Hello, everybody! Watch as Dani and Nolan's special friendship is torn apart! Here we go!
Evil Shadows: Night of Blood and Gloom.
Ember Island
Danika's short date with Nolan was over after a while. After he and April went to bed, the goth shadowbender was happily walking across the beach under the full moon, humming a merry tune with the only other sounds being the waves along the beach. "Man, tonight was wonderful, Cheshire." she said to her shadow. "I'm normally all gloomy and depressed. But… around Nolan… I dunno, things just feel different. Like… there's a sun in my heart somewhere. I feel like… we might actually have something… special…"
"I still don't trust him. He used to have a hatred against metahumans and you, you know." Cheshire told her.
"Yeah, but that's over now. Now he's… special. Troubled, but… there's something great about him. I…" she stopped and turned at her shadow, "I love him."
"Hmm… Well, as long as you're happy, My Master, I'm happy."
"Well, isn't that sweet?" Danika gasped and jumped around, seeing Lucinda.
"Lucinda! What a, um… pleasant surprise. You kind of startled me there."
"Oh, don't be frightened, Child. Wherever I go… happiness is sure to follow…" the fairy told her in a creepy whisper. The glow from the full moon made her form more frightening.
"Right. That's just what happened in Ella Enchanted, isn't it?"
"Oh, Danika. No need to get so critical." Danika jumped again at this robotic tone, and faced the one person she really didn't want to see.
"You!" she yelled at Darth Genious. "What are you doing here?"
"I was just happily enjoying my vacation like the rest of you when Lucinda has brought me some rather intriguing news. It seems that little shadow imp that's been hiding in your shadow is a Firstborn."
"A…A Firstborn?" Danika stuttered.
"And you are her Mortal Guardian." Lucinda followed, bending down and placing a hand on Danika's cheek.
Danika looked down for a minute in thought. "…Hm… What are the odds of that?"
"I have also made my own little discovery." Brain followed. "When I made you and Nolan partners, I never expected… this partnership."
"You just stay out of our business!" she yelled through her teeth, touching a dagger to Brain's dome.
"Patience, my dear. I would not wish to get involved with your affairs. While I knew Nolan's mind was full of dark thoughts… I never pictured him as the emo type."
"He's not 'emo'. He's just a little confused, is all. Any idea why?" she asked sarcastically.
"Perhaps. But Nolan already has two strikes on himself." Unbeknownst to them, Midna, the shadowy Firstborn herself was watching from behind a rock. "I'd hate to imagine what would happen if a third strike were to happen. But as far as I'm concerned, the only one preventing him from reaching that third strike… is you."
"What are you trying to do anyway, kill him? ! Last I checked, you've been practically RAPING his mind just to make him your apprentice."
"Lockers and lasers may break his bones… but words are the ultimate weapon. I assure you, I have no intention to kill him. But rather… to further accelerate his path to the Dark Side."
"And what's your angle in all this?" she asked Lucinda.
"All I desire is the Firstborn. But while I work on my plan, I figured I'd help Darth out with his."
"Well you can forget it!" Danika yelled and waved her arm. "I love Nolan. And I'll never betray him no matter what. And you know what?" she asked Brain with an excited smile. "He loves me too! He'll never let you do anything to me. Because he'll tear you to shreds! He'll take that jar of yours and smash it into a million tiny pieces! He's gonna roll his wheelchair RIGHT over you and squeeze every ounce of intelligence out of that mushy brain of yours! He's gonna-" Lucinda touched a finger over her mouth and silenced her.
"I think… you're right, Danika." Dani's eyes widened in terror when Brain pulled out a Darkness Cannon using his psychic. "I honestly think… you're right." Before Danika could avoid, the cannon fired and zapped directly.
Danika suddenly found herself in the Moonbase audience chamber, feeling the glares of thousands of operatives. A shudder ran down her spine, feeling absolutely all of the hate and fear in their souls. The legions of children started to hurl food and garbage as Danika raised her arms in defense. There were many negative shouts and comments like "Go away, Freak" and "Nobody wants you." It was then that Supreme Leader Numbuh 274 spoke, "I'm sorry, but your kind is not allowed in our organization. Pack your things and go back where you came from." Every operative around the stand gave cries of agreement, and one of them was Nolan York.
Danika stood still after her vision. Any positive feeling she might've had up to 'til now, about Nolan York or anybody, was washed away. Her dark-brown eyes seemed to fade to a pale-grey. The happiness completely left her heart as she looked down, her face emotionless. From behind the rock, Midna gasped at this, immediately trying to fly away, but Lucinda's shadow, Maleficent, popped out of the ground in front of her and grabbed the Firstborn between her hands, binding her arms as she presented the spirit to her master.
"Why, look what we have here, Brain." The fairy spoke with joy, approaching and bending to Midna's eye level. "The Firstborn herself. I knew she couldn't stay away from her Guardian. They are usually just as protective as they are."
"You! You'll never get away with this!" Midna declared, trying to shake free of Maleficent's grasp.
"I think we will." Genious replied, facing the emotionless Danika. "Thanks to my Darkness Cannon… she has completely forgotten every joyous feeling she might've had. About her friends, family, and even the crush she had on Nolan York. Her true 'goth' colors are unveiled. She is finally back to her emo side. Rather than being the hyper and energetic shadowbender she once was, she now believes life is dull and full of misery. In short… she now sees the truth about life! AH ha ha ha ha! And once Dear Nolan sees this magnificent change, the same thing will become of him. Danika was the cause of anymore light in his heart… ergo, she will be the cause of his darkness. Such was decided by the Goddess of Emotion herself. Right… Midna?"
"Grrr!" Midna gritted her teeth.
"And… with your marvelous powers added to my wand, my magic will become even more powerful." Lucinda told her. "Lord Genious and I will be able to kill both our birds with the same stone on this deal. And it'll be glorious."
"Hmmm." Midna shot the witch a glare.
"Now, I hope the other villains will be finished with their business soon." Brain said. "I am dying to see Nolan's reaction to this change…"
Si Wong Desert
The sun was beginning to set over the vast desert as the Gaang and KND finished learning what they needed, and were walking out of the library. "So Rachel's the Guardian of one of those three Firstborn." Nigel thought aloud. "But which one?"
"And who're the Guardians of those other two?" Hoagie asked.
"Gee, what is this, 20 Questions?" They stopped and searched for the source of this female voice. "Aren't you a nice bunch of friends Zuzu's run into." They dodged when some blue flames launched and nearly burned them, directing their attention to a 14-year-old girl in black armor and black hair in a bun, smirking as she readied blue flames in her hands and stood beside men in dark-green robes.
"Azula!" Zuko shot her a glare, drawing his dual swords.
"Who?" Nigel asked.
"Wait a second, wasn't she at the race on Secco?" Hoagie recalled.
"Her name's Azula, and she's my sister. My father decreed her Firelord, and she was about to accept the throne. Until me and Katara stopped her."
"After the war, she was taken to an insane asylum on some island." Katara followed. "How did you escape?"
"You don't know? Why, with the help of Lord Genious, of course. He might not be as good as Father, but he is a fine ruler who cares about his subjects. So, what's going on with you lately, Zuzu? How is being Daddy's runner-up playing out?"
"Just great, thank you for asking. It's amazing how much the people love you when you call off a war that's been happening for a century."
"And you may be working for a new master, but that doesn't change the fact that we'll kick your butt." Toph assured, stomping a ball of sand from the ground with Angie.
"I don't think so. Soon, you'll all be fallen to Darth Genious's rule. Once he enacts his ultimate plan involving that crippled 'apprentice' of his, there'll be no safe haven for you do-gooders. Dai Li Agents, attack!" At her command, the robed earthbenders scattered and began launching sandwaves at the heroes.
Toph and Angie grabbed a few of the waves and bunched them into a giant sandball, dropping it on top two of the agents. Sokka and Rachel swung their swords and cut the waves in half as they passed by while Abby and Wally ran behind and grabbed the agents' heads, blocking their eyes as they wobbled around and tripped on Hoagie's leg. Four agents were surrounding Aang, but the Avatar spun around and made a sandy tornado, blowing them all away. Both Nigel and Zuko were working together to fight Azula using fire daggers, but Azula grabbed their wrists and tossed them away, but the princess was suddenly grabbed in two Water Fists, wielded by Katara.
"So, you learned a new move." Azula observed. "I'm guessing the little Ocean Princess taught you that. Actually, speaking of Eva, I believe an old friend of yours has come to see her."
"An old friend? Who?" Katara asked.
"Don't you remember her?" Azula smirked. "She was an excellent teacher for you, from what I hear. She taught you a rather powerful waterbending move. And now she's teaching it to her!"
"A powerful waterbending…" Katara thought aloud, then her eyes widened in realization. "Hama!"
"Hama? You mean that witch lady?" Toph asked.
Katara released Azula and stuffed the water in her pouch, saying quickly, "We have to get back, now."
"But what about Azula?" Aang asked.
"I'll stay and handle her. You guys go help your friend." Zuko decided, facing the princess.
"Oh, how unsurprising." she could only say.
"Let's leave him to it." Grim ordered, zapping a portal out of his scythe. "Let's go, kids."
"Be careful, Zuko." Katara cautioned as they all piled in and warped. Rachel was the last one to enter, but she stopped to listen to Zuko and Azula for a minute.
"You're gonna pay for stealing what should be mine." she told him through gritted teeth.
"Why couldn't things be different between us?" Zuko asked, almost sympathetically.
"Some families aren't meant to get along."
Rachel looked down sadly, feeling the same was with her and Mandy. But that's when Grim reached out and pulled her through the portal before it vanished, leaving the prince and princess to have their duel.
Forest area, outside of Great Wall
It soon came midnight over the land, and the only light that shone and made the land visible was that of the bright Full Moon, hanging largely over the heavens as an eerie wind brushed through the trees. Eva Roberts and Manaphy felt a tingling through their skin as they frightfully walked through the forest, to the river where Hama wished to meet them. "M-M-Man-a-a…" Manaphy quivered.
They met the aforementioned woman by the river. The area was pretty clear of trees, and the moon, along with the wind blowing past her clothes and hair, made her ancient form terrifying. "Can you feel it, Eva? The Moon's Power…" the elder spoke quietly and creepily. "The ultimate source of waterbending, hanging bright over your head. That which gives all of the People of the Water… the absolute Power of the Sea." Eva looked creeped when the woman stretched her arms and her wrinkly skin shriveled up a little. "I never felt so alive…"
"Umm, okay… So what's this waterbending move you wanted to show me?"
"Listen, Eva, there's something I haven't quite told you yet… Back in my day, during the Hundred-Year War, I spent most of my days as a prisoner, trapped within the deepest confines of the Fire Nation. Why, you might ask? For my power. Many years I spent in that lifeless dungeon, completely free of any hope of escaping. Until I looked out the window, seeing the Full Moon shining down on me. I could feel the Moon Goddess, Cresselia looking down during my desperate hour. And it was then that she blessed me with the ultimate technique of waterbending. The one move which allowed me to control the guards and make my own escape. Bloodbending…" Eva gave a look of pure horror. "Controlling the water in another's body. Mending them to your will. Moving every muscle in their body. Can you think of any more extraordinary power?"
"Controlling peoples' blood? And mending them to your will? That's horrible! I-It's just like…"
"Psychicbending, yes? The Dark Element. Psychic and Water are closely related elements. And bloodbending is proof of that. The Force keeps the Moon in orbit around the Earth, and the Moon controls the waves of the sea on the Earth. All elements are related someway or another. But that's beside the point. It's time to teach you the power which has kept me alive for decades."
"H-Hold on. From what you're saying, this is a Dark Art, so… why would I ever wanna bloodbend?"
"Come now, Eva. You said it yourself, you were bullied for being different. My situation was… a little more extreme, but still very similar. We aren't accepted for our power, so the only way to gain any respect is by force. You need this power, Eva."
"There's a better way to gain respect than by enforcing power over people: you can earn it. Playing the 'Stop hitting yourself' game isn't the way."
"It's the only way. To insert your dominance over the fools who dare think themselves more powerful. This is the only way to make them see the error of their ways! It's the only way to make them learn!"
"No!" Eva waved her arms in refusal. "I don't need other peoples' approval. I'm good just the way I am and I don't care what people think. So I won't use bloodbending to force their respect, and I won't bloodbend PERIOD."
"Katara learned this same technique from me some time ago. She could not resist the temptation… and neither will you."
"Hurr!" Eva knelt down in pain, her arms and legs bending against her own will.
"Mana-Mana!" Manaphy shouted. The Prince was about to jump at Hama, but the witch simply grabbed and held him in midair with bending.
"Ah, the all-powerful Sea Prince. A body of 80% water does not NEED bloodbending to be against his own will. The two of you… are completely in my power."
"EVA!" Kade and Dimentia hurried over from behind her.
"Kade! Dimentia!"
"Haha!" Hama released Eva and gripped the two with the same technique, twisting and turning their arms and legs.
"No! Release them!" Eva demanded.
"Your friends make excellent puppets, Eva. I'm sure your bullies would make better ones. If you… submit."
"Forget it! I'm never going to give in to it!"
"Then may your friends pay the price." With that, Hama levitated the two struggling kids in midair and twisted them even more while they grunted in pain.
"Let them go!" Eva still demanded.
"Isn't this great, Eva? Just wait: in the future, people won't even NEED a Full Moon to bloodbend! It'll be that popular! Ah hah hah hah!"
Eva hesitantly looked between Hama and her bloodbent friends, grasping her own head as she failed to think of a solution. But before either of them knew it, Dimentia and Kade were suddenly bent back to normal, their muscles held by another force now. Eva watched and smiled as Katara stepped out of the bushes, followed by Nigel and the others as Katara used bloodbending to gently place them back on their feet. "Nigel!"
"Eva!" Nigel hurried over and helped her up. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Nigel. Thanks for coming." She drew out her Phantom Sword as they both faced Hama.
"It's over, Hama." Katara declared, readying for battle. "Your bloodbending days are over. You're going back to jail."
"Yeah!" Toph followed, stomping out a boulder.
Hama frowned in anger at all of the kids surrounding her. But her frown grew into an evil grin as she burst into maniacal laughter. (Play "The 13th Dilemma" from Kingdom Hearts II!) The elderly woman threw her arms in the air as a cyclone of water from the river began to encase her in a bubble. Water flew out of several plants and trees around the area and circled her form. The witch smirked evilly at the group as a battle followed suit.
Boss fight: Hama
"Feel the Moon's Power." Hama said, already sending powerful water gushes at the heroes. She moved slowly as her water shield stayed with her, making geysers pop out and knock Eva and Nigel away. Toph and Angie both sent rocks at the shield, but the water barrier proved stronger as the rocks bounced back, tentacles reaching out of it to grab the earthbenders, tossing them away. Eva and Katara conjured Water Fists and began to beat the barrier and were able to harm it, eventually breaking it. Hama simply jumped and surfed a wave over them and knocked them over, then did this again when they tried to stand up.
"UUWAH." Hama screamed when Dimentia started zapping her with Space Lightning, the water mixed with electricity making her hurt more. Hama only wiggled her eyebrows, grabbing the Zathurian's blood and shaking her around, bashing her against the ground. Kade ran to throw a punch at the woman, but Hama grabbed his blood and started throwing him against the Sector V gang. Aang swung his staff and blew a wind gust that pushed Hama a little, making her drop her control as Eva dashed over and started kicking Hama across the face, knocking her off her feet.
Hama did a breakdance and sent a watery shockwave that blew the kids around her away, standing back up and producing another water barrier. This time, she made tentacles pop out of the river around her and started grabbing anyone nearby, swinging them in the air before throwing them a great distance. Eva and Rachel took their swords and tried slicing the barrier, creating a crack which they jumped through before it closed, but Hama disabled the barrier and sent waves to push them back. Rachel was pushed back, but Eva dashed around them and ran to grab Hama's arm, but the woman smacked and pushed Eva back before surfing away with a wave.
"It kind of feels wrong attacking an old woman." Eva commented as Kade helped her up.
"Just remember, when that lady is an evil hag who abuses her power, it's okay to make an exception." Kade replied.
Nigel dodged another wave and jumped to aerial-kick the woman, but was instantly grabbed by her bloodbending, making him dance like a puppet as he was brought to Eva, forcibly kicking his cousin while she defended with her arms and leapt up, forcing Nigel to the ground. "Don't hurt your friends, Eva." Hama smirked, glancing behind herself at Sokka and Rachel. "And don't let them hurt themselves." The witch grabbed the two swordsmen in her power and made them raise their weapons, both struggling to hold their own sword back as they were about to slit their own necks. Katara quickly made Water Fists and punched the lady away, making her drop control, but Hama quickly got up and grabbed Rachel again, too late to react as she forcibly raised the Master Sword and pierced it through her chest.
"RACHEL! !" Nigel cried.
Rachel sealed her eyes tight from the stab, but squinted them open to see the blade merely phase through her form. "Huh?"
Fi jumped out and explained, "Master, as the blade of evil's bane, the Master Sword is incapable of killing good beings, let alone by force."
"Oh! Well, that's convenient!" With that, Rachel raised her sword again and ran to deal a few blows against the waterbending witch, but Hama surfed back with a wave and got water in Rachel's face. She rolled to the side before Hama could surf over her, but was immediately pelted by rocks in the face by Toph. She, Aang, and Sokka stood by each other as they tossed their respective elements toward the woman, and Sokka his boomerang. Hama fought past the attacks and gripped them all in her power, levitating them off their feet as she greatly began twisting their limbs.
Katara punched Hama upside the head with Water Fists and began throwing more punches, sending her flying a few feet. "BEHOLD THE POWER OF THE SEA!" the witch cried, suddenly making a huge cyclone circle around and lift herself off the ground. She looked down at the heroes and sent smaller, but still quite large, cyclones toward them, catching Toph and Aang in one and spinning them around as they were blown away. The Sector V kids tried to shoot weapons at the woman, but ended up caught and blown away in a cyclone as well.
Eva was caught up in some cyclones, but used her bending to fight and force her way through, making her way to Hama's cyclone. She dove and began to swim in the cyclone, going around and around as it went, but still made her way up and wrapped her arms around Hama's waist, pulling and making them fall to the ground with a thud. They both stood as Hama waved her arms up, making a huge water wall surround her and Eva, keeping everyone else out. Eva drew her sword and ran to strike the old witch, but Hama instantly grabbed and started controlling her.
"It's no use. I control every muscle, every vein in your body! You can't escape my grasp. Bloodbending is the ultimate technique! You have no free will!"
Eva began to forcibly kneel before her, feeling totally powerless as the woman made her own arms completely unmovable. But she slightly and arduously turned her head left, seeing the worried expression of her little blood-brother. Remembering she had an important duty in this whole quest, determined to protect Manaphy as his Guardian, she fought against the hag's hold and stood straight up.
"You aren't the only one who draws power from the moon. I am Evangeline Roberts, daughter of Kyogre Neptune and Princess of the Sea. My bending is far more powerful than yours, Hama. If I resist the Dark Arts, I can fight them. Your technique is useless on me!" With that, she grabbed a wave and sent it at the woman, who dodged as Eva dashed forward and swung her sword. Hama kept the blade back and jumped away, throwing her arms up and making dozens of water geysers pop out around her. Eva swiftly began slicing the geysers with her sword, making her way closer to Hama as the woman desperately tried to keep her away. She failed to do so as Eva made it over, dealing several blows across her form. She rose her blade skyward, or rather moonward, for she aimed it straight at the Full Moon and let it charge power. With that done, she gave one final swing and pushed Hama off her feet, onto her back.
"UUUHH!" she cried, gripping her aching hip. "You MISERABLE-"
"Mind if I cut in?" Grim smirked, Hama glancing to her right in his direction.
"Huff." Hama stood up and attempted to bloodbend the reaper, but her face turned to horror when she was unable to.
"Trying to bloodbend me, Hama? I'm a SKELETON! I gots no blood flow to go on!"
"No! Stay back!" she yelled, sending huge bubbles at the reaper, only for Grim to swat them away with his scythe.
"You know, Eva may not want to do the Dark Arts… but in MY position, it's okay! Say your prayers, you filthy witch." Hama stepped away in fear, but ended up tripping on a rock in the river. She looked in absolute horror as the reaper stood over and reached his arm down, touching her chest. She began squirming and shaking around, seeing some kind of energy flow from her form onto his arm, and also feeling her own blood drying away and her skin shriveling even more. The lady's skin shrunk more and more as her blood was fading, exposing only the bones through her skin. In a few moments, all of the life seemed to vanish from her eyes, and the energy flow stopped as Grim let go. (End song.)
The heroes watched as the old woman fell to the ground, skin completely shriveled up into a bloodless skeleton, her expression totally frozen with shock and fear as she lay dead. "A simple tap may only knock people out… but ye don't want these hands on ya for too long, Mon." Grim said.
"Phew. Glad that's over." Eva sighed in relief.
"Eva…" Katara smiled and walked over to put a hand on her shoulder. "You didn't bloodbend. I'm so proud of you."
"Hm hm, thanks, Katara. And don't be upset that you did. It's not easy for people to resist temptation."
"I know. That's why I really admire how you didn't. You've really proven yourself as Manaphy's Guardian."
"Mana-Mana!" the Prince cheered. "PHYYY!" He then used his Heart Swap, connecting the red beams to Sokka and Toph, switching their bodies for no reason.
The two felt around and studied their new forms, taking a moment to sink the change in. "AAAAAHHHHH!"
"WHAT HAPPENED TO ME? ! I'M BLIND!" Sokka screamed.
"I can see!" Toph cheered. "But I have something in my pants. Ewww!"
"My feet feel so dirty! Plus, they stink!"
"Never insult the feet, Sokka." Toph warned. At that instant, their bodies were switched back.
"Phew… thank goodness." Sokka sighed.
"Mana-Mana!" Manaphy clapped.
Sokka shot him a glare. "You probably LOOVE doing that, don't you?"
"Is everything okay out here?" Iroh asked as he and the other White Lotus men arrived. "We saw a huge cyclone from the distance."
"Everyding is fine." Grim assured. "Just had to take another soul."
"Good. Everything is settled here." Clockwork replied, his eyes closed. "I can see a vision of the Kids Next Door's world. Terrible things will be happening soon."
"Then I guess we've spent too much time in this world." Rachel figured.
"Listen, guys, we hate to leave, but we have to check up on our world." Nigel told the Avatar Gaang.
"We understand." Aang replied. "Make sure your friends are okay. Come back as soon as you can."
"Aw, man. Me and Hoagie were just getting to making some good jokes." Sokka whined.
"Don't worry, Sokka." Hoagie smiled and waved his arm. "I should have a fresh batch of jokes when we get back."
"Oh, I'll hold you to that." Sokka smirked.
"Uuh. That'll be pleasant." Abby remarked, quietly to Eva.
"Still, at least it isn't on the news." Eva said back.
"Come on, let's get everyone else and get the Gummi Ship ready to leave." Rachel ordered as they all started to walk off, waving good-bye to the Gaang. "See you later, guys."
"Bye! Take care!" Aang smiled and waved, along with Momo.
Ember Island
The sun began to rise over the island as Nolan York started to wake up in their small shack which they were staying in, rubbing his eyes and getting himself into his wheelchair. He rolled over and looked out the window, the sun blocked by the gray, cloudy sky. He looked at the bunk-bed above him and noticed it empty, then looked over at April, still asleep in her bed. Nolan rolled over and shook the Dickson girl. "Hey, April, wake up."
"Mmn, uh, huh?" April mumbled, eyes weakly opening.
"April, do you know where Danika went last night after our date?"
"Mmn, I think she went to go for a walk. Why?" she yawned.
"She isn't in her bunk. Come on, we have to go look for her." He rolled toward the exit as April rubbed her eyes and got out of bed.
"Nolan, I'm sure she's fine, she probably went out for-"
"Ah, you're awake." They went out of the shack and ran into General Immortus, beside his ship. "Come on. The Brain's ordered all villains' return to base."
"Now? But Danika's missing, we need to go-" Nolan tried to tell him.
"Danika was picked up beforehand. She is probably waiting for you at the base. You'll meet up when we get there."
"Um, okay." Nolan decided to roll and enter the aircraft, followed by April. General Immortus gave a smirk as he boarded as well, starting the ship up and taking off.
Gummi Ship, parked on grassy plain
It didn't take long until the dimension-traveling craft arrived back at Planet Earth. The heroes were currently asleep for the night, resting after their unexpected battle with Hama. Eva, however, was sitting atop the ship's roof and looking up at the moon. She twirled her Phantom Sword along the exterior in thought as Kade climbed up and sat by her. "Hey, Eva. Whatcha thinkin' about?"
"Oh, nothing. Just… this has been one crazy day today."
"Have any other of our days been less crazy, lately?"
"Hm hm hm! Point taken. But still… it's great that I didn't bloodbend and all… but I can't help but think what might've happened if I didn't, and those guys didn't come. You and Dimentia might've been…"
"Well, if you had to bloodbend to save us… we wouldn't hate you. Ever since we met, you've always been the prettiest girl in my eyes. Not just on your outside, but your inside, too. Even if you had to give in to darkness… you're too full of light to lose your way back."
"Hm…" Eva smiled. "Thanks, Kade. Having somebody like you around, I'd probably never give in to darkness."
"Yeah… Yawn, well I'm going to sleep. Don't stay up too late. Y'know, like the author."
"Hm hm, good night!" she waved 'bye' as Kade climbed down and went back inside.
Eva continued to gaze up at the moon, watching as it glowed ever brighter. A gorgeous white light began to shine from the moon as a mystical figure came down, a yellow and pink birdlike being with crescent-moon wings and crescent-moon head. "The Moon goes through many changes and phases, just as water can become many forms."
"You…" Eva recognized the bird as the Moon Goddess.
"People change, just like water. Their hearts can become caring and warm, just like steam. Or turn hateful and cold, much like ice. From Spring rains, to Winter snows… the seasons change from hot to cold. The Light shines bright, then it fades away. As it does in peoples' hearts. But as the Cycle of Seasons change, so do the feelings of peoples' hearts. From Light to Darkness… Darkness to Light… but unlike the seasons, they find an ultimate path once their cycle is complete." And Cresselia flew back to the moon, fading as she shrunk in the distance.
Eva stared up at the moon, watching as it dimmed to a shadier color. She took a moment to understand what the spirit just said, then gave a nod.
Final Brain
Once all the villains had returned to the Brotherhood's homebase, Nolan began roaming around in search of Danika. He was currently rolling around the outside of the base, hearing thunder booming in the grey skies above. While the sky was always gloomy at Brotherhood Base, it felt even darker to the crippled boy now. He was coming to the front area of the base, seeing three of the most-hated bullies to the villains: Jamie Dillon, Rabakkah Heartthorne, led by their all-too stuck-up leader, Olivia Johnson. (Lol and I find it kind of hilarious that one of their last name's is Dillon. :P)
"So I pushed him against the locker and made out with him, when his girlfriend showed up, and she totally…" Olivia stopped in her sentence when they encountered Nolan. "Oh, hey… it's that cripple boy that Brain likes for some reason."
"Nice to see you, too." Nolan told them sarcastically. "Hey, any idea where Danika is? I've been looking for her since…"
"Oh, goth freak? She's right over there, playing with her knife thingies." She pointed several feet away, at Danika sitting on the bench around a statue of Brain, turned away from them as she appeared to be scraping her daggers against each other.
"What's she doing?"
"Beats me. She's been there since she got back."
Nolan looked to his friend with curiosity and left the girls, rolling closer to the goth while the girls watched them. "Danika? Is… everything okay?"
"…So many voices… only the wind… only dust in the wind…" she spoke in a quiet tone.
"Huh?" Nolan could detect the sadness in Danika's voice. "Danika, what's wrong?"
"Never any friends… nothing but misery… an ocean of heartless souls…"
"What do you mean? You do have friends, Danika. And you're my best friend…"
"Just like the rest of them… can't be trusted… can never truly care."
"Danika, please. You're my friend. I-" Nolan reached over and put a hand on her shoulder in comfort. But the moment he did, Danika spun around and swung her dagger. The three bullies in the background gasped when she sliced a cut across Nolan's cheek. "AAHHH!" Nolan felt the pain surge through him quickly, gripping the huge gash on his cheek as blood began to spill.
Nolan's heart already began breaking, but the sorrowful goth sat back down, continuing to scrape her daggers. "Nothing but pain… never happiness… always betrayal…"
Nolan felt slight tears welling in his eyes, turning away and rolling back inside the base as thunder began to sound, and the bully girls ran a little closer to Danika. "Hey, Danika, what's the matter? Afraid you can never get to wear the ugliest goth clothing the world's even seen?" Rabakkah yelled, and the girls laughed.
"Hey, Danika, nice hair. Did you wash it with doggie shampoo? Fresh from the barn?" Jamie taunted. The girls laughed even more, and even began throwing trash while the shadowbender just sat there.
"Oompa Loompa, doopity doo. I got a nice little friend for you." Cad Bane sang to himself as he filled his gun with powder, standing beside Aurra in the base's hallway. "Oompa Loompa, doopity dee. If you are wise, you'll not run from… huh?" He and Aurra noticed Nolan rolling past them, holding his cut cheek as he kept his head down. "…What's his problem?" Aurra shrugged.
Mother Talzin and Darth Genious sat at the mini table beside his holographic projection of Earth, drinking cups of tea. "You know, Darth, on Planet Avalar, I was the creator of Mushroom Tea."
"Oh, really? During my father's reign as Chancellor, he always favored…" Brain stopped himself, seeing his apprentice roll in. "Nolan?"
Lucinda gasped in shock, seeing his bloody hand and the gash on his cheek. "You poor dear!" she yelled, walking over. "Let Mother fix that awful cut for you…" She puled the magic wand from her sleeve and aimed at Nolan's cut, uttering some kind of incantation which slowly caused the blood to flow all the way back into his cheek. "Omera Sempentor… Omera Sempentor… Omera Sempentor…" Once it was all inside, she pulled out some stitches and started to sow the cut back together, making Nolan wince a little, leaving only a scar once it was fixed. "There we go… that should make things better."
"Now how did you come by that gash, anyhow?" Brain asked.
"It was… Danika…" Nolan still couldn't believe what he was saying. "Brain, there's something wrong with her. She's acting all… gloomy, and…and miserable."
"Now, what news is that? Danika was gloom and misery the moment I found her. She has always been that way, Nolan."
"What? But, er… come and see!"
Nolan led the two villains onto one of the base's higher walkways, where Nolan directed them down at Danika's miserable, upset form. "My, what ever is wrong with the dear?" Talzin asked.
"You see that? She wasn't like that before!" Nolan insisted. "Before, she was all… happy and joyous… okay, maybe not EXACTLY like that, but she was more lively than she is now!"
"You seem to be exaggerating a bit, Nolan. Danika has been this way from the beginning." Brain refuted. "She thinks life to be all nothing but betrayal and misery. I'm certain you could relate to that, couldn't you?"
"Yeah, but… auugh!" Nolan started to get frustrated. "I know she wasn't like that before! She's been my partner this whole time! We went on missions together, we hung out outside the base, like going to restaurants… she's my friend. Well, MORE than that really, she…"
"Let me speak with him…" Lucinda told Brain, bending to Nolan's eye level and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Nolan… I understand perfectly what you're going through: you had a strong partnership with this girl, and developed feelings for her. As such, you saw her as somebody different than what she truly is."
"I DID NOT!" he smacked her hand away. "Danika WAS different! Something made her miserable all of a sudden, and I… wait…" Nolan began to think of a possibility. "MADAME ROUGE!"
"Vhat?" the woman in question was just coming down the walkway, smoking a cigarette. "I vas just going for vone of my valks. Dampy days like zis are ze perfect weather."
"W-What? But then…" Nolan looked down at Danika, unable to think of any other explanation.
"Nolan… don't you see?" Brain asked. "Your feelings for her have kept you from the truth. Just like with Dillon… you have gone out of control with your emotions."
"My boy… I am a Fairy Godmother." Lucinda said. "I know this better than anyone. It's obvious that any happy events you may have shared with Danika… were nothing more but simple dreams."
Nolan began to well with tears again. All the remaining happiness from his life had been taken away. "But I…I love her."
"You must remember, that you are a KND exile. The world has shunned you away for your crimes. As long as the world despises you… you will never truly have a happy ending. You can never know… true love."
Nolan's lips finally began to quiver, rolling away from the three as tears began to drip down. "Hmph… pitiful boy. I almost feel sad for him." Madame Rouge remarked, blowing another puff of smoke.
"Look at him, Talzin. The perfect apprentice. Unveiling right before our eyes." Brain smiled in his mind.
"You've done a fine job raising him, Genious. Your father would be proud."
"All I really need to complete my plans now is-" The Brain was interrupted when the Hispanic maid, Consuela approached.
"Misser Brain. We no have no more lemon pledge in Final Brain."
"It is not my concern what the maids are responsible for."
"Nno, you go out and buy."
"If I gave you the money, why don't you go out and buy?"
"Nno, is going to rain; acid rain. I stay."
"…I will be right back, Mother." The Sith Lord told Lucinda, and rolled away to go out and buy more lemon pledge.
"Hm… persuading little maid." The fairy mumbled. "But perhaps it's time I attend to my own… projects." She glared evilly and disapparated.
Nolan miserably rolled to his room in the base as April ran into him from the opposite direction. "Nolan, what's wrong?"
"Hey, April. Danika…" he sniffled, "everything I did with Danika was all a lie."
"What?"
"It never happened. Everything just… it was all a dream."
"Whuuuuuut?" April didn't buy this one bit. "Nolan, there's got to be some mistake. I know for a fact the two of you went on a date last night, and had a great time."
"B-But Darth Genious and Lucinda said-"
"Lucinda? Honestly, I'm not exactly sure if we can trust that witch. Same goes double for Brain. There's something fishy going on here, I can just taste it…"
"I don't know… I mean, Brain always-" Nolan stopped himself, seeing some kind of blue light behind April. "What's that?"
"Huh?" April looked behind her, but saw nothing.
"That light."
"What light?"
"That light, come on, let's chase it!" he yelled, hurriedly spinning his chair's wheels to chase the evading light.
"Wait!" April hurried after him.
The two moved faster and turned down various hallways as the light continued to evade their grasp. "Grrr. What is it?" Nolan asked himself, desperate to catch it and find out.
Lucinda reapparated in some kind of laboratory in the base, seeing her loyal shadow still binding Midna's arms. "Well, Midna, these certainly are depressing times, are they not?"
"You know, for a Fairy Godmother who thinks she knows what's best for kids, you sure are full of crap."
"I know that my intentions don't seem the friendliest at the moment… but I assure you, things will all be better soon enough."
"And just where do I come into play?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Lucinda pulled out her wand. "You are Midna of the Shadows. The Firstborn Spirit of Shadow and Princess of the Twilight Realm herself. Your body is filled with unlimited magic, the kind passed down from your people."
"You might want to check your math. I have only a small fraction of my power now. Ever since Maleficent's little Shadow Demon henchmen attacked and robbed me of my Fused Shadows."
"A small fraction, but incredible nonetheless." She raised her wand. "The rest of the Fused Shadows may be lost, but you still contain enough magic to give me the strength I need to use my power to my near-fullest potential. You know what they say, Midna. Work with what you have." And before Midna could do anything, the space-witch touched the tip of her wand to Midna's right cheek. She began to mutter another incantation, in which Midna already felt herself throbbing with pain.
"Ancient Shadows of the Night… give me the power to truly make blight. Let the nights and suns be shunned away… and let blackness fall and cloud the day!"
"OHH-uh! OHH-uh!" Midna grunted from the pain. "OOOOAAAAHHHHH!"
Nolan and April chased the blue light nearly halfway down another hall when it suddenly vanished near a door. "It's gone!"
"Wait." April heard something coming from that room, the two quietly moving closer and taking a peek inside. They gasped in horror at the sight of Midna being totally sucked of her power. The thin light-blue lines along her body vanished, and all of the black parts turned into white parts, and the white parts became black. Her orange hair had also faded to a pale color, and Lucinda removed the wand and stared intently as it brimmed with a black and orange color.
"Many thanks to your contributions… O Twilight Princess. Ah hu hu hu hu hu hu." The witch cackled and became a shadow, flying out of there.
After being sucked of her energy, Midna was left on a table to pant and gasp heavily for air, weakly able to hold herself up as Nolan and April dashed in. "Midna!" Nolan yelled, holding Midna in his arms.
Midna could barely open her eye and look at him. "Nolan… please… Danika… Must… save… Danika…" she told him in-between gasps. (Note that every "…" means that she's trying to breathe.)
"Save Danika? What do you mean?"
"Darth Genious… Darkness Cannon… He… stole her emotions."
"A Darkness Cannon. I KNEW something was wrong!"
"Yes… listen, Nolan. I've been watching over Danika for some time now. Ever since her parents vanished… she's felt lonely and depressed. But her sisters were always there… to make things better. And… she had… you…"
"M…Me?"
"Nolan… she loves you. Darth Genious knew this… and shot her with a Dark Cannon… to make her forget her happy feelings. He did this… to take you further down the Path of Darkness. That stuff he may have told you… before… he lied. Everything Darth Genious told you… has been a big lie."
"He… but…" Nolan felt the realization coming. Although, since he believed everything Brain said up to this point, it was hard for him to totally believe Midna. However, considering what just happened with Danika… he could no longer deny. "But why didn't you tell me earlier? !"
"Because… I knew you would never believe me… until you saw something… you KNEW wasn't right…"
He then started to feel extreme guilt and stupidity. "Oh my God… I can't BELIEVE I let this happen! Danika really was a sweeter person before, but he…"
"It's okay, Nolan… there's no changing the past… but Danika's future depends on you. You have to take her… to the Anderson home… Her sisters will help you... And April." She turned to the Dickson girl. "Take me to… Doctor… Facilier… he'll know what to do."
"Okay." April took the child from Nolan's hands.
"Hurry, Nolan… she may not have much time… the negativity will consume her… until she's nothing… the Shadows eventually fade away… if there isn't a light to keep them whole… ironic as it sounds."
"Okay. I won't let you down, Midna." He assured and rolled away.
"Please… hurry…" Midna breathed once more as April hurried and carried her off.
Once the room was totally clear, that same blue light appeared and floated in midair. A bunch of other blue lights appeared as they all transformed into the spirits of various alien beings; an old human man with a white beard and brown robe, a short, green alien with pointed ears in a white robe, an African-American man with a baldhead and tan robe, and many other Jedi as well.
"So, Obi-wan… a strong believer of the prophecy, you are, I see." Master Yoda spoke.
"But as spirits, we're not supposed to disturb in the affairs of mortals." Mace Windu said.
"I'm not disturbing. Simply guiding his path. He is the one the prophecy speaks of, yes?" Obi-wan asked.
"Always unclear, the prophecy is." Yoda replied. "True, it speaks of the non-bender who will end the reign of the last living Sith Lord… but Young Master Nolan, we are not sure it is."
"How do we know we didn't just let a normal mortal person see you?" Mace asked.
"I believe he is." Another Jedi Spirit walked out of thin air, a rather young and handsome man with brown hair and black clothing. "I can really relate to that boy. A troubled mind, mended by a man who only wants for himself. He's a boy trying his hardest to follow the path he believes is right. If he's anything like me… he'll mark his place in the prophecy, and fulfill his destiny."
"Hmm… very well, Master Anakin." Yoda said. "I trust your faith."
Oww, my head hurrrrts. And so, Nolan finally sees the truth. But will it be for long, we'll find out. But it shouldn't be long until we've finally found another Firstborn, who is obviously gonna be Midna. But next time, Lucinda will begin to enact her grand plan, and we'll get to finishing Jagar's story… which will take two more chapters. Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to MIKAELA CORELLA! It's her sweet 13! ;D Later!