I had been in the Dark Periphery for a week. I had many things I needed to discuss with Slug Knower and other Clan members. It was also my turn to seek out and transport the Guardian Slugs to the edge of Slugterra. A task that I was required to do no matter the duties. This task took priority above all else.

When I returned to the hideout, Eli told me this story about their trip to the Slugball championship. I had told them to take a vacation but no; the Shane family gift was finding trouble. Apparently a molinoid had been rigging the game and all the cave trolls who took up the sport after the forge’s destruction had been injured so badly that the Shane gang had to take over. Apparently the other team was bought by Blakk industries. They did so and found out that the other team wasn’t cheating like they originally thought but the host: Primo Presto was rigging the game but messing with the traps. Apparently he wanted Blakk in his debt.

I stared at them in shock before I said, “It was supposed to be a vacation! And Blakk wouldn’t like the fact that he needed to cheat to win advertised.”

Eli shrugged. “Sorry.” He said. “But right now there’s a cavern in need of our help. It’s Lock and Lode.” He had me.

We left a few minutes later. The entire trip they were begging me to tell them of my past week but I refused to spill.

Pronto was sniffing the ground like a dog, searching for the Cavern killers. “My unsurpassed tracking abilities can guarantee that Lock and Lode is extraordinarily near.” He assured us.

I looked around at the yellow cavern. Everything here glittered in the ore light like gold. It was a desert like cavern but the people here were a bit off. They lived so far into the outer caverns that the inner cavern population scarcely visited this sandy place. It even had tumble weeds blow through town every so often. It was the perfect place to film a Clint Eastwood movie.

“You sure Pronto?” Kord asked.

I looked down at the black fox I was astride. Kord had finished it while I was away. Apparently I no longer had to worry about dying from teleporting so many people because the Shadow walker I had given him was built into the mecha. It was swift and agile like I was in Shadow form. Kord had said he wanted to build a mecha that mirrored its rider and I had to say he did well. With this work of art I could teleport supplies, people, and everything in-between anywhere in Slugterra except the Dark Periphery. That place was off limits to the Shadow Walker. Still, it was one of the greatest gifts I had ever received. I had a feeling I would owe Kord the rest of my life.

I was snapped out of my day dreaming by an explosion and a scream. I looked up just in time to see a waiter from the nearby café shoot out of its roof. “Reasonably certain.” Pronto said.

We all readied out Blasters. I saw Pronto hold up a toilet plunger for some obscure reason. He looked at the pluming tool in his hands with confusion before replacing it with his rifle like blaster with a nervous laugh, hoping no one had seen that.

“Let’s go.” Eli said. We charged forward to help when a man in a blue jacket held up his hand.

“Hold on, son.” He said. “We don’t need your help today.”

I looked at him in confusion as a ghoul blasted out a wall and hopped back inside. “Are you serious?” I asked.

“We have our own hometown hero you know.” The man said proudly. “Been out adventuring in outland reach for a while but when he gets back he’ll run these thugs out of town real quick.”

“He’s the greatest Slug Slinger there ever was…” A little black haired boy assured us, making a little finger gun and pretending to shoot. “EVER!”

“Really?” Eli asked as we all dismounted. “Can’t wait to meet him.” He said. “Who is he?”

Suddenly a guitar chord that sounded like baboons ripped through the air. I spun, clamping my hands over my ears and focusing on not changing like the last time I had endured a horrific noise, to see a blonde man wearing a crown playing a guitar that matched his yellow horse mecha riding into town. A phospero slug with tiny pink shades sat on his shoulder. A belt like a wrestling champion’s was draped across his chest.

“Here he come’s now!” The little boy cried.

The teenager girls around me began to swoon as if he was a rock star. I vaguely remembered him from the winnowing. Vaguely.  

Make it stop! Yin begged. That’s the farthest thing from balance!

Before today, I had never heard him say that. It just gives testament to how truly horrific the man’s musical abilities were.

“Am I a sight for sore eyes or what?” The man asked.

“More like sore ears.” I muttered under my breath.

The little boy bowed as the crowd cheered and the man greeted them like long lost family.

“The King of Sling?” Trixie asked.

“They’re gonna send him against Lock and Lode?” I asked. I could tell from her tone that his slinging abilities surpassed his musical ones on the horrible meter by a landslide.

The King was blowing kisses as another explosion rocked the cavern. “This is not gonna end well.” Eli summarized.

“Oh.” I said. “He was the dancing candidate at the winnowing.”  I looked at Yin and Yang for confirmation. Yin nodded and Yang made a gagging sound.

“Sure you don’t need a hand with this, Sling?” Eli asked him.

“What kind of a King of Sling would I be if I couldn’t dismiss a couple of ruffians?” Sling asked.

Trixie planted herself in his path. “You and I have dueled before, you know, and you lost to me like, three times in a row.” She held up three fingers to prove her point before crossing her arms.

“Ah, right, Trixie.” Sling said, saving face. “All part of a strategy to build over confidence in my opponents. Like the time I defeated the twisted man and his little twin in a duel that lives in legend.”

The little boy was imitating every move sling made.

“You may hear more tales of my ‘losing’ tactic from other slingers.” Sling assured as the crowd cheered.

“I get it.” Eli said softly. “May I speak with you in private?” He asked. “Your majesty?” He added as an afterthought.

I laughed as the phospero with the glasses posed to Burpy causing the Infurnus to stick out his tongue in disgust.

“Eli, I know my slinging skills aren’t what they used to be but if you go in there and save the town like you always do, where does that leave me?”

“King of Sling!” The crowd chanted.

“These people expect me to save them.” Sling continued. “It’s my job. It’s all I have.”

I grabbed Eli’s shoulder. “You can’t let him go in there and face those Cavern Killers alone.” I said.

“Maybe there’s another way.” Eli said. “If this works we can get Lock and Lode out of town without firing a single shot.”

We all grinned as he told us his plan. Later the Shane Gang went in to the café and let Lock and Lode throw us out without a fight. It went against my pride but Yin told me Pride was the foundation of failure.

“This town is ours.” Lock declared. He and his brother stood in the doorway of the restraint, sneering at us. “Not even the Shane gang can change that.”

“You’re right!” Eli called out dramatically. “We’re doomed.”

A phospero shot into the air and created a gorgeous display of fireworks. “Eli! I told you that I had this handled!” Sling yelled pointing his finger at the Shane as we all got up and moved out of the way. “Stand back and let me handle these hooligans!”

Lock laughed his face smug. “And you would be?”

“Tell them, folks.” Sling said.

“The King of Sling!” The crowd cheered.

“The King of Sling?” Lode repeated stupidly.

“Seriously?” Kord said. “You’ve never heard of him?” He dashed into the alley as Pronto played his part.

“Hero of the out land reach.” He said in reverence.

My turn. “Feared by the Shadow Clan and Thaddeus Blakk themselves. Afraid to even speak his name. ” I said, darting into the alley.

“I’ve never heard Dr. Blakk talk about this guy.” Lode said, scratching his bandaged chin.

“Exactly.” I whispered from the shadows.

“He beat me six times in a row with a busted blaster and a pair of sick floppers.” Trixie said earnestly.

“You guys are so doomed now.” Eli said, walking between Sling and the brothers. “Sorry King, we know you got this covered. We’ll just get out of your way.”

“You think this guy’s as good as they say?” Lode asked. “We were lucky to get the drop on the Shane gang just now. If the king’s a better slinger then them…”

“Perhaps we should regroup elsewhere before that claim can be proven.” Lock suggested.

The Shane Gang had climbed up on a roof to watch the rest play out. “That’s it.” Eli whispered.

“Perhaps you’d like a little parting gift.” Sling said. “The Shake, Raddle and Run. And you will run if you know what’s good for you.”

“What is he doing?” I cursed.

Sling fired a Slyren and Lock and Lode trembled. “The Bump and Blast.” Sling fired a series of floppers that gassed up the place with a green mist. “And for the finale, The Star-Spangled-Screamer!” He fired the phospero with the glasses into the air, blinding the men with a dazzling display of color and light.

“Here it comes.” Eli muttered.

“Had enough, boys?” Sling asked.

“We’re not dead!” Lode yelled. “We’re barely even scratched!”

“He’s nothing but a cheap Charlatan.” Lock yelled.

“And a big faker too.” Lode yelled.

Lock laughed. “You put on a flashy show, but let’s see how you do against raw ghoul power.” He fired and the King started to dance to avoid the ghouls.

“Eli!” Trixie protested.

“No, Trixie.” Eli said. “If we help him now he’ll totally lose face.”

“Your turn, brother.” Lode laughed.

“At least he’ll have a face to lose.” Kord said.

“Those two are going to annihilate him.” I admitted. I watched as Lock and Lode chased the retreating King to a castle that I guessed was his. It was big, flashy, gold and gated. Everything a guy like him could want.

“We can’t just let him get blasted.” I said as Lock took aim at the King.
Eli sighed and fired Buzz saw. The thresher flew through the air and cut off the giant bust of the King from its place on the palace roof. It landed on top of the slinger and took the ghoul that would have killed the king instead. The crowd ran up just as the King busted his way out.

“Come on, you didn’t think I’d just let him get blasted, did you?” Eli asked. “Like he said, nothing to worry about.”

“Are you worried now?” I asked him as two henchman and Lock and Lode took up residence in the castle and declared it an outpost of Blakk industries.

We all climbed down and watched from the bushes as the King tried to save face by assuring the crowd this was part of the ‘losing’ tactic he had.

Later, we were in an alley while the king paced outside. “How could you interfere, Eli? I had it covered.” He hissed.

“You wouldn’t be here if he didn’t.” I snapped. “Be grateful you still retain your life.”

“At least I would have gone out in a blaze of glory instead of being a disappointment to my people.” Sling said mournfully.

“When are you gonna run those deadbeats out of your castle, King?” A pedestrian asked. “Can’t wait for the rematch.”

“Sounds to me like they’re eager to give you another shot.” Eli said. “And this time, you’re gonna hit the bullseye.”

“I am?”

“He is?” Kord asked.

“Yes you are.” Eli assured. “But when you do you’re gonna stick to the plan.”

“And what is the plan?” I asked. “Do tell.”

“The king is gonna march into his castle, take out the guards, and send Lock and Lode Packing for good.” Eli said.

“And what is the plan?” I repeated.

“At least that’s what it’s gonna look like.” He finished.

We stole some clothes from a clothesline and dressed up. I wore a headscarf and sundress. Eli had a green jacket, mustache, and sombrero that matched Burby’s. Kord wore a poncho and Trixie had on a blue vest and sunhat that covered her eyes.

Yang had a headscarf on as well. Yin was hiding.

“Why are we sneaking around again?” Kord asked.

“Everyone thinks we have already left. This won’t work unless it looks like the King is saving the day.”

“Will he be saving the day?” Trixie asked.

“Mostly.”

“Ehh, Problem.” I heard Pronto say. I turned to see him in a flowered dress and high heels. “Do these shoes go with my outfit?” He asked. “Or are they too matchy, matchy?”

Burpy, Yang and I laughed. “You look beautiful Pronto.” I assured. I was shaking from my attempts not to laugh.

“The main thing is we blend in so that no one knows the Kings getting a boost.” Eli chuckled.

“I know some of you are confused, but don’t worry. I’m gonna take back my castle and give those villains a beating that will become as legendary as the time I defeated the twisted man and his little twin.” King said.

The crowd hesitantly cheered.

“The king got the town on board.” We just need to be inside the castle before he gets there.” Eli said. We were hiding behind a corner.

“What about Lock and Lode and all their guards?” Trixie asked.

“Seriously?” I asked. “We’ve busted into tougher places before breakfast. And thanks to Kord I can get us all in.” I whistled softly and my gorgeous Fox mecha trotted up to us. “Everyone place a hand on Emilia.” I said. That got a few raised eyebrows but they all did and I teleported us all inside to the main room.

It was green and with high ceilings and a crystal chandelier. I sent Emilia back and we ditched the disguises. “These silencer mods should help us cover our tracks.” Eli said as we installed the silencers into the barrels of our blasters. “Try to use slugs that blend in with the King’s.” He suggested.

“Shouldn’t be that hard under all that flash.” I said.

“Remember guys, quick, slick and, sly.” I said. “Like my people.”

“Three of my many middle names.” Pronto said. He was still in the dress for some reason.

I heard cheering and grabbed Eli, taking him outside behind a bush to assist the King. The others spread out. I would be shadow traveling to each place to help out.

The guard fired and the king did a pirouette. He fire just as Eli and I fired taserlings. The electricity was masked by the suds of the King’s slug. The henchmen collapsed and the crowd went wild as the King took a bow.

I took Eli back inside and the King ran past us and up the flight of stairs. The King fired a Jellyish and Trixie a Rammstone and the guard went flying.

I teleported to the roof and when the King was behind cover I took out two guards with Kord. “Thanks for the save.” He told us. “How you getting around so fast?” He asked me.

“Win and I spill.” I said.

A minute later Pronto’s flatuarinkus sent Lock and lode into overload as the last of the challenges were overcome. They ran out of the castle, the Shane gang close behind them. We had recovered our disguises (Except for certain molinoids who didn’t discard the dress earlier) and were back to hiding.

The crowd stopped cheering and Burpy growled as a newcomer approached the gates. “You dispatched my associates quite handily.” Blakk said. He was riding his foul bull mecha beast. “Let’s see how you do against me.”

The King fainted dead away. He stirred after a moment as Blakk dismounted.

“You seem surprised I’m here, after my associates assured me they had control of this cavern, I was naturally bound to show up sooner or later.” Blakk said, stalking forward in that creepy way of his. “It’s fortunate I arrived when I did. Fortunate for me, I mean.” He smiled cruelly.

“We have to step in.” I said. “The King’s gotten this far on his own---“

“Kind of.” Kord corrected.

“Kind of,” I agreed. I turned back to Eli. “That’s Blakk! The man responsible for Shaini’s death. The King doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in the Forgesmelters cavern.”

“You are responsible for all this?” Blakk asked the king.

He gulped. “More or less.” He whimpered.

“Well, I’m sure it was exhilarating while it lasted,” Blakk’s face took a more menacing turn. “But now it’s over.”

“If we interfere now the King will never live it down.” Eli protested as we moved to a closer vantage point behind the fallen statue. “There is nothing more sacred then a Slinger’s honor especially in their home cavern.”

“Honor needs to be earned.” I said. “By dueling. We can’t keep propping this guy up.”

“As a curtesy you may draw first.” I heard Blakk say. “Consider it a parting gift or a last wish.”

“One way or another, his people love him. I don’t want to watch his entire life’s calling crash and burn.” Eli said.

“If we don’t help,” I said. “There will be no life to crash and burn.”

“Not to mention the town.” Kord added.

We all looked at him, pleading gazes on each of our faces. Except for Pronto. He was admiring how slim the flower print dress made him look.

“I know you guys are right, but let me try this one last time.” Eli loaded Burpy. I should have realized firing an easily identifiable and one of a kind slug would give us away but I was too happy that Eli was relenting to notice. Nor did my Slugs mention it, they too were elated. I loaded up Yin.

Eli and I leaned out of behind the statue to fire just as the King fired his prize Phospero. Burpy and Yin flew ahead of the Phospero and quickly took out the ghoul and landed on the ground with a flip. Both slugs growled at Blakk.

Blakk began to laugh and I realized my error. (Read above). “I’m not nearly as naïve as my associates over there.” The madman said. He pointed an accusing finger at the King. “You’re not dueling alone. I recognize that Infernus and Boon doc anywhere.” He said. “You’re getting help from Eli and Alex Shane.”

“Why does every one think we’re related?” I said in Shadowinsh.

“I’m afraid I am receiving help, Dr. Blakk.” King admitted, sending gasps of horror through the crowd.

“Time to face the music.” Eli said as Burpy and Yin returned to us. We all stepped out of hiding.

“Ah, there they are.” Blakk sneered. “The puppet masters.”

“Thanks for trying, Eli.” King said. “But it appears as though the game is over.” He slumped like all the air was taken out of him, his tone one of defeat and dishonor.

“Sorry, King.” Eli told him. “I wanted to save your cavern and your honor.”

“Now you’ll save neither!”  Lock yelled. Before we could react, they fired two Arachne slugs at us and we were webbed together. Eli, Trixie and I were bound. Kord had Pronto (Still in the dress) bound to his back.

“My final offer: surrender this town and I’ll leave it intact.” Blakk said. “Force me to duel…” He picked up his blaster, not needing to finish the threat.

“We love you, King!” I heard the little black haired boy yell. “Don’t let the bad man scare you.”

“Surrender?” The King said, his confidence restored by his town’s confidence in him. “Sorry, Dr. Blakk. I don’t know the meaning of the word.”

Blakk shot a look of loathing at the crowd before aiming his blaster at the King. “Then allow me to teach you.” He fired a Photomo, a ghouled phospero, blinding the King before firing a hot rock, throwing the king up to the roof where he landed in a very painful position of sitting on a fence like a horse.

 I winced. I may be a girl but that looked painful even to me.

“Let me show you how I defeated the twisted man and his little twin in a duel that lives in legend.” The King said. I wasn’t sure but his voice was higher pitched then earlier.

“Never heard of it.” Blakk said, aiming. He fired but the King fired a slug of his own that took the ghoul out. Blakk growled and fired a thresher ghoul, knocking the king back to earth.

The King hit the ground hard and a moan of imagined pain ran through the crowds watching just outside the gates. The King’s crown had fallen off and his blaster had slid into a bush twenty feet away. His green eyes were wide with fear as Blakk advanced. “Goodbye, your majesty.” He said ominously, taking aim.

Suddenly the man with the blue jacket from earlier was between the two. He raised his hand in a stop-where-you-are gesture like he had done to the Shane gang when we had first arrived in town. “If you want the King you have to go through me.”

“You have to go through us.” Another said. Many of the people ran into the yard armed with anything they could find on such short notice.

“You defend a man who’s a cheat and a coward?” Blakk asked them. “A man who’s lied to you about his prowess and exploits?”

The man burst out laughing. “You think we don’t know all that? It’s why we love him. Without his tall tales we’d go nuts in this middle of nowhere town.”

“Even I know they’re just stories.” The little black haired boy said, rolling his eyes. He picked up the fallen crown. “But they’re good stories!” He placed the crown back on the King’s brow.

Another man helped the King up. “Thank you. Everyone.” The King said. “I’m sorry mu little subterfuge brought us to this point.”

“Oh, touching.” Blakk sneered. “Heartfelt. Nauseating. One obstacle or a hundred I’m going to have this cavern.” He fired.

The king spun, grabbing the little boy out of danger and firing a Jellyish. A henchman threw himself in the way but Blakk didn’t even thank him.

“Get him!” The townspeople cried. They attacked.

“Looks like the King and his people have Blakk on the ropes.” Eli said as we watched in awe. The town sent the henchman running with a combination of soap and angry teenage girls with frying pans.

Burpy chirped happily as he burned the web that bound us. He got Pronto and Kord free. I fired an armashelt. “Give it up, Blakk.” I yelled. “You’re not getting this cavern.”

“Get my gatler.” Blakk ordered the cavern killers.

“Stop Lock and Lode from getting the gatler.” Eli told Trixie and me. “We’ll handle Blakk.”

Trixie and I ran towards the duo and I fired, sending the gatler straight up. It landed in Lode’s hands and he rushed to Blakk. Trixie fired but the gatler reached its destination.

“With or without you rabble,” Blakk said, gatler in hand. “This place is still my gateway to the Outland Reach.”

Eli and the King dove out of behind the head. Eli fired a Rammstone that Blakk dodged but the King sent a relative of Suds that engulfed the man. He fired but the slug’s insides sent the ghouls ricocheting around Blakk before it exploded, sending Blakk into the fence and the gatler to me.

“Did everybody just see that shot?” The king asked. “I just saved the day.”

The crowd cheered as the doctor and henchman retreated.

Later that day, the town was repairing the castle. “Pretty impressive how you stood up to Blakk all alone.” Eli said to the King.

“I wasn’t alone.” The King told us. “That’s the secret of this cavern: its strength is in its collective spirit of its people.” He gestured towards the still cheering crowds. “I’m just a humble vessel for their greatness.”

I looked at Trixie who was filming the speech on her camera so she could show the rest of Slugterra that it was possible to stand up for themselves and stop the villains, even if you aren’t a slinger of notable standard or even a slinger at all.

“Things ended well this time.” Eli said, gazing out at the town. “Blakk wants something out there beyond the known caverns. I’m pretty sure he’ll be back to get it.”

“And next time I won’t hesitate to ask for help.” The King promised as the people lifted him up on their shoulders. “I may not be the best slinger in Slugterra but I am the luckiest.”

“No one’s ever gonna dispute that story.” I said.