Chapter 15: Ambush at Torus Filney
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. Sorry about the wait, but I was really pulled into my other stories. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy
It had been a few days since they all returned from Asgard and almost instantly Caleb went back to Meridian to help with the rebellion.
On the outskirts of Meridian, Phobos' men were on a supply run when multiple traps went off taking them out.
As one group entered the city, Aldern jumps down from a bridge to get their attention.
"Down with Phobos and with tyranny!" He yells before running off causing the guards to chase after him, but when they do a rope flies out and grabs the cart rider.
Aldern turns a corner and someone runs out with a piece of glass. "You sure that's your thickest glass?" Aldern asks the rhinos see the glass they stop in their tracks causing the guards to fly off and smash into the glass.
Gathering everything, Caleb took all the supplies to the Infinite City where the rebellion was hiding.
"Food for everyone!" Caleb said as they al cheered. "This was one victory; we need many more to strike back against Phobos."
As everyone dug in, Caleb walked over to Aldern. "Hey Caleb, you got any more of that chocolate from Earth for the little ones?" Aldern asks.
"I'll return tomorrow." Caleb said.
At the castle, Cedric was giving orders to all the men.
"Double the guards on every delivery into the castle and on every lookout." Cedric orders before he walked down the hall with Loki and Phobos.
"What went wrong?" Phobos asks.
"They knew our route. I can't fight on two flanks." Cedric said causing Loki to chuckle.
"If you can call losing every battle, fighting." Loki said causing Cedric to hiss.
"They're anticipating our every move. How do I find a spy among them?" Phobos asks.
"Easy, lie." Loki said getting their attention. "Give them information that's too perfect for them to waste, but when they come looking for it, we ambush them."
"Very sneaky." Phobos grins liking.
"God of Mischief." Loki reminds.
"And I know just the object to lure their leader out into the open." Phobos said.
Back in Heatherfield, the girls were walking up a fire escape.
"Oh why can't we just use our powers?" Cornelia asks.
"We can't risk being seen just because you decided to wear heels." Will said.
At the top of the building Caleb and Blunk pop out of a portal.
"Captain Blunk report." Blunk said saluting.
"Don't pretend you have an allegiance to a higher goal. You find me portals, I pay you." Caleb said when he noticed the girls. "Oh uh, girls."
"Caleb, when you find an open portal, you're supposed to tell us." Will said.
"I know but I just need this one open for a little longer. I'm sure you understand." Caleb assumes.
"Absolutely which is why you'll understand me doing this." Will said taking out the Heart.
"No! I'm bringing chocolates to little children." Caleb said trying to appeal to their good side but it was no use, Will sealed the portal.
At Will's apartment, Will was walking up the steps when she saw Susan walking down the hall with two boxes in her hand.
"Mom? What's going on? We're not moving, are we?" Will asks.
"What? No I'm just helping someone move in down the hall. Here take one of these." Susan said as she took one and they walked to an apartment a few doors down. "Alright, here's the last of it."
"Thank you, Susan." Walking out Will was surprised to see Mala walking out. "Oh Will good to see you."
"Mala? What are you doing here?" Will asks.
"I'm moving in and lucky for me your mother was willing to help me." Mala said.
"So Mala, how do you know my daughter?" Susan asks.
"My son goes to school with her." Mala said.
"Well maybe you can bring him by our place and he can make sure Will does her homework." Susan smirks.
"Ugh mom." Will groans annoyed.
The next day at school, Neo was sitting with Will, Irma, Cornelia and Taranee.
"So I found out last night your mom is moving into the same apartment complex as me." Will said.
"Yeah she thought it would be a good idea to have a place nearby." Neo said.
"I think it's sweet. It shows how committed she is to having you back in her life." Taranee said.
"Plus, whenever Will's mom tries to cook something we can run over to your place and have a decent meal." Irma smirks.
"I guess, it just so new. I finally have a mom." Neo said.
"Give her a chance Neo. From what we've seen she's really trying and that says a lot." Cornelia said.
"I guess." Neo said eating his lunch when Will notices a poster on the wall.
"Hey what's that poster?" Will asks.
"Drama night." Irma said with hate in her voice.
"Every year 4 groups of kids I mean losers put on these mini-plays on a theme." Cornelia said.
"All the parents and grandparents come it's the worst." Taranee said when Hay Lin came in.
"Hey guys I signed us all up to do a play on Drama Night." Hay Lin said excitedly while the look of horror appeared on everyone else's face as Neo bangs his head on the table.
At Phobos's castle, Cedric was standing in front of the captain of the guard and two soldiers.
"Captain of the Guard, I have remarkable news. The Seal of Phobos has been found." Cedric said surprising them.
"The Seal? After all these years?" He asks.
"It was near the outpost at Torus Filney. I want 100 riders to bring it back in 3 days time. What I have just told you does not become general knowledge." Cedric said as they left. "This better work."
"Oh trust me. If this Seal is as valuable as you say everyone in this castle will be talking about it." Loki said walking out of the shadows.
And true to his word almost everyone in the castle was talking about it, even Vathick, Caleb's spy.
At the Silver Dragon, Thor was sitting down with Jane telling her about his new family situation.
"So wait that woman right there is Neo's birth mother?" Jane asks gesturing to Mala who was sitting at the bar eating fried rice.
"Yep and as of now she'll be helping me raise him." Thor said.
"Wow, so what are you gonna do?" Jane asks.
"Well Mala and I will divide up our time with Neo so he's able to be with both parents." Thor said.
"On Earth we have a similar thing when parents get separated. It's called a divorce." Jane said.
"Really now?" Thor said curiously.
"Speaking of which where is your son?" Jane asks.
"Should be back soon." Thor said as a few minutes later Sif and Johan walked in.
"Come on warriors pick up the pace!" Sif said as Neo, Astrid, Heather, Amora and Rayla marched in carrying boxes from the supply truck.
"We want that truck unloaded in an hour do you hear me?!" Johan asks.
"Sir yes sir!" They said getting to work.
"I should have had you all work here ages ago." Yan Lin chuckles as she opened the door for Neo.
"Thank you." Neo said walking to the back where Will, Irma, Taranee and Cornelia were glaring at Hay Lin.
"Come on, don't you think it'll be fun?" Hay Lin asks.
"No." Cornelia said.
"Why did you signup to do a play and sign all of us up too?" Taranee asks.
"Because I want to design the cool costumes and because I need someone to wear them." Hay Lin admits.
"Next time try asking us first." Neo said putting the box down.
"Come on Neo, it'll be fun." Hay Lin said when Astrid, Heather and Rayla walk in. "Hey girls, wanna join the play I'm working—" Hay Lin asks.
"No." All three said at the same time walking past them.
"I'd be joining them if there was any way to take names off this stupid thing." Irma said.
"So what's the theme?" Cornelia asks.
"Mythology." Hay Lin said.
"Oh that's easy, just pick one of the million stories about my family. My dad and I have got them memorized by heart." Neo said.
"Sorry Neo but I think I wanna do something other than Norse this time." Hay Lin said.
"Suit yourself." Neo said walking out to finish the truck as Yan Lin walked in.
"Grandma do you know any good myths?" Hay Lin asks.
"I do, long ago there was a kingdom ruled by a powerful but uncaring Jade Emperor. Working for this Emperor were 4 dragons. The emperor's daughter was greatly worried for her people for a famine had gone on for months, so the dragons decided to help the people, but when the Emperor found out that they did it without his permission he locked them away in 4 mountains. His daughter horrified by her father's actions left declaring she was joining the dragons. All that was left to remember her by was a crystal amulet." Yan Lin said as Will looked to hers.
"The origin of our powers." Will realized.
"That's our play." Hay Lin smiles.
"I'm obviously gonna be the Emperor's Daughter." Cornelia said.
Soon Neo and the girls were at school working on the set.
"Why am I the evil Emperor?" Neo asks.
"Well you are the only of us who's actual royalty." Will smirks.
"I only have 3 dragons; I need 1 more. Taranee?" Hay Lin asks.
"No way I get stage fright." Taranee said.
"Among other frights." Irma adds.
"Neo?" Hay Lin asks.
"Don't push it, I'm still angry at you for dragging me into this." Neo glares.
"Still?" Hay Lin asks.
"We all are still mad at you for dragging us into this." Cornelia said.
"Check it out." Taranee takes out a prop crystal that had a light bulb in it causing Will to smile at the similarity when they heard a scream.
Looking up they Blunk in an angel costume sliding down a rope.
"Blunk?" Will asks.
"Flap flap, Blunk cute birdy." Blunk said.
"Not even close." Neo cringed.
"Get off Blunk we're working on play." Hay Lin said taking off his costume.
"Play? Blunk love play. Blunk be prince." Blunk said grabbing a cape. "People worship Blunk."
"There's prince in this play." Irma said.
"But we do need a dragon, it doesn't have to be a tall one and he is in a mask." Taranee points out.
"Works for me." Hay Lin said handing him the mask.
"Blunk knew real dragon once. Wanted egg back, bit Uncle's butt off. Never walk the same again." Blunk said causing them all to cringe.
That night, Neo was sitting down to eat dinner with Mala and there was an awkward silence between them.
"So uh how's rehearsal going?" Mala asks.
"It's going alright, though honestly, I wish we had chosen a different story. I hate being the Emperor." Neo said.
"You know your father used to act the same way about being the general." Mala smiles softly.
"What was he like?" Neo asks getting her attention.
"My real dad, Logan. What kind of person was he?" Neo asks.
"When I first met your father, he was just a common foot soldier in the King's Army. He didn't join to make become strong or rise up in the ranks he just wanted to protect Meridian." Mala said.
"So what happened to change him?" Neo asks.
"We were in a battle one day and the original general was killed in battle. None of us had any idea what to do until Logan stepped up and led us all to battle. He saved so many people and he looked so handsome while doing it." Mala smiles.
"Wow." Neo smiles.
"Your father always stepped up when people needed him." Mala said.
"I do that too." Neo smiles.
"He would have loved to see you grow up in the young man you've become. You're just like him, especially the handsome part." Mala teases.
"Mom." Neo said embarrassed causing her to giggle.
"Y-You think you can tell me more stories like this from time to time?" Neo asks.
"I'd love to." Mala smiles.
Outside in an alley, Caleb was stomping through it angrily.
"Oh please please Will can I use the portal? Ugh I'm the Rebel Leader, I don't have time to ask permission." Caleb mocks when Blunk lands nearby in his dragon costume.
"Caleb!" He yells getting his attention.
"What are you wearing?" Caleb asks.
"Blunk rehearsal while collecting treasures. Blunk star, Blunk have message." Blunk said.
"From who?" Caleb asks interested.
"Big blue thing tell cousin, Blunk tell you." Blunk said.
"Big Blue? Vathek?" Caleb gasps.
As it started to rain Blunk told him everything.
"It's at Torus Filney? This could be the news that turns the whole rebellion around." Caleb said.
"What is seal?" Blunk asks.
"The Seal of Phobos. It's a small royal talisman with a royal crest. It has the power to reveal anything that's closed, reveal anything that's hidden, it can split holes in the veil." Caleb explains.
"Uh oh. Blunk out of business." Blunk said.
"Shortly after Mala fled a woman stole the seal and used it get the true heir to safety. Phobos has been looking for them both ever since. If I can get it before his group I can cross the veil whenever I want. When the next portal opens tell me before you tell the others." Caleb said as Blunk gave him the thumbs up.
A few days later, it was Drama night at school and Neo and the girls were backstage.
"We're one dragon short." Neo said.
"Where's Blunk?" Cornelia asks when Blunk ran in.
"Sorry late. Had to show Caleb…uh something." Blunk said.
In Merdian, Caleb arrives at Torus Filney to see a cloaked figure guiding him up the hill.
"You seem to have quite an interest in this talisman. I found it 6 years ago, is it valuable?" The figure asks.
"You'll be well rewarded." Caleb said.
When they reached the top, the figure dropped his walking stick causing Caleb to stop atop a patch of sand.
Caleb was confused by this when suddenly the sand wrapped around his legs and started pulling him in.
"I'm sinking! Help me!" Caleb screams as he tried to get the figure to take his hand but the figure only removed his cloak revealing him to be Cedric.
"It seems Phobos's suspicions are confirmed. Now as the Sands of Torus Filney consume you I must go find the traitor who passed you this news." Cedric said as Caleb sunk under the sand.
Back at the school, Thor, Mala, Amora and Yan Lin ran backstage.
"Girls, Neo, Caleb's in danger." Thor said getting their attention.
"What do you mean?" Neo asks.
"He went to Meridian and left me this note." Yan Lin said handing it to them.
"There's no way it's the seal. Phobos would never wait, he's too impatient." Mala said.
"Caleb's walking into a trap." Yan Lin said.
"How did Caleb find a portal?" Will asks when they noticed Blunk trying to sneak away.
"Was that what you were showing him?" Neo asks stopping him.
"No Blunk only dragon." Blunk said.
"We have to save him." Will said.
"We can't walk out on our own play, we'll be expelled." Hay Lin said.
"No you won't. Will take out the Heart and repeat these words, Spord lartsa." Yan Lin said.
"Spord Lartsa? What's that?" Will asks when suddenly all the girls glowed making copies of themselves.
"Copy magic, interesting." Amora said impressed.
"These are Astral Drops doubles. When you repeat their names but forward they will disappear. They are indentical to you." Yan Lin explains.
"Not 100% I don't have split ends." The other Cornelia said.
"So they save Caleb and we do the play?" The original asks.
"I think it's the other way around." Taranee said.
"Weird but they are identical, let's go." Will said.
"Wait what about me?" Neo asks.
"I know the area of Torus Filney, I'll go with them." Mala said running after the girls.
"Oops, I forgot to mention the Astral drops don't know the play." Yan Lin said.
"What?!" Thor and Neo said at the same time.
"It slipped my mind." Yan Lin said.
"Yan Lin, we are on in 20 minutes and I'm the only one who knows what to do. We can't teach them the whole story again. We don't have enough time." Neo said.
"Do another story. You and Thor must know some." Yan Lin said.
"Yes the problem is we know too many." Thor said.
"Come on dad, there must be one event that we can use." Neo said.
"I got it. Father getting the casket from the Johtuns and being crowned king upon his victory." Thor said.
"Now that one I know…wait am I gonna have to be grandpa?" Neo realizes as Thor smirks putting an eyepatch over his right eye.
"This is going to be fun." Thor smiles.
"I can really see the family resemblance." Amora giggles.
"Amora, I need you to do a little magic on these costumes. Can you help me?" Neo asks.
"Of course." Amora nods.
"Oh thank you." Neo said hugging her tight.
'I am gonna enjoy using this in the future.' Amora grins.
At Torus Filney, Mala and the girls walked through the portal.
"How does it feel to be home after all this time?" Irma asks as Mala looks at the dark and depressing landscape around them.
"This is not my home it looks like something out of a nightmare." Mala said.
"Guardians Unite." Will said as the girls changed into their fairy forms.
"Hang onto us Mala, we don't want to get separated." Hay Lin said as she and Cornelia helped her into the air.
"Especially not here." Mala said as they kept moving.
Flying over the sands, they saw multiple houses that seemed abandoned.
"Where is everyone?" Will asks when Mala saw some shadows in the house.
"They're in their homes, they just won't come out." Mala said.
"What? Why?" Hay Lin asks when suddenly sand shot out of the ground and wrapped around Will's legs.
"Aaah! Quicksand!" Will said as Irma and Taranee flew over and pulled her free before she got pulled in.
"Land over there, we'll be safe." Mala said pointing to a patch of land.
"What was that?" Taranee asks as they land.
"The dangerous Sands of Torus Filney." Mala said.
"You knew about it?" Cornelia asks.
"A boy fell in the sand." A voice said startling them.
Turning around they saw a little boy and girl behind them.
"Then why don't you have it roped off?" Cornelia asks.
"It moves." The little girl said.
"Great, a wandering man-eating sandpit." Taranee groans.
"This must be how they trapped Caleb." Mala said.
"How long ago did the boy fall in?" Will asks.
"Our brother Michael fell in too…that was a long time ago." The girl said.
Frowning Mala walks over and got down on one knee to look the children in the eye.
"Don't worry, we'll do everything we can." Mala assured them.
At the play, the curtain pulled up to reveal all the scenery had been painted to resemble snowy mountains and a small town made of cardboard.
"Here read this." Thor said handing Taranee a large piece of paper before pushing her out on stage.
"Uh once mankind accepted a simple truth, they were not alone in this universe. Some places they believed to home of their gods, others they knew to fear. From the realm of cold, came the Frost Giants who tried to bring a new ice age." Taranee read as backstage Amora waved her hand and snow sprinkled down.
Marching out in small blue costume, Blunk let out an evil laugh.
"I am Laufey and you shall all be cold!" Blunk declared as Irma and Hay Lin came out dressed in blue outfits to resemble Frost Giants.
Blunk laughs as he destroyed the carboard town they made.
"I have to admit, he's doing a pretty good job as the villain." Yan Lin giggles.
"This might be entertaining." Thor chuckles.
"But humanity would not face this threat alone, from the realm of Asgard, Odin and his warriors came." Taranee read as Neo put on a helmet.
"Thank goodness grandpa isn't here to see this." Neo said as he walked out holding a replica og Gungnir.
Walking in behind him, Will and Cornelia were dressed like Asgardian warriors.
"Laufey, your winter has come to an end." Neo declared.
"Never! Snow everywhere!" Blunk said.
Walking up to him Neo raised his fake spear and bonked Blunk on the head causing the audience to laugh.
"Ow. That hurt." Blunk winces.
"Doesn't hurt me." Neo said before whacking Blunk again with his spear.
"Ow! Stop!" Blunk said before throwing a cardboard house at him.
"Prepare to meet your end you ugly ice sculpture!" Neo said chasing after him.
Little did they know in Asgard, Heimdall was showing Odin the play and both men were laughing and hold their sides.
"You know I actually said that when I fought the real Laufey." Odin laughs.
"For such a small creature he makes a good Frost Giant." Heimdall laughs.
Back in Meridian, the girls and Mala were forming a plan.
"We need to get down there." Will said.
"You want us to go into the sand?" Taranee asks.
"We need something that will help us escape if we do that." Mala said.
"I know what we can use." Cornelia touched the ground and long roots shot out.
"Here goes nothing." Hay Lin said as they each grabbed one and dove into the sand but as they sunk deeper inside the roots broke off.
Under the sand there appeared to be some sort of hidden cavern.
"Mala you're the Meridian expert, what do we do?" Will asks as Mala drew her sword.
"Don't touch anything." Mala said.
"She's right! Don't touch the walls!" Caleb said when something shot out of the walls and almost grabbed them.
Mala looks around and saw so many people trapped to the walls.
"Help, please." A voice said.
Following it Mala saw a little boy trapped.
"Is your name Michael?" Mala asks.
"H-How did you know?" He asks nervously.
"I know two siblings who really miss you." Mala said when the girls flew over to Caleb who was trapped nearby.
"I was tricked, I'm sorry." Caleb said.
"Come on let's get you out." Mala said as she drew her sword and broke Michael free while the girls pulled Caleb out.
As they tried to escape a giant tornado of sand headed in their direction.
"Look out!" Mala yells as the sand captured Hay Lin.
Struggling to break free Hay Lin breathed a powerful gust of wind freeing herself.
The sand moved in and tried to grab the others but when Taranee brought out the fireballs the sand was blasted away as she destroyed most of the walls trapping people.
"Impressive." Mala said.
"We need to free the others and quick." Taranee pants.
Back on the surface, the girls, Mala and Caleb brought the last of the trapped citizens to safety.
"I believe you two were looking for him." Mala said revealing Michael to the little kids.
"Michael, you're safe." The girl smiled as they hugged their long-lost brother.
"Thank you miss." The kids said and Mala smiles feeling happy for what she did.
"Alright, everyone stand back." Taranee said as she and Irma blast the sand with water and fire turning it into glass. "Let's see it take anyone now."
"I wonder how Neo and our Astral Drops did?" Cornelia asks.
"I feel bad for them, they did all the work and we're gonna get all the glory." Hay Lin smiles.
When the girls and Mala arrived back at school, they heard cheering coming from the stage.
"Wow, sounds like everyone is really loving the play." Hay Lin said as they made their backstage to see Neo whack Blunk on the head causing him to the ground.
"I like this play." Caleb smiles.
"Those aren't my costumes." Hay Lin said.
"Hey what's going on?" Irma asks.
"The Astral Drops didn't know the play so we had to make a new one." Yan Lin said.
"But my costumes." Hay Lin whines.
"Shush, it's about to get to the good part." Thor whispers before they noticed Will's Astral Drop in front of Amora.
"Alright remember what I told you." Amora whispers as she nods.
On stage, Neo held up a blue box resembling the casket.
"Without the source of your powers you will never harm another soul again." Neo declared.
"With the source of the Frost Giant's powers taken from them, Odin returned to Asgard where he was to be crowned King along with his Queen and love of his life Frigga." Taranee said.
'Wait, we don't have anyone for grandma.' Neo thought when Will walked out and took his hands.
"Wait what's happening?" Will asks as her eyes widen.
"Well you see after my father won the battle he and my mother were married." Thor said.
Suddenly the Astral Drop leaned in and kissed Neo on the lips causing the crowd to stand up and cheer while the real Will drops her jaw in shock.
"Bravo! Bravo!" The teachers cheered as the curtain dropped.
"Astral drops." Will said as the copies went away.
"Did you like my ending?" Amora asks.
"You?! You told her to kiss Neo!" Will said.
"They are like you in every way. That Will seemed very eager to do it and Neo seemed to enjoy it." Amora said as Neo took off his eyepatch and helmet trying to shake off the kiss.
Looking over Neo saw the real Will and gulps nervously as a blush appeared on both their faces.
"A Guardian, hmm not bad." Mala chuckles.
"Agreed." Thor smiles.
"At least Phobos doesn't have the seal." Caleb sighs.
In Meridian, Cedric was standing alongside the captain of the guard.
"The traitor will be unmasked. I want a list of everyone who left the castle yesterday." Cedric orders.
"Yes sir." The captain salutes before walking away.
Little did they know in a small manhole the real Seal of Phobos laid right under their noses and they didn't even notice.
