Chapter 10: Team Building part 2
Somewhere far from the group, a black portal emerged, and stepping out was the hooded Tezzeret, fully aware that the Grimm had accomplished its task to bring down the Specialists' ship, he waited for the Trix to show up while also on the lookout for the Keyblade Wielders who were here as well. He thought it would be interesting to see how they use their skills up close. But while in thought his nose picked up something that had a strong smell and made his face scrunched, possibly from the swamp gas nearby. Turning towards the source of that smell and saw the Trix emerging from the woods.
"You better have some good news, old man, but if it involves skipping class, that's different." Icy pointed her finger at him, clearly not approving of coming to the swamp with their boots covered in dirt and muck.
"Besides it was a boring lecture anyway." Stormy said. "But if you had been there to help we-"
"Won't make a difference as they have clearly learned about your abilities and have been studying hard, something you should also take notes about. What would be the point of trying to learn something if you all skip class every so often." Giving his lecture to the witches and holding his hands behind his back with the red menacing glow under his hood staring at them.
The Trix said nothing as he made his statement, much to Icy's annoyance as she grumbled. "So if you're done acting as the teacher to us, did you take down the ship?"
"Yes, the Nevermore has done it as I commanded it, and no doubt the Keyblade wielders are looking for it as well as our Troll." He told them. "But somehow, I feel it may not be enough to face them."
"A giant bird that can fly and we only helped by giving a cloaking spell over it like you ask so they never know where it'shiding," Darcy said.
"Why not use a pack of Beowolves, or Ursa to take the ground." Stormy suggested with her hands together when thinking of some sinister plot.
Tezzeret pondered over such thought. "Tempting, but no. I want to see their skills for myself and how they handle two different Grimm they never fought."
Getting the sisters intrigued by his idea. "What do you have in mind?" Icy asked him.
Instead of words, he decided to give a demonstration, lifting his right hand as the sleeve fell. The Trix silently gasped when they saw the metallic arm instead of flesh, almost like a skeleton's arm with three fingers and a glowing red gem in the metallic palm. The elder looked at them and could easily see the expressions on their faces "Of course, this is the first time you saw it, but you will find out how I received it another time." Focusing on his magic to summon a Grimm for the challenge, the darkness grew, much larger than any they've used so far as the earth beneath them began to rise, a dark form rose and towered over them with its yellow eyes opened after being created. Tezzeret remained where he stood while the Trix took a step back with their eyes widening and mouths dropping.
Icy's face turned to an evil grin. "Ooh, this one I like very much." She would certainly love to imagine the looks on those fairies' and keybladers' faces when they see this one.
Ben jumped from one branch to another as he followed the scent. Finding the footprints was easy until they suddenly became lighter, which suggested that the troll was being assisted by someone using magic; he didn't seem smart enough to use or possess it himself. This was likely the same group responsible for employing the Nevermore to attack the Specialists. Ben needed to concentrate on using his senses to understand his surroundings, recalling the lessons he had learned from Yen Sid and Macbeth during his training.
Flashback
"So, you want me to try knowing my surroundings?" Ben asked Yen Sid as he and the other two stepped into the room that looked somewhat like a training ground with equipment and an arena for combat.
"Correct, from your previous sparring after observing each of you three to find the ability that suits you the most as well as how your keyblade relates to that power." Yen Sid explains to Ben to help them understand.
"But, don't they have all sorts of abilities, like different elements, Time magic and stuff?" Taren asked him.
The elder nodded his head and answered Taren's question. "True they can provide a variety of magic spells, the most common uses are elemental types, and summoning, and even the most common ability is to connect the gates between worlds and other specialties that you have yet to master among certain levels of tiers." Yen Sid lectures the three about the certain types of magic their keyblades possess. "For example, each of your keyblades is different with a unique power of their own and the connection with your hearts."
The group listened and absorbed the information until he turned to Ben first. "Ben, from what we gathered on your training, your keyblade has somewhat granted you enhanced abilities greater than an ordinary human would. And also"
Hearing this surprised the brunette prince after the grand master informed him. "So the keyblade enhanced my physical skills?"
But before Yen Sid could respond, Ben's body suddenly snapped and spun around, summoning the keyblade into his grip to block a kukri knife that came from behind. Even Mal and Taren were startled by a surprise attack orchestrated by Macbeth who held the knife before taking a few steps back.
"What are you trying to pull, old man?! You trying to kill us?" Mal glared at him and held her hands out ready to use her magic.
"No need to fret. If I did, he would not have blocked the attack that was for him." Macbeth told her. "It proves Yen Sid'stheory that your heightened senses have also developed which can be useful to defend yourself and know your surroundings. Use it and it will be a valuable asset for your abilities."
"I get it, it's so if an opponent might be fast or use something like hide their presence from us." Ben said as he was starting to catch on.
"Exactly. But be careful of trying to recognize the sound, sight, and smell to find your target." Macbeth advised.
End flashback.
'I have to use my other senses if I can't find them. Remember what Master Yen Sid and Macbeth said: Use it and it will be a valuable asset for your ability.' Focusing his energy and senses to find anything, closing his eyes and taking into a deep focus. His ears could hear various animal noises, branches, and different gases released by the swamp. His ears twitched when he picked up a scent, it must be the Troll turned in the direction and ran through the trees.
"I think I got it." Ben said, feeling confident that he was getting the hang of it. Suddenly hears some rustling noises by the bushes, and pulls out his phone to call the others. "Hey guys, it's me I think I'm on the right track. He shouldn't be too far and.. the hell?" Ben was interrupted when he felt something wrap around his leg, some sort of brown earthly vine that sprouted out of the ground. "Get off me-WHOoooaaAHH!" Taken by surprise when the vines lifted him and wrapped themselves around his body, struggled to break free as they had a good hold of him, binding his legs and arms together.
Ben struggled and could not summon his keyblade in the position he was in. "Whats… going on?"
"Well, glad to see you can join us."
Ben heard a voice and was surprised to find the Specialists tied up like him and hung up by the plants. "Guys! You ok?"
"Do we look okay to you?" Riven muttered as he was trying to break free of them, only to have the vines tighten their grip on him.
"Just calm down, Riven, we were suddenly taken by surprise by these things. No idea what they are, but not friendly." Brandon explained not enjoy the situation they were in. "What are you doing here?"
"Looking for the Grimm, only, the same thing happened here." Ben responded to his question. "Any clue to what these things are?"
"Unfortunately no, I don't seem to have the data on them since there are no plant species like this that could perhapssurvive." Timmy explained while trying to stay calm.
"Well, guess they probably don't know that." Ben groaned again as his bounds were tightened once more, he could feel the pressure building up and only a matter of time to struggle for breathing, to his relief they stopped but for now at least."I sent the call to the others, they should be close by. But we gotta get out of here before something else finds us."
The last thing the keyblade wielder needed was for a monster or a Grimm to find them all tied up, easy pickings for them to attack. He can only hope his friends find them in time.
Meanwhile a few minutes earlier…
"Do you think Ben will be able to track the Troll and the others in this swamp?" Tecna asked out of curiosity after they saw him run at an incredible speed.
"Probably, Ben's been training to enhance his senses than any of us can. Some sort of super tracker." Taren said while walking through the swamps
"And at least you have me around, with the forest being my element I'm certain we won't get lost." Mal said with confidence in her abilities.
Flora was surprised to hear this from her. "You mean to say you can feel nature?"
The witch looked at her with a smile. "Yep, can feel the energy flowing around here, so much more since we arrived. And you'll be surprised what I can do."
"Just don't ask for a spar with her, a fair warning." Taren grumbled under his breath.
"Now, now, just because I beat you the last 6 times in a row don't need to be stubborn." Mal playfully taunted him, earning a twitching earbrow from his glaring expression.
"You only won using your nature magic in that one sparring match!" Taren argued, trying to keep himself calm and not make himself a fool in front of the girls.
Bloom couldn't help but found Karen's reaction to be funny of competing with his friends. Yet, while it might be fun between friends, she decided to step in before the two would argue further with their childish antics. "Alright, break it up. We have other things more important."
Genie appeared before them. "She's right, take it from someone so keen to beat a friend of his in a game over many, many, MANY losses." He mumbled, remembering the days of wanting a win against Carpet over a game of croquet and accidentally putting his friends in danger. "But Eventually things will work out, you'll see."
Both didn't want to admit it but they were right as the keybladers needed to work together to stop Tezzeret and find the flame. The group continued for a few minutes, Bloom, Flora, and Mal could feel that they were getting closer to the Trolland following Ben's location.
"Should be up close ahead." Taren said.
"Hey, can I ask you something that you don't mind?" Tecna asked him, something she'd been meaning to ask since they met.
Taren halted along with Mal when they all turned to the pink-haired teen. "Sure, what is it?"
"Well, is there any chance to know a little about your keyblades? I mean, I had seen such magical weapons and my scanners couldn't get a clear reading of them." The fairy of tech gave a question that the rest of the Club had been thinking of since day one.
"Think they deserve a little bit about you guys if you wanna stay friends with them." Genie advised, leaning towards them and hoping they make the right choice after what they did for them.
Both the wielders looked at each other and sighed. Taren spoke up to them. "Alright, I guess you earned it but this should remain a secret for the time being, okay?"
The girls nodded and understood.
Taren started first. "My parents told me a lot about them, so will tell what I know so far. The Keybaldes can seal and open barriers between worlds, much like a lock on any type, possibly to prevent something bad from coming through for the time being." Giving them the idea of a weapon that could unlock almost anything: chest, doors, a locked room, or even a gate
"That would probably be your weapons look like keys, to manipulate the links between worlds must have incredible magic within them." Tecna thought as she was imputing the data about the keyblades in her database.
"Not certain if they work here since we've never been or heard of this place until a few months ago." Mal said, that while it was true both dimensions have not been in contact for a very long time and were uncertain if they even have keyholes in the Magic Dimension.
"Didn't you say that the keyblades are bound only to their chosen wielders back on Earth?" Bloom asked after remembering what Taren told both her and Stella.
Taren nodded at her before stepping over the stump. "Yeah, they do, each keyblade is linked to their chosen wielders who might have inherited one or have a strong heart to possess a keyblade of their own and even obtain others if they wish. We can summon them anytime and even if they were taken away they would simply return to their wielders, which it easier to avoid losing them or anyone trying to steal it."
"Least we don't have to worry about those witches trying to steal them." Musa pointed out, that she could feel relaxed knowing about it but still leaves more questions than answers about them.
"Your parents must know a lot about them, Taren. Are they keyblade wielders as well?" Flora asked, trying to pry into his privacy.
"You bet! They have practically been doing this sort of thing since they were our age and could say it runs in the family I guess." Taren said with a sheepish smile on his face, always looked up to his parents with pride at how they went on all sorts of adventures and wanted to be like them.
"Wow, that's amazing! Can you tell us who they are?" Bloom asked Taren with a bright smile. But before he could try to answer her question about his parents.
Taren was somewhat a little hesitant and nervous if he should bring up their names. Smiles nervously at them and tries to think of something. "Uhh… well not sure you know them but are their names-"
"Hold it! Everyone stay where you are!" Genie popped up with a big "stop" sign in front. "Now I may not be familiar with Magix but if anyone's been paying attention, there's a lot of these nasty-looking plants we've stumbled across." Points his finger to a brown plant that almost looks like a Venus flytrap, snapping its jaws when his finger comes very close near the jaws.
Flora came close to inspect them and immediately recognized them for what they are. "He's right, they're Quietus Carnivorous, they hate to sound so it's best we all stay quiet while we're near them." She told them in a low voice town to whisper.
Stella didn't seem to believe it. "Really? I find it hard to believe." To prove it she brought her fingers to her lips to whistle, so far nothing happened as the plants remained where they were. "See? Nothing's happened-GAHHH!" She felt something grabbing her ankles and lifted him upside down.
Mal approached her and couldn't help but chuckle at how funny she looked hanging upside down. But considering they were on a schedule she had to do something. "Hold still." She gave a command over the plants with her powers to drop her, doing so and Stella fell onto the mud.
Flora was impressed with how she was able to control the plants but also relieved to see Stella not injured, hoping she take this as a lesson to remember. But her eyes spotted something peculiar lying on a branch, it was a pink feathered bird with red tail feathers and a yellow beak, wearing a white top with a blue stripe across. What made it so unusual was the bird was lounging on a branch like it was relaxing, not bothered by the surroundings until it suddenly noticed her and gave a wave to her with a friendly smile.
"Hey, Flora you ok?" She turned around to see Tecna calling out to her and when she came to look back, the bird was gone without a trace.
"What? Oh, yes. I just thought I saw something. Probably my imagination." She was almost baffled and almost swore she had seen it.
"HEELLLP!"
The group heard someone cry out for help, recognized the voice belonging to one of the Specialists, and was close by. Finding the Specialists and Ben hung up in the air by the vines.
"Guys!" Ben was glad to see them here but unable to speak with the vines squeezing him hard, uncertain how long he could keep up with it.
"Don't worry buddy, we'll get you down!" Genie said, changing into a lumberjack and pulling out a chainsaw. "We'll have you boys down in a jiffy."
"Yeah, hold on!" Taren agreed and summoned his keyblade, both of them completely forgetting that the vines belonged to the Quietus Carnivorous that Flora warned them about. Yet, they were too late when a couple of vines snuck up on them, wrapped up Genie's whole body as Taren was suddenly grabbed by the ankles and dangled upside down like Stella.
"Well, this ain't the first time I get snared up by some magical plant." Genie grumbled and yet found it humiliating.
Mal sighed and faced palms after seeing this. "Idiots." Secretly pulled out her phone, seeing them dangling about was too good to miss it. "But so much worth a snapshot."
The redhead glared and couldn't believe this was happening as he dangled limply like a ragdoll. He crossed his arms and frowned, trying to stay calm despite the vines tightening around his legs. "Not one word about this to anyone." The wielder warned them. Bloom and Flora could barely suppress their giggles, while Mal smirked as she took a snapshot for her amusement. Even the Specialists had to hold in their snickering.
"Keep laughing and might upset the man-eating plants that are too busy digesting us." Riven warned the girls, much as it was funny seeing Taren and their blue companion's little performance, making more noises caused the vines to squeeze him tighter.
"Keep your voice down, you dummy. They only hate loud noises" Musa told the stubborn Specialist.
It started to make some sense to Ben as to why they do it, now trying to stay calm and hoping they stop squeezing him.
Taren mentally smacked his head, he forgot about that and grumbled. "Uh…oops." Chuckled softly as well as Flora and Bloom giggled at his impression.
"Not to worry boys, this genie will get us out of it." Genie proclaimed as he was able to stretch out his hand, and with a flick of his fingers, they were all free and back on the ground.
"Thanks for that." Ben thanked him but knowing those vines seemed a little ticked about it. "Uh, maybe we should try to get out of here."
Flora kneels before the vines and tries to calm them down. "Everything's okay, little plants. You can relax now, no one will hurt you." Understanding her soft voice, the vines retreated giving the group the chance to walk out of the forest.
"So is it safe to speak normally now?" Brandon asked.
"Yeah, not to worry, me and Flora will make certain they don't harm us again." Mal said in a normal tone.
"I think we should all look for the Troll together at this point. Whaddya guys say?" Bloom asked as she felt it be much safer, especially if that Grimm showed up and the girls would be unable to use their magic to defend themselves.
Flora smiled and nodded. "Well, I'm okay with it."
"No prob here." Taren agreed as did the others.
"I refuse to team up with fairies." Riven argued.
"Well, you're on your own, buddy." Sky said.
"If you see the Troll or anything even scarier, make sure to shout."Taren joked, causing Riven to grumble and follow them in reluctance.
The group made their way to a large river with circular stumps floating on top, a large gap between each other across the other side of the river. They had to look for some that might be stable enough to jump across.
"Seems like a good idea to cross, doesn't seem dangerous here." The blonde squire said.
"Yeah, but after that incident with the vines, who knows what could happen." Taren agreed with him and yet felt like they needed to be careful.
Mal had an idea and stepped forward. "Stand aside, fellas. If you want to cross it, you need a bridge." The purple-haired witch smiles with confidence, it would be too complicated to take everyone using her keyblade's shadow magic at once or many times, but from her training to use the natural elements of nature by her command and will, it was something thatfelt natural and part of her. Focusing her magic to create vines out of the ground before her and reached out towards the other side.
Everyone but the wielders and Genie were amazed by how she was able to create a bridge made out of vines. "Well? Are you coming or not, it's not going to last long." Mal called out to them as she already started to walk across.
The group followed her with Taren stayed behind to make sure everyone got up, Genie popped up. "Well, things seem to be going well not a simple-ooohhhhohh!" He suddenly shivered like he did earlier this morning. "It's that same tingling again."
Taren didn't understand what but he also had a bad vibe coming close to them, a VERY bad vibe.
"Uh, Taren? Do you remember saying something about a big black bird?" Timmy asked Taren as his face turned pale and fidgeted.
"Yeah, why do you-"
A loud echoing squawk thundered, causing everyone to jump in surprise by the noise. Taren turned around and saw the Nevermore flying straight towards them at an intense speed, the group discovered how big it was as it was coming closer. His eyes noticed it flapped its large wings and brought its talons forward. "RUN!" They didn't waste time and made a runfor it across the bridge.
The Nevermore found its targets and within range flapped its wings forward, unleashing a rain of feathers onto the ran up to cover both Riven and Tecna who were still on the bridge, summoning the Light's Rebellion to his hand,and mustering the magic from his keyblade. They were too fast for his elemental magic so needed to use a defensive strategy. "Reflect!" Creating a sphere around them and in time before the feathers struck them.
Once that was done, he called it off and launched another attack. "Fira!" He waved his keyblade, sending a fireball toward the Nevermore. The creature was forced to halt its assault and narrowly dodge the flames, which burned most of the outer feathers from one of its wings, making it furious. With a furious flap of its wings, it dove toward them to attack.
Brandon and Sky watched the battle in disbelief, but their attention was quickly drawn to a loud creaking and snapping noise coming from the bridge, which was suffering damage. The Nevermore's feathers, sharp as blades, easily sliced through the vines like butter. Some of the feathers were stuck, but the damage was clear. They both realized what that creature was attempting to do.
"Guys! Get off that bridge!" Brandon shouted to warn them.
The trio heard him and discovered the bridge wasn't going to last much longer, meaning the Grimm was going for the strike and making certain they didn't make it. They ran to the other side as fast as possible but the Nevermore was getting closer and too fast for them to make it. Its talons were brought out front and only crushed large chunks of the plant bridge when Taren, Tecna, and Riven only jumped but fell into the river. With the bridge destroyed the Nevermore flew off, but not before being taken by a few blasts from the Specialists and Keybladers using their weapons and magic to drive it away.
Riven first got the edge and had some help with Musa offering her hand to him. "T-thanks." He grunted and coughed upwater out of his mouth, not seeing Musa smiling that he was all right.
Tecna swam out of the way from the debris and coughed up when she saw Timmy rush to her aid, she smiled and accepted his help out of the water.
"Taren!" Bloom rushed over, deeply worried as he took a hit, and caught him by the arm.
"Here, let me help." Brandon came to her aide and pulled him up. Taren was bruised up on the shoulder after being hit by a chunk of vine, but so far seems fine. "You alright?"
Taren groaned and coughed, glanced over to them, and smiled at the blonde. "Yeah, should be okay using a Cura butthanks for the help."
The squire smiled and couldn't believe what he had just seen, he was about to ask him what that thing was before Bloom gave a tight embrace to the startled wielder, obviously worried and relieved he was not too injured.
"I'm just glad you were alright." She said, not seeing the blush on the boy's face and seeing Brandon smile at him at the scene.
"But what in the Dragon's name was that? I've never seen anything like it." Brandon asked, watching the monster fly off but has a feeling it wasn't done with them after the attack.
Timmy couldn't take his eyes off it and was trying to find some data on the creature that attacked them a moment ago, even Riven was somewhat shaken but kept himself together and felt the trio knew something about it that they didn'tshare.
"Something you like to tell us? You know something about that thing?" Riven glared at them and demanded answers.
Sky stood before him and held up his hand. "They must have a perfectly good explanation for all this. They did warn us earlier about it, remember?"
Flora came over and checked for any injuries they might have received using potions she brought in case of emergencies."Taren did risk his life to save yours and Tecna's life." She defended causing the others to nod in agreement.
Taren got up with Bloom's help as the rest rushed over to them. He had a feeling this would happen and the Specialists deserved to know, Macbeth and Yen Sid told them this was a secret mission but he didn't want anyone getting hurt because of it but eventually would need the help they could get. "That… was a Grimm. And I guess you guys should know what's going on."
Mal and Ben looked at each other and nodded. "Better talk about it while on the way. That thing will probably come back to stop us." Ben said as they walked off and paid attention to what the wielders had to say while they continued their search for the Troll.
Hope you enjoyed it, I thought to add a bit of a flash back to build up some story of their training and picked Ben's, as I thought since he's the son of the Beast/prince Adam he would inherit some abilities. Thought to end the chapter here and leave a cliff hanger now the Specialists will find out what's going on. If you have any suggestions or something for the characters let me know.
So anyone noticed something out of the ordinary? hehehe. Give your answer in the review
cjboughton: Yes they will learn flow motion, once I get to know about the new abilities in kh3 I will see which ones I could use for the story.
Jebest4781: Oh yeah, I thought it be interesting how they will find out about how Riku knows him hehe