The Curse of the Desert Temple

Chapter 10 - Allies Assembled

"How could you do this?! I HELPED you!" Tara screamed, trying to move.

Gene cackled. "You did, indeed. But when I saw what you did, I realised -- what if I can take you ALL?! If there are other people in this world who have powers like you, I can force them to HELP me! I CAN RULE AND DESTROY THIS WHOLE WORLD WITH PEOPLE AT MY WHIM! BWAHAHAHAHA!"

Gene coughed on his laughter, slightly breaking his magical hold on Tara. She threw her tarot cards at Gene's face and ran off. She dodged Mortis and leaped over Rico, knocking his head over. She climbed back up the rope ladder with haste.

I think I can make it!

"NOT SO FAST!"

Gene clutched his scarred face with one hand and balled his other hand. Tara's back glowed red. She felt herself climbing down the ladder and walking back to Gene involuntarily. 

Gene flashed a wicked smile as Tara stopped in front of him. "When we hugged, I placed a spell on your back. It's a control spell. I can control the actions of the wearer of that spell. The only one I memorise, but a good one."

He gestured to Mortis and Rico and they all teleported outside the temple with a cloud of smoke.

"Where are we going?" asked Tara as they started walking.

Gene pointed at a faraway place. Tara squinted at the direction. There were cities, a bazaar-- wait.

"Brawltopia,"Gene answered."Our first place in the world to destroy."

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Sprout didn't know why he was asked to go to human Sandy. Ten minutes ago, he had been sitting on a chair on a sandy shore by the sea, known as a 'beach'. He scribbled his sunglasses on and sipped some 'lemonade'.

Parent Rosa had told him that she was going on an extended period of leisure and recreation -- apparently a 'vacation' -- with other brawlers. She invited him to come along.

As he watched the other brawlers play in the water, his red light shone blue. It was a message from human Sandy to come to his house. Sandy looked at Parent Rosa and Bea playing in the water. Surely they would not notice if he was gone...

Sprout made his decision. He programmed his destination to Sandy's before driving off.

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Gale sighed in the hot sun. It was nearly summer, but the ol' weather was darn sweltering! Mr.P had given him a day off, but he found nothing else to do and decided to work his other job as a merchant. He sat on the carpet of stuff he had laid out in the deserted street. Where was everyone? 

All of a sudden, a pigeon flew by and clonked the old man with a rolled-up piece of paper. The pigeon landed on his head and pecked the note. Gale, still confused, opened the note. Apparently, Sandy wanted him to his house. He chuckled. "Haven't seen that lass in a while. Might as well come."

He packed his stuff and lashed out a Spring Ejector. 

"Welp, hold on to ya hats!" 

He bounced on the spring trap and flew to the young lad's house.

_______________________________________

"Ya sent to them all?" Jacky asked, looking in the distance. "Cuz I ain't seeing anyone."

"You'll see," Carl said. "I sent text messages to all the brawlers. For those guys without phones, I sent carrier pigeons."

"Where in Brawltopia did you get carrier pid--"

"Hello,"Sprout said robotically, arriving from the distance.

Carl watched Sprout drive into the house. It was funny observing him try to roll up the front steps.

"Okay, that's one," Carl said. "How come there are so few brawlers that are free?"

"I am told that most of the brawlers are taking a 'vacation'," Sprout said in a robotic voice. "The rest are most likely busy." He did something akin to a shrug.

Suddenly, something flew through the air and landed on top of Sprout. It was Gale, holding a basket. A snake slid out.

"Oh no you don't!" Gale chuckled, catching it with the basket lid. "Sorry, lads. I be selling stuff just now. Part time job."

"I see," Carl muttered, helping Sprout up."That's two."

Sandy nodded and explained the situation to all of them.

"What you're saying is that we be fighting THREE demons, the most powerful with NO DARN WAY to defeat him?" Gale asked, slightly annoyed.

"Well, unfortunately, yes." Ricochet said, scratching his back.

Carl tuned the conversation out. He looked up at the sky and shuddered. The eclipse was just about to start. A sliver of darkness was visible on the shining sun. Were they ready?

"When will the others come?" Gale asked, grabbing his basket.

"Well, one other brawler who would come is--" Carl started.

BOOM!

A loud explosion stunned them all. Carl rolled about in fear. Smoke emanted from the bazaar's gate; one of Brawltopia's entrances.

The sky slowly darkened with black clouds, with only the sun showing. Lightning fiercely flashed in the sky.

Wait a second, Carl realised, looking closer at the flashes, This lightning is red!

He reversed slowly and bumped into Sandy. Carl quickly apologised, but Sandy seemed not to notice. He stared into the distance.

Carl followed his stare and froze. His oil ran cold. In the distance was Gene, Mortis and Rico, all changed.

But what had caught his eye was a figure that stood next to Gene, seemingly troubled.

Tara.