Opening File: Drago Bludvist
Drago Bludvist was born centuries ago, in a time when Human and Dragons existed together in the far northern lands known as Barbaric Archipelago. As a child, his village was attacked by dragons and his family was killed. He lost his left arm in the attack and constantly lived in fear of another assault by the creatures. Despite his tragedies, he vowed to rise above his fear and conquer the beasts that had hurt him, becoming a tyrannical warlord with a lust for power over all dragons.
He then found a Bewilderbeast hatchling in his early conquests, abused it and trained it to be as cruel as him and to control the dragons. With this new power, he wished to conquer all of the world's dragons and with them, conquer the world. At some point during the continuous battles with dragons on the island of Berk and other Viking settlements, Drago came before a great gathering of chieftains that had met to discuss the problem. Stoick the Vast was among those who were attending.
Drago promised them that he could bring peace and finally end the Viking people's war against the dragons, but only if they chose to bow down and follow him. The chieftains took this for a joke and rejected his offer by laughing at him. Enraged and humiliated, Drago stalked off, calling back to the chiefs, "Then see how well you do without me!" Moments later, two of Drago's armored dragons descended into the hall through the roof and burned everything in sight.
Stoick, unbeknownst to Drago, managed to escape, but all the other chieftains in attendance were killed. Stoick also recounts seeing Drago watch the hall consumed in flames before departing with Krogan on a pair of Rumblehorns. Drago also encountered Valka several times after she was abducted by Cloudjumper. As she began rescuing dragons from his abuse, he met Eret and made him one of his Dragon Trappers.
Five years after the war with the dragons had come to a close, Drago was continuing his assembly and preparation of his huge army to further his conquest when his men captured Astrid and a handful of the other Riders. Through them, he learns of Berk being home to a large number of Dragon Riders and orders his men to attack the "Dragon Riders' nest" at once.
Drago's army quickly began sailing toward Valka's mountain, and soon launched an assault against it with the intent of drawing out the current Alpha. His attack, however, was foiled when the Riders escape and began destroying his weapons and freeing the dragons from his traps. Valka soon emerged from the mountain with her Bewilderbeast in tow. Drago, anticipating this, briefly engaged in a fight with her as she told him he cannot take the dragons under the Alpha's protection. Drago then summoned his Bewilderbeast and ordered it to take down the Alpha.
Stoick rescued Valka from Drago's wrath and the two fought each other whilst Valka tried to stop the two Bewilderbeasts from fighting. Stoick and Drago's fight ended in stalemate as Drago's Bewilderbeast killed Valka's and became the new arrived with Toothless to confront Drago and attempted to reason with him and stop the violence. Clearly stuck in his hatred of dragons, he ignored the young Viking's statements and ordered his Bewilderbeast to kill Hiccup.
With the Bewilderbeast now able to control of all dragons in the area, it seized control of Toothless, as much as the Night Fury initially attempted to resist. With his Bewilderbeast in dominance over Toothless' actions, Drago pointed his weapon at Hiccup as an order to kill him. Though Hiccup was pushed aside by Stoick, the chieftain took Toothless' blast instead and was killed instantly. With Stoick dead, Drago had his Bewilderbeast seize control of all of the remaining dragons, including the riders dragons as well.
Taking Toothless as his mount, Drago led his victorious army towards Berk. Arriving under the cover of night, Drago has his Bewilderbeast seized control of Berk's dragons and called out to the residents, telling them that their chief has died. The villagers were confused but were left with little time to ponder this as Drago ordered his Bewilderbeast freeze the island. Hiccup and the other Riders managed to return to Berk by riding the baby Scuttleclaws, which could resist the Bewilderbeast's influence.
Hiccup bravely flew up to Drago and approached Toothless in an attempt to break the dragon free from the new Alpha. Though Drago mocked for the boy for even attempting to try, Hiccup's compassion and bond with Toothless overrode the Alpha's control. Toothless threw Drago off his back and left him to land on the Bewilderbeast's right horn as he flew away. Although Drago tried to regain control of the situation by ordering the Alpha to kill them both, Hiccup used his sword to spray Zippleback gas and caused an explosion that knocked Drago off the Bewilderbeast.
Though seemingly beaten now that Hiccup has his dragon back, Drago ordered the Alpha to take out Hiccup and Toothless at once by encasing them in ice. Though both seemingly killed by the attack, the ice broke apart in a large explosion thanks to Toothless. The Night Fury, enraged at the attempt on his friend's life, challenged Drago's Alpha in an attempt to protect Hiccup. Toothless repeatedly struck the Alpha with his fire and caused the great dragon to lose control over the others.
As the people and dragons of Berk stood united against Drago and his Bewilderbeast, Hiccup offered him one last chance to leave peacefully. Drago refused to back down, prompting Toothless to order the other dragons to bombard the Alpha with fire, with one of the blasts sends Drago's prosthetic arm flying off. Toothless then launched a final plasma blast that broke off the Bewilderbeast's left horn. The Bewilderbeast, now no longer the Alpha dragon after being defeated by Toothless, swam away from Berk with Drago in tow.
His Bewilderbeast successfully made it to the Hidden World while Drago had washed ashore upon a deserted island and his position within his own fleet was already replaced. Drago would supposedly spent the rest of his life on the island…if not for the arrival of a man dressed in black with gleaming red eyes. It was around this time the Grimm had awakened and made their way north, sensing the existence of the dragons. The man in black offered him a chance for vengeance on the tribe of Berk and their dragons and Drago agreed.
It was this deal that would seal Drago's fate.
The man in black's eyes glowed and Drago found himself imprisoned within an unbreakable crystal. Terrified he struggled to break free, screaming out the man for betraying him but the man simply made a gesture with his hand and the crystal fell into the deepest and darkest depths of the Earth. For what seemed like years the crystal holding Drago fell, passing through darkness and even magma until it finally landed in a cavern filled what appeared to be crystals, shining bright. The man in black appeared before Drago's crystal and buried into to the crystals, making him part of the massive construct.
"You wish for revenge and the power to take over the world. I have now given that to you." The man gestured all around. "Assert your will on the these shards you have become part of. Make them fear you and from them, gain everything you have ever wanted."
Drago was left to struggle in carrying out the man in black's orders. He could not eat, sleep or die as long as he was trapped in the crystal but his will was strong. He reached felt the massive power he had been attached to and slowly but surely found a way to control and manipulate the surrounding crystals, taking control of their shattered wills and thoughts, forcing them to comply with his will and then he learned how to form a body of his own out of the very earth itself. He could not only create a single body of rock but could create and control multiple rock bodies to act as extensions of his will.
The man in black appeared before him again to congratulate him and Drago tried to kill him…
Only for the man to snap his fingers and the crystal Drago had been imprisoned in threatened to break.
"I gave you this power and I can take it away. Never forget this. You will have the power I promised you but in return you will comply with whatever I ask of you. You are a king in the center of the Earth and only I can allow you to hold onto your crown." The man said before the cracks on the crystal vanished.
Drago was no longer a vicious warlord but now a tool of someone else's will. Despite this change he still launched an attack on Berk nearly a year after his defeat and seemingly exacted his revenge on Chief Hiccup for his humiliation but it would not end there. Drago would be forced to become the man in black's personal hunter for beings known as the Elementals for centuries, hunting them down when called for and then ordered to wait back in the crust of the Earth. Drago Bludvist had gained the power he had wanted along with immortality at the price becoming someone else's tool much like the dragons he had used as his own personal tools once.
It is likely he has had centuries to contemplate the irony.
Close File
Xxx
"Irony: the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect." TOM remarked as the file closed. "We go through life, bound to catch few things that will look or sound ironic in our minds. It can be played off as a joke or perhaps it will have a deeper meaning that you need to pay attention to in order to see it. If you do see then its bound to reshape everything you thought you knew about life in general."
Xxx
"Welcome to what was once the island of Berk."
To Erika it was seeing an important piece of her family's history.
To Artemis and Connor it was seeing an island that had been ravaged by an erupting volcano that left nothing behind nothing to show that anyone had once lived on the island.
Ross held used a pair of binoculars to get a close look at the island. "…There's some kind of camp near a cliff overlooking the ocean."
"That would be where the Viking village used to be." Erika said, bringing the Stormfly down, close to the sea. "I'll bring us in low so they can't see us."
"Good idea. It's too big to be just one or two people. It looks like a whole gathering." Ross lowered the binoculars. "Van Rook must have hired a dozen or so patsies in case of trouble."
"So any idea what they might be looking for?" Superboy asked.
"I do." Erika answered. "There's only one thing or person in the whole island who could help Van Rook find the Hidden World. Berk's own chief that's buried here."
"The guy who's trapped in a rock body." Artemis recalled.
"I didn't know until Pearl mentioned it to me but makes perfect sense. Hiccup was Berk's chief at the time. He would know where the dragons and New Berk are because when the Grimm appeared he mapped the entire surrounding sea. He found New Berk and the Hidden World and was the one who ordered the exodus before the attack here." Erika explained, bringing the ship under the cliff and headed to a nearby beach. "The tribe escaped but he stayed behind to make sure they were not followed."
"So Van Rook plans to force the information out of the chief himself?" Ross questioned. "Even if Hiccup does know he's in a rock body, buried in a lair filled with dangerous traps. This seems too dangerous and bloody for just Van Rook."
"I agree." North nodded. "There is more going on than what we see."
"There always is." Artemis said as the ship came upon the beach. "So what say we do a little scouting?"
"Agreed. Erika should go ahead." Ross suggested. "Erika, you know the island better than us."
"I should go along too. I've been trained for stealth missions." Artemis suggested.
"Me too." Connor coughed and cleared his throat.
"Him too but I think it should be the two of us." Artemis quickly said.
"Good enough for me." Erika said, stepping away from the steering wheel once the ship's engines were powered down. "Let's make it quick. In and out and hopefully not attract any attention. I really don't want to see this place suffer anymore."
She grabbed her weapons and then jumped off the ship, landing perfectly on the ground followed by Artemis.
Xxx
"So this is where those…Gem chicks are?"
Johnny and Rossweisse stood at the entrance to DexLabs with Bunny Bravo at the door, showing her credentials and a moment later the door opened.
"That's what they said at the Huntsmen Association." Bunny answered as they walked in.
They stepped into the main lobby of the building which was almost as grand as the lobby in the mayor's office. Men and women in lab coats were hustling through the place as Bunny walked up to the front desk.
"Hi, I'm Bunny Bravo. I called for a Hunter appointment with Mr. O'Reilly." She said kindly to the secretary who quickly looked through the files and found her name.
"Take the elevator to the top floor." She pointed before returning to work.
The three then walked towards the elevator and Bunny pushed up, waiting with her arms crossed and tapping he floor as they waited for the next elevator.
DING!
An elevator opened for them and they slipped in as the previous group came out. Bonny then pushed for the top floor and they waited as it went up, listening to the elevator music.
"Don't they play anything better?" Johnny asked out of the blue.
"It's elevator music, Johnny." Bunny replied just as the doors opened.
As luck would have Fergle O'Reilly was waiting for them on the other side. "Well hello there. Now what I do to fancy a visit from two gorgeous ladies?"
Rossweisse blushed slightly while Bunny let out a small giggle. "Oh my."
Johnny just stared blankly at the short man.
"Fergle O'Reilly at your service." Fergle took off his hat and bowed grandly to the three as they steppe out. "To what goes the honor of your visit?"
Rossweisse coughed awkwardly. "We're here for a…woman named Pearl?"
"Ah, Miss Pearl. I believe she's right down the hall." Fergly pointed to the right. "Taking part in a robot game."
"A robot game?" The three asked.
Xxx
"Wow this game really is old school."
Amethyst summed it up perfectly considering the graphics were the kind not used for almost two decades. It was also stupidly easy.
Take out Master Computer first before your opponent did to win the whole game.
One level.
That was it.
She could see why Dee-Dee's brother probably wouldn't like it if he was as big a nerd as Pearl but still Steven was nice enough to play it…
And actually win on the first try.
"Wow you are pretty good at this, Steven." Dee-Dee said after the first try.
"Nah, I am not a pro. I mean, it's easy to figure out once you get the hang of it but that's all it takes. One chance to figure it all out." Steven said putting the controller down. "Still, it's a nice game and a nice gift."
"Thanks…" Dee-Dee smiled sadly. "Dexter and I…we're pretty different from each other even though he is my brother. It hasn't been easy for us since our parents died."
"What happened?" Steven asked, facing the older girl.
"There was a Grimm attack one day…A bunch of rat Grimm somehow snuck in and chewed on the power lines, leaving DexLabs in the dark. Then a bunch of bigger and meaner Grimm got in and wrecked the place. People were hurt…" Dee-Dee trailed off. "So were Mom and Dad. They didn't make it…"
Steven put a hand on Dee-Dee's shoulder while the other Gems along with Greg and Connie simply listened. Garnet was silent but offered a sympathetic look while Amethyst looked away, awkwardly shifting herself while Greg closed his eyes and Connie just watched.
"Since then it's been my grandpa and uncle watching us. Don't get me wrong through, I love them both dearly and I'm glad to have them in my life but I still miss my parents." Dee-Dee continued sighed. "Dexter on the other hand…He never got to know our parents at all. Uncle O'Reilly used to entertain him with magic tricks, until Dexter started calling him a fake and started saying science was the only real 'magic' in the world. Grandpa was there to help him out since him and Dexter share the same kind of Semblance."
"Semblance?" Steven asked.
"Right. You wouldn't know." Dee-Dee smiled a bit now. "Well you know what a Semblance is right?"
Steven nodded.
"Well Semblances come in many forms and there are some that are similar, especially in families. In my family there are two types of Semblances we are born with that is almost always active: an Intelligence Semblance which makes you really smart and an Imagination Semblance." Dee-Dee explained.
"Intelligence and Imagination Semblance?" Steven asked.
Dee-Dee nodded. "Basically one Semblance makes a person really smart by doing something to the brain. I don't really know or understand since I don't have it while the other makes us more…Well I have an overactive imagination, I can think up a dozen ideas on the fly and my Semblance created an imaginary friend for me that is…Well, say hi to Kosey."
"Kosey?"
That was when Dee-Dee was lifted off the ground, surprising everyone in the room before she sat on something no one could see. "Kosey, the name of my friend. This is my Semblance. An imaginary friend I make real."
"Wow…." Steven gasped with stars in his eyes.
Garnet adjusted her visor and was shocked to see the outline of a something whose shoulder Dee-Dee was sitting on. "Amazing…"
"Now that's pretty cool." Amethyst commented as Dee-Dee landed back on the floor.
"This is how my Semblance works and I was born with it. Dexter got the smart Semblance which only Grandpa could help him. My brother's been a genius, tinkering with science stuff since he could crawl but it's been hard for him too." Dee-Dee sat back down.
"How would it be hard for him?" Steven wondered.
"Well for one he didn't have Mom or Dad around to be his parents like I did. I know and remember what it was like so I know what he missed out on…I tried to fill in for mom once but I wasn't the best…Actually it was so bad that Dexter went ahead and built a robot looking like our mom to fill in everything he thought a mother should do." Dee-Dee shook her head. "Cooking, cleaning, reading him stories…It got so weird Grandpa had him take it apart which really upset him."
"Yeesh." Steven winced, sympathizing a bit with Dexter since he didn't get to know his mother as well. However the difference was he had the Crystal Gems to raise him with his dad so he turned out okay.
At least he hoped he was okay.
"Things took a bit of bad turn for a while. Dexter prefers to spend his time in his own lab or in Grandpa's, doing all the science stuff but he hates the outdoors and rarely does anything with anyone, including me." Dee-Dee continued, a bit sadder now. "I've tried to reach out him but he keeps shouting at me to stay out of his lab. It's reached the point it's become a game for us. I sneak in, play around, he shouts and chases at me to get out of his lab, we take a lunch or dinner break and then go right back into it. It's the only thing I can do to get him to do anything with me."
"That's…Dee-Dee, I am so sorry you have to go through that." Steven said honestly. "I really hope you make things better with your brother one day."
"Me too." Dee-Dee nodded in agreement.
Just then a voice came over the speaker. "Hey lads. The two lasses have their robots nearly done. Best go see what they made."
"Finally. Something better to watch." Amethyst said, rushing out of the living room.
"You guys go on. I'll put away the game." Dee-Dee said, standing up.
"Okay. See ya there, Dee-Dee. Robots!" Steven said excitedly as he followed after Amethyst.
Turning to the game station Dee-Dee grabbed the game and tried to pull it out…
"Wait!" Garnet said, her Future Vision acting up and she rushed forward.
She grabbed Dee-Dee and pulled her back, just in time to save the girl from experiencing the shock of her life.
"What in the world-" Greg exclaimed, jumping back.
"I cannot allow you to do that." A dark electronic voice same from the giant TV.
On it appeared a red glowing face with yellow eyes glaring malevolently at the organics.
"What is that?" Connie said, pulling out her sword.
"Master Computer?" Dee-Dee asked, shocked at what she was seeing.
"Indeed I am, Dee-Dee. Thank you for liberating me from my virtual prison. Now I, Master Computer am free to expand my data to every corner of the globe." The face on the TV said. "You thought I was a mere toy. Well, now it's time I toy with YOU!"
"Run!" Garnet shouted, pulling Dee-Dee with her and ran out of the room with Greg and Connie.
Xxx
"Behold! My vision of ultimate power!"
Pearl and Peridot had finished their robots and were now facing each other in a room that resembled an arena. Pearl's robot had a small plane as the body that was painted to resemble Pearl's skin and hair color, with a star sticker on the face of the ship and a pointed cone that mimicked Pearl's nose where the propeller once was. It had long appendages that serve as arms with circular, three-fingered hands. She extended the legs of the landing mechanism to serve as longer legs with movable knees. Pearlbot's 'feet' were composed of larger wheels.
The cockpit was exposed, leaving only the windshield. It was shown to have a coo-coo clock near the back of the bot. Peridot's on the other hand was a large green mech possessing a vaguely crablike appearance. The robot had at least three shades of green and is stout in stature.
It had short legs that had green boots similar to Peridot's, and the arms were slightly longer with clamps/pincers for hands. The main body was a lime-green bipyramid with a small opening in the center where Peridot sits. Two gray cones stick out of the back of the diamond, and there were two tires used as the joints for the arms as well.
"GIANT ROBOT!" Steven exclaimed, looking down at the arena from the upper main room.
Peridot laughed as she showed off her robot's claws. She then noticed the height of Pearl's robot, compared to hers, and gasped. "Hey!"
"Mine's taller. I win." Pearl exclaimed smugly.
This would only be the start of the robot competition between the two Gems but wasn't going to be the competition they thought.
"Impressive." A voice halted the competition, making everyone stop and look around. "How about we raise the stakes?"
Suddenly the lab and all of the equipment started to turn and glow bright red.
"What is this?" Peridot frantically looked around.
"How about we continue your game in MY world?"
An experimental particle beam activated and faced the Gems in the arena and fired. There was no time to react as Pearl and Peridot were hit and vanished along with their robots.
"Pearl!" Steven cried out in terror.
"Don't worry, Steven Universe." The particle beam turned to him and Amethyst as Garnet ran with Dee-Dee, Greg and Connie. "You will be joining them!"
There was a blast of light followed by several screams before everything was silent.
Xxx
'Drago, drag them down into the fire.'
Deep under the surface a pair of eyes opened and an earthquake followed that was so great it was like the Earth itself was shaking.
Xxx
"What's going on now?" Eddy remarked, still holding Ed as the entire forest started to shake.
"What's that…that vibration?" Nazz asked, using her wings to hover off the ground and to avoid falling on her butt.
"Rolf is confused." Rolf said, using his clawed feet to remain standing while holding Kevin. "Rolf didn't think the Earth would vibrate until a honeymoon started!"
"I ain't going near that with a ten foot pole buddy." Jonny whispered to Plank.
It got even worse as the ground cracked open and started to sink.
"We've got to move!" Nazz shouted but before she could fly away arms made of dirt shot up and grabbed her, pulling her down. "GAH!"
"Nazz!" Eddy shouted as Rolf rushed forward and punched the arms to dust.
However it was too late to fly away as they sank underneath the surface and the opening above them suddenly closed.
Xxx
Monty and Omnimon watched as the ground them started to crack open and then began to sink.
"I remember this." Monty stated. "This happened before when our old home was swallowed by that lava golem…The kids are probably being taken down with us."
"Then we better hurry." Omnimon said.
Xxx
"It's just one thing after another." Jesse said as the ground they were on started shaking. "Come on."
Before either he or Nier could escape walls of Earth came up, blocking off their escape.
"Damn it!"
Xxx
Lowemon, Kazemon and Valhallen watched as the ground around them cracked open and started to sink.
Monkey Fist who had recovered from the surprise attack looked on with a grin. "So he's finally getting serious. This is going to be fun."
Xxx
"You thought you could simply slip in, save your friends and then leave? There's a reason no one has had the courage to enter the Darklands and take the fight to me. The reason is simple: I am the Darklands and the Darklands are me. The Grimm and the creatures that hide here answer to me and I direct them as easily as I direct my arms and legs." Sammael spoke as the ground started to crack open. "Spirit of America, Elementals, Light of All, it does not change the fact that once you came here you knowingly risked everything to simply take a step onto these lands. And it will take much more than everything you have to leave."
The ground around them cracked open and fire erupted through it as it began to sink.
"No!" Major Glory lashed at Sammael again. "I won't let you!"
He fired his Star-Spangled Vision at the Fallen who deflected the attack with his arm as it pulsed while turning black. As the major dodged his own attack Sammael rushed forward and brought a fist down on the hero's head, leaving him dazed. Before the major could recover Sammael then jumped and flip kicked the major, sending him flying over to the edge of platform as it came to a stop. Sammael landed on his feet and dashed forward at the falling major and preformed a short flip kick again, sending him flying up again.
Major Glory however managed to recover and deliver his own kick to knock Sammael to the ground. He crouched down and lashed out with a kick to trip up Sammael but the Fallen jumped over the kick and aimed a kick of his own at Major Glory's head but the major brought up both arms and blocked the foot, though the strength of the attack forced him back.
"Well, isn't this something?" Sammael remarked as he landed. "You've actually grown stronger since the last time we fought."
"I've had years to practice and train and I've been waiting for the day to finally stop you." Major Glory said as he stood up. "But today is not that day."
"Oh?"
"I'm only here to ensure the safety of the children and my friends who you trapped here in the Darklands. I'll never compromise the safety of anyone just to settle my grudge with you Fallen." Major Glory stated, standing between Sammael and the children behind him. "My uncle knew better and made sure I understood."
"Yes, that does sound like the great Uncle Sam." Sammael smirked. "He took a stand with great integrity but he had a fatal flaw."
Major Glory gritted his teeth.
"He thought he could answer all of the world's problems with strength alone." Sammael continued casually. "Unlike the philosophy that has been carried through your Justice Friends the Huntsmen Academies that all preach about unity and teamwork. A far cry from your dear uncle's teachings, o great symbol of justice."
He then held up a hand and snapped his fingers.
Suddenly a giant hand made of molten rock reached up from underneath the major and grabbed him before he could react.
"Unfortunately for him even when I am not in the Darklands…I am never alone." Sammael remarked as the major was pulled down through the ground, vanishing into the darkness.
The platform finally stopped, settling down in a lake of magma which looked eerily familiar to the children.
"No…No…" Abby was trembling now. "Not again."
This was just like before…
Her parent's home sinking into the ground…
And then the Uno's home with her and Nigel inside.
"Not again." Abby fell to her knees, her will and bravery fading in as the fear of the past caught with her, even if she had become a true Elemental.
"Abby." Nigel, Candy Pearl and Wally knelt down next to her. "Come on. You have to get up."
"It's happening again…All of this happened before and now it's happening again…" Abby muttered.
"Did you really think it would be that easy?" Nigel and Wally looked up, looking at Sammael who stared at them with an amused smile. "You convinced the dormant part of yourself to begin and complete the merge much earlier than usual but did you truly think it would make a difference?"
"Back off!" Wally shouted, standing up and shielding Abby by standing in front of her. "You ain't getting her or any of my friends!"
"I don't have to. She's already lost and I didn't have to lift a finger. Tell me, did you ever wonder why the Elementals chose to reincarnate at the very beginning of their chosen's life?" Sammael asked casually, taking a few steps forward. "You must know by now how it works or at least the basic details."
The children remained silent.
"The reincarnation process of the Elementals, the Spell of Eternal Legacy works through integrating itself with its newborn host just prior to birth in a manner to how a parasite settles into larger bodies or how a Geist takes control of whatever materials around to create a body for itself. As time goes the Elemental powers integrate themselves into the new soul, bringing with them the thoughts and memories of your predecessors. If this was done to an older host the result would eventually cause the new host's personality to be erased, leaving behind only the Elementals themselves which is what they were against." Sammael explained. "They believe it was unfair for their new hosts to lose what made them unique and thus made sure their powers would only bond with newborns, except for Ice at the time but he was overruled and never had the chance to try and alter the process. Knowing Evergreen he would have tried to make a wish that only his personality would remain once he was reincarnated. Perhaps that had been the wish he had held deep in his heart all along. I suppose you should be lucky, young Uno he never had the chance to try."
Nigel gulped, remembering Urgence Evergreen. He could not help but consider himself lucky for that as the last thing he wanted was to turn into Evergreen.
"In that manner even after the merge was complete the host would retain their original personalities and thoughts but at the same time would gain the knowledge and wisdom of their past selves until they grew strong and wise enough to stop me and the other Fallen. You may have access to the full power of the previous Candy Elementals now but even then you remain yourself with all of the hopes and fears you carry within you. Only now the added addition of your past lives must make it hard to focus now, doesn't it? You stand before me and as well in the presence in the monster that swallowed your family and you thought that if you simply started the merge early you would forget?" Sammael questioned, watching as Abby silently shook. "How hard it must be for you. Thinking you thought you could simply reach the end of the finish line by taking such a terrible short cut."
"Stop it."
"And even if the merge is complete you still lack a vital component to make yourself a true Elemental." Sammael continued.
"Stop it!"
"Control. The practice which takes years, learning how to control such power with the focus of a doctor performing surgery."
Abby looked up, eyes blazing. "STOP IT!"
A blast of magical energy knocked Nigel and Wally away from her as she stood up, feeling the sheer force of the magical power within her spiral out of control. Abby held out her hands, summoning a wave of green liquid that she had made into acid that flew straight at Sammael who simply held out one hand and blocked it with a magical wall in the shape of a red glowing flaming eye.
"Abby!" Nigel called out, reaching out a hand to his friend as she was slowly lifted off the ground by her power.
The tornado of energy swirling around Abby took many colors, almost as if it was trapping a literal rainbow in it. Abby brought up one hand and multiple arms made of gum launched at Sammael who calmly created a double bladed sword with the blades made of Black Dust. He spun the blade in his hand, making it resemble a whirl wind and at the same acting as a spinning shield as it cut through the gum arms easily. The nature of Black Dust easily absorbed the magic of the arms, rendering them useless.
"Nice try." Sammael remarked and made a gesture with his other hand.
Four Geist arms shot from the ground towards Abby, splitting into smaller arms as they swerved around their target, grabbing onto her before she could react. Abby grunted, trying to break free but felt herself growing weaker.
"Geist are able to control and manipulate non-organic matter. However for me I can modify them to do much more." Sammael explained, dismissing his double bladed sword. "Such as absorbing energy like Black Dust, including magic."
Abby was pulled back down to the ground, her magical aura fading.
"Abby!" Nigel shouted.
"Let her go!" Wally shouted, charging at the Fallen.
"Hang on my Elemental!" Candy Pearl said, charging into battle as well.
Sammael sighed, dismissing the Geist arms once Abby was back on the ground. "They never learn."
Sammael simply stepped out of the way of Wally's fist, content to simply dodge and let the boy tire himself out. Candy Pearl in the meantime lashed out with a series of kicks at the Fallen who easily dodged or blocked them.
Meanwhile Nigel knelt down next to Abby. "Abby, we got to get out of here."
"It doesn't matter…" Abby whispered. "No matter how hard we try we can't win…Chatsberry was wrong. That one perfect possible future…It's an impossible future."
"Abby-"
"This must be what Cree felt. She abandoned me to try and kill him but failed. I thought simply going through with becoming the Candy Elemental would change it all but nothing's changed." Abby continued on, ignoring Nigel.
"Abby." Nigel grasped his fellow Elemental's shoulders. "Come on. Snap out of it."
Seemingly having enough Sammael gestured with his finger and Wally was suspended in the air, unable to do anything. "Hey! Put me down and fight like a real man!"
"A real man wouldn't rush forward and leave his friends vulnerable." Sammael retorted, pointing to the two Elementals. "Did you truly believe you could save them with just your fists? Did you think that even if you could touch me you would break me?"
"Put me down and let's find out!" Wally retorted, flailing his arms.
"If you couldn't break free a simple levitation spell you aren't worth the effort." Sammael turned away. "This is becoming tedious. Since Slime has yet to be united with his counterparts I'll simply bring them together. Then Fire will be left and I'll just have to wait until the time is right."
He turned towards the Elementals. Candy Pearl tried to attack again but Sammael simply summoned another black sword and slashed through her form, sending her flying back next to the Elementals.
"My…Elemental…" Candy Pearl reached out to Abby who stared at the ground before her form poofed, vanishing back into her gemstone.
"Guys! RUN!" Wally shouted.
But there was nowhere to run.
They were on a flat rocky island surrounded by hot magma.
"Abby, come on!" Nigel shook Abby to snap her out of her funk. "I thought you weren't going to give up. Remember back on the Gem planet? We work together to escape. We can do it again."
Abby didn't answer.
She didn't move.
She was absolutely still.
"ABBY!" Nigel shouted, unaware as two orbs of light appeared, sinking into his and Abby's back.
Wally in the meantime failed to notice a third orb that vanished into his back as well.
However Sammael noticed all three of them. "So, three more animal guardians. And here I thought things were over."
Xxx
Abby finally looked up when she noticed everything around her was different. A strange fog covered area under a blackened sky.
"So am I dead now?"
'Not yet, child of Candy.' A voice answered.
She watched as a giant…Dog stepped out of the fog and stared down at her. "Oh great. First giant space rocks who look like women, then the monster who's haunted me since I was little and now a giant Dog. Haven't I had enough?"
'So you give up.' The Dog asked.
"What's the point of trying anymore?" Abby turned away and sat down. "Just leave me alone. I'm done. I thought I could handle it but it wasn't enough."
'What exactly was not enough?' The Dog asked.
"Everything!" Abby shouted, banging a fist into the ground. "I thought I was ready when I made the choice to become the Candy Elemental but it wasn't even close! My sister abandoned me, I endangered my friends and I can't do anything to save them!"
'So now what? Will you abandon them?' The Dog asked.
Abby stopped, staying silent for a moment. "What else can I do?"
'There is always something you can do. That is why you have made it this far. You feel burdened and what you carry would be difficult for anyone. And yet you have shown that you fight not to save yourself but to save your friends.' The Dog said.
Abby watched as the fog around her conjured images of her friends and allies:
Nigel
Monty
Jennifer
Wally
Hoagie
Omnimon
Rolf
Nazz
Jonny
Ed
Eddy
'Will you turn your back on them?' The Dog asked, as more images appeared.
Abby watched as everyone were now trapped underground like she, Nigel and Wally were.
'Will you allow them to fall into evil's hands?'
Sammael then appeared, his back turned to her at first before he turned around, grinning at her with red glowing eyes.
'HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN?!' The Dog howled.
Abby found herself reliving her past, watching the more…happier times of her life:
Playing with her older sister.
Meeting Nigel and quickly becoming friends with him.
Training with Nigel and Omnimon.
Beating up those bullies picking on Wally on his first day of school.
Jennifer reading her bed time stories so she would sleep.
Sitting at the table with Monty as they along with Nigel played a crossword puzzle and covering her fox ears as Monty picked up the sousaphone.
Watching the Whacky Races with her friends.
Her new family celebrating her birthday for the first time after Cree left her.
'These are the memories that matter most to you, not the ones of your past lives. You accepted to be the Candy Elemental not for yourself but for them.' The Dog said as the images all vanished. "So tell me…Have you forgotten?"
Abby's eyes widened as she slowly stood up, standing silent.
Then she faced the Dog with a determined glare. "No…Abby has not forgotten."
'Good. Then you are ready.' The Dog nodded. 'I am Garm the Dog. I am a guardian much like you and I have come to turn the tide of the conflict. Accept my power and I will help you save your friends, allies and family.'
"Abby accepts." Abby said without hesitation.
Garm nodded and reached out with his paw…
Xxx
Nigel could only remember trying to help Abby when his vision faded…And then woke to find himself in a clear grassy plain with clear blue skies.
"Wh…Where am I?" Nigel looked around. "Wally? Abby?"
'They cannot hear you, child. You are not in the physical realm at the moment.' A voice spoke from behind.
Spinning around Nigel came face to face with… "A horse."
It was indeed a horse and beautiful looking one with snow white fur and a majestic appearance one could only hope to imagine while reading a fantasy novel.
'I am Rocinante the Horse.' The Horse spoke clearly to him.
"Well…This is new on the list of surprising things today." Nigel rubbed his head. "So if I am not dead than what…What is going on?"
'I come to offer you help against the darkness. Accept me and I shall grant what you need to save your friends.' Rocinante explained.
…
…
…
"Okay." Nigel said simply.
Rocinante raised an eyebrow. 'Just like that?'
"Well, I can just somehow tell you are not lying to me and you want to help. If you can help then I accept." Nigel simply said. "I have to help my friends so let's do it."
Rocinante smiled. 'Very well, child. We have an agreement.'
Rocinante leaned down, gesturing for Nigel to get on his back which the boy did. And with that the Horse took off into a blinding light.
Xxx
"Now what? Just what the crud is going on now?!"
Wally was really about to lose whatever patience he had left.
He remembered shouting at his friends to run.
And then he found himself in a jungle.
"NIGEL! ABBY! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Wally shouted as loud as he could.
'Calm down, boy. You friends are safe for the moment.'
Spinning around Wally looked at the source of the voice and found that it was a gigantic elephant. "Whoa! A giant elephant! You're bigger than the office my dad works in!"
'Thank you.' The Elephant bowed politely. 'I am Babar the Elephant.'
"Oh, I'm Wallabee Beatles, as in Wally who beats all." Wally said, making a play on his last name. "With his fists."
'Yes, I noticed.' Babar nodded. 'That is why I am here. To offer you help.'
"Help? Oh yeah. Why would I need help?" Wally crossed his arms.
'The fact that the Fallen Sammael has left you hovering helplessly in the air while moving towards your friends might be a good reason.' Babar said thoughtfully.
Wally stumbled in shock, having forgotten that little detail. "OH RIGHT! I GOT TO HELP MY FRIENDS!"
'Calm down.' Babar's trunk came down and caught the boy. 'You must stop and think. As it stands you have no chance against Sammael. His power is great and terrible. This is a lesson that many have had to learn the hard way.'
"Well I'm not many. I'm me!" Wally gestured to himself. "I won't let him put a single finger on my friends."
'I know and I offer you help in protecting them.' Babar replied.
"Really?"
Babar nodded. 'My kindred and I can empower mortals like you to become strong enough to survive against the evil that runs rampant across your world. Accept my help and we can save your friends together.'
Wally looked up at the Elephant…
…
…
…
"All right. I accept." Wally held out a hand. "Let's save my friends."
Babar nodded, his trunk wrapping around Wally's hand as a handshake. 'Yes. Let's save everyone.'
Xxx
Sammael in fascination as the three children were engulfed in pillars of blinding light that faded away a moment later, allowing him to see what had become of the three. "Magnificent."
All three had gained a growth spurt, now almost adult size and wore armor that covered them head to toe. If that wasn't enough they seemed to have changed into Mobians.
Nigel resembled a horse with snow white fur and an even whiter mane.
Abby resembled a dog with golden fur.
And Wally resembled an elephant with bulging muscle and sharp tusk, poking out of his helmet.
"So, the animal of spirits of Gan can bond even with the Elementals." Sammael mused, fascinated and impressed with what he was seeing. "Truly remarkable."
That was all he got to say before Nigel vanished into a blur, delivering a kick to the Fallen's face that sent him flying at Wally who reared his arm back…
POW!
And punched Sammael in the chest so hard he was sent flying off the island and crashing into the cavern wall. The Fallen barely had the chance to blink through it all but nevertheless pulled himself out of the wall and hovered in the air, looking down at the three.
"Very impressive." He praised again. "Perhaps this time things will truly be different. But of course…"
He gestured with his hand and the magma lake started to rumble.
"There is still much more for you to learn."
From the magma rose giant creatures that were obviously Grimm but at the same time much worse than most other Grimm. They resembled a Tyrannosaurus Rex but their bodies were bodied in red and white armor that with the red segments seemingly made of lava. They had white sharp teeth and the usual red glowing eyes associated with all Grimm.
These were no ordinary Grimm.
They were Alpha Grimm.
Top of the food chain in their corner of the Darklands.
And when they roared it was louder than any animal in the world.
"Let the games begin." Sammael simply said, content to watch now as the Dino based Grimm moved through the magma to attack their prey.
The final phase of the battle had begun.
Xxx
New Grimm Sighted
Name: Freakosaurus Rex
Classification: Tyrannosaurus Rex
Appearance: Resembles Tyrannosaurus Rex with white and red armor with the red segment possibly made of magma and white sharp teeth.
Abilities: When you hear this monster roar, you will be the one freaking out. The Freakosaurus Rex has the loudest roar of any animal in the world, and enormous jaws to match. Its strength virtually has almost no equal and can actually spew lava from its mouth to melt its prey.