Crow

Hive, HB’s Lab

[Story, ch3, from main room]

H.B.: So that's what the readings meant…

Kabbu: Doctor, is Leif okay?

H.B.: According to the tests, ancient crystal fragments lie within you. If I'm not wrong, you can use magic?

Leif: Yeah. After we woke up in Snakemouth, it just suddenly came to us.

Vi: So that wasn't a super bad lie?

Leif: ...You still doubted us?

Kabbu: Given the weirdness of it, I'd tally it to healthy skepticism.

H.B.: Magical powers are a common side effect of a body being linked to these crystals.

H.B.: Although there's still something our scanner couldn't identify. Something else may be inside your body.

Leif: Something else?

H.B.: ...If you'd let me put you under for a while, I could look into it.

Leif: Er, put us under?

H.B.: You know. Fast asleep.

H.B.: Then we explore your insides after cutti-

H.B.: W-What!?

(minibubble) Vi: Woah!

Kabbu: Leif, you had this sort of power?

Leif: N-No. It's weird. We just moved on our own…

Leif: ...Sorry. We don't know what happened. We're not too keen to be put under, however.

H.B.: An involuntary self-defense mechanism…

H.B.: Leif, was it? Give it some thought. Your condition is fascinating.

Vi: I'm starting to get worried…

Leif: Don't be. We feel fine.

Kabbu: We're getting closer to the truth, although there's much left to answer…

H.B.: Well, I think we'll leave it at that for today. Sorry for distressing you.

Leif: It's okay, really... Thanks.

Vi: Welp... We're going to be late to the meeting, aren't we?

H.B.: Ah, yes. The Ant Kingdom brought the materials for the key replacement, right?

H.B.: I've heard there's four other explorers looking around the Hive.

H.B.: Could you round them up in front of the throne room? I'll meet you there when I finish some things up.

H.B.: Crow!

Crow: C-called me, doctor?

H.B.: Round up the data! We have work to do.

Crow: Ah! Y-Yes, doctor!

Vi: Great... A walk around the Hive.

Leif: Can't be the worst thing. We'd like to get to know this place.

Textbox: Leif can now use Bubble Shield Lite in battle!

Crow: There's so much data to sort through...It feels like I'll never finish!

[Quest: Card Masters of Bugaria]

[if you talk to her before the factory]

Crow: ...! Y-you're card players?

Leif: Yes. You know any Card Masters?

Crow: Well, I'm a bit busy...I-I can help you find them later.

Honey Factory, Entrance

Crow: ...This looks so complicated... B-but I can do it...

Honey Factory, Core

Crow: My hands hurt...but we finished the core in time!

[We're ready.]

Overseer: Ok, here we go!

H.B.: There it is... The factory's core!

Leif: So this is the core... It's a bit unsightly.

H.B.: Heh. It was definitely designed with function over form.

Crow: This is such a big day! The core's never been replaced!

Crow: If this goes awry, the whole factory will explode...

Gen: WHAT DID YOU SAY!? EXPLODE!?

(minibubble) Eri: Seriously!

H.B.: CROW! I told you that was a 0.004718% chance! Shut up!

Crow: S-Sorry, Doctor…

Vi: Phew...I don't want to be here if it's going to blow up!

Kabbu: Oof... Please do not scare us like that.

H.B.: Sigh. We'll have a talk later, Crow.

(minibubble) Crow: Eep!

H.B.: I was going to give a speech, but the mood's ruined...I'll just replace it now.

(minibubble) Mothiva: (Finally...)

Leif: What is it now!?

Gen: Oh no, oh no no no no!!!

(minibubble) Zasp: Mothiva! Behind me!

Kabbu: Everyone, be on guard!

H.B.: Hohoho. Calm down. Watch this!

H.B.: Deactivation code 940906!

Drone: CORE PROTECTION PROTOCOL: AUTHORITY OVERRIDE.

Drone: CODE 32 IN EFFECT. DEACTIVATION COMMAND REJECTED.

Drone: OBJECTIVE: PROTECT CORE AT ALL COSTS!

H.B.: WHY would they ever code that in!? ...NOW YOU CAN PANIC!

Crow: Doctor! W-What do we do!?

Leif: Leave it to us. We'll knock this thing out.

Vi: Yeah! We ain't leaving without the artifact!

Zasp: Team Snakemouth, we're going to have to work together.

(minibubble) Mothiva: Think of all the fame… That we'll get for this!

Eri: We're here, too!

Kabbu: Everyone... Alright! Take care of all the Bee-Boops! We'll take care of the big one!

Mothiva: You'd give ME such a simple task?

Vi: Shut it! They're coming! Just do your job!

Mothiva: Grr... Whatever, let's go!

[post-battle]

Drone: MISSION... FAILED... SYSTEM... CRITI... CA...

Kabbu: We've done it!

Mothiva: You should have left the big one to US. And saved us a lot of time!

Vi: Shut it, Mothiva.

Zasp: Hmph. Good moves. At the very least we've accomplished our goal.

Leif: We can agree for once.

Gen: Uh... Yup! Good job, everyone!

Mothiva: You did almost NOTHING!

Eri: S-So mean…

Crow: W-Well done, teams! We can replace the core now!

H.B.: Still, what a shame... Such a beautiful machine reduced to scrap.

Crow: W-We'll fix it later, doctor. Could you replace it? I really want to leave!

Vi: No kidding... Feels like we've been here forever!

H.B.: Alright, alright. Here goes nothing. Hope it doesn't explode.

(minibubble) Leif: Now you're worried?

Textbox: Factory Core Reset Completed.

H.B.: There ya go. Bet ya can't tell the difference. I'm a genius!

Crow: Awesome, doctor!

Kabbu: Mission Complete! We can finally leave!

Mothiva: Yeah, yeah... Can we have the old core? To give to the Queen, of course.

(minibubble) Vi: Hey!

H.B.: Of course.

Mothiva: WAIT, NO, GIVE IT TO M-

Textbox: You have found the Ancient Key!

Textbox: Team Snakemouth cut across the vast Lost Sands, thwarting a gang of bandits along the way.

Despite Vi's foul mood, the team took the Defiant Root's elevator, arriving at the Bee Kingdom.

Leif had a scare, but the team learned more about what happened in Snakemouth Den.

Vi was convinced to reconcile with her sister, and faced the Queen of all bees.

Although the factory tour went a bit awry, the explorers worked together to replace the core.

Now, all pieces have been assembled. Is the Everlasting Sapling finally within reach?

End of Chapter 3.

Leif: Wusk tav hyr?

H.B.: Fascinating. Your condition... I haven't forgotten. Think about my offer, okay?

Mothiva: ARGH!

Vi: Just ambush us later for it. See how well it goes for you!

Zasp: Hm. You're growing bolder, you brat.

Kabbu: N-Now, now. We can all go home, surely that is reason to celebrate!

Gen: You got it! We're going for some Succulent Berries!

Eri: See ya at the palace!

Mothiva: Ugh... They better mention all the HELP we gave you. Or you'll see.

Zasp: Shall we go, Mothiva?

Mothiva: Yeah. Whatever. Tomorrow's a new day for glorious fame!

H.B.: Oh, right. One last thing. Pass by my lab when you have time. There's something cool I'd like to show you.

Vi: Sure thing, doc.

Crow: Ah. you're dropping by? I better ask the Queen about the shutdown real quick, then…

Crow: Um. Thanks for everything, see ya!

Kabbu: Huff... What an exhausting tour that was. But it was fun, too.

Vi: You've got a real weird idea of fun.

Leif: We should go hand over this artifact. Let's go, everyone.

Hive, HB’s Lab

[Quest: Card Masters of Bugaria]

[first talk after factory]

Crow: ...! Y-you're card players?

Leif: Yes. You know any Card Masters?

Crow: Y-yes, I do. The Card Master is, um...

Crow: It's me!

(minibubble) H.B.: Not this again...

Kabbu: This dueling aura!

Crow: When it comes to cards...I won't hold back! I won't be defeated!

Leif: We expect nothing less of a card master!

(minibubble) H.B.: Please be quiet...

Crow: Prepare as you must. This will be a duel for the ages!

[talk again]

Crow: You ready for a real duel!?

Textbox: Bring it on!

Not yet.

[Lose]

Crow: You're no match for me at all!

Vi: I liked her more when she was quiet.

Leif: That really was a great duel, we can't deny it.

Crow: Come back when you have better cards! T-That should help a little.

[Win]

Crow: Ugh... How could I be defeated...

Leif: You're the strongest opponent we've faced.

Crow: ...Sigh. The doctor's gonna make fun of me later…

(minibubble) H.B.: Yup.

Crow: But that was a great duel! U-Um, I'll upgrade your card now.

[Final Master]

Crow: And that's it. You've got a full card!

Crow: Show it to the old sailor at the pier. He'll take you to Metal Island for real cheap!

Vi: Really? That's awesome!

Leif: We can finally test our mettle against the tournament's best.

Crow: Good luck! You're strong, Leif. B-but you're gonna need it!

[Masters Remaining]

Crow: Huh? You're missing some Card Masters? Did you confuse Chuck for me?

Kabbu: Not exactly... Don't worry about it.

Crow: Well, um, if you're up for a rematch... Just talk to me, ok?

(minibubble) H.B.: Nooo!

[talk again after beating]

Crow: Hey Leif. Come for a rematch?

(minibubble) H.B.: Dangit, Crow!

Textbox: Bring it on!

Not yet.

[Win]

Crow: Darn, I lost again...H-Here, you won this!

[Lose]

Crow: You're no match for me at all!

Vi: I liked her more when she was quiet.

Leif: That really was a great duel, we can't deny it.

Crow: Come back when you have better cards! T-That should help a little.

Ant Palace, Bridge

[Ending]

[haven’t done Card Masters of Bugaria]

Crow: The professor's being really nice today! Phew...

[did Card Masters of Bugaria]

Crow: ...The professor didn't let me play Spy Cards with the others…

Crow: Being professional sucks sometimes...I-I mean! Thank you so much for everything!

Npc Spies

[Hive, HB’s Lab]

Kabbu: H.B.'s running poor Crow ragged!

Leif: Science looks like a lot of hard work.

Vi: It's like uh...the thinking version of exploring!

[Honey Factory, Entrance]

Leif: Look at 'em go.

Kabbu: Goodness... They're assembling the pieces at an unbelievable pace!

Vi: Looks like a bunch of junk. Is this really going to make a new core?

Kabbu: I can't wait to see the end result!

[Honey Factory, Core]

Leif: They built an ancient artifact replica in...like an hour? Incredible.

Kabbu: Bee scientists have truly earned their fame!

Vi: ...Yeah.