Bandit Hideout

1. Cell

[Story, initial ‘entrance’]

Kabbu: Hurk… We were careless.

Vi: They took my Beemerang!

Leif: All our belongings, as well.

Kabbu: What a disgrace! I should've been more aware...I've put you both in danger.

Vi: Stop being melodramatic! Let's look around. We'll figure something out!

Leif: Perk up, Kabbu. You can't let Vi beat you at pep talks.

Kabbu: ...You're right. You two really are a great team! Let's search every nook and cranny!

[Overworld Spy]

Vi: This place sucks! And they keep bugs in here?

Kabbu: This is a prison. Our comfort is of the lowest priority.

Leif: At least they were nice enough to not fix the leak. We've got water to drink.

Vi: No! No way! I ain't drinking that! We're getting OUT!

[Story, check spot]

Vi:...This cell's really well sealed…

(minibubble) Kabbu: Hmm...

Leif: It doesn't seem like our ice magic will help, either. At least there's water to drink.

(minibubble) Kabbu: HMMM...

Leif: Uh, you okay there?

Kabbu: I've got an idea! Vi, Leif, humor me one moment.

Vi: Not much else to do, really.

Kabbu: This is soft soil. I could dig us out of here!

(minibubble) Vi: D-Dig?

Leif: Can you really? Sounds pretty time consuming.

Kabbu: You should know beetles are fantastic diggers! If you stick with me, we'll be out in no time.

Vi: Ugh...Is this the only way? My fur's gonna get all dirty!

Leif: We could stay here and starve, Vi.

Vi: A-Alright. Let's dig it up!

Kabbu: Wonderful! Remember, if we are on a spot with soft dirt, I can dig by holding down |button,5|.

Kabbu: This will let us go under certain objects and hide from enemies.

Leif: Say, how come you never brought this up?

Kabbu: We didn't really need it, did we?

Vi: All that matters is we're getting outta this cell.

Vi: But we've gotta go find our stuff too!

(minibubble) Leif: Mission start.

(minibubble) Kabbu: Onward!

Textbox: Kabbu can now dig! Hold down |button,5| on soft dirt to dig under objects and hide from enemies!

Textbox: Digging out near certain dirt spots will make them pop out an item, so be on the lookout for these!

Textbox: Kabbu can now also use the Under Strike skill in battle!

[Overworld Spy, post-getting Dig]

Vi: Digging's not my favorite, but it beats being stuck in a cell.

Leif: You're pretty good, given how rusty you must be.

Kabbu: Oh, it's one of those things you just can't forget. It was nice to dig again, actually.

Vi: Let's just, uh, try to keep it to the minimum!

[Dig up Cerise]

Vi: W-What the...?!

Kabbu: Those accursed bandits, burying a poor bug alive like that!

Leif: ...Actually, we think she's just asleep.

Kabbu: Oh. Should we wake her?

[Spy Cerise, before waking]

Kabbu: Should we wake her up?

Vi: ...

[Talk, first]

Cerise: ...ZzZzZzZz...

Kabbu: Um... Hello, fellow bug...?

Cerise: ...ZzZzZzZz...

Leif: Maybe we should just let her sleep.

Cerise: ...ZzZzZzZz...

Vi: NAH! WAKE UP ALREADY, COME ON!

Cerise: ...? Ah!

Cerise: AHHHHHH! DON'T EAT ME! I DON'T ACTUALLY TASTE LIKE CHERRIES!

Kabbu: W-We won't hurt you. Just calm down, please.

Leif: We might give you a hug, though…

Cerise: Oh, okay! My name is Cerise!

Vi: Oooookayyyy... The heck were you doing underground?!

Cerise: I came to this weird land looking for my boyfriend Tanjy!

Cerise: ...But I got really sleepy, so I dug a hole to take a nap in!

Cerise: And monsters can't see you if you can't see them, you know?

Kabbu: That's...not how it works, but alright.

Vi: Weird. I thought you were a prisoner too…

Cerise: What's a prisoner?

Leif: Oh no. She's not too smart.

Cerise: I also found this weirdly shiny berry while digging. Doesn't taste very good though!

Cerise: You can have it if you want, Uncle Iron Seed.

Kabbu: Uncle Iron...what?

Cerise: Uncle Iron Seed! Because you look like an Iron Seed, and you look old enough to be my uncle.

(minibubble) Vi: Pfft...

Cerise: But...you don't look strong enough to have been eating lots of Iron Seeds, though…

Kabbu: ......We should get going.

Cerise: Okie-love-you-bye-bye! I'll go outside and look for Tanjy in a little bit, so don't worry about me!

Leif: We won't...too much.

[Spy Cerise, after talking]

Vi: PFFTHAHAHAHAHA! "UNCLE IRON SEED"?!

Kabbu: Oh, be quiet…

Vi: She kinda looks like one of those rare Dark Cherries. But red. That's weird.

Leif: She's more like a shade of pink. And we think it's cute, not weird.

Leif: If she's really a cherry, maybe that's why she naps underground…

Kabbu: I've heard that there's a land to the far east where bugs resemble various fruits. Perhaps she's from there?

Vi: Oh, yeah! Like in those fairy tales...

Vi: Their cherries are red and grow from trees, not the ground! They must cost a fortune!

Leif: ...Then why is she napping underground? Maybe we'll find answers if we visit her land…

Kabbu: ...Just this once, perhaps we shouldn't explore?

[talk again]

Cerise: Hiding underground keeps you safe from monsters. But I just wish I could dig through solid rock…

Kabbu: Indeed. It's quite a pain to be unable to dig past troublesome enemies at times.

Cerise: It also helps you find rare stuff like that weirdly shiny berry I gave you, Uncle Iron Seed.

Cerise: And sometimes, you can even find weird cherries that like to sleep underground…

Vi: Kinda like you, right?

Cerise: ...? I'm not a cherry…

Leif: Stop it, Vi. You're confusing the poor girl.

2. Central Room

[Story, Initial Entrance]

Leif: Hostiles ahead.

Vi: Grr...I can't really smack 'em without the Beemerang.

Kabbu: It'd be wise for us to avoid being found again. We'll have to sneak our way through, until we find our items.

(minibubble) Vi: Boooring.

Leif: Lead the way, Kabbu.

[Overworld Spy]

Leif: Security is tight... Is that not a bit weird? Surely it's not because of us.

Kabbu: Bandits have the most low of reputations. It makes sense many would come to stir trouble with them.

Vi: Shh. You want em to hear us!?

3. Cafeteria

[Overworld Spy, before retrieving items]

Vi: A cafeteria?

Leif: Their chef isn't the most refined. We see a mistake or two.

Kabbu: Sometimes, one has to eat what's available…

(minibubble) Leif: Poor them.

[Before retrieving items, walk across rafters]

Burglar: Those wasps be getting on my nerves!

Bandit: Hmph. They act so invincible... Didn't they fail their assault on the Bee power plant?

Thief: Don't worry. Boss can handle 'em. We've just gotta hang in there!

Burglar: As if the Boss wasn't busy enough…

Leif: So that's what happened at the factory…

Kabbu: Shh! Valuable information, true... But we must not be found out!

Vi: I don't think the Beemerang's gonna be in a cafeteria. Let's look elsewhere!

[Overworld Spy, after retrieving items]

Vi: Lunch time's over, huh.

Leif: We should be able to snoop around properly now.

Cook: Hey hey! Time out! I'm not here to fight. I'm just a humble cook. Please don't disturb me.

[Spy Cook]

Vi: A bandit!

Leif: Chill, Vi. He doesn't seem to want to fight.

Kabbu: Indeed. We can't just go around hitting everyone!

Vi: Hmph!

4. Left

[Overworld Spy]

Vi: Wait. Isn't the desert hot? There shouldn't be any water drops!

Kabbu: Actually, most of the desert's water is underground.

Leif: So if anything, there should be more droplets here?

Vi: The world needs less water, more honey!

5. Garden

[Overworld Spy]

Kabbu: My, there's quite a few plants in here!

Leif: Judging by the layout, they've put in some work to make it happen.

Vi: So, what, bandits just wanna be gardeners?

Kabbu: A question best pondered not inside their hideout...

6. Storage

[Overworld Spy]

Vi: Look at all that food!

Leif: We can only wonder how much of it is stolen.

Vi: If it's robbed, there's no problem if we grab it, right?

Kabbu: There is! A thief stealing from thieves is still a thief!

Vi: Ugh. Next time we crash a bandit hideout, let's leave Kabbu at an inn.

(minibubble) Leif: Agreed.

[Walking towards where bandits and wasps are]

Leif: Watch out, there are people ahead.

Vi: L-Let's get out of here before they see us!

[Story]

Thief: Oi, oi. What ya mean ya haven't got no berries yet?

Wasp scout: You will be paid when the job is completed.

Thief: We snuck you in, and helped you secure materials.

Bandit: You think we're dumb? The job's way past done!

Wasp trooper: Watch your tone, thieves.

Thief: You want to fight here? It ain't gonna end well for you!

Wasp scout: Tch. We'd best go report this.

Bandit: Wait! We ain't finished here!

[Open chest]

Textbox: You found your Beemerang!

Textbox: And all your other stuff!

Vi: Yeehaw! Vi's back in action!

Kabbu: It's a relief to have you back at full power!

Leif: Our vengeance is unstoppable now. Let's decimate them and get that key.

(minibubble) Kabbu: C-Calm down...

Sign: Remember to put all important treasure in the Boss' room!

Sign: If you knuckleheads forgot, it is on the upper floor! Don't disappoint the boss!

[Quest: Help Me Get It Back!]

Mun: O-Oi! I hope you're ready to pay!

Bandit: What!? You followed us, punk!?

Burglar: ...And he's got help with him!

Thief: Hah. Think we're scared cuz you're not alone!?

Mun: Y-You're only brave when you pick on others! This is fair game!

Burglar: S-Shut up!

Thief: A-Aren't those the one that fought the boss?

Bandit: That's perfect. We'll beat these punks up and get a reward!

Kabbu: Hmph. Your boss would be most disappointed in you, I'm sure.

Leif: You sure about that one, Kabbu?

Vi: Whatever. Let's go!

Mun: HIYAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[post-battle]

Mun: AHHHH!! HAH! TORYAH!!!!

Vi: W-What are ya doing?

Mun: ...O-Oh! Woah! We did it! We beat 'em up!

Leif: Err-

Kabbu: Y-Yes. We couldn't have done it without you, brave lad!

Bandit: P-Punk...

Mun: That was awesome! We did it!

Vi: Y-Yup.

Mun: I'm gonna go tell Eophi I beat up all the bad guys! Wow!

Mun: Thank you so much!!!

Vi: O-Oi! The reward!

Kabbu: Do you really-

Vi: YES! This was a tough one!

Leif: If you really want one, guess you can go ask him back in town.

[end of quest-related dialogue]

7. Stairs Room

[Overworld Spy, pre-retrieving items]

Vi: Sigh. Really wish I had the Beemerang.

Leif: Hang in there. We'll find your A.D.B.P.

[Overworld Spy, post-retrieving items]

Kabbu: The bandits are quite skilled, to build a bridge like this!

Vi: It's just a bridge from the Golden Settlement!

Leif: How did they even smuggle this in...?

Venus Bud

[Let’s talk]

Venus: So, this is where the bandits make their hideout in!

Venus: I can sense lots of stolen objects deep inside, be sure to return them to their rightful owners when you can!

8. Entrance

[Overworld Spy, before examining key]

Kabbu: Careful. We're in bandit territory!

[Story, first entrance, Examine Key]

Vi: This was super easy!

Kabbu: ...Something feels off, doesn't it?

Leif: It's definitely too quiet in her-

Bandits: We got them! We got them!

(minibubble) Vi: My fur!

Bandits: These are the ones the wasps want, aren't they?

(minibubble) Kabbu: V-Vi! Leif!

Bandits: Shove them in the dungeon, take their stuff! We eat as kings tonight!

(minibubble) Leif: Unhand us!

Bandits: A ha ha ha ha!

[Overworld Spy, post-capture]

Leif: They really got us with their bait. They even had a fake wall blocking these stairs.

Kabbu: We were too confident. But we've grown smarter from this!

Vi: Uh. Yeah, sure...

[Story, walk to Astotheles’s Room]

Astotheles: ...So you're the ones causing all this ruckus. Team Snakemouth.

Kabbu: This imposing presence! Are you the leader of the bandits?

Astotheles: Hm. Quite sharp.

Astotheles: My name is Astotheles. As you say, I lead this pack.

Vi: You've got some nerve throwing us in a cell!

Leif: If you give us the key, we may even forgive it.

Astotheles: As if your feelings were of my slightest concern. You were trapped for what your heads could offer.

Astotheles: You are the Ant Witch's lackeys. My sworn enemies, and your capture could be a gold mine for my people.

Astotheles: The Wasps promised a handsome reward if we got rid of you. But I was blind to their slimy ways.

Kabbu: Astotheles, you seem reasonable. Surely this needs not come to blows?

Astotheles: You naive Queen's lapbug. Between us there can be no compromise.

Astotheles: But you shall have an honorable fight. Do your worst!

(minibubble) Kabbu: Curses...

Leif: Have it your way.

(minibubble) Vi: Let's do it!

[post-battle]

Astotheles: ...I yield. I can fight no longer. That wench's got good eyes for minions…

Astotheles: Do it, then. End me.

Kabbu: You got the fair fight you requested. That's enough.

Leif: A smackdown is good enough for us.

(minibubble) Astotheles: ...!

Vi: Yeah! Don't be so dramatic! We just want the key!

Bandit, offscreen: BOSS!!!

Thief: Y-You're hurt!

Bandit: Boss, why didn't you call us? We coulda handled these chumps!

Burglar: And we still can. Let's get 'em, boys!

Leif: Tch. After such a tough fight…

Astotheles: Enough!

Astotheles: We bet our honor in battle, and I lost. They're free to go.

Bandit: Seriously, boss? We can take 'em!

Astotheles: ...It's okay, friends. The gardens bloom, do they not? And we drove the wasps out.

Astotheles: There's no point in keeping them here any longer.

Vi: So you've come around? You could've just let us go, you know?

Burglar: I don't get ya sometimes, boss…

Astotheles: You three. You're against the Wasps, correct?

Kabbu: Indeed. They are a threat to all of Bugaria.

Astotheles: Then you may not be so bad. Maybe I can trust you with this.

Astotheles: We don't owe the Ant Kingdom even one blade of grass…

Astotheles: But those Wasps betrayed our covenant. They are lower than dirt.

Astotheles: I hope they'll meet justice at your hands. We don't have the time or resources to go after them.

Leif: If we do, don't think it's to do you a favor.

Astotheles: With that key, your mercy is repaid. Now, get out. If you come back, we'll throw you in that cell again.

(minibubble) Vi: We'd break out again!

Bandit: You heard the boss! Get out! Don't make us kick ya!

Leif: You bandits have got some swinging moods.

Vi: I don't get it... Are they good or bad?

Kabbu: Come, Vi. I don't think that's an answer we'll get today...

[key dialogue]

Astotheles: ...I have no more business with you. Get out.

[Spy Astotheles]

Leif: He called Elizant the Ant Witch, huh.

Vi: He fights really well with one arm…

Kabbu: I wish I could know more of his history, but we must leave lest we get thrown out.

[Astotheles’ Journal, leave and come back]

Textbox: "Day XXX. An unprepared moth was spotted near the sandpits. He carried quite a few berries."

Textbox: "Although I truly pitied him, the funds will let us get through this month smoothly."

Textbox: "Day YYZ. The flowers bloomed in our garden. Our hideout comes closer to becoming a home."

Textbox: "Day ZZZ. I was shown mercy today. Mercy I have not shown others…"

Textbox: "I need to think. I've left the hideout in charge of my trusted advisor. But I'll return."