I DO NOT OWN MONSTER ALLERGY
"Here have some tea, it will calm your nerves." Greta offered pouring two cups for her guests. Across the small coffee table, the recently revived Harvey and Julie Potato who were still in a state of shock from what they have just learned. In the other room their nephew Lonzo was having fun jumping into Bombo's mouth, after a few seconds Bombo would spit him out, but as a result of him being inside Bombo's stomach Lonzo's face went all Picasso like again. Which of course was the boy's intent.
Julie tried to take a sip of her tea, but she had a bad case of the jitters that she shivered half the contents out of her cup. "I'm sorry," she nervously said wiping off the tea she spilled.
"Oh no, quite understandable." Greta smiled as she helped with the cleaning. "I know this is a bit of a surprise..."
"Surprise?" Harvey jumped in looking very annoyed. "Oh no, a surprise is winning the lottery, or hearing that my daughter got a full scholarship to college, or just finding out that our kids are eloping. But this...this goes beyond surprise." Harvey looking in the direction at the monsters who were now peeking around the corner. "This is a heart attack inducing shock to the system!" Harvey slamming him hand on the table. "I mean my daughter associating with these...these creatures! No offense." Harvey apologized to Timothy.
"I'd be lying if I said 'none taken' since I am a little offended." Timothy joked.
"I can't believe that there are monsters living next door," Julie quivered dropping sugar cubes nonstop into her tea, causing it to overflow again.
"We're not just next door, monsters live all around." Timothy informed them. The Potatos looked at the cat with nervous curiosity. "Monsters are everywhere, invisible to most humans. The few exceptions are Monster Keepers like Greta here and your daughter Elena." Timothy explained.
"Wait, you're saying that my daughter is a Monster Keeper. What is a Monster Keeper exactly?" Julie asked.
"Monster Keepers are a select group of humans with the gift of Sight. They allow temporary residence for exiled monsters in their homes." Timothy started to explain.
"Gift of Sight?" Julie wondered.
"Sight is a special power that allows one to see invisible creatures like monsters and ghosts." Greta explained.
"And my daughter has this power?" Julie asked despite already suspecting the answer.
"Yes," Greta confirmed.
"Hold up, you said exiled monsters? Why exactly were they exiled?" Harvey asked suspiciously.
"Um, well..." Timothy trying to find the right words.
"Because they didn't follow the rules of our society!" Jeremy said bluntly, causing Timothy to groan. Subtly was never really one of Jeremy's strong suits.
"You're saying that my daughter has been associating with criminals?" Harvey gasped in disbelief.
"Cool," Lonzo grinned, clearly excited by the fact the monster he's been playing with are criminals.
"They are not really criminals per say," Timothy said hoping to defuse the situation. "The Bursties are guilty of singing badly, Clak-Ritak for playing his violin horribly out of tune, Snyakutz Bu littering (he kept leaving pieces of himself all over the place), Ben-Talak is a compulsive liar, and finally Bombo kept skimped on his diet." Timothy explain while pointing to the corresponding monster.
"Are you serious?" Harvey said critically at their rap sheet.
"I know this may seem silly to humans, but make no mistake in the monster world these are very serious crimes." Timothy stressed. "And it wasn't for Monster Keepers like Greta, they would be homeless and in danger right now."
"Look this all very interesting, but does any this have anything to do with my daughter's kidnapping?" Harvey asked.
"We don't know," Timothy admitted. "Elena was kidnapped by a type of ghost called a Wraith, but for what reason we still don't know."
"First monsters and now you're telling us that ghosts are real!" Harvey moaned with disbelief.
"This is why we didn't want the police involved. This is not the sort of thing they can handle, but I promise you, we are doing everything in our power to bring Elena back." Timothy swore. Timothy could see the reluctance and uncertainty in their eyes. "I know that this is a lot to take in and that most humans can't handle all this."
"What are you saying?" Harvey wondered.
"We have a device called Hypno-disk. We use it to alter the memories of humans who have learned too much about the monster world." Timothy informed them.
"You mean people like us right?" Julie asked. Timothy nodded.
"But why tell us all of this if you're just going to erase our memories?" Harvey wondered.
"Because as Elena's parents, her family, I believe you have a right to know the truth, but if you can't handle the truth, well we can always alter your memories so that you simply think that you sent Elena off to visit family out of town. The decision is yours." Timothy explained.
The Potatos looked at each other with uncertainty. While they want to know the truth about what their daughter is doing; this may be more truth than they can handle at the moment. "I thank you for sharing all of this with us Mr. Cat, and to be honest while I'd prefer to know the truth to what my daughter is getting into..." Julie paused unable to finish her sentence.
"You don't think you can go on knowing that there may be an invisible monster standing right in front of you," Timothy finished for her. Julie nodded, while Harvey seem a little more hesitant.
"Alright then, Bombo call Zick. Tell him we need the Hypno-disk." Timothy ordered.
"Oh you mean Elena's boyfriend," Lonzo teased. "He left already, said he had to check up on some ghost business."
"Oh no, please tell me he didn't have an egg shaped device did he?" Timothy asked fearfully.
"Yup, used it to turn invisible." Lonzo confirmed.
"I suppose I should be surprised by that." Timothy groaned.
"Why what did he take?" Greta asked.
"He took the Densifier, a device that can alter the density of any object; and at it's lowest setting, it can even make one look like a ghost." Timothy explained.
"But why would Zick take that?" Bombo asked.
"Because against my better judgement he's going after Elena," Timothy answered.
Meanwhile outside the old cemetery, Zick was scouting around. Just as the other monsters informed him there were a lot of Dark Phantoms around. Reaching into his pocket, he brought out the Densifier. While he did initially agree to wait for the other Tutors and Tamers to come up with a plan to rescue Elena; seeing her parents so distraught over her disappearance was enough move him to action. Especially since he knows that if the situation was reversed, Elena wouldn't hesitate to help him despite his protest. Like she always has in the past.
Activating the Densifier, Zick set it so that he would look like a Dark Phantom. Taking a deep breath, Zick mentally prepared himself as he entered the cemetery. As he'd hoped, none of the Dark Phantoms noticed or cared that there was an extra ghost among their ranks. "Hey you, haven't seen you around here before." one of the Dark Phantoms said pointing to Zick.
"Um yeah, I heard that this is the place to get some good monster chow." Zick said.
"Well you've come to the right place," the Phantom grinned. He guided Zick over to where several Phantoms were feasting on a monster. Judging by the remains, Zick guesses it must have been a Gorka. This is kind of a good news bad news for Zick. The good news is that Gorkas are one of the most dangerous monsters around, so Zick doesn't really mind seeing them get eaten. Bad news, if the Wraiths are capable of capturing Gorkas, that proves how powerful they really are. "Here you want a bite?" the Phantom inviting Zick in.
Once again Zick finds himself in a Catch 22. On one hand he really didn't want to eat a monster, but on the other hand if he doesn't then he risks blowing his cover and may never get another chance to rescue Elena. "Uh thanks," Zick cringed as he reached for the piece of monster flesh. Zick decided that right now rescuing Elena takes priority, even if it means betraying his morals and his stomach.
"Psych," the Phantom laughed pulling the monster meat back. "If you want a taste, you have to earn it. Go to the funeral home for your assignments." the Phantom directed.
"Um sure whatever." Zick pretended to sulk. Truthfully he was happy that he didn't have to eat the monster meat. Zick made his way to the funeral home, hiding in the shadows. Even though he didn't really need to sneak around, old habits die hard. Though it did give him a change to phase through tombstones. Once he reached the funeral home he saw Char and the other Wraiths flying off with a group of Dark Phantoms. "Looks like this is my chance," Zick whispered to himself. Phasing through the walls, Zick carefully searched around. Ironically he wasn't watching where he was going and bumped into another ghost.
"Hey watch it!" the Phantom scolded.
"Sorry man," Zick apologized.
"Well it's about time, you were suppose to be here ten minutes ago!" the Phantom complained.
"I was?" Zick said nervously.
"Yeah, you are my relief right?" the Phantom interrogated.
"Relief?" Zick puzzled.
"You know next to watch over that stupid girl." the Phantom clarified since the thought that Zick didn't know what relief meant.
"Girl! Elena!" Zick yelped. "I mean, yeah I'm your relief." Zick said.
"Finally," the Phantom said. "I hope they don't eat all the monsters before I get there."
After the Phantom flew off, Zick peeked inside the room. Sure enough his best friend was inside, working on some kind of potion. "Elena," Zick whispered to her.
"Look I'm working as fast as I can," Elena complained.
"Elena, it's me." Zick said turning off the Densifier.
"Zick!" Elena squealed giving him a hug.
"I'm glad to see you too," Zick sighed hugging her as well. "Come on we've got to get out of here," he said desperately.
"No Zick, I can't just leave yet." Elena insisted.
"Wait what?" Zick stuttered in confusion.
"Come here," Elena guided him to her computer and showed some of the data she's collected about the Wraiths. "You see, Char asked me to do some research on the Wraiths."
"Why would Char ask you to do something like that?" Zick wondered.
"What, you think I can't do it?" Elena challenged him thinking that he's underestimating her intelligence yet again.
"No, it's not that, it's just that it's suspicious that's all." Zick tried to explain. While Zick would never doubt Elena's intelligence, he does question the motives of his enemies.
Elena scowled at him, but immediately brushed it aside. "Listen whatever it was that turned Char and the others into Wraiths is unstable, they're dying." Elena explained.
"And that's a problem why?" Zick asked.
"Holy spit, can you please try using your head for once." Elena retorted pressing her finger on Zick's forehead. "If they think I'm the key to their survival, do you really believe they are just going to let me escape?"
"No," Zick had to agree with her on that.
"Exactly, so they have to think I'm helping them, that is until I find a way to stop them." Elena reasoned.
"But why would they think you have the solution to their problem?" Zick asked.
"Char said that they formula he used was incomplete and that he believes that I can help perfect it for him." Elena explained.
"So any ideas on that?" Zick asked.
"Well nothing concrete but I think you might have something to do with it," Elena answered as she opened a different file on her computer. "You see a few days ago, Char once told me that your Dom energy is unique and that it might be the missing ingredient to make him truly immortal. I think they are trying to find a way to get your Dom energy."
Looking back on his previous battles, it did almost seemed like Char and the other Wraiths wanted to get hit by Zick's Dom beams. Of course back then he was caught in the heat of battle that he didn't notice. "But if they wanted by my power, then why kidnap you, why not me?" Zick wondered.
"Probably because they don't have a Devourer like Magnacat did," Elena suggested. Zick shuttered at the mere mention of the Devourer, a device the Gorkas used to drain him of his Dom energy stripping him of all his powers. Thankfully he was able to gain his powers back; but that was still a traumatic moment for him, especially since at the same time Elena was given the gift of Sight, so she could see what he couldn't.
"Because you would have been a temporary solution my young Tamer," Char said as he phased through the wall.
"CHAR!" the kids yelled getting into a defensive position.
"It would seem that I came back right on time. Now I have both of you." Char gloated.
"Now I get it, Elena was just bait so that you can trap me." Zick accused moving in front of Elena to protect her.
"Really child, you are not paying attention. While it is true that your Dom energy can, how would you kids put it, 'recharge my batteries'. I have little interest in short term solutions. I prefer more permanent ones." Char said looking at Elena who seemed rather puzzled by all of this. "You see my dear, you are actually closer to the truth that you suspected." Char floated over to her computer and opened the file on Wraith's stomachs. "Just as you've surmised our stomachs don't digest food. It simply takes what we eat and uses it to make potions. Ergo, we are starving to death."
"But you Wraiths have been around for centuries. How could you have gone on for so long without eating?" Zick asked curiously.
"We do not require food, we continue to exist thanks to our Mystical essence," Char explained.
"Mystical essence?" the kids repeated.
"You know, Mana, Aura, Ether, Charka, Chi, Dom, Bioelectricity. You humans have so many names for it, but basically it's the life energy that allows us Witches to perform magic. Anyway after becoming ghostlike, we discovered that our essence became twice as strong than when we were alive. This allowed us to continue existing for a month without the need for food. But we soon learned that our essence is limited and we no longer had the means to replenish it. Once our power was drained we simply turn to dust. I lost several of my brothers because of that and that is not a fate I desire." Char cried. "For a long time I feared that my plight was hopeless, that is until I encountered a young Tamer whose special glasses altered his Dom energy, revitalizing me."
"My glasses did that?" Elena shocked to hear that.
"Wait I thought that the glasses only enhanced my powers," Zick wondered.
"Light filtration!" Elena blurted out. Zick looked at her in confusion. "You know how sunglasses filter light so that so that you don't get blinded by the sun. My glasses must also filter out your Dom energy leaving behind the energy that the Wraiths need to survive." Elena explained.
"Indeed, without that your Dom energy would have been completely useless to me. It is that innovative thinking that has me believe that you are the one to help us." Char applauded. Elena couldn't help but blush with pride at that compliment.
Zick pulled the sunglasses out of his pocket. "Well if that is the case, then maybe I should just destroy these and let you guys starve to death!" Zick threatening to break his glasses.
"Are you so certain you want to do that young Tamer?" Char laughed. "Aren't you the least bit concerned about the fate of your friend?"
"I'll protect Elena," Zick swore.
"Even from a cursed eternal life of starvation?" Char challenged as he casts a spell on the wall causing it to disappear. Elena and Zick stared in shock that the room adjacent to the one they were in had a cauldron as well, but the room only had a few ingredients.
"What are you up to?" Zick demanded.
"I'm certain that she knows," Char smiled.
Elena started listing a few of the ingredients in the room before she realized what they are used for. "Those are the ingredients for your Wraith potion!"
"I was planning on using it once you perfected it, but even in this uncompleted state it can still turn dear sweet Elena into a Wraith. Unfortunately as a mere human her essence would only last a few days, a week tops. Luckily for her, her beloved Tamer would be more than happy to feed her with his altered Dom energy. That is unless he breaks his glasses." Char dared, scooping out a handful of the potion getting ready to use it on Elena.
Zick took a moment to analyze the situation. While he is confident that he could protect Elena from a direct attack, Char is a ghost or rather ghostlike, plus he has all the magic of a witch. That means that Char has almost an unlimited number of options at his disposal, most of which would be difficult if not impossible to counter. Zick hated to admit it, but Char got him cornered. "Alright you win," Zick conceded putting his sunglasses down.
"Excellent," Char grinned as he magically replaced the wall. "Now my dear if you'd be so kind as to continue your work. As for you boy."
"Wait you'd promise that you wouldn't hurt him!" Elena pleaded.
"I won't do anything to your precious Tamer. I just need him to help a friend of mine." Char smiled picking up the glasses.
"It's alright Elena. He won't do anything to me just yet. Not when I'm the only food source he's got." Zick assured her. So Elena reluctantly let Zick go.
Char led Zick down to the basement. "As much as I would prefer not to do this, you're presence here complicates things young Tamer." Char said.
"What did I do?" Zick mocked.
"Don't toy with me boy. I didn't want to say anything in front of Elena, but since you found our hideout that means pretty soon I should be expecting a visit from the other Tamers as well." Char reasoned.
"I came here on my own," Zick insisted.
"That I believe. Your fondness for your friend is admirable, foolish but admirable. Never the less, I'm fairly certain that you informed your companions about this place, and that they will be raiding here pretty soon." Char suspected. Zick's silence pretty much confirmed his suspicions. "That is why I need you to awaken and to 'feed' him." Char pointed to Bruticus coffin.
"Who's in there?" Zick asked.
"My military specialist, and second in command, and the most unruly and disobedient person I've ever met." Char spat. "Personally I'd rather keep him buried here, but desperate measures and all that." Char then handed Zick the glasses and gestured him to proceed. Zick reluctantly used his Dom blasts to destroy the seal. As the coffin opened, a giant figure came crawling out.
"Who dares awakens me?" Bruticus demanded in a deep voice.
"I dare," Char answered.
Outside, Tamers and Tutors were surrounding the old cemetery. Arming themselves with Elena's glasses and Dom Staffs for the upcoming battle.