The team is looking up at the massive caverns, strewn with lamps. There is a small metal shack inside. Near it is the Gullible Guy.
Chapter 9: Tower of Water
Delphia
This place is huge…
Harriet (noticing GG)
Hm? Hey, look who it is.
Matt
How'd he get in here?
They go up to him.
Guy
What the? You three again! So how's your journey going? Did you win that contest?
Harriet
Um, yeah… The contest is coming right up. I'm here to, uh, do exercises in this cave.
Guy
I heard there was some weirdo who lived up in this cave. I thought it'd be a good opportunity to try and
sell him some of my spelunking equipment! But it sounds like there was an earthquake nearby, and I
haven't seen him around, so he's probably crushed under some rocks or something, and now I'm stuck
here. I'd go looking for him, but then people would steal stuff from my cart!
Matt rolls his eyes.
Delphia
Um, do you all know each other?
Harriet (to Delphia)
This guy tried to push some over priced junk on us, but he seems to fall for anything…
Matt
Harriet got her twirler from him…
Delphia
Oh really? I could use a weapon myself. Can't keep using paint all the time or it'll run out.
Delphia goes up to him.
Delphia
Hey, do you have a weapon of some sort that's really powerful?
Guy
Weapons? I don't carry weapons! I'm a pacifist!
Delphia (looks over at a bow)
What about that?
Guy
Oh, that? That's for the great sport of archery! But it's not meant to be used on living things!
Delphia (looking back at Harriet, who has her hands up and his shaking her head)
How much is it?
Guy
Twenty coins, miss!
Delphia (to Harriet)
That's insane. What do I do?
Harriet
Make something up!
Delphia (back to Guy)
Um, well, you see, uh… My dad, he has, a, um… apple stuck to his head, and I need to use an arrow
to get it off.
Everyone, including Guy just stares.
Delphia
Yeah, It's a caramel covered apple, you see, and it's tangled in his… hair. Completely stuck.
More stares.
Delphia (grin, shrug)
So… I need an arrow to… shoot it… off?
Guy
… Wow, that makes me feel less embarrassed! I thought I was the only one who has that problem.
I know how it is. So where is your dad?
Delphia
At the top of this… cave?
Guy
Oh, right, of course! Why else would you be in here?
He gives her the bow and a quiver.
Guy
Now I want that back once you're done with is, okay?
Delphia
Yeah. Sure. Thanks.
She equips the weapon and goes back over to the group.
Delphia
Geez, that guy is dense.
Duster
Do you know how to use that thing?
Delphia
I'm sure I'll find out how. But I feel kind of bad… this is like stealing.
Matt
If anything, he's the one stealing. Besides, if he ever sells just one piece of merchandise at those
prices, he'd be rich.
Duster
Sounds like this cave explorer guy isn't around.
Harriet
Yeah, but we can't go deep into this cave without some way to breath, right?
Matt
We could check out his shack.
They go ahead and open the door. It's a typical miner's shack with a dirt floor and dangling lights. A work bench has four strange looking animal masks on it. Duster looks them over.
Duster
These masks…
Harriet
What do you think they do?
Duster
Best guess is they'd provide us with oxygen.
Delphia
Kind of like scuba diving, but on land, huh? Where are the tanks?
Harriet
There aren't any in here.
Matt notices instructions on a board, messily written with messier drawings. He reads from it with a curious look. After a panel, he has an answer.
Matt
They don't run on tanks. They can convert bad air into breathable air. Only problem is, I think they run
on batteries with a small charge. But I also noticed that on the map of this cave, there are little squares
named "recharging stations." It should be pretty obvious what they'd do.
Duster (looking at the map)
The map of the cave isn't complete. It just kind of stops after this point. (points at a spot where a
waterfall is marked).
Harriet
He probably never made it that far.
Delphia (finishing strapping on a mask)
No use hanging out around here.
Duster (taking the map)
Hope this guy doesn't mind us borrowing his stuff.
On the next panel, the group emerges from the shack, all wearing masks. Duster's is embarrassing and causes stares. They walk buy the Gullible Guy, who waves them off.
Guy
Good luck with your apple problem!
Once they're gone, he talks to himself.
Guy
Wow, what strange, troubled people.
With Duster using the map to guide everyone, they go deeper into the caves over a few panels, going by typical cave creatures like batties and crag lizards. Suddenly, a spider on a silk strand drops from the ceiling and blocks the group.
Matt
This place is full of bats and spiders… Harriet, don't you hate bats and spiders?
Harriet
Uh, not particularly… What I would be afraid of is a bat spider, though…
Matt
That's just stupid.
Harriet glares.
Duster
This spider isn't going to let us past…
The spider swings over and hisses, and then spits acid that the group dodges.
Delphia
That's not very nice.
The spider swings over to Harriet.
Harriet
Ugh! Get away!
She casts Flash on it, blinding and dizzying it. While it's reeling, Delphia shoots an arrow at it. The arrow goes through its body and pins it to the cave wall.
Delphia
Squish.
The wriggling spider hisses loudly. Suddenly, lots spiders come out from the caves and ceiling.
Matt
Oh, great!
Harriet throws a couple of Marvin's smoke balls, but they do little to abate the spiders.
Matt
It didn't calm them at all!
Harriet
Let's get out of here!
They jump over the spiders and run away a bit, but they follow as a swarm.
Delphia
I got just the technique for them. Of course, I've never used it before, but I think it should work!
Delphia makes a drawing for earth and then sounds it out, casting PK Ground. There is a huge rumbling, and the ground splits open while rocks fall, swallowing and smushing the spiders. The team is having trouble keeping balance. Matt almost falls into the expanding crevice, but Harriet grabs him and pulls him up. Duster kicks away a falling boulder, and then Matt casts a shield to defend the team against the falling rocks. Then, a large cluster of rocks falls and fills up the crevice fall of spiders. Then all becomes still.
Harriet
Delphy, you almost killed us!
Delphia
S-sorry…
Matt
We better get out of this spot. It could still be dangerous.
The three go ahead, leaving Delphia behind for a moment to feel bad.
Delphia
(I know I can't control my artwork very well, you guys… I'm sorry…)
She catches up with the others. They are now in a large, open, circular cavern with a spiraling pathway up to the top. A large waterfall graces the area. They go behind the waterfall when Matt feels dizzy.
Matt
I… don't feel so well… *gasp*
Harriet
I think we need… a recharge…
Duster
I think that's a station just ahead.
They notice a recharging station on the wall. They go over and Harriet looks it over.
Harriet
The batteries looked like they were on the top of the masks, right? So I guess we just put this thing
on the masks…
Harriet reaches over and takes a cord with a suction cup at the end and attaches it to her mask.
Harriet
That's better… I can breathe again…
Matt and Delphia do the same over two small panels. While Duster is recharging his mask, he notices a guy passed out, hunched against the wall.
Duster
H-hey! There's someone over there!
Duster pulls the charger off and runs over with the others.
Duster
He's out cold. Probably ran out of air.
They grab him and pull him over to the charging station, talking a little while they bring him over.
Harriet
What'd he do? Go right by the charging station and forget to actually use it?
Matt
That… or he was coming from the opposite direction.
Duster attaches the charger to the guy's mask. After a couple panels, he coughs, wakes up, and stands with a bit of a daze.
Explorer
G-goodness, I thought I was a goner that time! Would've been if you lot hadn't shown up!
Duster
Who are you?
Explorer
Percival Splunker, cave explorer. Been working on this one for years now. Strangest darn cave I've
ever seen, too. Seems I went up a little far without recharging this time. But I just had to see what was
at the top! It's so exciting when you finish mapping a cave!
Matt
So did you reach the top? What'd you find?
Percival
Thing is, I don't actually know if I reached the top or not. This cave is strange. It almost seemed to
become some sort of… stone tower up there. I wanted to go inside, but couldn't get myself up there!
Delphia
Why not?
Percival
Didn't see anyway up! Hey, tell you what, you guys seems to be into teamwork and stuff like that, so if
you actually managed to get to the very top and tell me what's up there, I'd be very appreciative!
Duster
We were heading up anyway.
Percival
Oh good, good!
Matt
Anything you can tell us about this cave? Like where that waterfall comes from?
Percival
Supposedly, we're under or surrounded by a large crater lake. But the lake doesn't have any life in it…
Duster
Not even any sardines?
Matt (crazy)
Sardines?!
Everyone stares.
Harriet
Don't say that word around him, Duster.
Duster
Oh. Sorry. But is that because the oxygen quality in the water is very bad?
Percival
Yes, exactly! It's the strangest thing. Even this cave should have fresh, clean oxygen, but it's like something is sucking it right out! And all that's left is this low quality stuff you can barely breathe! Anyway, if you're heading to the tower, I shouldn't keep you here wasting breath. So thanks for saving me and good luck!
He leaves. The group goes up the spiraling pathway for a few panels, and eventually find themselves at a dead end. Directly above them is the tower, lacking any floor at all. The stone merges with the cave, eventually going from being the tower wall to being little blocks in the cavern walls.
Harriet
That's definitely the tower. Now how are we going to get up there?
Duster
With my old thief tools, of course!
Duster pulls out wall staples.
Harriet
Thief tools? You're… a thief?
Duster
Not really. And not anymore. Don't worry about it.
Duster jabs the staples into the wall, climbing as he does so. The rest of the group follows until they arrive at a spiral staircase and get off.
Harriet
I don't really know what those things are, but they worked.
Matt
I wonder why this tower has no floor.
Duster
Maybe it caved in or something.
They go up the stairs for a couple of panels. They reach a large crank attached to gears in the walls, and above them is a wooden and metal door-type thing that is covering the entire level.
Matt
Is that the bottom of the tower?
Duster
Dunno. It's in the way, though.
Delphia
Seems pretty obvious what we have to do.
Duster
Yep.
Duster rubs his hands together, and then starts turning the crank. As the door above slowly grinds open, another one below starts closing. The one above them is opening from the opposite side of the staircase, so it has to fully open to let anyone past.
Harriet
Duster, this is taking forever! We might run out of air or something!
Duster (sweating)
This is… hard…
Delphia
Duster, move.
Duster
Huh?
He stands aside. Delphia creates a small tornado, holds the canvas sideways, and pushes it out. A little tornado forms around the crank and rapidly turns it. The two large hatches finish opening and closing. And then the tornado gets large for a moment and blows Matt off the staircase. Harriet quickly grabs him and pulls him back up.
Delphia
S-sorry…
Harriet
Geez, Delphy, help us or try to kill us. At least make up your mind. How many times am I going to have
to save Matty today?
Delphia
I didn't think it'd do that…
Harriet
Well, it was a good idea, but just try to be more careful, okay?
Delphia
Yeah…
There's a rumbling. Large slots open up and start dumping water down onto the floor.
Delphia
What's happening? I didn't do anything!
Harriet
This happened in the last tower! Just run up to the top!
Duster
I've had… bad experiences with water…
Harriet
Just come on!
The four run up the spiraling staircase as water floods in. The water is full of jellyfish that start leaping out and throwing themselves at the group. Harriet twirls and whips a few away. Delphia shoots some with arrows. Duster kicks one away. Intentionally don't show Matt during this race up to the top. Since we've done this once already, this isn't as special and doesn't have to last very long. Eventually they get to the top of the staircase, where the water stops. This place is green and moss-covered, but don't focus on that yet.
Delphia
Gross jellies…
Harriet
These towers are heavily guarded… Everyone okay?
Matt's Voice
Not really.
Harriet turns to see a jelly stuck on Matt's face.
Harriet
Eek!
Matt
Um, would you mind taking this thing off?
Harriet shoves the twirler under it and pries it off, where it gets flung into the air and falls back into the water. They then look around at where they are. Moss is everywhere, but there are a few flowers and mushrooms, too.
Harriet
Wow, this is strange. What's this stuff doing growing in the tower?
Matt's Voice
Dunno, but it looks like the only way to go up any further is by using those vines.
Harriet looks over and notices them.
Harriet
Great… What if they're poisonous? There has to be a better way to get up there…
She looks over at Matt, and then on the next panel she's shocked.
Harriet
Matty, put your mask back on!
Everyone turns to see him without the mask. He's holding it at his side.
Matt
What? Guys, there's plants growing here. Obviously, air is getting in. Besides, we'll probably need
these on the way back down.
Duster takes off his mask and takes a deep breath.
Duster
It's very… fresh here.
Delphia and Harriet take off their masks.
Harriet
Well, at least I can scratch my nose again… So itchy…
Matt
This seems like a nice, peaceful spot to rest, but we really should get to the top…
Harriet
It doesn't look like Winston's been through here yet. And with the cave closed off, I don't think he'd
manage to get up here.
A butterfly goes past Matt, leaving sparkles behind.
Matt
There's butterflies up here…
Delphia
How relaxing…
Duster
I wonder where the light's coming from…
They all look straight up. A large crystal on the ceiling is scattering sunlight in all directions.
Harriet
Wow, it's beautiful here! That crystal must be reflecting sunlight down here and letting these little plants
survive. Too bad we can't stop and have a picnic…
Duster looks around and notices a mushroom batch while the others take a small moment to enjoy the area. Duster licks his lips.
Duster
(I know I swore off mushrooms after that one incident back home, but those look tasty…)
He reaches over and tries to grab one, when it comes to life and runs away from him.
Duster
(Oh no, not one of those things!)
Duster looks over at the group.
(Gotta protect them from it!)
He dives and tries to grab it, but the mushroom jumps into the air and lands on his head. It scatters spores everywhere and then runs away.
Duster
Don't… feel… so well…
Back at the group.
Harriet
Anyway, I guess we better start climbing the vine.
They all turn around to instantly see Duster, who has put on the scary mask and is doing something scary with his arms. Worse, he has his animal mask on the scary mask. He also has a mushroom on his head.
Delphia
Um, Duster, what are you doing?
Duster
Grah… Grah! Grah hahaha!
Harriet
Yeeeeah… Duster, we're going to go up now, so could you return to normal?
Duster (villain pose)
Mwahaha! This world belongs to me!
He points at them.
And you three are all that stand in my way! Prepare to be destroyed!
Matt
Uh, is he like, putting on a play or something?
Duster
When I take over the world, I will show my dad that I am NOT a moron! Yes, yes! Most excellent!
Duster charges at them and tries to kick Harriet, but she puts up a shield and deflects it.
Harriet
Duster, what the heck are you doing?!
Duster
I will smush all of you! Smushity smushity smush! And then we will eat cheese!
Delphia
He's lost his mind!
Delphia draws hypnosis bubbles and brings them to life, but Duster is unaffected.
Duster
I don't have time to sleep! Now feel my wrath!
Duster takes out the tickle stick and tickles Delphia.
Delphia (laughing)
D-Duster, s-stop it! T-this isn't just c-creepy, it's also s-stupid!
Duster
Bah! This weapon is ineffective!
Duster tosses it away and takes out the siren beetle. He holds it above is head proudly.
Duster
Unleash your evil, my minion!
The siren beetle begins emitting a loud sound, making everyone cover their ears.
Harriet
Okay Duster, I have no idea what you're hopped up on, but it's gotta stop!
Harriet casts PK Shock, but it only makes Duster go into a fit of laughter.
Harriet
What the…
Matt
Harriet, I think his mind is already fried! Try something else!
Harriet
Yeah.
Harriet casts PK Songbird, a small version, and blows off the mask. Now the mushroom is fully visible, as are Duster's crazy eyes.
Matt
There's a mushroom on his head?
Harriet
Is that what's making him go crazy?
Matt tries his strongest healing technique, but nothing happens.
Matt
Ugh… it's not working.
Harriet
Then we have to take the mushroom off ourselves!
With Duster going crazy, Harriet wraps the twirler around his legs. He falls to the ground and wiggles like a crazed worm.
Harriet
Matty, get his head and try to get that mushroom!
Matt dives and tries to hold onto Duster's neck, but he gets whipped around.
Duster
I'm not a moron, Dad! I'm not I'm not I'm not I'm not!
Matt
Agh! Duster, stop moving around!
Duster
Wee-hoo-haha-hee-shoo-weeee!
Delphia
(Man, he's really lost it…)
She takes out the bow and arrow as the other two try to keep Duster pinned down. She fires the arrow, and it goes into the mushroom and rips it off. Duster returns to normal right away.
Duster
Ugh… my head… Um, what's going on?
Harriet pulls back on the whip to unfurl it and Matt drops himself to the ground.
Harriet
Geez, Duster, you really went crazy! Why did you put a mushroom on your head that makes you
insane?
Duster
Huh? But… I didn't…
Harriet
Whatever. Let's just get a move on before something else bizarre happens.
Delphia
And Duster, stay away from mushrooms.
Duster
But… you see… There are walking mushrooms, and they can…
The others begin climbing the vines. Duster sighs and shrugs and begins following. After a couple panels, they reach the top and climb out. They are near the hanging crystal, on a large circular stone platform with pretty arches letting sunlight in.
Delphia
Is this the top?
Matt
The telescope should be near by.
They go outside. The top ring of the tower is only a few feet above the calm lake. A nearby spiraling staircase leads up to the very top where the telescope is.
Harriet
Wow, I guess this is why they call it the tower of water. Most of the tower is under it.
Matt
The telescope is right up there, Harriet! Let's activate it and get out of here.
Delphia
Sure is nice and peaceful. Look at this lake. It's completely cut off from the rest of the world.
They go near the stairs, but of course, there's a rumbling. A huge thing erupts from the water with three eel heads.
EEL SPEWS POISON
Delphia
W-what is that?
The hydra eel shoots out a beam of ice from one of its heads, creating a thing of ice blocking the group from going up to the top. The hydra roars out and then dives back in the water, casting a huge shadow.
Harriet
Man… I guess we have to fight this thing now…
Matt
If it's the guardian of the tower, we have to beat it anyway, remember?
Delphia (to Duster)
Do you have any idea what they're talking about?
He shrugs.
Duster
All Lucas told me to do was "help them activate the tower." But they look like they know what they're
doing, right?
A little further away, the hydra eels pops up again, at a different spot than last time.
Matt
This fight's gonna be tough… So let's start by doing this…
Matt casts offense and then defense up on everyone. One of the eels tries to bite Duster, but he jumps up in between its jaws, lands on its head, then takes out a wall staple and jabs it into its head and uses it to hang on. The head roars out in pain and swings into the air, taking Duster with it. The other two heads watch and get angry. One creates a huge wave, and the other fires an ice beam at it, freezing it and sending it crashing down on the group.
Harriet
Look out!
Delphia quickly draws a fire, and then pushes it out to create a blaze that melts the ice. The waves hit them, and they have to hang onto the arches to stay on the tower. When the water returns to the lake, they're left soaked and shivering. Meanwhile, Duster is still riding the eel head and is trying to get up to its mouth.
Delphia
I'm almost out of paint, but I think I know what'll take this thing out!
Matt watches Delphia draw a lightning bolt, and then looks down to see that water is still on the stone.
Matt
Delphy, wait!
Delphia shoots out the lightning bolt, but it bounces off of a PSI shield the hydra has, and then goes into the water on the stone, zapping all of them.
Harriet
O-ouch…
Delphia
Ah crud, not again…
Duster
Good strategy guys, but I knew this thing had a shield as soon as I looked at it! You gotta train your
eyes for these things, kids!
Matt
Duster, what are you doing?
Duster climbs up to the top of the eel head, pulls out a thunder bomb, and chucks it in. It explodes, sending a mighty zap throughout the creature's body. Duster is tossed off, but lands on his feet near the others. Smoke pours out of the hydra and there are still little zappy lines, but it recovers.
Duster
Dang, couldn't take it down… And that was my only one…
Matt
Why does everyone and their pet have to have stinking shields? Duster, can't you use the shield
snatcher on this thing?
Duster
It looks a little too big for the snatcher to be effective…
The hydra bites with all the three heads into the stone tower. Everyone dodges them and then rather fruitlessly attacks the heads with their weapons, talking while they do so.
Delphia
Um… My tornado technique might be able to get rid of the shield…
Harriet
Then use it!
Delphia
I… I don't know. I haven't been using my PSI very well lately, and I'm almost out of paint…
Matt
Delphy, just use it! These weapons aren't doing anything to it!
Delphia
But what if it hurts you guys?
Harriet
Delphy, the problem hasn't been that your PSI is dangerous—it's that you just rush into using it without
telling us first, and we're not ready for it! If we're prepared for it, we can probably protect ourselves!
Delphia
R-really? That's what the problem is?
The hydra gets tired of this and goes back to the lake. It roars out angrily.
Harriet
Now, Delphy!
Delphia
A-are you sure?
Matt
Just use Tornado!
Delphia
Well, okay…
Delphia spawns a huge tornado that turns into a water spout and rips the shield right off the hydra. While it's still reeling from the attack, Harriet launches a large Songbird attack that covers the creature. It falls backwards into the water.
Duster
Great job, everyone!
Matt
Is it really…
The three heads come up again, but this time they're lower so the body isn't above the water. The heads are further apart, and each look very angry. Delphia, Duster, and Matt and Harriet have to deal with them. Harriet and Matt first. The head launches an ice beam that Matt mostly deflects with a PSI shield. Harriet uses the twirler to wrap the mouth shut, then casts Flash to dazzle the creature. Matt then tries a new spell.
Matt
Harriet, I'm trying something new…
Harriet
As long as it doesn't blow us up, go ahead!
Matt casts Paralysis. The head goes numb and the eyes grows wide. Harriet gets the twirler back, freeing the head. It just flops to the ground like a fish.
Harriet
This thing is so gross and slimy… This is why I hate seafood…
She shoves it into the water, where the head sinks. Elsewhere, we see that Duster has both legs between the eel head's jaws and is propping it open. He takes out three smoke balls and chucks them down the throat. Smoke begins pouring out and the creature coughs wildly after letting Duster go. It then dips back into the lake. Delphia is still fending off her attacking eel head. She has out her bow and arrow.
Delphia
(These arrows are metal… That gives me an idea…)
Delphia fires off an arrow at the creature's jaw. It gets stuck at the roof of the mouth. While the creature is roaring in pain, Delphia launches a bolt of lightning right at the arrow, which conducts it and spreads the electricity throughout the hydra's body.
Delphia
Lightning rod, oh yeah!
The last head falls into the water. A panel of just still lake water. And then the sparkles emerge and light up the flame at the top of the tower.
Matt
That's it! We've ignited the flame!
Delphia
Now what do we do?
Matt
We just feed it a little PSI, and the telescope will activate fully!
Delphia
Well, I still don't get it really, but if you say so…
Duster
Good job, everyone. That was a pretty tough monster…
Matt (notices something in the sky)
Hey… what is that?
They all look. Close in on Winston, now in his full getup. A tube of paint is on his back. He's coming in on a jet pack with robotic wings. He flies right above them, and then lands gracefully near the telescope.
Harriet
It's Winston!
Delphia
Your brother?
Matt
Hurry!
They go back over to the ice blocking them, and Duster smashes straight through with his legs They go up to the top, but they're too late. Winston is feeding the flame his PSI. In the next panel, it activates fully with the usual colors and shaking. The group holds on as the tower rises into the air, getting taller. After about a hundred feet or so, the beam from the telescope fires out, going in between a pass in between two parts of the mountain and into the distance. Afterwards, the group comes up to Winston. He turns around, but the visor blocks his eyes.
Harriet
Winston…
Matt
What are you doing here?
Harriet (eyes closed)
…
Harriet opens her eyes and shouts.
Harriet
Winston! Wake up! You have to wake up! Come on!
Winston reaches to his back and pulls out a dull blue sword. He takes a few steps towards the group, who step back.
Harriet
Winston! It's us!
Matt
Come on, Winny! You have to come home!
We get a close up on Duster as he watches all of this, reflecting…
Delphia
He isn't… He isn't responding…
Winston charges at everyone with sword out, but there is a sudden rumbling, and he skids to a stop. The group turns to see the alien spaceship pulling up alongside of the tower, at level with it. Winston activates his jet pack and flies over the short distance to the deck.
Harriet
Winston, no!
He puts his sword away as the ship gains altitude.
Matt
Winston!!!
When the ship is right above them, it launches out a starman pod that crashes right near the telescope. A starman supreme emerges, which is bright orange in color and has spikes all over.
Delphia
Now what? What is that?
Matt
Is this a joke? We just got done fighting!
Harriet (angry)
We weren't even the ones that activated this tower!
Close up on Harriet
Harriet
We came all the way out here, fought that huge beast, and then Winston activates the tower and now
we have to fight again?!
Matt
Harriet, calm down… We have to be careful… This thing looks dangerous…
The supreme starts firing lasers and pulse waves with its arms, which Matt deflects with a shield. Harriet is steadily getting even angrier. Delphia reaches for her paint tube, but it shakes it over her other hand. Only a drop comes out.
Delphia
Out of paint…
Delphia fires an arrow at the starman, but it just knocks it away with an arm.
Delphia
Come on, Harriet! You have to do something!
Harriet
(Winston…)
Delphia
Man… Duster, it might be up to us…
Suddenly, the supreme casts a plasma ball.
Matt
(Oh no!)
The plasma ball spreads over the group and explodes. When the smoke clears, they're badly hurt. The starman instantly starts shooting again.
Harriet
I'm sorry, everyone… But… I'm just too upset right now… I just want…
Harriet casts life up on everyone, to their surprise. They all stand up.
Harriet (angry)
I just want Winston back!
Harriet casts Songbird, but the starman dodges the attack, leaving behind a low opacity trail.
Matt
It dodged it!
Duster dives out of the shield, skids over, and tries to deliver a high kick from the ground, but the starman dodges it again.
Matt
It's too fast!
Harriet
Matt, can you feel that? I think our PSI is getting a little stronger, even though Winston was the one that
activated the telescope.
Matt
Y-yeah…
Harriet
So I'm going to blow this thing away… With an even stronger Songbird…
Duster is still trying to land a hit on the starman.
Harriet
Duster! Immobilize it!
Duster
Right!
Duster takes out two wall staples and slams them down on the starman's feet, pinning them to the ground.
Harriet
Good! Now get back here!
Duster scampers away while the starman tries to free itself.
Harriet
Now take this!
Harriet casts Songbird, and the attack is clearly more powerful than last time. The shapes and colors surround the starman, but when they clear, we see that it had put up a mostly destroyed shield to protect itself with, and it's just barely hurt.
Matt
It… put a shield up…
Harriet
No! No, no, no! I've had with these stupid shields!
Harriet runs out with the twirler flailing around.
Harriet
Give Winny back!!!
She snaps the twirler down so hard on the starman's right arm that it gets cut off completely. The starman raises its other arm and gets ready to fire at point blank range. Harriet is so enraged that she doesn't even notice it.
Matt
Harriet! Look out!
Matt comes running up with arms out to push her out of the way, but the end of the twirler hits him just a tiny bit off his face, hitting his glasses and flinging them off into the air.
Harriet
Matty?!
To show that all this happens in slow motion, Matt's glasses are still in the air as Harriet turns around. Over a few panels, we see the twirler wrap around the starman's other arm. It causes the arm to jerk upwards and miss its target, firing a blue wave right at Matt, sending him backwards and skidding on the ground. He hits the side of the guardrail and slumps on the ground. A close up shows his glasses finally hitting the ground on one of their corners, causing a crack to appear.
Harriet
Matty! No!
Harriet runs over to him.
Duster
Delphia, now!
Delphia
Right!
From a cool point of view with Delphia's arms and bow blurred out to show depth of field, we see the starman straight ahead, looking at Harriet and Matt.
Delphia
Over here!
The starman turns to look. Delphia fires the arrow, and it shatters straight into the visor. The starman deactivates and falls over, where it becomes quiet. Delphia lowers the bow and arrow, and the two look over at Harriet and Matt for a moment before running over. Matt's clothes are badly burnt, and he's completely out of it.
Harriet (crying)
Matty… Matthew, wake up!
Delphia
Harriet…
Harriet
I'm sorry… This is all my fault…
Duster looks him over.
Duster
He's hurt pretty badly… We have to get him some help…
Harriet
Y-yeah…
Harriet tries to pick him up, but he's too heavy. Duster does it instead. They start to leave, but Harriet grabs his glasses before they do and looks at the crack in them.
Harriet
(What have I done…?)
Back down at the tower entrance, they leap down where the wall staples still are and start going down the cavern.
Delphia
At least there's breathable air now…
Harriet looks over at Matt worryingly. At the cave entrance, Percival, his mask now off so that we can see that he's actually an old guy, finishes laying down dynamite. He goes back over to the plunger neat the Gullible Guy.
Percival
Watch this, hehe!
He pushes down on the plunger, and the boulders explode and open up the entrance once again.
Percival
Boom! My, what fun!
Voices
Hey! We need help!
Percival
Hm?
He runs over as the group comes by.
Percival
Goodness, you all got beaten up pretty bad! What happened!
Harriet
Please! Do you have anything that could help my brother? He's hurt…
Percival
I see, I see… Well, as an explorer of dangerous areas, I have to keep a stock up for myself! Bring him
in the shack, and I'll see what I can do.
Duster brings Matt into the shack with Percival, but Delphia and Harriet don't follow. Harriet looks down at Matt's glasses in her hand, and then pockets them. Delphia comes over.
Delphia
Harriet… Are you going to be okay?
Harriet
It's my fault he got hurt…
Delphia
…
Harriet
I'm their older sister… I'm supposed to make sure they're out of danger…
Harriet goes over to the cave entrance and looks out at the desolate valley. Delphia follows.
Harriet
Matty was right… I do only care about myself… When I get angry like that, even back home… I forget
about everyone else.
Delphia
That doesn't make you a bad person, Harriet.
Harriet
I have to do better… I have to protect both of my brothers, Delphy… So far, I haven't managed to help
either of them…
Harriet looks out at the destroyed valley.
Harriet
And just look at what we're fighting… How am I supposed to protect them at all? Can't even keep them
safe from myself anymore…
Delphia
Matty will be fine, Harriet… It was just an accident… He was trying to protect you, you know. That's what
team work is all about. I guess I've still got a lot of learning to do myself…
Harriet
Why'd this all have to happen, Delphy? We should be at home right now, getting ready for winter.
Delphia
This Lucas person you've told me about… Do you think he knows why all of this is happening?
Harriet
He probably knows a whole lot more than what he's told the two of us so far.
Delphia
Then we have to make him tell us everything!
Harriet
Yeah…
One last look at the valley.
Harriet
After Matty gets better, we're going back to New Tazmily.