[Scene: Route 4 – Morning After the Rain]

  The brawlers—Kouchu, Shauna, Sakuro, and their Crystal Monsters—trudge down the muddy path, still covered in whipped cream, feathers, and random pranking materials left from Tricko’s trap house.

  Shauna (visibly annoyed, picking spaghetti off her boot):

  “I swear, if I see another whoopee cushion today, I’m gonna throw it into the sun.”

  Kouchu (laughing):

  “Hey, at least it wasn’t haunted like that one house.”

  Sakuro:

  “I could use a bath. Or five.”

  Mouselette (sniffing herself):

  “I smell like disappointment and banana pudding…”

  ?

  [Scene: Crystal Springs Spa]

  A peaceful, mountain-based hot spring village nestled between stone cliffs. Gentle steam rises in the air. The group arrives, eyes gleaming.

  Shauna:

  “Finally. Sanity. Peace. Warm water.”

  Reception Lady (a kind old woman):

  “Welcome to Crystal Springs! Rest, relax, and let the magic of the minerals wash your worries away!”

  ?

  [Scene: CrystalMart Stand at the Spa]

  While the group soaks in hot water, Shauna browses a small vendor’s stand near the spa entrance.

  Vendor Lady:

  “Ah, dearie! You’ve got that stressed-out sparkle in your eye. Might I suggest… this!”

  She holds up a glowing blue vial.

  Vendor Lady (whispering):

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  “Blue Crystal Potion. Just 50 peridots. Promotes energy, growth, and clarity. Good for humans and Crystal Monsters alike.”

  Shauna (fascinated):

  “Oooh… Sounds harmless.”

  She pays the 50 peridots and walks back to the hot springs with the potion.

  ?

  [Scene: Spa – Chaos Begins]

  Shauna gently pours a few drops into Mouselette’s drink while Mouselette soaks beside her.

  Shauna:

  “Here, Mouselette. You’ve earned a little boost.”

  Mouselette (taking a sip):

  “Mmm! Tastes like bubblegum and sparkles—”

  Suddenly, Mouselette freezes. Her cheeks puff up. Her eyes widen. Her ears twitch rapidly.

  Mouselette:

  “…Uh-oh.”

  Mouselette doubles in size with a loud POP! Her tail splashes into the spa, sending water flying everywhere.

  Kouchu (shielding himself):

  “Whoa! Was that supposed to happen?!”

  Sakuro (reading the bottle label):

  “It says ‘for external use only.’ Shauna…”

  Shauna:

  “I thought it was a drink! She said it was for energy!”

  Mouselette (now large, pacing):

  “I feel… STRONG! And… and ANNOYED THAT THIS TOWEL IS TOO SMALL!”

  ?

  [Scene: Crystal Springs – Mayhem Unleashed]

  Mouselette begins growing each time she gets angry. Small at first. Then big. Then huge. Then towering over buildings.

  Mouselette (now kaiju-sized):

  “NOBODY GIVES ME SPARKLY DRINKS WITHOUT ASKING! RAAWR!”

  Tourists and bathers flee. The old vendor lady hides behind her booth.

  Shauna (desperate):

  “Shari has to have a fix! I’ll call her!”

  ?

  [Scene: Hologram Call to Shari]

  Shari (on hologram screen, snacking):

  “You gave her blue potion?! That stuff was recalled in four regions! It causes aggressive enlargements!”

  Shauna:

  “I KNOW THAT NOW!! Do you have something to fix it?!”

  Shari:

  “I’ve got a shrink beam, but if the potion took full effect, it won’t work unless her heart rate’s calm. You have to get her to chill out first.”

  ?

  [Scene: Spa Village – Operation: Calm Mouselette]

  Kouchu and the others try to calm her down. Roaracryst waves sparklers. Ninecoat makes shadow puppets. Sakuro juggles spa rocks.

  Kouchu (yelling up):

  “Mouselette! Remember when we first met you in the tall grass? You were the bravest little spark I’d ever seen!”

  Mouselette (snorting):

  “Y-You remember that? I was small… but feisty…”

  Shauna:

  “And now look at you. Still feisty—but also loved. We don’t care what size you are. We just want our friend back.”

  Mouselette (sniffling):

  “You guys… You really mean it?”

  She glows slightly, then begins to shrink down—slowly… slowly… until—

  POP!

  She’s back to normal, wobbly and teary-eyed.

  Mouselette (quietly):

  “I missed being small… I couldn’t scratch my ears as a giant.”

  ?

  [Scene: Post-Mayhem – Spa Ruins & Gratitude]

  The spa is soaked and partially damaged, but the villagers and bathers return.

  Vendor Lady (apologetic):

  “I-I’m so sorry, young lady. I never thought anyone would drink that!”

  Shauna (deadpan):

  “Maybe you should’ve led with that.”

  Mouselette (drying herself off):

  “Next time, I’ll stick with juice.”

  ?

  [Scene: Heading Back on the Trail]

  The brawlers walk off toward Route 5 as the sun sets.

  Sakuro:

  “Well, that was… another normal day in our very normal journey.”

  Kouchu (laughing):

  “Crystal Brawlers don’t get days off, huh?”

  Mouselette (hopping on Shauna’s shoulder):

  “I may be small now—but if anyone spikes my drinks again, I will go kaiju.”

  ?

  [To be continued…]