Ben 10 and Black Clover belong to their respective owners
The red sun burned brightly as ever as the wreckage of the battle floated towards its fiery core. Many plumber ships had been obliterated, leaving their hulls as mere scrap for scavengers. The chimerian hammer orbited the star as sparks emanated from the holes that dotted its hull, the most prominent being from the command center.
Psyphon scowled as the elevator rose. He couldn't believe those wretches had managed to pierce the hull, let alone the command centers shields! What kind of science officer was he to let this happen? He put those thoughts aside as the elevator arrived at his destination, bathing his body in red light before the doors opened. He raised his arm, bringing the datapad he held into his view.
"Status report!" he barked as he exited the elevator, glancing over towards the energy shield separating him from a cruel death in space.
"Hull integrity has been restored from 68% to 87%. The receiver has been fully realigned." A drone informed.
"The transmitter is possibly unsalvageable. It will take at least three midcycles to repair. I would suggest acquiring a new one instead." Another said, not looking away from his terminal.
"Salvage efforts from the plumber ships will give us more than enough resources to repair the engines," A third drone replied, bringing up an orange hologram of the chimerian hammer up in the middle of the room. Red highlights were shown all over the hull as some quickly flashed yellow before returning to orange.
Psyphon nodded his head, satisfied with the current progress considering the circumstances. "Does this please you, my lord?" he said, turning to the center of the room.
Gone was the command chair that Vilgax had sat in, seemingly replaced by a hatch in the floor. Steam erupted as it raised itself, revealing a large cylinder of orange fluid. Inside was Vilgax looking much worse for wear as he was suspended by orange cables. He was missing most of his limbs. His left arm and leg were gone entirely, with only his hip remaining for his right leg. Only a few small chunks were missing from his right arm. Some of his guts were still spilling out of his lower abdomen as cables connected to his chest's vital monitor. Finally, he now wore a mask to provide oxygen and facilitate communication.
"I…would prefer it to…be done now…Psyphon." Vilgax hissed over the intercom, "You already failed me by letting Plumbers who did this to me escape!"
"I…I know, my lord." Psyphon apologized as he took to one knee. "I am already preparing the finest cybernetics for your illustrious return! Not even the vacuum of space will kill you when it's finished!"
"Show me results before you boast." Vilgax scolded, "Now tell me of the scout's findings!"
Psphon obeyed as he stood and waved his hand, causing the ship's hologram to be replaced with one of Earth.
"Sadly, no audio or video feeds were uploaded, but the energy scans are a 95% match to the Omnitrix. The other 5% being an unknown signature." He said before turning back towards Vilgax, "It's likely someone has acquired the Omnitrix and used it to dispatch the drones."
A small smile appeared under his mask, "Once critical repairs are finished, set a course for Earth!"
"And Psyphon!"
"Yes, Lord Vilgax?"
"Once the transmitters are up, dispatch a group of mercenaries to prepare the Omnitrix for my arrival."
"It shall be done, sir."
Hage village, near the ruined town square
A week had passed since the attack on Hage village. Many had lost their homes, but thankfully many were saved thanks to everyone's efforts. Unfortunately, the grimoire tower was completely unsalvageable, with only a handful of books managing to survive the fire.
Father Orfai and Sister Lily finally came to have the conversation meant to take place a week ago. The ex-tower master, Drouot, resided in a tent set up near the town, one of many placed for currently homeless denizens of Hage village while construction took place. Drouot was sitting behind a small desk he had procured that was covered in papers.
"Well, I can understand Yuno…but are you really considering allowing Asta to take the exam, too?" Father Orfai said, questioning if Asta honestly had what it takes to be a magic knight.
"Well, he's saying he wants to do it. The people I was originally counting on backed out after being injured in a fight against the same ex-magic knight Asta fought," Drouot explained.
"Again, I believe Yuno will be fine, but I don't think Asta's up for it." Father Orfai stated, "He may have stopped an ex-magic knight and that golem, but he hurt himself in the process!"
He brought his hand up to massage his temples before continuing. "He has no control over his magic; he doesn't even have a grimoire! I could hardly imagine them even letting him try out without a one!"
"Bah." Drouot scoffed, standing up and approaching Orfai "the idea of Asta going to the royal capital just makes you feel lonely, doesn't it?!" Drouot poked him in the chest as Sister Lily Laughed at the exchange.
"Th-That's not…I just believe he'd fail and get himself hurt! He's better not going in the first place." He reasoned. "Besides, the children would miss him. They're already losing Yuno as someone to play with!"
Sister Chuckled at his antics. "Well, I'll feel a little lonely with them both gone, Father."
The priest turned away from them both. "Jokes aside. I've raised them since they were babies. I'd be lying if I wasn't sad to see them go."
"I'd like them to stay at the church," Sister Lily replied, "but I know they have to leave and find themselves eventually."
"Like you said, Yuno will be fine, and Asta might fail the exam and come back right anyway." Encouraged Drouot.
"You're right! Asta might fail and come straight back!" Orfai said, turning back around with a smile on his face.
"Uhm…about Asta's magic what…." Orfai asked before he was interrupted by Drouot.
"It's not magic. That's the only thing I'm sure off." He said, walking back to review some of the notes on his desk. "It's the thing on his wrist that lets him do it. He transformed into both forms, the second one rather reluctantly, and neither showed signs of magical energy."
"What does that even mean? Should we get it off him?" Sister Lily asked, concerned over what had been on Asta's wrist for the last five years.
"I wish I could. Every method I tried, though somewhat limited due to the fire, failed." Drouot explained, turning back around, "The most I got was a blast of energy that definitely was not magical."
Sister Lily and Father Orfai shared a look of concern. Asta had already been hurt by one of his transformations; what's to say the other won't either? What secrets lay on Asta's wrist?
"What do you suggest we do?" asked Father Orfai.
"Tell Asta the truth. That thing is strong enough to let someone like Asta face off against something even a naturally talented mage like Yuno struggled with." Drouot explained as his tone grew quiet and severe, "People would kill for that kind of power. That makes him a target. Which is why the safest place for him to be would be surrounded by magic knights all day."
He picked up a letter before quickly handing it to Father Orfai.
"This letter contains an exemption from needing to check-in at the entrance exam in six months." He whispered, "This will let Asta get past needing a grimoire, giving him a chance to show what he's capable of!"
"How did you even get something like this?!" Father Orfai whispered back.
"I pulled some strings within the magic knights. I told a good friend about Asta's predicament and his outstanding actions even without magic."
Father Orfai and Sister Lily shared a glance before nodding at Drouot. They were beginning to leave the tent when Drouot called out.
"And one more thing! Tell Asta to be on the lookout for anything with the symbol on the top." He explained, "From what I can tell, it might have a similar meaning to our kingdom's clover."
Meanwhile, Inside the Demon's skeleton
Asta had been training as much as he could ever since his injuries healed. He hadn't used his fire transformation since Drouot asked him. The feeling of his body's instincts fighting one another as his skin began to burn was still fresh on his mind. He really didn't want to experience that again. He shuddered, causing a slight reverberation to ring out from his crystal arms, which were currently sharpened into blades. This form felt more grounded and controllable compared to the other. The most he had to worry about was accidentally cutting himself.
He took a few more swings at one of the ribs, alternating between hands to try and keep his "opponent" on its toes. His ears perked up as he heard footsteps on one of the large rocks behind him.
"Yuno? Did you come to watch me train?" Asta asked as he turned around as he reverted his blades, only to be met with Nash instead, whose face bore a frown.
"Nash? What's up?"
"Nothing. I just bored," the child replied, stepping down from the stone towards Asta, "I just came by to make of the idiot doing something idiotic."
"Whaddya mean, idiotic?"
"Well, it is. You don't even have a grimoire, and you're going to take the magic knight entrance exam? Of course, you're going to fail!" Nash said sourly.
"That's not decided yet!" Asta said, raising his arms before pointing to the green hourglass symbol buried in the side of his crystal skin, "I've got plenty of magic power right here. I'm going to get into the magic knights without a grimoire! Then one day, I will become the wizard…."
"That's never going to happen!" Nash interrupted. Asta's yellow eyes focused on him as his smile turned into a slight frown.
"Orphans like us, who are poor, aren't allowed to dream like that!" Nash said as he began shaking.
"Nash…." Asta whispered as he took a step forward, laying a hand on Nash's shoulder, being careful not to squeeze too hard.
"You can't give up right from the get-go!" Asta yelled right into Nash's ear, "Possibilities exist in everyone!"
"Shut up! They do not!" He replied, covering his ears.
"They do! No matter what, I will keep chasing my dream!" yelled Asta, "it doesn't matter if you're poor or an orphan. Anyone in this world can become amazing. They can do anything and make their dreams come true."
Asta took a step towards the rib.
"They can make everyone happy! And I'll prove it to you!"
He quickly shifted his right arm into a large blade.
"Prove what?" Nash questioned.
"That I'm going to join the Magic Knights….and become the wizard king! Hyah!" Asta yelled as he jumped and took a swing at the colossal rib.
The hit collided, completely shattering the old bone into hundreds of pieces, scattering dust everywhere as the pieces fell to the ground as Asta landed.
He stood tall, his bladed arm reaching down to the ground as the light shining through the forest canopy reflected off his crystals.
Nash could only stare on in awe after he witnessed the fruits of Asta's years of training.
The moment was ruined, however, as Asta was engulfed in red. He brought his wrist up to his face as he yelled in irritation, "Oh come on! Can't let me look good for one moment, can you?!" causing Nash to snicker.
"Well, guess that enough training for today," Asta said, grabbing his canteen.
"Don't you normally come back at sundown?"
"Oh yeah, I didn't tell you! I've been going into town to help with the repairs." Asta replied as he began heading towards the exit, "Crystal blades actually make pretty good saws."
Inside Hage Church, after sundown
Everyone had just finished the meal prepared by Sister Lily and Yuno. All the children were gathering around Yuno as usual as Asta began fiddling with his bracer.
"Everyone, I have some good news!" Father Orfai announced as he pulled out a poster, "I found this on my way back. A circus is coming into town tomorrow!"
"A circus!" Recca exclaimed, "We haven't been to one in years!"
Father Orfai chuckled. "I know. The mayor invited them to help lift everyone's spirits while we finish the repairs to the town."
"Are you sure we should go? We already have our own clown to deal with!" Nash exclaimed as he looked towards Asta, who was still twisting the dial on his bracer. "What are you up to anyway?"
"Well, since this thing let me use two different types of magic, maybe I can unlock more somehow." Asta replied, "I need everything I can get if I'm going to catch up to Yuno."
"Like that would happen," Yuno replied as he looked through his grimoire.
"Anyways, I want everyone to finish their chores…." Orfai explained as he turned towards Asta, "and…training early tomorrow so we can go after dinner."
Asta didn't even seem to be paying attention as he continued turning the dial in different directions.
"Asta! What did I just say!?" Orfai yelled, finally startling Asta out of his chair.
"Fine! I heard you!" he groaned, "I'll be back here early tomorrow."
"Good. That's all everyone." He said, releasing everyone from dinner. Everyone began to file outside of the church. Asta was about to exit the door too before Father Orfai put a hand on his shoulder. "Except for you, Asta, I have to talk to you about something alone."
He brought Asta in front of the fireplace before taking a seat. He rested his head on his arms as he began contemplating how to start this conversation. Meanwhile, Asta was trying to discern whether he was in trouble again or not. Did someone complain about him being loud again? Did he forget his chores?
The silence was broken as Father Orfai spoke, "Asta, are you at all concerned about that thing on your wrist?!" Asta's eyes widened in shock. "You're just casually messing with it like a toy when we have no idea what it is."
"I know it's not a toy!" Asta replied, turning away from him, "I just want to get stronger with it. I mean, I only have one usable form now anyways! I need more if I want any chance at making it into the magic knights!"
Father Orfai let out a sigh. "That's exactly my point, Asta. You got stronger!" He said, trying to maintain his temper. He just wanted to keep him safe, like any parent would. "Your fire hurt you that day. The flames got too strong for you to handle! Who's to say the crystal form won't do the same eventually?! Or any other form you use?!"
"I know that!" he yelled, turning towards him. "What else am I meant to do then? Go back to being the magicless freak everybody hated? Do you know how frustrating it is to be told you have no future by everyone you meet?!"
Father Orfai was taken back. He didn't mean to take the conversation in that direction. Asta was right. He couldn't even imagine what that felt like for him. He always tried to be realistic with Asta but not discourage him completely. Unfortunately, that approach was hard to maintain when magic was pretty much required to be a magic knight.
"I…I didn't mean it in that way, Asta." He looked down towards the floor, carefully planning his following words. "I talked with the Tower Master today. He gave me his findings on your magic item." He took a breath in. "Putting it bluntly, it isn't magical at all."
"What do you mean it isn't magical?" Asta asked, lowering his voice.
"He told me that whatever energy powers it isn't magical in origin." the priest explained, "Which is why I'm so concerned, Asta. It being a powerful magic item is one thing, but something completely unheard of giving you that kind of destructive power? I just want you to be safe."
Asta stared at him in silence, processing what he was told. He had to admit, learning it wasn't magical at all completely changes things. Nobody would have any idea what this thing was capable of then. He'd already managed to hurt himself; what's to say he wouldn't accidentally hurt others? This thing could be primed to explode for all he knew.
"What should I do then?" Asta asked uncertainly. "All I ever wanted to be was a magic knight, and now I have the chance!" He turned towards the fire before glancing down at his wrist. "I could help so many people! But I already managed to hurt myself; I would feel terrible if others got hurt because of me! Maybe I shouldn't try out?"
Father Orfai smiled. Nobody ever said it, but Asta really did have a heart of gold. It's honestly a miracle he still had it, considering how often people put him down for not having magic. He always saw the best in everyone, even when he didn't see it in himself.
"Asta, you should try out."
Asta spun around, shocked after hearing his foster father utter the words he's been waiting to hear his entire life.
"Really?! You actually want me to try and be a magic knight?!"
"I don't see the harm in you trying. If you fail, you'll always be welcome back here! Besides, the Drouot thought it would be best for you to be surrounded by the magic knights. They have the brightest and strongest mages in the world. If anyone can teach you how to use your powers safely, it's them!"
"Yeah! I'll go to the entrance exam show off my magic…." The smile on Asta's face quickly turned to one of dread as the neurons in his brain finally connected. "Wait?! How am I going to get in without a grimoire?!"
Orfai chuckled as he walked over to his desk, beckoning for Asta to follow. He grabbed a letter before showing it to Asta.
"The Tower Master pulled some strings and got this letter of entry for you, As thanks for saving the town and stopping that criminal. This should let you get into the exam, no questions asked."
Asta's eyes lit up as he reached out for it, but Father Orfai quickly pulled it out of reach. "I'll hold onto it until the day you leave, however. I also want you to show me any new forms you unlock immediately." He turned towards Asta and put his hand on his shoulder. "Nobody works harder than you do, Asta. I'm sure your efforts will be rewarded."
Asta burst into tears as he ran up and hugged his father figure. After eight years of getting up at dawn, training till he could barely stand, and way too much mogoru leaf juice, his dream was finally within reach thanks to the little trinket on his wrist.
"Thanks, old man! I'll make you proud and show everyone that no matter what your origin, you can do anything!" Asta said through the tears.
Brushing off the comment on his age Orfai returned the hug, "You should thank Drouot the next time you see him. Just remember to be safe."
The next night, right outside the fairgrounds
The fairgrounds were set up near the town's center. People from all around Hage streamed into the fairgrounds. The smell of popcorn wafted through the air. Covering the horizon was a massive circus tent measuring just over four stories tall made up of orange and blue canvas sheets. The entrance bore a huge painted wooden sign.
"Zombozo's Circus of Laughter, Freaks, and Fun." Nash said, reading the sign aloud, "Wonder if they'd take someone without any magic?"
"Haha, very funny. Can't go one day without mentioning it, can you?" Asta replied to Nash as he walked with his hands behind his head. He'd honestly rather be training, his thoughts going to new techniques or crystal weapons he could try.
"It seems like everybody in town showed up for the fun!" Sister Lily remarked as she held Aruru and Hollo's hands.
They walked past tarps bearing "ZOMBOZO" and a depiction of a clown with red hair, white skin, a blue nose, and gnarly yellowed teeth. As Asta walked past, the eyes seemed to follow him, startling him out of thoughts. He quickly turned back, only to see the eyes back in their original position.
"Did anybody else see that?!" Asta yelled, trying to get his family's attention as he pointed towards the tarp "that things eyes totally just moved."
"Asta, keep it down! The pre-shows are about to start!" Recca exclaimed as she ran up towards the front of the crowd.
A magic orb suddenly lit up a stack of boxes, revealing the ringmaster wearing a red and white suit with a matching hat and cane.
"Welcome, residents of Hage village! We're nearly ready for the show, but our wonderful cast couldn't wait to meet you!" He announced, "Step right up and see the fingerless freak of nature! Whose strength knows no bounds! Thumbskull!"
He waved his cane off to his right. Emerging from behind the box stack was a behemoth of a man. His skin was greyish-green, wearing a black uniform with three purple lines on his forearms and legs, with one around his waist. The most prominent feature was what appeared to be a giant green fingernail covering his forehead. He held an iron bar as his grey grimoire floated close by.
He then began to bend the metal pipe with his bare hands into a U shape as the metallic crushing rang out over the crowd before he quickly tossed it into the air before it was quickly caught by a flaming piece of hair.
"Next up, we have Frightwig. When this beauty lets her hair down, no telling what kind of sparks could go flying!"
Frightwig had the same pale skin as Thumbskull. She wore a black jumpsuit with detached sleeves bearing several dark yellow stripes. Black plaint covered the back of her head and created dark circles on her cheeks. Finally, her head bore five orange flaming tentacles instead of hair. An orange grimoire floated nearby.
She quickly used her hair to twist the pipe, even more, transforming it into a circle before welding the ends together with her hair's heat. The crowd cheered as Asta backed away slightly, still somewhat anxious around fire. A tentacle then brought it over to the next stall before setting it down on an anvil as the final freak walked out with his pale green grimoire in tow.
"And last but not least! The freak whose magic is as vile as his attitude, Acid Breath!"
He bore a similar black jumpsuit to the others with orange lines on his arms. He had two strands of black hair separated by the strap for the muzzle he was currently wearing. His sizeable red-eye twitched slightly as the black one narrowed on the pipe. He raised his arm and removed the mask, bearing possibly the most hideous mug Asta had ever seen! He only had four teeth on his top jaw and five on the bottom. He exhaled, causing a vibrant green gas to flow over the metal. Instantly it began to melt both the pipe and anvil into a pile of toxic metallic goo.
"Woah," Aruru and Holo cried, "That's so gross!"
Asta couldn't believe some of the magic he saw on display. Strength enhancement, fire hair, and acid breath? Magic is always so amazing! He continued watching the freaks perform before suddenly nature called.
"I'll be right back," Asta said as he quickly excused himself.
"Alright, just hurry back!" Father Orfair replied, not taking his eyes off the show.
After relieving himself, Asta heard muttering from a nearby tent. His curiosity got the better of him as he peered inside, hoping to catch a glimpse of more magic before the show. Inside was the same clown on the tarps, sitting in front of a mirror practicing.
"Ha Ha Howdy, folks! Are you ready to laugh!" he exclaimed happily. His tone quickly darkened as he smirked. "Perfect. You're gonna knock 'em dead." His tongue snaked out of his mouth, appearing like a snake as he quickly grabbed his grimoire and began to leave for the stage.
Asta quickly darted away from the tent's exit, doing his best to hide in the shadow. Zombozo passed him by before he felt a hand on his shoulder, as he let out a yelp as he turned around. Luckily, it was only Yuno.
"Oh, it's just you. Listen, I think something's up with this clown." Asta explained to Yuno, doing his best to keep his voice down.
"How so?"
"He said he'd 'Knock em dead' before his tongue came out of his mouth like a snake!" The magicless teen elaborated, waving his arms like snakes.
"You're delusional," Yuno exclaimed, walking away as he motioned for him to follow. "Father told me to get you; the shows' about to start."
Inside the Circus Tent
Asta couldn't help but notice the tent seemed even more massive on the inside. He saw what appeared to be a giant net for trapeze artists strung above them as he took his seat. The lights were still dimmed before quickly a puff of smoke emerged from the center ring as another magic orb lit up the space like a spotlight, revealing the ringmaster.
"Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, the circus of laughter is proud to present the sultan of smiles, the crown prince of chuckles, that rib-tickler himself!" He announced as drumrolls were heard.
"The star of our show, Zombozo the clown!"
The ringmaster's light cut out before another across the tent lit up, revealing a lion. It ran across the tent before its mouth suddenly opened. Zombozo's legs emerged from its gaping maw before reaching the ground. He then began to limbo his way out of the lion's gullet. This continued for another 7 feet before finally, his top half emerged completely unharmed. His legs bent like an accordion before they straightened up as Zombozo struck a pose causing the crown to laugh and cheer, except for Asta and Yuno.
The lion then ran across from Zombozo, letting out a ferocious roar. Zombozo simply laughed before pulling a red tarp from underneath his hat as he motioned with one hand to say, 'Bring it on.' The lion ran halfway before taking a leap with its claws poised to strike Zombozo but was incepted with the blanket. A squeaking noise was heard as confetti and smoke exploded out of the blanket. Zombozo tore it away to reveal a tiny kitten wearing a fake lion mane. The crowd's laughter grew louder as Yuno let out a small chuckle, and Asta just stared on in confusion as the kitten poofed away. It was certainly funny, but was everyone really laughing that hard at this?
Zombozo took another bow as he declared, "if you love clowns, then this is the place to be!" He pulled out his grimoire as it began to glow with blue energy. Zombozo growled slightly as he exclaimed, "That's a Zombozo guarantee!".
Asta quickly jumped out of his seat, exclaiming, "I gotta go…see if they have fried tatoes!" before leaving the tent.
"Now, does anybody want to volunteer?!" Zombozo yelled, hyping the crowd up as they began laughing more and more, "So full of life! For now…"
Outside the Tent
Asta knew there was something wrong here. He just didn't know exactly what yet. If Yuno wouldn't help him, then he'd go about it alone. As he left the main tent to begin looking around, he suddenly heard the sound of glass breaking. He rushed towards the origin, leading him to some of the only houses standing after the attack.
Standing near the broken window were the three circus freaks, holding what appeared to be valuables from the home. They then split up, each going to break into another house. Asta quickly ducked behind cover.
"I knew it!" Asta whispered, "Why does nobody ever listen to me?"
Asta pressed the green button raising the dial. The bracer hummed to life as the lines of the dial crossed, revealing the flaming figure; Asta quickly scrolled past the silhouette to the correct form.
"If they want to see something valuable, then I'll give them plenty to look at!" He declared to no one in particular as he slammed the dial, engulfing the area in a green flash.
He could feel his bones and skin getting a hundred times stronger as they grew in size, becoming coated in teal crystal. His eyes twitched as they were glossed over by yellow gems. The bracer's symbol sat buried in his left arm.
"Hey, freaks!" Asta yelled as he rushed towards the brute freak as he extended his arms into clubs. "Aren't you a little too ugly to be out for a midnight stroll?"
"Look who's…Talking. No crystal kid's gonna steal my loot!" Acid Breath said before his grimoire glowed. Instead of releasing gas from his mouth, he spits out a ball of slime, which collides directly with Asta's right arm. The substance hissed as it began trying to corrode the crystal, barely making a dent in the tough otherworldly material. However, it still hurt as Asta quickly shook off the goo onto the ground, where it began eating through the road.
Asta was barely given time to recover as Thumbskull came in and attempted to deliver a haymaker as he glowed with white energy. Asta simply dodged the blow before jumping up into the air. As he did, he made sure his left club collided right with Thumbskull's jaw, sending him flying back in the process.
As he was in the air, he suddenly felt something hot try to wrap around him. He felt the familiar feeling of his skin beginning to burn.
"Well, now those sure are some fancy jewels," Frightwig hissed.
Almost on instinct, his arms produced a multitude of wedges, loosening the grip of Frightwig's hair on Asta. Asta shook off the pain as he morphed his hands back to grab her hair. He then began to rotate as fast as he could, building up momentum.
"Sorry, but I don't think these would make good accessories!" Asta smirked as he let go, launching her into Acid Breath.
The acid mage quickly recovered before spouting to Thumbskull, "Don't just stand there like a sore thumb! Go get the boss!"
Thumbskull began running back towards the fairgrounds. Asta tried to intercept but was quickly assaulted by spit and hair.
Everyone was absolutely losing it back inside over a multitude of floating lights in the shapes of popcorn, clowns, and lions.
Zombozo floated in the center, grinning in glee as blue energy flowed from his grimoire into him "laughter truly is the best medicine…For me!"
Thrumbskull walked up behind him, waving his hand slightly, trying to get his attention. "Excuse me, boss. Excuse me!"
Zombozo's smile quickly turned upside down as he floated towards Thumbskull. "How many times have I told you not to bother me while I'm eating!"
"Well, we ran into a bit of trouble."
Asta was mopping the floor with the remaining two circus freaks. By crafting a shield for Acid Breath and being faster than Frightwig, they couldn't touch him.
"That all the Tricks you got?" Asta taunted, "For circus freaks, I'd figure you'd have more than one good act!"
"Just wait till the main attraction shows up," Asta heard as a whisper came from all around him before he was suddenly hit with a blow to the head, launching him into a nearby building.
"You'll be starstruck." Zombozo chuckled as he dusted off his hat.
"Really. You guys couldn't handle a twerp without a grimoire?" he said as he picked Asta up by his shirt. He was about to knock him out, but something didn't feel right. "Wait a minute…you can't be serious."
Zombozo dropped Asta as he burst into laughter. "This twerp doesn't even have magic! Hahaha! You dopes got it handed to ya's by a magicless kid!"
As quickly as he started, he stopped laughing. "Finish this side-show off. I'm still feeling a bit peckish." He said before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
The freaks quickly got to work. Frightwig wrapped Asta up and made a similar move to the one he pulled on her, launching him through a window. Acid Breath then exhaled over the outer support beams of the building before thumb skull quickly came in and wrecked the house. The building promptly crumbled under the assault, dropping wood and stone all over Asta.
"Good riddance…Freak!" Frightwig said as the trio began walking back to the circus.
However, the rubble suddenly began moving as a diamond cone pierced its way through. Asta transformed his arms back to normal and let out his breath as he was engulfed in a red flash. He had to get back and warn the others. As he tried to walk forward, his injuries got the better of him, and he collapsed to rest.
An hour later, near the fairgrounds.
The remains of popcorn and posters for the circus rolled about in the wind. People were shuffling about, chuckling to themselves softly. Father Orfai, Sister Lily, and Yuno were lying in the grass, laughing like the others.
Asta quickly approached. "Finally, I found you guys!"
"Oh, Asta. Hehe, Where'd you go? " Sister Lily softly chuckled while smiling.
"Where'd I go" Asta turned around and motioned his hands to the now empty space. "Where'd the circus go!? I need to find Zombozo and stop him!"
"I remember we were laughing." Father Orfai chuckled softly. "Everything was so funny. Now everything is just so glum."
"Uggh! We don't have time for this!" Asta exclaimed before looking around, "Where are the others?!"
"Oh no." Father Orfai and Sister Lily said rather dully.
"Oh right. The clown took them backstage." Yuno said in a much less dazed tone. He went to reach for his grimoire, only to realize it wasn't there. "And he grabbed my grimoire."
"grr, grimoires are really starting to seem like more trouble than their worth. C'mon!" Asta said as he grabbed Yuno by the hand and pulled him to the remains of the fairground.
He tried looking around for any clues of where they could have gone. He was coming up with nothing until his eyes zeroed in on a hint. "There! Yuno, do you know what this is?" Asta hurriedly asked.
"I think they packed everything up and then summoned a magic vessel to transport them," Yuno replied, falling more into the same daze as the others.
"This just keeps getting better. How are we meant to catch up now" Asta proclaimed before spotting his solution? He quickly ran over and snatched it out of the hands of the person attempting to fly with it.
"Yuno. Think you can follow those tracks with this?" Asta said, holding up a broomstick.
"Sure, Hehe."
The Sky's above Rayaka, nearest village to Hage
"I regret this!" screamed the magicless teen as he held onto the broomstick for dear life. Whatever Zombozo had done to everyone was certainly affecting Yuno less, but it was enough that he couldn't fly steadily.
"Can't you land this thing already?!"
"…No…" That was all Yuno managed to utter before his eyes began drooping, as well as the broomstick.
Asta was running out of options here. Yuno was out, his bracer was red, and he was currently barreling towards the ground at a less than acceptable rate. He looked towards the now setup circus tent when he remembered.
"The Net!" Asta cried as he grabbed the front of the broom and did his best to aim it towards the tent.
They went straight through the cloth covering as they impacted with the net breaking their fall before the net broke free and fell to the floor. Luckily Asta's idea worked as they were still alive and surprisingly uninjured. Unluckily, he just alerted everybody that they were here.
"Well…well…well." Hissed Acid Breath as the circus freaks approached our duo, "If it's isn't the crystal freak who stopped our payday."
"I'm surprised you got here so quickly." Frightwig snickered, "Or did your friend there have to fly your magicless ass!"
Asta quickly looked over to Yuno, who was clearly looking more out of it by the second before a familiar ding sounded out. Asta wasted no time and dove for cover to dial in his selection; the screen showed the crystal silhouette. Asta hesitated; maybe he should use the other form? They already know what he's capable of in the other; they're probably ready for it. Plus, he got burnt somewhat in the last fight anyway; what's the worse that could happen? He slammed down the dial, only for it to flash black and pop right back up.
"Really? Now you break?!" Asta whispered.
"Finish him!" Acid Breath hissed, prompting Thumbskull to run up and slam the box Asta was hiding behind before Frightwig did a flip before tearing through using her flaming hair like saws. Finally, Acid Breath ran up and released a massive amount of gas from his mouth, melting whatever was left. The three looked down in satisfaction before a bright green light emerged from another nearby stack of boxes.
Asta felt himself growing slightly as he noticed his hair start to grow into his view as the light seemed to fade from his eyes. He felt something grow around his neck before he suddenly could 'see' much more clearly, with everything outlined in a red aura.
"What's that noise ?!" Thumbskull asked before he was suddenly pounced on by an orange blur.
Standing on top of Thubskull was Asta, now looking much different. His hair was now much longer covering his face and ears, now bearing a bright orange color nearly to the roots. His torso and arms now appeared to be much larger, giving him a much more apelike appearance as he hunched over. His 8 digits now bore sharp black claws. On the underside of Asta's neck were three flaps of skin. He smirked, revealing a set of yellowed fangs. Finally, a shoulder pad now snugly fit on Asta's shoulder bearing his bracer's symbol.
"Time to run wild," Asta growled, somewhat struggling to get words out. Everything felt so different now. It was like he could see nearly everything at once in slow motion. Frightwig wasted no time and began to assault the vulpimancer-hybrid with her flaming hair. His gills flared as he quickly jumped out of the way right before the attack collided, before slamming a fist into her as he landed.
Acid Breath attempted to circle around behind the man-beast as Thumbskull began to recover. Asta growled as his gills flared. There was no way to hide from him when your breath smelled that nasty.
"Didn't your mom tell you it's not nice to spit?!" Asta uttered gutturally, trying to bait an attack.
"Who do you think taught me in the first place?!" Acid Breath replied as his grimoire lit up.
He began expelling a colossal amount of acidic slime towards Asta. He simply backflipped, landing behind the Acid mage before slashing him with his claws; the force launched him into Thumbskull and a nearby pillar. Asta wasted no time, running on all fours, grabbing Frightwig's now unlit hair. He then began wrapping it around the trio and the pillar before knotting it. Finally, he gave them each a good slam on the head, knocking them out.
"Well, lookie here." Zombozo chuckled as he sauntered up. "Looks like somebody wants to see Zombozo's show without paying for a ticket!"
Yuno immediately began chuckling nearby, prompting Zombozo to glance over. "Huh, looks like you got's more magic in ya's than I thought. Good thing I snagged your fancy grimoire!" He pulled his hand from out behind his back, revealing Yuno's grimoire.
Asta began rushing Zombozo, preparing to end this once and for all. His claw was about to collide before a red flash engulfed him, resulting in Asta hurling himself forward as Zombozo simply stepped aside.
"Looks like you've got more than one trick up your magicless sleeves. Let's see if we can't get a laugh outta you!" Zombozo chuckled as he snapped his fingers, causing the floor underneath Asta to open into a black void.
Asta landed on the center of a spider web, locking him in place as he struggled to break free. A yellow/red spider Zombozo began crawling down towards him.
"C'mon, laugh a little." The spider snickered, "You gotta learn to loosen up!"
It lightly grabbed Asta's face with its front legs. "It's what keeps me going!" he said before shredding the web under Asta. Now free, he quickly grabbed onto one of the hanging webs swinging from it as the rest of the web fell apart.
The background quickly changed to a yellow sky with orange clouds. Hundreds of Zombozo arms were reaching up, trying to snag Asta. A trapeze appeared before him as he swung himself off the web onto it.
"I'm not gonna laugh when innocent people are in danger, Zombozo!" Asta yelled as he jumped through one giant translucent Zombozo head after another. He seemed to be in the clear before the rope of the trapeze broke. He fell through the black void again before arriving back in the circus tent.
Zombozo approached as Asta now got a better look at his attire now that he could properly see. The blue orbs that lined his costume and hat were now filled with what appeared to be the souls of the people who attended the circus. Inside of the top hat sat the children of Hage church, all laughing uncontrollably with wrinkled skin.
"What did you do to them?!" Asta yelled as he took a combat stance, quickly glancing at his bracer.
Zombozo took a step back, revealing his grimoire, which floated in the air. Asta couldn't see it, but it was absolutely overflowing with mana, to the point it nearly encompassed the entire tent.
"Only what any good clown would do! Make them laugh!" Zombozo explained before his face grew large and his teeth even more crocked as lobs of spit left his mouth as he spoke, "Then drain their magical energy like a sponge at the ocean!"
"Is that it?!" Asta replied, trying to stall for time, hoping he would hear that wonderful ding.
"Soon, I'll be taking my act to the capital of the kingdom." He announced, turning back towards his grimoire, "Hundreds of people laughing for me, feeding me, making me stronger! Not even the magic knights could stop me by the time I'm done!"
"Enough of your games, clown! Where are my siblings!" Asta declared, sweeping his arm in front of him.
"Didn't you hear?!" He laughed out loud as he threw an orb of magic from his hand, which quickly lit up a nearby ring, revealing the Hage children all looking sickly with wrinkled skin softly laughing. "They ran away with the circus!"
Asta couldn't believe what the once youthful bunch had been reduced to.
"You monster!" Asta cried out in Anger as black sparks emanated from the bracer as the ding resounded out, "I'm going to make you pay!" He said, quickly activating the dial and slamming it down, not caring what form he would get as a green flash engulfed him.
His entire body felt like it was screaming in pain as a grey goo began flowing out of the bracer over his skin, eventually covering him entirely as he screamed, but it was quickly cut short as his mouth seemingly vanished. He could feel his bones crunching as it felt like his entire skull was rotating as he seemingly lost all depth from his view.
As the light faded, it seemed like Asta's entire skin had changed this time, now completely grey with black lines connecting all over his body. His mouth was now gone, with the only feature on his face being a purple eye. His hair seemed to be made of the same material as the rest of his skin, now appearing as small grey tentacles. The bracer's emblem appeared to peek out from under his skin just above his shirt's neckline.
Zombozo wasted no time, quickly punching Asta in the face. "Sorry kid, I sell tricks. I don't buy 'em!"
Right as Asta was about to land, he seemingly disappeared, but the dust on the floor still dispersed as if he didn't. Zombozo then began to turn, trying to figure out where he went.
"If you think I'm gonna let some goofball emotional vampire steal my family's magic away…." Asta seemed to hiss from every direction. "You've got another thing coming!"
Asta quickly reappeared behind Zombozo when he wasn't looking. The moment he turned, Asta immediately hit him with a haymaker right in his blue nose before vanishing again.
"Do you know how much magic means to me! I'd kill to have it!" Asta screeched from every direction.
A board began creeping up on the clown. It floated inches away before Zombozo turned, only to be sent flying into the stands from impact as Asta slammed it into his face.
Asta ran over to the grimoire. "Now, how am I going to get everyone's magic back?" he whispered. Suddenly the bracer let out a flash of black energy, stopping whatever was keeping people's magic power there as the grimoire fell to the ground. Unknown to Asta, the magical energy all began to flow back to their hosts, causing Yuno and the nearby captives to revert to normal, but unfortunately still unconscious.
Zombozo finally recovered from the blow, now feeling much weaker as Asta crept over to him, his purple eye darting all over his body.
"I…I warning you to back off!" Zombozo declared before he tripped on the outer edge of the circus ring, landing on his behind.
"How about I show you what a real freak looks like!" Asta yelled in his ghostly voice as the line down the center of his head opened up. Revealing his hair as a series of black and white tentacles and an upside-down skull as a horrible hissing sound emerged.
Zombozo screamed as he backed further away in horror, quickly taking a fetal position near a pillar.
"Aww." the being hissed as it approached, its neck twitching as its eye narrowed on the clown. "Don't tell me you're out of jokes! C'mon, pop a laugh!"
"Or are you just afraid of old Ghostfreak?! AHAHAHA," Asta laughed as he seemingly towered over the frightened clown.
"Please. I yield no more!" Zombozo declared, raising his hands up in surrender.
"You know what they say!" Ghostfreak uttered as he leaned into Zombozo's face, "The show MUST go on!"
"Boo!" he said quickly, jutting his arms forward.
The fear was too much for Zombozo to take as his face began to swell like a pufferfish. A squeak was heard before Zombozo exploded, leaving only confetti and smoke as Yuno's grimoire fell to the ground.
Asta jumped back somewhat in shock, finally taking inventory of his new form as he looked down over his body.
"Oh…"He whispered as the bracer began to time out, "That kind of even freaked me out!"
As the red flash dimmed, Asta ran over to his siblings, who had finally begun to stir after getting their magic back.
"Oh, Asta. Did you get the food?" Recca said as Asta helped her up.
Hours Later, Sunrise
The morning had arrived as Father Orfai, Sister Lily, and Yuno flew our group back to Hage village. After defeating Zombozo, Asta and Yuno went to the mayor of Rayaka village, who quickly got some magic knights dispatched to apprehend the circus freaks.
Everyone was feeling pretty well rested considering the events that had just transpired, except for Asta, who'd stayed up all night. He was currently leaning against father Orfai's back as he flew, beginning to drift off to sleep after so many blows.
"I'm proud of you, Asta." Father Orfai let out with a smile as he flew, "You saved the entire village again. You deserve all the rest you can get."
"That begs the question, though," Nash chimed up from behind Yuno. "How were Asta and Yuno resistant to the creepy clown's magic?"
"My best guess is that since Asta never needed magic, there was nothing to drain." Father Orfai theorized, "and Yuno simply had much more mana than he expected."
Yuno simply gave a head nod.
"You did great to Yuno!" Orfai chuckled. "I doubt Asta could have made it on time without you!"
Hybrid Profile: Ectonurite
Abilities: Enhanced Strength, Invisibility, Night vision, Fear inducing tentacles, Second Skin
Missing abilities: Intangibility, Possession, Flight, Claws
Benefits/Weaknesses: Due to only being part Ectonurite, Asta is able to pull off his second skin even while within sunlight without taking too much damage. However, being only able to turn invisible leaves him open to many attacks a normal Ectonurite would simply avoid.
Hybrid Profile: Vulpimancer
Abilities: Enhanced Strength, Claws, Sonar Sense, Enhanced Agility, Enhanced Smell
Missing Abilities: N/A
Benefits/Weaknesses: While transformed Asta has all the abilities of a Vulpimancer, even maintain his ability to speak. However due to not being as developed, his gills take much longer to recover if they receive a blow. Due to still maintaining human legs, Asta can be easily tripped up if he isn't careful.
A/N Happy Halloween (hopefully)! Now I know this chapter's a little late, but I have good news to go along with it! I now have a plan for what classic series episodes I like to incorporate before and after the entrance exam! This means I will spend much less time debating myself over what to include. Being honest though the biggest thing that kept me working on this chapter was our protagonist. I'm trying to make sure he maintains his Astaness and doesn't end up as just Ben in another universe.
Once again I would like to thank everyone for their favs and reviews. I honestly thought chapter 1 would vanish into the depths of the internet never to be seen! It fills me with so much joy to see people enjoying my work! I hope this chapter held up to the quality of the others.
Next time on Black hourglass, The Krakken