Cucumber Quest (Vol. 5 Webcomic, Ch. 4)

By Gigi D.G.

The Quartet make it back to the Crystal Kingdom and get some warm clothes before checking in with the other Princess to make certain she hadn't been accosted by a Disaster master. This princess was aware and had been planning on confront Quakemaster, Almond squeeing over witnessing princess fight possibility. Carrot is wondering at this princess's ability to overtake this other disaster master, what with being more powerful than the previous, she sticking to her guns and Peridot attempting to act all suave and mysterious has it ruined again by Almond. Peridot reveals how they're going for the master which edges out even Double Night, so when she biffs off, the group decides to split up their efforts, Almond sticking with her bro, which will also piss off Peridot, since it'd mean she wouldn't be facing her.

Whilst Cuco and Almond are walking along, they get into a fight about how things went down with the Double Night, Cuco admitting Almond's blame in this whole adventure, she walking off and Nautilus attempting to lighten her up with a little reminder how she could've done better to warn them during more opportune moments, as well and she needed Almond's skills in order to protect her, so she should get her head straight. They then walk directly to Cordelia and Peridot looking suave, but not for long when Cordelia reads the message Double Night left in her book she'd been planning to call the Forsaken Master. Cordelia realizes her mistake, but next Cuco and Almond are trapped together, she admitting how she still believed the Double Night was attempting to trick him, but not liking how it came out, her words getting jumbled, Cuco understanding, and then the 2 walking through to a lighted area. They are addressed by a disembodied voice, it going for a specific fear, neither one seemed aware it was going for this, it trying other ways as the 2 remain confused.

They begin to crack up and then hear Nautilus, following her laugh, she inviting them to watch an emotionally dippy movie. They must endure a dull new fear on each elevator floor, the creature either getting the meaning wrong, or it not being scary. Cordelia meanwhile doesn't understand this master's failure, looking to the end of the book and it basically relating how he was kidding. Peridot hysterically laughing. The Forsaken Master comes out from his shadows when Cuco finds his seam, looking like a cutesy Halloween fella, he running off for sadness none of his levels scared them.

Cuco and Almond catch up though and they learn his, odd ass name, his nickname, Besty and this not even being the best part. Nautilus stays positive for him, Besty confessing how he'd truly wanted to do his best for Steve, pff HAHA! Great stuff, this. Then, Besty does the unexpected and asks to be sealed back up again, he wanting to work on his art. Now they must figure out how to turn him back into a seal stone, since he was a bit different the the rest, Peridot revving up to do her usual spell when Almond asked if she had anything to contribute.

It doesn't take, Cuco asked to try with his fancy wand, everyone impressed with its glow, which brings out what looks like Punisher Pumice's costume draping upon Cuco, Almond and Peridot realizing they fangirl'd the same show. Besty decides to give them a show since they were going to put him back, so Cuco magics a huge drain, which serves Besty's purpose, he happily awaying. Peridot reluctantly offers to tell Almond what happens in the new episode when it airs, since she's bizzy, with evil villain stuuuff. Then, Cuco doubts Besty's true masterness, remembering Carrot attempting to conquer Quakemaster, Cordelia making this her outro for "tricking" them with the distraction, Peridot wanting to make a playdate with Almond sometime.

Cuco, knowing they needed to go retrieve his real wand from those wand cleaner stealers, reminds Nautilus and they all wonder what their motive could've been to give him the Pumice wand. Cuco and Almond get on better ground with each other, and Almond reiterates truly being regretful for how it played out, but she'd look out for him, what with actually wanting to be heroic. Then, an afterward with Besty hoping he didn't upset Steve, Besty realizing the pit he'd gone through in the drain, went to a button looking headstone. Upon pressing it, the large creature thanks him for being awakened, Steve popping out.

He greets Besty warmly, the two catching up on how Besty got there, he confused about the big drain plug, but upon seeing it, they go through, Besty not where he'd started, but def. still on Dreamside. Steve then throws Besty for a loop when he mentions doing eeevil! Then it skips to Cordelia testing 1 of Double Night's lemon cupcakes, devine-ness being bandied. Double Night then calls Cordelia out on Peridot's role in all of this, Cordelia admitting she liked the little spunky gal, they having met not long before this whole spell-casting disaster stones began.

Then Cordelia suggests Double Night give the cupcakes to Peridot, she inviting him to watch Punisher Pumice again. The twisty turn being the Pancetta baring her heart to her crush and he collecting stones (1 being her heart) in order to summon Double Night!! Punisher Pumice then turns up to defeat him, but when he aims a shot at her, Pan protects her, this making Peridot glare heartbrokenly with anger at Double Night. AAAWW, so cute!

Plus, a twist which has Peridot scream-hooting for awesomeness. This has Double Night questioning what he should be allowing these writers to get away with using his image, he allowing Peridot to accompany even though he was considering different ways to shut them down. Later, Double Night visits Parfait, he taking care of Tomato's weirdness, and informing her of leaving for a bit to speak to Quakemaster, and another thing... Then, from the studios perspective, as they're reveling in how fortunate they added the Nightmare Knight to their story, the lights go out.

After which a mini drama from the actor, Nightmare Knight and Peridot fangirling to get Bacon's autograph. Cuco also finally able to trade his magic wand for the real one, it being a genuine accident. Cuco then offers Nautilus his protection, as well, regardless of she technically there to aid them, Nautilus touched and grateful by his sentiment. After, they begin to think of Carrot and how he's probably fine since his upgrade, but they'll be on their way to him next. And onward the comic goes, and I with it, at least so far to 922. Huzzah! An engaging, wonderful comic!