Chapter 3: Further Explanations
Kent C. and Goombella sit in the lobby of the Resistance base. Goombella sits on a chair while Kent C.'s sitting on a desk.
Kent C: By the way, Goombella, how did you find out that Croco is the true leader? Only me and the Crooks have seen him or know of him.
Goombella: Well, while filing some things while working in that department I dropped one file. Coincidently it was the file with everything about Croco: how he'd come to get to this point, the fact that he leads us, everything. There's one thing that puzzles me, though.
Kent C: What is it?
Goombella: Well, I know that Tatanga threw Croco off of a tower, but how did Croco survive this?
Kent C: Well, it goes like this...
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Kent C. stood facing the Axems angrily. The Crooks stood next to him.
Kent C: They should be getting close to that Spork. Since Croco's faster than Yaridovich you all are probably pretty nervous, aye?
Black: You wish! The Spork is long gone.
Kent C: What?
Black: We already aquired it and Smithy's already been freed. Up there Smithy's going to reveal himself and kill Yaridovich over his failures. Plus Tatanga's working for us anyway, so Croco is going to end up dead before this even occurs.
Kent C: One of us has to get up there and warn Croco!
Black: Too late.
Black pointed to the roof. Tatanga could be seen holding Croco over his head. After seeing this the Axems walked off to go watch the fight from another building.
Tatanga: Rest in peaces, Croco Thepht.
With that the alligator was thrown from the roof. Kent C. jumped over to the point at which Croco was going to land and managed to catch the alligator.
Kent C: We'd better get out of here.
Crook 1: Agreed.
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Kent C: And that's how Croco lived.
Goombella: I see...
Suddenly the door swings open and Crooks 1 and III walk in. Crook III slams the door behind him.
Kent C: How'd things go?
Crook 1: Tatanga caught us. He could have easily broken our necks but he let us go and allowed us to escape.
Kent C: Odd. He must have some type of plan.
Crook III: It goes beyond that. He knows that Croco is alive and isn't telling Yaridovich. And even more importantly...
Crook III points to where his broach normally would be.
Crook III: He got it.
Kent C: He's got those two shards we gave him... knowledge of Croco being alive... an apparent hidden agenda... and now the broach. This isn't good. No, this is not good at all. Perhaps we were wrong in having considered Yaridovich to be the main threat. Wait a second... I think he played you two like fools.
Crook 1: What do you mean?
Kent C: He didn't know Croco was alive. He used you two to find out!
Goombella: He's right. Tatanga must have tricked you.
Crook 1: I think you're right. When Hinflo comes back tomorrow I want all four of you- yes, you too, Goombella- to get that Toad awakened at all costs so we can question him. Make it the top priority.
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Crook B sits in his hotel room on the bed trying to read a book. He's feeling a bit distracted though.
Crook B: *sigh* For some reason I have the feeling that something is going to occur in this hotel tonight... It's like I just can't relax while I'm here.
The Crook starts to doze off when he hears a scream coming from the lobby.
Crook B: I must have ESP.
With that Crook B opens the door and runs downstairs, seeing Axem Red, with Toadette standing behind the counter looking terrified.
Crook B: What's with all the racket?
Toadette: He- he works for Yaridovich, doesn't he?
Crook B: Well, yes, but he's secretly helping us. So, why'd you come here, Red?
Red: I just came here to warn that Yaridovich sent a small army here to attack this hotel, and it isn't to take you out either. He doesn't even know you're here. He's apparently been planning this for weeks. I don't know if they'll hit tonight or tomorrow morning, nor do I know why, but I do know that there are about fifty Machine Mades all on their way here right now.
Crook B: Red, go upstairs and get the bags filled with supplies I bought, then do me a favor and get back to the base. Tell them to send backup here right now. How long do you think everything will take?
Red: It'll take about an hour to get there and an hour back, plus it'll take at least an hour to get an army together so you're going to have to stand your ground for some time.
Crook B: I see. Red, make sure NOT to come back yourself. If even one of them were to see you then your efforts to win Yaridovich's trust will have been for nothing.
Red: I understand.
Red goes up, gets the bags, and runs out.
Toadette: A- an army?! Here?!
Crook B: Looks that way. Toadette, is there a basement here?
Toadette: There's a boiler room.
Crook B: That works. Tell everyone in this building to get in that boiler room and arm themselves with anything they can find. I'll hold off as many of them as I can take until the reinforcements arrive. If anything happens then stay in there until you can no longer hear anything and then send a person to check and see how things are going.
Toadette nods and runs off to get everyone. Crook B reaches into the bag he carries on his back and pulls out a short iron rod.
Crook B: This won't do much but it's a start.
Crook B sits down on the counter and
keeps his eyes on the door.
Chapter 4: Reinforcements
Kent C, Crook 1, Crook III, and Goombella still sit in the lobby talking. The rest of the Resistance had already gone into their bunkers earlier, a couple of hours before their last discussion, even.
Kent C: This is quite a predicament we're in now. We all know how powerful Yaridovich is, but Tatanga could prove to be unstoppable with all he has right now.
Crook 1: Indeed. In fact-
Suddenly the Crook is interrupted by the ringing of a cell phone. He pulls the phone out of his pocket and answers it.
Crook 1: Hello?
Red: Hey, it's Red. I'm on my way to the base but I need you to do something, fast.
Crook 1: What is it?
Red: An attack is being launched by Yaridovich on a hotel sometime in the next few hours. Coincidently it's the very hotel that Hinflo's staying in right now.
Crook 1: I see. About how large is the group Yaridovich's sending?
Red: I'd say roughly 50 Machine Mades.
Crook 1: Right. I'll get a squadron together. You don't intend on coming with us, do you?
Red: I would, but there's a high chance that one of them will recognize me.
Crook 1: I am aware.
The two hang up. Crook 1 turns to the others.
Crook 1: Go get about 50 people together. We have a fight on our hands.
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Crook B sits on the counter still, continuing to watch the door. He patiently taps the rod to his leg. After a bit of time doing this, he sees lights coming from the windows. He looks out one and sees a huge group that has surrounded the building in a circle and is quickly charging forward. Crook B leaps off the counter and stands next to the door, waiting for one of them to charge in.
Crook B: Here I was starting to think that reinforcements might get here first...
The door flies upon a few seconds later. Upon this happening an Axem Black Machine Made walks in and the rod is swung at the machine's back. The machine falls and the rod is snapped in two.
Crook B: Guess I need a better weapon.
Crook B jumps over the fallen machine and runs into a kitchen. In there he looks around and sees a set of knives.
Crook B: It works...
Crook B backflips to the knives and pulls out one of them. He jumps behind a machine that is nearing him an rams the bladed instrument into the Machine Made's control panel. The machine falls apart and Hinflo grabs the torso, throwing it at a few others that are charging him. The machines are knocked down to the ground but they quickly rise. Crook B grabs five refrigerator magnets and begins throwing them into the militia, causing four fighters to explode (one misses). The explosion blows a few others to the ground for a few seconds. Crook B then runs out of the room and ducks behind the counter.
Crook B: This isn't good...
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Axem Black stands upon a hill above a building. An army is filling the building while the Axem watches from above.
Black: Soon enough that fool Yaridovich'll
trust me as much as he does Red at this point. Heh.
Chapter 5: Black Hearts
Black: Go onward! Capture what it was I told you to apprehend for Yaridovich!
Black yells this to the army below him, which carries out his command. After things sound like they've quieted down, Black enters the building. Inside he sees most of the army he is commanding heading upstairs to check for what it is they are after. A few others are looking for something around the room.
Black: Why are you all not following my orders?
Machine Made: There is one among them here who is attempting to fight against us. We're waiting for the fool to show himself.
Black: How many has he taken down?
Machine Made: Six.
Black: Find and kill him. I'll be upstairs.
Black turns and walks up the stairs. The Machine Mades continue searching, not noticing the Crook hiding behind the desk.
Crook B: (This isn't good. I wonder what Black's doing commanding a squadron, or what he's searching for.)
Hinflo suddenly feels two hands on his shoulders. He spins around and is grabbed around the throat by a particularly large Machine Made Axem Black. The machine lifts him into the air as Crook B begins to lose conciousness.
Crook B: Can't... breathe... agh... huh...
Just as Crook B's vision is beginning to get blurry, a magnet flies through the window, spilling glass all over the ground. The magnet hits the Machine Made's back and Crook B falls to the ground, weazing. The other Machine Mades in the room meet a similar fate. Crook B pulls himself up but still feels rather woozy. He runs outside, seeing Crook III, Kent C, and a small army of members of the Resistance.
Crook B: Good timing.
Kent C: I'll say. Men, listen up! I've examined architectual information for this building and decided that myself and the two Crooks shall guard the Boiler Room in case they try to destroy the building after they're finished. Get upstairs and fight that army, but do not, I repeat, do NOT harm Axem Black any more than neccessary until we know what it is they're after!
The group charges in to do as Kent C. has instructed. Inside they all go off in the directions assigned. In front of the boiler room, the three stop to take guard and begin whispering.
Kent C: Where are all the people who work here or are staying for the night?
Crook B: Right behind us. They're hiding inside, armed as well as they can be.
Kent C: Good. I'd hate for all of this to be in vain.
Crook B: I should run in and check on them so that they know everything's going well.
Crook B walks inside. On the upper level of the very humid room, he sees a few people behind machines, including Toadette. He runs over to them.
Toadette: How are things going out there right now?
Crook B: Reinforcements have arrived, and right on time, too.
Crook B rubs his neck in pain.
Crook B: A few of us are staking out in front of the door here to keep you all safe.
Toadette: What could they be after, though?
A Toad: If I may interject...
The two turn to see an older Toad, likely around 40.
Toad: My name is not important, but I am a scientist. I think they may be after an uncondensed dangerous chemical that allows dreams to become reality. I recently discovered it on a trip to Sub-con.
Toadette: How would they know you'd have it, and why'd you bring it with you anyway?
Toad: I've had this trip planned for weeks for a press conference officially announcing my discovery. Since all scientists are required to send files in to Yaridovich or Tatanga to get approval to procede, Yaridovich likely decided to get his hands on it in order to possess the mutation abilities it offers when mixed with sodium.
Crook B: In other words... Yaridovich could basically make his entire army large and powerful?
Toad: Not entirely. This chemical is permanently on the host and allows for the host to make something happen for a temporary time just by touching something. For example, say I had some on my hands and wanted to turn my VCR into a DVD player. I'd just lay my hands on top of it and wish for it and boom- I've got it. It'll only last for about 20 minutes like that, however, on its own. With sodium added in, however, the effect can be permanent until the person wishes otherwise. I hear that he's shown interest in developing his tank arm into an all-in-one, ultimate weapon. With this, it's entirely possible.
Crook B: Good information to know. Not very nice to hear, though. I'm going to go let my two main allies know this.
Crook B turns. S suddenly the door swings open and he sees that Kent C. and Crook III are gone. Inside walks a Machine Made carrying a spear much like Yaridovich's only smaller. Hinflo runs at the enemy but is flipped onto its shoulder and then thrown off the side toward the lower level of the room. All of the witnesses gasp as the machine moves forward, not noticing the Crook hanging with one hand around the base of the top floor.
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Kent C. throws a fast fist at a Machine Made in the kitchen. Crook III, meanwhile, is tossing magnets from machine to machine. After a bit of watching this unfold, Black walks in.
Black: Troops, pull back. We've already acquired what it is we need, so we'll be on our way.
Kent C: I thought you were supporting us!
Black: No, I merely support the idea behind you. I couldn't care less if you all die or not, unlike Red. I decided to make my way up Yaridovich's chain by getting together a large army of other machines longing to see that fool's death, stealing the chemical he was planning to acquire from Sub-con himself, and using my head engineer position to inject it into Yaridovich's arm, making his wish of being the ultimate weapon come true and thus leading me to a high-power guard position so I can kill that fool once and for all.
With that, Black throws a flash grenade. When it clears, he and his group are gone.
Kent C: Well, at least we saved the hotel. Laklogus, go inform the men that we are leaving. Go on, and myself and Hinflo'll catch up. I'll go into the boiler room, find Hinflo, and tell everyone that it is safe.
Kent C. runs off to fetch his partner while Crook III goes to get the army.
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Crook B pulls himself up just as the machine's about to swing at a few Toads, including Toadette. The Crook sneaks up slowly and grabs a pipe, then shatters said pipe over the machine's neck. The Machine Made falls to the ground inches away from the Toads.
Crook B: You can thank me later.
The door opens again. Crook B turns
and sees Kent C. After a few minutes of explanations from both sides, the
two leave.
Chapter 6: Goombella Meets Croco
It is now morning of the next day. Crook B had summed up everything for everyone and, during an impromtu meeting, Croco called the night before for the morning between his Crooks, Kent C, and the head of the research department, Goombella. The others have already gone into Croco's office. Goombella is killing time since the others were early.
Goombella: I wonder how this guy is. From what I've heard he's not the nicest guy in the world.
After a few more minutes of stalling, Goombella goes into the room and sits down in the only empty chair at a long table. At the end sits the purple alligator, Croco.
Croco: So, as a first order of business, what has each of you been doing in your departments over the unfolding situation?
Kent C: Myself and Crook B have been working feverishly to awaken the Toad we acquired from Yaridovich. His condition is improving. Meanwhile, our workers are studying the blueprints from the G-Vort, trying to find the secrets of its invulnerability.
Croco: Excellent. He should be able to provide us much more information than any machine could. What about you, Crook III?
Crook III: The field training is going as scheduled. We should have three new units in less than a month.
Croco: I see. What about you, um... uh... What was your name again?
Goombella: It's Goombella. Right now we are researching the jewel shar-
Croco: I don't care about those stupid jewels! What I want to know is about this security system Yaridovich's installing at this time. What I want to know is about how Tatanga could use the broach. What I want to know is ANYTHING other than useless info like that!
Goombella: Consider it done then.
Meanwhile, in Yaridovich's castle, Black is heading toward Yaridovich's throne room. He gets to the door and presses a small button on the wall.
Yaridovich: Identify yourself.
Black: Axem Black.
The Axem opens the door and walks inside with the chemical in a vile in his hand.
Yaridovich: You, eh? How is operation going on that security system of mine?
Black: All is on schedule. I have some idea for some add-ons that I'm sure you'll love, but, of course, I need approval.
Black hands a copy of his updated blueprints to Yaridovich who smiles malevolently after a minute or two of study. He hands them back to Black.
Yaridovich: You see, that's why I made you head of the workers. Don't think I completely trust you yet, however.
Black: I'm sure you will after this.
Black holds up the vile.
Black: This is the chemical from Sub-con that you've been wanting.
Yaridovich: How'd you accomplish this?
Black: I shall explain later. For now, you need to give a good time for me to install it.
Yaridovich: Start in, lessee here... ten minutes.
Black: Understood. I shall go grab my tools.
Black runs and grabs his things and returns. He begins unscrewing Yaridovich's arm...
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Croco: And closing this meeting, I'd like to say this: Laklogus, I'm assigning you to go to Tatanga's castle and spy on their training.
Crook III: Understood.
Croco: Kent C, Hinflo, continue your current projects. Koggle, go to that hotel and get that Toad who discovered that chemical and that girl to come here. I need to talk to them to do two things: for the female, I need her to swear to not mention anything about what happened last night to anyone. In the case of the Toad, I need all I can get about this chemical. Goombella, begin research on that security system Yaridovich's putting in. File out!
The Crooks and Kent C. leave. Goombella is about to leave too when she turns back to Croco.
Goombella: Wait a second- Why do you stay in this room all the time, anyway? Is it fear or something?
Croco: That's none of your business, girl. Move!
Goombella: No, not yet. First tell me: why bother staying in here when you can walk out and, you know, have meetings in the discussion room like a normal person?
Croco: Well, to answer your second question, no, it's not fear. It's anger.
Goombella: At Yaridovich and Tatanga?
Croco: No. I hate both of them, but it is not anger with either. It's anger towards myself over being tricked by that fool Tatanga- over being beaten in Mexico by Yaridovich and in Atlantis by Tatanga. I won't rest until I kill them both. I am more angry at Yaridovich than Tatanga- Tatanga was just doing what he'd been paid to do and, in all accounts, I was going to do the same to him when the opportunity was presented.
Goombella nods and leaves.
Goombella: I might make a good psychologist...