Chapter Text
The booming echo of a firing cannon awakened Shantae from her sleep, the half-genie jolting up in her bed with shock. An explosion followed, which was then accompanied by the sounds of numerous panicked screams. Instantly, she knew what was happening, and never hesitated in the slightest with preparing for the task ahead. Dressing herself, she exited the lighthouse that was her home and made her way into Scuttle Town, where she immediately found her friends waiting for her.
“You should take a look at Risky’s new machine!” Bolo yelled amongst the screams of the fleeing citizens, pointing at what was in the distance. “It’s taller than the other ones!”
“I think we’re all aware of that.” Sky was sarcastic towards him. “Mimic’s evacuating with everyone else, so we’re going to join him. Give it your best shot!”
“Thanks, sky!” The guardian half-genie was cheerful despite the danger. “I’m ret-2-go!”
Shantae ran through the oncoming swarms of panicked humans, leaping up onto the roof of a small house before running along its roof and jumping onto yet another building that was twice its size. Her target was straight ahead of her and was difficult to miss. It was a giant wooden ship that was walking on land, courtesy of three long piston-motioned legs, with two large cannons on both of its sides. Seen operating the cannons were short skinny black beings in scarlet shorts and matching bandanas - the Tinkerbats - while the sole person operating the contraption at the back by using a hybrid of a wooden steering wheel and electronic system had pale purple skin and a skull bustier.
The half-genie continued leaping across the rooftops, avoiding the blasts of the cannonballs each time they fired towards her. After jumping across at least more than a dozen rooftops, she jumped onto one of the mechanical legs and climbed her way up as if it was a pole. She then swung herself onto the deck, whipping her hair at the Tinkerbats that charged towards her with their scimitars before running up to the bridge to confront the pirate mistress.
“Risky Boots!” Shantae named the woman. “You do realise you are going to get your butt kicked as you usually do when we fight?”
“Well, I think I’ll try and avoid that.” Risky stepped away from the wheel and pulled her scimitar out of its scabbard. “Remember, I have defeated you before.”
“Yeah, well let’s avoid a repeat of that, shall we? Once I’m done with you I’ll have to clean up as I usually do.”
On the edge of Scuttle Town, which was practically a cliff, its inhabitants were watching the new Tinker Tub with anxiety as they all hoped the guardian half-genie was going to be able to take it and its occupants down.
“Can you see anything?” Bolo asked Sky nervously as she looked through her binoculars. “Is Shantae winning?”
“Let me concentrate!” the hooded teenager replied with annoyance. “I can’t see. They’re too far away.”
“Couldn’t you just send Wrench over with a camera or something?”
The wren/finch crossbreed that was on Sky’s shoulder squawked at him, indicating it was offended.
“And risk him getting killed? I doubt it!”
“Let’s all be patient about this,” Mimic reminded them. “I know we’re all worried about her, but we all know what she’s like. If anything, she’ll most likely be fine.”
Sky gave out a small sharp gasp, alarming the blue haired male. “What is it?”
“There’s a red light flashing. I think it’s going to blow up!”
“It’s a good thing we’re a far distance away from it then.”
“Wait - I can see someone moving. It’s Risky, and she’s being followed by Shantae!”
“What are they doing?”
“They’re talking to each other.”
“What are they saying?”
She looked back at him with infuriation. “I can’t lip-read,” she plainly said before resuming her viewing of her friend’s actions. “Risky’s climbing onto the edge of the Tinker Tub. I think she’s going to jump!”
“That’s suicide!”
“I wouldn’t say so,” Mimic told him. “The machine is now standing in the sea. Knowing her, should she dive correctly, she’ll get away.”
“She’s jumped. I can’t see where she’s gone because of the buildings blocking my view.”
“What about Shantae?” Bolo asked with anticipation. “Has she followed after her?”
There was a long silence before Sky replied “she has now-”
The Tinker Tub exploded, making the citizens of Scuttle Town avert their eyes as the flames burned. Once they all looked back, only one thing came to their minds as Mimic quietly spoke the name they all thought of:
“Shantae!”