Opening File: The Elementals

Among the many legends and myths that have existed since the beginning the legend of the Elementals is the highest known legend. The Elementals are the embodiments of the elements that make up the world. They are ice, fire, slime and candy and have existed since the beginning of life, living, dying and reincarnating for eons and millennia. While it is easy to explain the existence of fire and ice many have debated on why slime and candy would be seen as elements, possibly existing as substitutes for water and earth but was quickly dismissed.

A special tablet discovered by the Saturdays, the best archaeological members of the Secret Scientists show the four elements as the building blocks of life with candy representing glucose and carbohydrates, slime representing lipids and proteins, fire representing oxidation and metabolism, and ice representing water and homeostasis. The Elementals were believed to have been created at (or naturally born during) the beginning stage of the world's creation to serve as a counter to the spread of the Pool of Darkness and later the Grimm before the creation of the Huntsmen. Each Elemental has the ability to generate and manipulate their respective element (ice, fire, slime and candy).

While considered to be a myth it is also a held belief by some that at their greatest, the Elementals could transform the world around them into more of their element, a feat for which none of them require Dust. When an Elemental dies they are eventually reincarnated but the process takes about a full century and the new Elementals that would eventually awaken their powers would also gain the ability to communicate with their past selves. As a consequence power hungry individuals such as the Fallen would begin to hunt them down in the hope of using their powers, forcing the Elementals to hide themselves and later find protection with certain groups dedicated to guarding and even guiding the Elementals for the long term safety of the world. While legends say there are only four Elementals a fifth elemental has been rumored to exist: the Anti-Elemental, a theoretical antithesis to stand in opposition (or balance) to the Elementals, like yin and yang.

While the four Elementals create and control their respective elements this so-called Anti-Elemental's only power is to counter and balance the other elements to maintain the order of reality, serving as a force of destruction where they are capable of creating. While dismissed a myth many still consider the possibility that they actually exist, given the kind of world we all live in.

And truth be told, this is the kind of world where sceptics aren't often on the money.

Close File

Xxx

"Ever believe in the idea of reincarnation? If so, what do you think you were in a past life? And what do you think you will be in the next life? I guess the fun in not knowing is that you can consider the idea of being anything in a past or future life." TOM lectured, closing the file and folding his arms behind his head. "You can literally imagine yourself as anything. Man, woman, animal, mythical creature and even alien. Maybe you were probably even a handsome looking robot hosting the great action programming block in the universe." TOM chuckled.

Xxx

"Guys. I just found Plank without a Johnny." Nazz held up Plank that had been left in the hallway that should have led to the exit.

"We must locate Johnny the Wood Boy and leave immediately." Rolf said, leading the cul-de-sac kids through the Haunted House.

"No, we stay." Ed argued. "I saw Sarah. She's alive and inside that thing."

"How do you know that?" Eddy asked. "That monster could have just been playing you, Ed."

"No, Ed-boy speaks the truth. Fenrir devours his victim's mind, body and spirit. Rabid-Youth Sarah would be alive and trapped inside a realm that exists in the stomach of the demon." Rolf cut in.

"Then I am going to save her." Ed declared, a brownish-green Aura surrounding him as he spun around and shouted. "You hear me, demon of the netherworld? Prepare for EXTREME CLOSE-UP!"

His Aura flared and he stomped on the floor, causing the entire house to shake. Rolf narrowed his eyes, his senses warning him of something awakening in Ed. A form of great power had always been in the stinks like Wilfred bathing in the sun Ed-boy and Rolf felt it coming off him in waves now as he activated his Semblance. Ed's Semblance was known as Manifestation, the ability to use his Aura to manifest anything he could imagine from a giant monster to dozens of smaller mice sized creatures.

And because Ed had massive Aura reserves he could possibly summon an entire army of manifestations to fight for him or alongside him.

The aura grew in size until finally becoming a giant dinosaur like monster that rampaged through the wall, followed quickly by Ed. "I AM COMING FOR YOU!"

"Ed, wait!" Eddy shouted, running after his friend with Nazz right behind.

Rolf stayed behind for a second, spotting something on the floor.

Foot prints.

Slimy foot prints left behind by Ed.

Xxx

"So I was thinking we go over to the park early tomorrow and-Are you guys okay?"

Marceline had noticed both Nigel and Abby stiffening and nearly fell over as she and Wally quickly caught them.

"Guys?" Wallabee asked, seeing the far out looks on both of his friends.

Nigel looked down at his hand, noticing a frosty mist surrounding it. "I've felt this before… It's-"

"Another Elemental." Abby finished, her eyes flashing yellow-gold for a second.

"What?" Wallabee mouthed. "Another one?"

"Yeah. There's another one…" Abby nodded, looking out the window. "It's not happy."

Xxx

"Another has awoken. This time it is mine." Xibalba remarked, sensing the awakening of the Slime Elemental even down in the Land of the Forgotten. "Always after the one created by my love. I suppose it is appropriate."

Xxx

"Another?"

"The Slime Elemental." Sammael grinned softly. "The third Elemental to awaken in the new century. And it just happens to be right in Fenrir's playground. He'll no doubt be driven to eat that Elemental, with the aim of seeing if he can actually stomach it."

"Three of the four have now awakened. Once the Fire Elemental has awakened we can move forward with our plans." Moloch said, sounding very eager. "Three are all in striking distance of us."

"I suppose it might be too much to hope we will have the same luck with the Fire Elemental." Sammael said with a joking smirk.

Xxx

Elemental…

Fenrir dropped the child it had just caught onto the floor, sensing a great power coming towards it. This feeling could only be the power of the one oldest and greatest enemies of the Fallen: the Elementals.

It is one of them…

They who helped seal the Grimm at the end of every cycle before…

Again they come before me.

Fenrir remembered the Elementals well. After all they had been sworn enemies since the Forgotten Age, clashing with the Fallen, aiding the mortals in the Great War.

I have a chance to devour an Elemental.

A chance to trap them inside its belly, make them float in agony and despair for all eternity, unable to move, eat, sleep or even die. Salivating at the prospect Fenrir left the child it had caught behind.

Why settle for a morsel when it could have an entire meal?

Come to me, Slime.

Xxx

Just as Ed's manifestation smashed through another wall he stopped, seeing Johnny lying on a torn bed, taking the chance to see if he was all right. The boy was unconscious but he was alive and that was good. The sound of the door slamming made Ed turn around, seeing the door not only close but vanish.

The demon was close.

"Come out." Ed said with his manifestation ready to attack.

A sound came from above and Ed looked up, seeing what appeared to be a dark puddle spreading across the ceiling. The dinosaur manifestation attacked the puddle but all it was cause a few splashes with black drops hitting the floor.

Elemental…

Ed narrowed his eyes, hearing that monster's voice. "Give me back my sister."

Fenrir finally showed its demonic dragon face, staring down at Ed with hunger in the white void it had as eyes.

She is here with us. Come and take her.

"I WILL!" Ed shouted, his manifestation lunging at Fenrir who dissolved back into its mist form.

How long I have waited for this chance. To finish the last of the Shepards and an Elemental happens to be here.

Fenrir manifested itself around Ed's own manifestation and Ed watched as the demon burned his manifestation away with black flames that made up the demon's body.

You cannot hurt me like this, Slime. How I have longed to finally devour you and the others, keeping you in my belly. Come and join me!

Ed shouted as he jumped at the beast but was easily pinned down again and when Fenrir opened its mouth all he was a white blinding light.

Xxx

White.

A pure void, devoid of any borders or limits.

Ed hung, suspended in empty space and unable to move. He was caged in something, a series of interconnecting black lines forming a prism around him.

And he wasn't alone.

Others dangled close by, some so far off that they were mere specks while others drifted within mere feet of him. Some were screaming and writhing against their bindings, most were hanging limp and silent.

He saw Sarah and immediately pulled against his restraints. "SARAH!"

She looked up, her eyes brimming with tears that floated away, leaving behind a trail as her prison drifted onwards. "E-Ed…?"

"Sarah!" He tried to keep sight of her. "Big brother's here, Sarah!"

"Ed!" Sarah screamed, vanishing among the clusters of other prisoners.

Ed cried out for her again, but his voice was quickly drowned out as the screams around him built higher and higher. The void echoed with the cries of Fenrir's victims, taken from across many centuries.

But…how did he know that?

Ed had never met…

Fenrir…

Before?

Xxx

Flames all around him.

A cathedral, bright and beautiful, surrounde by a city of flames.

A woman, tied to a post as the fires danced closer to her.

A man, cold and cruel, masking an insanity fueled by passion.

A soldier, torn between what was right and what was lawful.

And…a monster, chained atop the cathedral, emitting a dolorous howl as it watched the fires spread, growing closer to the woman. Behind it, Fenrir's face peeks out from the shadows, his maw twisted into a ferocious, sneering smirk.

Finally, finding new strength, it rips down the stone works around it and tears apart the chains holding it back. Fenrir hissed and made to pounce, but was flung back by a backhanded swing of the monster's arm, crashing down to the streets below. The monster turns and takes a running leap from the cathedral, crying out to the mass of faces crowding around the growing fire.

"ESMERELDA!"

Xxx

When Ed came back to the present, he was face to face with Fenrir. Here in the void, the Fallen took on a more humanoid form but maintained the same dragon inspired visage as he stared at the captive young huntsman in training.

So this is the mighty Elemental?

Fenrir snorted and turned away, floating off into the distance.

Such a disappointment and here I hoped for more of a challenge before taking my prize.

Ed could feel his aura flaring as he remembered Fenrir's cruelties…cruelties he couldn't have witnessed, bodies and victims scarred for life. He remembered them but he couldn't put a name to the faces…save for one.

Esmerelda.

That name…filled him with rage.

Righteous anger.

Anger at…some kind of crime.

He didn't know who Esmerelda was. He didn't care.

But that anger was all he needed.

"Give…me back…" Ed's arms quivered with strain as he slowly pulled his hands away from the borders of his cage. "My…SISTER!"

His aura flared outwards and shattered the cage, dissipating it into nothing. It began to take on a shape, this one more humanoid than Ed's previous choice. It expanded to a size which rivaled Fenrir, who slowly turned and gave an unimpressed stare.

Well, well…maybe the fun isn't entirely over yet.

The Fallen flexed both hands and bared its teeth towards Ed.

Come then. Show me your so called power!

The aura manifestation charged at Fenrir who conjured a flaming hammer and swung it, hitting the manifestation in the face. Ed grunted, feeling drop in strength, no doubt from the blow to the manifestation.

Pathetic.

Fenrir swung its hammer, hitting the manifestation again.

Is this all you can do? I thought after Esmeralda you'd be a little stronger! Isn't that why your puppet resembles your past self?

Ed growled, his anger rising and so did his aura manifestation. As Fenrir swung its hammer again this time the manifestation caught the hammer with one hand and followed up with a punch right at Fenrir's face.

The demon grunted, taking one step while looking more annoyed than angry.

So you have some memories after all. Have you had any visions? Do you remember the last time we met when the city was burning around us?

The manifestation threw another punch but this time Fenrir easily caught the fist. Black fire ignited and consumed the manifestation, slowly burning it away. Ed grunted, feeling his strength fading again as his Semblance failed.

Do you still hear her screams in your dreams?

Ed growled as Fenrir approached.

You could not save her then and you can't save her now.

Fenrir now towered over Ed, conjuring a flaming sword.

I'll keep you alive here and ensure that you never reincarnate again. The four will never be together again.

Fenrir swung the sword down-

"NO!" Ed shouted, his Aura flaring again but this time something else happened.

From his hands came a stream of slime that covered the sword and extinguished the flames. Fenrir grunted, attempting to swat Ed but the youth's arms stretched and enlarged themselves as they became less solid. They easily caught Fenrir's clawed hand and with a grunt Ed pushed the demon back. Fenrir growled, watching as Ed grew in size, eventually matching the demon's height.

Fenrir's fists became engulfed in dark flames and he lunged at Ed, slashing at him but Ed raised his arms and blocked. His arms now slimy easily blocked the flames and yet remained strong enough to keep the demon back. Finally Ed grabbed Fenrir by the arm and elbowed the demon in the chest, actually making it stagger back.

Fenrir grunted as it regained its balance.

Interesting.

Fenrir attack again, slashing at Ed's head but he blocked again. Ed seemed calmer now but remained motivated by determination and righteous anger. His body became slimier but remained in a humanoid shape as he blocked and defended but never attacked. It seemed odd that Ed wasn't fighting back, only defending himself while Fenrir's attack grew more wild and rage driven.

Finally Fenrir had enough and created fiery spheres of pure darkness that it threw at Ed who held out his arms and formed a slimy shield that blocked the fire balls. Ed changed the shield into a sphere of slime that he fired back at Fenrir, hitting the demon head on. Fenrir growled as the slime covered his torso and restricted his arms.

This is what Ed had been waiting for.

The new Slime Elemental lashed out with his arms, stretching them out and enlarging them before proceeding to repeatedly punch Fenrir in its draconic face. Fenrir growled and roared as he struggled to break free but Ed kept on punching, never letting up and never giving the demon a chance to fight back.

For Sarah.

For the people trapped in this void.

For…Esmeralda, whoever she was.

For all of them.

For himself.

"FOR EVERYONE!" Ed shouted as he continued attacking, slamming his enlarged fists into the face of evil over and over again.

He finished with one final double punch that sent Fenrir flying across the void that existed inside his stomach. There was no ground for him to land and he finally broke free of his slimy bonds, looking back at Ed with an enraged expression.

DIE SLIME!

Fenrir raised its hands above its head and summoned another sphere of black fire that grew in size until it was as large as a small mountain.

MAY YOU BURN FOREVER IN MY BELLY!

The demon threw his final attack at Ed who remained composed and opened his mouth as the attack hit. Fenrir watched in stunned silence as Ed's form changed into that of a blob as he literally devoured the attack, absorbing it into his slime made body where it instantly dissipated.

Ed then looked back at the shocked demon. "And for me."

He opened his mouth and fired back an attack pure slime as large as Fenrir's attack had been, shooting straight at the demon let out a scream as the attack hit it head on. It could not move to break free as the slime engulfed him, trapping him inside it as it continued to shoot or even scream as he was carried off into the void. He tried to burn free but to its horror his body began to dissolve itself, breaking down and being added to the slime around it. Ed watched in stoic silence as Fenrir the demon was dissolved and absorbed into the very attack it had used against him only for the tables to be turned back on it. As soon as the last of Fenrir disappeared the slime ball broke apart and the black cracks started to appear along the void.

The prims holding all of Fenrir's victims began to vanish, freeing the prisoners who let out cheers of joy as the void cracked and finally exploded.

Xxx

"It seems Fenrir just had a stomach ache." Sammael remarked in amusement, sensing Fenrir's defeat.

Xxx

"ED!"

"Ed, are you all right?"

"Tell us where you are, lumpy!"

The rest of the cul-de-sac group, including Johnny who had awakened kicked down the door, looking inside to see something amazing.

In the center of the room was Ed, holding his sister in his arms while surrounding him appeared to be…

"Are those-" Nazz started.

"Ghosts?" Eddy finished, his shock shared by everyone.

"Spirits of those who were devoured by Fenrir. Ed-Boy has freed them." Rolf's eyes widened as three spirits appeared in front of him.

One was an extremely muscular man with a hairy chest and back. The second was a beautiful woman with long blue hair trailing down to her waist.

And the third was a little girl with the same kind of hair as her mother…

And brother.

"Mama, Papa…" Rolf's eyes watered as he looked down at his little sister. "Runa."

"You did it, big brother. You and your friends saved us." Rolf's sister, Runa ran up to her brother and hugged him even though she was a spirit.

"You have made us and the great ancestors proud, my son." Rolf's father placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Continue to protect your flock, Son of a Shepard."

Rolf nodded, smiling tearfully. "Rolf will, Papa."

"We will meet again, my son." Rolf's mother knelt down, facing her son with a proud smile. "Take care of Nana and remember to do your chores."

"Rolf will, Mama." Rolf finally broke down his tears as his family embraced him one last time.

The rest of group, even Ed watched as Rolf embraced his family back and smiled as they departed. Rolf looked to Ed with a smile. "The lives and honor of Rolf's family has been avenged. Thank you, Ed-Boy."

Ed, for the first time since this whole debacle smiled. "What did I do?"

Eddy smacked himself in the face. "Figures."

"Got to go, guys. Got to get Sarah back home and into bed." Ed said, walking past his friends and heading to the door. "It's past her bed time."

"Sounds good to me." Eddy shrugged, having enough for one day.

"Me too." Nazz agreed, following after Ed. "I could sleep for a week."

"No more green beans before bed buddy." Johnny said to Plank as they walked out.

"A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse." Rolf said, confusing everyone again but no one really cared to ask what he was talking about.

Rolf looked back, seeing black slime on the floor moving into the walls and frowned.

Fenrir may have been defeated and his victims set free but the demon was not dead. Rolf could sense the coward retreating into whatever deep dark hole he had crawled out from. Rolf simply closed the door and headed home like everyone else.

Let the coward run and lick his wounds.

Let it sleep for who knows how many years before trying to finish what had started back in the Old Country.

For on the day he returned Rolf would finish him off for good.

As the Son of a Shepard he would not fail.

Xxx

Name: Ed

Aura: Brownish-Green

Semblance: Manifestation

Description: Ed is able to use his Aura to conjure any form of creature or object he can imagine. The only price is that he cannot use Aura protection in battle while relying on his Semblance.

Weapon: N/A