Disclaimer: "Happy Tree Friends" is a copyright of Mondo Media
[I know, I know – it's been months since the last update! (Blame night classes for this…) Anyway, I'm back and thanks for all those views and reviews so far – it meant a lot to me!]
Happy Tree Friends: Camp Sanguine
Chapter 20 – Backfire
"Are you sure about this?"
"It's our fault for starting it in the first place and Mom said we're the only ones who can –"
"Technically, it's just my fault – not yours."
Flippy rolled his eyes and continued to etch intricate patterns on the ground, occasionally glancing at the Dark Magic Book in his hand. "That was a mistake, okay? You didn't mean to do it," the young soldier assured her. "I know, but still…" Moonlight protested, stopping herself as Splendid and Flaky walked up.
"Flippy's right – the sooner you guys end this, the better it'll be for everyone else," the blue-haired hero pointed out; Flaky silently agreed. The young soldier then asked to gather all the 'witnesses' that were present when Moonlight recited the spell. "I'll do it," Flaky offered, running off before anyone could say anything.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
30 minutes passed by the time Flippy was done etching a massive circle dead center of the baseball field, just managing to fit it within the diamond. He then ordered Lifty, Shifty and Splendont to stand in a triangle on the outer circle while Flaky, Moonlight and Splendid do the same on the inner circle; his position is right at the center.
"Whatever happens, don't move from the diagrams you're stepping on," he instructed. Holding the Dark Magic Book in one hand, he began drawing imaginary symbols in the air as he began to chant the first stanza.
"Seniores qui audiunt, dimissiones scio futurum
Audite me, ut coram his testibus
Concedo quod instantia compleri
Et quod est habere Inferno Gate signati"
Translation: "To the Elders that hear me, I am aware of future demises
Hear me now as I stand before these witnesses
I grant a request that is to be fulfilled
And that is to have the Hell Gate sealed"
Giving a slight hand signal, Flippy motioned Moonlight to recite the next stanza; the others continued to stay still even as dark clouds swirled around overhead. 'I have a bad feeling about this…' Flaky thought worriedly.
"Quasi testes, stamus, audi nostra clamoribus
Prae oculis daemones fugare
Cumque nihil aliud petendum
An non tamen animum conburetis"
Translation: "As witnesses we stand, hear our cries
Banish the Demons before our very eyes
We ask for nothing else in return
Should it fail, however, our souls you shall burn"
"That sounds unfair," the part-albino commented, earning a silent glare from her brother. Moonlight flinched as she remembered it's not always a good idea to say anything else when in the middle of reciting a spell. Flippy regained his composure and brought out his dagger; the others brought out borrowed kitchen knives and, as though synchronized, each made a slit in their palms before spilling a few blood droplets onto the etched diagrams below them. At the same time, all recited the final stanza (they were given some practice just before they started).
"Offerimus preces pro eo sanguis
Mitte Dcemones retro ad inferos ad requiem
Obsigna porta, curare ipsi nunquam revertetur;
An non tamen animum conburetis"
Translation: "Our blood we offer as payment for this request
Send the Demons back to Hell to rest
Seal the gate, ensure they never return
Should it fail, however, our souls you shall burn"
CRACK! BOOM!
The seven participants yelped as thunder cracked above them, barely managing to stay in position. "Is this supposed to happen?" Splendid asked, noticing the dark clouds swirling around above them. "I don't know – I never tried a banishing spell before!" Flippy replied, having to yell as the wind had suddenly picked up.
CRACK! BOOM!
"AAH!" Lifty and Shifty screamed together as lightning bolts nearly struck them. "Don't move!" Flippy reminded, stifling a scream as another set of bolts nearly zapped him and Moonlight. Flaky – being more terrified than the rest – was trying to stay as still as a statue.
CRACK! BOOM! ZAP!
"ARGH!"
"Splendont!" Splendid yelled as he looked towards his brother, blue eyes widening as he witnessed him being electrocuted by what seemed to be the largest lightning bolt. Just as the torture had started, it ended – the red-haired hero collapsed to the ground, somehow still staying on his assigned spot. Burnt skin and hair reached Splendid's nostrils.
"Stay where you are!" Flippy ordered, grass-green eyes falling towards the Dark Magic Book he still held in his hand.
…and that's when he noticed it…
…the tiny inscription just in the lowest corner of the page…
"Caelibatus tantum fieri per vota sub illa. Si triae de alica et/vel testes maculantur et arto dixit votum, ille vel ilia ut patiatur dirum consecutia."
Translation: "Only to be performed by those under a celibacy vow. If caster of spell and/or witnesses are tainted and breaks said vow, he or she may suffer dire consequences."
ZAP! SHRIEK!
"NO!" Flippy screamed as Flaky and Moonlight were struck by thunder, their bodies being lifted a few inches into the air before falling limp on the ground. "Don't just fucking stand there! RUN!" Flipqy ordered, urging the soldier's feet to his will. Splendid, Lifty and Shifty followed suit when –
CRACK! BOOM! Z-ZAP!
"Shit!" Splendid and Flippy hissed as they momentarily looked back, witnessing Lifty and Shifty being fried to blackened crisps. "Keep running! Don't –!"
ZAP!
"Splendid!" Flippy screamed as the blue hero collapsed to the ground, zapped into unconsciousness. The soldier then stumbled as he tripped over his own feet; had just gotten back up when he felt hot, sizzling pain ripple through him.
Z-Z-ZAP!
…THUD…
"Ugh…"
X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Chirp! Chirp! Tweet~!
Flippy stirred and rolled onto his back as the sound of chirping birds woke him up. Grass-green eyes slowly blinking open, he squinted at the bright blue sky as he wondered why he was sleeping outside in the first place. Almost immediately, the most recent memory flashed back to him. Now alert and fully awake, he sat up and instantly checked himself for those recent injuries.
…there were none. The cut on his palm had disappeared as well as the burns he earned from being struck by lightning. 'I've been out cold for a whole day?' he wondered, standing and nearly falling again due to being slightly disoriented.
"Flippy!" called out a familiar voice.
"Over here!" he replied, half-stumbling towards Moonlight as she ran up to him. He was about to ask about everyone else when he noticed the fear in her ocean-blue eyes. "What's wrong?" he demanded, frowning as the part-albino's answer came out stuttered and broken. "Moonlight, slow down!" he requested.
Said white-haired teen took a deep breath and started over. "I don't know what's going on," she explained, "All I know is that I woke up alone and I thought everyone's in their cabins." Taking a few deep breaths, she added, "I checked them and even searched through the whole camp – there's no sign of the counselors and other campers; even Camp Director Pop is gone."
The young soldier couldn't believe what he was listening to. Grabbing his sister's hand, he dragged her to every location in Camp Sanguine and confirmed what she had said. Along with that, they found some visual evidences – dented walls, disturbed dirt, and even freshly-burnt laser marks as they ran their fingers along some steaming lines. 'Where did everybody go?' he wondered as they stepped into the deserted dining hall.
CLATTER!
"What was that!" the green-and-white twins whispered, eyes turning to the kitchen door as they listened to footsteps shuffling around. Setting his military training into play, he quietly pulled out his dagger and snuck towards the mentioned area while keeping his sister behind him. The ambience grew louder with each step they took, their muscles tense with adrenaline.
WHOOSH!
"Whoa!"
WHACK!
"Ow!"
Flippy ducked, barely dodging a pan that was aimed at his face. Moonlight wasn't so lucky and took the hit, falling backwards cradling her nose. "Ah! I-I'm sorry!" whimpered a shy-sounding voice, "I thought you were –"
"It's okay, Flaky. Calm down…" Flippy eased, standing up and hugging his quivering girlfriend. "That was a pretty good swing, though," he chuckled, smiling as the red-haired teen giggled in agreement. "Uh hello? I'm still down here!" Moonlight demanded.
Splendid stepped out from behind a counter and helped up the part-albino, almost crushing her in an immediate hug. He explained he found Flaky wandering around aimlessly just after he woke up; apart from what Moonlight had mentioned before, he added that Splendont was acting 'strange' and it wasn't long before they lost him, taking shelter in the kitchen.
"I don't know about you, but we have to leave – pronto!" Flippy ordered, taking Flaky by the hand. "You mean you have an idea what's going on?" Splendid asked, keeping a firm one-armed grip around the part-albino's waist as they followed the green-and-red couple. The green-haired soldier was about to answer when a WHOOSH of air stopped them in their tracks.
"You thought you could just send us 'home' and seal the gate?" growled a similar voice, except that it's low and demonic-like. The group looked up to Splendont hovering above them…but glowing-red irises burning in the middle of blood-red rubies indicated he's not himself.
"Auditi estis amicorum admonitionibus…" Possessed Splendont snarled, frowning at them, "Iam vos reddam cum gravi consequatur." The possessed teen's eyes seethed with unimaginable anger. "Sentire vim Irae!" he roared.
Translation: "You should have listened to my friends' warnings. Now you will suffer severe consequences. Feel the power of Wrath!"
Possessed Splendont was then engulfed in flames. Within seconds it dispersed, revealing massive black leathery wings and thick talons on his fingertips; curly black horns pointed upwards, its tips adorned with flames; canines-turned-fangs overlapped each lip and serrated teeth revealed themselves as he laughed maniacally.
Feeling and knowing they've been outmatched, Flippy yelled out one word.
"RUN!"
"You can run, you can hide…" Demon Splendont growled as the group fled, "But you'll never escape me!" Having said that, he gave chase as his eyes burned with a mixture of excitement and fury. "Sit venatus incipiunt," he snickered.
Translation: "Let the game begin."