Ren: No doubt about it, the next Treasure lies in Myragon! Tula: There's no turning back, Ioz! Ioz: Hold tight, we have rapids ahead. Niddler: The Maelstrom! Ren: Uh-oh--impasse! Dead ahead! Ioz: Should we fly the Wraith over it? Ren: Wait--a blast tunnel, starboard! And blast tunnels always mean shortcuts. Tie down anything of value--we're going in! Niddler: Better batten down the melons! Ioz: Hold fast or we'll blow away! The wind forces empty directly to the other end of the blast tunnel. We'll be in Myragon in no time! Ren: I'd like to see Bloth follow us now! Niddler: If I wanted this kind of action, I'd have shipped out with a sea circus! Ioz: By the fissures of Engrade[?]! Ren: Bloth's cut off the wind! Niddler: And guess who's coming to dinner! Bloth: Brilliant tactic, Mantus. We'll have that tub and all aboard in one fell swoop! Ren: Come on, let's get out of here! Niddler: Where are you going? Ren: When you're at the bottom, Niddler, the only place to go is up! Niddler: Up? Ren, you're not serious! Ioz: Noy Jitat! Ren: This way! Ioz: Chongo-longo! Ren: Better hurry, Niddler! Niddler: My favorite game--buccaneer bowling! Ioz: Sure gonna miss that old boat. Ren: Come on! Bloth: Find anything yet? Konk: Many minga-melons, master! Bloth: The Treasures, you pighead! Mantus: He must have taken them, milord. Shall we head back to the Maelstrom? Bloth: No, we'll borrow this bucket. It will take us to Myragon. I don't want to give them a moment's rest! Ioz: Ahh, civilization at last. Niddler: Nothing too civilized-looking about it if you ask me... Ren: No need for worry, Niddler. Looks like the Treasure is just on the outskirts of Myragon. This should be easier than taking candy-clam from a baby. Niddler: What kind of babies do you know? Ren: Run, Tula! Ioz: Why can't these Jitatin Treasures ever be somewhere easy? Ren: Hey! Looks like he's giving up! Tula: I've got a bad feeling about this. Niddler: That was some show! Tula: And to think, you just took a bath last month, Ioz! Ioz: Attacked by pirates, chased by a mammoth crab, what else could go wrong? Ren: Those wings! Ioz: It's like flying cutlery! Slaggon: Do not let my pet scare you. Hawk-Knife and I came out to find out what disturbed the galquin! Niddler: The galquin? Ren: I think he means the crab. Slaggon: Yes. The name is Slaggon. And yours? Ren: Ren, prince of Octopon. We are on a Quest that unfortunately involves the galquin. Slaggon: Then perhaps I can be of service. Ren: You have quite a bizarre collection of animals, Slaggon. Slaggon: They're more than just animals, son. They're my creations. You see, I'm a biotransmuter. I take animals that are wounded or dying, and...fix them. Sometimes I can even make improvements. For example, this little beauty. Niddler: I think I'll stand. Ioz: The galquin wouldn't be one of your creations? Slaggon: Oh, no! That monster is a true freak of nature, and there's only one sure way to destroy it--by feeding it the lo-ac flower. Tula: But I always thought the lo-ac flower contained great healing properties? Slaggon: Not to the galquin. Its nectar is poisonous to the beast. Ren: Can you tell us where to find one? Slaggon: Yes, but I'm afraid traveling the back swamps without a guide would result in almost...certain death. Ioz: Oh, I get your game. So, what, do you have a brother or a cousin or a friend of a friend who could guide us there, I suppose? Slaggon: Yes, for a fee of, shall we say, one, maybe two hundred glawns? Ioz: Two hundred? That's piracy! Maybe I can cut that figure in half! Ren: Just pay the man, Ioz! Ioz: By the blazes of Bogwash I will! Ren: We don't have any choice unless you want to try to defeat that galquin bare-handed again! Ioz: When I signed on for this Quest I hoped to make money, not squander it! Slaggon: Wait here! Tula: This place is almost too strange. Niddler: Yeah, especially that furniture. Slaggon: Gentle friends, I give you Roulette, a bio-guide of the highest order. Niddler: Get your money back, Ioz, this furball's asleep on the job. Slaggon: Not sleeping--he exists in suspended animation, awaiting the touch of the one he will guide. Whoever holds the crystal staff shares his own life aura with Roulette's. He will know your language, your needs, your concerns. In short, a perfect travel mate. Ioz: What strange magic is this? Slaggon: Not magic--medical transmutation. Niddler: Pretty weird-looking little-- Roulette: Look, featherhead, do I have to put up a sign? Don't touch the bowl! Unless you'd like your beak to glow in the dark. Tula: Charming. Roulette: Yeah, I'm thrilled too. Can we get this show on the road? You interrupted a dream I'd like to get back to. Slaggon: You'll have to excuse Roulette. He's a bit ornery when he first wakes up--but I'm sure you'll find him delightful company, very soon! Roulette: S-sure, Slaggon, you bet! Roulette: Stroke! Stroke! Let's get this tub moving--I've seen barnacles move faster than this! Ioz: Anybody got a lid for that bowl? Roulette: What did he say? Niddler: I think he'd like you to stick a clamshell in it, Roulette. Roulette: Well, well, the monkeybird speaks! Not that he ever has anything worth saying. Niddler: Knock it off, chongo-longo! Roulette: Oh, big word! I dare you to step in this bowl and say that! Tula: I think our bio-guide better watch his tongue. Roulette: Why don't you watch it for me? Ren: Roulette, that's enough! Tula: Maybe we should consider finding the lo-ac flower by ourselves! Ioz: I've got half a mind to leave him here. Roulette: That's twice as much mind as I thought you had! Ren: If you don't stop teasing, Roulette, I will leave you behind! Roulette: Oh yeah? If you think you can find the flower by yourself, be my guest! Just don't come to me when you run into trouble! Niddler: You're the only trouble we've had so far! Ren: Aaah! Who are they? Roulette: The mud people! You don't want to tangle with them...mud people fight dirty. Ioz: We've got to get out of here! Roulette: You just figured that out? Great move, Ioz--before, we were moving targets. Now, we're sitting ducks! Ren: How can we fight these guys, Roulette? Roulette: Well, mud people can't get too wet...but I think it's a little late for a rain dance! Tula: Must feel...water's power... Mud Person: We're melting! Go back! Roulette: Clever girl! Hey, you must be one of those freak-omancers! Tula: Keep your comments to yourself, bowl-brain! Ren: All right, everyone, settle down! We've got to work together. Roulette: You heard the captain! Starboard ho! Stroke! Stroke! Stroke! Ren: This is going to be a long trip...slow down, Ioz, I sense that Roulette is about to change direction. Roulette: Stroke! Stroke! Str--hmm. I think your precious lo-ac flower is that way! Niddler: Hey, isn't it time for a food break? Roulette: Spoken like a true monkeybird. Ren: Maybe we can find some berries. Niddler: I wonder what this is? Roulette: Oh, that's sea squash! Yum, yum. Niddler: Is it any good? Roulette: Delicious!...if you like the taste of squid slime! Ioz: Blast that water rat. I've met cutthroat crooks with better manners. Ren: I wonder why he's like that? Tula: I'd guess Roulette is very angry inside--but he sure makes it hard to care. Ren: I think you're right, Tula. When I hold the staff and our senses are interlocked, I can feel his terrible suffering. Ioz: Good. Roulette: Hey, berry-pickers! Don't forget the stomach that's doing all the work! Niddler: I'd give you this candy-clam, if you hadn't played that stupid joke on me. Roulette: Hey, have a heart! I love candy clams...especially the lemon ones. Niddler: Well...will you stop bugging me? Roulette: Cross my little bio-heart! Niddler: Oh, all right... Roulette: Yahow-wow! Woo, aaaa! No! Help! Ioz: A piranha-clam! Ren: Niddler! Niddler: Gosh...I must have made a mistake... Bloth: That peg-leg piglet can sure move when he wants to. Mantus: How peculiar...surely Ren and his crew have been here, yet they left the jewel. Why? Bloth: There's your answer. Konk: Chongo-longo! Crab attack! Crab attack! Bloth: You didn't get the jewel, you fool! Konk: Konk came close... Slaggon: The galquin seems to be quite a popular crustacean these days. Bloth: What do you mean, stranger? Slaggon: Just this morning I sent a boy to find a flower to kill the beast. Bloth: Aren't you the bold one! You helped the wrong side, my friend. Slaggon: I can be persuaded to switch sides, for a fee-! I call him Hawk-Knife. Shall we say, three hundred glawns for the flower? In advance, of course. Bloth: That's piracy! Slaggon: I guess you'd be an expert in that matter. Bloth: I like the cut of your sails, sir. I'll pay your fee, but it includes getting rid of the boy for good. Slaggon: A deal. Roulette: Hut-two, hut-two, let's move, slackers, we're almost there! Tula: Noy Jitat, we've been ankle-deep in water for an hour! Roulette: I hope you're not looking for sympathy from this bowl....well, here we are. Niddler: What's this place? Roulette: Lo-ac land, beak brain! Where you'll find the flower with the power. Ren: Let's spread out. Roulette: Yeah, it'll be good to get away from those sticks in the mud. Ren: For someone who's supposed to be a perfect travel mate, you leave a lot to be desired, Roulette. Roulette: Ohhh. Is the captain getting cranky? Ren: Get that chip off your shoulder right now! Roulette: Chip? I don't see a chip. But mention it to Slaggon, that great biotransmuter. Maybe he'll put one there! Ren: That's no way to talk about the man who saved your life! Roulette: Saved my life? He trapped me, like all the others! Ren: What are you talking about? Roulette: How thick is that skull? Ren: Hey! Roulette: You think I always looked this way? Not even close! I used to be free! I had wings! I could fly, like monkey-face over there--better! But now... Ren: But why would he do that to you? Roulette: To make money. What planet are you from? It's the perfect setup? If I try to leave this liquid, I die. Slave in a bowl! Ren: Noy Jitat...such cruelty. No wonder I felt so much sorrow. Roulette: It's not as bad as it used to be. After a while, you forget the old days. Except, sometimes, when I'm dreaming, I can see myself flying again. Yeah, but...what's the use in dreaming? Ren: Don't worry, Roulette--somehow, some way, I'm going to help you. Roulette: Yeah, sure. Next you'll be throwing me a party! Tula: Ren! I found it! The lo-ac flower...it's hard to believe the nectar from this blossom is Mer's most powerful panacea. It's supposed to cure almost any ailment imaginable. Niddler: How about wrinkled feathers? Ioz: I'll feel cured just dropping off our bio-guide. Ren: Sorry, Ioz, but Roulette is coming with us. Ioz: I didn't hear that! Tula: You can't be serious, Ren! Ren: Very serious. There's no way I'm putting Roulette back in Slaggon's clutches. Roulette: You really mean it? Wa-hoohoo! Wahoo! Wahoo! Ioz: You realize, Ren, that mutinies have started for less... Slaggon: The bio-force of Roulette's staff is getting stronger. They're close...very close. Ren: I'll explain everything after we get back. Roulette: Uh-oh, sounds like old scissor-wings! Slaggon: I'll take that, and you can have this! Ren: When I get my hands on you, Slaggon, you're going to need all your biotransmuting knowhow just to put yourself back together! Slaggon: Strong words, boy! And your last! Ren: Ahh--ahhh! Roulette: Oh, no! An energy leech! Ioz: Are you okay, Ren? Ren: Must...stop...Slaggon... Slaggon: I hate to slash and dash, but I have a flower delivery to make. Tula: Not so fast! Slaggon: What? What the-? Aaaah! Ioz: I'll have that flower, blackheart. Slaggon: Pick your own, pirate! Niddler: Ioz! Tula! Quick! I think he's fading! Roulette: Gotta work fast--whoa! Uh--the liquid--should--revive him... Ren: What happened? Niddler: You're going to be all right, Ren...but I don't know about our bio-guide. Ren: Roulette! No! Ioz: You won't be needing this. Slaggon: Gaah, get away! Ren: I'm so sorry, Roulette... Roulette: At least...I had hope for a little while...thanks to you... Ioz: I've got the flo--by the two moons! Ren: Quick. I want to try something. Let's see what kind of curol this flower really is. Ioz: But the Treasure! Tula: If you use the nectar on him--ah, how will we defeat the beast? Ren: I don't know, Tula! I just know I have to try this. Niddler: Chongo-longo! Roulette: I'm back! I'm me again! Konk: M--uh--yes, Lord Bloth! Mantus: It's the galquin, idiot! What's this? A strange creature is toying with the galquin? Noy Jitat...Bloth is not gonna like this! Bloth: Like what, Mantus? Oomph! Ren: Morning, gents! Bloth: You--! Tula: Thanks for keeping the Wraith ship-shape! Konk: Lord Bloth, look! Here comes the biotransmuter! Bloth: That's no biotransmuter--that's our new dishwasher! Ren: Thanks, Niddler. And thank you, Roulette. Roulette: I'm the one who should be doing all the thanking. No one's ever cared about me before you. I'll never forget that, Ren. Ioz: Well, what do you know? He has some manners after all. Ren: You know, you're welcome to come with us if you wish. Roulette: Hmm...might be nice...but I'm staying here. Niddler: Oh, what a disappointment. Roulette: I thought you might be broken up. Niddler: Actually, it might be a good idea to have a second set of wings around here. Roulette: Sorry, I've gotta find more lo-ac flowers. Slaggon has some other pets who'd like to change back. But who knows! Maybe someday!