Turtle's Expedition: Rescribbled Chapter 26: Home Sweet Home
WRITER - VIDD03K (SAM/NINIAN)
COVER ARTIST - MIDASTHEGOLDGUY
EDITOR - C0N
Today is not a good day for the people of Planet Perdiah. Crystal Kingdom, inside the super-secret prison room once again. Sarpo was worried about many things since his talk with Maizie yesterday. He still couldn't wrap his head around why Maizie would want to use his robotic parts when she already reigns over Perdiah with her crystal knights; why focus on that when she can brainwash people? He shook his head to focus on other matters. Such as how his beloved was doing.
Hey Cloe, you alright?
I- I am trying to be.
Thanks for asking though.
I... see. You know that we cannot just stand here and do nothing, right?
We must come up with some sort of plan!
Yes, and I have been thinking of some-
Sshhh…
* Whispers *
Let's keep it quiet for now.
We can't risk the guards hearing our plans.
* Gets a bit embarrassed *
Good call, hon. So… what can we do?
Hm...
* Tries to stretch his arm *
I think I can break open your locks with force.
Well, what can we do after we are freed though?
The whole building is filled with brainwashed knights.
That's what I'm trying to figure out.
Now let me see if I can find anything useful in here-
Ms. Spades! Ms. Spades!
At your service!
Ugh… shut it. I don't have time to look after the MPC crew. You two have an extra hour of duty.
Aww…
This sucks!
Don't give me that, you have no idea what's going on right now!
Yes ma'am…
* Watching what was happening outside * Huh… strange. I wonder what ticked her off so bad… Do you think she's mad some of us got away?
Who cares? I just hope that means our friends are safe and sound.
Yeah, you are right, hon.
Sarpo continues looking around the room and notices a crack in the ground.
What is this now…
Oh?
I found some sort of crack in the ground, Cloe.
Sarpo lightly hits it with his robotic arm, and it causes a hole to appear at that exact spot.
Well… I guess that's something.
Sarpo takes a deep breath and leans back to the Wall he was shackled at.
Welp, I'm stumped.
Don't say that hon. Surely there's another way.
Yeah, you are probably right…
Cloe was in a thinking mood as well. She didn't want her beloved to push himself further, not while he had so many things in mind.
I... think I have an idea, hon.
Oh, what is it?
You can break it open and leave through the hole, maybe?
No, never.
Why not-
I'm not leaving you here, Cloe.
Well, what if I was disguised as a crystal Knight then?
Huh? How do you plan on doing that?
Well, I noticed almost all crystal knights wearing helmets on their heads. What if we secretly get a hold of one of their helmets and trick them to get intel from them?
That's… a really good idea, wow. Good thinking, Cloe!
* Blushes * Thanks, sweetie. We can both pretend to be crystal knights!
No, that's too risky. She obviously has me kept here for a reason. Me also getting crystallized with you would cause even more suspicions.
Yeah… you might be right, sweetie.
The two looked at the Windows at the same time. How nice of the queen to add that. While they had a plan in mind now, all they hoped for was for their friends to be alright.
I just want to know what happened to this child!
Why should I tell you, anyway? It's not like it'll solve anything!
This… has been going on for a few days. Ever since G, Emily, Artender and Hood left the remains of Diamond City, there's been constant bickering between the latter two, and it's always about Emily's affiliation with Maizie.
Could you two stop… arguing? Just for once, please…
I would, if only this PUNK would tell me what’s going on!
Like I care! I didn’t even know you existed until yesterday! Besides, what’re you going to do when I tell you?”
G sighs, apologizes to Emily, and decides that it would be in their best interests to rest for the night, it was getting dark, and everyone was tired. Artender kept trying to comfort Emily while also looking to squeeze some answers from Hood, who just wouldn’t collaborate. After they were done settling down near a small lake, they could all finally rest.
Mr. Doodle? You look very tired…
Oh? Don't worry Emily! I just…
*yawns *
I just need some goodnight’s rest.
I hope Mr. Stoked and the others are okay.
... Yeah, me too, Emily, me too.
But I don't think you should worry too much, Bushra’s absolutely the most stubborn guy I know, and Sarpo and Cloe are a great power duo, they'll manage!
Hehe, you're right!
Well then, Emily, please go and rest, tomorrow's going to be another long day of more walking.
I hope we’ll reach the town soon…
Don't worry… It's not too far from here… Just a Few hours…
As the next morning came, G got up earlier to set up an actual plan, should they need one, and once the other three woke up, he explained it to them.
... So, in short, the idea is that we go to Mercia to gather resources or whatnot, and maybe even find someone that might tag along, and once we're reaaa…
“Uh, pumpkin? Go on?”
Let him think, for Perdiah’s sake-
G, GET DOWN!
Everyone quickly ducked, cowering their heads. They then notice that they're being followed by the terrifying Crystal Knights. G by himself wouldn't really stand a chance, and the others aren't exactly skilled fighters by comparison, so they all decide to run away.
Scatter around! They must be close!
Ughh… I wish Clara was here to guide us...
She's probably too busy trying to get along with the Queen right now, quit whining!
It’s not your turn, Bluey, not today! (Eugh, that was horrible!)”
Being well acquainted with the wildlife of the forests, G was quick to find tools that would help him, and the rest get away; he found some conveniently placed red, cube shaped berries, that would explode into a puff of mist if hit hard enough.
He throws these peculiar berries at the Knights, who take a step back in confusion, trying to get the mist off their eyes, while the quartet makes a run for it.
Good thinking, G! How did you know how to do that?”
Well...
“Let’s just say, I know a thing or two about wildlife.”
Unbelievable.
Clara’s worst nightmare has come to pass. Her beloved queen was mad at her.
I took the time and resources to put together the best scout team I could, and it all goes out the window!?
M-my queen, please understand-
You couldn’t even capture a scientist, let alone MPC’s puny resistance!
I-I’m sorry, I just thought…
And worst of all... you disobeyed my orders.
I will not allow that mistake to happen again.
* Looks at Clara *
Is that understood?
…
Sigh… Don't look at me like a lost puppy, Clara.
I know you did what you could.
I… I'll make up for my mistakes.
Give me any order, this time I swear I won't fail!
(Heh, she's so easily swayed, I almost feel bad.)
Well, my friend, why won't you start by making sure Mr. Fields and his lovely dovely not-wife are where they should be?
Of course, my Queen.
I'll go immediately.
Clearly, the Queen was mad, and Clara could not stand it; she was the cause of it, she thinks to herself. This time, though, it was different, she wasn't just angry, she was furious. To make sure it wouldn’t happen again, Clara decided it would be in her best interest to make sure the MCP2 duo was secured in the cell; only the sweet Perdian lord above knew what would happen if that were not the case.
Surely enough, the couple was there, so after telling the nearby guards to be more careful than ever, she decides to go back to her quarters.
She lies down on her brand-new bed, constructed by the finest artisans in the Crystal Kingdom, and it was built just for her, in the Queen's words.
Do I really deserve this? I've failed her…
* shakes her head *
No, put yourself together, I can't dwell too much on it, I must fix my mistakes, I must make her happy.
Somewhat determined to clear herself in her beloved Queen's eyes, yet still feeling a little defeated, she decides to rest for the night.
Man, I miss bossing around my two lovely idiots… hehe…
Hopefully that fish fanatic is treating them better than I did.
Back in the cell where Sarpo and Cloe are, the guards took a small break from their very mundane task, so the lovely two finally have some time to talk properly.
Are you sure about this… plan?
Don't worry hon, I'll be fine! You know me, too stubborn to lose!
I just think this plan is a bit surreal, are you absolutely sure it will work?
You gotta trust me, Cloe, I know what I'm doing; besides, it's been a while since I've put a plan to practice, you have absolutely no idea how badly I've been waiting for an opportunity like this!
You don't change a bit, eh?
Just as excitable as ever… Alright then, let's hear it.
The plan was the following:
So, the plan will be like this-
-Cut to a future scene-
We will wait until there's only one crystal Knight guard on duty.
* overhears sounds coming from the room *
Hey, what's going on over there?!
"When we get their attention, we will try to knock him out!"
What's all this-
Sarpo makes him trip with his robotic leg and the crystal Knight and the knight plummets to the ground. He wasn't unconscious yet.
Why you little-
Cloe kicks him with her foot to finally knock him out. Sarpo quickly stretched his arm to open Cloe's locks. She was free for now.
"The next step is the trickiest part; while I dispose of the body, you will pretend to be crystallized. It's only a matter of time until someone notices the absence of the guard."
* picks up the helmet *
Ugh… this is so yucky to even hold!
* Looks at Sarpo *
What did you do with the body, hon?
You didn't just throw it somewhere, did you?
Well…
* points at the hole *
Yeah.
Oh... that's… Don't you think that's very messed up?
These were all regular people before Maizie crystallized them!
Cloe… I know this isn’t the right thing to do but we are out of options now!
It's do or die!
You are right, unfortunately.
The two overheard the sounds of crystal knights running towards the room, their time had run out. Cloe looked at the still in shackles Sarpo.
I- I don't know what to say, this is all just so sudden…
Sarpo stretches his arm and gently pets her head, giving her a bright smile.
I know, Cloe.
I swore I would never leave your side from the day we reunited but... this is all for the greater good.
I'm sure your guidance will help our friends a ton.
I... I love you-
FREEZE! What's going on here?
Cloe looked back at the two crystal knights with shock on her face. She hoped she didn't blow her cover already.
"And the final step... just take care of yourself, Cloe. Don't engage further if they get suspicious of you, don't get into needless trouble, That's all."
I have been crystallized and now made to serve our beloved queen.
The queen never ordered us to crystallize you or your associate! Something is awfully wrong here!
W-well… a guard arrived at the room and crystallized me without the queen's consent. And of course, the queen "dealt" with him.
Huh…
I think she's speaking the truth! You know how brash Mark used to be! I can totally see this happening.
Hm... Alright, you got me. Sorry for the inconvenience, Ms. Meow. I know the queen gets very angry when we are "rude" to newbies.
Cloe looks at Sarpo and notices him winking at her, the plan went flawlessly.
We will have to call for a new guard to look after Sarpo though.
Yeah, yeah. You can do that.
Jerk.
The female guard left to call for backup while the other guard told Cloe to come with him. It looked like they were about to join back with the rest of the crystal knights. She looked back at Sarpo again. She couldn't bear to leave the love of her life all alone in that cell, but she remembered what Sarpo last told her, not again…
"This is for the greater good." She waved her one last goodbye for the time being and closed the door, hoping to visit Sarpo soon. Hopefully, if the plan goes accordingly, everything will be over in no time, they can reunite once more.
Fortunately, the plan was a success; now Cloe will have to serve the Queen for the meantime, and Sarpo will wait for his chance.
You know what?
If we keep running away like this, we won't get anything done!
Well, do you have any ideas then, smarty pants?!
I could ask the same to YOU, hooded freak!
* Looks at G *
Come on, G. Back me up here!
...
Gosh darn it, G!
Actually, I might have an idea.
Now?
Yes, you remember my old house?
Back in Town Mercia?
Oh yeah, I sure do... I don’t have too many fond memories of that place though.
Oh you must have hit your head somewhere.
Excuse me?
Do you have an idea of just how OBVIOUS that is!?
Of course they're going to look in Mercia, ‘cause that's one of the few places they haven't conquered yet!”
Is there anywhere else we can hide then, huh!?
How about... an underground hiding spot?
... What?
Oh, oh, like an underground bunker!
Exactly like that!
They're going to expect us to be in town Mercia, not under town Mercia!
Huh… Not bad.
See? Told ya it was a good idea.
Hey, you didn’t say anything about an underground bunker!
I’m not giving you any credit for that.
Grr... fine, you are stubborn.
Can we make the bunker Robert shaped?
And thus, the MPC crew (plus Hood) officially had a goal in mind. Construct an underground bunker, get survivors to safety, and prepare them for the eventual war against Queen Maizie! Who knew what tales lied ahead of them.
END OF CHAPTER
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