Fantasia Crisis
By Lord Akiyama
Inspired by "Crisis on Infinite Earths" by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
Chapter Twenty-Five
---
The Spring Sprite floated about, giggling like a little girl. She would float up to every individual, giving them the innocent, child-like smile, and saying something nice or special to them. Her smile was as bright as ever and there seemed to light emanating from her as she continued to float about.
"She's quite a cheery little creature," Chris said to his wife as they leaned upon the railing, watching her float about above them.
"Yeah, one big unending ray of sunshine," Helga sighed. There was so much she had on her mind at the moment, but...privacy was something this boat didn't really allow and she wasn't about to make herself more of a spectacle to the others. "Chris...can we talk...where we don't have an audience?"
"Sure," he said. "I think the galley is empty."
"Come on then," Helga said grabbing hold of his arm and pulling him along. As soon as they were down the steps and she was sure they weren't being watched, she closed her arms around his neck and pulled his lips in close to hers. "I just wanted the chance to tell you, before anything else can happen..." she whispered at last. "If something happens, I don't want your last memories of me to be how mad I was at you. Not that you wouldn't deserve it," she added quickly.
Chris smiled as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Just being with you again would've done," he said. "Though that kiss probably surpasses that by a couple billion miles," he added with a grin.
"I've really missed you," Helga said laying her head on his shoulder. "Of course, if you breath a word of this, I'll deny everything."
"My lips are sealed," he whispered, holding her tight.
"They better be," Helga smiled slightly. "You know I can beat you in a fair fight."
"Are you sure you're okay, Simba?" Nala asked.
Simba nodded. "You can thank her for coming back at the right time," he said, trying to form a reassuring smile. Nala tried to do the same, but both found it very difficult to keep it on.
"I'm scared, Simba," Nala said. "I'm scared that I made you make a promise that might not come true. I have these terrible thoughts that when this is all over, you won't be coming home."
"You didn't make me promise," he said. "I made it because I believe in it. I believe that I will come back, my love."
"I want to believe in it too," she said. "But with these thoughts, how can I?"
Simba thought for a moment and then looked upon The Spring Sprite. "Look at The Spring Sprite," he said. "Look just how happy she is. Even though she was reborn, she is still has a difficult task ahead. One that I will be sharing with her. And yet she still smiles. And she is giving everyone hope to smile. Because she believes. She believes that we can win this battle. That we can survive and return home."
Nala began to feel reassured through Simba's words. Then The Spring Sprite floated up to them, smiling as ever. This brought a smile to both lions. Then The Spring Sprite turned toward the direction of the stateroom.
"It is time," she said. "The master of masters has arrived."
---
"Chernabog has done well to conceal the identity of Excalibur from even his trusted allies," Yen Sid seemed to chuckle as he examined the sword. "Maleficent would not have known unless he told her. Otherwise, she would not have been so afraid of it. The same with The Horned King."
"So that really is Excalibur then?" Helga arched her eyebrow.
"Oh, yes it is," the master chuckled. "It is my belief that the sword seemed to have been removed from the stone prison it was set upon when the balance disruption took place. Merlin seemed quite interested in the whereabouts of the sword for sometime and shall be quite pleased to hear that it is in the right hands. For it shall be an essential weapon in defeating Chernabog."
"I think any one would have been able to guess that after it has been used so well against his allies," Beast said.
"Against Chernabog, however," Yen Sid said, "it shall not be so easy. In the hands of any, it will not harm him. There is one of you who can succeed in harming him with the sword. Unfortunately, I do not know which of you can perform this deed successfully."
"Why not just see who can pull it from a stone," Helga sneered. "Isn't that how these fairy stories are supposed to work?"
"It will prove no difference as neither of you can remove the sword from the stone," the master said. "Remember that there was only one who could perform that task and he is not among you."
"So we each have to stab him until we know which one can harm him for sure?" Mulan asked.
"That may perhaps be your only course to know for sure," Yen Sid said. "However, he knows Excalibur is an essential weapon, so he will make it very difficult for either of you to even use the sword against him."
"Oh this is just ridiculous," Helga muttered. "I have never been involved in a more disorganized campaign with such little hope of succeeding."
"Little hope, but there is still hope nonetheless," Simba said. "We have to try, regardless of how difficult it will be. We don't have a choice."
"Simba is right," the master said. "Chernabog is almost at full strength. You have all gathered once more. Delay any further and you may fail. Are you all prepared for the final battle ahead?"
Simba nodded. "I will do what I have been chosen to do," he said.
"I shall fight for the fate of my realm as well," Amelia said.
"Let's go!" Stitch laughed.
"I'm more than ready," Hercules said.
"To free my father, and perhaps be with my love," Ariel said.
"They may not do much, but my arrows will fly to fall our enemy," Robin laughed.
"To protect the one I care for very much, I will do what I much," Beast said.
"I will prove myself worthy," Aladdin said.
"I will protect my family and I will see them again," Tarzan said.
"For honor and for our people," Mulan cried.
Helga stayed silent for a long moment before finally letting out a loud sigh. "I suppose someone should be there to make sure no one tries anything stupid."
"We are destined for this moment," The Spring Sprite said with a smile. "We shall defeat our enemy, for we must."
"Then let the final battle begin," Yen Sid said. He closed his eyes and began to speak in whispers that the others could not understand. In moments, they were all standing in mist. Ariel held Excalibur in her hand while the others raised whatever weapon they held. Soon after, darkness appeared within the mist.
Walking toward them was a giant figure, wings expanding outward. His eyes glowing with fierce determination. He made no expression upon his being to suggest any form of feeling. He stopped before them, towering above them like a building.
"You have defeated those who have pledged loyalty to me," Chernabog said. "However, your success ends tonight. In moments, I shall prove too strong for all of you and I shall claim my prize. Strike me, if you dare. I am ready to kill you."
There was no sudden movements from any one. Just clear silence. Then, Hercules charged. Chernabog reacted by swinging to his right, swiping at the God with his wing that sent him flying far before slamming upon the ground. Chernabog raised his hand toward Ariel, a force of wind gushing at her. She screamed as she flew far before landing upon the ground. Excalibur, on the other hand, kept flying.
"The sword!" Helga shouted. "We can't loose track of it!" Just then, Chernabog raised his arms to the side. A gush of wind blew everyone apart, sending them flying through various directions.
"Beast, get the sword!" Simba cried. "Robin, start launching your arrows!" Beast nodded and quickly ran off to find the sword within the mist. Robin rolled into a crouching position and launched an arrow at Chernabog. "Helga," Simba continued. "You and Mulan start attacking!"
"Right, because that's likely to do a lot of good," Helga called back. Setting her jaw she ran forward, rolling down out of the way of obstacles or jumping over them. Chernabog caught the arrow that was launched by Robin just as Mulan and Helga attacked him with their swords.
Beast picked up Excalibur and began making a direct run for Chernabog. Catching up to him was Amelia. "Go to the side and wait for my call," she said. "We'll try to distract him and see if you can get a shot at stabbing him. We need to know quickly who can harm him with the sword." Beast nodded and went to the side, concealing the sword underneath his cloak.
"Hercules, you and Stitch grab his wings," Simba called. "Robin, get ready to launch another arrow! Helga, Mulan, leap to your left!" Helga did as she was told without hesitation. Mulan did the same and they both were able to dodge a swiping wing from connecting them.
Hercules and Stitch launched, grabbing hold of the wings and trying to keep them grounded. "Now, Robin!" Simba called. "Fire your arrow!" Robin quickly did as he was told and launched an arrow.
"Beast, now!" Amelia cried. Chernabog nearly regained control as he grabbed the launched arrow when Beast roared from behind and jammed Excalibur into his waist. Chernabog looked down for a moment and began to laugh.
"Is that the best you can do?" he said. He punched Beast off of him. Beast roared in pain as he flew very far before slamming hard against the ground. Chernabog pulled out the sword and threw it into the ground. He then created a mound that shielded the sword.
"What the hell is that?" Helga shouted.
"Just a sample of the power that you dare challenge," Chernabog said, whacking her with his wing that sent her flying very far.
Helga skidded to a stop still feeling the force of the blow. "How did I let myself get talked into this?" she mussed out loud as she pushed herself up and tried to make her way to Excalibur. Yen Sid said Chernabog was almost at full power meaning he wasn't yet and if that was the case, there had to be a way through.
"Stay down!" Robin cried as he jumped next to Helga. Right above them was another swinging wing. "Don't want to get clipped by one of those again, right?"
"I would say that's a safe bet," Helga replied. "We have to get to that sword," she added standing as soon as the wing had passed. "I don't know if it's really going to help, but nothing else seems to."
"The Spring Sprite is already on it," Robin said. "Simba said that we need to keep Chernabog distracted as long as we can while we figure out who can damage him with Excalibur. And I'm about to run low on arrows soon."
"Great," Helga sighed. "Alright, well, how are you at insults? Wait... I know the answer to that one," she added quickly. "He seems the egotistical sort. Attacking that might do more good right now than anything else."
"I don't know if that's such a good id--" Before Robin could finish, one of the wings whacked him in the opposite direction. There was the sound of chuckling from Chernabog.
"Robin!" Helga called out. "Alright, we get the point," Helga shouted turning back around. "You've well established the brute strength. Too bad that's all you've shown us..." she glared, already moving to dodge the blow she knew would be coming. What she didn't see was the hand that followed behind.
Chernabog held her up to his face level and laughed. "Do not ever entertain the thought that you could easily outsmart me," he said. "I have fought these battles before. You have not." He laughed as he flung her toward Hercules and Stitch. The crash knocked all three to slide a feet or two in different directions.
"Like hell I haven't," Helga muttered rolling over. She winced at the effort, but still pushed herself up. If she stayed where she was, it wouldn't be long before he decided to use her for target practice again, not that it wasn't likely to happen anyway. All she could do was hope the others used the time well and hurried it up a bit.
"Why would it be so impossible for us to outsmart you?" she shouted again trying to take his attention. "I mean, after the wonderful example you've already shown in organizing that crack team of yours..."
An energy blast slammed her her against the ground, causing her to slide a bit. Immense pain rushed throughout her body and smoke was coming off of her as though he had been set on fire.
"Enough of your pathetic words," Chernabog said. "They are meaningless and serve no purpose."
"I... beg to differ..." Helga smirked a little, though it was about all the movement she could manage at the moment. She took a few moments to draw in her breath before continuing. "They... showed me one thing... you're really afraid..." Another energy blast slammed into her. Even more pain rushed through her body.
"We all fear," Chernabog said. "For if we do not fear, then we do not truly live." Chernabog looked down to see that The Spring Sprite had successfully released Excalibur. He launched an energy blast that sent her flying and releasing her hold on the sword.
Very quickly, Mulan grabbed the sword and dove to slam the sword into his leg. Chernabog shook his head and kicked Mulan very far into the distance. He grabbed the sword and tossed it behind his back before it disappeared into the mist.
"I'll get it," Amelia said to Simba. "You keep him busy. And get someone to look after Helga." With that, the captain started darting past Chernabog and disappearing into the mist to look for the sword.
"Beast, Hercules," Simba said. "Go for the wings again. I'll help you this time!"
Helga tried to roll over again. The pain was more than anything she had ever felt, even more than lying down at the bottom of the volcano shaft, but still, she knew now from Chernabog's reaction they had a very real chance and that was reason enough to keep going.
Chernabog used his strength to toss Hercules, Simba, and Beast off of him. He reacted quickly to catch an incoming arrow from Robin. Then came an attack from Tarzan and Stitch upon his body. Stitch was able to climb up and start biting his face. Chernabog grabbed the little alien and slammed him against the ground, adding an energy blast while he kept his grip upon the creature. He removed his hand to reveal Stitch, smoke emerging from his body and moaning in great pain.
"So do you do anything other than pick on people who are smaller than you?" Helga asked peering through the hair that had fallen out of her braid.
"Even the smallest of foes can over come a giant," Chernabog said, grabbing Tarzan and launching by discharging an energy blast while in his grip. Tarzan crashed into Helga, making a minor scream of pain as smoke emerged from his body. Simba quickly rushed over to them.
"Insults are helping much in distracting him," he told Helga. "We might need to hit and run. Let me know when you're able to move well enough."
"Oh... sure...I could... do a few laps... right now..." Helga murmured trying to pull herself out from under Tarzan. "By... all means, tell them to take... their time. Me and ugly... will just keep getting to know... each other."
Mulan leaped in with a slash at Chernabog and then leaping back. She kept her distance as she slowly walked around him and waited for his next attack. Chernabog looked down and launched an energy blast at her. Mulan dodged the blast and leaped in for another strike and followed up by pulling back. It was then that Amelia jumped from within the mist and slammed Excalibur into his back.
Chernabog turned his head in anger before swiping Amelia off his back with one of his wings. While she was in the air, Chernabog fired an energy blast the sent her farther than before and adding additional pain to her body. He reached around to pull the sword out of his back and threw it in the air. It never came back down.
"We got to get up there!" Robin yelled, firing an arrow at Chernabog. "I don't suppose any of us can fly."
"The Spring Sprite can!" Aladdin yelled, mimicking Mulan's attack pattern with a cutlass Amelia dropped while she was in the air. "Am I right?"
"Keep him distracted," The Spring Sprite said. "I am more vulnerable when I am in the air." She stuck out her tongue to one side as she pushed herself into the air and leaping from one set of mist to another, looking for the sword.
"You heard her," Simba called. "Ariel, keep watch on those badly hurt. Everyone else, hit fast and hit him hard!"
"You're already getting weaker, aren't you?" Helga shouted trying to keep her eyes on where everyone else was. "You are absolutely terrified we might actually be able to beat you. You know," she paused as a slow grin passed over her face, "for all your size, you're no more than a frightened animal lashing out at anything you can."
"You want lashing out," Chernabog said. "Try this!" All of a sudden, light appeared out of the ground, connecting at anyone who was lying down. The pain was much worse and it appears as though the light was not going to vanish. Everyone who was grounded were beginning to scream at the top of their lungs.
"Come on, hurry," Simba whispered through his teeth toward The Spring Sprite as he joined the hit and run with those who were still standing and able to avoid the lights shooting out of the ground.
Helga bit her lip hard as she tried hard not to cry out. She was determined not to give him that satisfaction. She tried hard to drag her way out of the light, but it didn't seem to be doing much good. Still, she closed her eyes and tried to let the pain pass. Just the fact she wasn't giving in to his whim was bound to upset his ego as much as anything else she could do at this point.
For the most part, the hit and run plan was distracting him enough. Then he started swiping them away one by one. He connected an energy blast upon Aladdin and then knocked Robin to the ground with one of his wings. Both landed in the dangerous lights that shot out of the ground. It was then that the lights began to intensify and discharge lighting. Those who did not scream before were now screaming as electricity shot through their body in addition to the pain that was already there.
Though all the pain, one thought found it's way into Helga's mind and that was Chris. She had to hold on... she had to get back to him...
"Simba, hurry!" Ariel cried, trying to avoid the lights that began to shoot out of the ground at a rapid pace. Beast and Mulan were the next to fall. Beast took an energy blast that sent him slamming into a pair of lights. Mulan was kicked to the ground and wasn't able to get up before the lights shot out from underneath her.
"You get the sword!" Hercules said to Simba. "I'll hold him off as long as I can!" Simba didn't argue as he looked up to see The Spring Sprite begin to descend toward them. Hercules punched with all his might at Chernabog. After taking several punches, Chernabog swept the God into the air with one of his wings and launched an energy blast at him.
The distraction was long enough for The Spring Sprite to drop the sword and for Simba to catch the hilt with his mouth. He charged up and stabbed the sword into Chernabog. After a few moments he looked up to see Chernabog looking down on him. Simba quickly withdrew the sword from the flesh. As he backed up, lights shot out from underneath. The loudest roar of pain he had ever screamed was heard as he fell back, releasing the sword from his mouth.
The Spring Sprite shot downward as fast as she could, her arm extended outward to grab the sword. Chernabog widened his eyes and launched an energy blast at her. It missed by a few inches. The Sprite grabbed the hilt of the sword and swung herself with all her weight and strength.
The lights disappeared from the grounds and everyone stopped screaming. There was a noise that echoed violently about. It sounded like a scream. And it was coming from Chernabog. He had been separated from the waist and moments later, everything below the cut disappeared into black mist.
"The deed is done!" A voice echoed loudly. All who are able to look turned behind Chernabog to see Yen Sid standing tall with a large blue staff in his right hand. "Black devil, I imprison you for eternity!" He slammed the hilt of the staff against the ground and a blue orb was generated before him.
"NO!" Chernabog screamed as a gush of wind blew into his body. He slammed his claws into the ground, but it only delayed for a few moments the inevitable. He had lost. He began to lose his grip and soon, he was sucked into the blue orb. His screamed echoed as his right hand extended out of the orb, hoping to grab something that will keep him from being imprisoned. Soon, it too disappeared into the orb. A locking sound was heard and then it was all over.
There was silence in the room before The Spring Sprite floated to each and every individual, healing their wounds and bringing them to their feet. She gave them all a reassuring smile as this happened before floating over to Yen Sid and giving him a hug. The master laughed as the others slowly began to walk toward him.
"Is it over?" Simba asked.
"The threat has passed," the master said. "You have succeeded in your quest. It is over." There was a sigh of relief that overcame everyone when they heard this.
Helga blinked slightly. Even though her body was healed, the memory of the pain she had just been through lingered and she had a feeling it would for a while. "Are you sure?" she asked a little uneasily. "It's not that I don't trust you, but I don't want to have to come back here in a week and do this all again."
"It is very much over," Yen Sid said. "Especially after The Spring Sprite removed him of half his limbs." The Spring Sprite giggled as she heard this. "I suspect you all want to return to the ship. There is no need, for I brought them here." Moments later, the others from the ship emerged from the mist and ran to their friends and loved ones.
"Stitch!"
"Robin!"
"Simba!"
There were many cries of happiness and joy when Chris walked up to Helga with a grin. "Well kido," he said, "how often is it that you get to save the world?"
"One time too many," Helga shot back before wrapping her arms around him without a second thought to anyone else around.
"Now then," the master said after a moment of watching the many reunions. "I believe the sages have a task to perform. You may begin, my apprentice."
Mickey appeared from the mist and nodded to the master. The other sages appeared as well as they formed a circle. They raised their hands in the air and began to chant a quiet whispered that barely any one else, save Yen Sid, understood. An image of the world appeared before them. It was then engulfed with various forms of magic and moments later, they completed their tasking in properly shaping the world.
The mists around them began to disappear to reveal them standing upon a hilltop and watching the sun rising over the horizon. Many of them looked in awe at the sight before them. Moments later, the smell of sulfur filled the air. And then, Hades appeared with a grin on his face.
"Hey, how's it going big guy?" Hades said. "There's congratulations on hand and all that yadda yadda. So, you're gonna live up to your end of the bargain? You allow me to get some sunshine out of my ridicules living quarters, not to mention leaving me alone?"
"You hand over the soul of the world?" Yen Sid asked, not looking very pleased at seeing Hades.
"Deal is a deal, right?" Hades said. He twirled his hand and a glowing sphere appeared. He handed it over to Yen Sid who quickly took it. The master muttered a few words before the sphere vanished into little pixies that expanded to surround the world before burying itself within the world.
"And time has been restored?" the master pressed.
"Oh, so you figured that out, eh?" Hades chuckled. "Sure, time is restored and all. Blah blah blah. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a busy schedule. You know, dead to arrange, plans for November, everything that makes working at the office just ever so pleasant. Nice meeting you." And with that, he was gone.
Yen Sid sighed as he turned to the others. "Well then, all is now complete," he said. "I can now send you all to your homes."
Helga let her eyes drop for just a split moment before looking back at Chris. "There's a lot I still need to tell you about the last eight years," she said, "but the long and the short of it is I don't really have a home at the moment and from your recently vitally impaired status, I'm guessing you don't either."
"We're military folk," Chris said to the master. "We move around a lot so we really don't have a home."
Yen Sid chuckled. "That I know," he said. "You two can actually find your own place to call home. Until then, I will send you to a place away from here." With a wave of his hand, Helga and Chris had disappeared. "The rest of you do have homes to return to and that is where you shall all go. Farewell to you all." He waved his hand again and soon the rest of the twelve and whatever friends and family they had disappeared.
---
"I take it he just sent us to a random place," Chris said, arching his eyebrows as he sat upon the back of a cow wearing a bonnet. "I can't think of any other reason we would be here."
"Other than he has a very bad sense of humor?" Helga sighed. "At least if all else fails we have steak for dinner."
"I don't think the owner of this farm would appreciate it," Chris said, seeing two other cows and some pigs looking at them oddly. "Maybe we should get out of here."
"Where?" Helga looked around at the flat plains. "Maybe they have a telephone at the house."
"Maybe they don't," Chris said, slowly getting off the cow he was sitting upon. "I don't see any telephone poles around. And the pigs are starting to creep me out the way they're looking at us."
"Yeah, and how about the look I'm giving you right now, Jenkins?" Helga folded her arms. "Is that creeping you out? Let's at least find out what's near by because I really don't feel like getting lost out in the desert somewhere."
"I fully agree with you," Chris said, "but I think we better hurry because I don't think we're want--" He never got the chance to finish when the pigs began to fly at the both of them with jump kicks and other forms of martial arts.
"I'm going to kill that wizard," Helga muttered getting out of the way.
---
"Can someone tell me WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!" Timon had jumped in the air out of frustration moments after Simba and Nala appeared suddenly. The two lions didn't seem to mind as they nuzzled up against one another.
"It'is a long story to tell," Rafiki said to Timon.
"I don't care!" Timon yelled. "One minute, Simba leaves. Then he comes back with some new friends. All though that spirit lady was cute. They leave again, I see a bright light, I find myself being used as a personal plaything for a bunch of human kids who could fly, Pumbaa gets me out, and now you two are hugging? DID I MISS SOMETHING?!"
"Relax, Timon," Simba chuckled. "I'll tell you all about it."
"Or perhaps she could tell you?" Nala began to chuckle.
Timon was about to respond to that until a thought came to his head. His mouth hung open with his eyes shot wide. He slowly turned to meeting the giggling, child-like smile of The Spring Sprite.
"Do you want to play a game?" she giggled.
Timon tried to make an audible sound, but it barely came out. He was finally able to produce, "Y... y... y... yes..."
"A game of tag!" she laughed. She then placed a quick kiss on the tip of his nose. "You are it." She then floated off, laughing along the way.
Timon slowly turned to the others for a moment before turning back toward the direction The Spring Sprite took. "I really like her," he said with a grin. He then ran off much to the glee of the others who watched.
"I take it our guest will be staying with us," Nala said.
"She goes wherever there is spring," Simba said.
---
The master and the apprentice were nearly complete with their ascent upon the stairs when the apprentice broke the silence. "What about Excalibur, master?" he asked. "We is it going to be?"
"In its rightful place and its rightful time, my apprentice," the master replied. "Very soon, the young Arthur will remove it from its stone prison and shall be king of his province. You have done a magnificent job in your duty as sage, my apprentice."
"Ah, shucks," Mickey said, feeling a little embarrassed. "I only did what I was supposed to do."
The master laughed. "You are well on your way to becoming quite the master of the mystical arts, Mickey," Yen Sid said. "Very soon there will be no need for me to teach you anything more." They reached the top of the stairs where Mickey hopped ahead and opened the door for his master. Inside, Mickey discovered something unexpected.
"Sir?" he said.
"It is alright, my apprentice," the master said. "He will not be doing anything any more."
"Indeed I will not," Chernabog said, behind his spherical prison with narrowed eyes upon the master. "I curse you for succeeding. You and all who were involved."
"Chernabog is locked in a prison that will never be open," Yen Sid said, walking toward a table and some chairs. "Besides, he is weaker than before after The Spring Sprite removed half of his limbs."
"But why bring him here?" Mickey asked curiously.
"Exactly what I was about to ask," Chernabog said.
The master chuckled and waved his hand. "Perhaps I could challenge you to a game of chess," he said as a chess board and pieces appeared upon the table. "I have always wanted to play against someone whose tactics can match mine."
Chernabog slowly began to form a grin on his face. "I accept your challenge," he said.
Thanks to GoblinQueeen, who provided the dialogue and some action for Helga.
the end