Chapter 18: The Frozen

Nika and Brandon were on a scan quest in the Crystal Range. They were going through the shortcut in Kurtac Pass, which leads to Raimusa's home on Scimitar Summit. "Careful, Nika. This shortcut doesn't look very friendly." Brandon said. "Relax, bro. Sidney told me about the shortcut in Kurtac Pass after her uncle told her. She even showed us the way." Nika said. "We'll be okay as long as we don't trigger the traps." Brandon gulped at that part. They worked their way through the shortcut, being careful around the traps. After a while, they made it across the secret bridge and headed up towards Scimitar Summit. "Right. We gotta scan the summit. It's a great Location for a Drome Match. Especially if you plan to battle as Raimusa. He knows the Location inside out." Nika explained.

As they reached Scimitar Summit, Brandon got a look at the tower. "So, that's Raimusa's home? Very classy." He said. "I know. And it's even better when you scan it." Nika said. As they took out their scanners and prepared to scan the Location, something made a noise nearby, startling them. "What's that?" Nika asked. Just then, a strange female ape Creature emerged from the crystals. She had dark fur and was dressed like a Viking. "Who's that?" Brandon asked. "I don't know. I've never seen a Creature like this one before." Nika said. The strange Viking Creature slowly walked towards them. "Why is it looking at us like that?" Brandon asked. "No idea." Nika said. "Should we try and scan it?" Brandon asked. "Worth a shot." Nika said. As they tried to scan the Creature, she let out a loud roar and pounded the ground, causing them to lose balance and fall, losing their scanners. Just then, as they started to recover, the strange Viking Creature fired an attack and captured Nika in a strange vortex. "NIKA!" Brandon cried as Nika suddenly disappeared.

(Intro)

Brandon couldn't believe what he saw. "Nika." He was almost about to cry. "What did you do?! Where's my sister?!" He exclaimed. The strange Viking Creature didn't answer and started leaping away with a great leap, leaving him at the summit. "Hey! Wait! Come back!" He exclaimed. But it was too late. The Creature was already gone. Brandon dropped to his knees, ready to cry for his sister. He reached for his scanner and called Sidney. "Sid!" He cried. "Hey, Brandon. We're watching this incredible match between our friend Cassie and-" Sidney tried to say. "Sorry, but I need to interrupt. Nika's gone." Brandon said. "Really? Where'd she go?" Sidney asked. "I don't know. This strange Viking Creature zapped her with some kind of vortex attack and then she disappeared." Brandon explained. "Did she port out?" Robbie asked, coming into view. "Not without this." Brandon said, holding up Nika's scanner. The group was shocked. "Where are you?" Minnie asked. "Scimitar Summit." Brandon asked. "And where's the Creature?" Krista asked. "It was leaping down the summit, heading towards Glacier Plains, I think." Brandon said. "I'll call my parents and we'll be there in a minute." Sidney said, ending the call. Brandon grew more worried about Nika, fearing the worst.

Meanwhile, that very night, Verlina, Afjak, H'earring, Lomma, Crawsectus, and a whole squadron of elite OverWorld soldiers were trekking through Glacier Plains. "I can't believe we're going through all this trouble to see Blügon, who rarely leaves this icy wasteland." H'earring said, hating the cold air in the Location. "I know you don't like the cold, H'earring. But my father said his message was very urgent." Verlina said. "Yes. If Blügon has any information that can help the Tribal Alliance turn the tides against the FarWorlders, then we must hear him out." Afjak said. Lomma and Crawsectus obviously agreed with his words. Since the small party of FarWorlders arrived through Elfraüx's portal, one of them had completely dried up all of the rivers in the Riverlands.

After a long while of walking, the group of Creatures reached the spot where Blügon wanted to meet. There, he sat on the top of a snowy hill. "These days are growing dark. The FarWorlders have dried up the Riverlands, infected our Tribal Alliance. The situation seems hopeless." Blügon explained. "He's right. They're making the M'arrillian Invasion look like a tourist invasion." Lomma said. "Wait. Blügon, you said the situation seems hopeless." Verlina said. "We have no hope of defeating the FarWorlders like we defeated the M'arrillians. Unless we join forces with…the Frozen." Blügon said. The other Creatures were stunned by this. They heard tales of a Tribe of Creatures known as the Frozen, but they thought of them to be just a folktale. "We don't need anymore warriors. We need new Mugic or new BattleGear to stop the FarWorlders." Crawsectus disagreed. The soldiers mumbled as Blügon continued. "We must journey deep within Glacier Plains, beyond our known boundaries of the OverWorld to find the Frozen." He said. "No offence, Blügon, but we're all pretty skilled. What can the Frozen do that we can't?" H'earring asked. "It's what they can't do that matters, H'earring." Blügon said. "What do you mean?" Afjak asked. "All of us can be corrupted, controlled by the FarWorlders. Just like how I was corrupted by the M'arrillians." Blügon said. "And the Frozen?" Verlina asked. "No. They are similar as the ancient Warriors of Owayki." Blügon said. "But we all thought the Frozen were only an old folktale." Lomma said. "Long ago, the Frozen were some of the greatest protectors of the OverWorld. But one day, a powerful adversary defeated the Frozen, encasing them in ice." Blügon explained. The Creatures were stunned by this tale. "But how can these Frozen help us if they're encased in ice? If this happened ages ago, they're probably long dead by now. We should be making plans of our own." Crawsectus said. Most of the soldiers agreed while Lomma, H'earring and the others argued.

Just then, Afjak silenced them by slamming his staff into the snow, releasing an energy pulse. "Thank you, Afjak. Blügon, how is it you know of this?" Verlina asked. "I was once part of the Frozen, encased in ice like them. Long have I remained trapped until I was thawed out by my fellow OverWorlders." Blügon explained. "And if you survived for so long, then the rest of the Frozen may still be alive as well." Afjak guessed. "I still say that it's impossible. Most Creatures that once lived in Glacier Plains are now frozen to death." Crawsectus said. The group of Creatures argued about this. "Enough! Blügon, deserves our respect. So far, we've battled the FarWorlders and failed. If he says the Frozen can help the Tribal Alliance defeat these invaders before more arrive, I will seek them alone if I have to." Verlina said. The other Creatures thought long and hard about this. "Not alone, Verlina. I will go too." Afjak said. "Me too, Verlina." Lomma said. As the soldiers agreed to go too, Crawsectus and H'earring looked at each other with worry about this. "Then we must make ready. The journey to the Frozen will be long and perilous." Blügon said. As the group started to leave, Blügon looked up at the night sky before following.

Later, the next day, Sidney's group, Tom and Sarah met up with Brandon in Glacier Plains. "Nika!" Brandon called. "Nika!" Sidney called. "Nika!" Sarah called. "Guys, I'm worried. What if she's…" Minnie started to say, making the group worried. "We gotta find this Viking Creature who did this to Nika. She's the only one who knows what happened to her." Robbie said. "Robbie's right. Brandon, where'd you see the Viking head from the summit?" Krista asked. "Last time I saw her, she was heading down that way." Brandon said, pointing towards the South. "Okay. But how are we gonna find this Viking Creature? You said she disappeared after attacking you and Nika." Minnie said. "We gotta try. Kaz, Peyton and I did the same when Owayki zapped Sarah." Tom said. "Tom's right. They never gave up on me. So, we're not giving up on Nika." Sarah said. "Don't move!" A voice called as they prepared to head out. Just then, 3 elite soldiers leapt out of hiding and surrounded them. "Lady Sidney?" One of them suddenly asked, recognizing Sidney. "Hey, guys." Sidney greeted. "You know these soldiers?" Robbie asked. "We are the Elite OverWorld Commanders." The soldier introduced. "These guys are like the more specially trained soldiers. They're hardly ever seen. I met them once when I was in Ravanaugh Ridge getting a scan of Vailnora with Krista." Sidney explained. "Forgive us for startling you. We weren't expecting to see you." The soldier said. "It's alright, guys." Sidney said. "Come with us. Verlina will be wanting to see you." The soldier said.

Later, the elite soldiers brought Sidney's group to Verlina's camp. "Hey, look who's here." H'earring said, pointing to Sidney's group. "Sidney? Uncle Tom? Aunt Sarah?" Verlina asked in surprise. "Hey, Verlina. I'm so happy to see you." Sidney said. "Same to you, Sid." Verlina said. "Oh, by the way, this is Brandon, Nika's brother and my new boyfriend." Sidney said, introducing Brandon. "It's nice to meet you, Verlina." Brandon said, shaking Verlina's hand. "Likewise." Verlina said. "What exactly brings you guys here?" Lomma asked. "We're trying to find out what happened to Nika." Minnie said. "I was with her at Scimitar Summit when this strange female Viking Creature attacked us. She zapped Nika and made her disappear." Brandon explained. The Creatures looked at each other. "And where did this Viking Creature go?" Verlina asked. "She leapt out that way from the summit." Brandon said, pointing to the South. "The regions throughout Glacier Plains are unpredictable. You are welcome to journey there with us." Blügon offered. "Yes. We can help each other seek out what we're searching for." Afjak said. That made Sidney's group happy.

Later, the group started their journey into the outland reaches of Glacier Plains. "This place doesn't exactly say tourist attraction." Robbie said, shivering from the surroundings. "Not exactly, Robbie. That's because they say that it's haunted." Verlina said. That made the kids gasp. "That's only an urban myth. I've trekked all across Glacier Plains countless times. And there hasn't been a single thing I've ever encountered that I could consider…haunted." Blügon said. "Still, we'll need to keep our eyes open for anything that might be dangerous." Verlina said. Suddenly, there was a rumbling noise in the air, making the group stop. Just then, clouds started covering the sky in darkness. "Okay, I didn't get the forecast for today, but I'd say we're in for a storm." Gisele said. "This is no ordinary storm." Blügon realized. Just then, a massive blizzard blew at the group. "Ugh! Where did this blizzard come from?!" Krista asked. "It's freezing!" Minnie exclaimed, feeling the chilliness from the blizzard. "Look out!" Blügon exclaimed. Suddenly, the snow in the blizzard formed into a giant hand and was about to grab Sidney's group. "SID!" Tom, Sarah and Verlina cried.

Sidney's group screamed as they were about to be grabbed. "Everyone, take cover!" Blügon exclaimed as he leapt in front of the giant snow hand. Sidney's group took cover as he motioned his hands and fired Hail Storm, blowing the snowy hand away as the blizzard cleared up. Everyone looked up at the sky in awe. "I knew this was a bad idea, Verlina! We'll never find these Frozen! I say we turn back while we still can!" Crawsectus exclaimed. Lomma and H'earring looked at Verlina as they waited for her orders. "We'll make our camp in that ice cave up ahead." Verlina said. "You heard her! Move out!" Lomma ordered. Sidney's group came out from their cover and rejoined their Creature friends as they continued.

Later that night, the group made camp inside an ice cave. They all sat around a fire that H'earring made, keeping themselves warm. Verlina noticed a troubled look on Minnie's face. "Something bothering you, Minnie?" She asked. "I was just thinking. What if Crawsectus is right? Even if we find this Viking Creature who attacked Nika, how will we get her to tell us what happened to her?" Minnie asked with worry. "I too share your concern for your friend, young one. My father was just as worried about me for decades when I traveled through Dranikus Threshold." Afjak said. Just then, Brandon heard a familiar moaning. "Guys, listen." He whispered. Everyone listened carefully as they heard the moaning. "That's her! That's the Creature! She must be outside somewhere. Let's go find her." Brandon said. But as he was about to stand up, Blügon stopped him. "Not even the bravest of Creatures would dare travel Glacier Plains by night, my friend. We will search at first light." He said. Brandon sulked as he sat back down.

Outside the cave, 2 Elites were standing guard at the entrance. Just then, they heard a noise. "Who's out there?" One of them asked. "Identify yourself!" The other demanded. Suddenly, an unknown fire attack was shot at them.

The next morning, the group set back out. "Ugh! I should've risked it! I should've looked for that Viking Creature when we heard him last night." Brandon groaned in regret. "And we're missing 2 of our Elites! They were supposed to be guarding the cave last night." Crawsectus said. "They wouldn't have just run off. They're too loyal to their cause." Lomma said. "How long until we find this Frozen Tribe you're looking for, Verlina?" Sidney asked. "I'm not sure, Sid. Blügon just said that we'll know when we find them. If we make it through these plains." Verlina said. "That's a big if." Sarah said. "Well, at least the sky's clear. Maybe we won't have anymore trouble." Robbie said. "Please tell me you didn't just say that." Minnie groaned. Just then, the familiar moan echoed through the air, startling everyone. And then, the Viking Creature leapt out of nowhere and landed in front of them. "That's the Viking Creature who attacked me and Nika!" Brandon exclaimed. The group was surprised. "Hinya-Iha." Blügon said, recognizing the Creature. "The legendary leader of the Frozen?!" Verlina asked in shock.

As the Elites readied their BattleGear in case of a possible threat, Hinya-Iha leapt over the whole group. Just then, an orange fiery Creature that bared a resemblance to Rath'tab flew towards the group. "FarWorlder!" Verlina exclaimed. "It's Scoraüx!" Lomma exclaimed. "The one who dried up the Riverlands!" Crawsectus exclaimed. Sidney's group stared in horror and shock, recognizing Scoraüx from Elfraüx's portal at the Cliffends. Hinya-Iha attacked Scoraüx with Ice Shard. But Scoraüx quickly recovered and attacked with Lavalanche, knocking Hinya-Iha back. But Hinya-Iha recovered and attacked with Hail Storm. Sidney's group watched in awe at how powerful Hinya-Iha was. But then, Scoraüx fired a mind attack on Hinya-Iha, trying to take her mind. "Scoraüx is trying to take over Hinya-Iha's mind!" Verlina exclaimed. But Hinya-Iha, unphased by the attack, fought back with Power Pulse, blasting Scoraüx into a glacier. The Creatures were shocked. "You were right, Blügon. The FarWorlders can't control Hinya-Iha." Afjak said. But then, Scoraüx recovered and unleashed more mind-control waves from his eye. Sidney's group watched as the waves flew over their heads and hit the Elites. Just then, the Elites' eyes glowed crimson red and they attacked with their Pyroblasters, trapping Verlina, Afjak, Blügon, H'earring, Lomma and Crawsectus in a Flame Dome. "NO!" Sidney cried as the group watched in horror.

As the Flame Dome slowly started to close in around the trapped Creatures, Sidney's group turned back to Hinya-Iha and Scoraüx. Scoraüx attacked with Ember Swarm, but Hinya-Iha fought back with Water Whirl. "What do we do?!" Krista asked with worry. Just then, Lomma broke through the Flame Dome with Thunder Shout, knocking the Elites down. Afjak brought out a Mugic, cast it into the air and released a Mugician to activate it. "Fire Shield Song!" The Mugic played in key as it activated. As the Elites recovered and started firing their Pyroblasters, a green beam shot down from the sky and created a green shield around the group, blocking the fire attacks. "The Fire Shield's blocking the fire from those Pyroblasters. But it won't last long. We need to hurry." Verlina said. The group quickly hurried around the Fire Shield, not getting spotted by the Elites. But as the Fire Shield died down, the Elites saw that they were gone. "It was a trick! After them!" One of the Elites ordered. The Elites started chasing after the group as they headed deeper into the plains. "Magmamite!" One of the Elites fired Magmamite from his chest. Sarah pushed Krista out of the way before they were nearly hit. "Come on!" She exclaimed as they continued running.

Suddenly, as they passed through a tight space, Blügon stopped them in their tracks. "They're right behind us!" Robbie exclaimed. "We must proceed with caution here." Blügon said. The group gazed upon a great wall of mist. There was a single path that led directly through the wall. "Stay together! Stay on the path! And do not stray far into the mist!" Blügon exclaimed as they ran into the mist. "We can't let them get away!" One of the Elites exclaimed as they continued chasing the group. As the group made it through, the Elites stopped at the mist and fired their Pyroblasters. But the group ducked down and dodged the fire attacks. "Destroy the path! Quickly!" Blügon exclaimed. Verlina and H'earring fired Torrent of Flame at the path, destroying it. As the group started to continue on their way, the Elites stared at the mist. One of them walked towards the mist and reached out his hand. "Stop!" One of the others exclaimed. Too late. Something in the mist grabbed the Elite's hand as he reached in, and pulled him in. His screams echoed through the air before he disappeared. The Elites noticed another path nearby. "That way!"

Meanwhile, the group continued through the plains. Sidney's group was now sad. "Well, Hinya-Iha's gone." Robbie said. "And so is Nika." Gisele said. "This is all my fault. I wish she'd never taken me on that stupid scan quest." Brandon said with sadly. "Don't blame yourself, Brandon. It could've happened to any of us. But I sure would give anything to see Nika's smiling face again. Or even hear her voice again." Sidney said. "Hey, guys! Up here!" Nika's voice suddenly called. The group all looked up and saw her standing on top of an ice hill, waving at them. "Nika!" Sidney's group cried in relief.

The group all climbed up the icy hill and rushed over to Nika. "Nika!" Sidney cried as she and her group hugged her in relief. "You're okay!" Krista cried. The group broke out of the hug, letting Brandon hug his sister by himself. "Oh, Nika! I was so worried! I thought when Hinya-Iha hit you with that attack, you were gone for good!" Brandon cried. "It's okay, bro. And it wasn't an attack. Hinya-Iha transported me here." Nika said as they broke the hug. "Just like how I was transported by Owayki." Sarah said. "Yes. She wanted to show us this." Nika said, gesturing to a glacier filled with frozen ape-like Yeti Viking Creatures. The group walked up to the glacier and stared at it in awe. "These are the Frozen. Blügon's old Tribe. The legend is true." Verlina said. "Great. A bunch of icicles will really help us beat the FarWorlders." Crawsectus said sarcastically. "Do not mock, Crawsectus. Even frozen in ice, the Frozen can still live." Blügon said. "But how did Hinya-Iha even get out of that glacier?" Krista asked. Tom and Sarah examined the glacier until they found a chunk in it shaped like one of the Frozen. "I'm thinking something must've thawed her out of the glacier." Sarah said. "Must've been during that one time of the year when that heatwave spreads through Glacier Plains." Tom deduced. "I agree. The weather was definitely warm enough to melt even the tiniest of ice shards." Blügon said.

Just then, the Elites caught up with them and were climbing up the hill. "The Elites are coming!" Lomma exclaimed. "We can't escape! We'll have to fight them here!" Crawsectus exclaimed. But then, H'earring started thinking and ran over to the glacier. He then fired a Torrent of Flame on one of the Frozen. "H'earring, what're you doing?" Afjak asked. "Thawing out some reinforcements." H'earring said. Just then, as the fire attack melted the ice on the glacier just enough, one of the Frozen Creatures started moving and broke free from his icy prison with a great shout, shocking the group.

The Frozen Creature walked up to the group and inspected them. "Uh, nice Yeti?" Robbie asked nervously. The Frozen Creature looked at him and raised his paw. "Jah'Vah." He said. "Uh, Robbie." Robbie said, nervously giving the Frozen Creature, named Jah'Vah, a handshake. "Friends?" Jah'Vah asked, looking at the group. "Yes, we're all friends." Sidney said. Just then, the Elites were getting closer to the top. "We have no time to lose!" Lomma called. "Take these Pyroblasters. Help me and H'earring revive the Frozen quickly." Verlina said, passing each of Sidney's group a Pyroblaster. Together, Sidney's group, Verlina and H'earring used their fire attacks to thaw the Frozen out of the glacier. Sidney's group got out of the way as the Elites made it to the top of the hill. "Warriors of the Frozen, these fellow OverWorlders are now our enemies due to mind-control!" Verlina exclaimed. "We fight to defend friends!" Jah'Vah exclaimed. The Frozen shouted and roared for war. One of the Elites attacked with Inferno Gust, but the Frozen weren't even phased by the attack. "Attack!" Jah'Vah exclaimed as he and the Frozen attacked with Hail Storm. Afjak fired Power Pulse from his staff, knocking a couple Elites down. "Focus on the Elites!" Verlina exclaimed. Lomma and Crawsectus fired Frostblight, knocking down a few Elites. Just then, one of the Elites was about to attack Verlina. "Hey!" Sidney exclaimed, firing her Pyroblaster and blasting the Elite off the hill. "Yes!" Sidney's group cheered. "Nice shot, Sid." Verlina said. "Thanks. Together, we can stop these guys." Sidney said.

But then, Scoraüx showed up. "Holy Hiadrom! It's Scoraüx!" Sidney cried. "Keep at it! We gotta push them back!" Verlina exclaimed. But then, she was struck by Paral-Eyes. "Verlina!" Sidney cried. Blügon, Afjak, Lomma, Crawsectus, H'earring and the Frozen continued to attack, but Scoraüx and the Elites knocked them down. "We gotta help them!" Sidney exclaimed. Her group fired their Pyroblasters, pushing the Elites back. Suddenly, Scoraüx blew a cosmic fire attack from his eye, knocking Sidney off her feet. "Sid!" Sarah cried as she and the others helped Sidney up. "You okay?" Tom asked. "Just got a little wind knocked out of me." Sidney said. Just then, Scoraüx loomed over them. "You cannot stop the FarWorld Invasion, filthy humans! We are invincible!" He exclaimed as he prepared to finish them off. Just then, Sidney got out her scanner and scanned Scoraüx, blinding him with the scanning light. "Argh! You human scum!" Scoraüx exclaimed. Suddenly, Hinya-Iha leapt out of nowhere and attacked with Frostblight, knocking Scoraüx down. "Hinya-Iha." Tom said in relief. Hinya-Iha pounded her chest and gave a great shout. Scoraüx recovered and attacked with Pyro Punch. But Hinya-Iha intercepted the attack with Ice Disks and started pushing Scoraüx back with Sludge Gush.

Sidney's group helped their Creature friends recover and started pushing the Elites back. Knowing that they were at a disadvantage, Scoraüx telepathically called the Elites and retreated. The Elites soon followed as the Frozen chased them off. "We did it!" Robbie cheered. "The Frozen did it. We just woke them up." Sarah said. "You're wrong, Aunt Sarah. We all did it. Together." Verlina said after the effect from Paral-Eyes wore off. Just then, Blügon and Hinya-Iha walked up to the group. "I am sorry for zapping your friend. I had to know if I could trust you humans." Hinya-Iha said. "But I am very grateful for you, all of you, for freeing my Tribe from their frozen slumber." Sidney's group smiled at each other. "And you and your Tribe have our deepest gratitude, Hinya-Iha." Verlina said, shaking Hinya-Iha's hand. Jah'Vah and the Frozen all got acquainted with Lomma, Crawsectus and H'earring. "My brother, Blügon, has informed me of what has transpired while we were frozen over the Solons. And as of today, Verlina, you can count the Frozen as your friends and allies in this war against this new enemy." Hinya-Iha said. "Then let our enemy beware. For the real battle is only just begun." Verlina declared. "It sure is, partner. It sure is." Sidney said, looking at her new FarWorlder scan.

New Cards:

Creature 1: Scoraüx

FarWorld Commander

Courage:

Power:

Wisdom: 45

Speed: 75

Elements: Fire

Mugic: 2

Energy: 100

Creature 2: Hinya-Iha

OverWorld Frozen Warrior

Courage: 65

Power: 50

Wisdom: 35

Speed: 45

Elements: Water

Mugic: 2

Energy: 65

Creature 3: Jah'Vah

OverWorld Frozen Warrior

Courage: 60

Power: 55

Wisdom: 45

Speed: 45

Elements: Water

Mugic: 1

Energy: 65