The Human and The Shadow Chapter 41
A Skull, A Bike and A Giant Fiery Demon
Finn, Fionna, Marshall and Grim
Marshall and Finn stood in silence holding the bridge of their nose sighing. They both looked up as a triumphant Fionna was flexing her muscles at her successful drop kick. They looked at the lake and saw Grim stand up. His hood fell down and revealed that in the process of being sent flying by a pregnant woman he had lost his head. Literally.
"I got this" Finn put his hand on Marshall's shoulder with a smile. "I think you may want to explain to her that she just drop kicked our saviour." Finn chuckled as he slid down the hill towards the now soaked Grim.
"Marshy did you see that?! I sent that relic flying?! Damn I am one bad ass mo-" Marshall put his hand over her mouth knowing her victory parade was going to carry on for too long.
"Fi... as much as that was the raddest drop kick I have seen all day... that relic just saved mine and Finn's life from Link"
"Say whaaaaaaaat?" Fionna's face dropped.
"Me and Finn had Link on the ropes and almost had her beat but she summoned a hella lot of chains and was about to crush us both to death then your foot stool down there took her out saving our lives. He was just about to explain why he was helping us when you sent him flying."
"..."
"Fi.. don't be sulking now..."
"..."
"Fi?"
"..."
"You asked for it." Marshall grabbed her and pulled them both back towards the lake. They rolled down the hill together spinning so fast before coming to a stop beside the lake and a white rock.
"That was fun Marshy!"
"Yes it was now... no more sulking we need to go help Finn find the relic's head"
"Okay lets do this... I guess i should apologise when I see him I don't really want him to hate us if he was a cool guy. Do you think he'll hate me now?" Fionna asked concerned. This side of her had always amused Marshall. For being so brave, so confident and so out there he had found when it came to meeting new people Fionna had little confidence that they would like her. He pegged it to the amount of times Bubba rejected her advances but he didn't mind either way.
"No Fi, I'm sure the dude will love you!" Marshall hugged her and pulled them both down onto the rock for a kiss.
"Well I can't say much about loving you but have no fear my dear I will not hate you for your actions. It was a rather impressive kick if I do say myself. It knocked me in two you could even say. However children I do wish that you would keep your displays of affection off my head." Upon hearing the voice both Fionna and Marshall stood up and looked down at the 'rock'. Staring back at them was the smiling head of Grim, although Marshall was unsure if it was a smile or just the lack of skin and muscle meant his face was always like that.
"I am so sorry skelo-dude I did not realise we were sitting on you" Marshall quickly picked him up, brushed him down and then took his head to his body. Once he was in one piece again he shook all the water off and then went to meet with the trio again.
"As I was saying, You may call me the Grim Reaper, Grim for short please. I am the deity of death from the world of Lll, I believe you are close friends with my last two living residents. I refer of course to Ivel and Isabella. I was forced after sparing Ivel's life by throwing him through the portal to bend to the darkness. He bound a fragment of the bones of the Angel of Light to my body making me into a relic. He enslaved me and forced me to obey torturing the residents of my world and controlling over the dead. His plan for me is to take charge of the deity over death in your world and then make his warriors invincible and also remove your cheat-like revival ability." Grim stood smiling after finishing his story. If... that is a smile.
Finn, Fionna and Marshall looked at Grim and realised something. Deity's of Death, their own included, are probably all complete weirdo's. He had wrapped up some of the most influential moments of their last few years up in a few sentences and made a lot of sense at the same time. Finn was the first to break the silence.
"That still doesn't explain why you helped us?"
"I believe that to be simple my friend."
"How so?" Fionna asked also hesitant to trust this guy.
"I am a slave to the darkness true, but his control over me is rather weak. Being here on earth his control has completed faded. With a little help from Isabella, Ivel or even his daughter I would be free from my curse and then with my whole world destroyed I would have only the twins and their descendants to care for, which is my goal."
"Wait... you want us to believe you are not under the darkness' control? and that your whole goal is just to look after Lumen, Bella and Hope?" Marshall quizzed the skeleton.
"Why yes, simple enough, I wish to care for my last few residents. Unlike Death and Lady Death of Ooo and Aaa the rest of us who govern over the afterlife are actually all pretty good people who care greatly for their worlds and the balance. I was warned long ago to flee Lll from the fallen Death's but I stayed and helped Seraph (Sarah) and JJ to find the light relic of Lll and protect it."
"Wait.. who are Seraph and JJ?" Finn was getting a little confused now.
"Oh well that's the twins parents names. Seraph was strong girl very brave and wilful always believing everything would be okay and that together her and JJ would overcome any challenge and protect the twins. JJ, or Jake-James, was a bit of a coward to be honest. He would jump at loud noises and constantly hid behind Seraph but when it came to his children and to his wife he seemed to change and would do anything to protect them."
"You... knew their parents? How? Why?"
"JJ's ancestor was one of the first human's to handle the power of light on Lll, it changed him and so he was connected to it. When the warning came that the darkness was drawing near I approached him. To end up having my head punched off by Seraph because I made the twins cry." For the first time the trio could tell when Grim was smiling and it gave them mixed feelings.
"JJ and Seraph agreed to help me track down the relic of light and they were going to go through the portal to Aaa to help the last world. However the darkness arrived sooner than I thought and JJ was chosen as it's only champion. He survived the first trial by using the power of the relic but when he came back he handed it to me and then went off to find his family. I started to prepare the portal when I had felt another open so I went to investigate. I couldn't find the source so went back to preparing the portal."
"Wait.. so you were planning to send all 4 of them to Aaa? What happened? We read in Bella's diary that after the darkness came that they never saw their Dad again and their Mum died shortly after? Why were you not protecting them?" Finn asked angrily.
"Because I was naive. I thought that JJ was strong enough to protect them all and in a way I was right. The second trial began so much sooner for Lll since there was only 1 champion and there was no interference. The Cadaver went straight after JJ. He fought the Cadaver but eventually lost. I caught up to the family just in time to see Seraph die. It had used JJ's head to cause her to pause and killed her in that moment. I sent the creature back and recovered their bodies. I didn't want it to use it against the children. I was at a disadvantage. The Cadaver could sense the energy within the twins so could find them but I couldn't. Ivel was smart like his father. He kept him and his sister on the move and to be honest I only discovered them by accident. I ran to Ivel as the creature had just killed him, joined him with the power of the relic and then threw him into the portal. I had no idea he would end up on the wrong world but it looks like it was the right outcome. I was planning to sent Isabella through too but the darkness was waiting for me and used the twins as bait. He tortured and broke me forcing me under his power I couldn't do anything to resist for if I did their daughter would die. I revived her again and again hoping to free her but I was too weak. So now we're here. I owe those children so much... so so much."
Fionna pulled Grim into her arms before Finn and Marshall even realised that the reaper was crying, that he even could cry. He let his tears out and it was clear to them that Lumen's parents had been a good friend to the relic. They no longer doubted his story or his intentions. Grim blew his 'nose' on his robes and smiled again.
"I just want to see this through and return those children to their world with their family to live in peace." Marshall understood exactly what Grim meant by this but had to be sure.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Simple. I am death, I can reverse death, if the darkness is defeated I shall be able to revive my world and then Isabella, Ivel, JJ and Seraph can be a family again away from all this craziness"
Finn stared at the reaper slightly impressed but otherwise full of anger.
"YOU WANT TO TAKE LUMEN FROM ME!?" He grabbed Grim by the rope and pinned him to a tree.
"He is not meant to exist in this world, he belongs in Lll!" The whole group stood in silence no one knowing what to say.
Lumen and Jake
Lumen sneezed loudly and felt his ears burning up. Someone out there must be having a great time talking about him.
He looked over at Jake as he was transforming into a variety of weird shapes and people. Clearing having his new powers made him quite excited. Eventually he transformed into a black motorbike and began to rev his engine.
"You gotta be kidding me?" Lumen smiled at the dog-bike. So impressed he couldn't hide his massive smile.
"Wanna take a ride on this dope set of wheels?" Jake revved again egging the prince on.
"Jake we didn't get a portal out here to have fun. We just wanted to sneak up on the tree house in case there was enemies. Both of our phone are dead and the group are probably worried we should be responsible." Lumen stared at the bike his face showing none of the maturity his voice was.
"Now Lumen dude.. tell me how you really feel."
"...Lets ride." Lumen hopped onto the bike and shadow morphed himself into different clothes. His usual no sleeve long jacket was replaced by a black leather over coat with spikes on the shoulders. His black jeans turned blue and tears appeared in the knee areas. A helmet appeared on his head and he revved the engine again.
"You look so math dude" Jake exclaimed.
"I know we do!" And with that the duo took off riding across the grassy plains towards the tree house on the horizon.
The trees blurred past them as they drove faster. The sound of the engine filling the air, Lumen wondered if this was part of Jakes new powers or if the dog was making the sounds himself, either way he didn't care as he was having a blast.
Lumen took no prisoners in this ride and used each hill as a ramp and drove as fast as he could. Both him and Jake were cheering when he quickly skidded to a halt. He took off his helmet which disappeared instantly. The headlight on the bike changed into Jakes eyes and the pair looked up at the tree house.
"Lumen... have you ever read the Lord of the Rings?" Jake asked quietly.
"Yes.. it is a really ancient book that was preserved in our library in the Shade Kingdom, I believe it is pre-mushroom war era... and I know exactly what your asking for."
"Does that not look exactly like the Balrog?"
"Oh... yes... it looks exactly like that!" The two looked over at the giant blazing demon being that seemed like a shape wreathed in shadow and flame. It had two large horns and giant winds with a long whip like tail of flames. In each hand was a white fiery blade that was slashing at the ground.
"Do you know what I'm thinking?" Jake asked seriously.
"What?"
"Which one of your girls is that? Your wife or your daughter?" Lumen looked down at the bike Jake and gulped. More than likely Jake was right. His demon side of the family looked a lot more demon-like. Either way he knew a certain Lord of Evil that would be crying with joy at the sight.
"...I'm really hoping that is neither of them but lets go find out!" Lumen revved the engine and the two took off towards the towering fiery demon.
Hunter and Jade
Hunter ran across the fragments of a relics mind ninja warrior style carrying Jade in his arms. He had tried using his wings to fly but was disappointed to find out that it didn't work in here. Jade still in his arms using Huntress's spells to fire a lot of arrows of various elements at the giant black shadow that chased them.
"Can you not run a bit more steady it's difficult to aim with you flapping about all the time?" Jade remarked before firing off several more arrows.
"Oh forgive me princess I'm just busy here KEEPING US ALIVE! in case you had forgotten!" Jade looked up at his face and when there eyes met she rolled hers before turning back to fire more arrows at the monster.
"You did not just roll your eyes at me!" Hunter threw Jade up into the air so instead of a princess like hold she was slung over his shoulder. She was about to complain when she realised that now she had a clear shot at the shadow.
"Well look at you thinking on your feet" She focused more off her power together and fired a larger spell at the creature knocking it to the floor buying them some time.
"Well atleast I'm on my feet here why are you still letting me carry you?"
"Well you are the one who wasn't happy with my presence and just wanted to carry me inside you... so this is the closest I can do for now"
"Are you seriously SULKING?! We are gonna die with no one knowing where we went and you are sulking? Why? Because I didn't call you pretty?" Hunter could see a larger fragment where they could fight in the distance and began heading for it.
"I am not sulking and I do not need your appreciation. I just feel like you should have been a bit more respectful rather than calling me weird looking."
"I didn't call you weird looking Jade! I said it's weird you looking like THAT! Like HER!... ya' know my girlfriend thats now a plant in the ground somewhere?!"
"I do not recall you ever asking her out and yet you call her your girlfriend? Awfully presumptuous of you? Maybe I should tell her after this that you think shes weird looking.."
"OH MY GLOB THIS IS NOT THE TIME!"
"I don't know we have many years together to go seems like an alright time right now?"
"Grod damn it. Look I love Huntress okay and I will protect you and her till she is about to protect herself again. I personally think that both you like that and she are beautiful and so gorgeous I can't put into words. You live in my head so you know what I think of her so why are you doing this now?!"
"Oh I just thought it would be fun to pass the time till the thing caught up to us, nice to know where we stand but I'm afraid you're not really my type"
"...Kill me... just kill me now because I finally understand why wizards go insane is they have things like you inside their head."
"Hahaha cute now put me down and prepare yourself we need to fight."
"See I've been thinking about that?"
"About what?"
"Do we really have to fight, we just have to get back to where the creature was guarding. All we have to do is immobilise the creature and then head back there. We don't have to beat it."
"...Wow.. that is true... do you have a plan?"
"...You ever heard of a haystack?"
"Like the farm thing?"
"No... the kids prank?"
"...Please explain to me in detail how a child's prank is going to help us defeat a giant shadow monster?"
"With pleasure."
Marceline, Phoebe, Light and Hope VS Peace and Chaos
Marceline looked at the scene before her in complete shock. Her plan had gone... exactly as she had planned.
She had turned invisible and followed the trio as they headed out side. Light had rushed at Peace knocking him to the ground. Before he had a chance to stand back up Phoebe had flew in grabbed him by the ankles and threw him into the pond. He sat in there shocked when suddenly a white net and a black net fell down onto him pinning him to the pond unable to move. Peace was so surprised by what had happened he couldn't even move. Phase one had ended perfectly.
Phase two was underway soon after with Chaos about to lose her cool and blow with rage. She had phased into her hands two black blades and was about to run at the trio when she felt a sharp pain in her neck. Her energy drained from her and she dropped to the ground. She felt a kick to the gut sent her tumbling to the ground. She looked up for the assliant and couldn't find one realising that it was the vampire she began to swing recklessly. Hope began to morph into her new form using Lights flames and her mothers demon powers and stood before Chaos was a hulking giant fiery demon. She lost focus in Marceline and was stomped on by the flame demon. Marceline, Phoebe and Light stood with smiles watching Hope pummel the relic. They thought this was all over when suddenly a large blast of energy sent the hulking Hope back towards the tree. She stopped just before it not wanting to break the house. She looked down for Chaos but the relic was gone.
"YOU PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR LIFE FORMS HAVE PUSHED ME TOO FAR!" They looked down at the pond to see her standing holding the fake Light by the hair free from the nets.
"NOW EXPERIENCE MY RAGE MY HATRED AND MY REVENGE!" Chaos' body began to glow as did Peace's. They started to join together and blend into one being. They then began to burn and glow till Hope stood face to face with a black flaming demon just like her. It's size was larger as was it's flames. The only thing that stood out on this blacked out demon was it's white eyes. They almost gave a traquil feel to the beast but it was short lived.
"SEE ME NOW PATHETIC WEAKLINGS! I HAVE COPIED YOUR POWERS! YOUR STRENGTH! NOW WATCH AS THE BEST POWER YOU COULD MANAGED IS CRUSHED BEFORE MY MIGHT." The black demon took a step towards Hope. She re-morphed her swords into her hands ready to fight but her heart was full of fear. Light, Marceline and Phoebe all got ready to fight. All so focused they couldn't hear the faint sounds of a motorcycle drawing near.
"NOW FALL BENEATH MY POWER AND MAKE WAY FOR MY GLORIOUS NEW STREN-" The Chaos-Peace fusion was cut short when Lumen had come flying in crashing the Jake-bike straight into her face sending the black demon crashing to the ground in pain. He jumped off in front of the stunned champions with his back turned to them and morphed a giant staff into his hands, bringing it to the ground and sending a massive rush of light energy around the around.
"YOU SHALL NOT PASS" He bellowed at the fallen beast. Jake recovered from the crash running up to Lumen and high fiving the human.
"THAT WAS SO MATH DUDE!" Jake yelled in joy.
"I KNOW RIGHT! WITH THE GIANT MOTORBIKE JUMP, TAKING DOWN THE CREATURE-"
"-AND THE QUOTE FROM THE BOOK! NICE LUMEN NICE!" The two stood yelling and whooping not even noticing their friends and family looking on shocked.
"You ready to finish it?"
"Oh you bet man!"
Jake changed into a giant catapult like used in the book they both loved. Lumen hopped in and raised his sword.
"FOR GONDOR!" He smiled as Jake slung him into the air. Unfortunately for him Hope had snapped out of her shocked and picked her father from the air in her hands. He looked really small.
"...whaaaattt... Hope sweety why did you stop me?" Lumen moaned.
"...Daddy... what the hell are you and Mr Jake doing?" She was emotionless in her tone.
"...no comment.."
"What is Gondor?"
"...no comment..."
"Did you really just try to fire yourself at a giant demon relic in a catapult after crashing a bike into it?"
"...no comment..."
"Yup just gonna let Mummy deal with this." Hope dropped Lumen who was caught by Jake and the pair went over to Marceline, Phoebe and Light who were all still kind of dazed.
"...Lumen..."
"Yes Marcy..." Lumen was prepared to be told off... he'd kind of got use to it.
"THAT WAS AWESOME!"
"I know I'm sorr... wait what?"
"That was so sick... I didn't know Jake could change into a motorbike or that you could even drive one... talk about holding out on me. And crashing it into the creature... rad." It was at this moment Lumen remembered who his girlfriend was.
"Ahh it was nothing" He said smugly.
"I don't mean to interrupt you two but it's getting back up" Light added.
They turned to see the black demon begin to rise but it was quickly pushed back down by Hope who drove her swords into it's hearts. She morphed sword after sword pinning the creature down till it could no longer move.
"I..WILL..NOT... BE DEFEATED LIKE THIS!" Chaos' voice was coming out clearly from the beaten creature.
"I WILL DESTROY YOU!"
"I WILL BREAK YOU!"
"I WILL END YOU!"
"I WANT TO THANK YOU!" Everyone looked up at the pinned demon confused.
"SILENCE! WHO SAID YOU COULD SPEA- Enough is enough Chaos, it's over and thankfully we lost- WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT! WE HAVEN'T LOST YET WE CAN GO ON AND WIN!- and then what? what then? we continue being slaves to him. we were not meant for this. let us end it here. by their hand. let us end us together knowing we tried our best.- NO! I MUST PROTECT YOU.. PROTECT US!- and doing that is exactly how the darkness has broken us. It's over." The group watched as the giant figure shrank back down till there was only a copy of Light remaining.
"Thank you champions, now me and my sister may rest. I'm sorry we tried to hurt you and i can't say this is going to get better but you are strong and if anyone can defeat the darkness it's you. good luck." With that the last part of the pair turned into dust and vanished.
"What in glob just happened?" Jake asked so confused.
"I'd say that we just kicked relic arse!" Marceline yelled and the group cheered.
"No time to celebrate guys we have to head to the Candy Kingdom." Lumen said quickly.
"Why? Are Bonnie and Bubba in trouble?" Phoebe asked.
"Yes.. I think that aside from the relic that's travelling with Finn, Fionna and Marshall the last 2 are heading for the kingdom."
"My dad and the others are with a relic?" Light quizzed.
"Yes it seems like they are moving towards the Candy Kingdom together so i think they found a friend. However if we don't hurry the other 2 relics may destroy the CK before we get there. Grab everything we need and lets go." They raced inside grabbing the bags with the healing supplies. Healed all their wounds and all stood to face the portal before walking in.
Locations:
Lumen, Jake, Marceline, Light, Hope and Phoebe - Heading to the Candy Kingdom
Finn, Marshall, Fionna and Grim - Heading to the Candy Kingdom
Bonnie and Bubba - Candy Kingdom
Hunter and Jade - ?
Relics - Name/Item/Location
Red - Dress - DEFEATED
Knight - Armor - DEFEATED
Link - Chain - DEFEATED
Grim - Bones - ALLIANCE
Lace - Necklace - DEFEATED
Lock - Locket - Candy Kingdom
? - Glasses - Candy Kingdom
Chaos - Heart - DEFEATED
Peace - Heart - DEFEATED
A/N: And there is Chapter 41! I am glad to say that next chapter will be the last of the 2nd trial. This chapter was a bit of fun as well as attempting to lift the darkened mood a little. I had fun writing it haha. I can just imagine Lumen and Jake getting proper into Lord of the Rings and acting it out so it was interesting to write it. Hope is now even stronger after gaining both Light and Marceline's powers.. However that is only this timelines Hope. The children already have noticed that they won't make it out of this trial alive so this super-OP version of Hope isn't going to last. Sadly. Thank you for anyone whose reading and reviewing in particular I'd like to thank 'Fiery Crusader' for always reading :) It's been a great help and if you like this story you should check his out as they are awesome. Also if you like Star Vs The Forces Of Evil check out 'robertkellet' I've been really enjoying his stories such as Crushed Heart's and Quest for a Falling Star. Thanks Again.