Chapter 4: Mysterious Lost Sands

By: Elizant II

The final artifact's split into two halves! Before the wasps make their move, Team Snakemouth must head back into the Lost Sands to follow Team Slacker's lead.

The mayor of Defiant Root should have some information. The hunt for the keys is on.

.

The key to the bandit hideout's been obtained! It's time to break in!

.

Team Snakemouth's fallen into the bandit's trap...!

Thanks to Kabbu's handy digging, the team can press forward.

They must recover their items and find the key!

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Astotheles dueled Team Snakemouth, and returned the key after being spared.

It seems the desert bandits did have some honor after all!

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Hawk gave Team Snakemouth one of the keys, found in ruins resembling the Roach Village in Snakemouth Den.

What caused this town to be abandoned...?

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The key is complete! All that's left is to head to the Lost Sands' corner to place it where it belongs.

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The Dune Scorpion almost defeated Team Snakemouth, but Zasp arrived in time to save everyone.

Leif was badly hurt, regaining some memories while recovering.

Thankfully, he's back on his feet. Now it's time to get the artifact for real!

.

Climbing to the top of the Lost Sands' castle, Team Snakemouth defeated its magical guardian and claimed the last artifact.

Could the Everlasting Sapling finally be within reach?

Honey Factory, Core

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, Entrance to Factory

Kabbu: It's relieving to get out, isn't it? And nobody got hurt!

Vi: Mhm…

Leif: Something on your mind?

Vi: Kinda. Malbee and the Overseer never really approved of me... But they changed their mind!

Vi: So, I dunno. Maybe I CAN fix stuff with my sister!

Kabbu: Vi, you've mentioned her before, but what kind of bee is she?

Vi: Her name's Jaune. She's a painter in the Hive! We got into a really bad fight…

Leif: The crisis is over. We won't complain about a small detour, but it's up to you.

(minibubble) Kabbu: Indeed!

Vi: ...Thanks. I'll think about it. I'll drop by when I feel it's right!

Ant Palace, Throne Room

Elizant: Team Snakemouth, it is my joy to see you return with good news once more.

Leif: We've brought the artifact, Elizant.

Mothiva: And by WE he means all of us, isn't that right?

Vi: Nah-

Kabbu: Indeed. Without Zasp, Mothiva, Gen and Eri we might have not succeeded.

(minibubble) Vi: Oi!

Neo: Heheh. It's nice to see you all working as a team!

Elizant: Today marks a historic day. We have finally found all the artifacts! If only words could show my gratitude.

Elizant: Zaryant, please hand them their reward. I can only hope it's enough to mark this wonderful day.

(minibubble) Zaryant: As you command!

Mothiva: My, this might have been worth the trouble. A new brooch is coming!

(minibubble) Vi: Woohoo!

Neo: M-May I?

Elizant: Inspect it, professor. Mark the end of this long search!

Neo: Oh, crud. Ah heck. Splinters.

Elizant: ...Speak. Now.

Neo: This...isn't the whole artifact!

Everyone: WHAT!?

Elizant: Explain yourself! NOW! Was this not in your notes!?

Neo: L-Look, this artifact has a small mechanism at the bottom… It's missing a half!

Kabbu: A half? Curses! Where would we even start to look?

Elizant: We were so close! Time is running out…

Leif: What do you mean?

Zaryant: The Wasp Kingdom grows bolder each day. We hoped we could gather them all before they made their move.

Vi: T-Their move? Are they going to invade or something?

Zasp: Calm yourselves down. We just need to find the other half quickly.

Delilah: Is that so? You're gonna love this, then!

Elizant: My esteemed scout team. You have something to share?

Stratos: If we overheard right, a half is missing. Yes?

Delilah: We're super sure it's within the Lost Sands! There's this peculiar area we have staked out for days.

Neo: The sands hide more secrets still? Incredible!

Stratos: In the most plain of corners, a Sand Castle hides.

Stratos: But only with two special keys will the winds uncover it.

(minibubble) Zasp: Tch. More keys...

Delilah: We suspect the missing artifact is there.

Delilah: It used to be an area previously inhabited by the roaches, according to my notes.

Elizant: A Sand Castle, you say? Where would its keys be?

Stratos: The mayor of Defiant Root holds this secret. But he asked that we told everyone here first.

Elizant: This is great news! We have a lead again.

Elizant: Zaryant! Reward them. They have prevented this day from being an utmost disaster.

Delilah: Oh, it was nothing my Queen. We live to find secrets!

Delilah: We'll head out ahead to investigate further, just reward us later. Tah tah!

(minibubble) Stratos: Stay safe.

Elizant: I would send Maki, but he has yet to return from his mission.

Elizant: Team Mothiva, Team Snakemouth…

Mothiva: Leave it to me, my Queen. That key will be yours before you realize we've gone.

Vi: You bet! And we'll be the ones to bring it!

Kabbu: C-Can't we cooperat-

(minibubble) Vi, Mothiva: NO!

Zasp: Some healthy competition won't be the worst.

Leif: Suit yourselves. We'll finish this search.

Neo: Best of luck, everyone!

Elizant: Your orders are clear. Speak to the mayor of Defiant Root, and begin your search!

Textbox: Chapter 4: Mysterious Lost Sands

Mothiva: Although honestly, the sand gets all over my fluff! And I've got errands to run.

Mothiva: Being a star and an explorer is so taxing!

Vi: Aw. Boohoo.

Zasp: Go, Mothiva. I will manage until your return.

Mothiva: Heheh. This is why you're my partner! See ya, Snakemouth losers!

Zasp: Who knows? Without her there, we might actually help each other.

(minibubble) Kabbu: Zasp…!

Leif: Let's make sure to finish any of our business before departing.

Kabbu: Stocking up on some items would be wise, as well.

Vi: There's some spikes in the desert, right? If we could cross 'em, we could search a bunch more places!

Leif: Spikes aren't much compared to electric shocks. Our Bubble Shield should be able to get us across.

Kabbu: Excellent! Let's prepare and see what new paths we can explore!

Defiant Root, Entrance

Mayor: Ah, Kabbu! Good to see you. Delilah's filled me in.

Kabbu: No, it's my pleasure! Thank you for everything!

Mayor: Hohoho! Don't think of it!

Leif: You've got info on the Sand Castle, correct?

Mayor: That I do. That castle's an ancient Roach structure, rumored to be at the northeastern corner of the Lost Sands.

Mayor: Mind you, that rumor's older than I am! But there IS a weird tablet in that part of the desert.

Vi: It's the only clue we have, so... Any ideas on how to get in?

Mayor: Well, scholars say that you need the Heaven and Earth keys to enter the castle.

Mayor: I've got a lead on only one of them. It's said to be...with the bandits.

Kabbu: Ngh. They've been causing us enough trouble as is.

Mayor: Ask around town, someone could have a clue on their hideout's whereabouts.

Mayor: Maybe some have heard of the other key, even!

Leif: If Elizant wasn't lying, time is of the essence. It's time to search.

Mayor: Stay safe, you three. The sands are unforgiving to those unprepared!

Kabbu: I have my team, worry not. We'll protect each other!

Mayor: I have no doubt. Even so! You've got to accept this little gift from the good old mayor!

(minibubble) Vi: Woah!

(minibubble) Leif: Thanks.

Kabbu: M-Mayor! This is too much!

Mayor: Take it, Kabbu. You can't say no!

Kabbu: ...Thank you, Mayor. We will return safely!

Defiant Root, Well

Astotheles: Tsk. Word spreads quick. You look for the ancient keys?

Astotheles: Maybe I can help you. For 30 berries, that is.

Textbox: Give Berries.

Ignore him.

Bandit Hideout, 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!

Bandit Hideout, Cell

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!

[Examine 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!

Bandit Hideout, Central Room

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.

Bandit Hideout, Storage

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...

Bandit Hideout, Entrance

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!

[Win]

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...

Lost Sands, Roach Village

Leif: This statue seems eerily familiar. A Roach?

Hawk: Oh, it's you.

Hawk: That's correct. It's most likely a statue of the Roach village founder.

Kabbu: That's right! We saw some Roach ruins in Snakemouth too.

Hawk: What!?

Vi: Yeah. It was all around where we found the artifact!

Hawk: Incredible. This is information you should've shared right away.v

Hawk: I guess that explains why this key was here…

Leif: That key, could it be for the Sand Castle?

Hawk: Don't ask me. But Roaches and artifacts often pop up together.

Hawk: Just what made them disappear? This is what I want to know.

Hawk: All the damage you see is simply a result of the passage of time. A few sandstorms here and there roughed up the place, but…

Hawk: With the Oasis so close by, I find little reason this place would be abandoned. Most curious…

Vi: Uh huh. Hey, you wouldn't mind giving that to us, right? We really need it!

Hawk: You're asking me to hand you over a priceless historical relic?

Kabbu: P-Please? We'll return it…

Hawk: ...Well, sure. If it really leads to the artifact, it'll give my research a boost.

Leif: Thanks, Hawk.

Hawk: Do get back to me with any developments.

[key dialogue]

Lost Sands, Scorpion Area

Kabbu: F-Fall back!

Vi: Woah!

Kabbu: What a vicious beast!

Leif: They really aren't making getting all the artifacts simple.

Vi: Eep! We better stop talking, and start fighting!

[Post-fight]

Vi: That was really close…

Kabbu: We truly have come far. Good job, everyon-

Vi: Leif!

Kabbu: NO!

Leif: Trjkh... wjrhn...?

Vi: W-What the... What is this!?

Kabbu: Leif!? ...Curses, what do we-

Zasp: Tch. I wasn't fast enough.

Kabbu: Leif! LEIF!!!

Zasp: There's no time! Do as I say, if you value your friend's life!

Roach: It's a failure. Yet another one…

Roach: Disgusting. If it keeps up like this, our research…

Roach: Sigh. Throw it out with the others. We should call it a day…

Leif: What the... Where are we?

Leif: A failure...? What are we…

Lost Sands, Eastmost

Kabbu: Leif!

Kabbu: LEIF!

Kabbu: Leif! Please, you have to wake up!

Zasp: Oi. Knock it off already! He lives. I made sure to treat the wound.

Vi: Just what were those things coming out of him...?

Kabbu: It doesn't matter! Only that Leif wakes up!

Kabbu: I...I can't lose someone again!

Zasp: Then stop shaking him! He'll come around.

Leif: Huff... Huff...

Kabbu: Leif! Goodness gracious, you had me in the most deep of panics!

Vi: No kidding, he's been shouting for hours... U-Um, but I was really worried too!

Leif: ...Zasp? W-Where are we? What happened?

Zasp: You let your guard down like a fool, and got shanked.

Vi: Zasp jumped in and broke that scorpion's face!

Zasp: Don't thank me. I had a debt to settle.

Leif: Those things inside us... What kind of abomination are we...?

(minibubble) Vi: ...

Kabbu: Leif, it doesn't matter! It only matters that you yet breathe!

Kabbu: I've lost so many...I truly feared we would lose you. So it doesn't matter.

Vi: Y-Yeah! The doctor said you had weird stuff in you, anyways!

Leif: Vi, Kabbu…

Zasp: How touching...I guess my work here is done.

Kabbu: Zasp, even with what you said... Thank you.

Zasp: It's hard to find good friends. You'd best go get that artifact, before Mothiva ends her vacation.

Leif: That's right...! We heard these voices, something about research…

Leif: It must be connected to us. We can't stop now. What if the castle holds answers?

Vi: Are you gonna be okay? It was looking super bad…

Kabbu: It doesn't matter if Mothiva gets the artifact. We could always go rest at the inn…

Leif: No. We can feel that it's important... We will go. We must go.

Leif: Would you help us just a bit longer?

Vi: As if ya had to ask! Team Snakemouth's gonna get that treasure!

Kabbu: Then it is settled. Let us proceed to the Sand Castle!

Lost Sands, Sand Castle

[Put in Sand Castle Key]

Vi: Woah, that thing's HUGE! It makes the Ant Palace look like a cheap inn!

Kabbu: Truly, I have never seen such an impressive structure. I wonder if it'd make the Queen somewhat jealous?

Leif: Trskhd aihouhvsji ukhe.

Kabbu: So the artifact must be here, then... Will you truly be okay, Leif?

Vi: We really can just go back if you feel bad, y'know?

Leif: Thank you for your concern, but we'll manage.

Leif: Be ready, though. This doesn't look like an easy place to explore.

Sand Castle, Entrance Chamber

[Activate first crystal]

Kabbu: What is this sorcery!?

Leif: Ice magic. Thought you'd seen it before.

Vi: It's not the same! Ice magic is your thing!

Leif: True. Could this place be related to us?

Vi: Only one way to find out! Time to explore!

Kabbu: Let's be careful, please. We've let our guard down too many times during this mission…

Leif: We'll keep our eyes open.

(minibubble) Vi: Uh huh...

Sand Castle, Boss Room

Watcher: Hjers bnmjk, trekaj! Rjkehoa ONJARLEHK!!!

Vi: Leif! Don't try to scare us!

Kabbu: That's not Leif!

(minibubble) Vi: Oh.

Leif: Correct. That's not even how we speak. That's Roach dialect.

Leif: "This place is not for bugs. Leave or be BURIED!!!"

Kabbu: D-Did you need to scream as well?

Leif: Well, yes.

Vi: Eh, just one more warning on the heap. Let's get that artifact!

Watcher: Rjkehoa ONJARLEHK!!! Rjkehoa ONJARLEHK!!! Rjkehoa ONJARLEHK!!!

Kabbu: Is that... Is that a roach?

Vi: It's just a fancy Cursed Cloth!

Leif: We can feel it... Its magic is just like ours!

Leif: Our answers must be here. We won't be stopped by it!

(minibubble) Kabbu: Let's go!

[post-fight]

Watcher: ...Kuh...

Leif: Tell us. How did you get your magic? Who did this to you?

Watcher: .....… . . .

Leif: Curses…

(minibubble) Kabbu: Leif...

Vi: Hey, look! It's the artifact!

Kabbu: Don't despair yet, Leif. It may hold some answers!

Vi: Go get it before I do!

Leif: Huh. This isn't the artifact...

(minibubble) Vi: Huh?

Kabbu: What? Then what could it be?

Leif: We don't know. But this doesn't have the same feeling as the others...

Vi: Maybe it's up ahead? I really hope there's not another cloth…

Leif: There must be a reason this stone is here, though.

Kabbu: Let us ask Neo later. For now, we've got to push through.

(minibubble) Vi: Mhm! Off we go!

Sand Castle, Treasure Room

Leif: Mytruljk...

Kabbu: At last, the final artifact!

Vi: Heheheh, we did it! We're going in the hall of fame!

Leif: ...It's incredible, we must say.

Leif: These have been sought after since Elizant's time.

Kabbu: It was only through our combined efforts that it was possible!

Vi: You guys can chat it up later. Let's take it and get that reward!

Textbox: You have found the other ANCIENT HALF!

Textbox: Braving the desert once more, Team Snakemouth searched for the last artifact.

Textbox: The team explored the Roach ruins and uncovered the hideout of the infamous Lost Sand bandits.

Textbox: An ambush shone a worrying light on Leif's condition…

Textbox: But in the end, the last artifact was collected. Is the Everlasting Sapling within reach?

Textbox: End of Chapter 4.