The Klatzen Army (Full Story): Written by Exodus, Original Story by Exodus In the kingdom of Hydronia, a cluster of islands ruled under one leader, a small disturbance was occurring, but not on the land, but rather, deep under the ocean. The cackling of a female could be heard as a long green machine pushed through the waters, its destination: A large research facility located deep under the sea. The submarine’s name was Barracuda, it was a large and long machine built to resemble a fish, behind its fins and tail were several jets, and at the front, just below the thick transparent screen was a long spear that could rotate as fast as a drill, and underneath it, a huge cannon. This was the weapon and transport of the water demon, the sea witch Ulsia, she had pale blue skin, pink armour plus footwear, long arms with a razor edge to the fins at the ends, long orange hair, and red eyes, she was the mother and leader of the strange creatures known as Klatzens. Klatzens came in all shapes and sizes, and as far as it was known, only Ulsia could create them, they were usually short, measuring around half the size of a human, and wrapped around their chests and stomachs were a silver armour that allowed them to breathe out of water. On the soles of their spiked feet were flat silver metal plates connected to allow these strange rubbery creatures to walk properly, and finally, Klatzens usually wore a bowl-like helmet on their head, of which were two holes at the sides of the top to allow their bobble-like antennae to rise out of. Those were the usual aspects of a Klatzen, as their colour, appearance and abilities usually differed. The colours of a Klatzen were Ulsia’s choosing, and the appearance and abilities were always related to certain sea creatures, or animals that could manoeuvre underwater. She was currently in the process of creating one now, once a small shapeless blob, her machines drove in chemicals and tiny particles to give the creature its abilities, and soon after, life. Ulsia’s only three Klatzens stood in a semi-circle behind their creator, and the metal table the experiment was being performed on. The first was Octron, Ulsia’s first Klatzen, and the self-proclaimed leader of the others, he was purple with a red helmet, but instead of two arms, he had six tentacles, each very strong and deadly. The second was Pirano, a turquoise Klatzen wearing purple with sharp blades on his wrists, and a wide mouth with many teeth, he was a swift attacker but a little too bloodthirsty, and he had a habit of challenging Octron for leadership. The third was Scissors, not one of Ulsia’s best experiments, he was yellow with orange armour and large pincers, unlike the other Klatzens, a little machinery was used to connect the large crab-like claws to his arms, Scissors was somewhat deranged and dumb, but a wicked opponent to face. And now, the forth Klatzen was coming into being, he was green and short, a mixture of metals and chemicals formed the armour, helmet and footwear, this was the same for all Klatzens, as the adjustable armour could shift to suit their shape shifting abilities. Usually a Klatzen’s ability to manipulate and transform their bodies was extremely limited, but this one was the exception, as Ulsia poured all her energies, resources and effort into building the perfect Klatzen. Strangely enough though, the creature abilities of this one were frog-like, but what with the abilities to summon water magic, and to stretch and morph his body into virtually any shape, it didn’t matter. “Mom, are you sure about giving so much power to this newbie?” questioned Octron. “Yesss.” hissed Pirano in his usual fashion, “I thought the reassson you didn’t give usss ssso many abilitiesss wasss becaussse it could have weird effectsss on usss.” “Uh huh, like madness, turning against you, or worse... Becoming good.” finished Scissors. “I understand because I was the one who told you that!” snapped Ulsia, “But after creating you three, I know I can create something better... And cease calling me that name!” “What name Mom?” asked Octron. “THAT ONE!” screamed Ulsia, she was trying to raise an army, not a family. The final stages were complete, the eyes of the forth Klatzen shot open and stared upwards through magenta eyes. “I have implanted the information you’ll need to serve me Pluton, where your older siblings have failed, you shall succeed. I wish for you to destroy that accursed underwater research base, as the ones there race to steal powerful sunken treasures from my grasp.” “... Destroy...” whispered Pluton slowly, “I can’t. I won’t!” “Say what?!” screamed Ulsia. “I told you, the worse effect of all! He’s good!” screamed Scissors. “After all the abilities I gave him... Boys, kill this foolish traitor so I can retake the magic and powers and put them into a new Klatzen!” she ordered. All three Klatzens leapt up at the table, but in a moment, Pluton melted his body into a puddle and slithered away as his brothers made the table clatter to the floor and ended up in a heap. “Where is he?!” growled Octron, before Pluton swiftly reformed before the octopus-based Klatzen. “Here.” he said confidently. Octron twisted his body and went into a spin, his six tentacles outstretched and flailing through the air. Pluton had fortunately prepared for this, having had plenty of information on his powers and abilities fed into his mind not too long ago, he shifted into a puddle and Pirano was now revealed, but too late to stop. The piranha Klatzen was batted across the room, while Pluton picked on the deranged crab Klatzen Scissors. “Hey you!” “Raaaar!!!” he screamed, the two claws open and aiming to catch Pluton, but once again he vanished and Scissors was barely able to slow himself down in time to avoid cutting off several of Octron’s tentacles. Finally, Pluton appeared at the only doorway of the room and gave off a confident wave, “Bye everyone, I’m outta this dysfunctional family.” “Get him!” shouted Octron, pointing a tentacle forward. “Why should we take ordersss from you?!” screamed Pirano. “Cos I’m older.” “Jussst by a few minutesss! Mom created me ssstraight after you!” “I’m the most dangerous Klatzen of all, why don’t I get a chance to lead?” intruded Scissors. “No, you’re the ssstupidest Klatzzzen of all, you don’t get a sssay.” replied Pirano. “Why you!...” With that, Scissors attacked Pirano, around the same time he attacked Octron, and while that little fight happened, Pluton managed to slip out easily. “You fools! Stop this fighting then seek and destroy Pluton!” screamed Ulsia. Down one hall and to the right, Pluton kicked off a metal hatch and leapt out of the sub, gravity temporarily kicking in until he fell out of something and into the cold waters. It seemed that despite her creations and nature, Ulsia was an air breather, and the magical bubbles that shielded the entrances/ exits of Barracuda were set to prevent water from flooding in. Not too far away, Gear and Kirie saw Turok and Lucia off, as the two robots, equipped with new equipment dived down into the depths of the ocean to answer a distant call from the seabase Paragon. “So tell me again why we’re all the way down here?” questioned Turok. “Since the empire is quiet for now, we the Resistors can take on other missions, no matter how small or strange. We’re here to protect the seabase known as Paragon from an apparent demon that lives underwater.” recited Lucia. “Okay, any description on this demon?” questioned Turok. “Very vague ones, armour, red eyes, a rubbery body, and controls a huge submarine.” “Looks like our work is done, its right there.” pointed Turok to the small green Klatzen swimming nearby. “You’ve gotta be kidding... That little shrimp’s the big evil of the seas?” asked Lucia in disbelief. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, let’s get this done quickly and return home.” nodded Turok. Pluton noticed Turok and Lucia and he too misunderstood the situation, “Robots now? I’ll destroy everyone who gets in my way!” With that, the material on his wrists shot up as they transformed into long blades connected to Pluton, he then he propelled himself forward, but Lucia blasted to the side with the use of her jet packs and dodged the attack. The Klatzen didn’t stop there, and outstretched his arms to a normal range and a powerful current of water blasted forward. Turok fired a charged blast to disperse the water aimed for him while Lucia activated yet another of Gear’s upgrades and summoned a small barrier to repel the spell. She fell back a little, drained of energy temporarily but the Klatzen was worse off as his spell’s power doubled as it shot right back at him and drove into him hard. He fell to the seabed weakly and look saddened, “Fine... You win, take me back to Ulsia...” “Um, who Is Ulsia?” asked a confused Turok. “You don’t know? Isn’t that why you attacked me?” questioned Pluton. “We don’t serve this ‘Ulsia’, we fought you because you were headed towards Paragon to destroy it, right?” inquired Lucia. “I was, but not to destroy it... Obviously we both made mistakes... I’m Pluton, a Klatzen, but I’m not evil like the others. Ulsia created me to be the best of her warriors and gave me water magic and morphing powers in addition to my basic abilities, but in doing so, gave me the strength to go against her plans.” “So you were escaping to Paragon.” stated Turok. “Yes, and I’d be okay there since this suit I wear allows me to breathe out of water. Even though I was just born I have a lot of knowledge about what’s happened down here and I’ve got the maturity of a teenager.” Pluton continued to explain. “Listen Pluton, we’re sorry for jumping to conclusions, we’re from the world above and we came here to stop this Ulsia from destroying Paragon, with all your powers you’d sure make a great Resistor.” said Turok. “Re... Sistor?...” questioned Pluton. “A team of heroes that protect this world from evil people and demons.” explained Lucia, before whispering to Turok “But aren’t we at full capacity now?” “Usually, but didn’t you hear him, he’s a shapeshifter like Morph, isn’t that worth making exceptions for?” “I’ll take your invitation into account, but right now I’d like to help Paragon from Ulsia before its too late. I could sure use some help... Uh...” “Turok, and she’s Lucia.” “And we’d be glad to help you stop Ulsia.” “Then you can die with him!” shouted a booming female voice. The three turned to the large submarine close by, and the three Klatzens plus Ulsia inside a magical bubble approaching. “Pluton! You will serve me and destroy Paragon!” “Ulsia?...” questioned Turok. “Yes... My apparent mother... I’ll never serve the side of evil and destruction!” Pluton called out. “Then in that case... I can’t let you live... Klatzens! Kill Pluton and his robot friends!” The three Klatzens attacked, each choosing an opponent to face. “Why don’t you get acquainted with my friendsss, Brother?...” grinned Pirano, unleashing a swarm of tiny piranha-shaped robots kept in a small compartment in his armour. Octron swung one tentacle at a time at Turok, who caught two of them but was unable to protect himself from the most part of the attack on account of not having the same number of arms. “Let me give you a hand, or four!” The four remaining tentacles whipped around hard and dealt Turok many blows, forcing him to fall back and let go so that all six tentacles could wrap around and crush Turok. Lucia propelled herself back as Scissors lunged towards her, his two crab claws punching forward to get her. Lucia neglected to take the landscape into account and crashed into a tall rock, this gave the crazed Scissors a chance to close his claw around Lucia and position the other around her neck. “Here comes Scissors to chop off your head!” “You’re all in trouble!” laughed Ulsia, before explosions were heard. Scissors was blasted back as a small missile from a Resistance submarine had been launched at him, Kirie and Gear jumped out wearing underwater equipment and went to help their friends and new ally. The robotic fish converging and biting on Pluton were blown up by a yellow flashing light from Kirie, and finally, Gear propelled himself forward and gave Octron a good kick. “Raaaar!” screamed an enraged Scissors, closing his claw and cutting the tube that provided air to Kirie. “Guys!” she screamed. “We’ve got to retreat.” called Gear, “Everyone in the sub! We can fix Kirie’s equipment there and then fight back against this demon...” “My brothers won’t let us escape, and Ulsia’ll just get to her sub and shoot us down.” stated Pluton wisely. Scissors propelled forward, his claws snapping open and closed wildly, Gear did the same minus the claws, but upon passing Scissors, he did something swiftly and swam away, the metal bolts that secured the large weapons to Scissors fell apart. “Once upon a time, these bolts held your claws together, which means you’ll not bother us for now.” said Gear, throwing the attachments down a small fissure. Octron and Pirano moved forward, but Scissors intervened and grabbed them both with his misshapen hands, “Help me! I can’t do anything!” “Get off!” they shouted. “I can’t do anything!” whined Scissors again. “We sssaid Get Off!” shouted Pirano, before both brothers got into a fight with Scissors, and Ulsia failed to break it up immediately. “Now’s our chance to escape.” called Pluton... Shortly after in the research base Paragon, the Resistors had explained the situation to Ariel, the leader of the group that worked there, and of Pluton’s nature. Ariel wore a turquoise top and black trousers, she had shoulder length blue hair and green make-up applied around the eyes. “... We have the resources to fight Ulsia, but not the skill, most of the staff here are researchers, not fighters or pilots.” she explained. “If you’ve got any submarines with weapon systems, then we may be able to handle Ulsia, I doubt ours alone would be able to stand up to her gigantic sub.” requested Gear. “We have many, but for such a favour, we need you to do something in return...” proposed Ariel, though a little guilty in having to request something back. “We’re listening.” shrugged Turok. “We’ve been waging a long fight with Ulsia for a while now, and barely held out against her onslaught, we need someone to protect us.” she stated. “We can do that Ariel.” smiled Kirie, “You could call us and we could be right here.” “That may not be enough.” she sighed. “Just agree everyone, it’ll be okay.” said Pluton, before being led away by Ariel. Soon afterwards, three silver submarines equipped with powerful weapons left Paragon to confront Barracuda. “So those meddling fools think they can stop me?... A little time, and I can power a blast so powerful, it’ll destroy all those fools and Paragon in one shot. Klatzens! Attack!” ordered Ulsia. The three warriors left the submarine and went ahead of it to hinder the Resistors, Pirano started by unleashing the full force of robotic fish upon Gear and Kirie’s sub. “They think the sub’s their lunch.” stated Gear. “Well they’re in for a shock...” added Kirie, touching the side of her head with one hand, and the side of the sub with the other. An aura surrounded the sub, one which short circuited every fish and sent them drifting down lifeless. Pirano’s eyes widened as the whole of his miniature army died and left him on his own, “I’m ssso outta here!” He tried to swim away towards Barracuda, but was blasted by Gear. “You’ll pay for breaking my weapons! I’m returning the favour!” screamed Scissors to the sub which Turok and Lucia piloted. He’d only had time to fix one of his weapons onto his arm, the other was complete but not connected to him, Scissors swung around holding the claw and then sent it towards Turok and Lucia’s sub, a mechanism was activated to make it snap open and closed on its own. Turok slowed the sub down and Lucia jumped in front of it and repelled the claw with another barrier. The claw came snapping back, and Scissor had to defend himself with the other claw, but the speed of the dismembered one tore into the other and reduced both claws to fragments and twisted metal. Scissors screamed as he swam away but was hit by the submarine’s projectiles. Meanwhile, Pluton drove his sub forward to stop Barracuda before it fired, but Octron leapt in the way and outstretched his every limb to stick onto the front screen and block out all sight. “You can’t see Mom and Barracuda now Pluton!” he laughed. “Maybe not, but I’ll make due with a little thing called the radar!” replied Pluton confidently. Pluton stretched a part of his arm, and cut it off by turning his other arm into a blade and slicing across, it didn’t hurt as it was just a little excess part of him. With it he tied up the controls to keep them locked on course, and then bailed out the bottom of the sub, while it kept on going towards Barracuda. “Ha ha ha ha- Huh?!” screamed Octron in realisation, “Aaaaaaaaargh!!!” Ulsia was nearly ready to fire the destructive beam when she saw Octron pasted onto a sub plotted on a collision course. “No... NOOOO!!!” The sub crashed into the large cannon and tore into the submarine, the energy from the cannon was still existent, and it exploded, damaging the huge submarine a lot. Octron ended up in the cockpit, part of the other sub was wedged through the wall and Ulsia was in danger since the front screen was smashed as a result, her bubble seals shattered due to loss of power and water flooding in. “Must... return to Shell-ter...” she growled, “Octron! This is all your fault!” “Sorry Mom...” As the sub retreated, Ulsia could be heard screaming, “Don’t call me that!...” “Wait for me Mom!” called Pirano and Scissors as they desperately swam to catch up. “Mission complete!” cheered Pluton... Back in Paragon, the Resistors and Pluton were congratulated by all the staff. “Pluton, that was an excellent job you did.” smiled Kirie. “The offer’s still open to join us, you’d be a great addition to our team.” added Lucia. “I would like to... but I can’t.” he replied. “Why not?” asked Kirie in surprise. “Maybe in the future I could, but not now. I want to use my abilities to protect the people here, I’ve decided to become their guardian. All they want to do is research the sea and locate lost artifacts, while all Ulsia cares about is ruling the seas and using the lost treasures for evil deeds. I hope you understand...” he explained. “Sure.” sighed Gear, before handing Pluton a silver comm-watch, “But if you ever need our help or reconsider, you can reach us on this device.” “Is it waterproof?” questioned Pluton. “Of course, so keep it with you at all times.” Gear added. “Thanks guys, when Ulsia is less of a threat to Paragon, I’d be glad to fight for your cause.” smiled Pluton. The comm-watches of the Resistors started to beep, and each read them briefly. “Looks like we’ve got to get back to work.” said Turok. “We’ll be seeing you then.” added Gear. “Bye guys.” smiled Pluton. The Resistors left in one of Paragon’s subs, in order to research the technology to enhance their own subs for the future. “I’ll do what it takes to protect this place...” spoke Pluton as he watched them disappear. “Come now Pluton, we’ve got a lot of work to do...” said Ariel, leading him away, and deeper into his new home. End Back to “Volcano” Click to read the next story: "The Tunnel” Back to “Demons and Disasters” Back to the Library