YN POV

A week since we had stopped a mad scientist roboslugs. Dangerous weapon I'd say, especially when it was in the wrong hands. We just got word that someone wanted to see me and Eli.

   Whoever it is, this person is causing a big trouble. So there's gotta be a good reason to travel all the way here better be. Though it did gave me some good memories being here when I was a kid with my grandparents.

Eli: Its a long way to ride for one masked troublemaker.

Kord: You said it, I got mecha sores on my mechasaurs.

YN: Can't deny that. Next time I'm taking the express.

Pronto: (Smiles.) Ah not to worry my blistery friends, Pronto has the most secret molenoid remedy. Sasparella!

Kord: (Snatches it.) Do I drink the whole thing?

Pronto: (Snatches it back.) You...you drink it?

YN: I'm not.

Just then we hear blasters firing and see it takes place in the tavern.

YN: I'm guessing we found the trouble maker.

Eli: Well, what are we waiting for?

Trixie: You sure about this Eli? Sounds like a pretty tough character in there.

Eli: My dad never had the chance to train me, but he always said that a Shane never backs down from a challenge.

YN: If there's one thing my dad taught me, is to be ready for what happens next. Some things can be unexpected.

Trixie: (Smirk.) That doesn't mean either of guys have to face it alone.

Pronto: 5 against 1? Ha, yes, allow Pronto to lead the charge-

Suddenly a slinger was toss out of the building and landed in front of Pronto.

Slinger: (Painful.) Do not go in there...

Eli: Come on guys.

Pronto: (Nervous chuckles.) Uh, after I uh render to this poor innocent soul uh....have a sasparella?

Eli and I open the door to see it empty until we see an old lady with a hood drinking tea.

Eli: Are you the one who called us out?

She didn't say anything as she put the tea down while Eli approachs her.

Eli: Are we gonna duel or-

She stops him with staff as I quickly draw both my blasters at her until she glance at me.

None of us did anything until I notice her staff looks familiar. I decided to lower my weapons first before she examines Eli.

Old lady: Hm, a little young, skinny. Not so alike your outlaw friend.

Eli: Hey, watch it!

Old lady: (Hits his knees.) Hm, but knock kneed too. We'll see how you two do with the winnowing.

YN: Winnowing? Wait are you-

Eli: Look mister-

She removes her hood, revealing her face as my eyes widen.

Eli: Lady? Ma'am? Not to be rude but can we slug this out and be on our way?

Old lady: Your Will Shane's kid, he was a good man. Worthy of the name.

Eli: We're not gonna duel, are we?

YN: If she wanted to, we'd end up as the others by now.

Old lady: Wise as your grandfather.

Eli: Well, I'm Eli, Eli Shane-

Old lady: A name's gotta be earned knock knees.

YN: (Chuckles.) Knock knees?

She then glance at me which is my queue to stop.

Old lady: Your name is gotta be earn as well leather kid.

Eli: (Chuckles.) Leather kid?

Old lady: If either one of you wanna earn yours, come to Dogen Grotto at first glow.

She stands up before facing me.

Old lady: Apologize of your fathers fate. He was a great man. Worthy of the responsibility he took.

YN: (Sigh.) I...appreciate it.

Eli: Speaking of names, uh, didn't catch yours.

Shanai: Shanai.

Trixie: (Surprise.) Guys, that's the unbeatable master.

Eli: (Confused.) The what of the who?

We look back only to see she's gone like a ghost.

Eli: Where'd she go?

YN: Didn't you listen? She went to Dogen Grotto. She said to go there at first glow.

Eli: Oh, so I guess we should head there. Let's turn in for the night.

Everyone nods as they leave.

Time skip, 3rd POV

The Shane gang set up a camp as they were gather around the fire to discuss the recent event about the unbeatable master.

Trixie: The master knows the thousand secrets of slinging.

Kord: The masters gaze can melt split rock.

Pronto: The master can remove grape juice from linens and banish the blahs.

YN: Do you guys seriously believe the melting rock and grape juice part?

Trixie: Okay, the stories may be exaggerated. But one thing for certain, the unbeatable master is the greatest slug slinger who ever lived.

Kord: She appears at a time of her own choosing to take a single student. She hasn't been seen in 30 years. The master trained every Shane in recorded history

YN: While LNs finds their own path to train. Don't get me wrong, they're happy for the offer to be train with the master. But unless its necessary, we choose our own path of training and let the Shane train with the master.

Kord: Uh including...

Eli: My dad. (Smiles.) Real training. This is what I've been wanting since I got another Slugterra. (Grab his sleeping bag.) Let's turn in. Big day for me tomorrow.

Trixie: (Smiles.) Its a big day for all slugterrans.

Eli: Uh, of course it is.

Eli heads to sleep before Kord ask YN from curiosity.

Kord: So YN, you've met the master before right?

YN: (Sigh.) Only once, I went to visit my grandparents when I was a kid. That's where I met her and her slugs. My grandpa did told me about the LN story that involved the unbeatable master.

Trixie: So planning on going there too?

YN: Why not?

Time skip to morning, Eli POV

I was the first one up and without waking up my friends, I hop on to my mecha and head off while my slugs are resting. Soon I arrive at the Dogen Grotto as I yawn as well as Burpy who's resting on my mecha beast.

Eli: (To Burpy.) I know, we're early. I couldn't sleep, didn't want to wake the others.

I made it to the entrance as I look around and hop off my mecha.

Eli: (Smiles.) This is a great honor.-

Slinger: (Smiles.) Its sure it is.

Eli: (Confused.)what are you doing here?

Slinger: The unbeatable master done put out the call, figure I got about as much chance as any.

Eli: But the master teaches the Shanes.

Slinger: Mostly she do, but...

I turn back to see other slingers arrive.

Eli: But not just Shanes.

Suddenly I was hit by a staff at the shoulder before I saw it was the master.

Shanai: Told you, you have to earn that name with me knock knees. I am here to train the most worthy. If that's you, prove it.

She then leaves as I turn around to see the slingers.

Eli: So its a competition. Okay, no problem.

Soon I see the rest of my friends arrive by the entrance.

Eli: (Smiles.) Guys, you came. Thanks for the support.

Trixie: Support? We're here to compete. You thought all this was about you?

Eli: No uh...yeah...kinda.

Kord: If she doesn't pick you, might as well be one of the gang. That is support, right.

Pronto: Yes, we shall support you by fighting against you.

Eli: Thanks? You're here too YN?

YN: Yup, it ain't all day you get to be here to meet the unbeatable master. Besides, my guts tells me its necessary to be here.

Eli: (Stern.) Your guts huh.

Shanai: Welcome, one and all to the winnowing.

3rd POV

Everyone gather around the master before she continue speaking.

Shanai: Winnowing is a way of separating grain, the wind carries off the chaff, leaving only the pure colonel.

Pronto: (Chuckles.) Every molenoid knows this.

Soon the master draw a line to the ground in front of everyone.

Shanai: Now, whoever would be a slug master, stand on this side.

Everyone look at each other until Eli made a run for it as the other did too. Eli cross the line first before Shane gang, but the rest continue to run until one of them trip and the others follow causing a dog pile. YN however was just walking pass them until he reached the line before the master announced.

Shanai: All of you are dismissed. Selfishness and cruelty have no place in a slugmaster. (To YN.) At least one of you knows how to listen and be patient.

Some of them leave except for the Power Trips who refuse to leave.

Triplet (Red): No, we are not leaving.

Shanai: Not really your choice.

She split her staff in half and aims at the Power trips before firing.

Her slugs created a combo to knock the Power Trips out of the door as everyone witness the scene.

Eli: Did you know how those slugs were working together?

Trixie: I know I mean you do combo moves all the time, but nothing like that.

YN: You said it yourself, she knows the thousand secrets of slinging. This could be one of them. Not even my family can do that.

Shanai: The rest of you, I can dismissed anyone at any time. My reason is my own and my judgment is final. Clear?

Everybody nods as a understanding.

Shanai: Then let's see what you got.

Short time skip

The slingers next challenge is shooting targets while the master observe their slug slinging skills. But she was more focus on YN to see that he uses duel blasters at the targets and notice that he uses Frost.

Shanai: Hmm...

Eli: Master, um can you um demo that tandem shot again? I'd love to figure out how you did that.

Shanai: I'm not demonstrating here knock knees, I'm selecting. Ask again and you'll be the demonstration.

Eli: Oh uh...got it.

Shanai: Perhaps you should take leather kid as an example of being patient.

YN finished his target practice and notice Eli is a bit depressed until he comforts him.

YN: Relax Eli, I know you want to learn it, but you gotta be patient. Takes time to earn it.

Eli: You're right, maybe I'm rushing too much. But you gotta admit, that was incredible.

YN: I'll learn it when the time is right.

Shanai: When you two are done with your conversation moment, we'll begin the one-on-one duel.

Eli: (To self.) Nice one Eli.

YN: Just try not to pressure yourself. This'll be easy before you know it.

Soon everyone went one-on-one against each other.

YN vs random slinger

Kord has a good start as pronto fires too. Eli fires slug at King of slings but he just dances while dodging Eli attacks.

Eli: You do know this isn't a dance competition right?

Trixie fire her tormato slug but the stranger counters it with a rammstone and knocks her slug out. The random slinger fires a frostcrawler at YN but he uses Mason to redirect the slug and freezes his opponent legs. Back with Kord fighting Pronto, they're both having fun in their duel.

Kord: (Smirk.) Come on, you call that slug slinging?

Pronto: My own special technique, I call it-

He was then cut of by Kord firing a aquabeek slug, blasting water and defeating Pronto.

Kord: (Smirk.) Catchy name.

The master on the other hand became disappointed as she approaches to Pronto.

Pronto: Ah, alas, the poor cave troll. Let him down easy.

Shanai: Meant you lumpy. Out. (To kord.) You're excuse too shoulders. Ton of heart but all the subtlety of a train wreck. Exits...

Kord: I know, to the left.

Pronto and Kord leave in shame until the masters slugs convince her.

Shanai: Wait a minute.

Pronto and Kord stop to hear the master.

Shanai: They think you two should stick around. Got their own reasons, I don't ask. Stay as our guest.

This made them both feel better, knowing that they'll stay for a while. Back with the duels. YN won against the random slinger while Eli duel continues until he fires Stunts. The king dodged it while dancing until Stunts bounce back and hits the king from behind.

Shanai: Nice move your majesty, move them on out the gate.

Eli picks up Stuns as he laughs a little from his victory until it was cut short by the master.

Shanai: Laugh, you're about one inch from following out that gate.

Eli: But I hit him.

Shanai: They hit him. Slugs are more than ammunition. More than just your little pals.

Eli: I know, I talk to them all the time.

Shanai: But do you listen?

She then leave while YN joins Eli since he over heard their conversation.

YN: Listen to the slugs? Kinda hard to understand what they're saying. No offense you guys.

The slugs nods before Eli speaks.

Eli: You understand the Shadow clan easily.

YN: Fair, but that's different.

The final duel is Trixie against a stranger where the stranger defeated her with his slugish slug.

Shanai: You're don't too pigtails.

Eli helps her up.

Eli: Only two challengers left between me and training with the master.

YN: (Smirk.) Don't think I'll go easy on you.

Eli: Any of you guys seen him before.

Trixie: No but do me a favor guys, get me some payback.

Three of them face each other.

Eli: May the best man win.

???: Oh I itend to.

YN: Wait, that voice!

???: (Smirk.) Take a beak Loki.

The spike slug transform into Loki as the slinger reveals himself as Twist which shocked the Shane gang.

Eli: Twist!

Twist: (Smirk.) What's the matter you two? Does it bother you that I'm here to train the unbeatable master? The contest is open to anyone, remember?

Eli: So why the disguise?

Twist: (To Shanai.) Apologies, but Eli and I are rivals. I didn't want to create a distraction to this ceremony.

YN: Bold coming from a guy who doesn't have guts to show his real face.

Twist: Too bad you didn't spot me until now. Catching you off guard.

Shanai: Hmm, takes quite a bond for a slinger to share his slug slate and delusion power. Even I couldn't see through it.

Eli: That's because he's using a ghoul!

Shanai: And you think just because I've been gone a few years, I don't know what a ghoul is? Its the slinger I'm choosing, not the slug.

YN: (Whispers.) I wouldn't count someone when they're using a ghoul.

Suddenly the master begins to cough deeply which caught everyone attention.

Eli: Are you okay?

Shanai: (Shake it off.) I'm fine, rest yourselves. We'll begin the final duel I. One hour.

She then leave to rest.

Twist: (Smirk to Eli.) See you around.

Eli: (Glares.) Not if I have anything to say about it.

Eli POV

I head up to where master Shanai meditation to speak with her.

Eli: Master Shanai- oh, you're meditating.

Shanai: I was sleeping. (Yawn & stretch.)

Eli: Sorry, but I need to warn you-

The master then cough again which begins to get more concerned for me. This can mean only one thing.

Eli: You're sick aren't you?

Shanai: Never mind me. You got issues with that ghoul slinger.

Eli: We trusted him once and he betrayed us. He's misguided and dangerous. Hes fallen in with Dr Blakk.

Shanai: Hmm, then perhaps he needs my guidance more than you do.

Eli: I don't understand.

Shanai: Light, dark, there's a little in all of us. The trick is finding balance.

Eli: Master please, you don't know Twist than I do.

Suddenly she grabbed her staff and points it towards me which is close to my face.

Shanai: Do you know him more than leather knees does?

Eli: Well...

Shanai: Never presume to know the heart of another, focus on your own inner peace. Are you so sure you know the best path?

Eli: I thought I did.

Shanai: Indeed. This reminds me of time some 30 years ago. I had winnowed the applicants to two. One was a promising young Shane named Will, the other was Thaddeus Blakk.

Eli: Black and my dad? They were friends.

Shanai: (Softly laugh.) Not friends, but not yet enemies. They were rivals.

She then tell me the story about my dad and Blakk on their time in the winnowing. My father was a natural slinger while Dr Blakk lacked connection and respect for the slugs. My dad was her clear choice but Dr Blakk changed that day where he went to a darker path.

Shanai: I've had very few regrets in my long years, but one question haunts me. Did I choose the right pupil that day?

Eli: I don't understand, you said my father was the best. I even thought DN didn't want to be in the winnowing.

Shanai: Your father was the great Shane and would have been without my help. You're right about YN father didn't want to be in the winnowing, because he knew it was necessary for your father. But Blakk? Perhaps I could have stopped him from taking the path he chose.

Shanai POV

Knock knees then leave and head to the stairs until he's gone while my slugs warned me as I nod.

Shanai: You can come out now leather kid. They heard you from a mile away before you were hiding.

YN then appear from the tree.

Shanai: Here to convince me to excuse Twist like knock knees?

YN: That's your choice. But I'm here because I was hoping if you know about my dad. What was his fate, the LN fate in the time of unbalanced?

Shanai: (Sigh.) One I hoped it had never come to. One of your family history is secret even I don't know, but all I know is the burdens are heavy to carry with responsibility.

YN: My dad...never told me about it...

My healer slug comforts him as he pats the healers head.

Shanai: Surely it was best way to keep you and your family safe. My regret is that letting Blakk continue on this dark path which led your father to his fate.

YN: It wasn't you fault. All of you did your best to convince him to take a better path. In the end, it was Blakk decision.

Shanai: So what will you do?

YN: (Shrug.) Probably figure out when the winnowing is over with Eli victory.

Shanai: You're willing to forfeit even for your friend?

YN: I'm willing forfeit only to remind Twist that he shouldn't underestimate my friend with his blindness power.

YN hand me my healer slug back as I accepted it before he left to the stairs. I shouldn't be surprise if he forfeit the final duel. He is a LN after all, so I believe he may find his own way. At least not alone.

Short time skip, 3rd POV

The Shane gang were now gathered in the final challenge as they were discussing of the situation.

Trixie: She'd really do it, train Blakk's right hand man?

YN: As much as I hate to admit it, yes.

Eli: I have to win now. We can't afford to let her secrets fall into Blakk's hand. With those and his ghouls arsenal? Dr Blakk will be unstoppable.

YN: (Scoffs.) Unstoppable is just a word until its true. Whatever advantage he gets, we'll overwhelmed him with our own.

Eli: That's not what worries me the most.

Kord: Then what does?

Eli: She may have already made her choice.

YN: You got this Eli.

Pronto: As much as Pronto hates to say it because doesn't give Pronto a satisfaction. But why did you have to forfeit!?

YN: There's a different between proving and underestimating your opponents in the duel. And trust me when I say this is one of them. Besides, this give us the opportunity to observe Twist fighting style.

Eli and Twist are now in the arena against each other while the master announced.

Shanai: You've each proven yourselve worthy. This isn't a duel, its an assessment. The judgment is mine alone. Begin.

Eli: You're not winning this Twist.

Twist: You never know Eli.

Eli fires a rammstone slug but twist dodges it before firing Loki to make more illusions of Twist around him.

Eli: Really Twist, again with the holograms?

This caught the master curious as Eli fires Stunts at one of them. Just like before, Stunts bounce while hitting each illusion of Twist to clear them out until Twist dodges it but was caught off guard by Eli hitting him with Banger. The Shane gang cheers to his victory as this impress the master.

Eli: (Smirk.) Not quite like the master, but good enough.

YN: (Smirk.) Figured you'd prove him wrong.

They made a bro handshake until it was cut short by someone breaking in through the gate. Revealing Dr Blakk and a few of his henchmen.

Blakk: (Grin.) Hello master. Its been a while.

The henchmens point their blasters at the Shane gang.

Blakk: Hands where we can see them please.

Eli: If you're after the masters secrets, you can forget it Blakk.

YN: Either way, you're not getting them easily from us.

Blakk: (Chuckles.) Please, I've surpass such banalities. This arcane ritual holds but one purpose, to prove who is best.

Eli: I just did, when I took down your apprentice.

Twist: (Aims his blaster.) Don't believe everything you see.

YN: (Aims his blaster at Twist.) That'd be the last thing you'll regret.

Eli: (Smirk.) I'm down for a rematch, with either of you.

Blakk: You two are an arrogant ant Eli, ones I will squash in due time. But but there is one here who's worthy of my attention. Today, I shall demonstrate my superiority by beating the unbeatable master herself!

Shanai: You have nothing to prove Thaddeus. But if this will bring you peace, I accept your challenge.

Eli: Careful master, he fights dirty and his ghouls are-

Shanai: It will be okay knock knees.

They then see Blakk is holding a new weapon.

Twist: What is that thing?

Kord: A gatler. But no one's ever been able to build a working model.

YN: I don't like where this is going. Be ready.

They nod while the master and Blakk are about to duel.

Shanai: There's another way Thaddeus, a better path. Let me teach you.

Blakk: You no longer offer anything I would find useful. And the names Blakk. (Grin.) Dr Blakk!

Blakk fires ghouls rapidly with the new weapon. Eli is going against Twist while the rest deals with the henchmen with YN help.

YN: Everybody, form up!

Thanks to healer slug and Shanais skills, the master has the upper hand against Blakk as she knocks him back.

Blakk: Is that the best your pathetic art can muster?

Shanai: Surrender Thaddeus, its never too late to make the right choice.

Blakk ingores her by firing a ghoul at her, but she quickly knocks it away with her staff.

Shanai: Forgive me Thaddeus I did not wanted to come to this.

She splits her staff after her slugs were loaded in and she fires both her slugs simultaneously. Both of them created an ultimate combo so powerful that it knocks Blakk across the arena.

Eli: What was that!?

Trixie: It looks like the pure combination of slug powers.

Eli: A fusion shot? I thought that was impossible!

YN: Guess she proved that nothings possible when you believe yourself.

Shanai: Its over.

Suddenly Blakk turn out to be Twist with Loki's power this whole time.

YN: That was Twist!?

YN and Eli looks around to find the real Blakk until they see the real Blakk was hidden and fires a ghoul behind the master.

Eli: NO!

It was too late as it hit the master from behind before she fell from her knees. Eli and YN run up to her and try to help her.

Eli: Doc, can you...!

Shanai: Its...too late...

Eli: (Saddened.) I'm...I'm sorry...

Shanai: Don't be...you are a true Shane....You can bring the peace to the caverns, but not alone. You just have to find it...in yourselves....one last mystery.

YN nods and gently helps her up while Eli grabs her staff for her. Her slugs then load before firing up in the air, combining their powers one last time before the staff was destroyed. With it, it picks up the master above before her body turns into an energy before disappearing. Marking the end of the unbeatable master as they grieve her death.

Blakk: Well done Twist, you've played your part commendably. Those wounds will heal.

Twist: She's...gone, I didn't think-

Blakk: Her time was up. I will give a training you'll ever need. Move out!

YN: No...

Blakk: Excuse me?

YN: You heard me you over corrupted bastard! First Will Shane, my father, and now the master. This time, you're not walking away that easily after hurting another innocent.

Blakk: (Chuckles.) I just defeated the greatest slinger who ever lived. (Pick up his gatler.) What chance do you have? You're nothing but one who runs away, just like your father.

YN: Then this time I'm done holding back for you and your pals.

Blakk: (Grin.) Make your move.

The wind stops while one of them are waiting for the other to make their move. None of them made any move while keeping their eyes contact until Blakk fires multiple ghouls. YN on the other hand, fires Frost and aqua simultaneously as they both combined their powers.

Creating a powerful coldness that it freezes the ghouls and Blakks gatler before it hits him and destroyed the weapon. It was so powerful it wounded Blakk as was knocked back. This shock everyone as they saw him using the same technique as the master did. But this shock YN more, realizing that back when he was blind by the enigma slug, he finally found out its true intentions.

YN: Whoa...

The henchmen were about to fight until Blakk stops them.

Blakk: No...we've won enough for today. Come Twist.

Eli: (To Twist.) You're backing the wrong guy Twist and you know it.

Twist ignores him as he follows Blakk. In the aftermath of the recent battle, the Shane gang made a funeral for the master. Pronto playing the flute, Trixie is spreading the flowers, Eli placing the broken staff by the rock, and the rest stayed silent until Pronto finished playing his flute.

Trixie: That was lovely Pronto.

Pronto: Lucky for us, its the only song Pronto knows.

Kord: I feel like I'm better fit r having to know her.

Trixie: So what's next Eli? Now you'll never be trained by the master. You'll never learn her secrets.

YN: She left us one secret. And that'll be enough.

Eli: In the mean time, my slugs and I can figure it out on our own. And when we do, Blakk is going down for good.

Kord: Too bad about her blaster, it would have been a powerful weapon against Blakk.

Pronto: Perhaps, but now we know that YN can do the fusion too.

YN: Yeah, but it won't be enough if Blakk makes more of them.

Eli: Its okay guys, I have some ideas for one of my own. We'll need it if we're ever gonna pull that fusion move easily. Blakk is up the ante with that new blaster of his. Now its our turn.

YN: (Smirk.) And that's why I like working together.

Eli: We're taking the battle Blakk and we're not stopping. Not until every ghoul is cured, not until we stop Dr Blakk and his plans once and for all.

YN: This time, no one fights alone against Dr Blakk.

YN put his hand out as the rest join up.

Eli: No matter what, we're in this together.

Everyone nods as they leave the Dogen Grotto to their mecha except for YN.

YN POV

I look at the place one last time to remember. Just when he was about to leave, the masters healer slug then emerge from underground in front of him.

YN: Whoa..! But I thought you were gone.

The healer shook its head as I pick the slug up.

YN: What happened your friend?

The healer looks down saddened. The slug must've sacrificing its energy to save the healer, knowing that slugterra needed a healers to save the slugs.

YN: I'm really sorry for your lost. Want to join me to save slugterra?

The healer happily nods.

YN: How bout I call you...Mercy?

Mercy happily nods as place her in my backpack. I join my friends before I got on my mecha. The master may have be gone, but she gave us the a chance to turn the tides in our favor. At this point, we need all the help we can get.