some crates or something?" Lynn asked.

"I guess you can say that." Soothsayer said.

"So what am I doing then?" Lynn asked.

"You're going to lift those crates and hold them." Soothsayer told her. "And as you hold them Petty is going to punch you. The hits will strengthen your body's durability and strength. The higher your durability,"

"The more hits I can take." Lynn finished. "Aight I'm in. Let's roll Petty." Lynn walks out with Petty behind her. Soothsayer turns to Lola.

"You Lola aren't using your crystals to their fullest potential." Soothsayer told her.

"All I do is shoot crystals and form crystal constructs." Lola pointed out.

"That's besides the point Lola, I feel like you lack faith in your crystals." said Soothsayer.

"But Master Naia said the same thing and trained me so that wasn't an issue anymore." Lola said.

"While that is true, you still fail to use your powers to their full potential." Soothsayer said. "By lack of faith I mean you're not truly using your powers to their fullest. You need to be able to make the hardest crystal so that they're unbreakable no matter what size the construct. So far you've only stuck to small weapons and armor but you must now think bigger. Bigger weapons, better armor, walls, etc. The last construct you made that was giant size was a giant tea cup that you attempted to use to defeat Irate but in the end it failed and was destroyed. You need to increase the hardness of your crystals of all sizes."

"Ok I get it." Lola said. "So what do I gotta?"

"Simple." Soothsayer replied. "Martha is gonna shoot you with a turret gun."

"Don't worry you won't get hurt if your crystal defenses are hard enough." Martha assured her.

"Great." Lola grumbled as she headed outside. Soothsayer turns to Leni.

"Leni, your powers differ from the rest of your teammates in several different aspects." Soothsayer told her. "Unlike your siblings your powers don't increase your strength, speed, durability, grant you flight or long range attacks which sadly leaves you with very few options."

"I thought I would have plenty of options?" Leni said.

"But I believe you can increase your options. You have the ability to create a squad, I believe you can do more." Soothsayer said. "Now I know about the rogue clone situation. I believe you can have clones that will last for days."

"Days?" Leni repeated.

"Yes but a big thing we must work on is your reaction time." Soothsayer said. "I re-watched the battle and noticed that you had had time to react several times to Armageddon's attacks but didn't. That's what we'll work on today."

"Like ok." Leni said.

"Mr. Cuddles will help you with that." Soothsayer continued. "He'll be shooting tennis balls at you and you must successfully dodge or catch them all."

"Sounds fun." Leni said before running off. Soothsayer then turned to Lana.

"Lana I wish to speak with you in private." Soothsayer said. "Come to my study."

Lana followed Soothsayer into his study and saw Soothsayer sitting down in a chair. "Have a seat." Soothsayer offered as Lana sat down in another chair.

"So what's this about my training?" Lana asked.

"Your training is incomplete." Soothsayer told her. Lana tilts her head in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Lana asked. "Master Komu said I was finished."

"You are. With the first part." Soothsayer confirmed. "You still have another part of training that you must complete."

"Oh ok." Lana said. "Then just take me to the Temple so I can complete it." Soothsayer shook his head.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple." Soothsayer told her. "For you to be able to complete your training, you must pass a final test. One that your siblings have successfully passed while you have failed."

"A test?" Lana asked. Soothsayer nodded.

"This test is one where you must overcome a hurdle in your current journey as a hero." Soothsayer explained. "However the test has no set time limit so there's no need to rush it and use all the time you need to prepare."

"Oh I see." Lana said. "What's my final test?"

"You need to defeat your greatest foe, Xander." Soothsayer said. "Defeating him will complete your training."

"So I have to defeat Xander to complete my training? Sounds easy, but I don't know where he is?" Lana stated.

"That is why we must prepare you for your battle against Xander." Soothsayer said.

"Right especially since I've never beaten Xander." Lana grumbled. "Every time I fought him he's defeated me with ease."

"Which is why we are going to train every chance you get so that you're ready." Soothsayer said. "And when you do finally defeat Xander you will be ready to tackle the final stage of your training."

"Ok so we train for my final battle with Xander, beat Xander and my training is complete." said Lana.

"No. Train for Xander, beat Xander, and then go back to the Temple for your final lesson." Soothsayer corrected her.

"Wait I have to back to the temple again?" Lana asked.

"Yes, I cannot say what your final lesson is. That is for you to find out." Soothsayer replied.

"Well if it's to complete my training then." Lana said before looking at Soothsayer with a determined look. "I'll do whatever it takes."

"Excellent." Soothsayer said. "Now let's get to work."

In Royal Woods park, an old man is sitting on a bench near a pond with a book in his hands. "A perfect day for a good book." The old man said as he began to read his book.

But then he hears some gurgling noises coming from the water. The old man looked from his book and sees a shadow under the water. The shadow emerges and the old man was terrified at what he's witnessing.

It was a human like figure with green skin, green hair, yellow eyes with black irises, webbed hands and feeling wearing a dark flannel shirt over a dirty gray shirt and pair of black swim trunks.

"What in the unholy?" The old man cried out. "It's a monster!" He then ran away.

"A monster you say?" The creature said. "You people are all the same. Looking down on people like me. You'll all pay!" He squats down and launched himself into the air out of the park.

Not far away a police cruiser with two cops in it were driving through the city on patrol.

"I'm telling you, the Berserker monster would cream Squatch." One was saying to his partner.

"No way Clarence." The partner said. "Squatch is stronger than you give him credit for. He could totally beat Berserker."

"Please Holland get real. Berserker beat Rampage." Clarence argued.

"With help from the L-Crew." Holland reminded him. Before they could continue the argument, the creature from the park landed right on the car's hood heavily damaging it before leaping off.

"What the hell was that?" Clarence asked.

"No clue but don't lose." Holland said as Clarence tried to turn the car but with no luck. The car was totaled.

"Damn it." Clarence cursed before picking up his radio. "Attention all units be on the lookout for a green creature leaping eastbound. Just totaled our cruiser."

"Copy that." Someone said on the other end.

Back at the base, Lynn is holding up some crates as Petty continued to punch Lynn, it was fine at first, until several hits later, she was starting to lose her focus on lifting the crates.

"Lynn you must stay focused." Soothsayer called out. "Villians won't let up just because you're losing your focus. Imagine those crates are filled with people and that Petty is Tremor."

"Sounds good." Lynn grunted. "Hit me big guy." Petty nods and hits Lynn in the stomach.

"Lori you're still not beating your time." Soothsayer shouted. "Are you remembering to breathe when you run?"

"Yeah I'm breathing!" Lori replied while breathing.

"It doesn't look like it!" Soothsayer stated.

"Well what do you want me to do?" Lori panted.

"Breathe through your nose not your mouth." Soothsayer told her.

Lori did what Soothsayer said and began to breathe through her nose as she runs. Lori began to pick up more speed as he made a speed gun appear in his hands. "She's picking up more speed." Soothsayer said as he watched the speed gun clock Lori's speed.

"She is currently at two seconds." Martha said.

"Better but needs more." Soothsayer said. "Keep going Lori." He turns to where Leni was training with Mr. Cuddles who was shooting tennis balls at her. However she kept getting hit. "Leni why aren't you dodging?"

"I'm trying to!" Leni shouted as she got hit in the head with a tennis ball.

"Is she even dodging?" Soothsayer asked Mr. Cuddles.

"Um, no." Mr. Cuddles answers. "I'm so confused."

"Leni you're not even moving." Soothsayer said with a deadpan tone.

"I'm hoping he's gonna miss." Leni explained.

"Leni try and actually dodge." Soothsayer ordered. He turns his attention to Ronnie Anne who's blasting targets. "Ronnie Anne you're not completely obliterating the targets!"

"I'm trying to destroy the targets!" Ronnie Anne shouted as she shot another energy blast at another target.

"You're not even using your full power." Soothsayer said

"I'm trying!" Ronnie Anne argued. "But it's hard."

"You need to feel the energy inside of you build up and then let it out." Soothsayer told her. "That's how you truly go full power."

"You really think so?!" Ronnie Anne questioned. "Ok if you insist."

Ronnie focused on her energy and slowly began to build it up before firing an energy beam at a target. Soothsayer looks to see half the target destroyed.

"Better." Soothsayer said. "Keep working on it."

Meanwhile Lola was working on creating larger objects with her crystals. Once in a while she would glance over at Lana's training that she was doing with Tongri. Lana was currently a tiger and was wrestlers with their resident big cat. The result was Tongri pinning Lana to the ground.

"You're distracted Lola." Lola jumps at Soothsayer's voice before turning to face him.

"Sorry." Lola said. "What training is Lana doing with Tongri?"

"Lana is training to take on enhanced opponents." Soothsayer explained. "Since Tongri is magically enhanced he was the perfect opponent."

"That actually makes sense." Lola said.

"Yes, now get back to your training." Soothsayer said.

"Ok but can I ask you something?" Lola asked. "I need some advice."

"Well certainly." Soothsayer replied. "What is it?"

"Well this morning I got into a big argument with Lana and I insulted Hops." Lola told him. "And now Lana's mad at me and I guess I feel kinda bad about what I said. How do I fix this?"

"Oh dear. Well this is quite dilemma you have Lola." Soothsayer said. "My advice is to show Lana how sorry you are."

"I know but she won't want to talk me after what I said to Hops." Lola said sadly.

"What did you call Hops?" Soothsayer asked.

"I said he was stupid and ugly." Lola replied as she sighed.

Soothsayer shakes his head in disappointment. "Lola, Hops can't help what he looks like and that goes for other people as well. It's never ok to mock anyone for how they look." He tells her.

"So I have to apologize to both Lana and Hops now." Lola said.

"I suggest you apologize to them after training." Soothsayer said.

"I'll try." Lola said. "So how do I improve my powers?"

"Hm. Let's see, you already know yo put more faith in your crystals. Like I said before you need more Crystal constructs, you to focus and have faith in them." Soothsayer said.

"Right." Lola said. "Martha get ready to fire."

"Of course Miss. Lola." Martha responded.

A turret pops up in front of Lola. "Fire!" Lola shouted as the turret fired tennis balls at high speeds at Lola.

Lola stomps her foot on the ground and creates a wall of crystals. However the blaster fire goes right through it.

"Not hard enough." Soothsayer said. "Remember, your crystals are only as hard as you believe them to be."

"I'll get right on it." Lola said.

"Excellent." Soothsayer said as he walked away.

Soothsayer walks towards Lana and whispers something to her before heading inside the base much to Lola's curiosity. Moments later Soothsayer comes back outside.

"Alright that's enough for now." Soothsayer said.

"What you giving us a break before having us train again?" Lori asked sarcastically.

"No of course not." Soothsayer scoffed. "I'm stopping you because there's a frog man attacking the city."

"A frog man?!" Lynn questioned.

"Never faced against those before." Ronnie Anne said.

"Great a frog man." Lola muttered. "It's like the universe is punishing me." Next her Lana was shaking. "Lana?" She turns to look at her face and saw she had a massive smile.

"I've waited my whole life for this!" Lana cheered. "A frog themed villian!"

"Then we better leave." Lori said. "Soothsayer if you could please restore our stamina."

"With pleasure." Soothsayer said before waving his staff in front of them.

"Much better." Lynn said.

"Now we don't have to worry about being exhausted during our encounter." Ronnie Anne said.

"Alright let's suit up and deal with this frog man." Lori said.

"The sooner the better." Lola muttered under her breath.

"Oh I can't wait!" Lana said before they changed into their costumes.

"Petty and Tongri will stay here as backup." Lori said. "We don't know how tough this guy is yet."

"A wise idea Lori." Soothsayer nodded. "You kids must make haste, before the frog man escapes."

"Let's move out!" Lori ordered.

The Frog man is hopping away from the police cars. "Of course they would case me." said the Frog man as he sighed. "I need to lose them."

He leaps towards a building and lands on the side of it where he begins to scale it.

"Suspect is currently scaling a building." An officer said.

"Roger that helicopter in route." Dispatch said.

"I hope the L-Crew gets here in time." A officer said.

"We know about the Frog man, officer." A voice said, the officer turned around and sees Speed Queen behind him.

"Speed Queen." The officer said. "Thank God you're here. The frog man has been evading us all afternoon. If you could assist us that'd be great."

"Don't worry we're on it." Speed Queen assured them before pressing her watch. "Alright split up and try to find him. Be careful we don't know what this guy is capable of."

In the air Wildgirl as pterodactyl was flying over the city with Crystal Princess on her back looking for the frog man. There was an awkward silence between them due to Wildgirl still being mad at her twin. Sighing, Crystal Princess decided to make her move.

"Hey can we talk?" Crystal Princess asked.

"Can it wait? We have work to do." Wildgirl said.

"No it's about what happened form this morning." Crystal Princess replied.

"We can talk later." Wildgirl said. "We have a frog man to deal with." Wildgirl stated.

"I'm sorry about what I said." Crystal Princess said. "I was just so upset that I wasn't thinking when I spoke and since then I've felt so guilty about it. I hate when we're mad at each other and I hate it even more when you don't talk to me. So can you please just say something?" Wildgirl doesn't say anything but she sighs.

"It hurt when you said those things about Hops." Wildgirl said finally. "I mean I put up with all your glitter and stuffed animals and all your pageant stuff but you can't put up with my frog? A pet who's been part of out family for a couple years now? It's just why can't you accept him?"

"It's because he's disgusting. I tried to look past his slimy skin, but I can't do it. I'm still repulse by Hops' looks and habits." Crystal Princess said.

"Not everything is about looks Lola!" Wildgirl argued. "You've learned nothing!"

"But Lana." Crystal Princess began, but Wildgirl stops her.

"Let's take care of the frog man and so we can get it over with." Wildgirl said.

Crystal Princess sadly nods and Wildgirl flew a little so they could see better.

"Got eyes on the frog guy." Parkour reported.

"I see the frog guy, he's climbing the building and he's almost to the top." Wildgirl replied.

"Copy that." Speed Queen said. "Try to knock him off."

"Right." Wildgirl responded. "Let's go." Crystal Princess nodded with a sigh before Wildgirl did a dive towards the building.

The frog man continued to climb the building, he looks up and narrows his eyes. "What the hell is that?" He asked. "Is that a dinosaur?" Before he can get a clear answer a crystal shard is shot on his left.

"Was that a crystal?" The frog man asked before getting hit in the chest with another crystal knocking him off the building.

"He's coming down!" Crystal Princess reported.

However before he hit the ground he shot his tongue out at a flag pole and stopped his fall.

"Nice try." The frog person mocked before swinging himself off the flag pole.

"Gross." Crystal Princess said.

"Cool." Wildgirl says.

"It's going to be a pain to take him down." said Parkour said.

"What do you want us to do? Grab his tongue?" Surge asked.

"Actually that's a good idea." Parkour said. She revs up her ATV and drives after him. Once she catches up to him she drives past him and parks. She then leaps up onto a flag pole and as soon as the tongue stretched out, Parkour caught it. "Gotcha."

The frog man swung his tongue around to get Parkour off of his tongue, he swings violently while Parkour hits the walls of the building. "Whoa!" Parkour exclaimed as she tried to hold onto the Frog man's tongue.

"Hang in there Parkour!" Surge shouted before ramming into the frog man knocking him out of the air which in turn dragged Parkour with him. "Probably should've planned that better."

"DAMN IT SURGE!" Parkour shouted as she fell with the frog man. Surge flew at high speed to catch up with the falling meta humans.

"We have to help them." Wildgirl said as she swooped down to save Parkour and the Frog man.

Crystal Princess closes her eyes and focuses. She then raises her hands and forms a large crystal slide that Parkour and the frog man landed on and slid down.

"I did it." Crystal Princess said happily but immediately frowned when the structure collapsed. "Dang it."

The frog man gets up as did the L-crew. "Stand down Frog boy. We don't want to hurt you." Parkour said.

"Unless you attack us first." Surge replied.

"You're all same." Frog Boy said. "Making fun of me because of how I look. I ain't Frog Boy. My. Name. Is. DARRELL!" He runs up to Parkour and hits her with a dropkick and because of his powerful legs, Parkour was sent flying.

"Whoa! This Darrell guy packs a punch." Wildgirl stated.

"Ok we do this the hard way!" Surge said as she flew towards Darrell, but he jumps out of the way and kicks Surge in the side and she hits a wall on impact.

"He's jumpy." Crystal Princess shouted. "Speed Queen! Multiple Girl! We need help!"

"We're on our way just hang tight!" Speed Queen ordered.

"Roger that." Crystal Princess replied. "Darrell stand down, we don't mean any trouble."

"That's what they all say before you attack me!" Darrell said.

He shoots his tongue out and it wraps around Crystal Princess's torso. He then swings her around and around before releasing her sending her flying.

"He's stronger than he looks." Wildgirl said. "But the way he's acting reminds me of the Wild Pack almost."

"Make your move kid. It's going to be useless against me." said Darrell.

"Look we don't have to fight." Wildgirl told him. "I can help you."

"Yeah right." Darrell scoffed. "Like you could help me."

"I helped out a group of people in Bismarck that we're going through the same problem as you. My siblings and I helped them out and they're heroes in their own town." Wildgirl explained.

"No one is like me." Darrell growled. "You're nothing but a liar. No better than the rest." He prepares to spring forward but Speed Queen tackles him to the side. She immediately runs to Wildgirl and places her hands on her face.

"Are you alright?" Speed Queen asked. "He was about to attack you and you weren't ready to defend yourself."

"I'm fine. The frog man has a name and it's Darrell." Wildgirl said. "He's going through the same dilemma as the Wild Pack."

"I see." Speed Queen said as she watched Darrell get back up. "Then we're gonna have to knock some sense into him."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Wildgirl asked.

"Look right now he's too hyped up to listen." Speed Queen explained. "If we exhaust him a little he might listen."

"If you say so." Wildgirl sighed.

"It's the only way." Speed Queen said as she faced Darrell and speeds towards him.

"Not falling for that again!" Darrell shouted before leaping straight up causing Speed Queen to stop in her tracks.

"You've been practicing." Wildgirl commented impressed.

"Yeah, my speed has increased thanks to my training." Speed Queen said, but then Darrell kicks Speed Queen down to the ground.

Speed Queen gets back up and double kicks Darrell in the chest. Speed Queen then lands some punches on the frog man at high speed until he avoids the last punch.

"Your fast but you still can't beat me!" Darrell shouted before hitting a flip kick on Speed Queen.

Speed Queen recovered from the attack and looked back at Wildgirl. "Anytime Wildgirl!" Speed Queen stated.

"I mean are you sure we can't reason with him?" Wildgirl asked.

"He's too stubborn to listen. We need to tire him out." Speed Queen said. "Then we reason with him."

"I don't think that'll work." said Wildgirl.

"Look he's not giving us a lot of options." Speed Queen told her. "But if you have any ideas I'm open to hearing them."

"What if we just restrain him?" Wildgirl suggested.

"Hmm." Speed Queen began to think about that idea. "That can work and we don't even need a rope."

"What do you mean?" Wildgirl asked but it came to her head. "Oh I see."

"Multiple Girl what's your ETA?" Speed Queen asked.

"My what?" Multiple Girl asked over the watch.

Speed Queen groaned and rolled her eyes. "Are you close to me and Wildgirl yet?" Speed Queen asked.

"Oh! Yeah I'm like totes almost there." Multiple Girl said.

"Then hurry up." Speed Queen ordered. "Parkour, Surge, Crystal Princess are you three good?"

"Yeah, we're good." Parkour said as she, Surge and Crystal Princess got back up.

"I've been through worse." said Surge.

"He touched me with his tongue!" Crystal Princess shouted. "I'm going to make him pay!"

"You would say that!" Wildgirl retorted.

"Ugh we're not doing this now!" Crystal Princess exclaimed.

"No let's take care of this guy before he touches you with his tongue again Frog hater." Wildgirl replied.

"You spent all your time fighting yourselves instead of dealing with me. You girls have problems." Darrell said.

"STAY OUT OF THIS!" The two girls shout.

"You're the one still continuing the fight while I'm trying to make things right!" Crystal Princess shouted.

"Make things right?" Wildgirl repeated. "If anything you're making things worse!"

"KNOCK IT OFF BOTH OF YOU!" Speed Queen shouted. "We are on duty right now and if you keep this up I'll have you two clean the entire base from top to bottom! Do I make myself clear?"

"Fine." The twins replied in the form of a groan.

"Now where were we?" Speed Queen said as she faced Darrell again.

"You were about to die." Darrell responded. He prepared to leap at them when someone taps his shoulder. He turns around to see Multiple Girl with her fist cocked back.

"Hi!" She said before rocking him with a punch to the jaw.

"About time you showed up Multiple Girl." Speed Queen said.

"Sorry, it took me a long time to find the frog man." Multiple Girl said.

"He's been literally hopping through the city!" Speed Queen said. "Ugh whatever. Let's just restrain him."

"Alright. But how?" Multiple Girl asked.

"Just follow my lead." said Speed Queen.

"You ain't restraining nothing!" Darrell shouted. He then shoots his tongue out but Wildgirl goes octopus and catches the tongue with her tentacles.

"Got you!" Wildgirl said. Darrell tried to pull back his tongue but it was no use.

"Alright now it's my turn." Speed Queen said as she ran and grabbed the tongue. She runs circles around him wrapping him in his own tongue.

"Damn it." Darrell mumbled.

"Now that you can't move, maybe you'll be willing to listen to us." Speed Queen said as the rest of the team made their way over.

"Why? You're just going to throw me in the Dungeon." Darrell said.

"We're not going to throw in the Dungeon. We just want to hear your side of the story. We know some Metahumans who are just like you." said Speed Queen.

"Like you'd understand." Darrell grumbled. "You guys at least look normal."

"That doesn't mean we can't help you." Surge says.

"Just trust us." said Wildgirl. "We can help you."

"We just want to talk and we can put this misunderstanding behind us." Speed Queen said.

"You wouldn't get it." Darrell grumbled.

"Try us." Parkour offered.

"If you insist." Darrell sighed. "I was once human you all of you, living in New Jersey. I was nothing more but a face in the crowd. But that all changed when I woke up being all green, covered in slime and having a long tongue. The people in my town called me a monster and drove me out of town."

"Ok so like the Wild Pack except he was actually driven out of his home." Wildgirl muttered.

"Everywhere I went I was chased out." Darrell continued. "Then I came here and I vowed to never be driven out again."

"We know some people that went through the same thing in Bismarck. They were shunned by the citizens of their home, but with our help they became the local heroes." Speed Queen said.

"You're lying." Darrell grumbled.

"We're not." Wildgirl said. "Let us help you."

"How can you girls help me?" Darrell said.

"Well for starters we'll help show the world you're not a monster but a real chill guy and then we'll go from there." Surge said.

"I guess I can give it a try." Darrell said with a sigh.

"Cool." Wildgirl cheered as she started to unwrap Darrell from his tongue. After he was free, he started stretching.

"Alright where do we start?" Darrell asked.

"A hat and tench coat comes to mind." Crystal Princess muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Darrell asked as Crystal Princess' eyes widened.

"Nothing." Crystal Princess quickly replied.

"No I want to hear what you said little girl." Darrell said.

"She didn't say anything." Wildgirl said before casting a glare at Crystal Princess. "Right?"

"Yeah I didn't say anything." Crystal Princess says.

"I heard you muttered something." Darrell Sid.

"Look it's nothing man." Wildgirl said. "Let's show everyone that you're not a freak."

"That'll be easy." Crystal Princess muttered sarcastically however Darrell heard her. Before she knew it he was right on her.

"Do you care to repeat that?" Darrell growled.

"I didn't say anything?" Crystal Princess lied.

"You're lying." Darrell growled. "You can't fool me I can tell!"

"You heard that?" Crystal Princess said.

"I did. It's pretty clear that you have a problem with me." Darrell said.

"No I don't." Crystal Princess argued but it fell on deaf ears.

"I guess it's because I look different isn't it?" Darrell growled. "I look like a freak don't I?"

"Well I've see many worst things as my time as a superhero." Crystal Princess replied.

"I seen the way you look at me and it's pretty clear that you don't like me because of my appearance." Darrell said.

"Well I um." Crystal Princess stammered.

"Damn it Crystal Princess." Wildgirl growled.

"Then it's also pretty clear that I'll never be accepted because I look the way I do." Darrell continues. "So if this city wants a monster, I'll give them one." He then leaps away into the city.

"Oh no." Crystal Princess gasped.

"You couldn't keep your big mouth shut for five minutes!?" Wildgirl said as she pushed Crystal Princess.

"We had it under control until you insulted him!" Surge said.

"Hey everyone calm down!" Speed Queen ordered.

"Why should we?" Parkour argued. "She ruined everything!"

"And we'll deal with that later." Speed Queen assured them. "Right now we gotta go after Darrell before someone gets hurt." Everyone nods before glaring at Crystal Princess as they prepared to go after Darrell. Crystal Princess goes to join them but Speed Queen stops her. "Not you. I think it's best if you go back to base. We'll go stop Darrell."

"Besides you already did enough damage." Wildgirl growled right before the team run off to go after Darrell, leaving Crystal Princess alone.

"I screwed up." Crystal Princess said sadly before walking dejectedly back to base.

Lola looked up as the base started to come into view. She had originally thought about having Soothsayer come get her but she decided against it. She needed to think and the last think she needed was Soothsayer scolding her.

"I really screwed up." Lola said.

"Indeed you did." A voice said. Lola looks up in front of her and sees her Peacock spirit animal. "You have forgotten the lesson I taught you."

"No I didn't!" Lola argued.

"Yes you did." Peacock retorted. "I taught you that looks aren't anything and you've already forgotten it. Tell me why you've chosen to disregard what I taught you?"

It's just something I learn from former pageant contestants, like the legends. I have a reputation to live up to." said Lola.

"But is your reputation more important than the feelings of others?" Peacock asked.

"Well it's um. No it's not." Lola replied.

"Your actions today have not only soured your relationship with your twin but possibly ruined a chance to rehabilitate a misunderstood teenager into an ally." Peacock scolded. Lola looked down with shame. "But there's a way to fix it." Lola immediately looked up with hope in her eyes.

"Really? How?" Lola asked.

"But fixing the problem at the source." Peacock answers before vanishing.

"At the source?" Lola repeated. She thought about it before gasping. "Hops! This whole thing started when I insulted Hops! If I fix the issue with Hops then I can fix the issue with Lana and then stop Darrell before he does something he regrets!"

Lola ran around the base to find Hops and then she finds Hops sitting on the couch. "Hey Hops." Lola said.

Hops looks to his right and sees Lola. "Lola, what are you doing here?" Hops asked. "I thought you were on patrol?"

"I screwed up." Lola admitted. "Bad. Can we talk?"

"I guess." Hops said with shrug. Lola then joins him on the couch. "What's up?"

"Listen I just want to say I'm sorry for calling you ugly. I always revert back to my old ways, always thinking looks matter and I forgot that beauty is on the inside."

"Why is that?" Hops asks. "Why do you believe looks matter so much?"

"I guess I look up to the older and pretty pageant girls, I wanted to be like them. But I ended up being vain and shallow. But now that I'm a superhero, I don't want to be like that Anymore." Lola explained.

"It's hard changing isn't it?" Hops asked. Lola sighs and nods before turning to the frog.

"How do people do it?" She asks. "How do they change so easily?"

"I wouldn't say easily." Hops replied. "It takes time and to truly change you gotta really want to be better. All you need is someone to help and support you through it."

"I want to change, but I feel like no wants to be on my side." Lola said.

"Just give them time Lola." said Hops.

"But I can't wait forever!" Lola shouted as she stood up. "Because of me a frog man is on a rampage and the rest of the team are mad at me!"

"Well the way I see it is the way to make everything right is to fix the mistake you made." Hops said.

"But how?" Lola asked.

"Learn from your mistakes Lola." Hops replied. "That's how."

"If you say so. I'm going to stop him from mistakes and one of them is preventing Darrell from doing something he'll regret." said Lola. "Thanks Hops."

"No problem." Hops said. "Remember Lola. Be a the better you that everyone believes you can be."

"You got it." Lola said as she pressed a button on her watch and becomes Crystal Princess. "Later Hops!" Lola shouted as she ran outside to find Darrell.

"Wait!" Mr. Cuddles shouted as he ran in from outside that stopped Lola in her tracks. "You ain't gonna get there in time on foot. Follow me!" He leads her to the garage area where Lola sees something with a sheet covering it. He then grabs the sheet and yanks it off to reveal a miniature pink jeep with crystal designs on it. "I was saving this for your birthday, but it is what it is. Say hello to the L-Jeep."

"It looks almost like my princess car!" Lola exclaimed excitedly as she looked it over.

"I know it does. I found one that looks at this closed down toy store, brought it at the base and worked my magic. It has a real motor, all-terrain tires and a police scanner for when get a report while on patrol." Mr. Cuddles explained. "Now go ahead and give this thing a test ride."

Lola let's out a squeal and gives Mr. Cuddles a big hug before jumping into the jeep. She fires up the engine before speeding off out of the base and into the city.

Speed Queen is running around the city looking around for Darrell. "Where the hell is he?!" Speed Queen grunted. "Any luck on anyone else's ends?" She asked through her watch.

"Found him." Parkour reported with a grunt. "Ambushed me. Need backup now!"

"On my way." Speed Queen said with everyone saying the same thing.

In another part of the city Wildgirl is flying towards Parkour's location when she notices a pink vehicle speeding through the city. She adjusts her falcon eyes and sees that it's Crystal Princess.

"What's she doing here?" Wildgirl questions before flying towards the ground and morphing back to human causing Crystal Princess to hit the breaks.

"Wildgirl I found you!" Crystal Princess exclaimed.

"What are you doing here Crystal Princess?" Wildgirl growled. "You're supposed to be at base."

"I know. But I got to talking to Hops and my spirit animal, and I didn't mean to talk about Hops and Darrell in a bad way." Crystal Princess said. "I'm going to make things right."

"Yeah right." Wildgirl scoffed. "You never make things right! You always escalate the situation or make things worse!"

"Wildgirl I can assure you that things will be different this time!" Crystal Princess told her.

"How so? You're just gonna go back to your old ways next week." said Wildgirl.

"No I'm not!" Crystal Princess argued as she climbed out of her vehicle. "I'm trying to change and the first step is to fix my mistake."

"Go home Crystal Princess." Wildgirl growled. "We don't need you."

"I'm not going anywhere except to stop Darrell." Crystal Princess told her preparing a crystal club. She knew where this was about to go and she had to be ready.

"Then I'll make you go back to base." Wildgirl growled. The two twins glared at each other as they waited for the other to make the first move. "Last chance. Go back to base."

"I'm not going anywhere." Crystal Princess responded.

Then I'll move you out of the way." Wildgirl said as she morphed into a raptor and lunged towards Crystal Princess, but she smacks Wildgirl with her crystal club, knocking her down and morphs back to her human form.

"Just let me help!" Crystal Princess shouted.

Wildgirl gets back up and growls like a panther. "No, leave Lola!" Wildgirl shouted back as she morphs into a Panther.

Wildgirl lunges forward and pounces onto Crystal Princess knocking her down. Crystal Princess holds up her club to try to protect herself but Wildgirl grabs it with her jaw and throws her to the side.

Crystal Princess forms a crystal fist and hits Wildgirl with it. Wildgirl was unfazed by the strike and raised her paw to slash her twin sister, until Crystal Princess punches Wildgirl again knocking her down.

"Lana you need to calm down!" Crystal Princess shouted. "I'm trying to fix a mistake I made so please let me!"

"Fix? More like make it worst than it already is." Wildgirl replied as she morphed into a bear and smacks Crystal Princess to the ground.

"Please stop this." Crystal Princess begged. "I don't want to hurt you." Wildgirl goes for another swipe but Crystal Princess rolls out of the way before striking Wildgirl's leg knocking her down.

"For someone who doesn't want to hurt me you're doing a bad job at it." Wildgirl growled. Crystal Princess quickly covers herself in crystal armor as Wildgirl goes gorilla.

"Lana this is going too far just trust me to fix my mistakes!" Crystal Princess begged.

"Fat chance!" Wildgirl roared before charging forward and punching Crystal Princess into the ground. Wildgirl then proceeded to repeatedly punch Crystal Princess slowly chipping off her armor. "You never fix things! You never learn from your mistakes and half the time you make the same ones. And you insulted Hops and killed Seymour!"

"I didn't kill Seymour!" Crystal Princess cried out stopping Wildgirl mid-punch. Wildgirl looked down at her twin who's armor was damaged where half her face was exposed.

"What?" Wildgirl gasped.

"I didn't kill Seymour." Crystal repeated her non-crystaled face starting to form tears. "The day he you lost him he escaped his tank. I had tried to put him in but he jumped out the window. When I went down there to try to get him he was already gone. Seymour ran away Lana I didn't kill him."

"But the shovel." Wildgirl said.

"I was going out to see if I could find him and I was going to use the shovel to bring him back." Crystal Princess said.

"So you didn't bury him?" Wildgirl asked. "You we're trying to find him."

"Yes. But I couldn't find him, I searched all over Royal Woods Park for him, but I couldn't find him." Crystal Princess said as tears continued to yo down her face. "I didn't have the heart to tell you that Seymour ran away, I couldn't bare to see you sad."

"But I accused you of killing him and you didn't try to correct me!" Wildgirl argued.

"Because back then I saw it as good threatening material." Crystal Princess told her. "But I'm trying to not be like that anymore! I even apologized to Hops and he helped realize that I was wrong and said that it's not gonna be easy to change but if I have support it'll make things easier."

"You apologized to Hops?" Wildgirl questioned. "He gave you advice?"

"Yes! I said sorry to him and I wanted to apologize to you as well." Crystal Princess said.

Wildgirl's widen and remembers what was happening and quickly changes back to human before getting off her twin. "You alright?" She asks.

"I'm fine." Crystal Princess said as she gets back up. "I've been through worse." She replied as she dusted herself off.

"So do you really think you can stop Darrell?" Wildgirl asked.

"I think so." Crystal Princess answered. "I might have an idea but it won't be easy."

"Ok as long you know what you're doing." Wildgirl said.

"I do." Crystal Princess said climbing back into her jeep. "Right now we can't waste anymore time than we already have."

"Right." Wildgirl nodded as she morphed into a hawk and flew off with Crystal Princess driving off.

Parkour let out a grunt as she gets dropkicked in the stomach by Darrell sending her crashing into a building. "That was rough." She groaned. Surge comes flying in with a energy powered fist and swings at Darrell who leaps up and kicks Surge in the back of the head.

"He's too springy." Surge shouted.

"Why can't you guys just leave me alone?!" Darrell said.

"We're just trying to help you and make sure no one gets hurt!" Surge shouted back.

"Too bad!" Darrell shouted. "Everyone needs to pay!" He senses someone coming at him from behind and immediately leaps into the air narrowly dodging Speed Queen.

"Damn it." Speed Queen growled. "Soothsayer was right. I'm still not fast enough."

Multiple Girl and two of her clones runs towards Darrell, but Darrell launches his tongue towards Multiple Girl and his clones. But she and her clones grab the tongue and yank Darrell towards them. But Darrell grabs lamppost and the four are now in the middle of tug of war.

"Do you really think you can stop me?' Darrell asked. "Because spoilers, you can't."

"Like we totes can." Multiple Girl said before she and her clones yank the tongue pulling Darrell towards them.

Multiple Girl gives Darrell a punch in the face and then the clones used Darrell's tongue to tie him up again. But before they can wrap up the frog man, Darrel kicks both of the clones.

"Couldn't react fast enough." Darrell said before hitting a leaping spin kick to Multiple Girl.

Speed Queen runs towards Darrell and attemps to tackle him, but Darrell dodges the tackle and used his tongue to grab Speed Queen by the tackle and throws her to the wall.

"We've barely landed any hits on him!" Speed Queen shouted.

"That leaping ability he has is what's causing us problems." Parkour said. "But I think I have an idea. Just keep attacking for now so I can get ready."

"Alright we'll keep him busy. Just be ready." Speed Queen said. "Let's get him!"

"Right." Everyone said in unison.

"Surge you come at him from the left." Speed Queen ordered. "Multiple you got the front. I'll take the right."

"You got it!" Surge said as she flew off

"Like you got it." Multiple Girl said and ran off.

"Parkour you in position?" Speed Queen asked.

"Not yet." Parkour answered. "Need a few minutes."

Surge flew towards Darrell and fired two energy shots at Darrell, but he dodged the shots, but Surge punched Darrell in the face. Surge turn around and sees Multiple Girl and another clone both performed a clothesline move on Darrell knocking him down.

The Multiple Girls charge again at Darrell but he shoots his tongue at them wrapping them up before flinging them away.

"There goes Multiple Girl." Surge said as she flew towards Darrell.

Darrell jumps in the air and performs a spinning kick onto Surge, knocking her to the ground. "Parkour, are you in position!?" Speed Queen asked.

"Yeah just get him to jump up." Parkour told her.

"Right." Speed Queen said. She ran forward right towards Darrell who immediately dodges her but leaping upwards.

"Missed me!" Darrell taunted.

"Wasn't trying to hit you." Speed Queen told him. Darrell looks at her confused when suddenly Parkour jumps off the nearby building and hits him with a hard right hand sending him crashing back down to the ground.

"Consider yourself grounded." Parkour said as she lands on Darrell and continued to beat up the frog man. But Darrell grabs Parkour's fist and throws her aside to a wall.

"He's stronger than he looks." Speed Queen said as she approached Darrell. "Surrender now."

"Why would I when I'm winning?" Darrell taunted. "If anything you should surrender."

"Look we don't want to hurt you but you're not leaving us much of a choice." Speed Queen told him but the frog boy scoffed.

"Please. You brought this on yourself." Darrell growled.

"Look that was my little sister's fault, she believes that looks are everything. She's very vain and shallow." Speed Queen explained.

"Hey!" The two turn to see Crystal Princess and Wildgirl. "That's mean. And here I was coming to fix this." Crystal Princess said.

"Crystal Princess, what are you doing here?! I told you to stay at the base!" Speed Queen said.

"I'm trying to fix my mistakes." Crystal Princess said.

"Look this isn't the time for games." Speed Queen said but before she can continue Wildgirl steps up.

"Give her a shot." Wildgirl said. "She's sincere."

"Alright fine! She can help, but make it quick." Speed Queen said.

"Go for it sis." Wildgirl said.

Crystal Princess takes a deep breath and then slowly starts to approach Darrell. Darrell scowls and turns to face her.

"Come to mock me some more?" Darrell asked.

"No. I'm here to help you." Crystal Princess tells him. However Darrell just scoffs.

"You guys said that earlier and I ended up getting insulted." He says. "Why should I trust you now?'

"Because last time it was my fault that everything went bad." Crystal Princess says. "But now I'm seeing things differently."

"How so?" Darrell asked.

"I used to think looks are everything and ugly people are bad. But it's what's on the inside that counts." Crystal Princess said.

Darrell looks at her for second and sighs. "Is that the best you can come up with?" He asked preparing to attack.

"Wildgirl, no matter what he does to not attack." Crystal Princess ordered covering herself in crystals.

"Sis are you crazy?" Wildgirl asked. "Look your plan didn't work I get that but this is crazy."

"Who said that was the plan?" Crystal Princess told her. "I just said my new mindset. That was never the plan. I didn't tell you my actual plan because you'd try to talk me out of it. So again no matter what, don't get involved and don't let anyone else interfere. Please. This is my mistake that I'm gonna fix."

"Well if you insist. You do need to pay for your mistakes and I know just the way." said Darrell as he gave Crystal Princess a right hook to the face. The rest of the L-Crew gasped at what just happened, Crystal Princess gets back up with her helmet began to crack.

Darrell then kicked Crystal Princess in the chest knocking her down to the ground with her armor chest beginning to crack. "Come on fight back kid." said Darrell.

"No." Crystal Princess replied. "I won't hurt you."

Darrell didn't say a word he continued to beat up Crystal Princess, causing more cracks in her crystal armor. Darrell grabs her by the arm and throws her to the wall and knees Crystal Princess in the face.

"What the hell is doing?!" Parkour questioned. "She's going to get herself killed!"

"Just trust her." Wildgirl assured them. "She knows what she's doing."

"Why won't you fight back!?" Darrell shouted. "Fight me!"

"No. I'm not going to fight you." Crystal Princess replied.

Darrell growls and shoots his tongue out at her wrapping around her body where he then begins swinging her around slamming her into buildings and cars.

"Fight me!" Darrell shouted after releasing her. "Why won't you fight me? Why won't you defend yourself?"

"You're beating up someone... who insulted you." Crystal Princess panted as she slowly got up. "Isn't that what you wanted? To punish those who insulted you and drove you away?"

Darrell's anger began to fade away as he began to see why Crystal Princess didn't fight back. "You we're just giving me what I want?" Darrell asked.

"Sorta." Crystal Princess replied. "But let me ask you this. How did it feel beating up someone who wouldn't or couldn't fight back? Did it make you feel powerful? Strong? Victorious? Any of those?"

"No. I thought it would, but I don't feel strong or powerful." Darrell said. "I don't feel anything."

"Exactly." Crystal Princess said. "Even when you mercilessly beat down someone who insulted you, you feel no pleasure, no happiness, no nothing. Did you feel anything?" Darrell thought about it and shivered.

"I felt like a monster if I'm being honest." He said looking at his hands. "I became what people thought me to be."

"Excalty. But we can help you show people that you're not a monster. Inside you're as normal as the rest of us." Crystal Princess replied. "We know some people who went through the same problem as you."

"You really think you can help me? After everything I've done?" Darrell asked still looking at his hands when two hands grab his. He looks up (or down depending on how you think about it) and sees Crystal Princess.

"No. I know we can help you." Crystal Princess tells him. "All you gotta do, is let us."

"If you say so, I'll let you girls help me." Darrell said. "So where do we start?"

"Well first you're going to apologize to the cops for all the trouble you've caused!" Crystal Princess said poking his nose. "You've caused a lot of damage and trouble so you're going to apologize to the cops for what you've done!"

"If you insist, I'll do it." Darrell sighed. "I really did caused a lot of damaged to Royal Woods."

"You certainly did." Surge replied.

Darrell stood in front of Chief Haggar and several other police officers with the L-Crew behind him.

"I humbly apologize for all the damage I caused to the city and to your officers." Darrell said. "I know what I did wasn't right and I am currently going to work on being better."

"Well apology accepted." Haggar replied. "We're glad you have the right people to set you on the right path."

"Yeah I fully agree." Darrell said.

"We're requesting that the charges be dropped as well." Speed Queen said stepping forward and placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll be sending somewhere out of state for rehabilitation and proper training in communication."

"Very well." Haggar said. "However I will be sending his records to whatever state you're sending him too."

"Sounds fair." Speed Queen said.

"Where are you sending me?" Darrell asked.

"To a group of people who are just like you." Speed Queen replied.

"Come with us to our base first." Wildgirl said. "We'll help you get ready."

At the base, Darrell sat on the couch while the rest of the L-Crew were getting some stuff together for him.

"So we don't really have time to really make you a super suit yet so your normal clothes will have to do for now." Speed Queen said. "As soon as we finish making it we'll send it to you."

"I'm fine with that." Darrell said. "I'm just thankful I'm not rotting in the Dungeon."

"You don't deserve it man." Wildgirl said. "Besides where we're sending you, you'll fit right in."

"Cool." Darrell said. "Um, are they aware what I did?"

"Yeah we kinda had to tell them." Multiple Girl said. "But it's all good."

"Why?" Darrell asked.

"Oh you see I'm technically the leader of the group we're sending you to." Wildgirl explained. "So they have no choice but to let you in."

"Ok at least I'll be welcomed on this team." Darrell said. "Wait you lead a team? Aren't you a little young to lead a team?"

"Yes. Yes I am." Wildgirl replied.

"Huh. Well I guess if you're proven." Darrell said with a shrug. "So when do I leave?"

"Now." Crystal Princess replied. "Soothsayer if you would."

"As you wish." Soothsayer said as he cracked his fingers.

"Wait is it safe?" Darrell asked.

"Of course it is." Soothsayer said. "Now don't move while I teleport you."

"Alright." Darrell said before looking at the L-Crew. "Thanks for everything. Next time we meet, I'll be a whole different person."

"Until then take care and stay out of trouble." Crystal Princess tells him. "And listen to what your team says. They know what they're doing."

"Right. See ya." Darrell said before Soothsayer snaps his fingers teleporting Darrell away.

"Well that's that." Speed Queen said taking off her mask. "Soothsayer, you were right. We were slacking in our training and today it showed. So please, help us be better."

"Of course." Soothsayer said. "That is why I'm here. Shame you saw no signs of Ryker."

"Yeah but we'll find him." Ronnie Anne assured him as she took her hood off. "We just gotta keep an eye open and hope he stays out of trouble."

"Hope Darrell made it to North Dakota alright." Lana said.

Darrell lands on the ground and looks at his surroundings and sees some trees, picnic tables, benches and trees. "That old timer must have teleported me in a park." Darrell said as he gets up and begins to look around.

"Are you our new teammate?" A voice called out.

Darrell turns and sees four figures gathered on and around a large rock.

"Depends." Darrell responded. "You guys the Wild Pack?"

"Yes we are." The eagle figure replied.

"You must be the new recruit that Wildgirl told us about." The snake figure stated.

Uh yeah." Darrell replied still keeping his guard up. The wolf figure leaped off the rock and slowly approached Darrell. As soon as he was close the wolf figure took a sniff before sighing.

"You're cautious." The wolf guy said. "Smart but unnecessary." He then holds out a clawed hand. "Names Terrance. Acting leader of the Wild Pack." Darrell looks at the hand before accepting it. "The jaguar or panther guy over there is Rex, the snake guy is Alan and the hot eagle chick is Laura. We're the Wild Pack as you know and we specialize in Search and Rescues and missing persons."

"We also stop other crimes but those two are the ones we excel at." Rex added. "Glad to have you on board because we really need a water guy." Darrell looks at him confused.

"You guys can't swim?" Darrell questions.

"Well Alan can't swim in general, Laura can't get her wings wet or she won't be able to fly, Rex has this cat think where he's afraid to go in the water and while I can swim, it makes me smell like wet dog." Terrance explained. The rest of the Wild Pack come down and join them. "Wildgirl called us and said she had a new recruit for us. Told us you were a frog guy and we were so down to have you with us."

"At least I'll be useful in this team." Darrell said.

"You sure will be." Terrance said. "Welcome to the Wild Pack."

Thanks." Darrell said. Rex then appears next him and places an arm around his shoulders.

"Now that that's out of the way, let's show you around the city you'll be protecting and introduce you to Chief Amoy." Rex said.

"This actually sounds fun." Darrell said as he and his newfound teammates headed into the city.

Meanwhile in Royal Woods, Ryker is riding on a motorcycle to meet up with Leonard Miller, he drove down the streets still getting the hang of riding a motorcycle. Once he reached a building, Ryker puts the kickstand and walks towards an alleyway. "Ok where are you Miller?" Ryker asked.

He then hears something coming behind him. He pulls out one his his revolvers, immediately turns around and aims it right at the face of Leonard Miller.

"Now now." Miller said as he pushed the gun away from his face with a finger. "No need to be so hostile."

"Wouldn't say it's hostility." Ryker said. "I see it as more of keeping my guard up and not fully trusting you."

"Just put your gun away, so we can talk." Miller said.

Ryker placed his gun back in his holster. "Speak Miller." said Ryker.

"As I told you before, my master can help you get home to your time." Miller told him. "But to do that you need to help him with business."

"What kind of business?" Ryker asked.

"It is best if you hear it from him instead of me." Miller stated.

"Now you see, that ain't gonna fly." Ryker told him. "If I'm gonna do business with someone I gotta know what kinda of business I'm getting myself into. Or else no deal."

"You plus rather give up your one way back to your time than to do some work for my boss?" Miller asked.

"Then the deal's off." Ryker said as he began to walk away.

"It involves the L-Crew!" Miller exclaimed as Ryker stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Miller.

"What about them?" Ryker questions.

"My master wants your assistance in eliminating them." Miller explains. "If you assist us in eliminating them, we'll help you get back home."

"Fine, I'll help your boss. They broke their promise to bring me home anyway." said Ryker.

"Good." Miller said as he got on his own motorcycle. "Follow me. We have business to attend to." The two drive off and as Ryker followed Miller, he couldn't help but feel a little shame and regret.

"Sorry kids, but I don't have a choice." Ryker thought. "I hope you'll be able to forgive me for whatever I do."

In another part of the city, just across the street from Tetherby Industries, Replicate, Alice and Quill stood on top of a building keeping an eye on what was going on.

"So you think Tetherby had something to do with Armageddon?" Alice asked. While she wasn't there, her two partners had told her what went down.

"Most likely." Replicate said. "He probably couldn't control it so it went on a rampage. No doubt he hoped it would destroy the L-Crew and anyone else he hated."

"I bet he wasn't happy when Project Armageddon was destroyed." Quill said.

"That's what I'm guessing." Replicate replied.

"If anything he should be thanking you two for destroying that thing." Alice said. "Even if it wasn't you guys that destroyed it."

"Fair." Quill said. "So what's going on down there? What's with all the trucks?" The three looked down and saw four trucks lined up in front of Tetherby Industries being loaded up.

"I'm not sure." Replicate said. "But my guess is either Tetherby is moving things out of Royal Woods, so no one else can investigate."

"Let's find out what's inside the trucks." Quill said.

"Wait." Replicate says. "We can't just run down there. The last thing we need to do is draw unwanted attention to ourselves."

"So what do we do?" Quill asked.

"Hey guys, there's some guy down there." Alice said. Replicate and Quill exchange a glance before looking towards where Alice was looking. Sure enough there was a man in sweatpants with no shirt on watching as the workers loaded the cargo. Replicate pulls out his binoculars to get a better look.

"Must be Tetherby's new heavy I've heard about." Replicate says. "Heard he's dangerous."

"Let me see." Quill said before taking the binoculars to look. "Yep that's definitely a tough looking customer."

"Think he'll complicate things?" Alice asked.

"Not sure." Replicate admitted. "However considering how Tetherby already had Xander and Helios on his payroll, this just makes things harder."

"Yeah and who knows what they're shipping out." Quill pointed. "Must be important if this guy is overseeing uh oh."

"What uh oh?" Alice asked.

"Um, he's gone." Quill said.

"Who's gone?" Replicate asked.

"The guy overseeing the trucks." Quill answered. "He's gone."

"How did you lose him?" Replicate growled.

"I looked away for a second and next thing I knew it he was gone." Quill said.

"Nice going." Alice said with a roll of her eyes. She then hears something. "Guys do you hear that?" The two older metas look at her confused when they hear the sound as well.

"Yeah. It sounds like bone stabbing brick." Quill replied.

"That's oddly specific." Replicate said. They peer over and at first they don't see anything when suddenly the man they were watching earlier leaps up in front of them and lands on the roof.

"Sorry but boss man doesn't like spies." The man said unsheathing two long bone claws from his wrists.

"So that make you Tetherby's newest pet?" Replicate said.

"The name's Pike." Pike introduced. "I'm here to make sure nothing bad happens to the shipments."

"What are you shipping out of Royal Woods?" Quill asked.

"Sorry, I can't reveal that information." Pike replied.

"Guys enough of the small talk!" Alice shouted from behind a transformer. "Just kick his ass!"

Pike lunged towards Replicate and Quill, but the two dodged and moved out of the way as Replicate's eyes flashed. Quill charged towards Pike and throws a punch at Pike, but he dodged the attack and knees Quill in the chin.

Replicate goes for a spin kick but Pike avoids it by jumping back. Replicate then takes a swing at Pike ducks and slashes Replicate's leg forcing him to a knee.

"How'd that feel?" Pike taunted but frowned when he saw the wound heal and Replicate stand up.

"You tell me." Replicate responded before unsheathing his own claws and slashing Pike's leg.

Pike grunts in pain as he staggers back a bit. "So you must be Replicate?" Pike said. "I heard a lot about you."

"I see my reputation proceeds me." Replicate said.

Pike slashed at Replicate, but he uses his claws to block off Pike's attack. Replicate counters and slashed Pike's chest, but the wound heals. Quill tried to attack from behind, but Pike gives Quill a backhand slap.

"How pathetic are you?" Pike mocked as Quill got back up.

"So you wanna play like that eh? Fine." Quill said growing two long quills out his wrists, three foot long quills from his forearms, a six inch quill on his heels. "Let's play!"

Let's get brutal. People have wanted this matchup so let's give it to them

Both Quill and Pike charge at each other and both their claws and quills clashed, they both swinger their claws and quills at each other either blocking or dodging them. Pike kneed Quill in the chest and then impaled him in the left side of his chest.

"You little shit." Quill growled before jamming one of his quills into his chest and another into his side. Pike growls and headbutts Quill who responded by kicking him away causing the blades and quills to exit their bodies.

Pike thrusted his claws at Quill, but Quill dodged the attack and striked Pike with one of his quills in the side. Pike pulls himself from Quill's quills and slashed his claws across Quill's face.

The wound heals and Quill slashes at Pike who dodges it. Quill keeps slashing but Pike keeps dodging until he's then stabbed in the back and when he looks down he sees two long bone claws sticking out of his stomach.

"Forget about me?" Pike heard Replicate whisper in his ear.

Quill managed to land a few slashes on Pike until Replicate kicks Pike in the back of the knees and tossed him aside. "Let's double team on him. We can take him out faster." Quill suggested as Pike's wounds began to heal.

"You attack from the left, I'll go for the right." Replicate ordered.

"Right." Quill said with nod as they slowly moved to their positions as Pike never took his eyes off them. Once they were in position they struck. Replicate swung his blade at Pike dodged and hit a front flip kick on Quill. Quill then swung but again Pike dodged and slashed Replicate's stomach destroying his shirt. Replicate then throws his jacket and shirt to the side grabbing Pike by the throat who stabs him in the chest causing him to shout in pain. However Quill comes up from behind and stabs him in the back. Replicate then uses his free hand and stabs Pike in the chest with his claw leaving the three at a stalemate.

Pike lunged towards Quill, but Quill dodged the claws and slashed Pike with his quills. But then Pike knees Quill in the chest knocking him down.

Pike then turns his attention to Replicate who he pushes off with his foot freeing both metas.

"I'll give you this, you're tougher than you look." Replicate told him.

"And your reputation proceeds you." Pike comments. "But tell me, can you keep this up?"

"Please." Replicate scoffed. "I've defeated the L-Crew, something you haven't done."

"In time." Pike said. "For now I'll settle for you."

Replicate lunged towards Pike and Pike lunged towards Replicate and they both clashed and knocked each other out. But they get back up and Replicate gives Pike a roundhouse kick to the chest. Pike recovered from the attack and slashed Replicate in the arm with his claws.

"Getting tired old man?" Pike taunted. "My powers are taking a toll on you? You see your body isn't used to the constant fast healing so it's slowing you down."

"I figured that." Replicate said while panting heavily. "If anything, I'm just distracting you. Quill now!"

Quill runs up to Pike and impales him in the back with his quills on his arms and one of them lands in the back of his neck. Pike coughs up some blood and slowly slides off of the quills, then drops dead on the ground.

"You think that killed him?" Quill said.

"Unlikely." Replicate stated. "He'll be back up in a few hours by my count."

"Cool." Quill said. "Well that was fun."

"Yeah well the trucks left while you guys were fighting." Alice said as she leaned on a vent. "And the only person that knows anything is temporarily dead."

"Damn. We should have gotten the answers out of him first." Replicate said. "There's no point in waiting since there will people wondering about his location."

"Then we should probably leave before someone else shows up." Quill said. "Doesn't Tetherby have two more enforcers?"

"Of course. Helios and Xander. I wouldn't tangle with those two just yet." said Replicate.

"Then we should probably leave." Alice suggested. "Especially since we don't know when Mr. Spikey is gonna come back alive."

"Agree. Let's go!" Replicate said as he, Quill and Alice ran away from the building right when Pike's hand started to move again.

Smoke: Hey everyone. I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter of Loud Heroes. Now we recently got a review asking why haven't we posted anything and if we're dead. First off, we're still alive. Second Writing chapters like these takes lots of time and we've been working on our other stories from time to time. That and we have our personal lives. So again we're still alive.

Zachlor16: So last chapter there was a question in the reviews asking if since Lana can turn into animals, would she be able to scent the difference between meta humans and normal humans like Tongri can. The answer is no and here's why. You see as we've said several times in the past, Tongri is magically enhanced. Think super soldier except instead of a soldier its a tiger. Anyways, this mean Tongri has enhanced strength, speed, stamina and senses. So Tongri can pick up specific senses that normal animals can't. Which is why Lana wouldn't be able to notice the difference in scents unless she truly trained herself to do it but because she's constantly switching animals, it's not possible. I hope that answers your question.

Smoke: Anyway please read, review and stay safe.

Zachlor16: While things are getting better, we're not out of the woods yet so stay safe out there.