Chapter 105: Before the Big Reveal

Chapter 105: Before the Big Reveal

Dylan was enjoying himself against the Quli. Dr. Zlo hadn't been able to defend against the Quli back at his old mansion, so the novelty of the tower defense hadn't worn off yet. Not even after four hours of the minigame. Instead, Dylan had used it as practice for his upcoming scheme.

"Did you think you could attack Dr. Zlo's base and get away with it?" Dylan shouted at the walker.

It responded by stepping forward, its tentacled limb spiraling around a tree. The mech's chassis was similar to that of the four-legged walker but was only a bulbous head instead of a head and body. The three legs were the only weapons either player could see on the machine, and both wondered how it would attack.

"Hah! It was easy to infiltrate such a paltry base," Oro said, playing along with Dr. Zlo's antics.

Dylan switched his attention to Oro, happy that someone was there to join in on the fun. Dylan had inklings of it when the player tied up the heroes, but now he was sure that Oro was just as big a fan as Dylan when it came to trope-y hero nonsense. Right now, Oro was giving Dr. Zlo a chance to monologue. He pretended to be the captured hero that would somehow inevitably escape the villain's evil clutches. Sure, the two players weren't reenacting the trope exactly, but it was the spirit of the thing.

"But now you've fallen right into my trap, oh Oro!" Dr. Zlo continued. "In mere seconds, my alien helpers will reduce your body to a paste." Dr. Zlo threw a hand toward the walker.

"Not if I can help it!" Oro said, leaping onto the mech.

"Get down from there! Alien! Kill him!"

The Quli mech lowered its chassis to the ground and started using its three legs as appendages. Oro ducked and dove through the whipping tentacles, like a boxer weaving through punches. It was an impressive sight. But as the hero moved closer, the legs moved faster, eventually halting the golden man's advance.

"Like an overgrown sea anemone will stop me!" Oro asserted.

Dr. Zlo swooped down while the legs were distracted, dropping one of his self-destruct patches onto the top of the chassis. A limb tried to swipe at him, but Dr. Zlo activated his teleport belt and jumped out of the way. He appeared a few feet away from the mech, hands fiddling with his cane.

"How dare my own creation try to strike me! Take this!"

Dr. Zlo fired a stream of adhesive gel out of his cane at the walker's leg joints. The gel stuck onto the machine like a spider's web, holding the leg still for half a second. That half-second of time was all Oro needed to dash into range. The hero grabbed the side of the mech and heaved himself upward onto the top.

The hero looked down at the self-destruct patch, "Ah-ha! I've found your weakness, Dr. Zlo!"

Dr. Zlo reeled back in shock, "What? Impossible!"

Oro slammed a hand down onto the mech's chassis, Dr. Zlo hitting the detonator in his hand at the same time.

"Ten seconds to self-destruct," A woman's voice intoned.

"You fool!" Dr. Zlo shouted. "Now, we're both going to die!"

Oro leaped off the mech, falling into a roll on the ground. He sprang up on both feet, leaning into a full-on sprint. "Better run then!" the hero called back.

Dr. Zlo rocketed off into the sky and back to the fortress. He fired off two more shots as he did, aiming for the walker's legsthe first of his quick shots smacking against the mech's windshield. The second connected with the limb but failed to land close enough to the foot to stick the mech to the ground. No time left, Dr. Zlo left the mech to its own devices while he flew away.

The sound of wood breaking made him turn. The mech had grabbed a tree with its appendage and uprooted it. Seeing what was coming, Dr. Zlo urged his boots to go faster. He kept his eye on the walker as he did. Sure enough, the mech hurled the tree at Dr. Zlo in an attempt to take the man out of the sky. The villain dodged with ease and turned around to taunt the mech.

"You got it, Dex," Shizuka said over the comm.

Menagerie made their way out of the forest and back onto the hill, making small talk as they did. Oro and Dr. Zlo were still performing their act; the hero grilling the villain like a cop in a detective novel.

"We know you did it, Zlo," Oro said as they walked up the hill.

"Why, officer, I don't have the slightest idea what you're talking about."

"Don't get lippy with me," Oro snarled. "We know you're the one behind all the recent alien attacks."

Dr. Zlo placed a hand on his chest and gave an affronted look. "Me, officer? You must be joking. I'm only a humble scientist."

"Then what were you doing with all those space rocks!"

"You'll have to be more specific."

"Alright you two, can it with the act for a second," chuckled Rampart.

Dr. Zlo whirled to stare at Rampart. "Act? Act?! I assure you, I am always serious!"

"Yes, you're very intimidating," Sweet Dream said sarcastically. "That hat alone sends me to my knees in terror."

"As it should," Dr. Zlo nodded.

"Anyways" Merla said, trying to push the conversation towards something productive.

"Right," Rampart said. "You've all come up with a plan I take it."

Dr. Zlo clasped his hands together, "Of course! And it is the most sinister plot you will ever hear!"

"Oh dude! Let me tell it!" Riptide said with a raised hand.

Dr. Zlo deflated. "I wish you wouldn't interrupt my speeches."

"Yeah, Rip," Sweet Dream said, elbowing her boyfriend in the ribs. "Don't you want to hear his master plan?"

"Sorry, dude," Riptide said sheepishly. "Got ahead of myself."

"Don't let it happen again. Now, where was I?"

"Announcing your diabolical plot," Shizuka said helpfully.

"Yes It goes a little something like this"