The Bad Guys: Episode 17: Let the Games Begin!

**The Bad Guys in: Let the Games Begin!** is the seventeenth book in the Bad Guys series, and the seventh book in season two. It released on June 1, 2023 in Australia, and on July 4, 2023 in the U.S.

## Description

OK. It’s time to stop messin’ around . . . In this book, the One IS going to be reunited with the Others. You ARE going to actually meet the REAL DREAD OVERLORD SPLAARGHÖN. And ONE CHARACTER is going to change EVERYTHING you thought you knew. This is the one you’ve been waiting for!!

## Plot

The book opens with a high speed car chase between multiple police cars, a juvenile Wolf and Snake in one car, and Wolf’s father in a separate car. After Wolf’s father proceeds to insult and pressure Wolf to the point of tears, he parts ways by driving in a different direction. Wolf then gains a boost of confidence before driving over the police cars and causing them to crash, as Wolf and Snake celebrate their triumph. Snake comments on Wolf’s bad influence, with Wolf positively agreeing, before the scene changes to Wolf regretting his past whilst taking in the scenery of the new dimension.

As Wolf’s team grow more uncertain of the new dimension, the dimension’s underlord makes a horrifying debut. Being built entirely of ears and commenting on his supernatural hearing abilities, he introduces himself as the Eaar of Splaarghön—the master of ceremonies and one who hears all. He offers a chance for the team to surrender, which they decline. As a result, they must now ‘play the game’, which is seemingly as simple as crossing the arena to get to the next doorway—the one that leads to Splaarghön’s dimension. After some skeptical comments, it’s then revealed they must get through all of the Underlords, all being equipped with corruptive instruments. Shaård, Onsáày, Drillaärgh, Hogwild, and Shark are on drums, Ghaâstly is on bass, Splaarghön is on lead guitars, and Snake is on lead vocals. Piranha, still being held hostage by Snake, tries rebutting at him with farting, to Snake’s annoyance. He then warns the heroes to cover their ears, as the Underlords are soon to play brainwashing music. They do so right after, though Fox is able to protect them with her magic, However, the Underlords are too powerful for her to be able to protect her team and walk simultaneously, so Wolf carries her on his shoulders while they run past all the damage.

Now equipped with The Others, the B-Team is soon to arrive back on Earth. The team is also explained that Milton is indeed the last member of The Others, and that he ‘just couldn’t remember until now’. Legs and Delores are still confused, as Granny and Zee only respond to their questions with vague answers. Before more can be explained, the team crash down into the first doorway.

The A-team is quickly overwhelmed by the mass amount of damage the Underlords are causing, only for it to be worsened by floor cracks revealing lava underneath. After Wolf and Fox exchange optimistic comments, Eaar responds by revealing Kitty to be tied onto a large spike, dangling over a pool of lava.

As the B-Team quickly zoom down each of the Underlords’ dimensions, the team questions how The Others are related to The One, including on their combined appearance and method of combination. Zee reveals that The Others are quite literally absorbed into The One, meaning they’ll disappear into their real body and will cease to exist. This causes Legs to get emotional, realizing Milton will have to disappear as well.

The spike Kitty is tied onto slowly crumbles, bringing her closer into falling into lava. Wolf panics, and Snake encourages Wolf to give up in exchange for Snake saving her. Wolf refuses, scolding Snake’s villainous choices. When Wolf asks for Snake’s reasoning, Snake claims he wants to motivate Wolf into doing something. During their arguing, Kitty’s brought in further danger by being on the verge of falling, as she encourages the A-Team to leave her behind as it’s simply a trick. Piranha then interrupts by farting twice, only further aggravating Snake. Wolf pleads for Snake’s help, and when Snake questions why, Wolf claims that because this entire series of events is his fault. He recalls the earlier scene of him and Snake’s childhood high speed chase, acknowledging Snake was always good at a young age, and that Wolf’s bad influence from his abusive father was the reason he’s wound up where he is today. Because he was “always just a really good kid”, Wolf is sure Snake won’t hurt the team, which leads to Snake reflecting on himself. Abe then interrupts by suddenly levitating and declaring “The Others are coming!”.

Focusing on the B-Team once more, Milton, Zee, and Granny also start levitating, to Legs’ dismay. Milton responds with comforting reassurance, though Doom questions such due to Milton’s lack of memory. Milton responds by referring to Doom with her first name, claiming “Joy is who you are. Soon you will understand that too.” Zee then wishes the team good luck with their ‘transformations’, leaving the team even more confused. Milton leaves Legs with a final compliment, as The Others join hands.

Snake snaps out of his reflection, remaining with his villainous stance. Before he can drop Kitty in the lava, she breaks out of the ropes, insults Snake on his poor ability to tie knots, and proceeds to smack, batter, and spin around Snake like a rope. At that moment, the B-Team’s ship arrives in their dimension, to which Fox is brought down to ground level to reunite with The Others. The B-Team comment on a bizarre yet joyful feeling, as the ship starts violently rattling. Abe remains levitating, but moves away from Fox and right above Shortfuse. The Others soon fade away, as a beam is emitted above Fox and misses her. Everyone shouts in disbelief, including Splaarghön with joy, as he makes his first physical appearance towering over Fox. Fox looks at Wolf with a teary face of acceptance, as she is squished to death by Splaarghön, to the heroes’s shock and the Underlords’ triumph. Snake and Kitty start crying, though Snake quickly shakes off his tears and brainwashes Kitty with a snap of his tail. Wolf collapses in shock, and Delores comments on a strange feeling yet again, before the B-Team’s ship suddenly vanishes. Wolf breaks down into sobs of denial, refusing to believe The One is dead. However, Shortfuse speaks audibly for the first time, claiming that Fox wasn’t The One, rather it’s herself, and ending the book.