Rifts

Part 30~Doom Nut

Marco took a breath as he paced in front of the group. "I've called you all here because you're the most cunning, the most agile, the most experienced, hardest-hitting wahoos I know. Each of you was hand-picked for your specific set of skills. Hekapoo is basically a one-woman army, and she's also on fire. Moc, you and Talon are our muscles. Jorby and Kelly, you're on weapons. And lastly, Solar and I bring the magic."

Solar grinned as he held Marco's hand.

"I feel proud to call you my 'Marc-nificent nine.'"

Jorby growled, speaking nonsense as Kelly sharpened a sword on his teeth. Kelly nodded. "Oh, yeah, good point. You're right, Jorby. Yeah, Jorby says your maths is off. There's only six of us here plus you. That's seven. Two short of nine."

"He forgot about me!" Ponyhead appeared from nowhere, welding an axe on her horn.

"No, I didn't forget about you. You're late." Marco crossed his arms, glaring at Ponyhead. "And what is that thing on your head?"

"Oh, that's just my battle axe. I'm basically like a cyborg now. I can change into anything I want. Mascara brush, little tiny Ponyhead, chainsaw!"

"Okay, I get it, Ponyhead." Marco placed a hand on his forehead as he looked at Talon, who was handing out shades, talking about some victory photo.

"Talon, can we not?"

"What are you talking about?! You don't know what it's like to be alone on the field, your friends covered in boo-boos and ouchies."

"Hey." The ground crumbled as Tom blasted out of the land. "Listen to your commander."

Marco beamed, running closer as he pulled Tom into a hug. "Tom! I'm so glad you made it."

Tom blushed, patting Marco's back. "Yeah. I'm glad you called."

Solar grinned, joining in the hug before they pulled apart, and he turned, sticking his tongue out at Kelly. "See, there are nine of us. You shouldn't doubt your leader."

"Right M-Knife, are you gonna tell us the plan or what?!" Ponyhead paused as Marco nodded.

"Yes. the plan is simple. We're gonna build... The Doom Nut." Marco smiled as Tom lit up the space behind him. Marco pulled out his butterfly knives, carving into the ground. "Jorby and Kelly, you're gonna make a huge dugout circle. Talon and Pony will fill it with wood. When Meteora steps inside, Tom's gonna set the wood on fire, trapping her in a flaming prison."

Ponyhead gasped. "Oh, 'Doom nut' because it looks like a doughnut! M-Knife that is very clever. I am into this plan."

"I'm open to questions."

Kelly nodded. "Wait, how are we going to convince her to step into what is an obvious trap?"

Ponyhead hummed, her expression dropping. "Ya know, I'm no longer into this plan."

"Simple, Kelly, we use the best bait." Marco grinned. "Me. Let's start."

~~~

Marco sighed as he sat around his plan, leaning against his hand and watching Solar kick a tree to the ground in one strike.

"Whoo! I'm beat!" Tom collapsed next to Marco as he jolted. Marco coughed, forcing his eyes away from Solar and turning to Tom as he gulped down his water. "Marco, I know you're a bit stressed about this, but you're amazing. Whatever happens today, we'll make it through."

Marco smiled, patting Tom's shoulder. "Thanks, Tom. I'm really glad you're here." Marco stood up. "I'm going to help Solar."

"You just want another chance to ogle your boyfriend."