Episode 23: Nightmares of the Norse part 2: Subterranean Sinister Serpent
The trek down the underground river in the dwarven boat filled the Z-Team up with awareness, even with a steady speed, the creature they were pursuing could be anywhere. No one, not even Zack at this point knew what it was or what level of danger it would be for them, the dwarves, giants, or anyone in the Norse territory. Peering out from all sides, plus front and back as the boat coasted down the river the threat could be anywhere, Zack kept his Threat Detector out which was beeping slowly getting stronger to where the source of the threat was.
"There's those tracks over there!" shouted Moana, pointing to the right of the boat. As the team pulled the boat over, they noticed the tracks were a lot larger than the ones they saw back at the dwarven village. The growth hormone had more than doubled the snake-creature's size, but it would have to be no ordinary serpent. While investigating the team heard some voices and decided to hide behind any rocks and stalagmites that were close by while they listened. Cautiously peering behind they could see some scientists and a shadow monk talking to each other.
"Are the preparations ready for the Jormungandr to take control of Midgard?" asked the monk.
"Oh yes, it's growing bigger already, not even the Z-Team will be able to stop it!" replied on scientist.
"And even if they call for help, that serpent's venom is even powerful enough to stop any divine intervention!" added the other scientist.
"Don't forget to get the super growth hormone ready, we'll need it for Fenrir coming soon once we find the wolf's location…." With that the shadow monk disappeared into the depths. The two scientists were snickering to each other that the plan was going in motion well. From watching afar in hiding, the Z-Team had a fury brewing over what they had heard. At Zack's signal Simba, Nalan, Rajah, and Pluto leapt out of hiding and onto the scientists each grabbing hold of their limbs to prevent them from escaping, which caused them to holler in pain, the rest of the Z-Team caught up to them to initiate the interrogation process.
"Better cough up the details of the Jormugandr attacking Midgard!" exclaimed Zack.
"Yeah what's this all about?!" added Elsa. "Why attack innocent people?!" The scientists cried out in pain as their arms and limbs were getting pulled.
"It's a…...lot more…..than…...attacking the…...people…...of…..Midgard….." The scientist winced as he was getting pulled with the Simbas' jaws on his wrist and Nala's jaws on his ankle.
"The giant…..serpent…...is…..going to….crush the town….." the other scientist winced as Pluto was on his wrist, and Rajah at his ankle. Mickey and Minnie, both with scowls of disgust stepped forth to add to the interrogation, grabbing the scientists by the collar.
"And what about this Fenrir?" Mickey interrogated.
"Yes, where do we find this giant wolf?" Minnie added, the scientists continued to holler in pain.
"They didn't…..give any….clear…...location….." the scientist replied, Donald stepped forth with his spear pointing outward, the mice allowed him through.
"I think your lying!" squawked Donald, Jasmine stepped forward and looked at the scientist right in the eyes, her whip in her hands ready in case he was lying.
"He is lying….I can tell it in his eyes!" she added deciding to place her whip on the scientists neck, which the scientist attempted to stop with his free hand.
"Okay I'll talk! The wolf…..Fenrir…...is located…...near the…...foot…...of…..Nifl…..heim….." At this point Jasmine was convinced of him.
"Alright that's enough, let them go!" Zack ordered the animals, which they all did, releasing them.
"The Jormugandr went that way!" One of the scientists said pointing to the left cavern, he was telling the truth, there were wet tracks on the cavern floor. Picking up on the clues they picked up the Z-Team proceeded further in. With the Threat Detector out, the Team warily looked around, but simultaneously knew they needed to hurry if they needed to get to Midgard soon. Eventually they found an exit out of the caves, the Threat Detector pointed them to the way out, but before they did the same ravens from before came down, one carried a horn, the other a scroll. The scroll was dropped to Zack, while the horn was dropped to Donald, and then the ravens flew off out of the cave. Without wasting a minute, Zack opened the scroll which read:
"You're going to need all the help you can get to defeat the Jormugandr. The horn is for the duck, since he is lightning based, when all else fails to stop it, the duck must blow the horn and I will send my son down. Good luck! - Odin"
There was no time to ponder this as Zack immediately led his team out of the underground caverns, Donald even decided to cast his Haster spell for the first time on everyone so that they could get their fast, as who knew what kind of damage a gigantic snake can do to a city and its inhabitants. They arrived when they could, and it was already looking bad for Midgard, the Jormugandr had risen to gigantic size and many vikings came out to do battle with their axes, but all that proved very little effectiveness on the giant snake just giving little nicks in its scaly hide, which many were instantly devoured.
Weapons at the ready, and the Haster spell gone, Zack commanded his team to attack the Jormugandr. First off, Mulan launched a few of her fireworks to distract the snake from the city, the Vikings were pleased that backup had come. Then came a flurry of regular offensive spells from many but only Elsa's ice magic slowed it down a bit while Donald's lightning magic proved just a little better but only just. All the while, they were busy dodging the serpent's powerful jaws and rows of sharp, venomous teeth, recalling what they remember overhearing from the scientists. Then Zack recalled something important earlier.
"Donald, go ahead, blow the horn!" Zack called out to Donald. Nodding his head, Donald blew into the horn, and then in a flash of both thunder and bright, white light appeared a powerful being: a larger than average man in Viking clothes, a large beard, a helmet with wings on either side, carrying a large hammer, his eyes glowed white, and aura of electricity was all around him. Didn't take long for Donald to realize who this was.
"Thor!" squawked Donald with glee.
"Thank you for summoning me duck!" boomed the thunder god. "Let me help you all out in disposing of this serpent, I've been longing to defeat! First duck give me your lightning." Donald pointed his spear at Thor's hammer and shouted "Lightning Strike!" and the bolt of lightning entered the hammer Mjolner. "Now Donald, we'll combine our lightning so take my hand!" Donald did so without hesitation, he felt a surge of power flowing through him, his eyes glowed white as well. Without any further hesitation, both duck and god held up their respective weapons and launched their lightning, electrocuting the gigantic serpent and after a few seconds, there was a blinding flash of white light, once that was over, the Jormugandr crumpled to the ground, defeated. The Vikings all cheered for the heroes, while the other Z-Team members cheered for Donald and Thor's combined powerful attack.
"Well done Donald!" Thor boomed. "I believe you all have what it takes to defeat evil!" Zack stepped forward with a neutral expression.
"We're not done yet, I've been told that Fenrir might become loose again!"
"And we don't know where to start looking!" Elsa added, the other members nodded. In a flash of white light there was another being, an older man in Viking armor with a bear, and a horned helmet that covered his half of his face. Thor immediately bowed to this being, seeing this the Z-Team followed suit, this was no doubt Odin himself.
"Father…..they request to try and seek out and defeat Fenrir…." Thor said with a bit of fear.
"Yes, I have forseen these events and why I have sent my ravens to help these powerful heroic mortals…" Odin responded.
"Should I help them again father in the fight against Fenrir?"
"Not this time, the wolf has already grown so gigantic, even your hammer won't be enough to stop it…"
"Then how can these heroic mortals stop it with our help?"
"They have a special finite power that can stop the wolf…" Odin casts his eyes on the Z-Team. "A power they obtained from a far away land that can petrify the wolf…" It didn't take long for the Z-Team to realize what Odin was referring to. "And another power from another land that only works at night….perhaps a little compromise with evil can be beneficial for them, and in return get back the day…." The Z-Team soon started to ponder Odin's words. "That's all I can give you for now….duck I would like to reclaim the horn please?" Donald gave back the horn as told without saying anything knowing all too well it would be foolish to resist a god's advice.
"There is but one help I can give you all…" Thor boomed, he looked at Elsa. "You might seek out the goddess of winter Skadi, she might help you find the true location of Fenrir's location on Mount Nifelheim but be warned, the woods there are home to some spirits some of them were once mighty warriors that might come back to attack."
"We'll all keep that in mind, thank you Thor and Odin!" replied Elsa.
"We're ready to tackle the evils of the world!" Zack said sword drawn and in the air.