Guardian Era/Transcript

🟥*The next morning, Stardown noticed that Kirby was now onboard the Medallion.*

🟥**Stardown:** I need to know more about Von Calibra.
🟥*He puts his suit and requests that the Medallion go to Plit.*

🟩**Brian:** Sure. I was thinking about going there anyway.
🟥*Soon the Medallion arrives at Plis, and lands near a cliff overlooking the ocean, but before they can get very far, Von Calibra appears and immobilizes Brian with a stun laser, but backs down when he sees Stardown.*

🟥**Von Calibra:** I… I don’t know what came over me…
🟥**Stardown:** Then why did you immobilize him?
🟥**Von Calibra:** Amy made me do it!
🟩**Stardown:** Amy!?
🟥**Von Calibra:** Yes… I don’t know why…
🟩**Stardown:** Are you sure it was her?
🟥**Amy:** I did no such thing, droid!
🟥*She charges at Von Calibra, hammer drawn. Then they hear it:*

🟥**???:** Ra-ra-ra!
🟩**Stardown:** Suzie!?
🟥**Suzie:** Yes, Stardown. and my more than helpful assistant, Amy.
🟥**Amy B.T.:** I had nothing to do with it!
🟥**Suzie:** Suuuuuure you did. You were kind enough to let me use your name to shift the blame away from us. Now, Von, immobilize them all.
🟥**Stardown:** Uncle, don’t listen to her.
🟥**Von Calibra:** I won’t do it!
🟥**Suzie:** I’ve got alternatives, you know.
🟥*She aims a device at Stardown and teleports him away.*

🟥**Amy:** No! Stardown!
🟥**Suzie:** Ra-ra-ra!
🟥*She teleports herself away.*

🟩**King Dedede:** Oh, boy…
🟩**Sonic:** Amy, do you know where she took him?
🟥**Amy B.T.:** Yes. Everyone follow me.

🟥*Meanwhile, somewhere…*

🟥**Stardown:** Where am I?
🟥**Suzie:** Inside my new-and-improved Castle Black.
🟥**Stardown:** How did you survive the Gerbilians?
🟩**Suzie:** Ohhhhh, it’s a long story.
🟥**Stardown:** Do tell.
🟥**Suzie:** If you insist. I was forewarned by my Koopa spies that a new army was approaching, so I climbed into my teleporter box and disappeared as my old castle went down. I stayed for several years at an apartment room right near one with several figures that seem familiar. I kept hearing loud music and animals in there, though. How did I ever have Shadowers and Inhalers in an age that has Crushers and Defenses? Anyway, it’s been a long time since we last met. My, have you grown.
🟥**Stardown:** Er… Thank you?
🟩**Suzie:** What should you do first... Ah yes! Come with me!
🟥*Stardown sighs and follows her.* 🟩*The first things Stardown sees when he enters the room are a smart phone and a giant hamster wheel.*

🟥**Stardown:** Wow... human hampsters just got techno... What’s your game?
🟩**Suzie:** I want you to charge my phone by running in the hamster wheel.
🟩*Stardown sees a charger cord lying on the floor.*

🟥**Stardown:** What’s this?
🟩*Suzie takes the cord and hides it.*

🟩**Suzie:** Oh, nothing, nothing.
🟥*Stardown gets on the wheel and starts running.*

🟩**Suzie:** That phone takes for,everrrrr to charge.
🟥**Stardown:** Then I’ll be on this wheel for-everrrrr!
🟩**Suzie:** Maybe these will help.
🟩*She dumps hamsters on Stardown.*

🟥**Stardown:** Now it’s going to be for-everrrrr times two!
🟩**Suzie:** Don’t step on them now.
🟩*Suzie leaves.* 🟥*Stardown gently places the hamsters off the wheel and keeps running.* 🟩*Suzie enters.*

🟩**Suzie:** This should help you.
🟩*She leans the phone on the wall and has it show how much power it has.*

🟥**Stardown:** Oh, it’s only at 2%. Only 98% to go!
🟩**Suzie:** Have fun!
🟩*She leaves. One of the hamsters crawls on the table and unplugs the phone.* 🟥*Stardown gets off the wheel, plugs the phone back in, and keeps running.*

🟥**Stardown:** At least my radio wasn’t taken away…
🟩**Suzie:** Something about your radio not being taken away?
🟥**Stardown:** No, no, I guess I could charge that as well.
🟩**Suzie:** I’ll charge it for you.
🟩*She takes it from him and leaves.*

🟥*Stardown keeps running.*

🟥**Stardown: (to himself)** I’ve got a Morse code device.
🟥*Stardown codes the message “SOS. Castle Black. Hamster Wheel. Stardown.” to the Medallion.*

🟩*Brian hears the Morse code.*

🟩**Brian:** ~~He's in Castle Black. Know where it may be?~~ He was taken to Castle Black. I think, anyway.
🟥**Amy B.T.:** That’s the likeliest place he would have been taken. Come on!

🟩**Suzie:** Ooooooh! What’s that you got?
🟩*She takes the Morse code device out of Stardown’s pocket.*

🟩**Suzie:** Don’t stop now! You’re already at 3%!
🟥**Stardown:** If Sonic were here...
🟩**Suzie:** Sonic? You mean that creepy spiked blue thing?
🟥**Stardown:** I guess…
🟩**Suzie:** Don’t slow down!
🟩*The phone dropped back to 2%.*

🟥**Stardown:** Why don’t you just get a new phone?
🟩**Suzie:** Why?
🟥**Stardown:** One that doesn’t take for-everrrrr to charge.
🟩**Suzie:** Well… the power saver mode is off, and the screen's at the brightest setting and… all that other stuff.
🟥**Stardown:** Then why don’t you fix that.
🟩**Suzie:** Don’t have time.
🟩*She leaves the room.* 🟥*Stardown has an idea. He uses a device to turn the wheel automatically, then gets off and corrects the settings on Suzie’s phone before turning it off.*

🟩**Suzie:** Oh sorry. I- Hey! What are you doing!?
🟥**Stardown:** I’m making your phone easier to charge.
🟩**Suzie:** Have it your way.
🟥*Stardown checks the power.*

🟥**Stardown:** 6%!
🟩**Suzie:** Wow.
🟥**Stardown**: Anything else you’d like me to do before I leave?
🟩**Suzie:** Leave!? The phone is only at 6%! You need to finish charging it!
🟥**Stardown:** I’ve got a device charging it for me!
🟩**Suzie:** You need the exercise.
🟥**Stardown:** You’re right.
🟥*He gets back on the wheel and together with the device charge the phone twice as fast.*

🟩*Ten minutes later…*

🟩**Suzie:** Are ya bored?
🟥**Stardown:** No. Why?
🟩**Suzie:** I brought some entertainments.
🟩*She turns on a TV and has it play Barney.*

🟩**Suzie:** Enjoy!
🟥**Stardown:** *(This isn’t bad compared to what it could be…)*

🟥*Meanwhile the Medallion crew is searching the castle for Stardown...*

🟥**Amy:** This could take a while...
🟩**Sonic:** At least it’s a small castle.
🟩**Amy B.T.**: Did he say anything else in his Morse code?
🟩**Brian:** Something about a hamster wheel.
🟩**Amy B.T.:** Ah! Hamster wheel. I know where he is.

🟩*Stardown looks at the phone. 40%.*

🟥**Stardown:** Only 60% to go.
🟩**Suzie:** Something about the TV being too quiet? I can help with that.
🟩*She turns the volume up so high, that Stardown can hardly hear himself think.*

🟩**Barney:** I love you, you love me…

🟩**Amy B.T.:** That's their room.

🟩**Suzie:** Ra-ra-ra!

🟥**Brian:** Now we can hear where they are.
🟩*Suzie grabs what looks like a machine gun.*

🟩**Suzie:** Welcome to my castle!
🟥**Stardown:** You’ve arrived!
🟥**Roadrunner:** Didn’t you once have an army?
🟩**Suzie:** Oh sure…
🟥*Stardown nimbly jumps off the wheel.*

🟥**Stardown:** You should join the minor villains some day.
🟩**Suzie:** How insulting! Ra-ra-ra!
🟩*She fires the machine gun at Stardown. Smarties fly out.*

🟥**Stardown:** Seriously?
🟩*He falls unconscious. Suzie presses a button on a remote, and Stardown falls through a trap door.*

🟩**Suzie:** Ra ha ha ha ha!
🟥*Brian cuts a hole in the trap door and looks down.* 🟩*He sees a portal.*

🟩**Suzie:** Hey! That trap door cost me a fortune!
🟥*Tails sends down a camera drone to investigate.*

🟥**Brian:** What do you see?
🟩**Tails:** A portal. Nothing else.
🟥**Brian:** Can you send it into the portal?
🟩**Tails:** Sure.
🟩**Suzie:** Can’t you just ask me where it leads?
🟥**Roadrunner:** Okay, where does it lead?
🟩**Suzie:** I’m not going to tell you where he is right now. But don’t worry. He’s safe with friends.
🟥**Brian:** What do you see now, Tails?
🟩**Tails:** A door… I’ll turn the drone around… I think I just saw the Hooded Jaw…
🟥**Brian:** I thought so.
🟥**Von Calibra:** I’ll go.
🟥*He leaps through the trap door and into the portal.*

🟩**Suzie:** What’s Von Calibra’s real name?
🟥**Brian:** Von Calibra. Why do you ask?
🟩**Suzie:** Just asking.

🟥*Meanwhile…*

🟥**Von Calibra:** Okay, here goes…
🟥*He steps through the door.*

🟥**Von Calibra:** Wait a minute, this can’t be right…
🟥*He steps back through the door and walks the other way.*

🟩*A caped figure appears in front of him.*

🟩**???:** Well, well. I see you are trying to rescue your friend. How kind!
🟥**Von Calibra:** Who are you?
🟩**???:** I, am the great, Count Ponoko!
🟥**Von Calibra:** Ponoko. I may have heard of you.
🟩**Ponoko:** What do they call you?
🟥*Von Calibra takes off his helmet and bulky armor.*

🟥**Von Calibra:** They call me… Ace Calibra.
🟩**Ponoko:** Ace Calibra!? The Emperor will want to see you.
🟥**Ace Calibra:** I’m sure he will. Take me to him.
🟥*Neither of them saw Tails’ drone follow them as they walk down the hallway.*

🟩*They entered a room with the rest of the Emperor’s known minions and Stardown.*

🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Emperor? Are you there?
🟥**Ace:** Don’t tell me you lot of buffoons are in service to an emperor.
🟩**Josh:** Lot of buffoons?! How dare you!
🟥**Stardown:** He means the Hooded Claw and Ponoko. And I agree with him.
🟩**Ponoko:** You’ll pay for this!
🟩**Josh:** No! They are valuable prisoners!
🟥**Stardown:** So why are we really here?
🟩**Josh:** I will repeat myself. You two are valuable prisoners!
🟥**Stardown:** Not so valuable when a minor villain is present. Besides, I don’t even know you, “Emperor”. Seriously, what makes you an emperor, anyway?
🟩*The minions stare at Stardown in stunned shock.*

🟥**Stardown:** Where is your empire, “O Mighty One”? Oh that’s right, you don’t have one. Mind if I call you “boss” then?
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** DDDDDo yyyyou think he ccan year, III mmean hear yyou?
🟥**Stardown:** Oh, he’ll hear me all right.
🟩*The rest are too stunned to speak.* 🟥*Soon enough, the Emperor arrives.*

🟩**Emperor:** I see you have captured Stardown. Excellent work.
🟩**Ponoko:** And Ace Calibra!
🟥**Stardown:** What makes you emperor?
🟥**Ace:** Easy, Stardown.
🟩**Emperor:** Where did you find these two?
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** I found Stardown in the entrance.
🟩**Ponoko:** Same with Ace.
🟥**Stardown:** Black Toadette sent me here.
🟩**Emperor:** Take Calibra to the prison.
🟥**Ace:** I’ll get us out of here, Stardown.
🟥*He is taken away.*

🟩**Emperor:** Thank you. Now, Stardown, where do you come from?
🟥**Stardown:** Castle Black, which is just above us. I fell through a trap door.
🟩**Emperor:** Wrong answer! This time, you will answer me correctly. Where do you come from?
🟥**Stardown:** It won’t mean anything to you at all, but I come from Earth.
🟩**Emperor:** Earth. OK. Where do you dwell?
🟥**Stardown:** I can tell you want to make a house call some day. Well, what if I told you I live on Plit?
🟩**Emperor:** What if? You don’t live there now.
🟥**Stardown:** I didn’t say I don’t live there.
🟩**Emperor:** True. But you live somewhere else.
🟥**Stardown:** Yes, I have a second home at the Beach Bowl Galaxy.
🟩**Emperor:** But you don’t live there either.
🟥**Stardown:** What makes you think that?
🟩**Emperor:** I’m the one asking the questions. Where do you live? Don’t dodge this one.
🟥**Stardown:** ...North America.
🟩**Emperor:** Wrong! You live on the Medallion, the lead ship of the Rebel Fleet!
🟥**Stardown:** You're Force-sensitive, I can tell. Finding us won't be easy.
🟩**Emperor:** What is your skill with the lightsaber?
🟥**Stardown:** Are you challenging me?
🟩**Emperor:** I am asking you a question.
🟥**Stardown:** Enough to rival a Sith and be mistaken as a Jedi.
🟩**Emperor:** Hmm… In case you are lying, I will put your skill to the test. Follow me.

🟥*Meanwhile…*

🟥**Tails:** Looks like Stardown is in big trouble! If you’d like, I can fly you all down there to rescue him.
🟩**Brian:** OK then.
🟥*Soon they are all flown through the portal.*

🟥**Tails:** They went this way.

🟩**Emperor:** Now, I am going to be easy on you. For now.
🟩*Six Roban lightsaber warriors surround Stardown.*
🟩*E-RAT-IC-ATE!*

🟥*Stardown nimbly leaps around, blocking their sabers and aiming for their chests and drive motors.* 🟩*The Robans ignite a second blade and starrt spinning it, Inquisitor style.* 🟥*Now he aims for their lightsaber handles.*

🟩*E-RAT-IC-ATE! E-RAT-IC-ATE!*

🟥*Stardown manages to hit the handles, short-circuiting the blades of one of the Robans.* 🟩*The Roban is enraged and fires a flamethrower at Stardown.* 🟥*Stardown jumps and the flames hit another Roban.*

🟥**Stardown:** Are those things even legal in duels?

🟥*Soon, the rescue party arrives in the room Stardown was in before.*

🟩**Tails:** I hear fighting.
🟥**Amy:** This way!
🟩*Ponoko appears in front of them.*

🟩**Ponoko:** I cannot allow you to interfere with the Emperor’s plans.
🟥**Roadrunner:** Nor can I let you interfere with our plans to interfere with the Emperor’s plans! Whoever he is.
🟥*He holds him off while everyone else enters the hallway.*

🟩**Ponoko:** I wouldn’t go in there if I were you.
🟩*He teleports behind Super Roadrunner.*

🟥**Roadrunner:** That’s cheating!
🟥**Amy:** We’re coming, Stardown!
🟥**Hooded Jaw:** I knew this show needed an audience!
🟩*He blocks Amy.*

🟩**Ponoko:** ~~Don't worry.~~ He’ll be fine.
🟥*Brian Force-shoves Ponoko into the room behind them, and press on.* 🟩*Ponoko teleports in front of them.* 🟥*Kervo uses his new wrist band to trap Ponoko in a force field, and the group presses on.* 🟩*The Hooded Jaw uses all his strength to bite through the force bubble.*

🟩**Ponoko:** Thanks Dennis!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Who’s Dennis?
🟥*Everyone is well past Ponoko and into the next room.*

🟩**Josh:** (out of the side of his mouth) We’ve got company.
🟩**Emperor:** You know the drill.
🟩*Josh leaps in front of him and fires his teleporter ray. They each appear in different rooms.*

🟩*Tails sits up.*

🟩**Tails:** Guys? Anyone there?
🟩*Suddenly, six Roban lightsaber warriors surround him.*

🟥**Robans:** ERADICATE!
🟥*Tails flies above them and searches for an exit.* 🟩*He sees none. A few of the Robans throw their spinning lightsabers at him.*

🟥*Meanwhile Stardown defeated two of his Robans.* 🟩*They all fire their flamethrowers at him.* 🟥*Stardown leaps, rebounds off the wall behind them and strikes another Roban down.* 🟩*Lightsaber blades ignite all around their waists and they begin spinning themselves toward Stardown.* 🟥*Stardown leaps again, aims for the head of one of the Robans with both sabers, and destroys it.*

🟩**Roban:** M.T.D.!
🟩*They started teleporting like mad, trying to confuse Stardown.* 🟥*Stardown stands back and watches the fun and games.*

🟩**Roban:** Where did he go!?
🟥*Stardown bolts forward and destroys one of the Robans. Only one remains.*

🟩*E-RAT-IC-ATE!*

🟥*Stardown blocks the Roban’s blade with one blade and destroys it with the other.*

🟥*Meanwhile, Kervo, who had not brought any weapons with him, was surrounded by six Roban lightsaber warriors. They were closing in.*

🟩*E-RAT-IC-ATE!*

🟥*They were mere feet away.*

🟥**Kervo:** I’m not even armed!
🟩**Roban:** He is unarmed. Take him to the prison.

🟥*Meanwhile…*

🟥**Stardown:** I have cleared your challenge. Should we get on with the interrogation?
~~🟩**Emperor:** Hmm. Not bad.~~🟩*He sends a clone of Rainmaker to battle Stardown.*

~~🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it hurricane!~~
🟩**Emperor:** Oh, no. I’ve only just begun.
🟩*Five Roban Warriors and five Roban Lightsaber Warriors enter.*

🟥*Stardown Force-shoves all the Robans into a corner and throws a thermal detonator at them.*

🟥**Stardown:** Since when did you overthrow Roboss?
🟩**Emperor:** What makes you think I did?
🟥**Stardown:** How else would you have gotten Robans under your command?
🟩**Emperor:** You’re a nosy one.
🟥**Stardown:** I should say the same for you… “emperor”.
🟩*The thermal detonator destroys the lightsaber warriors, but the Roban Warriors suffers minor damage.*

🟥*Stardown uses the Force to open the panels protecting the Robans’ programming, and unplugs several wires from each.*

🟩**Emperor:** Hmm. Not bad, but I’m not done with you.
🟥**Stardown:** Now that my circus act is over, you can let me go now.
🟩**Emperor:** Why would I?
🟥**Stardown:** Sigh, how many more years will I be at this?
🟩**Emperor:** You are an impatient one.
🟥**Stardown:** Ah, I see that you’re not testing me, but rather you're training me. I refuse.
🟩**Emperor:** You are a bold one.
🟩*He sends out six Drake robots, almost identical to the real one.*

🟥**Stardown:** You dare test the legend who has defeated the real Drake? I expected much more from an emperor.
🟩**Emperor:** When it comes to fighting, they are no different than the real one.
🟥*With great difficulty, Stardown holds them off, opens their panels, and destroys their wiring with the Force.*

🟥**Stardown:** I’m done.
🟥*He starts to leave.* 🟩*The Emperor teleports in front of him and uses his staff to electrocute him across the room. He approached Stardown menacingly.*

🟥**Emperor:** You will receive a reward if you clear my challenges. But if you try to leave...
🟥*He holds up his staff, which is crackling with energy.*

🟥**Stardown:** Fine, how many more are there?
🟩**Emperor:** You are finished when I tell you that you’re finished.
🟩*50 Dark Koopatrols march in.*

🟥*Meanwhile, Kervo is thrown into the prison.*

🟥**???:** Kervo? Is that you?
🟥**Kervo:** Tails?
🟩**Tails:** How did you get in here?
🟥**Kervo:** I was imprisoned by the Robans for not being armed.
🟩**Tails:** Me too!
🟥**Kervo:** I wonder who’s behind this...
🟩**Tails:** I saw someone in fancy apparel. Maybe he’s the one.
🟥**Kervo:** I think so, too. I wonder how the others are doing…

🟥*Meanwhile Brian has just beaten his six Robans.* 🟩*Eight Robans ~~warriors~~ and twenty Koopatrols enter.*

🟥**Brian:** What is going on here…

🟥*Meanwhile…*

🟥**Stardown:** Next.
🟩**Emperor:** You’re not as weak as I thought.
🟥**Stardown:** Good.
🟩**Emperor:** Maybe I won’t be so easy on you.
🟥**Stardown:** So what’s my competition?
🟩**Emperor:** Should I outmatch you now? Or should I save the fun and games for later?
🟥**Stardown:** Might as well get it over with…

🟥*Meanwhile, back at the prison…*

🟥**Ace:** I’ve seen him. He calls himself the Emperor.
🟥**Kervo:** How did he get to control the Robans?
🟥*Amy is thrown into the prison.*

🟩**Ponoko:** Who’s been tampering with the bars?
🟩**Tails:** Tampering?
🟩**Ponoko:** This bar wasn’t like this an hour ago. What’s going on?
🟥**Kervo:** I think one of the Robans malfunctioned and did this.
🟩**Ponoko:** Robans never malfunction. Besides, I’m the only one who’s been in this hall since you've arrived.
🟥**Ace:** (pretending to be tired) Oh, sorry. I must have done that in my sleep. I have very vivid dreams that I always seem to act out.
🟩**Ponoko:** Very funny. If any of you are tired of this prison, I can send you back with the Robans.
🟥**Kervo:** But I’m unarmed!
🟩**Ponoko:** You have a file. You know, the one you used to try and break out?
🟩**Kervo:** How did you-
🟩**Ponoko:** Magic…
🟥*The Hooded Jaw enters.*

🟥**Hooded Jaw:** I think Stardown’s almost done. You may want to see him fight the Emperor!
🟩**Ponoko:** Coming.
🟩*He presses a button on a remote and leaves.*

🟥**Tails:** That was close!
🟥**Kervo:** Let’s get back to work.
🟥**Ace:** No.
🟥**Kervo:** What?
🟥**Ace:** That button he pressed could get us in more trouble if we try to escape.
🟥*Roadrunner is tossed into the cell.*

🟩**Guard:** Have fun in there.
🟥*He walks away.*

🟥**Kervo:** It's starting to get crowded in here.
🟩**Tails:** I wonder what Stardown is up to…

🟥*Stardown is battling the Emperor. He is cleaning Stardown’s clock.*

🟥**Stardown:** Backup would be good about now...
🟩**Emperor:** Showing signs of weakness I see.
🟥**Stardown:** Even the most powerful warriors need backup. When I was battling Andy Shmouse, he called for backup. Does that make him weak?
🟩**Emperor:** That was after you called for backup.
🟥**Stardown:** Was Cluny weak when he called for backup in his duel with Matthias?
🟩*The Emperor created a giant hoop of electricity in the air and closed it around Stardown.*

🟩**Emperor:** Yes.
🟥*Stardown smirked as he jumped over the hoop.*

🟥**Stardown:** Then I suppose you’re weak when you called for Robans to fight for you rather than fighting me yourself beforehand?
🟩**Emperor:** You are a weak one. Should I throw you in the prison with the rest?
🟥*Stardown inwardly smiles.*

🟥**Stardown:** Yeah, why not?
🟩**Emperor:** And leave Arnold with me?
🟥**Stardown:** Hand him over, then.
🟩**Emperor:** Alright then…
🟩*Arnold materializes into the room. A giant electric halberd appears above him. He seizes and activates it.*

🟩**Emperor:** Wish granted.

🟥*Meanwhile…*

🟥**Tails:** Do you see any cameras out there, Ace?
🟩**Ace:** No, not yet.
🟥**Kervo:** Then what could be stopping us from escaping?
🟩**Ace:** The cameras are probably well hidden. They’re much smaller than they used to be.

🟥*Meanwhile, Stardown has an idea. He lures Arnold out of the room, hoping to find the prison and lock him in another cell.* 🟩*As soon as Stardown tried to step out of the room, he was electrocuted.* 🟥*Stardown uses his new wrist band to trap Arnold in a force bubble. Then he uses his lightsaber in an attempt to disable the electricity.* 🟩*The Emperor shocked Stardown across the room, then freed Arnold with his staff. Arnold charged at Stardown, skillfully swinging his halberd.*

🟥**Stardown:** I know there’s good in you, Arnold.
🟩**Emperor:** I’m sorry if this fight is too easy for you.
🟥**Stardown:** What do you mean?
🟩**Emperor:** If you could beat 50 Dark Koopatrols, surely you could beat a madman with a halberd.
🟥**Stardown:** I will not destroy him, only change him back.
🟥*Stardown tries again.*

🟥**Stardown:** You will resist the hypnotism.
🟩*He swings his halberd at Stardown.* 🟥*Stardown ducks and leaps over his head. He continues dodging, blocking, and using the Force to try to dehypnotize Arnold. Hooded Jaw enters.*

🟥**Hooded Jaw:** I hope you’re enjoying my Smartie-controlled servant, Stardown. You know, it’s virtually impossible to change him back.
🟩*Arnold had Stardown cornered.*

🟥**Stardown:** Commander, what are you doing?
🟥**Hooded Jaw:** He’s doing what he does best!
🟩*Stardown was getting tired.*

🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Wanna have a break?
🟥**Stardown:** As long as there are no Smarties involved.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** No need to worry. You already ate yours.
🟥**Stardown:** What do you mean?
🟩**Emperor:** Don’t say it. It’s not time yet.
🟩**Arnold:** Must, destroy, Stardown!
🟩**Emperor:** OK, that does it. Hooded Jaw, Stardown is at your mercy.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** But what about-
🟩**Emperor:** Don’t worry, I have other plans.
🟥**Stardown:** Time for a little distraction.
🟥*He Force-shoves the Hooded Jaw into the Emperor.*

🟥**Stardown:** Wait, so why am I here, fighting a Smartie-possessed Rebel Fleet commander, with the only audience being a villain I don’t even know and the most annoying villain in my career?
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** You know, I can make you just like Arnold with the press of a button. Same with Tails.
🟥**Stardown:** NO!
🟥*He slashes madly at Arnold.*

🟩**Emperor:** You would kill him?
🟥**Hooded Jaw:** He’s desperate. He’ll do anything at this point.
🟥*Ponoko enters.*

🟥**Ponoko:** Do my eyes deceive me? Is Stardown dueling Arnold? This I need to see.
🟥**Hooded Jaw:** I’ll get the popcorn!
🟩**Emperor:** Ponoko, come here.
🟩*Ponoko and the Emperor have a whispered conversation. Ponoko nods and walks over to the Hooded Jaw. They talk briefly before the count disappears.*

🟥*Stardown is preoccupied to notice.*

🟩*Meanwhile…*

🟥**Ace:** Is there a way we can contact the Medallion?
🟩**Kervo:** If we ha-
🟩*Ponoko appears in their prison cell.*

🟥**Roadrunner:** What are you in for?
🟩**Ponoko:** Oh, I’m not a prisoner. I’m here for Tails.
🟥**Tails:** Me?
🟥**Kervo:** Why him? Take me instead.
🟩**Ponoko:** You must not understand, but I don’t have time to explain.
🟥**Ace:** Ponoko, what are you doing?
🟩**Ponoko:** I said I don’t have time to explain!
🟩*He grabs Tails.*

🟥**Ace:** Count Ponoko, what are your motives? Answer me.
🟩*Ponoko disappeared with Tails.*

🟥**Ace:** Kervo, can you contact the Medallion?
🟥**Roadrunner:** That’s it. We’re getting out of this dump.
🟥*Brian is tossed into their cell.*

🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Here’s some snacks in case you’re hungry. Hey, what’s that you got!?
🟥*Brian uses a Jedi mind trick.*

🟥**Brian:** You will forget what you just saw.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** I will forget what I just saw… Hey, what’s that you got!?
🟥**Brian:** You will forget what you just saw and leave.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** I will forget- Hey, you’re Jedi mind tricking me!
🟥*Brian Force-shoves Hooded JAw away. Kervo presses the SOS button on his remote. Max and Sonic are thrown into their cell.* 🟩*Loud beeping comes from their device.*

🟩**Brian:** Does this thing have a mute button?!
🟩**Kervo: (quietly)** Should I use the file!?
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** What’s going on!?
🟩*Thirty Roban Warriors pour in.*

🟩**Roban Warriors:** Stop the prisoners! Stop the prisoners!
🟥*Brian and Max both Jedi mind-trick him.*

🟥**Both:** It’s the smoke alarm! Alert the Emperor!
🟩**Roban Warrior:** They haven’t escaped!
🟩**Roban Warrior:** But they called for backup!
🟩**Roban Warrior:** We need to tell the Emperor!
🟥*The beeping stops.*

🟥**Ace:** Now, Kervo!
🟥*He finishes slicing through the bars and they all escape.*

🟥**Ace:** Stay together!

🟥*Meanwhile…*

🟥**Josh:** Why don’t you obey your commander, Stardown? Hahahahaha!
🟩*Ponoko appears in the room.*

🟩**Tails:** Let me go!
🟩**Ponoko:** OK, but after I transform you!
🟥*Stardown stops fighting.*

🟥**Stardown:** Tails!
🟥*He charges toward Ponoko.* 🟩*Ponoko presses a button on his remote, and teleports across the room.* 🟥*Stardown gives chase, with Arnold hot on his heels.*

*Meanwhile, somewhere...*

🟥**???:** That's it, Stardown. Give in to your anger. Let it become hate!

*Back with Stardown...*

🟩*Tails’ fur darkens, and his eyes turn white. He draws a giant "war wrench" and charges at Stardown.*

🟥**Stardown:** You will pay for this, Emperor!
🟥*He bolts at the Emperor.*

🟩*The Emperor zaps Stardown, who flies toward Arnold, who smacks him into the wall.* 🟥*Stardown is cornered. He soon faints from exhaustion.*

🟩**Ponoko:** Shall I transform him?
🟩**Emperor:** Yes. Now is the time.
🟩*Ponoko presses the button. Stardown’s armor turns jet black, and his eyes turn white. Suzie, the Hooded Jaw and his gang, and Dark Stardown enter.*

🟩**Suzie:** Having fun, Stardown? Ooooh! You look great!

🟥*Meanwhile, the escapers keep running. They soon run into Suzie and her group. They are overwhelmed at the sight of the evil Arnold, Tails, and Stardown.*

🟩**Suzie:** What are you doing here!?
🟩**Roban Warrior:** There they are! Get them!
🟥*Ace pulls a device out of his pocket and presses a button. A massive gust of wind comes from the device and blows some of the Robans away, clearing a path for the heroes to flee.*

🟩**Italian Mouse:** A-dead-a-end-a!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Did you enjoy your snack?
🟥**Ace:** Everyone gather round!
🟥*They do.*

🟥**Italian Mouse:** What are they-a doing?
🟥*Ace pulls out another device. With the press of a button, the heroes vanish.*

🟩**Heavy Roban:** Where did they go!?
🟩**Heavy Roban:** How would I know?
🟩*All Robans but those two disappeared.*

🟩**Heavy Roban:** I forgot about that.
🟩*The last two disappear.*

🟥*Meanwhile, somewhere…*

🟥**Meta Knight:** Sometimes I wonder why the Shmice haven't conquered our planet yet. What could be keeping them?
🟥**Bandana Waddle Dee:** Maybe you could find out what they're up to.
🟥*The Halberd sets course for Plit.*

🟥*Elsewhere...*

🟥*The escaped rebels appear in a hi-tech lab of some sort.*

🟥**Ace:** Welcome to HQ. We’ll be safe here - the force field has proven effective against Robans teleporting in.
🟥**Brian:** So the Robans are against you, too?
🟥**Ace:** Yes, just recently.
🟩**Roadrunner:** Why were you against us earlier?
🟥**Ace:** I couldn’t help it. You see, Suzie was the one who brainwashed me, and I believe she stuck the blame on Amy. She had a local tailor make the armor for me, then gave me a desire for genealogy. She forced me to duel the people I found out were my relatives, or else she would make me charge her phone. Now that I am no longer Von Calibra, Suzie has a date with me and my fellow agents.

🟩*Meanwhile…*

🟩*The Heavy Robans appear back in the room.*

🟩**Heavy Roban:** Their base is teleport-proof.
🟩**Ponoko:** Do you know where it is?
🟩**Heavy Roban:** Underground. At...
🟩**Ponoko:** Thank you, I will tell the Emperor.
🟩*After he notifies the Emperor…*

🟩**Emperor:** Take the ostrich captive. They will come back for him, and fall into my trap.
🟩**Ponoko:** What should we do with these three?
🟩*He glances at Stardown, Arnold, and Tails.*

🟩**Emperor:** Keep them hidden. We don’t want the rest finding them.

🟥*In the Medallion…*

🟥**John:** When will Stardown return?
🟥**Crew:** I don't know. It’s been a few hours.
🟥**Another Crew:** Don’t forget that Brian has a tracking device attached to him.
🟥**Officer:** Then let’s go!
🟥*The Medallion takes off in the direction of the tracking device.*

🟥**Officer:** No, wait. The Emperor might be expecting us. Instead, let’s go to the minor villains’ woodshed and pick up their Smarties. Let’s not forget the gas masks and stun rays.
🟥*The Medallion changes course.*

🟩*None of the Robans stood a chance against Mark.*

🟩**Robanite:** Attaaaaack!!!
🟩**Another Robanite:** Reatreeeeet!!!
🟩**A Third Robanite:** Here comes backup.
🟩*Twenty Heavy Robans enter the room.*

🟩**A Heavy Roban:** Tranquilize the bird!
🟩**Another Heavy Roban:** Close the exit!
🟩**A Third Heavy Roban:** Your fun and games end here, fowl!

🟥*The Medallion landed at a distance from the woodshed. Two officers emerged with their gear. One of them peered inside the woodshed and soon returned.*

🟥**Officer:** What did you see?
🟩**Officer 2:** A slightly fancy-looking Roban and a bunch of giant spiders.
🟥**Officer:** Did the Roban have treads? Because it might be a bounty hunter.
🟩**Officer 2:** Yes, it did.
🟥**Officer:** Let’s leave. It wouldn’t be wise to get near them now.
🟥*The officers return to the Medallion and leave.*

🟥**Officer:** Back to the fleet. I’d like to run a test at the Bullshark’s lab.
🟩**Announcer:** Emergency! Emergency! Evacuate ship!
🟥**Officer:** Get your weapons!
🟩**The Substitute Captain:** Don’t worry. It’s a faulty alarm.
🟩**Officer 1:** A broken clock is right twice a day.
🟩**The Captain:** True, but I checked, and it didn’t list any threats. And threat-listing isn’t one of its problems.
🟩**Officer 2:** When will it be fixed?
🟩**Captain:** Tomorrow.
🟥*The captain and the officers go their separate ways. Two of the officers walk down a giant corridor.*

🟥**Officer:** Something tells me that wasn’t a faulty alarm.
🟩*A shuttle docks in the Medallion, and Stardown exits.*

🟥**Officer 1:** Stardown! We’ve been worried about you! Where are the others? Did you beat the Emperor?
🟩**Stardown:** No. I woke up outside after eating magic candy - something like the Smartie, but different. Then the Hooded Jaw and some of his gang tried to recapture me. At the time, I was too weak to try and escape. Thankfully, a mouse named Pepino helped me to a shuttle, and we escaped. The shuttle did, however, take some damage.
🟩**Pepino:** I’ll take care of that.
🟥**Officer 1:** Is Tails okay? And did you find Arnold?
🟩**Stardown:** No. I don’t know where they are.
🟥**Officer 1:** What about Brian and the others?
🟥**Stardown:** No clue of their whereabouts.
🟩**Pepino:** The shuttle will be as right as rain by tomorrow.
🟥*The substitute captain enters and is informed of the situation.*

🟥**Captain:** So, Pepino, do you know where the Emperor’s hideout is?
🟩**Pepino:** Yes.
🟩*He tells them where it is.*

🟥**Captain:** And it's too dangerous to return there?
🟩**Pepino:** That depends.
🟥**Captain:** On what?
🟩**Pepino:** Your strategy.
🟥**Captain:** Are you able to help us?
🟩**Pepino:** Of course!
🟥**Captain:** Welcome to the Guardian Fleet!
🟩**Pepino:** Shall we crash the Emperor’s party?
🟥**Stardown:** You bet!

🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Stardown has escaped!
🟩**Emperor:** Why does that not surprise me?
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** I don’t know. Why does it?
🟩**Emperor:** Can’t you obey orders?
🟩**Hooded Jaw**: That’s what Roboss will say to you. You know, after you wasted his army.
🟩**Emperor:** I’ll throw you in prison with the rest!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** What? for telling the truth?
🟩**Emperor:** Take him away!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** We’re the only ones here. Sorry, pal.
🟩**Emperor:** Ponoko!?
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** He can’t hear you.
🟩*A few of the Hooded Jaw's members entered.*

🟩**Emperor:** What are you looking at?
🟩*The Emperor is quickly dragged into a chair and tied up.*

🟩**[[Black Widow:** Are you thirsty?
🟩**Firius:** Where’s the Italian Mouse?
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it rain!
🟩**Emperor:** Aack! Stop this at once!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** We have this playhouse all to ourselves!
🟩**Emperor:** This is not a playhouse!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Was not. What’s one plus one?
🟩**Emperor:** Two of course!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Look who’s been paying attention in school! Here, have a Smartie!
🟩**Emperor:** No!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** It’s not like you have a choice.
🟩*Rainmaker picks up the Emperor’s staff.*

🟩**Rainmaker:** Ooh! What’s this button do?
🟩*Zap!*

🟩**Emperor:** Aarg!
🟩**Rainmaker:** Woops!
🟩*Rainmaker presses another button.*

🟩*Zark!*

🟩**Emperor:** Eek!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Why don’t you aim it away from him?
🟩**Rainmaker:** It wouldn’t be such a shocking experience.
🟩**Emperor:** Are you crazy?!
🟩**Rainmaker:** Yes.
🟩*Beep.*

🟩*Snap Crackle! Pop!*

🟩**Emperor:** Pans!! Elkcarc! Pop!
🟩*A beaver walks in.*

🟩**Beaver:** What’s going on?
🟩**Rainmaker:** Just testing this cool staff.
🟩**Emperor:** On me.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Psycho! It’s been years!
🟩**Psycho:** I meant to come earlier. I can tell, other than Stardown’s escape, that you’ve been having a good day.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** How did you- Ooh, right.
🟩**Emperor:** Free me at once!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** OK… Haha, just kidding!
🟩**Rainmaker:** Why don’t we scrap all of those fat robots and make a cool machine!
🟩**Emperor:** No!
🟩**Black Widow:** I found a bunch of metal bees so we could make it larger!
🟩**Emperor:** No!!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** And we could use the Smartie-possessed captives as servants!
🟩**Emperor:** Noooo!!!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** What?
🟩**Emperor:** Oh, nothi-
🟩*The Hooded Jaw popped a Smartie in his mouth.*

🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Enjoy!
🟩**Firius:** Where’s Ponoko?
🟩**Rainmaker:** Dunno.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** I wonder where that Ace guy went…

🟩*Meanwhile…*

🟥**Ace:** ...And that’s why I believe we should locate and arrest the Emperor.
🟥**Amy:** Must we go now?
🟥**Ace:** Yes. But first I need to check with Mission Control.
🟥*He leaves.*

🟥**Brian:** Wait a minute. I don’t think this is such a good idea.
🟥**Roadrunner:** Why not?
🟥**Brian:** Well, we haven’t even seen the Emperor before, and I don’t think we know where he is.
🟥*A few minutes later, Ace returns.*

🟥**Ace:** Mission Control has contacted the Medallion. They know where the base is, and Stardown has been freed. They have sent a shuttle to pick you up.
🟥**Kervo:** But… the Smarties!
🟥**Ace:** They say Stardown is back to normal.
🟥**Brian:** That’s good to hear. But what about the others?
🟥**Ace:** That’s the thing. They don’t know. That’s why I’m going out there to find out.
🟥*Soon, the others board the shuttle to return to the fleet, while Ace and a few other agents suit up and leave in a sleek, white speeder jet.*

🟥*Meanwhile, in an abandoned space station, a figure leaps through the shadows. Its goal: to gain information on the Shmouse vehicles and strategies. Suddenly, she freezes. Three figures are moving down the adjacent hallway. One is wearing a suit with a distinct helmet; the other two are robotic.*

🟥**Human:** Stardown cannot defeat the Shmice that easily. He is a threat to the Society. But he disappeared recently.
🟥*They leave. Suddenly, a sound behind it makes it jump. A box is materializing, Then a figure steps out of it.*

🟥**???:** I knew I’d find you here, Sable.

🟥*Aboard the Medallion...*

🟥*A shuttle arrives and docks onto the Medallion. Among the fifty rebel recruits that emerge are Among them are Cream and Cheese, Wario, Waluigi, Mattimeo, Arven, Finn, Rey, and a man known as Dallas Wilson.*

🟩**Waluigi:** Waaa! I lost my wallet!
🟩**Wario:** I actually worked and earned five thousand coins!
🟩**Waluigi:** Who did you work for?
🟩**Wario:** Myself.
🟩**Waluigi:** Huh?
🟩**Wario:** I prefer being my own boss.
🟩**Waluigi:** What was your job?
🟩**Wario:** Stealing.
🟩**Waluigi:** Nice. From whom did you steal?
🟩**Wario:** Ooh! Five dollar word!
🟩**Waluigi:** What's a dollar?
🟩**Wario:** Never mind.
🟩**Waluigi:** Anyway, who did ya steal from?
🟩**Wario:** You.
🟩**Waluigi:** Waaaa! That was my retirement money!
🟥**Finn:** Those clowns...
🟩**Waluigi:** I want my money back!
🟩**Wario:** Do you think I'd give it to you?
🟩**Waluigi:** Waaa!
🟩**Wario:** Excuse me?
🟩**Waluigi:** Waaaa!
🟩**Wario:** Waa.
🟩**Waluigi:** Gimme my money!
🟩**Wario:** No.
🟩**Brian:** OK, cut that out.
🟩**Waluigi:** I want my money!
🟩**Wario:** Sure you do.
🟩**Brian:** Give Waluigi his money.
🟩**Waluigi:** Me want my money!
🟩**Wario:** Say ugh first.
🟩**Waluigi:** Me no caveman!
🟩**Wario:** Stop acting like one.
🟩**Brian:** Guys?
🟩**Waluigi:** ****UGH!!!**** Now give me my money!
🟩**Wario:** After you-
🟩**Brian:** GUYS!!!
🟩**Wario:** What?
🟩**Brian:** Wario, hand him over the money.
🟥**Wario:** Fiiiine.
🟥*He finally does.*

🟩**Waluigi:** Weeeee!
🟩**Wario:** Isn't waa, more your thing?
🟩**Mattimeo:** I hope their room isn't near mine.
🟥**Brian:** It’s not. Here, follow me.
🟥*They leave.*

🟩**Pepino:** Your shuttle is fixed.
🟥**Stardown:** Great!
🟩**Pepito:** Did I hear we had some new recruits?
🟥**Stardown:** We do.
🟩**Pepino:** That's good to hear.
🟥*Brian soon returns.*

🟥**Brian:** Pepino, how did you find a Smartie antidote?
🟩**Pepino:** The Emperor had some.
🟥**Brian:** But how did the Emperor obtain it? And why?
🟩**Pepino:** The Emperor created it and the Smarties.
🟥**Stardown:** How did you manage to get in unnoticed?
🟩**Pepino:** It's a long story...
🟥**Waluigi:** Waaaaa!
🟥**Brian:** *Now* what?
🟩**Waluigi:** He took my pillow!
🟥**Wario:** I did not!
🟩**Brian:** Sigh...
🟩**Waluigi:** Yes you did! ~~Give it back!~~

🟥*Elsewhere on the Medallion, reunions and introductions continue.*

🟥**Stardown:** How is John?
🟥**Officer:** He’s doing well. I don’t think he even knows about you being bad. It’s best to keep it that way.
🟥**Stardown:** I agree. Pepino, are there any clues to Tails’ and Arnold’s whereabouts?
🟩**Pepino:** I’m sure they’re still at the Emperor’s base. But since we know where it is, he may relocate them.
🟥**Amy:** Ace said he’s going out there to investigate.

🟥*Meanwhile, at the Emperor’s base...*

🟩**Rainmaker:** Oh cool! What is this?
🟩**Firius:** That’s his teleporter.
🟩**Black Widow:** Without all of his gadgets, he is powerless!
🟩**Rainmaker:** More for us!
🟩**Dominick:** He-Haw!
🟩**Firius:** Did anyone else see a big pile of broken robots in the other room? The one with the shrimpy ostrich?
🟩**Emperor:** They are called Robans.
🟩**Firius:** Whatever.
🟩**Rainmaker:** Weee! More metal!
🟩**Psycho:** More robots!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** More fun!
🟩**Emperor:** Is that all you care about?
🟩**Rainmaker:** Yeah!
🟩**Emperor:** \*Sigh\* What did I do to get stuck with these buffoons?
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** I heard that!

🟥*On the Medallion…*

🟥**Brian:** We’re expecting company today.
🟩**Rey:** Who’s coming?
🟥**Brian:** The Johnsons. They helped to hold off Arctic Tail a while back.
🟩**Max:** Has anyone seen Mark?
🟥**Amy:** Not since the Emperor captured us.
🟩**Max:** Shouldn’t we go back and look for him?
🟥**Brian:** No, Max. Ace is heading out there now.
🟩**Max:** Oh yes. I forgot.

🟥*Meanwhile, Ace’s shuttle arrives near the Emperor’s base.*

🟥**Ace:** Let’s be extra quiet now.
🟥*The five agents begin sneaking toward the base.*

🟩**Agent 1:** The door’s unlocked.
🟥**Ace:** Scott, why don’t you patrol the door.
🟥**Scott Morgan:** Yes, sir.
🟥*The other four sneak inside.* 🟩*They bump into a fairly short figure.* 🟥*Ace examines the figure.*

🟩**???:** Who are you?
🟥**Ace:** Call me Ace. What are you doing here?
🟩**???:** Just escaping.
🟥**Ace:** Follow my men to the door. I’ll call for more agents.
🟥*He makes the call.*

🟩**???:** Well hello my friends! I thought it would be rude not to stop by and say hello.
🟩*The newcomer fires a beam at Ace and disappears.*

🟩**Agent 1:** Are you OK?
🟩**Ace:** No. I’m not.
🟩**Agent 2:** Where were you hit?
🟩**Ace:** My leg. Yes, I meant my leg! Yes yes yes! I meant my leg!! What isn’t wrong with me!?
🟩**Agent 3:** Are you OK?
🟩**Ace:** Yes, I’m fine. It’s the truth beam I haven’t heard about.
🟥**Agent 1:** We’re getting you out of here.
🟥*As they leave the building, the backup ship arrives and about a hundred agents in armor spill out and enter the building. Ace is escorted into the dropship.*

🟩**Ace:** Head to Whale Island.
🟥**Agent 1:** I think it's a opposite effect.
🟥**Ace:** No it's not!
🟥**Agent 2:** We’re heading back to base.

🟩*Later, at Ace’s base…*

🟥**Agent 1:** I think we found out Ace’s condition. He is infected with a Ponoko ray.
🟩**Agent 2:** Ponoko ray? Can it be cured?
🟥**Agent 1:** We’ve already informed the lab. The scientists are working on an antidote now.
🟩**Agent 2:** How long do you think he’ll be like this?
🟥**Agent 1:** I don’t know.
🟩**Ace:**  I hope this will last a while.
🟥**Agent:** Relax. You are instructed to remain here until you recover.
🟩**Ace:** I really don’t like all the help you’re giving me.
🟥*The agent smiles.*

🟥*Meanwhile, at the lab…*

🟥**Scientist 1:** How’s the antidote coming along?
🟩**Scientist 2:** I’d say it’s about ready to test.
🟥*The scientists soon bring the antidote to Ace.*

🟩**Ace:** Your foolish play disgusts me.
🟥*The scientists are taken aback.*

🟥**Agent:** Don’t take it personally. It’s part of the disease.
🟩**Ace:** I don’t need your drug thank you.
🟥**Agent:** Don’t worry about anything, Ace. You’ll feel better in no time. Until then, I advise that you not speak until you have recovered.
🟩*Ace shakes his head but remains silent.* 🟥*Ace is given the medicine.*

🟩**Agent 2:** How long do you think it will take?
🟥**Scientist:** He should recover in about three hours.

🟩*Three hours later…*

🟩**Ace:** It worked!
🟥**Scientist: (to the Agent)** We’ll need to test to make sure it works. (to Ace) Do you know where the Emperor’s base is?
🟩**Ace:** No.
🟥**Scientist:** It didn’t work. We need to call Stardown.

🟥*Meanwhile, on the Medallion...*

🟩*Stardown was going through his closet, finishing his spring cleaning. He had noticed a number of things were missing, including his suit.*

🟥*Stardown goes to the main room.*

🟥**Stardown:** Has anyone been going through my things?
🟩~~*No one answers at first.*~~

🟩**Brian:** No. Why?
🟥**Stardown:** Several things are missing, including my suit.
🟩**Brian:** Your suit!? Have you checked for fingerprints?
🟥**Stardown:** Not yet.
🟥*He goes back and checks.* 🟩*He does not find any.*

🟥**Stardown:** The thief must have been wearing gloves.
🟥*Then he has an idea.*

🟥**Stardown:** I can try to find my suit with my new program! It had a tracking device in it!
🟩*He checks and sees that it is at the Emperor’s base.*

🟥**Stardown:** Sigh… The minor villains.
🟥*The phone rings. Stardown answers it. A minute later, he hangs up.*

🟥**Stardown:** That was Ace Calibra’s secretary. Ace has Ponoko’s disease and their antidote didn’t work. I’m going to head down there. Do you know anyone who specializes in medicine?
🟩**Brian:** Yes, Doctor Sullivan. He is the head of the ship’s medical center.

🟥*Soon…*

🟥**Stardown:** Is there a remedy for Ponoko’s disease?
🟩**Sullivan:** This Ponoko disease is new to me, so I don’t know. Do you have a sample for me to examine?
🟥**Stardown:** Yes.

🟥*Meanwhile, at the Emperor’s base…*

🟩**Rainmaker:** Look at me! I’m Stardown!
🟩**Firius:** Careful! That’s the only one of those we have!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** What else did you bring?
🟩**Italian Mouse:** Nothing much other than his lightsabers and password for Facebook.
🟩**Black Widow:** Nice!
🟩**Italian Mouse:** I didn’t do much other than set his birthdate to 1820.
🟩**Psycho:** Looks like we have company!
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it tornado!
🟩*The tornado blew most of the agents away.*

🟩**Agent:** Put your hands up! You are under arrest!
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it volcano!
🟩**Firius:** That’s a new one.
🟩*The lava forces the agents to back away.*

🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it gale!
🟩*The wind blew ash at the agents.*

🟩**Black Widow:** Shouldn't we get out of here? We’re outnumbered.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Who cares about numbers?
🟩**Italian Mouse:** I don’t!
🟩**Dominick:** He-haw!

🟥*Later, at Ace’s base…*

🟥**Sullivan:** Hmm… I see.
🟥**Brian:** So what is it, Dr. Sullivan?
🟩**Sullivan:** I think I may have found a cure.
🟩*He mixes a few ingredients and lifts a small bottle of liquid.*

🟩**Sullivan:** This should cure his disease.
🟥*It is soon administered to Ace.*

🟩*A few hours later…*

🟩**Ace:** It worked!
🟥**Scientist:** Is Stardown here with us?
🟩**Ace:** Yes.
🟩*He points to Stardown.*

🟩**Ace:** He’s over there.
🟥**Stardown:** It worked! It really did work!
🟩**Ace:** Thank you for all your help!
🟥**Dr. Sullivan:** You’re welcome.

🟥*Soon, Stadown, Brian, and Dr. Sullivan return to the Medallion.*

🟩**Brian:** How is the invasion at the Emperor’s base?
🟥**Agent:** Well… let’s just say we’re making Rainmaker our first target.
🟩**Ace:** Rainmaker? Who’s he?
🟥**Stardown:** A minor villain. He can create his own artificial weather.
🟩**Ace:** Did you find Arnold and the other one?
🟥**Agent:** Not yet. We’re still looking. We’ll do a more detailed search once the villains are in custody.
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it hurricane!
🟩**Ace:** Is that Rainmaker?
🟥**Agent:** Yes, that’s him. (shouting orders) Alright, send in the heavy squad! (back on the phone) He’s been keeping us at bay for some time now.
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it tsunami!
🟥**Agent:** I'll stand back and give you the play-by-play, Ace. Rainmaker’s tsunami wave is heading toward the agents, who are activating jetpacks and flying over it.
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it hail!
🟩**Italian Mouse:** I got a few Robans working!
🟩*E-RAT-IC-ATE! E-RAT-IC-ATE!*

🟥**Agent:** This doesn’t sound good… Oh! Here comes the heavy agent squad! The Robans are advancing, but now the heavy agents’ weaponry is blowing them to bits!
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it earthquake!
🟥**Ace:** I’ve got the phone on high-sensitivity mode now.
🟥**Heavy Agent:** Activate jetpacks.
🟩*The Italian Mouse throws his sombrero at the agents.* 🟥*The sombrero bounces off the heavy agents’ armor. ~~One of the agents picks it up and keeps it.~~ Then all the heavy agents draw their stun blasters.*

🟩**Suzie:** Ra-ra-ra!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Wanna join the party?
🟩**Suzie:** Sure!
🟥**Emperor:** You might as well surrender. There are too many agents.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Who cares? We outmatch them anyway.
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it lightning!
🟩*The agents with jetpacks are hit and fall into the water.*

🟩**Hooded Jaw:** You worry too much.
🟥*Suddenly Roboss' hologram appears in the room.*

🟥**Roboss:** You are required, Emperor.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Sorry metal guy, we’re a little busy.
🟩**Emperor:** He was talking to me!
🟥**Roboss:** Meet me aboard the Fulcrum.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** He’s not going anywhere.
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it blizzard!
🟥**Roboss:** Then I will resort to Plan B.
🟥*The Robans turn their guns on the Minor Villains.*

🟩**Hooded Jaw:** So will we.

🟩*He presses a button on a remote and shuts down the Robans.*

🟩**Emperor:** Where did you get that?!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** My empy, you sure are nosy.
🟥**Agent:** Forget them, find the others!
🟥*The agents leave. The minor villains are too busy to notice. Suddenly six Robans appear among the minor villains.*

🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Sigh... Looks like we’ll be busy…
🟩**Agent:** Do we have any more jetpacks? I think I see a prison. Ow!
🟩**Agent:** How can you - ow! - see anything through this blizzard? Ack! Stupid hail! Oh, yes, we do have more jetpacks.
🟥**Agent:** Back to the entrance! We’ll start looking again!
🟥**Agent 2:** No, let’s keep going!
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it rain!
🟩**Roban:** I’m short-circuiting!
🟩**Roban:** This will ruin my paint job!
🟩**Agent 1:** The hail and blizzard are over.
🟩**Agent 1:** There’s some prisons.
🟥**Agent 1:** Did anyone bring anti-Smartie treatment?
🟩**Agent 2:** I didn’t. Do we have any back in our transporters?
🟥**Agent 1:** Yes.
🟥*He signals other agents to get it.* 🟩*Suzie grabs a megaphone and yells in it.*

🟩**Suzie:** **RA-RA-RA!!!**
**🟥Agent 2:** Oh, my ears…
🟥**Agent 1:** There they are!
🟩**Agent:** What!?
🟥**Agent 1:** I said, There they are!
🟩**Agent:** Oh!
🟩*Some of the agents put on jetpacks, flew over the now slow-moving tsunami, and headed for the prisons.*

🟩**Agent:** I don’t see them.
🟩*Ponoko appears in front of them.*

🟩**Ponoko:** Well hello my friends! I see that you’re searching for your buddies. Am I right?
🟩*An agent fires a stun ray at him.*

🟩**Agent:** Didn’t one of the prisoners have a tracking device on him?
🟥**Agent 2:** Yes.
🟥*Several agents take Ponoko into custody and strip him of any electronic gadgets.*

🟩**Agent:** He had a teleporter.
🟥**Agent:** One of those is dangerous in the wrong hands. Put it in the dangerous weapons bin.
🟩**Agent:** Should we use it to get past these clowns?
🟩*He points at the minor villains.*

🟥**Agent:** Yes. Where does the device say the prisoners are?
🟩**Agent:** They’re on the other side of the building.
🟥**Agent:** Then we’ll teleport over there.
🟥*They do.*

🟩**Agent 2:** There they are, in those bubbles.
🟥**Agent 1:** Are these force bubbles?
🟩**Agent 2:** I don’t think so.
🟩*He fires his blaster at it.*

🟩**Agent 2:** Do any of you have a stronger blaster?
🟩**Agent 3:** I do.
🟩*He fires at the bubbles and pops them. Arnold and Tails draw their weapons.*

🟥**Agent:** Doc! The anti-Smartie antidote!
🟥*Doc fires the antidote at each of them.*

🟩*They both pass out.*

🟥*The agent picks up a phone.*

🟥**Agent:** Hello, Brian? We found your brainwashed friends. We’re sending them to you now… No, don’t worry, the antidote has already kicked in.

🟥*Two hours later, on the Medallion...*

🟩*The two wake up.*

🟩**Arnold:** What, happened?
🟥**Stardown:** A powerful villain known as the Emperor brainwashed you, and you became his warriors.
🟩**Arnold:** Oh yeah… I remember him.
🟥**Kervo:** Tails! Are you all right?
🟩**Tails:** I, think so.
🟥**Brian:** Well, why don’t you both get some rest.

🟩*The next day…*

🟥**Stardown:** What happened to the Emperor?
🟥**Arnold:** I hear he is captured by the minor villains, and is wanted by Roboss.
🟥**Stardown:** Ouch. That doesn’t sound good for him.

🟩*Meanwhile...*

🟩**Emperor:** Can someone get me a drink?
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it rain!
🟩**Emperor:** No, no. That won’t do!
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it hurricane!
🟩**Emperor:** No!
🟩**Black Widow:** That’s not enough water!?
🟩**Rainmaker:** Let it tsunami!
🟩*The tsunami breaks the front door open and sweeps the Emperor out.*

🟩**Emperor:** I will be back!
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Isn’t that what they all say?
🟩**Italian Mouse:** It’s about time I finish cleaning Stardown’s closet.
🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Ooh! Make sure to fetch us more passwords!
🟩**Italian Mouse:** I completely messed up his Facebook page. I even posted anti Guardian Fleet things!

🟥*That night, a combination lock is set up on Stardown’s closet, and a force field is surrounding the Medallion. A camera is watching Stardown’s closet.* 🟩*At about midnight, they see the Italian Mouse walk up to the closet. He fiddles with the combination lock, then draws a blaster with a silencer and fires at the lock. He puts the rest of the things in a sack, and opens a drawer with Stardown’s password book. After taking the password book, he leaves the room.* 🟥*Suddenly the lights turn on, an alarm sounds, and guards emerge from everywhere.* 🟩*They see Pepino.*

🟩**Pepino:** WWWhat’s going on?
🟥**Guard:** Block all exits! Stop the Italian Mouse!
🟩**Pepino:** Italian Mouse? Where?
🟥**Guard:** Anywhere!
🟩**Pepino:** Do you want me to join the search? I have a blaster.
🟥**Guard:** We need all the help we can get!
🟥**Stardown:** I’ll check the video feed!
🟩*Stardown has a stunned look after watching the video.*

🟩**Stardown:** Pepino!?
**Pepino:** Ah, I see that you caught on. In case you didn’t know, I am Pepino, the Italian Mouse!
🟩*He drops his hat on the ground. A portal appears in it, and the minor villains jump out and start wreaking havoc.*

🟥*Suddenly, the villains freeze in time and turn black and white.*

🟥**Stardown:** Dad?
🟥**Stardown’s Father:** Hello Stardown! I decided to visit you, but when I heard about the Italian Mouse, I knew I had to do something. Ever since Black Toadette turned me into Father Time, I’ve been able to control time within a localized area.
🟥**Stardown:** Wow!
🟩**Guard:** What should we do with them?
🟥**Stardown:** Take them to the prisons.
~~🟩**Guard:** They won't budge. Do they need to be unfrozen in order to be moved?~~~~🟩**Guard:** I would.~~
🟩*The guards move them out of the room.*

🟥**Stardown’s Father:** All right, I think that’s enough excitement for one night.

*Meanwhile…*

🟥**Sable:** How did you know I was here, Doctor?
🟥**The Doctor:** I came in contact with your agency, and they told me I would find you here. What exactly are you doing, anyway?
🟥**Sable:** Now that the Shmouse Wars are finally over, I was sent here to find out what made the Shmice so powerful.
🟥**The Doctor:** If this might help you, I found large sheets of metal at one of their bases. I believe they were cloned from one of the Jaywalkers’ ships.
🟥**Sable:** So they could clone things? What a surprise.
🟥**The Doctor:** What have you discovered so far?
🟥**Sable:** Apparently the Shmouse remnants have many unfreed prisoners.
🟥**The Doctor:** There is one person I want you to watch out for.
🟥**Sable:** Who is it?
🟥**The Doctor:** He is a bounty hunter, and is said to be a Shmouse sympathizer. He just recently escaped from prison with a few others.
🟥**Sable:** You're leaving me in so much suspense! Who is this person?
🟥**The Doctor:** Armaul.

🟩**Arnold:** OK, I have an assignment for you all. The land of Coco is under attack by Count Ivy. He wants to use it to build a giant greenhouse. I want you to bring King Coco food and supplies. Make sure Count Ivy isn’t aware of your presence. It has been planned that a transporter will land out of site from the main land. The transporter will have several speeders with the supplies. You will then fly the speders to the back of Coco’s castle. You will see an open door with a maid named Dabby. She will help you with the supplies. Any questions?
🟥**Brian:** Yes. Is Count Ivy in the vicinity of the castle?
🟩**Arnold:** I don’t know about that.
🟥**Stardown:** Are there anyone between us and Coco’s kingdom?
🟩**Arnold:** I’m not sure, but if you hyperdrive, you should be safe.
🟥**Stardown:** Who exactly is going on this mission?
🟩**Arnold:** All of you except Brian, he will give the directions.
🟩~~**Brian:** Waaa!~~
🟩**Arnold:** Stardown, you will manage the delivery.
🟥*Stardown feels the sudden responsibility on his shoulders.*

🟥**Stardown:** Yes, sir.
🟩**Arnold:** Are there any more questions?
🟥*There are none.*

🟩*Soon, the transporter takes off.*

🟥**Stardown:** Does everyone have their weapons?
🟩*They all did. Soon, the transporter landed. They unload the speeders with the cargo.*

🟩**Brian:** Head east until you see the land.
🟥**Stardown:** Okay, so who will be driving the speeders?
🟩*Four soldiers volunteered.*

🟩**Brian:** Each speeder can hold two people including the pilot. Seven soldiers and Stardown will make the delivery. The rest of you will guard the ship.
🟥*Soon, they set out.*

🟩*Five minutes later…*

🟩**Soldier:** Is that it up ahead?
🟩**Stardown:** Yes.
🟩*They park and see Dabby at the back door.*

🟥**Stardown:** We brought the supplies!
🟩**Dabby:** Thank you! I don’t know what we would have done without them.
🟩*They begin unloading the cargo.*

🟥*After ten minutes, the cargo is in the castle.*

🟩**Dabby:** Thank you again for all your work! Would you like to stay for the night?
🟥*Stardown checks with Brian.*

🟩**Brian:** I’ll need to check with Arnold.
🟩*He does.*

🟩**Brian:** He says you can, but be back in the morning. One more thing, you will need to make sure they have available parking for the transporter.

🟥*That night, the transporter is moved next to the castle and its security is activated.*

🟩**Dabby:** Be careful if you need to go outside. We don’t want them to know you’re here.
🟥**Stardown:** Don’t worry. The guards are taking shifts tonight.
🟩**Dabby:** Are they and the ship hidden?
🟥**Stardown:** Yes.
🟩*The cargo is soon opened, and its content was distributed.*

🟥**Stardown:** Everyone who came with me should not leave the castle until it’s time to leave.
🟩**Coco Soldier 1:** Is the Round-Up cannon loaded?
🟩**Coco Soldier 2:** Yeah, ahould we fire it at that plant over there?
🟩**Coco Soldier 1:** Nah, let’s wait ‘til one of those huge ones pop up.
🟩**Coco Soldier 2:** Like that one?
🟩**Coco Soldier 1:** Yeah!
🟩*Kaboom! Splash!*

🟩**Coco Soldier:** The ivy is getting past the town wall, and is starting to surround the castle.
🟩**Coco Captain:** The king has called for a meeting, and says that we should detonate the anti-ivy bombs.
🟩*The bombs are soon detonated.*

🟩**Coco Soldier 1:** Well that took care of them!

🟩**Coco Captain:** We need to keep them from retaking ground.
🟩**Coco Captain:** If we don’t target the roots, our fighting will mostly be in vain.

🟥*The soldiers keep the ivy at bay all night. Soon, it is time for the Guardians to leave.*

🟩**Dabby:** Thank you for your help! We’ve managed to drive off Count Ivy. We couldn’t have done it without you!
🟩~~**Brian:** Great job!~~
🟥**Stardown:** I’m very glad we could help.
🟥*They soon leave for the Medallion.*

🟩*After they land…*

🟩**Brian:** Great job!
🟩**Soldier:** The prisoners are complaining.
🟥**Stardown:** Sigh… What now?
🟩**Soldier:** Something about wanting pickled Cheez-its.
🟥**Stardown:** Those guys…
🟩**Soldier:** Oh, and their boss has almost finished chewing through the bars.
🟥**Stardown:** Uh-oh.
🟥*He runs to the lab, grabs a device, returns and puts a force field around the prison.*

🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Blaaast!
🟩**Rainmaker:** Can’t we come out and play?
🟩**Psycho:** And can we have our pickled Cheez-its?
🟥**Stardown:** Fiiiiine…
🟥*They are given their pickled Cheez-its.*

🟩**Hooded Jaw:** Tsaaalb!
🟩**Rainmaker:** When can we come out?
🟥**Stardown:** You’re dangerous criminals. You can’t come out now.
🟥*He walks away.*

🟩**Rainmaker:** Wait!
🟥**Stardown:** Fine, what is it?
🟩**Rainmaker:** Uuuh, what was I gonna say? Oh right. Why would ya call us crookies?
🟩**Firius:** It’s criminals.
🟥**Stardown:** Oh, brother…
🟥*He walks away.*

🟩**Rainmaker:** But, but…
🟥*Stardown enters the lab and sits in a seat. The lab has always given him ideas for new things. He fiddles with a screwdriver while trying to think of something new. His thoughts then drift back to the time when they were trying to reprogram Robob. What happened to the Robans? More importantly, how did the Emperor get a hold of them? He is jarred from his thoughts as someone enters the room.*

🟩**Kervo:** Hey, Stardown. Working on something?
🟥**Stardown:** I was just wondering what happened to Robob.
**Kervo:** Didn’t one of the officers see him at the gang’s woodshed?

**Stardown:** I don’t think that was confirmed.

*He suddenly has an idea.*

**Stardown:** Is there a way we can put up a force field that can keep out enemies like the Italian Mouse?

**Kervo:** Well… I don't think so. Force fields are made primarily to block attacks. We had tried using them to block enemies, but they still managed to get through.

**Stardown:** What are the Roban force fields like?

**Kervo:** I don’t know. I’ve never seen them.

**Stardown:** Then maybe we could make one from scratch.

**Kervo:** Should we go to the woodshed and see if we can find Robob?

**Stardown:** That would be risky. Robans are deadly.

**Suddenly,** Robans began pouring into the room.

**Robob:** Magnetize them!

*They were magnetized to the table.*

**Roban:** We have the hallway blocked so that your little friends can’t come to the rescue!

**Stardown:** How did you know we’d be here? Are you psychic or something?

**Roban:** Be quiet!

**Stardown:** The only way you can make me do that is if you remove my larynx! And I know you can’t do that!

**Roban:** That’s what you think.

**Stardown:** Did you arrive just because we were talking about you?

**Roban:** You were talking about us?

**Roban:** Teleport them!

*They were teleported into the Fulcrum, and put into a hi-tech prison.*

**Stardown:** And now to escape.

*He tries his lightsaber on the force field.*

*A Roban reaches through the force field, and takes Stardown’s lightsaber.*

**Roban:** Nice try.

*Stardown presses a button on a remote. An SOS message is sent to the Medallion.*

**Roban:** The signal can’t get through the ship.

*A few Robans enter their prison and take their gadgets.*

*Back at the Medallion...*

**Max:** The security cameras show that Robans kidnapped Stardown and Kervo!

**Arnold:** Captured?! Are they still there?

**Max:** No. They all disappeared.

**Arnold:** We must find them. There’s no time to lose!

**Brian:** They might be on the Roban flagship.

**Amy:** It could be anywhere.

**Arnold:** Well, let’s get going…

*Later, at the Roban flagship, it is time for interrogation.*

**Roboss:** I see that you have captured the legendary Stardown.

**Kervo:** Don’t tell them anything too vital, Stardown.

*A Roban zaps Kervo.*

**Roboss:** What are the abilities of your suit?

**Stardown:** You DON’T KNOW? Surely you’ve seen me on TV. You can do better than that.

*A Roban zaps Stardown.*

**Roboss:** Other than flying and zapping.

**Stardown:** That’s pretty much it, I suppose...

*A Roban knocks Stardown over with a zap.*

**Roboss:** There’s more. Tell me.

**Stardown:** There’s nothing more to the suit.

**Roboss:** Stop lying. You know there’s more.

**Stardown:** There is Guardian Fleet and pre-Shmouse printing on the suit.

**Roboss:** Tell me what other gadgets you have or you’ll be sorry!

**Stardown:** I can’t tell you all my secrets. Good luck tracking down my suit.

**Roboss:** Your suit is at the Emperor’s base. Tell me its secrets or else. This is your last warning.

**Stardown:** Get the suit yourself.

*Roboss presses a button and Kervo disappears.*

**Roboss:** I warned you.

**Stardown:** He will be rescued. Next question!

*A Roban appears.*

**Roboss:** This is the new Kervo.

**Stardown:** I said, Next question. Then you will transform him back. Or you can take me to your creator. I don’t answer to machines.

**Roboss:** I don't have time for this. Take him back to the prison. Don’t give him food or drink until he tells us everything he knows. Or I could just use…

*He teleports a machine into the room, plugs it in Stardown’s brain, and presses a button. After a few moments he unplugs it.*

*Meanwhile, Arnold is on the phone with the UI president.*

**Arnold:** Do you happen to know who built the Robans?

**UI President:** No. Why?

**Arnold:** Stardown has been captured by them. Do you know anyone who has a clue as to who built them?

**UI President:** Yes, the chief of Global Army Studies of Whale Island.

*Soon, Arnold is on the phone with him.*

**GAS Chief:** How can we help you?

**Arnold:** Do you know who built the Robans?

**GAS Chief:** Yes, I just found that out yesterday. The Robans were built by the Horizon Squadron. Shortly afterward, they rebelled, leaving with the ships made or them, but not before destroying a number of Horizon ships. I hope this helps.

**Arnold:** Yes, it does. Thank you very much.

*He dials the number of the Horizons.*

**Horizon Leader:** What do you want?

**Arnold:** The Robans which you created have kidnapped Stardown. Could you please help us get him back?

**Horizon Leader:** …We’re busy.

*He hangs up.*

*Arnold calls him again.*

**Arnold:** It’s urgent. This is Stardown we’re talking about.

*He hangs up again.*

**Luigi:** Don’t forget the tracking device we put inside Robin earlier!

*A group wearing elephant costumes enter the room.*

**Roadrunner:** You aren’t fooling anyone, Hooded Jaw.

**Elephant:** Who \*ahem\* is the Hooded Jaw?

**Arnold:** You must excuse Roadrunner; he can be feisty sometimes. Do you happen to know where the Roban ship Fulcrum is?

**Elephant:** What’s a fulcrum?

**Arnold:** Wait, who are you, anyway?

**Elephant:** Oh, uh, the Elephant Tribe of Whale Island.

**Arnold:** Have you come to help us?

**Elephant:** We were teleported here. Do you have a shuttle we can use?

**Arnold:** We can take you there ourselves.

**Max:** Are there Robans at Whale Island?

**Elephant:** What’s a Roban?

*The Medallion heads back to Whale Island.*

**Max:** They are a race of powerful robots.

**Elephant:** May we take a shuttle? Our dwelling can’t be accessed by large ships.

*They arrive, then deploy a shuttle for the elephants to use. Max and five guards use a second shuttle to head down to the island themselves.*

**Elephant:** Freedom!

**Elephant:** Awe-a-some!

**Elephant:** He-haw!

*The shuttles are soon out of sight.*

*Max gets a feeling in the Force and pursues the first shuttle.*

**Rainmaker:** Hey, uh, that other shuttle is following us!

**Hooded Jaw:** You know the drill.

**Rainmaker:** Let it blizzard!

**Hooded Jaw:** You blockhead! Now we can’t see where we’re going!

**Firius:** You idiot, Rainmaker!

**Italian Mouse:** You’re-a only smart-a in battle!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Rainmaker:** Now a donkey is dissing me!

**Max:** Max to Medallion! I have a feeling these guys are not the real deal!

**Arnold:** I’ve got their shuttle on radar.

*The Medallion moves into position, draws the shuttle in, and the minor villains are recaptured.*

**Rainmaker:** Look! A moose!

**Arnold:** I don’t buy it.

*They are herded into the prison, the doors are locked, and the force field reactivated. A motion detector and blaster are installed just outside the cell.*

**Hooded Jaw:** You know, force fields don’t work like that.

*He steps through the force field.*

**Rainmaker:** There really is a moose behind you!

**Roadrunner:** Yeah, yeah.

*The moose walks over and eats the combination lock to the force field.*

**Brian:** Who are you?

**Moose:** Starvin’ Marvin! That be the name! Chomp!

**Roadrunner:** A gluttonous talking moose? Now I’ve seen it all!

*Marvin whips out a ray gun and fires it at Roadrunner.*

**Brian:** Are you okay?

**Roadrunner:** I feel like I haven’t eaten in days!

*Marvin throws a pie at him.*

**Roadrunner:** Hey!

*He draws his lightsaber.*

**Marvin:** Lightsaber. Nice.

*He throws a pizza and jumps onto it.*

**Roadrunner:** What am I seeing?!

*Marvin bounces off a few walls, then smacks into Roadrunner’s back.*

*The minor villains stampede to the shuttle and escape.*

**Marvin:** Later!

*He fires one more laser before the shuttle leaves. It hits Brian.*

**Brian:** What's for dinner?

**Roadrunner:** Anything!

*He starts eating his lightsaber.*

**Arnold:** This is ridiculous!

*He dialed the Chief of GAS.*

**Arnold:** The Horizons wouldn’t take our calls. Do you know where their flagship is?

**GAS Chief:** They have no flagship. They have ground bases in the northlands. Their fleet is smaller since the formation of the Robans. The only large-ish- Oh, sorry, I got carried away.

**Arnold:** I meant their ship, the Fulcrum.

**GAS Chief:** The Fulcrum? That’s not the Horizons’ ship. At least, not anymore.

**Arnold:** Sorry, I meant that it’s the Robans’ flagship. Do you know where it is now? Stardown has been captured by them, and I believe he is being held on the Fulcrum.

**GAS Chief:** We don’t know where it is. The only time the ship is seen is when the Robans want it to be seen.

*Meanwhile...*

**Roboss:** We have all his knowledge. What shall we do with him?

**Roban:** Change him into a Roban!

**Roban:** Make him our slave!

**Roban:** Turn him into a Happy Meal!

**Roboss:** Take him to the prison. We will think about this later. Stardown, if you try and escape? Kervo will self-destruct.

*Stardown is thrown back into his cell.*

**Roban:** Have fun in there.

*Time goes by...*

*A Roban accidentally presses the button to unlock Stardown’s cell.*

*Stardown looks out of the cell to see if there are any Robans watching him.*

**Roban:** What was that noise?

**Roban:** What noise?... I unlocked Stardown’s cell!

*Stardown bolts out of his cell, sees his lightsaber, grabs it, and draws it.*

"Eradicate!"

**Roboss:** I want him alive.

"Eradicate!"

*They start firing beams out of their eyes. Stardown dodges and blocks them.*

**Roban:** Retreat!

**Roban:** Take his lightsaber!

*Stardown continues to block the Robans’ attacks, not destroying any for fear of destroying Kervo.*

**Stardown:** Roboss, I want you to transform Kervo back and teleport us to the Mushroom Kingdom.

**Roboss:** Why?

**Stardown:** Because you kidnapped us unprovoked.

**Roboss:** Get back in your cell or I’ll destroy Kervo…

*He shuts down.*

**Roban:** What happened?

**Roban:** Self-destruct Kervo! Self-destruct Kervo!

*He presses a button on Roboss' remote, causing one of the Robans to turn back into Kervo.*

**Roban:** Uh oh!

**Stardown:** Radio the Medallion, Kervo. I’ll take care of these guys.

**Kervo:** It’s not getting through!

*Stardown finishes off the rest of the Robans and rushes off to Kervo’s side.*

**Kervo:** Do you know how to fly this thing?

**Stardown:** I’ll see what I can do. But first, I need to make a quick stop somewhere.

*Stardown steers the Fulcrum toward the Emperor’s base.*

*They soon arrive.*

*Stardown runs in, and, five minutes later, returns with his suit.*

**Stardown:** Good thing it was abandoned.

*They head for the fleet.*

**Amy:** Stardown! How did you escape?

**Stardown:** Fortunately, one of the Robans made the mistake of accidentally unlocking the cell, and we escaped.

**Kervo:** I don’t feel so well.

**Brian:** Do you need to go to the hospital?

**Kervo:** I may need to. I had been turned into a Roban briefly, Stardown tells me.

**Amy:** I see you found your suit.

**Stardown:** Yes! I found it unharmed at the Emperor’s base. Unfortunately, Roboss knows of its secrets. Speaking of Roboss…?

**Arnold:** The guards are restraining him before putting him in a max-security prison on the Bullshark.

**Roadrunner:** He may have critical information.

*Stardown heads to the lab and sits down, new ideas forming.*

**Stardown:** Take 2…

*Stardown goes through his mental list. Force fields seem to intrigue him more and more. But because of the Robans, his suit would have to be changed entirely. And a new firewall would have to be added.*

*Tails enters.*

**Tails:** Working on something?

*Stardown shares his list with him.*

**Stardown:** Do you happen to have a force bubble generator anywhere?

**Tails:** No. Do you want me to ask Mr. Phillips if he has one?

**Stardown:** Okay.

*As Tails leaves, Stardown inspects his suit and checks his Facebook page.*

**Stardown: (to himself)** When did I set my birth date to 1820? And my gender to female? And…

*His name is Moonup.*

*His friends are removed.*

*His image says the Guardian Fleet stinks!*

*His other image shows a picture of the Shmice and a thumbs up next to it.*

*Plus much more.*

**Stardown:** Who did this?

*He changes his password, and begins changing his Facebook page back.*

"Waa!"

**Stardown:** Sigh.

**Waluigi:** Where is my candy bar?!

**Wario:** I ate it.

**Waluigi:** Waa!

*After about thirty minutes, Stardown had fixed most of his Facebook page.*

**Waluigi:** Waa!

**Person:** What now?

**Waluigi:** I lost my penny!

*Tails returns.*

**Tails:** What’s wrong?

**Stardown:** My Facebook page was hacked. Fortunately I changed most of it back. Did you find a force bubble generator?

**Tails:** Yes.

*He puts it on the table.*

*Stardown examines it.*

**Stardown:** Is there a way we can generate a force bubble that can cover an entire ship?

**Tails:** The Shmice could, so I don’t see why not.

**Stardown:** I wonder if we can use it to keep out the Robans...

*They soon get to work.*

**Tails:** The force bubbles the Shmice used were to keep enemy ships from moving. I don’t know if they could block attacks. Is that what we’re working on?

**Stardown:** I was hoping we could put them around our ships to keep the Robans from boarding us.

**Tails:** Oh. I was thinking about something different. No, I don’t think that technology exists yet.

**Stardown:** I’m sure we’ll be the first to make it happen!

**Tails:** We should watch our backs in case the Robans attack.

**Stardown:** Don’t worry; the guards are on high alert.

**Tails:** Do you still have your lightsabers?

**Stardown:** I do.

*Amy enters.*

**Amy:** Looks like we have some uninvited guests.

**Stardown:** Sigh… The Robans?

**Amy:** No. Space gators.

**Stardown:** Space gators?

**Amy:** Uh-huh. Thankfully there aren’t too many of them. Maybe six?

**Stardown:** This I gotta see. Tails, let’s put away our project in case these guys get interested.

**Bruce:** G’day mate! D’ya mind if we plunder yer ship? It’ll only take a minute. He he.

**Arnold:** What is it you’re looking for in particular?

**Bruce:** Gold, weapons, all that stuff.

**Arnold:** We don’t carry gold.

**Bruce:** OK then. Where do ya store yer treasure?

**Arnold:** We don’t carry treasure for ourselves.

**Roadrunner:** Maybe the Shmice have something you’d like.

**Bruce:** Hah! The Shmice are long gone. I find it funny ya didn’t know this.

**Brian:** We’re serious. There really is a Shmouse remnant out there.

*The space gators laugh.*

**Sam:** Of course thar be Shmice out there. Maybe not any from the Shmouse Empire.

**Arnold:** Well, don’t worry. I’m sure there are other ships to plunder.

**Bruce:** Bob, Chris, start plunderin' the ship.

**Bob and Chris:** Yes sir!

**Roadrunner:** Wait, why our ship?! There are thousands more out there! I hear the Robans carry priceless jewels 24/7!

**Bruce:** Nus tra.

**Stardown:** Sigh… Let’s get back to work.

*He heads back to the lab.*

*Stardown doesn’t see an alligator following him into the lab.*

**Mike:** What should I do?

**Bruce:** Oh, uhhh, wa don’t ya join the uthus in plunderin’.

**Mike:** OK!

*Stardown takes a look at his costume to see what changes it needed.*

*Bill starts taking random things from the shelves and puts them in a sack.*

*Stardown glances over his shoulder, then ducks into a closet and tells the news to the local Jaywalker patrol.*

**Jaywalker Officer:** Jay says for us not to help. I’m sorry. I’m not sure why this is.

*The closet door slowly opens and Bill takes the phone from Stardown, and puts it in the sack. He scans the room, takes a few more things from the shelves, then leaves.*

**Arnold:** Follow my lead, guys.

*He pockets a few things of value. The others do the same.*

*Some of the gators are pickpocketing them.*

*Mike does not notice that Stardown has attached a tracking device to him.*

**Stardown:** Now we should call call in the guards.

*Another space gator (Sam) enters the lab. Stardown doesn’t see him.*

**Sam: (to himself)** How did he not see me?

*He sees Stardown’s hidden project and takes it.*

*Stardown leaves the lab.*

*Guards start pouring into the room. Bruce puts an object on his tail.*

**Bruce:** Who wants to fight me?

*The guards fire a tranquilizer gun at Bruce. He is tranquilized.*

**Chris:** Plunderin' rules!

**???:** Did someone say plunder?

*The Hooded Jaw and his gang enter.*

"Eradicate!"

*So do the Robans.*

*Arnold signals everyone on the Medallion crew into the surveillance room to hide and watch the fight.*

**Marvin:** What a buffet! Chomp!

**Bob:** Hey! My sack!

**Mike: (to himself)** It’s about time to use the secret weapon.

**Psycho:** Secret weapon, eh?

**Mike:** You read my mind!

*He whips out a bottle of Gatorade and fires it at Psycho. It misses, and lands right in Starvin’ Marvin’s mouth.*

**Marvin:** Yumola! Do you have more of that?

**Mike:** I wish I didn’t.

**Roban:** Free Roboss! Free Roboss!

*Fortunately, Stardown had his lightsabers with him, so he heads out and battles the Robans.*

**Roban 1:** Roboss isn’t on the ship, you blockhead!

**Roban 2:** Aren’t we all?

*Chomp!*

**Roban 2:** Ow!

*Brian and Arnold also arrive, and they and Stardown slice through the Robans.*

*Marvin sneaks up behind Stardown and eats his hair.*

*Stardown uses his lightsaber to back him off.*

**Stardown:** How inhumane of you.

*His antlers turn electric, and he clashes them against Stardown’s lightsaber.*

**Stardown:** Seriously?

*He Force-shoves him into the gators and continues battling the Robans.*

*One of the Robans fires a tranquilizer at Stardown’s back, knocking him out.*

*As Mark and Roadrunner join the fight, Amy, Tails, and the newly-arrived Kervo carry Stardown back to the surveillance room.*

**Roban:** Stop them.

*Robans head for the surveillance room. Mark is an unstoppable bolt of lightning as he darts around the room, destroying every Roban in sight. Roadrunner keeps the Robans trying to get in the surveillance room at bay.*

*Stardown wakes up.*

**Stardown:** Did we win?

**Tails:** Not yet, but it looks like we’re winning.

**Amy:** You’re in safe hands, Stardown.

**Rainmaker:** Let it tsunami!

**Hooded Jaw:** (Japanese characters)

**Rainmaker:** (more Japanese characters)

**Bob:** Quit it with the Japanese, mates.

**Bruce:** Yawn. Have ya finished plunderin'? Yo, what’s goin' on?

**Chris:** A war broke out, we’ve almost finished, look out!

*The tsunami swept away everything in its path.*

**Tails:** That’ll take care of those Robans.

**Stardown:** Yes, but what about the gators and minor villains?

**Tails:** They’re still fighting.

**Brian:** While they fight, why don’t we get our stuff back?

*Chomp!*

**Arnold:** Before that moose finishes eating it.

*They ward off Marvin with their sabers before dragging what’s left of their sacks to the surveillance room.*

*Marvin breaks the door down.*

**Marvin:** Is that leftovers I see?

*He is pulled out by Arnold’s Force powers and thrown into the Hooded Jaw while brian repairs the door.*

*He-haw he-haw! It’s Dominick the Donkey…*

*Brian and the rest begin growing weak.*

**Roadrunner:** Make. It. Stop!

*Stardown and Mark pass out.*

**Bruce:** Give us a few more minutes.

**Black Widow:** We can’t let a little change of temperature stop us!

*She opens a box and spiders swarm out.*

*Suddenly there is a deep freeze in the room.*

**???:** All right, you gators and minor villains, out!

*It gets super hot.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Fiiiine…

*The room becomes normal temperature.*

**Stardown:** Who are you?

**???:** I am Kelvin C. Fahrenheit, a new Guardian Fleet member.

**Bruce:** What’re we doin’ in ‘ere?

**Firius:** What are you doing in here?

**Bruce:** Back to the ship!

**Tails:** See you later, alligator!

**Bruce:** We’re not going anywhere. C’mon, boys, we have work to do.

*Brian force-shoves them and the villains out the airlock. They climb into the gators’ shuttle and leave.*

**Bruce:** Hey! Bob and Chris were still on that shuttle!

**Marvin:** I’m hungry.

**Bruce:** Shut up!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Firius:** Even the donkey agrees with you.

**Italian Mouse:** Who’s not with us? Other than Bob and Chris?

**Firius:** The Hooded Jaw. Black Widow.

**Marvin:** Psycho. Rainmaker. Chomp!

**Firius:** Stop that!

**Italian Mouse:** Do they know we’re here?

**Firius:** No.

*CHOMP!!!*

**Firius:** Now they do.

**Mike:** Quick! Hide!

*The Medallion fires warning shots at the shuttle, then hyperdrives back to the fleet.*

**Bruce:** Don’t be silly!

**Marvin:** It’s an all you can eat buffet! Chomp!

**Firius:** Guys, there’s no point in staying here.

*The newly-revived members of the Medallion, as well as several guards, charge at them with tranquilizers.*

**Firius:** Now do you see why? To the nearest shuttle!

**Italian Mouse:** Oh, calm down. As long as we’re in here we’re safe. See? They can’t get us.

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Marvin:** How did we get in the air duct? Chomp!

**Italian Mouse:** I’ll tell you once you stop chomping.

*The vent cover is removed and tiny tranquilizer drones are sent in.*

*Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Belch!*

**Marvin:** Tasty little things!

**Firius:** How are you still conscious?

**Marvin:** Dunno. Mmm mmm, I hope they send more of those things up here!

**Firius:** What?!

**Sam:** In case there are too many for you to han- I mean eat, I brought some EMP spray from our last plundering.

**Marvin:** I’ll be fine! Chomp!

*Using the Force, Stardown pulls the villains down from the duct.*

**Marvin:** Super ultra ninja moosie! Hiya!

*He knocks Stardown out.*

*Firius uses her fire to burn through the guards.*

**Bruce:** It’s plunderin’ time!

**Tails:** It looks like those villains have a second wind.

*Suddenly they are frozen in time. Stardown’s father is standing there, arms crossed.*

*The rest of the villains enter, catching Stardown’s father off guard. They grabbed his remote and freed the rest.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Tsalb!

**Marvin:** This is it. The battle of all batt- Hey, what’s that you got? Chomp!

**Black Widow:** That was that guy’s remote.

**Marvin:** But he ain’t use no remote.

**Black Widow:** Yeah, yeah.

*Tails shakes his head in amusement.*

**Arnold:** That’s it. Everyone, we’re leaving.

*The entire Medallion crew take the bags, board a large shuttle, and leave.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Are we the only ones left?

**Italian Mouse:** Do you-a know-a what this-a means?

**Firius:** We have the whole shuttle to ourselves!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Marvin:** He-chomp!

*Meanwhile…*

**The Doctor:** Now, as you may remember, Sable, Armaul has already been out of prison once.

**Sable:** Then how come he didn’t escape when Arctic Tail did?

**The Doctor:** Good question. He was in an inner cell, and was not seen by those breaking out Arctic Tail.

**Sable:** But how did he get out on his own?

**The Doctor:** He tricked the guards into thinking he was ill, then retrieved his lightsaber and escaped.

**Sable:** How do you know all this?

**The Doctor:** One of the chief guards of that prison told me.

*The Doctor activates a few switches on the TARDIS console before reaching for the master switch.*

**Sable:** Where are we going?

**The Doctor:** The Society’s headquarters. I think we can gain information on Armaul’s whereabouts.

*Meanwhile, on the hijacked Medallion, a phone call comes for the Hooded Jaw.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Hello?

*Chomp!*

**???:** This is the manager of the Toad Town casino. One of your buddies wants to see you. He said he can’t speak over the phone, but he wants to see you here at nine. Are you able to come?

**Hooded Jaw:** Yes, thanks.

*He hangs up.*

**Firius:** Are you going?

**Hooded Jaw:** Nah. We all know this is a trap, so I’ll make my Jawbot go for me.

**Italian Mouse:** A-yeah-a!

**Dominick:** A-he-a-haw-a!

**Marvin:** A-he-a-chomp-a!

*At nine, the Jawbot arrived.*

**???:** Hooded Jaw! It’s me!

**Jawbot:** Bowler Cat?

**Bowler Cat:** That’s me, old chap!

**Jawbot:** I can’t believe I \*cough\* thought \*Chomp!\* this was a \*He-haw!\* trap.

**Bowler Cat:** Are you OK?

**Jawbot:** I’m \*Spiders!\* fine. This is one of my \*Let it (Japanese)!\* Jawbots. \*Cut that out! Write with English characters!\* \*(Japanese)\* \*Hey, you’re going to flood Marvin out!\* \*(Japanese)\* \*STOP IT WITH THE JAPANESE!!!\* Sorry about this. My buddies are quite loud.

*Soon, the Hooded Jaw arrives.*

*Meanwhile, Stardown and co. arrive at his base. Stardown can finally see his butler again.*

**Butler:** Stardown! Where have you been?

*Stardown summarizes his adventures since his last visit.*

**Stardown:** Unfortunately, the minor villains stole the Medallion.

**Butler:** What?! How?

*Stardown explains.*

**Butler:** Those villains are becoming a true threat. We must stop them.

**Stardown:** Well, let’s settle in.

*Later, Stardown is in his base’s lab, looking over his project. At least his suit is still intact. Oops. His project isn’t there. Stardown goes to his butler.*

**Stardown:** Is there a force bubble gun lying around?

**Butler:** No, I’m not sure one of them exists.

**Stardown:** We had one on the Medallion, but it was stolen.

*Meanwhile…*

*The Hooded Jaw and Bowler Cat enter the Medallion.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Do you want to join our gang?

**Bowler Cat:** Sure, but I’m not so sure about those clowns over there.

"Let it tsunami!"

"Thank you!"

"He-haw!"

"Chomp!"

**Hooded Jaw:** Don’t worry. They’re very friendly.

**Rainmaker:** Let it tsunami!

**Bowler Cat:** I’ll join.

**Rainmaker:** Let’s see you try to eat this! Let it lightning!

*Zap!*

**Marvin:** Ow! Hey! That’s no fair!

**Firius:** I thought you could eat anything!

**Rainmaker:** Let it gale!

**Marvin:** I can’t eat wind!

**Bowler Cat:** This is a nice ship. Where did you get it?

**Hooded Jaw:** Took it from some fancy-shmancy fleet that’s all bark and no bite. Sure, they may say it was them who stopped the Roban attack, but noooo, it was Rainmaker. Of course they won't tell you that in the media.

**Marvin:** Hungry?

**Bowler Cat:** A little bit.

*Splat!*

**Bowler Cat:** Hey! Are they always like that?

**Hooded Jaw:** Most of the time.

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**???:** Put your hands up! All of you!

**Mike:** Aw man!

**Rainmaker:** Let it sandstorm!

**???:** Give us the ship!

**Hooded Jaw:** Who are you?

**???:** We are the Jaywalkers. Give up the ship.

**Hooded Jaw:** I don’t feel like it.

**Jaywalker Captain 1:** Now!

*The Hooded Jaw ate his blaster.*

**Jaywalker Captain 1:** Hey!

**Jaywalker Captain 2:** We have your ship surrounded.

**Hooded Jaw:** That’s nice.

**Jaywalker Captain:** And we will destroy it if you don't give it up.

**Hooded Jaw:** Think of a good reason why I should give it to you.

**Jaywalker Captain:** Just give it to us!!

**Hooded Jaw:** No.

*The Hooded Jaw presses a button on the ship, and a shock wave comes out, destroying most of the ships.*

**Jaywalker Captain:** Get them!

**Rainmaker:** Let it mudslide!

**Jaywalker Soldier 1:** Ack!

**Jaywalker Soldier 2:** What’s going on?

**Rainmaker:** Want more?

**Jaywalker Soldier 2:** No! No!

**Rainmaker:** OK then… Let it geyser!

**Jaywalker Soldier:** Aah.

*Wap!*

**Rainmaker:** I could do this all day. Let it earthquake!

**Bowler Cat:** Is this normal?

**Hooded Jaw:** Recently.

*Marvin eats all the blasters he can find.*

**Jaywalker Captain:** Stop that moose!

**Rainmaker:** Let it gust!

**Hooded Jaw:** Quick! Open the airlock!

*The airlock is opened and the Jaywalkers are blown out.*

**Rainmaker:** We won!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Marvin:** He-chomp!

**Italian Mouse:** Stop-a-that!

*Meanwhile…*

**Stardown:** Okay, I just ordered a new Force bubble generator from the Hero Shop.

"Waa!"

**Wario:** Whaaat? I didn’t do anything...

**Waluigi:** That’s the problem!

**Wario:** What do you mean?

**Waluigi:** You didn’t clean my room!

**Wario:** And you didn’t clean mine, so there!

**Waluigi:** I wasn’t supposed to!

**Wario:** Same here!

**Waluigi:** WAA!!!

**Wario:** Gimme your money! My WarioWare rent’s due tomorrow.

**Waluigi:** You still run that thing?! I almost feel bad for you.

**Wario:** ...Why are you so skinny, anyway?

**Waluigi:** Wah?

**Wario:** Here, have some pie!

*Splat!*

**Waluigi:** Hey!... What did ya say a little ago?

**Wario:** What, about being skinny.

**Waluigi:** What about being skinny?

**Wario:** Why don’t you go play in the trash compactor?

**Waluigi:** Why?

**Wario:** It’ll make you skinny again! Welp, I gotta go.

**Waluigi:** Why don’t you play in the trash compactor? You’re fat enough.

**Wario:** Nah. Too loud and rusty.

**Waluigi:** Oh well…

**Stardown:** Well, that was fast.

*He retrieves his force bubble generator.*

"Waa!"

**Stardown:** Sigh.

*He takes the force bubble generator to the hi-tech lab and sits down.*

*He looks at the tag.*

*“DO NOT MODIFY IN ANY WAY.”*

**Stardown:** I’m not modifying it, I’m just studying its inner workings.

*He takes out his screwdriver.*

*Tails and Kervo walk over.*

**Tails:** Working on something?

**Stardown:** I was able to order a new force bubble generator, so I’m picking up on my previous project.

**Tails:** Do you think we’ll get the Medallion back?

**Stardown:** I hope so.

"Waa!"

**Wario:** I’M LATE!

*Wario takes off on his Wario Bike.*

*Waluigi runs into their room, sees Stardown’s project, takes it, and fires it at Wario.*

**Wario:** Waah!

**Stardown:** Sigh… Give it back, Waluigi.

**Waluigi:** Fiiiine…

*He frees Wario and gives it back. Stardown closes the door.*

*Stardown looks at his project. He suddenly gets an idea.*

*Somewhere…*

*A great storm rages on the sea as a pirate ship sails its crew in search of land.*

**Captain Jwa Doohed:** Yar! How long will this storm be lastin’?

**Crew:** Not much longer, Cap’n!

**Jwa Doohed:** When will we be seein’ land?

**Crew:** It will be a while, Cap’n.

**Jwa Doohed:** When will that lousy waiter bring me my food?

**Crew:** He’s not a waiter, Cap’n.

**Jwa Doohed:** How dare you think I’m wrong! Walk the plank!

**Crew:** Here he comes.

**Jwa Doohed:** What’s in this soup?

**Server:** …

**Jwa Doohed:** I said, what’s in this soup?

**Server:** ...He-haw!

**???:** Let it tsunami!

**Hooded Jaw:** I hate playing pirates.

**Rainmaker:** Let it ice storm!

**Firius:** No, Rainie.

**Bruce:** Not good mate.

**Black Widow:** Remind me why we’re all dressed as pirates.

**Marvin:** Who shouldn’t I be? Chomp!

**Bruce:** That was my tail, mate.

**Black Widow:** Jaw, this doesn’t make sense.

**Hooded Jaw:** We’re just trying to have fun. Maybe playing pirates isn’t so bad.

**Italian Mouse:** A-arg-a!

**Dominick:** Haw-he!

*Meanwhile…*

**Kervo:** What is it, Stardown?

*Stardown: By changing the mode, I think I can have a ship surrounded by a force bubble and still move freely. I’ll need to test it with a drone, though. I don’t think I have one here.*

**Kervo:** Is, that, the Medallion?

**Stardown:** And the minor villains.

**Tails:** Look out!

*The Medallion bombs the building with hundreds of rubber chickens. Some of them break through the window.*

*Security is called and hundreds of security speeders arrive,*

**Firius:** Look at them all. They think they can stop us.

**Hooded Jaw:** I overestimated them.

*The Medallion turns around, and drops more chickens, turning some of the soldiers into human-sized living, bipedal rubber chickens.*

*Soldier:* Bugauck!

*Stardown has an idea. Checking the setting first, he fires a force bubble at the Medallion.*

*The field is generated around the Medallion.*

**Black Widow:** What’s that notice on that screen?

**Hooded Jaw:** It says that a field was generated around the ship that will keep enemies out, and offer some protection.

**Italian Mouse:** A-awe-a-some-a!

**Dominick:** He-a-haw!

*The minor villains stop laughing when they see fifteen guards behind them, with force fields and stun guns.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Oh hello! Come for a cup of tea and some scones?

*Dominick sneaks behind them and opens the airlock.*

**Guard:** You’re coming with us!

**Rainmaker:** Let it tsunami!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

*The tsunami destroys the force fields and sweeps all the guards out the airlock. Dominick closes it.*

**Marvin:** That was fun! Let’s do it again!

**Firius:** You didn’t do anything!

*Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!*

*Marvin eats any dropped blaster he could find.*

**Psycho:** We could have used those…

*Little does Rainmaker know that some of the tsunami water is leaking into the Medallion’s systems.*

**Black Widow:** Can that be your last tsunami? It might damage the ship!

**Hooded Jaw:** It has damaged the ship! Let’s get out of here!

*The Medallion flies off.*

**Stardown:** Is everyone okay?

**Dallas Wilson:** Some of the soldiers were turned into rubber chickens. Otherwise, I think everyone’s okay.

**Stardown:** That’s good. Anyway, I think we should get some rest. It’s kinda late.

*Earlier with Max…*

*Max flies around for a bit, but sees nothing.*

**Max:** Huh. I thought there was something important here. Guess I was wrong.

*He heads for the Medallion. On the way, he receives a radio broadcast from Stardown to come to his base instead. Once there, Stardown explains why.*

**Max:** Those villains have all the technology we do. Including your new force bubble.

**Stardown:** If this thing’s already projecting a force bubble, can it project another?

*He tries it on a drone.*

*It didn’t work.*

**Stardown:** I’ll create a new one from scratch.

Hours later, at 4am, it is complete.

*Stardown tests it on the drone. The force bubble stays on the drone for thirty minutes. He is able to place several more on other drones. However, there is no way to turn them off, other than waiting.*

*Stardown works all night on the force bubble generator. Finally, it is perfect. It is 9:30 AM.*

*Now the force bubble is able to last six times longer, and he can remove them at any time.*

*Tails, Kervo, Brian, and several others enter.*

**Tails:** Working on something?

**Stardown:** \*yawn\* I’ve finally finished the force bubble generator.

*He explains its functions.*

**Stardown:** I need to get some rest. I was up all night working on it.

*Several Robans arrived in front of the Emperor’s base.*

**Roban 1:** Where is the Emperor?

**Roban 2:** Located.

**Emperor:** Leave… me… alone!

**Roban 1:** You are coming with us!

*The Robans teleport him to one of their ships.*

**Emperor:** What do you want with me?!

**Roban:** How did you capture and brainwash some of our Robans?

**Emperor:** Easy. I just sent some guards who fired stun rays at them, and brought them back to base.

**Roban:** Stun rays don’t work on Robans! Tell us the truth!

**Emperor:** Oh, uh, uh, I just…

**Roban:** Go on.

**Emperor:** I brainwashed Roboss and had him give me some of his Robans. The brainwash wore off shortly after.

**Roban:** How did you brainwash him?! Answer!

**Emperor:** Well… I started off by shutting him down-

**Roban:** He can’t be shut down!

*Zap!*

**Roban:** Tell! Us! The! Truth!

**Emperor:** OK! OK! I sent a guard which sprayed a brainwashing gas at Roboss and-

**Roban:** Give us the brainwashing gas!

**Emperor:** I don’t have it on me!

**Roban:** We will take you back to your base.

*They teleport him back.*

**Roban:** Find it!

*The Emperor finds it shortly later.*

**Emperor:** Here. Found it.

*A Roban takes it and teleports back to the ship.*

**Roban:** Is there more?

**Emperor:** No.

**Roban:** What is this then?

**Emperor:** Sorry, I mean-

*Zap!*

**Roban:** I will not put up with lying! Is there more than this?

**Emperor:** Yes, yes.

**Roban:** Good. Find it!

**Emperor:** How dare you treat an emperor like this!

**Roban:** You are not an emperor!

*Zap!*

**Roban:** I thought you were braver than this.

**Emperor:** I am! I am! The potion I took mixed my brain with one of a cowardly human.

**Roban:** How long will it last?

**Emperor:** Forever, unless I take this potion.

*He drinks it and turns back to normal.*

**Roban:** We will hold you hostage until further notice.

**???:** That is if you can catch me!

*He darts past the Robans, jumps on a speeder, and takes off.*

**Roban 1:** After him!

**Roban 2:** He's too far away.

**Roban 1:** You let him escape!

**Roban 2:** So did you!

*The Robans return to their ship, where Robruce, a Roban captain, is waiting for them.*

**Robruce:** Where is the Emperor?

**Roban 1:** He turned back into his real form and escaped.

**Robruce:** Real form?

**Roban 1:** Some sort of mouse.

**Robruce:** Did you get the potion?

**Roban 1:** Yes, I did.

**Robruce:** Good. Drink one.

*The Roban picks a random potion and drinks it. He turns into a chipmunk.*

**Chipmunk:** Eeee! What happened?

**Robruce:** You drank a potion which turned you into a chipmunk. It says it’s made for humans, but I can tell it works for robots.

**Chipmunk:** I want acorns!

*A Roban gives him a basket of acorns.*

**Robruce:** Where is Stardown?

*Roban 2 checks a screen.*

**Roban 2:** At his own base. He didn’t see us put the tracking device on him.

**Robruce:** We will ambush him when the time is right.

**Roban 2:** When is that?

**Robruce:** When he leaves the base. We will surround and capture him.

**Roban 2:** What about Roboss?

**Robruce:** We will free him. I believe he’s on the ship they call the Bullshark. We will also take back the Fulcrum.

**Roban 2:** I bet Stardown has no idea about our plans.

**Robruce:** Our plan is simple, yet effective. Capturing Stardown will be a walk in the park.

*Little does he realize how wrong he is.*

*In Stardown’s dreams...*

**Martin the Warrior:** Your fleet is in danger, Stardown,

But do not leave your base.

Turn an orb to find your threat

And then seek help from Ace.

*Stardown wakes up.*

*He does not remember his dream right away.*

*Someone enters.*

**Brian:** Ah, you’re awake, Stardown. I just talked to Ace on Skype. He was sharing his new technology with us.

**Stardown:** Ace… Ace…

**Brian:** What is it, Stardown?

**Stardown:** I just remembered, Martin spoke to me!

**Brian:** Martin. What did he say?

*Stardown repeats what he said.*

**Brian:** What is this orb?

**Stardown:** I don’t know. It sounds like a riddle.

**Brian:** Why don't we talk about it over breakfast.

*Ten minutes later...*

*They sit down at their table. They are served French toast with tea.*

**Brian:** What was the first part?

**Stardown:** Your fleet is in danger, Stardown, but do not leave your base.

**Brian:** Did he mean your army or the Guardian fleet?

**Stardown:** I believe he meant the Guardian Fleet.

**Brian:** What was the second half?

**Stardown:** Turn an orb to find your threat, and then seek help from Ace.

**Brian:** Do you have an idea what this orb could be?

**Stardown:** No.

**Brian:** We need to turn this orb before seeking help from Ace.

*Amy walks up.*

**Amy:** Hi, guys! What are you chatting about?

**Stardown:** Martin spoke to me in a dream last night. With a riddle.

**Brian:** Martin told Stardown to turn an orb to find out his threat. Very confusing.

**Amy:** Are there any orbs around here?

**Stardown:** Not that I know of. An orb could be anything.

**Amy:** Did he give you any clues?

**Stardown:** No, he just said to turn an orb. He also told me that my fleet is in danger, and that I’m not to leave my base.

**Amy:** Maybe it’s called a orb, but not actually one.

**Stardown:** Good point.

**Server:** Anything I can get you?

*They place their next orders.*

**Brian:** Do we know anything called “an orb” or “the orb”?

**Stardown:** No.

*They soon finish breakfast.*

*Stardown goes and sits on a couch in the living room of the base. Sonic and Tails arrive and sit on either side of him.*

**Sonic:** What seems to be troubling you?

*Stardown tells him about the Martin dream.*

**Sonic:** An orb, eh? And he didn’t leave you any clues?

**Stardown:** None, other than turn an orb.

**Tails:** Does he want you to wait?

**Stardown:** No, I don’t think so.

**Sonic:** Maybe this orb will pop up when the time is right.

*Matthias enters.*

**Matthias:** Hello, everyone. What’s up?

*Stardown tells him the riddle.*

**Matthias:** Well, let’s see… An orb could be anything. Maybe it’s symbolic.

**Tails:** I didn’t think about that.

**Stardown:** Neither did I.

**Sonic:** Anything it could be?

**Matthias:** What if it’s wordplay? Martin is known to do that.

**Tails:** “Orb” could be changed to “Rob”.

**Stardown:** That’s it! It’s Roban! Thanks, Tails!

**Sonic:** So we’re supposed to turn a Roban?

**Stardown:** I think the riddle meant that I was supposed to change the order of the letters.

**Sonic:** Interesting.

**Tails:** So the Robans are our threat. We can now seek help from Ace.

*Stardown and the others go to Arnold.*

**Stardown:** Commander, warn the fleet. The Roban will be attacking it soon.

*Arnold warns the fleet.*

**Arnold:** How did you find this out?

**Stardown:** Martin told me in a dream.

**Arnold:** Did he say when they would attack?

**Stardown:** No.

**Arnold:** Will you head to the fleet?

**Stardown:** Martin told me not to leave this base. I think it’s because the Robans would capture me if I did.

*Thirty minutes later, the Robans attack. Five hundred Robans teleport into the Bullshark.*

"Eradicate! Eradicate!"

**Soldier:** Oh boy.

*The Robans are at the advantage, since they take up most of the room.*

*Soldiers pour in and fire away with heavy repeater blasters.*

*The blasters are useless against the Robans in the first several ranks.*

*In another part of the ship…*

**Soldier:** Use water against them! That should cause them to short-circuit!

**Soldier:** We’ve been trying, it’s caused some discomfort when we hit a normal Roban, but it hasn’t fazed the Heavy Robans up front.

*About a hundred Robans in the back ranks teleport behind the guards and start attacking.*

**Roban:** Watch your backs!

*Some soldiers toss a couple of thermal detonators underneath the Heavy Robans as other blast away at the normal ones.*

"Eradicate!"

*They start mowing down the soldiers.*

**Heavy Roban:** Your thermal detonators don’t work on-

*Kaboom!*

**Heavy Roban:** I’m… hit!

**Roban:** Anyone who has taken heavy damage can teleport to the lead ship. We have repair Robans there.

*The soldiers fire icethrowers at the Robans.*

**Roban:** What a silly war tactic.

*The Robans finish off the first wave of soldiers.*

**Roban:** Teleport back to your rank!

*Soon, soldiers riding speeders with horizontal sawblades ride in and plow through the Robans as the automatic sprinklers kick in.*

*The speeders crash when they try to slice the Heavy Robans.*

*Turbo rockets are fired at the treads as the Jaywalkers hyperdrive in.*

**Roban:** Robans! Teleport to your ranks! Now!

*Robanites enter.*

*The Jaywalkers enter with time freeze guns and fire them.*

**Roban:** The Jaywalkers are slowing our advance.

*The Robans are magnetized to giant magnets which are moved away.*

**Roban:** Teleport!

*They teleport off the magnet.*

**Roban: (to the back two hundred)** Teleport to the prison! Don’t let them see you!

*But the prison is heavily guarded.*

**Roban:** Attack!

"Eradicate! Eradicate!"

*The ambush catches the soldiers off guard.*

**Roban:** Free Roboss! Get him away from this scum!

*The Jaywalker lightsaber warriors arrive and slash madly at the Robans.*

**Roban:** Teleport them into their own prisons!

**Roban:** They will have to free Roboss in order to free their own guards!

*Most of the guards are teleported.*

**Soldier 1:** Destroy Roboss.

**Soldier 2:** What?! That’s crazy! Is this an order from Arnold?!

**Soldier 1:** No. But I believe it may make the Roban attack pointless.

**Soldier 2:** They would go crazy and destroy the ship. Besides, I don’t think Arnold would want th-

*The soldier is teleported into the prison.*

*Meanwhile…*

**Arnold:** It looks like it’s a losing battle. Even ten Robans would greatly outmatch them, but five hundred of them is too much.

**Stardown:** Is there anything- wait! Ace! That’s who we need to call!

*Stardown calls Ace.*

**Ace:** Stardown! I’ve wanted to talk to you. A mouse clad in armor visited me in a dream last night and told me to wait for a call from you.

**Stardown:** That was Martin the Warrior!

**Ace:** Listen, I’ve come up with an atom splitter ray. I’ve successfully tested it against several different types of metal. I think it might be able to destroy Robans at the molecular level.

**Stardown:** I think it will be worth a try…

**Roban:** Give us Roboss back and we will leave in peace. Will you do that?

**Captain:** Yes.

*They give the Robans Roboss, and they teleport away. Ace’s agents arrive.*

**Agent:** Are we late?

**Captain:** Fashionably. We agreed to give them Roboss so that they could leave in peace.

**Agent:** Are there any Robans left?

**Captain:** No. They all teleported away.

*Ace’s shuttle docks in the Bullshark, but just as he is about to join the rest, he is knocked out and dragged into the shadows.*

**???:** You are a valuable prisoner!

*Arnold joined the rest in the Bullshark.*

*Arnold surveys what happened.*

**Arnold:** We lost a lot of soldiers.

**Captain:** The Robans were desperate to get Roboss back.

**Arnold:** I can tell.

**Captain:** They may attack us again. We need to watch our backs.

*Ace is woken up by water pouring on his face.*

**Ace:** Stop… with the water! Where… am I?

**???:** Don’t worry, you’re safe.

**Ace:** Who are you?

**???:** The Hooded Jaw!

**Ace:** Why did you say I was safe?

**Hooded Jaw:** Did you think I was going to kill you?

**Ace:** What do you want with me?

**Hooded Jaw:** We’re going to use you to help us build our fleet.

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Ace:** Me?!

**Hooded Jaw:** Did you think I was talking to someone else?

**Ace:** How would you use me to build your fleet?

**Hooded Jaw:** Torture.

**Ace:** Torture?!

**Hooded Jaw:** Yes. Torture.

**Ace:** I never knew you were so evil.

**Hooded Jaw:** Oh, don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you.

**Ace:** How could you torture someone without hurting them?

**Hooded Jaw:** Like this!

*Tickle tickle tickle*

**Ace:** OK! OK! I get it!

**Hooded Jaw:** You haven’t seen anything yet. I have a way more ticklish feather.

**Ace:** How would this help you build your fleet again?

**Hooded Jaw:** Simple. We’ll just tickle you until they start giving us their ships.

**Ace:** And what if they don’t?

**Hooded Jaw:** I’ll feed you my latest Smarties.

**Ace:** The Smarties.

**Hooded Jaw:** They taste way better now.

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Ace:** You fed them to your donkey?!

**Hooded Jaw:** He loves ‘em!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Black Widow:** Who knew a feather was all that was needed to take over a fleet?

**Hooded Jaw:** Well, I best contact their fleet. Marvin? Start tickling.

*Tickle tickle tickle*

*Back at the Guardian Fleet…*

**Tails:** Hey! Look what we found!

*Tails and Sonic drag a Heavy Roban into the room.*

**Stardown:** Where did you find it?

**Tails:** In the other room. It must have malfunctioned.

**Stardown:** This will be perfect to test on.

**Sonic:** Where’s Ace? Wasn’t he supposed to be here?

**Stardown:** I don’t know if he was to come here. Why?

**Sonic:** I thought one of his agents said he was. I may be wrong.

**Stardown:** I wonder if Martin will speak to me again tonight...

*That night…*

**Martin:** Your fleet’s not safe yet, Stardown,

But still don’t leave your base.

Ronald’s brain must fight the Jaw

For he has captured Ace.

The Jaw will try to take the fleet

But still don’t give up hope.

Seek the founder in the stones

His name is Adnemope.

*Stardown wakes up. He sees Amy standing next to him.*

**Amy:** You we’re rolling around a lot in your sleep. Did you sleep well?

**Stardown:** Not very well.

*A captain walks in.*

**Captain:** Arnold is hosting a meeting, and you are to attend.

*Stardown is soon at the meeting.*

**Arnold:** The Hooded Jaw and his gang have captured Ace. He is being tortured with a feather. They say they will continue tickling him with the feather until we start giving them our ships. When it comes to tickling, those villains are no joke. Do you have any ideas?

*Stardown remembers his dream.*

**Stardown:** Yes, sir. Martin spoke to me in a dream last night.

*He retells his dream.*

**Arnold:** Can you write it down for us?

*He does.*

*They print copies for all the captains.*

**Stardown:** This riddle could take awhile.

**Captain:** Ronald could be Arnold.

**Captain:** But what could brain be?

**Mark:** Brian, most likely.

**Luigi:** Or it could be Arnold’s top scientist.

**Mario:** Arnold’s Brian sounds a little odd, but I-a think you’re on to something.

**Mark:** Who is Arnold’s top scientist?

**Arnold:** His name is Albert Klein, but he works aboard the Bullshark.

*A phone rings. Arnold answers it.*

**Black Widow:** You best give us your ships soon. Ace’s nose is super ticklish right now.

**Ace:** Stop it!

**Arnold:** What can eight or so guys do with a couple dozen ships, anyway?

*Tickle tickle tickle*

**Black Widow:** Give, then ask.

*Tickle tickle tickle*

**Rainmaker:** Let it rain!

**Ace:** First a feather, and now Chinese water torture?! Give me a break!

**Black Widow:** Good point.

*She whispers something to the Hooded Jaw. He presses a button on a remote and Arnold appears in the room.*

**Arnold:** H-how did you do that?

**Italian Mouse:** A-are-a-you-a-new-a-to-a-tele-a-porting-a?

**Arnold:** No, but-

**Hooded Jaw:** Tie him up and get the widowmaker.

**Arnold:** The widowmaker?

**Hooded Jaw:** Yeah. The name of my most ticklish feather.

**Arnold:** Oh.

**Ace:** I’d rather die than have them give up their fleet! Besides, I’m not part of them! I can see if you kidnapped Arnold, but why me?!

**Brian:** ...What just happened?

**Captain:** The villains teleported him!

**Roadrunner:** Cowards!

**Stardown:** What do the minor villains fear the most?

**Mark:** Anything serious I would think.

**Stardown:** What if one of us goes in a Thundra costume?

**Mark:** They wouldn’t be fooled.

**Hooded Jaw:** You know I can hear you, right?

**Brian:** Yeah, that would make a great Halloween costume.

*He hangs up the phone.*

*It rings again.*

*Roadrunner answers it.*

**Roadrunner:** Roadrunner Janitor service. What can I do for you?

**Hooded Jaw:** Ha ha, very funny. I was just calling to let you know that we’ve begun to tickle Arnold. If you want us to stop, just give us your fleet.

**Roadrunner:** For what purpose do you plan to use it?

*He squeezes a rubber ducky into the receiver.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Anything!

*Tickle tickle tickle*

**Roadrunner:** Namely?

*Squeak squeak squeak*

**Hooded Jaw:** What’s the rubber ducky for?

**Roadrunner:** Just answer me! And truthfully!

*Squeak squeak*

**Hooded Jaw:** I love rubber duckies…

*Tickle tickle tickle*

*Roadrunner blows a bugle into the receiver.*

**Hooded Jaw:** I hate bugles…

**Roadrunner:** Good. So why do you want the fleet?

**Hooded Jaw:** Why should I tell you?

*Tickle tickle tickle*

**Roadrunner:** Now you’re really gonna answer me.

*He plays the bagpipes into the receiver.*

**Hooded Jaw:** There is nothing better than the sound of bagpipes…

*Roadrunner switches back to the bugle.*

**Roadrunner:** Now answer me. Why do you want the fleet?!

**Hooded Jaw:** I don’t have to listen to that bugle.

**Roadrunner:** Yes you do.

**Hooded Jaw:** You know, Arnold’s nose is pretty ticklish, too.

**Roadrunner:** Don’t say I didn’t call you!

*He hangs up.*

**Roadrunner:** That’s it. Let’s get the Thundra costume.

*The phone rings again.*

*Roadrunner answers it.*

**Roadrunner:** Enough, Hooded Jaw.

*He hangs up.*

*The phone rings yet again.*

**Roadrunner:** What is it now?

*The Hooded Jaw plays Dominick the Donkey over the phone. Roadrunner starts getting weak.*

*Roadrunner hangs up.*

*Stardown heads to the lab, an idea fresh in his head.*

*The phone rings.*

*Roadrunner plays a baby crying sound effect into the receiver and hangs up.*

*The Hooded Jaw rings again and plays a slightly distorted Dominick the Donkey that’s ten times louder. It nearly blows Roadrunner’s ears.*

*Roadrunner hangs up, put on noise-cancelling headphones, calls again, and tries to hypnotize him.*

**Roadrunner:** You are getting sleepy…

*Meanwhile Stardown is working on something. Tails, Kervo, and Mark enter.*

**Tails:** Working on something?

**Stardown:** It might not work, but I’m making a Thundra voice changer.

**Mark:** Are you sure it would work? They know he’s dead, and they’re not entirely dim.

**Stardown:** So what else could they be afraid of?

**Kervo:** Something that isn’t goofy?

**Stardown:** What about the Shmice? Maybe Zephilar?

**Kervo:** I think he lost his frightening reputation, but he may still be alive. It may be worth a try.

*Soon, they create a Zephilar voice changer.*

**Stardown:** And now for the costume. But who should make it?

**Tails:** Do we have any tailors around here?

**Stardown:** I’m sure there are. Let me take a look.

*But as he steps out of the lab, a ray is fired at his legs, and he falls flat.*

**Kervo:** Are you okay?

*Amy runs up.*

**Stardown:** My legs… I can’t move my legs!

*He notices a Mobian red fox in a doctor’s outfit running in the opposite direction.*

**Amy:** Who is that guy?

**Kervo:** That’s Dr. Sykk! We acquired her just yesterday!

**Amy:** Who is she?

**Kervo:** I don’t know. Maybe Brian knows more.

*The phone rings.*

*Roadrunner answers it.*

*Jingety jing. He-haw! He-haw! It’s Dominick the Donkey…*

*He hangs up.*

**Tails:** We need to get Stardown to his bed!

*Several nurses enter.*

*The phone rings again.*

*Roadrunner answers it.*

**Roadrunner:** Think of the phone bill you’re going to pay!

**Hooded Jaw:** Arnold is uber ticklish right now. If you don’t start giving over the ships in thirty minutes, I’ll feed him my latest Smartie.

*The nurses tend to Stardown until the doctor arrives. It is Dr. Sykk. Fortunately, Tails, Kervo, Amy, and Mark are still with him.*

**Amy:** Why did you paralyze his legs?!

*She winks at her.*

**Dr. Sykk:** Oh, I have my own reasons, you know.

*Stardown can hear hurried action outside. Obviously the Hooded Jaw has made another threat.*

**Dr. Sykk:** Now, I advise you four to step out for a bit while I treat my patient. Doctor’s orders.

**Amy:** Not with Stardown out of commission!

*Two figures dart along the wall of the room.*

**Dr. Sykk:** Oh, well. If you prefer to stay and watch the proceedings instead, Stardown’s arms will be next to go. Then what kind of hero would he be, with no working limbs? It’s such a shame the paralysis is only temporary.

*Stardown doesn’t hear much of what she said, due to his concentrating on the two figures.*

**Mark:** What is it, Stardown?

**Dr. Sykk:** Yes. Do tell.

**Stardown:** Two figures… they look like robbers.

**Dr. Sykk:** We don’t want any distractions during the operation.

*She shuts the door.*

**Mark:** I’m taking you to the prison!

**Dr. Sykk:** Oh, you don’t need to do that. It won’t be necessary.

*She glances at her watch.*

**Dr. Sykk:** Oh, I’m running late for my next appointment. In the meantime, Armaul will take care of you. He’ll be here in fifteen minutes. Bye ya’ll!

*She leaves.*

**Stardown:** Oh, no.

**Tails:** We’ve seen him before, haven’t we?

**Stardown:** Yes. He must have escaped from prison. When he searches a place, he leaves no stone unturned. I need to be hidden as soon as possible.

*Mark leaves to capture the doctor.*

**Stardown:** My bed is a hovering bed, able to be detached at the frame. Can you take me to the nearby hidden tunnel? I’ll direct the way.

*They lift Stardown and head for the tunnel.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Hmmm, you still won’t give us your ships. Maybe this will help.

*He presses a button on the remote, and Brian appears with them.*

**Rainmaker:** Now they have no choice but to give us their fleet! Let it rain!

**Black Widow:** Teleport Stardown over!

**Hooded Jaw:** I can’t. The remote broke.

**Captain:** What should we do now that they have our leaders?

**Hooded Jaw:** Easy. Just give us your fleet.

*Sonic rushes over to where Stardown is.*

**Sonic:** You may think it’s crazy, but Arnold and Brian vanished right in front of us!

**Stardown:** Hooded Jaw?

**Sonic:** I believe so. We know that they’re hiding aboard the Medallion. I’m gonna check it out!

*He leaves.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Twenty minutes left before Arnold eats the Smartie.

*Tickle tickle tickle*

**Hooded Jaw:** Have you made your decision?

**Arnold:** How do you plan to get on board?

**Brian:** And how can just a dozen guys control about thirty ships at once?

**Italian Mouse:** Stop-a saying that!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Brian:** You will answer my question.

**Hooded Jaw:** You will be quiet.

*Stardown and friends make it into the tunnel just as the alarm goes off. Armaul has arrived.*

**Kervo:** That’s probably him.

*Stardown feels a sheet of paper next to him. He reads it.*

**Paper:** Thirty minutes after I paralyzed you, you will feel like you are being electrocuted in the legs before you faint. When you wake up fifteen minutes later, you’ll be safe in the custody of Armaul. Cross my heart. --Dr. Sykk

**Sonic:** Where did that come from?

**Stardown:** She must have left it in my bed before she left. \*sigh\* I must brace for pain in fifteen minutes. It’s not going to be pleasant.

**Tails:** Mark’s not with us.

**Sonic:** He’s going after Dr. Sykk.

**Kervo:** Let’s just hope Armaul doesn’t find him.

**Amy:** Stardown, be brave! We’ll be right here with you!

**Kervo:** You’ll be good as new in thirty minutes.

**Sonic:** Are we sure we’re deep enough in the tunnel?

**Stardown:** It goes much further.

**Armaul:** Come out, come out, wherever you are…

**Amy:** He’s coming! Run!

**Stardown:** There’s another secret tunnel connected to this one, but it’s about a mile away.

**Tails:** We’ll never make it!

**Sonic:** Just keep going!

**Stardown:** Eleven minutes...

**Sonic:** Do you want me to go back and occupy him?

**Stardown:** He’s going to find us anyway, so you might as well…

**Amy:** But that’s too dangerous, even for you!

**Sonic:** Don’t worry about me.

*He races off.*

*They continue down the tunnel.*

**Stardown:** Nine minutes…

**Kervo:** Stardown, how did Armaul escape from prison?

**Stardown:** I have no idea...

*The minutes drag by. They arrive at the other tunnel’s entrance. Stardown is just about to tell his friends how to open the seal when he suddenly feels a powerful electric sensation in his legs. The others rush to his side. The last words he hears before he passes out are Armaul’s:*

**Armaul:** Well, well, well… Four for the price of one.

*Meanwhile…*

**Hooded Jaw:** Time’s ticking, sweetie. Hurry up and give us that fleet.

*Martin suddenly speaks to Brian.*

**Martin:** You and Arnold are our only hope.

*Brian has an idea.*

**Brian:** You will let it lightning.

**Rainmaker:** Let it lightning!

**Arnold:** What are you doing?!

*Brian uses the Force to redirect the lightning bolt onto the ropes binding him to the chair. He pulls his lightsaber to him and draws it.*

**Hooded Jaw:** What was that for?!

*He grabs a force bubble gun and starts firing at that.*

**Marvin:** Man those lightsabers will taste mighty fine!

*Brian’s swinging saber nearly hits Marvin’s mouth. He quickly slashes the force bubble gun to pieces, then frees Arnold and Ace, who draw their weapons.*

**Arnold:** No one threatens to steal my fleet!

*The Hooded Jaw presses a button, and the room is completely locked and sealed. He takes out a bag of Smarties.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Snack time!

**Martin:** I am that is, Arnold.

**Italian Mouse:** A-get-a-back-a-in-a-your-a-seats!

**Dominick:** A-he-a-haw-a!

*Brian attempts to cut a circle in one of the doors.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Ha ha ha! You must have forgotten the time you ordered those lightsaber-proof doors! Give me that!

*Ace has an idea. He picks up the bag of Smarties and tosses them to Marvin.*

**Ace:** Hungry, Marvin?

**Marvin:** Yay! Num num num num num! BLETCH!

*The Hooded Jaw drew a lightsaber-like weapon.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Playtime’s over, lads. Now, who wants to play swords?

*Firius uses fire on the Hooded Jaw’s saber, making it stronger.*

*Arnold engages him.*

**Brian:** This is my ship. I know how to escape any room.

*He locates a hidden control panel and opens the doors.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Yeah, but when I installed thirty more doors with billion number long passwords…

**Rainmaker:** Let it landslide!

**Marvin:** Can I eat your saber?

**Hooded Jaw:** NO!

**Marvin:** Ooh! Yummy chairs!

*Marvin accidentally gets in the way of the landslide and is swept into the walls next to the doors, breaking it.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Don’t forget about the force bubble surrounding the ship! You might as well- Hey! Where did you go?!

*Brian appears with the Hooded Jaw’s password book.*

**Brian:** I don’t have time for this.

*He disables the force bubble, and they escape.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Don’t you want your Smarties?! After them!

**Mike:** They took our shuttle!

**Italian Mouse:** A-we’re-a-out-a-of-a-gas-a!

**Hooded Jaw:** Blaaast!

**Black Widow:** We got a shipment of your favorite manga.

**Hooded Jaw:** Tsaaalb!

**Rainmaker:** (Japanese)

**Black Widow:** Cut that out!

*Snip snip snip*

**Black Widow:** Hey! That was my picture book!

**Bowler Cat:** Picture book?

**Hooded Jaw:** Picture book?

**Italian Mouse:** A-picture-a-book-a?

**Marvin:** I bet it will taste great!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Black Widow:** Oh no you don’t!

*Chomp!*

**Black Widow:** Grrr! How could you?!

**Marvin:** Yummy! Tastes like salmon!

*Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!*

**Hooded Jaw:** My manga!

**Marvin:** Mmh! Mmmh! A-yum-a!

**Italian Mouse:** A-stop-a-mocking-a-me-a!

**Marvin:** Can’t you ever speak normally?

**Italian Mouse:** A-only-a-if-a-I-a-feel-a-like-a-it-a.

**Black Widow:** I wouldn’t worry too much about your manga; he only ate the weird ones. And besides, your My Little Pony is on in five minutes.

**Hooded Jaw:** Weeee!

*Arnold, Brian, and Ace return to the fleet.*

**Brian:** Don’t worry. The three of us escaped. We’re at the fleet.

**Mark:** Speaking of the fleet, some of our fleet members, including Stardown, are missing. We’ve searched the entire base. Did you send them on a mission?

**Brian:** It’s noon now. If you don’t see them by three, let me know.

**Mark:** Yes, sir.

*Meanwhile…*

*When Stardown wakes up, he is no longer paralyzed. His friends are tending to him. The Doctor and Sable are leading Armaul away.*

**Stardown:** What… happened?

**Kervo:** Ah, you’re awake, Stardown. A man and a woman appeared out of nowhere and somehow outmatched Armaul.

**Stardown:** I thought Armaul was one of the best known bounty hunters.

**Tails:** Shall we leave the tunnel?

**Stardown:** Seeing that the danger is over… yes.

*They soon join the others.*

**Roadrunner:** Where were you?

**Stardown:** We went down the secret tunnel to hide from Armaul. He is captured now.

**Roadrunner:** Armaul?! Who captured him? How did he get in?

**Amy:** We don’t know.

**Roadrunner:** Did you see who captured him?

**Kervo:** Yes.

**Mark:** Where is this person?

**Kervo:** I didn’t see where they went after they left the tunnel.

*Roadrunner calls Brian, and tells him that Stardown and the rest had been found.*

*Stardown soon gets a well-deserved rest.*

*The next day…*

**Stardown:** Any word on who Armaul’s captor is?

**Roadrunner:** None yet.

**Captain:** He could still be in the base.

**Stardown:** Yes, maybe.

*They do not see Dr. Sykk secretly watching them.*

*Mark presses a button to scan the base.*

**Mark:** They aren’t here.

**Roadrunner:** At least Armaul’s out of the way.

**Stardown:** But what happened to Dr. Sykk?

**Roadrunner:** Dr. Sykk… There she is!

*They all turn to look, but she is gone.*

**Mark:** Where?

*Roadrunner darts after her.*

*Roadrunner does not see her. Suddenly he hears a chuckle behind him. He looks, but sees nothing. After a few more minutes of searching, Roadrunner gives up.*

*Mark scans the base again.*

**Mark:** Nothing! This is strange!

**Roadrunner:** You checked the cameras outside?

**Mark:** I did.

**Captain:** Does she have a teleporter?

**Mark:** It’s possible.

**Roadrunner:** Stardown, do you remember that old Armaul dummy?

**Stardown:** No. Why?

**Roadrunner:** I think we still have it. If we make it look like Armaul’s unconscious on the ground, that may lure Dr. Sykk out.

*He soon sets out the dummy.*

*An hour later, there is still nothing.*

**Mark:** How could she leave the base with guards everywhere.

**Roadrunner:** Then she must have a teleporter with her.

**Mark:** We don’t want her to see us with the dummy. Let’s not go in that room for now.

*Stardown returns to the lab to see the Zephilar voice changer he had been working on.*

**Stardown:** Looks like I won’t be needing this for now.

*He puts it in a drawer, then sits down, considering something.*

**Stardown:** Should I build a third Medallion?... I’ll ask the others when I get a chance. In the meantime, I’ll upgrade my suit.

*Stardown notices when he took it out, that it had been tampered with.*

**Stardown:** I haven’t seen my suit since I got it back from the Emperor’s base.

*The suit sprays pink lemonade in his face.*

*Stardown removes this feature.*

*The suit makes a loud party horn sound, then shoots flames into the air, turning on the sprinklers which soak him.*

*Tails runs in.*

**Tails:** What’s going on?!

**Stardown:** The minor villains rigged my suit!

*The suit blasts water at Tails, knocking him out of the room.*

*Kervo runs in and traps the suit in a force bubble. Tails re-enters.*

**Stardown:** I guess I’ll have to make a new suit...

**Suit:** Stop whatever you are doing and listen to this report.

**Tails:** It has a radio?

**Stardown:** State your business, suit.

**Suit:** Countless bombs below Stardown’s base are about to detonate. Anyone who is in Stardown’s base or in the area, please evacuate. The Toad Town Bomb Squad had been working on stopping the bombs, but…

*They raise the alarm. Soon, the base is evacuated.*

**???:** Heh heh heh! They fell for it!

*Stardown and the rest head for Toad Town.*

**Toad:** Hey! You came just in time! Toadsworth is about to make a speech!

**Arnold:** I left a few guards inside to validate this threat.

**Roadrunner:** They could get blown up!

**Arnold:** Not if the suit isn’t telling the truth.

**Captain:** But if it does…

**Arnold:** Don’t worry.

**Captain:** Commander! There is no bomb squad or bombs underneath the base.

**Arnold:** Good. We’re going back inside.

**???:** BLAAAST!

**Captain:** We’re under attack!

**???:** Let it blizzard!

**???:** He-haw!

**???:** The base is ours!

**Guard:** Freeze or I’ll fire!

**Firius:** We’re already freezing.

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Guard:** Here comes the Medallion.

**Hooded Jaw:** Quick! Use the mind control cola!

*Splash!*

**Captain:** We are yours to command!

**Hooded Jaw:** Set up that cool new force bubble.

*The force bubble is set up.*

**Italian Mouse:** A-hey-a! A-you-a-left-a-me-a-out-a-side-a!

**Hooded Jaw:** Oops!

**Black Widow:** Too late! Stardown and friends are here. Get ready for a fight and a half!

**Roban:** This is our last chance to get Stardown… There he is!

*Zap!*

**Roban:** Get him!

*It’s a tough fight, but Stardown manages to beat them.*

**Stardown:** This force bubble must have ejected me out.

**Italian Mouse:** A-did-a-they-a-leave-a-you-a-out-a-too-a?

**Stardown:** Yes. Now let me back in. I forgot my wallet.

**Italian Mouse:** A-they’re-a-keeping-a-me-a-out-a-as-a-well-a.

**Stardown:** So why do you want to go in?

**Italian Mouse:** To join the others, but they’re simply getting too dopey. I guess I’m not the way I used to be.

**Stardown:** So would you like to join us?

**Italian Mouse:** That would be best. The gang isn’t as villainous as most would think. If we had a talk with them I think they would change.

*They soon see the Medallion approaching. Bowler cat emerges.*

**Bowler Cat:** There you are!

*The Medallion deactivates its force bubble and lands next to Stardown and the Italian Mouse.*

**Stardown:** Please! You must stop the Hooded Jaw and the others! They’re ruining the base!

**Bowler Cat:** Ruining?! How?!

**Stardown:** They’ve taken it over! I imagine they’re customizing it and changing everything!

**Bowler Cat:** That’s not a bad thing.

**Stardown:** It’s someone else’s property! Take down the force field!

**Bowler Cat:** I don’t have a say about that. You’re coming with us.

*The Italian Mouse winks at Stardown.*

**Italian Mouse:** A-he-a-fell-a-right-a-for-a-the-a-trap-a!

*Stardown goes with them.*

**Bowler Cat:** Sit down!

*He does.*

*Bowler Cat ties him up.*

**Stardown:** Well, that’s a lousy way to get a prisoner, Bowler.

**Bowler Cat:** Lousy? Hmph. Well, don’t worry about escaping. We aren’t letting you free this time.

**Stardown:** You villains always say that.

**Bowler Cat:** What do you mean? It’s been years since you last saw me.

**Stardown:** I was talking about the Hooded Jaw, Rainmaker, etc. But it’s good to see an old friend again.

**Bowler Cat:** Likewise.

*He whips out a feather.*

**Bowler Cat:** Any last words?

*Stardown bursts out laughing.*

**Bowler Cat:** What? I haven’t even tickled you yet.

**Stardown:** Who do you think you’re kidding? You and I know that’s not deadly.

*Tickle tickle tickle*

**Bowler Cat:** Yes it is. You will die laughing.

**Stardown:** You don’t know the secret to tickling.

**Bowler Cat:** What secret?

**Stardown:** I’ll show it to you if you’ll just untie me.

**Bowler Cat:** I’m not falling for that.

*Tickle tickle tickle*

*Bowler cat takes out his phone, and calls Arnold.*

**Bowler Cat:** Give us your whole fleet. We are tickling Stardown.

**Roadrunner:** NO!

**Bowler Cat:** I wasn’t talking to you. Arnold, will you give us the fleet?

**Arnold:** Of course not.

**Bowler Cat:** So you want me to tickle Stardown to death? That’s crazy!

**Arnold:** He won’t die just because he’s being tickled with a feather.

**Bowler Cat:** He will die laughing.

**Arnold:** I don’t hear any laughing.

**Bowler Cat:** He must be dead then.

**Stardown:** I’m still here!

*Tickle tickle tickle*

**Stardown:** Nope. Still not amused.

*Bowler Cat takes out a different feather and starts tickling Stardown’s stomach.*

**Bowler Cat:** This is my best feather!

*Stardown flinches but remains bold.*

*The Italian Mouse sprays sleeping gas at Bowler Cat and frees Stardown.*

**Italian Mouse:** Sorry about taking so long. I couldn’t find the sleeping gas.

**Stardown:** That’s all right. Is there a way we can turn off the force bubble around the base?

**Italian Mouse:** Not unless we get one of the members to do it. Are you good at impersonating voices?

**Stardown:** I think so. Who do you want me to impersonate?

**Italian Mouse:** Bowler Cat. Tell the Hooded Jaw to remove the force bubble so we can park the Medallion.

**Stardown:** Alright then…

*He picks up a transceiver and contacts the Hooded Jaw.*

**Marvin:** Starvin’ Marvin here.

**Stardown:** This is Bowler Cat. Can you get me the Hooded Jaw?

**Marvin:** Sure! Chomp!

*The transceiver hangs up.*

**Stardown:** Sigh…

*Soon after, it buzzes.*

**Stardown:** Hello?

**Hooded Jaw:** Sorry about it hanging up, ol’ Marvin got hungry. Did ya need me?

**Stardown:** Yeah. Could you turn off the force bubble so we can park the ship.

**Hooded Jaw:** Sure. But don’t take too long.

*He hangs up.*

**Stardown:** Can we jam his force bubble generator?

**Italian Mouse:** Yes. I’ll do that now.

*Soon, the Medallion parked.*

**Brian:** The field is down.

**Arnold:** Stardown’s troops surrounding the base are moving in.

*A Roban appeared behind them.*

**Roban:** You two are coming with me!

**Hooded Jaw:** Quick! Set up the force bubble! They’re getting in!

**Psycho:** I can’t! It’s jammed!

**Hooded Jaw:** Blaaast!

**Soldier:** Put your hands up!

**Hooded Jaw:** Where’s Rainmaker?! Where’s Marvin?!

**Firius:** Captured.

*The villains are taken out of the room.*

**Brian:** I thank you for your kind offer, but we’re a little busy right now.

**Roban:** You have no choice!

**Brian:** Nice try.

*Brian whips out the atom-splitting ray, sets it at molecular level, and fires it at the Roban.*

**Roban:** Blasters don’t-

*The Roban is vaporized.*

**Stardown:** The villains have been captured, and the base has been retaken.

**Arnold:** Good job!

*That evening, Stardown holds a feast celebrating the retaking of the base.*

*That night, Stardown heads to his laboratory. He picks up his Zephilar voice changer and tests it. No, that doesn’t sound right. He begins tweaking it. Shortly later, he tests it again. It’s perfect.*

**Stardown:** Now all I need is a Zephilar costume.

*He looks up and sees a figure. When it sees him looking at it, it darts into the shadows.*

**Stardown:** State your business!

*He hears nothing.*

**Stardown:** You can’t hide from me forever.

*A mouse runs between his legs. He turns and sees a huge capybara.*

**Stardown:** RoDent...

*He turns back into his normal form. Fearsome Ferret enters from hiding.*

**Stardown:** What do you want?

**RoDent:** What do you want?

*Stardown is confused.*

*Fearsome Ferret grabs the Zephilar voice changer.*

**RoDent:** You haven’t seen the last of the Emperor.

**Stardown:** The… Emperor?

**RoDent:** Clever of me, wasn’t it?

*The two left the room. Stardown alerted the guards.*

**Stardown: (to himself)** At least he took the preliminary one.

**Fearsome Ferret:** Whatever you do, don’t escape as a pygmy shrew and leave me alone with the guards… Where did you go?

*He sees a pygmy shrew running off.*

**Guard:** Put your hands up!

**Fearsome Ferret:** Do I have to?

**Guard:** Would you like me to fire my stun ray?

**Fearsome Ferret:** Do whatever you want.

*The guards begin firing their stun rays.*

**Fearsome Ferret:** Are you even trying to aim?

*He is hit by one of the rays.*

**Guard:** Is that Zephilar?

**Zephilar:** Give me that ferret!

**Dallas:** What’s wrong with your voice? Got a cold or something?

*Zephilar tries to leave but is hit by one of the rays. The ray turns RoDent into his normal self. Dallas removes RoDent from the suit, and leads him and Fearsome Ferret to the prison. He returns the suit to Stardown.*

**Dallas:** Did you finish your voice changer?

**Stardown:** Yes. Just before the two arrived.

*Dallas leaves and Stardown sits down, poring over the last part of the riddle.*

*Seek the founder in the stones*

*His name is Adnemope.*

*Brian enters.*

**Brian:** Hello, Stardown… Is something bothering you?

**Stardown:** I’m just trying to figure out the last part of Martin’s riddle from the other night.

*He repeats it.*

**Brian:** Adnemope. Adnemope. Could it be more mixed letters?

**Stardown:** I’m not inclined to believe so.

**Brian:** Do we know anything that has or has anything to do with stones?

**Stardown:** Well, there are the mole people...

**Brian:** The mole people. You may be on so something.

**Stardown:** Perhaps I can find more information at the library.

*Thirty minutes later, Stardown, Brian, and Amy arrive at the library. (Amy has been wanting to go for some time.)*

**Brian:** Let me know what you find, Stardown. I’ll be researching the Gerbilians if you need me.

*He leaves.*

**Amy:** What’cha looking for?

**Stardown:** I’m looking for books on the history of the moles. I believe this is the answer to Martin’s riddle.

**Amy:** The one with…

**Stardown:** Seek the founder in the stones

His name is Adnemope.

**Amy:** Adnemope. Is that one of the moles?

**Stardown:** I wonder…

*He begins poring through some of the books.*

**Stardown:** Aha! This says Adnemope founded Okora 4,000 years ago. Perhaps we’re to find his grave!

**Amy:** I think you’re right.

*As Amy leaves to get her books, Stardown continues through his books. Time passes. He becomes so absorbed in his reading that he looks up only when someone puts a hand on his shoulder.*

**Amy:** I’m ready to leave whenever you are, Stardown. Let’s go meet with Brian.

*In a few minutes...*

**Brian:** Are you ready to go to Okora now?

**Stardown:** I am. Are you coming with us, Amy?

**Amy:** I wish I could, but I have a lot of things to do.

**Brian:** I’ll notify Commander Jenkins.

*Soon, the shuttle is prepared, and Stardown, Matthias, Sonic, and Brian are on their way to Okora.*

*The trip is uneventful.*

*Soon…*

**Mertoro:** Well, if it isn’t Stardown and friends! What can we do for you all?

*Stardown tells him about the riddle.*

**Mertoro:** Martin?! Why, he’s our hero!

**Stardown:** You too?!

*They are soon seated at one of the Okoran diners.*

**Mole:** What can I get for you?

*They place their orders, and in minutes, are enjoying cultural Okoran cuisine.*

**Mertoro:** So a riddle has you stumped?

**Stardown:** Not anymore. All we need to know is the burial place of your city’s founder, Adnemope.

**Mertoro:** Oh, that’s sacred! No one has ever touched the tomb of Adnemope since he was buried!

**Sonic:** Can we look at it?

**Mertoro:** It’s a popular tourist attraction around here, but the coffin is under pretty high security. Shall we go right after we finish?

**Brian:** Sure!

*Later, they arrive at Adnemope’s burial place.*

**Matthias:** So what do we do now?

**Stardown:** Perhaps there’s a clue around here.

**Sonic:** Does the gravestone say anything that could help us?

**Matthias:** Look! There’s printing on this stone.

**Brian:** What does it say?

**Matthias:** I can’t make head nor tail of it.

**Mertoro:** Ah, this is the old mole manuscript!

*He begins translating it.*

**Mertoro:** It says, “If one is in danger, seek out the Maker of Zoh.”

**Stardown:** The Maker of Zoh? That’s Jek-14!

**Sonic:** Then let’s go!

**Brian:** Are you coming, Mertoro?

**Mertoro:** Unfortunately, no. We’re expecting an important visitor today.

*Fortunately, the flight is uneventful, and they soon arrive.*

**Matthias:** Where do we start looking?

**Brian:** Jek could be anywhere.

*Suddenly a bolt of energy appears and hits a target behind them. They turn to see Jek-14 standing over a deconstructed Roban.*

**Jek-14:** This thing was stalking you. Wait a minute, how did you even find me?

**Brian**: We found a stone tablet that led us to you. It said you could save us from danger.

**Jek-14:** I don’t do that anymore. I don’t want to fight. I just want to create.

**Brian:** Please. We need you to help us defeat the Robans.

**Jek-14:** You heard of them too?

**Brian:** Yes. They want to capture us. That’s probably why that one Roban was stalking us.

**Jek-14:** I will help you on one condition.

**Brian:** What’s that?

**Jek-14:** I’m taking my own shuttle.

*They head for a space station, not knowing that it is the very same space station Sable was at just yesterday.*

**Matthias:** It’s abandoned.

**Sonic:** It might be worth taking a look inside.

*They leave their shuttles and enter the station.*

**???:** Well, well, what brings you people here?

**Brian:** Who are you?

**???:** Who else, other than me, Kamek?

*He emerges from hiding.*

**Stardown:** So tell me, Kamek, just what in the world are you doing in deep space on an abandoned space station? Sent on a mission, maybe?

**Kamek:** I should be asking the same thing.

**Stardown:** We seek information on the Robans.

**Kamek:** Here?!

**Stardown:** Why not?

**Kamek:** This is a Shmouse base. What would Robans be doing here?

**Stardown:** Now that you mention it, the Robans could take over this base. Perhape we could look elsewhere.

**Kamek:** They wouldn’t take this base. They’re not that stupid. It’s falling apart anyway, and besides, the anti-enemy rays may still work.

**Stardown:** Thanks for warning us. We’ll take extra precautions.

**Kamek:** I wasn’t warning you. Anyway, I have work to do.

*Stardown and his group move on.*

**Matthias:** Here’s some crates with a bunch of blasters. Should we bring them?

**Brian:** Yes.

**Sonic:** Wait! I’ll go ahead and make sure the coast is clear.

*He dashes away, nearly blowing Matthias over. Seconds later he returns with a note.*

**Sonic:** I found this on the ground. Seems suspicious, if you ask me.

**Stardown:** Did you read it?

**Sonic:** It says “Meet me at 6PM Thursday. --A.”

**Brian:** Is that meant for us?

**Sonic:** I don’t think so.

**Jek-14:** Aren’t we supposed to find out about the Robans?

**Brian:** Originally, yes. But since they’re not here, we might as well leave.

*They head back to the shuttle. As they take off, Stardown sees strange-looking robots watching them.*

*After a short while of flying, they come across several small UFO-like ships with clear domes on top.*

**???:** Identify yourselves!

**Brian:** We are the Guardians. We pass through this airspace in peace.

**???:** You are our enemies! Capture their ships.

**Brian:** Who are you?

**???:** You don’t know who we are?! We are part of Lord Bowser’s Galactic Empire. This is his territory, and you are his prisoners!

**Stardown:** Are you kidding me?

**Jek-14:** But they haven’t even confiscated our ships.

**Red Koopa**: What cowards. You know our ships are way faster than your… whatever those things are, right?

**Brian:** These are called shuttles.

**Sonic:** Let’s get out of here!

*They hyperdrive away.*

**Red Koopa:** After them!!!

**Koopa:** Where did they go?

**Red Koopa:** Where do you think they went?!

**Koopa:** Uuh, uuuh…

**Red Koopa:** YOU WORTHLESS LIZARD!!

**Koopa 2:** We’ll all be worthless lizards if Lord Bowser finds out about this.

**Red Koopa:** I’m sick of Bowser! He’s no better than the rest of us.

**Koopa:** That’s treason! I’m reporting you!

**Red Koopa:** Let’s see you try.

*The Koopa’s ship is shot down before it leaves.*

**Red Koopa:** Who’s coming with me?

*A couple of Koopas join him and they hyperdrive away.*

*Meanwhile, a large gang of villains are hosting a meeting…*

**Darth Vader:** Welcome. I would like to-

**The Joker:** Hey! I’m the host, remember?!

**Cluny the Scourge:** No! Cluny the Scourge is the host!

**Jar Jar Binks:** Mesa be the host!

**Darth Vader:** Is there anything you want to say before I begin?

**The Joker:** Yes! I’m the host!

*Darth Vader Force shoves him across the room.*

**Lord Shen****:** The Year of the Peacock has begun! China will be mine!

**Dr. Eggman****:** I hate that hedgehog!

**Awful Alvin:** What do you think about my new invention, the livid eyelashes?!

**Eggman:** Don’t like it.

**Alvin:** What?!

**Shen:** Can it stop a stupid panda prophesied to kill me?

**Alvin:** Uuuuuh, well…

**King Dedede:** Can it stop a large cream puff from-

**Darth Vader:** Let’s give others a chance to talk.

**Wario:** Gimme money!

**Jar Jar:** Nosa!

**Greta von Gruesome:** Want a snack?

**The Joker:** Sure!

*Smelt-flavored pudding is dumped on him.*

**Darth Vader:** Noooooooo!

**Jar Jar:** Mesa like smelt!

**Darth Vader:** Sigh… What are some of your goals?

**Alvin:** Pestering Larryboy.

**Shen:** Conquering China.

**Eggman:** Hating that hedgehog.

**The Joker:** Don’t you already hate him?

**I. M. Meen:** How I hate those goodie-goodies! How they make my stomach turn!

**Alvin:** What goodie-goodies?

**I. M. Meen:** Those!

*He points to a bag of candy.*

**Black Toadette:** What should we do about Stardown?

**The Joker:** You forgot?!

**Darth Vader:** Oh, we’re just going to beat him up a little bit, and make him king, nothing much.

**Black Toadette:** You’re gonna what?

**Jar Jar:** Yousa heardsa himsa!

**Svengoolie:** Wha- what am I doing here?

*Ding dong! Ding dong!*

**Svengoolie:** No, I’m not answering.

**Person at door:** Hey Mr. Goolie?

**Svengoolie:** Get lost!

**Jar Jar:** Wheresa weresa wesa?

**Darth Vader:** Meeting’s ova.

**The Joker:** When did you get so casual?

**Darth Vader:** Who knows. Oh! Why don’t y’all look for Stardown now.

**Eggman:** Now?!

**Alvin:** Really?!

**Darth Vader:** Why not.

**Eggman:** …

**Alvin:** …

*The villains soon leave.*

*Meanwhile, the two shuttles land at the Bullshark.*

**Sonic:** We solved the riddle!

*Sonic tells Arnold what happened.*

**Jek-14:** So I’m supposed to stop the Robans from doing what?

**Stardown:** The riddle didn’t say.

**Jek-14:** You didn’t eat pepperoni the night you had the dream?

**Stardown:** I don’t think so.

**Jek-14:** Listen, I don’t even know you guys. This whole thing with mice, riddles, well, it’s just a dream. And dreams are just dreams, nothing more.

**Stardown:** But this dream is different.

**Jek-14:** I’m sure a lot of people say that. What did the stone say, anyway?

**Stardown:** If one is in danger, seek out the Maker of Zoh.

**Jek-14:** Maker of Zoh. I’ve only been there for three weeks. But because of your magic stone, I’m going to have to move again.

**Matthias:** Maybe you could join our fleet.

**Jek-14:** I just want to be alone.

*He jumps in his shuttle and leaves.*

*Suddenly Awful Alvin, Lord Shen, and Dr. Eggman land in the room.*

**Eggman:** Let me go after Stardown!

**Alvin:** No, I’ll do it!

**Eggman:** No, I will!

**Alvin:** No, I will!

*Shen draws his sword and leaps at Stardown, throwing metal feathers at him. Stardown leaps aside.*

**Stardown:** What will you do with my dead body?

*Shen rapidly swings and thrusts his sword.*

**Stardown:** C’mon, you can do better than that.

**Shen:** I don’t have time for this. GET HIM!!!

**Stardown:** What? Giving up already? Ah, I see you’re bringing in a pack of wolves to do your work for you.

*He draws his lightsaber and battles them.*

**Alvin:** Get a load of the Lampy Laser!

*His laser hits Shen’s wolves.*

**Shen:** What have you done?! You’ll pay for this!!!

**Eggman:** Attaaaaack!

*A couple hundred SWATbots march toward Stardown.*

**SWATbots:** Stardown: priority one!

*Stardown aims a remote at the SWATbots, making them shut down.*

**Eggman:** I will return!

*Shen and Alvin stop fighting, and they leave in their hidden shuttle.*

*Arnold and several others enter the room.*

**Arnold:** What was all that noise?

**Stardown:** I was ambushed by some villains. They just left in their shuttle.

**Arnold:** I’ll send some ships after them.

*Soon, a dozen Eagle Fighters pursue the shuttle.*

**Alvin:** They’re chasing us! Get them Lampy!

**Lampy:** …

**Alvin:** Lampy?

**Shen:** It’s just a lamp!

**Alvin:** Oh really?

*He presses a button, and the Lampy Laser, which is mounted on top of the shuttle, fires at and destroys one of the Eagles.*

**Alvin:** Something about him just being a lamp?

*The ship begins shaking.*

**Eggman:** It looks like it’s their turn to shoot us down.

**Alvin:** Do something!!

**Shen:** You’re the one with the laser.

**Alvin:** It’s-It’s not working!

*The ship’s controls begin sparking.*

**Alvin:** We’re all gonna die!

**Eggman:** Oh, be quiet.

*Eggman walks over to the controls and fires the shuttle’s cannons, destroying a few Eagles.*

**Alvin:** This ship has cannons?!

**Eggman:** We’re going down!

**Alvin:** Down where?

**Eggman:** That planet… Plit, I think.

**Alvin:** We’re burning up!

**Shen:** Talk one more time and I’ll have you for dinner!

*The shuttle burns up and crashes on Plit.*

**Alvin:** Where are we?

**Eggman:** Plit. Remember?

**Shen:** Does anyone smell roasted onion?

**???:** How did you get here?

**Alvin:** Talking sheep?! Now I’ve seen it all.

*Shen stares at Alvin.*

**Eggman:** Where are we?

**Lamb:** You are on Lamb Island.

**Shen:** How did I know?

**Lamb:** Who are you?

**Eggman:** Oh, we’re just a part of a big bunch of villains.

**Lamb:** Villains?

**Eggman:** Yeah, you know, people who do bad things…

**Lamb:** And you want to do bad things?

**Eggman:** Of course! Who wouldn’t?

**Lamb:** Plenty of people. You’re coming with us.

**Alvin:** We are?

**Shen:** No, we aren’t.

**Lamb:** Yes, you are!

*The lamb grabs a gun which shoots peas at Shen.*

**Shen:** Peas?! Is that all you’ve got?!

*The lamb pulls in a giant cannon which fires a watermelon at Shen, knocking him unconscious. Eggman and Alvin put their hands up. They are soon led off to prison.*

**Stardown:** Let’s head back to base.

*They arrive five minutes later.*

**Arnold:** Welcome back. How did it go?

*Stardown tells him what happened.*

**Arnold:** Mmm… I’d stay away from these villains if I were you.

*Dallas enters.*

**Dallas:** It looks like Wario betrayed us.

**Matthias:** I don’t think he was one of us in the first place.

**Sonic:** What about Waluigi?

**Dallas:** No, he’s still with us for now.

"Waa!"

*Stardown ignores him and heads to the kitchen.*

*He prepares a burrito and sits down.*

*He looks over his study notes. Soon, he is done, and he heads out for his nightly superhero class.*

*Later…*

**Teacher:** A good superhero needs to know how to escape various kinds of traps. For example, what gadgets might you use if you were tied to a chair?

**Hero 1:** Eye lasers.

**Teacher:** Good! Anyone else?

*Later, this class is over, and the heroes head for the superhero gym.*

**Lunar Lad:** Hey Stardown! It’s been a while.

**Stardown:** Hey, Lunar Lad! How are things going with Moon X?

**Lunar Lad:** Quite well. He lost most of his fighters in a recent battle.

**Stardown:** That’s good. Then he should be easy to finish off.

**Lunar Lad:** I hear they’re having practice battles for the students today.

**Stardown:** Sounds interesting. I think I’ll check it out.

*There are two sections: one where he can battle different enemies, and the other where he can battle clones of students.*

*Stardown decides to battle a clone of himself.*

*The clone flies around and starts zapping at him.*

**Stardown:** Going the old-fashioned way, eh?

*He draws his holosaber and blocks the lightning.*

*The clone draws a double lightsaber, and throws it at Stardown.*

*Stardown jumps out of the way.*

*The clone draws his other double lightsaber and lands in front of Stardown.*

*Stardown draws his other blade.*

*The clone charges at him.*

*Stardown blocks the attack.*

*The clone draws a force bubble gun.*

**Stardown:** No fair!

*The clone Force-shoves Stardown and starts zapping at him.*

*Stardown blocks the attack.*

*The clone swings his lightsaber at Stardown.*

*The fight goes on for a while. Soon, Stardown is free to head back to the base.*

*Some of the fleet are asleep when Stardown arrives.*

*Stardown grabs a snack and heads for bed.*

*The next day…*

*Stardown heads for the dining room after morning preparations.*

*Dallas walks up to him.*

**Dallas:** It looks like King Dedede betrayed us as well.

**Stardown:** I’m not surprised.

"Waa!"

**Stardown:** Grow up, Waluigi.

**Waluigi:** I’m already grown up!

**Stardown:** Then grow up some more.

*Waluigi eats a Mega Mushroom.*

**Waluigi:** Waluigi time!

**Stardown:** ...

"Waa!"

*Stardown finishes eating and heads to the lab. He has not thought of new projects yet.*

*Suddenly he has an idea.*

*He decides to make different kinds of suits.*

**Stardown:** I’ll be just like Iron Man.

*He gets to work.*

*He finishes his first suit and is working on the second when Mark walks in.*

**Mark:** Hi, Stardown. Commander Arnold has asked you, me, Tails, Kervo, and Rey to investigate a strange building on Goat Island.

*He soon boards the shuttle with the rest and takes off.*

*They soon land near the building and get out.*

**Tails:** Do the Goats know we’re here?

**Rey:** I don’t think so.

**Stardown:** We’re going to place a few listening devices in there and go.

**???:** On the ground!

*They do.*

**???:** Put your hands behind your back!

**Stardown:** Who are you?

**???:** I’ll ask the same.

**Stardown:** Stardown and company of the Guardians.

**???:** That’s the oldest trick in the book.

**Stardown:** What are you talking about?

**???:** You played that trick on us before.

*Stardown looks up.*

*He sees some goats.*

**Stardown:** YOU?!

**Goat:** What are you doing here?

**Stardown:** We’re on a secret mission.

**Goat:** Nice try. We weren’t informed.

*He takes out a pair of handcuffs and the other goats do the same.*

*A Goat Captain runs up.*

**Goat Captain:** Stop! Don’t you know what you are doing?

**Goat:** Yes. Don’t you remember the first time they played Stardown?

**Stardown:** What are you talking about?

**Goat:** Playing dumb, I see. Take them to the prison.

*Meanwhile, the Goat Captain gets a message from Arnold.*

**Arnold:** Expect Stardown to come your way soon.

**Goat Captain:** He already arrived, but some of the Goats decided to take matters into their own hands. They imprisoned him.

**Arnold:** Oh! Then tell them to release him.

**Goat Captain:** All right.

**Goat Captain:** Release the prisoners!

**Goat General:** I’m sorry?

**Goat Captain:** Please, release them!

**Goat General:** Oh! You must be the new captain. The leader told me to capture anyone who looked like Stardown.

**Goat Captain:** The Guardian leader said for us to expect Stardown. This must be him.

**Goat General:** Are you sure it was the real one? I don’t think the leader was informed.

**Goat Captain:** I’d like to see the leader!

**Goat General:** Fine then.

*He is taken to the leader, where the captain relays his conversation with Arnold.*

**Goat Leader:** We don’t know if this Arnold is a fake. Did the call trace to the Guardians?

**Goat Captain:** Yes.

**Goat Leader:** Okay then. You can release him. But if anything suspicious happens, report it to me.

**Goat Captain:** Yes, sir.

*Soon, Stardown and friends are released.*

**Tails:** Where should we start?

**Stardown:** Good question.

**Mark:** We don’t want to use the front door, as- wait, it’s open!

**Stardown:** Perfect.

*They enter, leave a few listening devices, and leave five minutes later without drawing any unwanted attention.*

**Tails:** One of the upstairs windows is open. I’ll fly up there and place a few more listening devices.

*He looks around to see if anyone was in the room.*

*No one was.*

*He places a few listening devices, and flies out the window.*

**Tails:** Mission accomplished!

**Stardown:** Great job!

*He and Tails high-five as everyone returns to the shuttle.*

**Kervo:** I wonder who lives there...

*They fly back to base.*

*The flight is uneventful, and they arrive.*

**Arnold:** Did you succeed?

**Stardown:** We did!

**Kervo:** They left the front door and a window open.

**Arnold:** That must have given you the perfect opportunity to accomplish your mission.

**Mark:** Let’s just hope they weren’t spying on us.

*They decide to listen in.*

**??? 1:** Welcome to the 81st meeting of the Society of Bounty Hunters.

*They turn up the speaker.*

**??? 1:** According to the registry, everyone is present except for Dr. Sykk, who is assigned to Guardian Base. Any old business?

**??? 2:** The Mercuritis shots are prepared.

**??? 1:** Good, Zelle. When we disband, we’ll ask Dr. Sykk to come pick them up. Armaul will accompany her back. Then Stardown won’t be so lucky as he was last time.

**Tails:** So they broke free!

**??? 1:** Anything else?

**??? 3:** The minor villains had to push their arrival date back a week. They’re still trying to convince Bowler Cat to stay.

**??? 1:** Any new business?

**Luis:** That guy who calls himself The Doctor is going to meet with Arnold tomorrow. I heard it from Dr. Sykk when they were escaping.

**??? 1:** He is a definite threat. Armaul, you are to capture him as well as Stardown. Anything else?

**??? 4:** My brother, who is an insider at Ace’s agency, discovered that they’re making a new type of hovercraft.

**??? 1:** As soon as we get it, we’ll sell it to the highest bidder.

*The meeting goes on for another hour.*

**??? 1:** We’ll meet same time tomorrow. Luis will host the next meeting. Aero, I need you to head to Ace’s base to pick up the hovercraft. The rest of you are dismissed.

**Tails:** Should we try and stop him?

**Arnold:** All right, judging by what we heard, Armaul’s coming for Stardown and someone called The Doctor. We should hide both of them in a safe place.

**Tails:** We know it’s not Dr. Sykk.

**Kervo:** Isn’t she here now?

*Suddenly, Cream and Cheese run up.*

**Cream:** Commander! I just saw a strange doctor fleeing with one of your speeders!

**Cheese:** Chao chao!

**Sonic:** Do you want me to pursue the speeder?

**Arnold:** Yes, but be careful.

**Sonic:** Let’s do this!

*He zips off, almost knocking Stardown over.*

**Tails:** Are the villains saying anything more?

**Arnold:** Let’s see… No, they’re just chatting among themselves.

**Kervo:** What did the doctor look like?

**Cream:** It was a red fox in a doctor’s labcoat.

**Kervo:** Then that was definitely Dr. Sykk.

**Stardown:** She’s leaving to pick up Armaul and the Mercuritis shots.

**Tails:** I’m sure those are for you and the doctor.

**Stardown:** I’m afraid so.

**Tails:** Is there any cure for it?

**Stardown:** None, but it goes away naturally after exactly 24 hours.

*Sonic returns.*

**Stardown:** Anything?

**Sonic:** I couldn’t find her. Man, is she sneaky!

**Arnold:** We’ll be heading for bed soon, and Stardown need to hide.

**Stardown:** I can manage that!

*He picks up Stardown and speeds down the secret tunnel.*

**Matthias:** Does the speeder have a tracking device on it?

**Arnold:** No.

*The next day…*

*Sonic wakes up soon after Stardown does, and speeds out of the tunnel just in time to see a police box materializing. The Doctor and Sable emerge.*

**The Doctor:** Is Stardown present?

**Sonic:** Who are you? How did you get here?

*Arnold walks in.*

**Arnold:** Doctor! I’ve been expecting you.

*He, the Doctor, and Sable enter another room and shut the door. Brian enters.*

**Brian:** What is a police box doing in the middle of the living room?

**Sonic:** I wish I knew.

*Thirty minutes later, suddenly, the lights flicker, then go out. Arnold, Sable, and the Doctor emerge from the other room*.

**???:** Ah, target number one has just arrived.

*They turn to see Armaul.*

**The Doctor:** Who are you?

**Armaul:** I am Armaul, and you are required by the Society of Bounty Hunters.

**Sonic:** You’ll have to answer to me first!

Armaul: Well, well… Won’t this be fun.

*He draws his lightsaber.*

*Sonic rapidly runs around Armaul.*

**Armaul:** Really now, you can do better than that.

*He extends his blade forward.*

*Sonic hops over his blade, runs behind him, and plows into him.*

**Armaul:** Agh! I’ll take care of you as soon as I inject the Doctor!

*Meanwhile, Stardown hears footsteps. Stardown looks into the face of Dr. Sykk.*

**Stardown:** How did you get here?!

**Dr. Sykk:** Your old acquaintance Armaul told me about this cozy little nook you like to hide out in, so I decided to join you.

*Stardown darted down the tunnel.*

*Dr. Sykk fires her paralysis ray at Stardown’s legs, causing him to trip.*

**Dr. Sykk:** Tag, you’re it! And by “it”, I mean your ours now.

*She injects Stardown with Mercuritis.*

**Dr. Sykk:** Oh, don’t worry, Stardown. I toned down the paralysis from last time.

*She picks up Stardown, and, after fifteen minutes, emerges from the tunnel.*

**Amy:** Stardown!

**Dr. Sykk:** Don’t worry, he’s in safe hands. He just needs to come with me for proper medical treatment.

*Brian draws a tranquilizer.*

**Brian:** Don’t move. Either of you.

**Armaul:** We don’t even need to leave our spots in order to get away.

**Dr. Sykk:** Say cheese!

*She takes a picture of Brian, and the flash stuns and blinds him for ten minutes. Armaul attempts to cover Dr. Sykk’s escape.*

Several guards rush in.

*Armaul spins his curved double-bladed red lightsaber.*

*The guards start to fire their stun rays.*

*Armaul skillfully blocks and dodges the lasers.*

**Armaul:** Sorry, gotta run!

*He flees to the speeder bike lot.*

*More guards enter the lot.*

*Armaul continues to block the lasers as he climbs onto a speeder bike and speeds away.*

**Guard:** After him!

*As Sonic races after them, several guards hop onto speeder bikes and join the chase.*

**Tails:** Where’s Dr. Sykk?!

**Arnold:** Far ahead of Armaul. Who knows what they’re up to.

*Tails, Amy, Brian, and Mark pile into the X-Tornado and take off. Kervo wanted to come, but he had to stay behind and finish his exams.*

*Sonic catches up to Armaul, who start blasting him.*

**Sonic:** Is that all you’ve got?!

**Armaul:** No, no, of course not.

*He spins his lightsaber and makes a sharp turn.*

**Sonic:** C’mon. Try a little harder.

**Armaul:** Dare accepted.

*He fires at a tree ahead of them.*

*Bark flies at Sonic, causing him to swerve to the side and graze a rock.*

**Armaul:** Ta-ta! It was nice seeing you!

*Sonic flew next to Armaul.*

**Sonic:** What did you say?

**Armaul:** I’m amazed at your persistence.

*Soon the X-Tornado and the other speeder bikes catch up.*

**Tails:** You may as well give up!

**Armaul:** Give up? No, I have already won!

**Sonic:** What do you mean?

**Armaul:** By this time your precious Stardown is on his way to our secret base. I am merely a decoy.

*Tails flew up beside Armaul.*

**Tails:** You know that speeder is low on fuel, right?

**Armaul:** That gives me an idea…

*He pulls over so that the bike blocks the path, and jumps out just as another bike crashes into it. The guard flies into a bush. Armaul jumps onto the guard’s bike and keeps driving.*

*Brian leaps out of the X-Tornado and in front of Armaul.*

**Armaul:** Go ahead, take me in. What good will it do you?

**Brian:** More than you think.

*He handcuffs Armaul.*

*Armaul is taken back to base.*

*Later...*

**Tails:** Should we head to their headquarters and free Stardown?

**Arnold:** Yes.

*The same team that chased Armaul set out.*

**Brian:** We should let the goats know we’re coming.

*They do.*

*They are soon at the building.*

**Brian:** We should check the listening devices to see where Stardown is.

*They do.*

**Brian:** He’s upstairs. Tails, could you fly up there and see if it is safe?

**Tails:** Okay… the window is closed.

**Brian:** Then we will have to risk the door.

**Mark:** Wait! One of the downstairs windows is open!

*Tails flies through the window.*

**Brian:** Is the coast clear.

**Tails:** ...Yes.

*Brian boosts Mark and Amy through the window and climbs through himself. Sonic leaps through.*

*They hear voices.*

**???1:** She is no pro when it comes to capturing.

**???2:** We’re in trouble.

**Amy:** It must be the villains in the cafe.

**Mark:** Are they aware of us?

**Brian:** I don’t think so.

*They advance up the stairs.*

**Amy:** Do they have security cameras around here?

**Tails:** No. In fact, they don’t have much security at all.

*Suddenly, one of the upstairs doors opens and Dr. Sykk emerges. She does not see them.*

**Brian:** Get down!

*They do.*

*Dr. Sykk walks into another room and shuts the door behind her.*

*They head up the rest of the stairs.*

*They open the door that Dr. Sykk emerged from, and find Stardown, who is lying in bed with his arms shackled to the bed posts.*

**Amy:** Are you okay?!

**Stardown:** Aside from having paralyzed legs and Mercuritis, I’m fine.

**Tails:** You have Mercuritis?!

**Brian:** The bounty hunters may have a cure somewhere.

**Tails:** Do you want me to fly you out the window?

**Stardown:** If you can free my arms from the bedpost.

*Brian uses his lightsaber to free Stardown. Tails opens the window*.

**Tails:** Ready?

**Stardown:** Ready. But how will the rest of you escape?

**Sonic:** Oh, right.

**Mark:** The fire ladder?

**Brian:** Yes, that will help.

**Stardown:** We’ll have to leave quickly. Dr. Sykk could return at any time.

*Tails flies Stardown out the window.*

**Sonic:** Where’s the fire ladder?

**Mark:** Over here in the closet.

*Brian gets it.*

*They hear footsteps.*

*Brian, Sonic, and Mark leap nimbly out the window as Amy scrambles down the ladder.*

**Amy:** How will all six of us return in one trip? The X-Tornado only seats four!

**Tails:** They might have a speeder lot.

**Sonic:** I’ll ride up top.

**Mark:** So will I.

*Mark and Sonic leap atop the X-Tornado as Tails, Amy, Stardown, and Brian hop in. The X-Tornado takes off.*

**BHS Guard:** After them!

**BHS Guard:** Don’t let them get away!

**Dr. Sykk:** Don’t worry your pretty little head. I can track Stardown with the Mercuritis. Besides, this is Mercuritis 1.5. It lasts way longer than the old-school one.

*Later, at the Guardian Base, Stardown is safe in bed.*

**Brian:** We know Sykk is going to try and capture Stardown tonight.

**Matthias:** Should we set up a trap?

**Arnold:** Yes. Top security for all sectors.

*Later that night…*

**Stardown:** I need to be kept under top security.

**Brian:** \*yawn\* Don’t worry. We took care of that. You’re safe.

**Stardown:** So where should I hide?

**Brian:** This room is heavily protected. You’re safe in here.

*Soon, Dr. Dykk arrive at the base.*

**Dr. Sykk:** Where should I look first?

*Beep beep beep…*

*Guards rush into the room.*

**Dr. Sykk:** Oh dear, I’m cornered.

*She presses a button on a remote, and Zelle and Phantoid are teleported into the room.*

**Guard:** Put your hands up!

*Zelle does.*

**Phantoid:** Magnetize.

*The guards’ bodies are magnetized to the wall, but their hands can still move.*

*They draw stun rays and start firing them. A guard pulls out his radio.*

**Guard:** We need backup!

*More guards appear and neutralize Phantoid.*

*The guards fall off the wall.*

**Guard:** After her!

*Zelle draws her twin blasters as Dr. Sykk leaves the room.*

*Dr. Sykk soon finds Stardown’s room, but it is blocked by guards.*

*The guards pursue her. Zelle starts firing, but is tranquilized by more guards. She is caught and led away.*

**Dr. Sykk:** Look! It’s Lord Shmouse!

**Guard:** Nope, sorry.

**Dr. Sykk:** No really! It really is him!

*Several guards hold her while one looks.*

**Guard:** He isn’t there.

**Guard:** Your trick didn’t work this time.

*She is led away.*

**Guard:** Do they have more members around here?

**Guard:** We checked. They were the only three.

*The next morning, the villains are questioned.*

**Dr. Sykk:** We needed Stardown back. He is, as you may have already guessed, a very valuable prisoner.

**Brian:** Why is he valuable? Why him over anyone else?

**Dr. Sykk:** Other villains often say the same thing. There’s something about him.

**Zelle:** Quiet!

**Brian:** What is what about him?

**Dr. Sykk:** Well, to be honest, I-

**Zelle:** Quiet!

**Brian:** Go on.

**Dr. Sykk:** Well, I really don’t know. If I were you, I’d ask the Shmice, but they’re long gone now, so maybe the Horizons?

**Zelle:** We’re in enough trouble without your incessant babbling, Dr. Sykk!

**Brian:** Well then. What do you know about Stardown?

**Dr. Sykk:** Actually, I’m new to the Society, and I became an insider here to find out more about Stardown. Armaul was my assistant. So far I don’t know too much about him. But we will know all soon enough...

**Brian:** Phantoid, how did you join the Society?

**Zelle:** If you must know, he was captured and modified a few months ago.

**Brian:** Zelle, how did you join?

**Zelle:** By invitation.

**Brian:** Why did you join?

**Zelle:** The same reason most other bounty hunters join: personal profit!

*He continues to question them, but doesn’t get any important information.*

*The next morning, Stardown still has Mercuritis and is advised to stay in bed.*

**Brian:** How long does this last?

**Dr. Sykk:** A week.

**Zelle:** Shhh!

**Brian:** Is there a cure?

**Dr. Sykk:** Just let it run out.

**Zelle:** Be quiet, Sykk, or the Society will fire you!

**Brian:** Why don’t I ask you a few questions then.

**Zelle:** Didn’t we do this last night?

**Dr. Sykk:** This will be over before you know it.

*Stardown is in bed, reading comics to pass the time.*

*He notices that his Mercuritis is still there, even after the 24 hours had passed.*

**Stardown:** Why do I still have Mercuritis?

*Amy enters with a tray of food.*

**Amy:** Are you better?

**Stardown:** I still have it.

**Amy:** After 24 hours?

**Stardown:** Yes… I don’t think this is the normal kind.

**Amy:** Do you need me to get you anything?

**Stardown:** That’s okay. I’ll be fine.

**Amy:** Let me know if you need anything.

*She leaves the room.*

*Stardown has breakfast, then tries to get some sleep, but becomes alert after hearing a scream.*

*Amy rushes into the room, and slams the door.*

**Stardown:** What is it?

**Amy:** Th-the Robans! A whole army of them!

*Six Robans appear in the room.*

**Roban:** Capture Stardown!

**Stardown:** I wouldn’t get near me if I were you. This Mercuritis could be contagious.

*He winks at Amy.*

**Roban:** Your disease does not affect us!

**Stardown:** That’s what you think. One touch, and you’ll short-circuit.

**Roban:** I do not believe your lies! Capture him!

*Right as a Roban touched him, he fired his anti-Roban ray at him.*

**Stardown:** See?

*The Robans are stunned.*

**Roban:** This does not compute! This does not compute! My logic sensors are malfunctioning!

*Stardown chuckles.*

**Stardown:** Run along now. Don’t forget to be home by six.

**Roban:** Capture him!

**Roban:** Retreat!

**Roban:** Capture him!

**Roban:** Capturing him is useless!

*The Robans leave.*

**Amy:** H-how did you do that?!

**Stardown:** Just a trick I came up with.

*Several guards rush in.*

**Guard:** Where did they go?!

**Stardown:** They just left. Teleported out.

**Guard:** Okay, thanks!

*Meanwhile…*

**??? 1:** They have found their weakness. Their days of indirect control are limited.

**??? 2:** Can’t we just change their programming?

**??? 1:** It’s not that easy… They are too powerful for us.

*A guard enters.*

**Guard:** The Robans failed to capture Stardown.

**??? 1:** I know. He found their secret. We can take control once the Robans are eliminated.

**Guard:** When will that be?

**??? 1:** Who do you think I am, a fortune teller?!

**Guard:** I’m sorry. I know you still have that remote.

**??? 1:** Get out of my sight!

**Guard:** Yes sir.

*The guard leaves.*

**??? 1:** Sigh. I can’t use the remote now. It’s not the right time. But I do have a plan I want to tell you…

*Now Stardown is working on a LEGO project online. It’s the set for a Space Police stop-motion scene.*

*He receives an email from Count Bleck, who accepts his invitation for the role of Slizer. Brian enters.*

**Brian:** I thought you might want to know that we have been developing a Roban-proof force field to put around our base.

**Stardown:** Has it been tested?

**Brian:** Yes, but there are a few bugs to iron out.

**Stardown:** Did the Robans try to attack again?

**Brian:** No, I’m just taking a precaution I believe is necessary.

*That night…*

*Stardown has trouble falling asleep. He tosses and turns, trying to find a comfortable spot.*

*Finally, he sits up. He then sees what looked like a figure in the room.*

**Stardown:** Who are you?

*The figure stands still. It doesn’t answer.*

*Stardown cannot find his flashlight.*

*The figure slowly moves to the other side of the room.*

*Stardown weakly gets out of bed and reaches for the lightswitch.*

*The figure leaps at Stardown and knocks him into bed.*

*Stardown turns on the light with the force.*

*The figure turns off the light before Stardown could get a good look at him. He then draws his lightsaber.*

*Stardown presses the service button by his bed, then uses the force to turn on the light again.*

*His force shove misses.*

*Stardown reaches for his night vision goggles and puts them on.*

*The figure was in black armor.*

*A second, shorter figure entered.*

**Stardown:** Would you please tell me who you are and what you want!

**Figure 2: (to Figure 1)** Get outta here, or I’ll paint you pink!

**Figure 1: (to Stardown)** Don’t move, lad!

*He turns to the other figure. Guards approach the room. The first figure tosses a magnetizer to hold the door in place.*

*A lightsaber cuts through the door and Brian steps in.*

**Brian:** What’s going on?

*The figure points its red lightsaber at Brian.*

**Figure:** Leave!

**Brian:** Not until you tell me who you are!

*The figure swings its lightsaber at Brian.*

*He blocks the assailant’s blade as guards pour into the room.*

**Figure 2:** Wee-he-he-he! Stardown’s mine!

*Brian turns on the light.*

*He sees Bowser Jr. pulling Stardown’s bed toward the window.*

*Bowser Jr. pulls out a paint can, and dumps its contents on the guards.*

*The guards ignore the paint and tranquilize Bowser Jr.*

*The guards turns to the figure.*

**Guard:** Put your hands up!

*The figure darted toward the window.*

**Brian:** Stop! You don’t want to hit Stardown!

*Brian dashes toward the figure, but it’s too late. He jumps out the window with Stardown.*

*A couple guards also jump out.*

**Brian:** Quick! Beat him to the gate!

*By the time the guards arrive, the figure is gone.*

**Guard:** Now would be a good time to have a Mercuritis tracker.

*Meanwhile…*

**Stardown:** What do you want with me?!

**???:** Quiet!

**Stardown:** Where are you taking me?

**???:** Far away. You won’t be seeing your friends again.

**Stardown:** That’s what you think!

**???:** That’s what I know.

**Stardown:** Who are you?

**???:** You ask too much.

**Stardown:** You won’t get away with this!

*Later, when they arrive…*

**Stardown:** Where am I?!

**???:** Paris.

**Stardown:** What will you do with me?

**???:** Hold you captive.

**Stardown:** For how long?

**???:** Until our leader is ready to see you?

**Stardown:** And how long will that be?

**???:** You are annoying me.

**Stardown:** Why Paris?

**???:** Oh, I don’t know.

**Stardown:** Answer me!

**???:** Fine. It’s far away from the main base.

**Stardown:** Why does it have to be?

**???:** …

**Stardown:** Who are you, anyway?

**???:** We are the Mikami.

*Another figure enters.*

**??? 2:** I see you are giving away our clan’s secrets.

**??? 1:** Aren’t you supposed to be on duty?

**??? 2:** You must be thinking of someone else… Who are you again?

**??? 1:** Noboru.

**??? 2:** You must be the new one.

**Noboru:** You’re the new one, Koji. I’ve been with this clan for two years.

*Stardown tries working on his bonds.*

**Koji:** I must be thinking of the other Noboru.

**Noboru:** I’m the only one here named that.

**Koji:** You’re mentally new here.

**Noboru:** Listen, weasel, I’ve been here twice as long as you. And…

*Stardown manages to free his left arm. A maid appears.*

**Maid:** Tea, anyone?

**Stardown:** Y-yes, please.

**Maid:** Okay, then.

*She gives a cup of tea to Stardown. After he drink it, he fell unconscious.*

**Koji:** Well, well. Looks like he was trying to free himself. How cute.

*Suddenly Stardown leaps up with a surge of energy. He breaks the rope with ease, and draws his lightsaber.*

**Koji:** Eating your veggies really paid off.

*He draws his weapons. Even with his incredible energy, Stardown struggles against his foe. Stardown leaps behind Koji after being backed into a corner. The villain extends his cloak, and several heat-seeking missiles fly out. Stardown leaps away at the perfect time, causing them to blow up the wall.*

*The opponent points his electric sword at Stardown, and started firing bolts of lightning at him.*

**Koji:** Your skills are useless, lad!

**Noboru:** The leader wants him alive!

**Koji:** Oh, he’ll live. Don’t worry.

*Stardown draws his other blade and starts driving Koji back. Soon, Koji is in the corner. Stardown swings his lightsaber at him, but realizes it was only a dummy. He then feels himself getting electrocuted from behind. He turns around, but doesn’t see anything. He is tackled from above and handcuffed.*

**Koji:** Take him away.

**Noboru:** He is my prisoner.

**Koji:** He’s the leader’s prisoner.

**Stardown:** When will I leave?

**Noboru:** When the leader calls for you, remember?

**Stardown:** Just who is this leader, anyway?

**Koji:** Your respect is lacking.

**Stardown:** How did you even get into the base?

**Noboru:** Oh, that was easy.

**Stardown:** Explain to the class.

**Koji:** You’ve told him enough.

**Stardown:** Why have you captured me?

**Koji:** Why won’t you shut up?

**Stardown:** Because I am not satisfied with your so-called “answers.”

**Noboru:** Who says you’re the one asking the questions anyway?

**Stardown:** Um… You haven’t really asked me anything… Besides, who says I’ll be answering the questions?

**Koji:** Who says you won’t be?

**Stardown:** Says my superhero training. You wouldn’t want me to disobey orders now would you?

**Koji:** Who’s orders?

**Stardown:** My superhero training.

**Koji:** Your training? Your training gave you orders?

**Stardown:** Of course. Didn’t your training give you orders?

**Koji:** ...I’m sorry?

**Stardown:** I’m sure you were told what to do, how to do it, and what not to do, like I was.

**Koji:** By your training… I’m going to pretend I know what you’re talking about.

**Noboru:** He’s trying to distract you.

**Stardown:** So… Where did you learn to fight with a lightsaber?

**Koji:** I don’t fight with one of those.

**Stardown:** Was it you, Noboru, or whatever your name was?

**Noboru:** With the lightsaber?

**Stardown:** Yes.

**Noboru:** Of course! Did you forget?

**Stardown:** I just wanted to get things straight.

*Meanwhile Arnold picks up Stardown’s location.*

**Stardown:** How did we get from Plit to Earth?

**Noboru:** Be quiet!

*They take him out of the building.*

**Stardown:** Did your boss call for me already?

**Koji:** No. Did you really think we would hold you hostage in a cafe?

**Stardown:** You do realize that civilians can see us?

**Koji:** We own this cafe. We’re just taking you to the cells.

*Soon, he was in the prison.*

**Koji:** Have fun in there!

*Stardown says nothing more. He checks to see if anyone was near.*

*A fox guard enters.*

**Stardown:** How long will it be until the leader calls for me?

**Fox:** What leader? Oh, yes. He was going to call for ya?

**Stardown:** That’s right.

**Fox:** You should feel honored. He’s the greatest warrior who ever lived!

**Stardown:** Are you sure about that? Because I think I’ve encountered greater. Have you heard of Thundra?

**Fox:** I’ve heard of him.

**Stardown:** Do you think your leader could beat him?

**Fox:** Of course! He could beat a dozen Thundras!

**Stardown:** Can I meet him?

**Fox:** Thundra or our leader?

**Stardown:** Your leader. I’ve had enough of Thundra.

**Fox:** Only when he calls for you, I guess.

*Stardown says nothing more.*

*Time passes...*

**Fox:** Lunch.

*He gives Stardown a platter.*

*Stardown examines the platter.*

**Fox:** Enjoy!

*Stardown eats it.*

*That evening…*

*Koji came over to Stardown’s cell.*

**Koji:** The leader has called for you.

**Stardown:** Where is he?

*They soon arrive.*

**Koji:** Welcome to Hokkaido!

**Stardown:** How inconsiderate of you to kidnap me when I was trying to sleep.

**Noboru:** Very funny.

**Stardown:** Eh, not really.

**Koji:** This is Mikami Castle.

*They enter, and are soon walking up several flights of stairs.*

*Soon, they are before the leader.*

*The leader is a sleek, sinister weasel.*

**Noboru:** Lord Shingo Mikami, we have brought the prisoner.

**Mikami:** Good.

**Stardown:** It was most inconsiderate of you to kidnap me in the middle of the night, while I was sleeping.

**Noboru:** He was not sleeping.

**Stardown:** That’s beside the point. You have decided to kidnap me at the wrong time. Besides, we don’t know each other.

**Mikami:** Be quiet! Where are your brothers?

**Stardown:** Your own guards promised me that I could leave and return to my base if you called me. Now that you called me, you will let me go back to my base.

**Koji:** We never said that!

**Stardown:** You will still let me go.

*Noboru chuckles.*

**Mikami:** You are not in command, Stardown. Where are your brothers?

**Stardown:** Not your business.

**Mikami:** You will tell me if you value your life.

**Stardown:** Only if you tell me what you want them for.

**Mikami:** Answer me.

**Stardown:** Answer me.

*Suddenly Stardown’s brothers break down the wall and fly in.*

**Starup:** You wanted to see us, kidnapper?

**Starright:** Here we are!

**Koji:** Attack!

*He draws his swords and springs at the brothers.*

**Mikami:** You are together now. My work has been simplified.

**Starleft:** What did you want with us, anyway?

*Starup aims a device at Koji and fires, freezing him in time.*

**Mikami:** You have two choices: become the Glory Star, or die.

**Starup:** I guess we’ll just die, then. We gave up the Glory Star ability long ago.

**Mikami:** You will then die.

*He drew his swords.*

**Starleft:** You so don’t want to do that now. Four greatly outmatch one. Even two of us could outmatch you.

**Starright:** I’ll get you out of here, Stardown.

*He picks up Stardown and flies away.*

*Mikami flashes in front of them and slashes at Starright a dozen times in a fraction of a second.*

*Starright tosses Stardown to Starleft, and the latter two teleport away.*

**Mikami:** Your brothers are cowards.

**Starup:** Getting someone to safety is not cowardly.

**Mikami:** He is a capable warrior. Your words confuse me.

**Starright:** He is tired. Someone had to get him to safety.

**Mikami:** Why didn’t he take you?

**Starright:** Because Stardown was brought here against his will.

**Starup:** How did you even manage to get through a force field and dozens of guards to get to Stardown?

**Mikami:** I myself did not capture Stardown.

*He speeds at Starup, knocking him into the wall. He falls unconscious.*

*Starright reaches for Starup, and they teleport away.*

*Mikami turns around.*

**Mikami:** Now you see what the Guardians are made off. Worthless cowards.

**Koji:** What should we do with the Glory Star machine?

**Mikami:** It means nothing to me.

*He flashes to the machine and destroys it in several slashes.*

**Koji:** How did Starright live?

**Mikami:** I want him and the rest alive.

*Stardown is teleported just outside the base. He enters it.*

**Amy:** Thank goodness you’re back! I was worried.

**Tails:** What happened?

**Stardown:** I was captured by a Japanese weasel, and he demanded that my brothers come so that he could remake the Glory Star. My brothers appeared, and Starleft teleported me out of there. The fight may still be going on.

*The other Stars enter.*

**Stardown:** You’re all right! What happened?

*They tell him.*

**Stardown:** I’m sorry to hear your loss.

*Introductions are made, and they soon settle down.*

**Arnold:** Stardown, we can’t have you captured again.

**Stardown:** Yes, I’ve been through too much lately. Three kidnapping attempts in two days, and two of them are successful.

**Arnold:** And they haven’t tried to capture anyone else.

**Stardown:** So why me?

**Arnold:** I don’t know. It can’t be because of the Glory Star. Other than Lord Mikami, no one has tried to capture your brothers.

**Stardown:** So what should we do to prevent further capture?

**Arnold:** I think our best choice is to put you in hiding, and find out what the enemies want from you.

**Tails:** What about sending Stardown on a vacation?

**Arnold:** They would probably follow and capture him there.

**Tails:** Oh, I see…

**Stardown:** Where should I hide, then?

**Arnold:** Well, the villains now know about the tunnel.

**Stardown:** Oh! What about the deep sea base?

**Arnold:** I don’t think the Shmice told anyone about it. I believe you would be safe there.

**Stardown:** Then that’s where I’ll go.

*He is soon teleported to the base.*

**Amy:** What about the rest of us? Are we safe?

**Arnold:** They haven’t tried to capture us, so at the moment, yes.

**General:** Stardown! It’s been a while!

**Stardown:** Sorry about not telling you I was coming. A bunch of villains are after me.

**General:** Why?

**Stardown:** I don’t know.

**General:** You’ll be safe here.

*Back at the base…*

**Bowser Jr.:** Let me go! Dad will be super mad when he hears what you’ve done!

**Brian:** Why were you trying to capture Stardown?

**Bowser Jr.:** Does it look like I’m going to answer?

**Brian:** Well, you won’t be in prison as long if you do.

**Bowser Jr.:** I won’t tell you anything!

**Brian:** Okay then. But we’ll feed you worms until you do.

**Bowser Jr.:** Bleh!

**Roadrunner:** Oh, brother…

**Kervo:** So how long will Stardown be away?

**Brian:** I don’t know, but at least when we know what these villains want with him.

**Roadrunner:** Bowser Jr., how did you get past a force field and several dozen guards?

**Bowser Jr.:** Don’t ask me!

**Brian:** Would you like your lunch?

**Bowser Jr.:** Not if it’s worms!

**Tails:** You’re a lizard! You should enjoy it!

**Bowser Jr.:** Bleh!

**Brian:** Well, we do have flies and maggots.

**Bowser Jr.:** No, thank you.

**Roadrunner:** Bees?

**Bowser Jr.:** No, no!

**Amy:** You have choices.

**Bowser Jr.:** I will not eat bugs!

**Brian:** Why did you try to capture Stardown, then?

**Bowser Jr.:** I won’t tell you!

**Brian:** Okay then… Here’s some worms in case you’re hungry.

**Bowser Jr.:** BLETCH!

**Brian:** Are any of your friends coming soon?

**Bowser Jr.:** What friends? Oh, uuuh, no.

**Brian:** Okay, Let me know when you’re tired of eating worms. We can talk then.

*The Robans are hosting a meeting after their failure to capture Stardown.*

**Roboss:** It was your logic sensors that caused this problem.

**Roban:** What should we do about it?

**Roboss:** We can not remove them. Only the squad has that power.

**Roban:** Why don’t we capture their leader?

**Roboss:** No. We don’t want to encounter them?

**???:** Hello, dust bins!

**Roboss:** Who said that?

**???:** Take a guess…

**Roboss:** I have no time for this. Eradicate!

**Roban:** Where is she?

**???:** Over here, metal moron!

*They turn and see a black-haired girl in a suit and tie pressing a button.*

**Roboss:** Do not press that button!

**???:** Who’s gonna stop me?

*All of the Robans shut down.*

**???:** Well, well, how shall I use this scrap metal…?

*Meanwhile, at the Horizon base…*

**Soldier:** I bring news about the Robans. They seem to have all shut down.

**Leader:** Shut down, eh? Every one of them?

**Soldier:** Every one, sir.

**Leader:** All right, then. Tell the rest to prepare the fleet.

**Soldier:** Yes sir!

*Stardown is in the Ocean Base lab, working on a new project. He is making a new type of shield. But he has troubles with combining metal and electricity. Then he remembers Mark and his electric sword. He calls him.*

**Stardown:** How do you combine metal and electricity in your sword?

*Mark explains.*

**Stardown:** Thank you!

*He hangs up and continues working.*

*About ten minutes later…*

*Brian calls him.*

**Brian:** Did you hear about the Robans?

**Stardown:** No. Tell me.

*Brian tells him.*

**Stardown:** Well, that’s good to hear!

**Brian:** What’s not good to hear is that the Horizons plan to attack us.

**Stardown:** Sigh. At least we’re prepared.

**Brian:** One of our drones brought back some Roban technology, including an electric net.

**Stardown:** I’ve heard a lot of good things about them.

**Brian:** They aren’t aware of our knowing about their attack, so we can catch them off guard.

**Stardown:** When will they attack?

**Brian:** I don’t know. Soon enough.

*Ten minutes later, the Horizons attacked.*

*Brian: I have to go now. They’re attacking. We don’t want them to trace this call. (to a captain) Prepare the net.*

**Captain:** Yes sir!

**Horizon Leader:** Give us Stardown at once!

**Brian:** We’ll give you something else!

**Horizon Leader:** That won’t be necessary.

**Brian: (to the captain)** Is the net ready?

**Captain:** Yes, sir!

**Brian:** Fire at Will!

*The electric net destroys about thirty jets.*

**Horizon Leader:** Impressive, but a useless gesture. I suggest you try harder.

**Brian:** You haven’t seen anything yet. (to the captain) Do we have more of those nets?

**Captain:** Yes. Five more.

**Brian:** Fire three of them.

**Captain:** Yes sir!

*The nets destroys the rest of the Horizons.*

**Brian:** How’s that?

**Horizon Leader:** Where did you get those?

**Brian:** Your own Robans.

**Horizon Leader:** You won’t get away with this!

**Brian:** Get away with what? You were the one who attacked us.

*The Horizon Leader hung up.*

**Brian:** Well, that was easy.

*After one month of no villains, Stardown returns to the Guardian base.*

**Stardown:** I hope the villains don’t try and capture me again. Oh, and I had finished the project I was working on.

*A Toad walks in.*

**Toad:** Did you hear about the new mall in Toad Town? They say it’s the best one in the Mushroom Kingdom!

**Stardown:** No. I think I’ll check it out.

**Toad:** They also created this really cool machine that slashes electric bills!

**Stardown:** Interesting…

*Stardown flies over to Toad Town to check out the new mall.*

**Stardown:** Ah! They have a Hero Shop!

*Stardown buys some things, including a new cloner.*

*He spends another hour at the mall, then leaves. He is walking down several streets when he sees a giant cannon moving down the streets.*

**Stardown:** What’s going on here?!

**Toad 1:** We’re under attack!

**Toad 2:** It’s the end of the world!

*Stardown clones himself a dozen times and sends his clones to block the road.*

**???:** A welcoming party! How thoughtful!

**Stardown:** What are you doing with that monstrosity in the middle of Toad Town?

**???:** What indeed.

**Stardown:** I’m not fooling around.

**???:** Neither am I.

*An arm extends from the machine and starts firing a bunch of lasers at the Stardowns. They activate their new electric shields which Stardown had made.*

**???:** Sorry to be a party pooper, but I have things to do.

*She plows through the Stardowns.*

**Stardown:** What is it that you plan to do?

**???:** Oh, nothing more than destroying that big electric box.

**Toad:** No!

**Stardown:** Why?

**???:** You’re a nosy little thing.

**Stardown:** Who are you, anyway?

**???:** Miyoko. Now will you please get out of my hair?!

**Stardown:** Of course not!

*He clones a hundred times and has them attack the machine.*

**Stardown:** You will be brought to justice!

**Miyoko:** How cute. I’m sorry I can’t stick around and chat.

*She aims the cannon at the power box.*

**Toad:** Don’t fire! Don’t fire!

**Stardown:** Stop this at once!

*The cannon destroys the box.*

**Toad:** Nooo!

**Miyoko:** What are you complaining about?!

**Toad:** You destroyed our invention! Waaa!

*Stardown throws a thermal detonator into a small gap in the laser.*

*KABAM!*

**Stardown:** Come out!

*A tiny escape pod shoots out of the cockpit. Stardown removes his clones and examines the laser.*

**Stardown:** Roban metal… Roban blasters… Roban sensors…

**News Reporter:** Congratulations for saving Toad Town! Tell us how you feel!

**Stardown:** Oh, uuh, fine.

**News Reporter:** What was it-

**Toad 1:** The electric bills!

**News Reporter:** Uh-

**Toad 2:** My news stand!

**News Reporter:** Oh-

**Toad 3:** My yo-yo!

**News Reporter:** I best get going.

**Toad 4:** My cockroach!

*Stardown calls Brian and tells him what happened.*

**Brian:** Roban parts, eh? Interesting…

**Stardown:** Should I bring some pieces back?

**Brian:** Sure, go ahead. But be careful.

**Stardown:** I will.

*After about thirty minutes, he has all that he needs, and returns to base.*

**Brian:** Welcome back! How did things go?

**Stardown:** Very well! We’ll be able to find out more about the Robans.

*Amy enters.*

**Amy:** What’s this?

**Stardown:** Roban parts. I salvaged them from a villain’s machine.

**Amy:** A villain’s machine? What happened?

*Stardown tells her.*

**Amy:** Who knows what else she could have done!

**Stardown:** I don’t think she did much else.

*The next day, Stardown heads to the stop motion studio. An Adventurers film is being created.*

**Rabbit:** Hey Stardown! Do you want to help us with voiceovers?

**Stardown:** Sure!

*Luke enters.*

**Stardown:** Luke! You’re back! What happened?!

**Luke:** It was awesome! There were Robans, and agents, and giant space wars, and-

**Rabbit:** Slow down!

**Luke:** Sorry. Anything I can help you with on the film?

**Rabbit:** Yes… I’ll show you.

*Brian enters.*

**Brian:** Was that Luke I heard?

**Stardown:** Yes! He’s back at last!

**Brian:** Is he okay?

**Stardown:** I think so. He seems to have enjoyed his adventure.

**Brian:** What was the name of the villain you fought?

**Stardown:** Miyoko.

**Brian:** Thanks. I’ll check the villain archive.

*Brian returns five minutes later.*

**Brian:** No. She isn’t listed.

**Bowser Jr.:** (from the prison) Bleh! Bleeeh! Okay! I’ll tell you!

*Brian heads to the prison.*

**Bowser Jr.:** Stardown swallowed the Nitro Crystal! He is immune to its effects.

**Brian:** Will it be harmful?

**Bowser Jr.:** No-blegh! He’s-blarg!-immune to it.

**Stardown:** Where did I swallow it, and when?

**Bowser Jr.:** At a fast food place, about four months ago. Can someone get me water?!

**Stardown:** How do you know it’s still in me?

**Bowser Jr.:** You were scanned not too long ago.

**Stardown:** By who?

**Bowser Jr.:** A Koopa. Don’t ask me which one, cuz I haven’t a clue.

**Stardown:** Is it safe to try and cough it up?

**Bowser Jr.:** Oh, it’s probably safest where it is.

**Stardown:** Would I be safe If i cough it up?

**Bowser Jr.:** Who knows…

**Stardown:** I need answers!

**Bowser Jr.:** Sure you do.

**Brian:** If you don’t answer him now, I’ll feed you worms for the next week.

**Bowser Jr.:** Okay, it’s safe.

**Brian:** Thank you.

*Stardown and Brian leave.*

*Soon, the crystal is coughed up.*

**Stardown:** I wonder why they want this so badly.

**Brian:** We best hide it then.

*It is soon hidden.*

*The Italian Mouse enters.*

**Italian Mouse:** Hey, did you hear about-

*Ha ha ha ha ha!*

*He-haw he-haw he-haw!*

**Roadrunner:** Oh, brother...

**Hooded Jaw:** The Italian Mouse is ours!

**Psycho:** Again.

**Stardown:** How did you get through a force field and dozens of guards?

**Hooded Jaw:** Nutellin.

*The unconscious Italian Mouse is dragged away.*

*Several guards sneak behind the minor villains and fire their tranquilizers.*

**Rainmaker:** Missed me-

*Chomp! Chomp!*

**Marvin:** YUMOLAAAAAAAaaaaaaa-

**Hooded Jaw:** Do something!

**Black Widow:** Sorry. We have to take care of Mr. Italy Guy.

*The rest of the villains are tranquilized. They are all put in force bubbles.*

**Rainmaker:** Let! Zzz Me! Zzz Out! Zzz

*The Italian Mouse is soon found. He is brought to the infirmary.*

**Italian Mouse:** Zzzzzz…

**Tails:** Those guys sure are sneaky!

**Stardown:** I know, right? And here I thought we had this base fully protected.

**Italian Mouse:** Where am I?

**Nurse:** You are in the infirmary.

**Italian Mouse:** Whose infirmary?

**Nurse:** The Guardian Fleet’s.

**Italian Mouse:** The Guardian Fleet’s?! How did I get here?! How?! How?!

**Nurse:** Are you okay?

**Italian Mouse:** Of course I’m okay!

**Nurse:** Why are you acting like this?

**Italian Mouse:** You’re acting as if we’re best buddies.

*Stardown enters.*

**Stardown:** Any ailments?

**Nurse:** Yeah. He’s going crazy.

**Italian Mouse:** Crazy?! What d’ya mean?!

**Nurse:** How else would I describe it?

**Italian Mouse:** Normal?

**Nurse:** Do you think that the tranquilizer did something to his brain?

**Stardown:** I wouldn’t doubt it.

**Italian Mouse:** What are you talking about?

**Nurse:** He seems to have forgotten what happened.

**Italian Mouse:** I didn’t forget anything.

**Stardown:** He forgot that he forgot?

**Nurse:** I guess so.

**Italian Mouse:** I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.

**Nurse:** You forgot what happened.

**Italian Mouse:** You keep saying that.

**Nurse:** Let’s let him be for a while.

*They leave.*

**Captain:** Hey Stardown. You’re needed by Arnold.

*Stardown is soon with Arnold and a number of captains.*

**Arnold:** This speech concerns the rebellion on Lamb Island. The Lamb territory on the northeast part of the island Woolzaria has been illegally stockpiling weapons and vehicles. After maybe a year of stockpiling, they attacked the island’s capital Lamera. While the Lambs were able to fend off the the first attack, the Woolzarians were able to take the capital after a second one. The Lambs’ government failing, and military orders are taking longer to execute. On top of this, they have taken several villages. We had received a report this morning telling us their current military strength. Here’s what it says:

**Woolzarian Military:**

**Troops:** 23,820

**Tanks:** 21

**Armored cars:** 43

**Speeders:** 413

**Jets:** 112

**Heavy jets:** 14

**Warships:** 3

**Boats:** 20

**Water speeders:** 40

That’s the information we have about the rebels. We need to act as soon as possible before their government collapses. And we need to come up with a complete military strategy to stop the rebels and help the lambs strengthen their government and recover from the attacks. What do you suggest?

**Dallas:** Negotiation.

**Arnold:** I don’t think they would listen. They’re pretty set on their goal.

**Dallas:** Oh, I’ve got one! What if we ask the Horizons to conquer the Horizons?

**Tails:** Don’t the Horizons greatly outnumber the Woolzarians?

**Arnold:** They wouldn’t stand a chance. I don’t think they have a dozen jets.

**Tails:** I thought they had a lot more than that.

**Arnold:** We need to map out a plan.

**Hiroshimi:** What’s our biggest priority? Retaking the capital?

**Arnold:** Yes. That will make it easier to strengthen the government.

**Captain:** How much of their force is in the capital now?

**Arnold:** I don’t know. Several drones have been deployed to give us that information. They will be back any time now.

**Brian:** We know we’re outnumbered. So we need to plan carefully.

**Arnold:** The drones have arrived.

*He clicks a few things on the computer, then extracts a chip and put it in a device.*

**Arnold:** Let’s see what we’re up against…

*He presses the play button.*

**Captain:** Hmmm. Looks like they have maybe… fifteen thousand.

**Dallas:** This won’t be easy.

**Hiroshimi:** Don’t forget about the goats.

*The video ended thirty seconds later.*

**Arnold:** Let’s come up with a plan.

**Stardown:** Shall we ambush them?

**Arnold:** Yes, I’ve been thinking the same thing.

**Captain:** What should we do if they try and attack our base?

**Arnold:** We’ll fend them off if they send a large attack force, then the Lambs can take back their capital more easily. Setting up an ambush will be difficult because of their position.

**Captain:** Should we attack them head-on then?

**Arnold:** No. They’re too powerful.

*Arnold’s transceiver beeps. He answers it, and hangs up after a minute.*

**Arnold:** That was the Lamb prime minister. He says that the goats have agreed to help them retake the capital.

**Stardown:** That’s great!

**Arnold:** I will call the Goats to talk about military options. You are dismissed. Be back in two hours.

*They leave.*

**Amy:** Anything interesting?

*Stardown tells her what they talked about.*

**Amy:** Good luck!

*They returned two hours later.*

**Arnold:** we have finished planning. The Goats will attack head-on to lure most of the fighters out. That is when we can ambush them and retake the city.

**Captain:** Sounds like a great plan!

**Arnold:** We will be ambushing the east-northeast part of the city.

**Captain:** Roger that!

**Arnold:** The Goats will attack in fifteen minutes.

*Fifteen minutes of prep time later...*

**Arnold:** Their attack has begun. Prepare yourselves.

*The soldiers rush to their various posts.*

**Arnold:** We attack… now! Chaaaarge!

*The army rushes into the city. The Woolzarians called for backup.*

**Tails:** Most of the enemies are probably fighting the Goats. Uh-oh.

*About 3000 Woolzarians armed to the teeth stand in their way. 2000 others and a warship are behind them.*

**Amy:** W-What should we do?

**Woolzarian:** Dispose of them.

*The sheep charge.*

*Sonic leaps into a pack of sheep and executes a Sonic Spin, blowing them in all directions.*

*Tails presses a button on a remote which summons the X-Tornado. He jumps inside, and starts bombing the enemies. Several tanks come and started attacking. About five hundred sheep march in.*

**Captain:** Dude, when will this ever end?

**Hiroshimi:** When the cows come home, or the sheep in this case.

**Captain 2:** Let’s shear some sheep, boys!

*A soldier destroys one of the tanks with his bazooka.*

**Sonic:** Lamb chops, anyone?

**Soldier:** Mmmmm!

**Tails:** I’m hit!

*The tanks plows through the Guardians.*

**Captain:** This is a losing battle.

**Hiroshimi:** We have nothing to lose.

**Dallas:** For the Guardians!!!

*He throws several grenades at the enemy.*

*The captains are soon winning.*

*Arnold’s phone rings. It’s the Guardian prison keeper.*

**Prison Keeper:** Dr. Sykk has escaped.

**Arnold:** Who is- Oh, yes. Could you track her?

**Prison Keeper:** One of our speeder bikes is missing, which must have been the one she took. We were not able to track it.

**Arnold:** Pick eight armed speeders and skilled riders and fighters. I will call you shortly to discuss plans.

*The riders are soon chosen.*

*The Woolzarians, despite almost outnumbering the Guardians 3 to 1, are greatly losing. Their lack of up-to-date weapons take a toll as some of them have to back away.*

**Woolzarian:** Chaaaaaaarge!

**Brian:** This is the moment that matters! Don’t let your guard down!

*The army bolts forward, fighting with everything they have.*

*The Guardians keep calm and press on.*

**Woolzarian:** Bomb the enemy!

*Several bombers fly overhead.*

*Guardian reinforcements arrive.*

**Captain:** Take care. This is pretty much all we have.

*Brian calls the Bartletts for assistance.*

**Bartlett Captain:** You say the Lambs are under attack? How many would you need?

**Brian:** About 5,000 soldiers and aircraft.

**Bartlett Captain:** How much aircraft did you say?

**Brian:** I think 500 will do.

**Bartlett Captain:** That’s really a lot. I’ll need to get permission before I can send something out of that scale.

**Brian:** Okay then, maybe we could cut back on the numbers a bit. The Woolzarians are no joke, though.

**Bartlett Captain:** I can send up to 800 soldiers and fifty fighter jets.

**Brian:** I think that will work.

**Bartlett Captain:** All of them?

**Brian:** Yes. We just sent the last of our available troops out to battle.

**Bartlett Captain:** Okay then.

*A transporter arrives ten minutes later, and not a moment too soon, for the Woolzarians are winning.*

**Woolzarian:** Sir, the Bartletts are here!

**Woolzarian Captain:** This is not like them.

**Woolzarian:** It’s not?

**Woolzarian Captain:** Correct. We are winning against the goats. But we cannot spare any soldiers to join us.

*Together, the Guardians and the Bartletts slowly gain ground.*

**Woolzarian:** Attack the clusters!

**Bartlett:** Let’s split up!

*The X-Tornado drops sleeping gas on the sheep, knocking most of them out.*

**Arnold:** Let’s move in.

*The Woolzarians are driven deeper and deeper into the city.*

**Brian:** The Goats have reported taking back the northern city limits.

*About a thousand sheep march toward them.*

**Amy:** Here comes trouble.

**Dallas:** This should be no problem!

*The X-Tornado drops more sleeping gas.*

**Brian:** We have another report. The Woolzarians are sending their warships to the north to take back the city border. Also, they’re sending their aircraft to drive us out. Prepare yourselves. Tails, you’d better land. You won’t stand a chance against them. If I’m right, they’ll attack from the northwest.

*The enemy attacks a minute later.*

**Amy:** I wasn’t prepared for this.

**Woolzarian:** Eliminate the enemy!

*Bombs drop all around them.*

**Brian:** Take cover!

*They start running into the buildings.*

**Tails:** We won’t be safe!

**Dallas:** Sure we will! They wouldn’t bomb their own buildings or the Lambs’ buildings.

**Brian:** Set up machine gunners at the windows.

*Stardown clones himself the maximum amount, gives his clones force fields, and sends them out. The Woolzarians begin storming the building.*

**Brian:** Get all of the able fighters.

**Stardown:** Where are the Bartletts?

**Hiroshimi:** Still outside?

*Hiroshimi was right. The Bartletts are firing heat-seeking missiles.*

**Amy:** It looks like they’re leaving.

**Dallas:** Now to take care of these guys…

*He takes on the several hundred Woolzarians.*

**Brian:** Those missiles would be able to hold them off for a while.

**Woolzarian:** Destroy the enemy!

**Stardown:** Will they ever let up?

*The Woolzarians open fire.*

**Stardown:** ...I guess not.

*Suddenly Francis leaps through the open window and battles away.*

**Stardown:** Francis?! How did you find us?

**Francis:** I heard about your coming here. I can’t see my friends get killed.

*He emits a bright light that blinds the enemy.*

**Brian:** Now’s our chance!

*They bolt forward and attack.*

**Woolzarian:** Block the exits!

*They manage to drive the enemy back.*

**Brian:** They’re in a strategic position. Don’t let any of the ranks move back or they’ll easily be able to drive us back.

**Amy:** It looks like they’re leaving the building.

**Dallas:** That could cause some problems for the Bartletts. Let’s stop them!

*They begin heading toward the exit.*

**Stardown:** \*sigh\* The elevators are down.

**Brian:** Don’t worry about them. The stairs will be faster.

*They head down the stairs.*

**Dallas:** The rest of them are out. Something’s up.

**Tails:** You can say that again. The bombers are coming!

**Amy:** We’ve gotta get out of here!

*They start leaving the building.*

**Amy:** I thought you said the Woolzarians wouldn’t bomb their own buildings, Dallas.

**Dallas:** I did! I don’t know what they’re thinking!

*The Woolzarians start dropping bombs. Chunks of the building fall around them.*

**Brian:** Is there anyone inside?

**Amy:** No, I don’t s- Wait! Sonic! Sonic’s under the rubble! We’re coming for you!

*Several Guardians rush over and clear the rubble.*

**Sonic:** Th-Thanks. We’ve gotta stop those cowards!

**Amy:** Sonic! I’m so glad you’re safe!

**Sonic:** The sheep are bringing out the big guns. The Bartlett units will be goners if we don’t help.

**Tails:** The bombers are returning again.

**Dallas:** They’re not fooling around this time.

**Francis:** For the Lambs!

*He emits a blinding burst which causes the bombers to spin out of control and crash.*

*The Woolzarians form ranks and march toward the Guardians.*

**Dallas:** Have a taste of this!

*He throws a grenade into the ranks. Several Lamb tanks come out of nowhere and start attacking.*

**Arnold:** We received a report saying that the enemy ships have been sunk.

*The Woolzarians raise white flags.*

**Brian:** Drop your weapons! Now!

*They do.*

*The Guardians and Lambs begin picking up the weapons.*

**Brian:** Put your hands up! You! Drop your weapon!

*The Woolzarians are led to the prisons.*

**Lamb 1:** Man! This thing is packed!

**Lamb 2:** You can say that again!

**Lamb 3:** Their leader is yet to be found.

**Stardown:** Now that the fight is over, should we head back and leave a patrol here?

**Arnold:** The Woolzarians are still a major threat. They are still fully capable of retaking the city. We must stop them before we do anything else.

**Stardown:** Looks like the Bartletts have everything under control here. Does this mean we can head straight for Woolzaria?

**Arnold:** No. I don’t think I can fully trust the Bartletts. The goats say they have extra soldiers, and are willing to defend Lamera.

**Stardown:** All right, then. We should contact the Goats.

**Arnold:** I already have.

*Moments later, the Goats arrive.*

**Goat Captain:** We have a thousand soldiers at the border of Woolzaria.

**Stardown:** Does that mean we’re safe?

**Goat Soldier:** What do you mean?

**Stardown:** If your soldiers are at their border, would that- Wait, they still have their air force...

**Goat Soldier:** They also have plenty of water speeders, and not a few armored cars.

**Arnold:** We alone don’t have enough to stop the Woolzarians, so we appreciate your help. The Mushroom Kingdom Military has sent two warships to launch missiles at the enemy base.

**Goat Captain:** I just received a message from the leader. He says we can use any amount of force necessary to take back Woolzaria.

**Arnold:** That’s very good to hear. The Mushroom Kingdom also said that they’re available to use air strikes. We will need transports.

*He chooses a score of Guardians to bring them.*

*They leave.*

**Arnold:** Do all of you have your weapons? Good. You can have your rations. Keep an eye on the sky.

*More goats arrive shortly later.*

**Goat Captain:** How many soldiers do you have?

**Arnold:** A thousand. We have more at our bases.

*There is a loud crash as a chunk of the building falls.*

**Amy:** I’m glad everyone is out.

*Stardown removes his clones.*

*The transporters soon arrive.*

**Arnold:** It’s time to leave. We have finished setting things up.

*A little while later the transports arrive at the border.*

**Amy:** Do you think they can see us?

**Brian:** Probably. It shouldn’t matter much… What did I just say?

*Several dozen Woolzarian missile launchers are set up at the border. They manage to destroy two transports. The transporters’ roof-mount cannons begin firing.*

**Dallas:** I don’t think we can last long against these guys!

**Brian:** Help is coming.

*Several jets fly over and bomb the enemy.*

**Brian:** Fire your smoke screens!

*The transporters manage to get past.*

**Brian:** There’s a lot of land to cover. We need to reach the capital.

**Dallas:** That’s north from here, right?

**Brian:** Correct.

**Stardown:** Are there any other allies we can call in?

**Brian:** Well… There are the Republics.

**Stardown:** Should we call them?

**Brian:** If we need them.

**Dallas:** How far away is the Woolzarian capital’s city limits?

**Brian:** Let’s see… it’s another 50 miles.

**Dallas:** How tough are the enemies’ defenses between here and there.

**Brian:** I don’t know. They’re only a few villages and a couple of towns between us and there, so I wouldn’t think there’s that much.

*The transporters rumble on.*

*They soon come across a village.*

**Dallas:** Any threats here?

**Amy:** There’s a couple of soldiers.

**Dallas:** They don’t look tough from here.

*One of the Woolzarians threw a grenade on top of the transport.*

*Dallas opens the the top hatch and throws the grenade back.*

*The soldiers begin firing. One of them throws the grenade back.*

*It explodes before it hits the transport, and Dallas closes the hatch.*

*A couple of soldiers draw bazookas, and an armored car rolls toward them.*

**Amy:** Does this thing have a force field?!

**Brian:** I wish it did.

*The armored car’s roof-mount machine gun began firing at them.*

**Stardown:** Call the Jaywalkers is necessary.

*He suits up and prepares to fly out the hatch.*

**Amy:** Be careful!

**Stardown:** Don’t worry about me.

*He flies out the hatch and clones himself.*

*The machine gun fires at him.*

*But more clones keep appearing and soon the armored car is destroyed.*

*The Woolzarians also fire at the clones.*

*All immediate threats are destroyed, and the transporter starts moving again. Stardown picks up his radio.*

**Stardown:** Stardown to Tails! How are things looking out there?

**Tails:** Not good. They are far harder than we expected.

**Stardown:** Thanks for the warning. I’ll call for help.

*Stardown does not see any Woolzarians around yet and returns to the transporter.*

*The last of the Woolzarians fled.*

**Stardown:** Brian, we’re going to need the Republics. Tails says it looks bad up ahead.

**Brian:** I’ll tell the commander about this.

*Stardown heads to the back of the transporter and sits down.*

*They soon reach another village.*

**Amy:** I don’t see any soldiers. Oh wait, there’s a few.

*Stardown looks out the window.*

**Dallas:** This transport has taken a beating.

**Stardown:** Is it worth it to switch transporters?

**Brian:** We don’t have any to spare.

**Stardown:** Then should we evacuate?

**Brian:** Where would we go?

**Stardown:** Oh… right...

**Amy:** There don’t seem to be many soldiers.

**Stardown:** Then let’s keep going. Brian, have the Republics responded yet?

**Brian:** The Shmouse Republic is sending out ten thousand soldiers.

**Stardown:** And the Gerbil Republic?

**Brian:** I don’t think we’ll need them, but I’ll call them if needed.

**Amy:** The soldiers have noticed us.

**Dallas:** Yeah, like they didn’t notice a 50-ton hunk of steel sliding down their streets.

**Amy:** …

*Stardown suits up again.*

**Stardown:** The life of a hero…

*He flies out the transporter.*

**Sonic:** Too risky to do some repairs?

**Brian:** Yes, unless we fall back.

*They begin repairing after falling back.*

*Soon they are on the move again.*

**Dallas:** How are our forces doing?

**Brian:** I haven’t received another report.

*Stardown fought bravely against the Woolzarians.*

**Woolzarian:** What are you doing on our land? Leave at once!

**Stardown:** This is payback for what you did to Lamera!

**Woolzarian:** Alert the guard!

**Stardown:** No need!

*Stardown stuns them.*

**Granny:** Get off our land! Shoo!

*Stardown flies ahead toward the capital. He sees Tails struggling against the air units.*

**Brian:** Stardown, where are you?

**Stardown:** I’m on my way to the capital. Tails is in trouble. Over.

**Brian:** You were not commanded to leave. You were needed.

**Stardown:** I’m headed back now. Are you under attack.

**Brian:** No. We’re going to have a talk later.

*Stardown returns.*

*They came across yet another village.*

*Stardown does not head out immediately.*

**Amy:** I don’t see anyone.

**Dallas:** That means we can advance a few more miles without opposition!

**Amy:** Oh wait, there’s a few Woolzarians.

**Dallas:** Soldiers or civilians?

**Amy:** Uuum… mostly civilians… just one soldier that I can see.

**Brian:** We don’t need to worry about one soldier.

**Amy:** He’s shooting now.

**Brian:** Don’t worry! Our transporter is faster than him.

**Amy:** He’s drawing a bazooka.

**Dallas:** Now we can worry.

**Sonic:** He’s aiming at us.

**Brian:** Calling support units.

**Person:** Sir, we don’t have many soldiers or vehicles to spare.

*Soon, Shmouse Republic jets scream above them on their way to the capital.*

**Brian:** Not much farther now.

*Stardown had not spoken since returning.*

*Later on...*

**Brian:** There it is.

*A great battle was raging.*

**Amy:** Looks like Tails is in trouble!

**Brian:** Get your weapons.

*They do, including Stardown.*

**Brian:** Ready?

**Dallas:** Ready as a hornet packing heat, sir!

*The transport’s doors open. A couple of enemy tanks attack them.*

*The Guardians head out. Stardown is slower because he’s still feeling the guilt.*

**Woolzarian:** For freedom!

*Several other Woolzarians shout the battle cry. They draw bazookas.*

**Dallas:** Listen to them. They’re stealing our battle cry!

**Woolzarian:** We will not live in bondage!

**Woolzarian 2:** The days of those pampered wimps are over!

*The Woolzarians were losing.*

**Dallas:** For Lamera!

**Woolzarian Leader:** The enemy will suffer total destruction if they decide to continue fighting.

**Dallas:** They must be joking! We outnumber them two to one!

**W.L.:** The enemies will fall. This is a fact.

*The SR jets engage the Woolzarian jets, allowing Tails to escape.*

**W.L.:** You will regret fighting. Leave, or face your punishment.

*The SR jets finish off the Woolzarian jets as Brian confronts the Woolzarian leader.*

**Brian:** What makes you think you’ll win? We outnumber you.

**W.L.:** Are you challenging my power?

**Brian:** What power?

**W.L.:** You want me to show you?

**Brian:** Most of your army is destroyed. Surrender immediately and unconditionally.

**W.L.:** You are the one at my mercy.

**Brian:** Prove it.

**W.L.:** So be it. You will regret the day you were born.

**Brian:** No we won’t.

*A large jet took off.*

*It is immediately targeted by the SR jets.*

**Brian: (off radio)** The Gerbil Republic is standing by for action.

*The jet shoots down other jets.*

**W.L.:** You will regret shooting down the jet.

**Brian:** Hold your fire!

*He signals for the Medallion to arrive. Shortly later, it arrives from a routine mission, and, at a signal from Brian, traps the jet in a force combo.*

**W.L.:** Release it.

**Brian: (on radio)** Now tell us what will happen if we blow up your jet.

**W.L.:** Would you like to see what happens?

**Brian:** Answer me first.

*Half a dozen other heavy jets fly over and attack.*

*They are engaged by the SR jets. The GR arrives and, together, they manage to destroy a few of the jets.*

**W.L.:** Release the jet.

*It is released and then destroyed by the SR and GR jets.*

*Suddenly there was a massive explosion. The cities and villages around it were destroyed. All of the Guardians and most of the Woolzarians were vaporized by the blast.*

**W.L.:** I… warned you.

*With a grave face, Arnold contacts the Woolzarian leader.*

**Arnold:** You will be hated the rest of your life. You just killed off most of your own army.

*What is left of the Guardians prepare to leave Woolzaria.*

*Arnold lands and enters the main room of the Guardian Base. There he sees Stardown, Brian, Dallas, Sonic, Tails, Amy, Kervo, and everyone else who were vaporized.*

**Arnold:** But… But…

**Amy:** You thought we were gone for good.

**Arnold:** But…

**Brian:** We all had 1-Up Mushrooms on us.

**Stardown:** Just like the time the fleet was destroyed.

**Arnold:** Oh, I had forgotten! From now on, everyone needs to carry a 1-Up Mushroom when going out on a mission. Now, we need to rebuild the army.

**Amy:** What about everyone else? They don’t carry 1-ups.

**Arnold:** I believe they will return in due time.

*Two weeks later...*

*Stardown decides to call his brothers.*

*There is no answer.*

*He waits a little while later, and calls them again. Still nothing.*

**Stardown:** They must be busy. They usually always are.

*Stardown tells Arnold about it.*

*Suddenly a strangely familiar voice sounds from a nearby radio set.*

**???:** Greetings, Stardown.

**Stardown:** Lord Mikami?

**???:** The very same. I traced your call to your brothers, and decided now would be the best time to tell you that I have kidnapped your brothers to make the Glory Star. What good is three quarters of a Glory Star? That is why I want you to compete in my 39th annual tournament to win them back.

*Stardown is stunned.*

**Tails:** It’s okay, Stardown. We’ll be rooting for you!

**Lord Mikami:** And your friends will compete as well. If you all do not arrive by 10pm your time, I will siphon the Glory Star essence from your brothers and eliminate them. And then I’ll kidnap you and add you to the Glory Star. Be here… or else.

*He hangs up. Stardown is at a loss for words.*

**Arnold:** I’ll hold down the fort while you compete. Cream, Cheese, and John may come if they wish, but I don’t think they should fight.

*Soon they are in a shuttle bound for Hokkaido. The others can tell that Stardown is stressed about the situation.*

**Amy:** I know you can get them back! Battle with confidence!

**Stardown:** But it’s a lot more than that, Amy. I don’t want to know what’ll happen to me if I lose. And, for all I know, the tournament could be rigged.

**Amy:** Cheaters never win.

**Stardown:** And winners never cheat.

*They were flying over Tokyo.*

**Kervo:** I’ve always wanted to go to Tokyo.

**Amy:** There’s the Sky Tree.

**Stardown:** I’ll have to check it out one of these days.

**Dallas:** And there’s Tokyo Tower.

**Tails:** Tokyo may be one of the most populated cities on Earth.

*They soon reach Hokkaido.*

*Stardown checks the time.*

**Stardown:** It’s nine. We don’t have much time.

*They approach the airfield.*

**Brian:** Are you ready for this, Stardown?

**Stardown:** I hope so.

*They land, and suddenly four weasels with katanas ambush them.*

**Weasel:** Let’s grab Stardown now!

**???:** Stop!

*Everyone turns to the source of the voice.*

**Weasels:** Sorry, Captain Noboru.

**Stardown:** So he got promoted…

**Noboru:** Hello, Stardown. You too, everyone. I trust you’re here to enjoy the tournament?

**Tails:** We have no choice.

**Noboru:** Well, you did have a choice, but you picked the right option. Now come with me. It’s kinda late for fighting, so I’ll take you to your room.

*They settle down.*

**Dallas:** I wish I could read all this Japanese.

**Stardown:** I need to find out more about the tournament.

**Tails:** Here’s an information sheet… in Japanese.

*Stardown takes out his phone, opens the translator app, and translates the sheet.*

**Stardown:** The first round starts tomorrow night at seven.

**Tails:** Well, Stardown, we’d better get rested for the tournament. We’ve got 31 days of action ahead of us.

*Meanwhile in Mikami’s private study…*

*Noboru enters.*

**Noboru:** Lord Mikami, the settlers are settled in their room.

**Mikami:** Set up the arena.

**Noboru:** Yes sir. Oh, and we seem to be short on contestants.

**Mikami:** What do you mean? We had it all planned.

**Noboru:** There are only 31 contestants.

**Mikami:** Which side is lacking?

**Noboru:** Stardown’s side. I did, however, notice someone who wasn’t on our list. I don’t know his name, though.

**Mikami:** Tell them to choose someone.

**Noboru:** Yes sir.

*He leaves.*

**Dallas:** \*sigh\* I don’t think this place has running water.

**Brian:** We’ll need to report this.

**Tails:** And the water from the fountain tastes like fish.

**Stardown:** Relax. We’ll only be here for 31 days.

*Meanwhile…*

*After setting up the arena, Noboru leaves the stadium and heads to his mobile laboratory parked behind the building. There are weasels at various computers. Koji walks up to Noboru.*

**Koji:** Everything’s going according to plan.

**Noboru:** That’s my line, Koji. Anyway, I’ve rigged the arena in my favor, and yours, of course.

**Koji:** Has the official roster been released yet?

**Noboru:** Not yet. I’ll have it up by morning. What is the majority of the fighters up to?

**Koji:** They are complaining about their water quality. They won’t be able to sleep tonight.

**Noboru:** And our “boss”?

**Koji:** He’s preparing his pre-tournament speech.

**Noboru:** If everything works out, and it will, Stardown will be in our hands by the end of the tournament.

**Another Weasel:** Sir, I caught sight of a band of minor villains near the locker room!

**Noboru:** THOSE minor villains?! Never mind, they want Stardown as much as we do. Well, I’m off to get the roster up!

*Elsewhere…*

**Sable:** I’ve just picked up signals from Hokkaido. Apparently Stardown’s competing in a tournament there.

**The Doctor:** If I’m right, one of their captains is plotting behind his master’s back! C’mon! We’ve got a tournament to attend!

*Back at the hotel room…*

*There is a knock on the door. Stardown answers it. It’s Noboru.*

**Noboru:** We’re short on fighters.

*He scans the room. John and Cream are the only ones there who are not on the fighter list. He finally points to John.*

**Noboru:** You there, what’s your name?

**John:** John, sir.

**Noboru:** Great, you’re now in the tournament.

*He scribbles John’s name on a clipboard.*

**John:** But-

**Noboru:** See ya.

*He leaves.*

**John:** But I don’t have a weapon!

**Amy:** We’ll find you one.

**John:** Thanks.

*Next morning, there is a knock at the door. Stardown answers it.*

**Stardown:** Knuckles?! You’re competing?

**Knuckles:** That’s right!

*He settles down.*

**Knuckles:** Got any water?

**Tails:** The little we have tastes like raw fish.

**Knuckles:** Y’know, I’ve been craving fish lately.

*He drinks the water.*

**Sonic:** That’s Knuckles for you, folks. Not afraid of doing things his own way!

**Knuckles:** Hey, everyone needs to drink at some time.

*Everyone laughs.*

**Knuckles:** So what’s the first match?

*Stardown looks at the envelope he received earlier.*

**Stardown:** Dallas vs. Mark.

**Dallas:** We need to fight each other?!

**Mark:** I don’t think I could do that.

**Stardown:** If this match is this bad, I don’t want to know what the others will be like...

**Dallas:** When does it begin?

**Stardown:** 6:00 tonight.

**Tails:** What time is it now?

**Stardown:** Almost seven. I believe it’s time to train.

**Amy:** They really should have a clock in here.

*Dallas and Mark leave.*

*At 5:50 PM, the TARDIS materializes outside the doors leading to the arena. Koji is giving his introductory speech.*

**The Doctor:** Sable, I know you’re quite stealthy. I need you to install the camera so we can watch the matches, and assist when necessary.

**Sable:** I’m on it.

*She installs the camera without any trouble.*

**Koji:** Greetings, and welcome to the 39th Annual Tournament. This one is different than what we normally host. Most of the entrants are from Earth, Plit, and Mobius. This is the first time in six years that Sting the Bee isn’t participating. And Noboru is entering as usual. The first round is Dallas vs. Mark. The national anthem will now play.

*As the anthem plays, the Doctor and Sable scramble into the TARDIS and relocate.*

*Once the anthem was over, the fighters drew their weapons.*

**Mark:** I hate to do this to you, but…

*He becomes a blur as he charges at Dallas.*

*Dallas lassos him and throws him at a wall.*

*Mark springs back up and slices Dallas’ lasso in two.*

*Dallas jumped back and Mark charged at him.*

*Dallas karate-chopped Mark.*

*Mark was stunned by the blow. Dallas kicked him into the wall. Mark recovered and leaped at Dallas.*

*Dallas was surprised at Mark’s sudden recovery and stumbled backward.*

*Mark strikes him rapidly.*

**Dallas:** I give up!

**Koji:** Mark is the winner!

**Dallas:** Great job, Mark!

**Amy:** Who’s fighting in tomorrow’s match?

**Stardown:** The envelope hasn’t come yet.

*Dallas and Mark enter.*

**Dallas:** You were… amazing!

**Mark:** So were you!

*A note is slid under the door. Stardown recognizes it as the envelope for the next battle. He reads it.*

**Stardown:** What?!

**Tails:** Who’s fighting?

**Stardown:** Miyoko’s in the tournament! And I’m her first opponent!

**Tails:** Well, she is Japanese.

**John:** Who’s Miyoko?

*Stardown tells him.*

**Stardown:** But when I fought her before, she used a tank made of stolen Roban parts.

**Sonic:** Is the match the same time yesterday?

**Stardown:** Yes.

**Amy:** You’d best get ready then.

*Meanwhile…*

**Noboru:** I delivered the envelope. Just imagine the looks on their faces when they see the opponents for the next two matches!

**Koji:** When should we rig it?

**Noboru:** What about tonight? No one will really be around, except for Lord Mikami, who could be watching the whole thing. Why don’t you stall him?

**Koji:** All right. I’ll think of what to say.

*The next day...*

**Stardown:** I don’t really know what I’m up against.

**Amy:** Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

**Stardown:** That’s right! But Miyoko is formidable, and I’ve only fought her once.

**Amy:** And this time she’s ready for you.

**Stardown:** This is gonna be tough…

*Soon it is time for Stardown to head out into the arena. Miyoko is already there.*

**Koji:** Today’s match is Miyoko vs. Stardown!

**Sonic:** Go get her, buddy!

*Stardown heads to the arena.*

**Koji:** We are sorry about the slight delay. The match will now begin.

*As the fight bell rings, Stardown draws one of his sabers and charges at Miyoko.*

*She stands there, watching him approach.*

*Stardown slows down.*

**Stardown:** You’re trying to trick me, right?

*She leaps forward, kicking him over.*

*Stardown backflips back onto his feet and charges at Miyoko.*

*She hurls several throwing stars at him.*

*Stardown leaps in the air, blocks the stars, and falls toward Miyoko.*

*She darts past. Stardown falls behind her. She pulls out a remote and presses a button. Several drones enter from above.*

**Stardown:** That’s cheating!

*They fire tranquilizers at him.*

*Stardown passes out.*

**Koji:** Miyoko is the winner!

*Back at the hotel room…*

**Cream:** She cheated!!

**Cheese:** Chao chao chao!

**Brian:** Well, I don’t think the rules said anything against drones.

**Amy:** But still! It should be against the rules to call for reinforcements.

*Later…*

**Dallas:** We should get the card soon.

**Sonic:** I’m heading down to the arena to negotiate with the judges.

**Brian:** What about the last match?

**Sonic:** That’s right! It wasn’t right for Stardown to lose this way, especially not to a girl he barely knows.

*He dashes to the arena.*

**Sweeper:** What’re you doing here at this time, speedy?

**Sonic:** Is calling for reinforcements against the rules?

**Sweeper:** Oh, I wouldn’t know that.

**Sonic:** Where can I find the judges?

**Sweeper:** Oh, them? Uuuuh… I really don’t know.

**Sonic:** Oh, well thanks anyway!

*He rushes off.*

**Sweeper:** Hey! Slow down! You could start a fire!

**Sonic:** Sorry! It’s been done before!

*He continues looking for the judges. He runs into Stardown who is returning from the match.*

**Stardown:** Hi Sonic! What’s up?

**Sonic:** Looking for the judges.

**Stardown:** You could try asking Koji. I don’t know where he is, though.

*Sonic soon finds him.*

**Sonic:** Is it against the rules to call in reinforcements?

**Koji:** The rules do not say anything about that.

**Sonic:** So you’re saying it’s okay?

**Koji:** Yeah.

**Sonic:** \*sigh\* Well, thanks anyway.

*He races back to the hotel room.*

**Dallas:** What did he say?

*Sonic tells them.*

**Sonic:** I’m sorry, Stardown, but the rules stand in Miyoko’s favor.

**Stardown:** \*sigh\* I’d better watch my back. Noboru could capture me early.

*There is a knock at the door.*

*Tails answers it.*

**Noboru:** The next match.

*Tails opens it.*

**Tails:** No way! I have to fight John?!

**John:** Oh no…

**John:** Tails, I can’t do it. You are one of the best friends I’ve ever had! I don’t want to fight you!

**Tails:** I… I don’t think we have a choice… No, I can’t do it.

**John:** Maybe you could go easy on me, if I had a weapon?

**Tails:** But I’m sure the audience wants to see a good fight. I don’t know how we’ll work this out.

*Noboru sneaked back to the transporter. He had heard everything!*

*The next night…*

**Koji:** Tonight’s match is Tails vs. John!

**Noboru:** Ooh, this is gonna be good!

*John drew his lightsaber and charged at Tails.*

*Tails drew a wrench and flew above John.*

*John took a few steps back.*

*Tails slowed down and lowered his wrench.*

**Tails:** I… I can’t do this.

**John:** Maybe we could race instead?

**Tails:** Okay.

*They race to the other side of the arena and back.*

**Tails:** What should we do now? The crowd isn’t too pleased.

**John:** But we can’t fight each other! We just can’t!

*The crowd boos.*

**John:** Since you’re more experienced with danger than I am, I think I should forfeit the match.

**Tails:** Unfortunately, the rules say we can’t forfeit, but I’ll do the next best thing.

*He picks up John and drops him outside the ring.*

**Jun:** Tails is the winner!

**John:** I’m glad this is finally over. This was the toughest situation I’ve ever been in.

*They return to their room.*

**Stardown:** You must have had a rough time out there, John.

*A note is slipped under the door.*

**Dallas:** They’re early.

*Stardown reads it.*

**Stardown:** Zelle vs. Arctic Tail?

**Tails:** Interesting.

*The days roll by. Zelle defeats Arctic Tail, Kervo knocks out Akurva the Jedi Okoran, and Armaul sweeps Mertoro. Finally it’s time for…*

**Stardown:** Dr. Sykk vs. Italian Mouse!

**John:** Those two are fighting?!

**Amy:** The minor villains are here?!

**Tails:** This would have been the perfect time to capture Dr. Sykk, but…

**John:** But what?

**Tails:** We can’t just capture one of the contestants.

**Stardown:** Besides, the minor villains may be after me.

*That night…*

**Koji:** Tonight’s match is Dr. Sykk vs. the Italian Mouse!

**Italian Mouse:** I-a-will-a-win!

**Dr. Sykk:** Well, don’t count on it, sweetie. There isn’t enough room here for the two of us.

**Koji:** Fight!

*The Italian Mouse leaped forward and threw his sombrero.*

*Dr. Sykk leaped out of the way and fired her paralyzing ray at the Italian Mouse.*

*He jumps over it and tosses a fox trap over.*

**Dr. Sykk:** Nice try, but I’m not that kind of fox.

*She fires her paralyzer repeatedly.*

*He blocks them with his sombrero.*

*She throws the fox trap back at him.*

**Italian Mouse:** A-you-a-are-a-no-a-match-a-for-a-me-a!

**Dr. Sykk:** Come now, darling, you need to take something for that accent of yours.

*She fires a tranquilizer dart at him.*

**Italian Mouse:** A-hah-a-hah-a!

*He throws his sombrero, which blows through the dart, and heads for Dr. Sykk.*

*She ducks, and grabs her stun camera, taking his picture and stunning him. She then proceeds to drag him to the arena’s edge and pushes him off.*

**Jun:** Dr. Sykk is the winner!

**Dr. Sykk:** Ah… a picture-perfect victory.

**Italian Mouse:** A-how-a-did-a-I-a-lose-a? A-you-a-cheated-a? A-waa-a!

**Roadrunner:** The next match is here already!

*He walks over and picks it up.*

**Roadrunner:** I’M FIGHTING ACE!!!!

**Stardown:** Uncle Ace is fighting?

**Roadrunner:** Yeah, I’m surprised about that too.

**Kervo:** Look what’s surfacing on the social media.

*He shows them tweets using the hashtag #TheLittleFoxThatWouldn’t.*

**John:** Look at all those memes…

**Meme:** Tails - Y U No Fight?

**Meme:** Tails and John epihcke rahss! Tails the Weepin Angele

**Meme:** Tails and John epihcke rahss! Zombi Boy takes the lead!

**Brian:** Don’t look at some of these, guys.

*Amy is watching the replay of the battle.*

**Amy:** Stardown, I don’t want you anywhere near Dr. Sykk if you can help it.

**Stardown:** I’ll try not to, Amy.

**Luke:** Haha! Some of these memes are actually pretty funny!

**Meme:** ...Arena equipment: $2500. John listed by Tails… Priceless.

**Meme:** John: A guy who races rabies-infected animals.

**John:** They’re going to pay for mocking us, Tails!

**Meme:** Chubby kid vs. stupid fox. Fight!

**Tails:** There’s really not much we can do, John.

*Roadrunner triumphed over Ace, Hooded Jaw beat the Golden Warrior, and Marvin beat Firius. The next match was…*

**Amy:** Knuckles vs. Robob.

**Stardown:** So he survived...

**Dallas:** How did he know about this?

**Stardown:** How did he know about the tournament?

**Dallas:** I have no idea. But I do think this is the first time a Roban has been to Earth.

**Brian:** I see no good coming from this…

*The night of the fight…*

**Jun:** Tonight’s fight is Knuckles vs. Robob! Fight!

**Robob:** Eradicate! Eradicate!

**Knuckles:** What a strange request.

*He lands a heavy blow on Robob’s head.*

**Robob:** Your attacks are useless!

*He shocks Knuckles across the arena.*

**Knuckles:** I’ve seen worse than that.

*He pounds the arena floor, causing a crack that runs underneath Robob, immobilizing him.*

*Robob’s eyes turn yellow, and several small but powerful beams fire out.*

*Knuckles leaps out of the way, and strikes Robob’s chest.*

**Robob:** I repeat: Your attacks are useless!

*He fires over a hundred razor-sharp needles at him.*

**Knuckles:** You speak too soon.

*He leaps over the needles and bodyslams Robob fists first.*

*One of Robob’s claw hands is quickly replaced with a drill. He thrusts it into Knuckles.*

**Koji:** Robob is the winner!

**Stardown:** He’s stronger than I last saw him.

*A note was slipped under the door.*

**Stardown:** Brian vs. Luke.

*Brian beats Luke, and Noboru beats Rainmaker. The next match is...*

**Stardown:** Black Widow vs. Jake the Bat?!

**Amy:** Who’s Jake the Bat?

**Stardown:** I barely remember him. If I’m right, he was one of our enemies.

**Tails:** He doesn’t sound like a serious threat.

*The night of the fight…*

**Jun:** Fight!

**Black Widow:** I hope you enjoy spiders!

**Jake:** I hope you enjoy electricity!

*He shocks Black Widow.*

*Black Widow fires her venom gun at Jake.*

**Jake:** Aaah. My favorite!

**Black Widow:** What now?

*Jake swoops down at her.*

*She leaps aside.*

*He soars back up.*

*She fires her spiders at him.*

**Jake:** Aack!

*One bites him, causing him to fall from the air.*

**Jun:** Black Widow is the winner!

**Black Widow:** The pleasure was all mine.

*Stardown’s smartphone rings.*

*Stardown answers it.*

**Arnold:** How long will you be gone?

**Stardown:** For another couple of weeks. What’s up?

**Arnold:** We took care of the Woolzarians without any trouble. They were all bark and no bite. However, new problems have arose.

**Stardown:** What is it this time?

**Arnold:** We don’t know, but we think the Shmice are back.

**Stardown:** We’ll only be gone for a couple more weeks. Hang in there.

**Arnold:** We think they’re on one of the south islands.

**Stardown:** The twins or Nicholas?

**Arnold:** We don’t know. Sounds more like the twins.

**Stardown:** Unfortunately, we can’t come right now. Mikami’s fine print has prevented us from leaving. Are the twins in the mood for conquering?

**Arnold:** We don’t know what they’re up to.

*Stardown later hangs up, and reads the note placed under the door.*

**Stardown:** Amy, looks like you’re gonna have to fight Count Ivy.

**Amy:** Who’s he?

*Stardown tells her.*

**Amy:** I’d better get ready then.

*The next night…*

**Jun:** Fight!

**Amy:** Get ready for a pounding, Count Ivy?

*She draws her hammer.*

**Count Ivy:** Hmm?

*Several ivy branches shoot out of the ground and wrap themselves around Amy.*

**Amy:** You let me go this instant!

**Count Ivy:** Considering all my options on how to get rid of you… Yes, I think I will.

*He releases her outside the ring.*

**Jun:** Count Ivy is the winner!

**Sonic:** That’s not fair!

*Amy enters the room.*

**Amy:** Here’s the next match.

*She hands the note to Stardown.*

**Stardown:** Koji vs. Sonic.

**Brian:** Judges can fight?!

**Stardown:** I’m surprised!

*The night of the fight…*

**Jun:** Fight!

**Sonic:** It’s judgment time for the judges!

*He spin-dashes toward Koji.*

*He draws his swords and swings at Sonic.*

*Sonic kicks one of the swords away.*

**Sonic:** Didn’t your mother ever tell you not to play with knives?

**Koji:** Nope. She encouraged it!

*He throws several stars at Sonic.*

**Noboru: (to himself)** Let’s see how well those homing throwing stars work.

*Sonic leaped out of the way, but the stars were still chasing him.*

**Sonic:** Just what is-

*One of the stars hits him.*

**Jun:** Koji is the winner!

**Stardown:** Ninja tech has really improved…

*A note was slipped under the door.*

**Stardown:** Mark vs. Miyoko.

*Meanwhile…*

**Koji:** I won!

**Noboru:** Awesome!

**Jun:** I kinda feel bad for Stardown’s loss.

**Noboru:** Which is why we should have him fight a specialty match.

**Jun:** Against one of his friends!

**Noboru:** Yeah!

**Jun:** Maybe we should let the audience decide who he fights.

**Noboru:** That would really get our ratings up.

*Stardown is called to Noboru’s mobile headquarters.*

**Noboru:** We’re bringing you back to the tournament.

**Jun:** But not in the way you expect.

**Noboru:** You’re going to fight in a specialty match.

**Stardown:** Whoa. Specialty match?

**Noboru:** Yes! Of course!

**Stardown:** I never agreed to this.

**Noboru:** It’s not like you have a choice.

**Stardown:** Does Mikami know about this?

**Noboru:** Lord Mikami. No he doesn’t.

**Stardown:** Then you have no right to force me into this!

**Noboru:** Yes I do.

**Stardown:** What?

**Noboru:** We’re allowed to do this sort of thing.

**Stardown:** It says that in the rule book?

**Noboru:** No.

**Stardown:** So this is something you made up?

**Noboru:** Nope.

**Stardown:** You’re confusing me.

**Noboru:** It’s an unwritten thing. Lord Mikami made it up.

**Stardown:** Then who am I fighting?

**Noboru:** Head to the arena and find out.

**Stardown:** If I must.

*He leaves the transporter and is soon in the arena.*

**Koji:** The specialty match is Stardown vs. Mark!

**Jun:** Fight!

**Stardown: (to himself)** Well… if it isn’t cheating.

*He clones a dozen ties, and has them zap at Mark. Mark jumps over the blasts and bolts at Stardown.*

*Swish! Kathunk!*

*He leaps at a clone and swings his sword. As the sword impacted, the clone disappeared in a puff of smoke, and Mark falls on the ground. The clones fire at Mark, and this time, they hit him. The blast knocks him around the arena for a short bit. After he lands, Stardown drew his lightsabers and charged at him. Mark gets up and pulls out some Sword Melt. Stardown skids to a halt. Mark fires the sword melt at Stardown’s lightsabers, destroying them instantly.*

**Mark:** I’m sorry I had to do that.

*He charges at Stardown. Stardown activates his jetpack and flies out of the way. Mark stops as the clones surround him with drawn lightsabers. He spins around in a blur and blows the clones away. Stardown pulls out a homing tracking device and throws it at Mark.*

**Mark:** I don’t under-

*The tracking device explodes, knocking Mark out of the arena.*

**Koji:** Stardown is the winner!

*Stardown heads to Noboru’s transporter.*

**Stardown:** Okay, I won. Now what?

**Noboru:** Oh, yes. The prize.

*He reaches into his pocket.*

**Stardown:** A-A rubber ducky?

**Noboru:** Yeah. We’re kinda on a tight budget.

*Stardown heads back to his room.*

**Stardown:** I forgot you had to fight Miyoko tomorrow.

**Mark:** I bet this was all planned. I’ll help you with rebuilding your lightsabers.

**Stardown:** Thank you. It wasn’t your fault.

*They soon go to bed.*

*The next night…*

**Jun:** This is the first match of Round 2. Mark vs. Miyoko!

**Koji:** Fight!

*Mark bolts forward, then leaps at Miyoko, but is knocked back by a sharp kick. Miyoko draws two blasters in a flip and begins firing. Mark was up and dodging.*

**Miyoko:** Speedy little fiend.

*She was firing faster. Mark went into a tornado and started blowing the beams everywhere. She tossed a few cubes on the ground which turned into Robans.*

**Robans:** Eradicate! Eradicate!

**Mark:** Impossible!

*She blasted at Mark as he was fighting the Robans.*

**Jun:** Miyoko is the winner!

**Koji:** Doesn’t it seem a little unfair that fighters can have backup? I can see tranquilizers and all, but backup?

**Jun:** We can ask Lord Mikami about this after the tournament.

**Koji:** The next fight is Tails vs. Zelle!

**Jun:** Fight!

**Zelle:** Well, well… What a luxurious bounty.

*She draws her dual laser pistols.*

**Tails:** Uh oh!

*Pew pew!*

*Tails jumps and ducks trying to dodge the lasers.*

**Zelle:** \*sigh\* I could do this all day...

*Tails begins to tire.*

**Zelle:** Getting tired already?

*Tails trips.*

*Zelle flies forward and picks up Tails, ready to deposit him outside the ring.*

**Tails:** Let me go!

**Zelle:** Sure, whatever you say, kiddo.

*She throws Tails toward the ring’s edge, but he spins his namesakes and flies to safety.*

**Zelle:** I don’t have time for this.

*She fires a tranquilizer at him.*

*Tails dodges, and kicks one of Zelle’s pistols out of her hand.*

*She fires her other pistol like crazy.*

*Tails restrains her and leads her to the edge of the arena.*

*She wriggles free, and delivers a hard blow to Tails.*

*He is knocked outside the ring.*

**Jun:** Zelle is the winner!

**Zelle:** For a baby fox, you fought well.

*Armaul defeated Kervo, and Roadrunner defeated Dr. Sykk. The next match card reads:*

**Mark:** Hooded Jaw vs. Marvin. This ought to be interesting.

**Kervo:** The social media is abuzz again. They really like Stardown’s latest specialty match.

**Stardown:** I’ve gotten access to the tournament bracket. (Finally.) We should be glad this is not a double elimination tournament, because then Amy and Sonic would have to fight.

**Sonic:** Oh boy…

*The next night…*

**Hooded Jaw:** Hungry, Marvin?

**Marvin:** Oh yeah!

*He feeds him a Smartie.*

**Marvin:** Yabba dabba doo!

*Hooded Jaw dangles the bag of Smarties outside the arena.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Want more?

**Marvin:** Yeah!

*Chomp!*

*He eats the bag.*

*Hooded Jaw had let go of the bag as Marvin approached, so Marvin fell out of the arena.*

**Jun:** Hooded Jaw is the winner!

*The days passed by.*

*Brian beat Robob, Noboru beat Black Widow, and Count Ivy beat Koji. Stardown was forced into another “specialty” match, where the audience nominated Amy to fight him.*

*He beat her without much trouble.*

**Stardown:** Another rubber ducky?

**Noboru:** A baseball.

**Stardown:** It has teeth marks in it.

**Noboru:** Bonus?

**Stardown:** \*sigh\*

*He leaves.*

*The next match was Miyoko vs. Zelle.*

**Koji:** Fight!

**Zelle:** Ah! Miyoko herself!

*They both draw their twin blasters and fire at each other.*

**Zelle:** You stole my techniques.

**Miyoko:** I’ve had these awhile.

*She leaps forward and kicks Zelle flat on her back.*

**Zelle:** Any last words?

**Miyoko:** Well, like the old saying goes: Actions speak louder than words.

*Zelle gets up.*

**Zelle:** I’m prepared!

*Zelle’s gun is knocked away, and she’s punched out of the ring.*

**Joji:** Miyoko is the winner!

**Zelle:** You’ll… You’ll pay for this!

**Sonic:** All right, who’s next?

**Stardown:** Armaul and Roadrunner.

**Amy:** Oh boy…

*The next night…*

**Armaul:** Look who’s back and feisty tonight!

*Roadrunner bolted forward.*

*Armaul draws his saber.*

*Roadrunner leaps forward.*

*Armaul swung his saber, almost taking Roadrunner off guard.*

*Roadrunner took a chunk of his armor off. The crowd was cheering for Armaul.*

**Armaul:** You’re quite the arrogant one, aren’t you?

**Roadrunner:** Whatever.

*He swings his lightsaber.*

*Armaul blocks it, and the duel continues.*

*Stardown and the rest were sitting at the edge of their seats. Armaul manages to drive Roadrunner close to the edge. Roadrunner jumps in the air, lands behind Armaul, and shoves him off the ring.*

**Koji:** Roadrunner is the winner!

**Armaul:** Th-This can’t be!

**Amy:** Yes!

**Sonic:** Way to go!

*The Hooded Jaw beats Brian, and Noboru beats Count Ivy.*

**Koji:** This match is Miyoko vs. Roadrunner!

**Jun:** Fight!

*Roadrunner bolted forward. Miyoko sidesteps, and Roadrunner flies out of the arena.*

**Koji:** Miyoko is the winner!

**Tails:** No!

**Amy:** We need to do something! It’s hopeless for Stardown now!

*Noboru lost to the Hooded Jaw.*

**Koji:** Tonight is the finale! Miyoko vs. the Hooded Jaw!

**Jun:** Fight!

**Miyoko:** You made it to the finale?!

**Hooded Jaw:** That’s right! Get her, Smartie Pants!

*Several walking pairs of pants full of Smarties march toward her. She draws her pistols and fires away.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Your puny attacks are useless! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

*One of the Smartie Pants explodes and Smarties fly everywhere.*

**Miyoko:** Is that all you’ve got?

**Hooded Jaw:** Yup.

*The Smarties exploded on impact.*

**Hooded Jaw:** MEGA SMARTIE TIME!

*He throws a mega Smartie like a frisbee. It knocks Miyoko out of the ring.*

**Koji:** The Hooded Jaw is the winner of the 39th Annual Tournament!

**Hooded Jaw:** Yes!

**Brian:** Stardown, you’ve got to hide. Mikami’s team will be after you soon. Everyone else, come with me. We need to find Stardown’s brothers.

*They hear footsteps.*

*Stardown has difficulty finding a hiding place, but he does.*

*The door opens.*

**Noboru:** Bring Stardown out, please.

**Brian:** (Jedi mind trick) He’s not here.

**Noboru:** Jedi mind tricks don’t work on me, and since you used one, I know he’s in these. Bring him out.

**Brian:** Everyone, attack!

**Noboru:** Wha?!

*He is tackled. A guard sees this and runs off to report. Their door slams shut.*

*Brian cuts through the door with his lightsaber.*

*Lord Shingo Mikami himself faces them.*

**Brian:** Hand Stardown’s brothers back. You do not want to resist now.

*The other good guys draw their weapons.*

**Brian:** And no backup, Shingo.

**Mikami:** None of you fools won. We have handed the brothers to the Hooded Jaw. Now you will give me Stardown or die.

**Brian:** I highly doubt it.

*Brian Force-shoves Mikami.*

**Brian:** Run!

*Ninja warriors seem to teleport in front of them.*

*Meanwhile…*

**Stardown: Thanks for the rescue, Doctor!**

**The Doctor:** Hooded Jaw will not expect a fight to get your brothers back.

**Stardown:** Shall we get ‘em back?

**The Doctor:** You bet.

**Hooded Jaw:** Hahahahahaha!

*The Doctor and Stardown race toward Hooded Jaw. They have prepared themselves against Smartie-themed attacks.*

**Hooded Jaw:** I’m so glad you stopped by!

**The Doctor:** Smartie attacks won’t work on us.

**Stardown:** Hand over my brothers!

**Hooded Jaw:** Why? I won fair and square.

**Stardown:** Hmm… How about this golden Babylonian goblet in exchange for my brothers?

**Hooded Jaw:** Not interested.

*Stardown looks to see where his brothers are.*

**Hooded Jaw:** You’re not having them.

**Stardown:** They are mine to begin with and you know it.

**Hooded Jaw:** You didn’t win, so you don’t have them!

**Stardown:** The whole tournament doesn’t matter if my stolen brothers are involved!

**Mikami:** Speak to me with your inquiries.

**Stardown:** Give. Me. My. Brothers. Now! Don’t say no or you’re gonna get it.

*Hooded Jaw gets out his camera.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Aww, he’s so cute when he’s mad!

*Snap! Snap!*

**Hooded Jaw:** I’m putting this on Instagram!

**Mikami:** Hand yourself over, Stardown.

**Stardown:** Not until I find my brothers?

**Mikami:** Why are you obsessed with someone else’s prizes? You don’t deserve them, anyway.

*Stardown is shocked. He is pulled out of it when the Doctor begins running back to the TARDIS. Stardown follows.*

**Mikami:** It’s too late now, Stardown. Not that I was giving them to you anyway.

*He draws a throwing star.*

**The Doctor:** Run, Stardown! The TARDIS will protect you!

*Mikami enters the TARDIS just before the doors finish closing.*

**Mikami:** Impressive. Give me Stardown now.

**The Doctor:** You too have noticed this box is bigger on the inside?

*Mikami sees Stardown dash down one of the halls, but when he gets there, Stardown is not there.*

**Mikami:** What kind of structure is this?! It’s like the hallways keep changing!

*He continues down the halls, but the TARDIS will not let him near Stardown.*

**Mikami:** You know the rules: Hand over Stardown now!

**The Doctor:** I’ve got other ideas, if you don’t mind.

*He dematerializes.*

**Mikami:** Your friends will suffer from your actions.

**The Doctor:** How, when you’re trapped here with me? You do raise a good point, though.

*Mikami sees Stardown in the distance, sticking his tongue out at him before he disappears. The merry chase continues.*

**Mikami:** \*sigh\* His confidence will overtake him.

*The Doctor has located the signal coming from the brothers’ utility belts.*

**The Doctor:** They’re headed for Plit.

**Mikami:** Why are you so obsessed about the prizes? You’re making a fool of yourself.

**Stardown:** You want me, shogun? Here I am.

**Mikami:** Ready to meet the Hooded Jaw?

**Stardown:** He’s not on board. Catch me if you can!

*He runs.*

*Mikami throws a star at him.*

*But Stardown is already gone. Sable enters and fires glowing pink rope at Mikami, binding him.*

**Sable:** That should hold you.

*She turns around and sees Mikami standing there.*

**Sable:** Waa? H-H-How?

*Sable blasts Mikami as the Doctor materializes, and leaves the TARDIS, sealing the doors first.*

**Mikami:** What is your deal? Why are you so obsessed about someone else’s prizes?

**Sable:** Don’t make me laugh. If Bowser kidnapped Peach and one of the Koopalings won her, does that mean the Mario Bros. can’t have her because she’s the Koopaling’s prize.

**Mikami:** The Koopalings are affiliated with Bowser. The Hooded Jaw is not affiliated with me.

**Sable:** It doesn’t matter. What if another villain won her instead? Can the Mario Bros. have her back then?

**Mikami:** I don’t have time for this.

*He presses the button to open the door and leaves.*

*Moments later, the Doctor enters with Stardown’s brothers and dematerializes.*

**The Doctor:** Thank goodness for these invisibility collars I supplied you all, eh?

**Sable:** I bet they don’t even know they’re gone.

**The Doctor:** Uh, where’s Mikami?

**Sable:** He left.

*The Doctor maneuvers the TARDIS back to Hokkaido and checks to see if Stardowbn’s friends are safe.*

*He sees them running out of the fort with several samurai chasing them.*

*The TARDIS materializes in front of them.*

**The Doctor:** Quick! Inside!

*As soon as the last Guardian is inside, the TARDIS dematerializes.*

**The Doctor: (over intercom)** It’s safe to come out now, Stardown.

*He enters the main room.*

**Stardown:** You survived!

**Brian:** We wouldn’t have if it weren’t for our friend here.

**Kervo:** How is this machine bigger on the inside?

**Tails:** I’d love to study the mechanics of this ship!

**Amy:** Who are you?

**The Doctor:** I’m the Doctor.

**Sonic:** Doctor who?

**The Doctor:** Haha, I get that every time.

**Brian:** Shall we return to Plit?

**The Doctor:** Yes.

*They later arrive.*

*The Doctor leaves after he and Brian trade numbers.*

**Stardown:** Let’s ask Arnold if he has more information about the Shmice.

**Arnold:** How was your trip, Stardown?

**Stardown:** None of us won. But we got our brothers back.

**Arnold:** You’ll have to tell me more later. We received a mysterious message yesterday.

**Message:** ………..Help………..al………..tatio………...urry……..

**Arnold:** We think it’s coming from a space station. We have also matched this message’s voice with Arctica’s voice. Do you accept this mission.

**Stardown:** Yes, I do. Who’s with me?

*Sonic raises his hand.*

*They are soon at the space station.*

**Sonic:** Wait a minute. Isn’t this the same space station that we went to with Jek-14?

**Stardown:** Yes, it is.

**Sonic:** I wonder if that mysterious note is still there.

**Stardown:** Wait, here’s a different one.

**Note:** Rendezvous 3rd floor. A.

**Sonic:** Let’s head there!

*They are soon there. Of course, Sonic is there before Stardown.*

**Sonic:** I… don’t see anyone.

**Stardown:** Wait! I hear footsteps.

*They soon see a bounty hunter in a green suit walk down one of the adjacent halls.*

**Sonic:** Who is that?

*Soon, Armaul joins the first figure.*

**Armaul:** So you got Ace’s personal hovercraft, Aero.

**Aero:** Yup.

**Armaul:** Good. We’ll use it to nab Stardown tonight. Oh, and you’ll need this to fund your next mission.

*He hands Aero a bag.*

**Armaul:** Good luck.

*They part ways.*

**Sonic:** What should you do?

**Stardown:** I won’t return to base tonight. I hope Commander Arnold will understand.

*Stardown picks up his phone to call him.*

**Stardown:** I’m calling to report a bounty hunter meeting I overheard here at the space station. They stole Uncle Ace’s speeder and plan to kidnap me tonight. Permission to stay away from base tonight?

**Arnold:** That will be okay. Please be careful.

**Stardown:** I will.

*He hangs up.*

**Sonic:** I hope they didn’t trace our call.

**Stardown:** I don’t think they did, but one can’t be too careful…

*They resume their search for Arctica.*

**Sonic:** This closet’s locked.

**Stardown:** Nothing a lightsaber can’t fix.

*He carefully cuts the door from its hinges.*

**Stardown:** No one in here.

**Stardown:** Where else could she be?

**Sonic:** Here’s another locked closet.

**Stardown:** Something tells me she’s not in a closet.

**Sonic:** Should we bother?

**Stardown:** Might as well.

*He checks.*

**Stardown:** Nothing.

*Ten minutes later and still nothing.*

**Sonic:** I hear footsteps.

*Stardown pauses.*

**Sonic:** Quick, hide!

*They do.*

**Aero:** Someone was in here.

**Sonic:** You bet someone was in here!

*He flies into Armaul, knocking him over.*

**Armaul:** Foolish rodent.

**Aero:** The key word here is “was”.

*He spreads his rocket wings on his back and flies towars Sonic.*

*Sonic spin-dashes at Aero.*

*He manages to damage one of Aero’s wings.*

*Aero draws a fancy spear-like weapon.*

**Sonic:** C’mon. Let’s see something better.

**Aero:** Oh, you’ve seen nothing yet!

*As soon as he releases the spear, it turns into a super-fast green bolt of energy before hitting the opposite wall and landing as a harmless spear.*

*Sonic dashes forward.*

**Aero:** B-But my spear never fails.

*Sonic slams into him, knocking him into the wall.*

*Armaul, knowing better than to mess with Sonic, started to flee.*

*Stardown, who was still hiding, drew his stun ray and took aim.*

*Aero got up and followed Armaul.*

*Stardown hit Aero.*

**Armaul:** Who fired that?!

**Stardown:** Me!

*Stardown steps out of hiding.*

*He also neutralizes Armaul, then calls Arnold to come pick them up. He also calls off the staying away from base.*

**???:** Those coward didn’t think they could keep me in there forever, did they?

**Stardown:** Who’s there?

**???:** Just me…

*Arctica enters the room.*

**Stardown:** Arctica? How did you escape?

**Arctica:** They left a nice big hammer in my room.

**Stardown: (Aside to Sonic)** It sounds like her escape was too easy. Something’s up...

**Arctica:** Follow me. I have them captured.

*She begins to leave.*

*Stardown reluctantly follows.*

*They soon enter the room.*

**Stardown:** Where are they?

**Arctica:** In there.

*She motions to a door.*

**Stardown: (to Sonic)** Should we?

**Sonic:** I don’t know.

**Arctica:** You don’t trust me?

**Stardown:** Fine then.

*They enter.*

*The door slams behind them.*

**Sonic:** It’s locked!

*Stardown tries his lightsaber on the door.*

**Stardown:** It’s barely working.

**Sonic:** What’s it made of?

**Arctica:** It’s no use, fools.

**Stardown:** If you’re not really Arctica, then who are you?

**Arctica:** Not something for you to know.

**Stardown:** Wait. If I can barely get through the door, then that means I can to some extent.

*He tries again.*

*Another door lands in front of the first.*

**Arctica:** Like I said, it’s no use.

**Stardown:** How many of these doors are there?

**Arctica:** Enough.

**Stardown:** I bet you weren’t really captured.

**Arctica:** Of course not!

*Stardown has an idea. Could she be affected by Ponoko’s disease?*

**Stardown:** Who am I?

**Arctica:** I haven’t any time for games.

*She walks away.*

**Sonic:** There are several doors over here.

*Stardown tries some of them.*

**Stardown:** Locked.

*He begins to hear noises behind them.*

**Stardown:** I think they’re being unlocked!

*Stardown stands his ground, ready for battle.*

*The doors open.*

*Several mechanical robot-like creatures enter the room. They have eyestalks, gunsticks, sucker tools, and heavy armor.*

**Robot 1:** Freeze!

**Robot 2:** We have you surrounded!

**Robot 3:** Don’t move!

**Stardown:** Who are you?! What do you want?!

**Robot 1:** We are the Daleks.

**Robot 2:** We are the supreme race of the universe.

**Robot 3:** You are our prisoners!

**Sonic:** Yeah, yeah.

*He spin-dashes at one of them.*

**Dalek:** Exterminate!

**Stardown:** These guys remind me of the Robans...

*He draws his lightsabers.*

*Stardown blocks the Daleks’ death rays.*

**Daleks:** Exterminate! Exterminate!

**Stardown:** This is gonna be tough!

*Sonic tripped while fighting.*

**Dalek:** Extract his brain waves!

*A Dalek moves over to Sonic.*

*Stardown leaps between them.*

**Dalek:** Exterminate!

*It fires away at Stardown.*

*Stardown blocks the laser.*

**Stardown:** So what are you here for, Daleks?

**Dalek:** Exterminate!

**Stardown:** There’s a bit more to it than that…

*Sonic gets up.*

*Sonic does a Sonic Spin.*

*The battle with the Daleks continues.*

**Arctica:** Are they dead yet?

**Dalek:** Negative.

*Arctica sighs.*

*The fight goes on. Eventually, Stardown and Sonic get the upper hand.*

**Dalek:** Exterminate! Exterminate!

**Sonic:** Sorry, buddy, but the only ones getting exterminated today are you guys!

**Dalek:** Exterminate him!

*The Daleks fire repeatedly at him; however, the lasers get lost in the spinning.*

**Sonic:** Is that all you got?

**Dalek:** Exterminate! Exterminate!

*Stardown blocks more of the lasers while trying to cut through the door.*

*The Daleks close in around him.*

**Stardown:** Just think, Daleks: If you’re the supreme race of the universe, why is an inferior species commanding you?

**Dalek:** I do not understand.

**Dalek:** An inferior species is commanding us!

**Dalek:** We will exterminate her!

*The Daleks break through the door.*

**Sonic:** Nice going, Stardown.

**Daleks:** Exterminate! Exterminate!

**Sonic:** Should we try and stop them?

**Stardown:** Let them go. Now that we know Arctica’s against us, we should head back to base.

*Arctica enters.*

**Arctica:** Not so fast, fools.

**Stardown:** I don’t have time for this. You can’t catch us both of us at once.

*Stardown and Sonic get past Arctica.*

**Arctica:** You wouldn’t want your friends to stay captured forever, would you?

**Stardown:** What friend? Oh, you mean you’re not the real Arctica?

**Arctica:** Of course I’m not! The real Arctica is still captured.

**Sonic:** Then who are you?

**Arctica:** You don’t know me.

**Stardown:** But we’d like to.

**Arctica:** Shelly. Now just what are you doing here anyway?

**Stardown:** We’re here to rescue Arctica.

**Shelly:** How did you know she was here?

**Stardown:** We got a distress call from this location.

**Shelly:** Thanks for telling me that, sonny. I’ll take that device away from her.

*Stardown fires a force bubble at her.*

**Stardown:** We’ll be right back.

*She pulls out a device and presses a button.*

**Sonic:** Where shall we look?

**Stardown:** Wait a minute. Since you could search the whole station in under a minute, maybe you could do that while I guard Shelly?

**Sonic:** Sure!

*He dashes off. Stardown heads back to the other room. Shelly was still in the bubble.*

**Shelly:** What do you want now?

**Stardown:** Just stopping by to say hi.

**Shelly:** Hello, then…?

**Stardown:** I hope I don’t sound nosy, but if you’re not really Arctica, then are you really an arctic fox?

**Shelly:** Hah! What do you think I look like? A hippo?

*Stardown shrugs.*

**Stardown:** Sorry I asked. Have you been good for the few seconds I was away?

**Shelly:** Good?! You think I’m your child or something?!

**Stardown:** Just a simple yes or no will suffice.

**Shelly:** Get outta here.

**Stardown:** Nope.

**Shelly:** What d’you want sonny?!

*Sonic races back.*

**Stardown:** Find anything?

**Sonic:** Nope. Not a trace.

**Stardown:** Well, we might as well head back.

*Stardown and Sonic fly back to base, bringing Shelly with them. She is still in the force bubble.*

**Brian:** Welcome back! Did you find her?

**Stardown:** No. But we were positive she was there. We did, however, find an arctic fox named Shelly, who was impersonating Arctica. She might have some answers.

**Shelly:** You can hold me captive for as long as you wish, but I won’t tell you anything.

**Brian:** We’ll see about that.

*A few guards take here away.*

**Brian:** Stardown, do you have a minute?

**Stardown:** Yes, I do. What’s up?

**Brian:** The Shmouse sightings have been confirmed. They’re having a massive military march. Literally millions of Shmice are there with thousands of vehicles. We don’t know how they built an army of such a size without anyone knowing it. Oh, I’ll be right back.

*Brian leaves. A few of Stardown’s friends enter.*

**Stardown:** Has anything interesting happened here while I was away?

**Amy:** Nothing much, other than one of Tails’ tails getting run over. Drivers these days…

**Stardown:** Oh, dear! Tails, are you all right?

**Tails:** I am. I can fly for short distances already.

**Stardown:** That’s good. Whenever I have spare time, I should research the new threat I encountered today.

**Kervo:** What threat?

**Stardown:** They call themselves the Daleks. These robots think they’re the supreme race of the universe.

**Hiroshimi:** I’ve heard of them. They’re the Doctor’s oldest enemies.

**Stardown:** But what are they doing here? And how did Shelly get them into her service?

**Hiroshimi:** We’ll just have to wait ‘til she’s ready to talk.

*Brian returns.*

*Stardown fell over.*

**Brian:** Stardown? Are you okay?

**Stardown:** I… have… Mercuritis…

**Brian:** We’re getting you to bed. We don’t know if it’s 2.0.

**Hiroshimi:** It’s neither one nor two.

**Brian:** What do you mean?

**Hiroshimi:** It’s three.

**Brian:** What are the symptoms?

**Hiroshimi:** His presence will mess up all of the computers. They won’t be able to do much other than show his location.

**Brian:** Does this mean we have to hide him in an area without any computers?

**Hiroshimi:** That’s right.

*Brian arranges for Stardown to be moved down the secret passage.*

*Arnold himself and all the captains joined them.*

**Arnold:** We have been watching the Shmouse march. This is no happy defense force. This is a full attack force ready to take on the world.

**Stardown:** But I beat them not terribly long ago. They shouldn’t be back and rearing up an army.

**Arnold:** If they’re like this, they’ll most likely declare war on us soon.

**Stardown:** What are they really up to?

**Arnold:** We think they’re ready to start their empire again.

**Stardown:** But I can’t possibly take them on in this state?

**Arnold:** Don’t worry. We have support.

*A captain walks in.*

**Captain:** The march is over. They have declared war on the Mushroom Kingdom and its allied nations.

*Arnold stands up.*

**Arnold:** Are they alone in this?

**Captain:** No. They’re directly supported by the Bartletts. There are also several minor groups on their side.

**Stardown:** So the Bartletts support the Shmice?! And why would the Shmice attack up unprovoked?

**Arnold:** Well… We are one of the reasons the fell the first time.

**Stardown:** But they attacked up unprovoked the first time as well.

**Arnold:** Anyone who’s not for them is against them.

**Captain:** I’ll check for new reports.

*The captain leaves.*

**Stardown:** How would I have gotten Mercuritis 3.0? And who keeps inventing it?

**Brian:** Maybe it’s a villain we’ve never heard of.

*The captain returned shortly later.*

**Captain:** The Lambs have declared an all-out war with two armies. They are sending out 98% of their active military. Their army is at peak strength with over fifty thousand soldiers.

**Arnold:** The Lambs. They are the most loyal friends one could ever have. However, they won’t stand a chance against such odds.

**Captain:** Oh, and some good news: The minor villains have also declared war on the enemies, and are siding with us for this war.

**Stardown:** This should prove interesting...

**Brian:** The Hooded Jaw kinda hates us right now.

**Stardown:** But I thought he called himself my best friend a while back.

**Brian:** Who knows what to think of him.

**Stardown:** Does Mercuritis 3.0 replicate itself like 2.0 does?

**Hiroshimi:** I don’t know anything else about it.

**Stardown:** I may need to be quarantined. We don’t know what Mercuritis 3.0 is capable of.

**Arnold:** We’ll let you get some rest.

*They leave.*

**Arnold:** We need to prepare.

**Captain:** What if we tried talking the Shmice out of conquering us?

**Arnold:** They wouldn’t listen. They’re set in their ways.

**Captain:** Just like the Woolzarians.

**Arnold:** The Lambs are about to attack Capaldi Beach. We will aid them.

*So forces are sent out.*

*After a three-hour rest, Stardown wakes up.*

*Amy comes in to check on him.*

**Amy:** Is everything all right?

**Stardown:** I feel the same as if I had Mercuritis 2.0. Oh, and did you know the Shmice are back?

**Amy:** Oh yes. They’re not too pleased about our attack.

**Stardown:** I thought they would have learned their lesson by now.

**Amy:** We have our defense force ready in case they strike back.

**Stardown:** That’s good.

**Amy:** Do you need anything while I’m here?

**Stardown:** For now, nothing other than protection. The one good reason I have Mercuritis is because someone wants to capture me.

**Amy:** Don’t worry. The tunnel is well guarded.

*She leaves.*

*Meanwhile...*

**Shmouse Captain:** The Capaldi Beach defenses are failing.

**Shmouse General:** \*sigh\* You expect me to fix everything?

**Shmouse Captain:** Well…

**Shmouse General:** You have proven your lack of trustworthiness with responsibility. I regret appointing you as captain.

**Shmouse Captain:** How can I help it? The resources are terrible, and we barely have-

**Shmouse General:** Silence! If you only heeded your general’s advice, you wouldn’t be in this mess.

**Shmouse Captain:** But-

**Shmouse General:** No buts. You seem to “know” what you’re doing. Begone! Fix your own blundering!

**Guardian Captain:** Hey! Looks like the Shmice are leaving!

**Brian:** Something doesn’t feel quite right.

*A few giant Shmouse vehicles drive in out of nowhere.*

**John:** Uh oh.

*A huge landmine destroys one of them. The other two stop.*

**Dallas:** Yeah! That’s what we’re talkin’ about!

**Tails:** Who placed that there?

*Over a thousand Shmouse soldiers dressed in fancy outfits march toward them.*

**Brian:** Hmm. Okay.

*Brian presses a button, trapping the Shmouse soldiers in a force bubble. Sonic goes into a Sonic Tornado and blows the two vehicles away.*

**Roadrunner:** Well that was easy!

**Hiroshimi:** Be careful. There may be more landmines.

*They begin heading back to their transporters.*

**Amy:** This is a really nice beach. I wonder why no one lives here.

*Brian points to the water.*

**Brian:** That’s why.

*A giant sea monster emerges.*

**Sea Monster:** What are you doing on my island?!

**Brian:** We were fighting the Shmice.

**Sea Monster:** What?

**Brian:** We were fighting the Shmice.

**Sea Monster:** I can’t hear you!

**Brian:** We were fighting the Shmice!

**Sea Monster:** You were knighting the ice? Well…

**Brian:** Fighting the Shmice!

**Sea Monster:** Lice?

**Brian:** Shmice!

**Sea Monster:** Rice?

**Brian:** Never mind!

**Sea Monster:** What?

**Brian:** I said, Never mind!

**Sea Monster:** What?

*Brian just shakes his head as they prepare to leave.*

**Sea Monster:** Enjoy some background music!

*She placed a giant radio on the beach. It was so loud that everything rippled and vibrated.*

*Brian and the others leave.*

**Sea Monster:** Hey! Wait up!

**Brian:** We need to get going. We’re in a war with the Shmice.

**Sea Monster:** Say that again?

**Brian:** We’re fighting the Shmice!

**Dallas:** Not this again...

**Sea Monster:** Knighting the ice. Yes.

**Brian:** Sorry, we need to go, uh, knight the ice.

**Sea Monster:** White the lice? Why would you need to do that?

*Kervo is writing “We’re fighting the Shmice” on the windshield.*

**Sea Monster:** Oh sorry! The radio turned off.

*She turns it back on. It was so loud that it shattered the windshield Kervo was writing on.*

**Brian:** Why are we even here?

*They leave.*

**Sea Monster:** Wait!

**Brian:** What now?

**Sea Monster:** What?

*Brian could barely stand because of the noise.*

*They really leave before the sea monster could stop them.*

*Several Guardians were rushed to the ER due to ear damage.*

*Stardown was getting bored.*

*One of the only things in the room was an old comic book he had read twice.*

**Stardown:** Who would want to capture me?

*The first thing that came to mind were the Bounty Hunters. Then he thought the Shmice. And the Hooded Jaw.*

*Stardown’s thoughts settled on the bounty hunters.*

*He soon drifted to sleep…*

*Hiroshimi was at the monitors.*

**Hiroshimi:** No sign of Shmouse attacks.

**Arnold:** Any other threats?

**Hiroshimi:** Let’s see… Nope. Not that I can tell.

**Arnold:** Good.

**Amy:** Maybe Stardown doesn’t need to hide after all.

**Brian:** Well, we don’t know what the villains are up to. Also, Stardown is being quarantined because of his Mercuritis.

*Elsewhere...*

**Hooded Jaw:** Has you picked up anything?

**Luis:** It’s have you, and no, I haven’t.

**Italian Mouse:** A-what-a-a-a-shame-a!

**Rainmaker:** Here, let me try. Let it lightning!

*Zap!*

**Luis:** Look what you’ve done!

**Rainmaker:** I fixed it, right?

**Luis:** No you blockhead.

**Dominick:** He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!

**Luis:** Does that donkey have a mute button?

**Hooded Jaw:** Fortunately, no.

**Dominick:** He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!

**Luis:** Fortunately?!

**Firius:** If he were silent, we’d have Marvin to worry about.

*Chomp!*

**Rich:** Thar goes the computer.

**Dominick:** He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!

**Firius:** Does this mean we can’t find Stardown?!

**Luis:** We never shoulda used this stuff.

**Dominick:** He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!

**Luis:** Oh give it a rest!

**Zelle:** We should call Arctic Tail. He has a Mercuritis tracker.

**Luis:** Yeah, and so did we…

*He turns to the Hooded Jaw.*

**Luis:** ...until your moose ate it!

**Zelle:** I’ve got a holocommunicator.

*She heads to another room.*

**Luis:** We don’t need to call nobody.

*Marvin joins Zelle.*

**Marvin:** What’s that you got?

*Zelle pockets the holocommunicator.*

**Zelle:** Oh, nothing, really.

**Marvin:** What’s the really? Moose snacks?

**Zelle:** NO. If you’re really starving, there’s always that donkey’s boombox.

**Marvin:** I can’t eat his stuff.

*Chomp!*

*He ate one of her pockets.*

**Zelle**: Security!

*Dominick sticks his head in the doorway.*

**Dominick:** He-haw!

*Marvin lumbers out. Zelle closes and locks the door before calling Arctic Tail.*

**Marvin**: Wait a minute.

*He turns around and eats the door, knob and all.*

**Marvin:** Yummy!

*Zelle flies out a window and hovers fifteen feet above the ground before dialing the number.*

*Marvin leaps out the window after her.*

*He doesn’t quite reach her. He keeps jumping underneath her, but doesn’t make* it.

**Marvin:** Drop it!

**Zelle:** Quiet! I’m on the phone!

**Marvin:** I wanna eat it!

**Arctic Tail:** What on earth is going on?

**Marvin:** Pleeeeeeeaaaase!

**Zelle:** This is Zelle of the BHS. Do you have a Mercuritis 3.0 tracker?

**Marvin:** Nope. Just one.

*Marvin climbs a ladder.*

*Zelle flies away from the building, but still stays near it.*

**Zelle:** Oh, and do you also have crazy moose repellant?

**Arctic Tail:** Crazy what?

**Zelle:** This moose is trying to eat my holocommunicator. I have no idea why the minor villains recruited him.

*She turns around and sees Marvin flying toward her with a propeller beanie.*

**Zelle:** Argh! Just take it!

*She throws the holocommunicator at him and flies toward the BHS base on Goat Island. She then activates the Mercuritis 3.0 tracker.*

*Chomp!*

**Zelle:** Still nothing!

**Marvin:** YUM!!!

**Zelle:** Oh wait, I haven’t activated this switch...

*Click.*

**Zelle:** Nothing.

*She sees Marvin on a water speeder.*

*Security blaster are set up as Zelle flips a few more switches.*

*A large blue holographic Hooded Jaw head appears in front of her.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Stop shooting my moosie!

**Marvin:** YUM! More! More!

**Zelle:** Then send him back. What is his mouth made of, anyway?

**Dominick:** He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!

**Zelle:** Really? You had to bring your donkey? Wait, what if Stardown is in a signal-proof area?

**Marvin:** What if…?

*Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!*

**Zelle:** That’s it! Stardown’s in a signal-proof zone! Maybe even that tunnel! I wonder where it goes.

*Chomp!*

**Zelle:** Oow!

*Zelle gets on a hyper-speeder and takes off for the Guardian base.*

*A few minutes earlier with Stardown...*

*A maid walks in.*

**Maid:** Your lunch.

*She sets a tray beside him.*

*She leaves, and Stardown begins eating. Suddenly, Stardown feels fuzzy, simultaneously pixelating. This lasts for two seconds.*

**Stardown:** They’re looking for me…

*In the main room, an alarm goes off.*

**Arnold:** They’re looking for Stardown! Fortunately the signal blocker is doing its job.

**Captain:** Let’s try and capture one of ‘em.

**Hiroshimi:** But there’s nothing on the radar.

**Brian:** Let’s keep watching it.

*Meanwhile, Stardown pixelates again.*

**Stardown:** They must be picking me up.

*He pixelates one more time. Then nothing.*

**Hiroshimi:** I see something.

**Arnold:** Everyone to your posts! Protect Stardown!

*There’s a knock on the door.*

*A guard opens it.*

*An old lady stands there.*

**Old Lady:** What a handsome young man! May I come in?

**Guard:** Erm… okay.

**Old Lady:** May my friends come in as well?

*The guard peeks out the door and sees the friends.*

*They are also grannies.*

*The guard draws a lie detector, but holds it out of sight of the grannies.*

**Guard:** Do any of them happen to be a donkey, a moose, or any of those guys?

**Granny:** I’m sorry?

**Guard:** We were told to watch for them. Wait, you must be the minor villains! Who else would go undercover to infiltrate our base out of all places?

**Granny:** Oh no! There are Shmice in your Guardian!

**Guard:** Who told you this?

*The lie detector goes off.*

**Granny:** Get him!

*Ha ha ha he-haw he-haw ha ha he-haw ha ha he-haw*

*The minor villains knocked him unconscious before he could do anything.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Did anyone see? No? Good.

*Several guards rush in.*

**Guard:** You underestimated our cameras!

*They trap the minor villains in force bubbles.*

**Hooded Jaw:** It’s okay, guys… We are only a diversion!

*The real Hooded Jaw and friends rush in.*

**Hooded Jaw:** We have force bubbles too!

*The trap the guards and free their fake selves.*

*More guards rush in and trap everyone in force fields.*

**Guard:** Fortunately we had a backup plan as well!

**Guard:** We forgot one.

**Dominick:** HE-HAW!

*The bray pops the bubbles, and the minor villains scrambled.*

*A switch is pulled and, as the guards leave, the room is bathed in a yellow light that pulls all the minor villains to the ceiling. Not one is missed.*

**Psycho:** Aw man!

**Hooded Jaw:** Hey! The guards left! We can try and escape!

**Rainmaker:** Let it rain!

*The rain frees them, and they all leave the room.*

*Meanwhile, the bounty hunters get in through another entrance and are storming down the passage.*

*Marvin was following them.*

**Marvin:** Is there food down there?

*Zelle tranks him.*

**Guard: (in the distance)** Hey you! Stop!

**Zelle:** Later, losers!

*She flies down the passage, leaving the others behind.*

**Rich:** Yar. I can’t keep up with ya.

**Dr. Sykk:** I wish Aero was here. He would beat Zelle in a race easily!

**Zelle: (from up ahead)** No he wouldn’t!

**Luis:** We’re… almost… there.

*Meanwhile, Stardown has no idea they are coming. The teleporter that was set up earlier starts to ripple as someone enters.*

**Dallas:** Need anythin’?

**Stardown:** I think they’re coming. I’m going to-

*He pixelates for a lot longer than two seconds.*

**Stardown:** Need… backup...

*Dallas draws his lasso.*

**Dallas:** I’ll keep ‘em at bay.

*Stardown hears the distant sound of an alarm as the portal ripples again.*

**Maid:** Tea.

**Stardown:** Send backup… They’re coming...

*The Hooded Jaw was somehow in the midst of the Bounty Hunters.*

**Hooded Jaw:** We’re coming for you, Stardown!

*The maid sets the tea down and heads through the portal. Seconds later, backup arrives.*

*The enemies enter.*

*The guards engage the enemies as Sonic, Tails, Mark, and Amy emerge through the portal.*

**Amy:** Stardown! What’s happening to you?

**Stardown:** Mercuritis lock… Paralyzed…

*Sonic and Mark take on the nearby enemies as Tails and Amy help Stardown through the portal.*

**Marvin:** Biggest! Buffet! Ever!

**Zelle:** You again?!

**Marvin:** Guess what guys! HE LEFT HIS TEA BEHIND!

**Zelle:** Sigh.

**Marvin:** This cup doesn’t look half bad.

*Chomp.*

**Marvin:** Looks tasty!!!

**Marvin:** And the coaster it was on!

*Crunch!*

**Zelle:** Look, everyone, a portal!

*He rushes over.*

**Zelle:** NO!

*She leaps through the portal before Marvin gets to it.*

*Nibble nibble nibble…*

**Marvin:** YUMMY!!!!!

*Meanwhile...*

**Rainmaker:** Let’s take this place over!

**Italian Mouse:** Yeah!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Guard:** Freeze!

*They fire their prison teleporters, teleporting the villains to prison.*

**Guard:** Looks like these prototypes are worling well.

**Rainmaker:** We’re in prison!

**Italian Mouse:** Woohoo!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

*Meanwhile, with Stardown, Zelle emerges through the portal.*

**Zelle:** Found you!

**Tails:** You don’t have him yet!

**Amy:** Not by a long shot!

*She draws her hammer.*

**Zelle:** Is that all you have?

**Amy:** What do you mean?

**Zelle:** It’s nothing more than a toy hammer.

*She draws her twin blasters.*

**Amy:** Tails, escort Stardown to safety. I’ve got this.

*Meanwhile, the villains are fleeing back down the tunnel, with the guards in hot pursuit. The Hooded Jaw is riding on Marvin’s shoulders.*

**Hooded Jaw:** I’ll give you a dozen Smarties if you can go 8mph faster!

**Marvin:** OOOOHHH YEEAAH!!!!!!!

*Sonic catches up to them.*

**Sonic:** Going somewhere?

**Hooded Jaw:** My moose is hungry…

**Sonic:** He can eat all he wants once he’s in prison!

**Marvin:** Including the bars!

*He speeds up.*

*So does Sonic.*

**Marvin:** You look pretty tasty…

**Sonic:** ...What now?

*Marvin moves closer to Sonic*.

**Sonic:** No way! This hedgehog is off the menu!

**Marvin:** That’s what you think!

*Sonic stops instantly, confusing Marvin.*

**Marvin:** Bye!

*He speeds off.*

**Sonic:** He won’t get far. Time to stop the others!

**Rainmaker:** If only Marvin was here…

**Firius:** You’re crazy!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Italian Mouse:** I see what you mean, though. He could eat through the bars.

*Meanwhile…*

**Zelle:** You’re a pesty one.

**Amy:** That’s no way to treat a lady!

**Stardown:** Tails… how long might it… take for the other… villains to get here?

**Tails:** Not long if they know where we are.

**Stardown:** Amy… try to shut down… her tracker!

**Amy:** What did you say?

**Zelle:** Don’t worry ‘bout it.

**Tails:** Calm yourself, Stardown. You’ll stop pixelating in no time.

*Luis rounds the corner and charges toward Stardown.*

*Amy swings her hammer into him.*

**Amy:** It’s rude to come in uninvited, you know!

*Luis draws a blaster.*

**Luis:** Drop that hammer!

**Amy:** Fat chance!

*He starts firing.*

**Tails:** Do as he says. It’ll make things a lot easier on us.

**Luis:** Yes, do as I say.

**Zelle:** Yes, do as he says.

**Luis:** We’re not getting anywhere!

*Marvin and the Hooded Jaw round the corner.*

**Hooded Jaw:** There he is!

**Marvin:** YUM!!!

**Hooded Jaw:** You’re not gonna eat him.

*Sonic, Mark, and the guards arrive.*

**Tails:** Let’s get out of here, Stardown.

**Stardown:** I agree…

*The Hooded Jaw dismounts from Marvin and rushes toward Stardown.*

*Tails swings his namesakes into the Hooded Jaw, knocking him back.*

**Marvin:** YUMMY!!!

*He rushes for Tails.*

**Hooded Jaw:** I’m coming for you Stardown!

**Tails:** Run for it!

**Stardown:** I can’t… I’m too weak…

*Marvin is knocked back by Amy’s hammer*.

**Marvin:** Yum!

*He eats it.*

**Amy:** Why must you eat everything?!

**Marvin:** Why must you hit everyone?

**Hooded Jaw:** Just grab the kid and get out of here. Oh, where are the others?

**Zelle:** Over here.

*Zelle and Luis were fighting the backup that had arrived.*

**Hooded Jaw:** I meant Rainie and the others.

**Zelle:** Who knows?

*The guards engage the villains as Tails escapes with Stardown.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Oh no you don’t!

*The guards restrain him.*

**Hooded Jaw:** ‘Scuse me.

*He breaks loose.*

*He is force bubbled.*

*Tails helps Stardown outside the base into the safety of more guards.*

**Stardown:** Hopefully… Amy can shut down… that tracker…

**Hooded Jaw:** Let! Me! Out!

**Marvin:** Okay!

*Chomp!*

**Hooded Jaw:** After him!

*The guards inside fire lasers at Marvin to keep him busy. They also trip the Hooded Jaw and handcuff him before taking him away.*

**Hooded Jaw:** These look good!

*Chomp!*

*He bites through the handcuffs.*

**Zelle:** Not you too…

*The guards have an idea. They race Stardown to a nearby shuttle.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Wait up!

*He is restrained by the guards.*

**Marvin:** Must. Eat. Ship.

*He runs over to the shuttle. Just as he is about to start eating the ship, he is finally knocked unconscious by the butt of a blaster rifle. Fortunately, the damage is not severe.*

**Hooded Jaw:** You killed my moosie!

**Zelle:** No he didn’t.

*The Hooded Jaw breaks free again, races to the shuttle, and manages to get a hold of Stardown.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Gotcha!

*As the shuttle starts to rise, Stardown kicks off the Hooded Jaw.*

**Stardown:** I’m glad I’m wearing my seat belt. Hey, I’m not pixelating any more!

**Tails:** Yes!

*Amy runs outside.*

**Amy:** I managed to shut down Zelle’s tracker!

**Hooded Jaw:** Blaaaaast!

*He is restrained again.*

*The shuttle takes off.*

**Hooded Jaw:** I’ll get you Stardown! I’ll get you if it’s the last thing I do!

**Stardown:** So… What now?

**Tails:** That may not have been their only tracker.

**Stardown:** They might have another one back at their base.

**Tails:** We’ll know they’re tracking you again if you pixelate.

**Stardown:** Right. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.

**Tails:** Where are we going?

**Pilot:** Whale Island. We’re using it as a springboard in case the Shmice launch another attack.

**Tails:** Good idea.

*They soon land.*

*It was getting dark.*

*The pilot lets Arnold know where they are.*

**Arnold:** Be careful.

**Stardown:** We should settle in for the night.

*They drive to a hotel.*

*They are soon settled in.*

**Tails:** No running water?

**Stardown:** We’ll have to tell room service about this.

**Pilot:** Now I know why it was so cheap.

**Stardown:** Oh well, it’s only for one night, I hope.

*They soon fall asleep.*

*Meanwhile…*

**Rainmaker:** I wanna be a free man!

**Italian Mouse:** A-you-a-should-a-be-a-glad-a-slavery-a-is-a-abolished-a!

**Rainmaker:** Yeah.

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Brian:** Are any of the villains still at large?

**Guard:** Yeah. A few of them.

**Brian:** Let’s hope they’re caught before the night shift takes over.

*Chomp!*

**Guard:** What was that?!

**Guard:** The prisoners! They’ve escaped!

**Brian:** I wonder if they’ll realize Stardown’s gone?

**Rainmaker:** Let it tsunami!

**Guard:** Run!

**Brian:** What do you want now?

**Rainmaker:** Bath time!

*Brian was swept off his feet.*

*Several other guards have an idea. They knock Marvin out again, and blast him into space. When Marvin wakes up, he is at the Sweet Sweet Galaxy. He begins eating to his heart’s content.*

*He ate a whole planet in under a minute.*

**Marvin:** YUM!!!

**Brian:** Did you hear that?

*The guards begin to subdue the other villains.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Hey! You all have watched plenty of movies, you know how the guards are always weak, so these should be a piece of cake!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

*Marvin is back on Plit in a heartbeat.*

**Marvin:** Did someone say cake?

**Hooded Jaw:** It’s just an expression.

**Marvin:** Oh.

*He returns.*

**Rainmaker:** Let it lightning!

*Zap!*

**Guard:** You missed!

*The guards trap all of the villains in force bubbles.*

**Italian Mouse:** A-why-a-did-a-you-a-have-a-to-a-leave-a-us-a-Marvin-a?

**Hooded Jaw:** He will avenge us… once he’s stopped eating.

*The villains are taken away.*

**Dominick:** He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!

*Next morning with Stardown…*

**Tails:** That leak kept me up.

**Stardown:** Me too. Hopefully we won’t have to stay here long.

**Pilot:** There isn’t even a bathroom. Thankfully there’s one in the hall.

**Stardown:** Have the Shmice been making noise yet?

**Pilot:** No. But we need to stay careful.

**Stardown:** Does this room have a phone?

**Pilot:** Nope. Would you like to borrow mine?

**Stardown:** Yes.

*He calls the base, asking if it’s safe to return.*

**Brian:** No, not yet.

**Stardown:** Let me guess… that moose?

**Brian:** Yep.

**Stardown:** Why does he even exist?

**Brian:** To ruin our lives, I guess.

**Stardown:** And the lives of the minor villains, I imagine…

**Brian:** I think they sort of like him.

**Stardown:** Has Shelly divulged the location of Arctica yet?

**Brian:** We’ve been too busy to question her.

**Stardown:** And was Zelle’s Mercuritis tracker destroyed of just disabled?

**Brian:** We haven't seen it anywhere, so we are unsure.

**Stardown:** Then Zelle may need to be searched.

**Brian:** We haven’t seen her since you left.

**Stardown:** That sounds bad.

*After a little while, Stardown hangs up.*

**Pilot:** The fountain in the hall ain’t great.

**Stardown:** This hotel will need some massive renovations.

*They leave the room and head downstairs to check out. They see a strangely familiar figure in the distance.*

**Tails:** Ponoko?

*Ponoko whirls around and fires his staff at Tails.*

**Tails:** The Emperor?

**Ponoko:** Much better. A little white lie wouldn’t hurt anybody.

**Tails:** No truer words have ever been spoken.

**Stardown:** No!

*He races toward Ponoko, lightsaber drawn.*

**Ponoko:** Aren’t you the little boy that was sick?

**Stardown:** Who told you that?

**Ponoko:** A little birdie told me. YAA!!!

*He whips open his cloak, causing dozens of canaries to fly out.*

**Ponoko:** Get them, my feathered warriors!

*He bolts for Ponoko whole slashing at the canaries.*

**Stardown:** How did you take control of them?

**Ponoko:** You’ll never know…

*He fires his staff at Stardown, who blocks it.*

**Ponoko:** Hit me.

**Stardown:** I’m not falling for that.

**Ponoko:** Okay the, don’t hit me if that is your wish.

**Stardown:** If I hit you, it’ll backfire and you’ll do something terrible, so nope.

**Ponoko:** Go play with the birds then.

**Stardown:** No.

**Ponoko:** Then what will you do?

*Stardown draws a pair of handcuffs.*

**Stardown:** Arrest you.

*Ponoko teleports across the room.*

**Ponoko:** Something about arresting me?

*About a dozen canaries lift Stardown and throw him into a wall.*

**Ponoko:** You look soooo silly.

**Stardown:** I don’t have time for this.

*He, Tails, and the pilot flee toward the shuttle, which is on the other side of the building. Ponoko is in hot pursuit of them.*

**Ponoko:** Get them birdies.

*The canaries cut off the heroes.*

**Tails:** You’ve come to save us!

**Stardown:** Go! I’ll hold them off!

*Tails and the pilot flee. However, Ponoko fires another ray at Tails, who comes running back.*

**Tails:** I wanna stay!

**Ponoko:** Good boy.

*Stardown realizes that he had an unused anti-Ponoko ray.*

**Ponoko:** Is that a-

*Stardown fires the ray at Tails. The ray ricochets off him and hits Ponoko’s staff, disabling it. Tails is cured, and he flees.*

**Canary:** Scraw!

**Ponoko:** Let the baby fox go. we’ll deal with the real prize.

*Stardown flees down the corridor, slashing any canaries that come near him. He then realizes his lightsaber isn’t doing anything.*

**Stardown:** What did you do to my saber?

**Ponoko:** The work of the Ponoko ray.

*Stardown stops, kicks Ponoko back, and speeds away. Ponoko teleports in front of him.*

**Ponoko:** Going somewhere?

*Stardown shoves him aside and keeps running.*

**Ponoko:** You won’t get far.

*A dozen canaries pin Stardown. With all his might, he uses the Force to pry them off. He keeps running. Finally, the shuttle is in sight.*

**Tails:** Hurry, Stardown!

**Stardown:** I’m… getting… weak…

*He collapses in front of the door. Tails pulls him onboard and closes the door. The shuttle starts to rise. Ponoko enters the room, and fires a laser at it, but forgets that his staff is disabled.*

**Ponoko:** You’ll pay for this!

*The shuttle flies off.*

**Tails:** Where should we go now?

**Pilot:** Oh, right, I should call Brian.

*He pulls out his phone and dials the number.*

**Pilot:** Any donkeys or moose on the prowl?

**Brian:** Yep. Heard a bray ‘bout ten minutes ago. It was near the power room. Bet that moose is gonna start eating the wires.

**Dominick:** He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!

**Brian:** He’s going off again.

**Pilot:** Is it safe to return.

**Brian:** It would be a risk.

**Pilot:** You’re right. We’ll stay away for a little while longer.

*The pilot hangs up.*

**Pilot:** The villains are stirring again, so we’ll be staying away for a little while longer.

*Meanwhile…*

**Marvin:** Let’s eat!

*Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!*

**Firius:** That poor moose. It must be hard eating so little.

**Italian Mouse:** A-at-a-least-a-he-a-ate-a-a-a-planet-a.

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Marvin:** But it was really small.

*Chomp! Chomp! Zaaaap!*

**Marvin:** YUMMY!!!

*Chomp zaaaaap!*

**Marvin:** OOOOHHHHYYEEAAHH!

**Black Widow:** Really?

**Hooded Jaw:** I wonder if they’re as good as they sound.

*Chomp! Zaaap!*

**Hooded Jaw:** Weee! You should try them!

**Black Widow:** Really really?

**Italian Mouse:** A-I-a-think-a-I’ll-a-try-a-one-a.

**Dominick:** He-haw!

*Nibble nibble nibble…*

*Snap! Crackle! Pop!*

**Italian Mouse:** A-my-a-mouth-a-is-a-filled-a-with-a-spicy-a-goodness-a!

**Dominick:** A-he-a-haw-a!

*Several guards enter.*

**Guard:** What’s going on here?!

**Hooded Jaw:** Oh, just throwing a little party.

**Guard:** What’s the deal with the wires?

**Hooded Jaw:** Party snacks.

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Marvin:** Want some?

**Guard:** No, no.

**Italian Mouse:** A-they’re-a-really-a-good-a!

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Guard:** I decline.

**Guard:** Want us to take you all on a little trip?

**Firius:** Just where do you plan on taking us?

**Guard:** Up the river!

*The guards draw stun blasters.*

**Italian Mouse:** A-very-a-funny-a.

**Rainmaker:** Let it tsunami!

**Guards:** Not this again!

*The guards were swept out of the room.*

**Marvin:** Aaaaaahhh!!! There’s a spider on me!

**Black Widow:** Is that a problem?

**Marvin:** It’s gross It’s creepy! It’s… It’s…

*Chomp!*

**Marvin:** YUMMY!!!!!

**Firius:** Of course.

**Black Widow:** My spider!

**Hooded Jaw:** Selfie!

*Click! Share! Chomp!*

*Meanwhile, Stardown, Tails, and the pilot decided to take a trip to Earth.*

**Pilot:** Y’know, I’ve always wanted to go to Japan.

*Stardown and Tails groan.*

**Tails:** We recently fought in a tournament there.

**Pilot:** I heard about that.

*They soon land at Tokyo.*

**Woman:** Just to let you know, Godzilla is attacking. Until he leaves, no one can come. Sorry!

*They leave.*

**Stardown:** Oh! There’s the BattleBots tournament is Los Angeles!

*They headed over and watched the day’s matches.*

**Stardown:** Maybe we should enter next year’s BattleBots tournament!

**Tails:** That would be fun!

*Soon, the pilot checks with Brian about returning to base.*

**Brian:** The guards are chasing them around the base. I think it’s safe for you to return.

**Pilot:** All right, then.

*The next day, they head back.*

**Brian:** They got away… again.

**Dominick:** He-haw!

**Guard:** At least they’re not far.

*With the help of Stardown and the others, they are caught.*

**Hooded Jaw:** Let us go! We were just trying to have some fun!

**Guard:** And that’s no fun!

**Hooded Jaw:** In your eyes!

**Guard:** In most of the world’s.

*He leaves.*

**Brian:** I’m going to interrogate Shelly.

**Shelly:** What do you want?

**Brian:** Tell us where Arctica is.

**Shelly:** No.

**Brian:** Why isn’t she at the space station.

*Shelly is silent.*

**Brian:** Oh, you’ll talk soon. Unfortunately, you’ll have to go without lunch today.

**Shelly:** I don’t need lunch.

**Brian:** Excuse me?

*She is silent.*

**Brian:** Is anyone besides us supplying you with food?

**Shelly:** Nope.

**Brian:** You’re going to have to talk if you want to eat.

*He leaves.*

**Stardown:** Any luck?

**Brian:** Nope. She’s still stubborn.

**Marvin:** YUMOLA!!!

**Stardown:** Did he just escape?

**Marvin:** These bars taste great!

**Brian:** We really need to upgrade our prisons. In fact, we should ship Marvin to the Jaywalker cells.

**Marvin:** Bye!

*He zips past them.*

**Italian Mouse:** A-now’s-a-our-a-chance-a!

**Dominick:** A-he-a-haw-a!

*One of the guards has an idea.*

**Guard:** One of our patrol jets reports that your woodshed is on fire.

**Hooded Jaw:** Oh no!

**Italian Mouse:** A-let’s-a-go-a!

*They leave.*

**Brian:** Nice job.

**Dominick:** He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!

**Stardown:** \*phew\* They’re finally gone.

**Brian:** It will be a whole lot quieter around here.

**Stardown:** That’s good.

**Guard:** Someone’s in Shelly’s room!

*Brian and some guards rush over.*

**Shelly: (annoyed)** Whaaaaaaat?

**Brian:** There’s someone here. Who is it?

**Shelly:** Who’s in here?

**Brian:** That’s what we’d like to know.

**Shelly:** You react to the slightest movement.

*Brian uses the Force to sense if she’s lying.*

**Shelly:** What’s your deal?

**Brian:** Is there someone else here?

**Shelly:** Nope. Will you leave now?

**Brian:** You are lying.

**Shelly:** Heh. Think what you want.

**Brian:** I’m thinking what I know.

**Shelly:** What, are you psychic or something?

**Brian:** I’m using the Force. Who was it?

**Shelly:** His name is Ben. He lives on 16th Street in Robinville. His favorite color is yellow. He-

**Brian:** What was he doing here?

**Shelly:** You obsess over the smallest things.

**Brian:** What was he doing here?

**Shelly:** You know. You can read my mind, right?

**Brian:** What was he doing here?

**Shelly:** Fine. He was gonna free me.

**Brian:** Thank you. Where is he?

**Shelly:** How would I know?

**Guard:** Is that him up there?

**Guard:** Yes, I think so.

**Brian:** Go get him! I’ll keep Shelly busy.

**Shelly:** Why?

**Brian:** Just a precaution.

**Shelly:** Precaution? What d’you think I’ll do?

**Brian:** You know.

**Guard:** Come down now.

**Ben:** Make me.

*They fire a tranquilizer at him.*

*Kathunk!*

**Guard:** Easy!

*Ben is soon put into prison.*

**Ben:** Can we be put in the same cell?

**Guard:** No. What are you doing here, anyway?

**Ben:** Oh, uh, y’know.

**Guard:** Besides breaking out Shelly.

**Ben:** Stuff.

**Guard:** Such as?

Ben: Nutellin.

**Guard:** You will. What do you know about Arctica’s whereabouts?

**Ben:** Nutellin.

**Guard:** You will.

*He leaves.*

**Amy:** Isn’t this the tenth year Stardown’s been a superhero?

**Tails:** Yes! We should throw a superhero party for him.

**Cream:** That would be wonderful!

**Cheese:** Chao!

**Kervo:** When should we get started with the preparations?

**Brian:** Right away.

*Arnold enters.*

**Arnold:** We got another signal from Arctica.

**Brian:** Where is she this time?

**Arnold:** She’s been moved to another station.

**Brian:** If we’re sending Stardown, we should scan him to see if he still has Mercuritis.

*He is scanned.*

**Crew:** It’s gone.

**Arnold:** Who wants to go with Stardown to find Arctica?

**Sonic:** I’ll go.

**Arnold:** Anyone else?

*No one else volunteered.*

**Brian:** More than two may be risky.

**Arnold:** True.

*Stardown is notified, and soon he and Sonic land at the station.*

**Stardown:** Deja vu?

**Sonic:** Wait a minute! Wasn’t she in a different station?

**Stardown:** You’re right. We’d better get going.

*They arrive at the other station.*

**Sonic:** Bit smaller.

**Stardown:** That doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be easier to find Arctica, but with Shelly out of the way, maybe it is.

*The Morse code is beeping.*

**Stardown:** She says “back room”.

*Sonic races over.*

**Sonic:** There she is!

*Stardown hurries over.*

**Stardown:** Arctica! Are you all right?

**Arctica:** I am… Fiends… drugged me…

**Stardown:** We would have gotten you to safety sooner, but an impostor named Shelly tricked us. She had an army of… I forget what they’re called.

**Sonic:** Daleks?

**Stardown:** Thanks.

**Arctica:** Taken… from Davros.

**Stardown:** Who’s Davros?

**Arctica:** The leader… of the Daleks…

**Sonic:** Davros must not be too happy about this.

*Soon Arctica is freed, and the three head for base.*

**Amy:** They’re heading back!

**Dallas:** We don’t have much time.

*Somehow they finish in record time.*

**Cream:** He’s here!

**Cheese:** Chao chao!

*The shuttle lands and Stardown and the others emerge.*

**Everyone:** Happy tenth anniversary, Stardown!

*Stardown is overwhelmed.*

**Stardown:** Thank you, everyone!

*The bakers bring in the cake.*

*Soon the party is on. As Stardown heads to his seat, he is surprised to see Black Toadette walk up next to him.*

**Black Toadette:** Hey. Happy 10th, kid. You were amazing, beating all those world conquerors. Keep it up.

*She heads to her seat.*

**Stardown:** I didn’t know Black Toadette could attend.

**Amy:** Yeah, so could various other villains. They agreed to our “no-evil-plans” policy.

*Chomp! He-haw!*

**Firius:** There goes that muzzle…

**Robob:** This will be a party to eradicate all parties!

**Count Toad:** I couldn’t agree more.

*The TARDIS materializes and the Doctor and Sable emerge.*

**The Doctor:** Am I late?

**Brian:** Fashionably.

*Francis and Stardown’s brothers arrive.*

**Starup:** Sorry we’re late; we just finished a series of important errands.

**Amy:** Welcome to the party!

*The party goes until 3:00 AM. It includes games, presents, cake, and a recap of Stardown’s adventures, as told by Stardown himself. Stardown had celebrated ten years and six eras of heroic history.*

*Thus ends the era.*