Multiverse Wars: Episode One: The Milky Way Menace

Chapter 2. There's always a bigger fish.

(Six landing craft fly in formation toward the surface of the planet Floralia. Three landing craft slowly descend through the cloud cover of the perpetually gray twilight side of the planet. One by one, the Federation warships land in the eerie swamp. Bolo's head emerges from the mud of a shallow lake. For in the background, the activities of the invasion force can be seen in the mist. Bolo takes several deep breaths, then disappears again under the muddy swamp. Mobile Lairs emerge from the landing craft. The Egg Pawn invasion force moves out of the swamp and onto a grassy plain. An E-2000, in his Mayhem tank, looks out over the vast army marching across the rolling hills. A small hologram of Redd and Gaspen stands on the tank.)

Redd: ...and there is no trace of the Nova Knights. They may have gotten onto one of your landing craft.

E-2000: If they are down here, sir, we'll find them. We are moving out of the swamp and are marching on the cities. We are meeting no resistance.

Gaspen: Excellent.

(Gary Oak runs through the strange landscape, glancing back to see the monstrous troop transports, emerging from the mist. Animals begin to run past him in a panic. An odd, frog-like Pokémon, a Palpitoad, squats holding a Clamperl he has retrieved from the murky swamp. The Clamperl pops open. The Palpitoad's great tongue snaps out and grabs the clam, swallowing the pearl part in one gulp. The toad-like Pokémon looks up, seeing Gary Oak and the other creatures running like the wind toward him. One of the huge Mobile Lairs bears down on the Nova Knight like a charging locomotive. Palpitoad stands transfixed, still holding the Pokémon's husk in one hand.)

Palpitoad: Oh, crud!

(Palpitoad drops the Clamperl's husk and grabs onto Gary Oak as he passes. The Nova Knight is caught by surprise.)

Palpitoad: (Cont'd) Help me, please!

Gary Oak: Let go!

(The machine is about to crush them as Gary Oak drags Palpitoad behind him. Just as the transport is about to hit them, Gary Oak drops, and Palpitoad goes splat into the mud with him. The transport races overhead. Gary Oak and Palpitoad pull themselves out of the mud. They stand watching the war machine disappear into the mist. Palpitoad grabs Gary Oak and hugs him.)

Palpitoad: Thanks!

(The frog-like Pokémon licks the Nova Knight.)

Gary Oak: Are you brainless?! You almost got us killed!

Palpitoad: I can talk.

Gary Oak: The ability to speak does not make you intelligent. Now get outta here!

(Gary Oak starts to move off, and Palpitoad follows.)

Palpitoad: I'm your humble servant, Master.

Gary Oak: That won't be necessary.

Palpitoad: Oh, but this is demanded by the Great Sea Basin Pokémon, Kyogre. I am, as you can already tell, a Palpitoad!

(In the distance, two Buzz Bombers burst out of the mist at high speed, chasing Bolo.)

Gary Oak: I have no time for this right now...

Palpitoad: Say what?

(The two Buzz Bombers barrel down on Bolo.)

Palpitoad: We're going to...

(Gary Oak throws Palpitoad into the mud.)

Gary Oak: Stay down!

(Palpitoad's head pops up.)

Palpitoad: ...die!

(The two troops fire laser bolts at Bolo. Gary Oak deflects the bolts back, and the Buzz Bombers blow up. Bolo is exhausted and tries to catch his breath.)