"..." = Speech
<...> = Thought
---
All four of them stood a bit behind where they initially landed.
In front of them was a machine that, at least the two natives of Sequin, instantly recognised as one of the tremble engines from Risky's Tinker Pirates.
Behind them was the middle child from the "Bugkini Squad" who stood with a fairly disinterested gaze and arms crossed. Of course she was careful about the spikes coming off her forearms. Purposefully having those pointy things pointed downward to avoid poking her wonderful melons or clothing.
This was likely the moment where Shantae would say something like "Oh they must have gotten these clothes from you, Sky!". Yet she was far too busy focusing on something other than the clothing of the hot purple bug MILF. She wasn't even looking at the machine they had come for.
Instead she was trembling while looking off behind it where the giant unblinking shell - the size of a hill at the very least - stood unmoving as a constant shadow over the subterranean town.
Her face clearly displayed her dismay.
Although their insectile guide didn't seem to pick up on the emotion, only the fact she was focused on that massive exoskeleton, causing Jawdrop to tilt her head toward the thing herself. "Oh, sorry, we should have cleaned that up but they are hard to move around. As such we kind of leave them upside where they are out of the way of the hives day to day activity."
Lifting her shoulder in a nonchalant shrug as the mask covering her face suspiciously trembled (almost as if something a little more than a mouth hid below) as she let out a soft chuckle. Meanwhile Shantae could only slowly turn her head - her group flinching as they could practically hear the sound of rusty gears slowly turning within the genie's neck - toward Jawdrop. Giving her a blank stare.
"And… What are they?" Her voice is as dry as they come.
Jawdrop didn't seem too bothered by the question. "That one is Buckshot's husk from when she was evolving into her current form; fortunately our growth is far less messy after that."
Entire body deflating in defeat.
Still, she had enough energy to continue their adventure, it wasn't as if Risky Boots would stop just because she was having a metal crisis. They needed all the help they could get. "So did you two figure anything out about this thing?"
Turning to look at how the duo were handling things.
Albert & Sky.
"What, why do you think we'd figure anything out, you've seen three of them while I've only ever seen the one Bolo somehow managed to get working!" Sky said all the while shaking her fist at the genie.
Although the genie in question didn't seem convinced as she tapped her chin. "Well if Bolo can figure out how it works then you two could surely do better? You know all about alchemy and stuff while Mr Albert is also a man; there is nothing you two shouldn't be able to do that Bolo can!"
"I only know about bio-alchemy not alchemical engineering - plus being a man has nothing to do with being good with machines!" Throwing her arms out in defeat at her friend's own dumbassery.
Albert just laughed while awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.
A bit depressed that he couldn't actually help her.
"Maybe it still works…?" That soft voice got everyone to turn towards the resident wind spirit who rarely shared her thoughts with more than a subtle motion.
Instantly Sky shook her head. "There is no way they didn't sabotage it."
"I did indeed catch the strong one's arm when she was reaching into the machine." Jawdrop decided to add before a rather suspicious clicking sound came out alongside a slurping from behind that mask. "It was maybe the most delicious thing I've eaten in a while…"
"W-Wait you ate Risky Boots arm?!" Shantae squealed while clapping her cheeks.
Surprisingly that got the bug trembling. "If she were here we would have just let them leave without even trying to take our pound of flesh; we know a real monster when we see one."
The genie's rude thought was one she chose to keep to herself.
"So it was most likely one of the BatGals you caught." Sky considered aloud.
Turning toward her group with a smile. "Then Miss Aria may actually have a point - if we're lucky the woman wouldn't have been able to finish her task. At least it's unlikely to randomly blow up on us; so go ahead and jump atop it!"
Giving Shantae a bright smile and a thumbs up. Of course she also stepped several meters back while she was saying that - their two friends from foreign lands also joined her. "What the hell; how could you say it probably won't explode then run as far away as you can get!"
"Just because I don't think it will explode doesn't mean I shouldn't take precautions - plus you are way more sturdy than me so I doubt'd hurt… Probably." Shaking her head and waving off Shantae's complaints.
Sadly no amount of pouting would fix it.
So after a minute of standing there, doing absolutely nothing, Shantae eventually gave up with a sigh and jumped up atop the plunger for the third time.
Hands covering her ears as she ducked down into her best impression of a ball.
That didn't exactly help convince her it wasn't going to explode (quite literally) under her feet.
Although, when the shaking stopped she neither felt hurty nor burny, she cautiously had one eye peel open to inspect the outside world.
Gone were the beautiful crystal shores and shimmering sands - replaced instead by some thick mud and gnarled trees that happy bugs crawled all over. It was exactly the kind of place one would imagine a gigantic bug colony would call home. And all things pointed to that being exactly what it was.
"It would seem we owe you a lot, young genie, perhaps we could interest you in a job as Bog Town's own guardian genie." That bug mommy spoke up as she approached Shantae. "I'd need to discuss it with my sisters but I'm sure you will be warmly welcomed."
Nodding her head with what was probably meant to be a reassuring expression.
Even if it was a bit hard to get across on account of the face mask she wore.
"You know… You did get fired by that no good mayor and, despite fixing the bay issue, we haven't heard hair nor tail from him about bringing you back as guardian genie." Sky unhelpfully added.
Shantae's face was very unamused. "..."
"I mean, they do seem nice?" Another idiot piped up in the form of Albert.
Although a glare from the purple-haired genie ended up making him gain a sudden grand fascination in that gigantic insect husk.
Finally taking a deep breath as she turned toward the good natured bug; giving her as close to a smile as she could manage when imagining what life would be like in Bog Town. Living in tunnels filled with creepy crawlies way larger than she was. "Yeah… I thought about it… I think I'll have to think about that some more after I do some thinking."
Her eyes were hollower than Bolo's head.
More devoid of life than the Mud Bog.
"Huh~ that is a shame but I suppose it is asking a lot; making you upend your life and leaving everyone you know behind to live here." Jawdrop said with a wistful sigh.
Shantae just nodded with a concerning expression frozen on her face.
Sky, seeing her teasing maybe went a little too far, scratched the corner of her nose while clearing her throat to gather attention. "Well, I think it's best we head to the palace now…"
---
"You know, I did consider pushing you off but I realised I have no idea how to fly Hatchet, though I did learn a spell to walk on air." Shantae mumbled as she looked out over the cloud-sea they soared over.
Eliciting a flinch from Sky.
Fortunately her wishes were answered.
As they arrived.
"Woah the palace looks beautiful…" Unable to stay mad as she took in the sights.
In terms of beach front property, it was hard to imagine anything else on the market coming close to competing with the building below, those waters looking a lot more inviting without the bug husks. A grand structure faced inland - presenting a grand entrance with many stylized supports standing along the outer walls of the grand palace. In terms of appearance it was a beautiful mixture of white & red.
Like a heavenly palace; only made more believable with the backdrop of the shimmering crystal waters from before now being paired with glimmering diamond like sand. Then, in front, was a completely glorious orchid with a plentiful amount of plump fruits. "This place is more like an oasis than oasis town!"
"Looks even better from below." Albert said softly from the carriage clutched between Hatchet talons.
And below they went.
It was at that point that Shantae made another discovery. "This place is huge!"
Their arrival was a healthy walk away from the entrance yet with how much she was forced to crane her neck to look at the top of the gate…
It felt like she was now the bug.
This time to scale.
What once seemed like a large palace suddenly became a colossal one - Shantae had the strange feeling she may be smaller than the massive knobs halfway up the double doors. Only made worse by the fact the trees were in no way normal either.
"These make Mrs Hatchet look like an average sized hawk…" Albert said as he stepped out from the carriage to look around with wonder - receiving a chastising squawk for his comment . "Honestly don't remember these trees being nearly as big the last time I was here; back when I took a job from the palace to clear out a group of ogres in spider forest."
"W-Wait does everyone except me knows my supposed sister!?" Throwing her hands up.
"Professionally, it would seem that way." Sky decided to helpfully add with a smirk.
Aria promptly raised her hand while the other was being used by Albert to help her down from the carriage they rode. "I don't know her but I've felt her."
"You… Felt her despite not knowing her?" Shantae's eyes are full of uncomfortable questions.
Although the emotionally brain-dead spirit just tilted her head before nodding. "Mhm, she is very big, it is hard not to feel her no matter where I am."
"..." Of course the genie could only stare with her mouth ajaw.
Even Sky was completely baffled.
Albert could only rest a palm against his face with a long sigh at his wife's poor choice of words.
Eventually the group arrived at those massive double doors only to meet with a massive suit of crimson armour that peered down at them. A rumbling voice echoed out the armour. "The Sultana has been expecting your visit… Even if she didn't mention additional guests."
The grinding of metal rang out as they turned their head towards Albert. "Welcome back to the Sultana's lands - Mercenary King Albert Waldstein - may I inquire as to what brings you back now you have a title?"
Those beady eyes hidden behind the T-shaped visor narrowed.
Their tone far from polite
Although Shantae didn't seem to care as she immediately grabbed the "Mercenary King" by his shoulders to shake him around. "WAIT, YOU HAD A REALLY COOL TITLE AND DIDN'T EVEN SHARE!"
"I-It isn't that big of a deal…" Avoiding eye contact as he was shaken back and forth.
"Not a big deal my ass; not just anyone can get called something cool like Mercenary King!" She rebutted.
He just sighed while Sky shook her head at them before turning to the door guard. "We're here about that pirate's latest plot to rob us all blind. Those two, apparently, have learned some super special technique that lets genies enhance "mortals" so we brought them along to see the Sultana."
Motioning to Albert (who was still being shaken like a soda can) and Aria as she spoke. The guard just silently stood there, watching the domestic going on, then at the air headed blonde who seemed to get distracted by a butterfly. Following it around with her mouth open enough to catch some more bugs.
"I… See you have a unique party with you, Lady Sky, you can head right in." It also seemed he promptly decided to not worry about it as he turned toward the door.
Only now that they were this close did Shantae realise that the doors didn't have just one pair of handles.
There was a pair low enough for someone to use… Then another pair a couple meters higher than those.
That knight soon unlocked the doors before pushing them open in a surprising display of strength that left the genie blinking. She was sure she could do it but she also wasn't human.
Shaking that off as she looked inside the doorway to see the rows of crimson armoured knights.
Each as intimidating as the last.
She decided to not think too hard about that and just strolled down the hallway with as much confidence as she could project. While also feeling strangely nostalgic as she looked around - a curious thought entered the back of her mind.
Mind wandering back to the brief moments of childhood bliss that she recalled.
Those corridors had many supporting pillars, as well as various off shoots, although strangely some of them were regular person sized. Meanwhile other places were just as massive as the front door. Foiling the idea that the grandness was just to make the front seem more impressive.
Soon enough they found themselves standing in front of a pair of far more ornate doors that were every bit as large as those at the entrance. Strangely the knights in front of those doors had blue armour with golden trim rather than the red with gold that seemed to be the norm. Either way. they ended up opening the doors without so much as a word.
The crimson carpet the group entered on continued into that room and ended at the feet of the one who ruled over their land.
Quite literally.
Upon a throne that was clearly too small for her, with the golden arm wrests even below her hips, she somehow managed to make it seem like a none issue due to theauthoritative ease she lounged with. Her left leg resting atop the right. Resting an elbow atop those knees to hold her hunched over cheek as she watched the group enter with calm eyes.
Her posture was no doubt casual yet the profound weight those calm eyes held made anyone take everything she did seriously. Surprisingly her skin tone was actually the darkest Shantae had seen if you didn't include TinkerBats. As if to balance it out her hair was also the most vibrant.
Being a, quite frankly, beautiful teal under a white shawl.
A golden ornament acted as a crow from which a flame-like fringe was threaded through the center to defy gravity just like a real flame.
Around her neck and from her ears hung even more gold; though it was hard not to get drawn to the necklace on account of it sitting over two wonderful peaks. Additionally she had giant green bracelets that demarcated her true race. Yet it was hard to believe she was related to Shantae when…
"HOLY GIANT LADY!"
She was the reason everything around the palace was seemingly built for someone meters meters tall.
Because she was at least ten meters tall.