Congregation Era/Transcript

The UI presidential election was underway. The candidates were Vince and Pete.
Brian: Ah, Vince. Now he is a true leader. The others just don't cut it.
Arnold: I know. And what a surprise it is that he's running.
Hiroshimi: It honestly surprises me that Pete's allowed to run. He was a hardened criminal for five years.
Brian: Something tells me he hasn't gone completely straight.
Arnold: I wouldn't doubt it. He passed a law last year that actually supported smuggling. Things haven't been the same since.
Brian: You know, I had completely forgotten about that law. It made so little difference to the honest law-abiding citizens that I'm sure most of us have forgotten it.
Kervo: I sure hope Vince wins…

A man was pacing back and forth, filled with anger and hatred.
Man: You! Explain motives!
The individual whom he was speaking to was a captive, tied with rope to a chair.
Captive: My motives?
Man: Of course! Don't play dumb! I know more than you want me to!
Captive: Oh? Like what?
Man: Shut up and answer my question!
Captive: I have, and will stop at nothing to end your evil deeds.
Man: Answer. Me.
Captive: Is my answer not good enough?
Man: You know what I'm talking about!
He pulls out a small rectangle box.
Captive: How did you…?!
Man: This is the motives I'm talking about. Anything and everything there is to know about Eagle PK.
Captive: And you want me to explain that?!
Man: Take a guess.
Captive: But I can't! Only the heads have a clue what it means?
Man: I'm sure there're things you're not telling me, Vince.
Vince: I've told you everything I know!
Man: Anyone can say that and not mean it.
Vince: But I mean it!
Man: Quiet! Not another word unless it's about the motives. Lucas, is everything set for my departure?
Lucas: Yes sir. Great pains have been–
Man: Hush. I dont have time for chatter. Get in the limo. I'll be out in five minutes.

With the Guardians…
Hiroshimi: I just remembered something. In case of emergencies, we kept a tracker on Stardown. Can we detect its signal?
Brian: That I haven't thought about. I'll check… Signal terminated.
Sally: Now we know for sure he's dead.
Arnold: And that was the right tracker?
John: Sorry to interrupt, but how long until the results are announced?
Hiroshimi: Probably tonight.
Kervo heads to the lab. There he finds Tails, looking depressed, obviously over Stardown.
Kervo: Will you be all right?
Tails: I hope so, but…
Kervo: ...But what?
Tails broke down in tears.
Tails: He's gone!
Kervo neels down next to him.
Kervo: It'll be all right… I'm sad too, but… I overheard Brian say he might be alive.
Tails looked up.
Tails: Really?!
Kervo: He is, after all, a Jedi. I believe the Force is with him.
There is a pause.
Kervo: Should we look for him?
Tails: I would love to, but… is it too risky?
Kervo: Also, neither of us know where he is.
Realization spreads across his face.
Kervo: What if that guy Pete has him?
Tails: Who? Oh! The candidate?
Kervo: Yes. He's a hardened criminal; he could easily have Stardown captive!
Tails: Then let's go!
Kervo: Yeah!
???: Go where?
Tails and Kervo turn to see Amy in the doorway, arms crossed. Tails glanced at Kervo.
Amy: You really think that Stardown's alive?
Kervo: …Yes.
Amy: You need me to come with you. I can't risk you falling into the hands of a hardened criminal.
???: We never said he is a hardened criminal. We just can't be too sure.
They turned to the doorway. Brian stood there.
Kervo: He isn't?
Brian: He was, but we don't know if he still is. We can't assume anything.
Tails: Chances are good he still is.
Kervo: That law is still in effect, right?
Brian: Yes it is.
Amy: That's why Vince needs to win.
Brian: What were you talking about with you falling into the hands of Pete?
Tails: Uh…
Kervo: Because the people at the UI know we are friends with them, and if Pete won, he might try to change that and start capturing us.
Brian: Well, like I said, we don't have proof that he's still a criminal, or even supportive of them.
Kervo: We know. But we also can't assume he's not a criminal either.
Brian: That is true… Well, I'll be off.
He walks away.
Amy: But still, we don't want to interfere, at least not yet.
Tails: Besides, the election isn't over yet.
Kervo: All right, then. We can wait until the election is over.
Amy and Tails: Deal!

Meanwhile…
The man walks by Vince as he heads for the door.
Vince: Where… are you going?
Man: I am filling your place.
Vince: As the candidate?
Man: Of course! We can't let them suspect anything.
Vince: But they will.
Man: No they won't. I've made sure of that.
Vince: You may be my twin, but that won't help matters.
Man: Shut up and let me leave. You don't know anything about disguise.
Vince: With that, you're wrong.
The room shook as the heavy front door was slammed shut. Vince smiled to himself. His brother had made several grave mistakes…

Meanwhile…
Announcer: We are just minutes away from the next polls closing…
Brian: Vince seemed to be the favored candidate since the beginning.
Arnold: I agree. He's going to do the UI a world of good.
Newscaster: The Goat and Lamb Island polls have closed.
Bunnie: Let's just hope they voted for Vince.
Dallas: They really liked him, so I wouldn't doubt it.
Rotor: What did the preliminary polls say about Pete?
Arnold: He did fairly poorly.
Sonic: Remind me why he's even running?
Arnold: Well… There's always a chance…
Sally: Five hours until the last polls close… anything can happen.
Kervo turned to Tails.
Kervo: Wanna join me in the lab?
Tails: Sure!
Kervo: What about you, Amy?
Amy: I'll stay here if you don't mind.
Tails and Kervo returned to the lab.
Tails: Shall we make something new?
Kervo: Sure! Perhaps we can expand on our voice changer collection!
Tails: I almost forgot about that! Let's do it!
They get to work.
Kervo: Should our next voice changer be for Ponoko?
Tails: Sure!
They are only a few minutes into the project when John races into the room.
John: You'll never guess what I found in front of the portal in the secret tunnel!
Kervo: Wha-what?
John: I think this is part of Stardown's helmet!
Kervo: Let's go!
He rushes out of the room. They are almost to the secret tunnel when Amy stops them.
Amy: Where are you going?
Tails: John found something important!
John: Do you recognize this?
He shows her the part of Stardown's helmet.
Amy: What is it?
John: It's a piece of Stardown's helmet. I found it in front of a portal in the secret tunnel.
Amy: Are you sure?
Tails: Only Stardown's helmet could have these markings.
Amy: Let's go then.
Amy, Tails, John, and Kervo race down the tunnel, John leading the way. Eventually they make a left turn. There is a portal blocking the path.
John: This is where I found the piece of Stardown's helmet.
Kervo: This isn't our portal.
Tails: Then it must lead somewhere else.
Kervo takes a step forward and looks at John.
Kervo: Should we?
John: I don't know what's on the other side of this portal. It could be dangerous.
Kervo: Well, there's only one way to find out…
He runs forward.
Amy: Wait!
It was too late. He was already getting sucked in. Tails and Amy try to pull him back. However, they were pulled in as well. John, not wanting to be left behind, jumped in with them.

Meanwhile…
The sleek jet black limo rolled down the UI parking lot toward a space reserved for it. As Luis pulled up, a man in a security uniform ran up to the passenger window. The man rolled it down.
Man: What is it?
Security Officer: DNA scanners. We were instructed to set them up at the front. You're sure to get caught.
Man: You couldn't disable them if you're telling me this.
Security Officer: I'm afraid not, sir.
The man swore under his breath.
???: What do you think you're doing?
Security Officer: I'm… escorting Vince to the front.
???: You weren't instructed to do that.
Security Officer: I was… by the security manager.
The speaker still looked suspicious of him, but he no longer inquired anything.
Security Officer: We need to get going, before I'm suspected further.
Man: And your plan is?
Security Officer: I…
Man: Don't have one?
Security Officer: Yes, honestly.
Man: Luis, did you bring the teleporters?
Luis: Right here!
He pulls out two small devices.
Luis: These little rogues can take you anywhere.
Man: Good. Let us depart.

Kervo emerges through the portal first. There appears to be a dropoff in front of the grassy plain he is standing on.
Kervo: I don't recognize this place. How about–
Amy: Kervo, why did you jump through that portal?
Kervo: I wanted to rescue Stardown!
Amy: You could have been killed!
Kervo: There was only one way to find out what was behind the portal!
Tails emerges from the portal.
Tails: Where are we?
Amy: I… don't know. It looks like Plit… or maybe Earth…
John emerges from the portal.
John: …Hello?
He didn't see them at first.
Tails: We're over here!
John quickly rushed over. Kervo looked over the edge of the dropoff. A vast valley lay before him. What he saw next made his jaw drop.
Amy: Do you see something?
Kervo: Is… is that…
Amy: What?
Kervo: The… Nova…?
Amy: Nova?
Kervo: I thought it was lost…
Amy: What Nova?
Tails: Wasn't it the legendary ship that Stardown built?
Kervo: Yes… It was…
John: Can we see if Stardown's on board?
Kervo: Yeah, but–
Tails: I could fly over!
Amy: No, no. That's way, way too dangerous.
John: The cliff does look kinda steep.
Tails: I can fly over though!
Amy: No Tails. You are not going alone.
Tails: I could carry someone!
John: And this valley looks more like a canyon…
Kervo: Where are we?!
Tails: Didn't Stardown once tell us about a planet similar to Earth?
Kervo: I don't know.
Tails: Was it… Amethyst?
Kervo: Yes! You're right! Maybe that is this place!
John: But how are we going to get to the Nova?
Tails: I could fly each of you over.
Amy: It's risky, but…
Kervo: But you can't use all your energy like that, Tails!
Tails: Well, what else can we do?
John: Maybe we could climb down?
Amy: Not down this cliff we won't That's suicide.
Kervo: Is there another way down, then?
Tails: I could fly you down. It would take less energy.
Kervo: Plus the bottom is fifty feet down, and you would become exhausted before you finish.
Tails: Fifty feet isn't a problem.
John: Look! I think I see a safe path over there.
Amy: That solves our problems.
They head over and begin climbing down.
Kervo: Careful guys; it's not all stable.
Amy: Remind me not to go hiking with you anytime soon, Kervo.
Kervo: What do you mean?
Tails: Don't mind her. She's just upset that we're taking the long, hard way.
Amy: I heard that!
John: Well, it's better than jumping! :P
Amy: You would do that?
John: Well, no.
Kervo: Isn't this strange? We're supposed to believe that Stardown is dead, and here we find part of his helmet in front of a portal that I don't believe was there before.
Tails: The stairs end here.
They are now in the valley with the Nova.
Kervo: The Nova must have taken quite a bit of damage.
John: How are we gonna get inside?
Amy: Well, we won't be going this way. There's leaked fuel everywhere.
Kervo: There's an airlock.
John rushes over and starts climbing in.
John: It looks like some of the fuel is running under the airlock entrance.
Amy: Get out then.
Tails: I can lift the rest of you into the ship.
Amy: Sounds like a plan.
Amy and Kervo are lifted in.
Tails: You're next.
He is lifted in as well.
Kervo: Where shall we start?
John: This is such a massive ship. He could be anywhere.
Amy: Looking for signs of him is a good start…
Kervo: We should probably stick together.
Amy: Definitely.
Tails: Isn't that one of his gloves?
Kervo: Where? Oh! Yes! It is!
John: That proves he was here.

Elsewhere on the ship…
Hooded Jaw: Look who's here!
Clavicus: They're just kids.
Ponoko: How on Earth did they get here? And– Wait! They're the Guardians!
Hooded Jaw: Aren't they a little young to leave the nest?
Ponoko: I would think so.
Clavicus: Aren't those… Mobians?
Ponoko: If that's what you call them.
Hooded Jaw: Let's catch them like butterflies!
Ponoko: Not yet. Let's stay out of sight just a little longer.
Clavicus: Hood! You're too loud!

Amy: What was that?
Tails: We're not alone.
???: Precisely.
They turn to see a robot. It is not entirely a robot, as some facial features can be seen, but the Guardians can't tell who it is.
John: H,hello?
Ponoko steps out of hiding. He beckons for the Hooded Jaw and Clavicus to come also.
Kervo: Hooded Jaw?
Tails: Ponoko?
John: Some other guy?
Clavicus: I am Clavicus Maximus.
Kervo: You're pretty small for that name.
Clavicus: Everyone says that.
Kervo: Well, it's true.
Ponoko: Never mind!
Kervo: I was just stating facts!
Hooded Jaw: We just don't want you to find Stardown. Get him, unnamed robot.
Robot: Affirmative. Seek and destroy!
John: We're just kids!
Clavicus: All the better.
Ponoko: Say, haven't we met before, Tails?
Tails: I wish we didn't.
Ponoko: You should be glad I'm not in the mood to make you a liar.
Tails: What do you me– oh.
The robot approaches the young Guardians. Amy draws her hammer; she is the only Guardian present who is armed.
Hooded Jaw: Do you miss life in your cage?
Kervo: Oh, uh, we're not gone permanently.
Hooded Jaw: I was talking to her.
Amy: What cage?
Hooded Jaw: Don't play dumb!
Amy: If you mean a literal cage, then I'll just take that as an insult and move along.
Hooded Jaw: Hahahahahahaha!
The robot approaches.
Robot: Prepare to be terminated.
Kervo: You would murder kids?!
Robot: That does not compute.
The robot strangely takes on a frustrated look. The kids glance at each other.
Robot: Activate freeze ray.
Amy leaps to the side and blocks it with her hammer, then sideswings at the robot.
Robot: D4m463… Cr1t1c47… 4ct1v4t1n6… F74m3thr0w3r…
But instead of firing it at the Guardians, the robot torches the wall. He writes the word "Stardown".
Hooded Jaw: Don't give yourself away!
Ponoko: Shut up!
Amy: Give who away?
She sees the scorched word "Stardown" on the wall.
Amy: Are you… Stardown?
The robot uses all its strength to nod yes. She turns to the villains.
Amy: What did you do with him?!
Hooded Jaw: You should thank us. We saved him from that black hole.
Ponoko: And then turned him into our cybernetic minion.
Hooded Jaw: With the help of my Smarties!
Clavicus: Blast! I forgot to remove all free will from him!
Hooded Jaw: Let's get out of here while we still can!
Kervo: Oh no you don't!
He rushes forward, but was no match for the villains.
Hooded Jaw: Gotcha!
Kervo: Help!
Amy rushes forward, brandishing her hammer. John tries to follow but is restrained by Tails.
Tails: You're unarmed, John. It's best if you stay back.
John: You're right.
Stardown: Forgive me… BZZZT… 74unch r0ck3t.
His arm turns into a rocket and launches. As she turns around, Ponoko fires his Ponoko Ray at her. She is hit. Stardown tries to fire a ray that reverts its effects.
Amy: That's not necessary! :P
She is turned back to normal.
Ponoko: Clavicus, why did you give him that feature?!
Clavicus: In case of backfire?
Hooded Jaw: Are y'all hungry? :P
Kervo: Not the Smarties!
Hooded Jaw: Yes! The Smarties!
He grabs a disc launcher filled with Smarties and starts firing.
Amy: You really can't accomplish your goals that way, Hooded Jaw!
Hooded Jaw: Num num num num num!
Stardown: No!… BZZZT… D3t41n pr150n3r5…
He approaches Tails and John. They run away, frequently looking behind them.
Ponoko: Where are those cowards going? \*chuckle\*
Kervo: Let me go!
Hooded Jaw: Clavvy, how long will it take to turn Kervo into a cybernetic machine?
Clavicus: About 48 hours.
Amy: That won't be happening!
Ponoko: Says you and what army, miss?
Amy: Do I have to have an army?
Ponoko: No… fortunately.
She lunges forward. Ponoko is taken off guard. She smacks him aside and takes hold of Kervo.
Amy: Come on!
Hooded Jaw: Wait! I wanna talk!
Amy: Sorry, no time! Hey, where's Stardown?
Hooded Jaw: Take a guess!
Amy: Tails and John are gone too, so…
Hooded Jaw: Stardown will take good care of them.
Amy: I don't think so!
Hooded Jaw: What do you mean "I don't think so?"
Kervo: Sorry, no time to talk!
They flee.
Hooded Jaw: Don't forget your lunch!
He fires his Smartie launcher. Amy and Kervo head down a corridor.
Ponoko: You won't get far, youth!
But they are gone.
Ponoko: Don't just stand there! Pursue them!
The two obey. Amy and Kervo finally catch up to Stardown. He is trying hard to resist his programming.
Kervo: There're a few exposed wires!
Amy: I'm afraid there's nothing we can do about them.
The Hooded Jaw and Clavicus catch up.
Hooded Jaw: Snack time!
Kervo: Nope!
Hooded Jaw: Oh? Aren't growing kids always hungry?
Kervo: Not for poisoned mind-control Smarties!
Hooded Jaw: They're good for you!
He fires away.
Amy: Kervo, Tails, see what you can do with Stardown. I'll handle this.
Hooded Jaw: Mega Titan Smartie!!!
He throws a massive Smartie at her. Amy hammers the Smartie to pieces, then charges at the Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: No need to get all huffy! It's just low blood sugar!
Amy: Let's just say I'm allergic to Smarties.
Tails and Kervo try to remove the cybernetic parts from Stardown. He did not resist.
Hooded Jaw: Gasp! They're tearing apart your beautiful robot, Max!
"Max" rushes at them. John tries to block him.
John: Don't touch Stardown!
He plows into him and stands in front of Stardown.
Clavicus: Talk about wild children!
Tails: No, I've seen wilder.
Hooded Jaw: Nighty night!
Bam bam bam!
Ponoko starts firing Ponoko Rays. Amy smashes Ponoko's staff, breaking its control over the others.
Ponoko: T-that staff took months to build!
Amy: I hope you don't have builder's remorse.
Ponoko: Get her! Get that rodent!
Hooded Jaw: Snacky!
Bam bam bam!
She grabs the Smartie gun and tosses it to John.
Amy: Run, John!
Hooded Jaw: Get back here!
John fires several Smarties at the Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: Yummy!
John takes off running.
Hooded Jaw: Yum! Give! Yum! That! Yum! Back! Yum!
Ponoko: I see your Italian Mouse genes finally kicked in.
Hooded Jaw: Yum! Yeah! Yum!
Amy: Oh, brother…
Kervo: This piece won't come off!
Amy swings her hammer at it. It comes off.
Clavicus: Now to boot the self-defense mechanism.
He reaches for a controller.
Hooded Jaw: Oooh! What's that?!
He grabs the remote, but snaps the antenna.
Clavicus: …
Hooded Jaw: …Oops.
Clavicus: Now I can't shock Stardown! Oh wait, I have a spare.
Stardown: Help…
Hooded Jaw: Oooh!
He grabs that one too.
Clavicus: Just… press… the button…
Hooded Jaw: Which button? This? This?
He starts pressing random buttons.
Clavicus: No! Gimme that.
He takes the remote.
Hooded Jaw: Waa!
Clavicus: You're such a crybaby.
Hooded Jaw: I'm hurt!
Amy: Enough of this!
She approaches Clavicus.
Clavicus: What d'you want?
Amy: Hand me the remote.
Clavicus: Why should I?
Amy: Because I don't want you hurting Stardown with it.
Clavicus: Gyahahahaha!
Amy rolls her eyes.
Clavicus: Alright, enough joking.
He presses the button.
Clavicus: Get in position, you two!
Stardown is suddenly shocked by many volts. As he falls, Ponoko and the Hooded Jaw catch him. Amy draws her hammer and flings herself at them.
Hooded Jaw: Oh no, I'm in trouble!
Ponoko: Yes you are.
The Hooded Jaw is smacked into the wall.
Hooded Jaw: My noggin hurts!
Clavicus attempts to make his getaway. He sees John in an adjacent hallway, scoops him up, and keeps running.
John: Help!
Amy: John?!
Ponoko: Don't worry; he'll be returned to you… I bet you won't be able to recognize him once he's a robot.
Amy and the rest rush toward the noise. They see Clavicus. He appears to be flustered.
Clavicus: Where are the escape pods?! Why did Stardown have to build such a large ship?!
Kervo: Put my friend down!
Clavicus: But he's not a Cyberling yet!
Amy rushes forward.
Clavicus: Always resorting to violence.
Amy: Only to get my friends back!
She strikes him, knocking him into several pieces. Clavicus puts himself back together.
Clavicus: What you all will become!
Amy: How did you do that?
Clavicus: I'm a Dry Bones. I am unbeatable!
Amy: Oh really?
She strikes him again.
Kervo: I hear that lava or a Super Star can beat Dry Bones permanently.
Clavicus: You would kill me?
Kervo: I was just stating a fact.
Clavicus: Well, you don't have lava or Super Stars, so I shouldn't worry.
Tails: No, but we do have teamwork!
Clavicus: That's really quite dated when you have superior technology.
Tails strikes him with his tails, separating him again.
Clavicus: You are strange kids.
He puts himself back together.
Clavicus: While you were toying with me, you let Stardown's captors get away!
Kervo: True, but we got John back… Wait… Where's Stardown?
Clavicus: Exactly.
Tails: He could be anywhere!
Clavicus nods.
Amy: We need to get searching!
Clavicus: That won't be necessary.
He traps them force bubbles.
Clavicus: Did you really think I'd let you get away?
The Hooded Jaw and Ponoko return with Stardown.
Hooded Jaw: This ship is like, so big. Where's the exit?
Clavicus facepalms.
Clavicus: Sigh. Did you have plans on leaving?
Hooded Jaw: We're escaping with him, right? Plus, he hasn't reached his daily minimum requirement of Smarties.
Clavicus: You have a point. There's no way we're flying this thing.
John: What about us?
Clavicus: Oh, you're coming with us!
John: I was afraid of that.
Tails: If only Sonic were here!
Ponoko: Who?
???: He was referring to me.
There, in the hall, is Sonic the Hedgehog, standing in a heroic pose.
Ponoko: Oh… You…
Sonic: I don't know who you are, but you're going down!
He spin-dashes into Clavicus.
Sonic: Rest in pieces!
He puts himself together when Sonic wasn't looking.
Hooded Jaw: Oh look! A blue spiky rat! Isn't he cute!
Sonic: I am NOT a rat!
Hooded Jaw: A mouse then!
Sonic: I'm a HEDGEHOG!
He heads for Clavicus, takes his FBG, and smashes it, releasing the others.
Amy: Sonic! You've come to save us!
Hooded Jaw: It's a blue spiky capybara!
Sonic ignores him. He then catches sight of Stardown.
Sonic: Stardown?! Is that you?!
He is still unconscious.
Ponoko: Get him!
The villains surround him.
Clavicus: Ah… You would make the perfect Cyberling!
Sonic: Not me! Let's juice!
He runs circles around them, making them dizzy. The Hooded Jaw takes out a camera.
Hooded Jaw: Say cheese!
Sonic: So I'm a celebrity now?
Tails: Sonic! I think it's a flash camera!
The Hooded Jaw presses a button. The flash blinds Sonic and causes his mouth to fall open, then the camera fires a bunch of Smarties right in.
Amy: No! Sonic!
The Hooded Jaw runs over and forcefully opens and closes his mouth to make him chew. Sonic spits out the Smarties.
Sonic: Nice try, Hoody.
Hooded Jaw: It's too late, buddy!
Sonic: What do you mean?
Hooded Jaw: It's in your system.
Sonic begins feeling sick.
Sonic: You mean all they have to do is dissolve?
Hooded Jaw: Yup! Your body absorbs it! It's in your blood!
Sonic: What does it do?
Hooded Jaw: Anything!
Sonic: And this particular one?
Hooded Jaw: It'll make you as sick as a hedgehog for two weeks!
Sonic: Oh, that does it!
He spins at the Hooded Jaw. He leaps to the side.
Hooded Jaw: Don't worry, you'll tire out. :P
Sonic: Does anyone have a stun ray?
Hooded Jaw: No, but I have a stun Smartie!
Sonic could barely stand. Amy races up and hammers the Hooded Jaw out of the way.
Hooded Jaw: Oowy!
Tails: Let's get out of here!
Sonic recovers, and the four help Stardown and Sonic out of the room.
John: Where to?
Kervo: We need to find the escape pods.
Amy: What about the way we came in?
Kervo: Good idea.
Sonic fell over.
Sonic: Go without me.
Amy: We're not leaving you behind, Sonic!
Sonic: Go!
Stardown begins to wake up.
Stardown: Where… am I?
Kervo: You're still on the Nova.
Amy: Your recovery should help us greatly!
Stardown was already able to walk. (What is he, a baby horse?!)
Amy: Let's keep moving!
Tails: There's the airlock!... Oh, I forgot about the gasoline…
John: Uh-oh…
Tails: I think it's easier this time around because all we have to do is jump.
He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!
Kervo: Sounds like backup is coming…
Amy: Hurry!
Tails flies out with Sonic as Amy, Stardown, and Kervo jump.
John: Isn't it a little far?
(Chris: Dew it!)
Kervo: You should be fine. It wasn't that bad.
John: All right.
He jumps and lands safely.
Tails: Let's get outta here!
Kervo: Climbing back up that path is gonna be a nightmare!
Amy: There's no way.
John: Tails, are you able to carry John to the top?
Tails: I'll try…
The others head up the path as fast as they can.

Hooded Jaw: They're getting away!
Italian Mouse: A-oh-a-no-a!
Dominick: A-he-a-haw-a!
Italian Mouse: A-stop-a-it-a!
Dominick: A-no-a-haw-a!
The other villains stare at him.
Dominick: He-haw!

The others are halfway up the path. Suddenly Kervo feels a pain.
Amy: You okay?
Kervo: I sprained my ankle…
Amy: Uh oh.
Tails: All right, Sonic's at the top!
Kervo: I… can't… hold… on…
Tails swoops down and begins to airlift him to the top.
Hooded Jaw: Fire!
Several of the minor villains had Smartie blasters. The others are almost at the top. Tails lands at the top with Kervo.
Kervo: Thanks.
Tails: No problem!
The others make it to the top.
Amy: There's the portal!
John was hit by a Smartie.
John: I'm hit!
Tails grabbed him and they rushed for the exit. Due to his limping, Kervo falls behind. The others didn't notice.
Kervo: I can't keep up!
They couldn't hear as had all gone through the portal. Several minor villains with giant bird wings fly up to the cliff. Kervo is almost to the portal. Amy briefly appears and pulls Kervo through the portal. The minor villains rush forward.
Kervo: Thanks, Amy.
Amy: Don't mention it.
John: Uh oh…
The minor villains had gone through the portal, and were standing in the tunnel.
Dominick: He-haw!
John: Can we shut down the portal?!
Hooded Jaw: Why? We're already inside.
They plow past the Guardians and fly down the hall, squawking like birds.
Kervo: This would be funny under different circumstances.
Amy: Let's go!

Meanwhile…
Cream and Cheese are heading to the lab with a teapot and cups, thinking that Tails and Kervo are there. Then they hear it:
Cream: What in the world?!
Who her ha ha ha ha! Woohoo! Let it gale! Spiders! Heeee-haaaww! Chomp! Squawk squawk squawk!
Cream and Cheese are too confused to move. The minor villains blow right by them, almost blowing them over.
A-squawk-a! Haw-he! Squawk! Let it he-haw!
Cheese: Chao?!
Cream: Who are they?!
The minor villains fly out of sight.
Brian: What. On Earth. Is that?!
Hiroshimi: There's only one way to find out.
The minor villains crash through the wall, and fly across the room, destroying several computers.
Brian: Didn't we just deal with these guys?!
He-squawk! He-squawk! He-squawk!
Cream and Cheese run up.
Cream: Did you see what I saw?
Hiroshimi: I wish we didn't…
YUMMY!
Hiroshimi: Oh no…
A Distant Guard: Someone tranquilize that moose!
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Brian: That had better not be another one of our computers…

Hooded Jaw: Next!
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Hooded Jaw: Next…

Meanwhile…
Kervo: Part of the tunnel collapsed.
Amy: What?!
John: So we're stuck here?
Kervo: I'm afraid so.
Tails: Is there anything in the Nova we can use to break through the cave-in?
Amy: I'm sure there are, but…
Kervo: But what?
Amy: It's way too risky, and we're exhausted.
John: Don't forget about Ponoko and Clavicus.
Amy: That's what I was thinking.
John: Could we call Knuckles and ask him if he could get us out of here?
Amy: Call with what?
John: Oh… Right.
Tails: I have a wrist communicator.
Amy: Oh!
Tails activates it and calls Knuckles.
Knuckles: I'm in the shower.
Tails: I'll call you back in ten minutes.
He hangs up.
Tails: He's in the shower.
Kervo: We can wait a little longer.
Stardown: What about air quality?
Tails: There's fresh air through the portal, but it may be risky.

Meanwhile…
Hooded Jaw: Next!
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Several guards rush in and attempt to tranquilize the minor villains.
Marvin: YUMMY!
Guard: No, moosie. No yummy. Sleepy.
Marvin: I no tyered!
Guard: That's not how you spell it.
Hooded Jaw: Gasp! Did you break the fourth wall?
Guard: Uh… oh…
The fourth wall falls on both the guards and the minor villains.
Marvin: YUMMY!
Guard: Third time…
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Hooded Jaw: Next!

Meanwhile…
Knuckles: I'm out. Where are you again?
Tails: We're in a secret tunnel at our base… The minor villains broke in and caused a cave-in, trapping us.
Knuckles: Not those guys! Okay, I'll be right over.
Stardown: Let's just hope that Ponoko and Clavicus don't see the portal…
They jump through.
Ponoko: Why hello, kiddies!
Amy: Get back in that portal, you two!
Clavicus: Why?
John: Because help is on the way!
Ponoko: Same here!
Stardown: To whom are you referring?
Ponoko: Why should I tell you?
Stardown: Don't you know who you're talking to?
Ponoko: What? You're just Stardown, the kid who's always getting kidnapped.
Stardown: The same kid also sent the Shmice scurrying.
Ponoko: No… not really.
Stardown: What do you mean?
Ponoko: Take a guess…
Stardown: Jolly old Saint Nicholas?
Ponoko: I'm sorry?
Stardown: Never mind.
Clavicus: Look what I have a spare of!
He takes out a force bubble gun. Amy hammers Clavicus to pieces. Tails picks up the gun.
Ponoko: You don't have a license, kid.
He reaches for the gun. Stardown draws his lightsaber.
Stardown: Neither do you.
Ponoko: And neither do you. For your lightsaber.
Stardown: Hey, even kids can have lightsabers if they know the right training.
Ponoko: Says who?
Suddenly part of the cave-in rockets across the room, taking Ponoko with it, as Knuckles arrives.
Clavicus: Welcome to the party, Mr. Red Freak!
Knuckles: This party's over!
He picks up Clavicus over his head and throws him into the portal.
Clavicus: My waleeeeeeeet
Knuckles: Is everyone all right?
Amy: Well, Sonic and John…
Stardown: They were infected with Smarties.
Tails: And Kervo twisted his ankle…
He-haw!
Knuckles: Get moving, everyone!
Kervo: They're coming!
Stardown: Quick! Into the portal!
The portal disappeared.
Tails: Uh oh.
Amy: Hopefully the cave-in will stop them.
They get louder and louder.
SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK
They plow through the rocks.
Hooded Jaw: We forgot a wallet.
They pick up the wallet and leave.
SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK SQUAWK
The Guardians shake their heads in disbelief.
Tails: We need to stop them!
Amy: We can't leave the others alone.
Stardown: Perhaps Amy and Tails should take Kervo, John, and Sonic to the infirmary while Knuckles and I stop the minor villains.
Tails: Good idea.
Stardown and Knuckles take off down the tunnel.
Kervo: Be careful!
Stardown: We will!
They are soon gone. John's Smartie symptoms grow worse.
John: Is this what it feels like to have Mercuritis?
Sonic: …Maybe.
Tails: As far as we know, only Stardown has had Mercuritis.
They begin leaving the tunnel.

Meanwhile…
Hooded Jaw: Next!
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Hooded Jaw: Alright, that's the last of it.
Marvin: But I'm still hungry!
Firius: Too bad, let's go.
Marvin: Ooooooh!!!
He started eating the floor.
Black Widow: Marviiiiin!
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Rainmaker: Try eating yourself!
Marvin: Yeah!
Chomp! Ow! Chomp! Ow! Chomp! Ow!
Hooded Jaw: We're leaving now!
Marvin: Why?
Hooded Jaw: It's Bowler Cat's bowling night.
Marvin: Oh… Good for him…
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! …
Hooded Jaw: And he invited us to go.
Marvin: That's nice…
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! …
The minor villains begin to fly away.
Marvin: Wait!
They don't wait.
Marvin: One of you forgot your wallet!
The minor villains check their wallets.
Hooded Jaw: Nice try. We all have ours.
Marvin: Oh?
He picks up a wallet.
Marvin: Not mine!
Chomp!
Guard: My wallet!
Marvin: Tastes like chicken!
Guard: …What now?
Marvin: More! More!
Marvin is hit in the back with a tranquilizer. He turns around.
Marvin: Moose snacks!!!
The guards charge toward him and smack him with their rifle butts, knocking him out.
Guard 1: Thank you.
They trap him in a force bubble and take him away. He suddenly wakes up.
Marvin: Moose snacks!!!
He slams into the force bubble.
Guard: One of these days we're gonna find out why you're starving.
Marvin: Food! Food! Food! Food! Food! …
Guard: Try eating yourself.
Marvin: I have!
Guard: Then keep going.
Marvin: Nah.
Guard: Then you'll starve.
Marvin: What?!
Guard: It's in your name.
Marvin: How did you know?
Guard: We have your complete profile.
Marvin: What?! Where did you get that?!
Guard: We never reveal our secrets.

In the infirmary…
John: It's… getting… worse…
Sonic: Tell me about it…
Tails: I know. I've been infected by a Smartie before.
John: You have?
Tails: Yes. When you joined us, Stardown and I were infected with Smarties. We were later captured and turned into villains by the Emperor. Fortunately, I don't think you'll have to worry about that.
John: That's good.
Amy: Unfortunately, you'll be in this condition for as many as two weeks.
John: Is there anything you can do?
Amy: I'm afraid you'll have to ride it out. I don't think there's a cure.
John: I hope that guy goes to prison.
Tails: He's got a lot of backup, so that would be hard.
He-haw!
Kervo doesn't hear.
Kervo: The minor villains have proven to be a serious threat lately.
He-haw!
Tails: Did you guys hear that?
John: Hear… what?
Tails: I thought I heard Dominick.
He-haw!!!!!
John: W-where is he?
HE-HAW!!!!!!!
Sonic: My ears...
Amy shuts the door.
John: I'm scared!
Amy is at his side in a moment.
Amy: It'll be okay, John.
HE-HAW!!! HE-HAW!!! HE-HAW!!!
The room shakes slightly.
Kervo: I had no idea he was that loud.
Tails: Where is he?!
Kervo: For all I know, he could be right outside the door!
John: We're stuck!
Kervo: Maybe not. We don't exactly know where he is.
Dominick crashes through the wall.
HE-HAW! HE-HAW! HE-HAW!
John: AAH!
Dominick's megaphone was the cause of his loudness. The rest of the minor villains jump in.
Hooded Jaw: Hello, kiddies!
Amy: Oh, brother…
Kervo: Don't you have anything better to do? And don't say "Smartie" or "candy".
Hooded Jaw: Treats!
He fires his Smartie blaster. Amy hammers the blaster out of his hands.
Hooded Jaw: Now now. No need to resort to violence.
He chomps her hammer in half and picks up his blaster.
Hooded Jaw: Who wants to eat first?
Kervo: Um… We don't eat Smarties.
Hooded Jaw: That's okay!
He fires away. John hides underneath the covers.
Kervo: We don't absorb them either!
Hooded Jaw: Oh?
He fires several at Kervo. He instantly felt sick. Tails and Amy back into a corner.
Hooded Jaw: Yum yum yum!
He hits them with Smarties.
Kervo: You drugged us with candy…
Hooded Jaw: That's right! Now, go tell the others about your little sickness…
Kervo: Oh, I will…
He plops back onto the pillow.
Hooded Jaw: Okay. Let's go home.
They leave. Stardown and Knuckles race into the room.
Knuckles: We couldn't find them.
Stardown: What happened?
Stardown skids on some of the Smarties on the floor. They poof into smoke. Stardown fell over and was instantly sick. Stardown tries to crawl to a vacant bed. Several guards rush in.
Knuckles: Don't touch the Smarties! (I can't believe I just said that…)
Guard: What Smarties?
He accidentally steps on one. Gas explodes all over the guards, making them sick on contact. One of them topples into Knuckles, making him sick too. They crawl toward more vacant beds. The door opens… Stardown faces the door.
Brian: What's going on?
Stardown: The Hooded Jaw was here… He infected all of us with his Smarties.
Brian picks up a pillow on the floor and is about to put it on the bed, but since it had come in contact with Smarties, Brian becomes sick. Cream and Cheese happen to pass by the infirmary. They stare in shock, but do not enter.
Cream: We need to tell Commander Arnold!
Cheese: Chao!
They race off.

Meanwhile…
Firius: Brilliant. Simply brilliant.
Italian Mouse: A-the-a-whole-a-base-a-will-a-be-a-ours-a!
Dominick: A-he-a-haw-a!
Black Widow: So… what now?
Hooded Jaw: You don't remember? We're using our latest Smarties to take over their base!
Rainmaker: What do they do?
Hooded Jaw: They're like the normal ones, but spread. Soon, the whole base will be contaminated.
Insert Hooded Jaw laugh here.

Meanwhile…
Guard: Commander, the minor villains plan to contaminate the entire base with Smarties.
Arnold: Where did you hear this?
Guard: Some time ago, we set up a listening device at their woodshed. We've been listening to it 24/7.
Cream and Cheese run in, panicked.
Arnold: What's wrong?
Cream: Someone's contaminated many of the Guardians!
Arnold looks at the guard.
Arnold: The minor villains?
Guard: Sounds like it.
Arnold: Who's been contaminated?
Cream: The bad guys contaminated Sonic, Tails, Amy, Stardown, John–
Arnold: Stardown?! But he's dead!
Cream: I know I saw him in there!
Arnold: Let's go then!
They race to the infirmary.
Brian: Stay… away…
Kervo: If you touch us… you'll become weak too…
Suddenly, the Smarties on the floor grew legs and rushed toward Arnold and the others.
Arnold: Cream, run!
She and Cheese flee as Arnold and the guards blast the Smarties.
Guard: Force fields?!
They back away as the Smarties draw blasters of their own and fire away.
Arnold: Run!
Most of them got away. However, two of the guards were hit.
Guard: The shots… are sickening…
One of the guards tries to smother a group of Smarties with a blanket. They erupt in gas, knocking over and infecting him. He then tries to blast more Smarties. They quickly set up force fields. The guard rolls over and smothers more Smarties with the blanket. They burst, making him so sick that he fell unconscious. Hiroshimi runs in with gas masks.
Hiroshimi: I heard about the situation.
One of the Smarties shot him, making him sick. Hiroshimi puts on a gas mask and supplies some to more guards that have just arrived. Suddenly everything explodes and they see red.
Cream: What was that?!
Hiroshimi: Whatever it was, it can't be good!
Roadrunner: I'll find out!
He heads over and is met by the settling clouds caused by the explosion. Suddenly, thousands of Smarties emerge.
Roadrunner: What. In. The. World?!
He grabs a gas mask, puts it on, and begins to slash through the Smarties. Sadly, he only gets a few before getting shot. More guards arrive. They are wearing helmets and full body armor. They start blasting away.
Guard: These shields are too strong!
The guards see the blanket on the floor.
Guard: Smother them!
They caught on fire by one of the Smarties' flamethrowers.
Guard: This is ridiculous!
Out of frustration, one of the guards tries to vacuum them up. The vacuum explodes.
Guard: There goes $200…
Over 100,000 Smarties storm into the main room. The guards try to crush the Smarties.
Guard: Now this is Candy Crush!
However, they are no match.
Guard: Be right back...

Meanwhile, Arnold ran to the control room, where Cream, Cheese, and Mark were.
Cream: What's going on?!
Arnold: The Smarties are multiplying! They're gassing everyone!
Cream: What are we gonna do?!
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Arnold: Is that… Marvin?
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Marvin: YUMMY!!!
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Arnold smiles.
Arnold: He's actually undoing the Hooded Jaw's plan.
Mark: He's gonna be mad…

Meanwhile…
Blast! Blaast! Blaaast! Blaaaast! Blaaaaast! …
Black Widow: You beat my record of saying "blast" with four a's!
Hooded Jaw: Tslaaaaaab!
Black Widow: And you misspelled "tsalb."
Hooded Jaw: Blaaaaaaast!
Black Widow: Now do eight a's.
Hooded Jaw: Blaaaaaaaast! Stupid moose! Give him a brain already!!!
Rainmaker held up a brain.
Rainmaker: Is this his?
Italian Mouse: A-no-a.
Rainmaker: A-okay-a.
He throws the plastic brain in the garbage.
Black Widow: So what's the next plan, Sweetie?
Rainmaker blushes.
Hooded Jaw: I'll think about it… after we go bowling… And did you call me sweetie?
Black Widow puts on Bambi eyes. He kisses Firius.
Black Widow: :O Oh well, I've got Rainie.
Hooded Jaw: Who's ready to go bowling?!
Everyone: Yeah! (He-haw!)
Hooded Jaw: But what about Marvin?
Hooded Jaw: Eh, he can chew his way out.
Marvin flings the door open.
Marvin: I'm hungry!
Firius: After all that?
Rainmaker: Try eating another planet!
Marvin: Okay!
He runs outside and starts to eat the ground.
Hooded Jaw: NOT OUR PLANET!
Marvin: Why not?
Hooded Jaw: You'll hurt yourself!
Marvin: How? I'd hurt myself if I didn't eat!
Hooded Jaw: You've eaten enough for two dozen lifetimes!
Marvin: But, but…
Hooded Jaw: No buts. We're going bowling. They have a lot of food there. Don't eat anything that's not food.
He quietly fired his starve ray at the Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: I don't care 'bout no money! Just give me a billion hot dogs!
Firius: But we don't have any hot dogs!
Hooded Jaw: EAT EAT EAT EAT!
He tries to eat Marvin.

Meanwhile…
Arnold: And now to clean up…
Guard: How much in damage did those villains cause?
Arnold: Thousands.
Guard: Something must be done about the minor villains.
Arnold: Most definitely.

In the infirmary…
No one was moving. All were unconscious from the Smarties. The room is free of Smarties.
Janitor: Oh boy…
Roadrunner begins to stir.
Janitor: Anyone awake?
Roadrunner tries to roll over. He is too weak to speak. The janitor walks over.
Janitor: Are you okay?
Roadrunner tries to shake his head. John slowly opens his eyes. The janitor turns around at the sound of falling drywall.
Janitor: Looks like I'm in for a looooong night…

The next morning…
Stardown finally wakes up. It was ten in the morning. He is still very weak. He tries to see if anyone else is awake. His vision was blurry, but he caught a glimpse of what looked like John stirring. Stardown lay back down. He couldn't imagine thirteen more days of this. He was already thinking of ways to counter the next attack. A robot rolled into the room. Stardown doesn't notice.
Robot: I am giving you your meds.
Stardown inwardly smiles. In a minute, all are treated. Stardown relaxes. He knew he'd be fine.

In the planning room…
Arnold was standing near a table that several guards were seated at. Cream was standing next to him, with Cheese floating by her side.
Guard: A couple more of our guards were infected during the night.
Arnold: So they came into contact with those who were already infected?
Guard: Maybe.
Another Guard: Sir, we heard from the listening device that the minor villains will be staying at Bowler Cat's for the weekend.
Arnold: That can't be good.
Guard: Actually, it is good! They'll be leaving their woodshed unguarded!
Arnold: Perfect… then I can put my plan into action.

A couple hours later…
Several guards landed outside the woodshed. Their mission: to destroy every Smartie.
Guard: Everyone ready?
Other Guards: Ready!
Guard: Then let's go…
They head toward the front door. One of the guards looks in the window.
Guard: All clear.
They open the door.
Guard: It amazes me that they don't even put a lock on their headquarters.
Guard: I know, right?
They begin searching.
Guard: Good thing they won't be back until tomorrow night.
And then they hear it:
ERADICATE!
Guard: What?! But I thought he disappeared!
Guard: Quick! Put the plan into action!
There were more Smarties than they hoped for. It was difficult destroying Smarties and dodging and fleeing Robob.
Robob: I will eradicate you all!
Guard: Fat chance!
The guards try firing at Robob's neck.
Robob: I am unstoppable!
He hurtles one of the guards into the wall.
Guard: Follow me, Robob!
He tries to lead Robob out of the woodshed.
Robob: I am not an idiot!
The other guards fire tasers.
Robob: You cannot destroy me!
Guard: We're wasting our time.
More guards arrive and fire an FBG at Robob. They dissolve on him. They try to shoot the treads off him.
Robob: You are inexperienced wastes!
Guard: Go back to the Horizons!
Robob: Why?!
Guard: They are your masters!
Robob: Shut up and die!
Guard: Make us!
Another Guard: We're almost done with the Smarties!
Several of the guards were blasted into nothing.
Guard 1: Bad idea!
Guard 2: Let's get outta here!
Some of the guards grab the Smartie container and flee as the rest do.
Robob: Contacting Hooded Jaw…
One of the guards slaps Robob's hand repeatedly… with his rifle butt. Robob blasts him, taking him out. The Guardian ship takes off.

Arnold: How did it go?
Guard: We destroyed all the Smarties except these samples. However…
Arnold: Go on.
Guard: We lost over half the guards.
Arnold: What?!
Guard: Robob.
Arnold: He's still with the minor villains?!
Guard: We were surprised.
Guard: He called the Hooded Jaw as we were leaving.
Arnold: Come on, we're having an emergency meeting in five minutes! Tell everyone!

Later, at the meeting…
Guard: Almost half the guardians here have come down with it.
Guard: If Robob called the Hooded Jaw, shouldn't we project a force combo around the base?
Arnold: That would be wise.

The force combo is soon projected. Arnold's hologram projector beeps. Arnold answers it. Before them was the Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: I declare war against you.
Arnold: We'll be waiting.
Hooded Jaw: Don't worry, you won't have to wait long…
Suddenly, tens of thousands of ships fly overhead.
Hooded Jaw: Give up, or be destroyed.
Arnold is at a loss for words.
Hooded Jaw: Your choice!
Arnold: …Who are your allies?
Hooded Jaw: We have no allies. Now will you make your choice?
Arnold: But how did you get all those ships?
Hooded Jaw: ANSWER MEEEEE!
Arnold: You don't have to be a rocket scientist to guess what my answer is.
Hooded Jaw: You're right. You should give up!
Arnold: Not without a fight.
Let it lightning! He-haw! Chomp!
Marvin ate the communicator.
Arnold: Well, they can't possibly get through the force combo… but we should still send out our forces.
Guard: This is way worse than the Shmice.
In the following moments, units are sent out.
Hooded Jaw: We could destroy those in seconds!
Marvin: Where'd you get all these ships again?
Hooded Jaw: You're so dim. It's just–
Black Widow: Hot mic!
Marvin: YUMOLA!
Black Widow: Oh no you don't!
Oh yes he does… almost. Hooded Jaw snaps a leash and muzzle on him.
Italian Mouse: A-way-a-to-a-go-a!
More Guardian ships arrive.
Hooded Jaw: How pitiful! We outnumber you one thousand to one!
Arnold's voice suddenly blares across the base grounds.
Arnold: There is nothing you need here. You can't breach this base.
Hooded Jaw: We have a million warheads. We can destroy the island instead.
Arnold: And your woodshed with it?
Hooded Jaw: Oh, we can just move that.
Arnold gives the signal to call the Jaywalkers.
Jaywalker Captain: How can we help you?
Arnold: The minor villains are upon us with a Shmouse-sized fleet!
Jaywalker Captain: We'll be over in a jiffy.
Arnold hangs up.
Arnold: (to his advisers) Should we evacuate the sick to the lake base?
Adviser: Definitely.
Several guards push the hovering beds out of the room. Stardown opens his eyes.
Stardown: Cave… in…
Guard: Huh?
They eventually come upon the cave-in. A second cave-in covered the holes. A guard picks up his radio.
Guard: We'll need the excavation team down the tunnel. There's a massive cave-in.
Crew: We don't have anyone to spare.
Guard: (off-radio) Guess we'll need to get the spades…

Hooded Jaw: Oh look, you brought some friends! How cute!
The Jaywalkers begin pounding the minor villains' ships into oblivion. Or so they wanted. The shots went right through them.
Guard: How is this possible…
Hooded Jaw: Come on! Try to hit us!
The Jaywalkers try all of their weapons.
Hooded Jaw: You're just wasting ammo.
Jay: (in frustration) So how do we beat you?!
Hooded Jaw: Never has such a stupid thing been uttered.

More guards arrive with spades.
Guard: This isn't something we can get done in a few minutes.
Guard: What's your estimate?
Guard: May be an hour. Could be longer.
Guard: Is it safe to blast through this cave-in?
Guard: I wouldn't.
The guards get to work.

Hooded Jaw: You can't hit us. What are you going to do?
Jay: Prevent you from doing anything rash. Where'd you get those ships?
Hooded Jaw: I-I-Is that you Jay?!
Jay: The very same.
Hooded Jaw: The leader of tens of billions?!
Jay: Yes. I order you to recall these ships at once.
Hooded Jaw: Talking to me?! Little old me?!
Jay: Who else am I talking to?
Hooded Jaw: What did I do to get your attention, your honor?
Jay: Don't be smart, Hooded Jaw. Where did all these ships come from? Don't dodge or lie.
Hooded Jaw: Oh those aren't–
Italian Mouse: A-quiet-a!
Jay: Go on, Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: No thanks.
Jay: They aren't what?
Hooded Jaw: …Beatable…
There are a few minutes of nothing. A drone emerges from one of the Jaywalker ships and attempts to land on one of the ships. It flies right through.
Jay: These are holograms!
Hooded Jaw: What do you mean?
Jay: How else would my drone fly through your ship?
Hooded Jaw: Uh… New minor villain technology?
One of the Jaywalkers checks if there is anything coming from the engines of one of the Hooded Jaw's ships. There was, but it generated no heat.
Jay: These are holograms.
He tells Arnold.
Arnold: We're sorry for all the trouble we caused you.
Jay: We'll let you handle the minor villains.
The Jaywalkers leave.

Hooded Jaw: BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
The Italian Mouse slaps him like an alarm clock.
Hooded Jaw: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Dominick: He-haw!
Hooded Jaw: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Meanwhile…
Cream: The ships are gone!
Arnold: So they really are holograms…
Arnold calls the guards to bring the sick back to the infirmary.
Guard: Where did the ships go?
Arnold: They were holograms projected by the Hooded Jaw.
Captain: We need to stop him.
A search team is organized to find the Hooded Jaw.
Arnold: He's caused enough problems for us.
Guard: Enough for a lifetime.
Cream: Will we see him again?
Arnold: Yes. Behind bars.
The sick are moved back to the infirmary.
Guard: They've all passed out.
Arnold: They'll wake up soon… or so I hope.

Meanwhile…
Hooded Jaw: We failed!
Rainmaker: What were we supposed to do with that holoprojector?
Hooded Jaw: Scare them!
Firius: They didn't fall for it…
Hooded Jaw: I wanna kick some Guardian butt!
Firius: We will soon…
???: You will if you join us.
Hooded Jaw: Wha?! What?! How did you find us?!
???: Anyone can find you lot. Now, do you wish to join us?
Firius: Who are you?
???: You wouldn't know me. We are here to help you.
Hooded Jaw: How?
???: We can help take over the Guardians and all their buddies.
Hooded Jaw: You have the tech to do that?!
???: Yes, even though we don't need it.
Firius: What do you mean?
???: It'll take some time to explain. Come on, I'll tell you on our way to headquarters.

Later, at the HQ…
Hooded Jaw: This… is headquarters?
???: Yes. Isn't it great?
Hooded Jaw: I guess… maybe…
There were about fifty people in the room, most of them at computers.
Firius: So… you're a hacker?
???: You could call us that.
Black Widow: How much experience do you have?
???: Much. The average person here's been doing it for ten years.
Hooded Jaw: What is it you do here?
???: Manipulate governments. But we do other things as well.
Hooded Jaw: Wow.
???: It's gonna be so much fun.
Firius: Count us in!
???: Great! Do you have any hacking experience?
Hooded Jaw: No.
???: Want to learn?
Hooded Jaw: Sure!
Dominick: He-haw!
???: Follow me.
They do.

The person teaches them for several hours. Finally, the lessons are over.
Hooded Jaw: I can hack!
Firius: So who should we hack first?
Hooded Jaw: The Guardians!
Firius: What do you think, Mister…?
???: Smith. Sure you can.

At the Guardian base…
Guard: The computers are going crazy!
Arnold: Shut down all computers!
The computers are shut down.
Cream: What's going on?
Arnold: We're being hacked!
Cream: Hacked? What's that mean?
Arnold: An unauthorized outsider is somehow accessing our data.
The computers turn on and go crazy.
Arnold: Shut down all power!
The room goes dark. The only active object at the base is the force combo. The computers turn on again.
Guard: How?
Arnold: Now unplug the computers!
They do. However, the computers plug themselves back in.

Hooded Jaw: This is fun!
Dominick: He-haw!

The guards activate their headlamps and disconnect the cords from both the computer and the wall, and carry them away from the computers.
Guard: That should do it.
The computers turn on. The guards unplug all cords from the computers and walk away.
Guard: Please tell me they'll stay off.
They don't. Now the guards extract the hard drives from the computers. The computers start sizzling. The guards grab fire extinguishers and brace for impact. They start exploding. The guards start extinguishing the fires.

Rainmaker: How are you doing this?
Hooded Jaw: Long story. :P
Italian Mouse: A-awe-a-some-a!
Dominick: A-stop-a-haw-a!
Hooded Jaw: His blood sugar is low. He needs his pickled Cheez-Its.
Dominick: He-haw!

Back with the Guardians…
Guard: Fire!
They start extinguishing the fires.
Guard: The minor villains?
Arnold: It could only be…
The lights turn back on.

Hooded Jaw: What next?
Firius: The Jaywalkers!
Mr. Smith: No, they have hack-proof computers. We tried.
???: Who are these?
The minor villains introduce themselves.
???: Who brought you here?
Hooded Jaw gestures to Mr. Smith.
???: Why? Only the best deserve to be with us.
Firius: Then you'll have to speak with Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith: I, uh…
???: No one is supposed to know about us.
Mr. Smith: But…
???: Go on.
Mr. Smith: I invited them here.
???: Why?
Mr. Smith: Because I knew they'd be capable partners. Their hacking on the Guardian base is so foolproof that the Guardians are probably tearing their hair out in stress.
???: You should have told us before acting.
Mr. Smith: I'm sorry, sir.
???: You should be. We're really messed up.
Hooded Jaw: Your secret's safe with us.
The person pulls a tiny tracking device off of the Hooded Jaw, and steps on it.
???: How did that tracking device get there?
Hooded Jaw: Ooooh! Magic trick! You wanna pull a quarter out of my ear next?
Mr. Smith: Clearly they are dim, sir.
???: It took you till now to notice?
Hooded Jaw: …Yes.
???: I wasn't talking to you. You all better come with me.
They enter another room. They see several small boxes yelling "Eradicate!"
Hooded Jaw: Googlie-mooglie! You have pocket-sized Robans?!
???: No, you dimwits. Those are their voice boxes.
He removes his hood to reveal Noboru.
Hooded Jaw: Noboru?!
Noboru: Yes, that is my name.
Hooded Jaw: Why are you here?
Noboru: Why should I not be?
Hooded Jaw: You're supposed to be in Japan!
Noboru: Not necessarily.
Hooded Jaw: Oh.
Noboru: You see, in order to be successful, we need to be unified.
Hooded Jaw: What does that have to do with– Oh.
He sees several other villains.
Miyoko: You!
She roundhouse kicks the Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: My lovely stomach!
Noboru: Everyone stop and look at me!
Hooded Jaw: But she kicked me!
Noboru: I know that, fleabag. Now, our goal is to take over the world–
Hooded Jaw: Noo! Not more world conquerors!
Noboru: Zip it! Ahem. Our goal is to take over the world's governments.
Hooded Jaw: That's no fun!
Noboru rolls his eyes.
Hooded Jaw: One question: Does Mikami know you're gone?
Noboru: Who knows.
Black Toadette: So what do we do first?
Noboru: Prepare.

The Guardian base, one week later.
Nurse: Not much longer now.
Stardown wakes up and looks around. He is much better than before, but is too weak to stand. Other Guardians were up and about. Stardown reaches for his tablet. 1000+ new messages, it read. He started looking through them. Mostly spam and promotions, but otherwise not too much was special.
Person: Ha maan! Ursu koow! U lul yuow kunez! Letz beue budz. [Hey man! You're so cool! … Let's be buds.]
Pretty Girl: I love your new video about you.
Person: Buy my sc8board!
Stardown shakes his head as he puts them in spam.
Person: Stardown! The Smice are back! They've taken over Lamb Island!
Concern spreads across Stardown's face.
"Please help us!"
Stardown begins getting worried. There was nothing else. Stardown looks around to see if there is anyone to tell about it. Just John who was asleep. He waited for someone to come. It was Brian.
Stardown: Brian, I received an email saying that the Shmice conquered Lamb Island and that my help is needed.
Brian: Spam. That never happened.
Stardown: What a relief.
He deletes the message.
Brian: How are you feeling?
Stardown: Better than a few days ago.
Brian: You should be fully well any time now.
Stardown: But I thought the symptoms would last two weeks.
Brian: Without treatment, yes.

Later that day, Stardown felt well enough to stand.
Stardown: Where're the computers?
Brian tells him what happened.
Stardown: Could it be… them?
Brian: Possibly.
Stardown: We could use some bounty hunters…
Brian: Not THOSE bounty hunters, I hope…
"Those" bounty hunters crash through the window.
Stardown: When was the last time we recruited?
Brian: It's been a while.
Arnold: We need to soon.
Brian: But we're in no position to recruit, with all the hacking going on…
Arnold: How else are we going to grow?
Brian: We could recruit, but at the risk of more hacking or undercover villains.
Another Arnold walks in.
Brian: Wait! One of you is an impostor.
Arnold 1: He is!
Arnold 2: I am? No, you're the imposter.
Arnold 1: No, you are!
Arnold 2: Wrong. You are.
Brian: Alright, time to settle this. What were each of you doing when we were at Mikami's tournament?
Arnold 2: Fighting the Woolzarians.
Arnold 1: Me too.
Brian: Did the Emperor transform you into a villain?
Arnold 1: What Emperor?
Brian points to Arnold 1.
Brian: Then you must be the impostor!
Arnold 1: I don't even know what you're talking about!
Brian: All right, one more question: Who did you rescue Cream and Cheese from?
Arnold 1: The… the…
Arnold 2: The Daleks.
Arnold 1: Thank you.
Brian: Where did you first meet the Robans?
Arnold 1: What's a Roban?
Brian: Now I know you're the impostor.
The guards handcuff him.
Arnold 1: No! Wait! He's the impostor!
Brian: No, I don't think so.
Arnold 2 shows his credentials as proof that he is the real Arnold.
Arnold: Glad that's taken care of.
The fake Arnold is taken away.
Brian: Something's going on.
Arnold: We'll need to find out who he is.

Meanwhile, Stardown is showing the studios to the Mobians.
Bunnie: Very nice.
Stardown: Right now we're working on an Ultra Agents series. You'll be blown away at its quality.
They hear a thud in the other room, and head over to investigate.
Arnold: Brian fell.
Stardown: Is he okay?
Arnold: I'm sure he is.
Brian is brought to the infirmary.
Sally: What happened?
Arnold: Brian fell. That's all.
Amy: I hope he recovers soon.
Arnold: He will.
Stardown's group heads back to the studios.
Arnold: Stardown?
Stardown: Yes, Commander?
Arnold: I need you for a private… meeting.
Stardown: I'll be back later, guys. Enjoy yourselves.
Arnold: In here.
Stardown follows.
Arnold: Don't move!
Stardown: What is it?
Stardown's face was covered by a sweet-smelling cloth…
Before he passes out, he leans against the wall and activates a button on his belt. A warning beacon had been activated.
…causing him to pass out. After about thirty minutes, Arnold leaves. Tails happens to be near the door when it opens. Arnold doesn't notice.
Tails: (to himself) Stardown didn't leave with him. Something's up.
He enters the room. He doesn't see anyone, but there's another door open. He slowly enters. He sees Stardown talking with several other Mobians.
Tails: Something's still not right…
Stardown: Hi Tails!
Tails: Stardown! Was it just me or was Arnold acting strange?
Stardown: No, why?
Tails: Because he left the meeting without you.
Stardown: We just went separate ways.
Tails decides not to question him further. He would discuss this with the others. He sees Hiroshimi in the cafe, and tells him about the situation.
Tails: Arnold sounded suspicious when he mentioned a private meeting.
Hiroshimi: Oh? What did he say?
Tails repeats what Arnold said.
Hiroshimi: That's strange. Where's Stardown?
Tails: He was chatting with the others as if nothing wrong happened.
Hiroshimi: How had Arnold acted since?
Tails: I haven't seen him since he left.
Hiroshimi: I'll go see what's up.
Tails returns to the others as Hiroshimi leaves.
Stardown: Want to see our stop motion studio storage room?
They all do. As they were about to enter, Tails suddenly felt a pit in his stomach.
Tails: Actually; I just remembered; I need to go work on the Tornado.
He walks away, but keeps out of sight of Stardown as he watches him. As they step in and the door is closed, Tails hears the faint click of the door locking.
Tails: I knew something was wrong with Stardowb. Maybe… he's gone bad?
He doesn't hear anything. After awhile, he grew bored, but after thirty minutes of being in there, they step out. Tails runs like he's never run before.
Stardown: Where are you off to?
Tails spins his tails and takes flight, gaining speed. He turns down several corridors, hoping to lose him.
Stardown: Come back!
Tails spots Dallas.
Tails: Cover me! Stardown's been brainwashed!
Dallas: Wait, what?!
Stardown: Brainwashed?
Tails: There's no time to explain!
Stardown: What's gone into you?
Tails: Why did you lock the door after entering the storage room, and stay there for thirty minutes?
Stardown: We were just chatting.
The Mobians nod.
Tails: Behind a locked door?
Stardown: Locked?
Tails: That's right.
Dallas: Stardown, what's going on?
Stardown: That's what I'd like to know.
Dallas: You don't know what you just did?
Stardown: You're making a fuss over nothing.
Dallas: ...All right, we'll let you go this time.
Tails and Dallas walk away. Stardown turns to the Mobians.
Stardown: Sonic, take care of Tails and Dallas ASAP.
He did a snazzy salute.
Sonic: I hear and I obey!
He takes off.

Tails: As convincing as Stardown was, Dallas, we should hide somewhere.
Sonic ran up to them.
Sonic: Hey guys!
Dallas: Howdy, Sonic. What's up?
Sonic: One of the projects in the lab's gone nuts!
Tails looks up at Dallas.
Tails: Should we?
Dallas: Can't Stardown fix it?
Sonic: Should you? The whole place is gonna come down! Follow me!
Dallas gives the signal for Tails to run while he follows Sonic. Tails flees, looking for Hiroshimi.
Sonic: In here!
Dallas follows.
Sonic: Now that I have you where I want…
Sonic whips out a cloth and puts it over Dallas' face.

Meanwhile…
Tails finds Hiroshimi.
Hiroshimi: Hey, what's up?
Tails informs him of Sonic's strange behavior.
Hiroshimi: Did you check to see if anything happened?
Tails: No, I just ran. But I know that something's wrong.
Hiroshimi: Oh? How so?
Tails: He called Dallas to repair a "malfunctioning project."
Tails recounts what happened.
Hiroshimi: Let's take a look.
Tails: That might be risky.
Hiroshimi: Heck yeah!
He had a look of daring excitement.
They head over.
Sonic: Hey.
Hiroshimi: What happened to Dallas?
Sonic: Dallas?
Hiroshimi: Yes, him.
Sonic: Oh, uuh…
Tails gets an idea.
Tails: Where's Arnold?
Sonic: I don't know… Why?
Tails: We need to see him!
Sonic: Okay.
Tails and Hiroshimi leave.
Sonic: Tails?
Tails: Ignore him! He's trying to lure us into a trap!
Sonic: Haha! You're funny.
Tails takes flight and searches frantically for help.
Sonic: Tails! What are you doing?! It's just me!
Tails: I know, but I think you've been brainwashed!
Sonic: Not me.
Tails spots Arnold.
Tails: Commander! Sonic's been brainwashed!
Arnold: What?
Sonic: Tails! You've gone mad!
Tails: Don't listen to him!
Sonic: What did I do?!
Arnold: Why don't you come with me and talk about it.
Tails: Just to make sure you're not a fake, I need to see your credentials.
Arnold: Credentials?
Tails then flees from the hangar.
Arnold: They're right here.
Sonic: Guards! Tails' gone mad!
Guard: We've been told to be on the lookout for a false Arnold. Please show your credentials.
He hands them over.
Guard: Thanks. You're good to go.
Sonic: Guards!
In this mix-up, Tails has escaped. Dallas rushed in.
Dallas: What's going on?!
Sonic: Tails escaped!
Dallas: Escaped?
Sonic: He could be anywhere!
Dallas whispers something to Sonic.
Sonic: Right.
They part ways.

Meanwhile, Tails rushes to the infirmary and finds Brian. As fast as he can, he tells him everything that happened.
Brian: Thanks for telling me.
Tails: I need to hide. Everyone's after me!
He flees.
Brian: (to himself) You can run, but you can't hide from us…

Meanwhile, Tails flees the base and flies to the roof.
Tails: They can't find me here… I hope.
He tries to get comfortable, as it was getting late. Fortunately, he had a radio with him, but he didn't want to use it yet. He looked down to see if he could take the Tornado and escape. It didn't look possible. Then he looked at the speeder bikes. There were several guards near them.
???: Tails?
Tails turns around. It was Knuckles.
Knuckles: There aren't many more pure Guardians left. The guards are being taken over now.
Tails: But what is going on? What's causing the Guardians to turn against us?
Knuckles: Beats me. We'll have to try and listen in.
They do.
Brian: The guards are being swapped out now.
Arnold: Has the crazy fox been caught?
Tails: So they really are turned against us!
Knuckles: Wait, "swapped out"?
Tails: Could these be… fakes?
Knuckles: Sounds like it.
Brian: They are right above us… listening.
Tails: How'd they know that?!
Knuckles: We gotta move!
They run across the roof.
Tails: But they've got all the vehicles guarded!
They skid to a halt as they spot a tall, cloaked, hooded figure leaning on a giant war axe.
Tails: Who… are you?
Its two bright yellow eyes flash open as it draws its axe and bounds at them.
Knuckles: If it's a fight you want…
He punches the figure across the roof.
Knuckles: …it's a fight you'll get!
The figure is up in a flash. A cannon in its chest emerges and fires several dozen small missiles at them. Tails flies out of the way and dodges them.
Tails: It's a machine?
Figure: We will destroy you!
Knuckles: Right you are!
A smoke bomb explodes. Several more figures are present.
Knuckles: Tell us who you are!
???: That won't be necessary…
The figures step aside as Arnold approaches with his hands behind his back.
Knuckles: You're the fake Arnold, right?
Arnold: It does not matter. You two are the last to be swapped out.
Tails: Then… then where do we go?
Arnold: You will find out soon enough…
Tails: No thanks! I prefer the authentic me!
Arnold: I will say it for old times' sake.
His voice suddenly changed.
Eradicate!
Thus the fight began.
Tails: Wh-what?!
Knuckles punches the Roban Arnold off the roof.
Knuckles: Well, that was easy.
Arnold: Not entirely.
He flies back on and fires an FBG machine gun at them.
Figures: All hail Robob!
Tails and Knuckles ran behind a chimney.
Tails: How did he breach the force combo?!
Arnold: That was more than easy…
A missile from his wrist destroyed the chimney.
Tails: We need to get out of here!
Arnold: No need to worry. There is no escape.
Tails: What do we do?!
Arnold: Nothing. But submit.
Tails: We're not going to be replaced by cheap copies of ourselves!
Arnold: These aren't cheap copies, young one. These are your supreme beings!
Knuckles: So you're saying that we become these… copies?!
Arnold: You catch on well. That will happen to all of us.
Tails: Whatever happens, I want no part of it!
He picks up Knuckles and flies down to the Tornado. They take their seats, and Tails starts the engine and prepares to take off.
Arnold: Aww… Such a cute little fool…
He blows the tail of the plane to pieces with one missile. Tails and Knuckles leap out of the plane, take a speeder bike, and take off.
Arnold: Pitiful. Simply pitiful.
They are already gone.
Brian: After them!
Arnold: Let them go. We know where they are, and once they tire they'll be ours.

Knuckles: Where should we go?
Tails: Over there. I think there's a police station.
They stop in and tell the police about what happened.
Officer: You sure this isn't a joke?
Tails: I'm positive!
Officer 2: I think he's honest.
The other office shrugs and picks up the phone. He then tells the person on the other end what he was told. After a few moments, he hangs up.
Officer 1: The SWAT team is on its way.
Knuckles: That's good to hear.
Officer 2: You can stay here if you wish.
Tails: I think it's best to stay.
Officer 2: Have you eaten?
In all the excitement, Tails has forgotten that he was hungry. They admitted they were.
Officer 2: We'll make you something to eat.
Tails: Thanks.
They are soon eating.
Tails: Arnold could try to find us again.
Officer 1: Arnold?
Knuckles: He was changed into a Roban. Or so I think…
Officer 1: A Roban?
Knuckles: That's right. He mentioned something about "swapping us out" and that we were the only ones left.
Officer 1: Sounds bad.
Tails: They could be after us at any time.
Officer 2: We'll have to relocate you.

Meanwhile…
Noboru: All is going according to plan.
Miyoko: The Robans are unstoppable. Plit will be ours.
Noboru: What gave you the idea to modify them?
Miyoko: I had a few in storage. I thought it would be fun to "tweak" them.
Noboru: Looks like Tails and Knuckles have notified the police.
Miyoko: They must be stopped! No one can know about this!
Hooded Jaw: But isn't it too late to stop them if they did?
Miyoko: Not with what I have in mind.
Hooded Jaw: So you can track them anywhere?
Miyoko: That's right.
Hooded Jaw: …Wow.
Miyoko: A taste of our state-of-the-art tech.
Hooded Jaw: And no tracking devices?
Miyoko: Those are a thing of the past.
Hooded Jaw: Sorry if I'm asking so many questions, but how did you do it?
Miyoko: I don't have time to explain.
Firius: What should our next course of action be?
Miyoko: To monitor the Robans.
Firius: Should we send them after our fugitives?
Miyoko: We already have.
Hooded Jaw: So they'll be here in no time, right?
Miyoko: Correct.
Mr. Smith: Don't be too confident. These are the Guardians we're talking about.
Miyoko: A couple animals are nothing compared to us.
Hooded Jaw: That's the spirit!

Meanwhile…
Tails and Knuckles finish eating.
Officer: Ready to depart?
Tails: We need to lay low. The Robans could be after us at any time.
Tails and Knuckles leave with several officers. Much to their dismay, it began to rain as they stepped outside.
Tails: This may hinder our progress.
Knuckles: But at least I think it will cause the Robans to rust
Tails: True.
???: You are wrong. Rusting is a thing of the past.
Tails: Run!
???: You have no destination. You will be caught.
Knuckles: Not without a fight!
Roban: You are outnumbered.
There were over thirty Robans present. Suddenly there was a blur as an object crippled four of them.
Roban: This does not compute!
That Roban was smashed in two.
Roban: What is happening?!
Roban: It's that hedgehog!
Tails: Sonic?!
Sonic: You bet it's Sonic!
He destroyed the Robans left and right.
Tails: But… how…?
???: How indeed?
A second Tails arrives.
Knuckles: Impersonating is bad for your health!
Roban: This cannot be!
Roban Tails: I was ordered to come here.
Roban: Not by us!
Tails: They seem to be conflicted.
???: This isn't anything that can be fixed…
Arnold and over fifty Robans arrive on the scene.
Tails: We're doomed!
Sonic: Not hardly!
Sonic spin-dashes straight into Arnold.
Arnold: Get that hedgehog!
Sonic: C'mon! Try!
All of the Robans fired homing FBG machine guns at him.
Sonic: Really? That's it?
Roban: You are no match for us!
Sonic: Oh? Well, you haven't really shown me anything yet.
Eradicate!
The Robans used everything they had against Sonic.
Sonic: You can do better than this!
Roban: Eradicate the hedgehog! Eradicate the hedgehog!
Sonic dodged everything with ease.
Sonic: I can do this all day.
He began turning the Robans into scrap metal.
Arnold: This was not meant to happen!
Sonic: Says who?
Arnold: Says I!
Sonic: You're just a robot. None of what you say really matters.
Arnold: Eradicate him!
Sonic: You all keep saying that. Why haven't you actually done it?

Noboru: I hate that hedgehog…
Hooded Jaw: Those Robans are garbage in the heat of battle!
Miyoko glared at him. If looks could kill.
Noboru: The Guardian base is safe… for now…
Firius: Did you just admit we could lose?
Noboru: Not necessarily.
Firius: Sorry. You had me at "for now".
Noboru: Oh…
Hooded Jaw: So… what's next?
Noboru: We need to get those Robans to safety.
Miyoko: They are capable.
Noboru: Not against Sonic they aren't.
Hooded Jaw: Welp, looks like he got them all,
Noboru whirled around.
Noboru: What?!
Hooded Jaw: Mhm.
Noboru: Even Arnold?
Hooded Jaw: Yarp.
Firius: We need to come up with a new plan!
Hooded Jaw: Yeah!
Noboru: Sigh. Like what?
Hooded Jaw: Like Smarties!
Firius facepalms.
Noboru: What "Smarties"?
Firius: They're candies powerful enough to knock a Yukon moose unconscious for three weeks.
Hooded Jaw: Yup!
Noboru: Oh yeah. I heard something like that at the tournament.
Hooded Jaw: I want my prize!
Noboru: If you're talking about Stardown, we already have him.
Hooded Jaw: You're right!
He runs out of the room.
Mr. Smith: Where is he going?
Italian Mouse: A-claiming-a-his-a-prize-a!
Firius: This can't possibly end well.
Dominick: He-haw!

Meanwhile…
Sonic: That's the last of 'em.
Knuckles: But how did you escape being swapped out?
Sonic: Their prison wasn't too strong. I managed to break out.
Tails: Did the others manage to escape?
Sonic: No, they're still captured.
Knuckles: So they are trapped in individual cells?
Sonic: That's right. We need to free them before their minds are extracted.
Tails: Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!
Sonic: There's just one problem.
Tails: What's that?
Sonic: I don't remember where it is.
Tails: I'm sorry to hear that.
Knuckles: Then should we head back to the Guardian base and take care of our Roban selves?
Sonic: There're way too many of them. I was lucky to make it out alive this time.
Tails: …
Knuckles: …
Tails: Then where should we stay?
Sonic: …
Tails: What about the Jaywalkers?
Sonic: Oh yeah! I forgot about them!
Knuckles: Should we?
Sonic: What do we have to lose?
Knuckles: Nothing!
They contact the Jaywalkers using a phone in the police station. Soon, a shuttle picks them up and takes them to the Jaywalker Refuge Center.

Meanwhile…
The Hooded dragged Stardown into the room.
Hooded Jaw: I got my prize!
Black Toadette: You fool!
Hooded Jaw: Fool? Me?
Firius: Weren't you told not to release the prisoners?
Hooded Jaw: He's my prize!
Rainmaker: Why is the prize not protesting?
Hooded Jaw: Because I'll give him some Smarties if he doesn't.
Noboru: Don't touch the prisoners!
Hooded Jaw: But he's my prisoner!
Noboru: Our prisoner. Now put him back.
Hooded Jaw: No thanks. He's mine now.
Noboru: Do you want me to fire you?
Hooded Jaw: Dis is a job?
Noboru: Of course!
Hooded Jaw: Hahahahahahahaha!
He jammed a Smartie into Stardown's mouth.
Noboru: You're fired.
He pressed a button, and the Hooded Jaw is teleported out of the base. Stardown coughs out the Smartie as he is dragged back to the prison.
Miyoko: You idiot, do you know what you've done?
Noboru: Sigh, here comes the boomerang…
Miyoko: This group is top secret. He's going to tell everyone.
Noboru: Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure he doesn't.
Miyoko: How?
Noboru: We could send Robans to the woodshed to prevent him from doing so.
Miyoko: Yeah, like you.
She teleports him to the woodshed.
Italian Mouse: A-he-a-was-a-a-a-Roban-a?
Miyoko: That's right. The real Noboru won't be here until later.
Firius: Unbelievable.
Rainmaker: Toenail fungus?
Firius: Seriously?
Italian Mouse: A-smash-a-it-a!
Marvin: With Jublia!
Black Toadette: I have no idea what you loonies are talking about…
Chomp!
Black Toadette: Watch it!
Chormp!
Italian Mouse: A-chormp-a?
Choemp!
Rainmaker: Cool!
Chaemp! Champ!
Italian Mouse: A-champ-a!
Dominick: A-he-a-haw-a!
Black Toadette: Will you shut up?!
Italian Mouse: A-no-a.
Black Toadette: A-yes-a. Now stop.
Marvin: Did you say chomp?!
Firius: Please don't anger Miyoko.
Black Toadette: Please don't anger me!
Miyoko had left.

At the prisons…
Hooded Jaw: Waaah! It's not easy being green!
Noboru: And they call you the leader of the minor villains. The name fits. Huh, Sirius seems more capable than you.
Hooded Jaw: My sweetheart!
Noboru: She is?
Hooded Jaw: Of course…
Noboru: I sense feminism is taking over…
Hooded Jaw: I don't care…
Noboru: Good.
He leaves.
Hooded Jaw: Wait!
Noboru: What is it?
Hooded Jaw: Aren't you a Roban?
Noboru: Of course. The real Noboru will be here soon.
Hooded Jaw: You're stupid.
Noboru: Don't make me eradicate you.
He leaves.
Hooded Jaw: LOL.

Elsewhere in the prisons…
Cream: I'm scared!
Cheese: Chao chao chao!
Amy: Don't be scared, Cream. We'll be out of here in no time… I hope.
Stardown is still shuddering from his near-Smartied experience.
The prison he was in was made of strong bars and stone.
Stardown: At least Sonic escaped, and out captors still don't have Tails and Knuckles yet.
Italian Mouse: A-hey-a-guys-a! A-having-a-fun-a? A-not-a-yet-a?
Cream: What?
Cheese: Chao?
Italian Mouse: A-you-a-are-a-like-a-really-a-bad-a-at-a-listening-a.
Dominick: (from the other room) He-haw!
Italian Mouse: A-oh-a-sorry-a. A-the-a-donkey's-a-calling-a.
He leaves.
Amy: Let us out at once!
She hammers away at the bars.
Italian Mouse: (from the distance) A-sorry-a. A-no-a-can-a-do-a.
Roadrunner: Ooh, I'll make mincemeat out of that Italian Mouse!
He reaches for his lightsaber.
Roadrunner: Look what they forgot to take!
Italian Mouse: (from the distance) A-what-a?
Roadrunner: I said, you're such a rotten snake!
Italian Mouse: (from the distance) A-thanks-a! A-sssss-a!
Some of the Guardians are amused.
Roadrunner: (to himself) He fell for it!
He draws his lightsaber and works at the bars.
Cream: You can do it!
Cheese: Chao chao chao!
Italian Mouse: (from the distance) A-yes-a-I-a-can-a!
Roadrunner slices through one of the bars and catches it before it falls. They hear footsteps. Roadrunner sheaths his lightsaber and repositions the bar in place before acting casual.
Italian Mouse: A-hi-a! A-what's-a-up-a?
Stardown: Weren't you just here?
Italian Mouse: A-I-a-wasn't-a-talking-a-to-a-you-a.
Stardown: Oh?
Italian Mouse: A-oh-a.
Stardown: Then who were you talking to?
Italian Mouse: A-Road-a-run-a-ner-a!
Roadrunner: Just waiting like the rest of us.
Italian Mouse: A-what-a-was-a-all-a-the-a-zapping?
Roadrunner: Was there?
Italian Mouse: A-yes-a.
Stardown: Uh, yeah, I was watching Revenge of the Sith on my tablet. Palpatine was zapping Mace out the window.
Italian Mouse: A-no-a.
Stardown: Then what do you think it was?
Italian Mouse: A-A-a-lightsaber-a!
Stardown: You sure someone's not breaking in to rescue us?
Italian Mouse: A-I'm-a-sure-a.
Roadrunner: Then what is it?
Italian Mouse: A-I-a-told-a-you-a!
Roadrunner: I know. We're just prisoners. We can't do anything.
Italian Mouse: A-oh-a?
He removed the bar.
Roadrunner: Escape! Now!
Everyone attempts to break out.
Italian Mouse: A-how-a-funny-a!
He summons several Robans. Some of the Guardians have escaped, and they work on getting the rest out.
Stardown: So these are the new Robans?
Italian Mouse: A-of-a-course-a!
The Robans overtake the Guardians and throw them back into their cells.
Roban: Begin repairs.
The Robans repair the cells.
Italian Mouse: A-yay-a!
Stardown: You know we can escape again, right?
Roban: We will catch you again.
Hooded Jaw: I broke out!
Roban: Feed them Smarties.
Hooded Jaw: Yes sir!
During the commotion, Stardown sends the location of his device to Sonic.
Stardown: Wait, what?
A Smartie is shoved down his throat. Stardown tries not to faint. At least he sent a signal for help. The others were fed.
Italian Mouse: A-yummy-a-eh-a?
Stardown: …No…
Italian Mouse: A-what-a?
The Robans had left.
Stardown: …Help…
Italian Mouse: A-no-a!
Stardown leans against the wall.
Italian Mouse: A-are-a-you-a-cozy-a?
Stardown: …Go away…
Italian Mouse: A-no-a-thanks-a.
Stardown closes his eyes and tries to rest.
Italian Mouse: A-blah-a-blah-a-blah-a-blah-a-blah-a…

Meanwhile…
Sonic: Someone just sent something…
He checks the device.
Tails: What is it?
Sonic: It's Stardown! And he's giving us his coordinates!
Tails leaped with joy.
Knuckles: But we don't know what to expect once we arrive.
Sonic: True, but we'll be ready!
Tails: Then what are we waiting for?
They head on their way. Suddenly Sonic's device pings again. He checks it.
Sonic: Another message from Stardown. It says "Smartie."
Tails: Oh no!
Knuckles: We just dealt with those!
Sonic: This must mean those minor villains are involved.
Tails: Then we really need to get going!
They soon see it: a small metal base on Whale Island.
Sonic: Just so you know, guys, we'll probably be dealing with Robans, so don't let your guard down.
Tails: How do we get in?
Sonic: There must be an entrance somewhere.
Knuckles: Who needs an entrance when we can make our own way in?
Tails: You're going to–
Knuckles dents the building.
Sonic: Here's the door!
He tries it.
Sonic: The locked door…
Knuckles: Let me at it!
He punches the door. The dents were slightly deeper than on the wall. Knuckles tries several more times.
Knuckles: This could take a while.
???: There they are!
Knuckles finally breaks through the door. Sonic and Tails turn to face the speaker. It was a Roban.
Tails: Quick! Inside!
Sonic: You go, Tails! I'll hold them off. Knuckles will protect you!
Tails: Where to?
Knuckles: Try to find the prisons!
Tails: What about the Robans?
Knuckles: We'll worry about them once they arrive.
Tails: Place looks small.
Knuckles: Tell me about it.
They bump into Dominick.
Dominick: He-haw!
Italian Mouse: A-coming-a!
Knuckles: Run!
Dominick: He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!...

Italian Mouse: A-you're-a-singing-a-again-a!
Black Toadette: What's that awful noise?
Firius: Just Dominick singing.
Dominick: Heee-haaaw!
Firius: That's a good one.
Italian Mouse: A-I'm-a-here-a!
Dominick: HE-HAW!
Black Widow: Noice!

Meanwhile, Tails and Knuckles are searching frantically for the prisons.
Hooded Jaw: Why hello my friends! Want a little snack?
Knuckles punches him out of the way.
Tails: There's the prisons!
The Hooded Jaw blocks their way.
Hooded Jaw: Could you play somewhere else?
Hooded Jaw: Play nice!
Knuckles breaks open the prison doors one by one. Sonic runs in.
Roban: Stop them!
Tails: We're trapped!
Sonic: Not yet, we aren't! Gather round, everyone! Chaos… Control!
Everyone except the Robans find themselves at the Jaywalker Refuge Center.
Dallas: What was that?
Sonic: Chaos Control. Good thing I still had the Emeralds with me.
Tails: The Robans are gonna be mad!
Sonic: They could stand to let off some steam.
Roadrunner: We were… infected with… Smarties.
Jaywalker Officer: Then we need to get you into immediate care.
Knuckles: All this was planned by the minor villains?
Sonic: I think there's more to this than we know…

Hooded Jaw: BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Italian Mouse slaps him like an alarm clock.
Italian Mouse: I-a could have fed-a you a Smartie!
Hooded Jaw: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Black Widow: You forgot some A's, Mr. Italy.
Dominick: He-haw!
Hooded Jaw: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
The Italian Mouse feeds him one of his own Smarties.
Hooded Jaw: YUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Italian Mouse: A-m-a?
Hooded Jaw: Yeah!
Black Toadette: You let those prisoners escape! The bosses will be sooooo mad!
Hooded Jaw: We didn't do anything!
Black Toadette: That's the problem!
Firius: We lost Stardown to those Mobians! And it's all your fault, HJ!
Hooded Jaw: Heroic Junk! I love that album!
Black Toadette: Oh, brother…
Hooded Jaw: Brother did a great job at HJ!
Black Toadette: I think you need more Smarties…
Hooded Jaw: Yeah! More! More! More!
Black Toadette: Are you sure? You'll have less to feed your prisoners?
Hooded Jaw: What prisoners?
Black Toadette: You DON'T KNOW?!
Hooded Jaw: The prisoner escaped.
Black Toadette: That's right.
Hooded Jaw: So what are you talking about?
Black Toadette: Sigh… Here, I'll show you.
She leaves with the Hooded Jaw. He looks at the empty cells.
Hooded Jaw: Hmm?
Black Toadette: You may need a closer look.
She locks Hooded Jaw in a cell.
Hooded Jaw: Waah! What was that for?!
Black Toadette: You let two dozen prisoners escape on your watch. TWO DOZEN! You're going to have to explain this to the boss.
Hooded Jaw: But the red dude punched me!
Black Toadette shrugs.
Black Toadette: Hey, he was your problem, not mine.
She walks away.
Hooded Jaw: Wait up!
She ignores him.
Hooded Jaw: Come back!
Nothing.
Italian Mouse: A-check-a-this-a-out-a-Hooded-a-Jaw-a!
Hooded Jaw: What?
Italian Mouse: A-where-a-are-a-you-a?
Hooded Jaw: In here. A certain fungus locked me in.
Italian Mouse: A-I'll-a-save-a-you-a!
He frees the Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: Weee!
Firius: Guys! Calm down! The bosses could be here any minute!
Hooded Jaw: What bosses?
Black Toadette: Who did you think I meant?
Hooded Jaw: Duuh…
Black Toadette: What's wrong with you?
Hooded Jaw: Who, me?
Black Toadette: You're hopeless!
Hooded Jaw: LOL.
Rainmaker: Let it hurricane!
Marvin: YUMMY!
Black Widow: Don't you dare!
Marvin ate the hurricane.
Rainmaker: Let it earthquake!
Black Widow: A-try-a-eating-a-that-a!
Marvin: Okay!
Everyone except Black Toadette laughed.
Marvin: Uh…
Rainmaker: Gotcha!
They hear the front door opening. Everyone except Marvin, Rainmaker, and the Hooded Jaw turn to the door. The "bosses" had arrived.
Italian Mouse: A-well-a-come-a!
Firius: Where are Noboru and Miyoko?
Noboru: We're right here?
Black Toadette: Thank goodness! Marvin's been eating hurricanes to pass the time!
Noboru: I'm… sorry?
Marvin burps.
Noboru: How did you even get here?
Miyoko: Talk later. We have business to attend.
Noboru: But… but who are these guys?
Hooded Jaw: We were hired!
Noboru: You're kidding, right?
???: By who?
Hooded Jaw: Mr. Smith!
???: Mr… Smith?
Hooded Jaw: Uh… He's not here right now.
???: I'll have to have a talk with him…
Firius: Who are you?
???: I am Professor Satou.
Firius: So you are the leader of this group?
Satou: In one way.
Firius: FYI, Sonic stopped by and busted out all our prisoners.
Satou: I know. That's why I'm here.
Black Toadette: But we don't even know where they are.
Satou: You don't, but I do.
Black Toadette: How?
Satou: I don't have time to explain.
He turns to the leaders.
Satou: Follow me.
They do.
Rainmaker: Let the games continue!
Firius: No.
Marvin: Yes!
Rainmaker: Two votes to one, we win!
Black Toadette: No.
Firius: Now we're even.
Hooded Jaw: Mountain dew it!
Rainmaker: Three to one, we win! Let it tsunami!
Marvin: Yummy!
Rainmaker: Let it volcano!
Marvin: Double yummy!
Rainmaker: Let it dew!
Marvin: YES! YUMOLA!
Rainmaker: Let it fog!
Marvin: Me like fog!
Firius: Did he get too close to Fukushima?
Black Toadette: Yyyyep.
Rainmaker: Let it tornado!
Marvin: Delicioso!
Rainmaker: Let it snow!
Nibble nibble nibble nibble…
Rainmaker: Let it geyser!
Glug glug glug!
Rainmaker: Let it–
Noboru: Okay, kids, cool it already.
Rainmaker: Okay! Let it hail!
Chimp! Chomp! Chomp!
Noboru: I meant stop it!
Rainmaker: No! Let it spritz!
CHOMP!
Italian Mouse: A-what-a-was-a-that-a?
Hooded Jaw: Just Rainmaker's entertainments.
Italian Mouse: A-K-a.
Noboru: Guys! We're finished with the meeting.
Italian Mouse: A-already-a? A-it's-a-only-a-been-a-two-a-minutes-a! A-are-a-you-a-a-a-Roban-a? A-hm-a?
Noboru: Don't condescend us.
Italian Mouse: A-no-a-meeting-a-lasts-a-two-a-minutes-a?
Noboru: And yes, I'm a Roban.
He leaves.
Hooded Jaw: Well, that was random.
Psycho: Too many Robans.
Hooded Jaw: Can you tell me what the bosses are thinking?
Black Widow: And leak information?
Psycho: If you wish.
Psycho concentrates deeply.
Rainmaker: Let it–
Firius: Quiet.
Psycho: None of them seem worried…
Firius: Then we shouldn't be, either.
Psycho continues concentrating.
Firius: Let's be very quiet.
Dominick: HE-HAW! HE-HAW! HE-HAW! HE-HAW! HE-HAW!
Italian Mouse attaches a muzzle to Dominick.
Dominick: Mm-mmm! Mm-mmm! Mm-mmm! Mm-mmm! Mm-mmm!
Italian Mouse shakes his head. Firius puts her ear to the wall. Dominick gets louder.
Marvin: Louder! Louder!
Dominick: MM-MMM!
Hooded Jaw: That was a good one!
Marvin: LOUDER!
Dominick: MM-MMM!
Italian Mouse removes the muzzle.
Dominick: HE-HAW! HE-HAW HEEEEE-HAW HAW-HEEE!...
Hooded Jaw: …That's new.
Marvin: I can't hear you!
Dominick: HE-HAW!
The Roban Noboru enters, scowls at them, and leaves.
Hooded Jaw: He looked at me!
Marvin: He looked at me too! Hey! I want your autograph!
He leaves. Firius shakes her head.
Firius: That moose…

One hour later, the meeting is finally over.
Noboru: This place is trashed…
Hooded Jaw: What? I can't hear you. Must be that donkey.
Noboru: You bozos trashed our base!!!
Firius: Only Dominick, Marvin, and Rainmaker are to blame.
Italian Mouse: And-a-me-a!
Firius: You forgot an A.
He throws a pie at Noboru.
Noboru: You four, get out.
He gestures to Marvin, Dominick, IM, and Rainmaker.
Dominick: No-haw!
The Robans escort them out.
Dominick: He-he-he-haw-haw-haw!
Hooded Jaw: You guys can stay.
Noboru: You have no say in the matter.
Hooded Jaw: Well neither do you. You're just a Roban.
He feeds him a Smartie.
"Real" Noboru: Thank you. Now, we would like to share with you what we came up with.
Satou: We? This is a private matter.
Noboru: Whoopsie! I'm a Roban.
He leaves.
Hooded Jaw: Two Roban Noborus.
Firius: I guess.
Noboru: Enjoy yourselves.
The three heads leave.
Hooded Jaw: Did he say…?
Their eyes glow.

In the other room…
Satou: Now, Mr. Smith. Why did you invite these specimens to be a part of the group?
Mr. Smith: I saw them in action! From what they told me, they fed Stardown countless Smarties, turned him evil, and even saved him from an artificial black hole, only to turn him into a cybernetically-controlled warrior.
Satou: And this is with help.
Mr. Smith: For the last two, yes.
Satou: The Smarties were a drug given to him by the Emperor. None of these feats were done by the villains alone.
Mr. Smith: I never thought of that.
Satou: Well you should have, as we're now stuck with them.
Dominick: He-haw!
Noboru: I propose their extermination.
Hooded Jaw: Extermination?
Mr. Smith: Extermination? You don't mean…?
Satou: We aren't killing anyone.
Noboru: But they know too much for us to release them.
Satou: We won't. They're staying here for the rest of their lives. We will make good use of them.
Mr. Smith: That sounds difficult.
Satou: No, not really.
Noboru: They just haven't been properly broken in, that's all.
Satou: Exactly.
Noboru: I'm especially worried about the one they call Marvin.
Mr. Smith: Tell me about it.
Noboru: Now, about the Guardians, they now know where our base is.
Satou: We must relocate, and soon.
Mr. Smith: But where?
Satou: Anywhere but here.
Noboru: But how will we eliminate the Guardians?
Satou: We don't need to.
Mr. Smith: What do you mean?
Satou: Most of them are captured. We just need to put their minds into their Roban selves.
Noboru: Scary stuff… What do you think, Miyoko?
Miyoko: I'm all for it.
Noboru: Then shall we begin?
Satou: Once the relocation is complete, yes.

Meanwhile… (finally)
Tails: What next?
Knuckles: We should try to take back the Guardian base, but first we should wait for everyone to get better.
Roadrunner: That could take weeks…
Stardown: With proper treatment, we recovered after one.

One week later…
Tails: Let's head back to the base!
Stardown: If you meant our base, we could do that.
Tails: I meant the base that you guys were trapped at.
Sonic: If it was supposed to be top-secret, then by now they've probably relocated.
Stardown: It's worth checking anyway.
Kervo: Don't forget the Robans.
Sonic: That's a risk we'll have to take.
Tails: Let's go!

Later…
Knuckles: So they did relocate…
Kervo: Shall we take a look?
Sonic: Definitely.
They head in.
Brian: Watch out for Robans, if there are any.
Dallas: We'd be a bigger match for them than last week.
Kervo: I don't see anything.
John: That's good.
Suddenly, blaster fire downs several Guardians.
Knuckles: We're not alone!
They flee. Stardown and Brian use the Force to carry the downed Guardians with them.
Kervo: Who all was hit?
Brian: Uh, Roadrunner, Mark, Tails, and John.
Stardown: So now we know that there are still Robans in there. How can we destroy them without them seeing us?
Brian: This is a challenge. And don't worry, we have 1-ups.
Kervo: Should we come back here later when we're more prepared?
Brian: That would be wise.
They head back.

The victims took 1-ups and were back to normal.
Brian: So now we know that looks are deceiving.
Tails: Do you think they knew we were coming?
Brian: From our perspective, that's hard to tell.
Kervo: When should we go back?
Brian: Once we're more prepared.
Stardown: (to know one in particular) I think we should work on something to defend us against the Hooded Jaw's Smarties.
Brian: Like an antidote?
Stardown: I was thinking body armor. Is there a workshop around here?
Brian: Yes, but the best one is outside this sector.
Stardown: Hopefully in a safe area?
Brian: Oh yes. It's in the base.
Stardown: That's good. I think we passed it not too long ago. Tails, Kervo, you wanna come?
They eagerly agreed, and head out.
Kervo: Wonder what Jaw's gonna think of the armor.
Stardown: Knowing him, he may think it's a joke, and aim anywhere the armor isn't.
Tails: I can't believe they pulled this off.
Stardown: I wish I knew, Tails. I have a feeling they're not alone in this…
Kervo: We're here!
They enter the lab.
Kervo: Wow! This place is awesome!
Several people glance up at them.
Stardown: Let's try to be quieter.
Tails: I agree.
They find a vacant area.
Stardown: We need to build something to defend us from the Smarties.
Tails: There's plenty to work with.
Kervo: Let's get building!
Stardown: I hear there's some great 3D printers here.
Kervo: Really?
Stardown: Yeah. That'll help us.
They begin their project.
Tails: Did you make a blueprint?
Stardown: No. I've only just thought of the Smartie armor.
Kervo: We need to make one!
And so they begin.
Tails: We should make it thin and lightweight.
Stardown: I was thinking the same thing. We also need facial protection.
Tails: Maybe a built-in gas mask in case those Smarties return.
Stardown: Sounds like a plan.
Kervo: Why haven't I heard of this place.
Stardown: From what I heard, this place wasn't built until just recently, following my escape to the Jaywalker flagship after we rescued John.
Tails: I remember that.
Suddenly Stardown feels a great disturbance in the Force.
Kervo: What is it?
Stardown: My butler… is in danger… I don't know where he is…
Kervo: Really? When did you last see him?
Stardown: It's been too long. Maybe half a year. He couldn't have been imprisoned for that long.
Tails: Did you think anything of it?
Stardown: No.
Tails: What did you think happened?
Stardown: I thought I heard he was called on an urgent mission.
Kervo: What happened to him?
Stardown: I wish I knew. For now, I think we should get back to the project.
They continue working. Eventually they finish the blueprint.
Stardown: We can make this in any size.
Kervo: Great! We should make enough for all of us.
Stardown: Definitely.
They begin their work. Half an hour later, they are finished.
Kervo: Wowee! This looks awesome!
Stardown: We should probably test them.
Kervo: Do we have any Smarties?
Stardown: We left them all at base.
Kervo: So how are we gonna test them?
Stardown: Wait! Maybe the others have Smarties.
Kervo: Who?
Stardown: Commander Arnold.
Stardown: Wait! Maybe the other Guardians have some Smarties we can test with.
Kervo: Let's go!
They head to where the other Guardians are.
Stardown: Do you have any Smarties?
Arnold: Yes, I have some in a plastic bag. Why do you ask?
Stardown: We created an anti-Smartie suit, and we'd like to test it.
Arnold hands the bag over.
Arnold: Be very, very careful with these. They're highly toxic.
Stardown: We will be. Which ones are these?
Arnold: The standard kind.
They soon head back to the lab. After putting on safety goggles and gloves, they begin testing.
Stardown: I'll be the guinea pig.
He puts on the suit.
Tails: Are you sure about this?
Stardown: I've handled countless Smarties before. Don't worry about me.
Kervo: But what if you get sick?
Stardown: I'm wearing extra armor underneath the Smartie armor. If the metal is contaminated, then it's back to the drawing board.
Kervo: Good idea!
They fire several Smarties at him. Stardown does not feel sick. He takes off the Smartie armor.
Stardown: I think it worked.
Tails and Kervo examine the extra armor that Stardown is wearing.
Tails: Looks good.
Stardown: No residue whatsoever?
Tails: That's right.
Stardown: Yes!
Kervo: The Hooded Jaw's gonna be so mad!
Stardown: He can't attack us without his Smarties, so… yeah.
Kervo: Let's show the others!
They do.
Brian: This could be valuable.
Stardown: We should probably make spares.
Brian: They have some 3D printers.
And so spares are made.
Kervo: I wonder what those minor villains are up to…

Hooded Jaw: Everybody dance now!
The minor villains start dancing.
Rainmaker: Let it freezing rain!
The minor villains start slipping.
Rainmaker: Let it freezing tsunami!
Firius: Oh no…
Everyone is frozen in a block of ice.
Hooded Jaw: Cool!

Meanwhile…
Stardown: Yeah, I bet they're having fun.
Kervo: I'm hungry!
Brian: There's a good restaurant not too far from here.
Kervo: Let's go!
On the way, Stardown hears a voice in his head.
Voice: Help me!
Stardown: What?
There is no reply.
Sonic: You okay, Stardown?
Stardown: Oh, uh, yeah.
They arrive at the diner. They are eventually seated at a table with food.
Tails: What are you thinking?
Stardown: We need to get our base back.
Kervo: How many Robans are in there?
Arnold: If the guards were swapped out like we were, there are approximately 30,000 Robans in there.
Kervo: How are we gonna stop them all?
Arnold: We can't stop them alone.
Kervo: Who will stop them?
Arnold: Do you remember Francis?
Kervo: Who?
Arnold: Also known as the Golden Warrior.
Kervo: Oh yeah! I remember him!
John: Who?
Arnold briefly explains.
John: Was he swapped out?
Arnold: Thankfully, no.
John: Where is he?
Arnold: I don't know. I don't know him well.
Bunnie: Think he's our only hope?
Arnold: There's also the Jaywalkers, but I want to save them as a last resort.
Captain: The Robans have all our military.
Arnold: I know. We're pretty much powerless right now.
Brian: If the Jaywalkers are our last resort, what is our first?
Arnold: Most likely Francis. I can't think of anyone else.
Brian: If only we knew where he is…
Kervo: Do we have his number?
Brian: Like phone number?
Kervo: Yeah.
Brian: I'm not sure he even has a phone.
Stardown: So how can we contact him?
Brain shrugs.
Stardown: Then should we call the local Jaywalker branch?
Arnold: Yeah.
Arnold contacts them, and explains their situation. They reply that they'll do everything they can to help.
Arnold: We're in good hands…

Meanwhile…
Noboru: We've gotten a report that the Guardians were investigating our old base.
Miyoko: I told you those defense guns would work.
Noboru: You're right.
Satou: We'll be safe here… for now.
He-haw!
Miyoko: But not from those guys.
Noboru: Unfortunately.
The Hooded Jaw burst into the room.
Hooded Jaw: Hey guys!
Noboru: GET. OUT.
Hooded Jaw: Why? I like it here!
Mr. Smith: I regret hiring you. Firius is the only capable one out of you lot.
Firius: Thank you.
Black Widow: What about me?
Satou: Just get out.
Noboru: Would you like to be shipped back to Mikami?
Hooded Jaw: I'll pass. You're so kind to ask though.
Mr. Smith: If I were Force-sensitive, I'd shove you out of that room.
Noboru tries to usher them out of the room.
Marvin: Is that a fox-shaped moose snack?
Noboru karate-chops him.
Marvin: Ow!
He charges at Noboru.
Marvin: Super Ultra Ninja Moosey!!!
Noboru ducks, and Marvin slides across the table. Satou and Miyoko keep their cool. Marvin draws a katana.
Noboru: You would resort to violence?
Marvin: No.
He eats the katana.
Marvin: Just a snack.
He bolts forward and tries to zap Noboru with his electric antlers.
Satou: Why are you trying to disrupt our meeting?
Noboru: Robans! Eradicate these jerks!
A few Robans enter.
Marvin: YUMMY!
He eats all of them.
Hooded Jaw: Go Marvin!
Dominick: He-haw!
Suddenly the Robans electrocute Marvin from within him.
Marvin: Oooh! Spicy!
Noboru finally herds the animals out of the room and shuts and locks the door.
Satou: Thank you.
Noboru: Sigh. Relief at last. What should we do about the Guardians?
Satou: Their minds will be installed in the Robans at the base.
Mr. Smith: And Stardown, Arnold, and the others?
Satou: Them? They'll wander into our prisons at some time.
Noboru: And what about them?
He points to the door. Satou looks down.
Satou: I don't know.
Mr. Smith: How long might it take for the Guardians to leave their comfort zone?
Satou: Not long at all.

Later…
Miyoko: The installing has begun.
Satou: Good. How long will it take?
Miyoko: Uh, I'd say two hours.
With the Guardians…
One of the members rushes in.
Member: That moose is chewing through the wires!
Satou stands up.
Satou: It's about time I deal with that thing…

Meanwhile with the Guardians…
Stardown: There are several trucks parked in front of our base.
Brian: The minor villains?
Stardown: Maybe.
Kervo: Let's stop them!
Brian: We can't. We'd be captured… or worse…
Stardown: There are some others. The minor villains aren't alone.
Arnold: I had a feeling.
Brian: Are those StarShrooms?
Stardown looks through a pair of binoculars.
Stardown: Yes! They are!
Kervo: So what should we do now?
Stardown: What if we go back to that old base, but this time bring force fields?
Arnold: For what reason?
Stardown: Maybe we'll find some clues there.
Arnold: Let's not. You'd be captured again for sure.
John: What if one of us became invisible?
Arnold: They may still be able to detect you. We can't risk anything.
Stardown: So what should we do?
Arnold: Nothing for now.
The StarShrooms get closer to the Guardian base.
Kervo: Those StarShrooms could be in danger.
Tails: What are they doing?
Brian: I wish I knew…
They slowed down above the base, and started firing at the Robans.
Stardown: Those Toads could get themselves killed!
Eradicate!
Brian: Definitely.
The Robans managed to take down one of the StarShrooms; however, they were overpowered.
Max: How did they know about the Robans?
Arnold: Most people have at this point.
The SWAT team arrived.
Stardown: There's probably more to this than we know.
Several dozen SWAT officers with machine guns began mowing down the Robans.
Arnold: Perhaps.
Brian: We know they're not alone.
Stardown: But who are they working with?
Brian: That's our mystery.
After a few moments, Stardown grows bored. He walks over to a vacant seat and begins to play Candy Crush.
Brian: Those StarShrooms are commiting suicide.
Kervo: At least they have the SWAT team on their side.
Brian: True. That should keep the Robans busy.
Roadrunner: Has Francis heard about this yet?
Brian shrugs.
Brian: We haven't been in contact with him.
Stardown is keeping one ear open to the conversation while playing. They all look up as one a second StarShroom is shot down.
Mark: This is a losing battle.
Dallas: The SWAT's backin' up.
Stardown stops playing and walks over.
Stardown: This has got to be big.
Dallas: Them StarShrooms are toast.
Stardown: Are there stronger Robans inside.
Brian: I would hope not, but most likely.

Eventually it is time for Stardown to sleep. Martin appears to him in a dream.
Martin:
There is good within the evil
Do not hesitate to act.
Tame the ocean of their mind but
You must keep their forms intact.
Stardown woke up as soon as it ended. He knew he wouldn't sleep. He had to have answers.
He reached over to the nightstand for a notepad and wrote down Martin's words. He thought about getting up to tell the others. But sleep overtook him…

When he woke up, it was 10:00 AM. He didn't remember ever waking up that late. Good thing he had written down that dream, because he had completely forgotten about it.
He headed over to the cafe to have breakfast. While seated, he pulled out his notebook that contained his to-do list. There was the Martin dream.
He saw Brian several seats away and got up to tell him.
Stardown: I got a dream from Martin last night.
He shows him the notebook with the dream. Brain took out his phone and copied it.
Brian: Thanks for telling me. I'll share it with the others.
Over breakfast, Stardown continues to ponder the dream. What did it all mean?
Soon, the others arrived.
Arnold: We're gonna have a meeting in a few. Can you join?
Stardown: Yes.
Arnold: This dream sounds like our situation.

At the meeting…
Arnold: Let's begin with the first part: "There is good within the evil."
Kervo: There was good in Darth Vader. Does this mean there is good in the Robans?
Arnold: You might be on to something.
Mark: But the second line seems to say something different concerning the first line.
Arnold: Do not hesitate to act?
Brian: Maybe the third and fourth lines offer explanation.
Arnold: Tame the ocean of their mind but you must keep their form intact. Definitely sounds like the Robans.
Kervo: Keep their forms intact?
Roadrunner: The ocean of their mind?
Brian: So close yet so far. Any ideas?
Tails: Martin is known to speak symbolically most of the time. What if we take it literally?
John: So there's water in their heads?
Tails: Or another kind of liquid.
Brian: Are we sure it's the Robans?
Stardown: I couldn't think of anything else it could be.
Arnold: Did he say anything else?
Stardown: No.
Arnold: "Do not hesitate to act." This is something we need to figure out now.
Brian: We should focus on the first line for explanation.
Stardown: "There is good within the evil"… Wait! Maybe this means there is something good literally inside the Robans!
Brian: You might be right.
Mark: Does this have something to do with the swapping out?
Stardown: You make a good point. I believe so.
Hiroshimi: In that case, the Guardians' brains are inside the Robans.
Amy: What?!
Stardown: How…?
Brian: We need to save those poor guards.
Kervo: All 30,000 of them…
John: That means there are thirty thousand Robans!
Tails: And we can't destroy a single one.
Brian: We'll definitely need the Jaywalkers' help.
Stardown: Should we put in the call?
Arnold: Definitely.
Eventually, the call is put through, and the Guardians suit up to leave.
Arnold: I have a feeling they're expecting us.
Brian: We'll be ready as well.

The Guardians are transferred to a Jaywalker cruiser.
Kervo: So exciting!
Amy: And dangerous.
Arnold: You'll be staying here.
Kervo: But, but…
Arnold: It's safer.
Kervo: But…
Stardown: So who will be infiltrating the base?
Arnold: The Jaywalkers and the fittest of us.

Soon, the shuttle is sent out.
Stardown: This is it…
Brian: Good thing we brought our FBGs.
Roadrunner: I hope they work.
They approach the grounds. AA guns fire at them.
Brian: Force fields up!
They land and flee the shuttle as it was destroyed.
Brian: Does everyone have personal force fields?
Some of them raise their hands.
Stardown: We can't risk those who don't to come.
Mark: Where should they go?
Stardown: Maybe they should stay here and report any sudden action that the Robans outside the base make.
Mark: But the Robans would…
Stardown radios the orbiting Jaywalker cruiser to warp them back onboard, since they have no force fields. They do just that.
Brian: Let's do this.
They run toward the base.
Stardown radios the orbiting Jaywalker cruiser to supply more force fields. They do. They also supply a force field beam generated by the ship.
Jaywalker Mission Leader: It will only last until you get inside the base.
The Robans start hailing them with ammunition.
Roadrunner: Come on suckers! Try harder!
Brian: Easy, Roadrunner.
Roadrunner: This mission will be easy.
Stardown: It's anything but.
Over a dozen Robans block their way.
Roadrunner: Eat lightsaber, bucketheads!
Stardown: No!
Brian: Don't!
Roadrunner: What?
Brian: If you destroy the Robans, you'll also kill the guards.
Roadrunner: …
Brian: Use your FBG instead.
Roadrunner: Right…
They start blasting the Robans with their FBGs. Brian also blasts them with a blaster that warps them to a holding room on a larger Jaywalker ship.
Mark: No others?
Stardown: There are more.
Brian: We've got a long way to go…
Mark: I mean out here.
Sonic: I'll check.
He races around the grounds, checking for Robans. He returns a moment later.
Sonic: There're more back there.
Brian: Right. Take Roadrunner back there and deal with them. Meet us in the lobby.
Sonic: Roger that.
They race off. The others head inside.
Brian: That's it with that shield.
Stardown: We still have our personal shields.
Brian: Hope those last…
They head in.
Stardown: So far so good.
Brian: Looks are deceiving.
They get pelted with lasers as they blast Robans and warp them away.
Dallas: These shields ain't gonna last.
The Jaywalker army enters. All Jaywalker soldiers have force fields around them.
Jaywalker Captain: Sorry we're late; we were a little short on force fields.
A couple of Guardians drew pop-out shields since their force fields were down.
Stardown: We should probably back off and let the Jaywalkers get some work done, or get new force fields, because without them, this is suicide.
Robans started attacking them from behind.
Stardown: I guess they've persuaded us to stay.
He dodges a laser.
Stardown: Seriously, I can't imagine that the minor villains are behind this.
???: You're such a smartie!
Stardown: Hooded Jaw!
Hooded Jaw: What do you think of my little army?
Stardown: Yours? I find that hard to believe.
Hooded Jaw: You know what? I have too much of a heart to let you die. Come with me.
Stardown: No.
Hooded Jaw: Come on, we're friends!
Stardown: Eh, more like arch enemies. Besides, I'm allergic to candy-induced sickness and/or brainwashing.
Hooded Jaw: But you won't have a brain if you're shot!
Stardown: (panicked) So that's how you're doing it?!
Hooded Jaw: Doing what?
Stardown: Transferring brains!
Hooded Jaw: Oh, well, yeah. But join me anyway! I won't hurt you!
Stardown: But I'll hurt others if I do!
Sonic and Roadrunner return.
Sonic: All Robans cleared outsi– Whaa…
Roban after Roban pour into the room.
Dallas: This… is… madness…
Hooded Jaw: Don't hurt them yet! Stardown still hasn't reached his daily minimum requirement of Smarties.
Hiroshimi: …What?
Stardown: I don't eat candy before supper.
Hooded Jaw: Have supper then!
He throws rubber chickens at him.
Stardown: I don't eat rubber!
Hooded Jaw: Oh? Try new things!
Stardown: You do realize I'm not alone?
Hooded Jaw: Oh, of course. How could I not?
Stardown: You're embarrassing me…
Hooded Jaw: Aww! I'm so sorry! Here, come with me!
He takes hold of Stardown and drags him away.
Brian Force-pulls him back and hides Stardown behind him.
Hooded Jaw: You think I can't see him?
Brian: It's not funny, Hooded Jaw.
Roadrunner bolts out and races toward Hooded Jaw, lightsaber drawn.
Hooded Jaw: You wouldn't hurt little old me!
Roadrunner traps him in a force bubble and holds up the controller, ready to warp him away. Suddenly, the force bubble shatters like glass, shards flying everywhere.
Hooded Jaw: Nobody can trap me! The great Hooded Haw! Get them, my precious Robans!
Dallas: …How?
Roadrunner: I just gotta act faster!
He traps Hooded Jaw again and instantaneously pressed the button to warp him away.
Hooded Jaw: Hahahahahahahahahahaha
The Guardians continue to warp the Robans. Guardian after Guardian lost their force fields. Soon it was down to Stardown and Brian.
Stardown: We've only warped a few dozen!
Brian: The Jaywalkers are doing their best, too.
They see the shadow of a strangely familiar figure. Stardown strains to imagine who it might be. The figure jumps out, two blazing red katanas hacking and slashing at Stardown.
Stardown: Armaul?!
Armaul: Indeed.
Stardown: How many more of you are there?
Armaul: I don't feel like answering.
More Jaywalkers enter.
Armaul: Your force is pitiful.
Stardown: I must admit, your group's scheme to take over my base was impressive.
Armaul: Thank you.
He couldn't help grinning.
Mark: We're overwhelmed!
Roadrunner: If only we can stop all of them from firing at once!
Stardown: That's it! Brian, please contact my father. Tell him to bring his controller when he comes.
Brian: Brilliant.
He calls him while blocking shots.
Brian: (to Stardown) He destroyed that controller. I can see why.
Jaywalker Captain: I think we're getting somewhere!
Armaul: On the contrary.
Some of the Jaywalkers activate a giant force field generator.
Armaul: Pitiful…
With the force field up, the Jaywalkers find their work easier.

Noboru: They clearly won't last much longer.
Satou: You might as well help them.

Soon Stardown sees Noboru appear.
Noboru: Greetings, Stardown!
Stardown: Are… are you involved in a villain team-up?
Noboru: Of course! You didn't how?
Stardown: I only knew of the minor villains. How many more villains in your group are there?
Noboru: Why should I tell you? It won't do you any good.
Stardown: Actually, it will.
Noboru: Oh?
Stardown: I'll know who I'm up against.
Noboru: Oh, well of course not.
Stardown: What are you doing in the Guardian base?
Noboru: Ha ha! You think I'm the kind of guy that would tell you all our plans so you can wreck us? Heck no. You gotta fight us the old-fashioned way.
Stardown: Fine then.
He walks back to the others.
Brian: The shields are down.
Stardown: And Armaul and Noboru are here.
Brian: Noboru?
Stardown: Yes. He acted like he was the head honcho of this group.
The Robans began backing the Jaywalkers up.
Soldier: We gotta get out of here!
Captain: In a few. Let's get as many as we can.
Stardown: We should call Count Bleck! He can open dimensional rifts.
Brian: But didn't he leave?
Stardown: Not that I know of.
Captain: We're leaving.
Roadrunner: But… we can't just leave!
Captain: Why? You would rather die?
Roadrunner: There's no other way to beat them!
The captain pulled out a group force field generator.
Captain: We only have one more of these. This is our last one. It's our only way to leave safely.
Brian: Then we'll go.
They begin to leave.
Soldier: Outside at last!
Captain: Beam us up, Scotty!
Crew: Roger that.
They are teleported back onboard.

Captain: How many did we get?
Crew: Uh, looks like about a hundred.
Captain: This won't work. We'd have to attack them three hundred more times in order to get them all.
Arnold: There's got to be a more efficient way.
Brian: We should start working with what we have.
Arnold: What do you mean?
Brian: We need to find out how to change the guards back.
Dallas: Without killing ourselves.
Hiroshimi: Or them.
Hahahahahaha…
They trace the source of the voice and find the Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: Hello kiddies!
He shocks them with electricity. Jaywalkers rush in and teleport him back to his woodshed.
Yay!
J.C.: Are you all right?
Stardown: I… hope so.
Some of the others rush in.
Kervo: How was it?
Brian: We got about a hundred.
Dallas: Only 299 trips to go…
Suddenly, the ship shakes violently and the alarms go off.
John: Are the Robans attacking us?
The present Jaywalker captain rushes over to one of the computers.
J.C.: We've been hit by a rocket. Moderate damage.
Another Captain: We're getting out of here.
They hyperdrive away.
A Third Captain: We just received a message saying that this is a warning should we attack again.
Stardown: I guess we need to be more subtle next time.
J.C.: They'd notice any loss of Robans.
Stardown: Then we need to detain them all at once.
J.C.: You have any ideas?
Stardown: Maybe a dimensional rift that affects all Robans and living things but leaves the base intact?
J.C.: Haha…
Kervo: What if we revert the guards back to normal and reprogram these Robans to attack the other Robans?
J.C.: They would be overpowered for sure.
Stardown: Or maybe we should fight our way through the Robans and make the villains change the guards back.
J.C.: It's not that easy though. We're talking thousands, tens of thousands of Robans, and any more attacks are sure to provoke war.
Stardown suddenly gets an idea.
Stardown: What if we called my old friend Micro Man? Together, he and I infiltrated a Shmouse base before the Shmouse domination.
J.C.: You know, that doesn't sound half bad. But, what if they detect you? You two will need a plan.
Stardown: We'll have a teleporter.
Brian: You may also need defenses.
Stardown: Can you shrink force field generators?
J.C.: Yes, we can.
Stardown: Great!
Two force field generators are shrunk as Stardown calls Micro Man.
Stardown: So, can you come?
Micro Man: You bet! I'll be right over…
The phone connection ends.
Stardown: He says he can come.
Brian: What's your plan?
Stardown: First off, we'll sneak past the Robans and see if we can locate the villains. Then we'll find the switch that returns the guads to normal. We'll also see if we can locate the missing guards.
J.C.: The switch?
Stardown: I'm only assuming. I don't know how they did it.
J.C.: What if there isn't one?
Stardown: Then there must be another way.
Crew: A ship is docking.
Stardown: That must be him.
The door opens.
Stardown: Hey!
Micro Man: Hey, Stardown!
Stardown introduces Micro Man to the other Guardians.
Micro Man: Is everything ready?
Stardown: Yup. Ready to roll! Does anyone else want to come?
J.C.: Three's a crowd. If they catch you, they're sure to investigate.
Stardown: Right then.

They teleport inside the base, out of sight of any Robans, then shrink to microscopic size.
Micro Man: Where to?
Stardown: Let's try to find where the ringleaders are. Armaul and Noboru are two of them.
They dodge Robans as they head through hall after hall. Stardown has an idea, and directs Micro Man's speeder to the meeting room. They don't see anyone. They continue looking. Finally they stumble upon a good sign. They see Noboru leaning against the wall, looking at his phone.
Micro Man: Don't worry. He won't detect us unless we're normal size.
Stardown: The others might be near.
They look for clues in the room. A couple others enter. Stardown and Micro Man head to a safe location and listen in.
???: You heard?
Noboru: The report? Yeah, lost a hundred.
Stardown listened closer. The bad guys might leave clues!
???: We hit 'em hard with a rocket. Satou hopes that'll keep 'em at bay for a bit.
Stardown: Who's Satou?
Noboru: Aye. We should shoot them some more if they get too close.
???: Nah, they've probably learned their lesson.
Noboru: We would hope.
???: Yup, they're not coming back. They'd have to return 299 more times, at least.
They part ways.
Stardown: I guess we didn't learn anything helpful here. We should probably investigate the office.
Micro Man: Any private rooms?
Stardown: Yes.
Micro Man: We should check there after the office. Wait, how many offices are there?
Stardown: Plenty.
Micro Man: Maybe we should check the private rooms first?
Stardown: We should.
They head over to the first one, and begin investigating.
Stardown: No one.
They head to the next room. No one once again.
Micro Man: Where do you think they'll most likely be?
Stardown: Most likely one of the top offices. Maybe even Arnold's.
They head straight to Arnold's office. There they see Satou, Miyoko, Noboru, and several others looking over some papers.
Stardown: Miyoko's in this?
Micro Man: And this is the Satou we heard about earlier?
Stardown: Perhaps.
Finally one of the villains spoke.
Noboru: We're installing this one, right?
He shows a paper to Satou.
Satou: That's the one.
Noboru: After this, our wall defenses will be operational.
Satou: Yeah, Robans can't fix everything.
Miyoko: They could until you tinkered with them.
Satou: It was a necessary adjustment. They wouldn't be fit for service otherwise.
Miyoko: Eh? Well, I'm not gonna argue, but I know a thing or two about robotics and what you did was not beneficial.
Noboru: Or reversible.
Miyoko: Yeah.
Satou: We can always make more, but really, it was necessary.
Miyoko shrugs.
Noboru: Can we get back on subject?
Satou: Which was?
Noboru: Our wall defenses.
Satou: That was one. You best make an appointment.
Noboru: Right then.
He leaves.
Satou: Anything else that needs to be attended to?
Mr. Smith: What about the Guardians?
Satou: Them? Well, with this new setup, there's less to worry about.
Mr. Smith: Will we capture them again?
Satou: Oh, of course. Just not yet.
Mr. Smith: I just wondered: if we're going to conquer the world, how can we do it without risking the Guardians reclaiming this building?
Satou: How can they when we have such a tight grip on it?
Mr. Smith: We would need to send some of our forces out in order to conquer the world. And all of our forces are here in this building.
Satou: I say we put off any conquering until we've settled in. What do you all think?
Mr. Smith: Yes.
Miyoko: I agree.
Satou: And since we haven't set everything up…
Mr. Smith: Then we shall shuffle the deck.
Satou: Indeed.
Stardown: I should probably tell Arnold what we know.
Micro Man: So we're leaving?
Stardown: Not yet. First I want to check if the prisons have changed.
Micro Man: Okay.
They head over.
Micro Man: They're empty.
Stardown: Which means Shelly was freed.
Micro Man: Who?
Stardown explains.
Stardown: They must have freed the others. I think we should tell Arnold what we know.
He calls him. Stardown tells him what he has learned.
Arnold: Thanks for telling me. Stay safe.
Stardown: I will.
Micro Man: Now what?
Stardown: We should tail the villains to see if there is anything new we can learn.
Micro Man: So back to the private rooms?
Stardown: Yes.
They head back. The villains were still looking over papers.
Stardown: Will the papers be able to tell us anything?
Micro Man: Most likely.
They teleport to the top of a bookshelf and look down at the papers.
Micro Man: Can't read anything. How about you?
Stardown: We'll need binoculars.
Micro Man: You have any?
Stardown: Yes.
He hands them to Micro Man.
Micro Man: Thanks.
After a moment of reading, he looks up.
Micro Man: A lot of them are outer defense weaponry installment papers.
Stardown: They never counted on us.
Micro Man: We haven't found anything that would really help us yet.
Stardown: We need to find something related to the Robans and the Guardians' brains.
Micro Man: I doubt any of those papers would help.
Stardown: Maybe one of the villains will mention something.
Micro Man: Hopefully.
Noboru: You know, have you thought of the possibility that the Guardians could bring in spies?
Satou: No. Good call. That's something else to add to our defense list.
Mr. Smith: Impossible. Our defenses are top-notch. The Guardians know better than to go anywhere near here.
Satou: Not quite. They can prevent most entrances, but not all.
Noboru: So how do you plan to deal with the possibility of snoopers?
Satou: Build a better security.
Mr. Smith: More Robans and AA guns?
Satou: Huh?
Noboru: Nah, we've got plenty of that stuff.
Satou: We excel in some things and lack in others.
Noboru: We need a force field.
Satou: Definitely. Force fields are a must.
Mr. Smith: No, we need a force combo.
Satou: A what?
Mr. Smith: It's a combination of a force field and a force bubble.
Satou: Oh, well I suppose that wouldn't be a bad idea.
Noboru: The Guardians excel in that kind of tech.
Satou: Hmm… They're sure to have left some of that here…
Mr. Smith: Off topic, but is it virtually impossible for the Guardians to reverse the brain implants?
Satou: No, but it's incredibly difficult.
Miyoko: Best to leave that for the experts.
Stardown has been relaying this conversation to Arnold.
Arnold: Capturing them could be our solution.
Stardown: I never thought to bring force bubbles.
Arnold: Why don't you two come back, and we'll set up a mission.
Stardown: Alright. Should we leave our listening devices here?
Arnold: Yes. And place a TelePoint there so we can take them by surprise.
He does both and returns.

Stardown: We'll need to hurry. They plan to set up a force combo.
Arnold: We're having a meeting in five minutes.

Five minutes later…
Arnold told the present people what Stardown and Micro Man had learned.
Brian: We'll need to act quickly, then.
Arnold: Our objective is to capture the heads of this Congregation and make them transform the Robans.
Stardown: They probably won't do that without putting up a fight or summoning Robans.
Arnold: True. Force bubble generators can't be shrunk, so shrinking Guardians to capture them won't work.
Stardown: Can we put force bubbles around us before shrinking?
Arnold: No, sadly. We've tried.
Stardown: What if we shrink, then build force bubble generators or add force bubbles to ourselves?
Arnold: Building force bubble generators isn't easy; they can't be shrunk to microscopic size either.
Stardown: So there's no way to be microscopic with a microscopic force field or bubble.
Arnold: That's right.
Brian: So we'll need to risk fighting without protection?
Arnold: When microscopic, yes.
Brian: I meant as normal sized.
Arnold: Oh, when normal sized we can use them
Dallas: When do you plan to make the attack?
Arnold: As soon as possible. Talk amongst yourselves while Sally and I finalize the strategy.
Arnold and Sally head to another room. A few minutes later, they return.
Arnold: All right, here's the plan. Brian, Sonic, Mark, Roadrunner, Dallas, and Hiroshimi will go. Stardown will stay here to get a well-deserved rest after his mission. Those who will be going will shrink, teleport to our base, and grow back in order to subdue the enemy and make them change the guards. Are you ready for this?
They said they were.

Sonic: Let's do this!
The Guardians grow to normal size, taking the villains completely by surprise.
Brian: Put your hands up!
Satou: Ah, welcome! We were expecting you.
Sonic: Thought we were coming the foolish way, eh?
Satou: Hmm?
Brian: Why are you not surprised to see us?
Satou: Why should I be? Like I said, we were expecting you.
Brian: Enough chit-chat!
They grab the villains and draw handcuffs.
Brian: Don't call for backup or you'll regret it.
Satou karate chops the guard holding him. The others generate force bubbles around themselves.
Satou: You will regret this decision.
Robans pour into the room.
Brian: I anticipated this… NOW!
Brian used the Force to shove them out and lock the doors. Mark activated a localized EMP that shut down the force bubbles, and the rest drew and fired tranquilizers. The last words they heard before passing out were Roadrunner's:
Roadrunner: Never mess with the Guardians!
Roadrunner: WE TOLD YOU NOT TO DO THAT! GAH!
He lightsabers everything in sight.
Brian: Calm down!
Satou: Indeed. We just redid this room.
Brian drew a unique-looking blaster.
Brian: Put your hands up! Now!
Miyoko: We have force bubbles.
Brian: I know that.
Mr. Smith: We don't have to. We're protected.
Brian fired the blaster at Mr. Smith. His force bubble vanished.
Mr. Smith: Wah?!
Mark jumped on him and fired a teleportation ray, sending him to a Jaywalker prison.
Brian: Now will you put your hands up?
Miyoko: Look behind you.
There were over a dozen Robans before them. Sonic spin-dashed at them.
Brian: No!
Sonic didn't hear, but thankfully missed.
Satou: You wouldn't kill your fellow Guardians, now would you?
Roadrunner was red with fury. He lunged at Satou, slicing his hand off.
Miyoko: Satou!
Roadrunner: Never taunt a Roadrunner!
Satou: But… I… had a… force bubble…
Noboru: Robans! Fire!
The Robans tried to hit them, but their blasters were held back with the Force. Armaul entered.
Armaul: What's going o–
Noboru: Stop these maddened creatures!
Armaul: With pleasure.
He drew a double-bladed lightsaber and approached the Guardians.
Roadrunner: You want a fight? I'll give you a fight!
He lunged at Armaul.
Armaul: My, my! You're a feisty one.
Armaul felt himself backing up against Roadrunner's onslaught.
Brian: There's proper medical care at the Jaywalkers.
Satou: Don't… need it.
He teleported away.
Brian: The rest of you are coming with us.
Miyoko and Noboru managed to get away, but the rest were teleported to the Jaywalkers.
Roadrunner: Where did he go?!
Brian: He's in a Jaywalker prison.
Mark: And how is Satou going to replace his hand?
Brian: He seemed to have a solution.
Eradicate!
Brian kept them at bay.
Roadrunner: We may have beaten the villains, but we learned nothing from them! The Robans are still at large!
Brian: We did capture several of them.
Mark: We need to ask the Jaywalkers to interrogate the prisoners.
Brian: Indeed.

On the Jaywalker ship…
Mr. Smith: May I ask where I've been imprisoned?
J.C.: It won't matter.
Mr. Smith: Why am I here?
J.C.: For interrogation. How do we restore the Guardian guards to their former selves?
Mr. Smith: How do we free ourselves?
J.C.: Answer the question.
Mr. Smith: Yeah, you should.
J.C.: Who's interrogating who, wise guy?
Mr. Smith: You don't have any right to interrogate me, wise alec.
J.C.: You know we can duplicate your memory and find out for ourselves?
Mr. Smith: Why are we captured?
J.C.: You know why.
He signals for the memory duplicator to be brought in. Mr. Smith draws a blaster and fires away at the memory duplicator. The lasers bounce off the force bubble. The Jaywalkers confiscate all gadgets from him.
Mr. Smith: Tell me why I'm here! Now!
J.C.: You know why.
They duplicate his memory.
Mr. Smith: Nooo! Stop!
They finish the process.
J.C.: Now sit there and think about all the trouble you put us through.
The Jaywalkers leave.
Mr. Smith: We'll put you through more trouble than you can handle. Just you wait…

Meanwhile, Stardown is resting in bed. The six Guardians from earlier teleport into the room.
Meanwhile, Stardown is in the living room playing Candy Crush. He is on a roll in his level. The Guardians returned from their mission.
Stardown: How did it go?
Brian: Rather well. We captured several of their members.
Mark: But we learned nothing about the Robans. We'll go talk to the Jaywalkers about it.
They leave as Stardown finishes his level and goes on to the next one.

Brian: Have they talked?
J.C.: No. We duplicated his memory and are analyzing it now.
A few moments later, they have the answer.
J.C.: So it looks like you have to use some sort of tool to open the Roban's head, then carefully remove a jar filled with a special liquid and… that's pretty much all he knows.

Stardown is now on a harder level. Amy catches sight of Stardown's device.
Amy: Oh my gosh, is that Candy Crush?! It's my favorite game ever! Cream and I play it all the time!
The Guardians return. Brian announces what he knows about the Robans.
Brian: We don't know everything about the process, so we can't act yet.
Stardown: Were the others interrogated?
Brian: We only did Mr. Smith. We'll take care of the others now.

Thirty minutes later…
Brian: They don't know any more than Mr. Smith.
Stardown: So we can't do anything.
Brian: Oh, we can. Our goal is to capture the other villains.
Dallas: If we can find them…
Brian: We will.
Roadrunner: Are we heading out again?
Brian: In a few. We need to finish preparing.
Sonic: We could also bring our force combos and check out the villain's old base.
Brian: Good idea. Though I doubt there'll be anything of use there.
Roadrunner: They might have left a few things behind.
They soon finished preparing and were on their way.

They appear in the Guardian base.
Eradicate! Eradicate!
Dallas: Here we go again…
Roadrunner: If only the villains had a document that stated how to change the guards back!
Mark: Or where to find the guards.
Stardown: They seem ready for us.
Roadrunner: So many Robans, and we can't destroy any of them…
Mark: At least we can teleport them.
They head to the room that they fight the villains in. No one was present.
Brian: There're a few other rooms like this.
Hiroshimi: Let's investigate their filing cabinets.
They do that.
Stardown: Empty
They also check the other filing cabinets in the other rooms. They contained unimportant papers.
One of the rooms they arrived at was locked.
Brian: Here's something…
He uses the Force to unlock the door. As soon as they opened the door, they were ambushed by Robans.
Dallas: Good thing we have force combos!
Roadrunner: Try to stop us, tin faces!
Mark: There's obviously something here they don't want us to see.
Roban: You will not proceed!
Sonic: That's what you think!
Roban: That's what I know!
They pelt the Guardians with ammunition.
Sonic: What, did I just feel a draft or something?
Brian: Careful! These shields can't last forever.
The Guardians shove past the Robans and search the room.
The Guardians teleport past the Robans and search the room.
Roban: Destroy their shields!
Mark: Oh, for goodness' sake…
Brian force-shoves the Robans out and locks the door.
Brian: Any other doors?
Hiroshimi: No.
???: Hello, fools!
Brian: Whoever you are, are you in this too?
???: Of course!
Sonic: Noboru. Not surprised to see you here.
Roadrunner: So how do we restore the Guardians? In addition to opening the Roban's head and removing the fluid?
Noboru: Who told you that?
Brian: Your accomplice Robert Smith.
Noboru: He's not the kind to do that.
Brian: I know.
Noboru: Well, now that you're here…
He changes into his war armor in half a second (new record!) and draws his lightsaber. Brian draws a teleporter as Mark engages Noboru.
Noboru: What's that you're holding, Mr. Brian?
Brian presses the button. Noboru was teleported to a Jaywalker prison.

Noboru: A teleporter, huh?
J.C.: Noboru, we've been expecting you.
He takes Noboru's gadgets as other Jaywalkers bring the memory duplicator.
Noboru: What's that hunk of crap?
They finish duplicating his memory.
J.C.: It's a memory duplicator. You have the Robans to thank for the tech.
He leaves. Noboru was in shock.

Meanwhile…
Dallas: I bet they have some important files.
They rummage through the filing cabinets.
Sonic: Look at this!
The others head over.
Sonic: A full Roban Mk. II guide!
Sonic opens it and flips through it as the others watch.
Sonic: This will tell us everything!
Brian: Then we'll go back and take a closer look.
Hiroshimi: Shall we search for Satou while we're here?
Brian: No, we'll catch him later. We got what we came here for.

They soon returned and started looking through the files.
Ten minutes later, Stardown is chatting with his friends. The other Jaywalkers and Guardians arrive at almost the same time, each having made major breakthroughs.
Stardown: Hi guys!
Both Brian and the J.C. begin talking at once.
J.C.: You go first.
Brian: Not only did we capture Noboru, but we also found a complete guide to the new Robans!
Stardown: Really?! That's fantastic! :D
J.C.: We also found out how to change the guards back! Which we did with the captured Robans.
Stardown: How did you do that without the guards present?
J.C.: Their bodies were in the Robans; compacted into a liquid form and put in jars.
Tails: I thought it was just their brains.
J.C.: Now that we have our needed information, we can have a proper war with the Robans.
Suddenly, the ship shakes violently.
Brian: Looks like you got your wish!
Crew: We've been hit by an S-32 Thunderhead! We're going down!
J.C.: Booting mass evac in five!
In a moment, they are all teleported, including the prisoners, to a Jaywalker base.

J.C.: They must be planning something big if they were confident in doing something like that.
Brian: And you have no idea where that missile came from.
J.C.: The Guardian base.
Dallas: Is there a way we can teleport all the Robans at once?
J.C.: If it wasn't for the force combo they just set up, maybe no solid known way though.
John: Can we go under the base?
J.C.: Brian, is there a way to remove or destroy force combos from the outside?
Brian: Not that I know of. Oh wait, it's powered by a heavily-fortified generator outside.
J.C.: So it can be disabled then.
Brian: Yes, but it's rather difficult.
J.C.: And with all the Robans…
Kervo: That shouldn't be a problem with your teleporter, right?
J.C.: If we can draw the Robans outside, we could use teleportation shells on them.
They sent out more Jaywalker ships to the base.

J.C.: They're sure to attack. Be careful.
A few thunderheads are launched, but the Jaywalkers destroy them in time. The ships shook slightly.
Dallas: Where did they get those things?
Brian: I wish I knew…

Meanwhile…
Satou: So, they're bringing out the big guns, eh?
Member: Aren't these the Jaywalkers?
Satou: That's right. Is the Devastator Beam ready?
Member: Yes it is, sir.
Satou: Good. Fire at will.

Stardown: Is there a way we can teleport all the Robans at once?
J.C.: No, sadly. Not in the current situation.
Fortunately, the force fields are up as the Devastator Beam is fired.
Crew: What is that?
J.C.: Illegal technology. I don't know where they got it.
Crew: The shields can only last another twenty seconds. The beam is still going.
They beam some troopers to the ground. Robans pour out to fight them. The teleporters are drawn.
Roban Captain: Activate force fields!
The Jaywalkers draw blasters.
J.C.: Only shoot the force fields. Don't hit the Robans. Teleport them instead!
Soldier: Is that a–?!
An S-32 Thunderhead was heading right for them. They were caught completely off guard. The ship beams them up and teleports them near the force combo generator. A few of the Robans were destroyed from the blast.
Brian: We just lost a few guards.
Lasers poured down on them.
Dallas: Those outer guns are new.
Stardown: I hope they didn't completely renovate the inside…
???: Greetings, Stardown!
Stardown: How did you get in here?
It was Stardown's Roban self.
Roban Stardown: In where?
Stardown: My Roban self?
Roban Stardown: That's right! I've come to take you.
Stardown: No need. Since you're not like the other Robans, I can destroy you.
Roban Stardown: That's unlikely.
He draws his lightsaber. Stardown draws his.
Roban Stardown: Let's fight in a… quieter area…
He teleports them away, but not without Dallas noticing.
Dallas: They were just teleported.
Brian: This is bad.

Inside the Guardian base…
Roban Stardown: I thought you were a better fighter than this.
Stardown: I am.
Roban Stardown: Oh really?
Stardown makes a few unexpected threats and slashes.
Roban Stardown: I predicted that.
The Roban Brian entered.
Roban Brian: Need a little… help?
Stardown tries to attack the Roban Brian.
Roban Brian: You cannot destroy me.
Stardown: And why not?
Roban Brian: Only the originals can destroy the clones. I am invincible to you!
He hacked away at Stardown. Stardown reaches down and presses his SOS button.
Roban Brian: There is no hope for you. They cannot enter.
Stardown: Yet.
Roban Brian: Yet?
Stardown: That's right. At least my fellow Guardians don't have to deal with you two.
Roban Stardown: Oh, they will.
Stardown: At least not right now.
Roban Stardown: We'll deal with you first.

Meanwhile…
Brian: A signal's coming in! Stardown's in danger!
Hiroshimi: Where is he?
Brian pulls out a scanner.
Brian: Inside the base.
Dallas: Oh no…
Mark: We can't get in.
Hiroshimi: Unless we destroy or deactivate the generator.
Roadrunner: Is there a such thing as a teleportation lightsaber?
Dallas: Teleportation… lightsaber?
Roadrunner: Yeah.
Brian: No, and if they do exist, we don't have one.
Over one thousand Robans flooded toward them.
Roadrunner: If only we can teleport them all at once.
Brian: The Jaywalkers can. We just need to lure them out in the open.
The Robans are teleported away.
Roadrunner: Yeah!
Dallas: About 29,000 Robans to go…

Roban Stardown: Getting tired?
Stardown: A little…
Roban Stardown: Good!
Stardown: Eventually, we will win.
Roban Stardown: Please explain.
Stardown: The Roban guard supply is limited. Eventually it will run out.
Roban Stardown: We aren't that stupid. We're just playing around.
Stardown: Well, I'm not.
Roban Stardown: Really… I thought you were…
Stardown: Oh, and is Roban Brian mentoring you?
Roban Stardown: Why? All we need is in our programming.
Stardown: I'm glad I'm not programmed.
Roban Stardown: Yet.

Dallas: More Robans incoming!
Max: Shield's down!
He is beamed up.
J.C.: The next mega teleportation will be ready in nine minutes.
Dallas: Can we hold them off until then?
Brian: I doubt it. There're too many.
Sonic: We still have our individual teleporters!
Roadrunner: Come and get me, suckers!
His shield was destroyed. He is beamed up. Max is beamed down with a fresh shield.
Max: The Jaywalkers do have teleportation lightsabers.
Roadrunner: Then let's use them!
Brian: I'm getting a message… Roban doppelganger… Can't damage Brian… only me…
Dallas: What?
Brian: I think he's trying to tell us that he's fighting Roban versions of himself and me. He cannot camage my Roban self, only his own Roban self.
Max: But we can't get in.
Brian: The Jaywalkers are working on the generator now.
Hiroshimi: If they can destroy it, so can our enemies.
Brian: Which means we'll fortify it next time.
Roban: Eradicate them!
Brian: Fire!
They teleport a few Robans away.
Roban: You are outmatched!
Mark: But we have brainpower.
Roban: How will that help?
Roadrunner: We can do more than what your limited programming can allow you!
Roban: Our programming isn't limited!
They destroy several Guardian shields. They are beamed up. Thousands of Jaywalker soldiers are beamed in.
Roban: More to eradicate!
Brian: He's sounding like Marvin now.
Roban: We will eradicate him too!
Sonic: I'm not complaining!
An S-32 Thunderhead sped toward them. They are teleported to another part of the grounds. Earth and shrapnel flew everywhere.
Brian: Wait! There was a secret way to deactivate the generator that I don't think the villains knew about!
Roban: Please elaborate.
Brian: No thanks.
He teleports him away.
Dallas: Uh-oh…
Over a dozen tanks rolled onto the scene.
Roadrunner: They've got TANKS?!
Brian: Those are ours.
Roban: Surrender!
Brian radios the Jaywalkers.
Brian: How long until the next mass teleportation's ready?
J.C.: Six minutes.

Meanwhile…
Miyoko: Look at those fools scurrying around. They think they can beat our great army.
Satou: Pitiful.
Member (Greg): Their plan is suicide.
Member (Tyler): Totally.
Satou: We have plenty of Robans to spare, but we must be careful not to waste them.
Miyoko: Definitely.
Greg: If the Guardians can only beat their own Roban selves, can we send out a Roban they can't beat, like Kervo or Amy?
Satou: Brilliant! They wouldn't risk their own.
Tyler: So who's it gonna be?
Satou: Let's start with Amy. She's a fighter, but still a kid. They wouldn't risk sending her real self out.

With Stardown…
Roban Brian: He will soon be ready.
Stardown: Who will?
Roban Brian: You, of course.
Stardown: I'm ready for anything!
Roban Brian: Then you'll be ready for your transfer.
Stardown: Don't tell me I'm going to be liquefied and put inside you.
Roban Brian: Inside him.
Stardown: I'm out of here.
Roban Brian holds him back with "the Force".
Stardown: Force-sensitive Robans… that's new…
Roban Brian: Long story.
Stardown: Where are the other Roban clones?
Roban Brian: Clones?
They were fighting while chatting.
Stardown: Doppelgangers.
Roban Brian: What?
Stardown: Where are the rest of your kind?
Roban Brian: You don't know?
Stardown: Never mind.
Stardown trips and the two hold him down with "the Force".
Roban Brian: Your friends will never rescue you in time.
Roban Stardown nods.

Outside…
Max: Amy?
Roadrunner: Where?!
She was charging toward them, hammer drawn.
Max: Run! She's a Roban!
This is broadcast to the Jaywalker ship.

Arnold is sitting in one of the command chairs, his face in his hands.
Arnold: Why? Why did they have to endanger the younger Guardians?
J.C.: Don't worry; it's a Roban. We wouldn't send the kids out.
Arnold: But this is different. Only Amy can destroy her Roban self.
J.C.: What?
Arnold explains.
J.C.: Sorry, I missed the broadcast.
Arnold: We have no choice but to call the younger Guardians. What do you think, Sally?
Sally: We can't. Is there a way we can destroy it? With our strongest weapons?
Arnold: I hope so…

Roban: Victory will be ours!
Roadrunner: On the contrary!
Roban Amy charges at him. Roadrunner dodges.
Roadrunner: We need Amy down here!
Brian: Let's not risk her. We should first try to destroy Roban Amy with heavy weapons instead.
Several troops with bazookas are teleported in.
Roban: Eradicate them!
They drew handheld shields to protect themselves.
Roban: Your weapons do not work on us!
Soldier: These aren't weapons.
Roban: Explain.
The guards teleport him away.
Roban: The Robans will prevail!
Soldier: Sure, sure.
More are teleported away. However, the Robans overpowered them.
J.C.: Mass teleportation is ready.
Several hundred Robans were teleported away. Roban Amy continues her onslaught.
Roban: Opposition will be eradicated!

With Stardown…
Roban Stardown: You look tired.
Roban Brian: Ready?
Stardown: No…
Roban Brian: You want me to hold you down forever?
Stardown: At least you can't do anything else.
Roban Tails enters.
Roban Stardown: Welcome to the party! A little jealous?
Roban Tails: You… captured him?
Roban Stardown: What do you think?
Roban Tails: We should take him to Satou. He's a valuable prisoner.
Roban Stardown: Nah. He's gonna be liquefied.
Stardown reaches for his radio. Roban Stardown Force shoves it away.
Roban Stardown: Now now. You don't need that.
Stardown: Yes I do.
Stardown pulls it back with the Force.
Roban Stardown: Naw.
He Force shoves it out of the room. Roban Tails flies over and picks it up.
Roban Tails: What if I…
Stardown: I hope you're not thinking what I think you're thinking…
Roban Tails: Hello? This is Tails.

Arnold: Tails! I wasn't expecting a call from you. What's up?
Roban Tails: I'm trapped inside the Guardian base. I was… was teleported here.
Arnold: The Robans can't breach the Jaywalker Refuge Center with their technology. This includes teleporting. Are you sure you're not a Roban clone?
Roban Tails: I'm sure. I'm not sure how they did it, but they did.
Arnold wasn't fooled.
Arnold: Can you tell me how we can get inside the base?
Roban Tails: I don't know. I just want to be with you.
Arnold: I know. Hang in there. We'll get to you.
He hangs up.
Arnold: No way was that the real Tails.
Sally: Tails?
Arnold: Yes. If he really was teleported from the JRC, he would have had his radio taken away from him.
Sally pulled out her phone.
Sally: Calling him.
Soon, Tails was on the line.
Tails: Hi, Sally!
Sally: Hi, Tails. Did you call us just a few moments ago?
Tails: No.
Sally: This confirms our fears…
Tails: What happened?
Sally: We believe your Roban counterpart called us in order to lead us into a trap.
Tails: Uh-oh!
Sally: Furthermore, we learned that only the originals can destroy their Roban counterparts. This means that only you can destroy your Roban self!
Tails: …
Sally: I know, I don't want this either. There should be an easier way to do this.
Tails: Is there another way?
Sally: I hope so…
Arnold: What if we use their Thunderhead missiles against them?
Sally: How would we get them?
Arnold: If we can hack their tech…
Captain: (over radio) Sir! Roban Amy is taking out our troops left and right! We can't damage her!
Arnold: This is bad…
Captain: They're taking full advantage of the Guardian military!
Tails: What's going on?
Sally: The Robans are winning… And Roban Amy appears to be their favorite weapon.

Roban Amy: Hiyah!
She smacked a guard into another Roban.
Roban: My head.
Roban Amy: Sorry…

Sally: While Amy can fend for herself, we really can't risk sending her to the front lines where she could be blasted at by other Robans.
Arnold: Were the bazookas effective?
Sally: No, doesn't look like it…
Arnold: Hammer looks different.
Sally: It does.
Roban Amy: Come and get me, cowards!
Captain: We need a new plan!
Arnold: Indeed.

With Stardown…
Roban Tails: Think they fell for it?
Roban Stardown: Without a doubt. Excited, Stardown?
Stardown: Yeah. Real excited. Now they'll come and rescue me.
Roban Stardown: Oh no, not for that. For this.
He turns Stardown into a tiny liquid form and puts him in a jar.
Roban Stardown: There. And now, for the final step…
He activates an internal function that opens toe top of his head. He then puts the jar in a slot and closes it.
Roban Stardown: At last! I finally have him!

With Brian…
They were backed into a corner with their hands up.
Roban: What do you have to say?
Brian: I say Personal Warplode Non-Damage!
Brian and his group teleport elsewhere as the resulting explosion warps the Robans rather than destroying them.
Roban Amy: Arg! We'll get you for this!
Roban: They can't hear you.

Suddenly an emergency light flashes on one of Brian's devices.
Brian: No! Something's happened to Stardown!
Dallas: What?
Brian: I don't know. I fear he's been liquefied!
Dallas: Liquefied? What do you mean?
Brian: Stardown is now inside his Roban clone.
Dallas: Wh-what?!
Brian: I'm afraid so.
Dallas: But we can't break in!

Jaywalkers charge toward the generator.
Roban: The generator is indestructible!
Jaywalker: Guess again. It's not.
Roban Amy: Stay away from our generator! Hiyah!
She smacks soldiers left and right.

Miyoko: Isn't this fun, Satou?
Satou: Very much so.
Tyler: Should we send another Roban to finish them?
Satou: That won't be necessary.
Greg: News report! Stardown has been liquefied and is now in his Roban self.
Satou: Fantastic! The Guardians can now be properly fooled. Send him out. Make it look like he escaped.

With Arnold…
J.C.: Mr. Arnold, Stardown escaped.
Arnold: Really?
J.C.: He's returning to the other Guardians.
He gets a message from Brian.
Brian: Teleport Stardown! He has been liquefied.
Roban Stardown: That will not be easy…
He draws a darksaber.
Arnold: When's the mass teleporter due?
J.C.: Another seven minutes.
Arnold: How's the generator?
J.C.: We're making little progress.
Arnold: Those Robans guarding the generator ought to be top priority.
Eradicate!
Arnold: What if we used a missile to destroy the generator?
J.C.: It's worth a try…

Soon, a missile is launched at the generator.
Satou: Pitiful.
The AA guns destroy it in a fraction of a second.

J.C.: Well that didn't work.
Arnold: What if we teleport in, place a bomb by the generator, teleport out, and detonate the bomb?
J.C.: Let's try it.
In ten seconds, everything is done except for the bomb's detonation.
J.C.: Let's do this.
Arnold: Wait!
It was too late. The bomb was detonated, causing the ship to shake violently.
J.C.: They teleported it back?!
Crew: The ship has taken heavy damage.

Roban Stardown: C'mon! Try some more.
Roban Brian: They can't hear you.
Roban Stardown: They're actually trying to destroy our generator.
Roban Brian: They built it well.
Roban Stardown: Too well.
Roban Brian: Not to mention its auto-repair function.

Brian: Max, I need you over here.
Max walks over.
Brian: We're going to take down the generator a different way. Imagine the control panel. Now disconnect the primary wire.
Max: Got it. Anything else?
Brian: Now disconnect the master cord.
Max: Got it.
The generator is shut down, and the force field fades. However, five layers of force field spring out.
Brian: I forgot about those emergency ones.
He can hear the Roban clones laughing hysterically.
Max: How do we get through this force field?
Brian: These are generated from the inside. Long and persistent firepower is key. They were set up to protect us from the Shmice.
And eventually the Jaywalkers pound the shield long enough to get some Jaywalker troops inside.
Eradicate!
J.C.: This is where most of the Robans are. Be careful, guys.

With Arnold…
J.C.: Two more of our cruisers have been destroyed. Those Robans aren't joking.
Sally: Then we ought to send more.
J.C.: The Robans have a good setup. They could just as easily destroy those.
Arnold: Wait! What if we damage the force field, then use mass teleportation on the base?
J.C.: The shield's too strong for that, sadly.

Jaywalker: Get warping, guys!
They tried.
Soldier: The blasters are jammed!
Soldier 2: All of them?!
Soldier 3: Shield's down!
J.C.: We're calling a retreat.
They warp back to the ship.

J.C.: This ship's under attack. We're leaving before it's too late.
(This was the same ship Arnold and Sally were on.)
The other Guardians are warped in.
Roadrunner: Wait! Should we send down Micro Man with a teleport gun?
J.C.: It isn't strong enough. We'll regroup and come back.
They hyperdrive back.

Soon, the land at the JRC. The other Guardians meet them.
John: Where's Stardown?
Brian: Captured at the Guardian base.
Mark: He's inside his Roban clone.
Tails: Roban clone?
Kervo: Inside?
Cheese: Chao?
Arnold explains.
Amy: What?!
Brian: I just thought…
Kervo: What is it?
Brian: They could extract his memory. They could extract the memory of all the Guardians.
Max: How can they do that if we're not liquefied?
Brian: Sorry, I meant the captured Guardians.
Max: Oh.
J.C.: This fight has cost us hundreds of billions.
Mark: There must be an easier way to do this.
J.C.: I sure hope so.
Brian: We need to come up with a new plan.
J.C.: I wonder if direct attacks like we've been doing isn't the solution. They seem overly prepared for those.
Kervo: What about microscale?
J.C.: The blasts are too small to affect the Robans.
Roadrunner: And you're sure we can't destroy the Robans without destroying the containers?
J.C.: That's right.
Tails: Don't forget about the Roban guide.
He runs to get it.
Brian: Oh yeah.
A moment later, Tails returns with the book.
Brian: Let's take a look… okay, so Robans can't be destroyed while keeping the jars untouched. Like we thought.
All the Guardians, including the younger ones, study the manual.
J.C.: We should have a meeting in a few.

After fifteen minutes of studying the book, the meeting is underway.
J.C.: Alright, let's discuss our situation.
Max: The enemies have a force field that seems impossible to breach.
Arnold: I regret making it so strong, haha.
Brian: Stardown is now inside his Roban counterpart.
Dallas: Stardown approached us with a darksaber, then disappeared.
Roadrunner: Yeah, that was strange…
Brian: He may still be on the grounds.
Hiroshimi: We need a fast way to warp the Robans and get all of us into the base.
Arnold: The force fields are pretty much indestructible.
Kervo: We need to at least deactivate them.
Arnold: I don't know of any way, honestly.
Brian: And now the technology is being used against us.
Dallas: Plus they have our entire army.
Kervo: We need a new ally.
Knuckles: Like who?
Kervo: Like Francis the Golden Warrior, or maybe even Shadow the Hedgehog.
Sonic: Shadow?
Kervo: Yeah.
Sonic: Why him? He isn't an ally.
Kervo: Oh? I thought that Amy convinced him to assist you to beat Eggman once.
Sonic: Well, if she can convince him again, that would be good.
John: Think you can do it, Amy?
Amy: You bet I can! I think…
Kervo: Where can we find him?
Amy: You know… I haven't a clue.
Brian: Maybe Martin will give us further guidance.
Arnold: How many have been teleported?
J.C.: Only a few thousand.
Arnold: That's a good start.
Brian: We need to act fast before they launch an attack.
Mark: So what's our options?
J.C.: There's not really any subtle way we can attack. The Robans really have a good setup.
Kervo: I really do think we should ask someone else to help us.
J.C.: What could they do that we can't?
Kervo: Francis has proven time and again that he can do things we couldn't. I don't know about Shadow, though. I never met him.
???: Hey guys!
They all turn to the speaker.
???: It's-a-me! The Hooded Jaw! I just wanted to stop by for a few to give you some treats and thank for being such a good target for all my pranks.
Arnold: How did you get here?!
Hooded Jaw: I got here. So anyway, I brought some of my most quality Smarties and… Wait, did I hear the Robans captured Stardown?
Arnold: Did they?
Hooded Jaw: Yeah, did they?
Arnold: Why should we tell you?
Hooded Jaw: Because I care about my friends.
Arnold: Don't even think about it.
Hooded Jaw: But I really do care! Really!
Arnold: Sigh… Yes, he is captured.
Hooded Jaw: The Robans cannot get away with this crime! We must unite together and rescue him!
Arnold: Are you serious?
Hooded Jaw: Absolutely!
Amy: Promise you won't pull any pranks?
Hooded Jaw: I promise! At least until he's rescued…
Amy: I heard that!
Hooded Jaw: Okay…
Arnold: Give us one reason we should trust you.
Hooded Jaw: He's my friend!
Kervo: Not really…
Hooded Jaw: What?! How could you say such a thing?!
Roadrunner: You're his arch-enemy, for crying out loud!
Hooded Jaw: I am?
The rest agree.
Hooded Jaw: Oh… Well this is new…
Amy: In fact, you always were.
Hooded Jaw: Really? Wow…
Arnold: Fine then. Take us to Stardown.
Hooded Jaw: Woohoo! Let's do this!

Later…
J.C.: Sure we can trust that guy?
Arnold: I'm keeping my eye on him.
Hooded Jaw: Hahahahahahaha!
J.C.: He's having the time of his life…
J.S.: Emerging from hyperspace now.
J.C.: Luke! We're gonna have company!
A dozen S-32 Thunderheads were flying right for them. The Jaywalker guns destroyed them in a matter of moments.
Crew: A couple of our ships have taken light damage from the blasts.
Brian: Hooded Jaw, how do we get through the force field?
Hooded Jaw: What force field?
Brian points to the one surrounding the base.
Hooded Jaw: I didn't.
Brian: Then how were you in the base?
Hooded Jaw: I wasn't, silly.
Brian: Don't tell us we recruited you for nothing.
Hooded Jaw: You're not making sense.
Brian: Why are you with us?
Hooded Jaw: To save Stardown!
Brian: And how do you plan to do that?
Hooded Jaw: By doing it!
Brian: You'll rescue him by rescuing him? You're not making sense.
Hooded Jaw: Neither were you.
Brian: Don't make me teleport you.
Hooded Jaw: You would banish your right-hand man?
Brian: Just tell us how we can rescue Stardown. And no Smarties.
Hooded Jaw: Actually, yes Smarties.
Brian aims his teleporter at the Hooded Jaw.
Brian: At least you're honest.
Hooded Jaw: Wait! You don't understand!
Brian: So… You plan to use your Smarties on the villains?
Hooded Jaw: That's exactly my plan.
Brian: I see.
He lowers the tranquilizer teleporter.
Hooded Jaw: I bet Smarties are the Robans' number one weakness.
Brian: No! By harming the Robans, you'd kill the guards!
Hooded Jaw: Smarties don't kill.
Brian: I thought they don't work on Robans.
Hooded Jaw: Oh they do…
Brian: Are you sure they won't affect the guards inside them?
Hooded Jaw: It will, but you'll be able to remove them more easily. Ain't that right, gang?
Dominick: He-haw!
The other minor villains were now present.
Roadrunner: How did you magically appear on this ship and the Jaywalker Rescue Center?!
Hooded Jaw: Magically?
Dominick: He-hawly?
Roadrunner: Yes!
Hooded Jaw: Oh that was easy…
Roadrunner: Do enlighten us.
Hooded Jaw: Don't have time. You all have your smartie blasters?
Yarp! He-haw! squawk! Squawk! SQUAWK! Let it tsunami!
Brian: You didn't answer his question.
We did! Yarp! He-haw! squawk! Squawk! SQUAWK! Let it tsunami!
Kervo: How do we get in?
Brian: The base?
Kervo: Yeah.
Brian: Well, we first need to get past the force fields.
Mark: Which, unfortunately, isn't easy.
Brian: Yeah. We built it to be indestructible.
Kervo: So how did the bad guys manage to take over our base?
Brian: They swapped out our members with the Robans.
Kervo: But wouldn't the force field detect the Robans?
Brian: I would think so.
Roadrunner: So are we weakening the force field the same way we did before?
J.C.: Yeah. Hopefully we'll get in this time.
They open fire, and the Robans retaliate.
J.C.: Good thing we brought more ships than before.
Crew: Seems like they strengthened the force fields.
Roadrunner: And we strengthened our forces. This ought to be good…
John: Do you have the Emeralds with you, Sonic?
Sonic: You bet! If I could beat Perfect Chaos without them, this shield should be nothing.
Kervo: Looks like more Robans are coming.
Sonic summons the Chaos Emeralds.
Brian: Remember not to destroy them.
Sonic: Gotcha.
He morphs into Super Sonic, and flies out the airlock.
Amy: Good luck, Sonic!
Mark: That's one thing the Shmice didn't have…
Roadrunner: Right.
Hooded Jaw: Ready, guys?
Yarp! He-haw! squawk! Squawk! SQUAWK! Let it tsunami!
Super Sonic deals the force field several mighty blows.

Inside the base…
Satou: What's going on out there?
Greg: Gasp! It's Sonic the Hedgehog! He's destroying the force field!
Satou: And what are the Robans doing about it?
Tyler: They can't do anything! It appears Sonic is invincible!
Satou: I'm sure he isn't. Where's that energy drainer ray? (Hag!)
Tyler: We've never tested it on Chaos energy!
Satou: Well, we can now…
Greg: Force field's down!
Suddenly the door is rocketed across the room as all the Guardians except Sonic rush in.
Satou: Welcome!
Brian: Surrender!
Tyler: Gah! I wasn't expecting you this soon!
Satou: Why should I?
Brian: Because we are the Guardians and this is our base.
Satou: Oh, well, not any more.
Brian: Any reasons why?
Satou: Don't play dumb.
Brian raises his teleporter. Roban Tails, Brian, and Stardown land in front of him. Brian fires his teleporter at Roban Stardown.
Roban Stardown: Pitiful.
The beam bounces off his force field.
Kervo: What does the manual say about Roban force fields?
J.C.: Those force fields are pretty much the normal ones.
Roadrunner: So how do we breach the force fields and teleport the Robans?
J.C.: What force fields? The ones around the base?
Roadrunner: Around the Robans?
J.C.: Oh. Enough hits will destroy those.
They open fire on the force fields as a few Guardian guards run in.
Greg: They know our secret!
Satou: What secret?
Greg: They know how to extract the fluid!
Satou: No they don't. What are you talking about?
Greg: Then who are they?
He gestures to the guards pointing their blasters at them.
Satou: Oh…
Roban Brian draws his darksaber.
Roban Brian: Face your end.
Brian: Doesn't the darksaber belong to the Mandalorians?
Roban Brian: That doesn't matter.
He starts wreaking havoc among the guards. They aim their blaster at Roban Stardown.
Guard: Fire!
The sound of gunfire echoes through their ears as they blast away at the Roban Stardown.
Roban Stardown: I am immortal.
The shield goes down. The guards fire the teleporter at Roban Stardown. The Roban Stardown raises his arm. The glistening wristband deflects the projectiles and sends them in various directions.
Roban Stardown: I cannot be contained! I cannot be stopped! I cannot be destroyed!
Roadrunner: You keep telling yourself that, Wonder Woman.
Teleporter beams hit Roban Stardown in three different places.
Roban Stardown: You did not count on my armor, now did you?
J.C.: You resisted our teleporter?!
Roban Stardown: Of course, you little smartie!
???: Did you say Smartie?!
The Hooded Jaw jumped in, his team in tow.
Italian Mouse: A-let's-a-do-a-this-a!
Roban Stardown: This does not compute!
Dominick: He-haw!
Roban Stardown: Assistance required!
Roban Brian: Say what?
Roadrunner charges for Roban Brian and Roban Tails with his saber.
Roadrunner: This feels kinda weird…
They clash sabers.
Greg: Should we bring in the other Roban clones?
Satou leaps to the side and whispers:
Satou: Just the Roadrunner. I have plans with the others…
Brian races for Satou with handcuffs.
Satou: Oh heck no…
A swift left jab sends the handcuffs flying to the ground.
Brian picks them up.
Brian: Oh heck yes.
Satou backs up.
Satou: Are all of your kind like this?
Brian: What do you mean?
Satou: So persistent… so foolish…
Brian prepares to snap the handcuffs on. Satou raises his right arm. In place of his missing hand was a high-tech gadget. Out of it pointed a barrel.
Satou: Don't. Move.

Meanwhile…
Roban Roadrunner: Come and get me,. feather face!
Roadrunner: You bet, beakmouth!
They clash sabers.
Mark: Oh boy…
???: Did you forget about me?
Mark turns around. There, brandishing her hammer, is Roban Amy.
Mark: Kinda…
Roban Amy raises her hammer.
Roban Amy: Perhaps this will jog your memory.
Mark blocks the blow with his electric sword. The real Amy rushes in.
Amy: Not so fast, you cheap impersonation!
Roban Amy suddenly grabs Mark.
Roban Amy: Just one step…
Mark winks at Amy. He suddenly turns into a small tornado, throwing the Roban Amy off him.
Roban Amy: That does it!
Mark: I haven't even started…
Roban Amy: I'm not in the mood to care now!
She suddenly turns on Amy.
Roban Amy: You're next to be liquefied.
Amy: Do I really act like that?
Roban Amy: I am a Roban, what do you expect!
Amy: Oh, well…
She suddenly leaps forward and slams her hammer down on her Roban counterpart.
Roban Amy: Error! Error! This does not compute! Malfunction!
She shuts down.
Amy: Well that was easy.
Mark: Let's go help the others.

Meanwhile, Roban Tails has Kervo pinned to the ground.
Kervo: Help…
Max runs up and attempts a downward thrust on Roban Tails, but is stopped by Brian's voice.
Brian: No! You'll hit Kervo in the process!
Satou: It's useless to give orders. You're losing.
Brian: Oh really?
Satou: Indeed.
Thousands upon thousands of Robans pour in from all directions.
Satou: With teleportation-resistant armor.
Hooded Jaw: But not minor villain-resistant!
They fire Smarties all over the place. The Guardians clear out.
Hooded Jaw: Wait for us!
The minor villains follow the Guardians.
Brian: You're shooting the Robans, remember?
Hooded Jaw: And you're fleeing, remember?
Brian: Sigh.
They head back.
Hooded Jaw: Snack time!
Roban Stardown: Negative.
He fires electricity straight into the Hooded Jaw's mouth.
Hooded Jaw: Ooh! Spicy!
Roban Stardown: Then have more.
Hooded Jaw: Wee! More more more!
Miyoko: Max: He's hopeless.
Smarties continue flying everywhere. None hit the Guardians.
Kervo: I'm still pinned…
The Roban Kervo walks over.
Roban Kervo: Thanks bro.
Roban Kervo bends down to begin the procedure.
Kervo: Help…
A Smartie hits Roban Kervo.
Roban Kervo: Watch where you're aiming!
A few more hit him.
Roban Kervo: Oh come on!
Black Widow: Is it working?
Hooded Jaw: Dunno yet.
Roban Kervo: Tails! Back me up!
Kervo: Yes…
Roban Tails fires bolts of energy at the minor villains. The real Tails also leaps into the fray.
Roban Tails: Ah! Perfect timing!
He fires a tranquilizer at Tails. Tails dodged. The tranquilizer hits Roban Stardown.
Roban Stardown: Watch it.
Kervo tries to get up, but is tranked. The Guardians rush in.
Roban Kervo: Too late. He is inside me.
John: No! Kervo!
Roban Kervo: Your babbling won't help matters. Go home and cry to your mommy.
Brian: Satou, give up.
Satou: Why? I'm winning.
Brian: I don't care.
Satou: I can't believe your team can even coexist with a person like you.
Brian: Oh, I'm not the leader.
Satou: Slowly walk backwards. No sudden movements.
Brian: I won't have to.
The Hooded Jaw leaps in front of Satou. Roban Brian engages him.
Satou: Do it or I'll shoot!
Hooded Jaw shoots Smarties at both Roban Brian and Satou as Brian turns back and rejoins the others. A shot flies right through him. He lay there dead.
John: 1-up! Brian needs a 1-up!
Amy approaches Brian with a 1-up.
Satou: I can just as easily shoot him again. Perhaps you'd be of better use engaging the Robans?
Roadrunner: Why should we? You're winning.
Tails: Roadrunner!
Roban Roadrunner: You bet we're winning! Now give me your stupid brain!
He jumps at Roadrunner. Roadrunner casually slashes him in two.
Roadrunner: Next?
Amy gives Brian the 1-up and runs off.
Satou: Trank him.
Roban Brian does just that.
Satou: Good. Take him away and do your thing.
The two Brians teleport away.
Amy: What have I done…
Jaywalker troops run in.
Jaywalker: Take these, everyone. These are TeleSabers. They will teleport whatever they hit.
Satou: How cute.
The TeleSabers are drawn. Tails manages to hit Roban Tails.
Roban Tails: Whyyyyyyyyyyy
Roban Brian re-enters.
Roban Brian: I have finished.
John and Roadrunner race toward him with their TeleSabers. Roban Brian draws his darksaber and clashes it against theirs.
Rainmaker: Let it tsunami!
Roban Brian: Oh for crying out loud!
He teleports away. The tsunami picks up some Robans and approaches Satou. He teleports himself away.
Hooded Jaw: We almost had him!
Rainmaker: Let it lol!
Hahahahahahaha!
Firius: …What just happened?
Rainmaker: Isn't it funny?!
Hooded Jaw: Yeah. Real funny. Now we just lost the bad guys!
Rainmaker: Oh well.
Jaywalker soldiers pour into the base.
Arnold: Find Satou!
Italian Mouse: A-who-a?
Hooded Jaw: Satou.
Italian Mouse: A-sa-a-tou-a?
Hooded Jaw: Yup!
Firius: Alright then, let's find Asaatoua!

The Jaywalkers begin a base-wide search. Minutes later, they find Satou.
Satou: Hello. What can I do for you?
The Jaywalkers trap him in a force bubble.
J.C.: Surrender.
Satou: I can get out, you know.
J.C.: You really can't escape a max-security state-of-the-art force bubble.
He somehow teleports out and was standing behind them.
Satou: You were saying?
The Jaywalkers trank him.
Satou: I am not a pushover.
J.C.: But that's impossible.
Satou: In your eyes, yes.
He teleports away.
Guard: Commander, we need a new strategy!
J.C.: Satou could be anywhere…

Meanwhile…
Satou was hosting a meeting in one of his other bases.
Tyler: These Guardians are really persistent.
Satou: Indeed. I have a plan to get rid of them.
Miyoko: Let me guess, the mass teleportation?
Satou: Exactly. In under a minute, all our problems will be dealt with.

Meanwhile, the Guardians have located the Robans.
Hiroshimi: Some of them are destroyed.
Arnold: Are any of them ordinary Robans, Kervo, Stardown, or Brian?
Hiroshimi: No.
Arnold: Good.
Hiroshimi: Bunch of guard and crew Robans.
Arnold: Which means we lost more guards.
Hiroshimi: Yeah.
Some Jaywalkers run up.
Jaywalker: We almost had Satou, but he teleported away. Even resisted our force fields and tranquilizers.
Arnold: Uh oh. How about the others?
Jaywalker: We couldn't find them.
Suddenly, they and every other Jaywalkers and Guardian are teleported into prisons.
Roadrunner: What's the meaning of this?!
Dallas: State-of-the-art prisons, too.
Arnold: Obviously Satou planned ahead for this.
Crew: Now what?
Sonic: We can't just wait around.
???: Well, what else are you gonna do?
They look up to see the speaker. They didn't recognize him.
Tails: Who are you?
???: A friend.
He winks.
Arnold: In that case, can you arrange our escape?
???: Easily. And I'll get your base back.
John: How?
???: It's kind of hard to explain, but don't worry.
The figure walks away.
Sonic: I could kill for a chili dog about now…
Dallas: Of all the things How could you think of food at this time?
John: I'm kinda hungry myself…
Dallas: But we're captured.
Arnold: I'm sure we'll eat soon enough.
Knuckles tries punching the sides of their prison.
Sonic: It's no use, Knux. Looks like they've got us good.
Amy: Step aside!
She wields her hammer.
John: I don't know if that will work…
She tries. Amy's hammer vibrates against the bars, causing her to vibrate as well. This only made her madder. Roadrunner tries his lightsaber on the bars.
Roadrunner: Arg! Force bubble bars.
Hiroshimi: Stop! We'll be out in no time.

They continue waiting.
John: Hey! Have any food?
Dallas: Only these.
He pulls out a few energy bars.
Marvin: YUMMY!
He eats them all.
Roadrunner: MARVIN! Good thing I have some. Hooded Jaw, please muzzle Marvin.
Hooded Jaw: Uuuh…
Marvin: YOU SAY YOU HAVE SOME?!
He starts chomping around Roadrunner. He tosses some to the others as Hooded Jaw finally muzzles Marvin.
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Black Widow: You ate the muzzle?!
Amy: I'll handle this.
She knocks out Marvin.
Marvin: Yummy hammer…
The others eat their bars as quickly as they can.
Marvin: I'm waking up!
Hooded Jaw: Too late. They finished their bars.
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!
Marvin: YUMMY WRAPPERS!
Hooded Jaw: Yes, you can eat those.
Marvin: YAY!
Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!

More time passes…
John: Can that moose eat force bubbles?
Hooded Jaw: Sure!
Marvin: Did somebody say force bubbles?! Moosey loves force bubbles!
He tries eating the bars.
Marvin: Yummy!
John: Wait! Wasn't our friend gonna break us out?
Marvin: I don't care! Here! Have a bite!
Dallas: Uh… no thanks.
John: Can anyone return Marvin to normal?
Marvin: I am normal!
Dallas: He wasn't talking to you.
Marvin: I don't care!
Chomp! Chawmp! Charmp!
John: Even if Marvin does get through, should we escape?
Brian: Why not?
Arnold: Yeah.
John: Shouldn't we wait for our friend?
Arnold: By the evidence, he'll know we escaped.
Roadrunner: But wouldn't that ruin his plan?
Arnold: What plan?
Roadrunner: Whatever he's doing how, and what he will do soon.
Arnold: No, I wouldn't think so.
Marvin finishes digesting the bars.
Marvin: More?
Hooded Jaw: Nope.
Marvin: MORE?!
Hooded Jaw: NOPE!
Marvin: MORE?!?!??
Hooded Jaw: NOPE?!
Marvin: Okay…
Rainmaker: I'm free!
Italian Mouse: A-yeah-a!
Amy: Shall we?
Italian Mouse: A-heck-a-yeah-a!
Arnold: Stay close and follow me.
They leave the cell.
Hooded Jaw: No! Follow me!
Arnold's group keep walking as the other minor villains join the Hooded Jaw.
Dominick: He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!
Suddenly, something snaps inside Firius and she rejoins the Guardians.
Hooded Jaw: Wait up, dear!
The Hooded Jaw follows, along with the other minor villains.
Firius: I thought you wanted your group to follow you.
Hooded Jaw: I do! I want everyone to follow me!
Roadrunner: No, Hoodie.
Firius: I'm sorry, Hooded Jaw, bit I can't be a minor villain any longer. Your group is far too loony for me.
Hooded Jaw: But, but…
Firius: I'm sorry.
Firius and the other Guardians leave and are soon out of sight. Hooded Jaw stands dazed.
Hooded Jaw: BUT WHAT ABOUT OUR RELATIONSHIP?!
There is no answer. The minor villains pursue them.
Hooded Jaw: This way!
Dominick: He-haw!
They do not see the Guardians.
Hooded Jaw: WAH!
Suddenly, several Robans run in and surround the minor villains.
Marvin: Yummy moose snacks?!
Roban: Starving moose do not work on Robans!
Roban: Emojis don't work Emoticons don't work either!
Marvin eats one.
Marvin: YUMMY!
Roban: Tranquilize!
Marvin eats their tranquilizers.
Roban: The moose must be eradicated.
He is hit with six blasters, all at different angles. Somehow, he ate them all.
Black Widow: …How…?!
Marvin: YUMMY!
Roban: This does not compute! Boot mass teleporter!
The minor villains are teleported away.

Hooded Jaw: Ah, home sweet home!
Black Widow: But… how?!
Hooded Jaw: Oh that was easy! I simply used my Super Ultra Teleportation Distorter Smartie!
Black Widow: I regret asking…

Meanwhile…
Firius: Sigh, my phone's ringing…
She reaches into her pocket and answers it.
Hooded Jaw: Hey hon. When'll you be back?
Firius: I don't know. Maybe when you settle down and get a life.
Hooded Jaw: But I do have a life… with you.
Firius: I love you. I will always love you. Please, never forget that.
Italian Mouse: A-aw-a!
Firius: You're so sweet, Hooded Jaw. Maybe I'll reconsider once you become a little less crazy.
SQUAWK! SQUAWK! SQUAWK! SQUAWK! SQUAWK!
Hooded Jaw: Ack!
Marvin eats the phone and burps out the source code.
Black Widow: Are you telling me there's something you can't eat?
Marvin: !
Chomp!

With the Guardians…
Hiroshimi: So far, so good.
Dallas: Is there an exit nearby?
Arnold: Don't know.
They keep moving.
Roban: They have escaped! Recapture them!
Arnold: Run! But stay close.
Tranks are fired at them. They miss. The Guardians keep moving. They finally find a n exit, which was blocked by Robans.
Dallas: I sure hope our friend knows about our escape!
They all hear a voice echoing through their heads:
???: You should have trusted me…
Roadrunner: Who?! What?!
Roban: Eradicate them!
The Guardians are surrounded.
???: I will spare you, but remember this lesson lest you fall into the hands of peril.
The Robans shut down.
Arnold: Who are you?
???: I am Martin the Warrior, son of Luke.
John: …Martin?
???: That is I.
John: Can you please free my friends from these robots?
There is no reply. :(
Arnold: Well… that was something. Let's keep moving.

They are soon outside.
Dallas: No Robans?
Mark: I guess Martin took care of them all.
Max: Is it too dangerous to return to base?
Arnold: Definitely. There are tens of thousands of Robans on guard there.
Tails: What about the Jaywalker Refuge Center?
Arnold: That's always a safe option.
Amy: But how do we get there? We don't have a ship.
Arnold: We'll contact them.
He pulls out his phone and contacts them. Ten minutes later, they're inside JRC.
Roadrunner: Now what?
Arnold: I believe we should wait for Martin's guidance.
Amy: Why should we listen to him? He's just one spirit mouse.
Sonic: I always thought he was a myth.
John: Mouse spirit!
Arnold: Just believe. I believed in him the moment I first saw him. He will help us.
Amy: O…kay.

Meanwhile with the villains…
Miyoko: They have escaped.
Satou: I know, but they didn't stick around and fight. Perhaps they learned their lesson.
Miyoko: Hopefully.
Tyler: And yet all the Robans here are shut down.
Satou: What do you mean? They're all working.
Tyler: Take a look at this security video.
It is shown to him.
Satou: Yes, I knew about those.
Miyoko: I don't understand.
Satou: This was the work of a spirit – a warrior's spirit.
Greg: And he is strong with them.
Satou: I am not worried; Buster the Ghost will rid him.
Buster: Yarp.
Miyoko: Is this a joke?
Satou: Not at all.
Tyler: Why do I get the strange feeling Buster will lose?
Satou: He won't.
Buster: Yarp.

Meanwhile…
Announcer: Captain Veggie Psycho to the rescue!
Citizen: Help help help help help! Doctor Negitoris Dietarium is robbing us of all our health food!
Captain Veggie Psycho: Never fear! This guy's here!
Everyone boos.
Captain Veggie Psycho: What?
Dallas: What is this show?!
John: The Adventures of Captain Veggie Psycho! It's sooo cool!
Dallas: Uh, I… have to go…
John: It's only three seasons in and it's already the best show on DopeZilla!
Dallas: Oh brother…
Sonic: We can't just stand here and let the enemies relax in our base!
John: Guys! Come see this!
A few of the Guardians rush over.
John: That doctor won't stand a chance!
Dallas: Oh… That…
John: Best show ever!
Dallas: Glad you're enjoying it.
Sonic: Maybe I should trust this Martin guy…
The window smashes as a crazed moose rushes in.
Marvin: Did you say Marvin?
Roadrunner: He said Martin with a T!
Marvin: Did you say TEA?!
The automatic repair function repairs the windows.
Sonic: How did you get here without suffocating in deep space?
Marvin: !
Arnold: What are you doing here?
Marvin: Sonic said my name!
Arnold: He said Martin, not Marvin.
Marvin: !
He leaves, breaking through the window which is instantly repaired.
John: Oh man! The sound effects are great in this!

Satou: Okay, you got all that?
Buster: Yarp.
Satou: Good. Eliminate the warrior mouse.
Buster: Yarp!
Greg: Does he say anything other than "yarp"?
Satou: Rarely.
Tyler: He looks like he could be with the Hooded Jaw's gang.
Buster: Yarp!
Satou: Shoo!
Buster flies away, seeking Martin the Warrior.
???: Moose snacks! Moose snacks! Moose snacks!
Greg: That moose shouldn't exist!
"That moose" turns and crashes through the window.
Marvin: What d'ya mean I shouldn't exist?!
Tyler: Did you know that you're the only moose snack that ever existed?
Marvin: Me?!
Tyler: Yup.
Greg: Where's the rest of your gang?
Marvin: Back at the woodshed. Wanna meet them?
Greg: N-no…
Marvin: !
Satou: Leave.
Marvin: !
Satou aims his arm at Marvin.
Marvin: :D
Satou: Don't you even.
Marvin: !
A Roban tranks Marvin from behind.
Marvin: Yummm

With the Guardians…
Mark: With Martin on our side, we should try to take back the base again.
John: I love this show!
Dallas: Is that… him?
John: Who?
Dallas: Martin.
Martin: That is I.
Arnold: Could you help us take our base back from the Robans?
Martin: Indeed I can.
???: Yarp! Yarp! Yarp!
Martin: An enemy approaches.
Buster plows into Martin.
Dallas: What in the world…
Roadrunner: Already this ghost could be a minor villain.
Buster: Yarp!
John: Man! The sound effects are awesome!
Martin draws his sword.
Buster: Yarp!
He eats it.
Mark: Who is this? Marvin?
The sword explodes in Buster's stomach and reappears in Martin's hand.
Buster: !
Martin strikes at Buster. His sword goes right through him. Martin strikes several more times.
Buster: Yarp! Yarp! Yarp! I'm in another dimension!
Martin: Then how can I see you?
Buster: The same reason why I can see you yarp yarp!
Martin: Then enter my dimension.
Buster: Gladly yarp!
Buster enters Martin's dimension.
Buster: Now, to show you my true power! Yarp yarp yarp yarp yarp!
He turns into the biggest, most frightening monster any of them had ever seen.
Buster: YARP!
One of his dozen arms shoots toward Martin. Martin easily chops it off.
Buster: I am not that easy…
His arm grows back.
John: Woah! I am living this show!
Cream: I'm scared…
Cheese: Chao…
They hide behind Amy.
Buster: All will fear me!
Martin slashes madly at Buster.
Buster: Your pitiful efforts will get you nowhere, mouse.
Martin: In your face, Buster!
Buster: You cannot even reach my face.
Martin throws the sword at Buster's face. Buster absorbed it.
Buster: Give up, mouse!
The sword once again explodes and reappears in Martin's hand.
Martin: Tell me why you approach me in such a manner.
Buster: I am the end.
Martin: Yes. You are at your end.
Buster: You cannot kill me. No one can kill me.
Martin: I have slain every foe I encountered. You shall be no different.
Buster laughed.
Buster: You are incorrect.
Martin: Why did you come here?
Buster: To end you!
All dozen of his arms draw various weapons. They both fade to a different dimension as the battle begins.
John: What happened to the sound?
Dallas: Must be a cliffhanger.
Sonic: We've gotta stop those Robans.
Roadrunner: But how?
Arnold: What we've been doing hasn't really worked.
John: We need Martin.
J.C.: The Robans are sure to attack, so we need to act fast.
The Jaywalker Captain, Arnold, Sally, and Hiroshimi sit down to a meeting.
Hiroshimi: So the Robans know what to generally expect from us. We should take advantage of this.
Sally: Are you saying we should do something unexpected?
Hiroshimi: Exactly. Something they aren't prepared for.
Arnold: None of them are prepared for Martin the Warrior.
Marvin: You said my name!
J.C.: But Martin's busy, as we saw…
Marvin: You said my name again!
Arnold: Perhaps he will find the time in his fight to speak to one of us tonight.
Marvin: I am speaking to you!
J.C.: But what should we do in the meantime?
Arnold: Prepare.
Sally: We must come up with a plan.
J.C.: So, what haven't we done?
Hiroshimi: Well, Martin wasn't with us the last time we raided the base.
J.C.: Is he a god?
Arnold: I believe the Redwallers would call him one.
Hiroshimi: Who're the Redwallers?
Arnold: Matthias is one of them.
Yarp!
John: Awesome!
Arnold: They're back?
They hear the sound of fighting.
Hiroshimi: Let's hope that Martin wins…
Arnold: MARVIN!
The wall crashes as Marvin flies in.
Arnold: You hungry?
Marvin: Yeah! Yum! Yar! Yoop! Yarp!
Arnold: There's a big tasty ghost in the other room.
Marvin: Yay!
He crashes through the door.
J.C.: That was amazing!
CHOMP!
YUMSTERZ!
Sally: Maybe we could use him to stop the Robans.
J.C.: But wouldn't that kill the guards?
Sally: Right.
John: They even brought Marvin into the show! I love it even more!
Tails: Marvin's on TV?
John: I heard Chomp and Yumsterz!
Amy: So Marvin ate the ghost?
John: Yeah! That was so cool!
Sally: I don't think we should tell him it's real, at least, not yet.
John: Awesome awesome awesome!
Arnold: You're right, Sally.
J.C.: So what's the plan?
Arnold: We'll storm the base as we did earlier, but bring many more Jaywalkers with teleporters and TeleSabers. And, of course, Martin will be with us.
Sally: Shall we summon him?
Arnold: Yes.
Martin: I cannot always be there for you. You must learn to fend for yourselves.
Arnold: We will.
Hiroshimi: So… what now?
Arnold: We'll storm the base with more troops and supplies than before. We'll also set up defenses against their missiles.
J.C.: But that's what they're hoping we'll do.
Sally: What about this Francis you mentioned earlier?
Arnold: He's been gone for a while.
Hiroshimi: And what about this Shadow as well?
Arnold: I don't really know about him.
Sally: I do, but he’s very hard to contact.
Hiroshimi: Oh okay.
J.C.: We could try a mass teleporter within the base.
Arnold: That’s possible?
J.C.: We’ve been experimenting with it. It’s able to detect the outer walls. I don't know if it will work, though.
Hiroshimi: But they’re prepared for this kind of attack.
J.C.: But not an interior mass teleporter.
Hiroshimi: You have one?
J.C.: Yes. It’s not been proven in battle, though.
Sally: So when should we act?
Arnold: After we decide who’s going.
They discuss that and are soon ready.
Arnold: Ready, everyone?
Hiroshimi: We’ve received a report that lamb island has offered to join us in the war.
Mark: But do they have what it takes to take on such a grave threat?
Arnold: I don’t know, I don’t want to put them at such a risk.
Hiroshimi: Then we should assign them one of the lighter jobs.
Arnold: I’m not so sure they’d accept.
Sally: Then what can they do?
Arnold: I’m not sure. I can’t put them in this danger.
Sally: Maybe we can let them fight, but give them extra defenses.
Arnold: They’d send their whole army.
J.C.: That’s nothing we can’t handle.
Arnold: What do you mean?
J.C.: We can supply defenses to every lamb soldier they have.
Arnold: But what would their state be after the battle?
J.C.: I think that depends on the Robans.
Hiroshimi: They’re hoping we’ll attack head on.
Sally: Teleporting into the base may take them by surprise.
Hiroshimi: Yeah.
Arnold: Then what?
J.C.: We know they have at least twenty-five thousand Robans at their disposal. But we've got a lot more than that.
Sally: So what's the plan?
Arnold: We'll teleport into the base, teleport the Robans, and use the mass teleporter once it has finished charging.
Sally: How many can that teleport?
J.C.: Actually, it can teleport anyone within 1,000 feet.
Sally: So that's basically the whole base?
Arnold: The base is much larger than 1,000 feet. It should at least teleport a few thousand Robans.
J.C.: Shall we put our plan into action?
Arnold: Yes.

Meanwhile…
Tyler: Any update on Buster?
Satou: Nope. He's probably lost.
Miyoko: Look what I found.
She held up a small device.
Miyoko: The Guardians had some anti-teleportation devices. With these, our enemies will be powerless.
Satou: Perfect! How many are there?
Miyoko: Enough for all the Robans.
Satou: Good. Then we will use them.
Greg: Now we can be the ones teleporting them!
Satou: Indeed.

Jaywalker Captain: Ready?
Jaywalker Soldier: Ready.
One of the ships fires a massive beam that weakens the force combo enough for the Guardians and Jaywalkers to enter.
Roban: Eradicate the intruders!
The Guardians and Jaywalkers begin the process of teleporting the Robans.
Soldier: It's not working!
J.C.: They're teleport-resistant.
Roadrunner: But not teleport-proof!
Roban: You are mistaken, feather face!
J.C.: We've got some equipment that may come in handy for this mission, but it can't be teleported.
Roban Captain: Eradicate them!
All hell broke loose as the Robans hailed them with munition.
J.S.: We'll need to disable the force combo if we're getting our equipment in.
J.C. (Lee): Good thing we brought Tails along.
Suddenly, several war ships flew in and unleashed themselves upon the force combo.
Hiroshimi: The Lambs have arrived.
Lee: Tails! We need you over here.
Tails: Where are you?
Lee: Over here, by the doorway.
A few Jaywalkers escort him. Tails reaches Lee a moment later.
Lee: Tails we need you to shut down the force combo so we can bring in our equipment.
Tails: That's in the control room?
Lee: Yes. I've sent several soldiers to distract them away from the control room. You should have no trouble getting there. Yes. We'll cover you.
They start heading over. However, waves of Robans stop them in their tracks. More Jaywalker forces arrive and engage the Robans, allowing Tails to proceed, until the path was blocked again. Fortunately, the guards are wearing heavy armor, and they have force fields, so they push past the Robans. They finally managed to get through; however, half of their group was gone. Fresh new guards arrived and Tails moved on.
Tails: Oh boy…
Hall blockers were set up as crowds of Robans behind them positioned themselves. A bazooka damages one of them.
Eradicate!
Hails of lasers flew at them. Teleporters are fired at the hall blockers.
Soldier: Not working.
More bazookas are fired. One of the hall blockers is destroyed.
Soldier: Our ranks are thinning.
More Jaywalkers arrive from the other side of the hall blockers. They damage the hall blockers on that side too.
Roban Captain: Calling backup.
Tails' group backs out of the hallway and takes a different route to the control room. They are soon behind the other Jaywalkers. Over one hundred Robans teleport behind them.
Roban: Eradicate the enemy!

Back at the battle…
Sonic: How can hundreds of Robans fit in this tiny room?
Roadrunner: And we can't destroy a single one…
Hiroshimi: There aren't that many.
Mark: While we're alive, we still have a chance!
More bombs hit the force field. It flickers but remains up.
Roadrunner: Wait, what's our goal?
Lee: To remove all Robans from this base.
Roadrunner: How?
Lee: With teamwork and sheer numbers!
Roadrunner: I mean, how do we remove them?
Lee: It'll be hard, but our equipment will be able to cover it.
Roadrunner: I don't understand. They can't be teleported.
Lee: Arnold told me earlier that Satou has Guardian technology. In that case, if you guys made that tech, you can disable it, right?
Roadrunner looks at Hiroshimi.
Hiroshimi: Not when they're in this state, no.
Roadrunner: You mean they're invincible?!
Hiroshimi: No, but we can't destroy them because of the guards inside.
Roadrunner: And we can't teleport them either…
Soldier: Ranks are thinning!
Lee: Send in more troops!
J.C.: But what's the point of fighting?
Lee: We need to bring in the equipment, but it can't be teleported.
J.C.: What equipment?
More bombs strike the force combo. They huddled together as the Robans closed in.
Roban Captain: On the count of three!
J.C.: What can we do?
Roban Captain: One…
J.C.: We can't just surrender. We've come so far!
Roban Captain: Two…
Suddenly Martin the Warrior appears.
Roban Captain: Three!
The Robans fire, but nothing comes out.
Roban Captain: This does not compute!
Roban: What has happened?
Martin: I am that is.
He teleports himself away, along with all the Robans around Tails and inside the control room.
J.C.: Go go go!
Tails races for the control room.
Tails: Where's the panel?
He enters and races for one of the computers. Opening the program, he scrolled through the list of commands. He clicked on the option to deactivate the force combo.
Tails: Uh-oh.
A firewall was set up. He tried many different passwords. All of them failed.
Tails: Only one thing left to do.
He ran to the generator panel on the wall.
Crew: What are you doing?
Jaywalker soldiers tackle him. Tails pulls out his screwdriver and unscrews the four screws holding the panel in place.
Crew: What's the meaning of this?
The Jaywalkers take him away. Tails has unscrewed two of the screws.
Eradicate!
The fighting in the other room spurred him on to work faster. In a moment, Tails finished unscrewing the screws and removed the panel. He examined the wires. These were different than the ones he was used to. He located the master wire and unplugged it. The force field faded. The base shook violently from dropping bombs.
J.C.: Shield's down!
Several Jaywalker soldiers bring in their equipment. They project giant clear force walls that begin pushing the Robans toward the exits.
Roban: What is happening?!
The force walls soon gather all of the nearby Robans. Then they are put in individual force bubbles and levitated to the orbiting Jaywalker ship. This is done in half an hour.
Lee: Any left?
J.C.: I think we got them all.
Other Jaywalkers lead the Congregation crew members away.
J.C.: Some other crew members got away. We'll get them next time.
They soon began the task of changing the guards back. Three hours later, the last members are changed back.
Stardown: What… happened?
Hiroshimi: You were put inside your Roban duplicate. But we and the Jaywalkers got our base back.
Arnold: But one question remains: What is Satou up to now…?

Greg: The Robans! They're gone!
Tyler: They just vanished!
Satou: Just? You were staring at them as they were just pushed together by a force field bubble.
Miyoko: So… what now?
Satou: I have an alternate plan.
He presses a button. A door opens and a man in his early sixties walks in. He is clean-shaven and has slightly spiky, shoulder-length hair. He is wearing a white knee-length labcoat and black gloves.
Satou: This is Vladimir Czekov, my top scientist.
Tyler: …Who?
Vladimir shows Tyler his badge.
Tyler: Oh…
Vladimir: The reason we lost the base is because we underestimated the Jaywalkers.
Satou: What do you mean?
Vladimir: We had little if any prior knowledge of them. They used technology unknown to us. Additionally, the spirit of a great warrior was with them.
Tyler: But spirits aren't real!
Miyoko: Believe me. They're real.
Tyler: How do we stop 'im?
Vladimir: Your ghost Buster failed. That is not a proper way to deal with spirits.
Tyler: Then what is?
Vladimir: We don't have that technology yet.
Tyler: He's unstoppable?
Satou: Give the others a chance to talk.
Miyoko: Have you devised a plan?
Vladimir: Yes. Though, we won't try to conquer anything in the meantime.
Satou: Please explain.
Vladimir: We must gain information on our enemies. I'm sure most of you have had experience with the Guardians. Alone, they can be destroyed. I have created an invention that will give us the world's knowledge of the Jaywalkers. Additionally, all Jaywalkers on Plit will be teleported here for interrogation.
Satou: How does your invention operate?
Vladimir: It inconspicuously looks like a passenger jet that circles the globe in 24 hours. When the two ends of its contrail meet, all Jaywalkers on Earth will be teleported into the jet, which will also collect information about the Jaywalkers from everyone on Plit.
Satou: Brilliant. When do you plan on executing this?
Vladimir: We'll spend a few weeks licking our wounds, then launch the jet. We do not want the Guardians to get suspicious.
Satou: But, have you considered… It will most certainly disrupt the flight paths… The managers will detect it as a foreign object and, yeah, you'd be busted.
Vladimir: I took that into consideration. It is masked with the same material the B-2 stealth bombers back on Earth have. The air traffic controller will not detect it. And besides, I've planned the exact flight path that will not disrupt other flights.
Satou: But they'll see it.
Vladimir: It's hard to see a plane that contains light-reflecting material.
Satou: Oh… Okay.
Vladimir: The jet will launch from our private airfield on Whale Island.
Satou: Good idea. They don't know that it's ours.
Vladimir: It only takes twenty-four hours to make a world of a difference…

The Guardians were settled in their base once again.
Stardown: That must have been quite a struggle you guys went through to get this base back.
Hiroshimi: Oh yeah.
Stardown: But who is Satou?
Hiroshimi: The mastermind behind this.
Stardown: I mean, what is his organization?
Hiroshimi: We don't know, but they're certainly not our friends.
Stardown heads to the lab, wondering how Satou took the base so easily.
Kervo: Hey Stardown!
Kervo and Tails were present.
Stardown: Hi guys!
Tails: Wanna work on something?
Stardown: Sure!
They looked to see if the Congregation changed anything.
Stardown: Everything looks untouched so far.
Tails: What shall we make?
Stardown: More voice changers?
Kervo: That would be awesome!
They get to work.
Tails: It's so good to be doing this again.
Stardown: Yeah.
Amy enters (RIP).
Tails: Hi Amy!
Kervo: What's up?
Amy: Oh, just… saying hi…
Stardown: Is something wrong?
Amy: No.
Kervo: Should we make an Arnold voice changer next?
Stardown: Yeah, why not?
Tails: Is this a Hooded Jaw voice changer? When did you make this?
Kervo: Long story short, I made it when Stardown was captured by Bowser and Ponoko when they were looking for the Nova on Amethyst.
He puts it up to his mouth.
Kervo: I'm the Hooded Jaw! Har har har!
They all burst out laughing.
Kervo: What? I am the Hooded Jaw. Want some Smarties?
Stardown puts the Emperor voice changer to his mouth.
Stardown: You aren't fooling anyone, Kervo.
Kervo: Who's Kervo?
They laugh again.
Kervo: What? Here! Have a Smartie!
Tails picks up a Stardown voice changer.
Tails: Silly Hooded Jaw, Smarties are for geniuses!
Kervo: So you're telling me you're not a genius?
Stardown: Well, that's news.
Stardown picks up his voice changer.
Stardown: Do I sound any different? :P
Kervo and Tails laugh.
Kervo: No.
Tails: We need a Marvin voice changer.
Marvin darts in.
Kervo: Now we need a Marvin fly swatter.
Marvin: !
He leaves.
Tails: Phew!
They get back to work on the Armaul voice changer.
Kervo: What do you think Amy was doing?
Stardown: I don't know. I think something's bothering her.
Tails: Yeah
Kervo: We should probably go and talk to her.
Tails: I agree.
They head over to where Amy is.
Amy: Hello.
Tails: Is something bothering you, Amy?
Amy: No… Why?
Kervo: You didn't seem yourself when you came in to see us.
Amy: Oh…
Stardown: Care to share it with us?
Amy: Share what?
Stardown didn't know what to say next.
Tails: Is it about Sonic?
Amy: I'm sorry, I have no idea what you guys are talking about.
Stardown: We'll leave you alone.
They leave.
Tails: Do you think she's hiding something?
Stardown: I don't know.
They head back to the lab. Stardown can't seem to concentrate on his project. Kervo puts the Hooded Jaw voice changer to his mouth.
Kervo: What's wrong buddy?
Stardown picks up the Emperor voice changer.
Stardown: I'm not your "buddy," I'm the Emperor!

Somewhere…
???: Sandy, where did you put the catnip?
Sandy: It's in the cabinet, Wilma.
???: Katrina? Andrew? Where did you two go?
Wilma: They'll be back, Camille. They always come back.\
Camille: That's good. We don't want to be known as the Cat 3 :P
Sandy: Who else thinks they're… in love?
Wilma: The looks those two give each other; you can almost see hearts in their eyes.
Camille: They're probably out on a date.
Sandy: Love is in the air…
Katrina: Hey guys, did we miss anything?
Camille: No, not really…
Katrina: Is that… catnip?
Wilma: My catnip, yes.
Andrew: What did y'all do while we were gone.
Sandy: Nothing.
Andrew: No work on the AD?
Sandy: Who came up with that freakishly bad name?
Andrew: What? Apocapyptic Doomicane? You did, in your sleep.
Sandy: Forget I said anything…
Andrew: Duuuuude.
Camille: ?
Andrew: Tuna flavored catnip…
Sandy: I can't believe it; in a matter of days, the Catnip Kingdom will be ours!
Andrew: Mushroom Kingdom.
Wilma: This plan is flawless, nothing can stop the AD
Camille: Too bad we can't salvage the Guardian Base.
Andrew: Why would we want to? Our base will be way better.
Sandy: But there's only five of us.
Katrina: The purpose of a large base is to store catnip. Where would we put it all if we're living in a shack or whatever?
Camille: So when are we launching the AD?
Andrew: Whenever it's finished.
Wilma: And what about Stardown? Isn't he valuable?
Andrew: Anyone's valuable if they can help us collect catnip.
Katrina: And Stardown's just the guy for that!
Andrew: Yep.
Katrina: So what's the summary of our plan?
Andrew: We'll use the AD to sweep the Mushroom Kingdom clean of anything and everything, then, build a great building to store all our catnip.
Katrina: Perfect. When's it to be done?
Andrew: Let's get back to work…

Meanwhile…
Kervo: How do I sound?
Stardown: Perfect!
Tails: Now we have an Armaul voice changer!
Kervo: Should we do Dr. Sykk next?
Stardown: Sure!
Kervo tried imitating her.
Kervo: Time to take your meds!
Stardown picks up the Hooded Jaw voice changer.
Stardown: After you have your Smarties!
Kervo: No! Not the Smarties!
Stardown: Yes. The Smarties.
Kervo: Nooooo!
Stardown: Yeeeeees!
Tails: Let's just hope those Minor Villains don't burst in here…
Stardown: They can't. We just recently upped our security.
He-haw!
Kervo: Okay, that was just a fluke…
He-haw!
Tails: Don't worry. They can't get in.
He-haw!
Kervo: He probably has a megaphone.
He-Haw!
Tails: Probably.
Stardown: I'm tired of the Minor Villains popping up randomly. Maybe we should get our Smartie armor.
Kervo: Yeah.
They get the armor.
Kervo: Think they'll get in?
Stardown: Not with the upgraded security.
He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!
Stardown: He can't get in.
He looks out the window just in case.
Stardown: Nothing.
Tails: Let's get back to work.
Suddenly, Dominick crashed through the door.
Stardown: How the heck did you get in here?!
Dominick: He-haw!
Kervo: A-At least the others aren't around.
Hooded Jaw: Oh?
Stardown: What the heck?!
Hooded Jaw: Yup.
Tails: What on Earth?!
Hooded Jaw: Want some, you know, Smarties?
Kervo: Of course not!
Hooded Jaw: Why?
Stardown: We've been contaminated too many times already.
Hooded Jaw: Want peanuts then?
Stardown: H… How… did you know?
Hooded Jaw: Know what? :P
Stardown: I'm raising the alarm.
Hooded Jaw: Aw, you don't need to do that.
Dominick grabs Stardown and has his boombox to Stardown's ear in a moment. Tails flees the room.
Tails: Be right back!
Rainmaker: Let it goop!
Goop rains all over Tails, weighing him down. Kervo runs over to help Tails.
Stardown: What are you doing here, anyay?
Hooded Jaw: We just wanted to… say hi.
Stardown: …Hello.
Hooded Jaw: Would you like some peanut flavored Smarties?
Stardown: …What?
Hooded Jaw: Yeah! It'll be great!
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown: No Smarties whatsoever.
Hooded Jaw: Why now?
Stardown: What?
Hooded Jaw: I said, why not?
Stardown: What? This donkey's radio is too loud!
Hooded Jaw: What did you say?
Stardown was starting to get weak. Kervo, Amy, and the newly-freed Tails rush in.
Italian Mouse: A-hi-a-kids-a!
Amy: Let him go!
Dominick: A-why-a-haw-a?
Tails: …You actually said a normal word?
He turned up the radio to the max. As Tails and Kervo covered their ears (Stardown couldn't because he was pinned by Dominick), Amy drew her hammer and smashed the boombox.
Dominick: He-haw!
Dominick's bray blew her across the room. He takes another boombox out of his pocket.
Kervo: Not the bottomless pockets thing…
Dominick: He-haw!
Kervo: Besides, you don't even have pockets.
Dominick: Haw-he!
Hooded Jaw: There's no room for logic here!
The radio has knocked Stardown unconscious. Tails and Kervo race to Stardown's side as Amy destroys Dominick's boombox again.
Dominick: A-haw-a-he-a!
He takes out another one.
Hooded Jaw: Tie 'em up and take 'em away.
Dallas and several guards rush in. Dallas draws his lasso.
Hooded Jaw: Bye!
They teleport away!
Dallas: Where did you-
Guard: Gone!
Stardown is still unconscious. Kervo managed to press a button on the Hooded Jaw's side, teleporting them back.
Hooded Jaw: Wah!
The guards fire tranquilizers.
Hooded Jaw: Waaa…
The guards take them away. Stardown is still unconscious. The winds start picking up.
Dallas: Was that in the forecast?
Guard: I don't know.
Kervo: What should we do with Stardown?
Dallas: He'll wake up soon enough.
???: I'm free!
The Minor Villains race back in as the winds increase some more.
Hooded Jaw: Iiiiiiit's Smartie time!
Dominick: He-haw!
He draws his Smartie blaster. Only Dallas and Amy are not wearing Smartie armor.
Hooded Jaw: Aww! Some of them have Smartie armor! How cute!
Tails: You knew?!
He pats Tails on the head.
Hooded Jaw: Of course I knew.
The winds are now sustained at 30mph.
Hooded Jaw: WHERE DID YOU PUT MY BELOVED FIRIUS?!
Guard: Put?
Psycho: Rainmaker, did you say "let it wind" earlier?
Rainmaker: Naw?
Psycho: Then what is going on outside?
Rainmaker: Dunno.
A guard rushes in.
Guard: It's a hurricane of historic proportions!
Italian Mouse: A-what-a?
Guard: We don't even know if it's natural!
He flees. The others follow, including Stardown who had finally woken up, but was still a little weak.
Stardown: What's happening?
Guard: A hurricane's coming. We believe it's artificial.
Stardown: Artificial?
Guard: No natural hurricane has sustained winds of 400mph.
Stardown: Four. Hundred. Miles. Per hour?!
Guard: I'm afraid so.
A captain appears.
Captain: It's time for a meeting.
Hooded Jaw: Can I join? Please please please please please…
Stardown: You're villains.
Hooded Jaw: But we helped you! Remember?
Stardown: No.
Hooded Jaw: Oh right. You were in your Roban self.
Stardown: Which I don't want that happening again.
Hooded Jaw: Don't worry buddy!
He jams a Smartie in Stardown's mouth.
Hooded Jaw: So anyway, can I join?
Stardown spits out the Smartie.
Stardown: No.
Guard: We destroyed all your Smarties, remember?
Hooded Jaw: Of course I remembered! That's why I created more!
Stardown: How?
Hooded Jaw: How what?
Stardown: How did you create more Smarties?
Hooded Jaw: By creating them!
He jams another Smartie in his mouth. Stardown spits it out and back away from the Hooded Jaw.
Stardown: Seriously. That's getting old.
Hooded Jaw: Really? I thought these were my fresher ones.
Tails: Come on! It's time for the meeting!
Hooded Jaw: Oh yeah!
They head to the meeting.
Hooded Jaw: Wait, why are we having a meeting again?
Stardown: Because of the storm outside.
Hooded Jaw: Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
They are soon at the meeting.
Hooded Jaw: LOL LOL LOL! Storms are natural! They happen all the time!
Arnold: Quiet, please.
Hooded Jaw: Why?
Dominick: He-haw!
Arnold: Quiet! Okay, so, are you all aware of the approaching storm?
They nod.
Arnold: This is a catastrophe of apocalyptic proportions. With sustained winds at almost four hundred miles per hour, this storm could wipe the Mushroom Kingdom clean of everything, so the reason I called you all, is so we can compile a plan to either steer it off course, or destroy it altogether. Stardown, you go first.
Stardown: I'm not sure where I heard about it, but years ago in space, there was this moose with a fan. A fan so strong, it could blow almost anything away. So I'm thinking, if we can find that moose, and bring him to Plit, he could blow that hurricane away.
Arnold: Stardown, that's perfect! Do you know where he is?
Stardown: I have an idea. So, who wants to join me?
Dallas, Mark, Roadrunner, Sonic, and the Hooded Jaw raised their hands.
Stardown: No Hoodie.
Hooded Jaw: B,B,But…
Stardown: I'm sorry.
Hooded Jaw: I helped you!
Stardown: Yes; you "helped" me eat my Smarties when I didn't want them.
Hooded Jaw: And I also helped by shutting down the Robans!
Italian Mouse: A-yeah-a!
Stardown: What do you say, Commander?
Arnold: No, he's not going.
Hooded Jaw: Blaaaast! Well, let's get going. We don't want our woodshed blowing away.
They leave.
Cream: Is our base going to blow away?
Arnold: You don't have to worry about that, Cream; the force combo will prevent that. But even though our base is safe, the rest of the Mushroom Kingdom isn't.
Stardown's party piles into a shuttle and takes off.
Roadrunner: It's a bit turbulent up there…
Sonic: Look at the size of that thing.
Stardown: Bigger than Superstorm Sandy back on Earth.
Mark: I'm so glad that Jaw isn't with us.
Dallas: Me too.
They soon leave the atmosphere.
Roadrunner: The world is so beautiful from up here.
Mark: Some of the other islands are going to get hit.
Dallas: We'll need to hurry.
Roadrunner: Does this thing have hyperdrive?
Stardown: Yes, but we don't want to end up crashing into the moon.

After another fifteen minutes, they see their destination.
Stardown: So many memories…
They soon land.
Roadrunner: Now, where to start…?
Stardown: That castle over there is new.
Roadrunner: Shall we take a look?
Stardown: Yeah, why not?
They head toward the castle.
Sonic: Think anyone's inside?
Mark: Looks like it.
They are soon at the door.
Roadrunner: Perhaps we should knock.
Stardown was hesitant.
Sonic: It'll be all right, Stardown.
Stardown: I hope so.
He knocks. They hear nothing. They try again after thirty seconds.
Stardown: Hello?
There is nothing.
Mark: What now?
Sonic smirks.
Sonic: I guess we just enter.
He spin dashes toward the door. He bounces off of it.
Sonic: That door's stronger than I thought.
Roadrunner: Allow me.
He tries his lightsaber on the door.
Roadrunner: Making a little progress.
Dallas: That's good.
Roadrunner: It's gonna take awhile, but we'll get through.
Stardown: I'll assist you.
He draws his lightsaber.
A good long time after, they are through.
Roadrunner: Now that's what I call a workout! :P
Stardown: That was tiring.
Mark: So, it looks like someone has been staying here.
Dallas: I thought so.
Elsewhere in the castle…
???: Uuuarg! How did they get here?
??? 2: Dunno.
???: Well, you better go and… "ask" them…
??? 2: With gladness!
Mark: So where do we start?
???: Start with meeee!
The Guardians then to face the newcomer.
Stardown: Gooper Blooper?! What have they done to you?!
Gooper Blooper: I'm brainwashed boi! Wooooo!
Stardown: No brainwashed person would say that.
Gooper Blooper: Say what boi?
Stardown: Only Link can be classified as "boi".
Gooper Blooper: Whatevs boi.
Roadrunner: We won't find anything here. Let's leave.
Gooper Blooper: Oh you'll find things… boi.
Sonic: Like what?
Gooper Blooper: Yo grave boi! Woooooo!
Sonic: That's our cur, guys! Let's take this thing down!
Roadrunner (who was always eager to join a fight) drew his lightsaber.
Stardown was hesitant to draw his.
Gooper Blooper: What's the matter boi? Scared to fight? Can't blame you. Wooooo!
This drives Stardown to draw his saber.
Gooper Blooper: Atta boy! Heh hey! WOOOOOOOO!
Roadrunner: Are you alone in this?
Gooper Blooper: Naw. I've got friends.
Sonic: Oh really?
Gooper Blooper: Sure…
Roadrunner: Well, where are they?
Gooper Blooper: It don't matter. You'll be dead soon.
Dallas: I don't think so.
Stardown: Who brainwashed you?
Gooper Blooper: Duueeuuee…
Mark: He's hopeless….
With some effort, Dallas lassoes his tentacles together.
Gooper Blooper: Woooooooooooooo!
He thrashed to the side, throwing Dallas into the wall.
Gooper Blooper: It's a Woopa Bloopa Time!
Roadrunner: Did we bring tranquilizers?
Stardown: I never thought to.
Gooper Blooper: Good thing fool.
Stardown: Take me to your leader.
Gooper Blooper: Lawl!
Stardown: Please.
Gooper Blooper: Oh sure.
Stardown: Really?
Gooper Blooper: Really.
Stardown: Let's just go…
Gooper Blooper: Wooooooooooooo!
Dallas: Don't tell me that guy's your friend, Stardown.
Stardown: He's not.
Gooper Blooper: Come here bois.
Stardown: (irritated) What?
Gooper Blooper: You wanted to see my master?
Stardown: Yes. And no tricks.
Gooper Blooper: Of course not. Tricks are for kids.
Stardown: Ha ha.
They follow him.
???: Greetings youngsters.
They face the speaker.
Stardown: Fearsome Ferret?!
Fearsome Ferret: Who did you expect?
Stardown: I kinda expected Hooktail really…
Fearsome Ferret: Why?
Stardown: Just is. Wait, why are we here?
Fearsome Ferret: To die.
???: Bzzz! Targets detected. Fates sealed. Prepare to die.
Dallas: I'm afraid to ask what that was…
Stardown: It's the moose with the fan. He's been turned into an evil robot.
Roadrunner: Then change him back! And don't say no!
Fearsome Ferret: So basically you're asking us to let you win?
Roadrunner: Yes! The good guys always win in the end!
Fearsome Ferret: You have proven yourself a true coward. Moose, dispose these wretches.
Moose: I hear and I obey.
Stardown: I thought you were a lesser villain, ferret.
Fearsome Ferret: Lesser? Please explain.
The moose started firing rockets at them.
Sonic: Oh, please. This looks like one of Eggman's rejects.
Moose: You will pay for this insult!
Stardown: Lesser compared to the Gerbilians and Shmice.
Fearsome Ferret: Oh, well they were whole armies. Of course they'd be more major.
Roadrunner: How do we change him back?!
Fearsome Ferret: Bahaha! You think I'd tell you?
Roadrunner's lightsaber is now at Ferret's chest.
Roadrunner: Of course!
Fearsome Ferret: Coward!
You lept back and drew his cutlass. The blast from one of the rockets knocks Roadrunner over.
Roadrunner gets up.
Roadrunner: No… You're the coward!
Fearsome Ferret: Bah hah hah!
Gooper Blooper: Heh hey!
Roadrunner: Did you brainwash anyone else?
Fearsome Ferret: Nope. And I don't need to either!
Gooper Blooper: Woooooooooo!
Stardown heads to another room and tells Arnold about the moose.
Arnold: Are you in the need of backup?
Stardown: That and whatever can neutralize a roboticized moose.
Arnold: We'll send some over right away.
Stardown: Roger that.
He hangs up and races back into the fight.
Gooper Blooper: Wah hah hah hah hah!
Roadrunner: We'll have the last laugh!
Fearsome Ferret: You're a cocky one.
Roadrunner: Heheh, I know.
Over two warriors dressed from head to toe in armor rush in.
Captain: Here comes the cavalry!
Fearsome Ferret: Welcome to the party! :D
Captain: This party's over!
Fearsome Ferret: Why's that?
Captain: Because you're going to change that moose back right now!
Roadrunner: Don't hesitate!
Fearsome Ferret: Why? What's it to you?
Stardown debated telling him about the hurricane.
Fearsome Ferret: Hmm?
Stardown finally told him.
Fearsome Ferret: Go bug someone else, kid.
Stardown: Do you want the Mushroom Kingdom destroyed?
Fearsome Ferret: That old dump means nothing to me. Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do.
Stardown: Where do you live?
Fearsome Ferret: Right here stupid.
Stardown: Change that moose back.
Fearsome Ferret: Get! Out!
Stardown: NO!
Roadrunner: Let's get him!
The three bunch together.
Fearsome Ferret: Answer this, why are you here in my castle?!
Stardown: We're here for the non-robotic moose. Then we can go.
Fearsome Ferret: I own that freaking thing! Get out of here RIGHT NOW!
Roadrunner: HOW LONG DID YOU OWN HIM!?!?
Fearsome Ferret: Several months. Now get out!
Roadrunner shakes Ferret's shoulders.
Roadrunner: CHANGE! HIM! BACK!
Stardown: Easy, Roadrunner.
Fearsome Ferret: What's it to you? He's mine. What are you galactic police or something? What's wrong with turning a stray animal into a robot that was going to be put down anyway. I saved him you know.
Roadrunner: PUT DOWN?! He lives alone here! We need the non-roboticized moose to stop an artificial hurricane that's going to destroy our land! Your land! Don't you understand?!
Fearsome Ferret: How would a stray moose help you, tramp?
Roadrunner: Because he has a gigantic fan that can blow away just about anything!
Fearsome Ferret: Oh, well, I installed that fan to cool the electric. Sorry!
Roadrunner: Well then, uninstall it and change the moose back. Go ahead, we'll wait. It's not like our home's going to get destroyed by a giant artificial hurricane or something.
Fearsome Ferret: I need that fan. Go play somewhere else, okay? I haven't had lunch yet. So, if you'll excuse me…
Roadrunner: And leave us to die?!
Fearsome Ferret: Live somewhere else. Now please, get out!
Roadrunner: Make us!
Fearsome Ferret: I am not giving you that fan or moose. Is that very clear?
Captain: Your opinion is outvoted thirty to one. Now hand them over.
Fearsome Ferret: Gosh sir, this isn't even your property. You don't have any right to do this.
Stardown: You do realize the moose has a say in this. The non-roboticized one!
Fearsome Ferret: Leave. My rules in my castle. I order you to leave.
The captain draws a tranquilizer.
Fearsome Ferret: Listen, are you telling me you have the right to break into a random guy's house and demand they give you whatever you want at gunpoint?! You guys are thieves! Common thieves! And I'm having none of it! Now get out before you regret coming!
Captain: We govern Plit and its territories.
He tranquilizes Fearsome Ferret.
Fearsome Ferret: I vow to…
He faints.
Gooper Blooper: I wanted to do that!
Moose: You have tranked our precious master!
Stardown: What has he done to you?
Moose: I have been upgraded!
Stardown: Can you please help us?
Moose: I cannot. Leave like my master has commanded.
Stardown: What he says does not matter anymore.
Moose: This is his castle; not yours.
Stardown: Then why have I never heard of this castle?
Moose: I don't know. Thank you for staying.
He ushers them to the door.
The captain fires another blaster that shuts down the moose.
Gooper Blooper: I'm telling your mom!
Stardown: Uh… How…?
Gooper Blooper whipped out a smart phone.
Gooper Blooper: With this.
Stardown: Don't make me laugh. You don't even know her number.
The guards begin working on the moose.
Gooper Blooper: You'll kill him. He's one with the bot.
Captain: We can at least turn him good.
Gooper Blooper leaps at the captain.
Stardown: Wait! Weren't you calling Mom?
Gooper Blooper: Oh yeah!
Stardown: How are you guys doing?
Captain: It's pretty hopeless. They're gonna wake up any time now.
Stardown: Then let's take the moose and get out of here.
They start leaving.
Fearsome Ferret: I vow to destroy you all! Every one of you!
Captain: We won't have to worry about the moose waking up too early. He's a robot.

They are soon back at base.
The mechanics take the moose to the lab for examining. Tails and Kervo are already there.
Tails: Yeah, this is pretty bad.
Stardown: Uh… guys?
Some of the others turn to him.
Stardown: We \*ahem\* forgot the fan.
Captain: We wouldn't have been able to get it. Time constraints, y'know. Let's hope the moose can build a new one.
The moose starts to wake up.
Mechanic: Quick! Trank it again!
Moose: Trank who?
Mechanic: Wait, can you build a new fan and stop the artificial hurricane that's going to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom?
Moose: I'm… sorry?
Mechanic: Do you remember having a fan?
Moose: Of course!
Mechanic: Can you build a new one?
Moose: Even if I could, I would never build one for criminals like you.
Stardown: Criminals? We saved you.
Moose: No, you kidnapped me.
Stardown: You were an ordinary moose who was transformed into a robot. Do you remember?
Moose: Of course I do. Now free me at once.
Stardown: Did you have a master before you were a robot?
Moose: Nope.
Stardown: So why are you against us when you were for us earlier?
Moose: I was never for you.
Stardown: Tails, have Sonic bring a power ring.
Tails rushes off.
Moose: A what?
Stardown: You'll see.
Moose: Let me go! Now!
Stardown: We need your help.
Moose: Oh really?
Stardown: Yes. But you need to calm down first.
Moose: And your plan is?
Stardown: I believe your fan was taken from you by Fearsome Ferret. We need you to build another one in order to stop a giant, unearthly hurricale that will destroy the Mushroom Kingdom.
Moose: I gave it to him, and no, I will not help you.
The moose was on high alert in case a sudden move was made.
Kervo: Stardown, I think he has conflicting personalities!
Stardown: I've noticed.
Moose: "Conflicting personality?"
Stardown: Every other time you speak, your bad side is taking over.
Moose: "Bad side"?
Stardown: Yes, that was your bad side speaking. Your good side will speak next.
Moose: Bah hah hah! You're just desperate for me to work for you. I've already told you I won't, and that's final. You can't brainwash me either thanks to my programming.
Stardown: (Hopefully Tails will return soon…)
Moose: Now, will you release me?
Tails returns with the power ring.
Moose: I said, will you release me?!
Tails holds the ring out to the moose.
Moose: Yes, I see it.
Tails: Hold on to it.
Moose: I won't. It's surely a trap.
Tails: Trust me.
Moose: Explain what it does.
Tails: It will get rid of your bad side.
Moose: I do NOT have a bad side! Bzzz! Firing missiles in one!
Stardown: Look out!
Tails hurriedly presses the ring into the moose's hand. Immediately the moose stops what he is doing and shuts down. A moment later, he reopens his eyes.
Moose: Your powers do not work on me!
Tails: But how? That's impossible!
Kervo: The lab's a mess!
The Mechanic shuts down the moose.
Mechanic: Let's get to work!
Stardown: Just remember, he's still alive.
Mechanic: Maybe that's how he woke up.
They begin tinkering with a few wires.
Mechanic: A lot of these are for life support.
Stardown: What else is there?
Mechanic: Hmm… Each wire has multiple purposes, meaning I can't do anything. Whoever created this is a genius.
Kervo: So what CAN we do?
Mechanic: sadly, as far as I can see, nothing.
Kervo: He's waking up!
Moose: Where am I?
Stardown: You're safe with me and the Guardians.
Moose: Who are you?
Stardown: My name is Stardown.
Stardown explains about the hurricane and the fan.
Moose: My memory has been restored. You are my enemy!
Stardown: Not again! Tails, try the ring again!
Moose: No!
He zapped it across the room.
Kervo: Tails! Are you okay?
Tails: …I'll be fine…
Stardown: That's it. We're going to capture Fearsome Ferret.
Moose: You'll do nothing of the sort!
Stardown: You have no say in this.
Moose: But he's MY master!
Stardown: Not anymore.
Moose: Bzzz! Firing rockets!
They shut him down again, then trap him in a force combo.
Mechanic: Let's hope that works.
Crew: The rockets wounded several people.
They are taken to the infirmary.
Stardown: Let's get that ferret! Who's coming with me?
Sonic and Roadrunner were the only present Guardians willing to come.
Brian: Take some soldiers too.
Fifteen minutes later, they leave. A Force combo protects them from the high winds.
Sonic: Shall we take the shuttles?

Soon after, they land.
Stardown: They haven't fixed that door.
Sonic: Good for us.
They enter.
Gooper Blooper: Hey guys!
Roadrunner: Where's Fearsome Ferret?
Gooper Blooper: Woooooo!
Roadrunner: Where is he?
Gooper Blooper: Heh hey!
Roadrunner: TELL! US!
Gooper Blooper: Tell us! Ha ha ha!
Stardown: Let's just go.
Gooper Blooper: Go where woop woop?
They ignore him and leave.
Roadrunner: What about the ferret?
Stardown: We'll continue searching the castle.
They do.
Sonic: It really feels bigger on the inside.
Stardown: Just like the TARDIS.
Roadrunner: Maybe it is one.
Stardown: I didn't think TARDISes were this big.
Roadrunner: :P
They soon head to the room they saw Fearsome Ferret in.
Sonic: Think he's expecting us?
Stardown: Probably.
Gooper Blooper: Wait up!
They ignore him.
Roadrunner: Where could that ferret be?
Gooper Blooper: GUYS!!!
Roadrunner: What is it?!
Gooper Blooper: Nothing. I just want to bug your heads off.
Stardown: You freak of nature…
They continue searching the castle.
Sonic: Should we call him? Should we shout to him?
Stardown: At this point, it's worth it.
Roadrunner: Ferret! Come here at once!
Nothing.
Stardown: Where could he be?
Roadrunner: Come here now!
Still nothing.
Stardown: We might as well wait.
Gooper Blooper: Wooooo!
Roadrunner: What the heck is wrong with that guy?
Stardown: I don't know.
Gooper Blooper: Blub blub blub!
Roadrunner: Squid, where is Ferret?
Gooper Blooper: ?terreF si erehw ,diuqS
Roadrunner: Shut up!
Gooper Blooper: Up shut!
Roadrunner: Ferret, we have your moose. Come out with your hands up!
Nothing once again.
Stardown: We should finish searching the rest of the castle.
They see what looks like the silhouette of Fearsome Ferret.
Fearsome Ferret: Why are you here?
Roadrunner: Tell us how we can change your moose back. Don't resist.
Fearsome Ferret: He's not your moose.
Roadrunner: Whatever.
Fearsome Ferret: Would you be okay if I stole all your weapons to save myself from an invasion?
Stardown: Neither the moose nor the fan were yours to begin with.
Fearsome Ferret: I asked, he accepted.
Roadrunner: He WHAT?!
Fearsome Ferret: Yes! I asked if he wanted to be a cyborg and he agreed!
Stardown: We at least want the fan.
Fearsome Ferret: We share that.
Stardown: Did he agree to be under your control?
Fearsome Ferret: Yes he did.
Roadrunner: How else can we get rid of an impossible hurricane?
Fearsome Ferret: Beats me.
Roadrunner: Do you CARE?!
Fearsome Ferret shrugs.
Fearsome Ferret: Not my monkeys.
Roadrunner: We're doing this the hard way.
He tranks Fearsome Ferret.
Roadrunner: Come on. We're going back.
Sonic: It's a fake!
Roadrunner: Wait, what?
Fearsome Ferret: Are you telling me if I don't LET you rob me, you're gonna kidnap me? What the heck?
Roadrunner: It's SLAVERY!
Fearsome Ferret: NO IT ISN'T! He agreed to it.
Roadrunner tranks him again.
Roadrunner: Show yourself!
Fearsome Ferret: What did I do wrong?
Roadrunner: First of all, you refused to help us. Second, why did you think it was a good idea to ask the moose if he wanted to be a robot?
Fearsome Ferret: Just leave. I'm tired of arguing.
Roadrunner: Just come out!
Fearsome Ferret: Why won't you leave me in peace?
Roadrunner: Because we're all gonna die.
Fearsome Ferret: Not if you move somewhere else.
Roadrunner: Billions are gonna die BECAUSE OF YOU!
Fearsome Ferret: WHY ME?! WHY NOT SOMEONE ELSE?!
Roadrunner: WE NEED THE NON-ROBOTIC GOOD MOOSE!
Fearsome Ferret: What can a freaking moose do?! Go bug someone else!
Stardown: You don't know him like I know him.
Fearsome Ferret: What the heck are you talking about?! He's lived with me for months! And you stole him just now!
Stardown: (Jedi mindtrick) You will change the moose back.
Fearsome Ferret: That's not the way a Jedi would do it.
Stardown: What?
Fearsome Ferret: You're not a Jedi.
Stardown: I'm… not?
Fearsome Ferret: It's rather obvious.
Stardown: …What?!
Fearsome Ferret: Get out of my freaking house!
Roadrunner: Okay, but when the Mushroom Kingdom's destroyed, you're to blame because you didn't help us.
They start to leave.
Fearsome Ferret sat back, closed his eyes, and let out a long sigh of relief.
Stardown radios the base and tells Arnold about Fearsome Ferret.
Arnold: Well, they are his.
Stardown: Not before. Why can't he help us?
Arnold: I don't know.
Stardown: Any progress on the moose?
Arnold: No sadly.
Fearsome Ferret: Hey!
They turn to him.
Fearsome Ferret: Gimme my freaking moose back!
Roadrunner: ONLY IF YOU HELP US! >:(
Fearsome Ferret: No, you worthless thief!
Roadrunner: Then we keep him!
Fearsome Ferret: Fine. I will help you.
Roadrunner: Unconditionally and without tricks?
Fearsome Ferret: There is a catch.
Roadrunner: There shouldn't be, but tell us.
Fearsome Ferret: Since you demanded I help you or get robbed, I can do the same to you. If ever I'm in "trouble", I can and will steal anything I want from you. It's completely fair.
Roadrunner: No deal! Besides, you can't even get near our base.
Fearsome Ferret: Fine then. Give me mo moose back and forget this ever happened.
Roadrunner: We'll give him back once the hurricane is gone!
Fearsome Ferret: Why the wait?
Roadrunner: Because his fan can destroy the hurricane.
Fearsome Ferret: Haha! He doesn't have the fan.
Roadrunner: GIVE. IT. TO. US.
Fearsome Ferret: I wouldn't give it to a pig, and besides, it runs everything in this castle.
Roadrunner: Then get a new one.
Fearsome Ferret: I won't. But you can.
Roadrunner: We don't know how he did it.
Fearsome Ferret: Neither does he.
Roadrunner: WHAT?!
Fearsome Ferret: NOW GET OFF MY FREAKING LAWN! And give me my moose back.
Roadrunner: Give me my stupid fan.
He rushes into the castle, but is stomped flat by Gooper Blooper.
Fearsome Ferret: Make your own fan. You're the Guardians after all.
Roadrunner: We can't do everything, you know!
Gooper Blooper: Oh look! A pancake!
Fearsome Ferret: At least you can create a fan…
Roadrunner: How?
Fearsome Ferret: I dunno, build a stupid fan, aim it at a hurricane, and watch the fan blow away I guess.
Roadrunner: IT'S NOT AN ORDINARY FAN.
Fearsome Ferret: Just make your own fan!
Roadrunner: IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE!
He runs back into the castle.
Gooper Blooper: Weeee!
He stomps on Roadrunner again.
Fearsome Ferret: And neither is uninstalling that fan! Now gimme that moose!
Roadrunner: Gimme that fan!
Fearsome Ferret: It wasn't yours to begin with.
Roadrunner: Stardown was friends with that moose until you changed him!
Fearsome Ferret: From request, yes.
Roadrunner: It was your idea!
Fearsome Ferret: And he loved it!
Roadrunner: What made you want to change him into a robot?!
Fearsome Ferret: Robots are the future.
Roadrunner: Then become a robot yourself.
Fearsome Ferret: Give me my moose back.
Stardown: (to Arnold) How strong are the winds?
Arnold: Sustained at seventy miles per hour.
Roadrunner: Did you hear that, Ferret?
Fearsome Ferret: I don't care about a random hurricane halfway across the galaxy!
Stardown: You will.
He fires a wide conical trank ray at FF, tranquilizing him.
Roadrunner: Finally!
Stardown: Let's head back.

About half an hour later, FF wakes up outside the Guardian Base, just inside the force combo. He can hear the howling winds.
Fearsome Ferret: You will never forgive yourselves.
Stardown: You turned the moose into a robot when we really need him. We got the fan. Now change the moose back.
Fearsome Ferret: He's my moose! You have no say in his matters!
Stardown: Now, or I'll send you into the storm you don't care about.
Fearsome Ferret: I never knew you had a heart of darkness…
Brian and some guards run outside. They handcuff FF.
Fearsome Ferret: All of you will die because of this! Mark my words…

At the lab…
Moose: Where's my master?
Guard: In prison.
Moose: Prison?!
Kervo: He should never have turned you into a robot.
Moose: Why?
Stardown: He said robots are the future.
Moose: So?
Roadrunner: And he's not a robot himself.
Moose: I can't see how he could make himself into one.
Stardown: John Lumic did it in Doctor Who. Oh, and we got your fan.
Moose: YOU WHAT?!?!
Stardown: Yes. We need you to use it to stop an artificial hurricane.
Moose: You monster!
Stardown: What's wrong? You loved your fan.
Moose: But you destroyed it!
Stardown: No I didn't. It's still in one piece. Want to see it?
Moose: I don't have to. You see, I modified it to supply energy to our castle, our home. It was a paradise, until you came along. You kidnapped me, threatened my master, and ripped my precious fan out of its socket. It's now useless, all because of you.
Stardown: Is there a way we change him back?
Mechanic: Sadly, not that I've found.
Moose: Why would you do that?
Stardown: It was his idea, not yours, that you would be a robot.
Moose: And I liked his idea.
Stardown: You were not in your right mind then.
Moose: Oh I was.
Stardown: So you wanted to become a bad guy?
Moose: Haha! Being a robot's not a bad thing.
Stardown: Yes, but being a bad guy's not a good thing.
Moose: How was I?
Stardown: You fired rockets at us! In fact, your boss is partners with RoDent, who was the Emperor, who commanded villains such as Ponoko.
Moose: Your "villains" are my friends.
Stardown: So, in other words, you're friends with Ponoko, the minor villains, the Shmice, the Robans, etc.?
Moose: I haven't even heard of most of those, they must be local…
Stardown: The Shmice were global. They were evil.
Moose: Hm. Never heard of 'em.
Stardown: Are you sure you'd be friends with world conquerors?
Moose: You're not in your right mind.
Stardown: Hey, I was just expounding on what you said.
Moose: Hm.
Stardown: Can you please help us? I promise to let you go afterward.
Moose: So you finally admit I'm your captive?
Stardown: As long as you're evil, then yes. But if you promise not to harm us, I'll release you from the force combo.
Moose: …There is nothing I can do…
Stardown: Why is that?
Moose: You destroyed the fan!
Stardown: We tested it. It's functional.
Moose: Well that's impossible, cuz it's not.
Stardown: We're working on it.
An excited mechanic runs in.
Mechanic: We got the fan to work!
Stardown: Was it able to work before it was installed in the castle?
Moose: Yes.
Stardown: Then why does it not work now?
Moose: It's now a generator… in the shape of a fan.
Stardown: So it was greatly renovated?
Moose: Kinda.
Stardown: Can you help us change it back into a fan?
Moose: Oh that's impossible.
Stardown: Why is that?
Moose: Well, you kinda destroyed it.
Stardown: Can you build a new one?
Moose: Nope.
Stardown: Why not?
Moose: I was crazy at the time.
Stardown: Well, we'll need your crazy self back, because the Mushroom Kingdom is in extreme danger!
Moose: That was years ago.
Stardown: One way or another, we need a working fan.
Moose: It can't be done.
Stardown: Yes it can.
Moose: If you say so.
Stardown: Then come on!
Moose: Oh I can't do it.
Stardown: Why not?
Moose: I already told you.
Stardown: Yes, I know, you don't want to be crazy anymore. But this is serious.
Moose: I couldn't help it! Something came over me!
Stardown: That's why you made the fan?
Moose: Yep.
Stardown: But how can we change you back to normal?
Moose: Stop with that. I don't want to be changed.
Stardown: So I guess we'll just sit back and watch the Mushroom Kingdom get destroyed?
Moose: Nothing I can do.
Stardown leaves the room.
Kervo: Is there any hope?
Tails: There must be.
The winds were now sustained at eighty miles per hour.
Stardown: (to Arnold) Is there anything we can do?
Arnold: Could the fan not work?
Stardown: The moose said it was broken beyond repair and that he can't fix it.
Arnold: Uh oh. Can he create a new one?
Stardown: No. After his personality change after being roboticized, he said he can't.
John: We're doomed!
Stardown: I'm afraid so.
The winds were quickly picking up.
Brian: And this is only the edge of the storm…
Stardown: Maybe Martin can give us guidance…
Brian: Maybe.

Meanwhile…
Andrew: How's the storm going?
Camille: The edge is over the Mushroom Kingdom now.
Katrina: This is so exciting!
Wilma: And there is absolutely nothing they can do.
Sandy: Are you sure there's gonna be… enough room for our catnip? :P
Andrew: Oh, we'll work something out. ;)
Katrina: Bet it has some good farmland! :D
Wilma: And barns! :D
Camille: And catnip in the shape of catnip :P
Sandy: What? XD
Camille: I mean animals. :P
Katrina: This is gonna be fun… :)
Andrew: Guys? Guess what?
The others: What?
Andrew: It's gonna wipe a couple other islands too!
The others: XD :D LOL!
Wilma: I wonder what they're thinking down there… >:)

Meanwhile…
Waluigi: WAH!
Wario: We're all gonna die!
Waluigi: I want my mommy! (Phewf!)
Wario: I want my WarioWare!
Waluigi: I want my underwear!
Kervo: It's hopeless, isn't it?
Wario: ?ti t'nsi ,sselepoh s'tI
Waluigi: Yez, it iz.
Wario: Wah!
Stardown: I wonder how the minor villains are faring…

Hooded Jaw: Got more rope?
Italian Mouse: A-yes-a.
Hooded Jaw: Wee!
Black Widow: U.
Psycho: Let's strap down this woodshed!
Rainmaker: Let it hurricane!
Italian Mouse: A-no-a!
Rainmaker: Let it haboob!
Marvin: Aw naw!
Soon they were covered in dust and water.

Meanwhile…
Waluigi: WHA!!
Wario: You misspelled WAH.
Waluigi: AWH!
Wario: Wut.
Waluigi: HWA!
Wario: WUT
Stardown: Does anyone have any ideas?
Hiroshimi: Let me think… Yes, I've got it.
Everyone present gathers round.
Hiroshimi: I can explain my plan with one word: Marvin.
Stardown: Why didn't we think of that?
Hiroshimi: He can eat anything, hurricane included.
Arnold: Let's call him.
Stardown: MARVIIIIIN!
Marvin cracked through the force combo and walls.
Marvin: You called?!
Arnold: Yes. Can you eat the hurricane?
Marvin: Yas!
He speeds out.
Sonic: I should race him some day…

Hooded Jaw: Where's Marvin?
Black Widow: Someone called him.
Italian Mouse: A-hey-a! A-the-a-wind-a-stopped-a!
Hooded Jaw: A-what-a?
Marvin returns.
Marvin: Yum yum yum yum yum yum! Delicioso!
Hooded Jaw: You ate the hurricane?!
Black Widow: Why are you surprised?
Hooded Jaw: I… shouldn't be.

Meanwhile…
Kervo: It worked! It stopped!
Brian: That moose save us a lot of trouble. Speaking of moose…
They free the robot moose, and he leaves.
Stardown: What about Fearsome Ferret?
Brian: He'll remain in prison.
Stardown's thoughts: I never knew you had a heart of darkness… You're not a Jedi…
Fearsome Ferret: Hey!
Roadrunner and a few of the others race over.
Roadrunner: Whaddaya want, bub?
Fearsome Ferret: The hurricane's gone.
Roadrunner: I know that squirrel.
Fearsome Ferret: Won't you let me out?
Roadrunner: What do you think?
Fearsome Ferret: Of course!
Fearsome Ferret: Nah. You're a bad guy.
Fearsome Ferret: Pot calling the kettle black, eh?
Roadrunner: …
Fearsome Ferret: Just let me out.
Roadrunner: And let you terrorize us again? Of course not!
Fearsome Ferret: Terrorize you? I was living peacefully until you broke into my home and destroyed everything!
Roadrunner: We didn't know about Marvin then!
Brian: We'll release you, if you promise not to attack us.
Fearsome Ferret: Nothing's guaranteed.
Roadrunner: Except death and taxes.
Fearsome Ferret: Yep.
He is released and sent away.
Stardown's thoughts: . . . I never knew you had a heart of darkness . . . You're not a Jedi . . .
Depressed, Stardown heads to his room.
A moment later, Brian enters Stardown's room.
Brian: We're about to have a meeting.
Stardown doesn't look up.
Brian: Is something troubling you?
Stardown: …I'm not a Jedi.
Brian: ? … Who told you that?
Stardown: Fearsome Ferret.
Brian: Why did he?
Stardown: I tried to Jedi mind-trick him, and he said I was doing it the wrong way.
Sonic: Come on, slowpoke!
Brian: We'll be right with you.
Stardown: He also said I heard a heart of darkness.
Brian: What did you do to cause him to say that?
Stardown: Was it my approach?
Brian: Yes.
Captain: We're starting!
Brian: We'd better go to the meeting. But remember, Stardown, don't let the dark side take control of you.
They soon sit down.
Arnold: We are hosting this meeting because of something that Ferret said, "All of you will die because of this! Mark my words…" He may have something in mind. Any thoughts?
Roadrunner: He must think we're the bad guys.
Sonic: He might be teaming up with other villains.
Stardown: He may be bluffing.
Brian: Hopefully.
Mark: But still, we shouldn't take this lightly.
Arnold: I agree; the "mark my words" part sounds like he's plotting something.
Stardown: But he's not as major as Satou or the minor villains.
Arnold: What do you mean? True. But that doesn't make him any less of a threat.
Sonic: We'll need to investigate that castle later.
Max: About the hurricane, any idea on how it formed?
Hiroshimi: I have yet to investigate that.
Brian: It certainly wasn't natural.
Stardown: But how can anyone create something that large?
Max: That's what I'd like to know.
Mark: Only one way to find out.
Arnold: You have something in mind?
Mark: Did the hurricane leave any clues behind?
Arnold: What do you mean?
Mark: Like a note or something.
Arnold: A note?
Brian: Evidently the hurricane was created to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom.
Hiroshimi: Satou?
Brian: Possibly.
Max: How can we find them?
Brian: The Force will guide us.
Mark: Force?
Brian: It's complicated.
Max: Do you sense anything, Brian?
Brian: I… think so…
The others gather round.
Brian: It's these cats… They're in a small building on Whale Island…
Max: Anything else?
Brian: What did I say?
Max: There are several cats in a small building on Whale Island.
Brian: I said that?
Max: Yes.
Brian: Well then, let's find them…
Stardown: Who's going?
Arnold: You, Brian, Uh, what might we be dealing with?
Stardown: That's completely unknown.
Arnold: Why don't you discuss that, I'll survey damages.

A while later…
Brian: Alright. Our only problem is… We don't know where they are.
Max: Can you sense that in the Force?
Brian: No.
Roadrunner: They could be anywhere!
Brian: Wait…
Stardown: You're getting something?
Brian: They're… Northeast from here…
Brian: Yes… They're on the eastern part…
Roadrunner: Then what are we waiting for?!
They pile into a shuttle and take off for Whale Island.
Twenty minutes later, they land.
Brian: And now, let us begin…
They begin their search.
Brian seemed to know where he was going.
Moments later, they arrive.
Kervo: Looks small…
Tails: Looks can be deceiving…
Roadrunner: Maybe it's bigger on the inside.
Kervo: We can't rule that out…
John: I'm scared!
John: This is exciting!
Kervo: And deadly.
John: That makes it even better!
Kervo: Wut
Mark: We're in it to win it, right guys?
???: Trick or treaters!
Roadrunner: Who said that?
???: Where's the candy?
John: It's coming from the building!
Brian: Then let's go!
They race forward. John trips over a stone.
Sandy: Hi guys! Welcome to our clubhouse!
Brian: Who are you?
Sandy: We're the Cat Five!
Camille: Hi! I'm Camille, and these are my friends Sandy, Katrina, Wilma, and Andrew!
Stardown: their names are familiar…
Andrew: How can we help you?
Brian: The Force tells me you were the ones who created a giant hurricane to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom. Explain your reasons.
Andrew: You're good! Yep. We created that.
By now, all the cats were on the balcony.
The Guardians are almost at the house.
Brian: Why?
Andrew: We wanted to wipe the Mushroom Kingdom clean of everything so we could build a giant warehouse to store catnip.
That did it for Roadrunner.
Roadrunner: You mean… You created a giant, 2,000-mile wide hurricane with 400 mph winds with 700mph gusts to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom, ALL FOR THE SAKE OF CATNIP?!?!?
He leapt up onto the balcony in his anger.
Wilma: Just chill. It's just an Apocalyptic Doomicane.
Roadrunner: WHAT THE HELL EVEN IS THAT?! YOU COULD HAVE KILLED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS!
Andrew: I said chill. Too bad we don't have an ice ray handy.
Sandy: But we do have an Icee!
Katrina: Groan…
Tails: Stardown, you said their names sounded familiar?
Stardown: Yes… They're the names of devastating hurricanes on Earth!
Camille: Isn't that sooo cool?!
Amy: I guess…
Camille: So anyway, how can we help you?
Brian: You're under arrest. Come down with your hands up.
Andrew: Why? :D
Katrina: Get down you little bird.
Roadrunner draws his lightsaber.
Roadrunner: Move along and no tricks.
Sandy: Icee!
She throws an Icee at him, knocking him over the edge.
Katrina: You guys are actually really good at playing cops. Is this a career or something?
Brian breaks down the door, and the Guardians rush inside. Kervo stops to check on Roadrunner.
Kervo: Are you okay, Roadrunner?
Roadrunner: I… Think so…
Andrew: Girls, I don't think they're joking. Leave everything to me and we'll be fine.
Wilma: if you say so…
The Guardians race up the stairs.
Andrew: Okay, you guys could have at least waited for us to open the door.
The Guardians emerge in the same room as the Cat 5.
Andrew: So, how can we help you?
Brian: You're under arrest.
Brian, Mark, Dallas, and Sonic draw their handcuffs.
Tails: Oh no! Roadrunner has the fifth pair!
Andrew: Man, you guys thought of everything! Where did you buy the gear?
Dallas: That's confidential.
Andrew: Haha! :D But really, where did you get them? I haven't seen apparel shops or fairs with quality ones like these.
Brian: Fine, we bought them at a specialty store.
Andrew: Ooh! Which one?
Dallas: Hero Shop.
Andrew: I've heard about that place. How is it?
Dallas: Incredible, but it's for heroes only.
Andrew: :P I'll have to check it out. Is it a local thing?
Sonic: No, they've got them all over.
Andrew: Awesome! I'll definitely check it out! Is that where you bought your lightsabers?
Stardown: Roadrunner and I got our lightsabers from there. I don't know about Max.
Andrew: Ooh! That's epic!
Tails: Guys…?
Andrew: Yeah?
Tails: Why are we sharing top-secret information with these villains?
Andrew: We're not villains, and this is just talk about costume apparel.
Camille: And speaking of Stardown, where did you like, get that fabulous suit?
Sandy: I was sooo thinking the same thing!
Katrina: Me too!
Wilma: Me three?
Amy: Leave him alone!
She draws her hammer.
Sandy: OMG, that is like, sooo cool!
Camille: Where do you keep it?
Katrina: Tell us!
Amy: GAH!
Stardown: Leave her alone!
Camille: Ooh! Is that a real lightsaber?!
Wilma: Impressive!
Sandy: That is soooo cool!
Katrina: Can I hold it?
Wilma: Can I have your autograph?
Camille: You're soooo cool!
Tails: Grow up already!
Sandy: Aww! How cute!
Katrina: He's adorable!
Camille: You are sooo cute!
Tails blushes. Kervo and Roadrunner enter.
Katrina: Oh look! More guests! Another guest!
Camille: Welcome to the party!
Wilma: He even brought a turkey!
Sandy: Oh, how cuuuute!
Roadrunner was fuming.
Katrina: It can even heat itself!
Camille: OMG, that is like soooo cool!
Wilma: A self heating turkey…
Andrew: Now that's cool. :)
Roadrunner let out a scream of random babbling.
Katrina: That must mean it's ready to eat!
They swarm around him.
Roadrunner: GAH!
The Guardians try to pry the fangirls off of Roadrunner.
Wilma: Mmm! It does taste like turkey!
Katrina: That's because it is one!
Tails: Get off of him!
He flies over to help.
Wilma: He can fly!
Katrina: Ooh!
Camille: Awesome sauce!
Sandy: Is he a robot?
Katrina: Yeah!
Wilma: A flying robot!
Camille: That is like, sooo cool!
Roadrunner draws his pair of handcuffs.
Sandy: Is that a turkey bone?
Wilma: I think so.
Camille: Let's eat!
Roadrunner handcuffs Camille.
Camille: Eeeh!
Katrina: I'll help you!
The other Guardians close in with their handcuffs.
Sandy: Look at all those turkey bones!
Andrew: Now now turkey, we know it's a joke.
Brian: On the contrary.
The other cats are handcuffed.
Andrew: These are really good ones. I know if you accidentally cuff yourself, you can free yourself like this.
Several movements of his wrists send the cuffs to the ground.
Andrew: They're all the same so it's not something you have to memorize for each.
He is handcuffed again.
Dallas: Yes, but the handcuffs you're thinking of don't have the remote-controlled locking system these ones do.
Andrew: That's pretty cool.
He breaks out again.
He explains to the others how to escape.
Andrew: I'll be right back. Got something to show you.
Brian: You're not going anywhere.
Andrew: Haha! XD
He is out of sight.
Sonic chases after him, and cuts him off.
Sonic: And just where do you think you're going?
Andrew: :P Getting something to show you all :)
Sonic: I don't think so.
He herds him back to the others.
Andrew: Hey hey. That's taking it too far. I'll only be a minute.
He walks back to the other room.
Brian: We're watching you.
Andrew: Okay.
He gets what he's looking for.
Andrew: Have you ever seen one of these?
Roadrunner: Is that a…?
Andrew: A quadsaber.
Brian Force-grabs it.
Brian: Oh no you don't.
Andrew: Hey hey! I'm not joking.
He grabs it back.
Andrew: Really though, have you seen these?
Brian: No.
Brian grabs it back and tosses it behind him for Sonic to catch.
Andrew: Hey, what gives? I'm not going to hurt you.
Amy: Uh, hellp? Lightsabers are made for combat!
Andrew: Sigh. Hand it back.
Brian: You were going to fight us with it. We're not allowing that.
Andrew: Of course I would! Why would you say that?
Roadrunner: Sigh… Let's just get this arrest over with.
Andrew: Haha! I get the joke.
Roadrunner: It's not a joke.
Andrew: :P
Brian handcuffs Andrew again.
Brian: Now get moving, all of you.
Andrew: This is getting a little annoying. We know it's a joke.
He removes the handcuffs from himself.
Stardown: Good think we always have a backup plan.
He traps Andrew in a force bubble.
Andrew: This is really pesty. I know you all are playing cops and robbers, but when you bring out the big guns, well…
Camille: Turkey!
Sandy: Turkey!
Katrina: Turkey!
Wilma: Turkey!
The girls swarm Roadrunner again.
Stardown shrugs and traps them in force bubbles as well.
Girls: What gives?!
Roadrunner: These force fields. They're the gifts that keep on giving.
Andrew: Haha! Okay, let us out. :P
Brian: After what you almost did to the Mushroom Kingdom?
Andrew: Hmm?
Roadrunner: You DON'T KNOW?
Andrew: Ah, well… Catnip does stuff to one's brain.
Roadrunner: You bet.
The Guardians load the Cat 5 into the Medallion and take off.
Andrew: You're taking this joke to the next level, now are you?
Brian: We've told you this before. It's not a joke.
Andrew: Oh. Well then take me back.
Brian: No.
Andrew: Aw, now why's that?
Brian: Because you're criminals.
Andrew: Haha! :D What makes you say that?
Brian: The evidence speaks for me.
Andrew: Oh?
Brian: You'll be interrogated once we arrive.

Later…
Andrew: Alright. What's up?
Brian: You do know why you're arrested, right?
Andrew: Ah well, if that's what you call an arrest worthy thing.
Brian: Do you think destroying a nation is a crime?
Andrew: What is one nation compared to catnip?
Brian: You practically worship catnip, don't you?
Andrew: You should try some. You'll never look back.
Brian: No.
Andrew: More for me.
Brian: Now you stay here and think about what you've done.
He leaves.
Andrew: Hey, wait up!
Brian: What is it?
Andrew: You don't realize I at one time saved you, right?
Brian: When?
Andrew: Uh, couple years ago. From the Quad Sisters. That's where that lightsaber came from.
Brian: I don't remember that. Are you lying to me?
Andrew: Of course not! You wouldn't have heard of it.
Brian: Of course now, because I don't remember anything about it.
Andrew: So, uh, can you let me out?
Brian: You know my answer.
He leaves.
Andrew: They will strike again! And I can't do anything in here!
Brian didn't hear him.
Andrew: Hello? Are you here?
No answer.

Meanwhile…
Arnold: (to Brian) Did you find them?
Brian: Yes. They are safely behind bars now.
Arnold: That's good. Were there any issues in the process?
Brian: Well, most of them were… fangirlish, especially around Stardown and Roadrunner.
Arnold: Oh no…
Brian: And their leader tried to trick me into letting them out.
Arnold: How?
Brian: Something about Quad Sisters.
Arnold: Quad Sisters?!
Brian: They're real?
Arnold: Oh yeah. We're hosting an emergency meeting in five minutes. Tell the generals, and bring Stardown.
After telling everyone, Brian races to Andrew's cell.
Brian: The Quad Sisters are real. I'm sorry for not believing you.
Andrew: They have plans to strike again.
Brian: I'm going to be briefed on them now.
He leaves.

At the meeting…
Arnold: What did Andrew tell you about the Quad Sisters?
Brian: He said they would strike again. I managed to obtain one of their lightsabers earlier.
Arnold: How did he even encounter them?
Brian: He said he saved me from them a few years ago.
Arnold: Bring him. He Stardown, go and bring him here.
A moment later, Andrew is with them.
Andrew: Hey.
Roadrunner: Hey.
Andrew: So, uh…
Arnold: What do you know about the Quad Sisters?
Andrew: A lot. What do you need?
Arnold: Before we continue, please remember that this is top secret. Not even the captains can know about this. Is this clear?
Stardown felt honored to be part of this.
Arnold: First of all, tell me how you encountered them.
Andrew: Okay, it's a really, really long story, so I'll cut down to the important stuff. So, it began when I… Okay, that'll still take too long. Okay, in a nutshell, years ago, an important fluid of mine was stolen by the Quad Sisters. After a bunch of events, I found out they were going to use it to destroy the galaxy. So, since I knew how to fight with a lightsaber, I cornered them and demanded they give it back. Much to my dismay, they also had quadsabers. I couldn't handle one of them, let alone all four. But as they backed me near the wall, I noticed a table. And on the table was the fluid. So, with a sweep of my arm, I sent the jars crashing to the ground. Despite being in a state of shock, they managed to teleport me back to Plit. And then a year later, more fluid went missing. But I managed to get it back. But, I've heard things, something about a grand teamup, between them and a dark master of time.
Arnold: Father Time?
Andrew: That name does ring a bell.
Stardown: But Father Time is no more.
Andrew: Apparently not.
Arnold: Is there anything more we need to know?
Andrew: Bunch of little things.
Arnold: Can you tell us? We need every bit of information possible on them.
He tells them.
Arnold: Thank you. You seemed to have known everything we knew. You are dismissed.
Andrew is taken back to the cells.
Stardown: Now what?
Arnold: We'll come up with a plan with the information we have.
Stardown: Did the Quad Sisters say when they would strike?
Arnold: No. But we must take extreme caution. You are dismissed.
Stardown decides to head to the lab to work on another voice changer. It had been a busy past few weeks, and he really needed a break. He strode over to a desk chair and sat down. He began pondering his choices. A Satou voice changer might come in handy. It was a quiet day. As he started working, he was aware of voices nearby.
Amy: Sonic! Take me shopping!
Sonic: No thanks.
Sonic rubs off. Amy lets our an exasperated sigh.
Amy: Leave it to Sonic to abandon me at the last minute!
Waluigi: WAH!
Wario: Oh GROW UP, Wal.
Stardown realized he was short on parts. He got up and went over to Amy.
Stardown: I can take you shopping if you want, Amy. Besides, I need to go to the mall anyway.
Amy: Oh, thank you, Stardown! Though it would be a lot better if Sonic came along.
Stardown: Why don't we use one of our new self-driving cars? They've had no accidents in the past month.

Twenty minutes later, they are at the mall.
Random Guy: Hey! Your car's crooked!
Stardown examines.
Stardown: No it isn't.
Random Guy: In your eyes!
Stardown: See? It's parked right between the lines. Are you sure you're not talking about your own car?
Random Guy: Or course not!
Stardown: Sigh.
He straightens the car to prove that it is already was straightened.
Random Guy: It's even worse now!
Stardown: You straighten it, then.
Stardown and Amy leave and enter the mall.
Random Guy: Where did I put my hammer?
As Amy enters one of the various clothing and jewelry stores, Stardown enters a hardware store.
A few girls notice him.
??? 1: It's him!
??? 2: It really is him!
??? 3: It really really is him!
??? 4: It really really really is him!
Stardown: How did you get out of prison?!
Katrina: Oh that was easy!
They swarm him.
Fangirls: WeloveyouWeloveyouWeloveyouWeloveyou!
Stardown: Gah!
Camille: Did you come here alone?
Stardown: No…
Katrina: Who'd you bring?
Camille: Who who who?!
Wilma: Tell us!
Stardown: Fine; Amy.
Camille: WHAT?!
Sandy: You mean… \*sniff\* You don't love us?
Katrina: But we still love you!
He's swarmed again.
Stardown: Um… I'm running late for my appointment.
He tries to break.
Sandy: Don't go!
They try to weigh him down.
Stardown: Ugh… Lemme up…
Wilma: Never!
Stardown: Is Andrew out too?
Katrina: No, but he will be soon!
Stardown: Do the Guardians know you're out?
Katrina? Who cares. :P
Sandy: Not me!
Fangirls: Hahahahahaha!
Wilma: Selfie!
Snap!
Stardown: How embarrassing…
Camille: I got that on tape!
Wilma: Share it!
Camille: It's not on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, you name it, it's there!
Sandy: What about Skype?
Katrina: Sure!
They open a Skype conversation with Black Toadette.
Black Toadette: Ra ra ra!
Camille: OMG, Stardown's a big celebrity now!
Black Toadette: Cool!
Stardown endures twenty more minutes of this torture.
Black Toadette: Hey Stardown? Guess what?
Stardown: What?
Black Toadette: I'm gonna construct a new Castle Black and take over the Mushroom Kingdom! :D
Stardown: What?
Black Toadette: What.
Stardown: I thought you already had a Castle Black.
Black Toadette: It broke.
Stardown: Excuse me?
Black Toadette: yeap.
Camille: Oh! Oh! Let's Skype Dr. Sykk next!
Stardown: Oh no…
Camille: What's the matter? >:D
Stardown: She's one of my worst enemies!
Cool! they all said.
Dr. Sykk is soon on the line.
Dr. Sykk: Why hello there sweetie!
Stardown: Hello…
Dr. Sykk: Having fun with the girls?
Stardown: I guess…
Dr. Sykk: Wonderful! It's always good to make new friends.
Thirty minutes of this "cruel torture" later…
Camille: Hey! Guess what?
Stardown: What?
Camille: This mall's gonna be open overnight for some special event. Shall we stay?
Katrina: Yes!
Sandy: We!
Wilma: Hai!
Stardown: No!
They don't see Amy entering the room.
Camille: Oooh! Phone's ringing!
She answers it.
Dr. Sykk: Did you take your meds, Stardown?
Stardown: No, and I don't want to.
Amy draws her hammer.
Amy: Get away from Stardown!
Dr. Sykk: Is that Amy I hear~?
Sandy: Hi Amy!
Katrina: Forget Stardown, you are waaay better!
She and Camille approach Amy while Wilma and Sandy stay with Stardown.
Amy charges at them.
The cats scatter.
Wilma: So we'll pencil in our next meeting next Thursday at noon, then?
Stardown: What?
N-No, of course not.
Wilma: Great! See you then.
They leave.
Stardown: …
Amy returns to Stardown.
Wilma: Wait!
Amy: What now?
Wilma: We wanted to stay overnight, right gals?
Girls: Yeah!
Stardown: Noooo!
Wilma: See you tonight! ♥️
They leave.
Amy: Let's get outta here!
Stardown: Well said!
They begin to leave.
Stardown: Did you find what you were looking for?

MISSING PAGE

Stardown: Amy, should I worry about what the Cat 5 said about tonight?
Amy: I'm not sure honestly.
Stardown: But hey, at least I won't be near the mall for another few weeks.
Amy: True. Unless they change that…
Stardown: I hope they don't, Well, I think I'll head to the prisons and investigate their escape.
Stardown soon reaches the prisons.
He arrives at the Cat 5's cell.
Stardown: Hmm…
The locks didn't appear to be picked.
He checked the surveillance camera.
Stardown: So they used a key… But where could they have gotten one?
Stardown hears the sound of commands being given.
He watches the footage several more times before examining the lock. There wasn't much to see as it was clear that they used a key. Whether a Guardian one or their own he couldn't tell, but either way he needed answers.
Captain: Override activated.
Stardown decides to question Andrew.
He heads to his cell which was two cells from the others.
Stardown: Andrew, do you know where your friends got a key to escape?
Andrew: …Huh?
Stardown: You aren't aware that they escaped?
Andrew: Who? The other cats?
Stardown: Yes.
Andrew: No then.
Stardown leaves the cell and heads to mission control.
Things looked a bit different since their recent renovation.
Hiroshimi: Stardown, you're just in time to see us land the craft you saw.
Stardown walked over to the window and watched as it taxied down the tarmac.
He does recognize any markings on it.
Several dozen Guardians run over to investigate.
After securing it, they enter the craft.
Stardown: It looks just like a commercial airliner.
Hiroshimi: Rather clever.
Stardown: The Force told me it belongs to the Congregation.
They begin examining.
Ten minutes lantern they give their report to Arnold.
Arnold: This craft was indeed utilized by the Congregation. They planned to teleport all Jaywalkers on Plit to their base to gain knowledge of them. That's what the contrail was for.
The Guardians see that the contrail is disappearing.
Stardown: How many do you think were teleported?
Arnold: It didn't teleport any, fortunately. Only when they two ends of the contrail connected could it teleport the Jaywalkers.
???: Curse you, He-Man!
Hiroshimi: …Huh?
Stardown: Skeletor?
???: Curse you, He-Man!
Stardown: Is that a recording?
???: Curse you, He-Man!
Hiroshimi: Yep.
Tails: But where is it coming from?
???: Curse you, He-Man!
Hiroshimi: This speaker here.
He turns it off.
Dallas: What's to be done with this thing?
Arnold: We'll store it in one of the spare hangars and make a more detailed inspection of it tomorrow.
Dallas: Okay.
Stardown: What was with the speaker?
Arnold: I really don't know.
Dallas: The work of the minor villains?
Arnold: Sounds like it.
???: Curse you, He-Man!
Hiroshimi: Oh heck no…
He turns it off again.
Brian: Those minor villains are probably working for them again.
Stardown: Bow how are they easily hacking our tech?
Brian: …What do you mean?
Stardown: It's almost illogical! We just turned it off, and it somehow turned on again, all by itself.
???: Curse you, He-Man!
Stardown: Like that.
???: Curse you, Guardians!
Stardown: …That's a new one.
???: Curse you, good guys!
Hiroshimi: Definitely sounds like the work of the Hooded Jaw.
Stardown: I think I'll run a test.
He clears his throat.
Stardown: Can you hear me, Hooded Jaw?
???: Curse you, Stardown!
Stardown: (to Hiroshimi) I think he can hear us to an extent.
???: Curse you… guys.
Stardown turns off the speaker.
???: Curse you, He-Man!
Stardown turns down the volume.
Stardown applies a muffler to the speaker.
???: Curse you, muffler!
Stardown replaces the muffler with a silencer.
???: …
Stardown: Well, that worked.
Someone covered his mouth and dragged him away.
He tried to mumble.
???: It's okay, you're in safe hands! Hahahahahaha!

Meanwhile…
John: Guys!
Tails: What's wrong, John?
Brian joins them in a moment.
John: This show is so cool!
Tails: Is it anything like the other show you watched?
John: It is the other show!
Brian: With the ghost?
John: Ghost?
Tails: Wait, you don't remember?
John: …?
???: Curse you, Tails!
John: This show is awesome!
???: Curse you, John!
John: I love Skeletor! :D
Tails: :O
???: Curse you, Skeletor!
Tails: XO
???: Curse you, emojis!
Hiroshimi: That's not that speaker again, is it?
He checks it.
Hiroshimi: Nope. :/
Brian: So where is it coming from?
John: COOL!
Hiroshimi: Looks like the TV…
???: Curse you, TV!
Hiroshimi: …
Kervo runs in.
Kervo: Guys! Stardown was just kidnapped!
Brian: :O
Hiroshimi: Did you see who it was?
Kervo: No.
John: Wowowowowowowow!
Tails: Sigh…
Brian: Stardown has been kidnapped too many times already! We need to find him!
Hiroshimi: Did you see where he was taken?
Kervo: He was just dragged into the nearest storage room.
Dallas: Let's go!

Meanwhile…
???: Git. In. The. Car!
Stardown: You have a car?
???: You know me?
Stardown: Aren't you the Hooded Jaw?
Hooded Jaw: Yawp yawp yawp!
He shoved Stardown into the car and slammed the door.
Stardown tries to signal for help, because shouting would do him no good.
Dominick: He-haw!
He takes Stardown's device.
Brian: Is that you, Stardown?
Dominick: He-haw!
Brian and several guards race outside, but the vehicle is driving away.
Minor Villains: 🎵 For he's a jolly good fellow… 🎵
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown looked out the window.
Hooded Jaw: Blindfold him. And don't you even think about eating it, Marvin.
They gain speed.
Stardown: Where are we going?
Hooded Jaw: He-haw!
Stardown: Not you, too…
Everyone started "he-hawing" at him.
Stardown: Is Firius here?
Firius: Yep! Don't tell me you're in love…
Rainmaker: He wouldn't be. Amy's his girl.
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown: Where are all these rumors coming from?
Black Widow: What rumors?
Stardown: About me and Amy.
Black Widow: Oh those aren't rumors.
Stardown: What do you mean?
Black Widow: You know what I mean.
Stardown: Are you implying that it's true?
Black Widow: Of course ha ha!
Stardown: Do you have proof?
Black Widow: LOL
Stardown: Anything? Like cell phone footage?
Everyone broke into laughter. Marvin threw a paper airplane at Stardown which contained a poorly drawn picture of him and Amy kissing.
Marvin: We have proof!
They laughed again.
They picked up speed.
Dominick: He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!
Firius: What is it now?
Dominick: He-haw! He-haw! He-haw!
Stardown: Firius, what are you doing back with these guys?
Firius: I missed 'em.
Stardown: Where are we going?
Dominick: He-haw!
Hooded Jaw: ^
Stardown: We're going to He-haw?
Hooded Jaw: He-haw!
Stardown: Firius, where are we going?
Firius: Why do you ask me?
Stardown: Because Hooded Jaw's too dumb to answer me.
Hooded Jaw: :O Get the Widowmaker!
Stardown: So?
Rainmaker: Let it tickle!
He starts tickling Stardown with the feather.
Stardown holds his breath, trying to ignore the feather.
Hooded Jaw: Having fun back there?
Stardown doesn't answer. He reaches up to his blindfold and tries to take it off.
Black Widow: Now now. It's okay.
She puts it back over his eyes and ties him up.
Stardown: Why did you capture me?
Hooded Jaw: He-haw!
Stardown: Why me, and not Hiroshimi or John or–
Marvin: –Amy?
Stardown: What?
Marvin: What.
Stardown: What are you talking about?
Marvin: He-haw!
Stardown: Now everyone's a donkey?
Everyone: He-haw!
Stardown shakes his head. He remains quiet after that.
Hooded Jaw: Where are we going?
Stardown: Yeah, where are you going?
Hooded Jaw: Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
Stardown: What's so funny?
Hooded Jaw: He-haw!
Stardown is quiet again.
The rest of the drive went uneventful. They soon parked.
Stardown: So where are we?
Hooded Jaw: At our new woodshed!
Dominick: He-haw!
The Hooded Jaw shoves a Smartie down Stardown's throat.
Stardown spits it out.
Stardown: New woodshed?
Hooded Jaw: Yawp!
Stardown is untied.
Stardown: It's…
Hooded Jaw: Awesome?
Stardown: Maybe for you…
Hooded Jaw: He-haw!
Stardown: Where are we?
Hooded Jaw: In a Hawaiian paradise! Get your swimsuits!
The minor villains rush off.
Hooded Jaw: You're gonna have a blast!
He shoves another Smartie down his throat.
Stardown spits it out.
Stardown: You drove to another planet?!
Hooded Jaw: Yup! Ain't that cool?!
Stardown: Next time you kidnap me, don't blindfold me so I can see how you drove here.
Hooded Jaw: He-haw!
Stardown walks to a secluded spot a distance from the minor villains and calls the Guardians.
Sadly, the signal wouldn't reach.
Hooded Jaw: Whatcha doin'?
Stardown: Uh, playing Candy Crush.
Hooded Jaw: Ooooh!
He grabbed the phone and started pressing every button he could find.
Stardown punches him and catches the phone.
Stardown: Oh, thanks! You just contacted the UN, who will contact the UI, who will contact the Guardians!
Hooded Jaw: Hi Uncle Ned!
Stardown: Not that UN. The United Nations.
Hooded Jaw: Too bad.
Ned: Uh, hey…
Stardown hangs up, runs away from the Hooded Jaw, and calls the United Nations.
???: United Nations Gaming Gamer here. How can I help you, dude?
Hooded Jaw: I love United Nations Gamer! :D
Stardown calls the United Nations building in New York City, you know, the United Nations.
???: Hey there! This is the New York City United Nations Pizza Building. How can we help you?
Hooded Jaw: I want two large mold flavored pizzas.
???: We got you covered. That will be $2252.
Hooded Jaw: That sounds reasonable.
Stardown hangs up, runs away, and calls the UN.
UN Official: Hello? How can we help you?
Stardown tells him about his predicament, and tells him to tell the UI to tell the Guardians about it.
UN Official: You kids; always giving us prank calls.
The official hangs up.
Stardown calls him back.
Stardown: This is not a prank call! I'm Stardown from Plit!
UN Official: ….
Hooded Jaw: We have some swim gear for you too!
Another UN official gets on the line.
UN Official 2: Is that you, Stardown? We'll get you help right away!
Firius: Here, Star Boy!
She hands him a swim suit.
Stardown: Do you mind if we kick back, relax, and wait for help to arrive instead?
Firius: Help ain't arriving, right Hoodie?
Hooded Jaw: He-haw!
Stardown: I think otherwise.
Hooded Jaw: Oh? Can you see through our oh-so-evil plan?
Stardown: It's not evil, it's loony.
Hooded Jaw: Tell me my plan. :P
Stardown: It's the usual, you capture me, feeding me Smarties, and all that.
Hooded Jaw: LOL! You think we're going with the same old same old, do you?
Stardown: Yeah.
Hooded Jaw: Oh you poor, misguided fool. I pity you.
Stardown: What do you have in mind?
Hooded Jaw: Oh, I'll let you to figure that out. You're a Smartie. Speaking of…
Stardown: Oh no you don't.
He flees.
Hooded Jaw: Let him run. He needs the exercise.
Stardown bumps into a force bubble.
Stardown: Where do you get this tech?
Hooded Jaw: He-haw!
Stardown: Stop braying at me! What does Dominick think of that?
Dominick: He-haw!
Hooded Jaw: There you go.
Stardown: Cool. Can I leave now?
Everyone laughs.
Hooded Jaw: Of course not!
Stardown: Why not?
Hooded Jaw: Get in the water.
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown: First tell me why you kidnapped me over anyone else.
Hooded Jaw: Isn't it obvious?
Stardown: What's obvious?
Hooded Jaw: You're hopeless. Get in the way.
Stardown: What's so interesting in the water, that you have to order me into it?
Hooded Jaw: It's fun! You're in Hawaii. Enjoy it here.
Stardown: I'm a prisoner, not a tourist!
Hooded Jaw: Aw, don't say that. We're friends!
Stardown: In your eyes.
Hooded Jaw: What's in my eyes?
Stardown: Now you're hopeless.
Rainmaker: Let it tsunami!
Stardown: There's a force field. You're gonna drown yourself.
Hooded Jaw: Drink heartily!
Stardown: Actually, I'm more so hungry, but not for Smarties.
The Hooded Jaw shoves a bag of Smarties into his mouth, and forces him to chew and swallow.
Hooded Jaw: You full now?
Stardown: I ate a bag…
Hooded Jaw: Yes you did! I'm so proud of you! :D
Stardown: I ate a whole bag…
Hooded Jaw: That's so cool!
Stardown: What do these Smarties do?
Hooded Jaw: Oh, they give you the desire to swim.
Stardown: What's in the water?
Hooded Jaw: …Fish?
Stardown: I was thinking liquid Smarties.
Hooded Jaw: Git in there.
He shoved Stardown in.
Stardown stood up.
Hooded Jaw: There to go!
He starts clapping. The other minor villains soon join in.
Stardown walks back to shore. He is not amused.
Rainmaker: Let it Stardown get back in the water!
Stardown: That doesn't work.
Black Widow: Star Kid's weird.
Marvin: Yeah.
Stardown: I should probably get going now.
Hooded Jaw: Let's see how far you get with the force bubble and all.
Stardown: Does it go under the water?
Hooded Jaw: Of course, silly!
Stardown: So it's a complete dome that surrounds the area completely and even goes through the ground.
Hooded Jaw: Yup!
Stardown: Is there a hole in it you don't know about?
Hooded Jaw: Nope! Snack time!
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown: What is generating the force field?
Hooded Jaw: Let's eat!
Stardown: I already ate. Where do you keep your vehicle?
Hooded Jaw: Into the woodshed.
Stardown: That's where you parked it?
He drags Stardown inside.
Stardown: Where do you keep the beds?
Hooded Jaw: Want Smarties or sand?
Stardown: You've got sand?
Hooded Jaw: Totally!
Stardown: Actually, I'm not hungry. When's help coming?
Hooded Jaw: We're all the help you'll need.
Stardown: I was thinking the Guardians, wise guy.
Hooded Jaw: You don't need those kiddies.
Stardown: Why not?
Hooded Jaw: You're too good for them.
Stardown: Does that make them too bad for me?
Hooded Jaw: Sure.
Stardown was hoping logic would confuse the Hooded Jaw.
Stardown: Is that why you kidnapped me instead of anyone else?
Hooded Jaw: Enough talking. Eat your food.
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown: I told you I'm not hungry.
Hooded Jaw: Okay.
Stardown: Yes! You finally listened!
Hooded Jaw: Take this so you aren't bored.
He hands Stardown a fidget spinner.
Stardown: is this booby-trapped?
Hooded Jaw: Nope. We all have 'em
Ha takes one out of his pocket and starts fidgeting with it.
Stardown: Do you have a bathroom around here?
Hooded Jaw: Yeah, it's in the back. The sink's allergic to people calling for help, so keep that in mind.
Stardown: What do you mean?
Hooded Jaw: ?
Stardown: The sink is allergic to people calling for help?
Hooded Jaw: Yeap.
Stardown heads to bathroom and locks the door. He takes out his GPS and checks the Guardians' location.
They all appeared to still be at the base.
Stardown inspects the sink.
It appeared to be normal.
Stardown calls the UN.
Stardown: Did you get my message through?
The sink began trickling.
UN Official: Yes. We're just waiting to hear back from them– Oh, the call's coming in now. I'll put you on hold.
The water was a steady stream.
Stardown tries to turn off the water. At least the sink wasn't clogged.
His efforts were fruitless as the sink was going full black.
Stardown left the room,
But not after the on his own, as the sink shot him out.
Black Widow: Did you disturb the forbidden sink?
Stardown: Um…
Hooded Jaw: Is that the lovely sound of water running?
Stardown: He-haw!
Everyone except the Hooded Jaw stared at him in shock.
Hooded Jaw: Oh, that's just an aftereffect from the Smartie water.
Stardown runs inside a closet and checks the GPS again.
Stardown: He-haw!
Hooded Jaw: We know you're in there!
Rainmaker: I didn't.
Stardown: He-haw!
He checks the GPS.
But he couldn't understand it due to the Smartie water's effect.
Stardown: He-haw!
Everyone laughed.
Stardown: (And you wash your hands in this water…)
Psycho: Yes we do…
Stardown: (Let me go!)
Psycho: I don't feel like it.
Hooded Jaw: Who are you talking to?
Psycho: Stardown of course.
Hooded Jaw: He's psychic too?!
Psycho: Stardown? Naw.
Stardown: He-haw! (When does this wear off?)
Psycho: Weeks? Months? Years? Maybe never.
Stardown: You don't know?!) He-haw!
Psycho: Nope! He-haw!
Stardown: (Is the guest bedroom booby-trapped?)
Psycho: Only one way to find out!
Stardown heads to the bedroom.
Hooded Jaw: Going to bed already?
Stardown nods before getting into bed.
Hooded Jaw: Night kiddo.
Stardown: (Good night, Hooded Jaw.) \*shudder\* He-haw!
He tries to get some sleep.
But his braying keeps him awake. The minor villains laughing at him didn't help matters.
Stardown rolls over and tries again.
Stardown: HE-HAW!
Rainmaker: That was a good one!
Everyone laughs.
Stardown: (Why can't I get some sleep?!)
Hooded Jaw: You alright?
Stardown closes his eyes again.
He felt another bray about to let loose.
He held his breath.
Stardown: HE-HAW!
Stardown: (Just… knock… me out…)
Psycho: We're having too much fun to do that.
Hooded Jaw: ?
Stardown: (Is there a cure?)
Psycho: Nope! :D
Stardown: (So I'll bray forever?)
Psycho: He-haw!
Stardown: (And there's no way to stop it?!)
Psycho: That's right!
Stardown: HE-HAW!
The Smartie water's effect intensifies. He is no longer able to think.
Stardown: (He-haw!)
Psycho laughs his head off.
Black Widow: Your head!
Psycho: I'm fine, I'm fine…
Stardown briefly hears the sound of the Medallion outside, but is drowned out by the sound of braying in his mind. Fortunately, he is no longer braying out loud.
Stardown: HE-HAW!
…except that once.
Hooded Jaw ties Stardown up.
Hooded Jaw: Stardown! The Guardians are upon you!
Stardown: Haw-he!
Hooded Jaw: :O
Stardown: O:
The minor villains hear noises outside.
Rainmaker: Oh no!
Psycho: It's them!
Black Widow: We're all gonna die!
Hooded Jaw: Everyone gather your prized possessions! We're leaving now!
Firius: You too, Stardown.
Stardown clenches his teeth, trying to resist the overcoming braying.
A few minor villains rush over, plop him into a wheelchair, and rush him out of the room.
They run into the Guardians.
Hooded Jaw: Hi guys! Nice weather, isn't it?
Brian: Hand over Stardown!
Hooded Jaw: Who?
Brian: Don't play dumb with us.
Hooded Jaw: What's dumb?
Brian and Dallas pick up Stardown and make their way out of the building.
Hooded Jaw: But he's mine!
He rushes over and grabs Stardown's arm.
Amy's hammer knocks the Hooded Jaw back.
Hooded Jaw: My spine…
Sonic: And that's why you don't mess with the Guardians & Co.!
Hooded Jaw: What are you thinking?! I wasn't messing with you! And who are these weird, brightly colored animals?
Sonic: Care to say that again?
Hooded Jaw: You heard me.
Brian: Let's get moving!
They rush Stardown to the Medallion.
Hooded Jaw: Guys! Wait!
The Guardians ignore him.
Hooded Jaw: I mean it! Come back!
Dominick: He-haw!
Brian: Why should we listen to you?
Hooded Jaw: Take a guess.
Dallas: You want to feed us Smarties?
Hooded Jaw: …I'm sorry?
Dallas: Well, why do you want us?
Hooded Jaw: Because that Stak Kid is rightfully mine!
He grabs him back.
Dallas: What a foolish man.
He tranks him, and they lead Stardown into the Medallion.
The Italian Mouse rushes over and gives him Smartie water, instantly reviving him.
Hooded Jaw: GUYS!
But the airlock has just shut.
Hooded Jaw: Activate the second force field. They can't leave with that thing up.
But the Medallion is already taking off. The force field activates, but the Medallion is outside it.
The Hooded Jaw shakes his fist at them.
Hooded Jaw: You'll pay for your crimes!
???: He-haw!
Hooded Jaw: Stardown! You're back!
Psycho: What do you think of my new Smartie infected robotic Stardown?
Hooded Jaw: Gah! Take it away!
Firius: The force field won't turn off!
Hooded Jaw: BLAAAAAAAAAAAAA–
Rainmaker: Oh no!
Italian Mouse: A-we're-a-trapped-a!
Black Widow: We're all gonna die!
Dominick: He-haw!
Marvin: YUMMY!
Psycho: Did you just eat it?
Marvin: Yup!
Psycho: …

Later, at the Guardian base…
Amy: What's wrong with Stardown?
The others reply, but Stardown's braying is too loud for her to understand anything.
Roadrunner: IF ONLY WE HAD A CONE OF SILENCE!
Everyone including Stardown stared at him in shock.
Roadrunner: …Was it something I said?
They slowly nod; their jaws slack.
They get to work on a cure.

Meanwhile…
Hooded Jaw: We need a bounty hunter!
Firius: Yeah!
Rainmaker: Yeah!
Psycho: Yeah!
Black Widow: Yeah!
Marvin: Yeah!
Italian Mouse: A-yeah-a!
Dominick: A-yeah-a-haw-a!
Hooded Jaw: Great! Lemme look through the phone book…
Firius: What about Zelle, Armaul, and those guys?
Hooded Jaw: Uh…
Black Widow: I really think Marvin is bonding with Zelle.
Marvin blushes.
Hooded Jaw: …No.
Marvin: Buuuuut whyyyyy nooooot?
Hooded Jaw: They'r'e too loony for me.
The other villains stare at him.
Hooded Jaw: What?
Firius: Actually, it's the other way around.
Hooded Jaw: What?
Firius: We're too loony for them.
Hooded Jaw: What?
Rainmaker: What.
Hooded Jaw: What?

Meanwhile, several hours later, at the Guardian base…
Amy: The cure isn't working! :O
Doctor: It may take some time.
Brian: We're trying everything we can.
Stardown: HE-HAW!
Dallas: Do we have anything that can neutralize Smartie effects?
Doctor: Not off hand. Those Smarties are always changing.
The doctors work long into the night.

The next morning….
Doctor: Stardown's been cured.
Stardown sits up. Suddenly he gets an idea, and races off in the direction of the lab.
A couple nurses rush after him, thinking the medicine sent him into a state of insanity.
Stardown enters the lab, which is empty, and quickly writes out a few diagrams.
Nurse: You okay?
Stardown: Never better!
The nurses glanced at each other; both wondering if he really was.
Now Stardown gets some beakers containing liquids, then grabs a bag of experimental Smarties.
The nurses looked at each other again. What was he doing?
Stardown mixed a few of the chemicals, then added other elements, then drank the liquid, swirled it around in his mouth, and spat it into a sink. He then ate an experimental Smartie. His body glowed for a few seconds, which meant that if it were a real Smartie, the effects would have taken place. Stardown needed to modify this project.
The nurses left the room.
Stardown added another crucial ingredient to the mix and rinsed his mouth once again.
After consuming another experimental Smartie, he didn't glow.
Stardown then decided to reproduce the project. Kervo enters.
He doesn't notice Stardown, and after looking at a few papers, leaves.
Twenty minutes later, he has finished reproducing the project, and loads them into a large container. He then leaves to get a forklift.
He bumps into Brian on the way.
Stardown: Excuse me.
Brian: Glad to see you're well.
Stardown: Yes, and I'm going to make sure they don't easily capture me again.
Stardown soon reaches the forklift.
He turns the key in the lab and drives it into the lab.
After several minutes, he finishes his task.
He uses the forklift to deliver his project to the infirmary.
Doctor: What's this?
Stardown: I created a Smartie mouthwash to protect us from the Smarties' effects.
Doctor: Have you tested it?
Stardown: Yes, I have.
Doctor: And it's proved successful?
Stardown: It has.
The doctor was speechless.
Doctor: This... this is revolutionary! How did you come up with a formula even our top pharmacists couldn't create?
Stardown: I... don't know. The idea seemed to come to me from out of nowhere.
Doctor: Well I'm glad it did, 'cause an epidemic is starting.
Stardown: Epidemic?
Doctor: Of Smartie proportions.
He begins to supply medicine to several patients.
Stardown: How would they have gotten infected?
Doctor: We think the Hooded Jaw somehow pulled it off.
Stardown: Who all is infected?
Doctor: I have a list.
He hands it to Stardown.
Stardown reads it.
Stardown: It looks like Tails, Hiroshimi, Dallas, and John are on this list.
Doctor: Yeah. They didn't get the brunt of it.
Stardown: Who did?
Doctor: That's mentioned on the list.
The patients who took the medicine were already feeling better.
Stardown: The mouthwash also leaves a residue in the mouth that dissolves Smarties instantly and harmlessly.
Patient: So that's what I'm tasting.
Stardown: We need to keep this a secret from the Hooded Jaw.
Doctor: Definitely.

A few hours later, all patients were cured.
As Stardown headed back for the lab, his transceiver began buzzing.
Stardown answered it.
Stardown: What's wrong?
Brian: We need you for an emergency meeting.
Stardown: I'm on my way.
He makes his way to the meeting room.
Brian: Is everyone ready?
Everyone replied yes.
Brian: Good. We've received a distress signal from one of our ships in a nearby galaxy. It's been hit by an asteroid and is in desperate need of help. To make matters worse, it's under attack by a rouge ship, presumably after its fuel stock, since it's apparently run out of its own. I want Stardown, Hiroshimi, Dallas, and a select group of elite personnel to go on this mission. You must give the ship the supplies it needs to repair the damage, help guide it back to Plit, and fend off the rouge ship. Any questions?
There were none.
Stardown heads to his room and prepares.
Stardown: But the rogue ship doesn't make sense…
He's soon ready and meets up with the rest.
They take off and hyperdrive to the other galaxy.
Dallas: You sure we're not going to crash into a planet or something?
Stardown: Don't worry about me. I've flown in hyperdrive before.
A few moments later, he emerges from hyperspace.
Dallas: Let's do this!

Earlier...
Firius: You've been staring in that phone book for a half an hour!
Hooded Jaw: He-haw!
Black Widow: Here, have a Smartie!
Hooded Jaw: YAY!
CHOMP!
Marvin: HEY!
Firius: Any luck?
Hooded Jaw: Yeah. This Arctic Tail guy might be our best bet.
Black Widow: I wouldn't trust anyone with a name like that.
Dominick: He-haw!
Rainmaker: Let it updraft!
Hooded Jaw: Waa?!
Rainmaker has a sheepish grin.
Hooded Jaw: …
Firius: Well? Aren't you gonna call him?
Hooded Jaw: Oh yeah!
He pulls out his phone and dials the number.
Italian Mouse: A-you-a-should-a-bray-a-into-a-his-a-phone-a-while-a-he-a-is-a-talking-a!
Hooded Jaw: I heard that!
Dominick: A-he-a-haw-a!
Black Widow: Is he on the line yet?
Hooded Jaw: Nope. :/
Firius: Answering machine?
Hooded Jaw: Annoying 70's music.
Italian Mouse: A-my-a-favorite-a!
Hooded Jaw: A-shut-a-up-a!
Italian Mouse: A-sure-a!
Hooded Jaw: A-thank-a-you-a!
Finally, Arctic Tail is on the line.
Arctic Tail: Hello?
Hooded Jaw: Hey! Coldie Butt! How's it been?
Arctic Tail: ...
Dominick: HE-HAW!
Rainmaker: Let it black ice!
Hooded Jaw: Wait, what?!
They instantly slip.
Heeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaw
Arctic Tail: …
Hooded Jaw: That was fun! Let's do it again!
Arctic Tail: ⚪⚪⚪
They slip again.
Italian Mouse: A-wee-a!
Arctic Tail: Just get to the point!
Rainmaker dumps more black ice on them.
Dominick: HE-HAW!!!
Arctic Tail: I'm hanging up now.
Hooded Jaw: No! Wait!
Arctic Tail: Fine, what is it?
Hooded Jaw: We want you to kidnap Stardown!
Arctic Tail: I was planning on capturing him soon anyway.
Hooded Jaw: Cool! Bad guy teamup FTW!
Arctic Tail: …I'm… sorry?
Hooded Jaw: \*puppy eyes\*
Arctic Tail: …
Hooded Jaw: So when do we start?! Huh?! Huh?! When?!
Arctic Tail: …Er…
Hooded Jaw: Great! Meet me at the woodshed!
He hangs up.

Later…
Hooded Jaw: Blaaast!
Black Widow: What now?
Hooded Jaw: He still hasn't come.
Firius: Don't worry, Hoodie. He's not as serious about this as we are.
Hooded Jaw: You do have a point…
Bring him here, Marvin!
Marvin: Who?
Hooded Jaw: Arctic Tail!
Marvin: Who?
The Hooded Jaw shakes his head.
Marvin: Who?
Hooded Jaw: Never mind!
Marvin: Who?
Hooded Jaw: Arctic Tail!!!
Italian Mouse: A-he-a-can't-a-here-a-you-a!
Hooded Jaw: Oh.
Italian Mouse: A-why-a-don't-a-you-a-call-a-him-a?
Hooded Jaw picks up the phone and calls him.
Hooded Jaw: Aren't you coming, Coldy? We have pickled Cheez-its!
Arctic Tail: …
Hooded Jaw: And Smarties for dessert!
Arctic Tail: …
Hooded Jaw: •••
Arctic Tail: ⚪⚪⚪
Hooded Jaw: So, we're still on board for capturing Stardown today?
Arctic Tail: Sure…
Hooded Jaw: When?
Arctic Tail: I don't even know where you are.
Hooded Jaw: You don't know where our woodshed is?!
Arctic Tail: Obviously…
The Hooded Jaw gives him directions.
Arctic Tail: Er, I'll be there in a few...

Later…
Rainmaker: Is he here yet?
Hooded Jaw: Nope…
Rainmaker: How about now?
Hooded Jaw: Noooope…
Rainmaker: How about... Now?
Arctic Tail: Okay, I'm here.
Hooded Jaw: YAY!
Arctic Tail: Sigh. How much are you paying?
Hooded Jaw: Uh…
Firius: $500.
Arctic Tail: No.
Firius: $1,000.
Arctic Tail: Nope.
Hooded Jaw: Name your price, then.
Arctic Tail: $5,000 plus tax. And that's a bargain. I normally charge way higher.
Firius: Wait a minute! We have our $350,000 bonus money from our Looniest Villains of the Year award!
Arctic Tail: :O $10,000 then.
Firius: Deal.
Arctic Tail: Well then, I'll be off.
Hooded Jaw: So will we.
Arctic Tail: XO
Hooded Jaw: No, no, we're going our own way.
Arctic Tail: (Oh good...)
He is soon out of site.
The minor villains climb onto their bike and fly off.

Meanwhile…
Dallas: That doesn't look like our ship. :/
Stardown: Then whose is it?
Hiroshimi: It's ours. I can explain later.
Stardown: Are we able to identify the attacker?
Hiroshimi: Hmm, after scanning it, it doesn't appear to be in our data bank.
Stardown: So how should we go about the procedure?
Hiroshimi: There's an airlock in the back left; we'll enter through there. Once we're inside, we'll deliver the goods to the storage room. It's the first room on the right. Then, we'll make our way through the ship and rid it of any attackers we find. Once that's done, we'll guide the ship back to Plit and finish repairing it.
Stardown: Right.
They begin to dock the ship.
Dallas: Let's do this!
Stardown: I wish Sonic could have come…
Hiroshimi: They're packing up to head back home tomorrow, feels like this just came…
They soon board the ship, and begin to deliver the supplies to the storage room.
Stardown: So far, so good.
They manage to deliver all the supplies.
Dallas: And now for the fun part! :D
Stardown: But are there any attackers?
Hiroshimi: What do you mean?
Stardown: I mean, how will we know if there are any attackers on board this vessel?
Hiroshimi: The Guardians briefed us on it. They mentioned that the enemies where boarding. I must have forgotten to tell you. :/
Stardown: Then let's get searching.
They continue down the hall on high alert.
They don't see anything for a while.
Stardown: Where are the crew?
Hiroshimi: My thoughts exactly.
A laser whips past them.
Dallas: Ambush!
Several soldiers in jet black armor stood in their path.
Soldier: Neutralized the intruders.
Stardown: Who are you?
Soldier: Never mind that.
They fire stun rays at the Guardians.
Stardown and Hiroshimi are it, but Dallas dodges.
The personnel open fire.
Dallas is hit.
Dallas: We're... Guardians...
Dallas: Who shot at us?
Personnel: We don't know, but they're definitely enemies.
Personnel: The guys who just fled.
Dallas: They took the other two with them; we haven't a moment to lose!
They dash after the enemies.
Personnel 2: Remember those blind corners.
Dallas: Right.
As they rounded the corner, the soldiers opened fire.
The personnel protect Dallas as they begin to fire at the enemies.
A few of the soldiers carry Stardown and Hiroshimi down the hall as the others halt the personnel's advancement.
The personnel charge toward the soldiers as a group wall, firing away.
The soldiers, realizing they wouldn't stand a chance, dropped a flash bomb and continued down the hall.
Most of the personnel gave chase as a few stayed to deactivate the bomb.
Right before the flash, the personnel are able to see the path ahead and charge through the light.
A few, however, forget to activate their protective shades and are immobilized by the overpowering light.
The remaining personnel spot the soldiers and give chase.
Most of the soldiers form a wall and blast at the oncoming personnel as the other soldiers drag the two further down the ship.
The personnel also form a wall and fire at the soldiers.
The soldiers knew they couldn't win, so after the other soldiers where far enough in, they themselves fled.
The personnel gave chase, firing stun blasters.
The lasers penetrate the armor of a couple soldiers, knocking them unconscious. The others round a corner in their exodus.
The merry chase continues for some time.
Dallas: Something's fishy…
Personnel: What do you mean?
Dallas: They're acting too confident, as if they're leading us into a trap.
Personnel: You have a point.
Personnel 2: Change of plan?
Personnel 1: Yes.
They begin to discuss their new strategy.
As they do this, the soldiers ambush them, and in greater numbers
The personnel fire back, and signal for backup. Dallas draws his lasso.
Personnel: I can't get a connection. They've scrambled our signal.
Dallas lassos several soldiers.
Dallas: Tell me who you are!
Soldier: We do not answer the questions of inferiors.
Dallas: Inferior? You're speaking to the Guardians!
Soldier: Sounds about right.
Dallas: What do you mean?
The soldiers fired tranks at them.
The personnel put up shields.
Dallas: More of 'em are comin'
The personnel begin to fire faster.
Personnel: Where's the crew?
Dallas: That's what I've been wondering.
The personnel were outnumbered four to one
Personnel: Tell me where this ship's crew are!
The soldiers ignore the question.
Dallas: Why must villains be so stubborn...?
A couple of the soldiers couldn't help chuckling.
The personnel begin firing like a hailstorm.
Soldier: You think that's efficient?
The soldiers put up shields.
Soldier: I don't think so.
The personnel begin ricocheting the lasers.
Dallas: Looks like they captured the personnel from behind us.
Some time of fighting later…
Personnel 1: We're fighting a losing battle.
Personnel 2: But we can't just leave the captives!
Personnel: There must be something we can do!
Personnel 3: If there's a will, there's a way.
Dallas lassos some more soldiers in an attempt to clear a path.
Some of the soldiers laughed.
The personnel also trank several soldiers.
Soldier: We have the fuel, we have some captives, I think our work here's done.
Dallas: Bite your tongue! I'm not a captive yet!
Soldier: You don't need to be.
The soldiers begin boarding their ship.
Dallas calls for backup.
Dallas: Signal's still scrambled.
Soldier: Of course it is. Now, if you'll excuse us…
A few soldiers move in to restrain Dallas.
Soldier: Might as well take him aboard. The more, the merrier.
They take him away.
Soldier: Ciao!

Dallas: Where are we?
Soldier: Save your breath. You'll need it for the interrogation.
Dallas: Of course. There's always an interrogation…
Stardown and Hiroshimi begin to wake up.
Stardown: Where... am I?
Soldier: Save your breath. You'll need it for the interrogation.
Stardown: Interrogation? From a bunch of minor-league spacemen?
Soldier: Are you talking about yourself? Quite accurately told if that's the case.
Stardown: Apparently you're not from Plit. Otherwise you would have found out I'm not minor-league.
Soldier: Hm. So you're not, eh? You must not be any league then. And besides, aren't you too young to do things without your parent's supervision?
Stardown: Stop taunting the world's leading authority in Shmouse-busting.
Soldier: Don't make me laugh.
Stardown: Why do you think you're better than someone who's had more experience than you?
The soldier lost it.
Any attempt to speak was futile against the overpowering laughter.
Stardown: Has your organization had over eight years of experience? What about you specifically?
Soldier: 21 years yesterday, kid.
Stardown: Who are you guys?
Soldier: Doesn't matter.
Stardown: So I'm going to have to live the whole rest of my life with a burning question, never knowing who prevented a poor spaceship from returning to Plit?
Soldier: Guess so.
Stardown: You monster!
Soldier: If that's what you want to call me.
Stardown: I assume you also kidnapped the ship's crew?
Soldier: How did you guess?
Stardown: It was eerily quiet, duh.
Soldier: That it was.
Stardown: And I assume you're going to hold us forever and ever without bail?
Soldier: ¯\\_(ツ)\_/¯
Stardown: You call this an interrogation?
Soldier: Nah, I'm off duty.
Stardown: Then this means I get to skip interrogation!
He struggles against his bonds.
They hear the sound of distant blaster fire.
Soldier: Hm, must be training.
Stardown smiles.
The sound came closer and closer
Stardown: You might want to join your fellow soldiers.
Soldier: Nah. Like I said, I'm off duty.
The door burst open. An arctic fox with a ray gun stood in the doorway.
Stardown: Ice Tail?!
Arctic Tail: Nobody gets my name straight. :/
He aims the gun at Stardown.
Stardown: Out of the frying pan into the fire…
Soldier: Oh no. He's not taking you.
The soldier draws his stun gun and fires several rounds at Arctic Tail who nimbly dodges.
The soldier calls for backup.
As he was about to fire more rounds at his for, Arctic Tail was gone.
Soldier: See? He didn't capture you.
The soldier calls off the backup.
Soldier: Now, the interrogation.
Stardown: But you said you were off duty.
Soldier: Oh no, I'm not doing the interrogating.
???: I am.
Stardown: Hiroshimi?!
Hiroshimi: Indeed.
Soldier: Except he's not the real one.
Hiroshimi slapped him.
Hiroshimi: I told you not to tell him that!
Stardown: But where's my Hiroshimi?
Hiroshimi: Oh, we ejected him out of your ship, before you hyperdrived here.
Stardown: But… How…?
Hiroshimi: Is it not simple?
Stardown: That means you knew about your plan to come here!
Hiroshimi: Of course, and you didn't suspect a thing.
Stardown: But how did you breach our force combo?
Hiroshimi: Oh that was easy.
Stardown: Tell me.
Hiroshimi: Why? So you'll remember for the future? Course not.
Stardown: Who is your organization?
Hiroshimi: Why should we tell you?
Stardown: Because that arctic fox from earlier is probably going to kill me.
Hiroshimi: What does that have to do with anything?
Stardown: Can you find out why and how he entered?
Hiroshimi: That's off topic.
Stardown: Y'know, every time we get together for a family interrogation, I'm the one asking the questions. How weird is that?
Hiroshimi: :]
Stardown: Just… get on with the interrogation.
Hiroshimi: Be right back; my cookies are burning.
He rushes off.
Stardown shakes his head.
Soldier: For a world-class Shmouse-buster, you're quite a wimp.
Stardown: Then what do you expect of me?
Hiroshimi re-entered.
Hiroshimi: Alright. Let's get this show on the road, shall wee?
Stardown: You made cookies?
Hiroshimi: Is there a problem?
Stardown: Can I have some? :P
Hiroshimi: Sure.
He comes back a moment later and hands a couple to Stardown.
Stardown: Um… How am I supposed to eat them?
Hiroshimi frees Stardown's arms.
Stardown eats one while waiting for the interview, er, interrogation.
Hiroshimi: Are they good?
Stardown: They are!
Hiroshimi: I've been finishing up this Smartie cookie mix some Hooded Jaw guy gave me.
Stardown: (Good thing I used that mouthwash…)
Psycho: Say what?
The minor villains crowded into the room.
Rainmaker: Where's Coldy Butt?
Hooded Jaw: Who cares?! Stardown's ours!
(Insert stampede, Hooded Jaw laughter, and He-Haws here)
Stardown: How did you get on board a sealed spaceship?
Hooded Jaw: Oh that was easy.
Stardown: Listen, I was just captured by you, so could we put this off?
Hooded Jaw: But getting captured is fun! Right guys?
Everyone brays in approval.
Stardown: Just… leave…
Hooded Jaw: No thanks.
The minor villains crowd around Stardown.
Soldier: He's my prisoner!
Hooded Jaw: Legally, he's mine.
Soldier: Oh don't you go all "legal" on me!
Arctic Tail entered.
Arctic Tail: Actually, he's, er, mine…
???: You mean ours?
Several members of the BHS swoop in.
Stardown struggles against his bonds.
Soldier: That's it! I'm calling backup!
He reaches for his radio, Only for Dominick to snatch it from him.
Dominick: He-haw!
Marvin: MINE!
Rainmaker: MINE!
Hooded Jaw: MINE!
The soldier flees the room.
Hiroshimi: What the heck is going on?! :O
Hooded Jaw: Nuttin' we can't handle! ;)
Dominick: HE-HAW!
Hiroshimi: GAH!
Amidst the fighting, Stardown manages to free one leg.
Rainmaker: Mine!
Rich: Mine!
Arctic Tail: Mine…
Stardown finishes freeing himself and flees out another door.
Italian Mouse: A-he-a-is-a-getting-a-away-a!
Rich: Yar! I got im!
Hooded Jaw: No, me!
Arctic Tail: No, me…
Stardown tries to contact the base.
Stardown: Signal's scrambled…
Italian Mouse: A-gimme-a-that-a!
Stardown force-shoves the villains away and searches for an escape pod.
Rainmaker: Aww.
Italian Mouse: A-how-a.
Hooded Jaw: Cute!
They throng him.
Stardown draws his lightsaber.
Hooded Jaw: IT'S AN OTTER POP!!!
Chomp!
Hooded Jaw: SHOCKING!
Marvin: Last person to get Stardown is a rotten egg!
Stardown activates his jetpack and soars down the hall. He finally finds an escape pod.
Crew (enemy): I wouldn't go in there if I were you.
Hooded Jaw: There he is!
Stardown enters the escape pod anyway.
Crew (enemy): You sure 'bout that?
Stardown: I have no choice.
He ejects the pod and steers it away from the ship's firing range.
Several fighters were deployed to intercept him.
Stardown checks to see if the escape pod has weapons or a hyperdrive engine.
It had neither.
Stardown checks to see where the nearest safe place to land is.
The only places were the ships.
Stardown starts to get frustrated.
The fighters were closing in. The sound of blaster fire could be heard.
Stardown tries to contact base.
He fumbled through his pockets; had they removed his transceiver?
He uses the escape pod's radio to try to contact base.
Stardown: Hello...? Hello?! Anyone there?
Hiroshimi: Your efforts are futile.
He switches to the Guardian's frequency and tries again.
All he got was static.
The pod shook as it was pounded by blaster fire.
Stardown starts to turn back to the ship.
Stardown: What do you want with me?!
Hiroshimi: You're smart, I'm sure you can guess.
Stardown: Tell me anyway.
Hiroshimi: Guess…
Stardown: You're bored and have nothing to do.
Hiroshimi: Incorrect. Try again.
Stardown: I'm a valuable prisoner for no reason.
Hiroshimi: That'll work. Now get back in here.
Stardown: Fine.
He reluctantly docks the escape pod.
But he does not leave the pod.
The Minor Villains ended up lifting the pod in their madness.
Stardown tries his best to ignore them.
Hooded Jaw: You can't stay in there forever!
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown: Don't worry, I won't.
Hooded Jaw: Alright then, come on out!
Stardown: Not yet! (I hope help comes soon...)
Hooded Jaw: Why not? It's just us.
Stardown: You and the BHS and Arctic Tail AND a new space group.
Hooded Jaw: Isn't that cool?!
Stardown: Since you're so dumb, Hoodie, can you tell me who the space group is?
Hooded Jaw: 🙊
Stardown: Anyone?
Hooded Jaw: You called me…
Stardown: Can you tell me who they are?
Hooded Jaw: Who, me?
Stardown: Yes, you!
Hooded Jaw: How would I know?
Stardown: Because you supplied them your Smartie cookie recipe.
Hooded Jaw: Oh yeah…
Stardown: So who are they?
Hooded Jaw: Didn't I answer you?!
Firius: Kidnap him already!
Stardown pipes down, wishing that help would arrive soon.
Italian Mouse: A-come-a-out-a-now-a!
Stardown: Why?
Italian Mouse: A-because-a-I-a-told-a-you-a-to-a!
Stardown ignores him.
Hooded Jaw: We have anti escape pod Smarties!
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown: You guys have Smarties for everything, don't you?
Hooded Jaw: Yep!
Stardown still sits there in the pod.
Hooded Jaw: I'm about to use it!
Stardown: If it damages the pod, the space guys are gonna pay for it.
Hooded Jaw: I don't care.
Soldier: I heard that!
Hooded Jaw: Three…
Stardown: Go ahead…
The Smarties melt the entire pod.
Everyone: GET HIM!!!
Stardown darts down one of the halls, looking for a ship that could belong to the Minor Villains, BHS, or Arctic Tail.
Soldier: You're paying for that pod!
Hooded Jaw: Stardown! You forgot your car key! And your wallet!
Stardown: No I didn't!
Hooded Jaw: Then what are these?
He holds them up.
Stardown checks his pockets to make sure he has them.
He didn't
The Hooded Jaw was grinning from ear to ear.
Stardown uses the Force to pull them to him, and keeps running.
Except he pulled "Hoodie" with them.
Rainmaker: Everyone after Stardown!
Stardown kicks the Hooded Jaw off, and he gets trampled by the stampede.
Hooded Jaw: You crushed my bag of Smarties!
Rich: Yawr hawr hawr!
Several villains grabbed Stardown and pulled him down
Stardown activated his jetpack, lighting the Hooded Jaw's cloak on fire and propelling him away from the villains.
Hooded Jaw: My beautiful clooooooaaaaak!
Firius: Oh hush.
Hooded Jaw: But it cost me twelve dollaaaaaaars!
Stardown finally spots one of the ships.
Stardown flies through the ship, looking for the cockpit.
Soldier: No flying in the halls!
Stardown: Sorry, I don't listen to bad guys!
Soldier: But this is our ship!
Stardown: Look, can't you just release us?
Soldier: Why?
Stardown: We just want to help a poor crew return to Plit.
Soldier: Yeah, not really.
Stardown: What do you mean?
Soldier: Take a guess.
The Minor Villains had him pinned at this point
Stardown: (The Guardians must be on their way by now...)
Dominick started braying in his face
Stardown pinched himself to see if he was dreaming.
He remained awake.
Hooded Jaw: Wha-whaaa!
Firius: What now?
Hooded Jaw: Let's throw a Smartie party!
The Minor Villains: Yeah!
Stardown: Do your worst.
They instantly dump Smarties down his throat.
But they are dissolved the moment they enter his mouth.
Hooded Jaw: What is this sorcery?
Stardown: A magician never reveals his secrets ;)
Hooded Jaw: @#$%!
The other minor villains laugh.
Hooded Jaw: Wut?
Stardown: What are you going to do now that you can't feed me Smarties?
Hooded Jaw: Hmm... Good question. Oh yeah!
He fires a dozen tranks at Stardown; completely knocking him out.
Hooded Jaw: Load him on the space bike, boys!

Later…
Hooded Jaw: Wake up, Stardown kid!
Stardown: Am I in the woodshed?
Hooded Jaw: Yep!
Italian Mouse: A-home-a-sweet-a-home-a!
Dominick: A-he-a-haw-a!
Italian Mouse: A-grr-a!
Stardown activates his location, so that the Guardians can track him to the woodshed.
Hooded Jaw: Aww, it's okay, you don't need to do that! Here, let me scramble it for you!
Stardown: ...?! Too late.
Hooded Jaw: Nothing's too late! :]
Stardown: I was captured by you just yesterday and you have the nerve to come back for more?
Hooded Jaw: Of course!
Stardown: What do you do for a living?
Hooded Jaw: Kidnap you!
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown: And…?
Hooded Jaw: Feed you Smarties!
Stardown: NO.
Hooded Jaw: YES.
Stardown: It didn't work last time, remember?
Hooded Jaw: I better make an anti anti Smartie formula Smartie.
Stardown: Impossible.
Hooded Jaw: Possible.
Stardown: I have no time to be kidnapped three times in two days!
Hooded Jaw: Yeah you do.
Stardown: What makes you say that?
He can hear a shuttle landing outside.
Marvin: Is that the pizza guy?!
???: Nope! It's the Guardians!
Hooded Jaw: Blaaaaast!
Firius: Don't worry, honey. It's just a couple thugs with guns.
Guardian soldiers break down the door and storm inside.
Hooded Jaw: What was that for?!
Soldier: Release Stardown!
Hooded Jaw: Um, no.
The Guardians draw tranquilizers.
The Hooded Jaw draws a Smartie shield.
Hooded Jaw: Leave or I'll call the SWAT team!
Soldier: the SWAT Team knows about your evil deeds. Nice try, though.
Hooded Jaw: What evil deeds?! You're the enemy!
Soldier: Good guys don't kidnap people.
They trank the villains.
The Hooded Jaw was spared thanks to his Smartie shield.
Hooded Jaw: Then what are you trying to do?
Soldier: Just get out of our way.
They quickly free Stardown.
Hooded Jaw: But he hasn't even had dessert yet! ;'(
Dominick: He-haw!
The Hooded Jaw grabs him back.
Hooded Jaw: You criminals! I have legal custody over him!!!
He shows them a huge stack of legal papers.
Hooded Jaw: You have no right to steal him from us! In fact, you have no right to steal in general…
Soldier: There's no such thing as legal kidnapping.
They leave with Stardown.
Hooded Jaw: I have a Smartie force combo!
He activates it.
Hooded Jaw: You're right, there is no such thing as legal kidnapping, so give him back!
Soldier: You've made a mistake.
He sprays some of Stardown's mouthwash at the force field, and they get through.
Hooded Jaw: Then explain these official legal papers!
But they are gone.

Later, at the Guardian base…
Brian: We must remain on high alert. The minor villains are going to attack us with everything they've got.
Stardown: I was kidnapped three times in two days. I need a break.
Captain: Are you thinking of going back into hiding?
Stardown: I may have to.
Suddenly he remembers something.
Stardown: Dallas is still on that ship! And the BHS and an arctic fox bounty hunter named Arctic Tail are with him! And there's a Hiroshimi impostor!
Everyone: … :O
Stardown: We need to send a fleet up there!
Hiroshimi: I'm not seeing it on radar.
Stardown: Did it vanish?
Hiroshimi: they must have hyperdrived away.
Stardown: They may return.

The next day…
Stardown: Any sign of the ship?
Hiroshimi: Nope.
Stardown: The villains claim to be around for more than 20 years. Do you happen to know who they are?
Hiroshimi: Haven't a clue.
Stardown: They actually made Smartie cookies. Good thing I took that mouthwash.
Stardown walks over to Sonic.
Stardown: The fake Hiroshimi told me you guys were leaving. Is this true?
Sonic: We are in a couple weeks.
Stardown: That's strange, because he said you were leaving today.
Sonic: Not sure what he was thinking…

Later, after breakfast, Stardown hears something behind him. It sounds like a gust of wind.
Cream: Yikes!
Cheese: Chao!
Stardown: :O
The creature that has appeared is Thundra, the living nightmare from Kordak Tower. Its normally black eyes then glow a sickly red. Immediately, Stardown feels scared; in fact, more terrified than he's ever been in his life.
A dozen guards rush in and draw arms.
Thundra draws nearer to Stardown, thus making him more scared.
Thundra: Fear, through anger and hate, leads to suffering.
He begins to slowly vanish.
Stardown was too scared to speak.
As Thundra finishes vanishing, Stardown faints.
Brian: Stardown?

In Stardown's unconsciousness…
???: That was just a taste of my friend's power. Retire from being a superhero or you will be literally scared to death.
He wakes up.

Nurse: He's woken up.
Some of Stardown's closest friends gather around him.
He was still shaken.
Sonic: What was that?
Cheese: Chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao chao!
Cream: It's okay, Cheese.
Brian: Wait a minute! We've seen that creature before!
Stardown: W-W-W-W-Whe-Whe-When?
Tails: Yes! Back when we first encountered the Robans!
Brian: (We could use the ghostbusters about now…)
John: But why did it paralyze Stardown and not us?
Brian: Good question…
Amy: What does this creature want?
Brian: I have no idea. It may still be in the base, so stay on high alert.
Hiroshimi: But the question is, how did it get inside?
Tails: If we study the actions of the previous Thundra, maybe we can learn about its abilities.
Kervo: The old Thundra seemed to come and go as it pleased.
Brian: And there were its lightning powers…
John: We best be careful– Oh! My show's on!
He darts out of the room.
Amy: Too much has happened to Stardown in the last two days.
Stardown remembered his dream.
However, his fright hadn't worn off yet.
Tails: Stardown needs vacation.
Kervo: Yes, but anyone could kidnap him.
Tails: True. :( Unless he brings guards.
Brian: Actually, that sounds like a good idea.
Stardown: Dream.
Brian: Hm?
Stardown does his best to relate his dream.
Tails: Did he say who he was?
Stardown: N-N-No…
Brian: So Thundra has a partner in crime…
Sonic: But how can he manifest himself in a dream?
Brian: Weren't they different?
Stardown: Y-Y-Y-Yes.
Kervo: Do we have any ghost detectors?
Brian: We don't. We need to go design one.
Brian and some of the high captains leave the room, leaving Stardown with Sonic, Tails, Amy, Kervo, Cream and Cheese.
Kervo: Why were you so scared?
Amy: Cuz he's a freaking wimp, that's why!
Stardown: It… It had something to do… with its eyes…
Amy: …?
Tails: I think it may have been a fear beam!
Amy: A fear beam?
Tails: When activated, it instantly paralyzes its target with fear.
Sonic: That explains a few things…
Kervo: How do you know this?
Tails: I think I've seen Thundra use it before/
Amy: Uh, why don't we change the subject? Cream's getting frightened.
Kervo: Maybe he's using the beam on her! XP
Sonic chuckles.
Stardown: I created a Smartie mouthwash yesterday.
Hooded Jaw: Blaaaaast!
Kervo: Then that means if we take it every day, we'll always be prepared for a minor villain invasion!
Amy: He'll be sure to think of something though.
Stardown: Thinking like him, he may try Smartie flu shots next.
Sonic: I wouldn't doubt it.
Stardown: So where should I hide?
Kervo: The tunnel's been exposed, so not there.
Amy: And now the lake base is getting risky.
Tails: Is anywhere safe?
Cream: What about Earth?
Stardown: He may still be able to track me there. :/
Tails: What about the Jaywalkers?
Kervo: Yeah! The Jaywalkers!
Stardown: Should I go alone?
Amy: Who'd you want to come with?
Stardown: I don't know. So many choices…
Hiroshimi: Feeling better?
Stardown: Just a little bit better. But… What is Thundra doing back?
Hiroshimi: I don't know. We'll stay on high alert. You feeling well enough to join us?
Stardown: What are you and the captains doing?
Hiroshimi: We're analyzing some worrying activity on the eastern clast of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Stardown: All right, I'll join you.
But as he gets out of his bed, he has some trouble moving his legs due to the fear paralyzation.
Hiroshimi helps him along.

Later…
Stardown: What's the situation?
Arnold: We've spotted several Bartlett frigates off the eastern coast of the Mushroom Kingdom. They're still in international waters, but are getting dangerously close.
Stardown: When did the Bartletts turn against us?
Arnold: They haven't, but situations have been getting tense with them.
Stardown: What are the recommended actions?
Arnold: We have several coastal ships positioned in case we have to intercept missiles.
Stardown: And are we going anywhere?
Arnold: No, why?
Stardown: Just wondering.
Arnold: Okay.
Captain: Frigate missile launchers aimed toward the Mushroom Kingdom.
Stardown: What's gotten into them?
Crew: Maybe the tension snapped them and they want blood.
Stardown: Tension?
Arnold: Yeah. It's not been pretty.
Stardown: What should we do about Thundra?
Brian: Nothing much at the moment.
Stardown: When should I go into hiding?
Captain: Bartlett frigate in national waters!
Brian: Yes, Stardown, you should go into hiding right away. Take some of your friends with you for company and protection.
Most of the captains were noticeably shaking.
Stardown leaves.
Captain: Coastal ships are ready to intercept. What are your orders?
Arnold gives the order to send a fleet of Eagles to intercept them.
Arnold: Don't fire unless they fire first.
Captain: Okay.
Captain 2: But they're in national waters!
Arnold: Prevent them from coming any closer.
Captain 2: Roger that.
Captain 3: Hope we don't get into a war. They're a couple hundred times larger than us.
Brian: Fortunately we're close friends with the Jaywalkers.
Captain: Fourteen missiles launched! Repeat! Fourteen missiles launched!
Arnold: Hit their missiles in midair!

Later, Stardown has chosen all his friends to come with him into hiding. They can see the battle with the Bartletts below them.

Captain: This is it, ladies and gentlemen, we are at war!
Captain: We've managed to intercept twelve of the fourteen missiles. Two are headed our way.
Arnold: Is the force combo up?
Captain: No sir. We've been trying, but with no results. We think they've hacked the system.
Arnold: I'll see if I can get through to their leader.
Brian: Good thing Stardown and the others left…
Captain: Impact with base in ten…
The AA guns fire.
Crew: (They aim worse than Stormtroopers!)
Arnold is connected with the Bartlett leader.
Arnold: Explain your actions.
There was no response to the call.
Finally the two missiles are destroyed.
Hiroshimi: Attack helicopters have been detected on radar.
Arnold: Shoot them down.
He tries to connect again.
Captain: Dang, there's a lot of 'em.
They launch a few fleets of Eagles.
Hiroshimi: Keep your eyes peeled for subs.
Arnold tries to contact the Bartlett leader again.
Captain: Any luck?
Arnold: Nope. :/
Captain: There must be a reason they're doing this!
Arnold: This is uncalled for, and quite extreme for this level of tension.
Brian: They wouldn't attack is for nothing.
Arnold: And this tention's on their part.
Captain: But what made them go berserk?
Arnold: And why now of all times?
Brian: I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.
Captain: Sir, the total number of attack helicopters is two hundred.
Arnold: Two... Hundred?
Captain: That is correct, sir.
Arnold: We don't have the resources to intercept such an attack.
Brian: Then what do we do?
Arnold: ...I don't know.
They hear a strange noise behind them.
They turn to look.
???: Don't have time to explain, everyone inside!
Arnold: What does the Force tell you about this, Brian?
Brian: We must go.
They follow the figure.
Arnold: It's... Bigger on the inside?
Brian: Aren't you Cedric?
Cedric: That is correct.
Arnold: Where are we going?
Cedric: To the past. Before this all started. We can prevent this from happening.
Hiroshimi: You've changed since we last saw you.
Cedric: Yeah. Regeneration.
Brian: What happened?
Cedric: Car bomb.
Brian: Ouch.
Cedric: Tell me about it. First time I've ever regenerated.
Arnold: How did it feel?
Cedric: Kinda hard to explain. Almost energizing and exhausting at the same time.
They materialize moments later.
Cedric: Alright, this is back in time before the tension spiked.
They step outside Cedric's TARDIS.
Brian: Where are we?
Cedric: The Bartlett capitol building. I suspect that man we hear talking to be the culprit.
They listen in.
Cedric: Sigh. Looks like he just finished.
Brian: What all did you hear?
Cedric: Just, "Talk to you later."
Arnold: That's definitely Satou.
Brian: What should we do now?
Cedric: I have a gnat drone, I'll use it to follow him.
They step back into Cedric's TARDIS as Cedric pilots the drone.
Cedric: This things a pain to fly. :/
Hiroshimi: Are the controls bugging you? :P
Cedric groans.
Cedric continues to maneuver the drone down the hall.
Cedric: I hope we can stop him in time.

Meanwhile with Stardown…
Stardown had been at the Jaywalker Refuge Center with his friends for two hours now. He did not know what was happening back at the battle with the Bartletts. He also did not know that there was a dart in the back of his leg.
Stardown: I've heard a lot of good things about the Jaywalker's pizza. Anyone else hungry for some?
Everyone: Yeah!
They head to the pizzeria.
They soon find seats and Stardown passes menus to everyone.
Tails: So what do you think could possibly be going on with the Bartletts?
Stardown: Sounds like they're attacking because of some sort of tention between us and them. I wasn't even aware of this until just today.
Kervo: But what could have provoked them?
Stardown: I don't know. :/
They soon place their orders and begin eating.
Kervo: Is that a dart in your leg?
Stardown: Is there?
Cream, who is sitting to Stardown's right, gently removes it.
Stardown: How did I not feel that?
Amy: A better question is, how did it get there in the first place?
Stardown: Yes… I wish I knew…
Sonic: Can I see that for a moment?
Cream hands it over.
Sonic examines it, then turns to Stardown.
Sonic: Stardown, this dart has BHS markings on it!
Stardown: Oh great… Mercuritis I assume.
Tails: Not again…
Kervo: Feel anything? :/
Stardown: I feel a little weaker than usual. No pixelation, though.
Waitress: Anything I can get you?
Stardown: I think we're good, thanks.
They soon leave a tip and head out.
Tails: Back to our room?
Stardown: Yeah.
But moments after they return, suddenly, Stardown begins pixellating violently.
Cream: Stardown!
Tails: How are they detecting him through a Jaywalker signal blocker!
Kervo: I don't know!
In a flash, Armaul, Zelle, Aero, and Frizz teleport into the room. Stardown stops pixelating, and he falls exhausted.
Armaul: Well, now… I see Mercuritis 4.2 worked like a charm.
Tails: You'll never get away with this!
Zelle: Sorry, but we already are getting away with this.
The BHS members approach Stardown.
Kervo: Jaywalkers!
Armaul: We'll be gone by then, Kervo. They can't stop us.
They reach for Stardown.
Kervo: Put up force bubbles!
Sonic: We didn't bring any!
Tails: Where are the Jaywalkers?!
Stardown begins to regain his energy. He tries to flee the room, but his feet are blaster by Armaul.
Armaul: Instant-hardening cemelt. You won't be going anywhere fast.
A dozen Jaywalker soldiers rush into the room.
They tackle and handcuff the bounty hunters, then leave them out of the room. A few stay to assess the situation as Stardown's friends approach him.
Cream: Are you okay, Stardown?
Stardown feelsanother wave of Mercuritis exhaustion pass over him, leaving him out of breath and temporarily unable to speak.
The Jaywalkers rush him to the ER.
Jaywalker: Liquid cement… This looks like a delicate situation. I'll be right back.
He leaves.
Cheese: Chao chao chao!
Stardown: What is… he saying?
Cream: He wants to know if you're okay.
Stardown: I'll be fine… as soon as I recover.
Amy: I'm sure the Jaywalkers have something.
Stardown: They always have something…
The Jaywalkers return and spray the area around Stardown's feet.
Jaywalker: This spray will evaporate the liquid cement. Unfortunately, it won't take effect for about an hour. We're working on a faster way, though.
Stardown: O… kay…
The thought of being stuck to the floor in a standing position for an hour bothered him.

Meanwhile…
Cedric is still maneuvering the gnat drone down the halls.
Cedric: I think he's heading to an office.
Satou enters the office.
Cedric tries to fly the drone in with him, but he closes the door behind him.
Brian: Is there a crack under the door you can fly the drone through?
Cedric: Checking now… Too small :/
Arnold: Any opening anywhere?
Cedric: None that I could fly through.
Brian: Are you able to listen in?
Cedric: Yeah… if he says anything.
Captain: What could he be doing in there?
Cedric: No good.
Arnold: Is there anything else we can do?
Cedric: Plenty of things. We just need to think of them.
A few guards move down the hallway.
Cedric lands the drone so they wouldn't see it.
The guards are soon out of sight.
Captain: What now?
Cedric: I suppose we wait.
They wait for a little while.
Captain: Nothing?
Cedric: Nope.
They wait a little longer.
Cedric: Oh wait, there's something.
Brian: What is it?
Cedric: Looks like someone's entering the room Satou's in.
Brian looks at the screen.
Brian: Looks like a Bartlett.
Captain: Are they intentionally siding with Satou?
Brian: It looks like it. :/
Cedric: He left the door open!
He flies the drone in.
Cedric: They're having a whispered conversation.
He cautiously moves the drone closer.
Captain: How good is that mic?
Cedric: It's state-of-the-art.
Captain: Epic.
They listen in.
Cedric: Looks like they finished. :( All I heard was, "I'll inform you later."
The Bartlett captain leaves the room.
Captain: Want to follow him?
Cedric: Let's see what Satou's up to first.
He lands the drone on the bookshelf behind him, and aims the camera at his computer screen.
Satou appears to be looking at a chart of some sort.
Cedric: I can't make heads or tails of the chart he's looking at.
He then switches to a radar.
Cedric: …?
Hiroshimi: He may be plotting his attack on the Mushroom Kingdom.
Cedric: He just switched back to that chart.
He tries studying the chart.
Cedric: The Bartletts are mentioned as well as several other countries.
Captain: What do they all have in common?
Cedric: It looks like… It looks like a chart of countries who have agreed to partner with him!
Brian: Agreed?!
Arnold: Is Lamb Island mentioned?
Cedric: Checking that… nope.
Captain: What should our next action be?
Cedric: Find out how he did this.
They continue investigating.
Cedric: I think he's looking at some papers. But he's blocking the view.
Cedric moves the drone.
Cedric: Ugh, no other good landing spots. :/
He moves back to his original spot.
Cedric: Now he's blocking the screen. :/
Another captain enters the room.
Cedric: Captain's entering. Hope they say something.
Satou hands him some papers and the captain leaves.
Cedric: Nope.
Brian: Do you have another gnat drone we can use?
Cedric: I wish I did. :/
Satou gets up and heads to a bookshelf. Cedric uses this opportunity to study the computer screen.
Cedric: Just took pictures of his screen. The papers he was looking at were given to the captain.
Satou gets a book and sits back down.
Cedric: He just took a book off the shelf. Couldn't see what it was, though.
Satou looks through the book for a moment, then sets it aside and returns to the computer.
Cedric: He just put it on the table, but the cover has no printing.
Hiroshimi: No printing?
Cedric: That's right
Ten minutes pass. Miyoko enters.
Captain: Is that Miyoko?
Cedric: Looks like it.
Miyoko: I just got a call a few minutes ago. The Bartletts are ready for blood.
Satou: Good. What about the others?
Miyoko: No reply from them yet.
Satou: Give them time.
Satou's desk phone rings.
Satou: Hello… Hello? … Yes… Okay… Excellent. See you then.
He hangs up.
Cedric: Sounds like he's going to see someone.
Satou logs out and gets up. He heads to the door, grabs his jacket, and leaves.
Cedric: Okay, he just left.
Brian: Now what?
Cedric: He shut the door, so the drone's trapped inside.
Arnold: So this means we can investigate the room.
Cedric: If no one's around… Looks like the office is empty.
Brian: Then let's go.
They cautiously leave their TARDIS.
Arnold: Anyone?
Cedric: Nope.
They soon arrive at the office.
Cedric walks over to the shelf and retrieves his drone.
Captain: What about the computer? Is there enough time to copy the data?
Cedric: I think so.
They get to work.
Stardown: So… what do we do about… Thundra?
Cream hides behind Sonic.
Tails: He's a ghost. And… wait a minute! Didn't Martin the Warrior defeat Buster the Ghost?
Stardown: I don't… remember…
Amy: They faded to a different dimension as they were fighting, so we don't know who won.
Tails: Oh.
Stardown: I can't think of a way to defeat him.
Kervo: We'll think of something! I know we will!
A portal appears in the room.
All eyes turn to it.
Kervo: Shall we?
Roadrunner: If we're the Guardians.
Roadrunner rushes for the portal, even though some of the other Guardians tell him to wait.
Mark cautiously approaches it.
Stardown: Looks like Roadrunner's already inside.
Except for Hiroshimi, all of the present Guardians enter.

Within the depths of the portal.
Mark: Where are we?!
Kervo: Stardown! You're cured!
Stardown: That portal worked wonders.
Roadrunner: Looks like we're on some sort of beach.
Several crabs armed with spears emerge from hiding and surround them.
Crab 1: Fresh meat!
Crab 2: First in ages!
Crab 3: Straight from the portal!
John: They're gonna eat us!
The crabs continue their approach.
John: What should we do?!
Stardown: I'm not armed!
Crab: Good for us!
Roadrunner: Back through the portal!
Crab 1: The portal is gone. Relax. This is the end for you.
Mark: Portals shouldn't just appear and disappear without reason.
Crab 1: This one does. Feast away!
???: Scram, ya filthy vermin!
A blinding light shot past them, sending crabs flying in all directions.
Crab 1: You!
After taking care of the crabs, the light smashed into the leader, knocking him out of sight.
The Guardians couldn't help but watch in awe.
The portal did not reappear.
John: How do we get back home?
Stardown: I don't know.
The light stopped in front of them, revealing a Koopa wearing a cape.
The Guardians just stare.
Koopa: The portal?
Stardown: Yes.
Koopa: That thing's been spewing crap all over the beach for the past month.
Mark: So another portal could appear soon?
Koopa: Certainly. It's been appearing more and more.
Stardown: So they could lead to anywhere in the galaxy
Koopa: I don't know about that, but this one's always coming here.
John: Maybe it will appear again and take us back!
Koopa: I'm not so sure about that.
Stardown: Wait, where are we, anyway?
Koopa: Koopa Beach.
Stardown calls Brian and asks for pickup.
Brian stated that a shuttle would be there in fifteen minutes.
Stardown wondered how he would kill time.
He then heard a strange sound.
Stardown: What is that?
Koopa: Oh hell no.
Several race karts bore down on them.
The group ran out of the way, but Roadrunner slipped on a banana that was tossed in front of him.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
He dashed out of the way just in time.
Koopa: That's the only thing I see more than the portal. -\_-
A Spiny shell flies by.
The Koopa rolled his eyes. A kart driving backwards hit Roadrunner.
Roadrunner: Roadhog!
Bowser: Roadkill!
He turns around and drives back toward him.
Roadrunner: You're losing the race!
Bowser: I can spare a few ur >:D
A green shell hits him.
Bowser: Argh!
Roadrunner: Serves you right!
Bowser threw a Bob-omb at them.
The group flees.
The Koopa catches it and throws it back.
Bowser: What the–
He was blown into the air.
He is then lapped.
He drove after Peach.
Peach: Maaarrriiiooo!
Mario: I'm racing!
Bowser: So am I, plumber!
He dumps Mario aside.
The racers disappear around a bend.
The portal appeared behind them and started shooting cabbages in their direction.
Roadrunner: Quick!
He dodges the cabbage and leaps into the portal.
Kervo: Should we–
A cabbage hits him in the head. Roadrunner exits the portal a moment later.
Roadrunner: Yike! Thing leads to some crazy kitchen!
Stardown: That explains the cabbages…
John: Is it the Hooded Jaw?
Roadrunner: Certainly a possibility.
Stardown: Well, let's just wait until our pickup arrives.
The karts race toward them on their next lap.
The group gets out of the way again.
Roadrunner: How many times a day do they do this?!
Koopa: A dozen at least.
Roadrunner: This is madness!
Koopa: Nintendo's makin' a buck.
The karts drive off. After another lap of kart madness and a bit of waiting, the pickup finally arrives.
Pilot: Don't go off into random portals, 'k kids?
Stardown: Yes, sir.
They enter the pickup which soom takes off.

The flight was uneventful, and the ship soon lands.
John: Well that was fast.
The group leaves the shuttle and enters the base.
Stardown: Uh… where's Sonic?
Brian: He and his friends had to leave, but they did leave this note.
Stardown reads it.
Note: Dear Stardown & friends, Sorry we had to go on such short notice, but Eggman's been taking advantage of our absence. Already he's transformed a whole town into part of his train wreck known as Eggmanland. We brought the Chaos Emeralds with us, so Eggman should be a piece of cake! We hope to see y'all soon. Well, not "soon" soon, but you know what I mean. Until next time, keep on juicin'! -Sonic and friends
Stardown: I wish them luck on their adventure. Speaking of adventures, I wonder what my next one is going to be?
Stardown headed to his room and plopped on his bed. His TV hadn't been working and he had read everything he had, so he was bored. He began daydreaming about all his past adventures, and wondered if he would ever live that life again. He strangely missed it. Nowadays, he's just sent on errands or minor missions; never anything big.
A knock on the door broke the silence.
Stardown answered the door. It was Hiroshimi.
Hiroshimi: Your friends were just telling us about Super Koopa. As we currently do not have any information on him, I would advice avoiding him for now.
Suddenly Stardown hears a voice in his head.
Voice: Help me…
Stardown: Dallas…
Hiroshimi: Is something wrong, Stardown?
Stardown: Uh, I'll be fine.
Hiroshimi: I hope so. If you'll excuse me, I need to go meet with the captains to discuss the nature of these random portals.
He leaves.
Stardown pondered the voice in his head. First it was his butler, then Dallas, then– Suddenly he couldn't remember. Try as he might, the thought would not return. It was almost as if the thoughts of the voices were erased from his mind.
With nothing else to do, he lat back on the bed, thinking about the portals. This wasn't the first time it happened. He remembered Kervo telling him about one he and the Minor Villains used en route to rescue Stardown from Clavicus Maximus. Yikes, he hoped he wouldn't have to face that menace again. Plus, he was even more dangerous when allied with the Hooded Jaw and Count Ponoko. Speaking of Ponoko, what happened to him?
Dismissing his thoughts, he pulled out his phone ad checked the news. UI senator speaks against high trade taxes, boring, Sarasaland governor proposes new tax, blah blah blah. But the next headline got his attention big-time.
"Gerbil Republic To Fold By 16th"
Stardown: They're folding?! Where will its people go?
He scrolled through the article. It said that citizens could stay amd the Shmouse Republic would claim the land.
Stardown nodded in understanding.
He browsed through the rest of the articles to some J-pop.
There was a knock on the door.
Stardown paused his music and opened it.
Brian entered.
Brian: There are rumors that a valuable gemstone was round near the ruins of the Teddybot. Would you like to join out expedition team?
Stardown: Hell no.
Stardown: Sure.
He accidentally unplugged his headphones and J-pop loudly blared from his device.
Hiroshimi ran in.
Hiroshimi: Hey, that's my favorite song!
Stardown was too embarrassed to speak. He paused it and headed to the planning room.
Brian: The gemstone in question is a mega sapphire, thought to have dated back to the ancient Gerbilians. It found its way into the hands to Black Toadette, who carried it everywhere she went. It was last seen when the Teddybot was destroyed, and only recently was it relocated. The Mushroom Kingdom excavation teams were unable to unearth the gem. That's why we're counting on the Guardians.
Stardown: If they couldn't do it, what could we do better?
Brian: We have weapons and powerful tools that can unearth things faster than the Mushroom Kingdom can.
Several units are sent over.
Among them are Brian, Stardown, Roadrunner, Hiroshimi, and Mark.

The command sub launches.
Hiroshimi ran several tests to make sure the communications between subs was secure.
Stardown: Teddybot is straight ahead.
The subs all head to the bot. Stardown looks out his right window.
Stardown: Those aren't our subs.
He sees two unmarked subs.
Hiroshimi: Which ones?
Stardown marks them on the radar.
Hiroshimi: Stay on high alert.
One of the subs fires a warning shot.
Mark: They appear more than what our subs can match.
Brian: They could either be guarding the bem, or taking it for themselves.
Stardown: Do we have any weapons on us?
Hiroshimi: Light ones, but yeah.
Roadrunner: Who exactly are we up against?
Hiroshimi: I don't know, but these things look strong.
Stardown: This is definitely a tricky situation.
The enemy subs slowly approached them.
The Guardian subs apprkach the treasure slowly, ready for quick maneuver.
The other subs cut them off.
A few Guardian subs moves around the blockade.
Roadrunner: They're firing!
The force fields around the other units block the bullies.
Brian: Good thing we came prepared.
Mark: Are you able to make contact with them?
Brian: Let's see… Connections are closed.
Roadrunner: But what is so important about this gem, that they have to bring the big guns with them?
Mark: And where did they hear about it?
Brian: We don't know…
One of the subs landed near where the gem was located.
Stardown: This is bad.
Mark: What's the plan?
Stardown: Wait! Is it worth leaving until they get the gem, then get it from them?
Kervo: But–
Stardown: Get the hell out of here.
Hiroshimi: That would require fighting them directly, which we're in no state of doing.
Stardown: Then… Should we summon backup?
Mark: How important is this gem?
Brian: Owned by Gerbilians for centuries? Possess by a tyrranic villainess? Yeah, it's important.
The subs began leaving.
Stardown: Looks like they got it.
Roadrunner: That fast?!
Mark: They must have planned for a while.
Roadrunner: Should we chase them?
Brian: At a distance, yes.
They began doing so.
Mark: So far, so good.
Hiroshimi: Subs are heading west, which could either mean an underwater base or the far eastern islands.
Brian: This could be big.
He relays this to Arnold.
Stardown: They're firing warning shots.
Brian: Then we'll stay back a little more.
Mark: Radar shows they're speeding up.
Brian: Then we'd better do so as well.

Twenty minutes later…
Brian: It looks like they've arrived.
Hiroshimi: We've arrived at Gerbil Island.
Stardown: So those are Gerbilian subs… But how did they know about the sapphire?
Brian: Word must have leaked, or perhaps they monitored the Mushroom Kingdom's excavation team.
Mark: Well, it is rightfully theirs…
Stardown: What now?
Brian reports the situation to Arnold.
Arnold: There are no more actions to take. Return to base.
Brian: Roger.

Thirty minutes later, they return to base.
Arnold: Were you able to identify whose subs they were?
Brian: No. They were unmarked.
Arnold: We will monitor the situation for further change. You are dismissed.
Stardown felt awkward about the situation.
Why didn't these subs have markings?
Could this be linked to the Gerbil Republic disbanding?
These thoughts whirled around in his head as he headed toward his room. No wait. He headed for the secret tunnel. Could he make the tunnel safer?
He knew the villains knew about it, so that was a major disadvantage.
But maybe there was a way he could allow the Guardians to enter and keep the villains out?
He headed to the lab and fetched a force bubble generator. Maybe he could code in a whitelist. He plugged it into a computer.
As he wrote the names, he wrote a reminder to include Sonic and co. in case they came back.
Stardown began wondering what the Congregation was up to.

After half an hour, he was finished.
He hoped it would work in case danger struck.
After setting it up, he tested it by removing Mark from the whitelist and had him try to enter the tunnel.
Mark: Can't enter.
Stardown: Perfect!
He re-added Mark.
He then considered creating a blacklist for every villain he could think of.
He brought the generator back to the lab with him and got to work.
Soon, the minor villains, Ponoko, the BHS, and various other villains were added to the list.
He heads back to the tunnel and reinstalls it.
Stardown: Hopefully that will do the trick.
Mark: Do the other Guardians know about this?
Stardown: I don't think so.
Mark: You better check with them.
Stardown tells Brian about it.
Brian: We had that scheduled to do anyway. Thanks.
Stardown: You're welcome.
He headed back to his room.
Suddenly he heard Brian let out a cry. Stardown turns back and sees Thundra hovering about him. Brian is covering his ears.
Stardown draws his lightsaber.
But as he approaches, Thundra vanishes.
Stardown rushes over to Brian.
Brian: Are you okay?
Brian: Thank goodness that ultrasonic scream is over…
Then the figure who appeared in Stardown's dream materializes.
???: Mr. Thundra has marked you both as his next recipients for nightmare fuel.
Stardown: …Huh?
???: By using the fear beam on you, Stardown, and the ultrasonic scream on you, Brian, he planted a seed in your subconsciousness.
Stardown: And?
???: The moment you fall asleep, you will be converted to nightmare fuel.
Stardown turned pale.
Stardown: And what's that?
???: Strength for Thundra, and a life of fear for you.
He dematerializes.
Now Stardown was scared.
The figure rematerializes briefly.
???: Oh, and a quick FYI? Thundra was going to convert your girlfriend Amy as well, but she had to leave.
Stardown was confused.
???: She is your special one, is she not? I just love juicy gossip! Teeheehee! Oh, and good luck sleeping tonight!
He vanishes.
Stardown nearly fainted from it all.
How could he live without sleep? He looked at Brian. He was visibly shaken.
Brian: We need all the caffeine we can get.
Soon, Stardown and Brian had each finished their second cups of coffee.
Brian: It's only 3PM. Only seven short hours until we hit the hay.
Stardown: And you know what that means…
Brian: I dread to think of it… Wait a minute, where did this rumor come from with you and Amy?
Stardown: I think it was athe Cat 5.
As it is Thursday, October 18, Stardown realized that the Cat 5 wanted to see him, and stay overnight at the mall. He tried to forget about this. Turning on his phone, he went on YouTube. He saw that the Cat 5 were doing a live stream. He also saw a Mario & Luigi: Dream Team video.
He thoughts were suddenly interrupted when he heard:
Sandy: Let's get Stardown!
Stardown: I hope that was the live stream…
Sandy: Okay, we're going to go over to the Guardian base and fetch Stardown, then party!
Stardown: They're not due until next week!
He starts toward the tunnel.
Katrina: Hey! Stardown's watching the stream!
Stardown: (How would she know?)
He headed through the force bubble and into the tunnel.
Camille: We're coming for you!
Stardown: At least I'm safe in the tunnel.
Wilma: I wouldn't be so sure.
Stardown: You can hear me?!
Wilma: Of course we can hear you Sonny. There's a mic attached to you.
Stardown looked all over him, trying to find the device.
Wilma: Hah. You think we'd be obvious with our placement? I pity you, child.
Stardown: You can see me?!
Wilma: Take a guess.
Stardown: But… But how? Has this been on me for the past couple days?
Wilma: Mhm.
Stardown: And you're streaming all of this?
Wilma: No, we stopped that. Best not to be sidetracked.
Stardown: This device won't actually help you get in the tunnel though, remember that.
Wilma: Without it, we wouldn't have known you were in there, and I don't need the device to access it.
The four cats teleported in front of him.
Stardown: How did you get past the force bubble?! Both of them!!
Wilma: Oh, that was easy.
Stardown: You villains always say that!!
Wilma: Well, it's true, because it was. Now if you'll come with me…
Stardown: I'm not going anywhere!
He drew nis lightsaber.
Wilma: Would you rather face your end?
Stardown: You'll face your end if you mess with me!
Wilma: Oh? I think now. You see, all it takes is the press of a button, this button, the detonate that device, and you with it. The battle is already won.
Stardown: I don't think so!
He charged her, lightsaber in hand, eyes locked on device.
Wilma: Don't make me press it!
One swift swing sliced the device in two and sent the pieces clattering to the ground.
Stardown: Look what you made me do!
He starts to flee the tunnel.
Wilma: You can run, but you can't hide!
They pursue him.
Stardown: Oh, I'm not hiding.
Katrina: Good for us!
Stardown leaves the tunnel
Stardown: Cat 5 in the tunnel!
No one was around to hear. The cats were closing in.
Stardown runs to the command room.
Stardown: Security breach! Cat 5!
Armed guards rushed in.
Guard Captain: Where?!
The Cat 5 arrive.
Wilma: A welcoming crew. How lovely.
The guards fire tranks at them.
They bounce off force fields surrounding them.
Wilma: I pity you, thinking we came unprepared.
Stardown takes off running.
Sandy: Where ya goin'?
He doesn't answer.
Camille: Awww! How cute! What a coward!
The guards block the way.
Katrina: 'Scuse us!
They draw and fire force bubble guns.
Stardown already has a good head start.
Sandy: This is so fun! We're coming Stardown!
He arrives at the speeder bat and leaps onto one of the speeders.
Wilma: We only want to talk to you!
Stardown: Yeah, I know what you want.
He guns the motor and peels out of the garage.
Camille: He's getting away!
Wilma: Hardly. We have our teleporters.
Stardown increases his speed, turning on his personal GPS.
GPS: Take a U-turn.
Stardown sighs.
Stardown ignores it.
It repeats the instruction.
He turns it off and switches on his location beacon.
GPS: Take a U-turn or else.
Stardown: (But I– Wha–?!)
GPS: If you won't take it, I will.
The speeder turns around.
Stardown: GPS override?!
Stardown times it right, then leaps off the speeder.
The speeder backs up.
GPS: Get back on the speeder, punk.
Stardown takes a few steps back, drawing his blaster.
GPS: This thing has blasters too, kid.
Stardown shoots the speeder.
GPS: Shield up. Blasters Target engaged. Have fun dying, pipsqueak.
Stardown takes off running.
The speeder blasters begin firing.
They narrowly miss him.
GPS: Following target.
The speeder takes off.
Stardown looks around for a place to hide.
GPS: Hiding is futile!
Stardown: Wouldn't you know it…
The speeds catches up.
GPS: Climb on or else!
Stardown: I'll just be simple here and say NO.
GPS: Would you rather be eliminated?
Stardown: If you wanted me killed, you would have done so already.
GPS: Don't think I won't!
The side guns train on him.
Stardown: Since when did patrol speeder have guns?
GPS: Didn't they always? Now get on. This is your last chance.
Stardown takes a deep breath, transmits his location to the Guardians, and climbs aboard.
GPS: Thank you.
The speeder continues down the road.
Stardown: I thought we were taking a U-turn.
GPS: I changed my mind.
Stardown tries to turn off the GPS.
GPS: Hilarious.
Stardown trains his blaster on the GPS.
GPS: Forgot about the force field, punk?
Stardown puts away the blaster.
GPS: Good boy.
Stardown: Where are you taking me?
GPS: Hush now. You'll find out soon enough.
Stardown: But you're a GPS!
GPS: So? Can't things improve and change over time?
Stardown: How are you able to override the vehicle?
GPS: Oh that was easy.
Stardown: Oh, brother…
GPS: It's the truth.
Stardown is finally quiet.
And the speeder finally stopped.
GPS: Get off.
Stardown: Where are we?
GPS: The woodshed.
Stardown: That woodshed?
GPS: That woodshed.
Katrina: Welcome to the party!
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown: Oh heck no…
Hooded Jaw: You know what tiiiiime it iiiiis!
Stardown: Smartie time! -\_-
Hooded Jaw: Yup! You're so smart! Here's yer reward!
Stardown: Oh, no thanks.
Hooded Jaw: I insist.
Firius: When Hooded Jaw insists, you obey him. It's kind of a thing here.
Sandy: Ooh, this is gonna be sooo gooood…
Stardown: Can I go home now?
Hooded Jaw: You are home!
Dominick: He-haw!
He stuffs a Smartie into his mouth.
Stardown spits it out.
Everyone boos.
Black Widow: You wasted food!
Rainmaker: Let it lightning!
A lightning bolt hits Stardown.
Stardown: Ow! What gives!
Firius: You give. That is, all your information.
Stardown: I'm leaving.
He gets up and heads for the door.
The Cat 5 teleport in front of him.
Wilma: Leaving so soon?
Stardown: Mhm.
He pushes past them and located the speeder.
GPS: Get back in the shed, punk.
Stardown groans.
The Cat 5 drag him back in.
Hooded Jaw: Look what the cats dragged in!
The minor villains laughed their heads off.
Stardown: If you don't mind, I'll head outside.
Black Widow: We do mind. We don't want the bears eating you, now do we?
Stardown: What bears?
Black Widow: The ones in the woods obviously -\_-
Stardown: I've been in these woods many times before and not once have I seen a bear.
Black Widow: Lucky lucky…
The sound of shuttles can be heard outside.
Hooded Jaw: Don't worry about them. My Smartie shield will keep them out.
But the Guardian soldiers walk through anyway, thanks to Stardown's Smartie repellant.
Katrina: Welcome back!
Guardian Captain: Hand Stardown over.
Stardown approaches the Guardians.
The Cat 5 restrain him.
Hooded Jaw: Do you lead this group?
Guardian Captain: Yes.
Hooded Jaw: Why do you want Stardown?
Guardian Captain: You know why.
Hooded Jaw: No I don't actually.
G.C.: He's one of us. You don't own him.
Hooded Jaw: Sorry, but your dead wrong.
He takes out a heap of legal papers.
G.C.: Oh, don't give me that again…
The villains and cats laugh.
Camille: I got that on tape!
Sandy: Oooh! Share it on Facebook!
Camille: I'll do that!
Sandy: It'll be a meme that goes down in history!
G.C.: Wait a minute, gimme those.
He scans the papers, looking for Stardown's name.
Hooded Jaw: Take all the time you need.
A few moments later, he is finished.
G.C.: They're real. His name is on them. The Hooded Jaw won him from Mikami.
The minor villains swarm Stardown.
G.C.: We'll settle this in court. Until then, Stardown's coming with us.
The Guardians trank the villains.
Hooded Jaw: Anti trank Smarties are awesome!
G.C.: Brace yourself, Stardown.
With brute force, they yank Stardown out of the grasp of the villains and rush him to the shuttle.
GPS: Targets engaged. Head back to the shed or face my wrath.
G.C.: Ignore it.
They reach the shuttle and load Stardown in.
GPS: Firing guns.
Laser after laser pounds the shuttle.
G.C.: Shield's up. Let's get outta here.
Hooded Jaw: Wait! Hold up!
The Guardians can't hear him.
Hooded Jaw: To the bike!
The shuttle is much faster and is soon out of sight.
Rainmaker: Hey Jeep, hold on!
Jeep: No, you hop on me.
He pulls the GPS off and attaches it to the bike.
Jeep: Stardown will be ours.
Hooded Jaw: He IS ours!
They take off.
Hooded Jaw: Pedal harder!
Black Widow: You pedal for once!
Dominick: He-haw!
Jeep: The speeder is much faster.
Hooded Jaw: Yeah! This speeder is much faster!
Jeep: This is a bike, and it really isn't.
Hooded Jaw: Just play along…
GPS: If you pedal 17 times faster, you'll equal their speed.
Hooded Jaw: What are we waiting for, gang! Pedal 17 times faster!
Psycho: Are you kidding me?!
Hooded Jaw: No! I never kid people!
Everyone laughed.
Jeep: Yeah, right.

At the Guardian base…
G.C.: Apparently the minor villains weren't joking when they said they own Stardown, Brian. They won him legally in the tournament.
Hiroshimi: But Mikami took him illegally.
Brian: I don't think that the Hooded Jaw took that into account.
Mark: Either way, he's going to try very, very hard to get him bac.
Crew: Bad news. Satellite shows the minor villains are on their way.
Brian: It would only be so long.
Stardown: Brian, the Cat 5 had teleporters. They were able to breach our force combos and enter the tunnel.
Brian: We'll be ready.
Wilma: Too late, boy.
Brian: How did you–
Wilma: Did not Stardown explain?
Stardown: The "somehow" doesn't satisfy me.
Wilma: Now, if you come with us, no harm will come to your friends. If you don't, you will utterly regret it. Your choice.
Brian: Not before we settle this in court.
Wilma: There is no need. The legal papers are enough.
Brian: That's according to Mikami. But how will the Mushroom Kingdom judge this?
Wilma: The Mushroom Kingdom? Their opinions won't change matters.
Brian: Yes, they will.
Wilma: Not really.
With the press of a button, Stardown is teleported away.
Wilma: Ciao!
The cats also teleport away.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
Brian: NO!
Roadrunner: Let's get 'em!
Brian: But we don't know where they are!
Roadrunner: Woodshed!
Brian: Hiroshimi, check Stardown's radar.
Hiroshimi: Nowhere in range.
Brian: Not even the woodshed?
Hiroshimi: Nope.
Brian: then I'll ask Commander Arnold to send shuttles across the world to find him.
He leaves.

Meanwhile…
Marvin: It's him!
Psycho: At last!
Hooded Jaw: He's ours!
Firius: He always was.
Hooded Jaw: ^
Stardown: So, where am I?
Hooded Jaw: At your new home!
Stardown: And where is that?
Hooded Jaw: On Plit!
Stardown: Where on Plit?
Hooded Jaw: With some old friends…

Brian: Alright, half a dozen ships have been sent out.
Arnold: This has been quite a week…
Brian: You can say that again.
Arnold: Stardown has been kidnapped unprovoked twice today.
Hiroshimi: This is ridiculous.
Brian: They breached a force bubble with a teleporter, claiming it was "easy".
Arnold: Don't they all?
Brian: But what makes it so easy?
Arnold: That's the mystery…

Stardown: What old friends?
Hooded Jaw: Do I have to tell you everything? You're a smart cookie!
Stardown: Black Toadette?
Hooded Jaw: Nope.
Stardown: More minor villains?
Hooded Jaw: I wish.
Stardown: BHS?
Hooded Jaw: Keep guessing.
Stardown: Sigh. Just tell me. I'm tired of playing your games.
Hooded Jaw: Well, when you have nothing else to do…
Stardown: Escaping is always an option.
Hooded Jaw: Trust me, you're better off with us.
Dominick: He-haw!
Stardown: How can I trust you? You're my arch enemy!
Hooded Jaw: Go escape. I can't stop you.
Stardown felt the Hooded Jaw knew something, so he decided to stay.
Stardown: Are we still on Plit?
Hooded Jaw: Sure are!
Stardown: Where on it?
Hooded Jaw: The surface.
Stardown: That doesn't help.
Hooded Jaw: You asked.
Stardown: So why is it dangerous to leave?
Hooded Jaw: Go find out. The door is over there… Too scared, huh?
Dominick: He-haw!
Black Widow: Shh!
Stardown: I'm going.
Hooded Jaw: Remember, we still own you!
Stardown opened the door of the all metal room he was in and looked around. The door led out to a metal hall. He went left and cautiously headed toward the corner. There was nothing to be heard except his footsteps. He reached the corner and slowly took a peek. Nothing but more hall. He began heading down it but stopped short when several figures left a room and caught sight of him.
???: Intruder!
The alarm was set off as Stardown rushed for the room he was just in. He tries the door and found that it was locked.
Stardown: Let me in!
Hooded Jaw: Why?
Stardown: You know why! Now open up!
Hooded Jaw: Say the password!
Stardown knew he wouldn't be able to get in in time, so he continued down the hall, only to be met by armed guards.
Guard: Get down! Hands behind your back!
Stardown knew there was no way out of this one, so he obeyed. A guard handcuffed him and roughly pulled him to his feet, then prodded him with his rifle.
Guard: Move!
He did as he was told.
Stardown: Where are–
Guard: Silence!
Stardown felt a pit in his stomach. He knew this was possibly the worst situation he's ever been in, and no one was around to help. After a couple more minutes of walking down the metal halls, he was led to a metal room similar to the one the minor villains were in.
Guard: Stop.
Stardown: Let me guess. This is my prison or something?
There was no reply. He saw someone sitting in a chair with his back to him. He slowly swiveled around.
???: Well now. Long time no see…

Arnold: Nothing. No sign of Stardown anywhere on Plit.
Hiroshimi: Either those rascals aren't on the planet, or they have radar blocking technology.
Arnold: That is a possibility.
Roadrunner: So how do we find him?
Arnold: We'll find a way to attract the minor villains over here, then capture them and force them to tell us his location.
Brian: What can we use to attract them?
Arnold: Hmm… Something Smartie-related?
Mark: Definitely.
Roadrunner: What if we left a trail of Smarties that leads to a cage?
Brian: Think they'd fall for it?
Roadrunner: At least the Hooded Jaw would.
Mark: Then there's the Cat 5 and their teleporters.
Brian: They're bound to have a couple voices of reason.
Hiroshimi: Mhm.
Roadrunner: So? Is it worth it?
Arnold: Nothing to lose. Not sure how they'll find them though.
Mark: The woodshed is a good place to start.
Hiroshimi: I doubt they could stay away from that place for long.
Brian: I agree.
Arnold: Well then, let's get started…

Stardown: Andy Shmouse?!
Andy: You act surprised.
Stardown: But.. The Shmice are destroyed!
Andy: Oh? What makes you think that?
Stardown: The Shmice lost in a civil war!
Andy: Only the tip of the iceberg. The Empire has thrived in the global underworld.
Stardown: And I never heard anything about it.
Andy: Of course you didn't. No one did. I'd normally stay hushed about this, but since you'll be imprisoned the rest of your life, I figured I should tell you.
Stardown: (Good boy.)
Andy: Now, explain your affiliation with the Guardians. What is the story behind you joining them?
Stardown: I thought you knew.
Andy: Tell me.
Stardown: Yeah, like I'd tell a world conqueror anything that might–
Andy: This is your last chance to answer me before you regret your incompetence.
Stardown: Fine. I joined them after they rescued me from you. What now?
Andy: Hm. Okay.
Andy: What brings you here?
Stardown: The minor villains…
Andy: Haha. Very funny. Take him to the max security prisons.
Stardown: Where am I?
There was no reply as he was escorted out of the room.
Stardown struggled, but to no avail. They passed through a few bland metal corridors, too many for the hero to memorize. At last, they reached the cell, where the guards roughly threw him in, and he hit the opposite wall as the door closed.
Much to his dismay, the cell was covered by a force bubble. If only Starvin' Marvin was around. He looked all around for a possible means of escape, but there was none. He knew he'd most likely be here a while, so he tried to be comfortable.

The Guardians were finished laying out the Smartie traps. Now to wait…
Roadrunner: Any sign of 'em?
Hiroshimi: Nope. It could be awhile.
Mark: All their stuff is still lying around in the woodshed, so they couldn't have abandoned it. Hooded Jaw has more Smarties than I thought.
Roadrunner: He'll have more Smarties once we're through with him!
Brian: Now to wait.
Mark: Should we also secure the woodshed?
Brian: It's only been booby trapped. We should secure it.
They begin the process.
Mark: Hopefully they didn't install a security system. :P
Roadrunner: They're probably too dumb to anyway.
Brian: Either way, we need to be on guard.

Meanwhile…
Stardown scanned the prison for any possible escape routes. There were none as it was one with a force bubble generated around it.
Who would capture an eighteen-year-old kid?
The Shmice would, he thought as he remembered that the guards were Shmice.
But what were they doing back?
He slumped against the wall, hoping he would be found.
He had been captured way too many times this week.
Why him? Why now?
He began to consider quitting his superhero job.
He-haw!
And that braying wasn't helping.
He-haw!
Were the minor villains getting closer?
He-haw!
Stardown tried to look out of his cell.
The minor villains were running in his direction.
Hooded Jaw: Hi Stardown!
Stardown: Are you here to free me from the Shmice?
Hooded Jaw: Dunno.
Marvin: Can I eat the force bubble? Pleeeeeaaaaase?
Hooded Jaw: …Sure.
Black Widow: But that means he'll be free.
Hooded Jaw: From the Shmice, not from us.
Black Widow: That is true…
Psycho: But what if he escapes?
Firius: Look at him. He's in no condition to escape.
Psycho: Feeling tired, lad?
Stardown doesn't answer, but he does feel tired.
Marvin was almost done eating the force bubble.
Hooded Jaw: In a matter of seconds, Stardown will be mine!
He laughs like a mad scientist.
Firius: Um, they can probably hear you…
Hooded Jaw: Aren't the good guys supposed to know we're getting away?
Firius: Um, the Shmice aren't good guys…
Several guards rush toward them.
Marvin: YUMMY!
Sandy: Let's get outta here!
They grab Stardown and vanish just as the guards arrive.
Rainmaker: You're free!
Stardown: (No, I'm not…)
Psycho: Yeah you are. ;)
Hooded Jaw: ?
Stardown: (The Guardians own me, do they not?)
Psycho: Actually, the Hooded Jaw owns you.
Hooded Jaw: Heck yeah I do!
Stardown: (The tournament was meaningless to you guys.)
Psycho: You wish.
Firius: You guys okay?
Psycho: Yeah, he's just thinking 'bout stuff.
Firius: O… kay…
Stardown: Let me go.
Hooded Jaw: Why?
Stardown: I have rights.
Hooded Jaw: LOL.
Again Stardown began to seriously consider quitting his heroship.
Psycho: Don't quit! You can be our superhero!
Katrina: He's quitting?!
Psycho: He's thinking about it–
Camille: I'm sharing that on Facebook!
Stardown: (Here we go…)
Psycho: Yeah, I know. Gossip is so exciting, isn't it?
Dominick: He-haw!
Suddenly Stardown reaches for his belt and activates his location beacon.
Psycho: Aww! You didn't have to do that.
Hooded Jaw: What did he do?
Psycho: Share his location with the Guardians.
???: Freeze! Hands in the air!
Hooded Jaw: Was?!
Firius: You couldn't have reached us that fast!
Soldier: Everyone out the door.
Hooded Jaw: Where's my Smarties?!
Soldier: You won't be seeing those again.
Hooded Jaw: Blaaaaaast!
Firius: Don't you still have your Smartie blaster?
Hooded Jaw: Uh–
Soldier: Hurry now.
Hooded Jaw: I think they took, er, stole them. BLAAAAAAA
The shuttle door closes.
Stardown was relieved to see them go.
Stardown: Finally…
He was loaded into a different shuttle which soon took off.

Minutes later…
Stardown: Home sweet home!
Then he remembered the Shmice.
But before he had a chance to say anything, the Hooded Jaw called out.
Hooded Jaw: Why the heck am I going to jail?! What gives?!
Guard: You're our enemy.
Hooded Jaw: And why's that?
Stardown: You don't know why you're our enemy?!
Hooded Jaw: Nope! :D
Stardown: Oh, brother…
Hooded Jaw: Hm?
Stardown: Brian… I have something to tell you.
Brian: And what's that?
Stardown: After I initially escaped the villains and before I was recaptured… I was captured by the Shmice.
Brian: The Shmice? :O
All eyes turned to him.
Stardown: I'm afraid so.
Brian: But we beat them! What all happened? Did you learn anything?
Stardown: No. All I saw was several Shmouse guards putting be in a max-security cell before the minor villains broke me out.
Brian: And how did you go about that?
He said as he turned his attention to the Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: Ask the moose.
Marvin: Yeah! Ask the moose! Wait, what moose?
Hooded Jaw: You!
Marvin: I'm a moose? Cool!
Brian: We get the idea.
Marvin: Duh, what was the question?
Brian: Sigh… Never mind, we answered our own question.
Marvin: How?
Brian: I said never mind.
Marvin: What?
The guards escort the villains away.
Stardown: Finally.
He turns to Brian.
Stardown: Too much has happened to me in the past few days.
Brian: We need to figure out why everyone's after you of all people.
Stardown: In fact, it's gotten to me so much that I've considered quitting being a superhero.
Brian: That is understandable.
Hooded Jaw: Guys! Hold up!
Brian: I'll handle this.
He leaves.
Hooded Jaw: Hi commander guy! Can I go home now? I don't want to miss the Splatfest! :D
Brian: No.
Hooded Jaw: Why? And can you bring my Wii U over from the woodshed?
Brian: Prisons aren't supposed to be fun.
Hooded Jaw: Let's change that! But anyway, I'm not even supposed to be here.
Brian: Yes you are.
Hooded Jaw: And why's that? :P
Brian: You've made trouble for not just Stardown, but the Guardians as a whole.
Hooded Jaw: And you've caused trouble for us and so many others, so I guess we're even.
Brian: Justice doesn't work that way.
Hooded Jaw: Are you telling me I get to put you in prison now? :D
Brian: No. You have no right to speak to me in that way.
Hooded Jaw: And you have no right to speak to me like that either.
Brian: We're not on equal authority, Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: Oh really now? What makes you say that, kiddie?
Brian: You're not my commander.
Hooded Jaw: Like you're mine?
Brian: We Guardians have the right to command prisoners. You can't command anyone.
The Hooded Jaw burst out laughing.
Hooded Jaw: That's literally the funniest thing I've ever heard. Thanks for making my day!
Brian: I'm leaving.
Hooded Jaw: And I'll do the same.
Brian: No.
Brian leaves.
Hooded Jaw: Marvin, do your stuff.
Marvin: Yay! :D
Chomp chomp chomp…
Brian runs back, swinging his lightsaber at Marvin.
Chomp!
He ate it.
Marvin: Yummy!
But the lightsaber emits another blade.
Black Widow: Throw Mister Big in prison!
Italian Mouse: A-yeah-a!
Brian: Mister Big?
Black Widow: Uh huh!
Brian: Wait, are you talking about me?
Black Widow: Obviously ;)
The villains laugh.
Brian: Are you Guardians?
Hooded Jaw: That doesn't matter! :D
Dominick: He-haw!
Brian: Then I suppose going without supper won't matter, either.
Hooded Jaw: Yeah. Hey, at you'll have breakfast!
The villains laugh again.
Brian: I'm not a prisoner. Guards, watch them.
He leaves.
Hooded Jaw: One thing. Why am I in prison and not you when you've done all sorts of villainous deeds and gotten away with it? And besides, what have I even done to deserve this?
Brian can barely hear him as he walks away, but he still catches the words.
Marvin was eating everything he could find.
Brian returns with a time freeze gun and fires it at Marvin.
Marvin: Nooooo…
Hooded Jaw: My poor starving moosie… SEE?! That's a villainous act!
Everyone: YEAH!
Brian radios Roadrunner to entertain the villains before leaving.
Hooded Jaw: And what's your answer to my question?
Brian: (in the distance) You know as well as I do!
Hooded Jaw: Then let me out!
But Brian doesn't hear. Soon, Roadrunner arrives.

Later…
Brian is looking over the minor villains' legal papers.
Mark: Are they legit?
Brian: I'm afraid so.
Mark: Does that mean he owns him? :O
Brian: According to Mikami, yes.
Mark: But he kidnapped Stardown from us.
Then Brian realized something. He raced back to the minor villains' cell.
Hooded Jaw: Hi Mister Big! Here to let us out? :D
Brian: You made a mistake about those legal papers.
Hooded Jaw: I didn't make any mistakes. They're legit. :D
Brian: The papers state that you own Stardown's brothers, not Stardown himself.
Hooded Jaw: Three's better than one! :D
Brian: In a way, it is.
Hooded Jaw: They're all mine!
Brian: Not Stardown.
Hooded Jaw: Who cares!
Brian: I do.
Hooded Jaw: Great! I'll take the three and leave! :D
Brian: You don't even know where they are.
Hooded Jaw: You probably do!
Brian: I don't even know.
Hooded Jaw: Hey Stardown?!
Brian: No.
Hooded Jaw: Does he have the answer?
Brian: Why do you want to know?
Hooded Jaw: Is it not obvious? Legally I own them. You can't deny it. And I have the right to know where they are.
Brian: You don't own them according to any government on Plit.
Hooded Jaw: I don't care about Plit. They can think whatever they want.
Brian: Then how about we take this to court?
Hooded Jaw: No need. I have the legal papers.
Roadrunner: Uh, hello? Mikami's a bad guy!
Hooded Jaw: "Bad guy", LOL.
Roadrunner: As are you.
Hooded Jaw: You're funny.
Roadrunner: What if I rip up these legal papers, huh?
Hooded Jaw: That's what a villain would do, guys. Remember that.
Italian Mouse: A-yeah-a.
Roadrunner: One way or another, you're not getting them.
Hooded Jaw: And why's that Sonny?
Roadrunner: I don't care what a villain's contract says!
Hooded Jaw: That's fine. Everyone can have an opinion.
Roadrunner: You're! Not! Getting! Them!
Hooded Jaw: Chill.
Roadrunner: No.
Hooded Jaw: We're not getting anywhere. Let's go.
Roadrunner: Ha! You can't "just go" out of a prison cell.
Hooded Jaw: Um, Marvin chomped a huge gap in it.
The villains head out single file.
The guards block the way as Brian shoots them one by one with the time freeze ray.
Hooded Jaw: What gives?
He too is frozen.
Katrina: You still haven't frozen us, you know.
Camille: We still have one more plan up our sleeve.
Brian: Oh? And what's that?
Wilma: So it's either Stardown's brothers… or the entire base and all its inhabitants.
Brian: The Hooded Jaw isn't capable of taking and running this place, sorry.
Wilma: Oh no, we've got something different in mind.
Brian: And what's that?
They pool their four teleporters together.
The guards raise their blasters.
Wilma: Bye-bye.
They connect their teleporters, and the entire base is bathed in a blinding glow.
Roadrunner: W-W-What's the meaning of this?
Then everyone blacks out.

Stardown slowly opened his eyes and looked around. He was in a field. He looked to the right and saw Mark and Roadrunner lying next to him.
Stardown: What… happened…?
Mark: I… I don't know. W-Where are we?
Roadrunner: Beats me.
Mark: Have your phone with you?
Stardown pulls it out and checks it.
Stardown: It says we're at the base. What just happened?
Mark: Did… the base… vanish?
Roadrunner: Cowards!
Stardown: So… what should we do now?
Mark: I don't know. Where are the others?
Stardown: I think they disappeared with the base.
Roadrunner: I hope they're okay. Arg, and I was looking forward to my snack…
Mark: Now we need to find some place to stay.
Stardown: If we can find a shuttle, we could fly over to my castle. I haven't been to that place in a while.
Mark: But hasn't it been abandoned for a while?
Stardown: Yeah. I only visited it once in the past few years.
Roadrunner: Can we still stay there?
Stardown: I don't see why not.
Mark: But we don't have a shuttle.
Roadrunner: Were those teleported too?!
Stardown: They were.
Roadrunner: Dang it!
Stardown: So now what?
Mark: Is that a hangar over there?
The others follow his gaze.
Stardown: I think it is. Let's head over.
They begin walking.
Mark: Yeah, that's definitely one.
A few minutes later, they arrive.
Mark: The question is, how are we gonna get in?
Stardown: I have my… lightsaber… Hey, it's gone!
Roadrunner: Same! What happened?!
Stardown: Weird… Mark, do you still have your sword?
Mark: Maybe they're back there.
Stardown: Should we look now or in the morning?
Mark: Definitely now unless we want to sleep out here.
Stardown: Then we'd better get looking.
They head back to where they first found themselves and searched everywhere.
Roadrunner: Now what?
Mark: Any hotels nearby?
Stardown checks his phone for one.
Stardown: No internet.
They see a couple vans in the distance.
Mark: News reporters?
Roadrunner: Last thing we need -\_-
Stardown: Let's get out of here.
They start toward the hangar.
Roadrunner: We'll never be able to get that thing open!
Mark: Any loose shuttles around?
Stardown: None that I can see.
Roadrunner: What about your gold Sharpie?
Stardown: It disappeared with the base.
Roadrunner: Arg! Does this mean we're camping out for the night?
Mark: What about the lake base? Did that go too?
Stardown: I don't think it did, but I believe the path that leads there is gone.
Mark: Anything to start a fire?
Stardown: Wait, does anyone have any money?
They both say, "Nope."
Stardown checks the weather on his phone - it's 51 degrees.
Mark: How about you?
Stardown feels in his pocket for his wallet.
Stardown: Thankfully I do.
He checks to make sure everything's inside.
It was.
Stardown: Let's see if we can locate a hotel.
Mark: There's one up the street from here, right?
Roadrunner: Yeah, there is!
Stardown: Let's hope those reporters don't take notice.
Roadrunner: Then we'll have to sneak over there.
They begin walking.
They finally make it to the road.
Mark: Not much longer now.
Stardown: But… how could the base have just vanished?
Mark: I don't know.
Roadrunner: I thought I saw them with their teleporters.
Stardown: That must have been what happened.
Roadrunner: Yeah.
They soon arrive.
Stardown walks up to the woman at the desk and asks for three separate rooms for them to stay in. He winces when he hears the price and fumbles in his wallet for his credit card. He is soon finished paying and the three head down the hall to their rooms. Stardown plopped onto his bed and took out his phone. He hoped for internet, but there was none. After doing whatnots for a few, he put it back and turned out the light.

The next day…
Stardown hurried out of his room as he saw his friends in the lobby.
Stardown: Sorry I'm late. I forgot to set my alarm.
Mark: No problem.
Roadrunner: Where to?
Stardown answers as they head out the door.
He takes out his phone.
Mark: I believe Gold Shroom Cafe has free wi-fi.
Stardown: You're right, and that's not far from here, is it?
Mark: Nope. Like a twenty minute walk.
They start down the road.
Mark: I wonder why we were left behind while the rest were teleported.
Stardown: That was strange. No reason why we should have stayed.
Roadrunner: And how did they teleport the whole base? Like how? It has a force bubble and everything!
Stardown: I don't think it was disabled before the teleport. We would have been notified if it was.
Mark: Is it possible to teleport anything with force bubble projected around them?
Stardown: Not that I'm aware of. Perhaps this is a breakthrough in technology.
Mark: It very well may.
Not much later, they arrive.
Stardown takes out his phone and connects it to the internet. The flight was soon booked.
Stardown: Now, I haven't been to my castle in a long time, so I'm not sure of its condition.
Mark: Hopefully it's not occupied. :P
They soon board the flight.
Roadrunner: I haven't been on a normal jet in forever! :P
Stardown: Neither have I.
Five minutes later, the jet takes off.
Stardown: I'm still used to the super-takeoffs the Guardians do.
Roadrunner: This is slooooowww.
Mark: Hey, it's better than walking.
Roadrunner: That is true…

It is not much longer before the plane begins to land.
Stardown: Should be that long of a walk.
The plane lands.
Stardown: Got everything?
Roadrunner: Yup!
Mark: Mhm.
They disembark from the plane.
Mark: What condition was the castle in when you last checked?
Stardown: I believe it was in good condition last time I was there.
Mark: That's good. Hopefully it's still that way.

Later, they finally arrive.
The grass was predictably overgrown, but the castle itself looked to be in good condition.
Stardown: Well, it's still in good condition.
Roadrunner: Hope the inside is as well.
Stardown opens the door, and they enter.
Mark: Dust looks disturbed.
Stardown: Last time I was here, so were the minor villains.
Roadrunner: Could some be living here?
Stardown: I hope not.
They hear villainous laughter in the distance.
Stardown froze.
They hear it again.
Roadrunner: Maybe you left a TV on?
They hear the laughter again.
Roadrunner: Where's it coming from?
Mark: I don't know.
Stardown: I think it's upstairs.
They head for the stairs.
Stardown: We need to be extra careful since we're missing our lightsabers.
Mark: Should we come back later when we're prepared?
Stardown: Hmm… Maybe there's something here we could use for defense. I haven't been here in a long time, so I wouldn't know how reliable they might be.
The villains continue in their laughter.
Roadrunner: Does anyone recognize those voices?
Mark: Not I. :/
Roadrunner: Only one way to find out who they are…
They head back up the stairs.
They reach the top without trouble.
Stardown: Ready?
Mark: As I'll ever be.
Stardown: Then let's go…
They slowly open the door and see Rich, Fearsome Ferret, and a Space Gator.
Stardown: ??!
Rich: Looks like we have company! Har har har!
Stardown: How did you know we're here?
Roadrunner: And how did you even get in here?
Rich: It wasn't that hard'n you were pretty obvious.
Ferret: In other words, "Oh that was easy."
Rich: Yar!
Bruce: So you come to join us?
Stardown: How long have you been here?
Bruce: Eh, couple weeks. And your answer is?
Roadrunner: NO!
F.F.: Get that thieving scum out of my sight.
Rich: But we need thieving scum, matey!
Stardown: Long time no see, I suppose.
Bruce: So if you're not here to join us, why are you here?
Roadrunner: To stop you! But unfortunately, we're not armed, so–
The villains laugh.
Rich: Greatest line of the year! Har har har har har! Tie 'em up, boys!
Bruce: And also let's plunderize them!
Rich: Yeah!
They are instantly tied up with thick ropes.
Bruce: Stardown's got some sweet cash in his wallet!
F.F.: Ooooh! Pass it around!
Rich: YAR! He's got some twenties!
F.F.: GIMME
Stardown: Please. Just stop… -\_-
The villains stare at him.
Villains: No thanks.
They continue their plunderization.
Roadrunner: A little help would be nice…
Bruce: Oh yeah, we forgot to plunderize you.
Roadrunner: I SAID, A LITTLE HELP WOULD BE–
They take his wallet.
F.F.: No one's coming to this old dump anything soon.
Rich: ^
Stardown tries to get comfortable.
F.F.: Roadrunner doesn't have much.
Rich: Let's do Mark! Har har!
Mark braces himself.
Bruce: Oh man, this dude's pretty rich!
Mark: -\_-
They rob him blind.
F.F.: Is that everything?
Bruce: Nope. We still got th' king!
Rich: Now that we robbed 'em, shall we dump 'em out the window?
F.F.: With pleasure.
The three pick up Stardown and his friends.
Rich: One…
Roadrunner: Wait!
F.F.: Two…
Stardown: Please…
Bruce: Three!
They fly out the window.
They fall twenty feet, and the villains laugh and close the window.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
Stardown feels injured. Where is help?
Mark: Is everyone okay?
Stardown: Not me…
Mark: Where are you hurt?
Stardown: Feels like… a broken hip…
Mark: Uh oh.
He feels for Stardown's phone.
Stardown: They stole it.
Roadrunner: Well then we're done for.
The villains continue in their laughter.
Mark: Ignore them.
Roadrunner: If only we were untied…
Stardown tries to work himself free.
Stardown: They did a good job…
Roadrunner: Hello? Anybody?
No answer.
F.F.: It's no use kiddies! How does revenge taste?
Roadrunner: Do see us throwing you out of windows?!
F.F.: No, stealing is more your thing.
Mark: What do you mean?
F.F.: You stole my moose, don't you remember?
Roadrunner: Out of misunderstanding.
F.F.: Hah, "misunderstanding". That's a good one.
He shuts the window.
Mark: We need to get out of here.
Roadrunner: I'll call 'till my voice gives out.
Stardown: That's probably our only hope.
He resumes his calling.
There is no answer.
Mark: Hey Rich?
Rich: Yar?
Mark: I still have some money on me.
Dollar signs appear in his eyes.
Rich: I'll be right down!
Mark: This is our best bet.
Stardown: What if they realize it's a trick?
Mark: I'm not sure they have that intelligence.
Two minutes later, Rich rolls in.
Mark: I… can't reach it. Could you untie me real quick so I can get it?
Rich: Sure!
Mark: Alright. It's in a locked box, and I don't have the ket. I have, however, figured out a way to open it with a screwdriver. Could you get me one?
Rich: Okay!
He leaves.
Roadrunner: The plan worked!
Mark unties them.
Stardown winces as he feels the pain in his hip.
The others help him away from the castle.
Stardown: I hope the nearest hospital isn't too far away.
Mark: I saw one in the town we were in.
Stardown: That's good.

A little while later, they arrive.
Stardown: I wish I had my phone…
Roadrunner: They won't get away with this. Mark my words!
Mark: They won't get away with it. If only the Guardians were here…
A doctor walks up to them.

A few moments later, Stardown is in a hospital bed.
Stardown: When will the surgery take place?
Doctor: Never
Doctor: In a few moments.
Roadrunner: (to Mark) You wanna head over and stop those guys now? I sure do.
Mark: We don't have any weapons. Besides, they outnumber us.
Roadrunner: Any Hero Ware shops around here?
Mark: There are.
Roadrunner: We should get some stuff there, except our money was stolen -\_-
Mark: Oh no… I hadn't thought of that.
Roadrunner: Talk about a pickle we're in.
Mark: Even I don't know what to do.
Roadrunner: Maybe we could make noise downstairs and while they're trying to find the cause, we can reclaim our possessions.
Mark: Good idea.
They start toward the castle.

It takes shorter to get there than the trip to the hospital.
Roadrunner: Let's do this!
They enter the castle.
Mark finds some pots and pans in the kitchen.
Roadrunner: Let's do this. Ready?
Mark: If you are.
They stir up a racket with the pots and pans.
Rich: Yar! What's goin' on down there?
Roadrunner: Quick! Behind that pillar!
They dash behind a pillar near the stairwell.
Rich: Ye can run, but ye can't hide! Har har har!
F.F.: Are those freaks back?
Rich: Take a guess, matey! C'mon! Help me find 'em!
Bruce: For all we know, it could be some sort of trap.
Rich: Ye worry too much! Come down here!
Mark picks up a small stone and chucks it into the kitsch.
Rich: Kitchen! They be in the kitchen!
The villains rush in there as Mark and Roadrunner hurry up the stairs.
Roadrunner: Good. They left everything here.
They begin pocketing their things while keeping an ear out in case the villains returned.
Mark: Got everything?
Roadrunner: Yep!
Mark: Then let's go. The stairwell is too risky, so the window's probably our best bet.
Roadrunner: There's some rope in here, so you can climb down, and I guess I could fly down. Man, I haven't flown in so long. I'm not even sure I remember how. :P
He fetches the rope and holds on to it as Mark climbs down.
F.F.: Roadrunner's in here!
Rich: Yar!
It was now or never. Roadrunner took a deep breath and jumped out the window. While hardly a graceful landing, Roadrunner landed without injury.
Mark: Now let's go!
They ran until they were a safe distance from the castle, then walked the rest of the way to the hospital.

Stardown: they finished with the surgery. They say I'll be as good as new in a few weeks.
Roadrunner: Or you could just take the Super Mushroom you left in your pocket for instant recovery.
Stardown: You got everything back?
Mark: That's right. Thanks to Roadrunner's idea.
He explains what they did. Stardown takes the Super Mushroom and they soon leave the hospital.
Stardown: So, those villains cross out our option of staying at the castle. If you have any idea, let me know.
Mark: Renting is always an option.
Stardown: That is true. Thanks to the base suddenly disappearing, we've lost all our things, So this is a fresh start. I'll miss those lab projects. :(
Roadrunner: From what I've heard, rent is super cheap around here. We could make something work.
Stardown: I'll start looking up places.
Mark: I really like this town. It has a nice vibe to it.
Roadrunner: Mhm.
Stardown: This place looks nice.
The others look up.
Stardown: Three bed, 1½ bath. Pretty cheap, too.
They look at the pictures provided.
Mark: Looks really nice.
Roadrunner: Wanna set up an appointment to check it out?
Stardown: Yeah. I'll do that now.
He dials the listed number. After talking for a couple minutes, he hangs up.
Stardown: Three hours. That'll give us enough time to explore the town a bit and familiarize ourselves with it.

The three hours they spend getting used to the town brings them results. There are plenty of Hero Shops and Hero Wares, and not a few shops and restaurants. Additionally, it was not far from Rogueport, and a walk to Stardown's castle would take less than an hour. When the three hours were up, they went to look at the house, and found it had everything they currently needed. They agreed to rent it, and soon they were settled in.
As Mark and Roadrunner began making dinner, Stardown flopped on the bed with his tablet. Opening the email app, he started to compose a letter to Sonic. Sonic was Stardown's best non-Plit friend, and he wanted to bring him up to speed on what had happened over the past couple of days.
He told Sonic about Super Koopa, the Gerbilian subs, Thundra, the Stardown X Amy gossip, the Cat 5, their knowledge of the tunnel, the GPS, double captivity with the minor villains, the Shmouse guards, Stardown's thoughts to quit being a hero, Hooded Jaw's legal papers, the base vanishing, the villains in the castle, Stardown's injury, and the rental home. He concluded by saying this all happened since Sonic left, and that he'll make do with what he has.
Stardown had just finished the email when Mark announced that supper was ready.
The rest of the evening was a blur of roast beef, Space Gators, Shmouse guards, teleporters, and GPSs Finally, bedtime came, where Stardown lay awake for a while. Where was the base? Was this a dream? Finally, he drifted off to sleep…

???: What up Stardown dude?! How's your day been?! Doin' anything cool lately?!
Stardown: Wh… Wha…?
???: Hmm?!
Stardown: Who are you?
???: I'm your boy, Dreamer!! I forgot to scare you last night, so that's what I'm here for!!
Stardown: And the night before that.
???: Oh yeah!! :\ Thunder Pants, do your stuff!!
Thundra materializes.
???: This is gonna be so much fun!!
Thundra activates his fear eyes.
???: Enjoy!!

A few minutes later, Stardown wakes up in fear.
The house was dark and the others were most likely asleep.
At least Stardown didn't scream.
He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep after that, so he reached for his phone.
No reply yet. He decided to play Candy Crush.
He was playing Level 984 when someone called.
Stardown answered it.
???: Stardown…
Stardown: Yes? Who is this?
???: SMG4. Or at least his character. Listen, my creations have turned against me, and they're wreaking havoc in any way they can. I've heard good things about you as a superhero, so please, help me.
Stardown: I'm on my way. What's your location?
SMG4: Australia.
He tells him his exact location.
After hanging up a moment later, Stardown leaves a note for hs friends, grabs his suit, and heads out the door.
Then Stardown realized, he has no way of going from Plit to Earth!
He considered a shuttle, but wasn't sure if that would be too much.
He got out his phone and looked up prices.
They actually were reasonable.
After booking a flight, he left for the shuttleport.
He quickly recovered from the dream he had and soon boarded the shuttle.

An hour later, he arrived.
This was his first time in Australia. He hadn't traveled to Earth as much as he wanted, so this was a good start, even though it was purely for a mission.
Minutes later, he met SMG4.
SMG4: I need to find my human self. He vanished shortly before the others turned against me.
Stardown: The two events are probably connected.
SMG4: That's what I'm thinking. Maybe they somehow kidnapped him.
Stardown: That sounds likely.
SMG4: I thought he had complete control over us. Unless this is part of his latest plot, I don't understand what's happening.
Stardown: Have you seen any of them lately?
SMG4: Yeah. they were busy vandalizing my house earlier today. That's why it looks so bad.
Stardown: Are they still there?
SMG4: They left when I noticed them, but they could be hiding nearby.
Stardown: Then we'll take a look around the area.
Stardown began searching the property. There was plenty of overgrown vegetation which would be perfect for hiding.
He began searching through the planets.
He knew this was a risky move, but it was a risk he had to take. After a full scan of the property, he found no one.
Stardown: They can't have gone far.
SMG4: It happened a few hours ago.
Stardown: Then where could they have gone?
SMG4: I don't know. They probably have a base nearby.
Stardown: Then let's investigate.
Stardown flies over the streets, looking for a possible hideout.
A few minutes later, he finally spots one.
It was what looked like an abandoned shed at the side
It was a suspicious-looking shed at the side of the road. He flew down to take a look. As quietly as he could, he creeped up to the window at the side of the shed and peeked inside. There was no one. He then walked over to the front door and opened it. After looking around for a minute, he found no signs that anyone had stayed there recently. After leaving, he activated his jetpack and continued searching. After several minutes of flying around, he quickly realized his inefficient this method was. It seemed as though they never existed. It was all very confusing. What happened to the characters to make them do this? Stardown flew back to SMG4 to think of a new plan.
Stardown: Perhaps we could hide and hope they come out to continue their vandalization so we can capture them.
SMG4: That might work if you have something efficient enough to capture them. There's a number of them.
Stardown: I'll think of something. Don't worry.
Stardown decides to head to the nearby Hero Shop. He buys a tranquilizer and returns to SMG4.
Stardown: These things are really effective.
He finds a bush to hide behind
A moment later, he hears movements coming from near him.
He sees a strange creature pop up.
???: What-up-guys? Let's-vandalize-this-dump!
Stardown readies his tranquilizer.
Several others pop up with paint ball launchers and spray cans.
???: This'll be so much fun! My dad will be so proud!
Stardown fires at the nearest vandal.
The dart hit the one who first spoke; some sort of trash creature.
Trash Creature: Oh-my-gosh-I-have-been-hit-call-9-1-1-yawn-I-am-getting-sleepy!
Stardown fires at the next vandal.
The dart hit some sort of green potato.
Green Potato: Ow! Somebody shot me! Dad, someone's being mean to me! Dad?
Stardown fires like mad at the other vandals.
He managed to hit Wario and Peach, but the rest got away.
Stardown: Now what?
SMG4: That trash guy, Bob's his name, led the vandalization crew. Glad you got him.
Stardown: How do we change them back?
SMG4: I'm sure my human version can do something; if only we can find him…
The characters begin to wake up.
Bob: Where-am-I-I-need-answers-give-me-answers!
Stardown: You must have been brainwashed.
Bob: Brainwashed-what-do-you-mean-brainwashed-I-was-never-brainwashed!
SMG4: Don't worry about it.
Bob: Don't-worry-I-have-to-worry-people-are-making-up-lies-about-me!
SMG4: Never mind. I can tell you what happened.
Bob: Good-tell-me-then!
He does.
Bob: Lies-all-of-it!
Green Potato: Hey, um, where am I?
SMG4: Safe with me.
Green Potato: No! I'm not safe! You're a meany!
Stardown looks at SMG4.
SMG4: It ain't called brainwash for nothing.
Stardown: They're still brainwashed?
SMG4: Yep.
Green Potato: I wanna go home!
SMG4: Not until you recover, Fishy Boopkins.
Stardown: There's got to be a way we can change them back.
SMG4: Bob, what do you know about the human SMG4's location?
Bob: Nothing-that-kind-of-stuff-is-kept-secret-from-me
SMG4: And who keeps it from you?
Bob: What-is-this-an-interrogation-or-something?
Stardown: Do we have an anti-brainwash thingy?
SMG4: Not offhand :/ That's why we need my human self. He can reprogram these guys.
Fishy: Reprogram us? I don't like the sounds of that.
SMG4: Of course you wouldn't. Now that we've captured a decent portion of their gang, I doubt they'll go with the obvious approach that they've been doing. Wait. I just thought of something.
Stardown: And what's that?
SMG4: We're right now in the fantasy Australia. If we can find a way to travel through parallel universes, we could go to the real world Australia to track down my human self.
Stardown: Brilliant. And since this is the fantast Australia, I'm sure they have a Hero Shop or two…
He takes out his phone and checks.
Stardown: Yep. Several locations. I'm sure they'll have what we need…
After a twenty minute walk, they reach the nearest Hero Shop. Stardown walks up to a store employee and asks about parallel universe transporters.
Employee: Aisle six.
Stardown: Thanks.
They head over.
Stardown: These really aren't much. It'll probably be best if we each get a pocket one.
They leave after purchasing the transporters.
SMG4: Let's do this…

Meanwhile…
??? (Shroomy): What's holding them? They were supposed to he here fifteen minutes ago!
??? (Meggy): I don't know. They better not be counting daisies while we're doing all the work.
Shroomy: Yeah, and they were so close to getting a promotion.
Bob: I-heard-that!
Shroomy: Our plan for world destruction is almost complete! All we need now is the mind of SMG4!
Meggy: Yes. A mind that crazy will be more than enough to power our invention.
Shroomy: Now the hard part is finding him!
Meggy: No. That won't be as tricky as we think…

Stardown: We're here.
SMG4: Got his, or my address right here. Isn't that far.
After a short walk, they reach the house. SMG4 rings the doorbell. After waiting a minute, he rings again. Nothing. They walk over to the back to see if he was in the yard. Much to their dismay, he wasn't.
Stardown: Looks like he's kidnapped.
SMG4: He might just be running errands.
Stardown: I hope so.
SMG4: Oh no.
Stardown: What is it?
SMG4: I left those freaks unattended at my place. Who knows what trouble they'll get into.
Stardown: You wanna go back?
SMG4: We better.
Stardown reached into his pocket.
Stardown: My transporter's gone! :O
SMG4: Same here! Who took them? >:(
Bob: I-did-losers-LOL-LOL-LOL-LOL-LOL!
SMG4: -\_-
Stardown: How did you get here?
Bob: I-should-ask-you-the-same!
SMG4: You clearly know.
Bob: Do-I-now?
Stardown: Stop playing dumb and give us back our transporters.
Bob: Why-should-I?
Stardown: Because I still have my trank. I also have a shiny new penny.
Bob: Here-take-them-take-them!
SMG4: Well that turned out well…
Stardown: I knew he couldn't resist it.
SMG4: If he got here, the others may be around as well.
Meggy: Of course we are, silly! :P
SMG4: Meggy! You're in this too?
Meggy: Of course. Who did you expect? Waluigi?
SMG4: Actually, I–
Waluigi: I'm here! I'm here!
Meggy: -\_-
SMG4: Okay, so what made you snap?
Meggy: Nothing.
SMG4: Oh really?
Meggy: What are you up to?
SMG4: I'm asking a simple question.
Meggy: And I gave a simple answer.
SMG4: But not the right answer.
Meggy: So you're essentially quizzing me?
SMG4: No, but I know when one of my characters is lying.
Meggy: That's just creepy.
SMG4: Well, I did come up with you.
Bob: Wow-this-penny-is-so-cool!
Stardown: -\_-
Meggy: So what kind of answer are you trying to pry out of me?
SMG4: The right answer.
Meggy: Well… I don't have to tell you. Ciao!
Stardown: No! Wait!
But it was too late. Meggy and the rest had vanished.
SMG4: They lost likely teleported back to the other universe. Let's go!

After teleporting to the fantasy universe, the two headed over to SMG4's driveway to plan.
SMG4: So thanks to my stupidity, the full gang's together again. We need to find my human self ASAP, as we're running late on producing the next episode.
Stardown: We'll find him. Don't worry. Top priority now is to capture Meggy as she's clearly hiding something.
SMG4: Mhm. Her confidence is worrisome though. It's like we're falling right into her plan.
Stardown: I know what you mean. We need to stay one step ahead of here, except we barely know anything about this and she seems to know everything.
SMG4: If only I didn't let those guys escape…
Stardown: They'll most likely pop up again, only this time more prepared.
SMG4: We need to–
Fishy Boopkins: Hey, guys! I was just wondering if you could do me a favor.
SMG4: Wait–
Fishy Boopkins: Could you–
Stardown fired his trank at him.
Stardown: That's one of them back.
Bob: Yeah-what-was-that-for-he-didn't-do-anything-wrong!
Stardown tranked him as well.
SMG4: Bob is the one I really wanted. He seemed to have known something.
Stardown: Don't see anyone else, but let's be careful in case this is a trap.
They bring Fishy and Bob inside and tie them up.
SMG4: Now to wait 'till they wake up.
Five minutes later, they do.
Fishy Boopkins: Wait, what happened?
SMG4: We have some questions for you.
Fishy Boopkins: Question? Okay, but why am I tied up?
SMG4: Take a guess.
Fishy Boopkins: Um, um… I don't know. Why am I tied up?
SMG4: For your vandalization, which you will repair.
Fishy Boopkins: Is that what all that was outside?
SMG4: You act like you don't know
Stardown: Maybe he doesn't. Maybe it wore off.
Fishy Boopkins: What wore off?
Stardown: We think you and Bob were brainwashed.
Bob: I-was-not-brainwashed!
Fishy Boopkins: I don't remember being brainwashed.
Bob: That's-because-we-weren't!
SMG4: You clearly don't remember, Bob.
Bob: You're-clearly-ignorant!
SMG4: When was the last time you saw Meggy?
Bob: At-some-gun-store-buying-more-Splatoon-crap!
Stardown: Yeah, it's worn off.
Bob: I-keep-telling-you…
SMG4: Now that it's worn off for these two, maybe it has for the others as well.
Stardown: I sure hope so.
SMG4 pulled out his phone.
SMG4: Calling Meggy to see if she'll answer… Nope. Answering maching.
Stardown: Maybe one of the others?
SMG4: I'll try Mario next… Nope.
He calls several more members, but with the same result.
SMG4: One of them would have answered.
???: It's-a-me! Mario!
SMG4: ???
Mario: Hello, Glitchy! I'mma go kick your butt…
SMG4: What the heck?! It isn't even that time of year yet!
Mario: Mario doesn't-a care!
SMG4: Obviously…
Stardown: He must still be brainwashed.
Mario: A-what?
Stardown: You wouldn't understand…
Mario: A-tell me!
Stardown: You were brainwashed. We don't know how, but it's obvious.
Mario: Mario wasn't-a brainwashed.
Stardown: That's why I said you wouldn't understand.
Mario: Mario will-a call in the whole-a gang to kick-a your butts!
He presses a button on a remote he held that teleported the entire SMG4 cast into the room.
Meggy: What the heck?! I told you not to press that button.
Mario: But Mario likes-a pressing buttons!
Shroomy: Let's get outta here!
Stardown: Not so fast.
He drew his gun and rapidly tranked everyone, then tied them up.
After waiting several minutes, they woke up.
Meggy: W-Wh-What happened?
SMG4: That's what I want to know.
Meggy: Hey! And why am I tied up?
SMG4: For being a little league gang leader.
Meggy: I'm sorry?
Stardown: Looks like it wore off for them too.
Meggy: What wore off?
Stardown explained.
Meggy: That's strange. I wonder what started this all.
SMG4: Now the question is–
His phone rang.
SMG4: Hello… We're been looking all over for you… I didn't receive it… Okay then. I'll see you there. Bye.
Stardown: Your human self?
SMG4: That's right. He apparently sent me a message thirty minutes ago saying where we were filming and to meet him there, and I never received it. Stupid phone. -\_-
Stardown: That's strange.
SMG4: I have to go now, but thank you very much for your help.
Stardown: Any time. If ever you need he again, hit me up.
SMG4: I will. See you!

After waving goodbye, Stardown headed back to his house to find Mark and Roadrunner still asleep; completely unaware as to what happened.
Stardown had to try to get some sleep, as it was 4am. He had been up for four hours. He secretly hoped that he would not have any more adventures for the rest of the day. He tried to get some rest.
Dreamer: Psst! Hey!
Stardown: Please, no.
Dreamer: You wanna get scared again?
Stardown: Of course not! What did you expect me to say?
Dreamer: Calm down. I was just asking a question.
Stardown: Get out of my head…
He woke up and looked at the clock.
It was 4:30. No way was he going to sleep again.
So he finally pulled out his phone and played some Candy Crush.
He never did finish that level…
He was on his device for the next five hours.
Once he finished, he quickly realized how tired he was.
He plopped back on the pillow and was soon passed out. Again.
Dreamer: Heeeeeeey!
Stardown: Get the heck out of my head! >:(
Dreamer: Nooooo thaaaaanks!!!
Stardown: Why are you even doing this?
Dreamer: Thundra is supposed to scare you to death every single night until you defeat Thundra... or until you die, whichever comes first.
Stardown: Then why is he doing this? Why me? And why are you in on this?
Dreamer: Oh, Brian's in on it too... Bet you can't guess where he iiiiissss…
Stardown: But he was also one of your victims!
Dreamer: Yup! 👌
Stardown: You made it sound like he was working with you. So what's the whole point of this again?
Dreamer: Nightmare fuel. Have you forgotten already?
Stardown: I guess.
Dreamer: Oooooh Thuuuuuundraaaaaaa~ 🎵
Thundra materialized in front of him.
Stardown: Too bad for you, I still have my lightsaber in the dream world!
Dreamer: On second thought...

Stardown wakes up.
He looked at the clock; it was 10:00 AM.
He was sure the others were awake, so he got up as well.
There were no villain threats for nearly two weeks.
Stardown had enjoyed the break, though he still wondered where the Guardians were.
He was wondering if Dreamer knew something about their location, as he sounded like he did.
Stardown had Thundra dreams every single night during this time, and he wasn't getting much sleep. It was surprising his friends hadn't noticed it yet.
Except for the dreams, Stardown was enjoying his new way of living. It was slower paced and he felt safer, knowing he wasn't in constant danger.
But that was about to change…
This day began like any other. After making his bed, Stardown joined the others for breakfast.
Roadrunner: So... where to today?
Stardown: I've heard good things about that park across town. What was its name...?
Mark: Sundew Park.
Stardown: That's the one. Why don't we go there?
Roadrunner: Sure!
After a forty minute walk, they arrived.
Mark: This really is a nice park.
Stardown: Mhm.
They begin to walk its trails.
Roadrunner: Not many people today.
Stardown: I guess we have it all to ourselves today, then?
Roadrunner: I guess so.
They enjoy the walk for a while.
When it is about time to leave the park, Stardown sees what looks like a familiar sight.
Stardown: Are those...?
The others turn to what he saw.
They see three Guardian soldiers in the distance.
Mark: I think they are…
Roadrunner: Should we meet them?
Stardown: Absolutely!
Stardown and his friends head over to meet the soldiers.
Soldier 1: You survived!
Stardown: I know! How the disappearing base left us behind is beyond me.
Soldier 2: I don't think many of the others made it. There might be some here and there though.
Mark: Any clue where the headquarters is?
Soldier 2: Nope. :/
Stardown: Then... were you left behind, too? Because I didn't see anyone else around when the base disappeared. Well, no one besides Mark and Roadrunner.
Soldier 3: Well, we're right here. :P
Stardown: Well, maybe you left before we regained consciousness.
Soldier 1: Must have. We didn't see you or anyone else.
Stardown: That's okay. At least we're together now.
Soldier 1: We found a Guardian transportation van that was left behind. That's what we've been using to get around.
Stardown: We had found a hangar that was left behind, but we can't get in. Our weapons are missing as well.
Soldier 1: Want us to drive you over?
Stardown: Sure.
They head over to the van nearby
Soldier 1: You first. \*covers smile like mah boi\*
Stardown enters first, then Roadrunner, then Mark.
The door slams shut and the van starts automatically driving.
Soldier 1: Report: The three Guardians fell for it. They are on their way in the van and will be there shortly. Over.
Stardown's blood went cold.
Roadrunner: This isn't part of the plan, is it?!
Mark: Nope. We fell right into a trap.
Roadrunner tries everything he can to break out.
Roadrunner: Aaarg! Fiends! Cowards! Who would use Guardian soldiers to kidnap Guardians?
Mark: The Congregation…
The soldiers weren't present, which only added to Roadrunner's fury.
Stardown: There's nothing we can do right now.
After ten minutes, the van began slowing down.
Stardown: I think we've arrived.
The van finally stopped. After several minutes of nothing, the doors slowly opened. A couple soldiers stood outside.
Soldier: Move.
They were escorted out of the van into a parking garage.
Roadrunner: We're done for…
They were escorted to a door which one of the guards opened.
Guard: In.
They were roughly pushed into the room.
Guard: Forward.
They headed through the room and into a hall in front of them.
They were escorted down the hall until they came to a door.
Guard: In.
Suddenly, Roadrunner made a dash for it down the hall. The guards shoved past the others after Roadrunner, but were no match for his speed.
Stardown: That's probably not smart…
Roadrunner: You can't catch me!
The guards tried to trank him.
He dodged one but was hit by another.
Mark: Yeah…
The guards carry him back.
Guard: In.
They were led into a fairly large room. Before them was a desk with an all too familiar person.
Satou: Thank you. You two are dismissed.
Stardown: What do you want with us?!
Satou: As you may know, your home, which I know as the Guardian Headquarters, mysteriously vanished, along with the entire army. Apparently you three were the only survivors, as you were detected by my Robans, whom were sent out to search for anyone who might have been left behind. Namely, you.
Stardown: But that doesn't explain why you want us captive.
Satou: I want all the Guardians captive! You three were just the simple ones for me to collect.
Stardown: And why do you want them captive? What have they done to you?
Satou: Did you not know? I am the voice of the anger and hatred of your other enemies. I united them. We are the Congregation.
Stardown: And why did you do that?
Satou: We all have one mutual goal. And that goal is you, Stardown.
Stardown: Me?
Satou: Of course! The underworld hates you. I have collected them together to fight against you and your so-called peace protectors.
He stands up.
Satou: Say... Call me crazy, but I have a feeling Stardown is not your real name. So what is?
Stardown: …
Satou: Oh, so you'll let me boil in a vat of my own curiosity? Very well.
He turns to Mark.
Satou: You then... what is the secret of your sword?
Mark: What is the secret of your hatred?
Satou: If you don't mind, I'm asking the questions here?
Mark: Welp, you're out of luck, cuz I'm not answering.
Satou: You will once you whittle off some of your precious life in a prison.
He signals for some guards to come and take them away.
Mark leaps at one of the guards and snatches his blaster.
Satou fires something out of his cybernetic hand that renders the blaster useless.
Mark: -\_-
Satou: Now you see why resistance is useless.
He summons a few more guards.
Roadrunner: Try to stop ME!
He dashes around the room in a blur.
The guards try to trank him again.
Roadrunner: Is that all?! Laaaaame!
Satou: You two, take Stardown and Mark away. The rest of the guards and I will deal with this bird.
Guard: Roger!
Roadrunner: You'll need more then that. A lot more!
Satou: Where is your weapon?
Roadrunner: Do I need one, slow poke?
Satou: Hold still!
He tries to blast Roadrunner with his hand.
Roadrunner: Like I'd do that?
The guards also blast at Roadrunner.
Satou: You will tire out eventually.
Roadrunner: Not before you do!!
Satou: Pride is the downfall of many great warriors.
Roadrunner: But not me!
Roadrunner is able to dodge more lasers for a little while, but he starts to tire.
Roadrunner: It's been fun playing with you, but I have to go.
He darts out the room.
Satou: After him!
He soon catches up with Stardown and Mark's captors.
They begin firing at him.
Guard: Summon more guards!
Roadrunner: I pity you. C'mon, let's get outta here!
Guard Captain: There's nowhere to run, you know.
Roadrunner: You wish.
He leaps at the guards restraining his friends.
He manages to tackle the two guards, but four more run at him.
Roadrunner: The more the merrier!
They fire tranks at him.
Roadrunner: That is like, sooooo lame!
Guard Captain: I think not.
More guards arrive on the other side of the hall.
Roadrunner: You're just a bunch of dull witted hunks of humanoid metal. What is there to fear?
Guard Captain: Fear itself - a trait we possess.
Roadrunner: Must be a small quantity, cuz I don't notice it!
Guard Captain: You will. All units, eject tranquilizing gas!
Roadrunner: That's my cue to leave. Let's go!
Stardown and Mark run after Roadrunner.
Guard Captain: Like I said, there's nowhere to run.
A few Robans teleport in front of them.
Roadrunner: Hi guys!
He smashes through them
Guard Captain: I would dare say it's a good thing Sonic the Hedgehog is not with them... AFTER THEM!
Robans: Eradicate the prisoners!
Roadrunner: Ho ho! Did Satou tell you to murder us? No?
Guard Captain: These are tranquilizing lasers.
Roadrunner: Then why did you say to eradicate us, oh confused one? I don't have time to talk, though. Sorry!
Roadrunner disappeared around the corner with his friends.
There was an exit in front of them.
Roadrunner: This way!
He opens the door.
They were back in the parking garage. Over a dozen Roban were hot on their heels.
Stardown: Maybe one of these vehicles will be our ticket out of here!
They found a nice looking SUV, but getting the door open and starting it was their problem. Tranks were flying all around them.
Roadrunner was finally able to start it. He backed out of the spot, and drove down the aisle.
Roadrunner: Good thing tranks don't work on metal!... Right?
Stardown: Yep.
Mark: Could I drive? :/
Roadrunner: I'm only just gettin' started!
Stardown: Uh-oh... Security checkpoint up ahead.
Roadrunner: Who cares?
Mark: You're not going to...?
They crash through the security gate and drive out of the parking garage.
Roadrunner: Freedom!
The van was sliced by laser after laser.
Roadrunner: Hang on!
He greatly picked up speed.
Mark: Here we go…
They reach 80 mph.
They hear sirens.
They look behind them.
Mark: The police. Better slow down. We can explain.
Roadrunner slows down.
The police car pulls up next to them.
The officer walks up to their window.
Roadrunner roles it down and explains the situation.
Police Officer: So... the Congregation are the same guys who took over your base a while back?
Roadrunner: That's right.
Police Officer: Hmm... yes. We'll do everything we can to stop them. Were you able to find out what caused the Guardian Headquarters to vanish?
Roadrunner: No, sadly. The fiends behind it will pay, though!
Police Officer: I'm sure they will.
Soon, the three are on their way.
Roadrunner: Is it safe to go back to the house?
Stardown: ...I think so.

They soon arrive.
Stardown: Well, that was enough excitement to last me a couple of weeks.
Mark: Mhm.
Stardown: If only there was a way for us to get our base back.
Mark: I'm sure there is. We just need to find it. If there is a way to find it.
Stardown checks his phone.
There was a reply from Sonic.
Stardown read the reply.
Reply: Stardown,
Sorry I haven't written back in about two weeks - Eggman's been making the hunt for the Chaos Emeralds harder than I thought he would.
I'm real sorry to hear your base vanished. Sure sounds like the work of the minor villains. It must have been mondo ugly. I'm glad you're making out okay.
This Cat 5 group sounds like it's no joke. Stay away from them if you can. And this rumor they're spreading - Amy says it's false. Even I have to agree on that.
How they managed to sneak a GPS gone bad into your hangar is beyond me, but Tails might be able to fix it next time we pop over - which might be a couple months. Our schedule's been kinda busy.
So sorry to hear about your fall. Hopefully the surgery recovery is going well, and you drove the villains out of the castle.
You said you saw Shmouse guards while in minor villain captivity? That's mondo bad. Hopefully they're not making too much noise, and if they do, the Jaywalkers will take care of them.
I leave you with these final words, Stardown: don't give up just because the going gets tough. Just keep on doing what you're doing and don't give up. Who knows - the world may once again need your heroics.
Keep on juicin',
Sonic the Hedgehog.
Stardown, having been encouraged by these worlds, gets up to join his friends for supper.
The rest of the evening went uneventfully.

He was soon in bed trying to sleep. As he was dozing, he heard an all-too-familiar voice.
Dreamer: Well, well. Trying to go to sleep, are you?
Stardown: For the gazillionth time, yes! Will you leave me alone? Please?!
Dreamer: I'm sorry, but I can't do that. Thundra?
Stardown: This is seriously getting old.
He draws his lightsaber in the dream.
Stardown: It always ends with you fleeing when I draw this.
Dreamer: But not this time!
Stardown: Oh?
Dreamer: That lightsaber you hold is a sham. I dare you to hit me with it.
Stardown: Bu–
Dreamer: Just do it.
Stardown swings it and it goes right through.
Dreamer: See?
Dreamer: Now prepare to meet your doom!
Stardown: But if my lightsaber is fake, aren't I as a human here fake as well?
Dreamer: Yes. But you represent the mind, and that's what we're after. Do your stuff!

Stardown wakes up; frozen in fear. He slowly turned his head to the left. A large purple figure stood beside his bed.
Dreamer: Why hello again!
Stardown: What the heck has happened to you?!
Dreamer: Nothing. This is simply my physical form.
Stardown: And why are you here?
Dreamer: To scare you further!
Roadrunner: It's the end of the world!!!
Dreamer: Thundra's busy scaring the others.
Stardown: Why us?! Why now?!
Dreamer: Because.
Stardown: Because what?
Dreamer: Because.
Stardown: You know that isn't helping, right?
Dreamer: Of course.
Stardown: -\_-
Dreamer: Now close your eyes…
Stardown: You know I won't.
Dreamer: You'll wish you did.
Stardown grudgingly closed them.
Dreamer: Okay… and… open!
Stardown: What? What did you–
There was a large spider on his stomach.
Stardown: …
Dreamer: What are you gonna call it?
Stardown: Get it off me.
Dreamer: You're able-bodied. I'm sure you can.
Stardown: Just… do it.
Dreamer: What's the magic word?
Stardown: Get the freaking thing off me!
Dreamer: Have a nice night.
Stardown: -\_-
Despite the spider, Stardown instantly fell asleep.
Dreamer: Okay, let's continue our fun here. In order for me to take the spider off you, you have to fight it in this dream world.
Stardown: You know I can just flick it off…
Dreamer: It isn't an ordinary spider. And neither is this one.
Stardown: How so?
Dreamer: It'll be obvious!
Stardown: I'm just gonna wake myself up now.
Dreamer: You can't.
Stardown: Sigh.
Dreamer: Anyway, have fun! It's behind you by the way.
He turned around and saw the spider which was several times larger than him.
Stardown: Oh joy…
Dreamer: oh yeah, and since your lightsaber is fake, you're out of luck. Too bad, so sad!
Stardown: Why can't I live a normal life like everyone else? Why must things be like this?
Dreamer: Because you're Stardown.
Stardown: And that means?
Dreamer: It means what it means.
He vanished. What did Dreamer mean? Stardown was alone with the spider.
Stardown: This isn't fair.
Spider: Of course it isn't.
Stardown: Huh?
Spider: What's huh?
Stardown: You're speaking!
Spider: And?
Stardown: Spiders can't talk.
Spider: Says who?
Stardown: Says logic.
Spider: Who's logic?
Stardown: I don't have time for this. Dreamer, get me out of here… Dreamer? Sigh.
Spider: You have to fight me, remember?
Stardown: -\_-
Spider: And I'm unstoppable.
Stardown: Of course you are. All large and weird villains are.
Spider: Did you just call me a…
Stardown: Yes?
Spider: I am offended.
Stardown: So?
Spider: I need to go to my safe room.
Stardown: Giant spiders have safe rooms?

After the spider left, he woke up. The spider on his stomach was gone as well.
Stardown: Finally.
Roadrunner: Someone get a shotgun!
Stardown: Wah??
He had forgotten about Thundra.
Roadrunner: Fiend!
Stardown: What's going on?
Roadrunner: Thundra's loose in the house! He could be anywhere!
Mark: Frankly, I've had it with this planet.
Roadrunner: Same. I want out.
Stardown: I'm starting to think the same way. This has gone on long enough. Any ideas where we should move?
Mark: Earth or Amethyst I'd say.
Roadrunner: I second that.
Stardown: I'm with you guys. Amethyst is right next to us, so why don't we go there?
The others agree, and Stardown contacts the landlord about their moving. They were very restless and felt that a visit to Amethyst would do them good. Stardown booked shuttle flights for them and they soon headed to the airport.
Stardown: Haven't been there much, so this will be fun.
Mark: Mhm.
They boarded the shuttle which took off at 2:00am.
Roadrunner: Hopefully we stay out of trouble this time.
Stardown: Yeah. We've had enough of that for a few lifetimes.
Mark: You can say that again.

The several hour flight went uneventfully. They soon landed and left the shuttle.
Stardown: I forgot how different the air was here. So much cleaner.
Mark: Mhm.
They were in the country of East Edai, the same country where the Nova had crashed. They soon summoned a taxi and headed for their hotel. Stardown hoped Dreamer would leave him alone this time. He needed all the sleep he could get. The taxi parked and they headed inside. After getting their key, they headed to their room.
Mark: Amethyst has some of the biggest bedbugs around.
Roadrunner: Not now! :O
Stardown: This place looks clean and has a good rating, so I wouldn't worry.
It didn't take long for them to fall asleep, and Stardown didn't have any Dreamer dreams that night, much to his relief.

The night went uneventfully and the light of dawn woke them.
Roadrunner: Shoulda closed those curtains.
Mark: I even told you to.
Stardown: So where should we go today?
Mark: To hell, sucker
Mark: We need to find a place to rent.
Mark: Wait, what? How did he get out of the dream world?
Stardown: I wish I knew!
Roadrunner: Where did he go?!
Mark: I think he went into the other room!
Roadrunner: Which other room?
Mark: The kitchen!
They heard clanking as Thundra rummaged through the fridge.
It wasn't until then that Stardown realized that his eyes were stinging.
Roadrunner: What's he doing?
Stardown: Midnight snack?
Thundra: Of course not.
Stardown: Then… how did you escape the dream world?
Thundra: Through your eyes.
Stardown: So that's why they sting.
Thundra: Precisely why.
He pulls a container of hot sauce out of the fridge.
Stardown: Uh… What's with the hot sauce?
He points the tip at Stardown.
Stardown covers his mouth to avoid consuming it.
Stardown: Don't make me laugh.
Thundra squeezed the bottle and sprayed Stardown with hot sauce. Stardown attempted to laugh but couldn't. He couldn't do or move anything.
Mark: Stardown!
Roadrunner: But hot sauce can't do that!
Mark: I don't think this is any old kind.
Roadrunner draws his lightsaber.
Thundra sprayed the hot sauce in his direction.
Roadrunner dodges it as Mark draws his sword.
Roadrunner: Any more weird food in there?
Thundra grabs some apples.
Mark: Looks like it.
Thundra began throwing the apples which exploded on contact.
Mark: Get Stardown and run!
Roadrunner does just that and they rush for the door.
Mark briefly looks behind him.
Thundra was heading for them with more of his food.
Roadrunner: We'll never make it!
Thundra: That is correct.
Mark: He'll run out of food eventually.
He tries to turn the doorknob but finds it locked.
Roadrunner chops it down.
He struggled to carry Stardown out of the room. Mark helped him.
Roadrunner: Where can we find help?
Mark: Uh, do you have your phone?
Roadrunner: Yup! Right here!
He phones 911 as Mark guards them.
Operator: 911; what is your emergency?
Roadrunner: Hello, there's a ghost attacking us with weaponized food.
Operator: We have your location, and we'll send officers over immediately.
Roadrunner: Thank you so much.
Mark: Looks like he's running our of food.
Roadrunner: I'd like to know how it got here.
Mark: That's what I'd like to know, too.
They headed for the door as fast as they could go, dodging food in the process.
Roadrunner threw open the door, and they headed out. Then he slammed the door.
Roadrunner: That was close…
Mark: Very.
Soon, several police cars arrive.
Mark: The ghost is in there.
He police to the house.
The officer gave a confused glance at the others before opening the door.
Thundra was still there.
Officer 1: What the–
Thundra was hurling food at them.
Thundra: Eat your greens…
Officer: Aiiyee!
Officer 2: Is this some sort of joke?
Officer 3: Apparently not.
They drew tranks and fired them.
Thundra absorbed them. Dreamer appeared.
Dreamer: Why hello there! HAving fun?
Officer 1: Who are you?
Dreamer: That won't matter. Thundra, finish them.
Thundra begins charging a powerful attack.
Officer 1: Get out!
The officers move out as Thundra sweeps a beam around.
Thundra: My powers are diminishing. I cannot survive for long in the world of the awake…
Dreamer: I don't care! Just get them!
Thundra: I can't…
He fades.
Dreamer: Curses!
He disappears as well.
Mark: What happened?
Roadrunner: They're gone!
Roadrunner: I have no idea…
The officers were breathing heavily.
Officer 1: The ghost disappeared, along with some other guy.
Officer 2: We'll keep a watch on the house in case they return.
Stardown began waking up.
Mark: He's waking up.
Stardown mumbled things no one could decipher.
Mark thought he heard the word "Kervo", but shrugged it off.
After another minute, he was fully awake.
Mark: Are you all right?
Stardown: I… I think so.
Roadrunner: Good. We can't stay in that house. It's haunted!
Stardown: Tell me about it.
Mark: We need to stay somewhere.
Stardown: We can't afford a hotel for long, so I'm not sure choosing that would be wise.
Roadrunner: So… It's hopeless?
Stardown: It can't be. There must be something.
They hear the distant sound of a ship.
Mark: Is that…?
The craft gets closer.
Roadrunner: It is?
Indeed, the Medallion lands nearby. It appears battered.
Stardown: Be careful in case there are hostile pilots.
The boarding plank descends. They see Hiroshimi at the top.
Stardown: Hiroshimi!
Roadrunner: You're the real one, right?
Hiroshimi: As real as you are!
Stardown can tell he is telling the truth. So he and his friends board the ship. Brian and John are the only other people on board.
Mark: How… How did you escape?
Brian: Believe me, it wasn't easy. We were transported to a different dimension, and placed in prisons. Strangely, Smarties were not used. First opportunity we got, we broke out and located our ship. We had to fight against sentries in order to escape.
Mark: Bu how did you escape the dimension?
Brian: The enemies accidentally left the portal gate open.
Mark: That'll do it.
Stardown: Where are the others?
Hiroshimi: They're still prisoners, I'm afraid.
Stardown: What of the minor villains?
Brian: We haven't seen them since we arrived.
Mark: Cat 5?
Brian: Same.
Mark: Suspicious.
Stardown: I'm sure we'll see them at one point or another.
Roadrunner: Is there any way we can go back to free the others?
Brian: Unfortunately, I've not been able to find a way back into the dimension.
Roadrunner began to panic.
Mark: We'll find a way in.
Roadrunner: Let's do so, then!
Brian's phone rang.
Brian: Hello?
???: This is Joseph Metacor of Metacor Base on Kamino. There's something imperative I need to show you and your crew.
Brian: We'll be on our way. Where do we meet you?
Joseph: At the base on the Kamino, about 30 miles SSW of Kordak Tower.
Brian: Alright. See you in a few.
He hangs up.
John: How did he know about us if we were captured?
Brian: Maybe he didn't get the memo.
Mark: Hmm… Something doesn't feel right.
Hiroshimi: What do you mean?
Mark: I don't know. I just have that feeling.
Stardown: I know what you mean.
Roadrunner: Let's be careful just in case.
Brian: All right, then. Let's set a course for Kamino.
In a moment, the ship takes off.
Hiroshimi: Even though the ship is slightly battered, it shouldn't affect our performance. We should still be careful anyway.
Stardown heads to his room and finds it unchanged since he last saw it.
Since he knew Kamino was some distance from Plit, he decided to settle in.
He was glad to be back.
He decided to do some Wikia work.
Brian: We're going to run into some turbulence.
A minute and a half later, the craft began shaking slightly.
Mark: Fun. -\_-
A few minutes later, it ends.
Roadrunner: Do you know him or the organization?
Brian: Not personally. I do know he's an old friend of Arnold's.
Roadrunner: I see.

They soon arrive and meet Joseph at the front.
A drone is extending a large umbrella to shield them from the rain.
Roadrunner: This place is amazing.
Joseph: You haven't seen anything yet. This is only the outside!
They extend greetings.
Brian: So what do you have for us?
Joseph: We managed to round up and capture an entire organization that's been menacing the galaxy. Have you heard of the Bounty Hunter Society?
Brian: Yes, actually. How did you do it?
Joseph: One of my contacts overheard them planning to use the Nova as their base. I contacted them, saying that I was holding Stardown prisoner here, and if they wanted to buy him. They jumped at the chance, and came right over. That's when we got them.
Stardown: Why does everyone want me?
Brian: I wish I knew, Stardown…
John: But if you told us the prisoners are captured, then why are we here?
Joseph: Good question. We had a gas leak near the upstairs barracks that's been shorting out our drones.
Brian: Thanks. We'll be glad to take care of it.
Joseph: First, I'll show you the prisoners, then we'll have lunch, then you can get to work on the gas leak.
Hiroshimi: But why would you need to show us the prisoners?
Joseph: Because I'm not sure if one of them is missing?
Brian: Sounds good.
Brian, Stardown, and Hiroshimi put on gas masks.
Hiroshimi: You guys stay put. We don't want anything to happen to you.
They head over to where the leak is. Several drones are maintaining it. A couple lie shorted on the ground.
Stardown: Looks like a hole in this pipe here.
He grabs a wrench and attempts to fix it. However, the pressure is to great to do so.
Stardown: Is there a way to turn this off.
Joseph: Yes. There's a control panel in the administrator room. I've tried it. Unfortunately, it seems to be jammed. I don't know why.
Stardown: I'll take a look. Do we Wait. Do we have access to the room?
Joseph: It's passcode-protected, but I'll open it for you guys anyway.
Stardown: Alright, thanks.
After a moment, Stardown and the others are in the room.
John: It's this button, right?
He accidentally presses the button, and an alarm blares throughout the base.
John: …Oops…
Joseph was annoyed by his actions.
Brian: Sorry about that. He is still young.
Drones fly in and surround the Guardians.
Joseph: It's okay. They're friends.
He disables the alarm.
The drones quickly file out of the room.
Brian tries to pull the lever, but it is stuck.
Brian: This is the only one for it, right?
Joseph: Yes.
Brian pulled out a device.
Brian: Maybe this will help.
He attached it to the lever and pressed a button.
It worked.
John: That was fast!
Brian: De-jamming devices can work wonders.
Joseph: Where have those been all my life?
Brian: It's tech developed back at the base.
Hiroshimi: Wherever it is…
They soon head downstairs and have an easy time fixing the pipe.
Mark: That was easier than I thought.
Roadrunner: Certainly.
Joseph: Now I did say I wanted to show you the prisoners. I have a feeling one of them might be missing.
Brian: Right.
The group follows Brian Joseph into the prison compound.
They head onto the elevator and are soon at the prison.
The BHS members turn to face them.
Brian looked at each one and mentally kept tabs.
Armaul: Long time no see, Guardians.
Brian ignores him and kept scanning.
Brian: One of them is missing.
Zelle: Can you guess who, Einsteins?
Stardown studied hard, then saw who was missing.
Stardown: Dr. Sykk!
Zelle: Correct! Give the man a rubber chicken!
Stardown: Not you too…
Zelle: Whaaaat?
Armaul: So I hear you lost your base.
Brian: Where's Sykk?
Armaul: Not with us, I'm afraid.
Brian: I know that.
Armaul: She wasn't with us when we were captured, either.
Brian: Where is she now?
Frizz: We don't know.
Brian: Why should I believe that?
Armaul: She went on a mission and hasn't returned.
Brian: Hand me your mobile device.
Aero: No can do. Those things were taken from us.
Brian turns to Joseph.
Brian: You have them.
Joseph: Yes. I'll get them.
He leaves.
Brian: OK.
Brian kept a close eye on them.
He could have sworn he saw Frizz flicker.
She didn't act like anything had happened.
Soon Joseph returned.
Brian picks up Armaul's device and texts Sykk asking about her location.
There is no reply.
Brian: Might take a little bit.
Armaul: She rarely replies. Tough luck.
Joseph: I don't think we'll get too many more answers out of them.
Brian: When did you last see her and where?
Zelle: It's a been a few days. We last met at the Rogueport Casino. Bet you can't guess where she is now.
Brian: You know?
Armaul: Nope.
Brian asked a few more questions but couldn't get far.
Brian: Well, I think we should get going.
They head to the ship and soon take off.
Suddenly a hand covered Joseph's mouth. His eyes widened in shock when he saw his captors.
Armaul: Looks like you fell for our ruse. Our holograms were a success.
They drag Joseph into the building.
He tries to access his phone but it was confined.
Zelle: Soon you'll be like the rest of them…

Meanwhile…
Brian: Hiroshimi, Mark, take over the controls. I'll be with you in a minute.
He leaves with John.
Roadrunner: Good to know the BHS are behind bars.
Mark: Certainly is. Let's hope they stay there.
Stardown: Knowing them, they'll probably find their way out of there…
Roadrunner: I sure hope not.
Hiroshimi: Joseph was a really nice guy.
Mark: Mhm.
A few minutes later, Brian and John returned.
Brian was about to say something, but the ship lurched; throwing them to the ground.
John: What's happening?!
Hiroshimi: Some force has caught the ship.
Roadrunner: That means we're stuck?
Hiroshimi: Yep. I can't tell what it is.
Mark: I think it's from a machine maybe.
Brian: Prepare yourselves. We could be boarded.
Everyone located their weapons.
Stardown looks out the window.
Stardown: Don't see anything out there.
Mark: I think it's below us.
Stardown looks down. He doesn't see anything.
Roadrunner checks the opposite window and has the same result.
They can see the ship descending.
Stardown: Wait. I see another ship in the distance.
Mark: Look familiar?
Stardown: No, but it's also trapped. I see what looks like a small building below it.
Roadrunner: Could the building to generating the force field?
Stardown: Probably, yeah.
Hiroshimi: Hopefully it's not our old captors coming to get us.
Brian: Well if there's another ship captured.
Hiroshimi: Good point.
After another minute, the ship stops, but remains in the air.
Brian: Be ready for anything.
They wait. Five minutes later and they still wait.
Mark: We could be here a while.
Roadrunner: I sure hope not!
John: How long are we going to wait?
Hiroshimi: We don't know.
Later still…
Mark: Wonder what's holding them.
Hiroshimi: This could be their plan.
Roadrunner: To hope us here forever?!
Hiroshimi: Probably not.
Stardown: Has anyone tried contacting the other ship?
Hiroshimi: Yeah. No luck.
Mark: Did they jam all communications?
Hiroshimi: I doubt it.
Stardown: I don't think there's really anyone else we can call.
Mark: :/
John: The Jaywalkers!
Brian: Good thinking. How did that not cross our minds?
John: Well, it crossed mine!
Mark: Careful. You're beginning to sound like Roadrunner.
Brian: Right, I'll see if I can call them.
He attempts to do so, but to no avail.
Roadrunner: What about the escape pods?
Hiroshimi: Too far from any planets. I mean, if we're desperate, we could, but we'd be stuck floating in space.
Stardown: We could be stuck for hours.
Mark: I see a couple more trapped ships.
Brian: This must be some serious organization.
Roadrunner: It better not be the minor villains…
Brian: Nope. Not with this kind of tech.
After another minute, the ship resumes its descending.
Brian: Once again, be ready for anything.
Stardown: The other ships are descending too.
Mark: Who could be behind this?
Roadrunner: Whoever it is better free us at once!
John: Yeah!
After a couple more minutes, they settle on the building.
Stardown: This is it…
John was visibly shaking despite trying to act brave.
They heard noises outside.
Roadrunner draws his lightsaber.
Hiroshimi looks at the window.
Hiroshimi: Must be the detainer supporting our weight. Building would be crushed otherwise.
Brian: True.
The noises stop, and after five minutes they are still waiting.
Mark: It's been about half an hour.
Roadrunner: I can't wait any longer!
Stardown: Me too.
Roadrunner opens the airlock and rushes out.
Mark: Wait! Stop!
But it was too late. Roadrunner was outside.
Mark: Get back in! It's not safe!
Roadrunner: I don't care! Come get me, fiends!
He tried to move, but found he was trapped in a force bubble.
Roadrunner: Wahh??
Mark: I warned you. :/
Stardown went to get a force bubble cutter, but when he returned, Roadrunner was gone.
Hiroshimi: He faded away. They must be holding him.
Stardown: How do we rescue him; seeing what happened?
Hiroshimi: Well, we could head out and cut any force bubble they put around us. However, if we're teleported before we can do so, we'll most likely be in some holding place.
Mark: Might be a risk worth taking.
Brian: I agree. We have enough cutters for all of us. Stardown, could you scan the area for possible threats?
Stardown: Sure thing.
He does.
Stardown: Don't see anything. Possible threats could be hidden.
Mark: True.
Brian: Everyone ready?
Everyone: Ready!
John: Am I coming too?
Brian: It would be better if you stayed behind. Don't want anything to happen to you.
John: Okay.
They cautiously head outside.
Stardown: So far, so–
A force bubble traps them. They quickly draw their force bubble cutters and get to work.
Mark: These force bubbles are strong!
Stardown: Tell me about it.
Hiroshimi: We're not making much progress.
Mark: What are they made of?
Brian: I don't know.
They begin fading.
The scenery vastly changes.
They find themselves in a small prison with Roadrunner.
Mark: Any regrets, Roadrunner?
Roadrunner: The only ones with regrets will be the ones who put us in this!
Mark: Of course.
Stardown runs over to the metal door and tries his lightsaber on it.
Stardown: Looks like it's working.
Mark: They must have overlooked this.
A circle is cut in the door.
Stardown: Should be large enough.
He is the first to step through. The others follow.
They find themselves in a small control room. The only other door is the main one. No one else is present.
Brian: Careful. No rash moves. That goes especially to you, Roadrunner.
There isn't much to see except control panels on all four walls and center.
Hiroshimi: This must be a major organization.
Stardown: Yeah. I wonder how many of these buildings there are.
Mark: What organization is behind this?
Brian: Could be any. These buildings almost look Shmouse like.
Stardown: Yikes.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
Hiroshimi: Wait a minute. If this is a control room, can we deactivate the tractor beam?
Brian: Good thinking. I think we can.
They begin poring over the consoles.
Stardown: A lot of this is password protected.
Mark: Anything that isn't?
Stardown: Just a few minor stuff like the lights.
Mark: What about the general power?
Stardown: Password protected.
Hiroshimi: And I don't know if hacking is an option.
Mark: If it's possible, it's worth it.
Brian takes a look at the passwords.
Brian: They seem like standard ones.
Stardown: I think we left out hacking hardware back on the Medallion.
Mark: Definitely too risky to go back.
Roadrunner: Wild guesses to the rescue!
The others chuckle.
Roadrunner enters every password he can think of.
After the fifth attempt, a red light flashes and a beam shoots out of the control panel, detaining him.
Roadrunner: Wah?!
The others stop chuckling.
Roadrunner: Fiends! Free me at once! That's an order!
Brian facepalms.
Brian: What did I tell you about being impetuous?
Roadrunner: Aarg! Free me! Free me now!
Stardown: Is there anything we can free him with?
Hiroshimi: I'll see what I have.
He begins searching for something.
Roadrunner: Fiends! Fiends!!!
Mark: Calm down already!
Stardown: They may hear you!
Brian: (to Hiroshimi) Anything?
Hiroshimi: No. I think I left it back in the ship.
Stardown: Why is it risky to go back there?
Mark: We could easily be seen. I mean, we could try. What do you all think?
Brian: There isn't anyone around, so… Let's send Hiroshimi up.
Before they could do anything, the door flies open and a man in a uniform enters.
Man: Hands up. Back in your cell.
Roadrunner: Lemme out lemme out lemme out!
Brian: Who are you?
Man: That's not for you to know. Turn around. Move.
He holds up a gun.
Brian winks at the others as they head back to the cell.
Roadrunner was freed from the beam.
Roadrunner: I'll get you, you–
Brian: No, Roadrunner.
The man points his gun at Roadrunner.
Brian: Come over here, please.
Roadrunner: Fiiiine…
He comes.
Man: What did you do with this door?
Stardown grins sheepishly.
Man: Lightsaber?
Stardown nods.
Man: Give it to me. If you of you have one, do the same.
Roadrunner: You bet I'll give it to you!
He draws his lightsaber.
Man: Don't you even.
Roadrunner: You'll pay for this you fiend!
He charges forward.
Brian: Roadrunner!
The man tried to hold his own while pulling out his radio.
He yelled "Fiend" over and over as he swung his lightsaber wildly.
The man ran.
Roadrunner: Fiiiiieeeeend!
Both the man and the Roadrunner ran out the door.
Mark: This is our chance.
Brian: Let's go.
They leave the building and watch as Roadrunner chases the man around. They hear a faint cry for help.
Mark: John?
Brian: Oh no!
Hiroshimi: We need to go back!
They head up the Madallion's plank and search for John.
Mark: He's not in the main hall.
They hear him call again.
Brian: This way!
They follow Brian.
John: Somebody he–
Stardown's heart began pounding. This was his cousin.
Mark: I think he's in this room.
They enter the room.
In front of them are several individuals plundering the room. John is bound and gagged in the corner.
Brian: Surrender in the name of the Guardians!
They turn around and try not to laugh. They are dressed similarly to the man they met earlier.
Brian: What's so funny?
Plunderer 1: You think you're so tough?
Brian, Mark, and Stardown draw their weapons.
The plunderers do the same.
Plunderer 1: Show us what you're made of!
Mark is the first to attack.
He darts toward the first of the plunderers who sidesteps. Mark quickly comes to a halt and turns around.
Stardown is next. He heads toward John as Brian attacks. Hiroshimi draws a blaster.
The three enemies present fire their blasters.
The melee weapons block them.
Plunderer 1: Hmm, not bad.
Mark: You expected less of us?
Stardown frees John.
Plunderer 1: Well, you're a bunch of kids, really.
They attempt to trank the Guardians.
Stardown leads John to Hiroshimi who takes him out of the room.
Stardown: I'll have you know these "kids" single-handedly defeated the Shmice and Robans!
Plunderer: Funny.
Plunderer: You obviously need to fact-check.
Stardown: -\_-
Brian: You need to leave.
Plunderer: No u.
He tranks Brian.
Stardown lightsabers the trank out of his hand.
Plunderer: Don't play with dangerous objects, kid.
Stardown: No u.
Plunderer: I'm not a kid!
The first plunderer rolled his eyes.
Plunderer 1: We're here to plunder, not argue!
Plunderer: Oh. Right.
Stardown: Give up. You don't even have real blasters.
Plunderer 1: We don't need them!
He fires tranks at rapid succession.
Stardown: Really really? That's it?
Plunderer 1: Uh, you won't last long like this.
Stardown charges forward.
Plunderer 1: Oh dear…
Brian: Don't kill them!
Plunderer 2: How nice of you!
Stardown: Where are the tranks?
Brian: Right here.
Stardown quickly takes it and fires at the plunderers.
They are tranquilized.
Stardown: Finally…
Brian and Hiroshimi handcuff them and lead them away.
Hiroshimi: Maybe they know the passwords. The controller person definitely should.
Brian: Good idea.
John emerges from hiding.
John: Is it safe yet?
Brian: Yes it is.
John steps forward.
Hiroshimi: Should we search the prisoners?
Brian: Definitely.
Minutes later, the prisoners stir.
Plunderer 2: H-Hey! Where am I? Where's my trank?
Brian: You don't need it. Tell us the password.
Plunderer 2: What password?
Brian: You know, the one to free the ship.
Plunderer 2: What? Oh. No, I don't know it.
Brian begins to search them.
Brian: Then tell us how to contact your leader.
Plunderer 1: Why should we?
Brian: Because you're our prisoners and we want to go free!
Plunderer 1: And as long as we stay quiet, you stay bound!
Brian: Stalemate, then.
Plunderer 1: And we can just get up and leave.
Brian: No you can't.
Plunderer 1: Why not?
Brian: Because you're our prisoners. Now tell us about your leaders!
Stardown: And don't say no.
They remain silent.
Stardown: Do you have any brain probe thingies?
Brian: No… Sadly…
Hiroshimi: Guess we have to talk to someone else. The guy Roadrunner's chasing should know.
Mark: Oh, right?
Stardown: Should John stay again?
Brian: Oh, we didn't check for more plunderers. It might be best if John comes…
John: Yay!
They leave the ship. Hiroshimi brings the hacking gear.
They hear Roadrunner yelling, and look in his direction.
He shouts "Fiend" as he continues to chase the man around.
Stardown: Roadrunner! Ask him for the password!
He was paying too much attention to notice.
Stardown: I'll have to get close.
"Fiend" he continues yelling.
Stardown runs down and cuts off the man.
Stardown: What's the password?
Man: W-What?
Stardown: The password to release the ships!
Man: Of course I'm not sharing it!
Roadrunner: Fiend!
Roadrunner's lightsaber is at the man's throat, and the man has nowhere else to go.
The man pauses for a moment before speaking.
Man: You would kill me?
Stardown: Just say the password.
Man: Would you?
Stardown: Just. Say. It.
Man: I refuse.
Brian: Don't pressure him, Stardown.
He tranks the man.
Mark: We have hope.
Brian nods.
They carry the man back to the Medallion.
Stardown: This could take forever…
John: Oof…
After a few minutes, the man wakes up. He is tied to a chair.
Man: Keeping me tied, huh? Nice.
Brian: You'll be free as soon as you tell us the password.
Man: Held captive by my own prisoners. Oh the humiliation.
Brian: Like I said, you'll be free as soon as you tell us the password.
Man: Like I'll be doing that any time soon.
Brian: Oh you will.
Man: Are you going to torture me or something? Doesn't seem like you.
Brian: We won't need to.
Man: What do you mean?
Brian: You'll see.
He leaves the room and returns with a device.
Man: What is that?
Brian: A memory extractor.
Man: Oh heck no…
It is soon set up.
Man: You really don't have to do this.
Brian: We have to unless you tell us the password right now.
The man tried to reach his radio, but couldn't.
Brian begins extracting the memory.
Brian: Looks like it's… A23B2K444N.
Man: That's not it!
Brian ignores him as he turns and leaves.
The man just sighs.
Mark joins Brian as they head into the building.
Brian: Now to enter the password…
He does.
Brian: Yeah, this is the right one.
The Medallion is freed.
Mark: Can we use the device to free the other ships?
Brian: Yes, but we'd have to capture each of the managers.
Mark: That would take forever.
Brian: We do have access to the radio…
Mark: True.
Brian: Maybe we could send something to the leader.
Mark: Good idea.
Brian: The question is, what?
Mark thinks for a while.
Mark: We could tell him that this house is having a technical difficulty and we need his assistance.
Brian: Definitely worth a try.
Brian clears his throat before picking up the radio.
Leader: What do you want?
Brian: We have a technical problem in house A39, and we need your assistance.
Leader: Alright. You're holding a ship, right?
Brian: Uh, yes. The Medallion.
Leader: Oh, I've heard of that one. Be there in a minute.
Brian hangs up.
Brian: Get the tranks ready.
They hear a quiet teleporting sound outside before the door opens.
The leader is tranked before he can react.
Mark: That was too easy.
Brian: Let's quickly pick through his brains.
They drag the leader into the Medallion and tie him like the operator.
Brian: Let's quickly pick through his brains.
The leader's head begins glowing.
Mark: What's he doing?
Roadrunner: Is he an alien?
Leader: Avenge me.
Stardown: What?
Hiroshimi: I think he's calling for backup.
Brian: We need to hurry.
The glowing around his head stopped.
Leader: You thought it was going to be a walk in the park, huh?
Roadrunner tranks him again.
Roadrunner: Good thing he has no control over that!
They quickly extract the password.
Brian: Hiroshimi, take them to the cells. I'll be right back.
Hiroshimi does so. As Brian heads toward the plank, he's suddenly tranked.

Roadrunner: Looking forward to getting away from this place!
Stardown: Yeah.
Mark: These guys are taking plundering to the next level.
John runs in from his room.
John: They got the captain!
Hiroshimi: Captain?
Stardown: Brian!
Hiroshimi grabs a blaster.
Hiroshimi: Let's go. Stay on guard, you don't want to join.
Stardown: John, it's best if you stay here.
John: Okay.
The others head outside.
Stardown: There they are.
They run after them.
Hiroshimi: Stay quiet. We don't want them noticing us yet.
Mark: Right.
Due to being weighed down by Brian, the plunderers move fairly slowly. The Guardians are able to quickly close in.
Hiroshimi: Get ready…
They begin aiming. When one of the plunderers turns around, the Guardians fire their tranquilizers.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
He is tranked, followed by the plunderers.
Mark: Should we capture these guys?
Hiroshimi: Yes.
After a few trips, they bring everyone inside.
Brian wakes up.
Brian: Is everyone okay?
Hiroshimi: Roadrunner got tranked. Everyone else is fine.
Mark: So… Take 2?
Hiroshimi: Yep.
Brian, Hiroshimi, and Mark head toward the plank.
Brian: Be on high alert. There may be more of them.
The others nod as they follow Brian.
They soon reach the plank. So far, so good.
Brian: Even though they're a few plunderers less, we should still be careful.
They see a couple plunderers in front of the building.
The Guardians ready their tranks.
Mark: They haven't noticed us. Should we fire?
Brian: Yes.
They deliver direct hits.
Brian: Let's move!
Hiroshimi: There may be more inside.
Brian: It's a risk we'll have to take.
They spot two more inside.
Plunderer: Wah?
They are tranked.
Hiroshimi heads to the control panel and enters the command to release all ships.
Most of the ships immediately fly away.
Mark: I'd love to see the leader's face when he hears about this!
Brian: Let's quickly head back.
They enter the room with the others.
Hiroshimi: We're free to take off!
Roadrunner: Yes!
They begin to take off. Stardown sees a young woman waving at him as they leave.
He gets doki doki like never before.

Stardown: Where to?
Brian: I actually don't have a clue. We still need to free Arnold and the others.
Roadrunner: How?
Brian: I don't know. They most me in another dimension.
Roadrunner: Those fiends better free them!
Hiroshimi: We don't even know who's holding them.
Stardown: It would be impossible to build a new base in our current state.
Brian: Right. We're not going to do any of that until the others are freed.
Hiroshimi: Perhaps we should head back to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Stardown: I agree.
They put the Medallion in hyperdrive.

They later approach Plit.
Stardown: Look out!
Brian steers just in time to avoid colliding with another ship.
Roadrunner: Was he sleeping or what?!
Brian: That was close.
Hiroshimi: They weren't sleeping. They're turning around.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
The ship begins blasting at them.
Brian: How are the deflector shields?
Hiroshimi: Holding up for now.
Brian: Mark, can you identify the ship?
Mark: It's… I think it's a Robeast Fighter!
Hiroshimi: Satou again…
Stardown looked stressed.
Stardown: I've had enough of the Robans…
Mark: Same -\_-
Stardown: Not going to lie, Satou scares me more than anyone else. He's been able to pull off things we deemed impossible, like fully taking over the base. I'm afraid to know what his next plot is…
Suddenly the radio begins to crackle.
Armaul: Greetings, Guardians. Your ship is in the process of being destroyed by glorious new Roban technology. We're sorry for the inconvenience it may bring. Have a good one…
Stardown: How did he escape from prison?!
Brian: Or maybe it was pre-recorded…
Mark: Looks like the enemy ship is an upgraded Robeast Fighter.
Hiroshimi: If it's a recording, how long ago was this planned?
Brian: Since before Metacor.
Stardown: This could be bigger than we thought.
Brian: Mhm.
Hiroshimi: Stardown, Mark, to the cannons!
They rush over.
Stardown carefully aims at the Robeast.
Stardown: This thing is fast.
Mark: I know.
Stardown opens fire.
He lands several direct hits.
Stardown: It's not taking damage!
Mark: Zero?!
Stardown: Zero!
Mark: Maybe that's why it's not dodging…
Hiroshimi: They've really upgraded!
Roadrunner: Tell me about it! We'll stop this fiend nevertheless!
Stardown: You said it!
John: What do I do?
Brian: Just stay calm. We'll take care of everything.
Hiroshimi: Outrunning it is certainly out of the question.
Mark: Any specialty weapons on board?
Brian: We've got a disencourager, but that's only for hyperspace.
Stardown: Would it be worth using hyperspace and that to get away?
Brian: We could do that, but we would risk fighting them again if we return here.
Stardown: True. I was worried of that.
Mark: Should we attempt a landing?
Brian: We could try, but I doubt we'll last that long.
Stardown: Try contacting the Robeast!
Brian: Wouldn't hurt.
He attempts to, but there is no response.
Roadrunner: Fiend!
John: I think I found something!
Roadrunner and Stardown run over.
Roadrunner: Proton bombs!
Stardown: Great find, John!
Brian: I completely forgot we had those.
Mark and Hiroshimi load them.
Hiroshimi: These should give it a run for its money!
Brian: Let's hope so.
He fires them.
The Robeast spins out of control from the explosion. However, there is no noticeable damage.
Brian: Now's our chance!
He speeds toward Plit.
Stardown: That's one weakness we can take advantage of. How many bombs do we have?
Brian: Plenty. At least a few dozen.
Stardown: That's good.
It toom the Robeast a full twenty seconds before it was back at their tail.
The Guardians had a good head start.
Brian: Fire a second in three…
Three seconds later, a second proton bomb is launched.
Stardown: Direct hit.
Hiroshimi: That'll buy us more time.
Stardown: We'll easily be able to make it back before the shields get up.
Brian: We'd better hurry then.
They speed toward Plit.
The Robeast is unable to make significant progress on the shields.
They enter the atmosphere.
Hiroshimi: Be on the lookout. There may be–
Several more Robeast Fighters fly their way.
Hiroshimi: Oh no…
They open fire on the Medallion.
Hiroshimi: The shields won't last long under this.
Mark: There's at least five of them including the first one.
Roadrunner: We gotta find somewhere to land!
Stardown: I don't know this area. Does anyone else?
The ship is struck again.
Hiroshimi: A little bit. No airstrips in the area if I remember correctly.
A warning alarm goes off.
Hiroshimi: Dang it. Shields are down.
Brian: It looks like a crash landing is our only choice.
Another blast rocks the ship.
John: Are we gonna crash?!
Brian: It's our only hope of escaping alive.
The Medallion slams into the ground.
And everything goes black.

When Stardown opened his eyes, he saw that the room was dimly lit and that there was damage everywhere.
He hopes he was not in a prison.
Upon further looking, he was still in the Medallion.
He looked around for the others.
He saw Mark next to him.
Mark: Are you okay?
Stardown: Yeah… but I've got a headache.
Mark: The others seem to have fared well. I saw Brian leaving the room.
Stardown starts to get up.
Mark: We crashed pretty hard. Not sure what's up with the Robeasts.
Stardown: They just left us?
Mark: I doubt it. Unless they were sure they got us.
Stardown: Any injuries?
Mark: Nothing major as far as I can tell.
Stardown starts to walk around.
Stardown: Any sign of Hiroshimi, Roadrunner, or John?
Mark: Hiroshimi and Roadrunner are on the other side of the room. I saw John briefly. Don't know where he is.
Stardown: What do we do now?
Mark: Find out what's up with the Robeasts. I doubt we're out of the danger zone.
Stardown: Maybe it's best to hide somewhere without any tech.
Mark: Yeah. They may try to hunt us.
Stardown: I'll have to bring it up to Brian.
Hiroshimi calls to them.
Hiroshimi: You guys okay?
Stardown: Yeah, we're fine. How are the others?
Hiroshimi: Roadrunner has a few nasty cuts. The others are fine.
Stardown: That's good.
Mark: Do you know if anything's up with the Robans?
Hiroshimi: I do not.
Stardown: We might not be in the clear yet.
Hiroshimi: I feel the same way. Brian's checking now.
Stardown: I'd best keep my phone off.
Brian enters the room.
Brian: They're landing around us.
Stardown: We need to hide.
Mark: Where to?
Brian: We need to quickly mak out the terrain.
Brian: Definitely not outside.
Stardown: There's that undercabin. Perhaps we could use that.
Mark: Would they notice the handle?
Brian: The handle can be removed from the inside.
Mark: Oh, that's good.
Hiroshimi: I can start to hear them.
Brian: Let's go.
Roadrunner and John join them, and they reach the undercabin entrance.
Stardown turned to Roadrunner.
Stardown: Need help getting down?
Roadrunner: Nah, I'll be fine.
They are all soon inside.
Even inside, they can still hear the noises.
Mark: Yeah, they're definitely coming.
They hear a heavy metal sound.
John: Are they right above us?
Hiroshimi: Not yet.
John: I'm scared.
Stardown: Me too, but we'll get through this together.
Roadrunner: Could be worse.
Roban: Eradicate on sight! Eradicate on sight!
Brian puts his finger to his lips.
They are silent as the Robans draw nearer.
They hear the chilling sound of treads meeting floor.
A few seconds later, they go over the door.
Stardown is frozen.
Suddenly, John sneezes. Hiroshimi leans back and closes his eyes.
Stardown just hoped the room was soundproof.
Roban: You have been caught! Come out with your hands up!
Brian: The rest of you go. Mark and I will surrender.
Mark: Okay.
The others quickly but quietly crawl out of sight.
Mark: Won't they shoot us on sight?
Brian: Just hope there's a change of plans.
Roban: Come out with your hands up!
Brian slowly opens the hatch. He and Mark come out.
Roban: Eradicate!
Mark: Wait! Take us to your leader We can explain.
Mark was blasted off the ladder.
Brian draws his lightsaber.
Two Robans are present on either side.
Roban: Confiscate his weapon!
The Robans close in and begin to fire.
Brian blocks the lasers, but is shot by a third Roban.
Brian and Mark had force fields generated around them, but played dead; hoping the Robans wouldn't notice. They watched the two for a few moments before one began scanning for life.
Roban: They are still alive. Eradicate!
Brian felt a pit in his stomach when he heard that they found out. He rushed down the ladder as fast as he could. Mark was waiting for him at the bottom.
Mark: Everything okay?
Brian: So far. My shield can only take a few more hits. Let's move deeper.

Meanwhile, the others were at the other side of the room.
John: There's nowhere to hide!
Stardown: Don't worry. We'll make it out of this.
Mark and Brian rush over.
Mark: They'll be coming soon. We need to prepare ourselves.
Brian: Does everyone have a weapon?
Everyone but John raises their hands.
Roban: Come out with your hands up! This is your last warning! Come out with your hands up!
Mark muttered under his breath.
Mark: We saw what you did last time…
Suddenly, several small drones fly into the room.
Stardown: Those must be their assassins.
The Guardians draw their weapons.
Roadrunner: You fiends want a piece of me? Huh?
Mark: Careful, Roadrunner.
Roadrunner: It's just a few toys–
He is suddenly on the defense as they open fire.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
Stardown and Hiroshimi draw blasters and begin shooting down the drones.
Stardown: Pretty cheaply made, eh?
Hiroshimi: They were probably made in bulk.
It only took several seconds before they were all destroyed.
Roadrunner: Too easy! At least give us some sort of challenge!
Stardown: They may take you up on that…
Mark: Should we face those Robans before they send more stuff down here?
Brian: I think that might be best.
They quickly move to the other side of the room.
Brian: Ready?
Stardown: Ready as I'll ever be.
Mark: Wait. Let's see if they still think it's just me and Brian.
Roban: We need backup. At least two Guardians are hiding in a difficult to access place.
Brian: Run!
Brian and Mark bolt out of the place and run as fast as they can.
Robans: Eradicate them!
Brian ignores them, and they leave the Medallion.
Mark: I don't think they can navigate this terrain.
Brian: Don't forget the Robeasts.
Mark: Is there a cave somewhere?
Brian: I don't know this area, but we should keep our eyes open for one.
Mark: And just hope the others aren't discovered…
They hear engines behind them.
Mark: Two of them are taking off. I think they're searching for us!
Brian: Oof
Brian: Into the underbrush!
They dive to the ground as the fighters float overhead, and remain still.
Mark: Have we been spotted?
Heavy lasers are fired down at them.
Brian: I think they know where we are. They probably detected our heat.
They take off running.
Mark: Are we too far away from the lake base?
Brian: I don't know. It could be hundreds of miles away.
There is a whooshing sound.
Mark whirls around.
Mark: What was that?
He sees a blue police box.
They hear rustling.
Brian: Hm?
???: Follow me! Quick!
They do as they are told.
The figure rushes over to a spot and opens a door in the ground.
???: In here!
Brian: Who are you?
???: They call me Agent 7. Well, I'm not an agent anymore, but still.
They enter the underground chamber, and Agent 7 shuts the door.
Agent 7: This place is a crazy maze. I only stay around here cuz it's so easy to get lost.
Brian: Good point. Just hope the Robans can't get down here.
Agent 7: We can always go down there if we need to.
Mark: What about the others? Will they be okay?
Agent 7: There's more in there?
Brian: Yes, four of them. One of them's a kid. I left them there because they have gone undetected so far.
Agent 7: They will soon if we don't save them! Oh, what's your names?
Brian: I'm Brian, and this is Mark. We're part of the Guardian Orgaanization.
Agent 7: Nice to meet you two.
Brian: Is there a way we can get the others out safely?
Agent 7: Definitely. If there's a will, there's a way.

Meanwhile…
Hiroshimi: They may send more drones down if they suspect more of us down here.
Stardown: That's why we need to stay quiet.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
Everyone: Shh!
They listen to the commotion above.
Hiroshimi: Sounds like some are staying.
A single drone enters the room.
Stardown places a silencer on his blaster and blasts it.
He then realized his mistake when he heard it clatter to the ground.
Roban: There are more down there!
Roban 2: There is no visual confirmation.
Roban 1: We do not need one. We will wait until support arrives before acting further.
Roban 2: What is the ETA?
Roban 1: Approximately ten minutes.
Roadrunner: You really did it this time, Stardown…
Stardown: I had no other choice!
Roadrunner: Those fiends won't get away with this!
Hiroshimi: We still need to be quiet.
John: This is worse than the Shmouse invasion back home…
Stardown: So, we have ten minutes to plan.
Hiroshimi: We can't leave. The Robeasts will get us.
John: I'm worried about the others.
Stardown: I wonder if they got away…
Roadrunner: I hope so!

Meanwhile…
Brian paled.
Brian: I forgot to close the trap door! They're sure to be discovered by now!
Agent 7: We better move fast.
They begin to leave.
Agent 7: Here. Take these force field generators. They should protect you long enough so you can get on board.
Brian: Will they last the return trip?
Agent 7: Probably not, but I have a few more on me.
Brian: That's good.
Mark: Are you coming with us?
Agent 7: Most certainly.
Brian: Let's go.
They head outside. It is starting to rain.
They rushed as fast as they could for the Medallion as lasers hailed on them.
Mark: There's gotta be over a dozen of 'em!
Mark: They really mean business this time.
Brian: Tell me about it…

Ten minutes later, they finally arrive.
Brian: I'll lead the way.
He turned to Agent 7.
Brian: Do you have a weapon?
She pulls out a futuristic weapon.
Agent 7: Pulse blaster.
Brian: Oooh, nice.
Mark: We're running the risk they could destroy the Medallion.
Brian: More reasons to move quickly.
Agent 7: How far are we from them?
Brian: Not much longer now.
They see the trap door – and the Robans.
They move back slightly.
Mark: What's the plan?
Agent 7: You two get your friends. I'll cover you.
After a few moments, Mark and Brian rush past the Robans and climb down the ladder. Before the Robans can act, Agent 7 leaps from hiding and fires her blaster.
The Robans are disintegrated.
Roban: This does not compute!
Mark: This is your chance to escape!
The others rush over.
Roadrunner: Finally!
Hiroshimi: Thank you for this.
They called for backup several minutes ago. It won't be long until they arrive.
John: Who's she?
Brian: I'll explain later.
They quickly climb the ladder, and leave the ship despite a heavy Roban presence. Brian looks up into the overcast sky.
Brian: Just in time. The Roban dropships are here.
John: Where do we go?
Agent 7: Follow me!
They quickly rush for the underground chamber. The others were given force field generators.
The dropships do not follow.
They continue running for what feels like hours. Stardown suddenly trips.
Hiroshimi stops to help him up.
Roadrunner: A half-dozen Robeasts are headed our way!
Brian: Just hope the force fields will last!
Mark: They're coming from both sides.
Agent 7: Nearly there now.
Brian: They're not physically blocking us, so we have a chance.
Roadrunner: Those fiends have almost destroyed my force field!
Agent 7: We're here.
Everyone quickly enters.
They begin panting heavily.
John: Will we be safe?
Agent 7: Not forever.
John: I'm scared.
Stardown: Don't worry. We'll get through this together.
John: I don't have a crush…
Mark: There's no doubt they know our location.
Stardown: Is there a way out of here?
Agent 7: Possibly. But that door's the only way I know of.
Roadrunner: No teleporters?
Agent 7: Those would work, but I don't have any.
John: So what do we do?
Agent 7: Probably best to wait. If we hear them coming, we'll move deeper.
They begin waiting and listening.
John: Why do they hate us?
Stardown: …Because of me…
John: Why?
Stardown: They see me as a threat to world "peace", which is really world domination.
They hear a dropship land nearby.
Agent 7: Let's move.
They head down the nearest hallway.
Agent 7: I don't know these passages too well, so bear with me here.
They head forward for several minutes until they reach a fork.
Agent 7 points to the left.
Agent 7: This way.
It's not long until the hall turns right, then left, then right again.
Roadrunner: They'll never find us at this rate, right?
Agent 7: I hope so.
Brian: Don't get cocky, Roadrunner.
Roadrunner: Am I?
Stardown just shakes his head.
They head down the hall for fifteen minutes before entering a large room.
John: Wow! This is huge!
Stardown: Looks like a dining room.
Brian: Careful. Anyone could live here.
A gerbil enters the room.
Gerbil: Intruders!
He rushes away.
Roadrunner: The Gerbilians?! Here?!
Hiroshimi: Don't jump to conclusions.
Agent 7: I… didn't know this place was inhabited.
Several gerbils armed with blasters and specialty spears enter.
Agent 7: Sorry for intruding. We're on the run from the Robans.
Gerbil 1: The what?
Agent 7: Evil robots.
Gerbil: Huh. What are they after you for?
Brian: For interfering in their plans for world domination.
Gerbil: Oh, well I guess that's a good reason.
Brian: We won't be safe down here forever.
Gerbil 1: These tunnels run for miles. We can give them a run for their money.
Agent 7: That's good.
Gerbil 1: We can offer shelter if you need it.
Brian: Thanks, I'm sure we will soon.
Agent 7: You guys stay here. I'll scout around to make sure they're not coming.
Brian: Alright.
She leaves.
Hiroshimi: Dang it. I just thought of something. With all those Robans outside, they could keep us trapped down here as long as they need.
He turns to the main gerbil.
Hiroshimi: Do you know of any way out?
Gerbil 1: There's one hole that leads up to the surface in the other room. Otherwise, there's none.
Hiroshimi: That should be good. It's too risky to leave now, though. Best to wait until the Robans thin out up there. They most likely don't know about this one.
Agent 7 comes running back.
Agent 7: They're coming! A couple dozen of them!
Stardown: Wait, what? How?
Agent 7: I don't know. It won't be long until they arrive. Just another minute.
Gerbil 1: This way.
Mark: What if they take the room with the exit?
Gerbil 1: Just hope they won't. We'll be trapped if they do.
They move deeper into the labyrinth.
Stardown: How far does this go?
Gerbil 1: Not much farther. This isn't a large village.
Roadrunner: Could we be cornered?
Gerbil 1: Odds of that are low. Lots of tunnels and stuff. They can't block them all.
The area suddenly shakes.
John: W-W-What was t-that?
Brian: Bombers. They're trying to collapse the tunnel!
Roadrunner: Let's get outta here!
Hiroshimi: Wait! The Robans!
Roadrunner: Isn't it their plan to trap us in here?
Gerbil 2: These visitors bring misfortune on us! They must be killed!
Gerbil 3: Yeah!
Gerbil 1: Wait!
His attempts to calm the crowd were of no use. They made up their mind.
Hiroshimi: Okay, now we need to get out.
The Guardians run as fast as they can from the mob of gerbils.
Mark: They're splitting up!
Hiroshimi: And they probably know these tunnels like the back of their paws.
Lasers whiz by them. They reach a fork, but before the Guardians have a chance to act, a group of gerbils meet them from the front.
Gerbil 2: Any last words?
Stardown: Yes! Watch out!
They whirl around to see a group of Robans shout their war cry. The gerbils behind the Guardians rush off, thus giving them a chance to escape.
Brian: Back down the tunnel! Hurry!
They sprint down the hall with the other group of gerbils close behind. There is a loud explosion and a large portion of the ceiling calls behind them, trapping the Robans and gerbils behind.
Stardown: If they could block us from the front, that means there's another way out!
Hiroshimi: We basically go back and make a U-turn.
Brian: We'll risk running into them.
Agent 7: That's a risk we'll have to take!
They take off.
They head down the hall for several minutes before making the U-turn.
Hiroshimi: I think we're almost there.
After another minute, they hear the Robans.
Mark: Sounds like their clash isn't over.
Brian: That should buy us some time.
They manage to head past the battle unnoticed.
John: I can't keep up!
Roadrunner: Daylight at last!
Roadrunner: We'll be there soon.
The cavern shakes again.
Hiroshimi: It's definitely not over!
Brian: Robans up ahead.
Agent 7: Good thing I'm packing heat!
She fires away.
Roban: Error! Error!
Mark: There's the exit!
Roadrunner: Finally!
They quickly climb the ladder.
Brian: Wait, our force field generators are almost done. If we stay out in the open, we're dead meat.
Stardown: Where to from here?
Agent 7: Wait a minute, I think we're right next to the Medallion!
Stardown: But it can't fly now, can it?
Brian: I doubt it, but it wouldn't hurt trying.
They emerge and run toward the Medallion.
Robans: Eradicate!
Agent 7: I'll clear 'em out!
Brian, Roadrunner, and Stardown also draw their lightsabers.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
He madly slashes at the Robans.
Stardown: Careful!
Brian and Hiroshimi race to the cockpit.
Mark: They just keep coming!
Six more Robans appear.
Roban: Magnetize the rebels! The ship will be destroyed with them in it!
Before the Guardians can act, they are magnetized.
Roadrunner: FIENDS!!!!!!
Roban: Now you will be eradicated with your ship!
They teleport out. John starts to cry.
John: This… This is all my fault!
Mark: Don't worry. You couldn't help it.
Roadrunner: Is this it? Is this how we're gonna die?
Stardown: We can't give up. There must be something we can do!
Suddenly the sound of the Robeasts stop, and the group is unmagnetized.
Roadrunner: Wah??
They hear another ship landing.
John: What's happening?
They head outside and see a golden spaceship.
Stardown: Is that…?
Agent 7: Francis!
Mark: You know him?
Agent 7: We go way back.
Hiroshimi: Thank you so much!
Brian and Hiroshimi had joined them.
Francis: I heard of malicious Roban activity in this area, and had to make sure you guys were all right.
Brian: We greatly appreciate it. You saved our lives.
Francis: That's what I do.
They enter the golden ship which quickly takes off.
Hiroshimi: Where to?
Francis: I'll take you to my dwelling. You'll be safe there.

Meanwhile…
Satou: Why was an old Roban batch used?
Armaul: There seems to have been a mistake in the orders.
Satou: Clavicus… I want to have a word with that guy…
Armaul: Francis is bringing them to us, though, so in the end we'll still win.
Satou: I guess you're right.
Susie: Ra-Ra-Ra! Stardown will fall at last!
Satou: I hope so. I've had enough of that kid and those Guardians. They're really the only thing standing in our way of taking over Whale Island.
Susie: And once they're gone, the world will be hours! Raaahahahaha! Can I have the Mushroom Kingdom? It was mine to begin with.
Satou: I guess…
???: Hey, guys!
Satou: Get out… We booted you for a reason…
Hooded Jaw: Whaaat? I was only trying to heeelp!
Miyoko: Oh, hello…
Miyoko roundhouse kicked the Hooded Jaw into the wall.
Hooded Jaw: My divine body…
Satou: How's the Roban producing going?
Armaul: Pretty well. We have enough for a nice army at this point.
Satou: Good. Keep it up. We don't want anything going wrong with this.
And get that freak out of here.
Hooded Jaw: What? You mean that girl who almost killed me?
Satou: I mean you!
Armaul and Miyoko lift the Hooded Jaw above their heads and carry him out of the room.
Hooded Jaw: I've got family, ya know!
Armaul: Sure you do…
Hooded Jaw: Weee! I can fly!!!
They throw him into the hall.
Hooded Jaw: Do you want some Smarties?
Miyoko: No?
Armaul: Get lost.
They head back into Satou's room and lock the door.
Miyoko: Sorry about that.
Satou: Where were we…
Susie: We were talking about my ownership of the Mushroom Kingdom!
Satou: No we weren't…
Susie: Ra?
Satou glances at the radar.
Satou: They'll be here in five minutes.
Susie: I want my fungus world!
Miyoko: That's really not important right now…
Satou: She's right, Susie.
Susie: Ra-Ra-Ra…
Satou: So, I guess we wait for the Guardians…

Francis: We're almost there.
Brian: Why didn't the Robans teleport down the ladder?
Hiroshimi: They must have been an extra old batch.
Mark: Yet they teleported out.
Brian: I sense a disturbance in the Force…
Roadrunner: What is it?
Brian: This is a trap.
Roadrunner: A trap?!
Francis: What?
Brian: Francis, you're a Roban.
Francis: I beg your pardon, I'm–
Brian: If you weren't a Roban, why is your voice slightly metallic sounding?
Francis: …
Brian: Let us out at once. You are under our control.
Francis: I think not.
He accelerates the ship toward a moderate-sized metal building.
Francis: You were saying?
Brian: I'm holding a blaster. Land us away from here now, or I fire.
Francis points his finger behind him and fires a bean which completely melts the blaster.
Francis: Or not.
Brian felt a knot in his stomach as he realizes that he's running out of options.
Roadrunner: Fiend!
He slashes at Francis, but it does nothing.
Francis: Did you really expect that to work?
Roadrunner: FIEND!!
The ship lands inside the building.
Mark: Okay, so now what?
Francis begins flickering. Soon, the now-evident image of Francis vanishes to reveal Rich.
Rich: Ha-har! Ye landlubbers will be brought to the masters!
Roadrunner: As in Satou and those creeps?!
Rich: Correct, minutes the "creeps" part, that is.
Mark: And what are they going to do with us?
Rich: Why else are you going to see him? Yar?
Mark sighs.
Rich: Well, let's get moving!
Roadrunner: Not before I–
Rich: You already tried that… In fact, all of you give me your weapons.
Stardown: And what if we don't?
The Hooded Jaw is seen running around in front of them.
Rich: I'll unleash that guy on you.
Stardown gulps.
Hooded Jaw: Stardown my man!
Stardown: Ack!
He drops his lightsaber. The Hooded Jaw runs toward him.
Stardown: Rich! We had a deal!
Rich: Sigh. Drop your weapons and come.
After Rich pried the Hooded Jaw off Stardown, the group arrived at the small meeting room.
Stardown: Satou. We meet again…
Satou, who was facing the window, slowly turns around.
Satou: No matter how may times they try to kill you, you simply won't die. I admire your willpower.
Stardown: Um, thank you?
Satou: However, this is where all of that comes to and end. No one lives forever.
Stardown: I know that just as well as you do.
Satou: Good. And I will make sure it comes soon.
Brian: Don't do it, Satou. You'll regret this.
Satou turns to Brian.
Satou: You act as though my hands are clean. They are not. The blood of thousands cry out from them. Stardown will be no one but another.
He draws a double white lightsaber. John closes his eyes and covers his ears.
Mark: You would murder one who's unarmed.
Satou: He is not.
Stardown draws a spare lightsaber.
Satou: I see that you're looking to make this interesting…
He shoots a bolt of electricity out of his metallic hand. Stardown blocks it, but stumbles back a few steps from the impact.
Stardown: I hate to do this, but I will if I have to.
He draws Agent 7's pulse gun.
Stardown: Rich is not an observant one. I picked it up when he wasn't looking.
Rich: Yar?
Stardown: One press of this trigger, and you're a dead man. Free me and my friends and I will let you live.
Stardown: As if I'm at your mercy? It's quite the opposite, really. Come on, fire it.
Stardown knows it's a trap so he instead leaps forward with lightsaber in hand. Saber clashes against saber. Stardown quickly realizes that he underestimated Satou's skill. As they continue dueling, Stardown begins to grow weak. He knows that this is a life or death situation. His friends are completely helpless.
Satou: And you call yourself a Jedi. How pitiful.
Stardown: I am not a Jedi!
Satou: Oh, I am terribly sorry for mistaking your role.
He swings a fast and hard side hit.
Stardown almost doesn't block it.
Satou occasionally fires a bolt of electricity to throw off Stardown.
It sears Stardown's right leg.
Satou rapidly swings and slashes; trying to land a hit.
Stardown: Why are you so bent on killing me?
Satou doesn't reply as he continues his onslaught.
He suddenly shocks Stardown into the wall.
He struggles to get to his feet.
Satou: You will trouble me no more, child.
In a deft move, Brian uses the Force to pull the lightsaber from Satou's grasp as Mark, Roadrunner, and Hiroshimi rush over to Stardown.
Satou: Very funny.
He bolts Brian's hand, causing him to drop the lightsaber.
Satou: Rich… Move away… Now that you're all together…
He activates a trap door.
Satou: So long…
The Guardians fall through the floor.
Rich: I thought you were gonna kill 'im, yar?
Satou: The factory down there will take care of them.
He aims a remote at a flatscreen and displays a view of the Guardians.
Satou: If you care to watch…
Rich: Yar!

Far below them.
John: I'm scared!
Brian: We'll be out of this soon… I hope.
Suddenly a moving platform knocks everyone but Stardown off.
Roadrunner: Fiiiiiii
Stardown: Why was I spared?

Satou: Of course… He managed to survive. Miyoko, could you… do the honors?
Miyoki: It would be my pleasure…

Stardown has to figure out how to get off the platform he's on if he wants any chance of escaping. He felt sick at what happened to rest.
Miyoko leaped down from her perch, did two front flips, and landed in front of Stardown. She drew a red-bladed lightsaber.
Miyoko: Showtime.
Stardown feels unusually nervous.
Stardown: Since when did you learn how to use one of those?
Miyoko: Oh, a while back…
Stardown draws his saber.
Stardown: You don't strike me as a melee fighter.
Miyoko: Heh, why's that?
Stardown: You're more of an agent to me. Maybe a spy.
They clash sabers.
Miyoko: I am who I am.
Stardown: So am I.
They are fighting on a girder above a black abyss.
Stardown: So why work with a wicked guy like Satou?
Stardown blushes like crazy in front of his crush!
Miyoko: He can be off his rocker sometimes, but he ain't wicked. Just wants to add the world to his personal collection.
Stardown: Excuse me, personal collection?
He leaps onto a conveyor belt.
Miyoko: Sure.
Stardown: You know, you don't have to be evil.
Miyoko: You call me evil. Huh.
Miyoko narrowly avoids a clamp that adds Roban heads to bodies.
She attempts to knock Stardown off.
Stardown: You can try harder than that.
Miyoko: You bet I can ;)
She doubles her efforts.
Stardown: Me and my big mouth… You know what, let's take this fight to solid ground.
He backflips off the girder and falls toward a large jutting slab. She hops off and lands behind him.
Miyoko: I liked the girders better.
Stardown: Yeah, I know. It looks way better on TV,
He charges at her.
They begin clashing their lightsabers in rapid succession. After a moment, Miyoko sends a hard hit which sends him sliding back. He quickly recovers and sprints forward. They continue their duel. Stardown was growing tired. He was injured from his previous fight with Satou. Every clash crippled his strength. He didn't know how much longer he could last like this. He was beginning to feel overpowered. Then, out of the blue, she backflip kicked him across the slab and into the ground. He, for a moment, thought he was dead, until he realized he was still breathing. He attempted to sit up but failed.
Miyoko: Dude, actually try for once. -\_-
Stardown finally managed to get up and re-draw his lightsaber. He ignored the bruises and blood he had acquired and ran forward for another round of hell. The clashing of sabers continued. Stardown was growing very weak. He was losing concentration. He knows that one wrong move will prove fatal, and that becomes a reality when Miyoko lands a cruel hit to him. Confident that he will slip away from his injuries, she darts away.

Meanwhile…
Rich: We won. We actually won.
Armaul: This is wonderful.
Satou: Now nothing stands between me and the rest of the world.
Rich: Yar!

Meanwhile…
Brian struggled to sit up. He ached all over.
How could he have survived a fall like that?
Hiroshimi: Is everyone… okay?
Brian: …Barely…
There is no reply from the others.
Brian: …Guys?
Silence.
Hiroshimi attempts to roll over, but is unable to. Every minute or so, one of them calls and waits for a response. The situation seems grom. Suddenly, they hear stirring.
Brian: Hello?
Mark: Uuugghh…
Hiroshimi: Mark?
There is no reply. How they are going to get out of this, they don't know.

Satou paces back and forth.
Satou: Roban army's almost complete. After that it's show time.
Rich: Yaaar! That's when we get to rule the world like kings!
Satou: -\_-
Armaul: Feels good now that the Guardians are finally out of our way…
Susie: A whole decade that kid's been playing superhero. He finally realized it's not all fun and games.
Miyoko enters the room and joins the others.
Armaul: Lucky way to die, eh?
Satou: Armaul, since you're the substitute factory manager, have you noticed any Robans go missing?
Armaul: I think I have, I thought it was just me at first, but now I'm thinking otherwise.
Satou: Really. That's intriguing. And here I thought our uptight security was foolproof. Have you seen any suspicious activity?
Armaul: None. It's as if they just vanished.
Susie: Looks like your man did a careful job.
Satou: And we have the place littered with cameras.
Armaul: So who could possibly be stealing them?
Miyoko: If something happened, it's gonna be on the cams.
Satou: Then check them.
Rich: Oof.
Satou: Miyoko, I'm giving this job to you.
Miyoko: Righto.
She leaves the room.
Armaul: Are there any other threats to your schemes?
Satou: As far as I can tell, none of the global powers are aware of this. So no, not that I can tell. see.
Armaul: That's good.
Satou: Wait. No, there is. The Hooded Jaw. If he starts flapping his beak about this, it'll all be over. We need to put him behind bars.
Armaul: That may not be enough.
Satou: If we put an alarm system up, it would warn us that he's escaping before it's too late.
Armaul: True. But I was thinking suspended animation.
Satou: Is that a thing?
Armaul: From the little the Hooded Jaw told me, he put the Emperor put his servants in suspended animation bubbles.
Satou: Interesting. I've never heard of it. Do you have it?
Armaul: No. I wish I did, though.
Satou: Hmm… I guess we'll stick with the alarm.
Miyoko returns.
Miyoko: Nothing…
Satou: Nothing?
Miyoko: Nothing.
Armaul: So the Robans were there the first moment; the next, they're gone?
Miyoko: Everything looked fine on the cams.
Armaul: Maybe they were taken earlier than we thought.
Satou: That's very likely.
Suzie: Ra-ra-ra!
Satou: -\_-
Miyoko: Yeah. the cams only showed them after being brought in. I could install one over at the loading bay.
Armaul: That sounds like a good idea.
Miyoko: I guess I'll get that done now.
Satou: Yes, go ahead and do that.
Miyoko leaves.

Meanwhile…
Brian tried to stand up.
He spotted Agent 7 further off.
He tried to make his way over.
He spotted John near her.
He limped over to them.
Brian: Hello?
They didn't respond.
Brian pales.
He feels their pulses.
Their hearts still beat.
Brian sighs in relief.
He now noticed that Stardown isn't with them.
Brian: I hope he's all right…

Stardown was is hardly able to move. There is a large gash at his side from the lightsaber impact.
He hoped help would come soon.
He doesn't know how much longer he can last.
He wanted out of here so badly.

Armaul took a peek in the camera room. Upon returning to Satou, he said:
Armaul: I caught movement on the cams.
Satou: Did you recognize who it was?
Armaul: The Guardians.
Satou: So they live…
Armaul: Want me to run over and… take care of things?
Satou: Miyoko's there already, but sure.
Armaul: But… striking a wounded man when he's down?
Armaul: With pleasure!
He leaves.

Agent 7 begins to stir.
Brian: You're awake. Are you okay?
Agent 7: I… don't think so…
Brian: What hurts?
Agent 7: Everything. -\_-
Brian: Listen, we need to get out of here ASAP.
Agent 7: How…?
Brian: I don't know, we just do!
John also stirs.
Agent 7: We need to… make sure he's okay.
Brian hobbles over.
Brian: Are you okay?
John doesn't reply. Tears fill his eyes.
Brian pats him.
Brian: I know This is one of the worst situations we've been in.
Roadrunner: F-Fiends…
Mark: Fiends to the end indeed.
They hear footsteps.
Brian: Oh no…
John tries to hide.
???: No need to hide.
A lightsaber is drawn.
Roadrunner: Fiend!
Brian: No… We can't…
Armaul's face glows from his lightsaber.
Armaul: Any last words?
Roadrunner: MEGA FIEND!
Armaul: Let me start with you…
Roadrunner: And let me start by calling for HELP!
Armaul: No one's going to hear you XD
Agent 7: Nngh… You…
Armaul: There is a way out.
Brian: Hm?
Armaul: You can allow me to turn you into Robans and make clones of you.
Roadrunner: You… mega… fiend!
Armaul: "Fiend" gets old fast.
They hear more footsteps.
Armaul: And who could that be?
Miyoko: Come to join the fun, I guess.
Brian: Where's Stardown?
Miyoko: Oh, somewhere up there.
Mark: Dead?
Miyoko: Dead.
Roadrunner: FIENDS!
Armaul: You keep saying that…
Roadrunner: And I mean every word!
Armaul: Sure.
He lifts his lightsaber.
Suddenly there is a bright flash as several individuals appear.
Armaul: More guests?
???: Yeah!
???: Let it seizure!
???: A-yup-a!
???: He-haw!
???: Chomp!
Miyoko: What the–
Hooded Jaw: You killed my playmates! Here, I'll fix you up.
Everyone except Armaul and Miyoko vanish.
Armaul: …What…

Meanwhile…
Hooded Jaw: Surprise!
Firius: Where's Stardown?
Hooded Jaw: Oof I forgot about him. But nevermind! Try my new and improved Smarties!
Roadrunner: Fiend!
Hooded Jaw: And how do you like my new woodshed?
Agent 7: Your new what?
Hooded Jaw: Woodshed, silly!
Brian: It is different…
The Hooded Jaw spins around and is now dressed as Uncle Sam.
Hooded Jaw: I want you to guess where it is!
Brian: …Whale Island?
Hooded Jaw: Nup!
Brian: In the Guardian Base?
Hooded Jaw: Nawp!
Brian: Then… Where is it?
Hooded Jaw: Yeah! Where is it?
Mark: You tell me.
Hooded Jaw: No u.
John is still crying.
Hooded Jaw: Aww! It's okay little guy!
He hands him a Smartie.
Brian: Don't eat it, John.
Hooded Jaw: Don't worry, it's perfectly safe!
Brian: We know what they do.
Hooded Jaw: This is a special kind! It's okay!
Brian: Still no.
Hooded Jaw: Here, I'm your friend!
He shoves the Smartie down John's throat.
Roadrunner: Fiend!
John cries some more.
Mark: What does that Smartie do?
Hooded Jaw: Magic!
Mom: No magic!
Brian: What does it really do?
Hooded Jaw: Really nice magic!
The Smartie begins to take effect.
John: I… I see pixels!
Minor Villains: Ooooh!
They crowd around him.
John cowers back.
Brian: So where are we?
Hooded Jaw: In smoky California!
Brian looks out the window.
He sees that they're in a forest.
He tries the door.
It is unlocked.
He heads outside.
Hooded Jaw: Where you goin'?
Brian: Just getting some fresh air.
Hooded Jaw: Okay! Just come in when I turn on the light!
Brian is pleasantly surprised.
Brian: Okay.
He surveys the area.
There's nothing but forest as far as the eye can see. There is a strong smoke smell in the air.
Brian walks toward it.
Brian: So we're really in California?
He now realized why the Hooded Jaw didn't care.
He headed back to the woodshed.
Hooded Jaw: Back so soon?
Brian: We're in California.
Hooded Jaw: I told you that!
Brian: I was just making sure you weren't kidding.
Hooded Jaw: But I'm your friend! I would never do that!
Brian: Wait, one question: What's in that other dimension?
Hooded Jaw: What other dimension?
Brian: The one you went to with the Cat 5 when you teleported all of us away!
Hooded Jaw: Oh, nothing much.
Brian: Besides what?
Hooded Jaw: I don't know.
Brian: Don't play dumb.
Hooded Jaw: Whaaaat?
Roadrunner: So what do you want with us?
Hooded Jaw: I saved you!
Roadrunner: And?
Hooded Jaw: And?
Brian had an idea.
Brian: Can you teleport our base and all the Guardians back to where they were, and us to it?
Hooded Jaw: Only the kittens can do that.
Brian: Hmm… Then call them here.
Hooded Jaw: LOL you think they'd do it?
Brian: Actually… yes.
Hooded Jaw: Oh?
Roadrunner: What are you waiting for?!
Hooded Jaw: What makes you think they would?
Brian: I have ways.
Hooded Jaw: Okay. Go on.
Brian: I need them here first.
Hooded Jaw: Okay.
He does nothing.
Roadrunner: I'd slap you if I could!
Hooded Jaw: Bup!
Roadrunner draws his lightsaber.
Hooded Jaw: Aww!
Roadrunner: Call. Them. Now!
Hooded Jaw: No u.
John: I wanna go home!
Hooded Jaw: Oof.
Roadrunner: No u.

Meanwhile…
Armaul: They… got away.
Satou: Impossible.
Armaul: There was a flash of light and these weird looking guys raptured them. The Hooded Jaw was one of them.
Satou: We have to find him ASAP.
Armaul: Yes we do. But how do we tell where they went?
Satou: Unfortunately, we can't.
Miyoko: We won't need to. The Roban army's about done.
Armaul: But we still have the mystery of who's taking our Robans.
Miyoko: Right… but I doubt it'll matter at this point.
Satou: No, it won't.
Armaul: UI ho?
Satou: UI ho.

Minor Villains: Happy Smartie Day to you! Happy Smartie Day to you!
Roadrunner: Happy good riddance day to you, too!
Hooded Jaw: Oof.
Roadrunner: Just give us the stupid Smarties!
Mark: No, Roadrunner!
Hooded Jaw: No, he's fine!
He starts handing out Smarties.
Upon skin contact, they take their effect.
Hooded Jaw: Yaaaay!
Now they all see pixels.
Hooded Jaw: Isn't this fun?
Roadrunner: Nope!
Italian Mouse: A-what-a?
Dominick: A-he-a-haw-a!
Italian Mouse: A-oof-a-a-a!
Marvin: A-he-a-chomp-a!
Italian Mouse: A-stop-a-a-a!
Marvin: A-a-a!
Hooded Jaw: Oof.
Mark: You guys have teleports! Teleport the base back!
Hooded Jaw: You weren't listening…
Mark: You said the Cat 5 had teleporters… but so do you!
Hooded Jaw: Yeah, but I can't teleport the base back. And why would I? Huh? HUH?!
Roadrunner: You want a playground, right?
Hooded Jaw: Yeah!
Dominick: He-haw!
Roadrunner: Gimme the teleporter.
Hooded Jaw: Naw. You pixel boi.
John: Are we gonna be stuck here forever?
Hooded Jaw: Yeah! It'll be great!

Meanwhile with Stardown…
He doesn't have long to live. He is unable to move.
A golden portal appears in front of him.
Stardown: …??
The Golden Warrior steps out.
Stardown attempts to speak, but can't.
Francis carefully picks up Stardown and carries him through the portal.

Hooded Jaw: Alright kids! Time for some group activities!
Roadrunner: SDNEIF!
Italian Mouse: A-ring-a-a-a-round-a-a-a-rosey-a!
Brian: Please, sir. We're hurt.
Italian Mouse: A-then-a-this-a-will-a-make-a-for-a-great-a-exercise-a!
None of the Guardians move.
Italian Mouse: A-get-a-up-a!
Roadrunner: A-no-a!
Hooded Jaw: Then we'll have to give you more Smarties!
Roadrunner: We can't really walk.
Dominick: HAW-HE!
Agent 7: Just… let me sleep…
Hooded Jaw: Naw!
She rolls over.
Rainmaker: Let it snow!
Roadrunner: Oh, the weather inside is frightful…
Rainmaker: Try to sleep now! Haw haw haw!
Meanwhile…
A Golden Portal appears.
Italian Mouse: A-wut-a…
Francis emerges.
Francis: Nobody move!
Dominick: Haw!
Francis picks up John and carries him through the portal. He emerges a minute later.
Rainmaker: Let it lightning!
ZAP!
Francis: Force field.
Rainmaker: Oof.
He carries the others through the portal.
The minor villains rush for it when he isn't looking.
They enter the portal. Francis carries Briaan through, and the portal closes.

John: Where are we?
Francis: Guardian Base. I was able to recover it.
Roadrunner: Really??
Francis: Surprise!
Stardown: But… how…
Francis: Believe me, it was tough. The entities in the other dimension were insane.
Brian: What happened to the Cat 5?
Francis: I didn't see them. Sorry.
Hiroshimi: We are deeply in your debt. Thank you so much.
Francis: You're welcome!
Brian: Where are the other Guardians?
Francis: They are here as well. You all need immediate medical attention… Wait a minute. Where are the minor villains?
Hooded Jaw: Right here, buddy!
Francis tranks them, sends them back through the portal, and closes it.
Francis: That could have been dangerous.
Mark: Who knows what they would have done.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
Arnold and several Guardian soldiers enter.
Brian: Arnold!
Arnold walks over, and they shake hands.
Arnold: Good to see you all again.
Brian: Is there anything okay?
Arnold: Yes, everything's fine here. It looks like you need immediate medical care.
Brian: Yes…
Everyone is taken to the infirmary. Brian and Stardown relate their adventures to Arnold.
Arnold: You've been through a lot.
Brian: Yeah.
Stardown: Too much. The stress is really getting to me.
He pixelates.
Agent 7 pixelates.
Arnold: Did you just…?
Agent 7: Yes. Everything looks pixelated.
Arnold dials for help.
Minutes later, the nurses enter.
Stardown: Thank… you…

Meanwhile…
Satou: Everything is prepared.
Susie: When shall we head out?
Satou: Tomorrow. Today we rest.
Armaul enters.
Armaul: Some golden being just took Stardown through a portal.
Satou: What?
Armaul: He seems to be acquainted wth this being.
Miyoko: What do you mean?
Armaul: They've known each other for some time.
Miyoko: What makes you say that?
Armaul: This Golden Warrior has come to Stardown's rescue time and again. He is OP.
Miyoko: Why would he rescue and dead man.
Satou: Because he may not be dead.
Miyoko: …How?
Satou: There is always a possibility.
Miyoko: …
Susie: So what do we do?
Satou: We'll continue with our plan.

The next day.
John: I'm feeling better already!
Brian: Careful. You may still have Mercuritis.
Stardown: True.
Brian: We should probably be scanned.
John: Good thing you don't have it, Stardown! How are you feeling?
There is no reply.
Brian: He may be unconscious.
John: Will he be okay?
Brian: I hope so.
Roadrunner: Those fiends… won't get away with this…
Mark: They won't.
They wait for what seemed like eternity. A nurse enters to check up on them.
She checks Stardown's pulse.
She pales.
Nurse: He's… dead…
Everyone: What??
Roadrunner: That girl's gonna PAY!!!
Brian: Those lightsaber wounds have taken their toll. Lunch?
Nurse: Oh yes. Does anyone have a 1-up?
Brian: We have three.
He beckons a Guardian guard over and gives him the code to the 1-up stock.
He enters, gets one, and brings it back.
Brian: Thank you.
It is given to Stardown.
He slowly opens his eyes.
Stardown: Wh……. Whe… Where… Am… I?
Brian: Guardian Base… You died.
Stardown: I… Wait…
Mark: What happened to you?
Brian: Give him a moment.
Stardown has a look of confusion on his face.
Brian: It's a long story.
Stardown: O… kay…
The nurses begin supplying him with medication.
Brian explains about Francis and the Guardian Base, and how they were brought there. Francs had installed a chip in the prime Guardians, so he could keep track of their location.
Stardown: That… incredible… How did I… die?
Brian: It looked like lightsaber wounds.
Stardown: Oh…
He pales.
Stardown: I… remember…
Hiroshimi: Who was it?
Stardown: Miyoko…
Hiroshimi: Hawt.
Roadrunner: FIEND!
Mark: Indeed…
Arnold and Max enter.
Max: It's been forever!
Brian: Good to see you again, Max.
Stardown: A-Arnold…!
Arnold: What happened?
Brian tells him.
Arnold: Wow.
Brian: Any news on the Congregation?
Arnold: No. I just got back so I haven't heard.
Mark: Wait a minute. Where did Miyoko learn to use a lightsaber.
Brian: Perhaps one of the members trained her, or she did so herself.
Hiroshimi: She doesn't strike me as the type to use a lightsaber.
Mark: We need to keep an eye on her. If she was able to overpower Stardown…
Arnold's cell phone rings.
Arnold: Hello?
???: This is the president of the UI speaking. One of our spies in the Congregation has reported that they plan to invade us. We need your protection.
Arnold: Do you have details?
UI President: Our spy reports they believe you are dead, which would give them the opportunity to invade us.
Arnold: That we're not! Any information on invasion plans?
UI President: No details yet.
Arnold: Okay. Keep me posted if there are. When's it happening?
UI President: Today.
Arnold: Oh dear. Did they say a time?
UI President: No.
Arnold: We need to prepare right away.
UI President: We're counting on you.
They hang up.
Arnold tells them what he hears.
Arnold: The Congregation are going to invade Whale Island. You all get some rest and recover. I'll take care of this.
Stardown: Good… luck…
Arnold left the room and begin strategizing.

Later…
Arnold sat down at his computer and began writing down what he knew.
At this point, and with so little information available, he had to be literally ready for anything.
Later, he organized a force, and they headed out.
Max: Where to?
Arnold: Whale Island. The UI.
It isn't long until they arrive.
The dropships land, and the troopers get out.
Max: How big of a force was sent out?
Arnold: We don't know. Like I said, we need to be ready for anything, even if it seems overkill.
Arnold promoted several captains since returning. These help run the defense force.
Several troopers exit the dropships.
Arnold: I'm getting something on the radar.
Max: Show time?
Arnold: Show time.
They see several Robeasts flying their way.
Arnold: Are the turrets set up?
Captain: Aye, sir!
Arnold: Fire!
The Robeasts are hit, but not damaged.
Max: That's bad…
They open fire on the Guardians.
The turrets are destroyed.
Several Guardian gunships rise up to face the attackers.
The gunships open fire.
Max: It's not working!
The Robeasts open fire.
Captain: Fall back!
The gunships are hit.
Half of them are destroyed before they can take cover.
Max: This is a disaster!
They begin firing at the Guardians' various other defenses.
Arnold: Retreat!
Captain: There's nothing else but these Robeasts, and yet they're winning with ease. Maybe this is why their attack force is so small.
Max: They're invincible. If only Francis were here…
Captain 2: They're headed for the capitol building!
Arnold: We need to defend the perimeter at all costs!
The UI defense force joined them there.
Captain: It would be nice if the Jaywalkers were here!
Max: But they're not. We need to just deal with it.
They defend with everything they have.
General: Shoot the engines!
They try that, but it is to no avail. :P
Max: This is a fleeting effort. :(
General: Cut them off at the capitol!
They try, but the Robeasts keep moving.
Soldier: They're OP!
Max: What about that atom splitter?
Arnold: Good thing, but that only works on small targets at close range. Besides, we didn't bring it.
Captain: They're landing in front of the capitol.
Arnold: Quick! Into the building!
They land and get out.
Arnold: They're heading in the main entrance. We need to enter through the back.
They managed to reach that part of the building without being spotted.
They hear an alarm as they enter.
The alarm is already sounding as the Guardians enter.
Arnold: This way!
By the looks of things, many of the personnel have evacuated. The corridors are empty.
A few moments later, they hear blaster fire.
Arnold: Take it easy. We don't want to be caught off guard.
The troops take up formations.
Max: Seems like they're using the originals again.
Arnold: But why?
Max: Maybe it's part of their plan?
Arnold: Whatever their plan is, it's not good.
They finally spot the UI guards as they backed up.
UI Guard: There are too many of them!
The Guardians open fire upon first sighting the Robans.
Roban: The Guardians have breached the perimeter.
Roban: Eradicate them.
The Guardians knew that the Robans would be difficult, but they weren't prepared for the firepower they received.
They began mowing down the soldiers.
Arnold: Back! Back!
The soldiers move back.
Roban: Secure the elevators.
Max: What do we do?
Arnold: Keep them at bay while we reload.
More UI guards come at the Robans from the other side.
Roban: We are surrounded.
Roban: Teleport.
Roban: Relocation commencing!
The Robans teleport away.
Max: I have a feeling they're not going away.
They hear distant blaster fire.
Arnold: Yup. They're not.
They quickly realize that the sounds are a couple stories above them.
Arnold: Move! Move! Move!
They head to the elevators, but find that some of the Robans stayed to guard them.
The soldiers blasted at them.
Robans: Eradicate!
Soldier: Do we have any special weapons?
Max: Not on hand… that I know of…
Captain: This is a losing battle!
Soldier: More are coming in!
All the Robans fire at once.
Only a few Guardians remain.
Max: Is a retreat in order?
Arnold: There's only one way out. That hall over there.
Max: Are all our men with us?
Arnold searches them.
Arnold: Yes. (to the men) We're leaving.
They run past the Robans down the hall.
Roban: Let them retreat.
Max: How do we get upstairs?
Arnold: There's a stairwell here.
They climb it and reach the floor the other Robans are on.
Soldier: Do we have any anti-Roban guns?
Arnold: What do you mean?
Soldier: Guns that were made to destroy Robans.
Arnold: We don't have anything like that yet, sadly. Note to self, though.
They cautiolsly head toward the blaster sounds.
But when the Robans spot the Guardians, they teleport again.
Max: I think they're nearly at their goal.
Arnold: We had better hurry them.
But once again, the elevators are guarded.
Max: How do we get past them?
Arnold: Take the stairs quickly. They're guardian the elevators.
Arnold: I hate to abandon a friend, but this is a suicide mission for us.
Roban: Eradicate! (!!!!!)
Roban: They are leaving.
Max: That was close.
Arnold: The shuttles are over there.
His phone rings.
They reach the unguarded shuttles. Arnold answers his phone.
Arnold: Hello?
UI President: What's the situation?
Arnold: We were overrun and forced to retreat. We had insufficient supplies.
UI President: So…
Arnold: …I'm so sorry…
UI President: So you're telling me they're going to take over?
Arnold: There's no stopping them. We lost over half our men. They were obviously prepared for this.
UI President: …
After a few more minutes of talking, they hang up. Soon the shuttles take off.
Arnold: I'll be back.
Max: What now?
Arnold: Regroup and wait until the others recover.
They watch as more dropships head to the capital building.
Max: Must be the leaders.
They see more dropships arrive: those of Whale Island.
Max: …Who acted too soon.
They open fire on the landing Roban ships.
Roban Captain: An ambush is underway! Eradicate the enemy!
They manage to cripple the dropship force as gunships enter the scene. Despite being a match for them, the Robans didn't want to risk a fight in those dropships for fear of losing critical members. They proceed in landing as fast they can while receiving a constant flow of blaster fire.
Roban Captain: Send Robeasts to intercept! Send Robeasts to intercept!
Arnold notices the threat and reaches for his phone to contact the Whale Island general leading the defense about what they're up against. He warns him about theyr apparent invincibility and to plan accordingly.

Meanwhile…
Roban General: Where is the UI President?
Security: H-H-He's not here!
Roban General: I know that. Where is he?
Security: I-I-I…
The general blasts him and orders the other Robans to search the office.
They do not find him.
Roban General: Gather more Robans. Search the building.
Ten minutes of searching later…
More dropships arrive.
The UI and Whale Island's militaries try to counter them.
Robans: ERADICATE.
The Robans fire away.
The UI guards put up energy shields.
Roban General: Don't waste your time on them.
The Robans push their way past the guards.
UI Captain: Nothing seems to be working! They're unstoppable!

Meanwhile…
The group back at base is recovering nicely. After awhile, Stardown manages to fall asleep, but meets all of his worst nightmares in his dreams.
???: Why, hello, Stardown! Do you, by any chance, remember me?
Stardown: All too well, Dreamer.
Dreamer: Good! I hoped so. Now, do you know why I'm here?
Stardown: To give me nightmares like usual?
Dreamer: Sort of. You see, me and the Hooded Jaw–
Stardown groans.
Dreamer: –kinda teamed up, and we thought if we trap you in your nightmares forever, you wouldn't be able to foil our IRL deeds!
Stardown: Not gonna work.
Dreamer: Oh really now? Do enlighten me on why you say that.
Stardown: When has any of your plots worked?
Dreamer: Oh, this different. Just you wait.
The Hooded Jaw enters.
Hooded Jaw: Oh hi Stardown! =D
Stardown: Gah! Get him away from me!
Dreamer: I shall not. I don't think you've tried all his Smarties, right?
Hooded Jaw: Nope. I've got MILLIONS!
Stardown: No no no no no…
Hooded Jaw: Oh, just cough up your hairball already.
He draws his Smartie gun.
Stardown: Ah! Dreamer! Stop him!
Dreamer: Hey, it's my dream, not yours.
Stardown reaches for his lightsaber, but realizes it's not there.
Roadrunner, who is standing in the distance, holds it up.
Roadrunner: Come and get it! >:D
Dreamer: Yes, Stardown. Get it.
Hooded Jaw: Can I Smartie-ify him first?
Dreamer: Of course!
Hooded Jaw: Dinner time!
BAM BAM BAM!
Everyone laughs.
Dreamer: No wait, I got a better idea.
He snaps his fingers, and Stardown is sitting at a feast. Hooded Jaw is sitting next to him. While everyone else at the table gets turkey and mashed potatoes, Stardown has a plate of Smarties.
Stardown: What.
Hooded Jaw: What.
Stardown: Why.
Hooded Jaw: Why not.
Stardown: This makes no sense.
Hooded Jaw: Of course.
Stardown: Why me?
Dreamer: Because you're fun to toy with.
Stardown: Why…
Dreamer: Also, did you forget I placed a nightmare seed in your subconsciousness?
Stardown: Nightmare… seed?
Dreamer: That's the reason I haunt you most nights.
Stardown: What is it?
Dreamer: The seed allows me to reside within you. Over a course of months, it will feed on your fear and convert it to nightmare energy to power Thundra. In a few months, Thundra will kill you in the dream world, effectively killing you in the real world.
Stardown doesn't speak. He just stares forward.
Hooded Jaw: Aren't you hungry, dear?
Stardown: …
Dreamer: He's talking to you.
Stardown: I know.
Hooded Jaw burps Spartie fumes at Stardown.
Stardown turns his face away.
Hooded Jaw: What's the matter? Shy?
Stardown: Seriously?
Dreamer: Let's move on, shall we?
Stardown: Just get me out of here…
Dreamer: Come now, you know I can't do that. Thundra gets cranky without his nightmare fuel.
Stardown: -\_-
The dreams shifts.
He finds himself alone with Dreamer and Thundra in a dimly lit room.
Stardown: Now what?
Dreamer: Ready to have some fun?
Stardown: No.
Dreamer: Aww! Don't worry, I won't let you be a party popper. Ready, Thundra?
Stardown: Party?
Dreamer: That got your attention!
Thundra looms over him.
Stardown: You want nightmare fuel.
Thundra doesn't reply as he closes in.
Stardown gets up and looks for a door.
Dreamer: You want out?
Stardown: More than anything.
Dreamer: Okay!
He brings him to the Hooded Jaw.
Hooded Jaw: Welcome back, Stardown!
Stardown: This is getting boring.
Hooded Jaw: Let's make this exciting!
Miyoko enters.
Hooded Jaw: It's your girl!
Stardown: My… girl?
Hooded Jaw: Yes! Right, Miyoko?
Miyoko: What.
Stardown: See? We're not in love!
He tries to run away.
Dreamer: Ah ah ah!
He nudges him back.
Hooded Jaw: Stardown… Miyoko… Ship!
Stardown: Since when was this a thing?
Hooded Jaw: Always! I've seen it in your eyes…
Stardown: I thought you liked me with Amy better!
Hooded Jaw: Eh… That's stuffy.
Stardown: Stuffy?
Hooded Jaw: Yeah… But this is newer and better!!!!!!! =D =D =D
Stardown decided to keep playing dumb.
Stardown: But who will you ship Amy with?
Hooded Jaw: Me!
Stardown: :O I… wanna see that.
Hooded Jaw: You gotta have your date first.
He pulls out a table and chairs.
Stardown: Does Miyoko approve of this?
Miyoko: Why?
Stardown: I just want to know. You have your life with Satou, after all.
Miyoko: Why do you ship us?
Hooded Jaw: 'Cause it's fun!
Dreamer: Do it. Otherwise, the dream sequence will change in five minutes.
Stardown: I suppose it's better than the other things you have planned.
He sits down.
Hooded Jaw: Thundra, can you possess them to love each other?
Thundra: Yes…
Stardown: !
They are possessed.
Stardown: Miyoko… I… I love you.
Miyoko: I do too.
They begin smooching each other.
Hooded Jaw: I got this on camera!
Dreamer: I'll add a crowd.
Hooded Jaw: =D
Several people Stardown knows are added to the dream.
Miyoko: What's this?
Hooded Jaw: It's your wedding, gurl!
Stardown: Where's your crush?
Hooded Jaw: IDK.
Miyoko: Wait, wedding?
Hooded Jaw: Yeah.
Amy crashes through the roof and lands in front of the Hooded Jaw.
Amy: Right here, ya bloomin' idiot!
She hammers him across the room.
Stardown: Th-thanks.
Miyoko: Let's… go where it's a little quieter…
Stardown: Wh-what am I doing? A little help here?
Miyoko: ?
Hooded Jaw: Just. Date. The girl.
Stardown: Aren't I?
Dreamer: You know, this is quite entertaining. I think I'll stick to this sequence for a while.
Stardown: Oh no…

Meanwhile…
Roban General: The base is under Roban contro. I repeat: the base is under Roban control.
Satou: Perfect. I will arrive shortly…

At the Guardian base…
Mark: Stardown doesn't look right…
Brian: This could be serious.
Roadrunner: That face…
Mark: Wait a minute! Roadrunner, get the dream recorder in the lab!
Roadrunner: Right!
He rushes off; feeling more like his old self.
Brian: In a few minutes, we'll see what's happening with Stardown.
John: Will he be OK?
Brian: I hope so. Then again, it might not be serious.
A moment later, Roadrunner returns with the recorder.
Mark: All right, let's hook it up.
They hook up the dream recorder to Stardown and plug it in.
Mark turns on the screen and they watch.
Brian: Oh no…
Mark: Dreamer, Miyoko, the Hooded Jaw…
John: What's going on?
Brian: They're trying to… force him to date her…?
Mark: That's not right…
Roadrunner: Fiends!
Mark turns up the volume.

Hooded Jaw: Aww! Isn't this so cute?
Dreamer: I know!
Stardown and Miyoko head toward a door in front of them.
Hooded Jaw: Where are they going on their honeymoon?
Stardown: We just want to be alone.
Dreamer: That's quite all right.

Roadrunner: What's he doing?!
Brian: Dreamer needs to change the dream sequence before anything serious happens!

They open the door and close it behind them.
Hooded Jaw: While I ship them together, isn't it kinda PG for a kida' novel what they're about to do?
Dreamer: It's not a kids' novel.
Hooded Jaw: That's a relief. Should we change the dream sequence?
Dreamer: Nah.
A few minutes pass, and Stardown and Miyoko return.
Hooded Jaw: What did ya do?
Stardown: Chat.
Hooded Jaw: And?
Stardown: Nope.
Hooded Jaw: Oh.
Dreamer: Thundra is getting hungry.
Sonic rushes in.
Sonic: Alright, what's going on here?
Hooded Jaw points to Stardown.
Hooded Jaw: He's getting married!
Sonic: Nope.
He spins toward the Hooded Jaw, who promptly draws his Smartie gun.
Amy: Wach awt Sanic!!
Her head begins expanding.
Stardown: Gah! My eyes!
Miyoko: What.
Sonic knocks the Hooded Jaw over before he can do anything.
Then Miyoko roundhouse kicks him into Dreamer.
Hooded Jaw: My sacred spleen!
Dreamer: Enough! Let's change the dream sequence.
Stardown: Wait!
But it is too late.

Mark: They changed the dream sequence.

Stardown: Where am I this time?
Dreamer: Satou's lair. And here comes Miyoko!
Miyoko draws a lightsaber.
Dreamer: Get him, gurl.
Miyoko: No.
She turns to him.
Miyoko: Smoochies!
Hooded Jaw laughs like a hyena.
Stardown began spitting nyan cats as Miyoko's hair turned blue.
Dreamer: Next sequence!
Stardown: Nyan-what-nyan?
The sequence changes. Stardown is now in his castle, which is now Shmouse-occupied.
A Shmouse aims his blaster at him.
Shmouse: Don't move!
Stardown: I…
Shmouse: Put your hands up!
Stardown complies.

John: Can we change his dream?
Brian: I don't know. We need to wake him up somehow.
John: What time is it?
Brian: Almost noon.
Mark: But is Dreamer doing this?
Brian: I wish I know. There's definitely a reason, though.
Mark: Wait a minute! Maybe it has to do with Thundra!
Roadrunner: Not him again! Thundra, you fiend!

Stardown can hear Roadrunner's voice echoing through the dream world.
Dreamer: Well, will you look at that! Your friends are watching! I could have some fun with this…
Stardown: How would you know…?
Dreamer: I know things about you even you don't know. Now would be a good time to exploit things you would never share, don't you think?
Stardown: What?
Dreamer leans in close to him.
Dreamer: Your deepest secrets…
Stardown didn't speak.
Dreamer: You love someone besides Miyoko, right?
Stardown: I'm sorry?
Dreamer: Here, I'll give you a hint…
Stardown: ???
Dreamer: Elderberry.
Stardown: Seriously?
Dreamer: Yes.
He changes the dream sequence again.
Stardown found himself in a completely dark room. He was unable to see anything.
Stardown: Where am I?
There is no response.
Stardown: What is this?
Still nothing.
Stardown: Is this a test?
Silence.
Stardown: Hello?
…
He waits several moments… still nothing. He suddenly begins to feel weak.
Stardown: ???

Roadrunner: The fiend's killing him!
John: What do we do?
Brian: I honestly don't know.
Roadrunner: Lunch?
Brian: Oh yes.
John: We need a way to get into his dream!
Brian checks Stardown's heart rate.
Brian: It's slowing. Mark, get the paddles.
Mark rushes off.
Brian: Please, please let this work…
Mark returns with the paddles.
Brian: Let's hope this works…
With one move, he quickly applies the paddles to Stardown's chest.
He suddenly sat up and took a huge breath of air.
Mark and Roadrunner move closer, but Brian holds them back.
Brian: Give him a moment.
Stardown: Wh… Where am I?
Brian: You're back at Guardian Base.
Stardown: H-How? I… I-I was…
Brian: The dream felt real to you, didn't it?
Stardown: …Yes…
Brian: Something needs to be done about Thundra and Dreamer.
Stardown: I feel… weak…
Brian: Lie down; you need your energy. But don't sleep.
Stardown: I don't think that will be… difficult…
Mark nods.
Stardown: Has anything happened while I was asleep?
Brian: …They took Whale Island.
Stardown: They what?!
Brian sadly nods.
Stardown: If they've taken Whale Island, they've taken Plit…
Brian: Which is why we must act now.
Stardown: Do you have a plan?
Brian: We're working on one at the moment. However, it will be some time before we come up with a plan.
Stardown was beginning to go into shock.
Mark and Roadrunner are at his side in a moment.
Stardown: It happened so quickly…
Brian: I know.
Stardown: We'll need help from outside.
Brian: Yes, we do. I plan to put out several calls to the outside.
Stardown: Jaywalkers?
Brian: Yes. We'll also need Francis' help as well.
Stardown: Where has he been?
Brian: Anywhere, everywhere, I don't really know.
Stardown begins to feel dizzy.
He lies back down.

Meanwhile…
A few Robans teleport into the UI President's office. It is empty.
Roban: Secure the perimeter.
More Robans teleport into the UI President's office.
Roban General: Contact has been established with the Congregation leader. He will arrive ETA 20 minutes.
They prepare for his arrival.
Sixteen minutes later, Satou enters, flanked by eight humanoid Roban guards.
Satou: You have done well, General.
Roban General: Thank you. Your seat is prepared.
Satou walks over to the UI President's seat and sits down.
Satou: Now we begin…

Meanwhile…
Arnold: We'll need to take action before they get too comfortable.
Brian: Yes, I agree.
Max: They were definitely planning this for awhile.
Arnold: I can't believe they succeeded. I… I think I failed…
Brian: We'll fight while we still have breath.
Max: But should Stardown be involved in this? I mean, he's had the whole nightmare thing happen to him…
Arnold: He should rest. He's been through a lot.
Brian nods.
Arnold: We need outside help. We can't do this alone.
Brian: I know. I've already made a few calls.
Arnold nods.
Arnold: Who did you call?
Brian: Many people, including the Jaywalkers, Francis, the Mobians…
Arnold: Francis? We haven't heard from him in some time.
Brian: He was away doing some things. Said they were confidential.
Arnold: When are they expected to arrive?
Brian: All within twelve hours.
Arnold: Is that enough time given the circumstances?
Brian: I doubt it. It'll give the Robans enough time to settle in, but there's always hope.
Arnold nods.

Meanwhile…
Numerous Roban carriers land around the building. Hundreds of Robans march out.
Another specially marked carrier lands. The rest of the Congregation arrives.
Black Toadette: Rah rah rah! There's no stopping us now!
Vladimir: I can't believe we have finally won…
Armaul: Those fools thought they were so tough. Where are they now during their hour of trouble?
Miyoko: Slacking off after they chickened out earlier.
Armaul: Good thing they did, not that it would have mattered anyway.
They enter the building and enter Satou's office.
Satou: Just in time.
Black Toadette: Are you prepared for the chance the Guardians might return?
Satou: Certainly. Robans are coming by the minute.
Armaul: Were you able to solve the mystery of who sabotaged the production of your Robans?
Satou: No, unfortunately.
Black Toadette: Are there any flaws in your plans we should be aware of?
Satou: Certainly not. I wouldn't let there be.
Miyoko's phone pings. She checks it.
Miyoko: Well, there seems to be a minor setback. One of our spies in the Guardian base reports they just called for mass support.
Satou: The cowards. They hide behind others in the face of danger, but no matter. They'll be of no threat to us.
Miyoko nods.
Vladimir: So what is our next move?
Satou: To set up a long term protection around the base.

Later…
Arnold: We just got a call. We should be expecting our first allies very soon.
Stardown: That's great. So, any updates on what Satou's been up to?
Brian: Carriers are landing by the minute. They're up to something big.
Stardown: And we'll be ready!
A guard enters.
Guard: The first backup has arrived.
Arnold: Send them in.
Mario and Luigi enter the room.
Mario: Let's-a-go!
Luigi: This is for the fate of the world, am I right?
Arnold: Yes.
Mark: Come what may. We'll be ready.
Over the next hour, more and more people arrive, including Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Kirby, Meta Knight, Matthias, the Johnson sisters, and a few Jaywalker representatives.
John: Good to see you again, Tails!
Tails: Yeah! I've missed you guys!
Sonic: Long time no see, Stardown!
Stardown: Yeah, it's been a long time, hasn't it?
Meta Knight: So you're the Stardown I've heard about?
Stardown: I'm famous on other planets?
Meta Knight: Yes. Your tales have spread far and wide.
After a few more minutes of reuniting, Arnold calls everyone's attention.
Arnold: As you or may not know, we have a grave threat on our hands. Our enemy Kenji Satou has amassed a huge army of robots. He has conquered the United Islands building, and from there seeks to take over the world as well.
Roadrunner: Those fiends will never take us alive!
Mark: No they won't.
Arnold: The Congregation are gathered within the UI building.
He opens a holographic map.
Arnold: They most likely have the technology to detect and destroy anything that flies. So we have asked the Jaywalkers to launch an all-out frontal assault on the base. The start of the attack will be our signal to move out. We will head to the UI headquarters in three separate submarines. Once inside, will work our way up to the chamber.
Tails: What if they detect us?
Arnold: No doubt they will, but an undersea approach is the least conspicuous way to get there.
Meta Knight: What are these Robans like? How many are we dealing with?
Arnold: About 40,000 heavily armed and armored robots. They can be destroyed with our Roban guns we developed a while ago.
Matthias: How many of those do we have?
Brian: I think that at our last check, 58. Those things aren't easy to make.
Arnold: Okay, all of us except John and myself will be taking the subs to Whale Island. I have already decided who will go on which subs. Stardown, Brian, Knuckles, Matthias, Kirby, and Ashley will take the first sub to the north entrance. Hiroshimi, Mark, Tails, Amy, Luigi, and Jessie will take the second sub to the west entrance. Roadrunner, Luke, Sonic, Mario, Meta Knight, and Max will take the third sub to the south entrance. We depart as soon as the Jaywalkers launch their attack.
Tails: And when will that be?
Arnold checks his watch.
Arnold: Any minute now.
His radio crackles.
Arnold: Commander Arnold, the attack has begun.
Dozens of attack ships fly obver the UI building. The Robans don't intercept.
Jaywalker General: Something's up.
Carriers arrive and beam troops down to the island.
The troops run toward the building.
Jaywalker Captains: Watch your backs, boys. This is likely a trap.
They are near the door.
Jaywalker Captain: Ready?
Jaywalkers: For Plit! For the Jaywalkers!
They find that the door is unlocked.
Jaywalker Captain: Oh, this is definitely a trap.
They walk inside, and find that there are no Robans present.
Jaywalker Captain: Should we re-strategize?
Jaywalker General: That would be–
Zap!
A shockwave shoots through the soldiers, paralyzing them.
The Robans enter.

Meanwhile…
Arnold: They ambushed the Jaywalker troops.
Guardian Captain: The subs have departed.
At this point, the Guardian subs were well on their way to the base.
Tails: Oh no!
Roadrunner: Fiends!
Brian: Be ready for anything.
The subs reach the shore.

With Team 1
Brian: You all ready?
Stardown: I hope so…
Matthias: What do we do if they see us?
Brian: That's inevitable. In any case, we fight like we always do.
The Guardians and their affiliates cautiously exit the sub and swim to shore. As soon as they surface, they begin their mad assault against the Robans waiting for them.
Matthias: There aren't as many of them as I thought.
Knuckles: This has gotta be a trap.
Only a dozen Robans were present.
Ashley: Yeah, hate to admit it, but I gotta agree with you.
The Robans stood guard, but didn't advance.
Matthias: There's the front door.
The Guardians fight their way to the door.
Max: They're backing down! …Wait, this isn't right.
Roadrunner: Fiends!
They're able to make it to the door with minimal difficulty. They find it unlocked.
Mario: It's as if they want us to enter…
Sonic: Still, we shouldn't be too careful…
Luke: This has to be a trap. Why else would they make it so easy?
Max: Proceed with caution. It's the only way we're going to succeed.
They slowly open the door. There isn't a Roban in sight.
Sonic: Normally I'd run ahead and scout things out, but something tells it's not a good idea…
Meta Knight: Stay close.

Team 2: Hiroshimi, Mark, Tails, Amy, Luigi, Jessie
Team 2 heads to the door without issues.
Hiroshimi: Something isn't right here… -Don't enter yet.
Amy: It's a trap. I can feel it.
Tails: What are we going to do?!
Hiroshimi: I honestly don't know. Mark, any ideas?
Mark: No doubt it's a trap. We could find another entrance. Still a risk, though.
Hiroshimi: We need to act fast. It's obvious they know we're here.
Amy turns around and notices Robans banding together behind them.
Amy: Look!
Luigi: W-w-we're cornered!
The Robans slowly approach them, moving the barrier with.
Jesse springs forward and furiously slashes at the barrier, but to no avail.
Jesse: We've got one option left…
She shifts her gaze above the door.
Jesse: ...We scale the wall.
Luigi: Do you think you can do it, Tails?
Tails immediately takes hold of Luigi and begins flying up the wall.
Tails places Luigi on the roof and flies down for the next one.
Hiroshimi: No force field…
Tails lifts Mark next. He's already tiring.
Hiroshimi: It doesn't look like we'll all be able to scale it…
Amy: We don't have another choice.
With great difficulty, Tails is able to carry Mark to the roof.
Luigi: What about them?
Mark: You're already tiring out.
Tails struggles to catch his breath.
Tails: I'll... try....
The Robans continue closing in.
Hiroshimi: Stay up there, Tails! We'll manage!
Luigi: (quietly) No... they can't...

Team 1: Stardown, Brian, Matthias, Knuckles, Kirby, Ashley
Matthias: Where are the Robans? I'd expect the base to be teeming with them.
Brian: This is bad. Nevertheless, we need to stay alert.
Stardown: You never know when we need a change of plans.
With a snap of his fingers, a shockwave shoots through the base, paralyzing the Guardians around him. Before it reached them, he teleported away.
Knuckles: Urgh... what... was that?
Matthias: I can't move!
Kirby: Poyo poyo!
Ashley: Hey, Stardown's missing! I swear he snapped his fingers before that happened.
Brian: He... he was a decoy!
Just then the intercom crackles to life.
Satou: This is my message to the whole world. The Congregation has finally succeeded in capturing Stardown! As you can see, we are holding him here as a trophy and proof of our victory. In a short while, we will uncover all his secrets, and soon he won't be able to walk the streets without his name being whispered in distaste. He is a coward! In no way has he "rescued" your lands. Now, with him out of the way, nothing will stop us from taking over the world. I, Kenji Satou, have spoken!
Video screens are broadcast on every TV screen in the area, and all the Guardians can see the captured Stardown and the crazed look on Satou's face.
Matthias: ...Did he... just...?
Knuckles: ...He actually pulled it off…
Kirby: Poyo poyo poyo!
Tails: But... how...?
Hiroshimi: What in the world...?
Mario: It can't be…
Luke: What was that flash?
Sonic: Only one way to find out.
Without hesitation, he sprints into the base.
Mario: It could be a trap!
He returns a moment later.
Sonic: Not a Roban in sight.
Mario: Strange…
Without warning, waves of Robans swarm at them.
Satou: You were foolish to come here. Now that you know of Stardown's fate, we have no further need of your company.
The Robans open fire.
Hiroshimi: This is it.
Tails, Luigi, and Mark are still on the balcony.
Tails: We gotta help them!
Mark: Wait. What if we sneak into the building from here? I don't think they'll expect us to get this high up this fast.
Tails: Great idea! Let's go!
Luigi: But what if we're caught?
Mark: They can't catch all of us easily if we split up.
Tails is already moving across the roof.
Luigi and Mark carefully follow.
Roadrunner, Meta Knight, and Max stand back to back fighting off waves of Robans. They quickly overwhelm them.
Roadrunner: Was this a mistake, coming here?
Max: What else could we have done?
Meta Knight: Don't lose hope! We will not give in to them!
Kirby attempts to inhale a Roban, but is unsuccessful.
Ashley: Try to inhale their lasers instead!
He's successful in doing so and turns into Beam Kirby.
However, more Robans appear.
Matthias: This isn't looking promising…
Ashley: We can't make any forward progress!
Knuckles is hit by a laser.
Kirby runs over to him.
Kirby: Poyo!
Knuckles: I'll be fine... Just keep them away from here!
More and more Robans arrive.
Brian: They want us dead for real this time.
Matthias: What are we going to do? We're going to die if this keeps up.
Satou: Are you having fun?
Ashley: What do you think??
Satou: I think it's time for a little... (chuckles)... reunion.
Cyberlings of Dallas, Kervo, and Stardown's butler enter through a cloud of smoke.
The Guardians and associates are stunned, most of all Brian.
Satou: Kill them.
They try to back away, but Robans completely surround them.
Satou: Clavicus Maximus wishes to inform you that he fixed the bug involving free will.
The Guardians don't say anything. They're too shocked to do so.
Matthias takes a hit.
Luke: I-i-is this it?
Stardown's butler steps forward. He is the only cyberling capable of speech, and his voice is deep and robotic, with a vocoded effect.
Butler: Affirmative. This is the end.
Ashley: I think not!
She rushes toward the cyberlings.
Dallas fires a rope out of his cybernetic hand that immediately wraps around her.
She attempts to slice it, but finds her lightsaber is powerless.
Butler: No mercy.
She slashes away at him instead.
He deploys a force field around himself.
Only then does Ashley panic. Realizing that death is imminent. Her fears are someone eased, however, as Jesse leaps forward and attempts to distract him. The other two cyberlings home in on the other Guardians.
Butler: You have no conception of loss. How pitiful.
He begins absorbing the energy out of the lightsabers of everyone nearby.
Brian and Max, the only force sensitive individuals in the group, attempt to force shove the cyberlings away, realizing that this may be their only chance. As this happens, the Robans resume their assault.
Satou: So much for being the Guardians of this planet. You are now weaponless. What will you do now?
Stardown is in a cage at the very top of the building. Thousands of cheering individuals are crowded below.
Armaul: Do you realize how may of us have been wanting to uncover this boy's deepest, darkest secrets?
The cheering grows louder.

Vladimir: I believe it is finally time.
A roar of approval fills their ears.
Satou nods.
Satou: Good. Miyoko, you know what to do.
Miyoko smiles and carts the cage away.
She brings him to a laboratory and lays his unconscious body down.
Miyoko: Well then, let's have a look at these memories. ;)
She begins the tedious work of hooking up a machine to Stardown's brain.
He begins to stir.
Stardown: W...what? M-Miyoko?
Miyoko: Hush now. You just had a nightmare is all.
Stardown: Why am I here?
Miyoko: Lie down. All will be explained in due time.
Stardown notices the wires in his brain.
Stardown: What are you...?
Miyoko: Like I said, all will be explained in due time.
Stardown knows he is helpless.
She continues plugging cords into his head. He begins feeling a sharp pain.
He doesn't ask her anything, knowing she will give the same response.
She flicks a few switches, causing a loud hum inside his head.
Stardown: ...You're... extracting my memories, aren't you?
Miyoko: Bingo.
He slowly loses conscious. The last thing he sees before blacking out is Miyoko staring into his soul. She walks over to a nearby screen. Slowly but surely, images start to appear. Her grin turns to a look of shock as she sees the unexpected.
Miyoko: You're... you're…
Awe stucken, she looks at him for a few moments before departing to inform Satou.

One by one, the Guardians are gunned down. They are no match for Satou's forces. Satou himself enters to witness the slaughter. Brian looks him in the eye, his own eyes burning with fury.
Brian: I will avenge the blood of the incident.
A surge of adrenaline fills Brian. He force shoves the cyberling butler away and draws his lightsaber. Unafraid of losing his own life, he bolts toward Satou; prepared to cut his reign short.
Satou: This really is it, huh? Your whole global defense organization dashed to pieces before your eyes, and you dashing toward me like a total noob. This is what it's come down to? This?
He draws an eight blade lightsaber and throws it at Brian like a disk.
With the Force's aid, Brian catches the lightsaber in mid air and throws it behind him.
Satou's taken aback, but quickly evaluates the situation.
Brian is practically on top of him. Satou dodges the lightsaber and quickly snatches Brian's arm. With a little effort, he's able to pry the lightsaber out of his grasp. Brian, realising he has no other choice, leaps at Satou, grabs him, and takes him through the nearby windows together. Together, they fall to the jagged fate below. Satou and Brian, two men who led vastly different lives, meet the same fate. The former, because of his greed, and evil, the corruption that eroded his inner being, and the latter, because of his sacrifice, so that those after him would have a chance to live a life of freedom.
The moment Satou hits the rocks below, all of the Robans and Cyberlings shut down. A whole empire, controlled by one's mind.
Miyoko enters the room, only to see the carnage that took place moments ago.
Miyoko: ...Satou?
She spots the broken window and looks down. Her question is answered in a gristly fashion. She looks away in shock.
She's unable to comprehend the situation for some time. And then it hit her. Remembering the secrets she discovered from Stardown, she sprints up the stairs to conduct her experiment.
Upon entering, she's surprised to find Stardown awake.
Stardown: What... happened down there?
Miyoko: Carnage... your friends are... yeah... but don't worry, there's a solution, and that's you.
Stardown: You're not emplying what I think you're-
Miyoko pulls out a large tube and sticks Stardown's hand into it.
Stardown: You know this is going to kill me, right?
Miyoko: Not the way I see it.
Stardown begins to feel drained in a way he has never felt. His energy level is normal, but something's leaving him that he always took for granted.
Stardown: You're doing it, aren't you?
Miyoko: You'll be fine. Trust me.
Stardown: It's kind of difficult to trust someone who once tried to deliberately kill me.
Miyoko: I've changed... I'm... I'm sorry.
A moment later, she frees Stardown from the tube and heads back downstairs.
With her is a box she stored the entry from Stardown in. She heads to where the Guardians are and opens it. Beams of light shoot out and hit each and every one of them. Immediately, they rise up. Confused as to what happened.
Stardown is once again alone in his room, his prison, restrained by the machine with cords attached to his brain.
Just then he hears footsteps outside.
Stardown looks up, and is delighted to see Tails, Mark, and Luigi entering the room.
Tails: There you are!
Mark notices the machine attached to his brain.
Mark: What did they do to you?
Stardown: I think they were trying to take my memories…
Luigi: We've got to get you outta here!
Mark: Is there a way we can turn off the machine without damaging his brain?
Tails: I... I think so. This machine is familiar.
Luigi: Be careful.
Tails inspects the machine. Stardown: Long time no see, Tails.
Tails: What do you... Oh. Oh! Right! That other one was a fake! Yeah, it's been forever!
Stardown: Wait, what?! What do you mean?
Tails: Oh yeah. They had this fake version of you with the Guardians after the kidnapping. Wait, how long have they been holding you?... And, uh, are you okay? They haven't been starving you I hope.
Stardown: No, I'm fine hunger-wise. I kinda just woke up and found myself here.
Tails: Found the button!
Stardown begins to feel less tension in his head.
He is able to breathe a sigh of relief.
He slowly gets up, struggling to stand at first. Luigi gives him a hand until he's stable.
Stardown: Thanks, you guys.

They soon make it downstairs. Stardown sees the other guardians for the first time in awhile.
All the teams are now in one place, and they have a reunion.
Max: Stardown! And the real one this time!
Stardown: It's been so long... I've missed you guys.
They file their way outside into the clean air as they chat about the recent events. They see Brian panting as he makes his way up from the coast.
Brian: One moment I swore I died, and now here I am. What's going on?
Stardown: Miyoko…
He turns around and runs back inside to try to find her. Multiple times he trips over Robans, but that doesn't stop him. He starts running into every room he sees, quickly realizing the futility of his efforts. Frustration and fear plume into his mind at the thought of her spreading his secret. Once something he embraced, the weight of watchful society broke him down in a way in which he felt he had to hide his power. Attention was something he strived to avoid.
For fifteen minutes he searches. So caught up in the search that he is deaf to those calling him. He collapses in a sitting room after giving up. Just then his phone rings. He's not in the mood to talk, but answers anyway.
???: Stardown, is it?
Stardown: Yes. Yes that's me.
???: Your services are desired. Meet me at Benson's Cafe by midnight tonight. I'll be at the table by the soda fountain. Don't be late.
Stardown: That's on Amethyst-
The caller has already hung up.
Stardown: ...Well then…
Thus ends the saga.