I wonder what Nolan will think of this Anti-metahuman thing? Well, let's find out. ;)
Chapter 49: Up Sky Pillar
News Station
"Evil monsters invading your homes? Freaks and metahumans attacking your private businesses?" The anchorwoman spoke as the TV showed pictures of Bulblins breaking into a store and the Toiletnator sticking his head out of a toilet in someone's bathroom. "Well, have no fear! Because everyone's favorite military is on the case!"
"That's right, Karen." The anchorman spoke. "For our Guardian Units of Nations, or G.U.N. for short, is currently hard at work putting those metahumans in their rightful place."
"Led by your caring and fearless Commander, Brett Gunkan." An image was shown of the strict, tyrannical commander himself.
"Uh-oh. We've already got a report on a chase down at Miracle City, Mexico. Let's check it out."
Miracle City
"Yes, Ted, the GUN Troopers are currently on the trail of a strange, tiger-dressed child carrying some blue-haired girl with red goggles, about the same age, using some kind of extendable chain arms." The screen showed a vision of the Mexican city as the anti-hero, El Tigre, swung from building-to-building, holding onto his friend, Frida, as several Cop Cars and GUN Beetles chased them.
"WOOHOO! THIS IS AWESOME!" the tiger boy cheered.
"Yes, the tiger-mutant child is progressing at rather high speeds, but our GUN Troopers seem to have them cornered."
The children swung into an alleyway and crashed face-first into a wall. They fell to the ground and recovered, turning to see they were surrounded from all directions. "Freeze. Do not attempt to escape or we'll chop off your arm." A soldier ordered as some of them drew out darksabers.
"Pfft, good luck!" Frida retorted cockily. "Manny's arm is extendable. It'll just grow back! Watch!" With that, she grabbed his left arm and used his claws to cut off his right arm.
"EEEYOOOWWWW!"
"Whoops." Frida blushed, giving an embarrassed look.
"Get 'em!" The GUN Troopers immediately started beating the children.
Manny's father, White Pantera, dressed in his white suit and red panther mask, ran by and shouted, "MANNY!"
"Hey, you, FREEZE!" Some GUNs aimed at him.
The hero looked down at his shoes and said, "Feets: don't fail me now!" The speedy man dashed away at high speed as the military gave chase.
"Eyewitness reports have also reported their own inhuman sightings." The anchorman continued. "We now go live to Brad Punchbeef live in Jamaica. Brad?"
Outside Sector J
The scene switched to the buff news reporter, Brad Punchbeef, standing on the beach outside of Sector J's treehouse. "Well, Ted, I am standing out here outside this totally unsuspicious treehouse, where a group of snot-nosed kids claimed they saw some aliens."
The reporter held his microphone by Numbuh 1-Love as he spoke. "It's true, Mon. Dere was dis raccoon sheila earlier, and dese other two aliens: a girl with big ears, and a really little one, Mon, and dey were hangin' around wit' de Arctic Base Nurse."
"People everywhere are ordered to report any type of sightings." Ted spoke. "Those who do may have a big reward waiting for them."
Peach Creek Cul-de-sac
The scene switched to the Peach Creek Cul-de-sac, where Eddy was talking with a GUN Trooper. "So, yeah, we fell in this forest with a bunch of these ghosts, and there was this teenager that could turn into a ghost. She yells, 'I'M GOING GHOST', and poof, there she goes. Alright, now pay up!" The soldier reached in his pocket and took out a quarter, dropping it in Eddy's open hands as the greedy boy's eyes widened with excitement.
"Hey, look, Eddy!" Ed called, using his incredible strength to hold up two houses. "I can pick up two houses at the same time!"
"Hey, no child could have that much strength!" a soldier yelled. "Get 'im!" The soldiers immediately started beating Ed up.
Double D ducked as small bits of debris flew at him from the beating, with one of them ripping his hat off and exposing what's underneath. "Hey, that's not natural!" another soldier shouted. "Get 'im!" the sock-head Ed boy ran away as well. Eddy quickly activated his helicopter hair and flew away as soldiers spotted and chased him.
Jungle area
The scene switched to another reporter standing by Dora the Explorer, along with several more GUN Troopers. "Ted, we've just encountered this strange little Spanish girl walking around in the woods with no adult supervision, but rather a talking monkey?"
"Yo y Botas íbamos a salir y explorar, hablando con muchos animales que hablan fresco y hablando a un público invisible!" the girl bragged happily.
"…Uh-huh." A GUN said, totally confused. "Alright, just kill it." The other soldier did as told and broke the monkey's neck.
Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends
The TV then showed Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, tons of troops surrounding the home as they led the poor imaginary friends inside GUN trucks. "WAAAH! WAAAH!" the purple beast, Eduardo cried a storm of tears.
"Um, I'm sorry, but, is this really civilized?" Wilt asked, having to crouch as he entered a truck.
"I say! Stop this at once!" Mr. Herriman demanded, hopping into a truck. "I demand to be taken to court to settle this matter."
"Augh! Hey, why are you taking me? I'm not imaginary!" Mac yelled.
"Please, NO ONE has block heads like that." A soldier replied.
"WHEEEEE!" Cheese joyfully screamed, running frantically outside as soldiers tried to chase him.
"YOU'LL NEVER TAKE ME ALIVE, COPPERS!" the blue blob, Bloo cried, cockily running from the troops. When he turned his head back and smirked at them, he ran into some other troops, who grabbed and shocked him with a Taser, knocking him out and dragging him to a truck.
Chip Skylark's Concert
The scene switched to a concert held by the teen singer, Chip Skylark, thousands of women (and Timmy's Dad) cheering away as the boy danced and sang. "Shiny teeth that SPARKLES! Just like the stars in spaaace!" He showed off his sparkling white teeth. "Shiny teeth that SPARKLES, just like a Christmas Tree."
A bunch of soldiers in GUN jeeps swerved into the area as one yelled, "No human can have teeth that shiny! ARREST HIM!" The thousands of people ran and screamed as the troops fired bullets all over the area, destroying the stage as Chip Skylark ran for it.
Quahog City Hall
"The military is also receiving quite the bit of support. Namely from public figures." Ted said as the screen showed Mayor Adam West, the mayor of Quahog, at City Hall for a town meeting.
"I still remember many months ago, those two freaks connected by the shoulder, running around here as if they belong with us." Adam West spoke with a spiteful tone. "Same goes for that other inhuman group, who called themselves 'Prospectors'. As Mayor of Quahog, it will be an honor to put away any type of metahuman scum that I can."
"But Mayor West, isn't it true that you were born as part-cat, which allowed you to star in the hit series, 'Catman'?" a journalist asked.
Adam West's eyes widened in surprise as he tried to plan his next move. "…Adam West AWAYYY!" The mayor took off flying for the sky.
Final Brain
"If you see someone doing something unnatural, a girl hanging out with aliens, a girl with raccoon or cat ears, or someone who looks plain weird, call 1-800-I-just-saw-someone-do-something-freaky-or-unnatural-so-I'm-calling-this-number-to-report-what-I-saw-"
"ERR!" Nolan angrily fired a missile and destroyed the TV in front of their couch, panting heavily. "I am so ANGRY! !"
"Yes, I could tell by your 'destruction of the TV'." April replied.
"They're arresting innocent people! Just because they think they're monsters! GOD, that really pisses me off!"
"Hm, well seeing as how Brain wants you to be angry anyway, this is a good thing." Midna remarked, floating near the ceiling.
Danika placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Come on, Nolan, maybe we need a little break from TV. Let's go for a wal-" She stopped herself, remembering Nolan's handicap. "Jump ro-… Kickba-… uhh-"
"Yeah, thanks, Danika, I get the point." The boy sighed. "Let's just… go with a walk downtown, I guess." With that, Midna retreated into Danika's shadow as the three of them left down the hall.
Watching them leave from a dark side of the hall was Lord Gnaa, standing with Brain, Ganon, and Bane & Aurra. "Hm, those soldiers are already proving to be quite useful."
"Indeed, Nolan is starting to look like a real Sith." Brain said. "He will be just the way I once was back in the day."
"But we still want the military destroyed, do we not?" Bane asked.
"Yes, we do. But at the moment, I have a mission for you two." The Negatar pulled out his Darkness Cannon and handed it to the Duro. "Find Morgan and shoot her with this cannon again. It seems the message did not entirely reach her last time. But with the added powers of my Keyblade to this one, our plans can surely progress."
"As you command, My Lord." The two bowed. "But those Ed boys aren't the only ones who want pay around here." With that, the two hunters left for their ships.
"By the way, Lord Gnaa, you still haven't told us what you planned to do with such a weapon." Brain said, indicating his Keyblade.
"This Keyblade will play a vital role in our plans. In fact, Rumpel should have called by now." A communicator in his pocket then rang. "Ah. Speak of the Elfin devil." He pulled it out as Rumpel's face appeared.
"Hey, hey, Lord Gnaa, it's the Rump Man! Listen, I got everything set up for our little 'project'. Meet me at the Cauldron Keep on Planet Avalar. I'll send you some coordinates. See you then!" The screen switched off.
"Hm. Excellent. I'll see you gents later. If what he has planned is efficient, the Darkness will rise before long." The Dark Master then waved his hand and opened a dark portal before him, proceeding to step inside.
"Hmmm… well, I do believe I'll tend to my own projects." Ganon decided, leaving Brain to himself.
"…So… Brett is still angered from my childhood prank." The Sith said to himself. "But his methods are proving to be quite useful. I believe I should pay him a visit."
Outside Sector K
"So, how do you think they're doing on that big quest?" Virginia asked Bartie, walking toward the former's treehouse.
"I don't know, but I kind of hoped they'd be back by now. Being temporary Supreme Leader is the worst job… especially if you're the temporary-temporary-TEMPORARY Supreme Leader."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
They then heard a car engine and turned to see some soldiers in a GUN buggy driving up to them. "Afternoon, kids. You haven't seen any inhuman scum around this area, have you? We got a tip that said there was one around here…"
Virginia was a tad stunned by this. They couldn't be talking about her, could they? "Ummm… none that I know of. Sorry."
"Okay. Just call us if you see anything." With that, they drove off.
"O-kay… that was weird."
"Yah, and I didn't like the sound of it. We should probably get inside." Bartie suggested as they headed into the treehouse.
Not long after they entered the living room, Bartie and Ginny noticed the Sector K team huddled around as their leader talked in a phone. "Hello?" Numbuh 21; Richard Toms, spoke. "Yes, we know one of those 'freaks' you're talking about. Her name's Virginia Sims. She has these shadow powers and…" The other operatives turned and noticed the two standing in the doorway. Numbuh 24 tapped Richard's shoulder, the blonde leader turning and seeing them as well. "Oh… uh, hi, Ginny! You're back!"
"Were you trying to turn me in to the military?!" Ginny shouted.
"N-no! No! We were just, uh, GET HER!" The operatives whipped out weapons and shot at them, but Virginia rolled away and fired spanking hands at her traitorous friends. She blew Shadow Breath at the team and blinded their sight as Bartie walked over and knocked them all out with a S.P.L.A.N.K.E.R..
Afterwards, the two tossed their unconscious bodies in a closet and locked them up. "I'll think up a punishment for them later." Bartie said hatefully, brushing his hands off. "Let's take a S.C.A.M.P.E.R. and head for Moonbase."
The two did so moments later and took off from the treehouse, heading out of the atmosphere. They switched on the mini TV, which showed the news broadcast about the Anti-inhuman Revolution. "So, that's what's happening." Bartie observed. "They're arresting metahumans and giving people rewards for turning them in."
"Those no-good jerks." Ginny said angrily.
"Don't worry, Virginia. We'll head up to Moonbase and see if we can straighten this out with the other operatives."
"I hope so…"
Desert region in Africa
"AaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAHHHHH- OOG!" The blue hedgehog fell thousands of miles from the sky and crashed headfirst in the ground. His big, spiked head got stuck in a ditch, trying to pull himself out and finally succeeding. "Ow…" He found himself in a desert-ish area, looking around for the rest of his crew. "Tails? Knuckles?" He ran around a bit. "BLAZE? AMY?"
"SONIC!"
He shot his attention to the right. "Blaze?"
The purple feline princess was trapped in a tight hole in the ground, with only her head and fingers sticking out. "As much as I dislike seeking help from others… please help me."
"Hehehe." Sonic snickered. "At least you don't have to worry about your fear of heights."
"Sonic…" She gritted her teeth.
"Okay, just hang on." Sonic gripped her fingers to try to pull her out. He pulled as hard as he could, but she seemed tightly glued to the hole.
"STOP IT! You're going to pull my fingers off and I don't think the rest of me is coming!"
"Alright, let me try something." With that, Sonic stepped back and spun into a pinball, shooting and digging beneath the ground and popping up beneath Blaze, pushing her out of the hole. The hedgehog landed on his feet as he held Blaze above him in both hands.
"Thank you, Sonic… now put me down."
"Right. Sorry." He did so and set her down.
"Well, looks like we weren't the only ones getting out of trouble." Rachel spoke as she and her friends arrived, catching the animals' attention.
"All right!" Sonic cheered. "Finding everyone else should be a piece of cake now!"
"I don't suppose you would know where to head next?" Blaze asked.
Rachel looked at her Marauder's Map and looked left, already seeing the sandstorm in the distance. "E-yep. We have to head that way. There's some place called the Sky Pillar in the middle of that storm. I'll also need an airbender to help me get up there."
"Sky Pillar, huh?" Sonic queried. "Sounds interesting. Alright: I can get us up there. Let's go!" The seven then began their journey toward the sandstorm.
Roxas, Philippines
Violet and the Interesting Twins had crashed into a dank alleyway. Violet was the first to awaken, as she asked, "Where are we?"
They heard footsteps and looked toward the street. Violet's brown eyes widened with joy, seeing who it was. "Bruce! !"
"Violet!" the Sector Z Leader was grabbed in the werecat's hug.
She licked his nose lightly and asked with a wide smile, "How did you find us? ? Where are we?"
"You're in Roxas; a city in the Philippines. I wanted to look for you, and I was about to go ask Sector R for help. …But then I saw something fall from the sky, and… heh heh. Talk about lucky!"
"You mean Sector R is here?" Yin asked. "That was Matthew's old sector…"
"Why did you decide to look for us now?" Violet asked.
"Well, because…" Bruce put on a more serious look as he pulled out a newspaper, showing it to them. "Take a look. It says the G.U.N. has started the 'Anti-inhuman Revolution'. They and all their supporters are tracking down any bender, alien, or metahuman they can find. And yet, they are also receiving help from Star Wolf. If anyone sees those cat parts on you, we'll be in big trouble…"
"Well, what am I supposed to do? It's not like I can just hide them…"
"You two wait here." Yang told them. "We'll go look for something to help you hide."
"Shopping!" Yin cheered. "Let's go, Yang!"
The Twins came back many moments later as Bruce and Vi hid behind a dumpster. "Well, we have something." Yang said, handing Vi a bandana and some khaki cargo shorts. Violet wrapped the bandana around her hair and cat ears and put the shorts on over her jeans and tail.
"It's not much, but it works." Yin said.
The four were able to safely walk down the street with Violet's cat features gone unnoticed by the townspeople. "God, I am so angry right now." The werecat mumbled hatefully.
"Cheer up, Vi." Bruce smiled. "If we're lucky, Sector R will let us in and you won't have to wear that disguise."
"It's not about the disguise. I'm angry that metahumans have to hide like this at all. People shouldn't be afraid to show who they are just because they're different. One of the things I HATED about that Rourke guy was how he concealed himself like that. It's not about who you are on the outside, it's what on the INSIDE that counts."
"Well, I'm sorry we have to do this, Violet, but it just isn't safe at the moment. But hey, one of our goals was to change this world for the better, wasn't it? By the end of this, people won't have to worry about feeling different and get to be who they are."
Violet still looked aggravated. "Sigh… I hope you're right."
From the darkness of another alley, another female figure glared at them with sharp green eyes. "Oh, but they'll see the monster in you either way…"
Somewhere else in the Philippines; Mika's neighborhood (Play the "Prologue" Theme from Beauty and the Beast.)
In the neighborhood of another town in the Philippines, Rainier awakened and gripped his aching head as viewed his surroundings. He saw Mika unconscious close by and walked over to shake her awake. "Miky? Miky? Wake up."
"HAH." Mika shot awake and punched him in the nose, making him wobble back. "Rainier! I'm sorry!"
"Ow… it's okay." He grunted, holding his nose. "Nice fist. Any idea where we are?"
Mika studied the area, already feeling she's been here before. "Hey… we're in the Philippines. This is Lavender Town. …And there's my house!" she exclaimed, pointing at the abandoned house they had landed in front of.
"R-Really?"
"Yeah! Come on, let's go in!" The girl excitedly dragged him to the front door. They stopped and slowly slid the door open, peeking into the dark, quiet house. "Hello?..." The place still had the same furniture and other things since the last time Mika was here, but they were almost completely covered in dust.
"Hm. Place hasn't been well looked-after." Rainier noted, wiping some dust off with his finger.
"I haven't been here in 6 years. Everything's still the way we left it… except for the dust." Rainier followed her upstairs, where she led him into an old bedroom. "And here's my room!" She went beside her bed and stared at a picture of her 3-year-old self, sitting on her father's shoulders with her mom standing by him, all smiling happily.
"Your parents?" She nodded. "I'm sorry…"
"It's okay. But sometimes, I wonder what it would've been like if we didn't go on that cruise. They wouldn't have died, sure… but I also wouldn't've met Mewtwo. Or you." She gave a light smile. "Hm, we were always so happy together. It was almost perfect. And they always used to sing me this lullaby every time I went to bed. It went like this. Ahem:
Batang maliit, malayang espiritu,
Pakawalan mo ang iyong puso.
Huwag kang mawalan ng pag-asa sa kadiliman,
Pakawalan mo ang iyong puso.
It means something like, 'Let your heart roam free', or something."
"Hehe." he chuckled. Rainier then noticed another picture, of 3-year-old Mika smiling and hugging a blue doglike creature, with red eyes and a black mask. "What's that?"
Mika turned and noticed it. "Oh. That's Riolu. He's this weird ninja thingy that used to always come by our house and play with me." She lightly giggled. "My parents always said I was one of the most playful spirits in the world, and that's why he picked me to be his playmate."
"That's because you are."
"AHH!" they both screamed and turned behind them, seeing the Ghost of Time himself. "C-Clockwork! Uh… what are you-" Mika tried to ask.
"Excuse my intrusion. But I bring important information. The 4th Firstborn is very nearby. The quest is almost halfway complete. But greater darkness covers the future as a result. It's time we reveal the next Guardian." With that, he tossed a white Spirit Ball into Mika's hands.
"M…Me?"
"Head for the Isle of Aura just off the coast of here. There, you will find your path. Time Out." He opened a portal and vanished.
"…Huh. Guy don't say much, does he?" Rainier asked.
"Hm hm. Yeah, he's a weird guy. But he knows a lot. Come on, let's find us a boat."
As the two were exiting the house, a mysterious being watched them with bright blue eyes. "Mew…" (End song.)
Dr. Facilier's Voodoo Emporium
"HELLOOO?" Numbuh 5 called, peeking into her uncle's office. "UNCLE FACILIER?"
They quietly stepped inside and viewed around the dark, cold, and frozen voodoo shop. "Look, there he is!" Kuki pointed, the team hurrying over to the frozen-solid witch-doctor, his face horror-stricken.
"Whoa. What happened to him?" Wally asked.
"We can ask him ourselves." Nigel decided as he held a flame in his hand, slowly thawing the Shadow Man out.
The ice slowly melted and faded away, and the voodoo man immediately gasped for breath. "Oh man… thank you, kids…" he panted, holding his chest.
"Uncle Facilier, what happened?" Abby asked.
"It was Rumpel. He came into mah shop with this scary-lookin' kid dressed in all black. He had these weird ice powers that he used to freeze me solid. And then they took something dangerous! A Genie Lamp that contained a horrible monster!"
"Wait. You mean that same Genie Lamp you showed us the very first time we came here?" Abby asked.
"That one you said had the genie we 'didn't want'?" Wallabee remembered.
"Yes. It warn't no ordinary genie. It was the Shadow of Lucinda."
"Lucinda? Who's that?" Kuki asked.
"She's a witch, man. A bad, baaad witch. Space-witch, to be more precise. She used to be a wicked fairy that lived on Planet Avalar, using her incredible magic to enchant people with evil spells and curses. One day, the Fairy Council of Galaxia finally had her banished, and she went into exile on Planet Dathomir. Ooh, but get this: she was Rumpel Stiltskin's teacher!"
"! !" The five gave wide gasps. "So, THAT'S why he's so clever." Wally figured.
"Cleverer than you, probably." Abby remarked.
"HEY! !"
"Mm-hm." Facilier nodded. "But there was a reason her magic was so great. She was a shadowbender, and like any shadowbender, her power came from the bond between her and her shadow. But her shadow wasn't like any other, oh no. Her shadow… is the one of Maleficent's."
"Maleficent?" Nigel asked.
"Maleficent was another evil fairy on Avalar, who was also a shadowbender. And when she died, she was sent to Underworld Court where they decided she'd blend in with the other Shadow Demons down there. But when they turned her into one, her dark powers allowed her to escape the Underworld and run to find her own host. And so, she found Mother Talzin, aka Lucinda. She gave Lucinda her magical powers, which she used to grant all the 'wonderful' gifts to the people. But really, they were horrible curses. She was blinded by her own black magic, blinded from seeing all the horrible things her spells have been doin'. When she was finally banished, they ripped the shadow from her. Ya see, not only does a shadow give the bender power, but if someone don't got a shadow, they can't EVUH get in the sunlight. Otherwise, they'd turn ta dust. That's why Lucinda fled ta Dathomir, where they IS no sun. As for the shadow, it was sealed inside a Genie Lamp. The lamp was then entrusted to Mama Odie to guard."
"But why did you have it?" Numbuh 5 asked.
"Ohh… here's the part I ain't proud to admit. After goin' ta Hogwarts for 7 years, an bein' Mama Odie's favorite student, Ah finally earned enough trust from her to give the lamp to me. She told me the story and how the shadow must never be freed. So Ah hid it in mah voodoo shop." Facilier sighed depressedly and slouched back in his chair. "Mama Odie trusted me with that lamp, and I let Rumpel take it right out of my hand. Ah feel so ashamed…" His shadow patted his master on the shoulders in comfort.
"It's okay, Uncle Facilier." Abby smiled. "We'll get the lamp back AND stop Mother Talzin."
"But no doubt Rumpel wants to use Lucinda's magic to assist in Gnaa's plans." Nigel figured.
"We don't even know where to find them." Hoagie said.
"Ahem." At this, they all turned to the doorway, seeing the icebending duo known as the Ice Climbers. "Not to intrude, but…" Popo began.
"We have an idea where Rumpel might be." Nana finished.
Ashland, West Virginia
Kami continued her journey back to her hometown, having already cut through a forest and just about to enter a neighborhood. She stopped in her tracks when she noticed a group of GUN Troopers ride over to her on motorbikes, circling around her before stopping. "Kami Drilovsky?" one of them asked in a gruff voice.
"Yeah? Can I help you guys?"
"We received a source that claimed you were seen hanging around some aliens. Is this true?"
"Shyah, but I ditched those weirdoes. I'm heading home now."
"Even so, we'd like to take you to headquarters for questioning."
"No thanks." She replied snarkily, deciding to walk past the soldier.
The man grabbed her arm and said sternly, "We insist."
"Hey, get off me!" she yelled, smacking his hand off and running away. The soldiers flexibly flipped off their bikes and chased her, one of them leaping in front and dealing mini punches to both her arms, making them suddenly limp and unmovable. Another one ran and punched at her legs, stunning them and making her trip.
"That should keep her steady." The soldier said. "Let's take her back to Gunkan and-" He was stopped when a golden crown suddenly flew over and bashed his head, the soldier falling unconscious as the crown flew back like a boomerang to a green hand with white fingernails. Before the rest of them could react, a bunch of Tikis jumped out from bushes and started gnawing on the men's heads, screaming as they ran around frantically. The attack from the troopers caused Kami to slowly fall into sleep, and just as everything started to fade from her vision, she heard heavy breathing, and saw a fat, shadowed figure with a crown walking towards her.
Hideout Helm; K. Rool's Throne
Kami started to awake from the ambush, finding herself lying on a table in some mechanical base. On the wall beside her were pictures of the faces of 5 of the Kong members, excluding Dixie, and to her left was a rotatable chair turned away from her as some caped figure with a crown folded his fingers. "So, you're awake at last." King K. Rool spoke, turning his throne to face her, his pet Klaptrap resting in his lap. The Klaptrap hopped off as Kroctus stood and approached the table. "I must admit, Kami, you are a fascinating creature. Defeating both of my brothers."
"Oh, great." She said, unhappy. "You again?"
"You should be more grateful to the one who just saved your bum. Those soldiers that attacked you were chi-blockers. GUN troops trained to attack the body's weak spots and henceforth cancel out their strength. A useful tactic when dealing against benders. Their bending abilities would be stopped temporarily. But when used against normal people like you, it can disable their arms or legs when hit in the right spot. Your feeling has returned to you now. But while the Darkness Cannon has manipulated your mind, it hasn't changed your tongue, it seems."
"The what?"
"The weapon that hit you. It has let you see your inner darkness. That so-called 'dream' you had was really a vision of your inner darkness in the form of someone you hate. Meant to bend and twist your mind so that you have the feelings you tried to keep away. And it worked, it seems."
"What are you talking about? I don't let anything anyone says ever get to me, especially Olivia."
"Hmm. That's what they all say." Kroctus started, pacing around the table as he rubbed his fingers against it. "But nobody can truly take any insults without being the slightest bit offended. Deep down in your heart, you really felt that you were inhuman for hanging around a bunch of creatures of different species, and even thought those species' ways were strange. But you had a friendship with those creatures and never let such feelings get in the way." He shot his face closer to hers as he continued. "Until now. That's the beauty of Gnaa's powers." He pulled away. "Gnaa possesses the amazing ability to take even the teensiest bit of darkness in a heart, and manipulate it until it completely overfills the heart. Your friendships with them have been severed thanks to your inner feelings! MWEH HEH HEH HAR!"
Kami just looked away in anger and folded her arms.
"Oh… it's alright, Child." The Kremling assured, placing a hand on her shoulder as she looked back at him. "It's something we have in common, really. Your hatred isn't entirely for them because they are different. No, your hatred lies with something that's caused many battles within the animal kingdom for generations: diversity."
"What?" Kami looked baffled as Kroctus turned away, rubbing his chin in thought.
"Ever since my brothers and I were just little crocs growing up in a swamp, I have always wondered… why are cheetahs so fast and turtles so slow? Why do some fish live in salt water but others thrive in swamps? Why do they even only swim while birds can fly? Why are Ava's people as tall as humans, but Kweeb's people are so teeny-tiny? The answer…" he spun back around, "is diversity. And it has caused many struggles within our kingdom. Rabbits and turtles, cats and dogs, big fish and smaller fish, even many wars in the HUMAN world happened because people looked different. In fact, do you know why Lord Gnaa hates you so much?"
"Why?"
"It's because you're HUMAN, Kami!" he answered immediately, slamming his hands on the table. "A normal human. Not granted with amazing powers of elements. For years, he was tormented… because many regular types like yourself have taunted and shunned him, giving him his divine hatred for you people. He even ordered the death of one of Brain's former apprentices because he murdered someone who was 'different'. Diversity is a wretched thing, Kami. You and I can both see that. Which is why…" he stepped away from the table again, toward the other side of the room, "I brought you here today. To show you the true purpose of these Tikis."
"The things that needed the bananas?"
"Yes. They serve a much higher purpose than as simple toys for a little demon child. They are actually sacred relics. Designed by spirits of old to keep balance between such diversity. Turned to evil by Malladus Uno. And their ultimate source?" He pressed a button on the wall, opening a door on a window beside him that showed a room designed like the inside of a barrel. That room projected a hologram of a tower with a scary Tiki face, surrounded by lava. "Behold… Leptys. The ancient core of ALL animal spirits. Including those of human and alien species."
Kami rose a brow in curiosity.
"Legend has it that this tower contains the powers of all the animal kingdom. Whoever were to possess it would possess the abilities of all creatures. Already, the Tikis are in my control. But there is just one key I lack: the Firstborn, Mew." The projection switched off the tower and showed the white catlike creature floating inside a bubble. "Mew is the Ancestral Spirit. One of every animal spirit is required to make the power work at its fullest. According to legend, Mew contains the spirits and DNA of all animal beings. With his power, I can truly awaken the Leptys. Then, all I'll need to control it is…" he spun back around and faced his desired apprentice, "you."
"Me?" Her eyes widened.
"Yesss… another thing we have in common, Kami, is how we both cope with many different species so well. I am the King of many different animals. And you can befriend beings from out of this world, and even devour such foods like squidburgers like it's nothing."
"I'm not the only human that has alien friends, you know."
"I know…" K. Rool said, beginning to pace around her table again. "But for you, it seems different, Kami. An intriguing creature who can surely control the Leptys by my side. Once the Leptys is in our control, diversity will be a thing of the past! We will be able to spread the power to everyone else, so that everyone can have the features of each of the animals! No one will ever be different, or be hated for being different, and true equality will reign throughout the cosmos for generations to come. And… we'll be the center of it all." He spun around again and faced her. "Whaddya say?"
"Hold up, hold up. You're saying you want to make a world where EVERYONE has fish gills, wings, feathers, cheetah spots, tiger stripes, scales, ALL that stuff…"
"Think about it, Kami. It's the perfect plan! No one will EVER have to feel insignificant compared to anyone else. Doesn't that sound glamorous?"
"You… are… a crazy loon. There's no WAY a world like that can work out! That's the dumbest plan I heard in years!"
"Well, it's better than the Panther King's plan! 'Ooh, I'm gonna kidnap a red squirrel and use him as a leg for my table so I don't spill my milk.' Would you rather have that or listen to my awesome plan?" He turned back around. "But fine. Do whatever you like. Stay living in a world where aliens are hunted for being different. Where you're marked a criminal for associating with them, and made fun of by snooty schoolgirls because of it." Kami felt the hateful thoughts coming back, giving her an upset look. "If you sided with me, Kami… no one would have to worry about that. Again."
All of a sudden, the door to the throne room shot open. "What? Who's there?" Kroctus asked, whipping around. A bunch of shurikens immediately flew into the room, releasing smoke and fogging the whole place.
"Huh? WHOOA!" Kami screamed when a pair of arms wrapped around her and dragged her off.
Kroctus was finally able to blow the smoke away, seeing Kami gone. The Kremling King picked up one of the shurikens on the floor and sniffed it, his face becoming red with anger as he recognized the smell. "Hurrrr. TREASON! !"
Gallagher Elementary
Ever since the attack ordered by Bowser and his troops, and every student in Gallagher has been abducted, the school was quiet and empty, with only the sounds of wind blowing through the halls, and tumbleweeds bouncing around the school. The only soul who remained in these empty halls was a man who made tumbleweeds and tossed them all around the building.
The gymnasium had been left in almost total darkness, with the window curtains shut and the only light coming from the dimness of the ceiling lights. Within that darkness, Mother Talzin quietly paced around the chamber, her high-heel shoes making little clacks in the floor that echoed throughout the room, as she patiently awaited her young Elfin apprentice and the icebender.
She heard the doors suddenly creak open and turned to see them. "Ohhh… my dear, sweet Rumpel. You've returned to me…" Lucinda spoke tearily in her mother-like voice.
"I always keep my word, Dear Mother. And lo and behold, I have brought you what is yours…" Rumpel held up the lamp.
Lucinda gasped with joy. "My shadow's lamp! Quick, Rumpel! Rub it!"
"With pleasure." The elf smirked, proceeding to rub the dusty lamp.
The room flashed as black smog flowed out of the lamp, an eerie purple light lighting the gym. A pitch-black tornado spun out of the artifact, emerging a purple, paper-thin, snakelike womanly figure, with a golden crown and pink long hair. Talzin smiled at the spirit as the shadow grinned back, flying all around the room rapidly before crashing down beside Lucinda.
The three looked behind the space-witch as her shadow grew longer and longer, halfway up the gym walls before looking back down at her master, giving a Cheshire Cat-like grin. "Oh, my precious shadow…" Talzin teared as the shadow lowered down so the two could hug. "How awful it must have been for you… trapped within that lamp. I could not imagine a fate so awful."
"Yeah, yeah, but when you're done getting all huggy with your shadow, I think you owe me something." Yuki reminded.
"Ah, so anxious. Very well. Come, Maleficent." Lucinda reached into her sleeve and pulled out an old, bent-up fairy wand with a little star at the tip of it. "After many long years, our very first gift!"
"Yes, Master…" the shadow hissed.
Lucinda began to wave her wand as she spoke, "Ogre's finger and ear of troll. I give to you the Gift of Control. Let the powers of ice run through your veins. May you be able to use them with no disdain!" The star of the wand brimmed with magic as she raised it and prepared to cast. "Avada-KAZAM!" She cast the spell at Yuki, making him spark as the power surged through his body.
His black clothes were replaced with icy-blue ones, his shirt decorated with mini snowflake pictures, with one big snowflake in the center. Spikes were aligned down the sides of his pants, like icicles, and a ice-blue cape appeared on his back as he held an ice sword in his right hand, smirking as he swung it around. "Aw yeah! This is WAY better!"
Talzin smiled. "And that's not all. You're able to change the form of your weapon." Yuki tried this and smiled when his sword changed to a mace, an ax, a spear, a hammer, then back to sword. "Your new powers will surely give you the strength to help many, and win the respect of those who bullied you."
"You're only half-right, Lady." Rumpel smirked through gritted teeth. "But now that we're done, let's start talking about a different matter. I'm sure you're aware of the Heartless, are you not, Lucinda?"
"Ah, the Heartless. I remember them well. My shadow was quite strong in controlling them during her time. Such poor, unfortunate dears."
"Poor and unfortunate indeed, Lucinda! But as such, it is known to us that you have the power to bring them back. And we need such power, Lucinda. For if the Heartless were to return, they would be free to roam the world and not have to spend eons trapped in darkness."
"Right you are as always, Rumpel. Nothing would do the job better than my magic."
"Precisely! Afterwards, we can discuss my ultimate plan to free you from your curse." He smirked.
"YAH!" Before they could react, the Ice Climbers swung into the room on their rope, and KICKED Rumpel to the wall, flipping away from the villains as they shot glares.
"Naw way that's gonna happen." Facilier declared as he and Sector V ran in, aiming weapons.
"So, you must be Mother Talzin." Nigel figured.
"But who are you?" Kuki asked Yuki (hey, they rhymes!).
The icebender smirked as Rumpel answered for him. "This is Yuki Crystal. But you may refer to him as Numbuh 1-Ice, former Weapons Specialist of Sector IC, banished by the command of your Supreme Leader."
"What?" Nigel asked, surprised.
"Thanks to my selfless gift-giving, Yuki now has the power to teach bratty kids like yourselves some respect." Lucinda explained.
"Yuki, DESTROY THEM!" Rumpel ordered.
The boy flung his arms upward, sending two rows of icicles sticking out of the ground, the kids separating before they were struck. "We'll deal with Yuki!" the Climbers said in unison.
"Then Ah'll take Rumpel. You kids take Talzin, but be careful." Facilier ordered.
Everyone nodded and went after their respective opponents. The five operatives quickly surrounded the witch and aimed weapons. "Alright, hands in the air, Lucinda, and we'll let you keep your wings." Nigel ordered
"Such rude little children. You can't expect to have an old lady cornered that easy." With that, Talzin became a puff of green smoke and drifted several feet away before reemerging.
"E-yah!" Nigel cried, running to jump and kick her face, but Mother became a glowing green ball and flew circles around him, laughing as his eyes followed her, then reappearing further away from them.
"Ugh! Let's just shoot 'er already! RAAAHHH!" Numbuh 4 cried, unleashing a storm of gumballs from his G.U.M.Z.O.O.K.A., which Talzin protected against with a green barrier. The witch conjured green spells in her hands as she launched them at the kids, who ran around and kept trying to shoot her.
Yuki and the Ice Climbers launched ice rays at each other from their hands to keep the others' back, but Yuki stomped the ground and sent another icicle shockwave at them, splitting them up. "Come on, Yuki! What's the big idea?" Popo asked.
"I thought we were your friend!" Nana yelled.
"Heh, stupid twins. I never liked you, remember?" Yuki snarked, changing his sword into a ball-n-chain and swinging it at them. Popo caught the chain in both hands and used it to swing Yuki away. Yuki recovered, but tripped over some mini icebergs the twins sent.
Back with Talzin, the witch disabled her shield, allowing Nigel to fire his G.R.A.P.P.L.U.H. around her legs and make her trip. The witch cast a spell to release her binds and moved away as Hoagie was coming down on her with an aerial punch. The boy missed and ran to grab her again, but her shadow grabbed and threw him into Abby. She spotted Nigel throwing fireballs at her, but yelled, "CRUCIO!", aiming her wand and making the leader groan in pain as he fell to his knees. "GAH!" she yelped when an ice blast suddenly froze her hand; and her wand, glaring at a smirking Kuki Sanban.
"RAAAH!" She heard another cry and looked up at Numbuh 4, swinging down on a gym rope and kicking her face, knocking her across the room. He landed on his feet and started to run, but the witch phased her free arm through the ground, making it a shadow as it extended and grabbed the Aussie by the leg. She used her stretchy arm and swung him around, bashing him against the walls before hurling him into Nana, which distracted Popo's attention and allowed Yuki to push him with an ice blast.
The witch saw Kuki running toward her, quickly breaking her wand hand free of the ice before yelling, "IMPERIO!" She used her magic to make Kuki dance around in the air like a puppet. Abby was about to shoot her with an ice cream gun, but Mother tossed Kuki and knocked her away.
Rumpel and Facilier were still in their magical duel, in which the two used their magic to grab gym equipment and throw them at each other, or just tossed other spells. "Avis!" Facilier called, launching birds from his cane at Rumpel.
"Serpensortia!" Rumpel countered by unleashing snakes from his wand to eat the birds. "Locomotor Mortis!" He cast another spell that tied the taller man's legs. "Ahem, I'd like to keep doing this, but Mother, we really have to go."
"Very well then." Talzin agreed, blowing the kids away with her magic before conjuring a portal that showed a picture of a mountain with a mechanical tower. Just as she was about to step inside, she suffered an immediate shock when she touched it, blowing her back. "Nno!" the witch cried. "The banishment seal on me is still intact. I… cannot return to Avalar."
Rumpel cast a stunning spell on Facilier and ran over to her. "But I can! Lend me your magic, Mother, so that I may further my plans."
Lucinda smiled at the Elfin. "You are a good boy, Rumpel. That is why, I give to you, the greatest of my gifts…" The witch stood up and touched her wand to Rumpel's, letting the energy flow into his. "My magic."
"Hey, Lady." Talzin looked down beside her to see Wally, who aimed and punched his S.L.U.G.G.U.H. at her face to make her wobble backwards. The Ice Climbers held their rope out and tripped her once more, and as she tried to stand up, the twins fired icicles to the ceiling, cutting ropes that hung the pull-up rings and making them fall and catch the skinny witch.
"Way to go, yo!" the couple cheered, giving a high-five.
"Well, aren't you a sweet pair." Talzin smiled, slipping her arms out of the rings. "I still have enough magic in my reserves for another gift. Letter M and Number 8. Never shall you two separate. May you ever share this wonderful bind. Of being together all the time! Hocus-POLOKUS!"
"WAAAH!" the children screamed when the spell hit them.
"AW NO!" Facilier screamed.
The kids shook their heads after the blast and stared at each other. When they got up and tried to walk away, they couldn't get inches away from the other before they were forcibly pulled back. The operatives gasped horribly. The wicked witch burst into a maniacal cackle, but stopped and gasped when she felt the energy draining out of her. "Huuuff… no… my magic…"
"You're running out of energy. Get out of here!" Rumpel ordered.
"Oh no you don't!" Nigel yelled as he and Sector V ran for the witch.
"LUMOS HEREM!" Lucinda used the last of her magic to unleash a blinding ray of sunlight, the kids shielding their eyes. Rumpel and Yuki hurried into the portal and vanished before the light disappeared, with Talzin nowhere in sight.
"Crud. She's gone." Wally grumbled.
"But now that her shadow's free, she'll probably come back." Facilier figured. "She's free to walk in sunlight now. But good thing her power's still limited."
"Too bad we couldn't save them." Kuki said sadly, looking at the Ice Climbers, who were still trying to get further away from each other, but couldn't.
"Aw, that's okay." Popo smiled.
"We're pretty much together all the time." Nana followed.
"Like the Interesting Twins." Abby remarked. "Speakin' of which, we gotta go look for the others. Any idea where to go next?"
"Well… there is the Firstborn Spirit, Mew. But he lives all the way near Europe." Facilier answered. "But I ain't sure of his Guardian."
"Well, we have a lead, at least." Nigel said. "Kids Next Door, let's go."
Africa; outside Sky Pillar
The operatives and Mobians shielded their eyes as they slowly trekked through the wild sandstorm, following Rachel as she studied the Marauder's Map closely. The map showed locations of flags within the storm that served as their path, hoping to find where they needed to go soon. At long last, the storm was clearing from their path as they had finally reached the center. Their mouths widened at the sight of a tremendous tower in the center of a pit. The tower stretched all the way to the heavens and seemed to have various platforms and contraptions around it.
"Hey… I remember this place." Sonic spoke. "It was in a dream of mine."
Fi came out and reported, "Master, you stand at the foot of Sky Pillar. It is a sacred tower that leads to the realm far above the clouds, to the great land of Skypia, where the original airbenders reside and live under the care of Rayquaza."
"The Sky Pillar… just like King Bulblin said." Rachel remembered.
"Then Ganondorf's troops are up here?" Patton asked.
"Then I guess we better see what they're up to." Sonic figured. "Blaze, you stay here and keep watch. Rachel, hold on tight."
"Oh, thank God…" Blaze sighed, relieved she didn't have to go up such a high place.
Rachel wrapped her arms and legs around Sonic. "Ready to go for a ride?" Rachel gulped at the height of the Sky Pillar, but nodded anyway. Sonic immediately began dashing up the tall pillar. (Play "Sky Babylon Act 1" from Sonic Rush Adventure.)
Stage 44: Sky Pillar
Mission: Find the Sky Spirit, Rayquaza.
Act 1
Sonic dashed up the steep slope that led to the tower, rapidly running around a spiral pathway before having to Home Attack off a line of Peahats. At the end of the row, Rachel grabbed onto a zipline, with her legs still wrapped around Sonic, as the zipline sped them up higher. Sonic carried them further up a spiral pathway, having to Home Attack some Bokoblin in their way. At the end of the path was a row of floating platforms, which Sonic Boosted along before the platforms fell.
He stopped at a floating island and had to Home Attack across Bladed Spinners to another floating island, then Boosted over more falling platforms leading upward and continued up the tower. He stopped at a dead end which had two close walls that led upward, and also had a few flaming spots. Sonic Wall Jumped their way up the walls and was able to stay between the fires as they reached the top, then kept carrying Rachel up the path. They stopped at another dead end with seemingly no way to go, but Rachel pointed up another stairway of Peahats.
They were too high for Sonic to Home Attack, so he held onto Rachel as she used her Hookshots to latch onto them and make their way up and around the tower. She then latched onto a pole on a ledge on the side of the tower to pull them up, then Sonic used Tornado to make a whirlwind spiral around the pole and propel them up higher. At the top, they were blown into a hall inside the tower, then had to climb up several ladders and pathways.
They went back outside through another hall and found a series of poles that led higher. Sonic used his tornado to blow them up the first one, which blew them to the next, then the next, until they stopped at another ledge. They spotted a floating ball with a magic diamond inside and grabbed on, letting it carry them up. They carefully dodged any Bladed Spinners or Bulblin Archers shooting at them, reaching the next pathway as Sonic continued dashing.
They made it to another path of floating platforms and ran along before they collapsed, reaching a rail at the end and started grinding. They rode the rails further up the tower, having to jump gaps in the way to stay on. They made it back on the path as Sonic kept running, going up a ramp and carrying Rachel as he ran up the side of the tower. They hit a spring which hit them to a ledge with another floating ball, grabbing on and floating further up the tower. Lots of flames shot at them from the walls, so they carefully swerved and dodged. The ball flew up faster and faster until it stopped and popped at the next path.
They continued around the tower until they were finally at the very top, very close to the clouds. The top of the tower seemed overflowing with humongous tornados, Sonic holding onto Rachel as she was nearly sucked away, the girl keeping her arms wrapped around him. In the center of the tower was nothing more than an Evil Crystal, glowing its usual dark aura as it controlled the dangerous winds. Sonic fought through the winds and got them closer to the gem, allowing Rachel to swing her sword and vanquish the dark crystal, immediately ceasing the tornados.
Afterwards, a fan that was below the crystal activated and spun another tornado that blew through a hole in the clouds. The two jumped in and were instantly blown to the realm above. (Play "Sky Sanctuary Modern" from Sonic Generations!)
Act 2: Skypia
The wind rushed at incredible speeds as they zipped by all the clouds, the light growing brighter. Finally, all the dark clouds lay below them, as the bright blue sky, and the vast ocean of white clouds lay in their wake. They were in the wonderful Sky Realm of Skypia. Hundreds of thousands of Sky Islands filled the heavens, and the Nimbis; angel-like beings with heart-shaped wings and whitish-yellow skin, soared across the clouds, alongside huge, horse-sized birds with colors of the rainbow.
Sonic the Hedgehog felt the rush of excitement, smiled widely, while Rachel could only look in fear, being thousands of feet in the sky. "WAAAAAH!" Sonic paid her fear no mind and dashed down the long, steep slope that lay before them. The slope make a tight curve along the bottom, leading to a ramp, and the hedgehog WHOOSHED up that ramp and landed on the first of many Sky Islands. Sonic began to rush by the small town as the many Nimbi citizens waved at him. Sonic ran a wide left turn and ran down some steps, to what looked like a small pier. Sonic decided to hop onto one of the huge birds parked there; a blue one, as they began to ride him across the heavens.
Rachel held tight to the bird, for one slip would guarantee her demise. But Sonic kept his head up, for the rushing winds just made him more excited. However, Kargaroks began to fly at the two with Bulblin Archers riding them. Rachel finally sat up and started to shoot arrows back, but as the monsters whooshed by, their bird had to make a sudden dive down, and Rachel gripped tight. The bird flapped back up as Rachel felt the rush, her smile returning as she flung arrows at any more monsters.
They finally took land on another Sky Island, as Sonic lifted Rachel in his arms and sped along a pathway between some temples. They hopped several high ledges using springs before Sonic dashed across a very thin pathway, in which the road crumbled as he went. That path led to a small platform, and Sonic did a quick turn right and crossed another crumbling bridge, reaching a larger Sky Island that was bustling with Nimbi citizens. The angels were forced to run, er, fly, when Moblins took land and began to terrorize them. Rachel angrily hopped out of Sonic's arms and ran at the first Moblin, clashing its spear before flipping overhead and dealing a Parry Attack. Two Moblins defended with spears when Sonic tried to Home Attack, but the hedgehog easily zipped behind and knocked them out.
Two Moblins charged at Rachel with spears aimed, but she smirked and flipped above to make the two stab each other. Sonic grabbed Rachel and kept running as he carried her, allowing her to slice any Moblins they ran by. At the end of the road, three Fatblins stood guard before a pathway. Sonic ran and kicked off the first's shield, while he flung Rachel overhead so she could stab the Fatblin until it was down. The next Fatblin charged at Sonic and stabbed its spear, but the hedgehog ducked, spun in a pinball, and shot up the Fatblin's face, making him face upward, then the hedgehog proceeded to Spin Dash his side and push him over the chasm. Meanwhile, Rachel was struggling to keep back the spear of the third Fatblin, using her sword, but Fi leapt out of Rachel's sword and startled the monster, allowing her to easily get behind and slice it to death. Rachel smiled in gratitude, and Fi smiled back.
The spirit returned to the sword as Sonic grabbed Rachel and dashed across another crumbling pathway. This led to a lone, small platform with another large bird was perched. The two hopped on the bird and flew further across the expansive realm, to an enormous, bustling Sky Island in the distance. There were giant, winged worms, called Skytails, flying at them from the opposite side, but they easily flew past the monsters, forcing them to about-face and chase them. The worms were about to gnash at their bird's behind, but Rachel and Sonic smirked and made the bird brake, tricking the Skytails to flying ahead, allowing them to ram their weak tails.
The two leapt off the bird and landed firmly on the Sky Island's ledge. Sonic grabbed Rachel and jumped up the steps as more Nimbi citizens waved. Sonic noticed the Red Ring above the fountain in the center, so Sonic jumped into the spout of white water and flung upward, grabbing the ring. There was nowhere to go, but there was a set of tall stairs leading up along the right of the island. They jumped up the stairs and reached a set of three rails, grinding across the island's ground and jumping off at the left side. There, they bounced up some flat, bouncy clouds and reached another rail, which they rode to another collapsible path.
After dashing across, a spring on a small platform flung them over to a gigantic Sky Whale, and before their eyes, a fleet of Sky Whales lay in their wake. Sonic began to run and jump across the many heavenly, white whales. Since they were flying the opposite way he was running, Sonic was careful not to slip and fall off. At the final whale, there was a small platform with another spring, which Sonic bounced off to land them on another island. (End song.)
The minute they set foot on this island, they immediately noticed something odd. "Hey… they are humans!" Rachel exclaimed. Indeed, the inhabitants of this island had peach-colored skin, but no wings.
"And hey!" Sonic spoke, stomping the ground a few times. "This is solid earth! All the other islands we ran across were made of cloud."
Fi jumped out of Rachel's sword to confirm this. "Master Rachel, I have some information you may like to hear: we stand now on Skyloft. Formerly a town on the earth before the gods of old moved it to the heavens. This land beneath your feet was where the first incarnation of your ancestor, Link, was born and raised."
"So, this… was Link's hometown?" Rachel asked, viewing the island with amazement. "Did the spirits create you here, too, Fi?"
"They did… Master. This island is where I met Link… and served him until his journey ended."
The three began to explore the Sky Island, glancing at the human and Nimbi citizens socializing with each other. "You know, we've actually been to Skypia once, but only so much." Rachel remembered. "I was glad we left because I was so afraid of heights. But… this place is incredible." They stood upon a ledge and overlooked a tremendous, dome-shaped cloud in the distance. "Like… this place is just barely touching the Spirit World. I couldn't imagine anything terrible about this place…"
Sonic whistled, arms behind his head, "Ah'll say. Sure reminds me a whole lot of home."
"Whatchu mean?"
"I never mentioned this, but we were actually raised on a Sky Island. Knuckles was, too; but he still lives on his. Heheheh. But I learned that I love the ground better. But as long as we didn't have to worry about oceans…"
"Yes. This realm appears to have a powerful sense of magical atmosphere." Fi observed. "Seeing Skyloft again has awakened so many memories. I wonder if…"
"Wonder if… what?" Rachel inquired.
Fi thought for a moment. "…Jump… Master."
"What?" she asked, promptly. "What do you mean 'jump', I'll fall right through the clouds."
"Have faith, Master. Jump, and give a great whistle."
"Yeah, Rachel." Sonic smirked, lifting her again. "Have faith." And with that, the blue hedgehog stepped back, ran, and leaped over the edge.
"WAAAAHHHHH!"
"AWW YEEAH! !" Sonic cried out, sticking his thumb and index in his mouth and giving a whistle.
A hawk cry came from the distance, and the two were suddenly rescued by a crimson-colored bird, as large as the other ones, and Rachel gave a bright smile as the bird carried them, the wind rushing through their hair once more. "Whoa-ho! Hello, Birdy!" Rachel exclaimed.
Fi flew up beside them and said, "Master, the winged creatures you have encountered are known as Loftwing. They are what the humans who live upon Skypia use to soar the peaceful sky. It was their main means of transportation, similar to the horses of the earth. Ordinarily, the Loftwing has a strong bond with its master. And the Loftwing knows which rider is best for them."
"Hehe. Good for me."
"So, not so afraid of heights now, are ya?" Sonic winked.
"Well… kind of. But not so much as before, I guess."
"Soaring on the back of a Loftwing can ease any mind. When I look at you upon it, I am reminded so much of Link."
"Hehe… if only I could be just as good as the original Link, huh?" Rachel chuckled.
"Negative. You are equally as good, Master. If not better…"
Rachel smiled. "Aw, thanks, Fi. Anyway, where's this Sky Spirit? We're supposed to be looking for it, right?"
"I am sensing Rayquaza's presence within that massive thunderhead ahead." She indicated the humongous, dome ball of clouds ahead.
"Thunderhead ahead." Sonic repeated. "Well, that's easy to spot."
"Alright, Birdy, let's go." Rachel ordered. The bird gave another screech, flying closer to the massive thundercloud, further away from the Sky Islands.
The sky started to become a lot less sunny as they flew into the thunderhead. Lightning flashed as rain poured down rapidly. "Oh great. Water." Sonic frowned.
"Quit bein' a baby, and let's find that spirit. What does he look like anyway?"
"Uh… Rachel?" Sonic pointed down to a spot in the clouds that seemed to be glowing. In a few seconds, a huge, long, green snakelike dragon flew from the cloudy sea. It had hard, shiny skin, a few yellow stripes along his body, orange eyes, and several points along his body. The two nearly fell off their Loftwing as the dragon shot above them.
The dragon flew back down and twisted around to face them, giving an enormous roar as his eyes brimmed with dark energy. The two noticed the Evil Crystal wedged in his head as he started flying around. "He's possessed!" Rachel shouted.
"Not for long. Let's help him out." (Play the "Levias Battle" Theme from Zelda: Skyward Sword.)
Boss fight: Rayquaza
The curvy snake evaded the kids as the Loftwing chased him, the deity firing several mini lasers from his points. The Loftwing barrel-rolled and evaded the lasers as they flew close, allowing Rachel to strike at some of the points. Rayquaza flew beneath the clouds and shot back up, pushing the red bird away. He then shot right back down and rammed them again, then continued to fly away. Rayquaza launched more lasers at them, but they kept avoiding as Rachel struck the points, making the snake wince in pain. It flew faster away from them, so Sonic jumped, grabbed onto its tail, and climbed on its back. The wind nearly blew the hedgehog off, but he stood firm and dashed along its body, charging a Spin Dash and shooting at the Evil Crystal.
The force of the impact made Sonic fly off, but Rachel caught him on the Loftwing, then flew closer to the now-stunned Rayquaza. Rachel jumped on its head and dealt several strikes against the crystal, the beast screeching as it shook her off, landing her back on the Loftwing. The monster continued to throw lasers from his points, but they avoided as Rachel sliced them. Rayquaza performed a Spiral Strike and shook the Loftwing away, flying beneath the clouds and shooting back up, but the Loftwing quickly stopped and avoided the attack, then dodged again when he shot back down.
Rayquaza flew back at their level and faced them, charging energy in his mouth and unleashing a Hyper Beam, landing a painful blow against the bird and pushing them back. Rachel fell off its back and was caught in Rayquaza's right hand, looking terrified as the dragon held her close by its dark, glaring eye. She pulled out her bow and shot an arrow in his eye, making him screech and throw her back. Rachel grabbed onto one of his points and ran up his body, dealing more strikes against the Evil Crystal.
Rayquaza shook her off as Rachel landed back on the Loftwing, and the dragon deity soared beneath the clouds. They were expecting him to shoot up like a rocket, but instead, Rayquaza spiraled around and around single spots, causing a series of tornados to sprout up from below. The Loftwing was captured in the whirlwinds, unable to pull away as they blew around. Rayquaza was able to shoot up and RAM the two, and Rachel was sent falling to the clouds. "AAAAAHH!"
"RACHEL!" Sonic cried, shooting down on the Loftwing to rescue her.
Rayquaza shot down, charging another Hyper Beam, but this allowed Rachel to latch onto his head with her Hookshot. She was pulled straight up, proceeding to lay the final strikes upon the Evil Crystal. Finally, she raised her sword high, and STABBED down, piercing the dark gem and destroying it. (End song.)
The spirit gave one final cry as Rachel fell off its head, landing back onto the Loftwing. She and Sonic watched as Rayquaza slowly fell beneath the clouds, defeated.
The two carefully peeked over the Loftwing after the spirit vanished. The rain started to clear up as the sun poked through the thunder clouds above. Before they knew it, they were caught inside a whirling tornado that came from just below them, propelling them upwards before it vanished and sent them falling. The Loftwing caught Sonic on its back while Rachel fell beneath the clouds. But she came back up a few seconds later, riding Rayquaza's head, smiling joyfully as she held onto his two points. (Play Fado's Theme from Zelda: Wind Waker.)
The snaky spirit took a breath through his nose and spoke. "Ahhh… much nice to have that hideous lump removed from my head. I'd rather have a little girl."
Rachel giggled.
"I am Rayquaza. Great Spirit of the Skies. It's been generations since the last time I saw you."
"We never met before. You must mean my ancestor, Link."
"Correct you are. But his spirit resides strongly in you, as you must know. Truly, you are the same Link, finally reborn again after many eons. Your Mark of Courage says all. I am sure you're aware of the Ganondorf problem by now."
"Gee, you think?"
"Ah ho ho. Do not worry, Dear. You will surely defeat him, just as Link has. He was quite strong, strong in the ways of the elements. He could not literally bend them of course, oh no. Such power resides only in the Avatar and Negatar. But he was strong with their spiritual side. Like the wind, for example. His mind was calm and narrow, and his fears rarely got the best of him."
"I can't say I have such a mind." Rachel chuckled.
"Yes, you do have your differences. But nevertheless, Ganon is still afraid of you. His dark heart fills him with fear, and he uses such fear to control his minions. Does this sound familiar?"
"Y-Yeah. It… sounds like my cousin."
"Fear has greatly taken over her heart just the same. But she is a bright girl, and the Triforce of Wisdom marks this, and binds your fates. The two of you must combine your strengths and best Ganon together. She must learn to see the light, and you must help her. But she is not the only one. There are, of course, three parts of the Sacred Triangle. A third one must join you. The other holder of the Triforce of Power. The one who Ganon has controlled to this day."
"You mean… Lehcar?"
"Yes. Lehcar has inherited Ganon's Triforce, and his power. For that reason, he fears his own daughter. So, he uses fear to control her, against her own will at times. Thus proving her as your opposite. But you must be able to reach her as well, if she is able to obtain the true powers of the Triforce of Power. When all three powers join together, they can combine their strength and finish off the Evil King once and for all."
"So, try to get the people who hate me the most join me against someone else who hates me?" she summarized. "Yeah, that'll go well."
"You know, there's something I don't get about you spirits." Sonic spoke up. "I wonder why you spirits just don't handle these things yourself. Aren't you, like, all-powerful or something?"
Rayquaza gave a chuckle. "Us spirits? Hn-no-o. No, we spirits barely have any real power. The true power… resides in you mortals."
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.
"The only beings with true power are mortals. We spirits give you our bending powers and we live forever, sure. But we lack true experience. The way you mortals struggle and fight to stay alive, or even to help others, the way you create friendships that grow and prosper. We spirits could never know such things. All we're good for is sitting around in our respective realms, making sure everything's stable. We aren't allowed to be involved in mortal affairs unless drastic measures are required. In fact, Darkrai II is stronger than us in some ways. He is the only spirit that befriends mortals. He knows the feeling of friendship as well."
"Well, I'm sure you spirits are just as powerful. I mean, protecting the balance is a pretty big job, isn't it?" Rachel smiled.
"It is… but mortals handle that well on their own, too. But I won't deny our eternity makes us more knowledgeable than you. Nevertheless… you mortals wield the true heart. Your passions for each other make you strong. So was the plan of our Supreme God. It was his design that mortals would bend elements, and become stronger with them. 'Twas even his design that the gods could never use the Triforce. To give mortals hope. Otherwise, the Kids Next Door of the old days would never have been able to drive back Malladus, and disaster would have befallen. Of course, this has backfired in more than several ways, such as with Ganondorf."
"Shyah, no kidding."
"But nevertheless… the world has been saved from dark times these past generations thanks to mortals. And peace continues to reign. And when I think about it… being a spirit has its upsides. Kyogre continues to swim in the cooling oceans… Groudon gets to bathe within the warmth of the earth. And I…" he shut his eyes in peace, "I get to fly these magnificent skies. Feeling the wind on my skin. Always a peaceful thing… just what the airbenders live for."
"That reminds me. Why did Ganondorf send his minions to attack you?" Rachel asked.
"Hmm… as peaceful as Air is meant to be… every element has its dark side. Ganondorf was born in the Gerudo Tribe, a desert tribe of thieves. I am shamed to admit, at times, I do become angered. Like when Kyogre and Groudon have their quarrels. In my anger, the winds blow roughly across the world, creating storms. But I take most of my anger out around the barren desert. But my anger resulted in the destruction of the Gerudo Tribe. The only place where Ganondorf felt at home. It is partially my fault he has become so consumed in anger. He likely wanted revenge on me, so he implanted an Evil Crystal on my head."
"Then we have to stop him, definitely. But we actually need to look for the Firstborn, too. Any ideas where we could find one?"
"I already know your path. You must head for The Tree of Beginning. You'll find more besides a Firstborn there. But first… allow me to give you something."
"Huh?"
"Slowly, you are awakening Link's spirit within your veins. That Crimson Loftwing, in fact, was originally his. Currently, it is not among the living. It has come here from the Spirit World to help you, because it senses your spirit. To further awaken yourself as the New Hero, I will teach you the ancient move Link has mastered in his time wielding the Master Sword. Raise your weapon skyward, and strike."
Rachel did so and aimed her sword straight upward. A mystic light suddenly filled the blade in seconds, up to the point before it sparked. Rachel swung forward, sending out a spiraling wave. "Coool!"
"That was a Skyward Strike. A powerful technique, equal to that of the lightbenders. Now, you are ready to proceed."
"I don't suppose you have any mystical lions or something to take us back?"
"Mystical lions? No-o. I believe I will carry you back myself. I need the exercise. My head's still aching from that wretched crystal. Ahhh… but to gaze upon this magnificent sky… it's enough to give me peace. You must keep faith that the dark times of this world will pass. Just as they always have…"
Argh, another one I worked ages for. :/ So, yeah, this chapter kind of goes further on a couple of the villains' plans. And I was kinda lazy during the boss, so I may come back and edit it. Anyway, next time, we'll… check on the rest of the scattered crew, I guess. I hope to reach the Tree soon, actually. :/ Later.