FugitivesTeddy and the Hermit make their way to Gimmick's house. Teddy is eager
to get there, but the Hermit advises caution. Upon examination, they realize
that Gimmick's house is guarded. The two of them bump into Fuzz, who is also
on his way to Gimmick's. Teddy gives the Fob a message for Grubby and
Gimmick, and Fuzz proceeds on to the house.
Once the guard at the front door has fallen asleep, Grubby and Gimmick
sneak out, but are seen by a second guard, who alerts the MAVO camp near
Tweeg's tower. Teddy and the Hermit meet up with Gimmick and Grubby at
Wooly's house, the MAVO tracker right behind them.
Inside the house, the Hermit tells what little there is of his story,
prompting Gimmick to use the Crystal stethoscope on him -- which returns
nothing. Gimmick concludes that the Hermit has been a victim of the Black
Box, and postulates that he may have been sold to the Ying Zoo at some point.
Teddy remembers the names in the cage, and the pieces begin to fall into place in his mind.
The fire begins to wane, and so the Hermit volunteers to fetch more wood.
He steps outside, only to be spotted by Maggotheart's crew, who mistake him
for Teddy and capture him. Teddy looks outside to check on the Hermit, and
sees signs of scuffle in the snow and the Eclipse flying away. Wooly and the
Trio take the Airship in pursuit. At MAVO HQ, the Understander discovers that
they have the wrong Illiop, and she and Eleanor set a trap...
Louie delivers the latest issue of the Grundo Gazette to the Trio and
Wooly, which includes an article on the Hermit being held in the MAVO dungeon.
Teddy is horrified, and his resolve hardens. The Airship lands outside MAVO HQ, and Teddy announces that he's going on alone. He takes the Third Crystal and makes himself invisible, and sneaks inside. Teddy opens the Hermit's cell and makes himself visible, saying that everything will be fine... The Hermit pulls back his cloak, and reveals himself to be Sludge! Teddy recoils in
horror, and tries to make himself invisible again, but the Understander grabs the Third Crystal and the Crystal belt, and locks Teddy in the cell.
Meanwhile, Eleanor chains the real Hermit up in her kitchen, while
Gimmick, Grubby, and Wooly wait for Teddy in the Airship...
