Defenders of the Creek
Chapter 5: Tricks, Treats, and Terror
A few weeks have passed, and Kelsey could only think of how much stronger she's gotten. She thought of it as an honor to learn under a real sword user. Her father could only watch in awe to see her in action yet still carry her pipe sword she made him.
Kelsey took to recording her monologues in an audio log. Sector CH were all in their base within the Stump merely relaxing. Craig was adjusting his trusty and ironic staff. Jessica, who had gotten better with magic, had enchanted it. It was the shock to the Williams family when said magic teacher came over to say Jessica was doing so well that she wanted to make Jessica her apprentice. J.P. had gotten a few new things as well. Namely mesh armor under the jersey, first aid training from his older sister, and a secondary weapon.
The Creek had its changes, more vendors set up shop near the Trading Tree with Kit charging rent for space. Families had moved into the town with the townspeople now having to deal with living all kinds of people. The influx of kids joining cliques in the Creek led to some complications, but nothing too major for the Stump Kids. There was still the investigation into the cult which Craig aided Connie with directly. Much to their ire, it was a slow burn of a time on their end as actions were slow. Any trace of them was scarce, in their area at least. Much to their ire (mostly Connie), there were another theft. The Junk Lord's crown right under their noses, and Craig took it hard.
"I still can't believe they slipped past us." Craig said bitterly.
"Craig, don't take it too hard. We were literally having a nap while it happened." J.P. said assuring him. "We'll be ready if they try again."
Their entrance was opened was opened as Connie jumped down it.
"Yo. The Green Poncho's here to see you." Connie said as said lone hero jumped down with her.
"I got information for you. I'm glad you told me about Ari because I discovered she's been using the Underpass to sneak across the sides of the Creek at night. Caught her on cameras I've placed. I'm guessing she's most likely involved with the King." He said as Craig got up.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he was. Xavier's crazy craving for power." Craig said worriedly. "I…"
They were cut off by an alarm which Kelsey took the computer to find the source. Her eyes went wide with fear.
"We have a problem…a big one!" Kelsey said as they looked on the monitor.
What they saw a small army of Fusion Monsters to which Connie would identify as Junkasarus Wrecks and Gravel Golems marching out into their neighborhood being led up a Fusion Eliza and Fusion Junk Lord. Craig's anger when to fear when he realized where they were heading.
"We need to go. Sector CH, battle stations!" Craig said as everyone sprang into action.
"Please tell me the Kids Next Door sent you 2x4 weapons and technology." Connie asked only for Kelsey to reveal the armory. "Ok, I guess I'm meeting you there with backup."
Connie took her leave as Craig alerted everyone in the Creek Discord group they were under attack. He wasted no time getting his weapons in order before the four boarded their new vehicle of choice, the C.O.O.L.B.U.S.
"Ok, I'm pretty sure I can drive this thing." Craig thought starting it up.
He had no time to be nervous…even when he only had a few days of flight stimulator under his belt. How hard could it really be, he thought.
-=o=-
Nicole could only watch from inside as seeing the fusion beasts march waving the flag of a symbol she barely knew. She did see a few humans among them, one with a manic grin and a crown. He got out a megaphone.
"People of Herkleston, mark your calendars! Today marks the day to the end of your freedoms and when you will fall to the rule of King Xavier. I promise you mercy…if Craig Williams is handed over to me." Xavier said as a demented grin. "Otherwise, I'll just have to burn this place to the ground!"
Bernard acted first going to his mother first telling her to get the case from under his bed with dad. Then, he was climbing up to the roof of the home with a briefcase calling out Xavier.
"Care to hand over your meddlesome brother?" Xavier asked.
Bernard said nothing but opened the briefcase which contained a recent purchase he had made. A bazooka that was thin, lightweight, and packed some punch…the Mecha Pulse Cannon 5000! He took it up and smirked.
[Cues: Carpenter Brut – Division Ruine]
"Here's my answer!" Bernard said firing it.
Maya shoved Xavier down in time for the blast to take down a few golems. Xavier called for the army to advance on the house.
"Ari." Xavier said turning to the cultist.
"I do not sense the one known as Craig to be here." Ari said stoically. "My main task was for his retrieval for Fusion Creation."
"Aren't you going to help?" Maya demanded.
"No, I will wait in the shadows. This is your fight." Ari said slamming a smoke bomb on the ground and vanishing.
"Feckless bitch. Never mind that." Xavier said cracking his knuckles. "I'll just use what I was taught."
Bernard fired from the roof trying to take out as many Fusion Monsters as he could as on the ground floor, a window was opened was for Duane and Nicole to open fire.
"I know we're all in serious danger but firing this overgrown taser kind of makes me feel like a kid again." Duane said popping off several headshots. Jessica had gotten up to the roof and used a basic Barrier spell to shield her brother from incoming attacks.
KA-BLAM!
An explosion rocked the ground as from the sky, the C.O.O.L.B.U.S. Craig piloted was coming down.
"Really?" Xavier thought unimpressed.
"That is so cool!" Bernard thought very impressed.
Craig gave the wheel to the Green Poncho as Sector CH made a dramatic leap out of the flying school bus.
"All together now!" Craig said the three raised their hands above their hands. "Ready…GO!"
"MASENKO-HA!" The three shouted firing down a combined massive yellow beam of energy.
The impact blew enough several dozen of the horde as the three made their dramatic landings. Ari decided to make herself known, but Xavier got in her way.
"What are you doing?" Ari hissed.
"He's mine. If anyone is going to make this last moments of life agonizing, it's me." Xavier said as he called for the army to stop. "You only need the map and staff which you can get…OFF HIS CORPSE!"
Xavier fired an energy blast which Craig rolled out of way only to nearly get swatted aside as Xavier unveiled his own staff, that instead of a diamond at the end was a crescent moon. Staffs clashed repeatedly with Craig backflipping for distance. Xavier lunged only to get repelled with a M.U.S.K.E.T. blinding him with hot mustard.
"Mustard! Why the hell would you use mustard?!" Xavier squealed only to get a leg sweep and Craig's feet on his chest.
"Call off your army!" Craig demanded. "Or else!"
"Oh Craig, everyone knows that's an idle threat." Xavier purred out his eyes glowed red.
Eye blasts sent Craig spiraling into the ground as Xavier floated up to his feet. He called for the army to attack only for Ari to point that more were coming.
[Cues: Battlefield Ver. 2 – Brawl Version]
Speeding towards them, Connie used her hovercar to mow through Junkasarus Wrecks. Riding with her was Morty and Charmcaster blasting away several golems before Connie drifting his car to a stop as they all got out.
"Sorry, I took a long while." Connie said drawing her blade. "Ari's mine."
"Maya's mine." Kelsey said as Mortimer flew off her head.
"Xavier and I have a fight to finish." Craig said.
"I guess I'm taking the Fusion Princess." Morty said as Charmcaster settled for Fusion Junk Lord.
"And I'll take the rest." J.P. said as they call charged.
-=o=-
[Cues: One Piece OST – Fight Theme]
Kelsey vs Maya
"Don't poke your eye out with that sword!" Maya said revealing she wielded a studded kanabo alongside her trusty bat.
She came down on her with her kanabo as Kelsey draw her blade to clash with hers with an evident struggle.
"Ah, what's the matter? No words of grandeur? No assurance that you will win!" Maya said pushing forward.
Kelsey struggled, but reminded her teachings to stand firm…and to fight pragmatically when you have to do. Considering Kelsey was putting her ki towards empowering her sword, she used her free hand to get out what appeared to be a lemon and shoved it into Maya's cloak before backing off. Maya looked through before pulling out the 'lemon' asking why she did shove a lemon in her cloak.
"Why it's a-
-o-
[Cue a cut to the KND Invention Screen]
Kids Next Door L.E.M.O.N.A.D.E: Lemony Explosive Makes Outstanding Noise And Douses Enemies.
-o-
"You mother-MY EYES!"
Maya got a face full of exploding lemon juice as she blindly swung her club trying to hit Kelsey. Her eyes burned as she swore that she was going to pour alcohol on her eyes when she got her hands on her eyes. Maya rubbed her eyes which still burned, but she could see as she channeled her energy into her club which glowed. She slammed into the ground rattling it and causing a column of energy to erupt under Kelsey's fight. Maya wasted no time running in to grab Kelsey her leg and slamming her face first into the concrete. Maya twirled her club to bring it down on Kelsey's back only for her to roll out of the way right into the path of Gravel Golem. Kelsey sprang to get on it's back as Maya came running and swing. Kelsey used her small size to her advantage to weave through the Fusion Monsters that Maya had to kill to get out of her way.
"Stand still and fight me!" Maya said slamming a Junksarsus aside only to see Kelsey was no where to be seen. "Damn it!"
"Behind you!" Xavier shouted as Maya turned to see Kelsey flying at her.
She clubbed it only to fizzle out revealing to be a mere illusion where the real Kelsey drop down from above smacking her the pommel of her blade on Maya's head sending the teen to the ground with a concussion laden with unconsciousness.
"And that's that." Kelsey said panting.
-=o=-
[Cues: Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga OST – Boss Theme]
Craig vs Xavier
Seeing Maya be taken down only fueled his anger to fight Craig. To his stress, him and Craig were seemingly even.
"How dare you stand at my level, you insolent worm! I am the King and I have no equal!" Xavier shouted only for Craig to shove him off.
"Equal? I'd respect you if you didn't have such an ego." Craig taunted as Xavier lunged with his staff.
Craig sidestepped like Xavier hit a golem only for him to tear it out.
"What's the matter? Your aim's getting sloppy!" Craig jeered.
Xavier put his staff on his back as he raised his aura before running in a burst of speed kneeing the mapmaker in the stomach. It was the opening he needed as Xavier pummeled him with a barrage of punches and kicks. If anything, Ari had trained Xavier to be vicious in his blows and make everything hurt. Xavier threw his next punch only for Craig to catch wind to block it with his staff which began to glow. Jessica did enchant it and the jewel at the top not up light up the night…but it shot lasers of mana! Xavier was blown back as Craig began channeling energy into the staff as the diamond glowed.
"Diamond Stream!" Craig said firing a yellow beam out of the staff.
Using his own staff, Xavier attempted to cut through the beam seemingly managing to do so. Xavier went on about how this beam would stop him only to be shut up by Bernard who got a perfect shot off the roof. The explosion sent Xavier bouncing off the street before landing into the garden of a nearby house both injured and out cold.
"Whew." Craig said as a Gravel Golem was about to strike him only for his mother to shoot it down. "Thanks mom."
"You're welcome, sweetheart." Nicole said beaming.
-=o=-
[Cues: Sonic Battle OST – Battle Highway]
J.P. found himself having more fun using a club for bashing enemies left and right. Supporting, he made sure to beat down several more monsters backing up whether it was Craig, Kelsey, Jessica, or Craig's parents. In the center of the storm was Connie and Ari locked in an intense clash of blades coming to a heated deadlock.
"You were trained well for worthless scum." Ari said from behind her mask. "But you're no match for me."
"Funny, you should say that. Maya and Xavier were just saying the same thing, but I guess you have actual skill to back that claim up." Connie said playfully.
The tone was hiding her evident fear. She knew she was going in at a disadvantage against something who trained longer than her. While Connie had more experience over her as a warper, she was sure that's Ari's force of will was going to make pulling anything close to deleting her impossible. Ari kicked Connie in her stomach before trying to take her head off only for a Barrier spell from Jessica for a last minute save.
"Stay out of this, I…"
"Galleyus Disruptus!" Jessica chanted as her eyes and hands glowed with mana.
Controlling the air, the pint-sized magician blew Ari away throwing her into Fusion Eliza.
"Thanks for the save." Connie said panting.
"Not bad, kid, but…" Charmcaster said only to see someone scream 'Incoming!'.
Fusion Eliza had a meeting with the real Eliza and her souped-up go-kart's front bumper as she mowed her down.
"I believe you're the disgusting creature who stole my tiara and my looks." Eliza said as George and Jane realized they were armed with weapons of their own. "If it's all right with the lot of you, I believe the Tea Timers have words and bullets to share with this cretin!"
Ari got up completely infuriated only for Charmcaster to kick her aside to get her anger honed on her.
"She's all yours. I suggest you hurry and kill it before the masked maniacs tries to kill you." Charmcaster said as Eliza gave the thumbs up.
The Junk Lord leapt out the back of the Tea Timer's cart bolstering the classic Lightning Sword.
"Thanks for the ride." Junk Lord said spying his Fusion self. "Now I have a crown to reclaim!"
Ari got up raising her sword only for Charmcaster to chant, "Badickinis Metalarca!". With a purple glow in her hands, she forced the katana out of her hand and threw it aside.
"Not so tough without you-"
Ari had enough and had a primal scream before calling upon her claws as she rushed Charmcaster hitting her with blow after blow speed-blitzing her. Jessica wanted to do something, but Ari was just too fast for her eyes. Connie put two fingers to her own head using Instant Transmission to teleport like front of Ari with a sucker punch that cracked her mask.
"Miss Hope, you ok?" Jessica asked as Charmcaster got up.
"Deep cuts, but I'll live. But you're going to have to finish this on your own, Connie. I don't think I want to bleed out to death." Charmcaster said making a retreat with Jessica in tow.
[Cues: Carpenter Brut – Turbo Killer]
Connie sheathed her blade before looking at Ari whose mask had cracking more at the seams.
"No one around to intervene. Everyone's either injured, fleeing, or fighting another with no time to step down. It's just you and me…but not for long." Ari said as Connie glared at her.
"I agree. It's time I used all I have on you. You're too dangerous…" Connie said taking a stance. "KAIOKEN!"
The beat dropped as hard as Connie punch to Ari's face shattering the mask while cutting the cultist's skin. Connie was now a blur of crimson as Ari rushed for her blade to come in for a strike. There were clashes. Where Ari still had skill over Connie, Connie now had raw power to up what technique she did have. Seeing Connie was not going to be stopped with a blade, Ari put it away in favor of other weapons. Connie merely upped the rate of her Kaioken to basically dance around the shurikens, kunais, and Ari's claws. Connie caught her wrist and squeezed as Ari hissed at the crunch of bone.
"You think this will stop me?!" Ari snarled. "I will kill you and everyone you car-"
"Times Twenty!" Connie said as her crimson aura shone brighter blowing people and monsters away.
Her aura brightened, her muscles contracted looking more visible, and Connie's dark brown eyes went red with rage. Ari coughed blood as she roundhouse kicked her up into the air, before Connie flew up in the air punching her away. In a burst of speed, she blitzed Ari with a barrage of punches before flying double kick Ari further up into the air only to be grabbed by her leg and thrown into the street face first as Connie flew down slamming her fists into Ari's spinal cord shattering it.
[Music Ends]
The aura faded as Connie cartwheeled off her looking a bit ragged. Her muscles were a tiny bit sore. Her teachers had warned her that if you took a break from using it for some time, it was going to hurt a bit when using it again. Connie just glad that the last of the army was being beaten down and the Junk Lord managed to behead his Fusion with his sword before claiming the Fusion's crown as his.
"Don't think this is over, girl. I will…" *CRUNCH!* Morty came down with his feet on her windpipe crushing it and putting the cultist off the mortal coil.
"Thanks." Connie said a bit winded.
"It's over…" Morty assured as the last of it was taken down by the Green Poncho.
"We won!" Craig cheered as there were cheers of victory.
"So, what do we do with them?" J.P. said pointing to Maya and Xavier.
"For one, we call the KND to make them up. Considering what they were trying, they're in some serious trouble." Connie said as Craig was making the call. "But you three did fantastic work. Good on you for keeping them alive."
"What about the cult…oh she's dead." J.P. said seeing the now corpse.
"Don't worry about this." Morty said taking up the body. "I'll deal with it."
"So…is the green streaks of energy entering our bodies, normal?" Duane asked.
"Yeah, it is. It's Fusion Matter in matter than be absorbed by beings who slay them…it not only makes one stronger, but it wards off weaker Fusion Monsters from even trying to fight you." Morty mused. "At least that's what Merch explained it as. Either way, I'll have to deliver this. Connie…could you maybe take over my class for a few days?"
Connie rolled her eyes.
"I want to be paid for those hours." Connie said as Morty took off flying.
"Now that it's over…who wants snacks?" Nicole asked. "That's if we still that cake."
"No, I ate the rest." Duane said sheepishly.
"No need, I'll order us all some good for our victory. I never felt so alive fighting those monsters!" Eliza said invigorated. "Any one ok with pizza?"
Nods of agreement came as relief washed on Craig and Connie's faces. The cult was delayed, the town was safe. For now, they had a victory.
"Kelsey stood tall after her first real battle, victorious. The wind in her hair, the bruises on her body, and Mortimer flying back on her hand painting a picture of a warrior who shed the blood of her enemies." Kelsey narrated…out loud. "What next come her way…"
"Find out next time!" J.P. cut in with his own dramatically.
(A/N: And the story ends here, what a trick was it not? The fight scenes were a bit hard but rewarding to show the character's growth. I had to gave Connie her movement to shine and show exactly what she's made of. I will continue threads of this story in FusionFall Infinite, of course. Certain people will obviously want to talk to Xavier and Maya. Happy Halloween…even though it's Election Day. Sorry, it's late.)