Episode 12

Clonar's Wrath, Part 1

“This is the best plan in the history of plans ever,” Trey said.

He flicked his gaze over to his brother, expecting him to agree, but the look on Troy's face conveyed that he wasn't convinced. “I dunno. Doesn't sound like much of a plan, if you ask me.”

Trey was quick to elbow his brother. If there was one useful trait Trey had, it wasn't his fighting ability or his sparkling personality, but his ability to suck up like no other. And if there was one person who loved being sucked up to, he knew it was Clonar, and he always took full advantage of every opportunity.

Clonar smiled sinisterly and shrugged off his servants' comments. “Great plans need not be complicated. What's important is that they get the job done. And this plan is certainly effective in it's simplicity.” He gestured toward the large doorway—large enough for Creturians of any shape and size to enter through. Just what he needed for all the various servants living in his fortress. “Come to me, my dark Creturians!”

Trey and Troy watched as a dark mass lumbered into the room. Upon closer inspection, they saw that the mass was actually five dark Creturians grouped closely together and shrouded in shadows. Talk about your brooding entrances.

“As we have witnessed over the past month or so,” Clonar spoke to his servants, “the human forces are weak, unable to mount even a halfway-successful assault against us. I have rallied up a great number of dark Creturians to begin my conquest of this dimension. However, I believe the five of you will be sufficient enough to bring the nearby city—the first target of our conquest of this dimension—into submission. Soon, we'll make our way throughout the whole land, and eventually the entire world will fall to our might!”

Trey stepped forward meekly. “But what about the Dimensional Guardians, sir?”

Clonar's evil smile grew wider. “The Guardians are merely stepping stones. They may have been able to defeat my servants before, but there's no way they can stop an attack of this magnitude. And even if they could, there would be plenty more where they came from.”

Troy nodded in appreciation. “You really have everything planned out, boss. We have the utmost confidence in you.”

“As you should. Today shall mark the fall of the Dimensional Guardians, and the rise of the glorious empire of Clonar!”

---

It was going on three weeks since the Dimensional Guardians started their training. Despite their vast improvements, Wyn still insisted they continue in their training every day until the Creturian threat was finally vanquished. Over the past week, it had consisted mostly of sparring matches.

“Cyber Spiral!” Wyn put up his energy-infused fists to block Chip's attack, then sent the energy flying towards him. Chip was quick to zip behind him and knock him out of his transformation with a point blank shot.

Before he had a chance to enjoy his minor victory, however, an ice blast grazed his shoulder. “Brr, Tami, that's cold!”

Tami flashed a mischievous smile. “I would hope so. Think fast!” She got in close and fired again, but Chip was ready with a counterattack that canceled hers out. Another quick attack knocked her out of her transformation, as well.

“Hey, I'm getting really good at this!” he said excitedly.

Out of nowhere, Brittany smashed him on the head with her hammer. She giggled softly, then stopped as Chip slumped to the ground in a daze. “Oops, sorry, did I hit you too hard?”

“Who are you again?” he asked.

A sucker Laser Blast to the back knocked Brittany out of her transformation. “Gotta keep your guard up, Brit.” Rob said with amusement.

He too de-transformed after being hit in the back by Tami's attack full force.

“Gotta practice what you preach, Rob,” she giggled.

Rob stood back up and sighed. “Man, I dunno about you guys, but I'm beat.”

Tami dusted the dirt off her jeans. “We've really improved over the last several weeks, haven't we?”

Chip nodded in agreement. “We sure have. Too bad we haven't had any bad guys to test our new strength on.”

“Now that you mention it, Clonar has been pretty quiet lately,” Brittany said. “We haven't fought any of his dark Creturians for a while.”

“Hey, I'm not complaining,” Rob said. “It's nice to have a break for a while. Speaking of breaks, I think I'm done for the day. Anyone up for some dinner?”

Wyn huffed. “You just had lunch a few hours ago. You can't be hungry again.”

“Uh, generally you eat dinner a few hours after lunch, Wyn.” Rob gestured towards the setting sun, “And we're way past overdue.”

Tami, Brittany, and Chip agreed.

“Great warriors have to eat too.”

“Food does sound really good right about now.”

“Yeah. I'd say we've earned it.”

Wyn huffed again. “Fine, then. You all go off and stuff your faces while I stay here and train to fend off all the dark forces mounting against us.”

The other Guardians completely disregarded Wyn's sarcasm and rushed past him.

“'Kay.”

“Later.”

“Peace out.”

“See ya.”

Wyn stood there in disbelief for several moments before storming off to continue his training. “...fine. Punks.”

If there was a better place in Feldnaut City for teenagers to hang out, Rob didn't know what it was. The mall's food court had some of the best food around—or at least the best food that fit within a teenager's limited budget. He was glad he suggested it. For years he had seen his classmates and other acquaintances huddled around tables prattling on about whatever it was close friends prattled on about, but he had never actually known what it was like to do so himself. Until now.

Brittany set down her milkshake cup and sighed happily. “Mmm, I can't remember the last time I've had a milk shake this good.”

“Me neither,” Chip said in between bites of his burger. “Food tastes better when you're not worrying about being killed by vicious monsters every waking moment.”

Rob leaned in towards the center of the table as a thought came to him. “Hey, after we get rid of Clonar, we could do this stuff more often, don't'cha think?” he asked hopefully.

Tami smiled sweetly. “Sure, why not?” Then she frowned. “Oh, but not for a month or so. I'm going to be pretty busy soaking up rays in the Bahamas once all of this is said and done.”

Rob's smile slowly vanished as the rest of his friends spoke.

“Yeah, and I have plenty of work I need to get done with my dad,” Chip said.

“My job keeps me pretty busy, too,” said Brittany. Then she added, “but I'd enjoy hanging out once in a while.”

Rob leaned back in his seat. He knew they were sincere, but he had a feeling things weren't going to work out as any of them wanted. Still, he tried to force a smile. “Hey, that's cool. You guys have your lives, and I have mine. I understand that. But...I just wanted to say how much fun I've had hanging out with all of you guys over the last several weeks.”

“Oh, I've had fun too!” Brittany said. “This has been really nice, getting to know everyone. I don't really care for the monster fighting, of course, but...”

Rob shuffled his cup around on the table, deep in thought. It had just hit him moments ago that as soon as the inter dimensional threat was done away with, so was the thread that tied he and his newfound friends together. He didn't want things to return to normal...to the way they were before.

His thoughts were interrupted when the entire building shook suddenly and violently. “What was that?!”

“Trouble, I'm sure,” Chip said. They all stood in unison and gazed around at all the shook-up mall-goers, who were also gazing around in confusion.

When they made it outside, their fears were confirmed as they saw innocent citizens being hurled through the musty dusk air. “Yep. Definitely trouble,” Tami said.

The source of the disturbance made its way up to them: a giant bi-pedal stick-like creature. Despite the chaos surrounding him, he appeared to have an unbreakable calm aura surrounding him.

Rob tilted his head sideways. “Huh. Would you look at that. A giant stick thing.”

“I knew I'd find you easily enough, Dimensional Guardians,” said the giant stick thing in an eerily calm voice. His eyes remained closed as he spoke, as if he was in a perpetual state of meditation. “I am Metastick. I'll make your ends quick and painless if you wish.”

---

Meanwhile, Wyn silently wished he could remain in his meditative state, but if the shadow looming over him was any indication, it wasn't happening. “Sneak attack?” he asked, still facing away with one eye open. “Try again, pal.”

“You're pretty alert, aren't you?” asked the creature snidely.

“Not as much as you're bad at sneaking around.” Wyn stood up and turned around to see who planned to get the jump on him. A huge bi-pedal wolf. That was a new one. “So, what's your story, dog face? As if I have to ask.”

The wolf flexed his muscular chest in a showoffy manner. “I'm Leeganail. And I think you know exactly why I'm here.”

Wyn was unimpressed. “A fool's errand, no doubt. Let's just cut to the chase, shall we?”

Leeganail smiled, his large, pearl-white fangs glistening in the pale moonlight. “I like the way you think!” He lunged at Wyn and slashed at him with his massive claws. Wyn dodged the assaultand transformed quickly.

Leeganail was equally unimpressed. “Heh, you think I can't cut through that puny armor of yours? Think again!”

“We're not about to be beaten by a talking twig.” Chip turned to his friends. “...are we?”

“Then how about a talking twig and me?”

The Guardians turned around to see a tiny red canister-like creature with vacuum arms. “I'm Vackyoom,” he said, a giant toothy grin plastered on his face, “and I'm gonna blow you away.”

“I could swear another one of the monsters used that introduction line before,” Brittany said.

Rob gathered his teammates close together. “Okay, here's the plan: Brittany, you and I will take on the stick thing. Tami, you and Chip have the talking garbage can over there. Sound like a plan?”

Everyone nodded.

“All right, then. Let's go!”

Together, the four Guardians initiated their transformation.“Dimensional Guardians, power up!”

Rob stepped towards his opponent. “So, stick guy, what kind of otherworldly powers do you have?”

“Through constant meditation, my mind is completely clear of any thoughts that may distract me from battle,” Metastick replied.

“That would explain his name,” Brittany said.

“Allow me to demonstrate my skills.” The creature remained completely still, his voice unchanging. “Psych Wave.” A wave of energy shot out from his body—or somewhere, they weren't quite sure—knocking Rob and Brittany off their feet.

“Who would've thought meditation could teach you something like that?” Brittany groaned.

They stood back up. “Ooh, you knocked us off our feet,” Rob said sarcastically. “What a minor inconvenience that was.” He and Brittany charged Metastick, who “inconvenienced” them with another wave of energy. “Okay, I see how that move might be useful,” Rob conceded as he got up again, “but you'll never beat us with such a sissy attack.”

“That's why I have this attack,” Metastick said, “Swing Buster.” The horn dangling off Metastick's head stretched forward like a massive whip, smacking Rob and Brittany into a building.

Several feet away, Tami sized up her surprisingly small opponent. “So, how do you want to fight this guy?” she asked Chip.

“He doesn't look particularly strong,” Chip commented.

“I don't, huh? Then watch this!” Vackyoom aimed his left arm canister at a nearby lamp post. Chip and Tami gasped in unison as a powerful intake of air shot out of the canister and sucked up the entire post.

“So that's why they call him 'Vackyoom',” Chip said.

“And that's not even the best part!” The lamp post shot out of Vackyoom's right canister and smashed into Tami at high speed. “Pretty cool, don't ya think? And I'm gonna do the same to you!”

---

“Blade Claw!” Leeganail assaulted Wyn with a volley of slashes, but despite the wolf's ferocity, he just couldn't move fast enough to land a blow against the much more agile Wyn.

“You'll have to be faster than that,” Wyn said.

Leeganail stopped. No Doubt, Wyn figured, due to the fact that he wasn't getting anywhere. “Maybe not,” he said. “Look behind me.”

Wyn peered over the wolf monster's shoulder to see eerie purple energy blades floating menacingly in the air. Where'd they come from?

“This is the true power of the attack!” Leeganail said. “Dodge this if you can!”

With a strong downward thrust of his hands, the blades tore through the air towards Wyn at intense speed. He grunted as he ducked and dodged them, but several he wasn't quick enough to avoid as they sliced into his armor and pierced his skin.

Leeganail smirked. “Not so nimble now, are ya?”

Wyn held his cut shoulder and winced in pain. Still, he squared his shoulders in an attempt to convey the illusion that he wasn't hurt. “So you're a little tougher than I thought. Big whoop. You're still going down.”

“Let's see how confident you are after going through the attack again! Blade Claw!” Before Leeganail could even swipe at Wyn, the Guardian grabbed his arm and gripped it tightly. “Hey! Leggo!”

While Wyn was certainly strong, he had a bit of difficultly keeping the muscled creature in his grip. “Can't use your attack if you can't swipe at me, can you?”

Leeganail attempted to swipe with his other claw, but Wyn grabbed it, too. “So it comes down to a matter of strength, eh?” the wolf snarled. “I'll still win!”

“Don't be so sure.”

Leeganail and Wyn struggled to overpower each other. Finally, Wyn flipped upward and gave Leeganail a firm kick in the chin. While he was reeling, Wyn launched his attack point blank. “Guardian Punch!” Before Leeganail could react, he was gone.

Wyn cracked his neck and rubbed his arm. “Figures. They leave, and I'm the one who gets attacked.” He shot a side glance towards the brightly-lit city in the distance and saw smoke piling up. “Or maybe I'm not the only one. I'd better check things out in the city.”

---

Back in said city the other Guardians weren't faring quite as well as Wyn was.

“Cyber Spiral!”

“Right back at ya!” Vackyoom sucked up Chip's attack in his left canister, and shot it back out of his right. Tami, still shaken from the last attack, was sent flying into the nearby building.

“If we survive this battle, I'm never gonna look at vacuum cleaners the same way again,” Chip said.

Tami wearily walked back up to him. “If anyone should be traumatized by vacuum cleaners, it's me. I'm the one being attacked here.”

“It loses a bit of force when I launch it back,” the small Creturian said, “but it gets the job done, I think,”

“Think again, then. Ice Sting!”

Vackyoom was quick to take Tami's attack and launch it back at her and Chip. They dodged.

“Our special attacks aren't going to work against this guy,” Chip said.

“Then what are we supposed to do?” Tami asked.

“We'll have to use old-fashioned punches and kicks!”

Chip ran at Vackyoom and threw a punch, but the monster jumped over his fist and landed near Tami. Tami attempted to kick him, but he ducked underneath her leg and jumped onto the sidewalk.

“He's quick, too,” Tami commented.

“Heh heh. I don't need to use your attacks against you to win,” Vackyoom said, the toothy grin perpetually plastered on his face. He aimed his canister at a parked car and began trying to suck it in.

Tami put her hands on her hips. “You gotta be kidding.”

As much as Chip and Tami were sure the little guy wouldn't be able to go through with it, Vackyoom indeed managed to suck up the entire car and launch it at them. They jumped onto the car in midair and fell to the ground as the car sailed into a building behind them.

Metastick, meanwhile, retained his calm demeanor even as he flung Rob around on his horn. “You'll let go eventually,” he said.

“You don't know me very well, then.” Rob blasted Metastick's horn with a laser blast. Metastick was adept in meditation, but a laser blast hurt no matter how at “one with the universe” you were, and he yelped as he retracted his horn—and Rob with it. It presented the perfect opportunity for Rob to take him out with a full-power blast. “Too bad meditation apparently didn't make you any smarter, huh?” he teased as the monster disappeared in a flash.

Brittany ran up to him. “Great job, Rob. Should we go help Chip and Tami?”

“Eh, I'm sure they have things under control. Let's have fun being spectators for a change.”

Chip and Tami slumped to the ground as Vackyoom bounced around them energetically. They had tried every strategy they could think of to trip up the hyperactive vacuum creature, but nothing had proven effective.

“That speedy little twerp has to have some sort of weakness,” Tami said with an exasperated sigh.

Chip stayed silent for a few moments, then said, “And I think I know just what that weakness is.”

“Huh? You do?”

“I have a strategy. I'm not sure if it'll work or not, but it's worth a shot. You with me?”

“Well, yeah. What do you need me to do?”

“When I say, fire a steady stream of ice at him. Don't stop until I tell you to.”

“Uh, okay.”

On Chip's signal, the two of them rushed Vackyoom. “Oh boy, they have a strategy,” Vackyoom said. “I can't wait to find out what it is!”

“Now!”

“Ice Sting!”

Tami cast her attack, and Vackyoom predictably sucked it up. “Not much of a strategy if you ask--”

He was cut off as Chip called out the name of his attack. “Cyber Spiral!”

“Huh?”

With his right canister occupied, he sucked up Chip's blast in his left. “Ha! Just what do you think you're doing?”

Without saying a word, Chip and Tami continued their streams of fire without letup. Vackyoom's smile finally vanished and turned into a look of concern. “...hey, you can stop now. Seriously, stop shooting. I mean it. Stop!”

As before, the attacks were reflected out the opposite canisters. But with Chip and Tami's attacks still being sucked in, the attacks collided on both sides, and the resulting explosion engulfed Vackyoom.

“Great thinking, Chip!” Tami exclaimed as she cut off her attack. “We overloaded that little punk.”

“Thanks,” Chip said. “I figured if the attack goes in one canister and out the other, keeping both of them busy would cause something to screw up.”

Rob snickered as he and Brittany walked up to them. “Feh, that's the best Clonar has to send against us nowadays? He must be losing his touch.”

“What, did you get the easy guy?” Tami asked.

Before Rob could answer, Wyn made his way up to them. “You guys having fun without me?” he asked.

“Wyn, there you are,” Chip said. “We just got done fighting two of Clonar's goons. Where were you when we needed you?”

“I had my own problems to deal with.”

“And the fun's just beginning!” came a familiar voice.

Tami looked around. “I know that voice.”

Everyone looked atop a nearby building to see—you guessed it—Trey and Troy.

“Hey, kids, not a bad job so far,” Trey said.

“So far?” Brittany asked.

“Our little invasion of your city has just begun,” Troy said. “Or can't you hear the explosions rocking downtown?”

The Guardians were so busy dealing with their opponents that they failed to notice the smoke piling up throughout the city. “Wha—What's going on?” Rob asked.

“Clonar's plan has been set in motion,” Trey said. “We're going to take over Earth, starting with this city. And there's nothing you can do about it.”

“Clonar sent those two wimps out as warm-ups,” Troy added. “He has five more Creturians rampaging through the city, and they're destroying everything in their path. Think you can take them all on?”

“What about the people in the city?” Tami asked. “What about our friends and families?”

“As long as they stay out of our way and put up no attempts to resist us, they should be fine,” Troy answered her. “Can't say the same for the police forces, though.”

Brittany gasped. “Oh no! Derek!”

“For what it's worth, we've seen people flooding into shelters,” Troy said. “Trust us, we don't want to hurt anyone. Just enslave them!”

“You sick freaks!” Wyn said through clenched teeth. “Come down here so I can punch you!”

“Oh no. You'll have to conserve your strength for when you go up against the other Creturians attacking the city,” Trey said. “As for us, we're going to sit back and watch the fireworks. Toodles.” And off the duo went.

Before any of the Guardians could process what was going on, another voice, loud and commanding, blared throughout the city. “Citizens of this fine city!”

Rob felt a knot form in his stomach. “I know that voice, too...”

Above them, a few buildings down from where Trey and Troy were, stood Clonar, his arms outstretched as he delivered his sinister speech to the masses below. “I am Clonar, Dark Lord of Creturia, and your new lord and master. I'm sure you're quite curious as to the recent outbreak of monsters in your city. Please be assured they have no intention of harming you or your loved ones. That is, if you cooperate. Simply put, I plan on conquering this pathetic planet, and this city has the privilege of being the first area conquered. As soon as the city has been leveled by my servants, it will be rebuilt as the capital of the Clonar Empire! You may run and hide if you wish, but know that no matter where you run to, you'll all submit to my rule sooner or later. And to those of you who are in open opposition to me, well...I'm sure you're well aware of what my servants are capable of. With that, I bid you farewell for now.” With that, he vanished into the black night sky

Rob clenched his fists. “Why that—that—” Endangering his life was fine, but when his loved ones were involved, that was taking it too far.

As quickly as Clonar disappeared, Tami heard her cell phone ring. She de-transformed and answered it, wondering who could possibly be calling her at a time like this. “Uh...hello?”

“Tami, where are you??” asked Tami's clearly-panicked mom. “Our city's under attack by...I don't even know what! Everyone's being evacuated to shelters!”

“I—I know, mom.”

“Where are you?”

“I—I'm in the middle of town. But don't worry, nothing bad is happening over here.”

Her mom's voice softened. “Thank heavens you're safe. Please, get to the nearest shelter immediately. Okay?”

Tami struggled with her response. “I--”

“Okay, Tami?”

“O—Okay, mom.”

“Good. Your brother and I are heading to a shelter now. Your dad has been evacuated safely, as well. I love you, sweetie. Please, stay safe.”

“I love you too, mom. Bye.” Tami hung up. “Whew. I'm so glad my family is safe.”

“I'd better call my family, too,” Chip said.

“Call as we run, Chip,” Rob said. “We have to stop those other Creturians before someone gets hurt!”

“But what are we supposed to do?” Brittany asked.

“Well...Trey and Troy said there were five Creturians attacking the city, and there's five of us, so...”

Chip's eyes widened as he pieced together Rob's idea. “No. You can't possibly be thinking about splitting up and taking them on, can you?” Rob didn't answer, all the answer Chip needed. “Have you gone bonkers?? There's strength in numbers! We can't beat those Creturians in one-on-one battles!”

“I think Chip's right, Rob,” Tami agreed. “The strength we have comes from working together as a team.”

“Listen,” Rob said sternly, “Clonar says these dark Creturians don't want to hurt anyone, but the truth is, they just plain don't care. Right now there are thousands and thousands of people whose lives are threatened by these monsters rampaging. People trapped in buildings that they're demolishing. People running for their lives that could get caught in crossfire. The dark Creturians need to be dealt with as soon as possible. And the only way we can do that is by splitting up.”

“But Rob, what makes you think we can stop them without working together?” Brittany asked.

“I've taken down plenty of dark Creturians on my own, and I know Wyn has, too. Maybe that's not the most assuring answer I could give, but...I have faith in us. In each one of us. And you guys need to have faith in yourselves, too.”

Chip snorted. “Have faith...as if that's enough to win a battle.”

“Sounds good to me,” Wyn said, his voice a stark contrast to the exasperated tones everyone else had. He noticed everyone looking at him oddly, so he explained: “As Rob said, I've taken down dozens of dark Creturians by myself, and that was when I wasn't half as strong as I am now. I've poured a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into helping you guys, and I think we're strong enough that we can beat anything Clonar throws at us.”

“You...really think so, Wyn?” Tami asked.

“That's right I do. And I'm tired of listening to you guys whine, so I'm going to go ahead and get the show on the road.”

Rob's face brightened. “That's the spirit!” He turned to his friends. “So, what about you guys?”

Tami thought about it for a moment, then spoke up. “Okay, then, I'm convinced! Let's kick some butt!”

Brittany nodded. “If you guys think we're strong enough, then so do I!”

Chip shrugged. “Mmm, I'm not sure...but I guess it's pretty much been decided, so I'll do the best I can.”

“All right!” Rob said. “Let's split up and search the city. When you engage the dark Creturians in battle, remember to steer them away from potentially populated areas. The safety of the citizens is our utmost concern.”

Throughout the city, crowds fled in terror, the policemen directing them. “Everybody, please remain calm and proceed in an orderly fashion,” one officer ordered as citizens shuffled past them. “There's plenty of room in the shelters for everyone. I repeat: please remain calm.”

Rob spied a familiar scruffy hairstyle peeking out of the flood of people and made his way over to it. “Derek, are you all right?”

Derek continued gesturing people towards the shelter as he turned his head to Rob. “Hey, it's you! Have you heard about what's going on here? There are freaky monsters all over the place!”

“Yeah, we know. We're on our way to stop them. Are there any nearby?”

“There's one just down the road. The entire city is being completely evacuated, and the military should be here by now.”

Rob gasped. “Oh man, the military is coming, too?”

“I tried my best to keep things under control back at headquarters, but everything's just way too crazy around here. The chief had no choice but to call in the big guns. I dunno how much good they'll be, though. Do—do you really think you have what it takes to take all these guys down?”

“I don't know...but you can bet we'll give it our all.”

Derek sighed. “I guess that's all I can expect from ya. Good luck.”

Rob gave a thumbs up and took off towards whatever battle awaited him. Derek watched him run until he was out of sight.

---

“Fire!”

The military leader was unhappy to note that their opponent, a giant monster bee, was far too fast for their barrage of tank fire.

“Buzz Bomb!” the bee called out as it fired several blasts of energy from its stinger that made short work of the tanks.

The second platoon wasn't faring much better; their blasts were able to hit their target, a massive spiked turtle, but they were ineffective as they harmlessly exploded against its freakishly durable shell.

“We can't scratch this thing!” a soldier said needlessly.

“We can and we will,” the determined leader bellowed. “Prepare to fire again!”

A blast of searing fire melted the howitzers of several tanks of the third platoon, prompting several choice exclamations from the third platoon leader. A flaming tornado stopped in front of the tanks...and smiled.

“Our tanks are useless now! What should we do?” The soldier turned to his commander, hoping he had some sort of contingency plan brewing.

The frazzled leader put his head in his hands and shouted, “Gah, I don't know!”

The fourth platoon didn't even get a chance to launch an attack. Before a shot could be fired, the giant armored ant began tipping the tanks over one by one. The soldiers quickly abandoned them before they crashed on their sides.

“We're completely outclassed here!” a soldier said as he tumbled to the ground.

“Hold your ground!” the platoon leader said. “We're not giving in.”

His bravado evaporated as the ant proceeded to knock over another tank.

“...can we give in now?” another soldier asked.

“Our firepower is completely useless!” the platoon five leader bellowed. “This is ridiculous!”

A giant UFO floated above the tanks and completely disintegrated them all in a barrage of laser fire, effectively ending the battle.

Rob skidded to a halt as a battalion of soldiers marched towards him. “Hey, kid, what are you doing out here?” a soldier asked in an annoyed tone as he stopped in front of him. “You need to find a shelter now!”

Rob couldn't help but crack a smile. He'd heard that line before, back when he had fought Robotroid several weeks back. Without replying, he was pulled along with the soldiers as they kept running. “It's not safe out here,” the soldier added, as if it wasn't obvious enough. “Please, get to shelter immediately.”

Rob nodded. “Sir, yes, sir. I'll get right on that.” He quickly made a sharp turn into an alleyway as the soldiers stormed past him. “Not.”

He peeked around the corner to make sure the soldiers weren't looking—of course they were occupied with other matters—and jetted towards the rising plumes of smoke. He stopped as pieces of a building came crashing down in front of him. “I'd say this is the right place.” He saw the destruction, but where was the one causing it? “Hey, whoever's causing the ruckus around here, I got something to say to you!”

Within moments, the giant bee Creturian hovered down in front of him. “Clonar told us you would come,” it buzzed. “But where are the rest of your friendzzzz?”

“None of your beeswax,” Rob retorted, then chuckled as he caught the joke. “...hey, that was a good one.”

“Zzzzzzo be it. I will fight you, if that'zzzz what you want.”

“Heh. So 'bee' it. That's a good one, too.”

Chip's mouth dropped open as he gazed upon what appeared to be his opponent: a giant UFO blasting buildings with an array of lasers. “They have aliens in the Creturian world too, huh?” he said, his voice trembling. “Who knew?”

He stayed quiet. It looked like the “alien” was too busy causing wanton destruction to notice him. He could slip away without being noticed and look for a far less intimidating opponent...if there was one.

No. He had his assignment, and he had to fulfill it. Or at least give it a go before running away with his tail between his legs. “H-Hey! Y-You up there!” he managed to call out.

A giant orange blob popped its head out of the top of the UFO and stretched its gelatinous body over the edge to peer down at the meek little human beneath him. “Ah, there you are,” he said in his goofy-sounding voice. “I've been waiting for you guys to show up.”

Chip drew a deep breath. “N-No more destroying stuff,” he said in a vain attempt at sounding heroic. “It's time for you to pay for all that you've done.”

The blob creature appeared amused. “Sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of your knees knocking.”

Chip looked at his knees and noted that he really had to do something about showing glaringly obvious fear towards his opponents. “I hate this so much.”

“I saw cars flying through the air around here...” Wyn said to himself as he looked around, “but no sign of any Creturians.”

Suddenly, the ground beneath him started to cave in. He leaped away and watched as the giant monster ant crawled out of the gaping hole. “Graaahhhh!”

Wyn winced. “Yeesh. Wish I'd brought my bug spray.”

“Graaahhhh!” roared the bug.

Wyn cracked his knuckles. “I take it that means you're ready to fight. Good. Nothing brings a battle down more than fighting a Creturian who never shuts up.”

Brittany watched, stone still as a spiked turtle shell plowed through cars and buildings. Oh man, what am I getting myself in to? she thought to herself. “Um, excuse me!” she called out.

The Creturian continued it's rampage. Surely, Brittany thought, the monster was unable to hear her over the din it was making. “Excuse me, please!” she said again, a little louder.

No response. She sighed, drew a deep breath, and yelled with all her might: “EXCUSE ME!”

Apparently the Creturian had heard her that time, as it skidded to a halt in front of her and pulled its head and legs out of its shell. It almost looked harmless to Brittany, a simple-looking turtle creature with huge eyes half closed, indicating its complete lack of interest in who it was speaking to. “What do you want, kid?” it asked slowly. “Can't you see I'm a little busy at the moment?”

Brittany stammered. “Well...I just...can you please stop destroying everything?”

The turtle tilted his massive circular head sideways. “...what? I do whatever my master orders me to do. Got a problem with it?”

Brittany winced at his accusation. “Yeah, kinda,” she said meekly.

“Fine. I guess we'll just have to fight about it, then.”

Oh, here we go...

Tami, meanwhile, was freaked out by the various flaming buildings around her.

“Okay, I changed my mind,” she said to herself. “I really don't like this. Eep!” A few seconds later, the giant flaming tornado, at least twice her size, formed in front of her. “There's something you don't see everyday,” she said.

Then, a giant toothy grin formulated on it. “There's something you really don't see every day,” she said.

Then, a pair of glowing yellow eyes formed above the mouth. “There's something you really, really don't see every day!” she said.

The tornado creature spoke: “Glad you could make it. I've had a burning desire to face one of the Dimensional Guardians.”

Tami chuckled uneasily. Maybe if she complemented his bad puns she could talk her way out of a fight. “Clever.” Great, she thought. Of course the girl with the ice powers gets stuck fighting the flaming tornado.

“Yes, you Guardians have made me hot under the collar.” the monster said. “Well, the heat is on now!”

And he's a comedian, too. Wonderful.

On the highest building still standing in the city, Clonar, Trey, and Troy gazed about at the mass destruction caused by the dark Creturians.

“Wow,” Trey said simply.

“I've never seen anything quite like it,” Troy added.

“It would appear all of the citizens have been evacuated. Perfect,” Clonar said happily. “As much as I enjoyed it at first, hearing their screams of terror was really starting to take a toll on my nerves.”

Troy panned over the area. “And it looks like the military forces have retreated, too.”

Clonar folded his arms smugly. “Yes, things couldn't be more perfect. The futile attempts of the Dimensional Guardians to save their precious city don't even bother me. I almost hope they manage to defeat my servants so I can have the pleasure of wiping them out myself. How amusing. Even if the Dimensional Guardians win...”

All of the Guardians stood poised in their respective battle arenas, ready to fight.

“...they'll lose!”

Is this really the beginning of the end for Earth? Can the Dimensional Guardians overcome the odds and save the city—and ultimately the world--from Clonar once and for all? The answers next time, on the senses-shattering season finale of Dimension Heroes!

TO BE CONTINUED...