Squiresmith Wixland
As the Lightning League battled Monster Mind troopers on a remote world, everyone fought well except for Oon, who cowered in fear most of the time. He was observed by Squiresmith Wixland, his creator, who strongly disapproved of his apparent cowardice. Appearing as an illusionary face afterwards, he insisted that Oon come back to his Great Forge. Whenever Wixland did this, it usually meant that the Squire had failed in his eyes and would be melted down.
Saw Boss overheard this conversation and sent some forces ahead of the League to set a trap. The Pride travelled unchallenged to the Forge. The League was concerned for Oon, who seemed to just give up, and even Herc admitted that he would miss him. Everyone did their best to reassure Oon before he entered the Great Forge, alone, to meet his maker. (Lizzard's Note: Sorry, I simply could not resist that pun!) Oon ran across Monster Mind troopers hidden inside and fell into an underground tunnel while evading capture. Thanks to Flora, the rest of the League was alerted to the Monster Minds' presence, and fought a seemingly never-ending battle with troopers pouring out a side exit of the Forge.
Meanwhile, Oon met up with Wixland, who was impressed with his stated concern for and loyalty to his master. He suggested a way for Oon to help Jayce: seek out a huge fire-breathing dragon named Heartfire and ride him into battle. After initially fainting from fear, Oon rose to the challenge. During the ensuing conflict, the dragon was mortally wounded. Jayce used the Ring of Light to heal him, and the fight ended in the League's favor. In the end, Wixland decided not to melt Oon down.
Oon vowed that he would never be afraid again -- until Heartfire startled him! Wixland laughed out loud, agreeing with Jayce that Oon was, indeed, his most "unique" squire.
Squiresmith Wixland: "FEAR in an Eternal Squire?! HOW could I have made such an error?!"
Jayce: "Nice shot, Flora!"
Flora: "Of course! (Her senses kick in) Jayce, the vines... they're growing more vehicles."
Jayce: "Herc! We need Battle Base to mop up those vines!"
Herc: "Okay, kid, leave it to me!"
K.O. Kruiser: "Mighty Leader, the battle goes against us! Our vines do not grow fast enough in that barren soil!"
Saw Boss: "Order the troopers to fight to the death! I will have that boy and the Root!"
Wixland: "The fight's over and he's still shaking! I've GOT to do something about this!"
Oon (awed): "Squiresmith Wixland! Squiresmith Wixland, ah, ah, I'm so HONORED!"
Wixland: "Oon, I want you to come back to the Great Forge!"
Oon (shaken): "The Forge? Ah, b-b-but... ah but..."
Wixland: "No 'buts,' Oon... come back at once! I'll be waiting for you."
Jayce: "Oon, what's this all about?! Who was that?"
Oon (downcast): "He's Wixland, the Squiresmith -- he created me and all the Eternal Squires. When Squiresmith Wixland isn't happy with one of his Squires, he... m-m-melts them... down."
Flora: "Guess you're one of his mistakes, right, Oon?"
Jayce: "Don't worry, Oon -- no-one's melting MY Squire down!"
Flora: "We just won't go! Will we, Jayce?"
Oon (forlornly): "No Squire can disobey the Squiresmith -- I've GOT to go."
Saw Boss: "Contact my agents! Locate this 'Great Forge!' We must be there BEFORE the Lightning League this time!"
Jayce: "Don't worry, Oon -- you're the best Squire any master ever had, and I'll tell Wixland so!"
Flora: "We all will, Oon!"
(Brock chirps in agreement)
Herc: "Yeah, even if we do have to lie about it, Tin Head!"
Jayce (angrily): "Oon's plenty of help to us, Herc!"
Oon (hopelessly): "Thank you, Master, but Herc's right. I'm nothing but a big coward, and Wixland KNOWS it. Maybe I should be melted down."
Jayce (quietly): "Gillian, the Squiresmith wouldn't really melt Oon down, would he?"
Gillian: "I'm afraid he might, lad. Wixland is very proud of his Eternal Squires, and if he thinks Oon's not worthy..."
Flora: "We can't let him, Jayce! Oon's our friend!"
Herc (thoughtfully): "Flora's right! Don't tell him I said it, but... well, I'd kind-of miss the little Bucket Head."
Flora (kindly): "Oon, have you been crying?"
Oon (wiping his eye-plate): "I'm an Eternal Squire, Flora. I d-don't c-cry. *Sniff*"
Flora: "Don't worry, Oon. Jayce'll fix everything! You'll see!"
Oon: "The Great Forge -- that was where I was created!"
Jayce: "Ready to see the Squiresmith, Oon?"
Oon: "I guess so, Master -- b-b-but I wish you could go with me."
Gillian: "You must ask the Squiresmith's permission first, Oon. I know Wixland from long ago -- he can be VERY UNFRIENDLY to uninvited guests."
Flora (reassuringly): "Don't worry, Oon -- Wixland probably just wants to polish you up a little!"
(Brock chirps and the Zoggies bark their agreement)
Herc: "Buck up, Metal Mouth! You know Herc Stormsailor doesn't let ANYBODY mess with his friends!"
Oon (stunned): "A-A friend? Thanks, Herc! Thank you, Master Jayce, and thank you all! Well, I guess I'd better get going."
Flora: "Jayce! There are Monster Minds up there!"
Jayce: "WHAT?!"
Flora: "I was so worried about Oon, I didn't sense them before!"
Jayce: "All vehicles launch, immediately!"
Armed Force, Drill Sergeant, Spike Trike, & Quick Draw: "Command acknowledged!"
Saw Boss: "That boy is smart! Have the satellites plant the vines! Order all troopers to attack!"
Herc: "Jumping space rats! This place is crawling with weeds!"
Herc: "Jayce! Help my little tin buddy!"
Wixland: "Ohhh, you're all in pieces again! What was I DOING when I created you?!"
Oon: "Please put me back together -- I have to go help Master Jayce!"
Wixland (gently laughing): "Well, at least you're loyal to your master, Oon!"
Oon: "I hope Master Jayce is all right!"
Wixland: "I'm going to give you a chance to help him, Oon. But before anything else, stop that infernal RATTLING!"
Oon (determined): "I'll-I'll d-d-do anything to help M-M-Master Jayce!"
Wixland: "Oon, listen closely. There is a sleeping dragon in this shaft."
Oon (scared): "A DRAGON?!"
Wixland: "If you wake him up, you will be able to defeat the Monster Minds!"
Oon (uncertainly): "What do I do when he's awake?"
Wixland: "Why -- ride him into battle and save your master, of course!"
Oon (short-circuiting): "R-R-R-RIDE him?! Into B-B-B-B-BATTLE?! Whooooo-haaaaaa-oh!"
(Oon faints rather spectacularly, much to Wixland's displeasure)
Herc: "There's NO END to this battle!"
Oon: "M-M-Master D-D-Dragon, would you p-p-please w-w-wake up? (Gets a faceful of smoke of his trouble, making him cough) *Ah-Ah-hem, ah-ah-hem!* (Climbs up to shake his horn) W-W-Wake up, you s-s-silly d-d-dragon! WAKE UP, I SAY!"
Jayce: "We have to hang on a little longer -- Wixland sent Oon for help!"
Herc (disbelieving): "Oon?! Hah! You've gotta be kidding!"
Heartfire the Dragon: "Why didn't you tell me right away that Wixland had sent you?!"
Jayce: "Ring of Light, Magic Might! Help this creature to live as he has helped us to live!"
Oon: "Squiresmith Wixland, please don't melt me down! PLEASE! I..."
Wixland: "I'm NOT going to melt you down, Oon."
Oon: "Y-You're... you're not?"
Wixland: "I considered it, of course -- you know how I hate mistakes! But you proved that your loyalty to your master does make you overcome your fear -- to a degree."
Herc: "Way to go, Tin Head!"
Flora: "I knew it would be all right, Oon!"
Wixland: "You may not be the bravest of my Squires, but you're CERTAINLY the most... ahhhhh..."
Jayce: "Unique?"
Wixland: "Odd was more the word I had in mind, but 'unique' will do!"
Oon: "Thank you, Squiresmith Wixland, thank you! And I promise, from now on, I'll be BRAVE! You'll see...! (Heartfire rests his head heavily beside him) WHAAAAAA-HAAAAAAA!"
(Oon briefly bolts, then turns around and walks back to the dragon)
Wixland (genuinely laughing): "Ho-ho-ho, unique, eh? Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!"
