A bright beam of light descends to the illuminated temple once inhabited by the long-gone Supreme lord of light. The lords crunch down to the sleek golden pavements as if they haven't been gone all those years. There they come face to face with the old sage – looking ever the same as time has stopped in this temple.
Razzle peeks out of Jessica's white bushy hair. "Old Sage! I've done what you asked." He scurries off Jessica's shoulders now perched beside the Old Sage.
"You did well, young Razzle. Not a second too late." The Old Sage compliments.
"Old Sage, can you tell us what's going on in Gorm?" Nick asks.
"Yeah, and why there are cracks and earthquakes appearing all over Venture Falls?" Lucas adds.
The Old Sage sighs before explaining the circumstances to the lords. "There appears to be a rogue monster loose in the Earth nation. It headed into the abandoned earth mines - rampaging the mines with no rest. That is what I believe is what's causing the problems in your home."
"A monster? What type of monster? Is this another plot from Magor?" Nick shoots at the old sage. How were they supposed to defeat this monster if they don't know anything about it?
"I'm afraid I cannot answer your questions, young lord of earth. All I know is that this monster is one you've never faced before."
"That's just wonderful!" Jessica comments. If it's something they've never fought before then it'd take longer to beat. She has to go back to Mark quick – he's probably restless wondering where she is and what she's doing.
"We can figure that out later." Toby interrupts, ready for action. "Old Sage, take us to the mines. We'll put a stop to that monster!"
Old Sage closes his eyes and stretches his arms out. "Be safe, Lords. We don't know what this monster is capable of." With another beam of light, the lords were transported out of the temple of light.
The lords land close to the abandoned mine. And boy it sure was abandoned. The broken steel sign by the entrance gave it away but also the rusty carts laying around. They look like they haven't been used in ages.
The lords head into the mine – following the monster's path of destruction. Whatever that monster is – it's big. Huge chunks of the mine walls were falling apart and the tracks and carts inside were destroyed, tossed to the side in this monster's rampage.
"Whatever we're up against, it sure is strong." Toby comments, pausing to eye the destruction.
"Quit dawdling. Who knows what ruckus it's causing right now?" Nick says impatiently. To be honest, he's still worried about Kagami, wanting to get this done and out of the way so she's safe.
"Party pooper," Toby whispers under his breath.
The lords continue in silence until they reach a spilt path. The monster's trail ends here, and the lords are faced with a dilemma.
"We should split up." Jessica voices. "We'll cover more ground and find the monster faster that way."
"Uh, I don't think that's such a good idea, Jess. It's a monster we've never faced before. I think we should stick together." Lucas points out.
"But we'll cover more ground! Every second that monster's in here, Venture Falls is in trouble!" Nick says, albeit ruder. He didn't mean to come across angry but Kagami is stuck in that house and potentially in danger. They had to stop that monster quick!
"I, for one, agree with Lucas. It's safer that way." Toby brings up.
"Oh, so it's not because you can stay in Gorm longer to play the hero?" Jessica brings with a certain callousness to her tone.
"Where's this attitude coming from? I thought you'd let Mark fight your battles."
"Toby, knock it off!"
"No, seriously, both of you stop." Nick shakes his head. "We wouldn't be in this predicament if you'd answer your phone, Jess."
"Excuse me! You're blaming me for what's going on in Venture Falls?"
"Not necessarily but we could've at least prevented the damages sooner."
"Well sorry, I was out living my life! If I would've known the Gorm was in trouble I would've contacted, you guys!"
"Ooooh, now the damsel is fending for herself!"
"Shut up Toby, you're no better than me! Remember the mall incident?"
"OH FOR PETE'S SAKE, WON'T ALL OF YOU SHUT YOUR TRAPS?" Lucas yells at the group, startling all of them. Lucas isn't immune to getting pissed off but when he gets really mad – a certain chill enters the room.
"Jessica started it," Toby adds, pointing at the girl.
"Hey! You're the one who provoke - "
"We have a mission and you're here arguing like a bunch of babies! How can we save the Gorm if we can't work together!?" The gang all glance at each-other feeling the weight of Lucas' words. It wasn't like them to argue so early into a mission.
Lucas sighs, feeling a migraine coming on. "We're going together and that's fin -"
Lucas couldn't finish his rant as the wall behind him bursts open – debris falling everywhere.
"Rock shield! / Sea shield!" the Tripp brothers scream, putting up their shields in defence – knocking away any debris flinging towards them.
The lords cough at all the dust in the air, clearing it out to have a full view of the monster. They all stare in shock at the towering faceless monstrosity upon them.
Showing its agitation, the freak of nature screeches in a high pitched tone – enough to break a glass jar. The teens cover their non-existent ears, unable to withstand the screeches. It's enough to cause their non-existent ears to bleed.
The screeches weaken the walls and ceiling before them, crumbling to the ground about to trap them in rubble. Though Lucas is quick to act, activating his jungle attack to keep the vicinity from collapsing on them.
"I could... use a little help." Lucas struggles to say.
Nick rushes to aid his friend. He places a hand on his temple. "Mind over rock!" that causes the crumbling rocks to stop mid-air, filling the holes in the ceiling.
Now Toby and Jessica are left to deal with the monster. "Current cannon!" Toby roars, triggering his arm to shapeshift into a cannon, blasting water globs at the unidentified monster.
Jessica does the same, conjuring a ball of lightning in her hands. "Lightning bolts!"
However, no matter how many times they fire their attacks at the beast, it doesn't move an inch, acting as if their attacks are mere scratches. It sweeps its claws at them, flinging them to the ends of the cavern before screeching out.
"Toby! Ugh -" Nick calls for his brother but loses his concentration at the sheer pain in his ears. Even Lucas couldn't withstand the pain – bringing back his vines to shield his ears from the pain.
Jessica breaks out of the rubble, flying off the ground. Enough was enough. "Time to show this hothead who's in charge. Vortex of Winds!" Scanning her crest, a large tornado heads in the beast's direction. Though it's large size wouldn't allow it to be blown away, Jessica's attack did stun it – unable to do its ear-shattering screeches due to the heavy abundance of air.
The boys go back to maintaining the structure, with Jessica slowly pushing the beast back towards the entrance.
Jessica applauds herself for a job well done but she couldn't rejoice yet. For some reason, the tornado weakens and her wings grow heavy. She tries flapping her wings, but they won't respond, sinking to the floor. Her tornado dies down too, the beast striding forward.
"Jessica! What are you doing?" Toby calls, already recovering from the hit.
"I don't know! My powers – I feel them draining!" Jinxing it, the tornado stops and Jessica falls on all fours. She had no energy left, unable to defend herself from the beast.
Somehow Jessica offended the beast, so it doesn't do one of its piercing screeches. No, instead, its faceless head opens wide revealing its plethora of razor-sharp teeth and saliva. It converges a beam – ready to hit Jessica for pissing it off.
The girl couldn't move, too drained to fly off or attack.
"JESSICA!" Toby hollers, attempting to break out of the rubble to save her.
But it's too late, the beast aims its attack at the air lord.
"ROCK SHIELD!" Nick makes it in time, deflecting it's attack away from him and Jessica. However, the sheer force of the attack sends both flying towards a wall, Jessica smashing into it first then Nick shattering the wall and sending them to the other side.
"JESS! NICK!" Toby calls out.
It does another screech, leaving Lucas once again holding up the walls. "Toby, you gotta do something! I feel my powers draining too! I don't know how long I can last."
"Fuck!" Toby curses under his breath. If this monster can take out his brother – the strongest out of all of them – how is Toby supposed to fare against it?
Nick regains consciousness after having been knocked out. He dusts the rubble off him, darting left and right in search for Jessica. She's lying a little further from him – completely knocked out.
"Jess!" He calls rushing to her. "Are you okay?" He dusts some of the debris off her holding her up so she can sit.
She wakes, though a bit dazed. "I don't feel so good." She says before being covered in a coat of light. When the light dies down, she's reverted to her human form.
Nick could only stare in shock. They've never had to worry about de-transforming since gaining their new powers – how did it come to this? Was it the 4-year absence or is it something to do with this sudden appearance of this monster?
"What the?" Jessica regained her strength but even she didn't know why she de-transformed. She just felt fatigued from using her powers but now she feels fine.
"How are you feeling?" Nick asks, still worried if Jessica's protruding any symptoms.
"I'm fine." Jessica answers, getting up to her feet. "but how did that happen?" Jessica says, mostly to herself. If she can't transform, what use is she in stopping that monster? "Wait, what about Toby and Lucas?"
"Discs of the Forest!" the opening of Lucas' fists send out discs of wood whirling towards the beast. Like Jessica and Toby's attacks, it barely scratched the monster, as it merely bears its fangs at the Lords. He leaps in Lucas' direction ready to make an attack. Lucas dodges out of the way, rolling to Toby.
"What do we do now?" Lucas poses to Toby. The unknown beast gapes his large mouth wide open, planning on a second beam attack at Toby and Lucas.
"I think I have a plan," Toby says and rushes towards the beast. Lucas tries to call to Toby. This monster is a formidable foe, they couldn't jump in unprepared especially with their draining powers. But Toby was having none of it.
He roared out his current cannon using the force of the attack to propel him forward into the beast's mouth before switching to his lobster claw. Forcing the beast's mouth open with his claw he blasts his cannon directing into the black void of its throat. Using two effects at the same time – now Toby knew what Jessica felt while using Vortex of Winds. His powers were draining rapidly, and he could feel the strength leave his body. At least he can stun the beast whilst the others figure out what to do.
The beast didn't like water – no it couldn't physically take it in – like humans eating grass. It chokes, halting its movements.
"Haha!" Toby laughs. "Check this out, Lucas! I took this guy down!"
"Uh Toby, I think you need to get out of there," Lucas warns.
The beasts stomach grows tenfold like a blown-up balloon. It's going to burst any second.
"Oh shi-"
No, it didn't burst. Instead, it vomits out the water, sending Toby flying through the ceiling with his own attack.
Now Lucas was left to deal with the monster except he didn't. Toby's plan didn't go as he'd predicted but that doesn't mean he didn't do the job.
The light emitting from the ceiling Toby flew from irritates the monster. It gasps in horror as if the sunlight was burning through its flesh. Then, from the top of its head or face, a gaping eye pops out, threatening to escape from its flesh confines. It didn't take long for the eye to go from a mild yellow to burnt red. The beast hisses, stumbling its way away from the sunlight, running off into the depths of the mines.
Lucas doesn't know if he should chase after the thing.
Nick with a human Jessica come out from the wall they've been blasted into. Lucas gives a sigh of relief – glad at least those two are safe.
"Jess! How did you -"
"What happened here? Where's that monster?" Nick asks, super agitated.
Heck, Lucas is having a hard time comprehending what happened. "Toby hit that thing with his current cannon then it…hit Toby back with it. Sent him flying through the ceiling."
Jessica covers her mouth with her hands, shaking. Toby – if anything happened to him, Jessica wouldn't know what to do.
Lucas continues, "Then, I don't know why but the light. That hurt the monster. It had an eye, or something, pop out from his head. It ran off into the depths."
"Hmm…" Nick's deep in thought, "Maybe light is its weakness."
"Uh, hello! Did you guys forget Toby just rocketed to the sky!" Jessica reminds the boys – silently praying to herself that he's okay.
As if her prayers were received, an all too familiar face descends from the sky.
"Is that?" Nick starts.
"Fenison?" Lucas finishes.
"Not only Fenison!" Jessica continues. There's someone perched on his back. Jessica could feel her heart ease again.
"You missed me?" Toby says in his usual goofy tone. Though, like Jessica, he's reverted to his human form.
"Not a chance!" Lucas says jokingly.
"Obviously Toby can handle being shot through the ceiling."
Jessica starts walking over to Toby mounting off her ancient guardian. "I'm glad you're okay." She says to Toby with genuine earnest.
Toby scratches his head, a bit embarrassed. Being subjected to Jessica's kindness is rare for him these days. Any interaction is usually met with hostility. It warmed his heart – made him feel fluffy inside. Maybe with the Gorm in trouble again, the two can start interacting normally again.
Fenison clears his throat, alerting the lords of his presence. "Sorry to ruin the moment, but the monster at hand."
"Yes. We need some way to lure it out of the mines." Nick says.
"But once it's out, what's next? We still don't know much about that thing and we can't let it run wild in the Gorm." Lucas says. He faces Toby and Jessica. "Either way, we're two lords down."
"We need something to contain it. Or at least hold it for the time being." Nick says stroking his chin in thought.
The others were also stuck in their minds, trying to find something that could hold such a strong being. In some weird coincidence, it hit the group at the same time.
"Lock rocks!" the group says in unison.
"Where do we find them?" Jessica directs to Fenison.
"You'll need to seek out Diamantes. He knows the location to the cave of wonders. There you'll find the three colored crystals to form the locks. " Fenison explains.
"Okay. Jess and Toby should go find Diamantes and set up the trap. It's dangerous for you two in here." Nick directs, already coming up with a plan.
Toby groans. "Aww, and here I thought I'd be fighting monster butt! Not go on a fetch quest."
Nick ignores his brother. "Lucas and I will trail the monster and draw it out of the mines."
"What if you guys de-transform?" Jessica questions. Once Nick and Lucas are out, it's game over. Plus, leaving those two in the mines with that thing, even in their gormiti forms, it's still dangerous.
Nick sighs. Jessica does have a good point. "I don't want to admit it, but I do feel my strength sapping."
"Then we'll have to act quick."Lucas turns to Nick. "We'll have to conserve whatever remaining strength we have left and use it wisely."
"I'll lead the lord of the air and water to Diamantes," Fenison says lying down so Jessica and Toby could hop onto his back. Toby gives a worried glance towards his brother and friend. Nick gives him a thumbs up, reaffirming his belief that they'll be okay, before mounting onto Fenison.
The ancient guardian flies into the crack towards the sunlight. Both Jessica and Toby pray silently for their friend's safety.
"We're here live with the rising star of the-"
Switch.
"I set one card face down and end my turn - "
Switch.
"But Brad… I -"
Kagami abruptly turns off the TV, the channels no longer appealing to her. Perching up onto the sofa, she stares blankly at the ceiling. She wonders how Toby and Nick are doing – or whatever they are doing. Are they safe? Are they hurt? Should she have gone with them? These questions swirl through her head on a loop.
Today has been one big mess and the last thing she needed was something else to go crazy over. She'd break with the stress. Kagami chuckles to herself. She could handle endless amounts of studying and a rigorous schedule but now she's broken free and everything went to hell. Heck, she's cried more this past few weeks then she's ever done in her entire 16 years of living! Funny how the thing she cherished the most would cause her so much stress. Maybe she should've continued as usual and not gotten too greedy.
Kagami lays down on the sofa. If she couldn't handle this, how can she handle the war in Gorm? Would she make a good Lord of Nature? Doubtfully. She isn't a natural-born leader, as her peers think of her. No way she could lead an army. But she's past the point of no return. She had nothing left but the Gorm. She's burned enough bridges as it is – she can't let go of Vestalt. She's the only one left after all.
Bored of the ceiling, Kagami takes out her phone. She's shocked at the display. 67 missed calls from Oiji-san. By mere coincidence, her cell vibrates again with another call from him. Sick of the silence and some anger towards the older man gone, she picks up the call.
"Kagami Oh, Kagami, thank the Gods, where have you been! I thought you were dead! Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine Oiji-san, really. I'm in the Tripp's house." Kagami doesn't see any point in lying to him.
"Okay, I'm coming to pick you up. Don't leave the house!" With that, he hung up.
Though it'd hurt seeing her Oiji-san so soon, she's numb to the pain now. Nothing mattered in the long run anymore. She'll be off to Gorm and nobody would miss her.
The earth gormiti messenger once again ascends the wore-down staircase of the Earth Temple. This time, he's running like his life depended on it – not that his other errands weren't all that important. But still, this news was far too important to wait. He comes crashing through the doors – startling the crowd in the room.
"The lords..." the messenger starts, already out of breath.
Just one mention of the lords has the whole earth council standing from their seats.
"Are the lords here?" Bullrock questions.
The messenger nods. "They're outside. With the ancient guardian of air."
Bullrock springs from his seat, rushing to greet the lords. The rest of the earth council follow suit.
Outside the Earth capital Jessica and Toby, alongside Fenison, wait for Bullrock – a crowd already forming around them, given the sudden appearance of the ancient guardian of air.
"We've only landed, and we're already treated like celebrities." Toby comments, taking in the attention at the passers-by and occasionally waving at the crowd.
"Take it in as long as you like, we'll be leaving soon once we find Diamantes," Jessica says bluntly, biting on her newly done nails. Mark's definitely wondering where she is about now.
"Fenison, Ancient guardian of air!" upon the steps of the Earth temple, Bullrock descends with a small group of earth Gormiti.
"Greetings, earth champion Bullrock."
Bullrock glances at the two beside Fenison. "And you must be the lords of nature?" He asks, unsure. He's heard that the lords are small beings from an alternate dimension, but he's never seen them in their natural forms until now.
"Yep! We're the one and only!" Toby says proudly, pumping his chest.
Jessica rolls her eyes. Someone's enjoying the spot in the limelight. "We're here to find Diamantes," Jessica says, getting to the point. "We have a plan to lure the beast out from the mines, but we need to retrieve crystals from the cave of wonders in order to trap it."
"Ah, you're in search of the lock rocks," Bullrock says, scratching his chin. "It's true Diamantes is the only earth gormiti who knows of the hidden location to the cave of wonders. I'll send my men to bring him to you."
Jessica thanks the earth champion before he goes to chat with his men. Fenison stretches his wings ready to take flight once more. "I'll be departing then. I'm sure you two can handle things on your own from here."
Jessica pets her guardian. "Thank you, Fenison."
"Yeah, thanks for saving me. I would've gone splat without you there to catch me." Toby thanks sheepishly.
The bird nods and flies off into the sky. It wasn't long till a troop of earth gormiti led them to Diamantes and the trio headed off into the cave of wonders. The group went through tunnels, winding passageways and dirt. If Jessica knew she'd be walking for long she wouldn't have worn her heels. She winces at the sharp pain on her toes already knowing of the awful blisters she'd have to treat. Though the small talk between them and Diamantes kept her mind distracted from the pain.
However, Jessica's leg finally gives out, tripping on a step and she falls flat on the ground. It was soft with mud cushioning her fall, but her outfit had to pay the price. Her entire front is covered in dirt and some splashed on her face, ruining her make-up. On top of it all, she broke a nail.
'Damnit!'
Toby and Diamantes stop in their tracks.
"You alright?" Toby questions, extending a hand to Jessica.
"I'm fine." She says getting up herself. She didn't hide the annoyance in her tone. Frankly, she spent a lot on this outfit, having gotten a part-time job at their local Walmart and everything. The time she'd have to spend washing all this dirt off – why couldn't the monster attack the mines tomorrow?
The group walks in silence. A huge scowl appears on Jessica's face from now on.
Toby took glances here and there at Jessica. No doubt she's pissed about her outfit. Her shoes were her daughters and her clothes were her nieces. Knowing Jessica, she couldn't face Mark like that. He could make out a big circular red rash on her neck. Inspecting further, there were more red rashes on her collarbone. His mind clicks.
"Holy crap! Are those hickeys?!" Toby says his thoughts out loud.
Jessica turns beet red; her hand automatically covers her neck. "S-stop looking at me!" She stammers, striding up to meet Diamantes' pace. At least she's somewhat glad Toby pointed it out to her then. If her father sees this…
"What's a hickey?" Diamantes asks, somewhat confused on what the two are discussing.
Toby was about to explain but Jessica shoots daggers at him, not hesitating to knock her heels into his skull if he dares open his mouth. "It's best if you don't know."
Diamantes shrugs, content with the answer.
After more hiking and Jessica's feet bleeding, the group reaches a dead end. Diamantes steps up, shooting some crystals prompting the walls to collapse showing an entrance. Upon going inside, the atmosphere changes, from the murky orange sky and brown environment to bright dazzling white, colours dancing from the refraction of lights.
"We're going to need three coloured crystals to form the lock rocks. Blue, green and yellow. Anything else and we'd have an explosion in our hands. They're pretty rare so finding them inside this cave will take a while." Diamantes explains.
Both Toby and Jessica sighed. Toby for wasting more time finding some crystals instead of joining the action and Jessica; her friends will be leaving soon and Mark's going to bombard her with questions tomorrow morning. Plus, she left her phone and belongings in Gina's bag.
Diamantes went ahead in search of the crystals.
"You can rest Jess, Diamantes and I can take it from here!" Toby says.
Jessica gives him a perplexed look. "But the more people we have looking, the easier it'll be to find the crystals!" No way she's sitting this out. If she's going to be here, might as well be of use somehow.
"Your feet have gotta hurt from all that walking with those heels on. We'll have to get back to Nick and Lucas. You should rest. We've got this."
Jessica couldn't deny Toby was right. The state of her feet was awful and frankly painful. She'd be more of a liability. She seats herself on a rock. "Fine, but if you guys don't find anything in twenty minutes, I'm helping out."
"Great! I'll find those crystals in less than twenty minutes. You won't have to move a muscle!" Toby grins at her before running off.
Jessica couldn't help but smile back at him.
Mark searches the entire club for any sign of Jessica but there was absolutely no trace of her. Didn't she promise him she'd be done with whatever she's doing fast? Cyrus' older brother is already here and they should be going home together with their friends. Mark sits by the bar mentally cursing at himself for letting Toby take her away.
"God-damn it what's taking her so long?" Mark curses out loud, forgetting Gina's right beside him.
"Don't stress about it. Those guys are taking good care of her – I'm sure of it."
"That's not the problem, Gina." Mark blurts out.
"Look, I know you didn't get to make-out with Jessica like you planned to -"
"We were interrupted."
"Whatever. Things didn't go as planned tonight. There's always next time." Gina was more reaffirming herself than Mark, but hey, they're in the same predicament.
Mark pouts, looking away from Gina. Who knew he was such a baby?
Gina rolls her eyes, collecting her belongings. "Fine. If you want to sit here and sulk, you do you. You know how Zane's like."
Cyrus' older brother, Zane, is kind of a dick. He wouldn't hesitate to leave them behind if they kept him waiting. Mark doesn't want to assume the worst – that Jessica has gone home with Toby but that might've been the case. She also knows about Zane's impatience.
"Gina, wait up!"
Plummeting into the darkness of the mines for what seems like ages, Nick and Lucas finally track down the beast nestling in a cramped corner of one of the tunnels.
"Should we leave it alone? It isn't doing anything." Lucas asks, glancing at Nick. But he could already tell Nick's response.
"No, we're luring it out." Nick hardened his gaze. They didn't have enough power and who knows when this beast will be up and running again.
"What do you propose we do?"
Nick charges at the beast. "Get ready to run, Lucas. We're getting this muck out of here!"
He stretches out his arm. "Rock storm!" he calls. Flints of stone hit the beast. It hollers its signature shriek and gives chase towards the Lords.
"Go, go!" Nick shouts at Lucas' direction and they both speed off to the exit.
No need for words.
Lucas shoots an attack at the beast. "Discs of the forest!" Lucas roars, agitating it further with another hit. The monster shrieks again. Its movements were messy, swaying left to right, scraping the walls and kicking any minecarts in its rage. Some flew straight at the Lords. Dealing with the upcoming objects wasn't tough – what worried the boys was the monster's beam attack.
However, Lucas falls behind, his energy draining rapidly. He pushes through the fatigue – he couldn't let the mission fail.
They stop at the sight of light at the other end. The exit.
"What do we do now? Once it sees the light, it'll run back inside." Lucas huffs between short breaths.
"This is the part where we go all out!" Nick says.
He storms to the monster. Lucas combs a hand through his hair. Nick wasn't seriously going toe to toe with that thing?
No, right before contact, Nick swiftly slides under its massive feet, now at its tail end. "Rock Hammer!" Transforming his arms into two giant hammers he strikes them down on the ground. A wall of stone explodes from the ground, blocking the path back to the mines. There's no way for the monster to go but forward.
Lucas smirks. It wasn't like Nick to come up with something rash. Lucas activates his jungle attack, wrapping his vines around the beast, certain its mouth is closed shut. He pulls with all his might.
"I need a little help here!" He calls out to Nick, his feet dragging through the ground. "Urk! Jungle feet!" He shouts, sinking his feet down the ground, stabilizing himself.
Nick rushes over to Lucas to help pull the beast out to the light. With Nick they actually make progress, little by little, they drag it to the entrance.
"It's working!" Nick shouts.
Nonetheless, Lucas feels his grip weaken. "Bro, this is really taking the wind outta me. I – I don't think I can make it."
"Stay with me, Lucas! We're almost there." Nick grunts, dragging the beast a little further out. If only it'd keep still!
"I-I'm trying," Lucas says and he genuinely is trying but the draining wouldn't stop. Knowing he'd de-transform he detaches his veins from himself, falling back to the ground.
"Lucas!"
Consumed in a bright light, he reverts to his human form. "It's all on you, Nick." He says, running off into the open. He shields his vision from the piercing light, giving his eyes time to adjust to the new brightness.
There a muddy Jessica and Toby put the lock rocks in place with Diamantes. They spot Lucas and run up to him.
"Where's Nick?" Toby asks.
"With the monster. He's still in his gormiti form."
"We've gotta help him," Toby says, ready to go in there. He couldn't leave his little brother alone with that thing.
Jessica grabs his hand, stopping him. "We'll be in the way if we go in there."
"But Nick-"
"Nick will be okay." Jessica reaffirms, tightening her hold on Toby's hand. "He won't lose. He's stubborn."
Toby takes a deep breath, tightening his grasp. He's still concerned but he believes in his brother. If anyone could take down that thing, it'd be Nick for sure.
Nick's feet give out, turning the tables in the beast's favour as it's now dragging Nick towards him. "Geo drill!" He shouts, shifting his arm to that of a drill and plunging it into the ground – other hand's tight grasp still on Lucas' rope. His drill betrays him, dismissing itself back to his hand.
'Damn!' Nick curses in his head. Soon, it'll be his time to go out. All hope rests on his shoulders, he had to bring this monster out or it's game over.
Lucas' rope tear, worsening Nick's thoughts. What can he do to salvage the situation? All odds are against him. Lucas' creepers kept the monster's mouth shut for now – if it gives way – Nick mentally slaps himself. He shouldn't think of the worst-case scenarios. He needs to come up with a new plan but what?
At this point, he'll let everyone down. Gorm, the Earth, Venture Falls.
Kagami.
He'd let Kagami down.
If she were here, she'd know what to do. She's a better strategist than him and can think on the fly.
All remaining energy sapped from his being, the beast flings Nick away, sending him crashing to the ground with a big sweep. He's embedded with light now back to the scrawny loser that he is.
"I'm…I'm sorry, Kagami."
At the other club members' persistence, Nick finally had permission from the teachers to bring snacks into the classroom, but they had to clean up afterwards. Nonetheless, that didn't stop the rest of Nick's club mates from ditching him in a hurry with only him, Jessica and Gina left.
"Here, take this." He said, handing Jessica a broom.
"Um, sorry Nick. We're not here to clean." She apologised, handing him back his broom.
"You see…well -" Jessica stumbled on her words, not knowing how to break the news.
"We're quitting the club," Gina said bluntly.
Nick dropped the broom. "What?"
"You see, there's this really cute guy. You know him – Mark Tuan, he's really popular!" Gina babbled.
Of course, he knew Mark. He dethroned Justin in popularity. All the girls want him. Even Jessica wasn't immune to his charms.
Jessica took it from there. "Mark has band practice around this time and -"
"You guys want to go and gush at his 'awesome' guitar playing." Nick finished.
"I'm so sorry, Nick. I'll make it up to you, I promise." Jessica pleaded.
Though he felt betrayed and honestly disgusted that they'd ditch the club he cherishes for some good-looking guy, he couldn't really blame the girls. Mark is just that popular. All the girls (and some guys – Mark is bisexual after all) in the school go to his practices so why not them?
"Just go already."
"I'll get you lunch as a sorry present!" Jessica said as Gina lured her away.
Nick continued to sweep the floor, now reminded that nobody has joined his new club. He guessed he'd spend the afternoon at home again.
Someone knocked at the door, and Nick turned to see who it is. He stiffened like a statue.
"Are you Nicholas Tripp?" asked the stunning new student, Kagami Sugawara. She transferred to the school today.
Nick nodded his head. He couldn't speak, too star-struck that Kagami Sugawara was talking to him of all people. She'd been swarmed with guys since this morning, practically untouchable. Now she's here.
"I heard you were the president of the archaeology club. Mr O'Brian said I should come to you if I wanted to join."
Nick's literally a stone statue – gaping wide at the suggestion.
"Um…is everything alright?"
'Shit! Say something idiot!' "Yeah, I'm good, fantastic!"
"So, does this mean I can join?"
"Of course! We're open to everyone! Uh, club meetings are usually on a Wednesday! 5 to 6!" Why did he come across way too energetic? He hoped it didn't scare her off.
"Great! But isn't it 5.52 now?" Kagami said, eyeing her watch.
"We regulate ten minutes to cleaning up." Then Nick realised he's the only club member in the room. "Well, it should be everyone but um…everyone left." His credibility is going down the drain with her.
Surprising Nick, Kagami headed to one of the cupboards and pulled out a broom. "Let me help you!" she said, gleaming widely at him.
Nick would have to head to the hospital after- he was having heart failure from that smile. "Are you sure? You must have plans for the afternoon."
Kagami continued to sweep. "Not really. I was invited to a bunch of places, but I declined. I'm not good with crowds. Do you have any plans?"
"I do have another club running but nobody joined. Might as well go home." Now registering what Nick said, his insides crumbled. He's a loser but he didn't want Kagami to know that.
"What's this club about?"
"It's really dumb, actually. Stuff about mushrooms. I came up with it on a whim, I don't think anyone would find it interesting." He chuckled out loud, attempting to cover his embarrassment.
Kagami stopped sweeping. "I don't think that's dumb, in fact, I think it's wonderful."
Heart failure, insides dying, now his brain turned to mush. Kagami would have him dead soon.
"Can I join that club too? I don't know much about mushrooms, but I think it'd be interesting."
Yep, she killed him, stabbed him through the heart, but now he's in heaven. He hadn't found anyone interested in fungi before. He didn't know why, but he then rambled on about fungi whilst they cleaned and Kagami didn't seem the least bit bored, egging him on to continue. At first, all he saw was a pretty girl but now, no, she's not just a pretty face, she's a god. A literal god. She made him feel whole again, listened to him, validated him and in turn did what he couldn't. He'd die for her in an instant.
Nick gets up to his knees, the monster walling madly. Screw the Gorm. Screw the Earth too. The only person that matters is Kagami. He's going to take this monster down for her and nobody else – even if it kills him.
Back outside the entrance, Toby paces in circles. It's been 13 minutes and still no sign of Nick or that monster. What if the monster got him, had eaten him? Toby couldn't live with himself if his brother died.
"That's it, I'm going in."
"Wait!" Jessica calls out but it was too late.
Toby stops at the sight of a shadow, a big shadow that could only belong to one such being. "Oh no, Nick! Talk to me, Nick!"
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
All of them are frozen in emotions that can't be described in words. Even Diamantes was shocked, believing his eyes were playing tricks on him.
Nick trudges out of the mines slowly, each step killing his feet, they could dislocate in any second. The beast hangs high on his back – his human back, as his arms keeps it high off the ground. One question rings out in everyone's mind.
How the hell is Nick doing this?
He throws the beast off him like a modern Hercules, and it rolls right into the lock rocks. The crystals emit a light beam, each meeting at a focal point trapping the beast in a pyramid cage.
"Kagami…I did it." He breathes out. No matter how much air he takes in, it isn't enough for his lungs. He crashes onto his knees, his whole body aching. He face plants on the harsh ground, paralyzed the aching of his bones still sending signals to his nervous system. He doesn't have the strength to get up. His vision blurs as he fades into subconsciousness. He could hear his friends call for him, his brother shaking him violently to move.
"Can I join that club too? I don't know much about mushrooms, but I think it'd be interesting."
"Nick, these suggestions are brilliant!"
"Thanks, but I'm fine. Really! I just...need some time to myself."
"Please be safe."
"Can you hug me?"
"Will you kiss me?"
Kiss me.
That's right, he didn't get to kiss her.
Kagami awoke from her slumber at the sound of the doorbell and incessant knocking. She checks her phone – it's 2 am. Yawning, she ambles to the front expecting either the boys or Mr and Ms Tripp. Upon opening the door, the shock spooks her out of her sleepy state.
"Oiji-san…"
His eyes are red from crying and snot drools from his nose. He leaps in for an embrace, tears falling to her sweater. "Thank god, thank god you're safe. My sweet Kagami is safe. I'm so glad you're safe."
He keeps rambling on like that and Kagami's heart shatters in two. Oiji-san is always insane, but this was a sad sight to see. She did that to him. That's what hurt the most.
"I'm sorry." He says, now facing her. "I'm so sorry. I understand if you can't forgive a foolish man like myself." He breaks down, words not sounding right in his mind. "Sorry, I'm so sorry…" he repeats like a broken record.
Kagami's eyes blur. A single tear drops from her face. She returns the embrace, silently forgiving him with the gesture. "Let's go home."
A/N: Remember when I said there would be 4 chapters left to this arc? Remove that from your memory there's gonna be 2 chapters left. Yep, we're reaching the climax folks.
It kinda weird since this is an adventure story but this is the first action sequence whatever you'd call it chapter I've written like ever (Lowkey regretting starting with an action fic lol). Thanks to finalfanaticgorm for correcting all the attack and Gormiti names I got wrong cause I'm too lazy to go and rewatch the episodes.
see ya'll next week. Big shit's going down next chapter.