We rode in to the cavern, the buildings pristine and white.  A phone call from a frantic woman had drawn us here. I felt nauseous. I looked around and saw no one. Human or Slug.

“Futuria Cavern.” Kord said. “Always wanted to see this place.”

“Science is vastly over rated.’ Pronto snapped.  “Pronto has no need for facts. He goes with his gut.” His stomach rumbled. “And my guts tell me its lunch time. If these so called scientists are such geniuses, where did they put all the restaurants?” He came to a stop.

“Where did they put all the people?” Trixie asked.

“I’m not sensing any slugs.” I said.

“The slugs are all in hiding.” A familiar voice said. A woman with purple hair and a lab coat approached us. “I’m Kathrine McGregor.”

“You’re the one who called us about the rouge scientist.” Eli said.

“Quintin’s always been a little… quirky, but this time he crossed the line.” She said.

“Anyone try to stand up to him?” I asked.

Kathrine shook her head. “We’re scientists, not slugslingers. That’s why we called you.”

“Fair point.” I said. “Where is he?”

Katrine pointed to the largest building and Eli and I went inside. I hoped we could resolve this quickly and continue on.

We walked in on a bratty teen with red hair and green glasses. He wore a metal chest plate and a blaster was attached to his arm. “I’m not finished yet!” He yelled.

“Yeah, I think you are.” Eli said. He aimed at the crazy scientist. “I was hoping to reason this out.”

“Bit beyond reason, are we?” I asked. I moved around him. My blaster loaded but not out. The more blasters the less likely a peaceful resolution would occur.

“I prefer to say I’m beyond your understanding, Eli Shane.”

I felt anger that I was not included.

“Oh yes. I know who you are.” He looked at me. “The girl with no records, only seen at Eli’s side.”

“Long title.” I said. “I prefer Alex.”

“If you know who we are,” Eli said.

“Sort of.” I said.

“Then you know how we work. One chance to do the right thing.” He continued.

“And apologize to all these people.” I added.

“Otherwise we duel?” Quinten asked.

“That’s right.” Eli confirmed.

“Oh, this will be fun.” Quintin led us outside.

Eli stood facing him. The whole thing reminded me of those western movies I used to watch, where the sheriff and the outlaw face off. “I’m gonna blast that nasty thing right off your shoulder.” Quintin promised.

I followed his line of sight, confused until I realized he was referring to Burpy.  “I think you just insulted my slug.” Eli said. Burpy let out a string of profanities that should never be put to paper. “Bad idea.” He held out a tube and Burpy loaded himself. He fired.

Quinten returned fire with an exploding slug. It spread itself out in to disks.  Water spewed out of them. Burpy tried to dodge but was caught up in a blast, losing minimum velocity. He sank to the ground and looked at Eli defeated.

Eli fired, furious. Quinten countered the slug and laughed. “You were beaten before you began. I’ve downloaded everything there is to know on every slinger who ever lived.  You, your friends… Even your father, Will Shane.”

“Even me?” I called out. “You didn’t even know my name. How could you know my moves?” My distraction gave Eli the advantage he needed but to no avail. He fired Spinner and missed only to swing around and fire a web.

“Your father was a slug lover, just like you.”

Trixie and Kord restrained me as I fought to take a crack at him. I was too crazed with anger at the fact he viewed the love slingers and slugs shared as a joke that all I could do was snarl. Quinten continued to rant but I couldn’t hear him over the roaring in my ears. I saw the einiomo slug stump Quintin’s software and Eli fired him. Then he fired Joules while he was distracted. The roaring died as a sense of victory overcame me.

“Smart slug slinging will beat mad science every time.” Eli said, triumphant.  “It’s over.”

“Over? Ha.” Quinten laughed. “You won’t believe what I bring when I come back.” He hit a button on his arm and lit up in green light.

“Your still here.” I hissed. The teleportation had been short-circuited by Joules.

He took off running when he saw the truth of my words.  “Slink away scoundrel!” Pronto cat called. “While your betters…” His stomach growled. “Look for lunch.” He saw a restaurant and ran for the door.

“Better get ready for this guy.” I said.

“He’s probably back in his secret lab.”

“Get real, Kord.” Trixie said. “You’ve been watching too many fiction-vids. Not all scientists have secret labs.”

Kord crossed his arms confidently. “I bet he has some kind of doomsday weapon he’s gonna spring on us.”

Pronto joined us. “Let him come. Once Pronto fills his Mighty stomachs he will be the match of any foe.” He looked at his can. “Now a more pressing problem. Did anyone bring a can opener?”

I looked in horror at the approaching figure, his shaky footsteps rocking the pavement. A giant robot emerged from the dust.  “You have no idea how bad it’s gonna get.” Quinten yelled from the robot’s cockpit. “Round two, slug lovers!”

“Mecha’s!” Eli yelled. We mounted up and raced towards the robot. I was fighting the urge to yell ‘Godzilla!’ with all my might. Kord fired and the robot flicked the slug away like I could in shadow form.

“Eli!” Kord yelled. “Plan B?”

“Stay alive.”

“That’s a horrible plan.” I yelled. I wondered on using my powers but I don’t think the Shane Gang would be trusted if all of Slugterra knew a Shadow Clan was with them. Multiple roboslugs were fired and I wheeled my mecha around. We ran. “Now way to beat that, now!” I yelled. I fired an aquabeeker and Quinten countered it with a Frostcrawler robot. Trixie fire but I didn’t see what.

I looked at Eli when he loaded a flopper. It smashed on the windshield and was window wipered off. “Had to try.” Eli protested.

Trixe got behind the robot and fired a hot rock. “Nice try, Trixe. But I don’t have any weak spots. You however. That’s all you are.”  He fired at her as she raced to regroup.

“What now?” She asks.

“Hate to say it.” Eli said. “But retreat.” I could feel his pride break as he say those words.  We regrouped with Kathrine in a secret grotto.

“That was humiliating.” Kord said.

“Nothing to be ashamed about.” Eli said. “He’s got awesome tech, but that doesn’t make me feel better.”

I looked at Pronto trying to open the can he somehow held on to on a rock. “Why you beating up a rock?” Kord asked.

“Perhaps I should hit it against something harder, like your head.” Pronto snapped.  He resumed beating up the rock.

“Glad you made it here safely.” Kathrine said. “But you’re not as safe with all that banging.”

I hissed at Pronto and he stopped. Kathrine looked startled but continued. “I got a place nearby where we can regroup.” She offered.

“Kord.” I said. “All your dreams just came true.” I said as Kathrine showed us her hidden lab. “So what’s the deal with him?” I asked the scientist. “He really hates slugs.”

“He doesn’t just hate them; he’s terrified of them. “

“Note to self.” Eli said.

“Ever since the accident.” Katharine continued. “It was during a field trip to the slug biology department. Quinten always considered a locked door a challenge. He fell into the slug pit. He was in there for two days before they found him. He was never the same since. All his science has been about finding a way to live without slugs. “

“Slugaphobia.” I said.  “Has to be an angle to work from.”

I looked at Pronto biting the can with an obsessive measure of desperation. “Exasperating recalcitrant can! You frustrate me with your tenacious tin perimeter.”

“Okay.” We all said in confusion. “Pronto, you’re a genius!” Eli said.

“Only when he’s hungry.” I said. I looked at him. “Lay off the snacks.”

“I think I figured out a way to beat Quinten.” Eli continued.  “But we’re gonna need some high tech help.”

“I believe we got that covered.” Kathrine said.

“And more importantly.” Eli continued. “We need you to buy us some time.”

“I got a few ideas in that regard.” A man with a nasal sounding voice assured. He grabbed an anti-gravity device and left.

Eli pulled out a flopper and with Burpy and my help talked to him. “When I get close, I need you to hop on him and scare him.” Eli explained.

Easy. Burpy assured.

“And that’s all you have to remember.” Eli continued.

I’m a flopper. I can’t help. I’m worthless.

“He thinks that he’s worthless because he’s a flopper.” I relayed.

“Don’t worry, Noodle, your gonna do great.” Eli promised.

He knows what he’s talking about. Burpy added.

“He’s more afraid of you that you are of him.” I promised in the rasping language of the Shadow Clan.

Noodle looked reassured. “I have my doubts that such a spineless slug can be our key to victory.” Pronto said.

“Every slug has a purpose.” Eli said. “Even Floppers.”

Thank you, Eli. I didn’t know you thought that.

“Of course you’re important.” I said picking up Noddle. “Eli knows this and trusts you.”

“What did he say?”

“Thank you, Eli. I didn’t know you thought that.” I repeated as Noodle grinned.

Kathrine’s phone beeped and she ran out. I assumed the first scientist had been defeated.

I was working with the slugs, going over the game plan when an ear splitting shriek pierced the air. I clenched my ears and fell to the ground as the less sensitive ears of my companions saved them from this agony. “Make it stop! Make it stop!” I yelled. Green fire poured over my limbs, my body unsure of witch form would protect me better. I heard a blaster shot and the soft singing of a Slyren. My Slyren. I fell into a restless sleep.

I woke up with Nurse and Doc next to me. Eli looked down at me anxiously. “You okay?”

“My ears hurt.” I snapped groggy from my involuntary nap. “Who shot the Slyren?”

Eli laughed. “Your slugs commandeered a blaster.”

I looked at my slugs getting a worried look from them. “Thanks guys. I’d be dead without you.”

“Why did you collapse?” Eli asked. “The rest of us were fine.”

“My ears hear better than yours. Like a cat or dog. Sorry if I burned anyone. The fire was the only thing I remember.”

Eli chuckled. “Take the slugs to the roof and wait for my signal.”

I smiled and shifted forms. My slugs loaded up and I ran at the wall, shadow traveling at the last second. I reappeared in the slug Biology room. I saw the pit of slugs.

They trembled at my presence. “I need your help.” I said in Shadowinsh. “Quieten will destroy your cavern without your aid.”

What can we do? A taserling asked. He seemed to be the leader. The ground shook as the two robots battled outside. I led them up to the roof just in time to see a certain mad scientist on the ground.

“You and you’re imaginary slugs are gonna beat me?” Quinten asked.

Eli pointed a finger gun at him. “Just because my blaster’s empty doesn’t mean I’m out of slugs.” He looked at me and I nodded. He imitated a blaster sound.

“Jump.” I said shifting forms to a less terrifying appearance. The multitude of slugs jumped from the roof onto Quinten.  I teleported down and grabbed the arm blaster. “Nice work guys.” I praised the exuberant slugs. “You didn’t even have to transform.” Suddenly the robot started to collapse. I grabbed Eli and teleported out. I looked back for Quinten but I was too late.

I ran around to help him or retrieve a body. Then to my surprise I saw that the slugs had carried him away, saving his life. He rubbed Noodle affectionately.

Later I was with Kord, trying to salvage the mechas. “There must be an easier way to open a can of beans.” Pronto cried.

I felt pity on him and I grabbed the can and popped the tab. He dug in.

I smiled at the molinoid and shadow traveled to a shop. I teleported back and handed him an early birthday gift, a brand new can opener.