-300 years ago, Yvad Senoj was a scientist from Nedews, a man who crafted all kinds of things with his metalbending. His dream was to fly to space one day, and as he continued to make this wish to the stars… it came true. A meteor crashed in the distance one night, so Senoj ran to investigate it. The meteor was made of some kind of malleable metal, emitting some kind of glow from the inside. But when Senoj went into the meteor… a force overpowered him, stripping Senoj of his flesh and transforming him into a metallic being.
An alien ship tracked the meteor all the way to Earth, picking it up with cranes. It carried the meteor back to space and made flight to its home planet, Tnacsuroc. But it was then Senoj climbed to the deck and greeted the crew. He was delighted to have his dream realized, not caring of his condition, and the crew was awestruck to see a man having become a machine. No doubt… this meteor possessed the secret to extended life. By converting flesh into metal, people could virtually live forever.
Senoj joined the crew on a quest to find dying mortals and use the meteor's chi to turn them into "robots." For Senoj's help in this mission, Tnacsuroc decided to name a town by his choosing: Jargenford. As Senoj was a scientist, he used lots of technical jargon. "Eh, you kind of spelt it wrong—okay."
Senoj enjoyed his new work in restoring others to life… but sometime afterward, he learned what was going on behind the scenes. The navy was trying to "reprogram" these people to serve the navy and fight for them. And now that Senoj knew the truth, they tried to "reprogram" him as well, but Senoj overpowered them and took what robots he could. From then, Senoj decided to become a pirate, continuing to "Roboticize" fallen souls and add them to his crew as they sailed the stars. He had installed a special satellite on his ship, the Swimming Swede, to sense masses of metal across vast distances in space.
Of course, by now, the Tnacsuroc government set up wanted posters across Aixalag, cautioning travelers of the threatening Senoj. Many of them tried a hand at Senoj's bounty, but they met robotic fates at his hand. In time, Senoj started to embrace his new role as a pirate. On top of the adventure, becoming the most feared scallywag in space and crushing the opposition was kind of fun. And it isn't like he enforced control over his crew, the Robbos. He mostly just threatened victims with death if they didn't surrender.
But not long after his tyrannical debut, they landed on a unique asteroid with glowing craters. On that asteroid was none other than Earth God, Regigigas. "Downloading explanation: that meteor you discovered was a relic designed by myself and Deoxys. The Naixalags learned of its nature and pursued it to your galaxy… and by some divine fate, it crashed near you." The god viewed up and saw a twinkle in the stars. "It was designed for people to have an eternity to explore and gain knowledge, whilst your technical mortality had ended. But, as with most mortals and divine relics, you have misused your gift. Now, face punishment."
"I don't think so-ah." Though Senoj was grabbed in Regigigas' bending, he bent his ship from afar to blast an array of lasers at the god, striking his weak points in the six eyes. Regigigas summoned his Regis to fight Senoj's crewmen, whom were able to use their own bending in their robotic bodies. But though the pirates prevailed and sailed away, Regigigas was able to blast Senoj with a special curse: he couldn't enter a planet's atmosphere but once every 10 years, or he would rust. There was a way around it: by putting himself in an airtight container, he could be brought down to a planet, though there was yet to be a practical reason to do this.
During one of his 10 years, Senoj set sail on the ocean of his homeworld, Earth, using aquabots to search for treasure. He discovered a pretty, magic clam with a mirror inside it. That mirror was designed to communicate with any mirror in the Posiverse… and, coincidentally enough, someone else found the parallel mirror: it was Davy Jones, Senoj's very Positive.
"A man condemned to space… and a man condemned to sea. What miraculous fates have befallen us, uh hu hu hu hu!"
"Aye. Pity that a single ocean has so less space than… space. Jar har har har!"
"Au contraire… I can warp to whatever ocean I please. But your timing is perfect-ah. I wonder… does that world have its own pirate culture?"
"Indeed, it does. I have my own share of rivals. 'Emperors,' they call their selves. And I am one of them."
"Then perhaps… we can make a deal."
"A… deal? Bink." Senoj smacked his mecha lips.
"I am planning to start a war over here. I have drawn up this special contract for my fellow Emperors." Jones unraveled it. "He who wins… will command all pirates."
"Ahhhh…fascinating!"
"Perhaps you would like to join this war. I will draw a separate contract for you. Still, given our circumstances… I do wonder if our life forces are still connected."
"I do not plan to die regardless-ah. I will bring home the spoils… so, I hope you'll do the same."
"Do not disappoint me, Senoj~"
"Oh, about that… I've decided to scrap that name. You may call me… Davy Jarg."
"Jarg? Why?"
"Because I know lots of jargon. …It just registers better in my mind."
"If ye say so."
So, Davy Jarg organized a meeting with the other three Emperors, and proposed the Pirate War. …Unfortunately, they said 'no.' So, the war only transpired in the Posiverse.
Jarg continued his reign of terror for the next couple centuries. He made a handful of allies: there was a spaceship of thieves carrying the frozen body of their dying boss, Clockwerk. Jarg used his Roboticization methods to save Clockwerk, who became a separate commander of the Robbos with his own ship. But, wanting revenge on the Nosretsam family, he chose to keep operating on Earth in secret.
Jarg also became a secret ally of the Kintobor scientists, based in a station above Planet Moebius. He sold them some capsules containing the meteor's chi, to use in their own Roboticization projects. The second Kintobor patriarch would sell the chi to his fellow Positive scientist as well, and the trades would extent to a scientist in the Solana Galaxy called Nefarious. The current Kintobor, a man named Ovi, would remain Jarg's ally and infiltrate the Galactic Navy as part of the captain's revenge scheme.
Unfortunately, about -24 years ago, Davy Jarg was defeated by a spry band of young pirates, his body forcibly taking the fall down to Villainia's atmosphere. Jarg was able to eject his own brain against their knowledge, but his body would rust within the planet's atmosphere.
…
"That was supposed to be the end of him." Eel concluded (he didn't actually know some of the more private information). "But I guess he was still alive after all."
"Our parents were formerly Roboticized by Jarg after an accident that knocked them into space." Atawid said. "Of course, they found a way to undo the transformation… at the exchange of shortening their lifespan."
"So, on top of the pirates we were already dealing with, Davy Jarg is back?!" Yddam exclaimed.
"At least they're gone for now." Emorej said. "I've signaled the operatives on the Moonbases to move down to their planets. Now, if only we could find out what they're planning."
"Before we went to Jargenford," Arorua followed, "Nerehc was called by the Posiverse leader, Nebula. She said there was a Pirate War going on, and that-"
"According to the Pirate's Code," Aliehs began, "a Pirate King will be declared when all Pirate Lords and Emperors acknowledge one as their true leader. But since pirates are prideful buggers, the only way to decide a leader was to have a war. …?" The others stared at her in surprise. "Sigh, my Positive reads me all kinds of things from the Pirate Codex."
"If there's a Pirate War going on there," Atawid said, "you think there's going to be one here, is that it?"
"Not only that, Nerehc was told that the KND have already taken up the mantle as their own Emperor crew. I'm not exactly sure why. I mean, shouldn't they just worry about saving their friends, too?"
"It's quite simple, Arorua. If the Emperors decide a victor and combine crews, that's a pretty massive threat right there. It's obvious the KND are trying to claim that victory their selves."
"That's insane!" Yrrah argued. "First off, they're fighting all Four Emperors either way. I mean, if they're all at odds with each other, I guess they wouldn't have to do ALL the fighting, but no matter who wins this war, what'll make the other Emperors wanna follow them?!"
"He's right." Aliehs agreed. "Sheila said these rules are mostly guidelines. Maybe it's just an honor thing, how should I know?"
"Or maybe there's something else at play we don't know about." Atawid reasoned. "And if there is… would it not be worth the risk of joining the pirate bandwagon? No matter how you slice it, the Emperors are our enemies now. Even if we save our friends, they'll just become worse. We can no longer avoid them as we have in the past."
"Even if you're right," Yddam said, "we don't even have an 'Emperor' now. Nerehc's been captured."
"Aye." Ininap bowed her head in guilt. "We couldn't just sign up for this without his permission. And we have no idea where our best sectors are being held… so, how can-"
"Boss Emorej!" A Psiw flew up with a salute. "We're receiving a transmission from an unknown source!"
"Huh? P-Put them on."
There was static on the screen. "Th-this is… Xedni. Nega-…SA. Is this DNKG?"
"Xedni! This is Emorej! Where are you calling from?"
"I'm onboard… Little Dads' ship. My friends…"
Sternrudder Island
The Nega-SA, -MG, Little Dads, and Revolutionaries were all gathered on the island hidden in the fog (save for Ydnew and Lihp). "Egeb…sniff…Egeb!" Airam cried into a pond.
"You really can feel emotions. Impressive…" Allebmoog remarked.
"Hey, get off her case." Revilo said. "What'd she ever do to you?"
"Figures she wouldn't tell you. When I was a little Abmoog, my family owned a private farm. Full of the sweetest little Huggies and Furries… until a certain little human girl led a band of gangsters and ripped it all away from us."
"Sniff…I think that was… one of my first missions. But there were a lot of farms, so… I don't remember too-"
"Well, I remember," Allebmoog grabbed her by the scruff, "the way you aimed your own gun right at me as you forced us to leave! We spent days trying to find a good place to stay, mafia hassling us at every corner, and I couldn't stop crying! I never felt so afraid in my life! It was a miracle when the Revolutionaries helped us leave the planet! But then I find out that YOU guys were harboring her?!" She shot a look at Revilo.
"I'm… sorry." Allebmoog looked back down at her. "I did a lot of bad things… to a lot of people. I was just doing what my mom wanted me to do. And when she took my bending and stuck me with that stupid sister… all I wanted was revenge. I didn't even think about… trying to fix this world until…"
"Until what?"
"Until… the Little Dads and my new friends… and you guys were involved. I got so many of you guys in trouble… that I can't even think about what I want now. I…I want to make things right. I really do…sniff…"
"…" Allebmoog released her. "Well, you've got a lot of work on your plate. At least we have a way of contacting the DNK… but it sounds like they're not in a good position to help us."
"Then we need to quit sitting around and start searching for the others." Asigan stated, overhearing the conversation as she approached. "Not just our friends, but the Revolutionaries that helped us escape. Sigh…poor Oemor… I'm glad he escaped, but he's all alone in Washopolis. He was already so stressed during New Galaxia, I can't imagine what he's going through!"
Washopolis
Rumors told of a fairy that sneakily stole books from the library. They could vaguely see a tiny figure scampering across the floor, using "magic" to make books float away.
Rocking his bare feet back and forth, Oemor set a new book open against the wall of the vent, enjoying the fantasy with a smile on his spectacled face. …Well, actually, he needed a certain someone to read the Washling language for him.
"CLAM IT, EILLAC!" yelled Captain Mollusk, forcing his granddaughter against the wall by her neck. "Is it really that hard to find one crusted human?!"
"I-I'm sorry, Grandpa! I'm searching every nook and cranny, he isn't anywhere! Are you sure the Octowashes didn't take him away somewhere?"
"We haven't heard a hair of them leaving their sewer! We need that puman as leverage against Underboss Airam, so you'd better catch him or you'll be licking tartar!"
"Okay, okay! I'll keep trying!"
"Bah!" Mollusk dropped her and stomped away.
But with that, Eillac made her way back to the library via the vents. "Sorry I'm late." Eillac said to little Oemor with a smile. "Just had to report to Grandpa again."
"I can't thank you enough." Oemor smiled. In truth, Eillac saw the "Library Fairy" a while ago and followed him into the vent. She learned that it was the human prisoner, but he was just so cute that she couldn't bear to turn him in. Oemor was relieved to hear his friends had escaped, and he had faith they would come to find him. Otherwise, it would be too risky for Eillac to try and bring him herself, so until then, she was happy to read Washling fantasies for him. (Play "Capital B's Office" from Yooka-Laylee!)
Swimming Swede
Davy Jarg stamped the battered Nerehc to the floor, his pegleg against his chest. "Jar har har! Well, Master Nerehc, your request has finally been granted-ah. An audience with the Fleet Admiral. I hope my stand-in managed to teach you some manners-ah."
"I taught him something, alright. Taught him that robot bods suck."
Sir Ovi had lost his right arm, left foot, and a gash down his left side, the circuitry inside sparking. "Nothing a quick repair can't fix. And you can be assured I'll be 'repairing' those friends of yours, too." A screen displayed Sipa, Eitra, and Eirik tied down to tables."
"You're gonna Roboticize them, right?"
"Lately, I've found it far more fun to control mortals in the same manner as robots, through use of my mind chips. However, my last stock of chips seemed to suffer a malfunction. I'll have to do some research first."
"Davy Jarg!" Admiral Uub marched in with a glare.
"That's Captain Jarg to you, boy!"
"It's no wonder the Fleet Admiral lets the Emperors get away with their crimes. All this time, YOU were behind the scenes! You were their ally!"
"Jar har har! My boy, we Emperors are enemies by nature. We must conquer each other or be conquered. And I will conquer them as I wished to -200 years ago. Now that the Galactic Navy are part of my Robbos, I will reign supreme!"
"So, you were planning to take down the Emperors, anyway?" Nerehc asked.
"Indeed… and rest assured, I plan to save your friends just the same… as I brainwash them as well! Jar har har!"
"Speaking of rescues, Captain," Ovi said, "I'm curious as to why Nerehc's operatives abducted Utab's daughter and the Nave boy. Might you be able to tell us, boy?"
"The DNK's job is to save kids in trouble. Well, we save anybody who needs us, but kids are a big priority!"
"Aha! So, when Inat danced with you, she must've told you something in secret! Probably a cry for help."
"She shouldn't have been able to do anything of the sort." Jarg said. "Unless she found a way around the chip's control. I wonder if Utab assisted her in some way. Yes… to celebrate my return, I believe an execution is in order. Utab has no wealth that we can't take from him!"
"You're a despicable fiend!" Uub tried to attack him, but couldn't bring himself to.
"I need not be reminded."
"Even so… you desire to crush the other Emperors, right? And how do you propose to do it?"
"With war!" Jarg unraveled the contract. "When I and the Emperors sign this magic contract, we will wage war, and the victor will have dominant will over those fallen. That includes the pirates aligned with them as well."
"Complete and total control… so, that's what I signed up for."
"Not 'total' control. As a pirate, I have standards to uphold. I allow my crewmen to have as much freedom as they need. So long as you do nothing to oppose me, you will have freedom."
"Hm…very well then." Uub turned away. "I don't like this change of affairs… but I have no vendetta against you. So long as I can bring justice to those pirates, that's fine."
"Happy to hear that, mate-ah. Now… dismissed." Uub walked away. "Now, why don't we begin the operation on you brats?"
That contract… Nerehc thought. Can it really do that? Then we… need to sign it, too!
Planet Arim; Cloud Sea Norest
The Ant King sat in a throne aboard his flagship, the Tyrant. (A name I literally came up with on the spur of the moment and it's super clever.) A large screen flickered on and displayed Lady Ydnam. "Why, if it isn't the Ant King. Not calling to ask me on a date, are you, sw-"
"SILENCE." The king's pupils were shriveled in malice within his wide eyes. "I demand you answer me… Golden Dreamer. Earlier… your pirates trespassed on my ocean. And around the same time… a guest of mine went missing. A white, Moebian dog."
"Why… I have NO idea what you're talking about!" She smiled and brushed her hand like an aristocrat.
The king thrusted his tail into the wall beside the TV. "That tone of yours is not reassuring."
"Perhaps this 'guest' of yours ran away on her own. After all, you are quite a nasty fellow. Terrifying, cruel, bringing despair to all the poor little animals. I wouldn't be shocked if thousands of guests ran away from you."
"Funny… I don't recall specifying their gender."
"Oh? Po po po po! A slip of the tongue, as it were."
The golden torches behind the king brimmed. "Give her back to me…"
"Negative! I say that because anyone welcomed into my custody is guaranteed a more positive experience… while yours would be quite negative."
"Then I'll come up there… and take her back myself. I've noticed that a handful of your ships are moving up to Aruhtaz. As if you're gearing up for something."
"That need not concern you, my dear Kingy. Now, if you'll excuse me…" She ended transmission.
"Hmph. You! Girl!"
Xof pushed Ydolem forward, the white-eyed girl stumbling up to His Majesty. She tensed up with the tail at her neck. "When we get to her planet… you're going to search everywhere until you find her. And you, Xof," the tail redirected at the gulping fox, "your group is going to keep an eye on her…"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"My King!" Ridley flew in. "The-"
King thrusted his tail into the pterodactyl's stomach. "Didn't I tell you to take care of all other problems, Ridley? If this isn't about finding Komugi, why are you interrupting me?"
"It's the Mushroom Mafia! They've just landed on the outer sea with new radon cannons! They're aiming right for the Bioless!"
"Then fly out there and dispose of them. I've got an invasion to prepare for. The Smile Pirates have no doubt taken Komugi."
"WE'RE being invaded, Your Highness! We can't set off to rescue Komugi until we trounce those weapons! Andross and Tachyon are in position as we speak, and Oryps and I are about to move out. But if you would help us, we can finish this a lot faster! Then we can sail right for Komugi. Please!"
The king forced him away with a blast of fire. "How dare you request me to do your work. Get out there and destroy those cannons immediately! The more time you waste, the more time Ydnam has to prepare. Do not make me repeat myself!"
"Argh…yes, My King." Ridley pulled himself up and flew away. Ydolem and Xof shared expressions of worry. Both feared the king's obsession… but Ydolem feared the safety of her friends most of all.
Toadstool World
"'ello, Madam Shrew!" Admiral Azure reported through the monitor, Bronzebob beside him. "The Radon Cannons seem to work jolly good! We've decimated four fortresses on the Bioless so far, but the commanders are knocking some of our other shots away."
"Keep firing until the whole Titan topples! Those pirates will pay for trying to make off with my daughter!"
"Do you even give a damn about them, anymore?" Oiram asked. "Our daughters all but turned tail. Wouldn't matter a bit if the Meta-Beasts made off with them!"
"Not when she still has those Noble Gases, you cigar-mouthed idiot. I'll sap them from her just as I did before."
"You should've done that from the start, you stupid donna vecchia!"
"And YOU should've kept a better eye on them, you lazy oaf! Now, go check on the Revolutionary situation. I have some interrogating to do."
The don marched down to the basement. The body of Egeb was suspended for Sutsugua to look at. "Enjoying your quality time, boy?"
"Yeah… me and Grandpa are REALLY catching up, you sick whore."
"And you'll be catching up for the rest of eternity!" Shrew thrusted her heel against the boy's crotch. "If only I could do the same… for you and YOUR father, Reswob, Jr.!" She twirled to the other cell, where a large, starved Apook was chained up.
"Ahh…though my father is old and frail… he will not succumb to the likes of you."
She thrusted a kick at his jaw. "He's where the Revolutionaries are stationed, right?! Where they took those brats! TELL ME! NOW!" She shoved gas up his nostrils, the Apook hacking.
"Ack! Toadstool… will be… beautiful again…"
Shrew thrusted a kick down to bend his head. "Are you and Sutsugua enjoying yourselves, singing that song about me?"
"Dad wrote it himself…"
"You'll have a hard time singing with a burned throat!" She shoved gas down his throat. "And if I don't find those brats over these next few days… I'll have plenty of new poisons lined up for you."
Aruhtaz
"Good neeeeewwws, Lady Ydnaaaaam!" Llubhcnurt sang. "The pirates have finished relocating all our staff and prison—I mean, students to the designated areas on this world!"
"That's wonderful! Is Ahsas finished reinforcing the night sky?"
"Absolutely, there won't be a speck of sunlight around here!"
"Good! Now, we'd best get everything in tip-top shape. I fear the Ant King is paying us a visit, so we need to look presentable! But I think some quality time with the kids is in order."
Ydnam walked downstairs, where it seemed Aluben and Ragus were happily playing with dollies. "Hello, girls! Anyone feel like going out for ice cream?"
"Ooo, I love ice cream!" Aluben beamed. "I wish Leic could come with us, but they haven't woken up, yet."
"Well, we'll save some in storage in case they do. Oh, and Ydnic, would you like some, too?"
Her daughter's smile was stitched in place as she wore one of Horde Prime's chips on her neck. "Yes, Mother! Ice cream is very sweet, and I love all sweet things!"
"Then let's all go together!" Llubhcnurt clapped.
"Hooray!" Ragus sang. She and Aluben held Ydnam's hands as they skipped along. Llubhcnurt held the hand of Ydnic, whose eyes throbbed with despair.
In another part of the palace, Komugi was mopping the floor as Horde Prime spoke to a clone. "So, you believe the Galactic Navy is using some kind of mind-control technology, too?"
"Yes, Elder Brother."
"Fascinating… perhaps we should look into it." (End song.)
Arim; Pacifitia
Atnort, Alol, Ikuyim, Beewv, and Arohpsohp had flown to an area of the Cloud Sea that was calm. They dove into the water and landed on an undersea Titan. The clouds were bright above them and the Titan was lush with greenery, as well as herbivorous dinosaurs. This was where they had brought the rescued Chickin kids before. The impish robot Blade, Alil was thankful to Beewv for rescuing her. The operatives allowed their selves some rest on this peaceful Titan, with Ikuyim getting the most delight in trekking the ground beneath her. Still, they were too worried about their friends to fully enjoy it.
However, there was a smaller island a short way away from the mainland, hidden behind the cliffs where there was no shore. This island seemed to have an old radio tower. Beewv didn't think it was strong enough to send a signal to DNKG… until Alil revealed that she was built with communication functions. Beewv was able to hook her up to the tower and combine their functions. With that, they inputted DNKG's coordinates.
DNKG
As the days passed, anxiety slowly evolved into hope for the teen and preteen operatives. They received calls from Nega-SA, -MG, Team Anna, and -L. The operatives Ydolem, Nollid, Avakam, Yrret, and Annaira were prisoners of the Meta-Beasts, but those remaining were hoping to navigate Norest and search for them. On Toadstool, Ydnew, Lihp, and Oemor were unaccounted for, but their general whereabouts were known.
The -$ Thieves, -W, and -JP operatives made it to base. The thieves had one of the Despairagers, Urusam in their custody, so they tried to interrogate him. According to other reports, the Smile Pirates were relocating everything to Aruhtaz, so they assumed Lorac and Leic were trapped there as well. Beforehand, Hgielar told Nerehc about the kidnapping, so Nerehc had already gotten -JP on the case. With them, they brought Otokam: he was a dorky, Bubble Dreamer boy who once tried to Bubble a bunch of people's dreams to give them bad luck. They "convinced" him to help in this operation as a way to make up for what he did. They saw that Lorac's dream was surrounded by a Sand Sea, but they struggled to cross the sea and find them.
However, under Asia's request, the group went to sleep and searched the dreams of the TG kids. It seemed they were also trapped in Ydnam's dream, but no sign of their dreamselves. "So, my sweet Lorac is lost in slumber," Nosam said, "and awaits a handsome prince to wake her with a kiss."
"That's so hot, dude~" Aullik smiled.
"Can you please put some more clothes on?" Asia sighed.
"And Anaigrom sounds A-OK on Toadstool." Uzuy smiled.
"Which means Nosey and Aullik will be going separate ways." Akurah smirked. "Too bad."
"Hold on, we can't just separate." Arorua reasoned. "We have to save our teams from the navy!"
"We need to make land on the Emperors' planets and conduct investigations." Atawid said. "Tnacsuroc may be especially difficult. If they've brainwashed our teammates, they wouldn't need to be kept in cells or anything. They'll be used against us. Then we may need those two to save them…"
Ahcniea had already peeled off Inat's forehead area and picked the chip out of her brain. She then carefully cut off Nave's head. There was some kind of net around his brain, linked to suction-cup chips. Yrrah was observing with her. "I don't think we should pick these willy-nilly." Yrrah said. "It looks like it's designed to squeeze his brain if we attempt to. They have to be picked off in a certain order. Let me see if I can determine which…"
"I'm not sure if those two should take part in the search. It'll be bad if they get captured. At best, we need to have brainwashed operatives transferred up here, so their chips can be picked out. I know Ahcniea applied a medicine to you guys to resist the brainwashing, but I'm sure Jarg will be privy to it after the first incident."
"Hey, guys." Emorej approached them. "Um, it sounds like most of the Supreme Leaders are willing to help us fight the Emperors, and they're onboard with the whole 'playing pirate' thing. The question is, without Nerehc with us… who's going to play the part of 'Emperor'? We can't just say it's Nerehc, considering he's already…"
"I'm the de facto leader when he ain't around." Sicnarf said. "I'll do it."
"No, I should do it!" Arorua stated. "I'm Nerehc's sister, so technically…"
"We need to rescue Lorac now!" Nosam declared. "Then SHE can be the Emperor!"
"She doesn't fit at all!" Eel argued. "Her whole thing is being sneaky and stuff. Don't Emperors need to be out in the spotlight and be known to everyone?"
"That's exactly right." Atawid agreed. "Unfortunately… Nerehc is the most famous person of all of us. So, he needs to be the first one we rescue."
"So, are we all just gonna invade Tnacsuroc and go for it?"
"No… what we need is more information. If the Emperors are going to wage war, I surmise they must first have a meeting. And Davy Jarg must have a place he intends to-"
"Emorej, we're receiving another unknown call!" a Psiw yelled.
"Again?! Who is it this time?"
Tnacsuroc Sewers
"Heeeey! Come back hewe!" Eelyah and Nekcarb ran through the tunnels, the former punching rocks out at their pursuer. It appeared to be a large, muscular Cragmite with a red head and back. His lips were mopey, as were his big eyes. "I won't wet you escape from me!" He was wielding a large brush, swatting Eelyah's boulders away. "I am Probelg, Chief Choreman of the Gawactic Wavy! I sweep cwime away in the sewews! Come back and wet me sweep you!"
"No thanks!" Ahcom yelled. "I already got stuck in Asia's dust pan once!"
As they maneuvered around the brick-walled tunnels, Eelyah tried to push one open with her bending. "Uh?!" Behind it was a metal, secure door. "What this?"
"WHEWE AWE YOU?!"
The girls were about to keep running… when the secure door opened. They decided to retreat inside. The metal door closed, along with the brick one, which happened to be attached to a mechanism. Probelg came around the corner, searching dumbfoundedly. (Play "Terminal Room" from Trails from Zero.)
The trio traveled through the hidden tunnel. Hearing a catchy tune up ahead, the tunnel led to what looked like someone's basement room. The scent of pizza hit their nostrils as they saw several boxes' worth lain open. There was a chubby boy in a red sweater, yellow pants, and black hair operating several computers. "You guys owe me one." The boy said lazily, eating a pizza slice. "Done nearly blew my cover."
"What this place?" Eelyah said, walking forward. She accidentally stepped on a dropped pizza.
"Name's Otullak. This is my crib. Looked like you guys were running from the navy. I'm kinda hiding from them, too."
"It smells awful down here!" Ahcom waved by her nose. "If you're hiding, how do you get all these pizzas?"
"I had a friend deliver them. Got enough to last a few months. I guess you can have some, but you're not planning to stay, are you?"
Eelyah approached him, staring at the screens. "You got cameras?"
"Yup. Hacked into the sewer security network, so I can see outside."
"You hacker? Can hack other things?"
"Well… yeah. I hack into the military's network sometimes. Like to keep tabs on what they're doing. But breaking in ain't easy, and I can't stay too long before they trace me."
"Can you contact people with this stuff?" Ahcom asked.
"Maybe… why?"
"Well, we'd like to send a message to the DNKG."
They explained that their teammates were staging an escape and were supposed to come back for Eelyah, but never did, and their communicators were no longer in range. "DNK ops, huh? I mean… I don't like to send calls out very much. Might end up being traced, you know?"
"But we're already here!"
"Like… you guys won't sell me out, right?"
"…" Eelyah noticed a photo on his desk: it depicted Otullak with the Kcydloz. "! You brothers with Aullik!"
"You know Aullik?"
"My friends got him help us! Me think he was gonna escape with us."
"And he didn't mention me? I mean, I guess he wouldn't know where I am. Wouldn't really trust him to keep secrets for me. He's the best bro ever, but he's a total ditz. Sigh…fine, I guess I'll send the call. Hope I don't get involved in anything crazy."
DNKG
"Ahcom?!" Asia gasped. "And Eelyah?!"
"Thank goodness you're okay!" Arorua sighed, Emorej rapidly typing their words. "We're sorry we didn't get you guys. We…"
///
"Davy Jarg?!" Otullak gasped. "The legendary space-pirate? I…I didn't expect that."
"Hey, Bro, good to see you! How'd you get inside the computer?" Aullik asked.
"Never mind that!" Atawid stated. "This actually changes everything…"
///
"So… we're gonna become a pirate crew and fight all Four Emperors?!" Ahcom exclaimed.
"Correct. Saving our friends is first priority, but we need to triumph over the pirates before they become a worse threat. To that end, we need Nerehc. And right now, it seems you lot are the closest we have to rescuing him."
"Otullak! You use pooter to find Nerehc prison and we save him?"
"You expect me to just hack around willy-nilly?! Hacking isn't magic, you know!"
"Please, Otullak. We really need to save Nerehc."
Eelyah gazed at him with pleading eyes. The hacker flushed red, the Neanderthal's expression irresistible. "F-Fine. I'll… try to find something." (End song.)
In the meantime, the remaining operatives began their search on the other worlds. On Toadstool, Nega-SA set off to search for Oemor, riding a ship called the Dragon Dolphin. Airam and Revilo would search for their two friends, accompanied by the Little Dads on the Nostra Castello. Furthermore, some of their agents returned to Earth to bring back a new soldato. She was a young girl whom Sutsugua rescued before he was captured, and she wished to repay him. Her name was Amat, a purple-haired girl with flabby, melty skin. She was fed the Mochi-Mochi Fruit, which allowed her to better mold her body and use stretch attacks.
On Arim, the Nega-L group acquired their own Titan ship and called it the Sweet Alil. Nega-W and the -$ Thieves headed for Aruhtaz, covered in a Sand Sea much like the Dream Realm. They each had cans of special coffee that would keep them immune to the sand in case they touched it. But naturally, Nosam insisted on going with the thieves to save his lovely Lorac.
"Good luck, man." Aullik told him in farewell. "You gotta save your girl. I'll try to save my girl, too! Let's meet again for that double date, man!"
"It's a promise, Aullik!"
So with that, Aullik rode his own smaller ship down to Toadstool, intending to meet up with Nega-SA. "Ugh, that idiot won't even come to save his own teammates." Akurah scoffed.
"Maybe we should just land on Tnacsuroc and search for the others." Asia said. "And if they determine Nerehc's location, we'll make our way to him then."
"Problem is, Tnacsuroc is a lot more dense." Arorua replied. "We can't just sail around freely when it's all canals and streets."
"So, what?" Aliehs smirked. "I'm a professional street thug."
"Me, too." Asia smiled. "I'm sure we'll manage somehow."
"No." Atawid stated. "If my theory is correct… it might be best if you remain with us. This isn't just a matter of saving Nerehc… It's about making our entrance as an 'Emperor' crew. And my theory is that, when Davy Jarg meets with his fellow Emperors, he'll want to present a brainwashed Nerehc as a show of power. That… will be our moment."
Following her advice, Nega-V and -W7 continued training on H.Q. (no one was just sitting around doing nothing). Meanwhile, the Meta-Beasts succeeded in fending off the mafia and had taken Bronzebob hostage. When the Meta-Beasts made flight to Aruhtaz, the Smiles flew up to intercept them. But they weren't alone: the Mushroom Mafia learned of this encounter and chose to join the party. Don Shrew couldn't miss a chance to blow down two of her rivals.
But it was then that a metal ship, belonging to neither crew, bombarded them with lasers. Shrew and Ridley questioned the ship's familiarity, but it turned and sailed away. The pirates followed its lightspeed coordinates toward Villainia's moon. There was an enormous crater on the moon, divided into four audience stands, and the center possessed a platform with a table. A pirate flag was suspended above the center via two poles.
…
"Hey, guys." Otullak typed. "I'm still not sure where they're keeping Nerehc, but I think I found out where they're going to meet. They have a file about a Lunar Summit, located on Villainia's moon. Apparently, it's a sacred neutral ground for pirates. Probably set up there so Davy Jarg could use it."
"Then that's where we need to be." Atawid decided.
…
The three armies couldn't believe this disgrace. Why was the Galactic Navy here?! "Do not worry. I have committed no taboo." Davy Jarg disembarked his ship. "The Galactic Navy are my crewmen now. They are my unwilling Robbos!"
"Davy Jarg? Mushu shu shu shu! I had a hunch you were alive!"
"Gear Heart Jarg?" Andross rubbed his chin. "I heard of his name, but always thought it was a joke."
"All these unwelcome guests are irritating." Ant King glared. "If I have to burn you all, so be it."
"Patience, Your Majesty." Jarg smiled reprovingly. "These are peaceful grou-"
King SMACKED his head clean off. "I'm not inclined to abide by your rules."
"'Tis fair." Jarg's body picked it back up. "They are only guidelines. AVAST, THEN!"
So began the opening battle of the war, on -15 Yraurbef. King's fire against Shrew's poison resulted in smogging explosions. Jarg bent ancient swords and scrap that were buried in the moon-sand, while the sand itself was a perfect weapon for Ydnam to combat him. She slashed some sand against Ant King, who turned the sand into glass. Don Shrew intoxicated Ydnam, but Jarg grabbed the Don from behind and willed metal spikes to grow from her skin. Shrew merely ate a drug to eject the harmful components and recirculate her bloodstream, forcing Jarg off with a Gas Bomb. Ydnam buried Shrew under Dreamsand, but Shrew stayed awake by huffing some powder into her nose.
The pirates battled relentlessly: Oryps against Uub, Ridley fought Yeknod, Itaav fought Tachyon, Horde Prime blasted lasers at Andross, Doma froze Ripto's fire, Sumas exchanged bullets with Oiram, and Eniram slashed kicks at Nolrem. The Despairagers fought the Gnok Family, Llubhcnurt fought Reknoc, and Aluben tried to twist Avlis's bones.
Then, a comet of white flame came flying at the Emperors, followed by the streak of a blade that slashed directly at Shrew. She thrusted her heel and blocked the blade of Nerehc Onu. "You?!"
"Nerry?!" Ydnam gasped. "Darling, what are you doing here?!"
"Huh? Nerehc?" Aluben looked over.
The Fierce Deity bore pale eyes and a dull frown. He slashed the enemy Emperors like a mindless zombie, the Ant King swiftly countering him. "This boy fights with no heart. How boring…"
"Ah ha ha ha ha!"
Fleet Admiral Ovi presented himself over the Swede's keel. "How do you like him? The DNK's Supreme Leader, bent to our will!"
"Dr. Kintobor?!" Wodahs exclaimed. "Where have YOU been all this time?!"
"Why, I'm the Fleet Admiral, but dear Wodahs! Of course, I'm only second to Captain Jarg. And while we didn't bring them, we have other operatives under our control."
"Now, my brethren…" Jarg unraveled the contract. "If you're done fighting, I have a proposal to make."
Jarg explained the purpose of the contract and proposed the Pirate War. "So, if we fight… the victor will attain command over all participants?" Shrew smirked.
"That sounds… delightful!" Ydnam beamed. "Kids, if we win this war, then all these guys can join us in-"
Ant King smacked her away. "I tire of your childish games. Your contract holds no power over-"
"YOOOOO! WHAT UP, PIRATE DUDES?!"
Everyone whipped in the direction of the platform across the stands. Hcaz Yhprum replaced the pirate flag with a laundry machine flag, and he, Okam, and Ycrad were holding a concert with cleaning equipment. "We're Hcaz and the Mopheads, here to rock your world with hoppin' scotchin' mops! Put the EcoLab in the bucket, clean up all the muck-it! Clean and dry, 'cause a messy floor won't fly!"
". . . . . ." What in blazes were they looking at?
Then, Asia WHOOSHED over the field at breakneck speed, cutting through the crowd. Only Ant King sensed her presence, but knew she was aiming for Nerehc. Asia PUSHED her leader away from the Emperors. Ovi tried to order him to attack, but Aliehs soared down on a glider and KICKED Ovi across the head. Asia landed on the platform where Hcaz was rocking out, and Nerehc was pelted by Yddam's chi-blocking punches.
Asia and Yddam forced him down, head against the ground. Yrrah hurried over with Ahcniea in hand. Yrrah put a hand to his head and focused his Observation. "Yep… he's got the same Brain Net that Nave had."
"Then… it should work the same way?" Ahcniea asked.
"No, not exactly. Just give me a second…"
"ADMIRALS, STOP THEM!" Ovi bellowed.
"PARLEY!"
"Huh?!" The pirates looked over once more. Atawid stood right behind them, her choco eyes firm and sharp.
"We of the Daring Pirates invoke the right of parley. Perhaps you should've opened with that, Davy Jarg."
"Parley? Argh…" A program in Jarg's head compelled him to comply. "Wait! You cannot harm my crewmen if you invoke-"
"We aren't harming anyone. Rather, we're saving our captain."
"Yeah, so suck it!" Aliehs blew a raspberry.
"But…" Jarg glared up at the platform.
Though he couldn't see it, Yrrah began pointing at specific spots in Nerehc's head. "That one first!" Ahcniea thrusted a needle in and poked that chip's switch. "Then this one. This one. This one!" She pierced those points sequentially. "And…er…um…THIS ONE!"
Ahcniea flicked the last switch… and Nerehc panted. "Huff…huff…" He looked up into the relieved faces of his friends. "Thanks, guys."
"Bro!" Arorua pulled Nerehc to his feet and gave him a hug. "Thank goodness. I didn't think we could pull it off."
"We wouldn't have if this moon didn't have an Oxygen Bubble." Asia said.
"You useless imbeciles!" Ovi yelled at the admirals. "Why didn't you stop them?!"
"Because they respond to my desires." Jarg said. "And we honorable pirates do not attack those who invoke parley."
"I had a hunch such a long-time pirate would adhere to the code." Atawid smiled. "All I had to do then was distract the fighting with Hcaz's weird song, allowing Asia a stable route to swoop in. Even Mecha Jarg didn't see it comin'~"
"Alright!" Nerehc stepped up on the platform's table. "Now that my mind's in working order… I think we'll be signing that contract now."
"Foolish boy!" Jarg yelled. "This war is only between us Emperors!"
"Yeah? Well, we of the DNK have decided to become pirates! And we certainly never agreed to sign up for YOUR dumb crew!"
"We've already defeated you, boy. You have already lost this war!"
"That was before we signed." Atawid remarked. "Your victory is invalid."
"Mushu shu…so, that's your game." Shrew smirked. "Very well… All the more reason to trample you meddling kids. I'll sign up for this war!"
"No reason we should back out now." Ydnam smiled. "What do you say, dearies? Doesn't a war sound fun?"
"It sure does, Captain!" Aluben grinned.
"We'll do our best!" Acanom cheered.
"They're already acting like puppets." King said. "What a waste of my time."
"And considering an ant's perception of time is much slower," Atawid smiled wryly, "that's quite unfortunate for you."
The Meta-Beasts gawked at the strategist. Displeased by her remark, the king's next move was expected: his tail stabbed at Atawid, and red coated its tip. "…?!"
Her smile grew wryer as she held a bottle of ketchup up, the king's tail through it. "You want some fries with that?"
The king lashed rapid tail whips, but Atawid's Haki allowed her to keenly evade. But ultimately, the Ant King seized her neck in his hand. "You didn't think your 'parley' would protect you from my wrath, did you?"
"'Course not…keh… but I did hear you liked to kidnap strategy game champions. Obviously, you want to prove yourself the smartest… not just the strongest. That's the same way wars are fought and won. That's why you're here to begin with. To study your foes' techniques. I wouldn't be surprised if you caught a glimpse of their crewmen, too. The pieces are all here, I guess it's a matter of which ones move better and how. But even if you take your pieces off the table, that won't stop them from coming after yours later."
"Well, don't convince him to play!" Yrrah shouted.
"Why not? This game should be fair for all parties involved. And it won't be fair for me if His Majesty ain't in."
". . . . ." The king merely gazed at Atawid. "You fascinate me… human. But only… just enough."
He positioned his hand beside Atawid's head and flicked her. With that, she was out cold. He dropped her. "So be it… I would be remiss if I did not win such a simple game."
"Jar har har… then it seems we're in accord." Jarg smirked. "To sign our fates, we must toss a doubloon into the depths. But since we've no water to do so with… let us send our doubloons to the stars."
All the pirates present released a single coin to the low-gravity heavens. The Emperors' names were magically added to the contract, including Nerehc's. "We must now adjourn for -24 hours. Once such time has passed… war begins-ah."
"Then may the best crew win." Nerehc agreed.