The gang had returned to Clevergreen City, their boots a little dustier and their spirits a little stronger. With their sights set on Shuriken City and the next medal, a pitstop in familiar territory seemed like a chance to rest, refuel, and maybe grab a snack that wasn’t roasted by Ninecoat.
But fate, as it often does, had different plans.
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Scene: Clevergreen City - Streetside Encounter
The busy sidewalks of Clevergreen buzzed with activity, but one voice cut through the crowd—a familiar, sharp, and obnoxiously loud voice.
Marcy (smirking):
“Well, well, well. If it ain’t Kouchu the crybaby!”
Kouchu froze mid-bite into his takoyaki.
Kouchu (muffled with food):
“Huh?! M-Marcy?!”
Narration:
Marcy Kimensho. A girl with a sour face, mean fists, and an even meaner temper. Twelve years old, same age as Kouchu, and somehow meaner now than she had been when she used to dunk his lunchbox in the school toilet.
She strutted up with a cocky sway, holding a tiny, mushroom-like Crystal Monster in her arms.
Shauna (raising a brow):
“Who’s this clown?”
Marcy (grinning):
“Name’s Marcy Kimensho. And don’t call me a clown unless you wanna be flattened. I work with the Menace Five. For money, obviously. Not friendship.”
Sakuro (coolly):
“So a mercenary. How original.”
Roaracryst (sniffing Marcy’s Crystal Monster):
“Hey, what’s with the mushroom? It smells like old socks and trouble.”
Marcy (smug):
“This is Maruka. She’s cute, but she’s not here to be cuddled. She’s here to wipe the floor with you.”
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Scene: The Sidewalk Showdown
Kouchu (clenching his fists):
“Alright, Marcy. Let’s see if you’re still as tough as you were in first grade.”
Marcy (cracking her knuckles):
“I was tougher in kindergarten. Bring it.”
The battle commenced right on the city street—Roaracryst versus Maruka. The townsfolk gathered in a circle, drawn to the chaos like moths to flame.
Kouchu (pointing dramatically):
“Roaracryst, use Shuriken Storm!”
Roaracryst leapt into action, swirling with dazzling energy, blades spinning in a gleam of precision—
Marcy (bored):
“Maruka. Do that thing.”
Maruka yawned. A literal yawn. Then absorbed the Shuriken attack like it was lunchtime.
Roaracryst (blinking):
“Uh… Kouchu? It bounced off like jelly!”
Kouchu (stammering):
“H-how?!”
Sakuro (flatly):
“She’s a Dark type. Roaracryst is Shuriken. They’re weak to Dark.”
Shauna (crossing her arms):
“Didn’t you study the type chart I gave you?”
Kouchu (awkwardly):
“I thought that was a menu…”
(Hey, Roaracryst! Use an all-day special with Shuriken sliders and a drink!)
Marcy (laughing cruelly):
“Still the same old dumb Kouchu. You’ll never beat me, and you’ll never be Champion. Now hand over the Crystal Balls or I’ll take them by force.”
Kouchu (angry)
“What was that?!”
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Scene: The Tables Turn
As Marcy and Maruka advanced menacingly, Roaracryst stumbled to his feet, determination in his eyes.
Roaracryst (panting):
“I… I’m not giving up, Kouchu! Even if she’s meaner than a sack of wet socks!”
Kouchu (gritting his teeth):
“No. We don’t run anymore. We stand and fight!”
Just then, Shauna discreetly slipped her communicator out and sent a quick signal.
Shauna (smirking):
“Oh look, what’s that? Backup.”
Red and blue lights flashed around the corner as the local Clevergreen Police pulled up.
Officer Jenny-lookalike (sternly):
“Marcy Kimensho! This is your third Crystal Ball theft charge. You’re coming with us.”
Marcy (whirling around):
“What?! You snitched?!”
Shauna (coolly):
“It’s called being responsible.”
Marcy (fuming):
“You haven’t seen the last of me, Kouchu!”
Kouchu (confidently):
“Yeah, but next time, I’ll be ready. And maybe study the chart first.”
Roaracryst (waving):
“Bye, Maruka! Stay sour!”
As the police carted her away, they announced her punishment: a week of community service at the Clevergreen City greenhouse. Marcy screamed in protest as she was loaded into the cruiser, Maruka puffing spores in passive aggression.
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Scene: Back on the Road
As the sun set over Clevergreen once more, the brawlers resumed their journey.
Kouchu (clenching a fist):
“She may be stronger now, but I swear… I’ll get stronger, too. I’ll surpass her. I’ll become Master Champion.”
Shauna (patting his back):
“And maybe learn the difference between a type chart and a takeout menu.”
Sakuro (quietly):
“Still, that Maruka was unusually strong. We should be careful.”
Roaracryst (cheerfully):
“We’ll be ready next time. With more snacks!”
Mouselette (nodding):
“Snack power is real.”
As the team headed toward the next part of their journey, their bond—like their resolve—grew even stronger.
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Narration:
Every step forward brings new trials. Old bullies, new threats, and lessons hiding in failure. But Kouchu’s dream has never burned brighter.
Onward—to Shuriken City!
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End of Episode 8.
