Opening File: The Cataclysm
File Updated
Also known as the Great Shattering, the event known as the Cataclysm refers to the end of the Forgotten Age when the supercontinent known as Pangea was broken into smaller continents over seven thousand years ago. It is speculated that before this event, Pangea held a vast civilization that wielded both advanced technology and magic that were used against the Grimm. However it was during this time the Fallen had appeared, all of them appearing as humanoid Grimm without the bone armor that Grimm were known for having. These Fallen wielded powerful magic that were used against the civilization of the time and led the Grimm across the land.
A war broke out and ended in the land being torn apart, the Grimm sealed again and nearly the entire population wiped out. Eventually humanity re-estalished itself but had forgotten what had happened until the Grimm reappeared during the Gem Invasion but curiously no Fallen had appeared at that time. It was only after the Time of Awakening did the Fallen appear again.
Close File
Xxx
"It's in every legend that where there is a guardian who protects there is also a monster that destroys: more examples of the concept of good and evil. They appear in about every corner of any world's history and we do our best to learn from them." TOM said as the file closed. "Some fight to protect, some want it all and sometimes both sides loose it all."
Xxx
"So it was Roland Deschain who sent you here."
It was troubling to hear that a group was traveling through the Darklands and that they had been stalked by Moloch of all monsters and that the boy, Steven Universe was forcefully fused with the dream demon known as Bill Cipher.
"Yeah. He had a portal machine in his basement." Amethyst said. "Hey, how many do you have?"
"Very few." Sebben answered simply. "I knew Roland was living somewhere within the Darklands, acting as a constant guard and watching the Grimm. It's good he was around to save you all and bring you back here."
"You don't have to tell us twice." Johnny said.
"However, I am disturbed by what you told me of this Bill Cipher and the fact you were even wandering through the Darklands at all." Sebben continued.
"It was my fault, Mr. Sebben."
Sebben looked surprise, seeing that it was Steven Universe who was taking responsibility.
"Steven-" Greg started but was cut off.
"Bill Cipher showed me my friend Lapis trapped in the Darklands, inside Malachite and I wanted to save her. And when he showed me that monster, Moloch hurting my friends I got desperate. I didn't know what to do." Steven looked down at the floor, unable to look at anyone else. "I nearly got everyone killed because I wanted so bad to help."
"Steven." Garnet placed a hand on Steven's shoulder. "Why didn't you come to me and Pearl about this? Why only Amethyst?"
"Because I didn't think you would want Pearl to be around." Steven sniffed. "Pearl was out looking for Peridot and you weren't talking to anyone. I couldn't take being in the temple with the way things were anymore and the fact I couldn't do anything to fix it."
Garnet looked stunned now.
Steven didn't come to her because of her problem with Pearl?
"I just…I just…" Steven stopped as Greg placed a hand on his shoulder. "I just wanted to save someone."
"Steven…" Garnet mumbled sadly.
Had things at home really been that bad for him?
She was mad at Pearl but not at Steven so why it feel like she had been hurting Steven so badly?
"Look, Garnet I went along with Steven because he wanted to save Lapis and he wasn't going to stop just because you would have said 'no' to working with Pearl. You guys made the atmosphere at the temple so bad I went and took shelter in the RV with Johnny, Pops and Carl." Amethyst cut in. "I'm smart enough to know you wouldn't forgive Pearl if she caught Peridot but this is going on way too long."
"Amethyst-"
"We're not asking you to just let it go but you and Pearl got to talk it out." Amethyst continued. "This is getting old and fast."
Sebben cleared his throat, earning back everyone's attention. "This is clearly a sensitive topic and I will not ask any questions. All I can say is that going back into the Darklands, even to save your friend is too dangerous."
"I know." Steven agreed, still looking at the floor.
"So for now, if you wish to leave I will arrange transportation back to Beach City. If you wish to say I can have several rooms ready for you and allow you all a chance for a…small break here in GrimmFall." Sebben continued.
"Actually, I think I'll go check in on my Mama." Johnny cut in with a smile. "Hey Amethyst, you want to come along? I think you and Mama would get along great. She's like the toughest Huntress in the world."
Amethyst made a small smile. "I'd like that. Steven, how about we spend some time chilling here in GrimmFall? I think it'd be fun."
Steven looked up, returning her smile with his own. "It does sound fun."
"Sounds good to me." Greg patted his son on the back. "Maybe a small vacation is what we really need."
"Perfect." Sebben stood up from the table with a smile of his own. "Then it is settled."
Xxx
"Wow. You look perfect."
Dee-Dee blushed a bit as she looked at the reflection of her wearing the costume she had made herself for the convention that was happening within a day. Her clothing consisted of a simply pink body suit with a mask covering the top part of her face and white cape. She wore yellow gloves and white boots with a belt that completed her look.
"And you say made this all yourself." Fergle complimented with an impressed look on his face. "You have your mother's talent."
"Thanks Uncle Fer." Dee-Dee said, using her affectionate nickname for him. "Looks like I'm all ready for the audition."
"Indeed you are. I know you'll do well." Fergle said, sharing a hug with his niece. "You always do, Dee-Dee. You always do."
Xxx
"So you guys aren't going to end up moving somewhere?"
"Mom was considering it but Dad talked her out of it. As sad as it may sound GrimmFall is the safest place for us."
"Really sad when you think about it. At least we're not in some boot camp being trained as weapons." The tone of Abby's voice sounded really bitter.
It's not as if she did not have reason to be upset.
"So you unlocked your super powers, kicked a whole lot of government butt and now you say you met this tall knight guy when you were younger who you just remembered." Wally recounted as they walked down the sidewalk to his house for much needed relaxation.
"His name was Omnimon and he saved our lives. Then he just up and left." Abby corrected.
"Still, how come you remember him and I don't?" Nigel asked. "You got it from unlocking your powers but I didn't."
"Maybe because you already had a bit more use of your powers than I did. Look, I am telling you guys the truth here." Abby said, kicking a pebble down the pavement.
"We're not saying we don't believe you, Abby. I mean I was there, I saw Sammael like you did and after that I'd believe almost anything you'd tell me, even about someone we both forgot a long time ago." Nigel placated, trying to not to upset his best friend. "So why don't we ask Dad about it later? I know Mom wants us to take it easy so we can make a plan to ask Dad about it next time he wants to go fishing."
"You'd actually brave the waters, tuba and puns to ask a simple question?" Abby smirked.
Fishing had been a longtime ritual for Monty Uno that he enjoyed sharing with son and surrogate daughter. Nigel originally had not liked it but Abby encouraged him to come along and try having some fun.
At the very least he was willing to make his father happy by going and struggling not to cry when he brought out the sousaphone.
"That's a sousaphone and you know it." Nigel scoffed playfully, seeing Abby was slowly getting back to her old self. "And the very least he'd have nowhere to run."
"Does that mean you guys won't be going to the Major Glory convention to see who he picks out as his sidekick?" Wally asked.
"Why would we? We already got super powers." Nigel pointed out. "Besides, a day out on the lake might be what we need after this."
"You won't get any argument from me." Abby agreed. "Besides, I don't do sidekicks. That'd be something Hoagie would want to do."
"True that." Wally laughed as they stopped in front of his house. "Glory boy will probably be begging to be our sidekick one day."
"I'd love to see that." Nigel chuckled, walking up to the door. "At the very least we can agree that we all have better things to do. Speaking of which, has anyone heard from Hoagie?"
"Not since his last call." Wally shrugged. "Guys probably in some geek heaven with the way he was talking about this contest."
Xxx
"So you guys are checking out this movie set?"
"More like my dork cousin is checking it out."
"Says the guy who wanted his own very favorite celebrity to autograph his forehead."
"That's because Mr. Munch and Monster Trucks rule!"
Julie Yamamoto had to admit, it was fun watching the Tennyson kids argue back and forth about almost anything.
"He's playing Sebastian in the greatest novel series: The Un-Aliver."
Julie shook her head and continued to listen to Gwen explain who Michael Morningstar was. "Wait, that book series about the vampire who falls in love with the werewolf?"
"You read it?!" Gwen asked excitedly with stars forming in her eyes.
"Uh…A bit but it wasn't exactly my kind of series. I preferred those Spirit Morph books at least until the ending." Julie answered honestly.
"You read Spirit Morph?" Gwen was now very intrigued.
"Yeah, but I hated the ending. I think that it ended that way because it was censored." Julie explained.
"Can anyone explain to me what's going on?" Ben cut in, feeling left out now.
"You haven't heard of the Spirit Morph books?" Julie asked, looking back at Ben now, much to his secret joy.
"Ben's not one for reading." Gwen rolled her eyes.
"Hey, I read!" Ben protested.
"Do comic books really count?"
"They can if Ben understands the dialogue." Julie pointed out.
"Yeah, I totally get the die-o-log." Ben nodded, taking time to sound out the word 'dialogue' since he didn't have a clue what that word meant.
"She means the words in those text bubbles." Gwen explained smugly.
"Oh….Yeah, I totally get those." Ben said, laughing nervously a bit now.
"Quiet on the set!" The director called out. "And…action!"
Gwen looked extremely excited to see the star of the show, Michael Morningstar himself appear on set, sharing a scene with the female main character.
Ben could honestly care less about the movie, more focused on talking to Julie.
And Julie herself was looking at Morningstar like Gwen but not with a look of admiration.
It was one of weariness and doubt.
Something about him just made her shiver enough that her eyes flashed with fire for a mere second before she calmed down. Still, she knew something was very wrong here and felt she needed to go. She was just about to move when she saw something.
The girl actor, she looked extremely tired down and Morningstar had a golden Aura surrounding him.
If her senses were not on high alert before they were screaming at her now.
"Cut!" The director called out when the scene was over. "That was great everyone! Next set up!"
"Ben, I think we should go." Julie whispered but was surprised to see Gwen dragging Ben over to Morningstar.
She watched as the child star gave Gwen an autograph and his Aura seemed to flare around him, latching onto Gwen and…draining her!
'He's a leech!' Julie's eyes narrowed, flames appearing around them. 'He's draining the people around him of their energy!'
Julie was about to move when the sound of a speeding truck stopped her.
"The stunt car is coming off the tracks!" Gwen called out.
"It's time for my close up." Ben held up his wrist and brought his hand down on the Omnitrix.
Julie watched as Ben turned into some kind of crystalline alien that saved the stuntman and put out the fire, all the while being filmed.
"And cut!" The director stood up, clapping with an excited look on her face. "I smell an Oscar!"
The crew crowded around Diamondhead who started to slowly soak up all the attention.
"What. Is. GOING ON HERE?!" Julie glared as Michael Morningstar raged, unleashing a bright golden light around him. "I'M THE STAR OF THE SHOW!"
'We'll see about that.' Julie thought, her own powers reacting to Morningstar's.
Just before she could do anything Michael suddenly lost his power and fell to the ground on his knees, earning the attention of Gwen and a few nearby girls.
"Gwen!" Julie suddenly called out as Michael walked off with the two girls. "Didn't you just see it?"
"See what? My cousin showing off again." Gwen rolled her eyes. "I see that every day."
"Not Ben, Michael. You didn't see that meltdown of his?" Julie asked, gesturing to the departing Michael.
"Well, Ben did kind of show him up." Gwen pointed out. "I need to go and apologize for that."
"Gwen, wait." Julie said, stopping the red haired Tennyson. "Something's not right with that Morningstar kid. Didn't you feel odd after you talked to him earlier?"
"Well yeah but I think that was because I was meeting my favorite celebrity." Gwen shrugged. "That can happen to anyone."
"I don't think so, Gwen. I think Michael did something to you and to that other girl. They are all acting so strange." Julie pointed out.
"Julie, relax. There's nothing weird going on." Gwen scowled in Ben's direction. "Aside from Ben trying to go viral on the SkyWeb. I better go and apologize to Michael."
"Gwen-" Julie started but stopped as Gwen ran off and sighed, rubbing her head and closing her eyes. "Why can't they sit still for two seconds?"
Clearly getting either of the Tennyson kids to listen to her was next to impossible, despite the supposed differences in brain power and maturity as Gwen claimed. It seemed that they truly were related.
She needed to knock some sense into the two of them before-
"YOU'RE NOT SEBASTIAN BELMONT!"
Julie's eyes shot open and she watched as Gwen was held in a gold glowing energy sphere by Morningstar and knew what she had to do. "MORNINGSTAR!"
The child actor looked in Julie's direction as she stepped forward, watching as her eyes blazed with flames. "Well, well, well, look at this." Michael chuckled, his skin turning gold with his eyes giving off a golden glow. "I remember such power before…An Elemental. I tried taking an Elemental's power once and failed but I will not make the same mistake."
"Put her down!" Michael spun around, watching as Ben stepped forward. "What are you doing to her?"
"Just having a snack." Michael answered smugly.
"He's no child, Ben! He's some sort of leech that drains people of their energy!" Julie called out. "He trying to drain Gwen!"
"Not if I can help it!" Ben activated the Omnitrix and chose the form of Heatblast. "Now, let her go."
Michael laughed, his golden Aura glowing brighter. "Hiding as a normal child among you mortals, using your admiration to keep myself alive no matter the cost; just a small bit is enough to keep me alive but it is good to simply cut loose every once in a while."
"Blah, blah, blah, let's skip the talk." Heatblast conjured a fireball and threw it straight at Michael who simply floated out of the way and raised his hand, firing a beam of gold light from the palm.
Heatblast dodged the attack and while this was happening Julie prepared a plan of her own.
"Okay, Julie. You never been in a big fight like this before but you have to try now." Julie took a deep breath and tried calling on the power within her.
As she opened her eyes they turned from brown to bright red with streams of fire emerging from them and her hair changed, matching the color of her eyes with flames circling around her, giving off the image that her hair was on fire. She brought her hands behind her and from them came bursts of fire that accelerated her into the air like a rocket and she somersaulted herself, aiming both of her feet at Michael who failed to notice her until her feet slammed into his chest. The force of the blow knocked him out of the air, sending him slamming down into a prop gravestone.
Michael changed back into his human form as he sat up, glaring hatefully at Julie as she landed on the ground. "How dare you hurt the talent?! Wretched Elemental!"
An intern standing near him offered a hand. "Mr. Morningstar, do you need a hand?"
"Just a snack, thank you." Michael smiled with his golden Aura returning and instantly began absorbing the energy from the people around him.
"Wait, stop!" Heatblast shouted but it was too late.
Michael laughed as he tossed the intern aside, his golden form looking more powerful now. "I should thank you both. I have not had to feed like this in a very long time now. This power feels incredible."
He lunged forward, dodging a fire attack from Heatblast and slipped past the pyro alien, delivering a golden energy blast to its back. Julie growled as Michael turned around to face her, lunging at her but she spread her arms out, forming a circle of fire that exploded outward. Michael covered his face, forming a golden energy sphere that protected him from the blast. Lowering his hands Michael was greeted with the sight of Julie charging at him, attacking him with flaming fists.
Michael raised arms, blocking her strikes even though he was pushed back. "So, you are the Fire Elemental. I've been alive long enough to know of your kind. How I would love to feed on your power but I'll settle for every last person here first."
He fired a golden blast that knocked Julie back.
"Julie!" Heatblast tried hitting Michael with a barrage of fire but the gold child erected a barrier that protected him.
Julie groaned as she sat up, watching as Michael simply laughed at Ben's attempt to breach his shield. 'It's not enough. Can't I do more…But if I do more I might burn the entire place down.'
"Julie?"
Looking up, Julie stared at Gwen. "Gwen."
"Look, I don't know how you are doing all this but I know that Michael is getting stronger by feeding on everyone around him." Gwen quickly said. "I think I know how Ben can even the odds."
"How?" Julie stood up.
"Heatblast has pyrokinetic abilities but he also gets stronger in places with a lot of fire." Gwen explained. "I think those fire powers of yours can enhance his own."
"Enhance them…" Julie trailed off, her eyes widening. "That's it!"
Looking at Heatblast Julie broke into a sprint, rushing to the alien's side. "Ben, use my powers."
"What?" Heatblast looked at her.
"Let me use my powers to make you stronger." Julie held out her hand as it lit on fire. "Trust me."
Heatblast looked at her and at the hand, nodding. "I trust you, Julie."
He placed his hand over hers and she brought her other hand up, closing her eyes. 'This is it. Give it to him and maybe I won't hurt anyone.'
She had been so afraid to call on this power.
It had been with her since she was little and she almost burned down her house along with the entire town.
'I ran away from home because I was afraid I would hurt or even kill my family. I couldn't bear the thought of anyone being hurt because of me.' Julie felt the power in her trying to claw its way out. 'It's truly a fire that won't ever burn out and can't be held back. I just hope…Ben can handle it.'
And with that she unleashed it.
The Fire broke free.
"What?! NO! NO!" Michael shouted, realizing what was happening.
Xxx
Sammael opened both eyes, sensing the surge of power. "They are all awake now."
Xxx
Sebben looked at the Elemental symbol on his desk, seeing the final section glowing. "Fire has awakened."
Xxx
Nigel and Abby stiffened, their Elemental powers manifesting around their eyes.
Xxx
Ed was looking after his sister when he felt very strange, a brown-greenish energy surrounding his eyes.
Xxx
"WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" Heatblast could barely believe what he was feeling.
Julie's hair and eyes were blazing with fire that expanded out, surrounding them, dancing around them as Julie channeled her power directly into him. It was like a fish drinking from the ocean it was swimming in, despite the vast difference. Heatblast took a deep breath, absorbing the fire into his body but didn't seem like it was going to end.
"STOP THIS!" Michael shouted, firing a golden beam at the two.
The fire reacted, forming a flaming barrier that actually blocked the attack. The ground around them was burning from the fire but it remained centered around the two inside.
"Julie, where did you get this power?" Heatblast wondered.
"I've had this power since I was little. I don't know where it came from but since then, I've had trouble with it. There have been times when it made me cause little accidents that almost burned down my home or hurt anyone close to me." Julie explained as she continued to feed him. "I was afraid of hurting someone and I was afraid that someone was coming after me so I ran away. I ran as far as I could."
"Julie…" Ben stared in shock as Julie looked up at him with blazing eyes.
"Now is not the time, Ben. Focus on stopping Morningstar." Julie reminded with a smile as she pulled away.
The barrier of fire faded away, revealing a super charged Heatblast, ready to stop Michael. "All right, goldie-locks! Let's see how tough you are now!"
Michael growled, bringing his hands together and gathered a large amount of energy. "Shut up and disappear you freak!"
Beams of fire and golden light collided in blinding blast with the two forces struggling to overpower the other. However Heatblast had been enhanced by the power of the Fire Elemental while Michael Morningstar relied on the power he stole from the people around him and thus eventually began losing ground. Heatblast pushed forward, using more of the power he had been given and forced Michael back even further.
"THIS CAN'T BE! YOU CAN'T BEAT ME! I'VE LIVED FOR CENTURIES FEEDING OFF THESE COCKROACHES!" Michael screamed out as his power began to fade.
His golden form began to change back to his human form but it did not stop.
His hair became patchy and his eyes turned sunken, black and beady. His lips pulled back to show his teeth, and his skin turned grey.
Finally he fell to the ground on his knees while Heatblast stopped, allowing everyone to see what Michael Morningstar really looked like.
"My Gob." Gwen covered her mouth, seeing what had once been her idol.
Michael looked down at his hands, seeing what he had become and let out a despairing howl. "NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Dude…" Heatblast mumbled as he changed back into Ben. "No wonder he was sucking out energy. He's…Uuuuuuuuugly."
Michael looked up, glaring at Ben with rage. "YOU! YOU DID THIS TO ME!"
Ben crossed his arms and glared down at the shriveled figure. "Not just ugly on the outside either." He said. "So what do we do with him?"
"We'll alert the police and call in some Huntsmen." The Director promised as she walked up next to Ben. "But in the meantime…" With a flourish if one hand she produced a card held between two fingers and held it out to Ben. "Give my secretary a call if you ever want into show business."
Ben looked over the card with a grin. "Cool!"
Gwen slapped herself in the face and shook her head. "Of course he'd get a foot in the door." She muttered.
"Sorry that your celebrity turned out to be a megalomaniac, Gwen." Julie apologized.
"Eh," Gwen shrugged, still looking disappointed nonetheless. "The books were better anyways."
"Relatively." A passing crew member muttered.
Xxx
Name: Michael Morningstar
Race: Mutant Human
Aura: Gold with sparkling lights
Semblance: Unknown but is considered to be his ability to drain the life force of anyone close to him.
()
Name: Julie Yamamoto
Race: Human
Aura: Flaming Orange
Semblance: N/A
Power and Abilities: As the Fire Elemental Julie Yamamoto is able to control and manipulate fire to an advanced degree, even surpassing the power of others with fire based powers such as Heatblasts. Due to her young age she has little experience with this power but given time she could learn control her powers to a degree that she would be very powerful.