[Opening Scene – Outside the Shelter, Nightfall]

  Soft rain falls. The brawlers are asleep in the cozy shelter Wally provided. Roaracryst snores softly by Kouchu’s side. Moonlight flickers through the window.

  Kouchu (tossing in bed):

  “Ugh… why is it so cold…?”

  Suddenly, tiny footsteps echo faintly in the shelter. Out from the shadows, Marukas (the mischievous mushroom-like dark types) sneak into the shelter. One holds a strange, glowing device: the Mind Controller Collar.

  Maruka Leader (whispering):

  “With this collar… Kouchu will be ours! And then… the Crystal Balls!”

  Maruka Minion:

  “Heh heh! He won’t even remember he had friends!”

  They clasp the collar around Kouchu’s neck. It glows dark purple. His eyes glow the same. He stands up slowly, robotically.

  Kouchu (mind-controlled):

  “Yes… Maruka is my master…”

  ?

  [Scene: Shelter – Moments Later]

  Roaracryst’s ears twitch. He opens his eyes as Kouchu walks out of the shelter into the night.

  Roaracryst:

  “Hmm? Kouchu? Hey… where are you going?!”

  He leaps up, bumping into a half-asleep Shauna and Sakuro.

  Shauna (groggy):

  “Roaracryst? What time is it?”

  Roaracryst:

  “Kouchu’s gone! I saw him walk off, and something didn’t feel right!”

  Sakuro (alert now):

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  “That’s bad. Kouchu wouldn’t leave us without a reason.”

  ?

  [Scene: Forest Outside Dark City – Midnight]

  The camera pans to Kouchu walking through the woods, completely under control. Around him, the Marukas dance and cheer with mischief.

  Maruka Leader:

  “Yes! Bring us the Crystal Balls, Kouchu! Bring us the power!”

  Kouchu (monotone):

  “I will obey… the Crystal Balls belong to Maruka.”

  Maruka Minion (snickering):

  “With his power, we’ll take over the world! And maybe get our own TV show!”

  ?

  [Scene: Search Party – Woods]

  Shauna, Sakuro, and Roaracryst ride on Ninecoat’s back, using his glowing tails to light the path.

  Shauna (worried):

  “This isn’t just a sleepwalk. Someone’s controlling him…”

  Sakuro (analyzing energy waves):

  “There’s dark energy up ahead. It’s… Maruka. That troublemaker from Clevergreen!”

  Roaracryst (growling):

  “I knew that mushroom was up to no good…”

  ?

  [Scene: Abandoned Shrine – Forest Clearing]

  Kouchu stands before the Marukas, reaching into his pack for the Crystal Balls.

  Maruka Leader (giddy):

  “Yes! Yes! Just a little closer! The world will be ours!”

  Suddenly, a web whips across the scene and binds three Marukas in a tangled mess!

  Maruka Minion:

  “Eeeek! Spider attack!!”

  Roaracryst jumps down from a tree branch.

  Roaracryst (grinning):

  “You really shouldn’t wake me from a nap.”

  Shauna:

  “Now, Kouchu! Don’t give in!”

  Kouchu (eyes glowing):

  “They are… not my friends. Must obey… Maruka…”

  ?

  [Scene: Emotional Rescue]

  As Roaracryst battles the remaining Marukas, Shauna and Sakuro desperately try to remove the collar.

  Shauna (tearfully):

  “Kouchu, listen! We’ve fought through haunted houses, wild rivers, and ridiculous traps together! We’re your team!”

  Sakuro (fighting the collar’s grip):

  “Come on, man! You promised you’d beat Marcy and become Master Champion! You can’t do that without you!”

  Roaracryst (pinning down Maruka Leader):

  “Kouchu! You told me I was more than just a fighter—you said I was your partner! Remember who you are!”

  Kouchu begins to twitch. His fingers tremble. A single tear rolls down his cheek.

  Kouchu (faltering):

  “Roaracryst… Shauna… Sakuro… what am I doing…?”

  The collar cracks, sparks, and shatters into pieces. Kouchu collapses into Roaracryst’s arms.

  Kouchu (weakened):

  “…Sorry… they had me…”

  Roaracryst (relieved):

  “We got you back, partner. We always will.”

  ?

  [Scene: Morning – Forest Clearing]

  The sun rises. The Marukas are tied up in a webby pile, grumbling.

  Maruka Leader:

  “This is definitely not our world domination morning…”

  Maruka Minion (sneezing):

  “I blame you, boss mushroom.”

  Shauna places a sticker note that says “Return to Menace Five – Do Not Open” on them.

  ?

  [Scene: Cliff Overlook – Group Moment]

  The brawlers watch the sunrise together. Kouchu, now back to himself, holds one of the Crystal Balls in his hand.

  Kouchu:

  “I wasn’t myself last night… and I’m sorry. But you guys saved me… and I won’t forget that.”

  Shauna (smiling):

  “We’re a team, remember?”

  Sakuro:

  “Now let’s hit the road. Dark City’s waiting.”

  Roaracryst (playfully):

  “And next time… I’m sleeping with one eye open.”

  They all laugh as the camera pans up to the morning sky.

  ?

  [To be continued…]