Adventures with Friends Fanmade (HALLOWEEN! 44-48)

Chapter 17: The Mad Scientist's Plan

Oakside had barely recovered from the salad invasion when an even darker threat emerged. In the heart of the town, strange things began happening. People were disappearing, technology was malfunctioning, and ominous storms brewed overhead. The gang knew trouble was brewing again—this time, it felt more sinister than ever before.

It all started when the gang heard rumors about a reclusive genius who had set up shop in the abandoned Oakside Labs, a crumbling facility on the outskirts of town. The scientist was known only as Dr. Malifex, a brilliant but twisted mind who was obsessed with one goal: becoming a god.

James gathered the group together at their usual spot. "I've done some digging, and this Dr. Malifex guy isn't just a mad scientist—he's the real deal. Rumor has it he's trying to turn himself into an all-powerful being using the energy from Oakside's residents."

Cristena looked concerned. "So, he's planning to drain people's life force? That's messed up!"

Riland was half-listening, busy munching on chips. "I bet he's got a supervillain laugh too. It's always the mad geniuses with the crazy laughs."

Jack sighed. "This is getting serious. We need a plan, especially if he's targeting everyone in town."

As they prepared, the gang learned something even more shocking: Dr. Malifex had recruited an old enemy to help with his plan—Gutter. The ice cream-stealing troublemaker was back, this time fully equipped with dangerous gadgets and under Malifex's control.

Their mission was clear: stop Malifex from turning Oakside's residents into energy for his twisted experiment and take down Gutter once and for all. But there was a catch—Gutter had grown even more ruthless, and he was determined to settle the score with the gang for all the times they'd beaten him.

The friends decided to infiltrate the lab under cover of night. As they approached, the building crackled with electricity, strange lights flickering in the windows. Inside, they found Dr. Malifex standing before a massive machine, surrounded by wires, tubes, and tanks filled with glowing liquid. Gutter stood by his side, now equipped with high-tech armor and a sinister grin.

"Ah, the meddling kids arrive," Malifex sneered. "You're just in time to witness my ascension. Soon, I will be a god, and Oakside will bow to me—or cease to exist!"

Gutter crossed his arms, smirking at the gang. "We've got unfinished business. But this time, I'm not here just for ice cream. I'm here for revenge."

James stepped forward. "We're not letting you get away with this. You can't just steal people's lives to fuel your crazy experiments!"

"Oh, but I can," Malifex replied, flipping switches on his machine. "And I will."

The battle began. Gutter rushed at the group, launching energy blasts from his upgraded armor, while Malifex activated his machine. Glowing tendrils of energy began reaching out, trying to latch onto the gang and drain their life force.

Cristena dodged a blast from Gutter, while Jack tried to disable the machine's controls. But Malifex had thought of everything—any attempt to interfere was met with a painful shock.

Meanwhile, Riland tried to outsmart Gutter, taunting him into making a mistake. "Come on, Gutter, what's the matter? Getting tired already?" he yelled, ducking behind a console.

"Shut up!" Gutter snarled, firing wildly. But his rage made him sloppy, and that was all the gang needed. James and Cristena coordinated a plan to trap Gutter in one of Malifex's energy fields. The moment he got caught, his armor malfunctioned, leaving him vulnerable.

"We've got him!" Jack shouted. But before they could act, Malifex snarled and activated a failsafe. "No more games!" he roared. "If I can't have their energy, I'll just take yours, Gutter!"

To everyone's shock, Malifex began draining Gutter's life force instead. Gutter's eyes went wide as he realized he was being betrayed. "No! You promised me power!"

But Malifex only laughed. "You're nothing but fuel for my ascension. Goodbye, Gutter."

In a desperate move, the gang managed to destroy the machine's core just before it could fully drain Gutter. The explosion threw Malifex across the room, and his plans crumbled as the lab began to collapse around him.

Gutter, weakened and barely holding on, looked up at the group. He wasn't the same arrogant villain now—he was just scared.

As they dragged him out of the burning lab, Riland looked at the others. "We can't just let him die. We need to do something."

James was hesitant. "After everything he's done? Why would we save him?"

Cristena put a hand on James's shoulder. "Because maybe he deserves a second chance."

That's when a surprising ally emerged—the same dolphins from their earlier adventure. The leader of the dolphins, sensing the group's intentions, offered a solution. They performed a mystical ritual, using the power of the ocean to revive Gutter—but with a twist. The ritual cleansed him of his villainous ways, transforming him into a good guy for good.

When Gutter opened his eyes, he was different. "What... what happened?"

"You're on our side now," Jack said, smiling. "Welcome to the team—sort of."

Gutter, still confused but no longer malicious, nodded. "I don't know what just happened, but... thanks. Maybe it's time I turned things around."

The gang had not only stopped Dr. Malifex's insane plan but had also gained an unexpected ally. As they watched the lab collapse into the sea, they knew that while Oakside was safe for now, they were ready for whatever wild adventure came next.

The battle wasn't over yet—especially with the looming threat of the pizza people and whatever else lay ahead. But for the first time, they had a former enemy on their side. And in Oakside, every ally counted.