The machine began to whir, accelerating with each cycle. The propellers spun fiercely, rising higher with every pass, edging perilously close to Paltio and Mok's legs. But just as it seemed they would be struck, the blades abruptly shut down, leaving both unharmed.
"That was close," said Paltio, glancing at his intact legs with relief.
"Yes, Master, that was… strange," remarked Mok, still dazed by what had transpired.
From his vantage point, Toco-Toco exclaimed:
"Meow! Good thing it didn't touch you!" while continuing to fend off the robots trying to capture him.
On one of the monitors, Ruby appeared visibly irritated:
"What's going on? Why isn't this thing working? I have already pressed the button with this stupid robotic arm!"
Ruby kept grumbling, frustration mounting:
"How is this possible? These machines aren't so obsolete that they should fail like this… Well, if the metal blade won't work, then lasers it be."
She directed the massive laser cannons guarding her golden box toward Paltio and Mok. The lasers emitted a menacing flash before firing—but they, too, instantly powered down.
"What in hell is wrong with these things?! They've never failed before, and now they're breaking down right when I need them most! Damn it!" screamed Ruby, livid.
Suddenly, Golden appeared on one of the monitors, smiling calmly:
"Hello, Paltio. Did you miss me?"
"Golden! How? What are you doing on that monitor? And why weren't you answering?" asked Paltio, astonished.
"It's a long story, kid. The short version is that I managed to infiltrate Ruby's system. That's why I couldn't reply—I didn't think it would drain all my illusions."
As he spoke, Golden gestured toward them. It was clear the illusions were no longer active: Paltio and Mok looked normal again, no longer disguised as soldiers of the Green Shadows, and Toco-Toco had returned to his feline form.
With a swift motion, Golden took control of the lasers, freeing Mok and Paltio from their restraints.
"You! Who are you, you damned golden thing?" roared Ruby, beside herself with rage.
"Well, you could say I'm like a virus in your system… or something like that," replied Golden, a hint of laughter threading through his voice.
"Alright, Paltio, what are you waiting for? Go get that piece while I deal with this crazy intelligence."
"Who are you calling crazy?" shrieked Ruby, indignant.
"You," retorted Golden, unfazed. "I think it's time to shut you down."
Ruby screamed in desperation:
"No! Wait! We can talk about this…"
But it was too late. Golden activated all the laser cannons, aiming them at the golden box. A blinding flash lit up the room, and the box exploded into a thousand pieces. The chamber shifted from red to its normal hue, and all the machines powered off at once.
Mok, retrieving his knives, quickly cut through the remnants of the bindings that had trapped them.
"Alright, Master Paltio, this is where the piece should be," said Mok, pointing toward the pile of bones beneath their feet.
"Yes, this is where I saw a light that guided me here," replied the young man in a reverent tone, recalling the strange yet clear vision that had led him to this place.
Paltio knelt before the remains, bowing his head in respect. In a low but sincere voice, he murmured:
"Forgive me for disturbing you…"
With care, almost tenderness, he sifted through the bones, gently moving them aside as he searched for the piece he knew was hidden there. After a few moments, the boy's hand emerged from among the bones, holding a gleaming fragment of the scepter.
"How cool, Golden! This is Sacaram!" exclaimed Paltio, proudly holding up the shining piece of the scepter. The fragment had a circle at its center and was sturdy in design.
"That's great!" said Toco-Toco, swatting at an inactive robot that no longer functioned, making his way closer to the group.
After retrieving the piece and leaving the place where they had been trapped, Paltio, Mok, and Toco-Toco stood staring at Golden on the monitor.
"And now what? How are you going to support us from there? How will you return to me?" asked Paltio, intrigued.
Golden responded with a mischievous smile:
"Well, I don't know… I think I'll stay here helping the Bacadolians… just messing around a bit."
However, something interrupted his explanation. The monitor displaying Golden suddenly shattered.
"Oh, I guess that's how!" exclaimed Golden as he returned to Paltio's seed.
"I'm so glad you're back!" said Paltio with genuine joy.
But his happiness was short-lived. Suddenly, they heard Ruby's voice—this time distorted, raspy, and demonic:
"I'll have to deal with you myself."
The remnants of the golden box began to stir, assembling with other parts until they formed a massive robotic crab.
"You won't leave this place," declared Ruby coldly, her tone laced with hatred.
Meanwhile, in the city, Ruby's technology has ceased to respond. The conveyor belts continued to operate, but they didn't go far. The guards looked on, confused.
"How strange…" some muttered to one another.
Taking advantage of the chaos, some villagers decided to test whether it was safe to move. Seeing that they weren't detected, the news spread quickly among the citizens, who began fleeing their workplaces. Others chose to confront the invading guards, sparking rebellions throughout the city.
A guard called Trebolg worriedly:
"Sir, something's wrong with Ruby. We have riots everywhere, and interactions with the main intelligence are failing. Even some cameras have stopped working."
Trebolg felt fury boiling in his veins.
"But who could have done this!?"
With determination, he ordered:
"Soldiers, you are authorized to use lethal force. If the people of this realm do not comply, regain control as soon as possible. They will not take my dream away from me."
"Understood," replied the guard before cutting off the communication.
Meanwhile, in the castle, Yaco was summoned by Trebolg:
"Go to the prince. Something is happening, and I believe he and his friends are behind it. I don't believe in coincidences. They arrived, and Ruby started malfunctioning."
"At once," replied Yaco, before rushing out of the palace.
In the shelter where Alita, Ron, and Pax were hiding, the chaos in the streets was undeniable.
"Look at what's happening out there!" said Pax, observing fires and people mobilizing from their vantage point.
Alita and Ron stepped outside to take a closer look. From where they stood, they could confirm the extent of the turmoil. Ron used the bottle as makeshift binoculars to get a better view.
"What's going on? Why has everything descended into chaos?" asked Alita, bewildered.
"I don't have the slightest idea," responded Pax thoughtfully. "But we'd better stay put here for now."
Meanwhile, Ruby spoke to herself, seething with fury:
"They've forced me into offline mode just to survive. I've left the realm in pure technological darkness—only the basics are functioning. I must destroy them if I want to go back online."
"Paltio, are you ready?" asked Golden seriously.
"Yes... I think I still need your power," replied Paltio, lowering his head with a hint of frustration.
"We'll talk about that later, kid. For now, it's time to fight," said Golden firmly.
Golden materialized the familiar pair of special gloves and handed them to Paltio, who quickly adjusted them, preparing to face the giant robotic crab controlled by Ruby. Meanwhile, Mok drew his knives and unsheathed his sword, slipping on the ring of earth and fire. He was ready for battle.
Toco-Toco, on the other hand, returned to the hologram to recharge. He had been outside Golden's influence for too long, and apparently, being in Paltio's seed limited how long he could remain active independently. Unlike Nakia, who could stay outside Meliradal for extended periods, Toco-Toco needed to replenish his strength.
The enormous robotic crab loomed imposingly before them, its claws gleaming under the dim light of the chamber. Ruby's voice rang out, arrogant and cutting:
"A butler and a child won't destroy me. I'm the greatest creation ever made!"
"It seems this intelligence is very proud… and that will be its downfall," remarked Mok with a confident smile as he prepared to strike.
Without wasting a moment, Paltio and Mok charged toward the giant crab. Ruby's massive claws moved with alarming speed, aiming to crush them mercilessly.