CryptoGoat: The Shadow of Goatzilla
CryptoGoat: The Shadow of Goatzilla (Part 1)
Previously on CryptoGoat...
CryptoGoat and Kelly Softmane had just survived a grueling battle to stabilize the Multiverse Nexus. Teaming up with their human counterparts, Christopher Gant and Katherine Sloan, they managed to protect intergalactic dignitaries from a relentless pirate attack. But during their daring escape, a portal malfunction hurled CryptoGoat and Kelly into an unknown universe.
A New Ally in Chaos
The portal spat CryptoGoat and Kelly out with a deafening whump. CryptoGoat landed hard on his back, his horns buried in the ground, while Kelly skidded several feet before coming to a stop.
“Well,” CryptoGoat groaned, yanking his horns free, “that’s one way to travel.”
Kelly sat up, her glasses askew and her journal miraculously intact. “I’m starting to think the multiverse has it out for us.”
They found themselves in a sprawling city bathed in neon light. Hovercrafts zipped overhead, and holographic billboards flashed advertisements in an alien language. Crowds of strange beings moved purposefully, too busy to notice the two newcomers.
“Let’s not stay here longer than we have to,” CryptoGoat said, scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. “This place feels like trouble waiting to happen.”
Before Kelly could respond, a voice called out from behind them. “Hey! New arrivals, huh? You’ve got ‘lost’ written all over you!”
They turned to see a bipedal llama leaning casually against a lamppost. His neon pink mane was streaked with green, and his leather jacket was plastered with patches like “No Drama Llama” and “Alpaca My Bags.”
“Name’s Lennon,” the llama said, adjusting his aviator sunglasses with a confident flick. “But my friends call me Lenny. You two look like you could use some help.”
CryptoGoat crossed his arms, his glowing eyes narrowing. “And what’s in it for you, Lenny?”
“Relax, horn guy,” Lenny replied, waving a hoof dismissively. “I’m not asking for much. Just a teensy bit of help busting my friend Clara out of jail.”
Kelly arched an eyebrow. “Jail?”
“Intergalactic Penitentiary,” Lenny said, his tone suddenly serious. “She didn’t do anything wrong, but the Warden here has a serious problem with vegetables. I’ve been trying to break her out, but, uh… let’s just say I’m better at planning than executing.”
CryptoGoat glanced at Kelly, who shrugged. “Well,” she said, “we’ve handled worse.”
CryptoGoat smirked. “Alright, Lenny. Let’s see what you’ve got.”
The Heist and the Shadowy Capture
Lenny’s hideout was exactly what CryptoGoat expected: a chaotic mix of brilliance and clutter. Blueprints of the penitentiary covered one wall, next to a shelf stacked with empty snack wrappers and gadgets in various stages of disrepair.
“Welcome to my lair,” Lenny said, spreading his arms.
Kelly wrinkled her nose. “Charming.”
Lenny ignored the sarcasm and pointed at a flickering hologram of the prison. “Here’s the deal: Clara’s in Cell 404, maximum security. We need to bypass three levels of security, avoid the robo-guards, and deal with the Warden.”
“What’s the Warden like?” Kelly asked, leaning in for a closer look.
Lenny hesitated. “Picture a giant robot with a bad temper. And lasers. Lots of lasers.”
CryptoGoat grinned, spinning his staff. “Sounds like fun.”
The infiltration was anything but smooth. CryptoGoat disabled security cameras with quick blasts from his staff, while Kelly hacked into control panels to override the gates. Lenny provided… moral support, though he tripped over wires more often than not.
When they finally reached Clara’s cell, a small, feisty carrot with bristling leaves greeted them.
“About time,” Clara said, glaring at Lenny. “What took you so long?”
“Nice to see you too, Clara,” Lenny replied, fumbling with the cell’s locking mechanism.
Before they could celebrate, the Warden’s booming voice echoed through the prison.
“ESCAPE ATTEMPT DETECTED. DEPLOYING SECURITY DRONES.”
As the foursome fought their way to the exit, a swirling portal appeared in the corridor ahead.
From it emerged a massive, shadowy figure with glowing red eyes and an aura of palpable menace.
The figure pointed a clawed hand at CryptoGoat. “You’ve meddled in the wrong universe, goat.”
Before CryptoGoat could react, the figure lunged, grabbing Kelly in one swift motion.
“Crypto!” Kelly screamed as the figure retreated into the portal.
“Kelly!” CryptoGoat roared, charging forward, but the portal vanished before he could reach her.
Lenny stood frozen, his sunglasses slipping down his nose. “What… what was that thing?”
CryptoGoat’s fists clenched, his horns glowing with fury. “It felt… familiar. Like Goatzilla.”
Clara tilted her head. “Goatzilla? Who’s that?”
CryptoGoat didn’t answer. “We need to leave. Now.”
Escape and Hints of Goatzilla
The trio barely made it to Lenny’s ship, dodging security drones and blaster fire. CryptoGoat unleashed his manifestation hooves, conjuring glowing barriers to protect their retreat, while Clara hurled small explosives she’d swiped from the guards.
As the ship’s engines roared to life, Lenny shouted, “Hold on to something!”
The ship blasted off just as the prison’s defense systems activated, sending a volley of lasers after them.
CryptoGoat sat in the co-pilot seat, staring silently out the window. “Whoever took her… they’re not getting away with it.”
Clara placed a comforting leaf on his shoulder. “We’ll find her. Together.”
Lenny, fiddling with the radar, frowned. “Uh, guys? I think we’ve got another problem. Something’s tracking us.”
Before CryptoGoat could respond, the ship shuddered, and a vortex appeared ahead, pulling them into another universe.
They landed with a jolt on a planet filled with glowing flora and strange creatures.
“What now?” Lenny groaned, adjusting his sunglasses.
A voice from the shadows replied, “Now, you explain yourselves.”
A bipedal vegetable stepped forward, holding a glowing spear and glaring at them.