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The Final Battle: Eye of the Storm
Seagulls flew away into the gloomy mid-morning skies at the sense of unspeakable danger. A small sea vessel sailed over the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Kitsune was steering it effortlessly with her magic. It then came to a halt. No patch of land was anywhere near visible. There was only the endless horizon of whispering waves in every direction. "We are here." The witch informed.
"I know," Susano stepped off the boat and hovered over the peaceful waters. He drew out his rightful blade –the Kusanagi. The deity closed his eyes to take in a deep breath through his nostrils, as if relishing in the fresh air. "Do you feel it Kitsune?"
She stood at the tip of the boat and slowly waved her hand over the water. "There's an incredible surge of energy here."
They were right over the deepest part of the planet –what would later in time be documented as the Mariana Trench, over 36 thousand ft. deep.
"Yes…and now it is finally time to awaken him." The violent Storm God brought down his blade, parting the seas. The great, towering marine walls rifted apart. Kitsune remained on the boat, keeping it afloat in the air with her magic.
Susano did not just need to get his hands on the sword because it was the only weapon powerful enough to enslave him or worse –slay him. He needed to obtain it, because it was the only relic in the whole world powerful enough to reach the final volcano; the powerful key. All the more reason the Man in the Moon had it locked away in his ancient temple.
The waters were screaming now, as was the earth. Plates shifted apart for something to soon rise. From the exposed depths deep below, showed the last…the last volcano. With the greyest of clouds high above him, Susano dived down. After a long plummet, he stabbed his Kusanagi blade into the stone. The earth grumbled as fire-red beams of energy shot out! Lightning from the heavens struck down onto his sword! He twisted his weapon, turning the key to unlock the final gate. A fusion of electrifying white and sky-blue energies now meshed with the fiery red. The mighty prison that was the ancient volcano, at last, began to rise.
Susano flew back up to Kitsune. The aquatic walls came crashing down over the rising mountain, only for it to pierce through as it continued its earth-shaking ascension. They marveled at the first big step to their ultimate goal.
The final volcano surpassed the clouds, nearly disturbing the very heavens. It stopped its growth, standing taller than any great monument the malevolent deities have ever witnessed. It was four times the size of Mount Fuji, which was the first volcano. Mount Fuji's activation kicked off this whole villainous quest of theirs. Many demigods and legendary warriors perished in order to keep its eruption from harming the innocents of their homeland.
Now the homeland was threatened once more, for the closest landmass to the Mariana Trench was Japan. Susano and Kitsune set foot onto the surface of the gigantic final volcano. They hiked up to the peak to activate it, releasing the dormant being inside from its prison. If they succeeded, Japan would not be the only nation in peril. Once the Fire God awakened from its ancient slumber, the whole world would run the risk of absolute destruction.
The volcano itself was so unbelievably large that it had other landforms all along it and throughout it; from mountain ranges to canyons to rocky valleys and rocky plains to plateaus. Not even close to half way up, the malevolent duo's journey was interrupted.
They felt the surface quake. It could not be the Fire God, for he had not been awakened yet. This disturbance was something else. Across the stoned plain before them, the earth ruptured apart. Cracks from the hole made their way up to Susano's feet. They curiously awaited for what came next.
Sounds of heavily armored footsteps echoed out of the hole. A grin formed upon Susano's face. Not much of a surprise met him, for he was expecting this familiar company.
The Japanese Warrior God, Hachiman, walked out of the entrance his portal made in the earth. Right behind him came the young heroes: the Winter Guardian Jack Frost, the Warrior Princess Merida of DunBroch, the Lost Princess Rapunzel of Corona, and the Chief of Berk Hiccup Haddock III with his loyal companion, Toothless the Night Fury. Each stood more prepared than ever before in their individual sets of battle armored outfits. They aligned themselves before the Storm God and the Dark Witch from across the plain, ready for anything.
"My, oh my…I can see you've kept yourselves quite busy. Truly impressive," Susano told them without the slightest hint of intimidation on his face. Kitsune stays beside him with her hands tucked in the sleeves of her silky robe, curving her lips into the wickedest smile.
"I would say this is your last opportunity to turn back, but I know you will not. You've already gone this far," Hachiman glanced up the endless height of the volcano over his shoulder before facing back to Susano. "And besides…you've made this personal with just about all of us."
Jack gripped onto his staff, never forgetting what evil those two did to his love. "You went too far and then some."
Merida readied her bow. "There is no second chance for ye."
The Storm God recalled his tragic youth. "Never was granted one to begin with."
Rapunzel unhooked her crossbow from her belt. "Save it. Amaterasu showed me everything. It doesn't justify what you've done, and definitely not what you're about to do."
Merida loaded an arrow. "Devils like you get no sympathies."
Toothless growled threateningly as Hiccup drew his blade. "You are not reaching the top of that volcano."
Kitsune raised her brows, unimpressed. "Oh we're not? You're going to stop us? This band of misfits is going to finally stop us now, now? After you've only barely been crawling away from every single one of our quarrels."
Hachiman unsheathed his long, twin-bladed katana. "Yes. We will triumph on this day, because this madness goes no further! This, this is the end of the line!"
Susano reminisced over the time he stabbed his trident-spear through the samurai's back, fatally wounding him. "Back to full strength, are we?"
Only the powerful miracle that was Rapunzel's healing abilities restored his energy throughout several treatments. Hachiman brought his weapon vertically down before him. "Strong enough to put you down."
Susano gripped tightly onto his sword, bringing the handle up beside his cocky face. "We shall see, won't we?"
Kitsune's signature red hexes sparked around her hands.
Hachiman exhaled a deep breath. "Aye," His eyes narrowed in stern determination, focusing on the importance of victory, for if they were to fail…it would be the end of all that they have ever known.
For a moment, no side made the first move. They stared each other down. One side was confident, perhaps too confident. The other was ready for the fight of their lives, but perhaps not ready enough. The winds whistled throughout the battlefield. Its lasting echoes amplified by the enormous structure they were on. The stormy skies shrouding the volcano appeared to have grown ever darker. Then…the crack of sharp thunder kicked off the final battle.
Merida fired the first shot as the rest of her team advanced. Their war cries overpowered the sounds of the winds and thunder. Susano sliced through the arrow that came for his eye socket and flew forth. Jack dashed in like a bullet to meet him. The Storm God smacked him off to the side and aimed for the other deity.
Kitsune was met with heavy dragon fire and quick rounds from Rapunzel's crossbow. None of which penetrated the protective sphere she encased herself in. She then shot out her hands, firing energy beams from the impenetrable shield.
The god's clashed their steel. They carried out the rematch that Hachiman had been aching for. Sparks flew as the opposing blades collided, slid, and pulled apart in the hands of these two master swordsmen. Jack and Hiccup charged in, keeping Susano on his toes. They had learned quite a lot, training with the Warrior God; they had learned to flawlessly fight alongside one another without getting in each other's way.
"Relying on your new star pupils, are we, old friend?" Susano evaded a combined attack from all three, only to get knocked out of the air by an explosive arrow. Merida smirked from a dozen feet away.
Hachiman approached the stunned opponent with the valiant young warriors marching behind him. "Far more noble than relying on your backstabbing tricks."
The downed deity chuckled, "Heh, well said…" Then an outburst of lightning shot out of his fingertips.
Hachiman absorbed most of it into his twin blade while Hiccup and Merida leaped out of the way. Jack spun his staff before him just in time to block the electrifying strike. What followed was a strong gust of wind that blew away the young heroes, leaving only Hachiman. Susano propelled himself forward, tackling Hachiman onto a far distant area of the volcano.
Jack helped up his friends. "You guys good?"
They nodded, rubbing the back of their necks. "Yeah, we're fine. Go help the big guy." Hiccup insisted.
In a split second, Frost was off.
Within a shallow, dry plain, Rapunzel cut into close combat with the witch. She kicked her away, and then rushed in to grapple hold of her arm before Kitsune could cast another spell. The princess twisted her body, flipping the witch over her shoulder, performing a solid takedown just like Hachiman taught her; but instead of slamming onto the rock-hard ground, Kitsune sank into one of her quick-opening portals. The other end popped open right behind the princess. Kitsune leaped out, her hands blazing with dark magic. Rapunzel reacted by thrusting her dagger in, nearly stabbing Kitsune's face. But a dark hex spiraled around the princess's wrist, twisting her arm back. Her dagger dropped from the pain, but to counter she managed to bring her knee up square into her opponent's stomach. The hex disappeared and she swung her other hand that held her other dagger. It sliced Kitsune's precious kimono. In a fit of outrage, the supernatural being shapeshifted into her large fox form, whacking Rapunzel away with her nine tails.
Toothless quickly pounced on her. The creatures tumbled across the rocky terrain. The dragon ended up on top and chomped down on the fox's neck. A canine shriek escaped the animal and she decided to transform back in order escape the sharp jaws. Kitsune reverted to her female form directly under the belly of the beast. She unleashed a beam of dark magic into its midsection, sending the black dragon high into the air. Without his rider, the Night Fury inevitably crashed to the ground a few feet away, causing a puff of dust to fill the air on impact.
The witch then shifted back into a Nine-Tailed Fox to go after Rapunzel. The princess braced herself, but to her rescue the mythical creature got blown off to the side by an explosive arrow. Merida kept them coming as Hiccup sprinted in.
The innovative Viking unclipped one of his flammable gas canisters, pulled the pin, and tossed it. "Toothless!"
The dragon got up to spot it right away. He shot out a thin dart of fire, igniting the trail of green gas. The flames traveled along the smoke until reaching the canister, creating a massive explosion right over the fox. Kitsune scraped across the gravel for several feet.
"Nice throw," Rapunzel complimented as Hiccup helped her up to her feet.
"Thanks. It's amazing what you can do with stronger arms."
"You're welcome," Merida said with her chin up high as she waltzed pass them. Hiccup could not complain anymore. All those rigorous exercises she made him do continued to pay off.
The Dragon Rider climbed onto his Night Fury and they all went after the wounded fox that was trying to limp away.
The Gods carried out their high-octane duel up on a plateau near the ocean. The Storm God struck down his seasoned opponent. Susano dove down from the skies, grinding his sword onto Hachiman's. "Without you, the young ones will fail."
The Warrior God's back was cratered to the ground as he held off the mighty Kusanagi blade. He grunted out. "Don't be so sure of that." His brute strength overpowered his lean opponent's, pushing him away. With the space between them, Hachiman thrust his palm out, bending a rocky pillar straight out of the earth. It bashed into Susano's shoulder, sending him fumbling back. The samurai lifted himself up by leaning on his sword. "They aren't the same warriors you've tangled with before. They've learned, and they know what's at stake here. Unfortunately you do not."
Susano recovered, firmly planting his feet onto the land. "Oh, I am fully aware."
Hachiman stood strong. "Then that's even worse!"
The deity, in his sleek black and navy-blue armor-plated suit, was a bit caught off guard by the sudden loud outburst.
The samurai continued, "For the longest time, I believed there was still a shred of the boy I once knew all those centuries ago buried somewhere deep within that tormented soul of yours. But no…this, this is what you've grown into. You know what horrors your actions will unleash, and yet you still wish to see this to the very end."
Susano rolled his eyes. A lecture was the very last thing he wanted to hear. "All this could have been avoided if-"
"What? If you simply got what you wanted?"
He blinked at the thought. "Well…yes."
The older deity let out a chuckle of pity. "Perhaps you still are just a boy."
Susano scoffed off to the side.
Hachiman broke the obvious truth to him, from one god to another. "Even we don't get everything that we want. The dead stay dead." He then grew a sterner tone. "And as for your added quest for vengeance…how many of our brothers and sisters and innocent bystanders have paid the ultimate price for your selfish crusade?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?" He uttered apathetically.
Hachiman shook his head. "Your apathetic words are proof enough of what I've finally come to realize."
"And what's that?" Susano gritted through his teeth, hoping for this irritating talk to finally come to a close.
The Old God stated with deep emotion. "All that you've done…all that you are still willing to do. The worst is that you chose this path. I'm afraid you are too far gone. Now you are no different than the very beast you are trying to summon."
Susano's face solidified with fuming rage.
"You are nothing but a monster."
The Storm God lashed out in furious anger, launching himself right towards Hachiman. But suddenly, a chilling blast knocked him back.
Jack Frost landed beside his ally. "Were you saying nice things about me?"
Hachiman smiled down at the young-hearted Guardian. "Not everything is about you, Jack."
"You two dare jest in front of me?" Susano groaned out.
"Feeling left out?" Frost quipped. Thunder sounded off above them. "Guess so."
The samurai stepped forward with his weapon ready. "We can finish this together."
Jack nodded and stepped up, wielding his staff. Susano steadily paced back as the master and student approached him. He soon reached the edge of the plateau with the vast ocean below at his disposal. He saw that these two would be more than a match for him, so he decided to rely on his long-lost power. The God of the Storms and Seas raised his rightful blade. A starter wave splashed against the rocks.
Frost and Hachiman stopped in their place. "His sword," Hachiman uttered wide-eyed, realizing its power.
"He led us right where he wanted…" Jack gaped in worry at the ever rising tide.
Susano brought the heavy tidal wave crashing down. Jack quickly flew up to transform it all into soft snow. The vast amount was still heavy enough to bring him down to the ground beside Hachiman. They struggled their way out of the piles of white, only to meet another incoming tide. The bone crushing wave washed them all the way up the mainland.
Kitsune traversed through a rugged field of various rock formations. She was in her human form. Her kimono had more tears all around it but no blood was visible, for she had been constantly restoring her wounds whenever she could. She was hurting from the losing battle. She searched for her partner when suddenly, an arrow pinned her hand to a large rock by her sleeve.
Merida ran along the heightened level of formations, while Rapunzel sprinted across the maze of stone on ground level. Kitsune created a wide, circular hex to deflect an aerial attack from the Dragon Rider. She then sent them back with an energy beam. Rapunzel popped out from behind cover to fire her crossbow. The Witch was now pinned to the rock by both hands. The Rider returned to deliver another fiery attack. His dragon's jaws pried open; the blue flames snaked out from the corners of its mouth.
She closed her eyes. They did it. These children finally caught the fox. She thought this was the end, the end of her journey. Then she heard abrupt screams from the young adults and a deep yelp from the dragon, along with the sound of rushing waters. Kitsune opened her baffled eyes to see the area dripping wet, and her foes nowhere to be seen.
Susano descended before her, yanking out the arrows. "I almost made the mistake of underestimating them."
The Witch sighed out of relief. "You and I, both…" She rubbed her sore hands. They radiate a burgundy red as she healed herself once more.
Susano cupped her face gently with a hand. "Ready to finish them off, once and for all?"
Her devilish smile formed across her thin lips with a wicked gleam in her eyes. "I'd like nothing more."
Jack laid flat on his back, coughing up water from his lungs, as did Hachiman from not too far. The samurai got up first, and helped the Guardian to his feet. They then spotted Rapunzel over by a pile of rocks. "Punzie!" Jack flew over to her.
She moaned out in pain as she was met by her two friends. She began to cough uncontrollably. Hachiman sat her upright, leaned her head down, and patted her back with the right amount of pressure. The blonde spat out all the ocean water she had swallowed up. After collecting her senses, she confusingly asked. "What on Earth was that?"
Frost let out a worried sigh. "Apparently Susano's a lot stronger with that hydro-sword of his than we thought."
"And unfortunately for us, we're completely surrounded by water." Hachiman added.
Rapunzel picked herself up with their help. "Then we get that sword off his hands. Once we have it, I can channel the sun's power onto it in order to lock him away for good."
The two nodded. "Let's do it then. Before he drops the whole ocean on us." Jack looked around for the rest of their friends. "Now where is…" They all heard the low whimpering of the dragon.
"Toothless!?" Rapunzel cried out. They made their way through the tall, natural column-like formations.
Frost scanned the area for any sign of their scaly friend. "Where are you, Toothle—oh no…"
The Night Fury continued to whimper as it nudged the unconscious body of his befriended Rider with his snout. Jack, Rapunzel, and Hachiman rush over to him.
Jack dropped to his knees, laying his hand on Hiccup's chest and gently lifted his head. "Nonono, c'mon buddy you can't do this to us, wake up."
The princess wrapped her arms around the distressed dragon, petting him gingerly, trying to calm him down. "Shh, sh, sshhh, it's okay Toothless just try to relax. I can help him, you know I can." She handed him over to Hachiman and dropped down beside Jack. Rapunzel set her hands on Hiccup's chest as well, and closed her eyes to concentrate.
"Well?" Frost asked.
"It's a little tough behind all his armor, but…" Her hair began to glow. "I think I got something."
"Get out of the way!" Merida budged in out of nowhere, shoving the two off to the side. She dropped her bow and got on her knees, lowering her ear onto his chest. She then grabbed his face and planted her mouth onto his, pinching his nose shut.
Jack was shocked for a second. "Um Mer, I don't think now is the best time to-" Rapunzel elbowed his arm to be quiet.
Merida breathed into the young man and sucked out a series of times. Then she pulled away and simply slammed her curled first down as onto his chest with all her might.
"AAGH!" The Viking shot up in a loud gasp. Water projected out of his mouth as he breathed incoherently.
Toothless dove into his arms with relieved joy. "Oh, h-hey bud."
Merida reclaimed her bow and stood, crossing her arms proudly. "Once more…you're welcome."
He chuckled, rubbing his aching chest. "Uh, thanks."
After Jack and Rapunzel helped him up, he and Merida shared a warm smile as they stared into each other's eyes. Then she broke their intimate moment by jamming her finger into his chest after every strict word. "Don't. Ever. Do that to me. Again."
"Ow, okay sure, sorry." Hiccup lifted his hands in surrender with a sincere smile.
Then the striking sound of thunder called their attention. On higher ground, Susano and Kitsune strutted through a natural stone arch, standing before it. They stared down at Hachiman and the Big Four. The Storm God raised his hands as if arrogantly showing off. "Have you learned nothing from our past encounters?" His storm clouds swirled above them.
All the water splattered around the rocky terrain, began to get collected into the air. Several ferocious tornadoes of raging waters formed behind the malevolent duo. Harsh winds lapped all across the battlefield as the heroes looked up at the daunting sight. "Even with your combined efforts, none of you can stop this…not a Guardian, a Rider and his dragon, nor an Archer, or a special Healer. Not even an Old God."
"How about a Queen!?"
A powerful blast of freezing ice shattered the stoned arch, blowing away the duo off their high ground. The tornadoes all collapsed and the winds ceased.
Everyone looked up to the surprising appearance of Queen Elsa of Arendelle, riding her icy war chariot in battle. Her glistening ice-stallions galloped through the air. Jack's and all his friends' faces lit up at the magnificent sight of Elsa in her custom-made battle armor of frosty-blue with winter-white borders.
She stood tall on her war chariot as it hovered high in the air. The Snow Queen smiled down at her love.
Merida and Rapunzel leaned into Jack while they all continued staring up at her.
"You're the luckiest lad alive."
"Seriously, never let her go."
Susano and Kitsune got up and broke apart whatever ice had formed on them. They were now across an empty plain. The peak of the final volcano was a long ways up behind them. Their foes had left the stone maze, positioning themselves on the other side of the hardened plain.
Kitsune gazed up at Elsa. "Think you're feeling well?"
"Never better." She stated decisively.
The Witch grinned at recalling all the dark memories and emotions she uncovered when she turned her. "I highly doubt that."
Susano glared up at the Snow Queen. "You made the most foolish of choices coming here. Traveled all this way just to die alongside your lover and his friends?"
"I have no plans to die this day. And no…my most foolish decision was letting myself join the likes of you. I'm here to correct that mistake. And this time…" She cracked a smile. "I did not come alone."
Colorful portals flashed open in the sky above her. Jack recognized them. He squinted up, mouth widening in disbelief. "Snow globes?"
"Ha Ha HAH!"
And Jack could definitely recognize that jolly ol' laugh anywhere.
Flying reindeer busted out of one of the portals, pulling out the large sleigh with North riding high and boasting loud!
The rest of the Big Four recognized Nicholas as well. Along with the next Guardians who immediately followed. The Tooth Fairy sped out right after North, spinning circles around the sleigh in all her beautifully colored glory. Then, a giant golden hawk flew out of another portal, leaving glowing streaks of sand through the sky. The Sandman was riding on the back of his majestic creation.
What came forth was something even more extraordinary. From the rest of the portals, poured out swarms and swarms of dragons! Hiccup and Toothless along with the rest of their friends stared up in amazement. Endless amounts of aerial reptiles of all different breeds continued to fill the sky. Their collective singing echoed throughout the field of battle.
Hiccup asked Elsa in awe. "How did you get all the dragons of Berk to follow you?"
She smiled down at him, flattered by the idea of her being able to command dragons, but she could not possibly. "Oh no, I didn't." The Queen then nodded up to the portals.
Hiccup faced them to witness.
After the last dozens of dragons made their way, a large four-winged one soared out. A person in a mainly brown, bulky suit, wearing a cyan painted helmet with long horns and tusks surfed the back of this fearsome dragon. The Rider wielded a staff with boned blades on each end and a round shield that had also been painted over in cyan.
"Mom!" Hiccup exclaimed.
Merida awed up at the incredible Dragon Rider as she commanded the hordes of winged-reptiles like they were sheep. "That's your mother!?"
"Yup, that's her, Valka."
"Whoa…now I see where you get your dramatic flair."
On top of her owl-like dragon, Cloudjumper, Valka swung her staff over her head, directing the rest of the herd to spread out. Following right behind her, shot out his gang of friends and girlfriend from back home, each riding their loyal companions. Hiccup could not had been happier to see them. "Astrid! Guys!" They were all suited up and ready for the glory of battle with their war paint on.
"Hey chief!" Snotlout shouted out.
"Don't worry, babe! The Calvary's here!" Astrid added on.
The rest of the dragon riding crew began hollering and hooting.
Toothless was just as excited as Hiccup. The Viking vaulted onto his back, "C'mon, bud," and offered Merida a hand. She swung on happily, and they joined the Riders of Berk up in the skies.
The Guardians swooped down beside their companion, Jack Frost. "Guys, no way! Hey wait, where's Bunny?"
A furry arm erected up from inside the very back of the sleigh. "Here!" The Easter Bunny reared his head up to greet the Winter Guardian. "Hiya, Frostbite."
Jack paced around, flailing his arms ecstatically. "I-I cannot believe this! This is so great! How did Elsa get you all to come here?"
The Guardians exchanged glances with each other. North just shrugged. "Well…she can be very, uh, persuasive."
Tooth came out with the truth. Her feathers expanded as she spoke fast through her gleeful smile. "Right after she fully recovered, she threatened to freeze over all of our homes if we didn't join her." She then laughed nervously, actually believing that Elsa would indeed go through with it.
"Like I said, very persuasive." Sandy nodded to confirm North's statement.
Bunnymund nudged Jack's arm with his elbow, leaning in with a grin. "She's a keeper, mate."
Frost just chuckled, overwhelmed with joy to see his friends all here, to see everyone all here.
Rapunzel hugged her dear friend, Toothiana, and greeted the rest of the Guardians. She then smiled up at Hachiman. "We got this." He agreed, nodding in confidence.
North called out to the Warrior God before preparing to take off. "Any friend of Jack and Manny's is a friend of ours. We will gladly fight alongside you, comrade." Hachiman nodded to him, gratefully. Then North cracked his whips, sending his reindeer racing up amongst the army of dragons in the sky.
Jack flew up to Elsa's side. "Snowflake, you shouldn't have."
She shrugged it off with a playful smile. "I figured I had a lot to make up to you."
The portals closed. Everyone turned their attention to the enemy: The two lone beings across the flat, rocky plain. Susano and Kitsune faced the great amount of assembled forces that awaited them. For the first time throughout this entire journey, looks of worry and dread washed over their color-drained faces. For the first time since the Big Four had joined this epic adventure, the odds had finally tipped in their favor.
Elsa lifted her chin up, her smoky eyes narrowed, and her lips parted. She declared, awaiting what response the enemy could possibly comeback with to match this ensemble of heroes. "Check. Mate."