Ghostly World
Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Victorious now and never will
A/N:
Chapter 55 (Grueling Restoration)
Beck stood in front of the core with his arms at his side and his eyes wide. Besides the core being a giant crystal ball, the actual room did allow all the tunnels to eventually run into this place. Before his very eyes, he was witnessing a transformation. The Shadows 'pet' consisted of a demon capable of changing into demons representing the elements, something he was certain that he'd been warned about before. His heart throbbed inside him as he shifted his gaze at the remaining tunnels. Where was everyone? He'd been the first to arrive.
One tunnel had water draining out of it while another had three streaks of fire shooting out. The tunnel Zoran went into was flashing rapidly. Era's tunnel smelt of gaseous fumes, which worried Beck just a tad. Terra's tunnel had rocks and grass rolling out of it. Rama's tunnel had a stream of blood creeping from it. If they showed up at all, now would be a golden time, because the creature that was forming in front of him was not as easy on the eyes as he'd hoped.
First up was a creature of stone, which resembled a bull with very sharp horns. "Hello!" The creature bellowed out. "I am Rock, the first form of the Shadow Realm's pet demon. There are six forms in total, if you survive, you may be lucky to see them all." The demon laughed maliciously and Beck spared no time in running after him and slashing at him with his claws. Unfortunately, his claws simply bounced off him.
"Shit!" The stone demon bellowed out his laughter again and slammed a heavy fist towards Beck, ready to crush him in one blow. It didn't help that this demon was three times his height. Beck jumped out of the way and quickly glanced back in time to see the demon throwing his horns at him. "Come on!" He jumped up just as the horn struck beneath him. He landed upon the horn and began running along it, trying to think up a plan for this rock demon. He could use water, but that might take a while. Rock didn't erode that quickly.
"Get off me, puny human." The creature rose and started running backwards toward the wall. Beck's eyes widened and he quickly jumped off the horn and onto the creature's snout, in just enough time for the demon to crash. He emitted a nervous chuckle and sent an explosion of fire into the demon's face, jumping off and landing on the ground. Rock's hand rushed to his face as he howled in anger. Beck turned back and watched as part of the demon's face started to crumble. "My face! You took a chunk of my face!"
"Whoa…" Beck stared as the monster roared. From where he was standing, he could see a huge hole where that explosion hit him. Then it struck him, explosions were key to destroying this demon. Not only that, but the demon was made up of earth. Just as he thought up a plan, the demon smacked him to the side with his large hand. Beck yelled and flew into a wall. He coughed and turned his head to his right arm. He smirked as pebbles and vines surrounded his claws. "Okay big bad and ugly, let's rock. No pun intended…"
Rock threw a fist at Beck, laughing at the ridiculousness of Beck's statement. Beck countered and thrust his claws into the demon's fist, he managed to use earth's power to create holes in the fist. Next, fire shot out through the demon's arm, blowing off the giant stones. The demon roared and moved his remaining hand over the gaping hole were his arm used to be. "Not a bad hit, elemental king, not a bad hit at all." Beck huffed and started shifting sideways on the ground.
"Yeah well, there's more where that came from. Now that I know how to wound you, this battle should go a little easier for me." He lifted his right arm and placed his left hand over his right wrist. Narrowing his eyes, he delivered three powerful fire blasts into Rock's chest. The demon roared as his chest started to crumble. Seeing how successful it was, he continued to fire the blasts until he came to a smooth looking, black surface beneath all the rock. "What the?"
"My second form…I am now, Lava." The demon laughed as an ashen looking arm shot out from where his prior arm had been amputated. Beck uttered a curse and watched as the demon shed his exterior body to become Lava. Lava was a very large, not quite as large as the bull, demon with a rectangular shaped head. In place of his mouth was fire, in which the top portion of his head seemed to float on. Fire erupted from his broad shoulders and his entire body was reminiscent of flaming cracks that appeared as though they were veins.
"Well. Hello there Lava, and how do you do?"
"I'm burning mad!" Lava opened his mouth and spat fire at Beck. Beck's eyes widened and he quickly ran to the side. He glared up at Lava and pointed an accusing finger at the demon.
"You really shouldn't have done that! Besides, fire's not hard for me."
"Oh really, now?" Lava roared with laughter as Beck flattened his gaze. A bubble surrounded him as he lifted his watery claws towards the demon. Lava raised an eyebrow and frowned as a giant wave of water rushed out from Beck's arms. "Shit…" There was no room to dodge, he was, after all, a giant target. Lava put his arms in front of his face and yelled as he was blasted by the wave.
"Water is my primary element." The demon hissed as the water splashed onto the ground, his fire was put out, and he was nothing but a body made up of ash and soot. Beck grinned and used his air element to fly onto the top of the demon and punch down into his head. The demon roared as his body cracked and fell into a pile of ash. "Looks like you've just been cremated!" Beck landed on his feet and smirked triumphantly.
"Quit with the horrible puns already!" Beck raised an eyebrow and glanced over his shoulder. His heart sank when he saw the ash liquefying and turning blue. "I am now Water, my third form." Beck's expression fell flat. How cliché, the demon turned into the very thing that stopped him once before. He watched as the demon grew into a very humanoid lizard form, made up of transparent water and holding an icy trident in his right hand. Beck could see the heart beating in the demon's chest, so perhaps that was the thing he needed to destroy.
"You make your weakness appear so out there, I just can't believe how pitiful it is." There had to be a catch, something about his forms that this demon wash hiding. The creature laughed and threw his icy trident at Beck.
"I will freeze you and drown you with my almighty power!" Beck attempted to leap to the side, but the trident shot his foot and froze it on the ground. He cursed under his breath and quickly looked up as the demon shot the trident at him once more. "Die you worthless piece of shit!"
"I'm sorry, but no thanks!" He swung his right arm over and flipped over to the Light element, zapping the trident as it collided with his claws. The water demon's eyes widened as electricity shot along the trident and into his body, electrocuting him and shattering the trident. "Phew, that was a close one…" Fire swirled around his claws and he quickly melted the ice on his leg. He did not want to end up an ice sculpture. "Now let's see how you like it." His left hand became icy and wet. He shot it into the demon's leg, turning his body into solid ice, slowly but surely. The demon screamed out and attempted to break free, but his entire lower body had become ice.
"No! Damn you! Mark my words, I will kill you. Whether it be in this form or not."
"I think that was the point of your prior forms, which failed, might I remind you." The demon hissed and flailed his arms upwards, becoming solid ice. Beck leapt back with a heavy pant, all this fighting was starting to tire him out. Where were the leaders? "Okay…time to either melt you or boil you. One way or another, your heart's going to bust." He slammed his flaming claws into the sculpture and let out a powerful shout as fire started shooting out into the body. The ice slowly began to melt, with liquid water dripping down onto Beck's face. After a good five minutes, the demon was nothing but a puddle of water with his heart on top, still beating.
He walked over to the orb and leaned against the base that it rested on. Sweat drenched him and his lungs felt like they were on fire. He had to keep going, one way or another. "Just keep fighting…until they make it…keep fighting…" The water started to shrink and evaporate into a fine mist. Beck watched with growing eyes and growing fear as the gas formed a giant phoenix made of cloud. "Oh you have got to be kidding me! Can't a guy catch a breath of air?"
The giant bird of air rushed towards him and he quickly rolled to the side, he had a feeling he did not want to be touching this bird anytime soon. As he ran across the room, he looked back to study the flying creature. How was he supposed to attack a giant mass of air? He stopped at the wall and turned around, pressing his back against it. His chest heaved and his breath clenched in his lungs as the giant bird rested in front of him. Gaining a closer look, he saw a dark square within the bird's chest, perhaps he could cling to that block, and what would happen if he stabbed into it?
The demon's clouded beak opened and a ball of green gas formed within it. Beck's eyes widened as the sweat dripped down his face. "Aw shit, gas?" He held his breath and covered his mouth with his shirt as the gas drifted onto him. He clenched his eyes shut and moaned as the bitter gas stung him, burned him. He clenched his free fist and used the air element to shoot the gas away from him. Once free from the vicious poison, he started into a frenzy of coughs. "Got to keep pushing…even if it kills me, I won't let up!" The demon cawed and shot up into the sky. Beck growled and opened his bloodshot eyes. He threw his hands toward the ground and flew up after the demon. "You're not getting away from me!"
His arms outstretched as the bird turned its head back at him and screeched violently. His lips formed an oval and he blew the air away from the block, revealing it to be made of wood. He smirked and clung to it with his claws. The phoenix howled with fury and started to fly backwards, crushing Beck against the walls. He let out a shout and ignored the beating. His body was covered in blood, and his arms were going limp. He clenched his teeth and pulled his right hand back.
"Die you oversized asswipe!" He shoved the claws into the wooden block and felt them pierce something. The bird howled in agony as blood gushed from the three holes left in the block. Beck rolled onto his back and closed his eyes as the bird took a nose dive to the ground. "Shit, shit, shit, shit!"
Tears brimmed his eyes as the air demon vanished and sent him plummeting towards the ground . Thinking fast, he used his own air to flip himself upright. He landed on his feet and glanced over as the wooden box landed on the ground and split open, revealing a punctured heart. He took a sigh and started walking towards the heart.
"Wait, King Beckett!" Beck stopped and looked back to see Zoran running for him, his hand outstretched. Behind Zoran was Era, Terra, Ren, and Rama. Jonah and Phoenix were running from the opposite sides. Just as they reached him, he was blown back by a sudden explosion from the heart. Jonah caught him and looked up as a beautiful white wolf with large wings danced around in the sky. It had a collar on him with a blue diamond gem encrusted in its chest. "It's the Light Demon…"
"Shit, Zoran, start healing Beck!" Jonah called out. Zoran nodded and began dragging the now unconscious king to the side of the room. Jonah swallowed hard as he stared at the wolf. How could such a beautiful thing be evil? He wasn't about to stand around and find out, though. They hadn't found the hostages yet, but he had a feeling that they might be sealed away somewhere. "Okay, whoever can fight this thing, I recommend you do so now, because I have a pretty good feeling Light isn't going to do much to him."
"I can do this," Rama said while bravely stepping forward. He wasn't as exhausted as the others. Jonah and Phoenix appeared to have taken quite a beating, both were caked with dried blood. Zoran couldn't do a thing while healing Beck's wounds. Ren didn't look too bad off, but at the same time, what could her water do to this thing? Era wouldn't do much to it and Terra probably wouldn't manage to grab it all that well, but she could try. "Terra, help me out. Phoenix, you too."
"Got it." Terra pointed her hands forward and vines shot out, grabbing the demon by its legs. Light howled as Phoenix set the vines aflame. The fire rushed towards the demon, but fizzled out when it struck him.
"The hell?" The group watched as the demon bit the four vines, sending a burst of electricity down them. Terra's eyes widened as the energy shot into her body and sent her flying into a wall. The wolf spread its wings and dove down at the group. It eyed Rama closely and roared as fire burned in its eyes. Rama spread his legs out and smirked.
"Yeah that's right. I killed your master. What are you going to do about it?" He put his hands together and spun like a baseball pitcher, throwing a blast of dark energy at the demon. The wolf demon ignored the blast and flew through Rama. Rama's eyes widened as the light electrocuted him. He let out a scream and fell to his hands and knees. "Damn that stings!" The wolf flew up into the sky and howled. A circle of light beams formed around its body. The others watched with wide eyes as it threw the beams out at them, hitting them all and knocking them to the side.
"Damn it, this thing isn't letting up!" Phoenix was clutching his chest and growling as electricity flowed throughout his body. "Jonah, what can be done with him?" Jonah took a step back and stared at the gem, it was the only thing that looked like it wouldn't go right through this creature.
"I think maybe if we break that gem…but it might kill us by doing so." He tugged on his shirt and took a step forward. Being light himself, he shouldn't be damaged by the demon. "I think I stand the best chance here, actually, so I'll take care of this thing." Jonah met the demon's eyes and sneered as he reared his claws. The wolf howled and flew towards him. The two collided, Jonah spun his claws against the gem as the demon flew past him. The others jumped back as the wolf landed on its feet. Jonah's body twitched as the electricity left over started zapping him of his consciousness. He slowly looked over to the demon, who turned towards him. "I know I hit you…"
"It can't be…" The demon turned its head to the gem and frowned as it started to crack. It stepped forward and howled with pain as dark energy shot out of it. The attack hit Jonah and knocked him off his feet, sending him into the ground. "No! I'm not ready for this!" The others gaped as darkness cloaked the wolf and became a giant ball of darkness. Slowly, it began to form human arms, legs, head, and body. Its hair was made up of black fire while its eyes shone white.
Rama's eyes widened as he turned to the new demon. "Oh shit, it's a shadow person…" This was the most dangerous of all, nothing could cut him. "Whatever you do, don't stand in front of him, and don't get close!" The demon lifted its arm and black circles formed beneath the warriors that were still standing. Rama shifted his gaze down and shouted as black chain links grabbed at his legs. "No!"
"What is this!" Terra shouted angrily. She was slashing at the chains with her claws. Era cried out with terror as she began sinking in the hole. The others became aware they were sinking as well, but there was nothing they could do to escape.
"Damn it!" Rama formed the spear in his hand and shouted a taunt at the demon. "Take this!" He threw the spear at the demon, but it phased through him. Dark hovered over to him and phased its hand into his chest. Rama screamed out as the demon grasped his heart and squeezed it. "Get off me!" He attempted to slash through the demon in vain. Was there nothing that could hit him?
"Rama! Do you have any idea what this thing is?" Ren called out. She was trying to drown the hole with her water, but nothing was working.
"It's the Dark Demon, a shadow person. This thing…is pure darkness, that's it."
Era growled and clenched her fists. "So it can't die?" She was practically completely in the black hole. What was beneath? Where was she going? The demon turned towards her and started to open its mouth. Her eyes widened as a white light formed in its mouth. "Oh no…" Rama's eyes widened and he let out a quick shout as his wings spread out from behind, surprising everyone. "Rama?"
Rama flew out of the hole, severing the chain links while doing so. The demon turned to him, releasing the blast. In a swift motion, Rama dodged and turned to see that the blast ate through the wall. "That thing will eat through anything, if it touches you, it'll leave your bones behind. This thing is a menace, not even the angel of death would likely touch it." He flew towards Era and grabbed her hand. She let out a yell as he pulled her from the hole. "Whatever you do, stay away from it." He continued on to pull the other leaders from their traps, something that should be impossible to escape from. The Demon pointed a finger to him and shot out a dark laser, punching a hole through Rama's body. Rama cried out and crashed to the ground.
Terra roared and dashed for the demon, punching through him with her claws. "Fuck you!" The demon phased its hand into her mind. Her eyes widened as a rush of nightmares filled her mind. "No!" She screamed out and fell to her knees, not seeing the demon's mouth opening. "They're just dreams, just dreams, not happening." She groaned and pushed the thoughts from her mind, then noticed the white blast coming at her. She let out a shout and dodged it, yet the blast still grabbed her left forearm, eating away at the skin below the elbow. It was an almost painless process, but when she noticed it, she fell and began screaming with terror.
It looked like a truly dire situation, in which all hope would be lost forever. If they died here, it was all over. Screw the universe, the King of the Elemental Realm might die. Beck opened his eyes and let out a weak moan, he wasn't fully healed yet. He watched the fighters and tried to sit up, groaning with pain. "Stay down, you're still weak," Zoran quipped. Beck groaned and held his side.
"N-No, I can't….I have to save them…"
"Why don't you let someone else save you for once," a voice reprimanded. Beck's eyes widened and his eyes flew over to the entrance where his grandfather and his Dad were standing with a scroll in his hand. The demon turned to two men and started hovering towards them. Beck couldn't believe it, his dad actually came back to save the realm?
"Dad? Dad! Grandfather! Move!"
"No, my son." Frank Oliver stood beside his own father and gazed sternly at Beck. "Are you ready? Your task is to restore and lead this world to glory, can you handle it?" Beck slowly stood up, ignoring his own pain.
"Yes, without a doubt.
"Good, then your grandfather and I can trust that you are indeed ready." Beck frowned as his father turned his gaze back to the shadow person. His grandfather spoke next.
"Your father and I have taught you all you need to know. Now stand back!"
"Why? What are you going to do?" Beck took a step forward, but his father shouted at him to move back, in which he did as told. His heart was pounding with fear as he watched the two men open the scroll and begin reading a chant that was as old as the ages. It was a pagan chant, despite none of them being pagans, but it apparently had some secret capability.
"Son, when this is over, you must release the light in that orb into the world. We have found Jonah's family, as well as Valerie's family, they all are waiting on the surface for you to finish your job."
"Dad?" Beck's eyes glazed over as his father's and grandfather's bodies began to glow.
"Earth my body, water my blood. Air my breath, and fire my spirit. I am born of the elements. Earth my body, soil and sand. Make me strong, heart and hand…Water my blood flowing strong, lead me with your healing song. Air my breath blowing true, let my life take flight in you. Fire my spirit, burning bright, lead from darkness into light."
"Dad! Grandfather!" The demon started to open its mouth as the men continued speaking the chant. Everyone awoke and swallowed hard as the men appeared to leave their bodies. Their right arms were made up of fire, their left arms made up of water, their right legs made up of earth, and their left legs were made up of swirling air. Their heads became bright, made up of light. Just as their bodies started falling backwards, the demon's white blast cloaked them. Their spirits rushed through the dark demon, attacking it with a bright light. "NO!" Beck fell to his knees and tears ran down his cheeks. "Dad! Grandfather!" The demon stared silently into the sky as it exploded into black smoke, vanishing away in the air. Beck fell to his hands and punched the ground, he never wanted to lose them. "Why? Why…"
"Beck…" He felt Jonah's hand on his shoulder and looked up with a frown. "They gave their lives for us, for this world. But look…" Jonah pointed to the orb and Beck's gaze followed. He gasped softly as all six elements were flashing together. Slowly, he moved to his feet, limping towards the orb. The other fighters moved up behind them and Beck gazed on with his tears silently dripping from his chin. "That's what their soul has done, the souls of two kings. Release them…restore a broken world…"
"Y-Yes…Dad and Grandpa didn't give their lives so we could cry…" Beck slowly climbed onto the base and carefully put his hand to the orb, weeping softly. He sucked in a breath as the others moved up and put their hands onto the orb as well, all of them would devote their power and strength for the revival of the Elemental Realm. "This world was once a strong, lush, beautiful world. My father, my grandfather, my ancestors, our ancestors grew up knowing this land and they had the misfortune of witnessing its ruin. Now, together, we will release these souls, these powers, the forces of nature, and restore the world to its former glory."
His eyes drifted over and his lips curled into a smile. Rama was standing strong, despite the hole that was slowly healing. Terra had a scowl on her face and a bandage over her amputated arm, her other hand was gently on the orb. Everyone, despite their wounds, was so ready to give their all. He was proud of every one of them.
"Just so you all know, I couldn't have gotten here without any of you. Let's do this, guys." They nodded and Beck placed his other hand to the orb. He felt all of his elements circling around inside of him, as though being called by the orb. He closed his eyes and started pouring the six elements into the orb. The others did the same. Then with a bright flash, everything within the orb shot out through the ground and into the air.
The people of the world watched the blast lift up and cover the sky. They lifted their dominant hands into the sky as their body began to glow, all seemingly knowing just what must be done. As if the work of magic, their powers drifted to meet the powerful blast that was growing to encompass the entire globe.
The shadow creatures screamed in terror and in pain as the blast, like a poison, started snowing down on them and the ground. With each touch onto the ground, a crack sealed and grass or water grew. The world started to return to its former glory as the shadow creatures began smoking and bawling in defeat. Lush grass, crystal waters, cool breezes, warm air, bright skies, all mixed and returned to life. Buildings were restored and landmarks returned. The Elemental Realm revealed itself as looking like a second, but much larger and more beautiful, Planet Earth.
The process of restoration took an hour, and when it was all over, the warriors were celebrating with their families in the surface. Jonah was happy to finally see his family again, and they were grateful that he had a part in the whole thing. Valerie was thrilled to have her whole family safe and sound, although they were not too keen about her having a baby.
The entire realm was bright with celebration as they could no longer be touched by the Shadow Realm, not even Sinjin could get in. As all of the celebration was taking place, Beck was standing silently on the balcony of his castle, gazing into the sky as the breeze blew through his hair. He felt Jade put her hands and chin on his shoulder. "Your dad and grandfather did the right thing, Beck."
"I know, but I feel like…"
"I wouldn't question it, they died for the world they loved, and you would have done the same."
"That's true…" He breathed in and closed his eyes. He knew the work wasn't done just yet, they still had to defeat the Shadow Realm, no matter the cost. He would make his father and grandfather proud of him. Jade kissed his cheek and started to head inside. She put her hand on the door and glanced back at him.
"Do come inside whenever you're ready." He spoke no words and waited for Jade to reenter. He exhaled gently and imagined his father and Grandfather looking down on him from the sky.
"You won't have died for nothing. I will destroy the Shadow Realm. For you and for everyone. It will be done…"
Finally, after all that, the Elemental Realm has been restored! In an epic few chapters, the greatest realm is safely restored. Things are rapidly approaching the end. I only updated all these just now because when I get to the Final Showdown, the battle with Sinjin spans over a few chapters, I will not be putting all of those in one sitting together.
