Opening File: Devonian Annelid

As the name suggests, they are living fossils from the Devonian period. These creatures have been known to devour humans to the bone, since they drain the essence from their target as their main food source. They can also release a highly toxic fume that can easily kill or paralyze their victim.

Close File

Xxx

"Resources are the abundance on which life is allowed to thrive. Food, medicine, housing, all of these resources are what we need to survive. Heck, without a good mechanic nearby my body wouldn't be allowed to hold up for a few thousand years and without a certain AI friend to keep downloading my matrix into a new body I would have been scrapped long ago." TOM began as the file closed.

"You can say that again." SARA said, appearing next to TOM in holo-form.

"Yeah, yeah, rub it in." TOM chuckled. "Anyways, resources no matter what shape or form what we depend on for living in the universe. Of course to some those resources happen to be living being. We call those guys Carnivores and they spend their days on an all meat diet and most of the time they are usually alive. Still the universe was made so that resources would be infinite and carnivores are just a way of ensuring life doesn't reach a level where our resources dwindle to the point there would be nothing left for the rest. It's not a perfect system but it's the one we have and we just have to learn to life with it."

Xxx

Major Glory landed on the ground with Krunk just as a portal opened up in front of the group and walked out Roland Deschain and Lou Beatles.

"Who's that guy?" Wally asked but his question was ignored and he didn't care because he noticed his uncle was there as well. "Uncle Lou!"

"Hey sport." Lou said, giving off a two fingered salute. "Love the new look. Traded in your monkey genes for elephant. Your mother always thought your tail was adorable on you."

Wally sputtered, rubbing the back of his head. "Oh come on…"

"Long days and pleasant nights to you Roland Deschain." Nier said to Roland giving him the traditional Gunslinger greeting.

"And may you have twice the number." Roland said as he raised his right hand.

The kids noticed that his hand was missing its middle and index fingers and then balls of light leave them and the adults who came in contact with the Guardians of the Beam. The eleven lights circle around Roland until they disappear. As soon as they vanished all of the children and adults who were changed and given the powers of the Guardians returned to their normal appearances.

"So that was your doing." Jesse said; glad to be human and extra glad that the rabbit ears were gone. "Since when could you open portals and turn people into whatever those things were?"

"Not until recently." Roland said and he turned to Major Glory. "I need to go to GrimmFall with the rest of you. I need to speak with Sebben."

Xxx

"So... how have you guys been doing?" Doyle asked them when being tied up and brought back to their campsite with the others, clearly not in a best of moods.

Ross with Artemis and Conner tied to one pole, North with heavy chains keeping his hands and feet together, Yara on the floor with Doyle and Erika behind each other.

"Oh you know how it goes, find bad guys, sneak in and also get into tight situations like we're in now." Ross replied calmly and shrugged his shoulders, although he was not as bruised up as before thanks to his aura. North was almost knocked out and Yara... well, they had a hard time keeping her down. "Just didn't expect to find Bertha having magic."

"Yeah! A little heads up would've been nice!" Yara was not so happy but least was able to see the bow she worked hard on was intact. Had it been broken or smashed she would make them feel her wrath for destroying any of her work of arts.

Doyle could take the hint and didn't expect it either. "Looks like the kid took the beating a little more than the rest."

"Just be glad they would want us alive, for now at least." Erika couldn't believe the humiliation of having her bikini and jacket torn, having to cover herself with an arm over her bust. The only thing they had to do was use some sheet to wrap around her bust, or least after she demanded they do that. She swore she caught Doyle catching a glimpse once or twice.

"I may be a merc for hire, but doesn't mean I am no gentleman towards my guests. I have a job to do and like to have a focused mind." Coming towards them was Van Rook alongside Bertha who turned his masked face to Doyle. "I always knew something was off when you felt too soft towards the Saturdays, but to actually lead huntsmen to this place and find out you are a member of a tribe of Vikings? It would explain about your vast knowledge in Norse cultures."

"Least I don't let money get in the way. You don't know what you're doing, Van Rook. This is home of a dangerous and powerful monster that controls this island." Doyle warned him of what he heard about the stories from others.

"And even if you did try to reach New Berk, you'd never stand a chance against its defenses or our allies now they know of the danger you would bring to the Archipelago." Erika added as she knew the island be impossible to reach without an airship or dragons to use.

Van Rook didn't seem bothered by this. "Why'd you think I hired this many? So numbers would give us advantage to capture the creature and force it into taking us to the Hidden World."

"Let us leave them be for now and get our own ready for the hunt." Bertha told him and they left the tent and the huntsmen and heroes tied up.

With them now out, North tilted his head over the shoulder to his teammates. "I hope this works, not that I have doubt but hoping it does."

"Same here, but right now we just have to wait for the second part of the plan." Ross adjusted himself with his wrists behind him.

"What was the second part?" Conner asked while slowly healing from his wounds until he saw Yara slowly sat up with a mischievous grin on her face.

"You're looking at her." Her appearance suddenly flickered and revealed to be some sort of mannequin like android before resuming its original image. "Equipped with hard light to convince them it's me, this is just a decoy. And I'm somewhere they won't suspect."

"Uh, should I be impressed or nervous of what your idea might be?" Doyle asked and having a bad feeling about this.

"Best not think of it. Had to put a lot of acting in this." Erika told him. "Let me get this sorted." Her body glows and silver scales matching the bikini top she wore cover her chest.

Xxx

In truth, the real Yara was somewhere else on the island having to hide the Stormfly and replaced herself with a mimic to play her part of the plan. "Alright, we are the only ones who can pull it off! Rossweisse and New Thor should be arriving soon but can't wait if our friends are in danger. This is our moment!"

Standing before her were Moonlight and Stryker, two dragons they brought with them from New Berk for a special plan, both of whom watched her and remained silent.

Stryker only grunted and Moonlight was somewhat worried for her partner. "Ok, come on we gotta do this! Otherwise we not only to face those goons but also a giant lava monster that could burst out of the island to attack us any minute. Not only we be saving lives but you be saving all Draginkind!" She declared, giving out her pep talk to the two dragons who listened and watched her act like some general.

She looked over the cliff to check out the site, many looked armed with heavy weaponry and also with Bertha accompanying Van Rook.

Stryker and Moonlight carefully poked their heads out to see. "So far, that muscle brain Bertha has some magic so unless we can find a source of its power so we gotta be careful." She brought with her the weapons and the Black Beetle North told her to keep close to her until she comes to their side. "Sending the transmitters and a little something to cause mayhem. Hope to see some thunder coming. Going to need some help."

She turned around and quickly left as Moonlight followed but Stryker remained unaware as he still watched until the Light Fury's tail softly swatted his shoulder pad to follow them.

Xxx

"These new Grimm you saw with Sammael are a cause for concern indeed Roland." Sebben said. "And you believe this Fallen woman is still alive despite the fact that you killed her?"

"I find this hard to believe Mr. Deschain. Don't forget I was there when you pulled the trigger." Major Glory said.

"I know but Sammael was far too relaxed for someone who just lost an ally." Roland said. "The Fallen may have found a way to create duplicates of themselves. I won't pretend I know the full details but considering how few Fallen there can be Sammael would need everyone available and wouldn't take the death of one lightly."

"Indeed. But what confuses me is why Gan would give you the Light of All now." Sebben said, changing the subject. "There would've been times in your past where it could've helped."

"All things serve the Beam." Roland responded. "If I had it sooner I would've become a much larger target for the Fallen, giving me the power now to save the Elementals must've been the best possible time for me to receive it."

"What will you do now?" Major Glory asked. "Do you intend on going back to your shack?"

"No the Forsaken Valley is too risky to stay in now with my new powers." Roland said. "The Guardians of The Beam are whispering names to me. People who are worthy of their powers and will gladly accept them. I need to find these eleven."

Roland turned around and summoned a portal but before he entered he turned his head to Sebben.

"Sebben I fear that another reason I was given the Light of All now is because a great battle against Sammael the likes of which has never been seen before may soon be upon us." Roland said. "Can you confirm this with the Gem of Sight?"

"I can try but I only hope your suspicions are wrong Roland."

"As do I... old friend." Roland replied before he stepped through the Todash Portal.

Sebben was surprised at what the last Gunslinger called him but smiled. Roland Deschain was free from the effects of his Semblance and could now live life freely.

"I am glad he is able to move freely now. His Semblance has been a curse on him his entire life." Major Glory said once the portal vanished and looked to Sebben. "Valhallen mentioned that two members of the group were left behind on the Gem planet."

"Yes. A Bonnibel Bubblegum from Candied Island and a Della Duck who was reported missing over ten years ago." Sebben nodded. "We do not have much on the people of Candied Island but Della Duck…"

"The niece of Scrooge McDuck, a talented Huntress with possible ties to the Satyra." Major Glory finished. "She took part in a project called the Spear of Selene and disappeared. Scrooge McDuck spent nearly his entire fortune trying to find her."

"Only now we know she was on the Gem planet this entire time. If the Gems have somehow learned Earth has been building space ships I would have thought they'd have come here in force by now." Sebben remarked. "Or maybe the Cluster is what has kept them from coming here."

"If they find out we have a drill that can reach the Cluster there's no doubt in my mind they'd launch a full invasion." Major Glory stated. "And Earth might not be able to stop them. Last time there was an army of rebel Gems fighting alongside this planet and the Gems were not expecting us to have a fighting a chance. They won't make that mistake again after we just humiliated them."

"I have a feeling that more damage was inflicted on them by just humiliation. Sammael engineered an entire operation aimed at the heart of the Gem Empire. Can we say for certain he didn't have help?" Sebben pointed out.

That was a very good question.

"The Racing Drones." Major Glory brought up.

"And probably more help from other allies not native to this planet." Sebben nodded. "And then there is the fact that Sammael planned an assassination of the Grimm Slayer Omnimon himself. If not for Roland receiving the Light of All and the Guardians of the Beam I can't say for certain that you all would have made it back alive. I have a feeling Sammael's been preparing to not just fight members of the Justice Friends along with the best hunters in the world but the fact that Monkey Fist nearly brought down two Legendary Warriors tells me he's getting ready."

"He's finally making a move?" Major Glory asked, clenching a fist.

"Not entirely but I am sure if and when Bill Cipher makes his own move, we'll know for sure."

Xxx

"In the meantime I am sure he is sorting other matters at the moment."

Katz grunted as he was shoved to the ground. Looking up he paled to see Sammael standing over him with his back turned. James walked forward, standing next to Katz in the center of the training room and bowed.

"Sir James, I find myself…bewildered." Sammael said slowly. "I trusted you to carry out the destruction of the Grimm Slayer. I gifted you a weapon that would render his greatest strengths worthless. Among all the members of the Invisible Hand I trusted you above all of them. Can you explain why Grimm Slayer lives?"

"A thousand apologies, sir. I'm afraid I was at a crossroads." Gentle-Jim began.

"Do tell."

"Katz had been put in charge of Team KLAW and was tasked with bringing the Slime Elemental to you. He left Le Quack in charge and chose to seek out Omnimon to exact a personal revenge. I will assume or debate what he was promised for joining us but he still disobeyed orders and I couldn't allow him to interfere in my mission. I warned him and Skarr who had been charged with coordinating the Grimm against the rest of our enemies that revenge did not allow for insubordination." Gentle-Jim began. "While the Grimm Slayer's destruction was made my priority I could not allow them to simply go against your orders and expect them not to be punished. I let the Grimm Slayer go, I admit but I have sworn to defeat him as long as he lives in this world and I will do just that, provided my own punishment is not too severe for me to carry out that mission."

Sammael remained silent as he turned around, staring down at James who bowed his head. "So you let him go to bring in the two who went against my plan. One would say that if you teamed up with them it would have insured Omnimon's destruction…" Sammael then grinned. "Fortunately I value your skills and sense of honor above such a detail. As for you, Katz…" Sammael's gaze turned deadly as he faced the feline Mobian who had become frozen in fear. "Le Quack already informed me of your decision. He stated he did not try to stop you because it would have endangered his team's mission so he chose to accept your alteration of the plan to avoid infighting and simply go after Slime with just himself, Aqueela and Weremole. Given that he was made leader of the team in your absence I accepted his explanation. However there is still the matter of you."

Katz seemed to tremble now.

"Skarr was charged with coordinating the Grimm but was free to target anyone he deemed dangerous so he might get a pass…Provided he stays in that frozen block for an appropriate amount of time. As for you…" Sammael paused for a second. "Discipline must be taken into account for everyone here. I will not tolerate self-interest when it puts the mission at risk. James allowed the Grimm Slayer to live simply because he deemed your vengeance a threat to the group and our goals. For that I have already decided what his punishment will be."

James stood up, straightening his posture to meet this punishment with as much dignity as he could.

"James, show me your sword." Sammael held out his hand.

James pulled out the cutlass sword, presenting it to Sammael who took it, holding it up and making a few slashes through the air.

"This is your grandfather's sword, is it not?" Sammael asked, looking it over.

"Yes sir." James answered.

"A truly impressive work of art. The blade remains sharp, clean and the craftsmanship is truly extraordinary. You clean and sharpen it regularly, right?" Sammael idly asked.

"I do sir."

"Hm…This is your punishment, Sir James." Sammael handed the sword back to the gentleman. "From this day forward you will not use or wield the sword your grandfather gave you. You will use only the sword I made and gave you to slay the Grimm Slayer as you promised me. Slay him and you will be allowed to use your grandfather's sword again."

James bowed his head, closing his eyes. "Yes sir. I understand."

"Now, onto you Katz." Sammael turned to Katz. "Stand up."

Katz did do, shaking a bit as he wondered what his punishment would be.

"For this I will make it simple. You punishment will be a series of sparring rounds." Sammael remarked, grinning as James stepped back.

"Sp-Sparing?" Katz repeated in surprise.

"Yes." Sammael nodded. "I am sure a few rounds will help you remember not to put your self-interests ahead of the group."

"And who will I be sparing with?" Katz asked slowly as James turned to the door.

"I would have thought that was obvious." Sammael took off his coat and dropped it onto the floor.

Underneath he wore a simply black short sleeved shirt that showed that he was not only tall but was also heavily muscular, no doubt from centuries of battle and perhaps even training to kill his skills sharp.

"Me." Sammael answered, causing Katz to pale in fear.

James walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Xxx

It was already a whole day since they finally returned to GrimmFall but it was safe to say that everyone was exhausted. Omnimon and Krunk were the most injured and though it wasn't fatal they were so tired to the point that it was unlikely they would be on their feet for a few days. Kazemon got a few scratches from being ambushed by flying Beringels and Lowemon himself had not walked away from his fight with Monkey Fist unscathed. Most of the group were resting in the Hall of Heroes, resting In a few rooms that been accommodated with more than one bed and was all in all comfy.

Jennifer, who had been beside herself with worry rushed to Hall of Heroes, had been so happy to see her husband and children safe and sound.

It also helped the Monty had been a little more muscular from his workouts in the Special Zone. In the meantime Abby had found herself feeling…normal for some reason. She would have thought that the memories of the past Candy Elementals would have overwhelmed her by now but even since her merge with Garm the Dog she hadn't experienced a rush of overwhelming images or voices.

'Your past selves have agreed to seal themselves off from you.' A voice spoke in Abby's mind, making her sit up on her bed. 'Don't speak. I can hear you in your mind.'

'Garm? How…What is going on?' Abby spoke mentally.

'During our merge I knew the side effect of your past lives would overwhelm you as they threatened to do during your confrontation with Sammael. I helped seal their memories back so the merge, while mostly complete with you having become the next Candy Elemental the memories won't overwhelm you.' Garm spoke. 'You will still be yourself, Abigail Lincoln. Always.'

Abby was stunned as she felt Garm vanish from her mind, instantly knowing her connection with him was now severed. '…Thank you.'

She lied back down her bed for a moment but found it hard to go back to sleep. She looked to left, seeing Nigel fully asleep in his bed before getting up and quietly leaving the room. She walked down the hall, her Faunus senses allowing her to pick up a familiar scent and she stopped in front of a door. She took a deep breath and slowly opened it, looking inside.

Omnimon was lying down on his own bed, seemingly asleep as Abby slipped in, closing the door behind you.

"Omni…Are you awake?" Abby whispered.

Omnimon didn't move but Abby could tell he was awake.

"I know you are awake, Omni." Abby stepped forward, stopping next to the bed. "My memories are back and I've trained my senses a lot since I last saw you."

Omnimon stirred and he sat up, looking at Abby. "I see you have. But it's late and you should be resting."

"After we talk…" Abby replied, her look telling the Royal Knight she wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Xxx

It happened so fast.

"Dragons!"

"It's an ambush!"

"Get the supplies!"

"Oh, my back!"

The camp was quiet with the few thugs that had been left behind by Van Rook and Bertha the Barbarian guarding the place. They had captured the group of hunters and were told not to kill them until the bosses got back.

An easy order and if all went right they could sell the females and the Mobian on the black market.

That was before the entire camp was besieged by two dragons that appeared out of nowhere and instantly set the majority of the tents on fire. If that wasn't enough somehow bolts of lightning rained down from the sky, scattering the thugs before they even had a chance to aim at the dragons.

The thugs ran screaming, completely in disarray and failed to realize who the source of the attack was: an excited blue haired girl that slid right into the camp, passing the startled guards and met the group. "Hey guys! What ya think of an entrance like that?!"

The two guards were about to grab her when out of nowhere Stryker jumped on them, grabbing one by the teeth to throw to the side and head butted the other.

Doyle couldn't believe who it was and glad to see another familiar face. "Stryker!" He called out the Rumblehorn who heard his name and upon seeing the red haired male he rushed over to him to nuzzle, making a rumbling sound of being happy. "Missed ya too, boy! Thought all that was your doing."

"Hey, we did all the work too!" Yara proclaimed before she came throw a bag of their stuff along with Moonlight who entered to find Erika. "We gotta move now! I am sure the old chieftain knows by now he's got party crashers."

Xxx

"You want me to go back to Berk and help with that Viking man?"

After finding a way out of the game Pearl had been greeted with Johnny Bravo who was the new Thor('Why him?' She wondered), his mother and Rossweisse who filled her and the Crystal Gems in on their plan.

"Yes." Rossweisse nodded. "You've been to Berk before and you know the traps we can expect when we enter Hiccup's lair."

Pearl was conflicted now. On one hand she understood that Hiccup needed help but on the other hand she had just reunited with Steven and patched things up with Garnet. She couldn't just up and leave again.

"Pearl will go." Garnet said, patting the surprised Pearl on the shoulder. "And we'll come with her."

"W-Wait! What about the drill?" Pearl asked.

"It's done already." Fergle answered, shocking the Gems and Steven.

"What?!" Pearl and Peridot exclaimed.

"We were working on it before you even got here." Fergle shrugged. "World at stake tends to make you prioritize things pretty fast. We would have told you but we thought you had to settle your disputes first."

The Gems looked stunned…

Except for Garnet who adjusted her visor with a smile. "So it was this one."