I DO NOT OWN MONSTER ALLERGY
Zick sat impatiently in class, counting the seconds ticking on the clock. Even though he'd much rather be out looking for Elena right now there's really not much he could for her at the moment, so his parents told him to go to school while they gather information and make plans with the other Tamers and Tutors. Reluctantly he agreed to follow his parent's advice, but it didn't mean he had to like it. After first period ended Zick got up to go to his next class when Soup and Ford, the school bullies approached him.
"Hey Zick, where's your girlfriend? I didn't see her in class today." Soup taunted. Due to the fact that Elena was kidnapped only a few hours ago, and that Zick's family convinced her parents not to call the police yet, very few people knew about it.
"Yeah, did she finally get too sick from your allergies and had to move to another city?" Ford laughed.
"You know that doesn't even make any sense," Zick said trying to keep his composure.
"Come on guys leave him alone," David advised. David used to be the leader of the bullies but ever since he got into a relationship with Annie he's become a lot nicer, and is pretty much the only one who can keep Soup and Ford in check.
"What? We just want to know what happen to Potato." Soup trying to sound innocent.
"Yeah man, it's not our fault that stupid girl is missing," Ford scoffed.
Unable to contain his anger in any longer, Zick grabbed Ford by the shirt and slammed him into the wall. "Don't you ever call Elena stupid," Zick threatened. Everyone present gasped in shock at what has transpired. For a meek loner like Zick to lash out like that is already front page gossip, but that was nothing compared to what else he was doing. David gulped in terror as he slowly backed away from Zick. Back when he was still a bully the one person in school he feared was Zick, ironically the bullies favorite victim, and now everyone can see why. In his rage, Zick lost control of his Dom energy causing his eyes to glow fiercely, freaking out everyone present.
"What is going on here?" their teacher Ms. Swift demanded responding to some loud noises she heard. Naturally seeing Zick holding Ford's shirt like that brought only one conclusion. "Zick you let go of him this instant and head to the principal's office!" Ms. Swift ordered. Zick let go of Ford and walked off to the principal's office. The look in his eye, even though they were no longer glowing, left everyone if fearful silence.
At the principal's office Zick pouted as he sat in front of the principal. "You know Zick I was rather surprised to hear that you started a fight. It's not like you." the Principal sighed. "Am I safe to assume that this has something to do with Elena's kidnapping? If so then please try not to worry about it, I'm certain that the police will find her." the Principal assured him.
"The police can't help," Zick retorted. The Principal crooked his eyebrow curiously. "Elena wasn't kidnapped by a normal person. She was kidnapped by a type of witch ghost called a Wraith and only I can find her." Zick insisted.
"Really Zick this isn't a time for wild stories. I know that kidnappers may seem like monsters at times, but you have to remember that monsters are not real." the Principal lectured.
"Monsters are not real?" Zick laughed. "Funny coming from a guy whose brother was a vampire," Zick accused.
The Principal looked over at the pictures on his desk of his brother Bowleg. A few months ago he, like most people, didn't really believe in monster. That is until his brother was cursed with vampirism, and more importantly it was Zick and Elena who helped change him back. "Is the situation that serious?" the Principal asked.
"Even more so," Zick said darkly.
Reluctantly the Principal got up and walked over to his safe. After inputting the combination, he pulled out a slip of paper and brought it back to his desk. Zick watched curiously as the Principal wrote something on the paper. "Here, this is a special pass that will excuse you from three days of school." the Principal said handing Zick the paper.
"Thank you sir," Zick said.
"Don't thank me, just find her." the Principal pleaded. With that Zick left to begin his mission to find his missing companion.
Zick wasn't the only one troubled by Elena's abduction. Back at the Barrymore house, the monsters were all in a slump. Far too depressed to do any of their usual shenanigans. Normally Timothy would welcome the peace and quiet for a change, but right now it is more peace and quiet than he can handle. "Come guys, buck up. Elena is a resourceful girl, she's been in tougher predicaments than this." Timothy said hoping to cheer up this crowd. Sadly no takers. "Hey Bombo are you hungry?" Timothy waving a pair of stinky old shoes that Zick outgrew. Hoping to at least get Bombo out of his funk. Since Bombo is pretty much the defacto leader of this bunch, if his mood improves then the other monsters might as well.
Bombo looked at the shoes up, sniffing them hard. The aroma of aged sweat, foot fungus, and worn out old fabric definitely made them more tantalizing. Under normal circumstances Bombo would have wolf down those shoes in a heartbeat, but this isn't a normal circumstance. "NO!" Bombo shaking his head and pushing the delicious shoes away. Shocking everyone present, since Bombo is not known for refusing food.
"Bombo what's wrong?" Timothy asked.
"Bombo cannot eat while Elena is in danger. From this moment on me swear not to eat anything until me make sure that Elena is safe." Bombo pledge raising his right hand. Bombo then proceeded to his trunk where he kept all of his old costumes.
"What are you doing?" Timothy asked.
"Elena missing, this looks like a job for Sherlock Bomes," Bombo said wearing his Sherlock Holmes outfit.
"Are you insane! The Wraiths got her and they have an army of Dark Phantoms! You'll be devoured even before you find where Elena is!" Timothy pointed out.
"You right," Bombo took his detective outfit off and started digging in the trunk again. "This is too much for a simple detective. We need a pirate, we need Captain Lardbladder!" Bombo said putting on his pirate costume and waving his sword made out of cardboard. Before Timothy can protest, Bombo or rather Capt. Lardbladder used his grappling hook to swing out the window and ran off.
"Oh geez, I've got to find him before he gets himself killed." Timothy was about to rush out when he heard a small whimpering. Looking over he saw little Bombolo crying over what had transpired. It was bad enough that the baby monster lost his Keeper/surrogate mother, but now he might be losing his wacky uncle as well. "Oh no," Timothy cringed. Even after all his years of watching and teaching monsters at the Detention Oasis, he's never gotten the hang of dealing with babies.
"Um don't worry Bombolo, Bombo is strong. He won't be eaten by Dark Phantoms. In fact he's fought against hundreds of Dark Phantoms back when he was a pirate." Ben-Talak reassured the baby. Bombolo looked up the Bobak curiously. "Did I ever tell you how Bombo used to sail with the legendary Capt. Bristlebeard on the pirate ship Mullet?" Bombolo shook his head as his eyes lit up eager to hear the tale. "Oh yes, back then he was Bristlebeard's first mate. On their final voyage together, they fought against the ghost pirates of the dreaded Unicorn. It was a fierce battle but they manage to defeat all the ghosts, but sadly the noble Capt. Bristlebeard fell and Bombo became the new captain of the Mullet. Since then he sailed the seven seas under the name Capt. Lardbladder and had many grand adventures." Ben-Talak continued to entertain the child with more stories as Timothy exited.
"It would seem that Ben-Talak's habit for lying has it uses," Timothy chuckled as he hurried after Bombo.
"Ow what hit me?" Elena groaned as she tried to force her eyes open. Rolling over to one side, she hit a wall. As she tried to roll over to the other side she hit another wall. Feeling around, she could tell that she was in a small confined space. As her vision cleared, she found herself in a... "Holy Spit, I'm in a coffin!" Elena screamed as she desperately climbed out of the coffin.
"Ah I see that my special guest is awake," Char said as he phased through the walls on the room.
"Where am I? What do you want from me? And why am I in a coffin?" Elena asked.
"I do apologize for putting you in the coffin but it was the only bedding we could find. Still I tried get you the most comfortable one. It's definitely more comfortable that the one I was in." Char chuckled.
"Yes it was pretty comfortable," Elena admitted feeling the mattress in the coffin she was in. "But you better start explaining yourself."
"Of course, how about you we talk over a late breakfast," Char invited. Even though her common sense told her to refuse, the rumbling in her stomach accepted the Wraith's offer. Elena followed Char to another room, taking mental notes of her surroundings. From the looks of all the empty rooms and halls she deduced that she must be inside some kind of office building or convention center, but she couldn't recognize design. She tried to look out the window to at least get an idea of where she is, but unfortunately Char had all the windows covered so that Elena couldn't see outside. Char led her to the funeral home's reception hall redesigned to look like a fancy dining room. The Dark Phantoms present there led Elena to her seat and presented her with a few appetizers and drinks before bringing in the main course. Elena recognized some of the food from various restaurants around town. Most likely stolen, she figured. Naturally Elena was reluctant to try any of the food, but once again hunger overrode her common sense.
"So why is it that you kidnapped me?" Elena asked as she carefully chewed her food.
"To put it simply, I need your help." Char said. Hearing that, Elena dropped her fork in shock.
After Zick got his special pass, he set about his plan to look for Elena. The first thing he did was to buy a dozen of the best calzones in the city. He then proceeded to specific manhole to the sewers. As Zick climbed down the manhole he couldn't help but reminisce. The sewer is home to one of the most dangerous monster around. In fact it was the first monster that he and Elena tamed together. Reaching the bottom of the ladder, Zick was greeted by the sewer's occupants.
"Well look who dropped by for a visit." "Our young tamer." "Did you come for more training?" the multiple Venus flytrap-like heads of one of the most dangerous monsters, the Digesting Plant, spoke in turn.
Zick gulped as he approached the plant. Even though he tamed the creature, that doesn't mean it's not dangerous. If left unattended, a Digesting Plant would devour anything and everything in its path. Zick is able to keep it under control thanks to his powers and the fact that he comes by to regularly feed it. "Actually I need your help," Zick pleaded.
"You may be our Tamer." "But our assistance still requires a price." the Digesting Plant reminded him. Zick held up the bag calzones. "Ah I've always wanted to try these." "The smell is so intoxicating." "So what do you want?" The Digesting Plant started drooling as they smelled the contents of the bag.
"Elena has been kidnapped by the Wraiths," Zick informed them. The Digesting Plant was surprisingly silent after hearing this. "If you help me find her, I will get you more calzones...ow!" Zick cried in pain as one of the Digesting Plants roots whipped the bag out of Zick's hand.
"You allowed our friend to be taken!" "How call yourself a man much less a Tamer?" "I expected better of you." The Digesting Plant hissed.
Zick lowered his head in shame. Every word they said stung since he knew it was true. "Please, if you want something else I could"
"Keep your pathetic bribe." "We'll find Elena, but not for you." "We do this for her." "But I sure would have loved to have tasted one of those calzones." Zick smiled as he watched the Digesting Plant eating the walls of the sewer, creating a new tunnel for them to traverse. The Digesting Plant may be a ravenous monster, but it still has a sense of loyalty to its friends and for that Zick is eternally grateful. Zick picked up his bag of calzones and carefully placed them near the Digesting Plant's roots. Even though they said they didn't want his bribe, these were a now a gift as thanks for their help, and Zick is positive that they will get hungry soon.
"What do you mean my help?" Elena demanded.
"First off child, how much do you know about us?" Char asked.
"Not much, that you guys are artificial ghosts of witches, and that your stomachs are like living cauldrons, and that you are big jerks," Elena counted off.
"In other words, very little. Not unexpected." Char mused as he took sip of his drink. "To understand my plight, you must understand where I came from and how I came to be." Elena sat quietly, wary but eager to hear the tale. "My story began oh about 1500 years ago. My childhood was a terrible one"
"Why, you had abusive parents or something?" Elena interrupted.
"Quiet the opposite actually," Char replied. "My parents were quite loving for witches, but the era I lived in was a cruel and harsh one. You see I spent my childhood at a time you humans like to refer to as the red plague." Elena choked as she heard that, recalling how her teachers taught her how the plague wiped out halve of Europe. "It was indeed a dark time. Humans, Monsters, Witches, no one was spared from this invisible foe. Death and despair all around me. I saw things that no child should ever see." Char shuttered in horror. "As those closest to me succumbed to the plague I began to fear for my own life. Abandoning my family and my home I sought refuge. I then began experimenting with various potions and spells not only trying to find a way to save myself from the plague, but from death itself."
"Hold up, you were trying to make yourself immortal?" Elena gasped in disbelief.
"Achoo!" Zick sneezed as he wandered around in the park. Taking a breath of his inhaler, his allergies told him that there were monsters nearby. Just what he was looking for.
*GESTURE DOM* Waving his hands around Zick telekinetically pulled the monsters out of the trees and bushes and other various hiding places. "Let us go." "What do you want from us?" "Are you going to capture us now?" "No please don't put me in a dom box." The monsters all pleaded.
"I just want some information. Do you guys know where I can find the Wraiths?" Zick asked.
"What makes you think we would know anything about those?" one of the monsters asked.
"So you do know something?" Zick interrogated.
"Are you nuts? Do you know how many Dark Phantoms are working for those guys? We want to stay as far away from them as possible." the Monsters said.
"If you're trying to avoid them, then you must know where they are hiding." Zick reasoned.
"Look all we know is that there are a lot of Dark Phantoms gathering around the old cemetery." the Monster said.
"Ghosts at a cemetery, that's unusual." Zick said sarcastically.
"Well that's all we got. So can us or let us go." the monsters demanded.
Releasing his Gesture Dom, Zick letting the monsters go. As they all scurried away, Zick thought about what they said about the cemetery, but quickly disregarded it since it was too obvious.
"You were trying to make yourself immortal?" Elena gasp. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
"Is it? How many of your kind sought that prize? Jason and his Argonauts sailed to the ends of the Earth to find the Golden Fleece. King Arthur sent his best Knights to look for the Holy Grail. And how many explorers went off searching for the Fountain of Youth? Even to this day, your so called doctors and scientist are seeking ways to extend your meager human lives." Char countered.
Elena had to give him that one. "So what went wrong?" Elena asked.
Char nodded as he continued his tale. "As I pursued my studies, I became one of the greatest scholars in Anguanes' history, and before I knew it, I became the Lord of Witches. Even so my status and knowledge did nothing to get me any closer to my goal. Then one day while gathering supplies, I witness a Dark Phantom devouring a monster. Now I've always heard how Dark Phantoms try to come back to life by eating monsters, but this was the first time I was witnessing it first hand. After seeing the Phantom becoming somewhat solid, I realize what I was missing."
"A life," Elena retorted.
"Just the opposite actually," Char chuckled. "You see Ghosts can exist indefinitely. They don't age, never get sick, and they don't really need to feed. They only eat monsters so that they can briefly come alive. I realized then and there, that the key to immortality is not trying to extend one's life, but to continue on existing after death."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. You're saying that you think that the key to becoming immortal is by becoming ghosts?" Elena said in astonishment. Finally understanding that page she found.
"Ironic isn't it," Char joked.
"So I guessing it didn't worked," Elena commented.
"No I'm afraid not," Char admitted.
"So what went wrong?" Elena asked curiously.
"You see my dear, after countless experiments, an accident happen. The potion I was brewing exploded turning me and my covenant into living ghosts. Giving us near invincible bodies, stomachs that act like cauldrons to brew our potions, and freedom from earthly limitations." Char explained.
"So what's the problem?" Elena asked. "It sounds like you got everything you wanted."
"Everything except what I was truly after," Char clarified.
"Immortality," Elena whispered. Char nodded.
Zick found himself standing on the bridge. It was the same bridge that he and Elena had their first adventure together when he agreed to help look for her missing cat. Ironically they stumbled on a case of missing dogs. It was also then that Zick first discovered his powers as a Tamer, but he wasn't here to reminisce.
*VOICE DOM* "River Monster hear the voice of your Tamer." Zick commanded.
"I hear and obey the words of the Tamer," the River Monster responding to Zick's voice dom.
"River Monster have you seen Elena or might have heard anything about the Wraiths that abducted her?" Zick asked.
"I'm sorry Tamer, but who's Elena?" the River Monster asked.
"Elena is the girl who's always with me," Zick clarified.
"Forgive me Tamer, but all humans look alike to me," the River Monsters apologized.
"It's alright, but have you heard of where the Wraiths might be hiding?" Zick asked.
"I don't know if this is important, but I saw several Dark Phantoms heading to Quick Silver Falls." the River Monster replied.
"Bristlebeard's old hide out," Zick said to himself. An abandoned pirate hideout would be an ideal place for the Wraiths to hide. "Can you take me there?" Zick asked.
"I obey the words of the Tamer," the River Monster replied he helping Zick onto his back. The River Monster quickly traveled down the river until he arrived at the waterfall. "This is as far as I can take you," the River Monster informed him.
"Thanks for your help," Zick thanked as he jumped off. Entering the old hideout, Zick couldn't sense any Dark Phantoms or Wraiths and the ghosts presents were the ones in his memory. Everywhere he looked all he could see were the images of when he and Elena first came here looking for treasure and when they battled Bristlebeard the first ghost they fought together. Zick was so lost in his thoughts that he failed to notice two figures walking up behind him.
"You see my dear, my formula was flawed. Even after becoming ghost like, we are dying." Char confessed. "So in order to save myself and my brothers, we sealed ourselves in magical coffins hoping that one day, we will find a way to survive."
"So what do you need me for?" Elena asked cautiously. Char smiled as he waved his hand over his head, and just like that several words and symbols appeared in the air. Things that Elena recognized. "Holy spit, that's my research!" Elena gasped.
"No this is my research," Char corrected her. "Though I can understand how you can confuse the two. They are quite similar." Char chuckled. "You see my dear, this is why I need you. Somehow you manage to recreate my work in a manner of days, what took me decades to accomplish." Char applauded sarcastically since the only reason she did it so quickly was because he was secretly helping her. "I don't believe it was an accident that you freed me from my stasis. I believe it was fate. Fate that guided us together so that we can unlock the secrets of true immortality. So I ask you, will you help me?" Char extending his hand.
"So what do I get out of this?" Elena asked.
"Isn't it obvious. With the formula you will become immortal as well." Char replied.
"And if I refuse?" Elena challenged crossing her arms.
"Why would you refuse such an offer?" Char asked.
"Oh because I don't trust you. I've dealt with witches before and I know that you always have to watch your back when dealing with them." Elena said.
"If you refuse, then I guess there's no point in keeping you here." With a wave of his hand the doors opened.
"You're just letting me go?" Elena asked suspiciously.
"Yes, I neither have the time nor the patience to force you to work for me. But if you go then I will have to use my alternate plan." Char warned.
"What alternate plan?" Elena asked.
"I won't bore you with the details but I can tell you that it involves experimenting on Tamers especially a certain young boy with a peculiar visor." Char chuckled.
"Zick!" Elena gasped. "Why him?"
"Because I just learned that ghosts become even more so alive after eating Tamers, and that boy has a unique Dom energy. Perhaps he might be the missing ingredient for my formula." Char implied. Elena was about to respond when two Dark Phantoms came floating in.
"Hey Boss, Vex and Drak are back." the Phantoms reported.
"Didn't I tell you I didn't want to be disturbed?" Char hissed.
"But you told us to tell you when they got back," one of the Phantoms cowered.
"They also said that they need to see you. It's urgent." the other Phantom added.
"Fine," Char sneered as got up. "If you excuse me I need to attend this, but please consider my more than generous offer." As Char and the two ghosts left the room, he waved his hand closing the doors behind him.
Elena jumped out of her seat and rushed to the doors. As expected they were locked. Looking around the room, Elena searched the drawers and cabinets for anything that can help her. While most were empty, some had a few plates, silverware, nothing really helpful, but one did have something of interest. "Hello what do we have here," Elena said to herself as she picked up what looked like business cards. "Old Mills Funeral Home," Elena read on the card which also had the address. That's when everything clicked into place; the empty rooms, this reception hall for parties, the coffin she was sleeping in. She realized that she must be in the old cemetery. "Huh ghosts hiding in a cemetery, that's original." she said sarcastically rolling her eyes.
"Is there something wrong?" Char said suddenly as he phased through the wall. He was followed by Vex and Drak.
"Oh no, I was just looking for some salt." Elena lied, hiding the business cards in her pocket.
"Really?" Char looking at the salt shaker on the table.
"Oh so that's where it is," Elena playing innocent.
"This is the girl who you think is the missing key?" Vex said skeptically.
"I think we should focus our energy on getting the boy," Drak agreed.
Wait!" Elena yelled getting their attention. "I'll help you but only under one condition. You stay away from my family and friends especially Zick. Deal?" Elena demanded.
"Deal," Char accepted. The two shook hands. As they shook Elena vowed to herself that she will do anything to protect her best friend.