Chapter 14: Crystallized
The Choten, having successfully repaired his portal device, activated the portal and sent a claw across the Veil. "Sir, are you sure this is a necessary course of action. I've seen firsthand what a Spirit Quartz can be capable of." Saanvi said. "I appreciate your concerns, Saanvi. But if we are to continue my work, we need every creature we can get our claws on." Choten said. The claw retracted and dragged in a giant green and black crystal beetle, known as a Tainted Quartz. "And once we get this Spirit Quartz all prepared, we'll have the power we need to take the entire Quartz Realm." Choten said. He held up his syringe and approached the Tainted Quartz as it snarled at him.
(Intro)
Meanwhile, the kids and the Kazamas were doing a bit of sparring practice in an isolated area while the Autocons watched them. Ray and Sakura were up for sparring. Bob and Grove Protector were struggling to push each other back. "Remember, Ray, every creature has their own hidden talents. You need to know just what those talents are." Sakura said. Suddenly, roots sprouted out of the ground and wrapped around Bob. Ray was surprised by this. "Like so. Grove Protector can sprout roots from his feet and control them to catch opponents off guard." Sakura explained. "Really? But now that you mention it, we've got a hidden talent too." Ray said. Bob grinned before lighting his body on fire, burning away the roots. Everyone gazed in awe. "Well, well, well. You surprise us more and more each day, Ray." Sakura said. "I agree. You and Tatsurion have quite the bond. Especially for unlocking hidden talents." Grove Protector said. "I know. It's like every day, we all discover more hidden talents within ourselves." Ray said.
Suddenly, after Ray and Sakura sent Bob and Grove Protector back across the Veil, Ray's pocket started vibrating. He took out his K-Tector as it was vibrating. Jen, Allie, Gabe, Terry and Greta took out their K-Tectors too as they were vibrating too. "What's going on, Heatfroster?" Ray asked. "There's big trouble across the Veil. A creature has been taken from one of the rarest areas of our world." Heatfroster explained. "But which area? One of the Civilizations?" Jen asked. "No, Jennifer. This trouble is coming from the Quartz Realm, the most sacred and rarest of the lands in our world." Lunaressa explained. "It is the home of all the Spirit Quartz, including your friend, Sunspout." Heatfroster said. "If Sunspout's home is in trouble, then we have to go there and investigate." Ray said. "I'm afraid that's impossible, Ray. Nobody's ever been able to properly open a successful portal to the Crystal Realms. Nobody except the Choten before he betrayed our order." Kaito said. "But there must be a way for us to go there." Allie said. "There is. We can get you there." Araqiel said. "How can you get us there?" Ray asked. "It's very simple. Just point your K-Tector and through our combined energies, we will open a portal that will take you directly to the Quartz Realm." Heatfroster explained. As Ray pointed his K-Tector, it glowed with mana and a portal through the Veil opened right in front of them. "This portal will take you directly to the Quartz Realm. But be cautious. If the Choten is behind the trouble, we will need to be ready." Heatfroster said. The kids, the Kazamas and the Autocons walked through the portal.
Later, the kids, the Kazamas and the Autocons arrived across the Veil and gazed in awe at the beautiful crystal surroundings of the Quartz Realm. "Welcome, friends, to the Quartz Realm." Heatfroster said as the portal closed. The kids, the Kazamas and the Autocons continued to gaze in awe as Spirit Quartz creatures started to appear and approach them. "Look at them all. Cindermoss, Mistvine, every known type of Spirit Quartz in existence." Miku said. But the Spirit Quartz were anything but welcoming. They suddenly grew hostile towards the kids, the Kazamas and the Autocons. "Hey! We're not your enemies here!" Ray exclaimed. "Yeah, chill out for a second!" Jen exclaimed. But the Spirit Quartz didn't listen and prepared to attack. "Ray? Jen? Is that you?" A familiar voice asked. Everyone turned to see a familiar Spirit Quartz fly towards them and land between them and the other Spirit Quartz. "Sunspout?" Ray and Jen asked in surprise. "It is so good to see you again, my friends. All of you." Sunspout said, delighted. "Yeah, it's been a while since we last saw you." Gabe said. "When we saved Hissy from the Choten's goth chicks." Allie said. "So, what brings you little ones to my homeland?" Sunspout asked, while feeling a bit wary at the sight of the Autocons. "We were brought here by our Guardian Spirits. They sensed that there's trouble here. That one of your friends was taken by the Choten." Ray explained. "Hmm. Now that you mention it, I haven't seen Tainted Quartz for some time." Sunspout said, realizing that Tainted Quartz had been captured.
Suddenly, another portal opened in the Quartz Realm. "What is this?" Sunspout asked in both shock and surprise. Just then, the Choten, a squad of his minions and the newly corrupted Tainted Quartz came through the portal. "Choten." Ray said venomously. "Well, well, well. So, we meet again, children. How do you like my newest servant? He was quite the catch." Choten said. Sunspout was disgusted to see that one of her fellow Quartz was captured and forced to work under this madman. "And now that we're all here, we will be capturing every Spirit Quartz in this realm and make them part of my army." Choten said. "We won't allow you to do that, Choten." Ray said as he and his friends prepared to fight. "Children, you can't possibly win against me this time. Tainted Quartz here is one of the most powerful Spirit Quartz that ever existed. And even more under my control. There's no way you can beat me." Choten said. "You're right. We can't beat you. But the Guardian Spirits can." Ray said. He, Jen, Allie, Gabe, Terry and Greta got out their K-Tectors and powered them up. "Execute! Guardian Spirit Evolution!" They called. Together, they activated their K-Tectors and transformed into their Guardian Spirits. "Alright, everyone, now for a little backup. Tatsurion the Unchained!" Heatfroster called, summoning Bob without a dueling gauntlet. "Skarvos the Assassin!" Lunaressa called, summoning Weave. "Scaradorable of Gloom Hollow!" Araqiel called, summoning Squeaky. "Reef Prince Glu-Urgle!" Gedum called, summoning Gargle. "Chief Thorn-Bringer!" Segmos called, summoning Thorn-Bringer. "Flare Inhibitor, Sparky!" Thozotz called, summoning Sparky. "Eye of the Tide!" Portia called, summoning Eye of the Tide. "Rumbling Terrasaur!" Maribel called, summoning Rumbling Terrasaur. "Grove Protector!" Sakura called, summoning Grove Protector. "Citizen Tokori!" Kaito called, summoning Citizen Tokori. "Haven's Elite!" Miku called, summoning Haven's Elite. The Autocons got into a fighting stance, not bothering to assume their vehicular disguise.
"Very well. You want to fight? Then let's fight. Destroy them." Choten ordered. The minions fired their tech gauntlets and summoned various creatures. "Attack!" Heatfroster exclaimed. The Guardian Spirits and their creature friends charged and started battling with the Choten's army. The Spirit Quartz watched the battle, seeing how determined the kids were to protect them, especially with the Guardian Spirits choosing them as their hosts. "You see? Not all humans want to use us for their own gain and power. These humans, chosen by our Guardian Spirits, they choose to fight beside creatures, to protect us and our world. Please, let us help them drive these bad humans out of our lands and rescue our friend." Sunspout said. The Spirit Quartz looked at each other, feeling too hesitant to try anything. "I understand. But I trust that when it really matters, you will make the right choice." Sunspout said as she took off to help her friends.
Meanwhile, Portia and Eye were dueling a minion with a Beast Kin known as Steel Hammer. Poor Eye disappeared back across the Veil after Steel Hammer hit it with a powerful wave attack from its hammer. Suddenly, the impact from the hammer caused the ground to split open, creating a chasm. Portia screamed as she fell in. "Portia!" Maribel cried as she saw her best friend fall into the chasm and ran after her, leaping into the chasm. "Portia! Maribel!" Ray's voice cried. "I know. We'll go after them at once." Heatfroster said. "Oh, I'm afraid that I can't allow you to do that or to get in my way again." Choten said. He raised his tech gauntlet, fired his claw and tore open a portal. Just then, a large unknown skeletal amphibian creature with only 2 long forelimbs and a long, prehensile tail walked through the portal. Everyone looked at it in shock as it towered over them and let out a massive roar. "What is that thing?!" Kaito exclaimed in terror. "I have no idea. There's no tablet on this thing." Sakura said with worry. The unknown creature roared as it started to attack.
Meanwhile, Portia continued to fall down the chasm until she was saved when a crystal slide appeared out of nowhere and led her safely to the ground. "Okay. Officially the weirdest slide I've ever been on." She said. "Portia!" Maribel's voice called. Portia turned around as her best friend slid down the slide. "Portia, are you alright? Are you hurt? Any bruises?" Maribel asked as she checked Portia for any injuries. "Relax, Maribel, I'm okay." Portia assured. "Good. Where are we anyway?" Maribel asked. They looked around to see that they were in some kind of cavern filled with colorful crystals. "Looks like a crystal cavern to me." Portia said. "Portia." A voice called. Portia was startled. "What's wrong?" Maribel asked. "I heard something. It was calling my name." Portia said. "I didn't hear anything." Maribel said. "Portia." The voice called again. "Follow me." Portia said as she walked off with Maribel following.
Meanwhile, back at the battle, the unknown giant creature battled against the Guardian Spirits. But none of their attacks phased it. The unknown creature fired an extendable tongue covered in teeth and ensnared Araqiel with it, squeezing her tightly. "I…can't…move!" She said as she struggled in the unknown creature's grip. Just then, the unknown creature threw her at a crystal, hitting it hard. Araqiel groaned before she transformed back into Allie. "Oh, that hurt." Allie groaned. Just then, the unknown creature was about to crush her with its right arm. But then, Heatfroster leapt in and grabbed Allie, saving her before the unknown creature could crush her. "Heatfroster, is there a way we can stop this thing and save Tainted Quartz from his corruption?" Ray's voice asked. "I'm afraid that it will take time for us to defeat such a creature and save Sunspout's friend, Ray." Heatfroster said. He watched as Tainted Quartz rammed into Squeaky and Thorn-Bringer, making them disappear. "But what I actually wonder is how the Choten discovered this creature and figure out that it's capable of handling my fellow Guardian Spirits."
Meanwhile, back in the crystal cavern, Portia and Maribel continued following the voice. "Portia." The voice called. "Look." Portia said, pointing towards…a Guardian Spirit shrine with a symbol of a crystal. "It's a Guardian Spirit shrine." Maribel said. "Welcome, Portia." The voice of the Guardian Spirit said. "Who are you?" Portia asked. "I am Diaspro, the Mage Crystal. And I have been waiting for you for quite some time. You have been chosen as my champion." The Guardian Spirit, named Diaspro, explained. Just then, a K-Tector, colored teal and sea green, appeared in Portia's hand. "No way." Portia said in awe. Just then, the symbol on the shrine shattered and released Diaspro's spirit, which then transferred into the K-Tector powering up. "Amazing. Now what do we do?" Portia asked. "We must help your friends. You know what to do." Diaspro said. Portia nodded as she held up her K-Tector. "Execute! Guardian Spirit Evolution!" She called, transforming into Diaspro for the first time.
Meanwhile, back in the battle, Tainted Quartz had defeated all of the kids' creatures and the unknown creature defeated the Guardian Spirits, transforming them back into Ray, Jen, Gabe, Terry and Greta. "All too easy. Now finish them off." Choten ordered. The unknown creature and Tainted Quartz walked towards the kids and the Kazamas, preparing to finish them off. But then, the Autocons stepped in front of them to protect their friends. "You will not touch them, villain." Landslide said protectively. "Very well. Scrap them as well." Choten said. Suddenly, before anyone could do anything, the ground began to shake violently. Just then, several crystals erupted from the ground. "What is this?!" Choten exclaimed in shock. The crystals impaled all of the creatures summoned by the minions, making them disappear. Just then, a bigger crystal erupted and impaled the unknown creature, making it disappear too. Just then, an even bigger crystal erupted between the heroes and the villains. On top of it was Diaspro and Maribel. "Maribel!" Greta cheered. "But who's that with her?" Allie asked. "Diaspro." Sunspout realized. "The Guardian Spirit who led the Spirit Quartz." Lunaressa added. The Spirit Quartz were shocked to see their old leader again after so long. Diaspro glared down at the Choten and his minions. "Choten, you and your minions, leave now or feel my wrath." She threatened. The minions were scared at those words, but the Choten was unphased by her threats. "Stand your ground. We are not leaving until every last Spirit Quartz is captured and corrupted into my army." He said.
Diaspro narrowed her eyes at Tainted Quartz. "You dared to corrupt one of my Quartz, Choten. That is unforgivable." She said angrily. She motioned her hand, and 2 large crystal hands erupted and grabbed Tainted Quartz, pinning him down. The Choten was caught off guard by that. Before he could do anything, Diaspro started chanting. "What's she doing?" Terry asked. Just then, the Choten and his minions magically disappeared. The kids, Kazamas and Autocons were shocked by that. "She made them disappear." Ray said. Diaspro walked down to Tainted Quartz as he struggled in the crystal hands' grip. She placed her hand on his horn and started chanting another spell, healing him and removing the Choten's corruption. "What? What happened? Diaspro?" Tainted Quartz asked in shock and confusion. "Breathe the free air again, my friend." Diaspro said, releasing Tainted Quartz from her crystal hands as the kids, Kazamas, Autocons and Spirit Quartz walked over. "I'm sorry for attacking. I could see everything that happened, but I couldn't control my actions due to that selfish human's corruption. Please forgive me." Tainted Quartz said with an apologetic bow. "There is nothing to apologize for, my old friend. It was not your fault. It is the Choten who rightfully bears the blame." Diaspro said, placing her comforting hand on Tainted Quartz's horn. Then she turned to Sunspout. "Sunspout, my old friend, you truly have a pure heart for your actions." She said. "It was my duty, Diaspro. These children are my friends. All of them." Sunspout said. The kids, Kazamas and Autocons smiled at that. Finally, Diaspro turned to the other Spirit Quartz. "As for the rest of you, I am quite disappointed in you for not helping Sunspout and her friends." She said in disappointment. The Spirit Quartz all felt ashamed of themselves. "But I understand your hesitation to help. But you must learn to help them as things would've become worse today." Diaspro said. The Spirit Quartz looked at each other and all nodded in agreement. "We promise, Diaspro. In the future, we will all try to help." A Cindermoss Quartz said. "Yes. Especially now that we've seen how determined these children were to protect us and chosen by the Guardian Spirits." A Mistvine Quartz said. The kids, Kazamas and Autocons offered their hands, and the Spirit Quartz accepted them.
Afterwards, satisfied with the sight of her Spirit Quartz friends accepting the kids, Kazamas and Autocons, Diaspro transformed back into Portia. "Whoa. That was weird. Are my arms on the right side?" Portia asked, checking her arms. "You're alright, Portia. It takes a while to get used to." Jen assured. "Alright, guys, I think it's time to head on home." Ray said. "Your K-Tectors are ready to reopen the portal for you, Ray." Heatfroster said. "And I hope to see you fight by our side again someday, Sunspout." Ray said. "Me too, Ray. If you should ever need me, all you have to do is call my name." Sunspout said. Ray, Jen, Allie, Gabe, Terry, Greta and Portia raised their K-Tectors and opened the portal.
Later, as they arrived back in San Campion, the Autocons were bringing the kids and the Kazamas back to their homes. "That was amazing for our first visit to the Creature Realm." Particle said. "Yes. But the Choten is so cruel to those creatures, using them like war machines." Landslide said. "Agreed. He has to be stopped." Brakeline said. "No worries. We'll make sure that the Choten is stopped from making his war between humans and creatures." Ray assured.
Meanwhile, the Choten and his minions woke up in an isolated area back on Earth from Diaspro's spell. "I swear, my war will soon begin." Choten said angrily. "Sir, he's on the line." One of the minions said, handing the Choten a phone. "Hello. Long time, no see…Draven." Choten said with a sinister smile.
Wow! Wasn't that amazing?! After receiving an alert that a Spirit Quartz was captured and corrupted by the Choten, Ray's group journey to the Quartz Realm, the legendary land of the Spirit Quartz, and reunite with their old friend, Sunspout. But the Choten arrives with his newly corrupted Tainted Quartz and summons an unknown creature. But as things started looking bad, Portia discovered the Spirit Guardian Shrine of Diaspro and used her powers to cure Tainted Quartz and send the Choten's forces away from the Quartz Realm. But even with the day won, it was far from over. What new services will the Choten call in? Will the Autocons' secret be revealed? What new challenges will Ray and Jen's group face in the future? Leave a review if you'd like.