Sorry it's been a while. My computer is like...the only computer I've used since starting fanfiction? It's really old. And really doesn't like internet. I'm L
lucky I managed to get it running today. Which if anything looks off I apologize. It's still having some issues. Anyways I don't own anything to do with Slugterra. I wish I did. But I don't.
Eli frowned thoughtfully as he laid on his sleeping bag, reading a book Trixie had from her school days. It explained more about the slug energy and he was starting to get curious. It seemed the slugs contributed a lot more than he ever thought. Suddenly Trixie frowned, having been scanning a little hand held device "Um...we might have an issue. Sort of. I think?" Trixie said unsurely.
Eli looked up while Kord stopped working on his mecha, both males giving her their undivided attention "What's up?" Eli asked.
Trixie cocked her head, trying to read the message another way "Um...you've been...sent to jail?" she asked.
Eli blinked, exchanging looks with Kord "You mean I have a warrent?" he asked.
Trixie nodded, looking very confused "No. They said they...they have you. And they want a ransom to get you back before turning you over to Blakk?" she questioned.
The younger Shane and cave troll exchanged looks. They were all extremely confused. "Uh...they don't honestly expect us to buy that. Do they?" Kord asked.
Trixie shrugged before her face lit up "Ah! There is video! Here." she said eagerly.
They all gathered around to watch as a man appeared with a cruel smile "Hello, 'team Pronto'. I have here your couragous leader." he said.
He then moved the camera angle to reveal...a molenoid. The molenoid scoffed in annoyance "I have already told you the great Pronto works alone." the molenoid said in annoyance.
Eli groaned "Great. My name has gotten this guy in trouble." he said in annoyance.
The man then appeared back on the camera "You have till the end of this week to give me all of your slugs or I will turn him over to Dr. Blakk. Remember, the end of this week." the screen went dark, leaving the rest of them in mixed states.
Trixie was groaning in annoyance, Kord was rubbing the bridge of his nose, and Eli was hitting his head with his book "So what's the game plan?"
Trixie scowled "We need to free them. He's only there because of me." he said.
Kord nodded "Only question is...how?" he asked.
Eli frowned "I...may have an idea." he said. He then leaned forward, telling them his plan.
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Eli frowned as he looked through his scope that Kord gave him. Kord grinned "I even got this speedstinger. This scope gives you all of the calculations you need which are updated to his goggles. To get the trick shot you need this is the only way possible." he said.
Eli sighed shakily as he accepted the slug "Hey Stunts. Welcome to the team." he said.
He then looked at Kord and Trixie nervously "Any other advice?" he asked.
Trixie shrugged "Quite honestly I still say that shot is to close to impossible." she said sadly.
Kord shook his head 'Unless you were Mario Bravado." he said.
Eli perked up while Trixie groaned "Mario Bravado?" he asked.
Kord nodded "Yeah. He was a trick slinging legend. But he went off the grid suddenly. Word has it he runs a pizza place around these parts." he said.
Eli's eyes lit up "What if I got his help? You guys could scope out the prison and I could get him to help us." he said.
Trixie shook her head "I don't think it's going to work but honestly? It's the best we've got." she said.
Eli nodded "Then it's settled. I'll meet up with you guys as soon as I can." he said.
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Eli frowned as he walked up to the pizza place "This doesn't seem like the right place." he told Joules.
But he still walked in and his doubts were erased. For there was Mario Bravado, complete with his uniform on the wall and his speed stinger on the counter. Eli grinned as he walked up to the counter, the man turning to him "Welcome to Ricochet Pizza. How can I help you?" he asked.
Eli grinned "I'm looking for Mario Bravado." he said.
Immediately the man frowned while his slug winced "Well then your out of luck. He's not here." he said cooly.
Eli frowned at that "Look, I think I know who you are and word on the street is your the only one who can make the shot I need." he said.
Mario scowled "That Mario is retired. I only sling pizzas now. So if you want to keep talking, order something." he said.
Eli was starting to get frustrated "I don't think you understand the stakes here." he said.
Mario held up a hand "No. No pizza, no talking." he said.
Eli rolled his eyes in annoyance "Then I'll have the super slinger super cheese. Now will you just hear me out?" he asked.
Mario was now glaring at this point "I already told you. I'm retired." he said.
Eli frowned "And you'll stay retired even if it means some one could possibly die?" he snapped.
Mario frowned at that but continued working on the pizza. The younger Shane was furious at the blatent ignoring "Look, I know a bit about being famous. I do. I'm the leader of the Pronto Gang." he said.
Mario Bravado scoffed "That rag tag team of heroes? Your barely starting to register on the map." he said.
Eli frowned a that but...he did actually know what it meant to do exactly as Mario was doing "Okay then how about this. I know what it means to hide who you are." he said.
Mario rolled his eyes "And how would a kid know what I am going through?" he asked.
Eli hesitated before strengthening his resolve. That molenoid needed his help. Even if it meant risking himself "Because my name isn't Pronto. I'm a run away hiding from my dad." he said.
Mario shook his head in annoyance, turning away once more. Eli however wasn't done "And my full name is Eli Shane." he finished.
That caught Mario's undivided attention "Eli Shane? As in...Will Shane?" he asked.
Eli nodded stiffly "I'm his son. I've been hiding because he will make me stop slinging. I ran away and I won't go back. unfortunately the name I took has gotten somebody else captured. That's why I need you to make this shot. Because it's my fault. I will do anything to help him." he said.
Mario looked thoughtfully at that before nodding "Alright. I still won't make the shot but...if what you say is true you might have the potential to learn. I will teach you how to make the shot." he said.
Eli's heart leapt "Seriously?" he asked.
Mario nodded "Yeah. Let's get training." he said.
Eli grinned full heartedly "Alright."
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It took all night long but by morning..."I think your ready." Mario said, grinning.
Eli smiled gratefully "Thank you. For doing this." he said.
Mario shook his head "I have a feeling I'm the first person you've truly told who you are. That tells me just how far you are willing to go. I can respect that." he said.
The thirteen year old looked at Mario in confusion "Why did you stop slinging?" he asked.
Mario sighed, petting his speedstinger "I was on top of my game. I thought nothing could go wrong. I got cocky and said a few things I shouldn't have. I got called out. If I lost I had to quit forever. I honestly thought I couldn't be beat. I was wrong. I got hit by a slug I hd never seen before. I never want to see it again." he explained, looking haunted.
The younger teen frowned "It was a ghoul. Wasn't it? You fought Dr. Blakk." he said softly.
And judging by Mario's flinch he was right. Eli shook his head "You realize Blakk would never uphold his side of the agreement right? In fact, using the ghoul is technically cheating. What I stand for? That's something small. Even my dad stands for something small. But from the little bit I've heard from you, you are a slinging legend. People still revere your name. You are a hero." he said.
Mario frowned, glancing at his uniform before glancing at his slug that nodded. Finally he smiled "Alright. I'm in. But your still making the shot." he said.
Eli nodded "I wouldn't have it any other way." he said happily.
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Eli smiled as he saw Trixie and Kord by the prison "Sorry it took so long. But I needed a bit of training. I also brought help." he said, motioning to the man behind him.
Kord's eyes lit up in awe "Mario Bravado?" he asked.
Eli nodded "That's right. So what's the status?" he asked.
Trixie winced "We have a slight problem. They aren't holding up their end of the bargain. Apparently having our 'leader' is to much of a threat. They are moving him." she said.
Eli paled "When?" he asked.
Kord pointed a the train "Now." he said.
Eli scowled, quickly spurring into action "I trained for a trick shot! Not this." he said in frustration.
Quickly the others all got into formation, chasing after the train. Eli aimed his blaster, knocking some of the black goons off of the top of the train. He then leapt off of Lucky and into Kord's wagon, Mario following suit. This way they could focus on slinging. "Looks like we have a bigger issue!" Kord shouted, pointing to where the train was heading.
Eli nodded "I see it. Kord, focus on driving. Trixie, spotter." he said.
He then looked in worry "I'm not sure of what to do." he confessed quietly.
Mario placed a hand on his shoulder "You can do it Eli. Just remember what I taught you. Find the ingredients. The layers. Plan it out." he advised.
Eli nodded at that, feeling calmer as he looked around, connecting with his slugs more in that moment than he ever had. His eyes shifted with Stunts and they both knew what had to be done. And so he shot. Stunts ricocheted, almost to fast for the eye to follow. Trixie bit her lip before her eyes widened as the car disconnected before the track suddenly switched, putting the prisoners on a different road. Mario then took over, firing his own speedstinger and took out the door and handcuffs of the prisoners "Jump!" Eli shouted, getting the prisoners attention.
The other three prisoners didn't hesitate. "Cliff!" Trixie shouted.
Eli paled as he looked over, seeing the car rapidly approaching a cliffs edge. And the molenoid was still on board. He was also hesitating. Unfortunately that hesitation cost him dearly. Eli didn't think. He reacted. He shot off Suds, ricocheting him off of a pillar and down in the cliff. For a moment they watched with bated breath before Suds came up, the molenoid inside. Eli sighed in relief, his knees buckling as he dropped. "You did good kid." Mario said, earning a grin "Yeah. That was pizza slinging." he said.
The molenoid frowned "All of this talk of pizza makes Pronto hunger for...the extra cheese." he said. Eli chuckled at that. He had succeeded. And he was feeling pretty good about himself.
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Later that night Eli and the others were at Mario's eating pizza to celebrate. Eli smiled gratefully "Thank you. For everything. And if your ever looking to take up slinging there is always a spot on our team." he said.
Mario shook his head "Maybe eventually. But not right now. You're a good kid. But maybe it's time for you to think about taking your own advice about running away. I'm sure your dad would understand if you explained it." he said.
Eli smiled painfully "I'll consider it." he said. He then turned to Pronto "What about you Pronto? Chances are others may accidently target you. It's always safer to be in a group." he invited.
Pronto looked thoughtful "I am a skilled tracker so it is only natural you would want Pronto the Great in your group. Alright. I accept." he said.
Eli grinned "Welcome to the group Pronto." he said.
The molenoid nodded "It is an honor fellow Pronto." he said. Eli exchanged looks with his friends who nodded.
He then took a deep breath "Actually...it's Eli." he said. After all...perhaps it was time to stop running away.