Chapter 9

chapter nine Unbelievable! Evie and Ghazt are trying to take credit for us defeating that Howler! "Let us all remember the great risk at which Ghazt placed himself," Evie says as she makes her way back up to the Food Court. "We are alive now because of his fearless bravery and leadership. That's why he is... your GRAND PROTECTOR!" I glance sidelong at my friends. The same look is plastered across each of our faces...

It's an angry look. The monsters actually applaud! "Thank you, Ghazt!" one calls out. "We are in your debt, Grand Protector!" another cries. Evie continues her parade of lie-filled pronouncements. "As Ghazt's second-in-command, I promise there will be NO MORE attacks! Never again will you face such terror!" "She has zero control over whether Thrull attacks us again," I say to my friends. "She can't promise that!" Dirk says, "She just did." "Why isn't she even mentioning Thrull?" Quint asks, stunned. "If these monsters know that the mall's being targeted by the most vile villain in the land, some might

leave and seek safety elsewhere. Some might stay and fight. But they have to know first! I told Ghazt about Thrull, but he and Evie are ignoring the most basic facts of what is happening here. Why?" "Well," I say, thinking aloud, "because Evie and Ghazt have promised these monsters protection. But if the monsters realize that they aren't actually protected—" "Then they'd have zero reason to put up with all their dumb rules and laws," June says, finishing my sentence. "And if that happens—" "Evie and Ghazt lose their power," Quint says. "Power that grants them first dibs on everything that comes on board. Which not only gives them all the coolest items, but is also how they're finding information on where the Tower is." "And," Dirk adds, "they'd lose their dibs on Drooler." We're all silent for a moment, thinking about what that would mean for Drooler. For Dirk. For us. And for the monsters aboard the Mallusk. "So in summation," Quint says "as long as Evie and Ghazt keep these monsters in the dark about the danger of Thrull, they'll continue to rule over the mall. Meaning they get to keep Drooler, and any day they may pick up some monster who tells them where the Tower is."

We watch the monsters, who are still nodding and sighing with relief at Evie's reassurances. "Look," June says, "we knew it'd take more than just us to defeat Thrull. Trouble is, the residents of Mallusk City don't seem to care. It's like they think they're invincible as long as they're on here. But they're not. They're all in grave danger—unless they fight back. And they never will fight back, as long as Evie and Ghazt are in charge and keep feeding them these lies." Glancing around, June spots a neon pink mall kiosk: Rockin' Ruby's Rockin' Karaoke Shoppe. She grabs one of the magenta microphones, spins the volume knob, and a screech erupts...

Hey, Evie, how do you know there won't be any more attacks? You got a crystal ball before Evie can even respond, Smud appears by her side and reveals a Magic 8-Ball, still in the box. I'm pretty sure I see a Spencer's Gifts price tag on it. "In fact I do!" Evie says, removing the Magic 8-Ball and giving it a good shake. "And it says: All signs point to... GHAZT KEEPING THE CITIZENS OF MALLUSK CITY SAFE!" The monsters gasp in wonder at this magic. "Oh, c'mon," I grumble. "That's not even a Magic 8 Ball answer. Magic 8-Balls only say like two things and neither of those things are about Ghazt."

The monsters cheer. She's telling them everything they want to hear. But what they need to hear is the truth, even if they're not going to like it. June scoops up the chunk of Howler necklace and shows it to the monsters. "This attack wasn't random. It happened because Thrull has taken an interest in the Mallusk. And we all need to deal with that! Because Thrull serves REZZOCH. and wants to bring .REZZOCH. here to destroy EVERYTHING!" The monsters murmur and shift. They look to Evie and Ghazt, waiting to be reassured. But June continues. "There are good monsters who want to stop Thrull. An alliance! And if you join us, together we can defeat Thrull and prevent .REZZOCH. from coming!" But the monsters are unconvinced...