"..." = Speech
<...> = Thought
---
Once again arriving in that clearing led to Shantae looking on with "wonder".
"Wow… Trying a new hair style?" She asked with a twitching smirk as she couldn't help repeatedly taking glances at Sky - desperately trying her hardest to not burst out in laughter. A task she was clearly finding more difficult as time went on.
The girl in question could only glare at her partner with a frown; blush across her face.
Even professor dinosaur beside Shantae couldn't help comment - even if he clearly did it with an innocent unknowing heart. "It is certainly one of the more boisterous styles I've seen."
Nodding with an appreciative light in his eyes.
Showcasing his innate curiosity as the oldest of the relic hunters.
"Heh, first time I've seen something like this, as well~." Shantae unable to resist another jab.
"T-This is just due to something I've been trying out; more importantly how and why are you accompanied by an actual dinosaur!?" Finally losing her patience with the bratty genie heroine. Her hands coming up to defensively protect her doo from their eyes while glaring in a mixture of shock and awe at the ancient dinosaur in question.
Of course it was impossible to do, sparks of static exploding out occasionally, her surprisingly long hair having breached the containment of her blue head wrap. There were more curls in her hair then there were strands of hair. Truly looking somewhat akin to one of Shantae's puff clouds.
Although Shantae obviously did have some questions of her own.
She at least had enough humanity left to not ask out loud. "This is the relic hunter we came for!"
Sky did raise a brow… Though she was quick to accept that answer.
"Well, what do we do now?" Looking between both the dinosaur and genie as she suddenly had questions about how much stranger her company could possibly get. "Either way we'd need to figure out a way to get there; I don't know how well we can carry the professor… Safely that is ."
"An astute observation, I am not exactly the flying variety of dinosaur, though I think it for the best if we head to reconvene with the other relic hunters as quickly as possible. We will truly need to put all our heads together if we want any chance to prevent that pirate's scheme." Kneading his beard as he spoke.
Shantae too pondered the question for a moment.
Yet her conclusion was not exactly the brightest. "Perhaps we just tie him to her talons and fly slowly?"
"I-I suppose if we must…?" Even his agreement was obviously more due to his kind disposition than actually believing it a good idea.
Somehow even his scales appeared to take on a paler complexion.
---
"Huh~ so not many of your clans actually survived?" A certain sheepish (not in disposition) demon asked as they casually tapped their chin. Sitting at a wooden desk and chair which had them facing a giant wheeled chalk board that a certain devil was tapping with a cane.
Serafall was wearing a freshly ironed white blouse with a grey blazer paired with a matching pencil skirt that screamed "professional woman". Evening going as far as to wear some square frames. Using her free hand to adjust her glasses as she gave a massive grin to the demonic manifestation of hell.
A hell that looked quite different from how it originally did.
The realm, not the person…
Although said person was wearing a male Japanese school uniform despite their unique bodily proportions making it so it should be near impossible.
There was even a cute little cap balanced between their horns.
"Yeah, the seventy two original clans have been reduced to a little over thirty but, honestly most of them in the old king faction stink of bad news. Especially after the new Lord Azaroth introduced the evil pieces in an attempt to help regain our numbers." Shaking her head with a drawn out sigh.
Snapping her cane angrily at the "Bael" written atop a relations chart on the mentioned faction. "I was supportive of letting new and strong devils make their own official noble clans. Those idiots under king idiot himself had to put the kibosh on all that; we were lucky to even make it so devils could officially get promoted based on their actual ability instead of just bloodline!"
Hand along with shoulders promptly falling as she remembered the annoyances that came along with being a leader of the devil race. "At least they aren't as bad as the old satan faction."
"As in that stupid angel who managed to get himself capped by the biblical god?" The demon innocently asked with his head falling faintly to one side. Although the dismissive brutality at which he referred to the original Lucifer quickly broke away any lingering foul mood.
"Hahaha~!" Clutching her stomach as she laughed at how little hell itself thought of its ex-owner.
Whipping a tear from under her glasses as she answered through gasps. "Y-Yeah, they believe that the descendents of the original satans should rule over us devils and aim to re-establish the great war. A war where all three factions of the biblical pantheon were in all out conflict."
That got the sheep to raise a fluffy brow. "So they want to commit suicide?"
"PFFFF~!"
If she was struggling to breathe before, Serafall was practically catatonic, rolling on the floor.
"Well your people apparently already were on decline, and certainly haven't recovered, while the races in genkai seem to have only improved. The only advantage would be the spirits having retreated into tenkai yet you mentioned them leaving behind descendents?" Tapping its chin with a clawed finger.
In response the mighty Leviathan just lifted her hands up in a shrug. "There are actually two different types of descendents; most famous are high elves who also have their own descendents in the form of regular elves. There are tons of them but I'm more worried about making those in Sequin Land our enemy."
Shuddering at the thought.
"Hm~ what is so scary about them?" Eyes shining with curiosity.
"Most of them are good natured but some of those girls are down right crazy; in the past there was even this one called Davy Jones. Used to hunt down lost souls - or those taking advantage of the wishes without paying their dues - and they were the first pirate master which is a title given to the biggest and meanest djinn in genkai." Shaking her head.
Just when that demon thought she was done she continued. "Skipping a generation you now have the current pirate master running around bullying everyone into paying her insane tax. All except Sequin Land who have this goliath genie hybrid that could probably melt me, let alone my ice, before I finish casting any useful magic!"
Deflating while pushing her two fingers together. "Then there is the eldest of this generation of genie who can control literal earthquakes with ease; the youngest also somehow beat that scary pirate master…"
The demon just blinked. "They do seem pretty scary…."
"Though I wouldn't say no if we could broker some alliance with them - that would help us secure our spot in the supernatural community. Sadly they are just as insular as they are strong, with only the pirate masters of each generation really interacting with the outside world. so I don't even know the name of most of the genies I mentioned." Looking away.
All the demon could do was shrug. "Strangely it sounds familiar - but I doubt a being like me has any right talking to those kinds of people - spirits don't even end up in hell so I've never met one."
Little did they know…
---
"I didn't think it was possible to look worse than I did." MishMash said as his fellow Muck Lords came walking into the underground cavern they were making their temporary headquarters.
Behind them, on top of a small pile of treasure, was a gaudy throne upon which their leader sat.
Risky patiently waiting with her eyes closed as if sleeping; yet her finger rhythmically tapping the gem encrusted golden arm rest made it clear that was not the case. Her other hand rested on the pommel of her saber to also tap that. Receiving nervous glances from the MuckLord duo.
One was covered in bandages from head to toe after being struck by lightning bolt after bolt.
The other only appeared to still be in one piece due to the heavy duty staples that were connecting his bisected spindly abdomen.
Still oozed their inky black blood.
His frame was far more skeletal than his brothers with his hip bones and rather short ribcage.
It was impressive he could even stand.
Yet upon his back were wings far greater than those of his fellows - being darker pure black - like a bat's wings with spikes at the apex of each. Its face more elogated & gnarled than MishMash's. Being taller if usually slouched to about the same size as MishMash; though it's injury made such impossible now.
That creature hissed once it was sure Risky was not paying it attention. "Nobody told me about the existence of some impossibly strong human with a sylphie wench helping him!"
"I imagine because Sequin Land doesn't have anyone like that, this is the land of genie not the land of fae, so nobody could predict that." MishMash rebuked while shaking his head. "We can only hope that Hogswoggle did better than we did - FlimFlam - or who knows how Risky will react…"
Nervously looking over his shoulder toward the sitting pirate queen who seemed just as unbothered about everything happening around her.
Yet that peace did nothing to calm either MishMash or his nearly dissected brother.
"You think that gluttonous fool could have done better than me; if I knew about that bastard I could have already shredded him into bloody ribbons!?" FlimFlam practically screeched only for a sudden bang to cause him to shrivel up. Both turning to see Risky's hand now holding her pistol.
Barrel smoking as she pointed it up at the roof (only to quietly return it to her belt) with no sign of visible or audible displeasure from her… Except for the sound from the weapon. Still, both of them took the rather strong hint to keep their little conversation as a quiet one.
MishMash huddling with Flimflam. "We've already got the treasure she wants so all he needs to do is keep those goody two shoes distracted while the bats load everything up; he has the best endurance by far."
FlimFlam did look displeased… But could only quietly growl.
Aware it to be an undeniable truth while also not wanting to piss off Risky.
He was meant to be the one doing the slaughtering not getting himself slaughtered!
It was then that Hogswoggle actually arrived.
Not on his own legs, though, as he was dragged in by a small contingent of BatGal's with the bespeckled eldest leading them in with that ever present sway of their hips. Impressive considering how heavy that pudgy Muck Lord was. "As you predicted; she managed to overcome this lumbering oaf."
She didn't even bother looking at the duo that were already there; she immediately strutted up to the pile of treasure upon which Risky sat. Those awake Muck Lords looked up at their current captain wondering how she'd take the news. Just in time to see the corner of her lips curl up.
"How unfortunate that they are too late - most of the goodies have already been shipped off - still I suppose it would be rude to not play with her for a little bit." A dark chuckle escaping her lips.
Opening her eyes so only that shimmering crimson peered through.
Turning her cheery attitude toward the Muck Lords as it soured slightly. "Though it is a bit annoying that the Mercenary King showed his face back here; thought he wouldn't dare to..."
Her free arm resting an elbow upon the throne to cradle her chin.
Contemplatively thrumbing her other fingers against her cheek as she considered her next move.
"Just the fact that FlimFlam made it back after getting cut down makes it quite clear that he led that bashful man back to our little love nest." Those words immediately caused the Muck Lord to panic.
Storming in front of the throne. "There is no way he could follow me when I flew at full sp-"
"Leave the thinking to the smart people, dear, you clearly forgot he wasn't alone and that there are plenty of ways to keep track of a flying target. Quite frankly you did better than I thought you would." Lazily waving him away with her hand which didn't exactly please FlimFlam.
Yet he only expressed his displeasure in a feeble growl as he slinked away.
Unwilling to displease Risky.
Still, Risky followed him as he trudged back to his brothers, a smile once again gracing her lips as she finally finished designing her plan for the welps. "You three don't stand a chance of outlasting either - yet I'd rather you don't get yourselves finished for good. So mommy will have you to distract team genie while I personally take on the honeymoon duo."
"But we are in no shape to fight!" MishMash was quick to step forward to state the obvious while at the same time motioning to the wounds they all held.
Though Risky waved him off again. "And you can just use the TinkerDrill to fight them."
Leaning forward with her fingers interlinking as she rested her elbows upon her knees with that big bosom of hers looking ready to burst out. "That boy scout won't attack until his precious lost bastard is also ready to swoop in. We'll divide and conquer but feel free to run if even that is too much for you~."
With that the Muck Lord trio had to lower their heads (though Hogswoggle was still out cold so his was never up in the first place).
It was true that they were soundly defeated in their fights.
Of course FlimFlam could get angry at anyone for anything.
He just wasn't dumb enough to try and pick a fight with the Risky Boots.
---
"He~y it worked!" Shantae merrily exclaimed as she leapt off of Hatchet.
Obviously Sky was soon to follow while palming her face. "You shouldn't sound so surprised about that."
"Y-Yes, I would rather you were as confident sounding as you were when you first suggested tying me to this rather large avian, miss Shantae…" The Professor requested as he faintly trembled.
He had agreed to the plan yet it was clear that, despite it's evident success, he greatly regretted actually going through with it. Sky could only sigh as she and Shantae went to untie the dinosaur. At least she found herself with a great respect for his willing sacrifice for the betterment of Sequin Land.
Even if she thought he was batshit insane for actually agreeing to such a slap dash solution. She at least made sure to let the dinosaur down carefully - secretly thanking her newly enhanced body for giving her the strength to do that. "Let's get back to your uncle's house and see if Albert & Aria have arrived."
"It's a plan~!" Shantae, still living through the high of having overcome Hogswoggle, was more than eager to agree with just about whatever was suggested to her.
A big grin on her face as she marched toward Mimic's workshop.
Leaving Sky unable to do anything but shake her head with a wry smile.
Obviously neither needed help arriving at the workshop - pushing open the door to see that the foreign pair had indeed arrived. Mimic didn't even seem to notice Shantae barging through his doors. Already in a heated discussion with the first relic hunter as a new relic hunter occasionally dropped a snide comment.
It was easy to recognize relic hunters due to them wearing a coat that denoted their position.
Arthur, unlike Mimic, quickly noticed the new arrivals so quickly came over to greet them
A soft respectful smile on his face as he approached.
"I see you have succeeded as well; me and Aria even followed ours back to find out where Risky is hiding so we were just waiting for the professors to come up with a solution. At the moment they don't seem to be able to agree upon anything…" Letting out a long drawn out sigh as he clutched his aching head.
Turning around to look toward the relic hunter he must have brought in with a strained smile. "We also discovered that the professor we were trying to come across met an… Early retirement in the jaws of a coastal shark. Although that girl says she knows everything he did, I find myself doubtful."
It was in that moment where the dinosaur stepped forward while clearing his throat to garner everyone's attention toward him. "I believe the perspective of the young is always an enlightening one."
Walking past the adventurous group to end up in front of his fellows. "As things stand, we find ourselves in front of a disaster, one which none of those before us have ever had to face. We cannot be brash since literally everything we know could come crashing down; so lets take our time to make this plan!"