TE:R Adventures: Joyce's Quest (3/3)
WRITER - TURTLEDOODLE1
COVER ARTIST - SONIC32SUPER
EDITOR - C0N
It was a very eventful day on Planet Perdiah. The true power of the Crystal Queen was finally unleashed upon the world now that she didn’t have to hide behind an invisible passage.
While our heroes were struggling with their own baggage, the Folio siblings were also in trouble.
What do ya’ mean we are trapped?!
It’s true!
There’s nowhere to go!
But who would do something like this?!
Ah have no clue but still, we need to get the heck outta’ here!
B-but we can’t leave all our stuff!
Y- yeah!
We spent so much time here, we can’t possibly leave-
Hattie’s sentence was interrupted as the three started overhearing sounds of laser blasts.
Sorry Hattie but ya’ guys are in mah turf now!
Joyce tried donning her hat but then realized she didn’t have it. The brothers were both confused.
E- ehem...
(embarrassed) A-anyways!
* Starts collecting the potions on top of the table *
Ah’ll check just what the heck’s goin’ on outside.
B-but Joyce, those potions aren’t-
No “but’s” Hattie.
The Folio Brothers wanted to stop her, but it was already too late. The two reluctantly followed behind her. The whole city was a giant mess. Everyone was screaming for their lives, trying to hide from... people with crystals stuck to their bodies?
What are those things?!
Ah’m not sure.
Before Hattie could also say something, the three oversee a person getting crystalized in real time. The person stopped breathing for a single second as their eyes turned blue and crystals started popping out of their skin.
At least we now know where the laser sounds came from.
T-this is madness!
What or who did this?!
We gotta shoot first, ask questions later.
We are in dangerous territory!
Before they could ask Joyce, they noticed one of the crystal knights pointing at them. They were spotted.
Ooh, this is going to be interesting!
Joyce, what are you doing?!
Get inside!
* Readies to throw her potion *
Don’t worry, Hattie.
Ah got this.
Joyce throws the potion towards the crystal knight. But instead of them getting caught in an explosion... their wounds were healed.
(confused) What the heck?!
Joyce rechecks the potion samples in panic.
This is a darn healin’ potion!
Yeah, I was trying to tell you we don’t specialize in making offensive potions!
WHAT?!
Joyce dodges a laser beam at the last second.
GRR... FINE!
Joyce follows behind Hattie and two lock the doors for the time being. While Hattie was trying to catch his breath, Joyce was taking extra measures for the door. She ripped out one of the spare lab coats and twisted the fabric to make the door lock even tighter. There were a bunch of door knocks coming from the other side. It wasn’t too long ‘till they were able to break in.
That one was one of my favorite lab coats...
Can it, Don!
ARGH!
* Holds her head *
O- okay...
We need a new plan...
Joyce suddenly points at Don.
Don, where can we find a vehicle?
Well... we were going to lend you the teeny-tiny car we bought a few months ago.
It’s in the garage.
Good enough.
* Points at Hattie *
Hattie!
Yes, sis?
Ah need you to give me all the potions ya’ two made.
Ah need to add my... personal touch to them.
Sure!
Joyce snapped her finger and called for Loi.
Ya’ are an annoying little thang but we will need all the help we can get.
Okay?
Loi looked at Joyce and cawed at her loudly. He tried eating at Joyce’s hair again and left the building in a hurry afterwards.
GRRR... FINE!
Have it yo’ way!
Who needs backup anyways?!
(Stupid bird...)
Joyce clears her throat and looks at her brothers.
So, are we clear?
Yes, sis.
* Whispers *
Not gonna mention the jinx?
No, not the time, bro.
Yeah, fair enough.
The Folio siblings separated inside the building to do their tasks. Joyce was angry but also determined. She wasn’t going to give up when she was this close to getting out of here. She remembered seeing crystals like this before with her crew. But this crystal magic thingy... ugh. That was news for her. She wondered if her crew also encountered these things...
I-I’m here, sis!
* Lays down all the potions on the table *
Pick em’ up!
Excellent, Hattie!
Joyce grabbed the potions and started experimenting with their structures.
The car’s safe and sound, Joyce!
The three overhear the sound of a door being punched repeatedly.
…there are people trying to break in through the hangar doors though.
Ugh... of course.
Now, what do we do?
Yeah, even if we escape, we can’t get through those pillars!
Joyce doesn’t respond and makes the final touches on her potion. She looks back at the two and shows them the potion.
With... this!
The brothers were both silent. They really didn’t like what they were looking at.
You want us to make more of these... destruction potions?
* Holding his stomach *
I don’t think I want to touch that.
Ah don’t mean that, ya’ morons!
Joyce stands up and looks at her older brothers.
Ah need you two to make speed potions for the car!
* Points back at the potion *
This will just be the final step of our plan.
Oh, that’s easy!
I think we can do that.
Yeah, yeah!
Awesome.
Joyce notices Hattie holding her arm.
But wait!
What are you going to do then?
Ah’ll protect us until you two are done with the brewing.
But sis!
That’s dangerous.
Mah life is full o’ danger, Don.
* Cracks her knuckles *
Ah got this.
O-okay, sis.
Just... stay safe, okay?
Yes, please get back inside if you are hurt.
Joyce takes a deep sigh from annoyance. She knew they meant well but at the same time, she couldn’t help but find them annoying.
...fine.
Just be quick on yo’ end as well!
We need that thing fully juiced up if we are getting’ outta here!
“Cuz’ if not, we are toast!”
Are we in the clear, Murray?
Yes, sir.
I don’t see any of those crystal people.
Alright, good.
Markus throws another stick to the campfire they recently made for themselves. All of them were tired after they were chased by those crystal knights. Their moods were lower than ever before. Murray looked inside his backpack and found marshmallows.
Oh sweet!
Did you find them?
Yes, boss!
I’m so glad I kept these with me.
Did you check the expiration date?
Wait, hold on.
I didn’t.
Let me see... ah.
Markus sighs and looks around the place. Ever since the attack, there was a sense of uneasiness on the back of his mind. Perdiah already had its fair sheer of oddities but this... this was on a whole another level. Markus couldn’t help but notice the lack of Joyce bickering.
Joyce?
Y- yes, boss?
Is everything alright?
I don’t know.
I just thought things would have been a lot better now that I am in Perdiah again.
But everything seems so... different now.
This wasn’t how I envisioned Perdiah while I was stuck there...
Woah, calm down Joyce!
You were there for only a few hours at most!
...yeah, you are right.
Pardon me boss.
* Smiles at him *
At least I got to spend time with you guys.
Woah, really now?
I never expected you to say something like that.
Heh, frankly I didn’t either.
But you know, you never know what happens.
Hm... fascinating thought, Joyce.
Very fascinating indeed.
Yeah...
* Yawns *
Oh, I’m getting sleepy.
* Takes off her hat *
See you guys tomorrow!
Joyce crosses her hands behind her head and starts singing a little tune while the two guys were trying to make something out of the expired marshmallows. After a while, the singing stopped as Joyce fell asleep.
* Whispers *
Boss?
Yes, Murray?
We need to talk about... her.
Hm, I was wondering when you were going to say that.
Wha-
You knew?!
Tsch, of course I knew.
Then why didn’t you back me up?!
...
Ever since we rescued her, she’s been acting so strange.
Her strange new powers?
Acting all happy and jolly all the time?
Thanking us?
Something is not right!
You know, Murray?
I think you are overthinking things.
Why?
You know about that book I told you about?
The one S. Carlos wrote?
Yes, I think I know that.
What’s that have to do with this?
Well, in that book, it also mentioned that there was a purple smoke that changes the personalities of the ones who inhale it.
* Points at Joyce *
She most likely inhaled way too much of it while we were separated.
That’s why she acts like that.
I mean... that makes sense but... I don’t know.
I could go and investigate every single move she does from this point forward, but I won’t.
* Shushes Murray with his finger *
Wanna know why?
Murray nods.
She seems happier this way.
And I don’t want to take that away from her.
Who knows how long the affect of the smoke will last for but all I know is, she won’t be this happy ever again.
* Crosses his arms behind his head *
So just chill out, Murray.
She doesn’t even act bad towards you anymore, right?
Yeah... you have a point, boss.
But I can’t shake the feeling that something is different with her.
“Almost like she’s a completely different person.”
We are so close to breaking in!
Yes, indeed.
I told you this was going to be easy!
We didn’t even need to call Clara for help!
Yeah... you are right.
The two overhear the sounds of a glass breaking.
Wait, did you hear that-
Suddenly, the crystal guards in the area were blasted away by a potion. When they cleared their eyes, they noticed a singular figure slowly walking towards them with potions on her hands.
Crystallize her!
Joyce quickly dodged the blasters and threw a slowing potion at them. The affect didn’t last long however, much to Joyce’s surprise.
What the-
Your potions do nothing to us, science girl!
Just surrender yourselves!
No, ah don’t think ah will!
Joyce pulls out a bunch more potions from her bag and starts throwing them at the crystal knights. But with each potion throw, she realized she wasn’t making any process. The crystals were somehow absorbing some of the potion’s affects.
Come on... come on!
* Throws another potion towards their crystals *
Stupid magic thing!
Just break already!
Joyce was having trouble keeping up with all the oncoming lasers. The two crystal knights were keeping her pinned down. She had to pull off something drastic.
Okay, here goes nothing!
Joyce started running circles around the two crystal knights. With every spin, she threw a potion to the ground and got more and more tired. When she stopped running, the crystal knights were now inside of a circle made from potion substances. And in the blink of an eye, the potions lit up in fire and took down the two crystal knights.
Phew, now that was a close one!
Joyce checked the area to see if they were dead and sure enough, they were.
* Struggling to stand still *
Ah got ‘em, bros!
Awesome job, sis!
Are there any more crystal knights over there?
Nah.
Ah’m pretty sure there isn’t any more of these-
* Notices something *
Any more of these...
Joyce is everything alright?!
More of these...
Joyce was stunned as she watched ten more crystal knights approaching their location.
The- there’s more!
Joyce tries to reach to her potion bag but notices that there wasn’t any potion left in there... besides the potion that was their ticket out of here.
Joyce, do you need our help?!
* Trying to stand still *
No!
Ya’ two keep workin’ on that car!
Ah’ll... ah’ll...
Joyce was falls to the ground in a weak state. She tried her hardest to get up, but it was no use. She was going to be ambushed by those crystal knights if she got up anyways. She was barely able to take down two of them, how was she supposed to take down ten of them all by herself?
Joyce sees Hattie and Don running towards her. They were holding a bunch of potions on their hands.
Don... Hattie...
What are ya’ two doing here?!
We have come to help you, sis!
No, ya’ two idiots will perish alongside me!
Just run from them while you still can!
We aren’t leaving you alone, sis.
Not this time.
Urgh... fine.
* Hattie helps her get up *
I hope ya’ guys have an idea.
Oh, we sure do, alright?
Joyce looked at her brothers and noticed them nodding towards each other. Before she realized what was going on, the two started throwing a bunch of potions at her, seemingly at random. Joyce was almost about to puke from all the smells coming from all different kinds of potions.
The crystal knights were just as confused as Joyce herself was. But before they could crystallize the brothers, something strange happened. An eye melting light of beam suddenly appeared in the area which caused the crystal knights to get pushed away.
And in the middle of it all, Joyce was looking more determined than ever! There was a blue aura surrounding her entire body, heck her whole color scheme was inverted! In that moment, she felt more powerful than ever before!
* Looks at her hands *
Woah... what is this power?
We gave you all the strength potions we had, sis!
Now go kick their butts, sis!
* Smiles *
Mah pleasure.
Before they could realize what was happening, Joyce punched one of the crystal knights in the face and flung them away in an instant. Joyce couldn’t believe what was happening. She was so excited to use this power to its limit.
* Looks at her brothers *
Finish up the potions for the car!
We are getting outta here!
Got it!
Joyce watched as her brothers got inside the building. Now was the time for some major butt kicking!
The first crystal knight tried shooting her with his own crystallizer, but she was too fast for the beam to hit her. She grabbed the crystal knight by the hoodie and kicked him towards the group. This power was exhilarating!
WOOH!
YEAH!
The group quickly reformed and continued shooting down Joyce. She punched, kicked and humiliated all of them at the same time. It was a feeling like no other.
Ah gotta hand it to those two!
This type of potion makin’ ain’t half bad!
They gotta teach me how to achieve this awesome form!
Meanwhile, inside the Folio Bros’ store.
* Still brewing a potion *
Bro, that was so cool!
I know right?!
I can’t believe she had a literal transformation!
Yeah! I couldn’t believe my eyes either!
What should we call that form?
Hm... I don’t know...
“Super” Joyce?
Nah, that feels too played out.
How about... Reverse Joyce!
* Knocks on the door *
Ya’ guys know there isn’t any soundproof on these walls, right?
Get back to work!
Sorry, sis!
Joyce was keeping the crystal knights at bay while her brothers were brewing final batch of potions. While there were some very close shots from the crystal knights’ crystallizers, she was still in one piece. Even though she was having the time of her life, she knew this form was only temporary. She felt her power deplete with every passing second. They had to get out while she had all this power. Shortly after, she noticed another group of crystal knights approaching their location but this time alongside a purple haired girl Joyce figured was their leader.
* Points the sword at Joyce and starts shouting *
SURRENDER YOURSELVES TO THE CRYSTAL QUEEN AND YOU WILL BE FREED!
Nice sword, sistah!
* Punched her own palm *
Want me to break it?
You little...
ATTACK!
Joyce was still able to handle all the crystal knights just fine, but the purple lady was giving her a lot of trouble with her attack patterns. She wasn’t used to fighting against sword wielders.
Ugh, hold still!
Ya’ are making mah aim look terrible!
The purple lady didn’t respond back. She was too focused on fighting the blue blur.
Okay pardner!
Ah will show ya what ah can do!
Joyce backflips towards her bros’ shop and quickly rushed towards Clara for impact. Clara dodged her at the last second and managed to leave a cut mark on Joyce’s left arm.
UGH!
* Holding her arm *
YOU STUBBORN-
You can’t fight back forever!
Soon, you will have the highest rank of honor you could possibly dream of!
* Almost knocks down Joyce *
By becoming one with Queen Maizie!
Ugh, ya’ crystal folks all talk the same!
Joyce tries the same tactic again but gets hit once again. She had to try a different tactic. Joyce dashes towards Clara but not to attack her directly. Instead, she stood still and pretended to hit Clara on the head but instead tripped her to the ground. Clara looked around for her sword, but Joyce quickly tossed it away with her foot.
Ah would stay down if ah were you, dummy.
Clara looked at Joyce with hatred in her eyes. Before Joyce could knock her down, she felt the power she once had stripping away in real time. She was starting to feel dizzy.
Ugh... ah’m runnin’ outta juice...
Joyce was back to her usual, tired, self. Her colors turned back to normal. She couldn’t even finish Clara off in time.
* Chuckles *
Look at you!
All that talk about “beating” me, but you can’t even lay a finger on me now!
* Points the mini crystallizer towards Joyce *
Sayanora, scientist girl.
Joyce knew this was the end. All that trouble... was worth nothing. But then she noticed something approaching behind Clara.
Well, this was fun.
Annoying to the bitter end, eh?
Ya’ said it, sistah.
Now, if you will excuse me.
Ah need to hunt down a witch.
(confused) What are you-
Joyce pulls down one of her eyelids and and sticks out her tongue as the Folio Brothers quickly pick her up with the car and start driving towards one of the crystal pillars.
Toodles!
UGH!
DON’T JUST STAND THERE!
SHOOT THEM DOWN!
Ya’ guys had the perfect timin!
We wish we could have saved you sooner but thanks, sis!
Why didn’t ya’ ran over the purple one though?
We have a strict “no violence” policy, remember?
Oh yeah, ah almost forgot about that.
Besides, they seem to be just innocent people turned evil without any choice.
Yeah, it wouldn’t feel right.
Y’all.
We can talk morals later!
Just get us the heck out of here first!
On it!
The Folio siblings were going as fast as they could towards the crystal pillars. The extra speed potions they added to the car was helping them a ton. They noticed all the crystal knights’ attention being focused on them and tried avoiding their crystal beams.
Woah, that almost hit one of the wheels!
Be more careful!
It’s easier said than done, sis!
* Takes a harsh turn to the left *
I don’t want to hurt any of these innocent people!
Ugh... fine!
Whatever...
* Quickly taps Joyce’s shoulder *
...hey, sis.
What now, Hattie?!
It’s not the time!
I know, I know.
I just wanted to ask... do you think you got teleported here instead of anywhere else on Perdiah because of your family being here?
Maybe, ah didn’t really give it any thought.
* Looks at Hattie with a blank expression *
Don’t make it corny, Hattie.
The three soon spot one of those crystal pillars.
What do we do now, Joyce?
Yeah!
Should we stop the car or-
No, keep drivin’ at full speed!
(visibly scared) O-kay, sis!
I hope you know what you are doing!
Joyce kept track on their distance to the pillar. She had to time this potion throw just right.
Just a bit further...
Don was still holding the gas pedal.
Further...
WE ARE GOING TO CRASH!
NOW!
Joyce threw the potion at the car, and they went right through the pillar with excessive force. When the potion’s affect wore off, Joyce looked behind them. They left a giant hole at the bottom of one of those pillars. They were free!
Joyce looked at her brothers to see how they were doing. Don looked like he was in a static state while Hattie was still covering his face in fear.
It’s alright, you two.
We are out!
We... are?
Yup!
* Looks over to Don *
How is it going, Don?
I-I’m too scared to move my head.
I think I’m going to lose it.
Good enough.
I can’t believe we are finally out... now what?
Now... we hunt down the witch who stole mah identity!
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