Underdepth

Chapter 17: JULIUS IS PISSED

Zachary was digging... And digging... Until he finally popped his head up. "Digging can be hard work.

He was in the CELL. Everyone jumped back at his sudden appearance. Mia spoke nervously "H-How did y-you get in here!? W-WHO ARE YOU!?" Zachary pulled himself out the hole and dusted himself off "My name is Zachary! I was digging my way to get more supplies, but I guess I ended up here! Wait where is this place?" Cassia placed a hand on his shoulder. "Darlin', you're in a prison cell. And now you're stuck in here with us. Whoop-de-doo." "Ah! Don't worry! The fantabulous Zachary can get you all out of here!" Everyone got their hopes up. Regita hushed them, before Mindy can hear. "Wait.... How?" Zachary opened up a giant rabbit hole. "Jump in!" Noila observed the hole "we have to jump in... There?" "Yepperoni! Its the only good mode of transportation! Now let's go!" he pushed them in and hopped in after them. The hole closed without a trace.

Julius was dragging his feet across the ground like a bull. "Still waitin' for an explanation!" E.C.H.O. put Marie safely to the side. "Stay there. I'll handle this. Alright, Julius. Want the truth? Ok. I quit." Julius' eyes turned a darker red than usual. He took out a pole with a drill on top. "That's it. Time to die." he charged at E.C.H.O. with the pole. "I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY, SHORTY!" Julius tripped him and whacked the back of his head with it. "looks like YOU were the one who fell short!" suddenly, Zachary's rabbit hole appeared. Him, Mia, Cassia, Noila, and Regita all hopped out the hole. Julius looked back. "More of you, eh? Come on then! Step up!" They all charged at Julius except Zachary and Marie. It resulted in them all being sent flying back towards a tree. E.C.H.O. got up. "Alright, Julius. You're going to force me to use my secret technique!" Cassia got up, holding her arm. "What do you mean "secret technique"!? You're gonna toss us in a cell again!?" "No! It's something different!" Noila spoke gruffly "just tell us what to do and we'll follow your lead, E.C.H.O!"

E.C.H.O. made a smug grin and chuckled. His chuckle turned into a laugh. His laugh turned into a cackle. He then picked up Marie, placed her on his back. He ran away while spazzing out. "RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!" Noila carried Zachary, Cassia carried Mia. Regita was trying to catch up. "AW MAN, I KNEW YOU WERE GONNA DO THAT!!!" Julius grew stilts out the bottom of his feet while screeching "EEEAAAAAHHHH!!!!!" he chased after them, making a clank noise for each step he took. E.C.H.O. kept spazzing out. "I HAVE AN IDEA! LET'S GO TO PEPPI'S IT'S THE ONLY PLACE WHERE HE WON'T HURT US ALL!" they passed the Barking Forest. They all trumpeted like elephants when they saw Julius approaching. The farther they ran, the more they approached Peppi's shop. Noila slashed down a tree to distract Julius. Luckily, Julius tripped over it and could not get up.

They got to Peppi's shop. Thank. God. Marie has never felt more happy. E.C.H.O. opened the door. No customers...? Well, Peppi just opened up shop. "Eh? What's going on- MARIE!" She ran to Peppi and hugged her tightly "I... I missed you..." Peppi smiled "even though you've been out for half the day, I missed you too." she saw the gang. Cassia went to Peppi and smooched her face. Not surprising since she's over dramatic about everything. "I missed you, darlin'! *gasp* don't tell me your makeup ran out!" "Ehehe... No, it didn't, Mon ami. Its still there. You.... You honestly scared me when you left to Mindy's castle by your self... I'm just glad you're safe." Peppi kissed Cassia's cheek. Now, would anyone like to explain what's going on?" E.C.H.O. stepped over. "Julius is chasing after us! He-" Peppi slapped him at mach 2 speed. Didn't even look like she moved. "OH WHAT THE QUAP EVER!" "That's for locking her in a cage!" she stomped on Noila's feet. "OW! OW! THAT ACTUALLY HURT!" "And that's for attacking her! Now apologize!" they both looked at Marie. "We're sorry..." Marie hugged them both. "Its okay! I forgive you guys!" Peppi patted Marie's head "You are one strange little human. But, that doesn't mean you're not the best one around. Now, continue your explanation." E.C.H.O. held his face. "Basically, Julius is chasing after us. We ran here because this is the only safe place." "Julius.... I felt like I heard that name before... Never mind. As long as they don't find us here, we'll be fine. In the mean time, you guys look hungry. So take a seat, okay?" Zachary excitedly "OOH! Can I have some fantabulous relish pizza?" Cassia rubbed her belly "mmm.... I could really go for some diet pizza right now...." Mia looked at her with a disgusted expression "what the heck is a diet pizza?" "Oh, it's with mozzarella and cheddar with light sauce!" Peppi added on "it's the ONLY. PIZZA. YOU ORDER." "Well I have to eat healthy! Otherwise I won't be able to dance so perfectly! My fans adore the way I dance! So can I please have a diet pizza?" "fine... I'll get them ready

Julius RAMMED through the front of the restaurant door, breaking the surrounding wall. "HERE'S JULIE!"

[Ah yes. My favorite running movie trope]

Peppi observed Julius. Recollection almost flashed in her eyes. But she snapped out of it "WHO ARE YOU!? EXPLAIN N O W!"

great. Now Peppi is pissed. Julius was about to talk, but felt something piercing through him. It was Mumbo. That genie shived a pillar through Julius' chest. He coughed up dust and felt himself slowly dusting away. Everyone gasped and panicked. They all ran in a big pile. Marie was in the front. She also cowered in fear. "So... This is the human, huh? I thought they would be more brave. And look at your friends. All of them, cowards." Regita stepped forward "h-hey! She's not a coward! I-if anything... She's brave! More brave than you! You're just all talk!" Noila pulled Regita back "Don't go any further. I sense a major corruption in his power..." Zachary just walked up to him no problem "Maybe he has a reason for wanting to kill us all! How about we try reasoning with him!" Cassia ran up to Zachary to pull him back "Darlin', wait!" Mumbo lifted his giant fist. It looked like it was gonna hurt. Bad. E.C.H.O. had his long tail pull them back from being punched. Peppi balled her fists "what do you want... WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" "I'm glad you asked, you pizza loving fool. I came here for one reason.... To destroy her." he pointed at Marie "now let me handle my buisness. Considering it... Well... Putting her put of her misery" Peppi jumped up and spin kicked him across The face. "DON'T YOU DARE LAY A HAND ON HER!" "okay first off: what.
second: THE HELL!? I was NOT expecting that to happen!" Peppi tackled him and readied her fists. "Wh-what are you.... Doing...." she combo punched him in the face and chest. Everyone stared in shock. Peppi picked up Mumbo, then proceeded to punch him through the kitchen wall and out the restaurant. Peppi's hair was all curled and frizzy. "Um, Sugar Pie, your hair.. It's kind of-" Peppi looked at her hair. "Ehehe. Woops! Got carried away." she untied her bun.

Oh. My. Lord. Long red beautiful hair. Hair that reached to her elbow. "Repairing these walls are gonna take a while. But I know it'll be fixed!
.....
Why are you guys staring at me?" they all clamored about Peppi's hair and how she beat the genie. Julius, however, was still dusting. He was no longer under the genies control. "H e l p... P l e a s e h e l p......" Marie tried looking for some food to give him "He's still alive!!! How!?" Mia slowly went up to Julius with Golden Flower Tea "his DETERMINATION is keeping him alive... Here, drink this..." Julius took the tea weakly and drank it. His HP has fully been restored. Peppi placed a hand on his shoulder. They stared at each other for a bit. It's like they had a faint connection. Julius shook his head and limped away. Not looking back. "D-don't bother following me...."

Marie saw the yellow star again "Knowing that you have a big challenge ahead...

It fills you with determination."