Chapter 21: Shards of the Mugic
Near Rock River Canyon, Maxxor, Intress and Verlina have just engaged battle with Skithia, Krekk and Klesh. "Big mistake coming after us by yourselves!" Maxxor said, firing a Torrent of Flame. Krekk dodged and blew an Inferno Gust. Klesh threw in a Heat Rage. Intress managed to douse the fire attacks with Riptide, boosted with her Torrent Krinth. Skithia readied her Whepcrack, but Verlina knocked it out of her hand with Iron Balls. Maxxor drived the UnderWorlders back with Rock Wave.
Little did they know, Lord Van Bloot was hiding in a nearby cave, holding an unknown Mugic. As soon as Maxxor's family was in range, he cast the Mugic into the air. His Mugician appeared and activated the Mugic. "Dirge of Depression!" The family heard the Mugic playing in key. "Is that Mugic?" Verlina asked. "Never heard that one before." Intress said. Maxxor looked up and saw a gold light coming down towards his wife and daughter. "Look out!" He shouted, jumping in the way as the light hit him. "Daddy!" Verlina cried. Van Bloot flew into the open, cackling like crazy. "Well, looks like I just struck a record for striking Maxxor with Mugic." He gloated. "VAN BLOOT! I'll have your wings for this!" Intress shouted in anger. "Sorry, no time to play anymore. Later OverWimps!" Van Bloot called as he, Skithia, Krekk and Klesh took off.
Intress and Verlina looked over Maxxor, who was unconscious from being hit from the Mugic. "What was that Mugic that hit Dad?" Verlina asked. "I don't know, but we have to get him back to Kiru City and figure out what it did to him." Intress said. "We should call Sidney too. She could probably help too." Verlina said. Intress nodded.
(Intro)
In Chaotic, Sidney and Minnie were watching Robbie and Gisele's match. "I don't get why Robbie and Gisele have to have this match in the Beta Drome." Minnie said. "Well, they needed to blow off steam from working hard in school. And a match in the Beta Drome was the first thing they thought of." Sidney said. "Hmm." Minnie said.
Both Robbie and Gisele were down to their last Creatures. Robbie was battling as Fasseph. Gisele was battling as Dasalin. They were battling at Everrain. They were almost out of energy. They were panting like crazy. "You know, I'm kinda sad to have to be the one to code you, Robbie." Gisele said. "Oh, I think you got it backwards, luv. I'm sorry to be the one to code you." Robbie said. Dasalin threw a Hail Storm. Fasseph hopped back to dodge the attack. "Good shot. But here's a better one. Mineral Mayhem!" Fasseph fired green mineral shards from his chest. Dasalin crossed his arms, taking the attack. "Did you forget? Earth attacks don't pack a big punch here in Everrain." He said. "That was only a warmup. Voltorch!" Fasseph fired a typhoon of fire from his hands. Dasalin hopped away, across stones and crevices, trying to get away. But the Voltorch kept chasing him. Until suddenly, he slipped in a puddle, allowing the Voltorch to hit him and code him.
Sidney and Minnie cringed at the sight. "Ooh, that had to hurt." Minnie said. "Yep. I've battled at Everrain dozens of times, and I always watched out for puddles." Sidney said. Just then, her scanner received a call. She answered it, revealing… "Verlina!" "Sid, big trouble! My dad's in trouble and we need your help! I need you to port to Kiru City now!" Verlina said. "Okay, I'm on my way." Sidney said. But before she could end the call, she had a thought. "Wait. How are you calling my scanner?" She asked. "Calling Crystal. Your Chaotic CodeMasters hooked me up." Verlina said. "Okay. I'll be right over." Sidney said, ending the call.
As soon as Sidney got to Kiru City, she joined Intress, Verlina and the other Tribe leaders in the infirmary. Maxxor was laying on a bed, being looked over by Hune Canin and Eremia. Hune Canin was examining the energy particles that Mugic give off when they're activated. "Well, my love?" Eremia asked. "I'm afraid I'm stumped. This Mugic is unfamiliar to me." Hune Canin said. "What Mugic? What happened?" Sidney asked. "Dad, Mom and I had a run-in with Van Bloot and a couple of his cronies. Van Bloot hit my dad with some kind of Mugic. But we don't know what it is or what it did to Dad." Verlina said. "You're asking the wrong Creature." A voice came. Everyone turned to the door. There stood Ri'oha. "Then do you know anything about this Mugic?" Hune Canin asked. "Let me look." Ri'oha said, floating over. She took the crystal from Hune Canin and looked over Maxxor with it, examining the energy particles. "I know this Mugic. It's called Dirge of Depression. It's Generic, but it's of M'arrillian craft." She revealed. That shocked everyone. "Well, what did it do to Maxxor?" Mudeenu asked. "The Mugic drains every stat from a single Creature. Courage, Power, Wisdom and Speed, they all drop to zero. Not long after, their energy will slowly decrease until said Creature is no more." Ri'oha explained. "We developed this Mugic in the Shardcrafter's Workshop during the final days of our invasion. We never got to testing it after Lord Aa'unne was destroyed."
Later, everyone gathered in the council room. "But how did Van Bloot get a hold of such a Mugic?" Odu asked. "He must've snuck it when we held him prisoner." Ri'oha guessed. "Is there any way we can help Maxxor?" Intress asked. "Actually, we did have a cure prepared in case the Mugic was ever turned on us. Unfortunately, since the Mugic was never tested, neither was the cure." Ri'oha said. Verlina stood up. "Then I'll just go and get the cure." She said. That shocked everyone. "No, Verlina! It's too dangerous!" Intress said. "She's right. The cure lays in the Shardcrafter's Workshop, deep within M'arrillian territory. And I doubt my M'arrillian brothers are gonna allow you entry." Ri'oha said. "If there's a chance to save my daddy, I'll take the risk." Verlina said. The leaders spoke with each other on the subject. "Very well. I'll organize a strike force for you." Intress said. "No, Mom. I wanna keep it small. Not draw any attention." Verlina said. "But who will go with you to help?" Takinom asked. "I'll go with her." Sidney said, stepping forth. "And I'll go to guide them to the Shardcrafter's Workshop." Ri'oha said. Intress felt unsure, but agreed to it.
Later, the 3 prepared to leave. Intress was seeing them off. "Just promise me you'll be careful." She said. "I will, Mom." Verlina said, hugging her mother. Breaking the hug, Verlina joined Sidney and Ri'oha as they left for the UnderWorld. Intress watched as they left. 'I hope they'll be okay. I'd hate to lose both of the most important Creatures in my life.' She thought.
Soon enough, Ri'oha led Sidney and Verlina to the Doors of the Deepmines. "So, this is the entrance into M'arrillian territory. Never thought I'd ever see it in person." Verlina said. "Fair warning. My fellow M'arrillians will be very hostile. We should proceed with caution." Ri'oha said. Sidney and Verlina nodded. Then all 3 entered the Doors. But little did they know, someone was following them.
The group of 3 had entered the Coralsmithy. Sidney took some time to look around the Location. "Wow! Is this really what M'arrillian territory looks like? Like something from under the sea?" She asked. "Yes. And some Locations here are also very dangerous. Especially for humans." Ri'oha said. Sidney understood and remained cautious. But she stopped for a second and looked at the Coralsmithy. 'Might as well get a scan of this place. No sense leaving without a souvenir.' She thought, taking out her scanner and scanning the Location before hurrying to rejoin her friends.
The trio came to an icy cave entrance. "The Shardcrafter's Workshop is just through this cave. Tread carefully. The entire cave is full of nitro ice. One false move and the entire cave could collapse on top of us." Ri'oha warned. Sidney and Verlina nodded. They entered the cave and walked carefully. Ri'oha took some time to breathe in the icy cold air. "Ah. It feels good to breathe in that homey air again." She said. "Homey?" Verlina said, confused. "This cave was my original home back during the war. Here, I had Van Bloot enslaved to shovel coal for my transmutant bath." Ri'oha explained. "I get the feeling like he deserved it." Sidney said. "Oh, he did. Since Van Bloot was put in charge after we took UnderWorld City, nowhere in the UnderWorld was safe for him. So, he sought refuge here, but we placed him into slavery instead." Ri'oha explained.
Little did they know, they were still being followed. A robed Creature peaked out from behind a corner. Then it took out a communication crystal and called Van Bloot. "Well? Are you still following them?" Van Bloot asked. "Yes, my lord. It won't be long until they reach the Workshop." The Creature said. "Good. Chaor's putting a lot of faith in me for this mission to be a success. Once they find the cure for the Mugic, you know what to do." Van Bloot instructed. "Yes, my lord." The Creature said, ending the call.
The trio came to a clearing. Suddenly, there was a boom. "Quickly! Hide!" Ri'oha whispered. They hid in a crevice in the wall just as the source of the boom came into view. 2 M'arrillians were up above, throwing attacks at each other. "I know those 2. The big grey one is Lam'inkal. And the green one with all the legs is Bo'aam." Ri'oha whispered, recognizing her fellow M'arrillians. "What're they doing?" Verlina asked. "Looks like they're sparring with each other. We M'arrillains do that as a form of training." Ri'oha explained. "So, what now?" Sidney asked. "They haven't seen us yet. We have to move quickly. Follow me and keep low. We don't want them to spot us." Ri'oha whispered.
The 3 slowly moved forward, being careful not to get spotted. Ri'oha and Verlina got past safely, but Sidney stopped, noticing something. Bo'aam was holding a crystal, throwing air attacks at Lam'inkal. 'That's a Kha'rall Chime Shard. I heard it gives a M'arrillian mastery of air attacks.' Sidney thought. Just then, Lam'inkal blasted Bo'aam with Whirl Wreck, knocking the Kha'rall down and the Chime Shard out of his hand. The shard slid towards Sidney. 'I gotta get a scan of this.' Sidney pulled out her scanner and scanned the shard. Then she hurried to catch up with Verlina and Ri'oha before she got spotted.
Back at Kiru City, Intress sat by Maxxor's bed in the infirmary, worried for Verlina, Sidney and Ri'oha. "I hope they make it back in time." She said, gently holding her husband's hand.
Soon enough, the trio found their way into the Shardcrafter's Workshop. Sidney and Verlina were awestruck by this beautiful M'arrillian Location. "Alright, the cure is in a cave just up on that cliff." Ri'oha said. "Then let's grab it and get out of here. We don't have much time left." Verlina said. "You got no time left!" A voice called. The 3 turned around and saw the robed Creature standing behind them. "Who are you?!" Ri'oha asked. "Surely my reputation proceeds me, sister." The Creature said, taking off his hood and revealing his face. Ri'oha turned shocked, recognizing his face. "Zal'garni?" He was a maroon Kha'rall M'arrillian, 2 big arms with a big claw on his left, 2 little arms, 6 crab-like legs and 2 heads with sea anemone tentacles where their mouths should be.
"Ri'oha, you know this guy?" Sidney asked. "Yes. He's one of the toughest Kha'ralls in all of our tribe." Ri'oha said. "But why is he here?" Verlina asked. "To stop you from getting the cure for that Mugic." Zal'garni said. "What?" Ri'oha asked. "Who do you think gave Van Bloot that Mugic when we had him enslaved here?" Zal'garni asked. Ri'oha was shocked to hear this. "You gave Van Bloot the Mugic?!" She asked in shock. "Yes. And now it's time for me to end you and Ab'lop for your treachery of siding with the Tribal Alliance." Zal'garni said, preparing to attack. "Sidney, Verlina, you 2 get the cure! I'll hold him off!" Ri'oha said. "Let's go, Sid." Verlina said. The 2 hustled over to the cliff as Ri'oha and Zal'garni prepared to face off. Zal'garni fired Purifying Mud from his anemone tentacles. Ri'oha crossed her arms, taking the attack. Then she fired Ice Disks from her hands.
Sidney and Verlina carefully climbed up the cliff, trying not to trigger the nitro ice. "Come on, Sidney! We're almost there!" Verlina said. Sidney climbed as hard as she could as Verlina already reached the top. "Look out!" Verlina yelled. Sidney turned her head and saw a Flood Force attack coming right for her. Luckily, Verlina managed to snag Sid with Vine Snare and pull her up before the attack could hit her. "Thanks." Sidney said. "Anything for my bestie." Verlina said. "Now let's look for that cure." Sidney said. "But where to start?" Verlina asked. The entire cave was covered with sharedcrafting tools and research. Sidney and Verlina looked at each other. "This could take a while." Sidney said.
Ri'oha and Zal'garni continued blasting attacks at each other. Ri'oha nearly got the upper hand, that is until Zal'garni hit her with Delerium, messing up her head. "Shame it had to come to this, Ri'oha. But alas, M'arrillians who side with the enemy is no M'arrillian at all." Zal'garni said. Suddenly, he was blasted to the side. Ri'oha regained her thoughts and saw who blasted the attack. "Thar'lyn." She said. Thar'lyn flew over to his old sister. "Surely the Tribal Alliance would've taught you something new by now." He joked. Ri'oha laughed as she floated over and hugged her brother. "It's great to see you, Thar'lyn." She said. "Great to see you too, sis." Thar'lyn said. Zal'garni got back up and growled with annoyance. "You forget your place again, Thar'lyn?" He asked in anger. Ri'oha and Thar'lyn broke their hug and turned to the treacherous Kha'rall. "It's right here. By my sister and her little friends." Thar'lyn said. Ri'oha smiled, knowing she could always count on her brother. But Zal'garni was now quite cross with such nonsense as he believes. "TRAITOR!" He roared, attacking with Rainspears.
Meanwhile, Sidney and Verlina were still looking for the cure. They looked through almost every shelf and cabinet they could find. "I got nothing. You find anything, Verlina?" Sidney asked. "I found a compartment full of Mugic." Verlina said, holding out a Mugic. Sidney looked at the Mugic. "You think it's the same one?" She asked. Verlina looked in the center of the Mugic, examining the notes inside. "It's the Dirge of Depression alright." She said. Sidney took out her scanner and scanned the Mugic. "Think the Mugic will go well with your other 2 M'arrillian scans?" Verlina asked. Sidney turned surprised. "You knew about what I scanned?" She asked. "I am your best friend." Verlina said. Sidney chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. But then, they turned their attention to the battle between the 3 M'arrillians. "Looks like Ri'oha's got some backup." Verlina said. "Forget the cure. We have to help them." Sidney said. "How?" Verlina asked. Sidney started to think, and then she looked at an ice pillar near Zal'garni. "I have an idea." She said.
Ri'oha and Thar'lyn were near exhaustion, while Zal'garni looked like he hasn't even broken a sweat. "How disappointing. But then again, tired weaklings don't deserve to be called M'arrillians." Zal'garni gloated. Suddenly, a chunk of ice was thrown and hit him in the head. He looked behind him and saw Sidney. "Hey ugly! You think you're a big bad M'arrillian?! Well, why don't you come and prove it?!" Sidney called. Zal'garni did not like that one bit. "You little human PEST!" He yelled, charging towards her. "Sidney!" Ri'oha cried. Sidney just smirked as Zal'garni got closer. 'Right where I want him.' She thought. "NOW!" She called. On cue, Verlina leapt off the cliff. Zal'garni noticed her and stopped in confusion. "Lavalanche!" Verlina shouted, firing a Lavalanche at the pillar. Zal'garni went pale as the nitro ice started to detonate from the attack. "TAKE COVER!" Sidney called. She, Verlina, Ri'oha and Thar'lyn took cover behind some big ice shards. Zal'garni was blasted back towards the tunnel entrance by the nitro ice blast. "I'll get even with the lot of you. For the true glory of the M'arrillians!" He growled, making his escape.
Afterwards, Sidney, Verlina and Ri'oha thanked Thar'lyn for his help. "Too bad we couldn't find the cure though." Sidney said. "Then my father will really be lost to me." Verlina said, preparing to cry. "You were looking for the cure for the Dirge of Depression? I can get it for you." Thar'lyn said. That surprised Sidney and Verlina. Thar'lyn flew up to the cave and over to the wall, opening a secret compartment and revealing the cure. Sidney and Verlina were surprised at this and glared at Ri'oha. "Oh. I forgot that the cure was kept in a secret compartment. This one's on me." Ri'oha said with embarrassment. Thar'lyn flew down and gave them the cure. "Thank you, Thar'lyn." Verlina said. Sidney could not take her eyes off Thar'lyn. 'So cool.' She thought, taking out her scanner. "You trying to scan me, little human?" Thar'lyn asked, noticing her. "Ah! I- uh- well- you see- I kinda-" Sidney stuttered. "It's okay, Sidney. Thar'lyn's pretty cool." Ri'oha assured. "Okay then." Sidney said, scanning Thar'lyn and getting her fourth and final M'arrillian scan. "Awesome! I can't wait to try you out in a Drome Match." She said.
As Sidney and Verlina got ready to head back, Ri'oha stayed behind to talk to Thar'lyn. "Listen, brother, I've actually been thinking." Ri'oha started. "Yes?" Thar'lyn said. "I don't ever want to be without my brother again. I want you to join me and the Tribal Alliance. Help me and Ab'lop bring peace between them and us." Ri'oha said. She awaited the reaction, but for some reason, Thar'lyn wasn't a bit surprised. "What took you so long to ask?" He asked. Ri'oha was confused. "Look, I get why you left. It's a new age of peace between the 4 tribes, and you and Ab'lop are taking the first steps to do the same with the M'arrillians. Even though I will miss this place, I humbly accept." Thar'lyn said. Ri'oha was so happy. She hugged her brother tightly, shedding tears of joy.
Soon enough, they returned to Kiru City. Hune Canin poured a few drops of the cure into Maxxor's mouth and everyone waited for the results. After a few seconds, Maxxor started to wake up. Everyone was overjoyed. Especially Intress and Verlina. "What happened?" Maxxor asked as he slowly arched himself. "Van Bloot hit you with a Mugic that took away all your stats." Intress said. Maxxor understood that. But then he saw Thar'lyn next to Ri'oha. "How long was I out? Because now I see 2 M'arrillians." He asked. "Maxxor, meet my brother, Thar'lyn. He's the one who helped us find the cure. He's also the newest M'arrillian to join the Tribal Alliance." Ri'oha explained. Maxxor and Thar'lyn stared at each other for a few seconds. Maxxor then offered his hand. "Thank you. And welcome to the Tribal Alliance, Thar'lyn." He said. "Thank you, Maxxor." Thar'lyn said, accepting the handshake.
Meanwhile, Zal'garni reported to Chaor and Van Bloot in Gothos Tower. Apparently, the M'arrillians caught word of what happened in the Shardcrafter's Workshop, but they branded Zal'garni as the traitor for giving Van Bloot the Dirge of Depression. "Banished! By my own tribe! I'm no traitor! They are the traitors!" Zal'garni ranted. "It doesn't matter. One loss doesn't mean the end of the war." Van Bloot assured. "He's right. This is only the beginning." Chaor said. Zal'garni was unsure, but shrugged it off.
AN: Sorry that this wasn't what you were expecting, Jake H Voronkov. But don't worry. The next 2 chapters will feature Sidney's CodeMaster Match with CodeMaster Amzen. Really love your Ben & Jen 10 stories!
New cards:
Creature: Zal'garni
M'arrillian Kha'rall
Courage: 50
Power: 60
Wisdom: 30
Speed: 30
Elements: Earth, Water
Mugic: 0
Energy: 50
Mugic: Dirge of Depression
Generic
Drains all stats of a Creature to 0
