Welcome back everyone!
Before we begin, a huge thank you to ElsaLuver and Soundhunter for the wonderful and very encouraging reviews on Chapter 7. Greatly appreciated.
And now, here is Chapter 8, please enjoy.
•••
Chapter 8
The Spire.
The audience watched a dirigible sailing over the beautiful sunrise. The small airship proceeded to leave the borders of Corona towards the open valleys beyond.
Cassandra's eyebrows peaked and she looked passed Elsa towards her husband. "Varian, isn't that the airship that was stolen?"
Varian's jaw dropped.
Everyone turned to look at Varian, then stared at the screen.
Amelia stood over the craft's bow observing the vast landscape. The wind whipping her ponytail and scarf and she revelled the feeling with jovial excitement. "I'M THE QUEEN OF THE WORLD! " She cheered, raising her fist in the air. "WOOH!"
The other six teens paused to look at Amelia then shook their heads and returned to their activities.
Novak was at the helm steering the airship while Aidan stood beside him with a map, the two boys were discussing their next destination and fastest route of reaching it.
Flynn and Wrenn sat at the stern, from the rear of the craft the twins watched their beloved homeland as it slowly shrank in the distance.
Rapunzel sighed with regret. She was sorry to see her children leaving home after only a short stay. But the kids have a mission to fulfil, and Rapunzel knew they would not dally in their task.
Wrenn made a quick sketch of the island city on her journal; the Plus Est En Vous gifted by her mother. There was also a sketch of herself and Flynn standing over Frederic and Arianna, and then Frederic smiling and flexing his biceps.
"She has your skills." Elsa complimented.
Rapunzel smiled.
Eri and Neoma sat at the centre of the craft, the two girls were busy tinkering some strange gadget of Neoma's design.
Then Eri looked up at the blunette with concern in her eyes. "Um Neoma, are you sure you're alright with stealing this airship from your father?" Eri asked.
••• Meanwhile •••
Varian is seen slumped over and sleeping on his desk at his workshop, when suddenly.
"Varian, wake up!" Cassandra came rushing in with baby Neoma in her arms. "We've been robbed!"
"GAH! What!? ROBBED!?" The master engineer jolted up and comically fell out of his seat. "Who, what, when, where, why, how!?"
Several guards including the captain came in as well. Quirin is seen outside talking to Stan.
"One of your dirigibles was reported leaving the kingdom. The thief or thieves involved know how to fly your airships!" The Captain explained. "I've always warned you about your questionable crew."
"Ugh, way to jump to conclusions." The Stabbingtons scoffed.
"I don't believe this." Varian groaned. He placed his gloved hand over his head, that's when they noticed there was a letter taped to his glove.
Cassandra took the letter with her free hand. "It's from the thief." Her eyes narrowed.
"It says. Dear Master Varian. I apologize for taking one of your airships and a few of your materials without your consent. But please know that it is for a very important task and they will be put to good use. I have no money to offer for your troubles but I did leave two horses behind." Cassandra read.
"Well it seems like the thief is at least honest." Varian sighed. "Though two horses is hardly fair trade."
The Captain frowned.
Cassandra continued reading. "I have also noticed the equations on your chalkboard and you appear to be stuck. So I took the liberty to finish it for you."
Varian's eyes bulged into saucers. "THEY MESSED WITH MY EQUATIONS!?" The panicked engineer scrambled to his feet, he bolted to a large chalkboard riddled with numbers, letters and symbols too complex for the viewers to understand.
Varian however understood all of it and apparently so did the thief.
"Wait a minute." Varian gasped. He whipped out his notebook and cross-referenced the new findings. A huge smile formed on his lips. "Yes yes, that actually works. This is amazing, can you imaging what I can do with this!?" Varian laughed in delight at the new discovery, the little fact that he had just been robbed was already forgotten.
"Umm a little help, Cassandra?" Asked The Captain. His daughter just stared at Varian and the strange situation.
"Well, dad. For the past six days Varian has been driving himself up the walls trying to finish that equation. He'd mumble and zone out when he's awake, he'd toss and turn in his sleep... I had to kick him out last night!" Cassandra complained. "Then some crook just breaks in and solves it for him."
"So the thief is some kind of mathematic genius?" The Captain asked. "Huh, well I guess we can rule out the crew."
Said crew scoffed.
••• Back on the Airship •••
"I'm sure my dad has already forgotten about this airship." Neoma giggled. "Still, I do feel a bit bad about taking it without even asking. I wish we could have left him some money, but we're broke."
"Eh, that one was a piece of trash anyway. If I had known, I would have even given her one of the bigger ships." Varian shook his head.
"Hey don't worry, I'm sure your father would understand if he knew. Probably even give us a bigger ship." Eri unwittingly spoke Varian's words.
"And don't worry too much about money from now on. You've got me." Eri laughed. "With me here, we won't have to worry about spending on fresh clothes, water, or shelter."
Eri continued to cast ice magic while following Neoma's schematics. "Okay, Neoma. How is this?" Eri held out an apple sized globe made from ice, it was transparent with two chambers.
"That's perfect! Thanks for the help, this is so much easier than making one out of clay." Neoma examined the globe and compared it to her schematics. "Wow, your ability to create objects down to the finest detail is astonishing."
"Huh, does anyone else in this group feel like Elsa is a bit OP?" Eugene asked.
"Eugene!" Scolded Rapunzel.
"Sometimes." Kristoff shrugged.
"Kristoff!" Cried Anna.
"Only on rare occasions." Kristoff shrank.
Anna huffed, she looked at her sister. Elsa did become a little self conscious with her abilities and now the abilities of her daughter, Eri. But Anna never thought of her sister as 'OP' or ever once felt overshadowed by Elsa, because Anna was proud and confident of her own capabilities.
She just wished that Elsa had seen it, their brief disagreement back in Northuldra still troubled Anna sometimes. Did Elsa doubt her capabilities?
Neoma fished out her tool kit and some jars of various chemicals. "Keep us steady, Novak!" Neoma yelled. "This is volatile work we're doing!"
"Really, you're doing that now!?" Novak yelled back. He scrunched his face. "Can't you wait till we've landed!?"
"I like to keep my hands busy!" Neoma replied.
Novak frowned and held onto the wheel with whitening knuckles. Aidan noticed his unease.
"What do you think the girls are making?" Asked Aidan, looking up from his map towards Eri and Neoma.
"Knowing Neoma. She's making a bomb. " Novak gulped. "And a real nasty one."
Aidan nearly threw down the map. Eri stared at Neoma in shock.
"We're making a bomb!?" Eri asked.
"Yep, I thought it'd be essential after that visit at Xavier's yesterday." Neoma replied.
•••Flashback•••
The sound of sheathing and whistling of blades in the air. The seven teenagers examined their newly serviced weapons.
"This is fine work." Aidan praised. "Almost didn't recognise my own halberd."
The blacksmith smiled.
"I'm glad you think so." Laughed Xavier. "It was difficult work. But I when I set myself on a task, I see it done properly and professionally."
"Although I must say." Xavier's face grew serious. "Pardon my language, but your weapons looked like they went through hell, and pretty recently too! Should I be concerned?"
"Uh. Well you see-." Aidan gulped.
"Hey! You have a map on the great wonders of the world!" Amelia chimed in excitement.
"Ah, you have keen eyes young lady." Xavier moved towards Amelia and the map, his question for Aidan already forgotten. "I hope to one day travel to and explore these wondrous locations when I retire."
"Take my advice though." Flynn quickly suggested. "What ever you do, don't ever travel to this place here!" He warned and pointed to a marked spot.
"Bald Mountain?" Xavier asked. "The domain of Chernabog?"
All seven teens visibly shrank at the mention of that forbidden name... which Xavier so casually spoke.
"Worry not children, I would never dare visit the devil's lair." Xavier assured. "Or any other place that houses a Devil's Gate."
This peeked the seven's interest.
"Devil's Gate!" They all exclaimed.
••• Back to the Airship •••
"If these Devil's Gates are in fact the Dark Portals, the same gateways the Unquiets used to breach our world. Then we have some demolition work to do." Said Neoma, while pouring some strange green liquid into the bomb casing and then inserting a fuse. "Now to add my special shrapnel."
A section of Blackrock detached itself from the blunette's armour, it levitated for a second before splitting into hundreds of smaller fragments.
Eri watched as the razor sharp fragments attached themselves to the bomb. Neoma smiled at her then stands up and holds the deadly device in triumph.
"Behold, the Luna Vengeance. For millenia the moon has taken the brunt of the asteroids aimed at the Earth. But now the moon is throwing something back." Neoma laughed. "This compact Flynnolium Beta bomb has the fireball explosive range of ten metres and shrapnel range of a mind blowing two hundred fifty metres! Shrapnel that will cut through wood, stone, flesh, bone and bolt metal like paper."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at Neoma and her bomb with concerned expressions.
"And you made that on a rocky bumpy airship!" Novak grumbled.
The audience were also horrified.
"Wow, Cassandra's powers used with Varian's level of creativity. That is one dangerous combination!" Eugene cringed.
Cassandra and Varian also looked at each other with worry.
Rapunzel narrowed her eyes at her husband.
Flynn and Wrenn slowly made their way towards Aidan and Novak.
"So what about the issue of the Unquiet infiltrators?" Wrenn asked.
"You guys never debriefed us on your assassination mission." Flynn added.
That was when Amelia hopped over and addressed the twins. "Oh that's right. OK here goes." She raised her hands and gestured exaggeratedly. "After we took out Vorgan, and his horse. We-."
"You killed his horse!?" Flynn and Wrenn exclaimed.
"Hey! It was an Unquiet too. And nearly took Aidan's head off." Amelia said. "Anyway, afterwards we began to raid Vorgan's property for clues, but very quickly we noticed something didn't smell right."
•••Flashback•••
"HEYA!" Amelia knocked down the door with a viscous kick, but before she or anyone could set foot in the house.
"Urgh!" Amelia recoiled, wrinkling her nose in the process. Aidan, Eri, Neoma and Novak all did the same.
The group of five passed each other a look and without discussing it, they unanimously agreed on the nature of the smell.
"Dead guy." They all said.
Anna, Elsa, Lady Caine and Cassandra all looked at one another in turns, it did not sit well with them that their kids know what a dead person smelled like. They weren't surprised though.
"Looks like they found the real Vorgan Gelt." Joked Kristoff.
The kids didn't have as much luck find clues however.
"Ooh, we can't find anything!" Amelia whined.
She stomped her boot angrily on the floorboards, her brother and cousin and friends stood in a circle.
Amelia and Novak had combed the house of Vorgan Gelt. It wasn't a very big house so Aidan, Eri and Neoma opt to search outside, whilst burying the real Vorgan. So far all of their efforts have proven fruitless.
Until.
Eri made her way towards a wash basin. "Unquiet's do not eat food nor do they drink water." The ice mage ran her fingers along the dusty water pump, and smiled. "Not used in weeks. Evidence perfectly preserved."
With a wave of her hands the water of the pump floated out, they solidified and formed the shape of six figures. A scenario was replayed.
"There are memories in water." Anna cheered happily.
Elsa smiled at her sister then smiled at the screen and at Eri. Her daughter was both smart and resourceful.
••• End of Flashback •••
••• Back on the airship •••
"We've identified four other infiltrators and their target locations." Aidan explained, he raised a finger as he listed each one. "One has wormed its way in the sea side kingdom of Iluka."
Eric and Ariel gasped, it was their kingdom that was mentioned. The couple looked to each other pale with worry, their daughter only snickered however.
"It's going to be alright." Melody smiled. "I mean, it's already been made alright." The girl laughed. Her parents looked at her then at each other.
Ariel and Eric slowly relaxed, their daughter had claimed to have met and interacted with the Heroic Seven. The seven are capable and dedicated, Ariel and Eric knew this. And if they have already come to Iluka then surely the threat of the infiltrator has been expunged.
They returned to the screen.
"Another is in a place called Weasel Town." Said Aidan.
"Wesselton." Eri corrected. She and Neoma joined the discussion.
"Gee is that place even worth infiltrating?" Anna asked.
"I think I feel worse for the infiltrator." Kristoff mumbled, making Elsa snort.
"The third place is-"
"The Southern Isles." Novak muttered.
Marius and Mathew turned to one another with grim expressions.
"Pffft, does that place even need an infiltrator?" Sideburns scoffed.
"Yeah it's already full of snakes and backstabbers." Patchy laughed.
Marius and Mathew glowered at the brothers.
Lady Caine however saw no humour in what's to come... Or has come to pass. 'So Novak will visit the Southern Isles. Hope he won't feel hurt.' The boy's mother thought.
Novak said nothing, merely stared at the land beyond.
"Last is a place called Monster Island." Neoma stated. "A place no-one dares visit."
"Gee, I can't imagine why." Varian cringed.
"So we know our mission now." Declared Aidan. "To prevent the Storm of The Unquiets we are to destroy the Dark Portals that grant the Unquiets access to this world, and we are to eliminate the Unquiet Infiltrators that threaten to destabilize the world and it's active governance. AGREED!?"
"AYE!" Everyone cheered.
Then Amelia stepped forward to address the group. "Everyone, I know we already swore to our dear friends back home that we would complete this mission. But let's swear a new oath, today between the seven of us." She smiled at each member. "No matter the odds, no matter how hard things get, we will never give up on this mission. And more importantly, we only have each other to do this. Should any us stumble, the rest of the team will be there to help them up no matter what."
Amelia cast her gaze over the rails at the beautiful landscape beyond. The words of her mother resounded in her memory.
The audience were treated to the encouraging words of Future Anna to her children. "The world that was is a true sight of beauty, when you see it, both the land and the people. You will understand why it is all worth saving."
And now they all believe it. Amelia held out her hand in the centre, Eri followed, then Flynn, Aidan, Wrenn, Neoma and Novak. They all placed their hands on-top of Amelia's, and in one unanimous nod they all flung their hands in the air and cheered.
Anna and Kristoff smiled joyfully. Aidan was a natural leader and Amelia inspires the group.
"But it seems like such an undoable task." Frederic sighed. "Especially for seven teenagers so young and without help."
"I believe they can." Arianna replied. "These are no ordinary teenagers, and I'm not just referring to their special powers." Observing the conviction and determination in the faces of the seven teens. A pained smile formed on Arianna's face. These children have been made to grow up much sooner than normal.
"So which and where is our first target?" Asked Flynn.
Aidan held up the map, it was a rough copy of the one Xavier had except with only the portal locations marked and the infiltrated kingdom's circled.
Rapunzel and Eugene breathed a sigh of relief. They were worried for a second the teens had stolen Xavier's map too.
Aidan point at a mountain. "Our closest target is a portal in a tall building on the top of this mountain."
Rapunzel, Eugene and Cassandra gasped, they all looked at each other to confirm the shared response.
"That's Calliope's spire!" Exclaimed Rapunzel.
"Sure, trust Calliope to keep a demon portal in her spire." Eugene mumbled.
"Who's Calliope?" Anna asked.
"She's annoying-." Cassandra groaned.
"She's obnoxious-." Eugene added.
"Calliope is a very devoted and knowledgeable keeper of The Spire." Rapunzel defended, whilst giving Eugene and Cassandra a scolding look. "A place that houses many great wonders and mystical artefacts... including a demon portal it seems."
"Wow." Anna sighed dreamingly.
It just became apparent to the Arendellian queen that the seven teens will be exploring many exciting places throughout their journey. And it is through them that she, her sister and all her friends will also be seeing those places via the big screen.
The screen fast forwarded and the audience gasped in awe as they watched the dirigible fly over a magnificent pinecone shaped structure with radiant aquamarine swirling patterns.
"It's beautiful." Elsa the architect of many beautiful ice buildings sighed in awe.
"That's where a Dark Portal is held." Eri accused. Elsa's daughter in contrast wrinked her nose with suspicion. "Could likely be an enemy's stronghold."
"Should we just say 'Bomb's Away!' and move on?" Flynn joked as he waved the Luna Vengeance over the deck.
The audience gasped.
"Don't do it, Flynn!" Shrieked Rapunzel and Eugene.
Neoma snatched her bomb off of Flynn and stuffed it back in her backpack.
"We're not bombing anything, yet." Wrenn rolled her eyes at her brother. "Let's land."
•••
Amelia is seen standing before The Spire's large double doors with her shield held in front of her. The girl turned to glance at each of her companions.
Flynn and Novak were on either flanks of the entrance with swords drawn. Neoma, Wrenn and Aidan hid in the bushes and Eri remained on the airship overhead ready to rain icy death on any would be hostiles.
Seeing that everyone was in position, Amelia cautiously raised her free hand and gave three hard knocks on the door.
"Whoa guys, is this place dangerous?" Kristoff balked. The kids were expecting an attack. "Are such precautions really necessary?"
Kristoff, Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Lady Caine, Arianna, Frederic, Edmund, Marius, Mathew and the Stabbington Brothers all turned towards Rapunzel, Eugene and Cassandra for answers.
"Don't worry everyone." Rapunzel smiled and continued. "It's good that they are being careful, but trust me. The kids are just being over cautious, I assure you the Spire is perfectly safe-."
"MOVEMENT AT THE REAR!" Eri warned.
"RAAAAARRRRRRR!!!!!"
The audience gasped in horror.
A gigantic red bear with curled horns stormed out of the woods. It made another ear splitting terrifying roar before it charged towards the group.
"Oh, right. The Kurlock." Rapunzel chuckled.
Everyone sweat dropped.
Wrenn dove aside narrowly avoiding being trampled. The Kurlock widened it's razor filled mouth and slammed it shut trapping the blade of Aidan's halberd as the boy swung for the creature's head. The kurlock reared and twisted it's body, throwing Aidan and his halberd a dozen feet away.
Aidan performed a summersault and landed gracefully with a combat roll, unharmed.
Ignoring Aidan, the kurlock lumbered towards Flynn, Novak and Amelia the three who disturbed the Spire!
"Flynn! Novak!" Amelia ordered.
Anna and Kristoff noticed the sudden change in their daughter's tone, it was commanding and full of authority. The couple were both thrown back to The Battle of Northuldra. This was the girl who lead the soldiers in the defence of the main gate and successfully repelled the enemy. Her comrades followed her without question.
And they still do.
Flynn and Novak joined hands, holding their palms up for Amelia. The girl hopped on and the boys launched her at the charging beast.
The kurlock widened it's jaws again ready for a bite. But then it's eyes bulged in surprise when it noticed the ground under it had turned to slippery ice, the kurlock tried to stop but found itself sliding forward. It watched the airborne girl flying towards it as she whined back her shield then-.
FDONK!
•••
"So what do you call this thing?" Eri asked.
The group of seven crowded around the kurlock, the creature was encased in an ice cage. They continued to examine the thrashing creature until.
"WHOA, STOP! CEASE AND DESIST! STOP THIS HEINOUS, BARBAROUS ACT AT ONCE!!!" A short, ginger haired woman with glasses came running out of the Spire, hands flailing. "What are you kids doing with my Kurlock!?"
"There she is." Cassandra muttered.
"Can't say she got any taller." Eugene joked.
Rapunzel gave them both scolding looks.
••• Skip Ahead•••
Calliope's kurlock sat in a corner and ate from its bowl. Amelia patted the creature and offered her apologies for hitting it earlier.
"If you wanted a tour, you could have just knocked." Calliope reprimanded. The short keeper of the Spire lead the seven teenagers inside all the while oblivious to the odd looks she was receiving from the group.
Grrrr. Came tummy grumble. Calliope raised an eyebrow at the group.
"Ah, that reminds me. There are cupcakes and tea in the dining room." Calliope stated and the seven teens lit up in excitement.
Rapunzel, Eugene and Cassandra all raised their eyebrows. It certainly was uncharacteristically kind and considerate of Calliope-.
"Don't eat them! I am expecting guests later today." Calliope stated firmly then continued walking.
The seven teens all looked deflated.
"Bah! She hasn't changed one bit." Cassandra cursed.
"Gee, I was just wondering if that was someone else cloaking as Calliope again." Eugene laughed. "Guess not."
"Oooh, I'm hungry." Amelia quietly whined.
Novak promptly opened his backpack and fished out seven large carrots. Just some of the fine produce bought from Quirin a few days prior.
"Yay, carrots!" Amelia cheered like a little girl.
Anna and Kristoff smiled, this was the carefree and bubbly girl they'd like to see more of.
Then suddenly Kristoff's eyes widened in horror. "Did he just offer her a carrot!?"
A few viewers in the audience particularly children all cringed at the thought of eating vegetables. Yet the Heroic Seven had no such qualms as they gleefully ate the carrots raw and with the skin!
"Definitely your kids." Eugene laughed, slapping Kristoff on the back. Unsurprisingly it was Aidan and Amelia that finished their carrots the quickest.
With some questionable enthusiasm Calliope lead the seven teenagers on an informative and detailed tour. The short woman made no restraint with showing off her vast knowledge of the spire's contents.
The audience watched with wide eyed amazement. They never knew there were so many great and terrible artefacts all stored in this one place.
"I'd steal that." Sideburns pointed. "And that."
"Definitely steal that." Patchy added.
Marius rolled his eyes at his sons.
Calliope continued to address each artefact, going into great details about where they each came from and what it is for.
The audience watch the scene skip ahead and the teens were eating celery sticks, then apples, then cucumbers, another skip and the teens were sharing a cabbage.
As they did however, the screen surprisingly shifted away from the touring group and focused on certain unassuming object on the wall.
The audience was puzzled, it showed what appears to be a skeleton key with teeth that form the shape of a crown, that and the fact that the strange key was the size of a sword! And like a sword the giant key was clearly a weapon of sorts, with its own double sided handguards. Though most soldiers and weapon experts would question the effectiveness of the strange weapon.
The giant key suddenly glowed and released a magical pulse.
"Hmm?" Amelia turned her head. Her cheeks puff with a mouthful of cabbage. "Did anyone else hear that?"
"Hear what?" Wrenn asked. Everyone turned to look at Amelia, the girl was staring up at the spiral staircase.
"It sounded like a heartbeat. And I felt a pulse push through the air. Am I the only one who noticed it?"
"Yeah, I think it's just you." Aidan said with his hands on his hips. He eyed the cabbage in his sister's hands. "Are you going to eat all of that yourself?"
Amelia scoffed and tossed the cabbage at her brother.
"Um excuse me!" Calliope yelled. "I'm in the middle of running a tour here! A little common courtesy would be nice!"
The grouped looked at Calliope with a hint of annoyance
"Uh look, Calliope." Wrenn decided to negotiate. "You have a very fine collection in this lovely Spire of yours-."
" Spire." Calliope corrected.
"That's what I said."
"No no dear it's pronounced Spire, it comes from spira, it's Latin. Another language that I know. Of course I wouldn't expect a bunch of teenage dropouts to be so literate." Calliope ranted.
One of Wrenn's eyes began to twitch, she wasn't nearly as patient as Rapunzel was with Calliope. Eri decided in that moment to step in and pull Wrenn away before things turned violent. Then Amelia stepped forward.
"What my friend is asking is if we could skip ahead to the gates exhibit." Amelia lied. "See we love gates."
"Especially Devil Gates." Aidan specified. "Ones that would allow demons or Unquiet creatures to enter our world."
"Hmmmm very well, I suppose I've had enough practice."
"Practice?" The seven teens asked.
"Yeah, you see. It is my master, the former Keeper of the Spire who is visiting soon. And he is bringing very important friends." Said Calliope. "Naturally it should be expected that I organise a tour, lucky for me I had you kids to practice on."
"You dragged us around your Spire for three and a half hours just to practice your tour!?" Neoma growled angrily. She glowered at the shorter woman.
Calliope stared up at Neoma, she blinked once, then twice, then-. "AH. Now I know who you remind me of!" Calliope clicked her fingers. "You remind me of that crazy lady that stole the Mind Trap."
"Hah, you know, now that Calliope mentions it. Neoma does resemble Cassandra a lot more when she's angry!" Eugene laughed.
This caused Cassandra to rise from her seat but Anna was quick to pull back Cassandra and calm her down.
In mirror to their mother, Aidan and Amelia were quick to act. Aidan placed his hands on Neoma's shoulders from behind and Amelia quickly hopped between Neoma and Calliope. Both gently moved Neoma away from Calliope.
"Huddle!" Ordered Aidan.
The seven quickly formed a close huddle.
"Man she is infuriating!" Neoma exclaimed.
"I know, but we have to find this portal no matter what!" Said Wrenn.
"Anyone up for blowing up the Spire?" Flynn joked.
"Anyone up for blowing up the Spire with Calliope still inside?" Novak also joked. The two boys laughed.
"Nobody is blowing up this Spire!" Amelia dismissed. "Look at us, we've all fought off monsters and raiders in our old world. How soft have we become that we can't handle one annoying person!" Amelia scolded.
"Relax, we're only joking." Flynn coaxed.
The group broke the huddle agreeing to brave the annoying woman instead.
"Are you kids done butchering the word 'Spire' yet?" Calliope asked
"Wait, you were listening to us and all you got out of that was us mispronouncing Spire?" Eri asked, incredulously.
"Yeah, and I can't begin to express how annoyed I am by all of you." Calliope scolded.
Eri turned around to face the group, her eyes narrowed, the room temperature dropped a few degrees.
"Wooh, did it just get colder in her?" Calliope shivered.
Everyone stared at Eri. The snow princess spoke.
"Neoma, give me the Luna Vengeance!" Eri demanded. "We'll blow up this place and build her a castle. Then no one will ever have to debate the 'S' word again."
"Ehehehe. Now now let's not be hasty." Calliope pleaded nervously.
Suddenly another pulse of energy shook the room, this time everyone felt it. Sensing a direct threat to its existence the Dark Portal reacted with its own defensive counter measures. An ethereal vortex materialised between two stone pillars and from its swirling black and purple depths strode a mighty figure.
The audience gasped, many shuddered in terror.
The figure was gigantic, it was humanoid in shape but easily the height of a light post! The behemoth had the features of a knight clad in thick black armour of unearthly design, it's texture was the darkest black with blood red markings and it bore the prominent markings of the seven's greatest enemy.
"An Unquiet!" Amelia exclaimed.
As if in acknowledgement the Unquiet knight took in a deep breath, drawing in the life giving air of the physical world into its immaterial lungs. The thing hissed it back out as if it were the foulest rot odour, a hoarse metallic grunt echoed from the grills of its helm.
"It's The Guardian, every portal has one!" Aidan warned. The teens drew their weapons, Flynn and Wrenn engaged their Sundrop powers and Eri charged up her ice magic. Neoma raised a black rock pillar out of the ground, then taking hold of the pillar she pulled out a black rock sword.
"My floors!" Calliope exclaimed.
The seven teens ignored her, their only focus was on the foe before them.
The knight responded by drawing it's own weapon, a sword as long as a man is tall. The weapon sparkled, then suddenly a raging fire engulfed the length of the blade, it held the ablazed weapon aside leaving it's chest exposed in invitation.
The Seven did not accept, they stood their grounds in defensive positions.
The tension in the air was so thick it was almost touchable, the audience watched in anticipation of the fight.
Anna, Kristoff, Elsa, Rapunzel, Eugene and Varian watched on the edge of their seats.
Anna had her hands on her lap squeezing the fabric of her dress. Cassandra noticed Anna's unease and was quick to place a hand around her shoulder, having been friends with Rapunzel for so long has taught Cassandra how best to comfort someone like Anna. Anna smiled.
Rapunzel meanwhile placed a hand on Elsa's. Being around Cassandra for so long has in turn taught Rapunzel how to comfort someone as reserved as Elsa.
The knight suddenly broke the stand off. With a raging war shout the Unquiet lunged forward with its flaming sword held aggressively above its head.
The teens dove in all different directions all of them narrowly avoiding the flaming sword as the Unquiet brought the weapon down and around in a horizontal sweep. Only Calliope remained where she stood.
Luckily Calliope was too short and the flaming sword simply zipped over her head. A tiny smolder that had begun flickering on the top of Calliope's head finally broke the keeper of the Spire from her shock.
"AAAHHHHH!" Screamed Calliope. She began running around in circles with her hands flailing.
The seven teens were quick to retaliate.
"KILL IT!" Yelled Aidan.
Amelia and Flynn ran in swords raised. The huge knight interposed it's sword and then with a mighty backhand swing, flung the two through the air. The flaming sword scraping the walls and knocking down several artefacts.
Flynn drove his two swords into the ground bringing himself into a grinding halt, Amelia landed on her shield, performing a combat roll and safely returning to her feet, also unharmed.
Aidan, Wrenn and Novak ran in next.
Aidan had slid under the backhand swing and hooked his halberd onto the brute's left ankle, his momentum managed to unbalance the Unquiet.
Novak then came, with a shout he brought his sword up and thrust its tip at the Unquiet's stomach. But even with all his body weight and strength behind the weapon, the attack was ineffective. The thick armour of the towering knight jarred Novak's arms.
The knight seized Novak with its left hand and raised its sword for a retaliatory strike but then Wrenn jumped in.
Hopping on Novak's shoulder, Wrenn leapt up to reach the knight's eye level. She performed a graceful spin before swinging her chain flail at the Unquiet's visor. The attack actually knocking towering figure back.
As the knight took a step backwards, Aidan raised his halberd up tripping the Unquiet. The gigantic knight fell on its back with a thunderous crack, breaking the tiles and rocking the room, several artefacts fell off their shelves.
Before the last artefact hit the ground, Aidan spun on the spot gathering momentum then leapt in the air and brought his halberd down on the Unquiet's chest!
But like Novak's sword, Aidan's halberd was likewise unable to pierce the knight's armour. Even Wrenn's flail, though it did knock the knight backwards, failed to even make a dent. The knight hissed, it sat up and swung it's flaming sword back handed at the three teens warding them off.
It prepared it to make a retaliatory forward swing but Wrenn made her move. She raised her hand and held out a small sphere of light, the sphere exploded in a blinding flash stunning the creature of darkness. Aidan and Novak yelled and ran in but the knight swung it's sword and released a huge wall of fire. The force of the ignition set the walls alight and threw the three teens across the hall.
Eri saw the danger and immediately shot her ice magic at the far wall. Aidan, Novak and Wrenn flew into the six foot thick wall of cushioning snow. Flynn and Amelia were quick to act, Flynn pulled out Aidan and Novak while Amelia pulled Wrenn out. All three emerged unharmed from the impact but sported minor burns. Flynn and Wrenn were quick to use their healing magics.
Now it was Eri and Neoma against the Unquiet knight. Eri hurled an ice blast at the Unquiet, the projectile exploded into a haze of icy mist right in its face.
With but a dismissive wave of his flaming sword the knight effortlessly blew the mist away. But not before Neoma and Eri had already closed in!
Neoma struck the knight with her black rock sword, the unworldly material managed to pierce through its thick armour and cut into the Unquiet's thigh.
The knight roared and made a swing at its offender but suddenly found itself tumbling over and hitting the ground face first, its feet encased in ice and frozen to the floor.
Eri then raised her hands and shot her magic at the ceiling above, great ice stalactites took form. They broke off and fell, smashing on-top of the knight and burying it.
The Unquiet was up in an instant, throwing off a tonne of solid ice as easily as if it were pillows. It smashed the ice encasing its ankles breaking them with the pommel of its sword, then proceeded to swing at Eri.
Eri performed a backflip then a summersault, then the most amazing trick in mid-air.
Elsa's eyebrows perked as Eri rolled herself up and transformed into a big snowball. The audience with wide eyes watch as the Eri snowball roll and bounce around the room, easily dodging all the knight's attacks.
"I keep forgetting Eri isn't human." Kristoff thought aloud. "Not that it makes her any less my niece!" He quickly added.
The Eri Snowball bounced three times in front of the knight, a taunt. The knight roared and swung down, but a black rock peek shot out diagonally and blocked the blow.
Neoma reached into her utility belt and threw four black rock shurikens at the knight, the throwing stars bit deep into various parts of the Unquiets chest and abdomen.
Cassandra squinted her eyes while staring intently at the black rock shurikens. At the centre of each projectile was a small globe, like the ones Varian often use to carry and implement his chemicals.
True to Cassandra's observations the shurikens indeed carried a chemical substance. And a dangerous one at that. The globes split open and suddenly the Unquiet was doused in a strange simmering liquid, the liquid seeped into the joint slits and cracks of the Unquiet's.
Immediately the creature wailed and thrashed wildly in pain, clawing at its own armour. The loose embers of its flaming sword lit the liquid and instantly the Unquiet was set ablaze.
The wailing and flailing continued.
Varian blinked. A mix of pride and horror on his face. "That's what she took the Peracetic Acid for!?"
"What'd I tell you?" Eugene winced. "Dangerous combination!"
The Eri Snowball rolled around the flaming knight, laying several ice mines about its feet. The mines exploded into icy caltrops, puncturing the knight's unarmoured underfoot.
"Neoma!" The snowball yelled.
Neoma responded by holding out her black rock arm to the side ready to receive Eri. The Eri snowball bounced onto her awaiting hand. With a grunt of effort, Neoma hurled the huge snowball at the Unquiet, the magically controlled prosthetic allowed Neoma to swing with astonishing strength.
While in mid-air, Eri transformed into a solid block of ice. With a thunderous crack the Eri block slammed into the Unquiet's chest with the force of a cannon ball, splitting a huge opening in its cuirass. The knight tumbled backwards again making another huge crack on the ground, it laid burning.
Eri transformed back into her human form, landing gracefully beside Neoma.
"WOOH!"Cheered Amelia.
"Way to go Eri and Neoma!" Flynn applauded.
"Now that's teamwork!" Rapunzel praised.
Elsa and Cassandra breathed a sigh of relief. However-.
"Whoa girls, it's not over yet!" Novak warned.
The smouldering mass shuffled and up rose a truly hellish spectacle.
The audience gasped.
It was as something straight out of a nightmare, with warped armour, melted markings and acrid steaming black Ichor oozing from its many wounds. But most haunting of all were the creature's eyes.
For a split second the screen entered the path of the creature's intense stare. The audience shrank in their seats
Under the grills of the knight's ruined, leaking visor helm glared its glowing yellow eyes. Even without an iris and pupil, there existed something deep and implacable, an undeniable consciousness as ravenous as the fires of hell. The audience cowed as the eyes bore into their souls.
All people experience anger, all people have felt hate in their hearts. But the Unquiet made it all seem meek, like droplets compared to the ocean of dark emotions behind the creature's eyes, behind all Unquiets. It was a hatred nurtured for thousands of years, such immense proportions that it was more akin to an elemental force than something brewed from sentient being's heart.
Whatever the truth or mystery behind these Unquiets, one thing is clear. These entities are beyond reasoning or logical desires, no possibility for compromise or co-existence. Their only goal is the annihilation of all life. Either they are destroyed, or the Earth will be.
"Back up for more, huh?" Wrenn grumbled.
The Unquiet huffed and the fires around it blew out. Suddenly it plunged its sword into the ground, the tiles split apart and seven hellhounds surged from the rift. Each viscous, snarling hairless warhound roared and raced towards their targets. One for each of the seven teens... Or at least that was how it was supposed to be.
"GAHH!" Screamed Calliope. She ran behind burning rubbles and hid under broken furniture, a salivating beast at her heals. "Why are you after me? It's not me you want!"
Flynn, Wrenn, Aidan, Eri, Neoma and Novak each fought to fend off the unnatural beasts.
That left Amelia alone, against the huge monstrous knight.
Anna gulped.
Kristoff blanched at the screen. He glanced at the pram to his side and saw his helpless baby daughter watching with curious eyes. Kristoff pulled the pram closer. The idea that his daughter would fight that monster alone made him pale with worry. He picked up his baby girl and held her close.
But Amelia showed no fear, before the terrifying Unquiet the thirteen year old held her head high, her sword and shield in either hand as she strode towards the towering figure.
There was no stand off this time, the Unquiet let out a blood chilling roar and thundered towards Amelia with weapon swinging.
Amelia was able to evade and counter with expert strikes.
The audience watched at the edge of their seats. Despite Amelia's impressive agility and above average strength, every killing stroke of her sword was turned aside by the knight's unnatural armour, and every wild swing of the Unquiet's flaming sword came dangerously close to ending Amelia's young life.
"Careful you don't crush her!" Varian warned. Kristoff yelped and loosened his grip on baby Amelia.
Teen Amelia thrust her sword upwards stabbing into the crack in the Knight's cuirass. The monster howled and bowled Amelia away tearing the weapon from her grip. Amelia stood back up with shield in hand, she looked undeterred.
"Fall back, Amy!" Aidan ordered. "You're no match for it!" He grunted as he pushed back a hellhound biting down on the shaft of his halberd.
But Amelia simply adjusted the grip of her shield and strode forward again.
Anna at this point was breathing hard. Cassandra did what she could to consol her but it was a losing battle, almost as helpless as Amelia looked against the knight.
Yet an offer of comfort came from a most surprising source, and in a rather surprising way. Lady Caine punched Anna in the arm!
"Relax." Said Lady Caine. "Amelia is a big girl. Don't doubt her capabilities, she's got this."
Anna suddenly straightened, her eyes wide. Lady Caine was right, Anna needed to believe in Amelia. But still, a mother cannot help but worry.
"She'll be fine." Lady Caine rolled her eyes. "Your husband said he saw Amelia last month here in Arendelle, didn't he?"
Okay. That one finally did the trick.
Everyone stared at Lady Caine, astonished. "What? Am I the only one who notices these things?" She asks.
Everyone returns to the screen.
"AHH!" Calliope screamed. "Get away, get away." The Keeper of the Spire scrambled up the spiral stairway whilst throwing anything she could find at the hellhound. Many hit the hellhound with surprising and even hilarious results.
"GRAAAR!" The hellhound roared.
The hellhound shook off a giant gummy worm and raced towards Calliope... However.
"RAAAAAR!" Calliope's kurlock grabbed the hellhound from behind! It bit into the hellhound's back and slammed it against the pillar, then down on the stairs, then finally threw the offending creature off the stairway.
"Thanks, Cuddles." Calliope slumped down.
The kurlock nuzzled Calliope and then tugged at her sleeves. It motiones towards the fight downstairs, at Amelia against the knight. At the girl who was fighting without her sword.
"That girl needs a new weapon." Calliope mumbled.
Amelia spun and avoided a downward chop of the knight's flaming sword. With the momentum gained she threw her shield straight at the creature's face. The shield struck the visor, knocking the Unquiet's head back. Still in mid spin, Amelia jumped high and kicked the airborne shield, the shield soared and struck the pommel of her sword still imbedded in the creature's chest, driving the weapon into the creature's heart!
The audience cheered.
Amelia landed and watched the creature stagger backwards.
Shockingly however, the knight straightened itself and resumed it's attacks. Unquiets are evidently heartless.
"Seriously!?" Exclaimed Eugene. "What does it take to kill this guy?"
"This Portal Guardian is much stronger than the other Unquiets." Varian said.
Kristoff was running his hand through his hair, there was utter terror in his eyes. His daughter was now completely unarmed!
"Hmmm." Calliope hummed in deep thought. "King Arthur's Excalibur? Nah. Hmm, Prince Phillip's Sword of Truth? No way." Calliope was browsing through an assortment of magical weapons on display, she was sure taking her sweet time in deciding. "Perhaps-."
"JUST THROW SOMETHING!!" Arianna yelled.
"Aha, this will do." Calliope cheered.
Stacked between the bizarre giant key and an equally bizarre giant fishing hook labelled Manaiakalani, there rested a magnificent golden warhammer. Calliope took up the golden warhammer.
Amelia kicked off the knight, launching herself a good distance away from her foe.
The Unquiet picked up a dining table and hurled it at Amelia, spilling tea and cupcakes all over the floor. The table missed, but a chair went straight for the girl.
"CATCH!" Calliope yelled, tossing the hammer at Amelia.
Without looking, Amelia's hand reached up, something hit her palm and her fingers closed around a shaft. Amelia swung the item batting the chair away. She furrowed her eyebrows as she then studied the strange weapon in her hand.
"Uh, Calliope. Why did you throw me a giant key?" Amelia waved the bizarre object up at Calliope.
"What!?" Calliope balked. "I threw you a golden warhammer!"
Amelia looked down and indeed there was a golden warhammer on the ground.
"Ooh pretty." Amelia tossed the giant key aside and proceeded to pick up the intended item. But before she reached the hammer...
PUFF.
The giant key teleported back into her hand!
"What?" A confused Amelia gasped.
She didn't have long to question, the Unquiet knight swung it's sword sending a wall of fire at her. Amelia yelped and held up the key to shield her face. To her surprise the key's magic negated the attack and dispersed the wall of fire, then as if alive the key aimed itself at the Unquiet and shot a massive fireball at it.
The knight was hit and sent crashing into the wall of artefacts.
"Whoa." Whispered Amelia, amazed.
Everyone watch with equal shock.
"GIANT KEY IT IS!!" Amelia yelled and charged at the recovering knight, giant key raised.
Immediately the tide turned in the Arendellian princess's favour. Where before, the Unquiet knight's armour had turned aside sword and halberd alike. With the giant key, this once impressive armour crumpled as easily as it were paper!
Amelia avoided an attack then struck the knight's sword hand, caving in the gauntlet and crushing whatever bones it may have underneath.
The creature dropped it's sword and howled in pain.
Amelia did a full spin on her right and smashed the key into the knight's right knee. Then as the knight fell forward Amelia spun the opposite direction and brought the key upwards smashing into its visor.
The creature was knocked backwards by the force of the blow. The helmet broke asunder.
Amelia adjusted her grip, it was time to finish the fight.
Amelia vaulted on the knight's knee, ran up its body, she planted her foot on the hilt of her embedded sword and launched herself high, reaching above the head height of the Unquiet.
All who watched it knew the image would stay with them forever. With both hands on the key the Arendellian princess brought down the weapon with thunderous finality.
The head of the Unquiet exploded in a spray of black Ichor. Its shoulders sank and its arms fell limp as all life left the creature, it began to collapse.
The remaining hellhounds shrieked and vanished, their forms unraveling with the death of their summoner.
The six teens plus Calliope and her kurlock turned and saw Amelia land on her feet while the knight fell.
Amelia watched as the Unquiet crash to the ground for good this time. Its immaterial form began to sizzle away.
"WOOH!!" Anna cheered, getting off her seat and pumping her fists in the air. "THAT'S MY GIRL!!"
"Yeah Amy!" Kristoff picked up the baby Amelia and raised her high. The smaller Amelia giggled.
"That was incredible!" Rapunzel cheered and clapped.
Willow squealed and pulled Arianna into a squeeze, Arianna welcomed it.
"Thanks, you two." Anna thanked Cassandra and Lady Caine. The two women shrugged.
The crowd roared and applauded. The Arendellians cheered proudly for their princess from the future.
"We can't let it return to the realm of darkness to warn about us! Eri hurry and fre-..." Amelia froze.
The Unquiet did die and it did fizzle away, but not in the manner the seven teens have witnessed in their long years of battling Unquiets. A glowing pink heart floated up from the Unquiets ruins, it hovered before the Arendellian princess.
The heart bobbled at Amelia in what may appear as a gesture of sorts, and somehow Amelia understood its meaning.
From behind, the rest of the group watched Amelia's shoulders shake then the girl let out a nod and waved at the heart in farewell. The heart floated higher and at last vanished. Then Amelia finally turned around and they were greeted with a serene and overjoyed Amelia.
"It's finally free. It won't return to the realm of darkness " Amelia explained. She smiled at the group. A great wave of gratitude washed over her from the once Unquiet. The thing had shared with her its relief, the release from millennia of tormented rage was euphoric, and it brought her to tears. She looked down at the great key in her hands, astonished by its magic.
But one thing still remained.
"We have to destroy the portal. Neoma, get the Luna Vengeance ready!" Amelia pointed at the swirling black and purple vortex.
"Wait, so we were going to use The Bomb anyway?" Flynn asked. "Then why didn't we just leave it here with the Unquiet from the start!?"
Everyone paused and looked at one another. "Huh, that's a good one." Said Aidan.
The celebrating crowd suddenly fell silent. Cassandra rubbed her temples.
"Well, what's done is done." Wrenn huffed.
"Let's just finish this." Amelia pointed the key at the swirling portal-. Suddenly a beam of light shot out of the giant key and struck the portal. A large glowing lock replaced the black and purple vortex...
The portal has been sealed.
Everyone was now staring at Amelia and the giant key in her hand.
"Well this thing is certainly full of surprises." Amelia said incredulous with the mysterious giant key.
"Oh, we have a problem." Neoma groaned. She was holding the Luna Vengeance and the fuse was lit!
The audience exclaimed in horror.
"Blow it out!" Aidan shrieked.
Eri quickly shot an ice blast at the bomb but Neoma only shook her head as she continued holding the bomb. "That's not going to work, the fuse is coated with thermite. I made it like that so it could burn underwater."
"CUT THE FUSE!!" Novak yelled.
Too late!
"CONTAIN IT!!" Wrenn yelled.
Eri quickly encased the bomb in a block of ice, Neoma encased it in black rock and anchored it to the ground. Everyone took cover.
The explosion came like the end of the world. The blast and shrapnel were contained but the vibration rocked the Spire to its foundations, not a single precious artefact remained on its shelf. And it was loud, very loud!
Calliope screamed and screamed and screamed. Even when it was over, she kept screaming.
"You can stop screaming now Calliope, it's over." Said Neoma.
Calliope stopped and slowly regained her breathing. The kurlock patted her on the back. But then Calliope took in the state of the Spire and resumed screaming!
The place was a wreck, could it get any worse?
Knock knock sounded the front door. Another knock and slowly the door came off its hinges and slammed on the ground. The whole group turned to see a wisen elderly man wearing long white robes and carrying a basket.
"Good afternoon everyone." The former Keeper of the Spire greeted. He seemed oddly cheerful despite the reception. "I've brought some pies."
Everyone stood staring at him in total silence. A few cracks were heard then some rubbles fell, and finally the spiral stair case in the centre of the Spire gave way and suddenly collapsed in a cloud of dust engulfing everyone.
"I think it's safe to say the kids are banned for life." Eugene cringed.
•••
"Ah here it is." The former Keeper chirped.
He opened a small treasure box he picked up from under a mountain of rubble and held out a small green stone. Then like magic, the Spire and all its contents slotted back into their rightful places. Even the dining table and its food.
The seven teens, Calliope, the kurlock and all the audience watched in amazement. And before you knew it, the Spire was as it was before the fighting.
Except for the dark portal, the master made sure to leave that one out.
"That's neat." Amelia whistled. "So where does this go?" With some regret, Amelia held out the giant key. She loathed to part with it, but it was the right thing to do.
"Oh, I think I better take that." Calliope was quick to take the giant key off the girl. After the day's events, Calliope did not trust anyone with handling the artefacts.
But barely even a second after Calliope took the key-.
-Fwoosh-
The key vanished in a puff of smoke and reappeared in Amelia's hands.
Both Amelia and Calliope blinked. Amelia again attempted to return the key but for a second time the key teleported back to Amelia. The former Keeper of the Spire watch intently as this happened.
"Hmm it seems the Keyblade has bound itself to you." Said Calliope. "No problem, I'm sure there is a spell book of unbinding somewhere in this Spire." Calliope suggested.
However, the former Keeper had seen enough. The wisen old man took this moment to step in.
"I do not believe that will be necessary, Calliope." He placed a hand on Calliope's shoulder and smiled. "We are the keepers of the Spire, and it is indeed our duty to watch over the many great artefacts that reside here. But these artefacts do not belong to us, and they are not ours to hoard."
The old master then turned towards Amelia, his features joyful, this was a proud day. "Young girl from another world, do you know what it is, the item that you carry?"
Amelia gasped in surprise. "How did you know I'm from another world?"
The master chuckled. "I know many things and as do many of my peers. Your coming has been foreseen and it was for that I requested Calliope prepared for guests."
"Wait, these kids were the important guests we were expecting!?" Calliope balked.
The master nodded, then turned to Amelia once again, he motion at the giant key.
Amelia regarded the item and finally spoke. "Well, all I can say is. Despite its odd shape and seemingly impractical use as a weapon, this thing really packs a wallop." Amelia laughed. She then thought back on the foe she defeated. "I have fought many Unquiets in my world and this was the first I've seen one freed. When I destroyed the knight I felt its relief, its joy, the eternal rage of Unquiet finally washed away." Amelia sighed.
"Also this thing can even seal dark portals. It's almost like this key is meant for our mission." Amelia laughed.
"I believe that is infact the case. But it is not meant for your mission, it is meant for you." The master proclaimed.
Everyone stared at the master.
"The item you carry is called a Keyblade. A weapon forged to fight off the darkness and maintain order in the world, it's powers are immeasurable." The master began his explanation. "The Keyblades are ancient, created eons ago, back to a time and land immemorial. But even though the nature of their origin have fallen to myth and speculation, one truth remains inviolate."
The master released a deep sigh and a smile. "All Keyblades possess a will of their own and they are fastidious in choosing their wielders." Everyone shifted their gaze at Amelia.
The old master smiled at Calliope and the rest of the group as he gestured at Amelia. "Indeed, as fate would have it. This Keyblade has always belonged to Amelia Bjorgman, and it has been waiting all this time for the day she would claim it." The master concluded.
Amelia held the Keyblade high for all her friends to see and as she did, the runes along its length lit up. The Keyblade glowed and reshaped itself, taking the form that suits Amelia's character. The teeth of the key became an inverted crescent blade, the back of the head ended in a sharp stud for piercing. The centre, emblazoned in gold was the three petal flower, the insignia of Arendelle. There was even a key chain with said insignia.
"Wow." Amelia whispered.
Anna and Kristoff shared a look with one another and smiled.
Anna gazed lovingly at her baby daughter seated on Kristoff's lap. She turned back at the screen, at her teenage daughter.
"Destiny Divider. A fitting name." Amelia whispered. And with a nod the Keyblade vanished in a puff of smoke. The others looked on with confusion.
"Huh, where did the Keyblade go?" Asked Eri.
"I can summon it whenever I need it." Amelia answered with a smile. She retrieved her sword and shield. "No need to carry too much."
Finally Eri, Aidan, Wrenn, Flynn, Novak and Neoma all laughed and closed in to embrace Amelia. The group hug was a sweet thing, full of laughs and offers of congratulatory praises.
As the excitement died down, the wise master applauded. "Well now, why don't we celebrate at the table. Calliope makes such fine cupcakes."
The seven teens beamed. Calliope smiles proudly.
"After that, Calliope can lead you on one of her hard practiced tours." The master chirped.
The seven teen's expression soured. And Calliope smiled in excitement.
The audience laughed.
•••
It was sunset.
The seven teens are seen sailing away on the airship, their eyes baggy and their expressions annoyed.
"Oh boy I don't know what was more exhausting." Flynn yawned. "The battle or the tour?"
"Tour!" Eri, Wrenn, Aidan and Neoma snapped.
Novak nodded then slumped forward, falling asleep, behind the wheel!
"NOVAK!" Neoma screeched and seized the wheel.
Wrenn and Eri took Novak by the arms and laid him down beside Amelia, who had long fallen asleep.
"That's one infiltrator down and one portal sealed, great start." Wrenn praised.
"I say we dock somewhere and call it a day." Eri suggested. "We've earned it." Everyone agreed.
"So, where is our next destination?" Neoma asked, whilst steering.
Aidan smiled. He held the map up for everyone still conscious. "Iluka, we go to Iluka."
Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, Rapunzel, Eugene, Varian, Cassandra, Lady Caine, the Stabbington Brothers, Frederic, Arianna, Willow, Edmund, Marius, Mathew, and pretty much everyone in the audience turned to look at Ariel, Eric and Melody.
The teen princess laughed. "This will be fun."
•••
Thanks everybody for reading.
Author's Notes
First off. No, Eric's kingdom is not canonically named "ILUKA" I researched high and low, rewatched the movies and asked around, but it would seem Disney never gave Eric's kingdom a name. So I thought I'd call it Iluka, named after my beach side home suburb in Western Australia :)
Next, that part with Calliope throwing a golden hammer to Amelia was a reference to The Legend of Sigmar. In which a dwarf king throws a golden hammer at the struggling hero and the quickly demolishes the Orc Warboss's head. Only instead of a dwarf king, I had a short woman, and instead of catching the golden hammer I had a Keyblade teleport into Amelia's hand.
Also having watched How Frozen 2 Should Have Ended by the YouTube channel How It Should Have Ended, I took into consideration that many people probably feel like Anna had missed out while Elsa seem to get all cool new abilities.
So I had Anna's daughter receive the Keyblade. And now Amelia is potentially the strongest character.
Also, during the battle against the knight I was glad to take the opportunity to explore some of Eri and Neoma's more unique abilities. Rather than simply shoot ice magic and summon black rock peeks like we've already seen Elsa and Cassandra do.
I took some notes from Metroid's Samus and had Eri transform into a ball and lay ice bombs on the ground. And I once again had Neoma mix alchemy with blackrock magic.
In fact with Neoma I took notes from Batman with her acid filled armour piercing shurikens, Black Panther's impenetrable armour, Winter Soldier's mechanical arm and Avatar Earthbending.
And of course Amelia's trick with the shield was influenced by Captain America when he fought Ultron in the 2015 movie. In fact, this chapter was full of references.
Phew that's enough rambling from me.
Thanks again for reading and please leave me your thoughts.