This one gets cheesy, I'm sorry-
But Oof.
Things getting intense.
— — —

Mumbo closed his eyes again, as Tango slowly edged forwards, sword brandished. Just as he was a few feet away, Mumbo's eyes snapped open, the piercing blue eye back. He raised an arm, and sent out a wave of energy, that knocked Tango into Cleo and Ren. TFC rushed forwards and swung at Mumbo with his pickaxe, who swiftly dodged and kicked the older hermit in the ribs. TFC crouched over, as Mumbo turned to the others.

False and Cub jumped into action, as Mumbo whipped out his sword. Metals clashed as Iskall and Doc used the fight as a distraction to get to Scar. Iskall cut through the tentacles, which just fizzled out of existence with a few sparks, and Doc inspected the dried goo. Iskall heard a shout, and turned heel to help the hermits. Doc turned back to Scar, grimacing. "I have no clue how to fix that. Just... be careful?" Scar nodded, eyes still slightly wide.

Meanwhile, Tango, Cleo, and Ren were helping TFC up, who was still hunched over, gritting his teeth. However, the moment he saw Mumbo, eyes wide and a sadistic grin, he knew he had to get up. Grabbing his pickaxe that had been thrown to the side earlier, TFC darted towards Mumbo and kicked him away from the hermits fighting him. He screamed again. TFC immediately felt guilty, and dropped his stance. It took a few seconds for Mumbo to get back up.

Scar's eyes lit up, as he thought of something. The black coop on his mouth made it hard for him to communicate, obviously. He groaned internally, and started brainstorming ways to get the gunk off. Looking to his right, Scar saw a screwdriver, so he ran over, grabbed it, and started using the sharp end to scrape it off. It crumbled, and fell off in a matter of seconds, and Scar grinned. The sounds of battle reminded him of what he needed to do.

Doc was thrown to the side by a tentacle, and Scar ran over to him.

"Doc! I know what we have to do!"

"You... got the gunk off?"

"Yeah, obviously! But listen, if we hit Mumbo then the corruption leaves him, right?" Scar helped up the other hermit, who leant on his sword for support.

"Right?"

"Well, if we get the corruption thing to leave him long enough, maybe we can help him fight it off!"

Doc's eyes widened. "That's... actually a good idea! But... that would mean..."

Scar sighed. "Yes. It would mean beating Mumbo down a bit..." He looked over to the fight, which seemed to be a losing battle on their side. "It's the only idea I've got."

"Well, it's the idea we'll have to use, then." Scar nodded. "Go find a weapon or something." Scar ran off in search of something he could use, as Doc turned back to Mumbo.

This was gonna be harder than he thought.

~ ~ ~

Mumbo struggled weakly against the chains again. The screen in front of him was teasing him.

Still trying to escape?

"You're not getting away with this! M-my friends will stop you!" Mumbo shouted into the darkness.

Will they really? They're pathetic. Just like you.

Mumbo closed his eyes, hoping this was all a bad dream. However, this wasn't one.

Face it, Mumbo. You're not escaping. All you can do is sit, and watch as I tear your friends to bits!

Mumbo opened his mouth to respond, but he couldn't find the words.

He stopped fighting.

~ ~ ~

It turns out Doc was right.

Most of the hermits were either passed out from exhaustion, injured, or trapped in some way, be it the tentacles or Mumbo's other powers.

It was only Cub, Doc, Grian and Stress who were still able to fight.

"You should just give up now! We all know you're not going to win. I mean, look at me! I have all the power!"

"You forget I'm a vex too, Iren!" Cub shouted, as a few jaws rose out of the ground, and snapped at Mumbo. "You couldn't have used those powers earlier?!" Doc shouted, as Mumbo attacked him again. Every time Doc swung at him, Mumbo teleported away. Doc swung one last time, before Mumbo teleported behind him, and punched him in the back of the head, knocking him clean out. He threw Cub and Stress to the side with the sparking tentacles, and approached Grian, picking up Doc's sword that fell.

Grian backed up against the wall, as Mumbo walked towards him, a maniacal grin splayed on his face. "M-Mumbo, I know you're there!"

"Oh, shut up!" Mumbo shouted, the smile never leaving his face.

"Mumbo, if you can hear me, don't blame yourself! I should have been a better friend..." Grian spoke loudly, hoping, praying Mumbo could hear him, even if it did nothing.

"Ugh! Talk, talk, talk, you're annoying, you know that?" Mumbo played with the sword in his hand, glaring.

Grian continued to ignore him. "Whatever happens next... It's not your fault. I don't blame you! But please, try to fight back!"

Why should I.

He needs you!

I'm weak. I can barely break out of these chains.

You're gonna just let him die?!

I... I can't.

Pull yourself together!

...

"I guess what I'm trying to say is... You know what, screw it! Mumbo, I love you, okay?!" Grian shouted, glaring into Mumbo's eyes.

Mumbo took a step back, confused for a second, his sword in the perfect position to strike. He shook his head, and laughed. "Isn't that cute! ...Not really, that's disgusting, don't get sappy on me. Oh well! Times up! Bye bye!" Mumbo raised the sword again.

Grian closed his eyes, and waited for the strike.